Stir-Fried Inu

A/N- Alrighty here we are in the next chapter...I am sooo excited to be this far in my story. I hope you who are reading said story shares this excitement. I will do my best to continue to entertain and inspire...I hope.

Disclaimer- InuYasha belongs to the genius of Rumiko Takahashi; I am merely a fan expanding upon her work.

'Thoughts'

'Youkai Thoughts/Talking'

Enjoy this chapter everyone!

Chapter 6:

InuYasha's Dilemma

Breathing deeply Inuyasha pushed himself to his feet once more, his body was sore from all the traveling they had made thus far.

Sango had offered to let him ride Kilala but after the first twenty minutes his back couldn't take it anymore. The pups were starting to weigh heavier on his frame; he could feel it as well as see it. He was showing.

Any who didn't know what was happening though would only think that he'd gained some weight, growing fat. He hoped this would be what Kouga believed when he finally saw him, for his sake as well as that of his unborn.

Not to mention the drain on his energy but he needed his mate, needed the support and youki that their pups needed. Right now only he was supporting them and he was only a half-breed, he didn't have nearly enough youki to keep going for much longer. So he knew he needed to get to Kouga and tell him before things finally were at their worst.

Ahead of them were the mountain ranges where Kouga's tribe dwelled and where they had first encountered one another. It seemed so long ago now, almost like another lifetime. To think where he was now compared to then made him want to laugh at himself, for he never would have imagined one day mating the same infuriating wolf that had made him so miserable back then.

They had paused once more so that Inuyasha could catch his breath when he, Shippou, and Kilala smelled the approach of two males. Inuyasha quickly adjusted his clothes and got into a defensive stance as they watched two very familiar wolves running their way. They looked haggard and exhausted and that didn't bode well. Inuyasha felt his stomach drop and hoped he wasn't about to hear something horrible.

"Ginta! Hakaku! Stop a moment and take a breath, you both look like you're going to collapse." Kagome pulled out her canteen and held it out to the wolves; they looked at it then at her before giving it a puzzled look. Kagome sighed and proceeded to show them how to use the canteen.

Once both had drunk enough and looked revived, Inuyasha grunted at them asking, "Well then? What has got you two so wound up? Where is Kouga?" Both looked at each other before they looked back at Inuyasha. Ginta spoke first, "that's just it. Kouga is...well he's sick. He won't leave his den and keeps refusing to even eat."

Hakaku nodded his head in agreement, "he says he found his mate, but that she left him. He's wasting away, so we thought if we could find you guys maybe you could help him. We don't know what else to do."

Inuyasha felt his heart clench in pain at their words and he turned and began stomping off towards the wolf den once more. This time moving with an increased determination. Both Ginta and Hakaku watched this for a moment in confusion before they hurried to catch up, the rest of the InuTatchi following close behind.

As they neared the place, more wolves came out to investigate the new scents coming their way. Some looked happy to see them while others glared at Inuyasha as if he were the devil himself. Once he was sure he was standing in the centre of the pack dwelling, Inuyasha turned to Ginta and Hakaku. "Which one is Kouga's?"

They looked at each other before they both pointed at the large cave entrance in the side of the mountain. "That one, just...don't fight with him. He's too weak; he wouldn't be able to survive a battle right now." The pleading tone to Hakaku's voice was enough to have Inuyasha placing a hand on his shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Fighting is the last thing I wish to do with him. I promise I will make him better, trust me. Kagome, Miroku, Sango, will you guys make sure that no one enters the cave until both Kouga and I leave?" Kagome nodded her head and gave him an encouraging smile. "Good luck InuYasha, I hope things work out." Hakaku, still stunned by InuYasha's words added, "We will bring meat, if that's alright. Please try to get him to eat something."

InuYasha nodded his head, turning he looked at the entrance and took a deep breath. His hands unconsciously moved to sit upon his well hidden belly bulge and he could swear he felt the little one's inside cheering him on. With his mind set and as ready as he'd ever be, InuYasha stepped into the cave and went to find Kouga.

He'd gone a good ten feet when the cave split in two directions, taking a deep sniff of the air he turned towards the right one and stomped down another five feet. He came to a sudden stop at what greeted his eyes.

Kouga was there alright. But he didn't look good, if anything InuYasha would say the once lithe and fit Ookami was now gaunt and emaciated. He lifted his head slowly, sluggishly to look at InuYasha before an almost rueful smile crossed his lips. "Come to see me at my worst mutt?"

