A long-awaited family reunion; Sesshomaru, let's fight. The setting sun dyed the dirt road dark gold.
Chiyo walked at the very front, with Sakura and Saku clinging to his arms on either side like two young birds returning to the nest, their heads nuzzling against his shoulders from time to time.
"Father, you have no idea—we ran into a huge Bear Demon!"
Saku gestured as she spoke, spreading her arms as wide as they would go.
"This tall! This wide! One smack from its paw could snap a tree in half!"
"And then?"
Chiyo's voice was very calm.
"Then Sister cut off its claw with one strike!"
Saku's eyes shone like stars.
"The sword light went swish, and that Bear Demon just froze there for ages before it even reacted!"
Sakura's face flushed slightly. She lowered her head and said nothing.
Chiyo turned his head and glanced at her.
"Your swordsmanship has improved."
"It's... it's because Father taught me well."
Sakura's voice was very small, like the hum of a mosquito.
Chiyo raised his hand and rubbed her head again.
Sakura's hair was very soft, like fine silk, gleaming faintly in the sunset.
Chiyo's hand was large, almost covering the whole top of her head.
Sakura closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of that hand.
It had been a very long time since she had felt that warmth.
The last time had been in the Western Country.
When she and Saku left home, Chiyo had stood at the city gate, watching them go.
He had said nothing.
He had only looked at them once.
Sakura had remembered that look for a very long time.
Now, that hand was resting on her head.
Sakura's eyes suddenly reddened.
"What's wrong?"
Chiyo sensed something off about her and lowered his head to look