"I didn't know you could do that."
Kagome's eyes fluttered open, and she stared at where the wound had been. "I didn't know I could do that either." All of the scrolls, all of her experience told her that reiki and youki were opposing forces—there could never be a balance because one of them was always fighting for dominance.
This hadn't been the case.
The creature had welcomed her power at first contact, like pieces of a puzzle fitting together, and she looked up at Emiko. "What do you think, Mama?"
She gave Kagome a soft smile. "I think he owes you his life."
"He?" Kagura raised an eyebrow. "How do you know it's male?"
Emiko motioned to the extra plume of fur on its right shoulder. "Only males have this. Plus, a female's ears are longer."
Kagome's eyes widened in realization. "You've seen something like this before. That's why you knew it wasn't a threat."
Emiko picked up the soaked towels, hanging them up near the fire. "I didn't know. I simply asked if he felt like one. But yes, I have seen them before. They are a rare breed. Powerful."
Kagura shot to her feet. "Then why did we let him in? He could wake up any minute and—"
"He won't hurt us," Kagome said, laying a hand on the beast's head. She wasn't sure how she knew, but the brush with his youki left no doubt in her heart.
They were safe with him.