Bones to 'follow' or 'chase' each other!

Hi all
Ok, I'll try to explain what I want to do!
I have a set of linked (in 3ds max then exported via fbx) bones. I want the first bone to chase about using some ai (I'm using UnitySteer for now), but now comes my question...

Can I get the other bones to follow the first, curving about as if on a path, like a snake or missile trail?

There obviously is no path, as the ai is directing the first (parent) bone. But left along with no solution, the other bones obviously just follow in a stiff straight line behind thier leader.

Edit: After looking about at other people trying to do similar things, I need to add, these bones will end up deforming a mesh, so they have to be bones. Any solutions that won't work with bones are no good (I think?)

Any ideas would be great.. many thanks