So direct, Kagome thought with an inner wince. Apart from the taijiya uniform, she’d have been hard-pressed to recognize him at a glance, he seemed so changed. Taller and meaner, though she doubted the former to be true. And the latter didn’t surprise her. On his cheek, the scars of the slashes she’d given him

Uetsugi paled. His stout jaw went slack. A riot of emotions stormed through his charcoal-colored eyes, before he went down into an awkward bow before Kagome on the steps. “You honor me, Kagome-sama,” he said slowly and carefully, as if trying to master his stutter once again. “Yet this charge I must humbly refuse; forgive

The body had been washed and dressed, in Kaede’s former home of all places. A distressing coincidence, but not one to be remarked upon. Going through the motions, Kagome felt worn-out and jaded beyond belief. All this gruesome ceremony struck her as so utterly pointless, when the funeral pyre was just going to burn everything

Outside, a small crowd had gathered at all the commotion. Soldiers leaned warily on their spears. Concerned faces peeped out from the neighboring tents. Voices whispered, muddled and low. Torchlight seared into Kagome’s eyes as she hurled Kanako out into the mud. “Get out,” Kagome said, raising her voice for all to hear. “You’re banished

Kagome saw it all in a rush— Ikiryou growling at the proffered food. Kaede hacking up blood. Rin doubled-over retching. I couldn’t keep it down…I’m sorry, Kagome-chan…it tasted like— Kagome’s jaw clenched as she ripped back the door of the tent, bitter tears boiling from the corners of her eyes. It was night. Kanako had

Hirokin inclined his head. Through the damaged roof, a light drizzling rain had begun to fall. The drops glowed as they touched him, and he dissolved shimmering before her eyes. “…Until we meet again, my lady.” Alone, Kagome sank down into the tub, feeling oppressed and bereft all at once. Hirokin, she stewed to herself,

“Some ‘brother’ you’ve been to him,” Kagome said, crossing her arms at the chest. “Or maybe treachery is just par for the course with you.” Hirokin smiled, sharp and inscrutable. Inwardly, Kagome fumed. “You demons,” she muttered. “I really can’t stand you.” “What a foul mood you’re in, Kagome-sama—and no wonder.” Wrinkling his fine nose,

As if in a daze, Kagome stood before the porch steps of her crumbling, blasted home. She’d had no destination, after parting ways with Rin. Her feet had brought her here of their own accord. The house looked about as bad as she’d thought it would. Outside of the town proper, it had still received

With nowhere else to go, Kagome returned to the castle. Damaged though it was, it was the most solid structure still standing in Edo. The courtyards and approach had become a refugee camp of sorts—men hammered and hefted while women scurried about from tent to tent, checking in with one another and tending to the