A/N: Whoo, the second chapter! I would like to say thank you to everyone who put my story on their watch lists! I'll make sure the next chapter comes out a bit more swiftly! Like every author on here, I would like reviews, these can come with ideas and revisions, which help my writing in the future! If anyone is dying to know, our favorite character, Sesshomaru, will be coming in the fourth chapter. Which is right around the corner.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters, plots and themes of Inuyasha, they all belong to Rumiko Takashi. I do not make any profit off this story, it is purely fan-made for fans.
Etsu however, belongs to me.
It had been a month since the night where Etsu met the gang, she had been with them ever since. She enjoyed the company; they were humorous and quite energetic. Their different personalities bounced off each other and complimented the other; they also worked efficiently as a team. Etsu would usually stay back, either taking care of Shippo and Kagome, or making sure a defenseless human who was either the target or had stumbled upon the scene did not get hurt. Inuyasha had questioned her unwillingness to fight and her answer would always be, 'You guys already have such an efficient team, I know I would get in the way. However, when it comes to it, I know when I have to step in.' Inuyasha never took the answer lightly but either way, would leave her alone. She did one day—two weeks ago, to be precise—show her power on disposing of a demon that got in their way. The group was surprised of such ferocity coming from a rather passive creature, but the demon was easily handled and Inuyasha soon stopped questioning her.
They were now however, sitting at a small village, waiting for Kagome to come back from her 'era'. Etsu was still deeply confused by this, and she constantly went to the well to see what in the world this meant. However, she could not pass through the soil of the well like Kagome and Inuyasha. She was inspecting the well once more, sniffing around and digging at the soil a bit. Nothing was odd; it smelled like soil and very old demon corpses.
"Etsu!" a voice called and the fox-demon peered up at the young Shippo that was looking down at her. "What are you doing? Investigating the well again?"
"Yes, my kit," Etsu murmured, doing one more walk around the small bottom before jumping easily out and landing behind Shippo on the grass.
"We cannot explain it, it's just seem neat trick that both Inuyasha and Kagome can do." Shippo bounced over to Etsu and she easily caught him in her arms, "I sometimes wish that I can go through the well, instead of Inuyasha, he's just so mean!"
Etsu sighed at that, thinking only a few days ago. Kagome was returning home and an explosive argument had erupted between the two. It was over something ridiculous, Etsu could not even remember it, and after a much exaggerated sit command, Kagome left with a huff and haste. The small village where they were staying at was nothing but a small farming village, but she had learned of its past. Specifically, something that happened fifty years ago.
Etsu gently patted Shippo's head as they sat and dove into a small game of illusions that foxes liked to play, though Etsu played diligently her mind was somewhere else. While Inuyasha was out, the group had explained the tragedy between the half-demon and his former lover, Kikyo. It was not surprising that it was indeed Naraku's doing but she was even more surprised about some very important details. Naraku was formerly known as Onigumo, who was severely burned and could no longer move and the priestess Kikyo had taken care of him. Onigumo had bargained with many demons and therefore, they ate and joined with his body, making Naraku. In his lust, he ripped apart Inuyasha and Kikyo, wanting her for his very own; and the jewel. All these things made sense and cleared other things up, and the pieces of past and events were slowly getting connected, as if some complicated puzzle. Etsu was slowly getting more and more of Naraku's nature, everyone had their own little vague idea which, were all very similar, but she was able to get a clearer picture of him with every gained detail. She had also verified that Naraku still had the human heart of Onigumo, which meant that he still had some weaknesses. She also was learned that Naraku did have a time when his demonic powers were stripped from him, like every half-demon has. There was one flaw to this method of hunting him; he could choose when and where he would have this time period, so depending on this opportunity would be useless.
The fox-demoness watched as Shippo took his turn, and she smiled softly, "Looks like you won."
"I think you let me won," he pouted, "How am I supposed to get better when you go easy on me?"
Etsu smiled fondly, picking up the child, "My kit, I had my mind in other places," she kissed his forehead softly, "But remember, kits are kits, and there will be a time when you will feel the full power of a test." Shippo nodded, stopping his pouting. Both heard a familiar 'oof' and both peered over to where the well was and Kagome was just crawling over the edge. Etsu stood and helped her and her large pack over and Kagome gave her thanks. "Welcome back, how did things go in your era?"
