The Bird Tribe's temporary camp was on a mountain to the north.
There was an ancient castle on the mountain, its walls built from blue-gray stone bricks, towering and heavy.
The castle's roof was pointed, covered in white tiles that shimmered with a faint golden light under the setting sun.
There were many battlements along the walls, and behind them stood Bird Tribe warriors.
Some held long spears, others bows and arrows, their gazes sharp as they watched their surroundings warily.
Abihime carried Inuyasha and flew straight over the wall, landing in the courtyard at the center of the castle.
The moment Inuyasha's feet touched the ground, he bent over, braced both hands on his knees, and gasped for breath.
"Why... why did you fly so fast..."
"If I went slow, you'd just start whining again."
Abihime clapped her hands, looking completely unconcerned.
"Young people need more exercise."
Sakura and Saku were also set down.
Saku's face was a little pale, but she was in much better shape than Inuyasha.
She hugged her doll and looked around curiously.
Several cherry trees had been planted in the courtyard. Naturally, there were no cherry blossoms in this season, but the branches were covered in red cloth strips with words written on them.
"Is this... the Wishing Tree?"
Saku tilted her head as she looked at the cloth strips.
"Mm."
Abihime walked over and stood beside her.
"Every spring, everyone makes wishes under the cherry trees."
"They write their wishes on cloth strips and hang them from the branches."
"When the cherry blossoms bloom, the gods will hear their wishes."
Saku's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"I lied."
Abihime said it expressionlessly.
"When the cherry blossoms bloom, they just fall. The wishes have never come true."
The corner of Saku's mouth twitched.
"Then why