"I'm just a little surprised. If I were still in the Village now… would we have become enemies?" Tsubaki glanced at Kikyō beside her, her expression tinged with a quiet sigh.
Initially, she had been genuinely hostile toward Kikyō. If Sebastian hadn't chosen to join, it was easy to foresee that she and Kikyō would have clashed irreconcilably. In the original story, their rivalry deepened until they became sworn enemies over the Jewel of Four Souls.
Pulling her gaze away from the distance, Tsubaki turned to Kikyō with a playful, gossiping look. "Kikyō, I heard you've been practicing sewing lately. Are you… Knitting clothes for Sensei? Do you like Sensei, Kikyō?"
"I'm going back." The moment she heard Tsubaki's teasing words, a faint blush appeared on Kikyō's cheeks. She turned and hurried downstairs as if fleeing.
As she ran, she added a seemingly casual explanation, "I almost forgot… the clothes haven't been collected yet!"
"Kikyō!" Just as Kikyō reached the doorway, Tsubaki's serious voice rang out behind her.
Kikyō hesitated for a moment, then stopped. She lifted her head and looked back at Tsubaki, her gaze turning serious. "What's wrong?"
"I won't give Sensei up to you," Tsubaki finally declared, her tone firm and unwavering, revealing what she had long kept hidden.
She had always been strong, idolizing strength itself. Sebastian's power had proven to everyone that he now stood at the pinnacle among humans. Over the past few years, Tsubaki had found herself deeply drawn to Sebastian. At the same time, she could clearly sense that Kikyō's feelings for him were just as profound. She disliked hiding such truths. If it were a competition, then it should be spoken about openly.
"Then… we are enemies." Kikyō stood her ground. Her usual calm vanished, replaced by a sharp resolve never seen before. Even her voice carried a hint of coldness. Though she didn't answer directly, her stance spoke volumes, a clear declaration of defiance.
Tsubaki smiled as she looked at Kikyō, utterly satisfied by the fighting spirit she saw. That was true fair competition.
"May we return now, Your Highness? We've already patrolled this area three times," Jaken said, carrying his ghostly staff as he trudged behind Inuyasha.
Days of relentless rain had turned the streets into shallow pools, water covering the ground everywhere. As Jaken walked, he frequently stumbled into puddles, stagnant water rising all the way to his chin.
Since Inuyasha had been appointed as a patrol guard, he had dragged Jaken along on daily inspections. To Sebastian, there was little real need for this. With ample soldiers and defensive structures already in place, the city's safety was unquestionable.
Sebastian's orders were simply meant to keep Inuyasha occupied. But to Inuyasha, Sebastian's commands were absolute. Every order was treated as a sacred duty. The area was no longer a small outpost; it now rivaled several cities combined. After circling the same block three times, Jaken felt as if his entire body was falling apart.
"One last time," Inuyasha said flatly.
Ignoring Jaken's weary protests, he tugged on the rope binding him and pressed forward, much like someone walking a stubborn dog.
Inuyasha himself felt conflicted. On one hand, news of the Jewel of Four Souls had stirred his desire to leave and search for it, to finally become a true demon. On the other hand, he had grown accustomed to life here.
The residents treated him kindly. Thanks to Sebastian, everyone welcomed him without reservation. For the first time, Inuyasha realized that, despite being a half-demon, he could be acknowledged… accepted.
During the patrol, residents greeted him warmly, some even offering small gifts in gratitude. Though Sebastian kept him restrained in name, he had saved Inuyasha's life, granted him remarkable freedom, and never looked down on him for his bloodline.
Inuyasha shook his head, pulling his thoughts back to the present. Since Sebastian had finally entrusted him with responsibility, he wanted, no, needed, to see the task through. Finish the job first. Everything else could wait.
Surprisingly, Inuyasha didn't resent patrolling at all. In fact, he was beginning to enjoy it. Normally confined to the laboratory, this was the first time he could roam farther and see more of the city.
"Your Highness, don't lie to me again," Jaken muttered. "You said that was the last time already."
Leaning heavily on his staff, Jaken barely kept his head above the rising water. At this point, his only wish was for Inuyasha not to say "one last time" again. If it weren't for Sebastian, Jaken would have already beaten Inuyasha senseless.
"Stop right there!" Just as Jaken dragged himself forward in despair, Inuyasha suddenly halted and shouted at three figures wearing bamboo hats in the distance.
Jaken sighed and followed reluctantly. He had already seen countless suspicious travelers along the way, so he didn't care much. But those three figures, Naraku and his companions, were unmistakable.
"What should we do?" whispered Onigumo. "Run?"
The moment they entered, they spotted the patrolling guards approaching.
"If we're recognized, we're finished."
"Don't panic. Just act normal." This time, Naraku's tone was calm, not mocking. He issued instructions with quiet authority. Instead of panicking, he stepped forward, walking directly toward the silver-haired boy who had called out to them.
"Half-demon?" As they drew closer, the rain obscured the light, but Naraku finally saw Inuyasha clearly. The dog's ears atop his head and the markings on his face made his identity unmistakable.
He recognized him instantly, a half-demon.