Chapter 2

A/N: Thank you so much, dontbreakme. I will definitely continue this story, and take most suggestions on plot twists and so forth. Anyway, in this chapter, Kagome finds out about Koga's new g/f, and gets to meet her.

Kagome sighed, looking down the picturesque hillside. She wished she could stay here forever. The grass was so lush; it was like a carpet, so tender and beautiful. The entire meadow was an oasis in the harsh, demon-inhabited world.

"Hey, Kagome!" Koga walked up behind her. Startled, she whirled around; Koga made no noise when he walked. They sat in silence for a while, before Koga asked her, "So, Kagome, how do you like it here? Everything ok?"

She grinned at him, answering, "Koga, you know I'm enjoying myself! This is such a great place, I don't know how you can ever bear to leave it."

"Well, if I ever want to see Katana," he smiled, "I have to visit her sometime."

"So, Koga," wondered Kagome, "Who is this mystery girl anyway? Is she demon, werewolf, or human? Come on, I need details!"

"Well, after you left me last time with that mutt friend of yours, I had to find a mate somehow. I mean, I came of age last year! In our culture, if an alpha can't… you know, mate, then he isn't an alpha for much longer. If the ridicule doesn't kill him, the jealous guys will. Everyone was surprised that I hadn't mated for this long, usually there are at least two girls waiting for him to come of age."

"But you wanted someone who you were actually in love with," Kagome finished for him, "I understand completely. A lot of people are the same way, you know. It's not just your culture that puts a strain on guys who don't have fourteen odd girls hanging on him; humans are the same way, and I bet demons are, too."

The two sat in silence for a while. After a couple of minutes, a young cub ran panting up the hillside. "Koga! Chief Koga! Where are you? Katana is looking for you!"

"Well, Kagome," he smiled, "I guess this is your chance to meet my future mate!" The two of them rose and started towards the den's entrance. Kagome spotted an extremely pretty young girl waiting for them there. She waved to Koga, then turned back to the cave mouth to look at the young cub talking to her.

"Katana! How's it going, my lover?" Koga beamed at her; Katana smiled back.

"I'm fine, Koga, how are you?"

"Missing you every second, girl, missing you every second." He swept her into a full embrace and kissed her full on the mouth. "Have you met my friend, Kagome? She travels with Inuyasha; he's a dog demon."

Kagome studied the girl. She was tall and shapely, with curves that would definitely make Inuyasha drool for a few days. Her hair was long and dark, in fact it was so deeply black that it almost glowed blue. Her eyes were dark brown, and she had nice cheekbones. Yes, I definitely have to keep an eye on this one. There was something else, though, a feeling about the girl that Kagome just couldn't place. It was like the feeling she had had before, when she saw all of the shards by the well, only this time her entire body was roaring with the icy, burning, biting energy. The weird part was, she couldn't see any shards on the girl.

"Nice to meet you, Katana," she smiled coolly. Koga looked at Kagome, puzzled by her obvious disdain.

"So, tell me, Kagome," returned Katana, "What is Koga really like? I mean, beyond the fact that he's a total hunk. He obviously likes you a lot, so come on, tell all."

Shippo, observing from the cave's mouth, instantly disliked her. She seemed like a total flirt, and he didn't want Koga to be hurt… or Kagome, for that matter.

"Well, Koga's a pretty straight forward guy. What you see is what you get." In many cultures (including Katana's), this would be regarded as highly derisive. However, for a wolf demon, a compliment on someone's body, as well as saying that they weren't very crooked, would be considered high praise. Therefore, Katana was more than a little confused when Koga beamed at Kagome.

"Ok, what else? I'm just dying to know about all the time you spend with my Koga here," giggled Katana. Kagome shuddered inwardly, all the while giving her a little smirk.

"Oh, I don't know, I could tell you about all the times he brought down these huge deer; since he's the chief of the clan, of course he and his mate get to eat the heart. It's best when it's still bleeding. And then there's the awesome, bloody battle he had with the Harpies…" she cut herself off.

That's it! Katana is a harpy! This is what the harpies felt like, that time in the battle… this must be a harpy in disguise! That's why I can't see her shards, because they're covered by whatever force is also masking her true appearance! She must be trying to mate Koga, so she can bend the entire tribe to her will, and the will of the Harpies. I have to warn Koga!

"But I'm sure you two want to spend some time alone. Go on, don't let me keep you waiting." As soon as the couple left, Kagome raced into the den. She had to find out whether or not the tribe had fallen under Katana's spell.

"Whoa! Watch out, Kagome!" In her mad dash to the den's central chamber, she had run straight into Akiko, Koga's cousin. "Why the hurry?"

"Akiko, what do you think of Katana," she asked breathlessly, "I need to know!"

"Kagome, are you feeling alright? We can't talk about the chief's betrothed here! That's just messed up! Come on, we'll go to my den, and I can talk to you about her."

"So, Kagome, why do you want to know about Katana?"

"Do you like her? For some reason she doesn't feel right to me."

Akiko sighed tiredly. "Kagome, what I am about to tell you, you must never repeat, to anyone." He waited for her to agree, and said, "I think there's something very wrong with her. I was waiting for someone to tell, but I think most of the tribe feels the same way. It's like she's put a spell over Koga!"

"Um, Akiko," she said nervously, "I think I know who – what, that is, Katana is, and why she is so 'in love' with Koga. She's a harpy. I think the reason she is trying to mate Koga is so that she can bend the entire tribe to her will." Boy, do I wish there was an easier way to say that!

Akiko stared at her blankly for several minutes, before saying, "What?"

Don't you just love cliffies? Review and I promise another chapter will be forthcoming. Once again, thank you dontbreakme, your review was much appreciated. I eagerly await further reviewers!