Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me.

Chapter Seventeen: Wolf Hunt

"You sure look pretty today KAGOME!"

Grrrrrrrr.

"Did you do something different with your hair, KAGOME? It looks especially lovely."

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

"KAGOME, watch your step. We wouldn't want you to fall, KAGOME!"

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr

"KAGOME, you…"

"SHUT UP!" Inuyasha roared at Miroku.

Miroku looked at him with his infuriatingly calm smile, pretending not to notice how his friend was flexing his sharp claws. "Now Inuyasha, we all agreed that the best way to lure out Koga is to use Kagome as bait."

"WE DID NOT AGREE!"

"The majority rules."

"I HATE this."

The monk smirked at his furious friend to the blushing miko with the magical skirt. How is it possible that she never showed more than just a little leg? Considering all the fighting, climbing, and falling the girl does, it is impossible that nothing inappropriate never shows. Perhaps the game we are playing is rated G. "I am rather enjoying this."

"If you want to keep your eyes," the dog demon snarled, "You'll keep them off of her."

Miroku looked back to Inuyasha in surprise. The young man had been protective of the girl from the moment they met. No, before then. Even when they only knew each other as names on a screen he had been protective of her. Now the Inuyasha was beginning to truly act the part of dog demon with the way he was snarling. Is it possible for him to be absorbed into the game if he spends too much time here? Could he possibly become a dog demon?

Miroku was shaken out of his thoughts when he heard Sango calling Kagome's name loudly to come take a look at a rock she found. Immediately Inuyasha's fiery golden gaze went to the demon exterminator. For a moment Miroku was scared. Would Inuyasha go so far in his protection that he would hurt his other friends? Possibly even kill them? Us? The monk moved to block the view of Sango before whacking Inuyasha in the head with his staff.

"You are supposed to be trying to catch Koga's scent, Inuyasha. You wouldn't want him surprising us again now would you?" Miroku took a deep breath, hoping his impulsiveness wouldn't get him killed. "I don't think any of us are fast enough to catch up with him should he take Kagome again."

With threats of death and dismemberment, luckily all aimed at Koga this time, Inuyasha stood up and began smelling the air. Then he got down on all fours and began smelling the ground. Usually Miroku would be amused at how dog-like Inuyasha could seem. But now it worried him. It was beginning to look too natural for him.

"Look!" All eyes turned to Kagome, who hadn't spoken all day. The last couple of battles had drained her of most of her energy. "There's a town up ahead. Maybe we'll find some answers there."

Miroku smiled warmly. "Of course we will. I can feel it."

"Ha!" Sango snorted as she stroked Kirara. "You felt it in the last three towns we visited and came up with nothing."

"This time is different."

"What do we have to lose?" asked Shippo. And so it was decided. The group would visit yet another town.

The town looked a lot like the last several towns they visited. In fact, the houses and people were all exactly alike except for the colors of their clothes and the placement of the houses. The designer didn't take a lot of stock in being original.

Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kirara waited for the three humans at the tavern. Waiting at the edge of town had been boring, so a couple of days ago they decided to heck with the humans, they were waiting someplace comfortable. And as long as Kagome ordered enough food for all of them before she left, then they were also able to eat like pigs.

Usually Miroku would follow Sango throughout the villages, hitting on the female villagers who were unable to respond in a real way. He didn't expect any different reaction from the computer simulated people, but he did love the way that Sango reacted. There was something about making her angry that tickled him. Her eyes sparkled with an appealing fire right before she let her fist or weapon fly.

But today Miroku decided to follow Kagome as soon as he was out of Inuyasha's line of sight. It didn't surprise him when Sango decided to go with them. But that was okay, the things he wanted to discuss would involve the demon exterminator as well.

Miko Kagome: Do you know where the wolf tribes are?

Female Villager in Yellow: The baker sells bread and cheese.

Miko Kagome: Cheese?

Female Villager in Yellow: The farmer sells eggs and milk.

