The breakfast of tea and rice balls was unusually quiet. Even if no talking could be heard, noisy slurps and gulps were normally coming from Inuyasha, Miroku and Shippou. But today, they all ate in restrained silence. With less noise came more time and 'breakfast' lasted till noon. Kaede, who had left 20 minutes into the meal to begin her daily rituals and cleansings, came back to find them all in almost the same position she had left them in.
" The battle ye fought must have been great indeed to keep ye here till midday." She spoke and sat down on the edge of the hut porch.
" Midday?? Already? Come on you lazy pansies! Naraku awaits!" Inuyasha yelled, leaping to his feet.
" Awww. Can't we take it easy for a while Inuyasha?" Shippou whined.
" I agree. We should take it slow and regain our health while we have the opportunity." Miroku stated and slid closer to Sango who eyed him warily.
" As much as rest would be welcome, I am eager for this to be done with. Perhaps we should get going."
" Of course we should get going! I can't believe you guys can even talk about this!" Inuyasha fumed and stomped out to the road. " Come on!"
" Well, I do think we should get going, but everyone needs to rest. Why don't we head off, but take it slow?" Kagome looked at everyone as they pondered her idea.
" Well done Kagome. I believe that solves this dilemma. Celebration!" Miroku slid his arm around Sango and found himself promptly face-down in the dirt.
" I agree with Kagome. Let's get going." Sango stood and walked after Inuyasha with Kira-ra at her heels.
" I knew I was right when I choose you as my woman Kagome. Your intelligence is astounding. It's wasted at that stupid mutt." Kagome sighed and started after the others, picking up her pack, arrows and bow.
" Let's just get going Kouga." She snorted. Satisfied that he had gotten his way, Inuyasha picked up his pace, marching with huge strides. Kouga followed Kagome with a smile.
" I'll do whatever it is you want of me Kagome." He grinned and Kagome blushed and shook her head. Sango snickered and Shippou followed suit. Thankfully, Inuyasha was now to far ahead to hear them or there'd of been a fight not twenty feet from the hut.
" Bye bye Kaede! See you when we come back!" Kagome called out and Kaede bowed her head then turned around and laughed as she walked into her hut. She fully expected them to be back within a day or two.
The slow going annoyed Inuyasha to no end and he frequently went between being far ahead of the group, and running back to ensure that Kouga and Kagome weren't left alone. For his part, Kouga behaved himself. He walked beside Kagome without saying a word. Only when Inuyasha would come running back would he walk closer than normal to Kagome to annoy him. Kagome would simply angle away from him. Though more than once it led to her angling right off the road and into ditches so after a while she just rolled her eyes at his antics and kept going. By dinnertime, Kagome was tired of the constant, albeit silent, bickering between the two and was relieved when they came upon a spot perfect to stop at for the night. It was just at the base of the mountain they had to pass. A spring bubbled up near-by to give them water and the ground was soft. Plus, it was beneath a small drop-of so the wind was minimized. Inuyasha leapt to the nearest tree to wait for dinner and Miroku and Sango went off it search of firewood. Kagome got to work getting ramen ready for Inuyasha and fish for the rest of them. Kouga sat near-by and watched her, much to her dismay.
" Kouga, why don't you go help with the firewood or something." She snorted and he grinned.
" But they're on their way back. Besides, I'm not leaving you alone with the mutt face again."
" Hey! She's not alone! I'm here too!" Shippou yelled out, hoping to his own defense. He was promptly whomped in the head by Inuyasha who had jumped down to face Kouga.
" You don't count fox-runt so shut-up. And you? Why don't you make yourself useful and go fall off a cliff huh?" Inuyasha snarled out.
" I'll make myself plenty useful when I slay Naraku mutt-face."
" Oh yeah? Well, if you're so great a fighter, why don't you leave then and go find him by yourself? Are you scared?" Inuyasha taunted and Kouga growled.
