To Be Different Then Expected

A/N- Here we are again, it's been a year and damn am I sorry that it took that long! T.T

I just hope you all can forgive me...anyway; the next chapt is finally here...so enjoy!

Disclaimer- I don't own InuYasha, if I did, Kikyou would be long gone and I'd have a few things to change...but it's not, so no worries! At least I can still dream right?

Sorry again about the wait...

'Thoughts'

'Youkai Thoughts/Speaking'

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Chapter 6:

Getting Along

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Kouga leapt at her quickly, gripping her arm with his claws before throwing her several feet across the clearing. Not giving her but a moment to react as he bounded after her.

Gritting her teeth as her back connected roughly with the ground, Ayame quickly rolled out of the way of Kouga's knee as it connected with the ground where her head had just laid.

'Damn it, this guy is really stubborn isn't he?' 'Stubborn, yes. But strong...' Narrowing her eyes at the clear admiration in her Youkai's tone, Ayame forced herself to her feet even as she leapt at the male before her. It was time to do something reckless.

Wrapping both her legs about his waist, she locked one of her arms about his neck, even as she gripped his left ear within her jaws. One of her fangs even pierced the skin as she growled deeply at him.

"Stop this non-sense now; there are more important matter's at hand. I'm warning you."

Kouga felt his whole body shiver as Ayame's breath brushed against the side of his face, he'd never had a female other than his mother this close to him before. It was making his body feel strange.

But it was the pain from her fang piercing his ear that had him growling right back at her. This was a threat and if he wasn't careful, this female very well might rip his ear right off.

'Female strong...submit for now.' Biting his lip at his Youkai's words, Kouga couldn't help but acknowledge that it was right.

Right now he didn't stand a chance, unless he wanted to lose his ear and probably bleed to death, not to mention loose his hearing. This for a wolf was a death sentence anyway.

Forcing down his desire to flip over and rip Ayame's throat out, he whimpered lowly, admitting his defeat. "Fine, now get off me."

Slowly Ayame released him, weary of whether he would attempt something again or not. You could never be too careful, not when it came to Youkai males.

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The taste of his salty blood touched her tongue as she rubbed at her mouth. She had to stop a full body shiver as her Youkai purred in pure pleasure at the clear raw power that flowed through Kouga's veins.

'Strong alpha...powerful...master make move, male worthy of attention.' Growling, Ayame turned from Kouga. She didn't know how long that she could hold her Youkai's desires in check before she did something stupid and jumped the idiot.

'Not now...' "Ayame?" Blinking, Ayame turned her head to regard the miko before her with a soft look. "What is it Kagome?"

Smiling, Kagome tilted her head, "I was just wondering...would you like to join us on our quest?"

Raising an eyebrow at that, Ayame thought briefly of her father's orders before shaking it off. She still had some time to spare and besides, if she was to get along with that idiot, then she needed to be near him and at least attempt to get on his good side.

"Sure, but only for a bit. I still have a job to do you know, by the way...do you know of a shelter nearby where we could rest for a bit?" Ayame took a seat upon a nearby boulder, smiling when Miharu leapt up and curled at her feet.

Kagome tapped her chin in thought, before turning to spare a narrowed glance at InuYasha. The half-demon had stayed out of the fight, too shocked by what he was seeing to do anything; after all, it wasn't everyday a Youkai was subdued by a bite to the ear.

Wincing at that thought, InuYasha's ears pressed against his head in defense. "I know there's a cave nearby, but I don't know if it's big enough or not. But we'll make due...as long as that idiot and his minion find their own cave."

Attempting to regain his bravado, InuYasha crossed his arms over his chest once again and Ayame couldn't help but find his behavior slight admirable. 'I bet he's grown up toughened by a hard life, after all, that is the fate of all Hanyou.'

Deciding to let InuYasha's insult to Kouga and Hikaku slide for now, Ayame slapped her leg, "well then, what are we waiting for? Let's move, lead the way red."

InuYasha growled lowly at Ayame's nickname, but did as she said anyway. Waiting for Kagome and Shippou to climb on, InuYasha leapt into the trees, Ayame and Miharu hot on his heels.

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Once they had left the clearing, Kouga kicked the nearest tree, reducing it to mere splinters with that one blow. He couldn't believe what he'd just let happen.

First he'd agreed to a truce between their dens and then, he'd attacked her. Not the best of choices, but he couldn't let her insults to his pride slide. 'I must make up for this though, if she tells her father about our little altercation, then we might as well declare war right now.'

'War later, go after female, now.' Snarling at his Youkai's continued persistence, Kouga turned to where Hikaku sat looking up at him in slight fear. One couldn't be too careful around Kouga, especially when he was angry.

"Hikaku. Let's go, we need to catch that female." Turning, he didn't even bother to wait as he leapt after InuYasha, leaving Hikaku to chase after him, "Wait Kouga!"

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It had taken them mere minutes before they had finally reached the 'cave' that InuYasha had mentioned. It seemed rather small as they came to a stop before a rather large waterfall, the cave sitting but a few feet away.