Miko Kagome: Yeah, great. But have you seen the wolf tribes?

Female Villager in Yellow: The baker sells bread and cheese.

Miko Kagome: Thanks. Nice talking to you.

Miroku kept silent as she talked to two children, another woman, and three men. None of them knew about the wolf tribes.

"Thought you had a feeling about this place," grumbled Kagome as she stretched her arms to the sky, trying to work out the soreness in her shoulders.

Miroku looked. Dang that magical skirt. "There are still many to talk to. We have yet to enter any of the homes."

Kagome stopped and turned back towards the direction the tavern was located. "We'll go get the others and start looting and plundering." She stopped dead in her tracks when she felt Miroku's hand on her arm.

"Might I have a word with you before we go back?"

Miroku cringed as Sango's eyes narrowed on him. Her hand twitching as she fingered the strap on her weapon. There was no doubt about it, the demon slayer would take him out as quick as the demon would if he tried anything. Nervously and quickly he took his hand back from Kagome's arm. No sense tempting fate.

"Of course." Bless her heart, she tries to not sound suspicious. Must approach this with the utmost diplomacy.

"I think the game is making Inuyasha crazy." Oops. He took a step away from the miko who was suddenly glowing a scary color of pink. Before this game, Miroku never would have thought of PINK as a scary color. "What I mean to say, is that I think that the game is affecting Inuyasha. I think it is making him more dangerous… more of the demon he is supposed to be playing."

When he wasn't blasted into dust, Miroku felt it safe to open his eyes again. When did I shut them? He hoped his smile was gentle and calming.

"I have noticed that he is becoming more demon-like over these past few weeks. Most especially these past few days. My concern is that he will be a full demon by the time that this game is over, instead of….human."

The miko crossed her arms over her chest angrily and glared at him. But at least the pink glow was gone so he didn't feel like his life was in any immediate danger. Yet. "Koga thinks he's demon. Even Sango got… confused by the game in the beginning. Of course the game affects people."

"Koga and Sango both had a shard. Inuyasha does not."

There was silence.

"Shippo too." Miroku and Kagome turned to look at Sango, who had not been speaking during the exchange. "I've noticed changes in him as well. He spends more time playing kitsune tricks and hunting small prey than participating in conversations. I'm worried too, Kagome."

Miroku watched as Kagome clenched and unclenched her fists. He wondered if she was trying to keep from pummeling him.

"And what," she asked angrily, "Are you proposing?"

He cleared his throat, hoping to get through this conversation with all his body parts intact. "Sango and I are excellent fighters, and your abilities in fighting and healing improve by leaps and bounds every day..."

"No."

"The three of us are strong."

"No." She turned to leave, without looking backwards. "I refuse to leave them. Think of something else."

Miroku and Sango watched as the angry miko walked away, still trying to control her anger. When she was out of sight Miroku sank to the ground. He was surprised when Sango sat next to him.

"Very smooth," she commented.

"It didn't go as well as I had hoped."

"Hmm."

Miroku sighed. "What do you think we should do?"

This time Sango sighed as she turned towards him. "I guess we wait and watch. Keep your guard up. But Kagome won't leave them. She wouldn't leave any of us. We'll take her advice and think of something else. Who knows, things might work out for the best after all."

Nodding, Miroku stood up. He was surprised when Sango allowed him to help her up. Of the million times he had offered his hand to her for help, this was the first time she took it. He smiled. At least something was going right today.

Miroku was pleasantly surprised to see that Inuyasha was not looking at him like he was going to shred him into teeny tiny pieces. Obviously Kagome didn't tell them about the conversation that had taken place. Bless that girl. Luck was on his side after all. Not only that, but by the time they arrived, Kagome had found someone who knew of the wolf demon tribe.

"To think that the person we needed to talk to was in the tavern all along," she laughed and looked towards an older man sitting at the bar.

If anyone found her laugh forced, they kept it to themselves. Only Inuyasha looked suspicious, but he didn't say anything either. Miroku, however, felt very uncomfortable every time those accusing golden eyes fell on him.