" I would go find him this second if I thought Kagome would be safe here. But I obviously can't trust her care to you." They two faced off and growled and Kagome shook her head. Miroku and Sango came back with the firewood. Miroku had a bright-red hand print on his cheek. Kagome looked to Sango curiously but she didn't say a word. Miroku just sat down dejectedly and Kagome made a fire and began roasting the fish. Inuyasha and Kouga were still nose to nose and growling louder than ever.
" Come on you two. The fish is almost done."
" No way am I backing down till this mangy wolf admits that I don't need his help."
" And I'm not backing down until this stupid dog-face admits that he can't protect you for crap." Kagome sighed.
" I warned you. Inuyasha, sit!" Inuyasha crashed to the ground and Kouga laughed, sitting down on his haunches.
" What did you do that for?" Inuyasha yelled and soon as he'd spit all the dirt out of his mouth.
" The fish were getting cold." She said simply and they all ate in silence for a while save for Inuyasha's noisy slurping of ramen. Kouga finished his meal and stood to stretch.
" I should go visit my pack and let them know that I'll be traveling with you from now on Kagome. It's only a few miles away. No problem for me. Wanna come?" Kagome blushed.
" Uh... It's late Kouga. You shouldn't travel at night."
" So? We could spend the night at the cave and meet up with everyone tomorrow night on the other side of the mountain. What do you say?" Kagome opened her mouth to talk but was interrupted by a fuming Inuyasha.
" No way does she wanna go anywhere with you wolf-boy!"
" I wasn't asking you dog-breath, stay out of it! I was asking my woman."
" She isn't your woman you stupid wolf!"
" She is too. Now let her speak for herself. Kagome?" Kouga asked. Surprisingly, she hesitated to answer. Kouga just looked so sincere. She hated turning him down time and time again. But finally she sighed.
" I'd better stay here with Shippou and the others Kouga." Inuasha humphed in triumph and Kouga shrugged.
" Okay then. See you all tomorrow." With that he sped off and Inuyasha snorted at her.
" What took you so long to answer? Sheesh. I can't believe you actually considered going with that mangy animal. Some loyal 'friend' you are. Kikyo would've said no right off the bat." He sat down but Kagome fumed. Kikyo??? Kikyo?? Did he just compare me to Kikyo? The same Kikyo that wants him dead and steals souls? The same Kikyo who gave almost all of the Shikon Shards to Naraku and made him super powerful? I can't believe him!
" Inuyasha! I can't believe you just said that!." She wanted to tell him to sit and go home. But, a better idea hit her. She took a deep breath and Inuyasha winced, preparing for the worst. " Kouga!!" She called out. Inuyasha leapt to his feet.
" What are you doing? Not going home again?"
" Nope." She said, packing her bag. " I'm going with Kouga." Inuyasha's mouth dropped and Sango sweat-dropped. Miroku just shook his head. A whirlwind approached and Kouga slid into camp.
" What's wrong Kagome? Are you okay?" He asked. Wow, he's actually concerned about me. She smiled as sweetly as she could.
" I'm fine Kouga. But I've changed my mind. I'd like to go with you."
" You would? Great!" He smiled triumphantly and Inuyasha just stared.
" Kagome? Can I go to?" Shippou whimpered and she looked to Kouga.
" Sure. The brat can come. He can play with the other cubs. Or at least make a nice snack." Shippou gulped and hoped into Kagome's arms. " Shall I carry you?" Kouga asked, holding out his arms. Normally, Kagome would've turned him down. But she was still pissed at Inuyasha. She smiled.
" Sure Kouga. I'd love that." Kouga seemed more than pleased with himself and he picked up Kagome and Shippou in his arms. He snickered at Inuyasha.
" See ya later dog-breath." He smirked and sped off. Inuyasha just stood there dumbfounded as Kouga disappeared into the forest. Miroku sighed.
" Wow. She was mad that time huh? Sango asked.
" Yes. It seems that way. Oh well. Young love." He grinned and scooted closer to Sango, she didn't move but only clenched her fist. Inuyasha kept starting. Young love? Kagome? And the wolf-boy? He sat and stared for most of the night.