The youki she'd been following had been so frail that Kagome had assumed its owner to be injured. Or a child.
The inuyoukai in front of her was neither.
Now that she had a clear view of it, Kagome could feel the ancient power rolling off its shoulders. Silver fur was matted with dirt and debris, mud caked around its massive haunches as its muzzle pulled back into a terrifying snarl.
One that wasn't directed at her.
The wind blew through the remaining tree's branches, rusting the leaves in a late-night lullaby. Kagome's knees hit the ground as the creature swiped at the foliage, broken claws sending wood and soil flying.