InuYasha grit his teeth at the insult, not because it hurt him but the way Kouga sounded upon speaking. His voice was dry and cracking, it was breaking InuYasha's heart seeing his mate like this. Deciding he'd had enough, InuYasha strode the remaining foot and a half before he slapped Kouga upside the head. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Letting yourself get this way over a female...why didn't you go to her? Why sit here like a coward and give up? Guess it wasn't real for you; guess she didn't mean anything to you."

A low snarl was rumbling from deep in Kouga's throat before he whirled his claws gripping at InuYasha's throat as he growled in InuYasha's face. "How dare you! You know nothing of love you bastard half-breed! I tried to find her, but she left me. She...she left me..."

Kouga wheezed as the sudden surge of strength he'd had faded away, InuYasha gently caught Kouga as he collapsed against him. InuYasha did the best he could not to hold the other too close, to give away how much he wished to tell the other the truth. There would be time for that, but first, he needed to save his Ookami from himself.

"Kouga...you could have followed after her. Tracked her, anything. How do you know she didn't want to return to you? What if something happened and she couldn't? How do you think she feels now that she is all alone out there?" InuYasha sighed as he laid Kouga back down on his cot.

The wolf was watching him, eyes wide. "Ginta and Hakaku said she is a miko. Think about her for a moment, with how many youkai out there that hate Miko's, not to mention how many humans whom hate youkai. What if they found out? How safe do you think she would be? She probably believes you abandoned her."

Kouga tried to get up again, his snarls breaking into deep coughs. InuYasha sighed before reaching into his Kimono to pull out a small water skin he carried; he gave Kouga a drink before helping the other to sit up. "I...I never meant for that...I...I love her. I would die for her. I am a selfish bastard aren't I? I take her, claim her, then I lose her. What am I going to do InuYasha? Will she forgive me if I find her?"

Feeling his body and soul crying out to just leap into the wolves' arms, InuYasha crushed that feeling, knowing that first he had to get Kouga out of this cave and back to health. Then would come the task of letting the other know who he really was. A harder task altogether.

"First we need to get you back to normal, you need to stop moping and eat. Then I will help you find her, alright?" Kouga looked at him, his eyes softening as he took a deep breath. "How can I thank you for this InuYasha? I thought you hated me, for Kagome..." Kouga trailed off and InuYasha let out a sigh.

"I've changed Kouga...I realized I had no true reason to hate you. I was just jealous, but not of you...of Kagome. I want to be friends, it's one of the reasons I came here. All the others are outside, Kagome too, do you want me to go and get her?" Kouga shook his head before he held out his hand, "Let me be the first to say this then, I am sorry for how I have treated you these last few years. Friends?"

InuYasha smiled and took Kouga's hand, "Friends. Now...stay there, I'm going to get something for you to eat." InuYasha released Kouga's hand and got up, he returned to the entrance where all the wolves of the pack had gathered. Ginta and Hakaku rushed up with half a carcass of a deer, InuYasha took it gratefully before he looked around.

"Kouga will be fine. I promise you all this, I came here to speak with him about being friends. It's time to let the past stay in the past and move forward. I will help restore him to health and then we will find his missing mate." InuYasha then inclined his head and moved quickly back into the cave, he returned to Kouga and placed the meat down.

He watched with an aching heart as Kouga attempted to slice the meat and kept failing miserably. Knowing what to do, InuYasha reached into his kimono and pulled out a small porcelain bowl he'd received from his mother. He poured some of his water into the bowl and added some spices he'd dried to help keep his morning sickness at bay.

Mixing it with his claws he then hacked at the deer, once this was done he rekindled the fire in the room and set his bowl in the fire. He also took a stick and roasted some of the meat, once everything was warm and cooked well he turned back to Kouga. Who had been watching him the whole time, "you're definitely acting different. Like a mother tending her young."

InuYasha stiffened, even as he felt his belly tightening. The unborn pups inside moving at the words, almost trying to move him closer to their father. They could feel him nearby, InuYasha was certain of it. "My mother taught me what to do if I ever had any pups of my own. She wanted me to know how to care for the ill and weak."

Kouga seemed to think about this even as InuYasha took the bowl off the fire and brought it close to Kouga's mouth. "Think you can eat on your own?" Kouga reluctantly shook his head, "can you help me?" InuYasha just nodded and helped Kouga to eat as much as the ookami could stomach. He then set the bowl aside and crossed his arms, "now try and get some sleep alright?"

