The sky to the south was even gloomier than before.
Dark purple clouds hung low, almost touching the ground.
The air was filled with a damp, rotten stench, as though something deep beneath the earth was slowly decaying.
Less than half an hour into their journey, Inuyasha sensed something unusual.
It was the Red Fang Blade in his hand.
The blade was much hotter than usual.
It was not the heat of something scorched by flames, but a warm pulse rising from within, like a heartbeat.
Inuyasha lowered his head and glanced at the blade. The crimson patterns slowly pulsed, brightening and dimming in perfect rhythm with his heart.
"It seems... excited?"
"It's resonating."
Kikyo's voice came from ahead.
"Resonating?"
"The material of your blade should contain Soul Stone.
Soul Stones are connected to their owner's will.
You sense evil aura now, and your fighting spirit has risen, so the blade heats up as well.
When your fighting spirit burns to its peak, the blade will burn to its peak too."
Inuyasha tightened his grip on the hilt. Crimson light spilled through his fingers and reflected across his face.
"Then when should I draw it?"
"You draw your blade to end a battle.
Draw it when it is time to end the battle."
Sakura, standing beside her, turned her head and looked at Kikyo.
"Before you draw your blade every time, have you already thought about how to end it?"
Kikyo did not look at her.
"Before I draw my blade, I have already thought three steps ahead."
Sakura's pupils contracted slightly.
Kikyo's tone was calm, but Sakura understood.
This had been honed bit by bit through countless battles, through countless encounters with death.
Just how many battles had this Miko experienced?
She wanted to ask, but the words never