Big surprise everyone, I updated in less than a week. WOW! Here's an even bigger surprise I was able to go back and redo from the Prologue to Chapter 3. Chapters 4&5 and possibly others will come later. There was roughly a page added to each chapter. Now it isn't demanding that you go back and read these. I decided to redo it to make it look right. I expanded on a few issues instead of being so rushed. Though I'm being a bit rushed now. You see in less than an hour after I finish this note, I'll be leaving. I will be going on vacation with my family to Rehoboth Beach (I think I spelled that right). I will not return until Friday so I look forward to all your reviews when I get back. But before I go I got a few quick responses.

Valdimarian - Good to hear that your going to Otakon. If I'm able to get a costume up and going I plan on going as Tenchi in the Lighthawk outfit. If your going as Miroku your taking a risk, you could end up getting slapped. lol

Snow Cat Demon - As you see I updated pretty quick, this time, not always though. About the guy from PA, that is Hiko, I never stated what his relation to anyone is, you'll just have to wait and see. I mentioned he lives in PA only because I enjoy living in PA. I live in NE/Central PA.

Inuyasha's Mustang - Good to hear yet another person from PA. I'm glad your enjoying the story.

Well just about time for me to leave. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own IY.

A Wish From the Heart

Chapter 60: Five on One?

The original group of three and now with the added members of Kouga and Ayame had been pretty quiet since they met. A fact that was quickly getting on Kagome's nerves. She could understand the silent treatment from Sesshomaru but the wolf couple hadn't said much since joining. She was starting to wonder if Sesshomaru's comments about not needing them, was causing this silence. Kagome needed to get some speaking going on if only for her peace of mind. She slowed up her pace to fall back to Kouga and Ayame. Inuyasha looked back wondering what she was doing.

Kagome gave Kouga a small push, "Why don't you go talk with Inuyasha while we have a girl talk?" Kagome said.

Kouga looked to Ayame who nodded and didn't seem to mind. "Fine, I'll go talk to dog boy."

Rather than be insulted Inuyasha gave a small laugh, "It's a step up from dog turd so I'll take it."

"Well if you miss that name I can call you by it," Kouga said with a grin.

"Don't even think about it."

Kagome had to laugh at their friendly joking. Six years ago she never would have believed they'd get along for more than two seconds. "So how are things going between you and Kouga?" Kagome asked Ayame.

"They're going good. Can you believe that idiot actually did remember that promise he made me under the Moon's Rainbow?"

"Then why did he say he didn't?"

"He never really told me. And you know, I thought girls were the only people that played hard to get," Ayame said with a smile.

"So what are you two doing at this point in time to become mates?"

"You don't know?" Ayame asked but thought about it for a second, "Yeah I guess you wouldn't. You and Inuyasha went through it without even realizing it. Of course it starts off with getting to know each other and those around them."

"That sounds nice," Kagome added. "I guess its pretty much dating."

"Almost like that human ritual but it just gets a little tougher later. You have to fully place your trust in your future possible mate. While most people do trust others its hard to fully trust them. Everyone has a part of them that they believe only they can trust themselves. Am I making any sense?"

"Yeah I understand what you're saying," Kagome said.

"Well to truly become mates you must overcome this and truly trust your mate. If a couple can overcome this, no sort of deceit will ever break them apart. Through your travels with Inuyasha you two have come to have full faith in one another. I truly believe nothing will ever come between the two of you again."

As Ayame had said that, Kagome perceived a sense of longing from her. "Are you two having trouble with that?"

"Not really. There is no sure fire way to test this until you're practically in a life or death situation. So you see there's still a bit of uncertainty."

"From what you're saying, it sounds more like doubt and if you're doubting Kouga's love and trust in you then wouldn't it be true to say that you're not fully trusting him?" Ayame thought this over as Kagome said it. She just hung her head as she realized Kagome was right. "I'm not saying to give up hope, just try to let go of the doubt and the trust will fill in the hole it leaves behind."

Ayame looked up at Kagome with a huge smile, "Thank you, Kagome."

"Trust me things don't always look like they'll work out but if you stick by it and truly love someone, everything will just fall into place."

&&&&&

The two previous rivals didn't say much at first. They were much more content without saying anything to each other yet having a staring contest out of the corner of there eyes. When both of them failed to see a log in the road ahead of them the contest ended without a winner.

"So how are things going between you and Kagome?" Kouga asked.

"Except for this journey everything was peaceful," Inuyasha said.

"That has to bother you though," Kouga said. Inuyasha looked at his companion with confusion. "Well you're used to all the fighting and moving around constantly. It must have been hard to adapt to living in one place with nothing to fight other than to get your food. Well that and fighting with Kagome."

Inuyasha returned Kouga's grin. "Kagome and I don't fight. As for the peaceful life, I would have agreed with you. I don't think I could have imagined myself going a day without getting into a fight. Or staying in one place for more than a week. Yet once I settled down with Kagome into our house everything just felt right. All my worries about everything went away. Though I will admit there were times when my parents stopped by that I wished it was just us. So how are things with you and Ayame?"

"It's going really well," Kouga said. He reflected inward not knowing if he wanted to go on. It took a bit but his mind was made up, "I've been thinking about asking Ayame to make it formal."

Inuyasha almost stopped dead in his tracks. He'd figured things were going well but he'd never picked that serious of a vibe off his friend. As he looked at Kouga, Inuyasha knew that he was sincere. "Is there a reason you're not? You could have asked her but there's something holding you back, isn't there?"

"Well I'm just wondering if it's too soon or should I wait longer before asking."

"How long ago did you start the process?" Inuyasha asked.

"Three years, 10 months, and 23 days," Kouga replied quickly.

The hanyou almost fell to the ground with that statement. He'd expect some random number, not something exact as that. It took Inuyasha a few minutes before he could even speak again. "Okay a few things, I think you have been together long enough especially since you've at least known each other longer. You have to ask yourself if you're ready to make that next step. If you can live with that you're ready," Inuyasha said. "If you want my opinion, I think you are ready – especially when you're counting days like that!"

"Yeah, I guess you can tell I've been thinking about this a lot lately," Kouga said. "I think I'll ask her when we're finished with this fun adventure."

"Don't sweat it. I'm sure things will go just fine."

"Oh, I think there's a lot of things to sweat about," Cerberus's voice called from around them.

The entire group quickly got into battle ready positions. Sesshomaru already had Toukijin draw. Inuyasha drew Tetsusaiga while Kagome held the sword that Midoriko had given her. "Sesshomaru, didn't you sense him."

"No, I didn't. He seems to be able to mask his scent and I was unable to hear his approach thanks to your constant talking," Sesshomaru replied coldly.

"Yes, it's one of my more interesting techniques. For that reason, I don't have to waste any of my power on useless barriers only to have you knock them down like Naraku did," the voice seemed to carry.

"So how about you bring your ass down here so we can make this beating a bit quicker," Kouga yelled.

"Though you were not invited, your presence here does not worry me in the least. In fact I think it will add to the enjoy of this fight,"

"Well see how much you enjoy the fight when all five of us are pounding you into the ground."

"Rest assured, you could have brought everyone you know and I still wouldn't be scared," Cerberus said as his evil laughed echo throughout the area.

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Well that's the newest chapter I hope you enjoyed it. I had planned to make it longer and include more stuff but I decided to update the story before I left and put some things off til the next chapter. See you all in about a week. Though join me next time for:

Chapter 61: Three for the Price of One