It looked as though a large demon had carved the side of the mountain out to form the cave and the closer they got, the bigger it got. It seemed that looks weren't everything.

From how the light had dissipated as they had traveled, signaled that the end of the day was soon to arrive. Knowing that they would need something to eat, especially since she hadn't eaten since the day before.

Ayame decided to go hunting.

"Well, this place doesn't look too bad. Thanks InuYasha." Patting the Hanyou on the shoulder, Ayame, turned to Shippou. "Hey, could you go and gather some wood for a fire?"

The kit just nodded his head before he disappeared around the bed of the mountain, smiling at that, Ayame stretched her arms out behind her. "Well then, I'm going hunting and when I get back, then we can get a little better acquainted. Be back soon."

Not waiting for an answer, Ayame dashed off in the most likely direction she would find game, Miharu kept close to her heels. As she ran she could smell Kouga and Hikaku on the air, but she pushed that aside.

Quickening her pace, Ayame didn't even acknowledge Kouga as she darted right past him only to flash Hikaku a wink, before she was disappearing into the trees.

Growling in annoyance, Kouga weighed his options. Kagome was in the direction Ayame had just come from but he was curious as to why Ayame would join the mutts group only to leave it just as fast.

Making a choice, Kouga glanced at Hikaku, "Hikaku, go and join Kagome. I'll be there soon." Hikaku didn't need to be told twice, he just did as his alpha commanded. He could only hope that Kouga wouldn't try picking another fight with Ayame so soon.

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It hadn't taken her long before she had caught the scent of a doe nearby, licking her chomps at the very thought of tearing into that flesh.

Lightening her steps, Ayame wisely ignored Kouga's presence as he came to a soundless stop behind her. Narrowing her eyes, Ayame snapped her jaws once and Miharu was up and off, running into the path of the doe.

Predictably the animal bolted at the sight of a predator, digging in its hooves as Miharu drove it towards where Ayame and Kouga were.

Smirking at her perfect plan, Ayame sank even lower to the ground, extending her claws even as she counted away the seconds with the rapid beat of her heart.

Once the doe had gotten close enough to scent them, it was just turning to blot in another direction when Ayame pounced. Digging her claws deeply into the animal's hind-quarters, bringing the animal down easily.

As soon as the doe was on its side, Miharu darted forward and snapped its neck, putting the doe out of its misery swiftly so that it wouldn't suffer.

Ayame wasn't a mean person, if she made a kill; she wanted it to be clean and the death quick. Nothing deserved to endure the pain of being eaten alive.

Retracting her claws, Ayame easily hefted the doe up on her shoulder before turning and making her way back in the direction of the den. As she passed the rather stunned Kouga, Ayame smirked, "you coming?"

Snapping out of his shock, Kouga just nodded his head, turning to follow Ayame. All the while going over the rather quick hunt he'd just witnessed. 'I have never seen a hunt begin and end so fast, usually it takes more than two to catch something. But that...'

'Flawless Master, female formidable hunter. Female worthy of attention.' He hated to admit it, but his Youkai was right. Ayame was a formidable hunter, and from the few encounters he'd had with female wolves over the years. She was the first to best him in a fight, let alone put him in his place.

She had done it perfectly and he knew it.

'I guess I will have to start paying closer attention to her after all.' Hearing his Youkai howl its agreement, Kouga had come to a decision. He would first figure this female out and then he'd figure out what to do with her.

It was the safest bet, considering her nature thus far.

Ayame wanted to laugh. It was after all, not every day that she met such an annoyingly idiot male. She had to admit though; he wasn't too bad, if only he'd bathe once in a while.

Grimacing as she caught the pure scent of male body-odor again, Ayame knew she wouldn't be able to take it much longer. 'I mean, I like the scent of a male as much as the next female, but not to this extreme. Yuck...'

Reaching the clearing near the cave, Ayame smiled when she saw the fire that was glowing from the caves entrance. It looked like Shippou had beaten her back.

As she passed by the waterfall and the pond it emptied in, Ayame slowed down, letting Kouga come up to walk at her side. For several moments they walked.

And as they reached the edge of the waterfall, Ayame stuck her foot out and smiled happily when she heard Kouga's grunt of surprise as he tripped and landed with a loud, 'ploosh!' Into the pond.

She didn't even halt her movements when she heard the loud cursing behind her.

That had been more satisfying than she'd thought, hearing another curse as Kouga slipped on a moss covered rock and took another swan dive, yes...very satisfying.

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A/N- And there's this chapt. I couldn't help but torture Kouga just a bit, after all. He did deserve it!

Anyway, hope you all liked this chapt...and sorry again for the very long wait on this...sometimes it really sucks when you can't write. I'm on my dad's computer after all...sigh

Well, I am going to try and get the next chapt done soon, so I guess we'll see...

Hope you all will still stick with me on this!

Till the next time...

Ja Ne!!