"What did he tell you?" asked Sango.

"The tribes are to the north." Kagome bit her lip and looked away. "They have been attacking humans."

"We shall head out as soon as we stock up on supplies."

"I thought you already went out to get supplies," said Inuyasha, leaning towards the monk, invading her personal space. "Isn't that what you were supposed to be doing? Or were you… distracted?"

Miroku knew his mouth was open, but he couldn't make words come out. He knew. Something in the dog demon's eyes was telling Miroku that he knew. Will he torture me before he kills me? Quickly he chastised himself for thinking such disturbing thoughts about his friend. But his friend was human. The young man before him was slowly turning demon.

"We were questioning villagers, Inuyasha. We had not yet started our shopping." Miroku shot Sango a grateful smile. "We heard that the baker has bread."

"And cheese," added Kagome as she stood up and shouldered her backpack.

"Cheese?"

"Yes, Shippo."

"At the bakers?"

"Yes, Shippo." Kagome rolled her eyes and headed for the door. "Let's get going. We need to hurry up so we can head north."

"Perhaps there will be chocolate for you at this shop."

"Don't get my hopes up like that, Miroku. That's just cruel."

Death, it seems, is not yet in the cards for me. Miroku breathed more easily when the group found the bakers shop and began purchasing items. By the time they reached the potions shop everyone seemed to be in a much better mood. However, his nervousness returned when they came to the weapons shop. Inuyasha's questions and comments on how sharp he felt certain swords were was beginning to unnerve the monk. Kagome's way too amused snickering did not help matters much.

"Still no luck finding chocolate, KAGOME?" asks Miroku.

"Stop shouting her name, monk, or I'll have to cut you."

"KAGOME, Inuyasha is being mean!"

"Shut up, Shippo!"

"Tell Inuyasha to please refrain from smacking Shippo while he is riding on my shoulder, KAGOME." Miroku frowned at the kit's scratch marks on his cloak.

"I'm warning you, Miroku…"

Sango snickered. "KAGOME, Inuyasha is growling at Miroku again."

Kagome sighed and stopped walking. "Please don't let me kill my friends today," she prayed aloud as she rubbed her temples.

Miroku was still inspecting his torn cloak and dodging Inuyasha's half-hearted attacks when he heard Kagome gasp. He looked up and saw her scanning the horizon, searching for something. By this time he knew that look. Jewel shards.

"Shards are coming fast!" Kagome warned her friends.

Inuyasha sniffed the air and growled. "Koga." He drew his sword and snarled out a few rude curse words and voiced some rather detailed and creative explanations of what parts of the wolf he would begin removing first should he step out of line and how those parts would be removed. Miroku cringed.

"Remember that he is our friend," reminded the monk. "We want the jewel shards, we don't want him dead."

"Speak for yourself, monk," two demon voices muttered.

The group watched as a whirlwind quickly approached. It was headed straight for them. Miroku called to Shippo and held onto him while he backed away, motioning for Sango and Kirara to follow. He didn't figure that Inuyasha would listen to him anyhow, so he didn't even bother trying to get his attention.

"No killing our friends," he reminded the dog demon loudly.

"Feh."

As the whirlwind approached, Inuyasha stood protectively in front of Kagome. Miroku prayed fervently that Koga would be smart enough to pay attention to the fact that Inuyasha's body language was saying "Touch her and die" clear as day. It wasn't exactly difficult to interpret.

But alas, that was too much to hope for. Even in cyberspace, the wolf never was able to take a hint.

"Kagome!" The whirlwind stopped in front of Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Stay away from her!"

Unfortunately, the wolf did not heed the other demon's advice. Instead he side stepped him and grabbed both of Kagome's hands in his.

"My love! My mate! I'm sorry I had to leave you in the care of the mutt there. Please forgive me."

Kagome blushed and looked to her friends for help. "Uhhh…."

"GET YOUR MANGY HANDS OFF HER!"