Kagome could hear the doubt in her voice and sighed; Etsu had a hard time believing in this whole era transfer but it was not really bothersome, Etsu was the one with least problems with it. "Fine, school was tough and I think I bombed my test." Kagome looked down at the hole, seeing scratch marks and she raised a brow, Etsu was in the well again? "I hope you know, curiosity killed the cat," She spoke softly as she peered back at Etsu.
"I am no cat," Etsu said a bit disdainfully, her nose curling with slight disgust. Kagome watched her before laughing loud, the ignorance of people in these eras were amazing! Etsu frowned, green eyes narrowing, "Why are you laughing at me? I do not appreciate it." This only made Kagome laugh louder and Etsu stood, glaring slightly until the priestess got control of herself.
"I'm sorry," Kagome gasped, "What you said was cute, that is all." Etsu 'hmphed' and turned on her heel, only to see Inuyasha come rushing into the scene.
"A bit late, dog boy," Etsu mused and Inuyasha threw her a glare, but went straight to Kagome. They exchanged a few words until Inuyasha got a bit cocky and started a fight. Etsu only sighed, shaking her head before her green eyes landed on them once more. I remember hearing a statement not too long ago when Kagome was talking to me privately. That Inuyasha had chosen Kikyo over her, but she still traveled with them, not only because of the jewel because she cared for Inuyasha as well. Etsu looked away, walking back to the hut with a mumbling Shippo on her shoulder. Inuyasha is a fool, giving up a living, breathing mortal girl that cares a whole lot for him for something that is the walking dead but I can see that he has feelings for Kagome as well, and he does seem to waver. Maybe, falling for and pursuing Kagome would be too tough, it would be hard for her to balance her two eras. Kagome would have to give up things to be with Inuyasha, like her family in her future life.
It was all too complicated and very dramatic, Etsu did not know whether to roll her eyes in annoyance or pity them. However, she decided the smartest decision and stayed out of it. As she left the clearing and went to the hut were the others were staying and the old priestess, Kaede were at. She walked in and everyone peered at her. "Kagome is back, after the two are done ripping each other's throats, I'm pretty sure we'll start moving." The other three adults just sighed and stood up, cleaning their mess and saying good-bye to Kaede. Etsu nodded her head in respect and left, chasing after a now transformed Kirara who was carrying the two humans. They made it to the clearing within seconds and just looked exasperated at the two glaring companions in front of them.
Etsu decided to break the silence, "Waiting on you, precious." They both jumped and looked at the others before quickly settling their differences. Kagome gave Miroku her bag and he set it behind him on Kirara's back before she clambered up onto Inuyasha's back and they started off.
The whole group agreed that with Etsu traveling with them, that the traversing part became so much easier. With her expansive senses, she could sense another demon before they could, and track their moments. If something was suspicious, she would move her own aura, which Inuyasha could sense quickly and get ready. She was pretty sure they could travel fast before they met her, but they seemed to travel even faster with her around, and with her demonic aura meant less and less interruptions from other demons so things were pretty simple. Everyone enjoyed that.
They traveled a good three hours before stopping, and Etsu smelled and sensed a demon heading their way. She stiffened and her nose curled, it smelled like a canine, more specifically a wolf. "Someone is heading this way, you guys know a wolf?"
"I sense jewel shards," Kagome murmured and Inuyasha bristled immediately.
"Damn Kouga!" And on cue, a brown whirlwind came to their path and headed straight to Inuyasha and Kagome, who was now safely on the ground. The whirl-wind knocked into Inuyasha, sending him back and the wind dissipated and there stood a man. Etsu eyed him, taking in his appearance. He was tall and tan, with wolf-skin pelts covering his muscular body. He had a cocky face, one that was full of pride and a mouth that was ready to snap with a vocal come-back. He had fiery blue eyes to match his face and thick eye-brows, adding to the superior presence he gave. The wolf-demon—who Etsu remembered being called Kouga—looked at Kagome and gripped her hands, a small smile on his face.
