Koga could feel Kagome stirring. It was morning and they had been traveling for nearly a day. He wasn't tired in the least bit and just kept going. Finally, Kagome opened her eyes slowly. She looked up into Koga's smiling face and yawned. "Good morning Koga. Are we almost there? My back is really starting to kill me…"

As if in reply, Kagome heard the sound of a rushing waterfall and her eyes grew wide in excitement. Koga hopped onto some rocks and set a drowsy Kagome down. She swayed for a moment but then stretched. "Finally! Ah, thanks Koga." She faced the waterfall and shivered. "It looks so…cold." Koga once again came to her rescue. He picked Kagome up and covered her as he ran through the water. When they were safely on the other side Kagome kissed Koga lightly on the cheek.

"Thank you again Koga," she said, touching the den floor. "Now…where's the pack?" Loud howls and laughs echoed from all around her and she screamed. Koga chuckled and shook his head. "Don't worry Kagome. It's only the wolves and the men. They're greeting you. Don't worry." Kagome nodded but gulped. Several men in armor like Koga's and brown wolves walked over to join them.

"Hey Koga, I see you brought your woman back like you said!" one of the men shouted. Koga slung an arm around Kagome and grinned. "Yep and she's here to stay!" The wolves howled in delight and the men cheered. Kagome blushed and folded her hands. "T-Thank you." Was all she managed to say. Koga led her over to a hanging cloth door and pulled it back. Dozens of women screamed but when they saw Kagome and Koga they smiled and squealed.

Koga showed Kagome the small den the women stayed in. It was covered in furs and silk kimono's. Kagome smiled at all the women and waved. They exchanged glances and giggled. Once Koga was gone they all crowed around Kagome. "Wow, you got Koga you lucky girl!" One named Michiru cried. The rest nodded in agreement.

"Well, you're not exactly his mate…yet," another commented. "You have to perform the mating ritual." Kagome had a pretty good idea of what that was. She gulped.

"So, it's Kagome right?" Michiru asked.

"Yes," Kagome replied. "Nice to meet you. All of you. So what do you do to pass the time?" She was very curious now that she was going to be living here.

"Well, we cook and clean and talk," Michiru said conversationally. Kagome nodded. "And where do you bathe?"

"There's a small lake only about a mile from here. The water is normally cold but don't worry. There are various hot springs as well."

"And where do you…um…sleep?" Kagome asked, a little embarrassed. Michiru smiled. "Well, us women sleep in here of course." Kagome let out a sigh of relief. "But the leader's mate usually sleeps with him." Kagome screamed softly.

"EXCUSE ME?" she yelled. The women all went, "Shhhh!" and held a finger to their lips. Kagome covered her mouth. "Yes, you must sleep with Koga," Michiru continued. "But don't worry. He probably won't force you to. He's just as kind as he is handsome." The women all giggled and Kagome sighed in relief once more.

"Oh here. Every women must wear a fine silk kimono to dinner." Michiru stood and walked over to a line of kimono's. She stopped and thought. Then she pulled out a dark blue one with tiny pink blossoms all over it. Kagome gasped. "It's amazing! Oh thank you so much Michiru!" She tried it on and it fit. "I absolutely love it!"

"Now it is time for dinner," one of the women informed her and they all filed out of the cozy little den.