Silver fur shone in the fading sunlight, teal pupils regarding her from within crimson irises, and Kagome found herself hypnotized.
The slight distortion in the air was nothing compared to the power that lay within, the water rippling as though part of the sea, but not a single wave dared to crash near its feet.
The animals in the forest were a mixture of mammals and youkai, but they all were more beast than brain, providing them with sustenance during a hunt—or at least scattering when they got near.
Not this one.
The ground shook with the weight of its power, freezing Kagome to the spot, yet it never moved from the opposite shore. The tail twitched as it watched her, twin magenta stripes bordering feral jaws that never opened, never snarled.
What was it waiting for?
The air shifted again, and the creature took a step towards her, muscles rolling as if it intended to leap the entire lake in one go. Kagome's feet mimicked the movement, sand crunching beneath her as she retreated backwards.
Reaching for her power, she breathed a sigh of relief when reiki responded, then raised her chin, hoping it hadn't noticed her trembling feet.
She was stronger than this. Braver than this.
It stopped, then glanced at the trees behind it, the mountain of fur on its shoulder standing on end.
Finally free of its gaze, Kagome turned and ran.