"Come on Kagome, we're almost home. Must we stop by every friend you have ever made on the way?" Kouga was anxious to return to the palace. He and Kagome had spent the last four months on their last quest.

"Kouga, what kind of a Ranger would I be if I didn't have allies all over the kingdom?" Kagome had to admit that they had spent at least a solid two weeks of their four month adventure visiting old friends and acquaintances. "Besides, you will absolutely love Sango! Granted she is a demon exterminator and you're a wolf-demon, but other than that, I think you two will get along great!"

"Whatever. I follow you princess." Kouga picked her up bridal style and ran the rest of the forest length at a great pace. He stopped outside the house of the great demon exterminator.

"Don't call me princess. I am a RANGER and you know it. But, of course, I am ever grateful for the speedy deliver." Kagome smiled at her most trusted friend and then began to knock on the door of her best friend. Before her hand reached the wood the door swung open and a battle crazed Sango stood before them in her black and pink battle attire.

"Kagome! Oh, you must come with me to the next village. There is this huge bear demon that needs to be eliminated. It's destroying all the crops of the villagers." She then noticed the muscular young man with long black pony tail and blue eyes on her porch. "You must be Kouga. I've heard a lot about you. Pleasure meeting a demon that doesn't need destroying." She shook his hand.

"It is nice to meet you as well Sango. I have heard a great deal about you from my travels with the princess."

"Kouga! I told you to stop calling me princess! Show us the way Sango, an extra day on the road for a Ranger is nothing. We spend our whole lives on the road!"

"Yeah, the whole time you aren't at the palace you are on the road. No need to go into that now though, lead on Sango-sama." Kouga held a sad look in his eyes and began to walk in the direction Sango indicated. The two girls walked a few paces behind and began a private conversation.

"What's up with Kouga making a big deal about you being the princess? I thought he thought of you as the re-known Ranger first and foremost. What was your last quest about? Oh, and that monk I've been telling you about.I think he may be at that village. He has a tendancy to show up whenever there are demons to exterminate. I think he's stalking me actually. Oh, and he has this friend named Inuyasha. He's got an attitude problem though, but he can definitely fight!" Sango rambled on before Kagome could answer.

"Woah! Are you done? Lets see if I can actually answer some of those questions for you. Kouga's been a little annoyed lately because I have been requested at court. Being the King's adopted daughter has certain responsibilities that cuts into our travels. After the death of my parents he took me in as his own. I don't know why but he decided that I am the heir for the throne and not his daughter. That's why I have to go home so often. Kouga just gets annoyed with all the politics we have to deal with. He's always in a hurry.

"Our last quest is confidential. I can't tell you everything so I'll just say that it involved that infamous dragon of the South and a new alliance. This monk of yours better be as great as you make him out to be. What did you say his friend's name was?"

"Miroku's friend? It's Inuyasha. Do you know him?" Sango questioned.

"That name is so familiar. I must have met him before. But I've met so many people. I guess I'll find out when I see him. Come on we better hurry and catch up with Kouga before he gets annoyed with us."

#######################

(Scene, outside of the forest in the Village with the Bear Demon)

"Miroku, this does NOT strike me as an all day affair. We've been watching this stupid bear for at least two hours. Why won't you let me kill him?"

"Patience, Inuyasha, is the key to all good things." Miroku said as he straightened his short ponytail.

"Yeah right. Who's the broad you are trying to impress this time? She better be worth it." Inuyasha had complained for at least an hour and fifty nine minutes of the two hours as the friends watched the demon. "Hey whats that in the east?"

"Why it is my fair Juliet!" They watched as a pink tornado approached them and emerging was two females and a young man.

"Ah, you must be Miroku's new wench." Inuyasha addressed the younger of the two woman. She was wearing a dark green cape and had a quiver and bow strapped across her back.

Kagome stared at the doggish man in front of her with familiarity tugging at her consciousness. Calmly she pulled back her hood to reveal her piercing green eyes. "Look her dog boy, do not address me as 'wench.' You will show the proper respect next time you speak to me. Now tell me your name and that of your companion so that I may treat you with the respect you deserve."

"Look here WENCH, we don't have time for this. If you haven't noticed there is a demon looking to be destroyed. Now if you'll excuse me." Inuyasha stalked towards the bear demon preparing to release his attack. "Kaze no Kiz-"

However the arrow streaking pink in its wake that dissolved the monster before he could finish his attack stole the "u" right out of his mouth. He glared at the "little girl" who dared to destroy the demon he had to babysit for the past two hours.

"You were taking too long. My companion would surely have gotten annoyed with the wait." Kagome winked at Kouga as she addressed the arrogant dog- boy.

" . ! I have been waiting all freaking morning to destroy that dumb bear and you waltz in and steal my glory! Maybe I should finish the attack on you!" Inuyasha began to rush upon the girl but a giant boomerang in his face changed his mind.

"Inuyasha, do not start such foolish acts. Kagome and Kouga have been on a four month quest where they made an alliance with the great silver dragon of the South! And they are in a rush to return to the palace."Sango began but was stunned silent by Kouga as he slung Kagome over his shoulder and began to take off.

"Kouga put me down! I can walk you know?" He just shook his head and continued to hold her over his shoulder. "Fine, well looks like I'm leaving. Nice to meet you guys. And Inuyasha, I'm sorry for killing your bear. I'll make it up to you!"

Kouga glanced around at the two new males and glared at them in contempt. "Time to go princess, we've wasted enough time here. Later Inu-kuro." And with that the tornado returned and Kouga and Kagome were gone. They would arrive in the palace in less than twenty minutes at their speed.

"Princess? That cocky, green cape wearing, wolf-riding, dragon taming, arrow shooting bear killing wench is a princess? And that stupid wimpy wolf. He just thinks that he can spin in here on a tornado ." 'traveling away with the most beautiful, talented girl I have ever met' Inuyasha finished silently.

Miroku and Sango smiled knowingly at one another. "You know that is my friend you are talking about. And you really shouldn't speak of the heir of the Northern throne in such a manner." Sango informed the hanyou.

"Wait, heir of the northern throne. Her name is Kagome?"

"Yeah, well she is the princess, adopted by the King of the North. I'm sure if you went home once in a while you would have met your brother's fiancé." Miroku told him.

"Actually, we have met before. It was just.a long time ago. I wonder if she remembers me? And she is NOT Sesshomaru's fiancé!" Inuyasha fumed.

"Well, maybe not yet. I imagine that is the urgent reason for her trip home today. That is probably why Kouga was in such a foul mood. Though I doubt if he would admit it. But she has a responsibility being heir to the throne. Which is weird because you would think the king's own daughter Kikyou would next in line. Of course she is no where near the leader of Kagome.

After the death of her parents the king adopted her as his own child. Her father and he were best friends. They were practically inseperable, best friends since birth. But after her parents were murdered, she decided to train to become a Ranger. She dedicates her life to make sure no one loses their loved ones to a monster.." Sango's voice trailed off as memories of her lost family resurface.

Miroku wrapped a comforting arm around her and for once wasn't a pervert. Inuyasha decided there was no need to intrude on the couple anymore and decided to head to the West and pay his loving big brother a visit.