It had only been a few hours since they began their travels. The tension siezed to die among the warriors from their brief encounter with their enemy. He had a new power. Kagome alone didn't think she was the only one to catch this bit of information. Mind control was obviously one of them from the way he took over of the female wolf demon to deliver his message. Why did he want them to to find him? Was he really confident that he'd be able to defeat their powerful group or was it a ploy to get them to alienate themselves from the other wolf demons that surely would have helped in the battle against him? Her mind wrapped around these concepts and wasn't quite sure which was more believeable. She was definitely worried.

Her boyfriend walked along beside her. His strides were slow to match hers as he carried her back pack with ease. Kagome gazed at him for a moment to admire his handsome fearless face. His mouth was curved into a smirk with a fang exposed over his lower lip. It occured to her how cute he was right then in that moment and the worriesome thoughts of Naraku disappeared for the time being.

Kouga caught her staring and turned his attention to her. His bright blue orbs caught hers in an instant. She was trapped, ensnared by him. "You okay?" He asked. She nodded quickly. Too quickly. He sensed her anxiousness. "Ya' know you can tell me anything. I won't ever judge you."

His kind words were reassuring and she knew if she needed to he'd be there to confide in. She didn't want to admit she wasn't confident with their upcoming confrontation. "I know," she said softly. She tore herself away to gaze at the mountains that looked like small boulders in the distance. What was her problem? She was never this scared in the past when they had their run ins with Naraku. Maybe it was because of the insistent doubt that had been plaguing her for weeks now. She wasn't strong enough.

Ahead Inuyasha was glancing at the back of the group at the raven haired teen and the Youkai walking with her. She had been unusually tense since the incident at the wolf den. He wanted to ask her what was wrong but getting a moment alone with her was going to be hard to do with her "boyfriend" around. The idea of the mangy wolf being with Kagome was enough anger to fuel the desire to rip Naraku limb from limb. He'd take out the frustration on their foe when the time came. Sango, Miroku, and Shipp were behind letting him lead as he used his nose to find Naraku. Right when he was trying to focus his senses once more an annoying pinch nipped at his neck. He growled and smacked the location where he felt the strange bite to see a tiny flea demon in the palm of his hand. It was Myoga.

"Hello Master Inuyasha!" He greeted with a pop restoring himself from his once flattened state.

"Myoga, funny you turn up in out latest moment of perill," Inuyasha grunted. The flea demon became his servant after the death of his father. He inherited his services. Myoga wasn't around all the time. He turned up when they needed him most so Inuyasha felt no need to dismiss him. He lead him down the road to discovering his full potential with his sword the tensiaga.

The tiny insect chuckled, "Yes! Funny you mention that. You see I've been doing some investigating and I actually witnessed your friends battle with the strange monster Kyoufu."

"Oh yeah?" he arched a brow.

"Indeed Master Inuyasha. Kagome's Priestess powers were key to the success of defeating the monster but he was not empowered at his full state because Naraku himself upon releasing the beast devoured part of his soul." At this point everyone was stopped and listening to the messenger. Kagome's heart skipped a beat at the mention of her name. The wolf demon was staring at the tiny youkai in the palm of Inuyasha's hand with a curious look. "Kagome has to unlock her inner abilities in order for you to successfully defeat Naraku. Your sword will not be enough." The flea finished his explanation.

All eyes were on the teeanger who played with the hem of her skirt. She had to be brave. She forced a smile. "How do I do that?"

Myoga jumped off his master's hand and jumped to land on Kagome's shoulder. "There is an old woman who goes by the name of Miaka. Lady Miaka has trained many Priestess's and I'm certain she is who you must seek out before you confront the demon Naraku."

"Where can we find her?" Miroku asked. He was intensely curious.

"She's in a village not to far from here. About a day's travel if you head north."

Sango smiled warmly at their friend, "Thank you Myoga."

"Of course, I'll leap ahead to let her know you're coming." The flea demon departed.

Kouga wrapped an arm around Kagome, "Are you sure you want to go?"

She forced a nod, "Yes, yes I have to. It's our only chance."

Evening fell on the weary travelers. Inuyasha found an enclosed area for them to stay the night under a bushel of trees. Shippo yawned loudly as he curled up against the giant cat demon by the fire. Everyone seemed to be tired. Sango and Miroku were to nestled by the fire with the half demon resting in the tree above them. The modern day Priestess felt restless. No way was she going to be sleeping anytime soon. She felt dirty. A bath sounds like a dream right now... She imagined what it'd be like to submerge herself into the tub filled to the brim with lavender bubble bath. Wrapped around from behind her was Kouga who's head was resting on her shoulder. His gaze was fixated on the fire. She grabbed his hand to catch his attention. He answered by pressing his lips against her cheek making her release a giggle.

Her laughter was a chorus of angels to his sensitive hearing. He kissed her again his lips traveling down to her neck where she squirmed in his hold. "Kouga," she whispered in between airy chuckles.

He stopped resting his lips in the crook of her neck, "What?" he licked the spot his mouth was resting on. The sensation sent tingles through out her body.

"Can you smell any water near by?"

Kouga wasn't expecting this question which made him pull his head up to be more alert. He sniffed the air and motion to the east with his head. "About a mile that way there's a lake, why?"

She smiled up at him. "Will you take me?"

He stood up and didn't even give her time to stand. The wolf demon scooped her up in his arms, "Anything for you Kagome." He tip toed across the camp of sleeping friends until he was a good distance away then he took off at full speed. They arrived within two minutes Kagome guessed.

The shards in his legs made the Youkai unbelievably fast. He set her down softly on the bank. They were completely secluded, surrounded by forest. Their only company was the nature that inhabited the area. Lightning bugs lit the dark area making it seem all the more magical. Kagome's cheeks warmed as she glanced between the open water and the man who watched her. "I... I wanted to bathe real quick..."

He turned so she only saw his back, "It's fine. I won't look. I'll stand guard."

A wild thought came to mind. She hesitated to act on it but Kouga would never catch on. He was too noble. It only took a few seconds for her to shimmy out of her clothes. Her heart hammered hard in her chest as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his middle.

He felt the heat of her body pressed against him. Kagome's naked body. What is she doing? He was afraid to turn around. "Kagome?"

"Would you like to join me?"