In a small courtyard west of Kiryu City.
The man in gray monk's robes sat beneath the veranda, a flask of wine set before him, yet he had not taken a single sip.
Moonlight shone on his face, making that lean, gaunt countenance look even colder and harsher.
His name was Hirasaka Genshin.
He had once been one of the famous Monster Slayers of this land.
Fifteen years ago, his wife and daughter had been killed by demons in their own courtyard.
That day, he had gone out to slay monsters. When he returned, all he saw were two mangled corpses and blood covering the ground.
From then on, he had never smiled again.
No, that was not right. He had smiled before.
When he saw those three children just now, he had smiled.
That smile had felt unfamiliar even to himself.
"A demon couldn't possibly have a human aura. Looks like a half-demon..."
Genshin lifted the wine cup, then set it down again.
"A half-demon... That is something even more hateful than a demon."
He stood up, walked into the courtyard, and raised his head to look at the moon in the sky.
Under the moonlight, his shadow stretched very, very long, like a sword drawn from its sheath.
Early the next morning.
Sakura was woken by the chirping of birds outside the window.
She opened her eyes and saw that Saku was already awake, sitting by the bed with the cloth doll in her arms, quietly waiting for her to wake up.
Inuyasha was still asleep, sprawled across the bed with his limbs flung wide, the blanket kicked onto the floor, something still muttering in his mouth.
Sakura walked over, pulled the blanket back over him, then said softly to Saku, "Come on. Let's go buy some things."