The smell of morning dew awoke Kouga from his slumber. His tired eyes fluttered open and landed on the back of Kagome who slept in her sleeping bag but a few feet away. The wolf demon's cheeks warmed at the idea of closing the distance between them. The last time he was able to hold the priestess was in her time when she cried over the half-demon Inuyasha. Would she mind lying in his arms again? He wondered. Pushing the idea aside his mind lingered to the night before. Progress had been made, if the dog demon were to ever return would his step forward with his potential mate turn into a sprint to keep her away from him? A growl released from his throat as he stretched his limbs and sat up from the grassy bed he camped comfortably on. It certainly wasn't his usual sleeping place. He preferred his bed of warm furs in the mountains however he'd never pass up time with Kagome without the mutt lingering around. Of course, he also worried about how safe she'd be with a child fox demon, and two humans. They were incredible humans, one a demon slayer the other a monk but cross the wrong enemy and they'd be demon food for sure. No way could he return to his tribe without the hanyou traveling with them. 'The only thing that mutt is good for is his power...' He never had to worry about Kagome's safety with the half demon around. Kouga witnessed Inuyasha dive into a pit of Naraku's miasma for the human girl before, of course he followed him to rescue her as well.

A few feet away from Kagome was her other companions still asleep just as she was. No sense in waking them yet he decided and stood up. He thought about wondering to the river where he fished before to gather food but he didn't like the idea of leaving them alone. If he were to leave them alone, asleep, unprepared for battle and something were to happen... he'd never forgive himself. A small yawn caught his attention and a tiny body sat up next to the still resting demon slayer. The fox demon child Shippo was rubbing his eyes. Kouga smiled at the kitskune. He reminded him of the pups back home. It has been awhile since the tribe seen their leader.

Shippo met the youkai's gaze and cocked his head to the side. 'Wow he's up early,' he thought to himself jumping over Sango's sleeping form.

"Good morning Kouga," Shippo greeted racing over to him.

"Morning," he grunted wondering over to the fire pit and taking his seat from last night. He looked over his shoulder to see the child still following him. The kitskune plopped down on the ground next to him. Shippo began to wonder about the Wolf Prince and how he made it to Kagome's time. It didn't make sense. He loved Kagome more than anyone. At times he even looked to her as a mother, yet he couldn't make it through the well and Kouga could! It wasn't fair. "Kouga, do you think the jewel shards are the key to getting through the well?"

Kouga blinked in surprise as the conversation between the two sparked. "Well, um," he thought rubbing his chin as he pondered, "it's possible."

Soon as the conversation began it ended quickly. An awkward air formed between the two. There were things that Shippo didn't know about Kouga. He was a stranger. The only thing he knew about him was that he was Kouga, leader of a wolf demon tribe and majorly in love with his best friend Kagome who was not of this world. Kouga had been thinking similar thoughts about the child staring up at him. He really didn't know much about Kagome's friends especially the fox demon. All he knew was that he often pissed of Inuyasha. 'He's done right by me then,' he thought. Kouga grinned ruffling his hair, "You're okay kid."

Shippo flinched at first to his touch, afraid of being punched in the head like Inuyasha often did for asking "stupid" questions and was pleasantly surprised by the Youkai's kindness. Kouga won over Shippo. The child's eyes twinkled as he looked at Kouga in a whole new light. He may come off rough with his gravely tone, and snide comments to Inuyasha but all in all he wasn't a bad guy.

"Hello you two, did you sleep well?" Sango asked sitting down across from them. Kirara pranced over to her master, and leaped onto her shoulder nuzzling her cheek.

"Sure did!" Shippo responded excitedly, "Surprisingly even after Miroku's scary story I didn't have any bad dreams!"

"That's great," the demon slayer smiled, "and you Kouga?"

"Fine, thank you."

"Huh, I'm surprised." Their attention turned to the Monk hovering behind the two Youkai.

"Why's that?" Kouga raised a brow.

"There was a awful lot of chattering last night, it was hard for me to go to sleep," Miroku grinned mischievously.

Kouga's cheeks bloomed a bright shade of pink, "W-w-what are you talking about monk?"

