"In this city, half-demons are allowed to be guards?" Naraku was slightly taken aback when he saw Inuyasha. Subconsciously, he clenched the blade in his hand as Inuyasha steadily approached. Naraku subtly lowered his bamboo hat, wary of what might come next.
Initially, the three of them had come to explore, hoping to plan their next move. No one anticipated that, right after entering the city, they would encounter patrol guards, especially such formidable ones.
"Take off those hats," Inuyasha demanded sharply, fixing his gaze on the trio with an unwavering, stern tone.
While it might be understandable to wear hats on a rainy day, Inuyasha's seriousness prevented him from relaxing his vigilance. He was quick to sense danger; his keen senses told him there was more to these three than mere travelers. He could smell a strong scent of blood emanating from them.
"My lord, we are traveling merchants from afar. We mean no harm," Rasetsu offered, a smile playing on his face as he looked at Inuyasha with calm composure. Carefully, he drew a few pieces of gold from his arms and extended them forward.
In Rasetsu's eyes, there was little difference between monsters and humans. As long as there was enough interest, both could be manipulated or bought.
"You three, come with me," Inuyasha said, brows furrowing as he saw the gold. Without hesitation, he drew his blade, its cold steel gleaming in the dim light.
Night fell, and darkness cloaked the city as the rain finally ceased.
"It smells so good... It's been a long time since we had a proper dinner together," Sebastian murmured contentedly.
"Brother Sebastian, this is for you!" Kaede exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement.
Inside a warm, inviting room, Sebastian, Kikyō, Tsubaki, Kaede, and Ram gathered around a large table laden with an array of colorful, mouth-watering dishes that seemed almost too beautiful to eat.
Kaede sniffed at the aroma and couldn't help but swallow hard. She carefully took the chopsticks from her sister Kikyō and picked up a large piece of meat for Sebastian, smiling as she said, "Sister Ram's cooking is truly exceptional."
"That's only natural. As the Master's personal maid, I can't even do such trivial things," Ram replied calmly, her face remaining as composed as ever, as if serving a simple meal was insignificant.
"Kaede is growing up and learning to care for others," Sebastian nodded slightly as he looked at the generous portion of meat in his bowl. Reaching out, he gently stroked Kaede's forehead. As she matured, Kaede was no longer the girl who used to ask for everything.
"Kaede is always so reasonable," Sebastian added with a soft smile, earning a pleased expression from her as her eyes narrowed into adorable crescents.
Over the years, Kaede had become slightly chubby from all the doting. When she smiled, her eyes squinted into charming slits, making her look even cuter.
"Sister and Tsubaki seem to be quarreling," Kaede remarked curiously, noticing their cold expressions as they both kept their eyes on their food, occasionally stealing bites into Sebastian's bowl like competitors.
"Shut up!" Kikyō and Tsubaki snapped almost simultaneously, instantly calming their expressions into serene composure. Kaede, unfazed, closed her mouth and looked at them innocently.
But their words didn't hold much power over her. Having been spoiled by both, Kaede was used to their teasing and paid no mind to their icy glares.
Quick as a flash, Kaede scampered over to Sebastian's side, hiding behind him with a giggle. "They're just fighting over whether they like Brother Sebastian more, hahaha! I overheard everything downstairs!"
She made exaggerated faces at her two older sisters, teasing them.
"We don't!" Kikyō and Tsubaki exclaimed, and their faces instantly flushed with embarrassment, red clouds of fury. They clenched their fists, joints cracking loudly in frustration.
"Brother Sebastian, they're trying to bully me!" Kaede whined, clutching his sleeve as she pretended to be scared, all the while sticking her tongue out and making silly faces.
Watching the playful chaos, Sebastian shook his head helplessly. "They're both so renowned, yet they still act like they're children."
"We weren't fighting, Kikyō, right?" Tsubaki quickly sat upright, smoothing her expression into her usual dignified demeanor. She gently placed a piece of fatty meat on Kikyō's plate, smiling sweetly.
"Yeah, just joking around," Kikyō replied, returning her smile as she took a larger piece of fat from Tsubaki's plate. Soon, the two engaged in a playful tug-of-war over their favorite dishes.
Sebastian merely smiled at their antics. He was used to their occasional squabbles. After a brief pause to enjoy his meal, he continued eating peacefully.
"It seems you all love fatty meats. Well, I'll leave the lean stuff for Kaede and me," Sebastian remarked softly.
Meanwhile, inside a prison cell, Rasetsu leaned against the solid stone wall, sighing with frustration. His voice was heavy with anger. "I didn't think the patrol under Sebastian's command would be so different from ordinary guards."
"It's not just different; it's downright abnormal," Onigumo muttered, kicking a broken jar across the floor. Dust billowed up from the shattered tiles as he spoke. His expression darkened as he recalled what had happened earlier.
When the three of them had come to gather information, they coincidentally crossed paths with Inuyasha on patrol. Rasetsu had slipped him some gold, thinking that, since Inuyasha was living in a human city, money might smooth things over.
He had believed that, even if Inuyasha dismissed them, they might forge a connection with the city's guards. From his perspective, there was no harm in trying.
But after Rasetsu handed over the gold, Inuyasha accused them of bribery and law-breaking. As a result, the trio was sentenced to three months in prison. Rasetsu found it hard to believe that this wasn't just a coincidence. Inuyasha's sharp nose had immediately sensed that they weren't ordinary travelers. The strong blood scent betrayed them; he knew they were dangerous and likely more than simple merchants.