Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.


Encounter

Kirara was hunting when she smelled blood. She paused, forefoot half-raised, puzzled. The smell was—odd, for it combined human and youkai notes. Going back to a run, she followed the trail, slowing to a stalk as the odor strengthened.

The intensity of the blood smell on the ground misled her. "Stay away, neko!" spat a young voice from above. "Don't come closer! I'll kill you!"

Kirara snapped her head up. Several trees over and at least three man-heights up sat a scrawny, red-clad, white-haired boy with white—ears?

Her rump hit the ground as she realized. Inu hanyo. The inu hanyo, son of the deceased Inu no Taisho. And badly hurt.

She shrank, giving a long, plaintive mew. If she could just persuade the puppy to trust and follow her: surely her humans would not object to helping him. Several orphan human children had followed her to their welcome arms, in recent memory: surely, this one could find welcome, too.

"You're not tricking me, neko!" he yelled, lunging to his feet, wobbling. "You just want to trick me and kill me—I won't let you!" Golden claws slashed through the air: Kirara didn't move, recognizing that the claws were off target. "Next time, I won't miss!"

Kirara crouched, gave another long mew, and started to inch her way forward. Another wave of claws descended; this time better aimed. Leaping backwards, she considered. Regretfully, she turned and trotted away. He was too scared and angry to understand her cues. Increasing her speed to a gallop, taking to the air in the first clearing, she headed back towards her village. The headwoman was both clever and kind, and would willingly follow Kirara back.

But, as she feared, when she returned with her current partner, the boy was gone.


Author's Note: This was originally written for the prompt "Follow" for the LiveJournal community "Inuyasha's Unsung Heroes." It was posted on April 18, 2011.