"I didn't hear the conversation that well but it went on for hours," he looked to the sleeping Priestess, "Kagome is sleeping late, she must have been kept up by it also."

"Well I didn't hear anything," Kouga smirked, "my ability to hear is a bit more refined than yours. No offense."

Miroku shrugged, "None taken. Your demon senses are far superior. However, it is possible that it may have been some distant spirits wondering in the woods behind us. I do believe I might have the upper hand when it comes to the supernatural." He wasn't going to get anything out the wolf demon so he might as well poke some fun at the child.

"S-s-spirits?" Shippo gulped.

The demon slayer rolled her eyes and took her leave to wake up Kagome. The priestess was burrowed in her sleeping fabric still snoozing, safe from the commotion the monk had been creating with the wolf prince. Sango leaned down next to her. She shook her arm gently that was hidden in her cloth cocoon. "Kagome," she said softly, "Kagome, it's time to wake up."

Her once closed eyes opened slowly to reveal her dark brown orbs lazily trying to focus on the demon slayer. This is often how Kagome's morning started. It was rare for her to wake up first among the group of travelers. She was spoiled by the world she was born in where sleeping in was common. A part of her wished she was there to eat a bowl of cereal and watch her favorite morning television shows. If she were there though, she'd miss her favorite thing about feudal era and that was sleeping under the stars and waking up to the morning sun hovering overhead. Things were so much more simpler here... that is, they would be, if she didn't have to chase down jewel shards and battle evil demons. Other girls her age had it easy. Sometimes she envied them. Unzipping her sleeping bag she crawled out of it and gave Sango and small hug. "Morning Sango," she released her from the embrace and smiled at her friend.

Sango blinked at her in confusion, "Well good morning Kagome, what was that for?"

"A thank you hug, you've been there for me a lot over the pass couple of days and I never repaid your kindness."

The demon slayer's smile broadened at the sweet words from her the modern day priestess, "Kagome, you know you're like a sister to me. I'll always be here for you no matter what."

Kouga instantly tuned into the sound of his woman's voice. He dropped the argument with the monk and raced over to her. "Yo Kagome!" he grinned holding out his hand to help her stand.

She took it graciously as he lifted her from the ground with ease. "Hello Kouga," she looked around the camp, "no sign of Inuyasha still?"

Panic rose in her chest as a strange emotion danced across the wolf demon's face for a moment. 'Stupid! Why in the hell was the first thing to come out of your mouth about him?' She cursed at herself silently. Guilt still embodied her for being so rough on him. After all, they just "broke up" in modern terms. Kouga didn't seem to take her question too personally.

"Nope, I'd definitely be able to smell his foul canine odor," Kouga stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Sango began to roll up Kagome's sleeping bag to put away in her yellow back pack, "What direction are we heading in today?"

"To be quite honest, we have no leads," Miroku frowned.

"You haven't sensed any jewel shards or anything Kagome?" Shippo asked gazing at her with a hopeful expression.

She shook her head, "Unfortunately not, I'm certain if there was something near by I'd be able to tell but the only thing I can feel are Kouga's shards."

Kouga sighed, "Yeah, and I can't pick up on Naraku's scent at all."

"Either he's getting ready to unleash something deadly and unexpected or he's at a stand still," Miroku concluded.

As much as Kouga tried to stay focused on the task at hand he began to think about his pack again. Man, it really has been awhile... did the guys make it back safely? Of course they did! They were members of the strongest tribe in the mountains. Checking in on the pack wouldn't be such a bad idea. Kouga cleared his throat, "I may have an idea."

"Yeah?" Kagome smiled hopefully.

The Youkai chuckled nervously, "I mean it's not like a super genius plan or anything but what would you say to visiting my pack? We can have nice meal and regroup."

"You know, I wouldn't mind and I know for a fact there are a couple villages beyond the mountains. Maybe we can find some work to do out there," Sango piped in.

Miroku gave a nod, "A meal with the great Wolf Prince and his warriors... and the ladies... this sounds very tempting." WHACK! Sango's boomerang collided with the top of the monk's head.

"You sick monk," she muttered.

Kouga glanced at the fox child, "What do ya' say Shippo?"

The kitskune smiled at him nervously, "As long you don't plan on making us the meal."

