Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. But here's the next chapter. Its actually part one of a flash back into Amaya's past. Its short, and I'm sorry for that. But I didn't complete the chapter yet, but I haven't posted for so long that I decided just to post what I have and write the second part later. It a flashback anyway, so it seems like I'm just going for the effect. But Read, review, and enjoy

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Amaya, Shing, and this fanfics storyline/plot are my creations.

Dancing on The Hearth (part one)

The cave was of diminutive size. Filled with the scent of earth and raw meat, light glowing ghoulishly from the fire in the center. The place was fearsomely ancient looking. Wolf youkai were circled formally in the outskirts of the grotto, staring with a disconcerting air of awe and glorification at the flames. Silence contained the small area, the licking of the inferno growing steadily. The threatening feeling the wolves had of being burned to death was only extinguished by the rocks and dust that circled the outer most rims of the bonfire. The drowsy odor of sakura hung heavily in the air, tempting the youkai to drop their eyelids that were weary from wait. Yet they need wait for their lady no longer.

With long, sweeping strides, a tall, female figure entered the earthy chamber. Elegantly built, she bequeathed an indescribable aura of power and strength, only achieved by demon nobility. Her long, unevenly and rigidly chopped ebony hair followed her body like a unrelenting tsunami wave. Peddles fell quietly from her decorated head, leaving an even heavier mix of xerophyte, rhododendron, and baby's breath over the sakura perfume. With her body composed and poised, she stopped in her tracks, opening her previously closed eyes soundly. This had an immediate effect.

Her glassy, blue-ice eyes spanned the audience, sending a gasp throughout. With her deeply tanned skin conflicting her inexpressible eyes, the youkai could not bring themselves to look directly at them, for fear of being lost forever in her gaze.

Once it seemed the wait would last for all eternity, the female raised her arms high in prayer, facing the sky with her eyes closed in passion. A chanting of wolf howls filled the air, sending chills through any mortal who happened to be near. The mournful tune rang through the cave, escaping from its imprisonment and ringing into the night air beyond.

The ice-eyed dancer's gaze fell fleetingly on one tall, muscled youkai male who seemed to be the leader. He returned her gaze with contempt and challenge. One misstep, and he would see. She left his stare, and self-assuredly approached the fire.

So the ceremony began.

sorry, short! once again, reviews make me happy!