"Kagome! Kagome! Wake up, quickly!"
Kagome blinked open her eyes and yawned. She looked up to see Michiru gently shaking her. "Michiru? What's wrong?" Kagome asked, worried. Michiru's eyes were gloomy. The other women were standing behind her looking just as fearful. Kagome quickly sat up and tightened the sash around her kimono. "Kagome, it's war!" Michiru informed her. "Last night, while everyone was sleeping, the leopard demons attacked our guards and left a message: They want our leader."
Kagome gasped. "Why do they want Koga?" Michiru shrugged. "They didn't say. Just that either our leader go to them or a war between us will break out." Kagome gulped. "Is Koga going?"
"He hasn't decided yet." Kagome leaped from her comfortable bed and rushed out of the room. She had to find Koga. She searched his den but he wasn't in there. She looked in the kitchen but still no Koga. Ginta asked her what she was doing and Kagome stopped scurrying around. "Ginta, have you seen Koga? I need to talk to him!" Ginta pointed towards the entrance and Kagome walked over there. Koga was sitting on the edge of the cliff, seeming to be deep in thought.
Kagome silently joined him and a startled look appeared on his face. "Kagome!" he said in surprise. Kagome silenced him. "I know about the war Koga. You can't go to the leopards! You just can't!" Koga starred at her with his sky blue eyes and sighed. "What choice do I have Kagome? I can't let my men go to war and die. Three men were sacrificed last night when the leopards came. Isn't one better then all?" Kagome thought about this and slowly nodded.
"But…what if they're planning on k-killing you! Then what will…what will I do?" Kagome was choked back a sob but it escaped anyway. Koga continued to stare at her and smiled weakly. He put his around her and pulled her close. "Kagome, don't worry about me. I'll have my men hide when I go. I won't get hurt."
Kagome sniffed and nodded. She snuggled a little closer to Koga and he smiled wider. He didn't want anything to interrupt them…
"Koga!" Hakaku's voice came from in the cave. Koga let out a soft growl and gave Kagome a sorry expression. She nodded and he stood. Hakaku was consulting with the other men about Koga turning himself over to the leopards. "We will back you up every step of the way Koga," Hakaku grinned. "Weapons at the ready the entire time." Koga returned the grin and sat with his legs crossed. Kagome joined them shortly and occupied the seat beside Koga. He wrapped his arm around her waist as some of the men talked.
Kagome sat there in thought. It had been just yesterday that she had arrived here and already she had new friends and didn't mind Koga putting his arm around her. It was strange…was she developing feelings for him? Kagome debated this and hardly noticed when Koga got up. He followed a broad wolf demon out of the den and she sat there still deep in thought.
"Miss Kagome? Are you alright…?" a voice came from behind her. Kagome turned and smiled at Chika. "I'm fine, just thinking," she replied. "I wonder…Chika, do you think it would be a good idea to accompany Koga to the leopards territory?" Chika let out a gasp and frantically shook her head. "No! A woman has never gone to war!" Kagome looked back down at the den floor.
"I'm strong…and I could be able to sense if one of the leopards possessed a jewel shard. I'm a skilled archer as well…I think I will go, whether I'm wanted or not."
"Go where?" Hana asked, as she walked over to the two of them. Kagome punched her hand and smiled triumphantly. "Yes! I will go and help out! Oh, hey Hana. I'm going to war!" Hana gave the same gasp as Chika had. "Kagome---"
"Don't even bother. She's made up her mind," Chika sighed. Kagome smiled and ran out to where Koga stood. "Koga, I have made an important decision. I'm coming with you to the leopards territory!" Koga looked shocked and opened his mouth to speak but Kagome held up a hand. "No! I am coming and that's my final choice!" She looked at him with her big, brown eyes and Koga just couldn't disagree with her.
"Kagome…alright, but you have to stay hidden. And I want you to have at least three men protecting you! Understand? And have your bow and arrows ready incase you are ambushed." Kagome nodded and threw her arms around Koga's neck. She kissed him on the cheek and returned to the den with a wave. Koga continued his discussion with the broad wolf demon but kept his mind on Kagome.