As Inuyasha lifted his sword, Koga swept Kagome into his arms. Miroku frowned. He's using Kagome as a shield! He couldn't decide if that was an intelligent move or a cowardly one. At any rate, it worked. The tip Inuyasha's sword fell to the ground.

"Let her go and fight me like a man!"

The wolf demon's tail twitched, and only let his blue eyes drift to Inuyasha for a moment before dismissing him. Quickly Miroku moved towards them to restrain Inuyasha. He pulled one of his charms and threw it on Inuyasha, praying that it would work outside of the battlefield. And it did. The dog demon was frozen in place.

If looks could kill… Miroku shivered. "I'm sorry, my friend, but we can't risk Kagome's life." The look he got after that particular sentence put the first one to shame. Miroku began questioning whether or not he should ever take that charm off now.

"You DARE think that I would hurt her?" The words were not loud. In fact, they were hissed so quiet and low that only Miroku could hear them. And they chilled him.

Miroku didn't answer the question. Instead he shared a worried glance with Sango before turning his attention back to Koga and Kagome. The girl was looking very uncomfortable with the flowering praises being heaped on her by the prince of the wolf demon tribe.

"Look, Koga," she said as she tried to push away from him. "I think you're a nice guy, and I like you as a friend. But I don't like you like THAT."

"You will learn to love me." His blue eyes sparkled.

"Koga. Listen to me. I do not love you. I will not love you. Ever. We can only ever be friends. And if you keep pushing like this, we won't even be able to be friends. So back off. Now."

But he only smiled happily at her, laughed merrily, and held her closer. "You are funny, Kagome! I claimed you as my mate long ago, you belong to me. Come, you will be a princess. You will have everything you could possibly desire. I will make it my life to please you and make you happy."

"No, Koga. I'm not your mate. I…"

"She can not abandon the quest!" Miroku spoke up. After dealing with Inuyasha's recent glares, the one he got from Koga didn't make him blink an eye. "Kagome has a responsibility to finish the quest. She must gather the jewel shards so she can save her father's life."

Sango smiled as she made her way to stand just out of reach of the lecherous monk. "Come with us, Koga, prince of the wolf demons," she said respectfully. "With your aid she can finish the quest and… make a home."

"Sango! NO!"

"Quiet, Shippo."

The fox demon jumped from her shoulder and went to sit behind Inuyasha's leg. Miroku sighed, now the growling and snarling had doubled. The monk pulled out another charm so Shippo could see it. The threat worked.

Koga looked down at Kagome, who was looking horrified at what her friends had just said. The wolf demon was grinning at her like she was dessert.

"Be my mate and I will help you on your quest."

"Koga… I… I can't…"

Miroku cleared his throat. "The jewel shards you have in your leg will be of great help to us. Will you give these shards to your… ahem… mate?" Please listen, Kagome. Agree to be his mate and we'll get the shards.

"Of course. Anything for my mate."

"Once you agree to be his mate, then he will be a part of our group. You want that, right Kagome? Isn't that why we are here? Agree to be his mate." Sango pleaded.

Kagome's eyes got wide. She looked at Miroku and Sango. Their faces were hopeful. Miroku knew the moment when she made the connection of what they were trying to tell her. Agree to be his mate. Get him to join our group. We'll get the shards and everything will be back the way it should be.

Miroku followed her gaze to Inuyasha. He was expecting the dog demon to be howling and cursing and screaming. But he was strangely quiet. His ears drooped and his eyes would not leave hers. Anything he was saying to her was being said with his eyes. And whatever it was he was saying to her, it held her spellbound.

"Stop it, Inuyasha. Let her do this. You are only making things harder. It won't be forever, just until we get the shards." Miroku whispered, grateful that Koga's attention was focused on Kagome.

"She will be promising herself to him, monk. It's wrong."

"Once he is back in his right mind we'll explain things to him. The promise won't mean anything. It's just to get him to join us. She won't really be his mate."

