Sliding back the screen door a fraction, Kagome peeked out into the hallway beyond. It was empty as far as she could tell. Tiptoeing across the newly-lacquered floor, she and Kanako crept down the corridor as quietly as possible, straining their eyes and ears for any hint of sight or sound. Up one staircase and

“Come on then,” Kagome said to Kanako. “We’ll cut through the woods.” “Hai, Kagome-sama,” the waif replied. Together they set off for the forest’s edge. The dark sky was beginning to lighten a little, and they were able to find their way forward through the trees now without too much trouble. Soft beds of moss

Together, Kagome and Kanako picked their way across the splintery rubble, skirting carefully around the abyssal hole that had caved in half the room. By the guard’s hunched-over corpse, Kanako paused. Kneeling down, she hefted up his fallen katana. “Here, Kagome-sama. You should take this.” The miko frowned. “I wouldn’t even know what to do

But as the hours dragged on, the night remained as calm as ever. From the open window, the last cold, dry gasp of winter rattled through the slats of the shutters. Turning over onto her side in the plush futon, Kagome scowled. Her fingers drummed impatiently on the tatami beside her bed, as she wondered

Kanako’s face scrunched up like she wanted to argue, but at Kagome’s stern look, the waif relented with a frown. “…Hai, Kagome-sama,” she said as she bowed, and scampered off to do as she was told. When the bath was drawn and steaming, Kagome stepped behind the changing screen, which was large enough to shield

Night yawned through the open door. The glint of the stars seemed to mock Kagome as she glared after Ren long after he’d vanished from sight. The first step she’d taken in pursuit of him had been met with a heavy answering one from the guard behind her, and she’d grumbled, “So that’s how it’s