Kouga grunted before rolling over and falling asleep rather quickly. InuYasha leant back and unconsciously placed a hand on his stomach, 'be patient little ones, your father needs time. I know he'll love you all when he finds out, just be patient.' He felt butterflies fluttering though him and knew his pups had heard him, this brought a soft smile to his lips before he heaved himself to his feet and left Kouga's cave.

He was greeted by Miroku and Hakaku; the others seemed to have left. Miroku must have read his mind because he motioned to one side of the encampment, "Kagome went with Ginta to look at the abandoned caves around here, and she's going to pick one for us to stay in. Shippou and Sango went with a small party to hunt down more prey for the pack."

InuYasha nodded his head and replied, "Good. We're going to be here for a while, I got Kouga to eat a little, he's gone to sleep now. Here in a couple hours it would be good to check on him, to see if he's hungry again or needs more water. He's going to recover; he just needs to take it slow."

Miroku gripped InuYasha's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze, "You need to rest as well, you've been running yourself ragged. We all need you to stay strong as well InuYasha." Miroku gave him a pointed look and InuYasha knew he was referring to the Hanyou's pregnancy. InuYasha just smiled tiredly and walked to a nearby tree, he sat before it and laid back.

Almost immediately his eyes began drifting closed and he soon succumbed to sleeps allure. Miroku moved to sit near his friend, ready to defend the Hanyou if need be. Hakaku watched him and looked at InuYasha again before he walked over and unable to stop himself, he reached out and touched InuYasha's hair. InuYasha shifted at the touch but didn't wake, but Hakaku had caught a glimpse of InuYasha's rounding belly and his eyes widened.

Having helped his mother birth three litters he knew the signs. This had him staring hard at InuYasha's belly as he mulled over the facts. Miroku watched him in silence, curious as to just what the wolf thought he was doing. Then suddenly Hakaku turned to him and asked, "InuYasha's pregnant isn't he?" Miroku felt his jaw drop and was about to deny it when he realized this might help InuYasha. If at least one of the pack knew, then they wouldn't be InuYasha's sole protectors. He nodded his head curtly before he spoke as well.

"Please do not tell anyone else this; InuYasha would kill me if he knew you had figured it out under my watch." Hakaku shook his head and then crossed his arms, "I promise I won't, this is something private for InuYasha. It is not my place to bring such a secret to light." He then grew silent for a few long minutes, his eyes widened once more as a sudden thought struck him. Turning to the monk he whispered, "are...are they...Kouga's?"

Miroku felt his jaw in danger of dropping a second time but fought the urge as he asked, "Why do you think that?" Hakaku shrugged, "just instinct. Kouga falling ill, losing his mate, then InuYasha showing up out of nowhere to help him. Plus the fact that he is pregnant, which I can tell he's along about the same amount of time as would be Kouga's mate. If he'd gotten her pregnant when they were together."

Shaking his head he gave Hakaku a lewd look, "and you know this because of your own female perhaps? Know by experience and all that?" Hakaku snorted, "I haven't had the pleasure. It's thanks to my mother; I've assisted her through many litters of pups. I've learned to see the signs and assist when needed." Miroku smiled at that, "that's great. When the time comes for InuYasha, I will be happy to have you there to help him through this."

Hakaku looked stunned before a large smile crossed his lips, "I would be honored, especially if those pups are indeed Kouga's." Miroku just laughed at that even as he got up and walked towards Kouga's den. "I'm going to check on Kouga, please keep an eye on InuYasha." Hakaku nodded happily even as Miroku disappeared inside the cave.

Feeling his eyes drift back to InuYasha, Hakaku wondered how InuYasha could have been female for Kouga to mate with him. He was almost certain the Hanyou looked rather attractive that way to gain Kouga's favor over Kagome. A noise behind him had him whirling with a protective growl, there stood Kagome and Ginta.

Kagome looked at InuYasha then back at Hakaku her eyebrow raised, "where is Miroku?" Hakaku pointed to the entrance of Kouga's cave, "checking on Kouga, any luck on finding a cave?" Kagome smiled at that, "yes, we found one that would house all of us. Thank you both again for offering us a place here. I'm not sure just how long we will stay, but I am glad we can for as long as needed."

She then stepped around Hakaku and shook Inuyahsa's shoulder. The Hanyou was slow to wake, his body sluggish. He was getting tried more lately, losing his energy faster. He knew the progressing pregnancy was to blame, but it didn't make it any easier for him to deal with. "Hmm?" He mumbled. Kagome motioned with her head towards Ginta.