Kouga laughed heartily, and grasped his woman's hands, "It has been awhile since you last visited, things have changed a lot." He gazed into Kagome's eyes and watched in amusement as a pink tint began to form on her cheeks.

"Sure, let's go!"

It was decided. The group began their travels towards the mountains. Kagome was being carried in Kouga's arms who also had her large yellow bag on his back whilst Sango, Miroku, and Shippo followed on the transformed cat demon Kirara. Kouga was careful to go at their speed so he didn't lose them. Lucky for them they weren't that far, a day's travel if that. They were making great time. Once they were near they began to take their time, all of them on foot. The path they followed through the mountain showed occasional signs of sparse tree's and shrubbery but Kagome was keeping an eye out for the giant waterfall that marked the Wolf demon's dwelling. Kouga was in deep thought as they walked. Last night marked the beginning of a potential romance brewing between the wolf prince and the priestess. Although, to others the small intimate conversation held little to go on, for him it was a sign. He knew in order to sway Kagome's affections from the half demon and make himself a permanent fixture in her life he needed to continue to do so when Inuyasha wasn't around. Despite the hanyou not returning, the group continued on their way.

An awkward silence fell on the party as they traveled the path to the wolf den. Kouga picked up on this immediately whilst Kagome didn't seem to mind. She was telling Shippo funny riddles he didn't quite understand in a hushed tone, as if the quiet air was something everyone else wanted and was attempting to keep it that way. The monk was quiet, too quiet for Kouga's liking. The wolf demon wasn't alone, Sango too found Miroku's silence unusual. She narrowed her eyes taking in the monk's presence, analyzing the smug look he had on his face. 'He knows something,' she thought to herself, 'that dirty monk has a secret he doesn't plan on sharing with anyone.' After traveling with the man for so long Sango found herself accustomed to his behavior. At times she liked to consider herself his other half. His expression was sly, and sneaky. Whenever he held this particular look it was either because he finished flirting with a pack of beautiful women or he had a secret. Without a village for miles around Sango figured it was the latter of the two.

"I have many feathers to help me fly. I have a body and head, but I'm not alive. It is your strength which determines how far I go. You can hold me in your hand, but I'm never thrown. What am I?" Kagome questioned the fox demon.

"Feather to help me fly," he pondered, "has to be some kind of bird but it's not alive?"

"Nope, not alive," Kagome giggled.

The child on her shoulder appeared to be stumped.

"Wow Kagome, this is a tough one, you must be really smart! You know so many!" he whined.

Kagome suppressed a chuckle, "I learn them in school, this ones pretty easy if you think about it one part at a time."

Shippo continued to mutter the riddle to himself. A voice came from a cliff over head. Two heads popped over the edge watching the group.

"HEY KOUGA!" One of them yelled. Two figures jumped in front of the group of travelers startling Shippo but earning a giant grin from Kouga.

"Ginta, Hakkaku, how are things?"

It was none other than Kouga's faithful warriors. "Okay," Ginta grinned excitedly, "and you brought our sister and her friends with you!"

The Wolf Prince wrapped his arm around the now embarassed Kagome, "Yes, they will be joining us for a feast tonight."

Hakkaku nodded in approval, "Great!"

However the look of joy left Ginta's face as he looked to his leader with worry. "Seeing you almost made us forget but we left to come look for you."

"Oh?" Kouga raised a brow.

"Is something the matter?" Sango questioned.

The other wolf demon also frowned, "I'm afraid so, you see, something is wrong with some of the warriors."

"They left on a hunting trip yesterday and came back sicker than dogs! None of the herbs the healer has are working on them." Ginta finished the sentence for his brother.

Miroku immediately turned to Kagome, "We have to help them. Surely Keade's teaching will be of use."

"Mhm," she confirmed with a head nod. Keade had shown her a lot of ways to use herbs for healing various conditions, including demons in case something were to happen to Inuyasha while they were traveling.

"We must hurry then," Kouga frowned sweeping up Kagome into his arms once more, "we'll go ahead so Kagome can take a look. Ginta, Hakkaku, please lead the others."

"Okay boss!" Ginta saluted.

Kouga raced off with a worried Kagome while the others followed them deeper into the wolf demon's territory.