Author's Note: Ah, so I'm back! Just to cut a long story short, high-school has been a drag and been keeping me busy however I have started this up again and will not abandon you guys like that again. A couple of things to address that a friend of mind has asked that reads this story before I publish it: When exactly is the current time of the story? Okay, it is before the Band of Seven pop up and cause ruckus. But they are around the corner. Why are you making Etsu meet all this characters? Well, this is the last character she meets that I feel is important, the reason I took my time out to make Etsu meet Kouga and Kikyo specifically is because they make differences in the future.
I also want to say is sorry for those people that like her, I pretty much despise Kikyo. I never liked her, so sorry if I give her a negative image in this chapter and in the future.
Also take note that I changed my Pen Name: I was Fuse Mishap but now I am Jackal's Grin. I also changed my e-mail address so feel free to e-mail me anytime (there is a link on my profile) AND I have also allowed Anonymous Reviews, so review please?
Without further a-do: Enjoy the 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.
Etsu was alone. Her back against the rough bark of a tree she was leaning on. She was sitting the ground instead of the branches, her long and slender fingers rubbing the ancient, gnarled roots. She had left the group awhile back after they had made themselves comfortable and attempted to sleep. The fox youkai had a frown on her face as she collected her thoughts. Several things troubled her, first was that they were growing closer and closer to the western lands. Etsu knew that these lands was ruled by a strong inuyoukai yet the group would continue into Inu s territory. They were untroubled by such which confused the kitsune, but they were humans and tended to not understand demon boundaries. Another thing that bothered the kitsune was that she could not find Inuyasha. She had left the group early that morning and returned at night-fall to a very tense group to be informed that Inuyasha had found a strong scent trial of his past lover, Kikyo. Kagome seemed upset but had stayed silent on the matter until she opened her bed-roll and asked the kitsune to look for the hanyou. He had been gone since mid-day and she needed to know if he was alright. The kitsune had agreed and took off after she made sure that the group was comfortable and safe.
Now the kitsune was simply taking a break to calm her slowly rising temper. Inuyasha s scent was everywhere and she could not find a strong trial before being led to another. Why Inuyasha?, the kitsune thought to herself, Why must I look for you? Her thoughts stopped when she heard light talking. The kitsune got up and immediately went to the source. She jumped silently on a tree branch as her emerald eyes landed onto the very hanyou she was looking for. Inuyasha was following a woman, seeming desperate as he tried to get her attention. Eventually the woman turned as her black eyes flashed with annoyance. Inuyasha gave her no chance to speak for he wrapped his arms around and pulled her to his chest. Etsu felt herself bristle as she saw the woman fight before she froze. The woman looked up and her black eyes met emerald ones as miko and kitsune stared at each other. Disdain filled the kitsune before she stood and left, knowing her eyes did not have the right to watch the scene.
Etsu settled herself at the base of the tree she was previously at, waiting for Inuyasha to come this way. The miko smelled like bones and grave-soil, she was considerably pale with black eyes and a dead stare. The kitsune knew it had been Kikyo, the one that holds Inuyasha s heart. Etsu pondered on the similarities that Kikyo and Kagome had, with looks there was close to none. How could anyone think that her Kagome could have been that dead miko?
A long time passed before Etsu heard footsteps, smelling Inuyasha the kitsune stood and waited for the hanyou to come into her vision. It did not take long before a upset Inuyasha broke through the bush with a small cut on his neck which had come from a small blade, it was evident that the meeting between the two had not ended well. Inuyasha peered up and his yellow eyes widened to see the kitsune there, waiting for him. Etsu just looked at him calmly before holding her arms out, making him tense immediately. The two stared at each other before the hanyou put down his defenses and walked into Etsu s arms, digging his face into her shoulder as she rubbed her hands on his back, trying to soothe the troubled inu-hanyou.
Etsu loved Inuyasha, there was no doubt. She loved him like a mother would love a child, like a older sibling would love a younger sibling. Foxes were not pack animals but Etsu had adapted and soon became a necessity to the group. Being the oldest and strongest youkai, she was immediately set as the alpha in the group, which with Inuyasha and Shippo brought many responsibilities she was far from used to. She brought stability to the two and even to the humans, keeping everyone running smoothly and in place. Inuyasha seemed to need such stability, though he was strong he needed to be allowed to be weak as well and with Etsu he could.
Giving his back one more rub and a soft pat, Etsu pulled away and looked at the hanyou, her eyes wavering from calm to troubled. "Just tell the others that you and I got into a little spat and I gave you that cut," she advised and he nodded.
"Thanks Etsu." He said, yellow eyes looking up at hers and the kitsune shook her head.
"Was nothing Inuyasha," She went to him and gave him a soft kiss on the forehead, showing her affection for him. Go back to the group and get some rest, they are worried about you and we have a long way to travel tomorrow. The hanyou nodded and started that way, waving to the kitsune before disappearing into the shadows. Closing her eyes, the kitsune gave a soft sigh before running off towards where she had seen Inuyasha and the miko. Following the scent she soon came to the miko running off on a horse. Etsu easily kept up, jumping from tree branch to tree branch, her emerald eyes glowing in the moonlight. Etsu was not sure why she was following the dead woman but something could not be satiated within the kitsune.
As if on queue, the miko drew her bow and shot a sacred arrow towards the running kitsune. Etsu felt her eyes narrow as she quickly jumped into the sky, barely dodging the shot. The miko drew her scared horse to a stop while Etsu landed before her. "Who are you youkai? Are you not the one I saw spying?"
"Spying is the incorrect term miko," Etsu replied softly, watching Kikyo carefully, "I at the time was only looking for the hanyou." The kitsune was unsure why she was explaining herself to the miko but she had an idea it was because she did not want another arrow coming her way. Etsu saw a flash go through the miko s eyes before her cold voice filled the air.
"And what are you to Inuyasha?" Etsu felt her brow almost raise, was there jealously that was edged in the miko s question?
"A friend mainly, if you want to specific I could be called his alpha," Etsu replied calmly, her eyes narrowing slightly. She did not like the aura that the miko created, it was tense and uncomfortable. The miko only grabbed a tighter hold on her mount s reigns and sent a glare to the kitsune.
"Do not follow me hanyou, or next time I will not miss," the miko threatened before kicking her mount into a gallop and rushing past the kitsune. Etsu felt herself bristle as she turned to watch the miko disappear in the distance. Etsu knew that future meetings with the miko would be harder and dangerous, she would have to be careful. Done messing around the for the night, Etsu lost interest with Inuyasha s dead lover and made her way to the camp. However, she was hindered one more time.
Going a different way to the camp, Etsu stopped to notice a small girl with black hair and a orange kimono. Etsu was almost afraid that the child was alone before she saw a two-headed demon make its way to the child and curl around her. Etsu also noticed that there was a toad-demon with a two-headed staff against a tree, snoozing. Deciding the child was safe - she also noted a strong aura and scent surrounding the group - Etsu took off once more. Reaching her own clearing with her group, she peered around before jumping into a branch and leaning against the tree, closing her eyes to fall into a light sleep.