Koga's Crush

A/N: So, in this chapter, Koga gets a rude awakening. Akiko goes missing, and he realizes that something is up. However, when Kagome goes off to the harpy den to find Akiko, (and Katana) Koga realizes that there is something very wrong going on.

Chocolate for reviewers! (Unless I finish it off myself)

Also, I put Koga's speed in miles per hour. For European readers, I'll try to find a conversion website.

Katana: sharp blade, Akiko: smart child

Kagome sprinted down the dirt road, praying that Akiko was alright. No, not Akiko, why did you have to take him, Katana, why? Unshed tears filled her eyes as she silently prayed for this wolf-boy she had come to love. (Not like that, just as a good friend)

Koga suddenly appeared from the shadow of a huge evergreen. He looked up at Kagome, watching her silently. What in the world is she doing here? She was just with Akiko in his den an hour ago. He began following her, keeping low to the ground in the shadows of the forest.

"How does he not see? She's corrupted his heart, somehow; the innocent heart I always loved in him. How else could he be in love with a harpy? What about Akiko; I don't know how to find him, or what to do when I reach the harpies' nest."

Koga was very confused at this point. Who is she talking about? Did she lose the puppy to a harpy? He's never had an innocent heart! And how could Akiko have been taken by harpies? He didn't leave, and the only non-wolves that have been in the den are her, and Katana. They're both just humans.

Soon, the tall mountain loomed up in the distance. Kagome saw the giant nest, high on the peak. The acrid stench of murderous harpies filled Koga's nostrils; the hatred that filled his heart soon followed.

Kagome is very lucky that I saw her leaving, he thought. What would she do, alone with these foul beasts?

Meanwhile, Kagome stopped running as she reached the foot of the cliff. She reached for a handhold, and began climbing.

Koga, however, had run into several disturbing thoughts. One, he couldn't climb after her without being seen. Second, if she fell, she would be hurt pretty badly, especially if he didn't catch her. Third, if she caught him following her, she would kill him. Last, but most important, among the reek of harpies, he had smelled Katana. Could Kagome have been talking about him? She said she didn't love him, but maybe she did.

Before leaving, Koga solved the problem of her being hurt by layering the spot under her with leaves, and leafy branches. That should soften her fall! Next, he made up his mind to find Akiko.

He turned, running about as fast as he could possibly go, (95 mph) and raced back to the den. His first stop was Akiko's place. Sure enough, his cousin had left. He followed the trail up to the forest, where it mingled with Katana's scent. Funny, where had that come from?

There were signs of a struggle. Not obvious signs, but Koga was a ranger-quality tracker. He noticed that there was dust on several bushes, and the pine needles had been kicked out of the path. Oh, no, Akiko! What happened? Katana is gone, too. But how could a harpy have taken them off? There's no scent. The hypnotizing spell kept Koga's mind from suspecting Katana, despite the obvious clues.

He turned to follow the trail, and then realized that after about six or seven yards, it disappeared. It was almost as though Katana and Akiko had grown wings! Maybe the harpy carried something to mask the scent. I have to find them! Once again, he sped towards the harpies' nest.

Meanwhile, high on the mountain...

Kagome reached a fairly wide outcropping. Realizing that she couldn't go on for much longer unless she took a rest, she stopped and sat down. Against her better judgment, she looked down over the edge to see how far she'd come. There was a curious object on the ground. Straining a bit, she realized it was a bed of leaves, at least three feet thick! (For all you metric people, that's about a meter)

"How in the world did that get there?" she wondered. "No time to ponder, though. I wonder if Koga asked someone in his pack to watch me... besides Akiko." As soon as the brave wolf crossed her mind, her eyes began to sting. NO! I have to be strong; I think harpies can smell tears.

As she worked her way up the cliff, she became aware of a lot of activity up above. She began to smell foul fumes, and realized she was nearing the harpy den. While she looked for her next handhold, the outcropping her foot was rested on broke. Kagome was left teetering on the cliff, hanging on for dear life to her other handhold. It took all of her willpower, plus a strong grip with her teeth, to keep from screaming.

A/N: Hahaha, it's a literal cliffie! Wow, how many times do you see those? Not too often! … ok… I'm insane, but oh well.