The sounds of slaughter in the valley gradually died down.
Reinforcements from the Bird Tribe poured in from every direction, driving the attacking demons back step by step.
White figures crisscrossed through the air, their long spears like dragons, each dive claiming several lives.
But the three children on the slope had no attention to spare for any of it.
Because Abihime was walking toward them.
She crossed the battlefield strewn with corpses, stepped over ground where blood ran like rivers, her white battle armor stained with the enemy's blood, her long spear still gripped in her hand, blood dripping one drop at a time from the spearpoint onto the earth.
From the moment she saw the three of them, her gaze never left Saku.
Those sharp, cold eyes that seemed to pierce through everything now looked as if something had melted them.
Sakura's body tensed, her hand pressing against her short sword.
Inuyasha stepped forward, blocking Saku, his eyes full of wariness.
"Stop right there."
His voice was tight.
"Come any closer and I won't hold back."
Abihime stopped.
She lowered her head and looked at Inuyasha, the corner of her mouth shifting slightly.
"Move."
"No."
Inuyasha tightened his grip on his short blade, his nails digging into his palm.
The aura around his whole body rose with it.
"What are you going to do to my little sister?"
Abihime did not answer.
She only looked at Inuyasha, at that stubborn face of his, at his pair of ears standing straight upright, at his silver-white hair.
Then she smiled.
It was a very faint smile.
"You really do look like him."
Inuyasha froze.
"What?"
Abihime did not look at him again.
Her gaze passed over Inuyasha and landed on Saku.
Saku hugged her doll, hiding behind her brother with