The Ape God's gaze lingered on Saku, his cloudy old eyes filled with complicated emotion.
Shock, dawning realization, and a trace of worry that sank deep into the bone.
"You actually bear Moon Eater's mark!"
Inuyasha's hand pressed against his short blade, his eyes full of wariness.
"What?"
"That is a mark reaction caused by the stirring of bloodline."
"Moon Eater's mark? Why would Saku have something like that on her?"
"Young man, put the blade away."
The Ape God's voice was aged and calm, like a pool of stagnant water.
"A bloodline mark is something left by ancestors. It has nothing to do with her."
"Then why is it there? Our father is Chiyo. He has nothing to do with any Moon Eater!"
Inuyasha did not put away the blade. Instead, he gripped it even tighter.
The Ape God did not answer his question, but turned to look at Sakura.
"Little girl, you came from the Western Country?"
Sakura nodded.
"Do you know where the power of the king of the Western Country—your father—comes from?"
The three children froze at the same time.
"Father's power..."
The Ape God shook his head.
He paused, as if weighing his words.
"It is bloodline. And bloodline...
is not something one generation can forge.
It is the result of the accumulated bloodlines of countless generations of powerful beings, a mark of power passed down through the depths of the bloodline from generation to generation."
"Part of your father's strength comes from his ancestors.
And his ancestors..."
The Ape God's gaze fell on Saku once more.
"Once had dealings with Moon Eater..."
"What kind of dealings?"
Sakura pressed.
"That, I cannot answer."
The Ape God shook his head.
"I am only an old fellow of a few hundred years. What I know is limited.