Inuyasha froze him to the spot with his golden eyes. "It is still a promise. And it is wrong. Don't make her do this. Don't guilt her into doing this."

"It's the easiest way, Inuyasha. Don't be a jealous fool!" he hissed.

"I will kill you if you make her do this."

Miroku looked down when he heard Shippo's soft voice. The kit wasn't cowering like he had first thought. He was adding his support to the other demon. "I'll help, Inuyasha." It was too serious of a promise from one who looked so young.

Before anyone could make another threat, or trying talking anyone out of anything, Kagome spoke.

"I can not be your mate, Koga. I don't love you. I'm sorry." Quickly she pushed away from the wolf demon, catching him off balance. Obviously he thought he had won since he had the support of her human friends. Her rejection left him confused. Then furious.

The miko smiled at her dog demon friend and started walking towards him. Miroku watched in horror as Koga grabbed her from behind, his claws dragging down her arm.

"YOU ARE MINE!"

Miroku ran towards Kagome. Sango was already throwing her weapon. Just as Miroku reached Kagome to drag her to safety, he felt a kick land in his gut. He flew several feet before he landed against a boulder.

Blindly he got up and grabbed for his staff, only to realize that it had been knocked too far out of reach. The charms had fallen out of his pockets when he flew. Guess I'll do this the old fashioned way. He ran back towards the wolf demon, dodging the bone boomerang as it flew towards their once friend.

Just as he was able to grab onto Kagome's arm he felt his gut being torn open. The last thing he heard was the screams of two women and the curses of one angry dog demon calling for the charm to be removed before his world went black.

Two sets of memories assaulted Miroku at once. The first set was the memories of his life in the real world. The second was the memories that were given to him in the game. They played simultaneously, weaving in and out of each other, merging. They flickered by quickly, not giving him time to process any of the information. Then everything went quiet and still.

Although there was nothing there, Miroku felt himself being pulled. He didn't fight it. It was calming and comforting. He wasn't afraid. He knew he was dead. He did find it ironic how he had been thinking of death all day from the hands of his friend, but he was wrong in which friend it was who would be killing him.

Suddenly he felt a stronger pull. Confused he looked around. There was still nothing. But the second pull yanked him violently from the calming darkness. Voices began to fill his head, making him dizzy.

The first thing he was aware of was a sharp stabbing pain in his ribs. Poke. Poke. Poke. Then he heard voices. At first they were mumbly, then he began hearing words. All the time he kept feeling that poking in his side. He slowly opened one eye, but shut them tight when the blinding sunlight pierced his brain.

"He's awake!" It was Sango's voice. It was rough and unsteady. Was she crying?

Cautiously he opened his eyes. A pair of amused golden eyes were staring down at him.

The dog demon grinned. "Still want that scrawny wolf to join our group?"

Miroku groaned and slowly sat up. He glared at Shippo who was poking him in the side with a sharp stick. The fox kit gave him an innocent smile as he gave him one last poke.

"I was just helping," the kit said.

Miroku looked over to a very tired looking Kagome who was hugging a very distraught Sango. The demon slayer turned away from them and wiped her eyes before turning back to the monk.

"You're an idiot," she told him.

Miroku smiled. She loves me.

"Guess the phoenix feather works after all," Miroku said as he struggled to his feet. He accepted Sango's help and leaned against her, perhaps more than he really needed to, but he wasn't about to pass up a chance like this!

Inuyasha shook his head. "No, it didn't. We tried it though."

"We think it only works in battle, when the music Kagome hears is playing. It must be one of those rules of the games." Shippo explained as if Miroku was an idiot.

"Then how… I was dead…. how…?"

All eyes turned to Kagome who smiled weakly and waved.

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

Naraku looked up from the screen to see Kagura's furious face. He gave her an indulgent smile before turning back to the monitor.

"She can't revive the dead outside of battle! That isn't possible! They are cheating! Somehow they are CHEATING!"

"Perhaps, my child, it is time for you to join the game."