"Hello Kagome, how nice to see you again. I hope that mutt-face is being dependable, I would have to show him what it is to be a true man if he is not." Kagome just sighed and touched her cheek, forcing a smile on her face. She went to speak but Inuyasha had recovered and was now the barrier between the priestess and the wolf.
"Back off mangy-wolf," Inuyasha growled, "What is the likes of you doing here anyways?"
"I'm tracking Naraku of course, but I keep running into you." Kouga then turned his attention back to Kagome, "I have yet to find him, but I feel like I'm getting closer every day. I promise to bring his head to you." Etsu watched in complete interest, her head turning slightly to her right, canines fighting for Kagome?
How intriguing!
"Don't you ignore me mangy-wolf!" Inuyasha punched Kouga in the face and with this a fight broke between the two canine males. Etsu curiously looked at Shippo,
"Kit, does it always happen like this?"
Shippo sighed, "More or less, it's been awhile since they've thrown fists at each other." Etsu chuckled softly at the exasperated tone of Shippo, and looking at Sango, Miroku and Kagome, they all looked like this was some never-ending cycle of annoyance. Yelling was soon heard and Etsu peered behind her, seeing two other wolf-men and a pack of about ten wolves coming their way. So Kouga had a pack of his traveling with him, did he? It was strange that one should be away from their dens. The other wolves stopped and caught their breaths, giving some simple greetings to Miroku and Sango before glancing curiously at Etsu.
"Inuyasha has a full-demon fox traveling with him?" One of the asked, Etsu glared slightly, noting it was the one with the white, spiked Mohawk.
"What of it?" Etsu asked, and the wolves just peered back at her.
"It's just a bit odd, a canine traveling with a fox…" The one with the white hair and black stripe down the middle said, Etsu almost bristled but kept her calm.
"Well, it seems that dog demons are not so discriminate when it comes to allies, which makes them smarter, if you ask me." With that, she looked back forward and continued to watch the fight scene between Koga and Inuyasha. The two wolf-demons took great insult to her words and went to defend not only their pride, but to protect the wolf clan name.
"I am Hakkaku, the right hand man of Koga!" The one with the Mohawk yelled, beside him, his companion started.
"I am Ginta, I have dimples!" The one with white and black haired one said, and then they stood proudly next to each other, as if it was the most amazing position in the world. "And how dare you talk about the wolf demon race like that! We should put you in your place!" Etsu rolled her eyes and acknowledged them, but did not turn to face them.
"I have no interest in fighting with lackeys, if I am to fight anyone, it should be someone of greater powers than you." She then waved them off, which seemed to anger them even more. Before they could do anything, everyone heard Kagome give her sit command and Koga jumped to her, grabbing her hands once more and saying his lovely goodbye. A whirlwind covered the wolf once more and he took off, and the two idiots—Ginta and Hakkaku—took off after him, begging for Koga to slow down. Etsu came towards Kagome with a small smirk on her lips.
"Though I do not a have a preference for wolves, he seemed nice. Not to mention strong and handsome, why do you not commit to him?"
"Yes, and not only will you get a wolf pack that would adore you, you'll get a loyal mate." Sango said, walking past Inuyasha and heading down the path again.
"Yes, since wolves mate for life, he'll never see another girl and it will always be you." Miroku chirped up and followed Sango, and Etsu grinned, happy that the other two got her teasing. Kagome looked at them with a wild blush, playing along as well.
"You guys really think so? I just don't want to rush into things…" She pressed a hand to her cheek, before walking after Etsu. The fox-demoness winked at Kagome and right then, they heard the yelling of a jealous Inuyasha.
"Hey, what are you guys talking about?! Don't brainwash her!" They just kept walking, "Hey, traitors, don't leave me!" Etsu sighed and turned, giving an annoyed glare to the dog-demon.
"I am starting to think Inuyasha that it is not the Shikon jewel shards that Kagome has around her neck that attracts the demons, but the yelling that comes from your mouth. Demons should be calm and collected." That only made Inuyasha yell louder and Etsu shook her head, turning and walking next to Kagome once more, "Canines are impossible." Kagome nodded in agreement and Etsu laughed softly.