It was their first meeting all over again.
Kagome stared up in awe, the beast towering over her as acid dripped from his jaws before lowering his head in warning. She ached to touch him, to sink her hands into the lush fur, but she swallowed the urge, keeping her eyes on the one who meant to harm them.
Up to then, he'd oozed confidence, mocking them at every turn, but she caught a flicker of unease in his eyes as he looked up at the beast before it was buried under a smirk. "I was wondering when you'd show up. What's the matter? Couldn't find the right tree?"
The beast snarled, tail swishing in agitation, a tidal wave of youki pouring out of him as he bared his teeth. It was just as strong as the miasma, yet the image of shackles entered Kagome's mind, and she couldn't help but think the two were connected.
Kagura moaned, arms trembling as she pushed herself onto her elbows, and Kagome's attention splintered, the need to check on her sister overwhelming.
"Don't go far," he taunted, more tentacles replacing the ones he'd lost. "This won't take long." The beast lunged, but the creature leapt out of the way, sending poisonous vapour up large nostrils before trying to wrap his appendages around the beast's paw. The beast twisted in midair, throwing the creature away, and giving Kagome a chance to escape.
Her hands were gentle as she helped Kagura to her feet, soft tendrils of reiki rolling over her back as she eased her battered body.
"Not that I'm not grateful, but couldn't you have shown up a little sooner?" She gripped Kagome's shoulder as the beast huffed, swatting at his opponent to intercept another bout of miasma. Kagura's brow furrowed, watching the fight with renewed interest. "Who's Naraku?"