The smell of smoke was in her hair, in her clothes. Rank and heavy, it polluted her lungs. It grimed her skin to the point that even after she’d stripped down and shaken off the ash, she felt it clinging to her still. It was unshakeable—tireless and singular in its oppression. It had plagued her

Who? Light, pale and thin, burst from Kagome’s skin. In a flash she was free of the claws that held her. And in that same flash she beheld—blood and anguish. Dread and dark waters and bleak confusion. Scenes of violence whirred past her, spinning like the frames in a movie reel gone off the tracks.

In Kagome’s mind, there was not a minute to lose. Having set Miroku to task, she turned her attention to other matters—settling disputes, listening to petitions, overseeing expansions both militaristic and civilian. Ren was almost always at her side, ready to offer counsel or take responsibilities into his own hands, but ever since his overreach

Returning to the fortress grounds, Kagome arrived to find that the consecration of the new main hall had been completed in her stead. Through the open doors, gilded Buddhas and silvery shrine stones gleamed, artfully arranged around the spring-fed pool that glimmered brightly from within. As she mounted the wide, short stair, Miroku and a

As Kaede wearily withdrew, Kagome felt fatigued herself. It was the force of the old woman’s simple, stubborn faith that had worn her down, as standing too long in the wake of a slow-moving current would. Even as Kaede’s figure faded from view, Kagome felt the ebb of her convictions still. She regretted that she’d

“Go on…” A low growl ensued, punctuated by a short snap of fangs. “Just eat it, you stupid dog!” Kagome’s blood pressure spiked as she smacked the door curtain aside and stormed out onto the porch. “Kanako-chan!” The waif tensed. Her fingers clutched white-knuckled around the large wooden bowl she was cradling to her chest.

As the water began to cool, so too did Kagome’s thoughts. Gone was the heady warmth of the sake, the false fire it lit in her veins. Clammy and obscure, her doubts condensed to weigh upon her. She felt the heaviness settle in her limbs. She felt the sluggish pump and slide of her blood.

With clear reluctance, Sesshoumaru returned her to her feet. The moment her toes touched the ground, Kagome retreated from him, pulling her robe closed about her. Bringing her breathing back under control, she glanced between him and Kanako, her fingers ruffling through her bangs in exasperation. “You did it again,” she accused, frowning at him