"Ginta and I have found a cave for us, come let's get you there. Then you can have a nice long nap." InuYasha looked towards Kouga's cave just as Miroku came walking out. "What about Kouga?" Miroku flashed him a thumbs up, "he's still sleeping. We each will take turns checking in on him. You my friend need to rest. You've pushed yourself enough for one day."

Both Miroku and Kagome helped InuYasha to his feet and followed Ginta as he led the way to their temporary home. Hakaku followed close behind, watching InuYasha closely. Something that didn't go unnoticed by all of them.

Miroku was trying not to laugh while Kagome looked curious, Ginta was watching with narrowed eyes and InuYasha, well he could see the other was watching him far too closely. Finally unable to remain silent anymore, InuYasha stopped walking.

"Before I take one more step, I'd like to know why you're staring at me Hakaku and it better be a damn good reason." Silence answered him and growling InuYasha turned to face the wolf, or tried to. Miroku stepped in the way and placed a hand on InuYasha's shoulder. "Let's get you situated first then we can worry about the rest. You're about to fall over as it is InuYasha."

Reluctantly InuYasha agreed and allowed Miroku to steer him the rest of the way to their new lodgings. He knew the monk was right and understood how dangerous it would be to not only himself but his pups if he collapsed.

Reaching the cave Miroku hurried InuYasha inside and was disappointed when he found bare floors and nothing what so ever to sleep on. "Just sit here for now InuYasha, we'll get something for you to rest on." Not really caring at the moment, InuYasha sat down and leant back against the cave wall. Kagome moved to go inside when Hakaku stepped up, "please go with Ginta and brother Miroku, I will watch over InuYasha."

Kagome glanced at Miroku who just nodded his head, appeased by this Kagome nodded as well and called into the cave, "we'll be back soon InuYasha, make sure to rest up." She then walked with Miroku after a confused looking Ginta.

Hakaku let out the breath he'd been holding and moved into the cave, he sat across from the Hanyou and stared at him. Not sure just what to say but it seemed that the choice was taken from him when InuYasha spoke without opening his eyes. "You better tell me why you're staring at me, or I'll rip your face off. Damn the consequences."

"Fine then. How many do you carry?" InuYasha's eyes snapped open at that, he narrowed his eyes at the rather calm looking Hakaku. "What are you talking about?" InuYasha shifted a little, uncomfortable with the rocks behind him digging in, as well as the look that he was being given.

Sighing Hakaku shook his head, "the pups. How many are there?" Once more InuYasha looked away and was about to attempt a diversion when Hakaku growled, "I'm not stupid. The others might be fooled but I am not."

He moved closer to InuYasha whom pulled himself up closing up access to his belly unconsciously. "I know your pregnant, I know Kouga is the father, I also know you saved his life back there. So you must care for him, at least a bit. This in my book makes you the alpha's mate, which also means I must protect you and the pups. Now, once more. How many are there?"

Inuyasha remained silent for a long moment as he took in all that Hakaku had said; he knew the ookami was right. Especially if Kouga accepted him as he hoped. Nodding his head, Inuyasha let his body relax and placed his hands on his belly lovingly.

"There are five."

"Five what?" Jerking at the sudden voice at the entrance, Inuyasha shifted quickly and sent a pleading look towards Hakaku whom just smiled. "Five who will live here, six if you count sister Sango's neko." Ginta raised an eyebrow at Hakaku's words, "yes, I can count. We've brought some furs and straw, it's not much but until we gather more it's all the pack can offer."

Inuyasha just smiled, "it's more than I expected. Thank you Ginta, Hakaku. You've both been through a lot today as well; try to get some rest too. Kouga's got a ways yet to go before he recovers. He'll need us all at our best."

Ginta blinked in surprise at Inuyasha's cordial tone and friendly manner. Hakaku on the other hand was trying to keep his excitement down. There had never been that many pups born in the pack at once before, three yes, but never five. If they were born healthy then the pack would gain greater pride knowing their leadership was ensured to continue. Thus keeping the pack strong.

Inuyasha had also confided in him which meant he was beginning to bond with the hanyou. This made Hakaku even happier. He got up and bowed to Inuyasha and the other's before he pulled Ginta along to the entrance. "Let's go Ginta, brother Inuyasha is right. We must rest as well if we are to be any help at all. Until tomorrow."

Hakaku waved goodbye with those words and happily drug Ginta with him back towards the main set of caves where they both resided. Ginta kept giving him confused looks but Hakaku was too excited and happy to care.

A/N- Hope this was done well. Next chapter things will be revealed. Kouga is definitely in for a surprise.

I do hope you all will keep reviewing. Thank you all for your support.

May the Fluff Be with You!

=^..^=