As daylight waned, Kagome, Sesshoumaru and Entei struck out for the twilit village. Glancing sidelong at the impassive demon lord, she was glad to see that he was more or less back to his former intimidating self. Youkai genetics were truly a remarkable thing. As if to reinforce the notion, her injured limb gave an

It was late in the afternoon when he found the girl again. Perched atop a knoll outside the village, she gazed out at the snow-flecked horizon. Her breath rose in a fine mist before her, winter sunlight gilding the dark waving fall of her hair. Beside her in the dead grass, the horse youkai from

She retreated a step. “I…I’ll just be going now…”

Sesshoumaru stood, his stiff joints cracking at the motion. At once, the humans ceased their chatting, looking up at him in surprise as he strode past them to the door. “Wait,” the girl said, her voice pitched with anxiety, “where are you going?” “Out,” he replied flatly. “But it’s cold out,” she protested. “You should

The girl was discontent, that much Sesshoumaru could tell. Her shoulders were square and tense as she glared down into the bowl she held, the pace at which she was shoveling its contents into her mouth undeterred by her dismal mood. He resented being attuned to her emotions as much as he resented being attracted

The walk back to Kaede’s hut felt much longer than the outbound trek to the stream. The pitcher of water dug bruisingly into Kagome’s hip, her tired fingers straining to maintain their hold. Still, she felt confident in her resolve as she shoved past the heavy curtain and marched over to Kaede. “Here you go!”

It was a short walk through the woods to the closest stream. Kagome’s thoughts raced as she made the trek, Entei following along serenely beside her. As she knelt down on the bank and dipped the clay jug beneath the frigid surface, her youkai companion lowered his muzzle to the water as well, steam billowing

For a moment, Kagome forgot how to breathe.