Inuyasha searched for traces of Naraku; Naraku plotted against the Coral siblings. Wind swept through the valley, carrying a trace of chill.
Inuyasha stood on the ridge, his red Fire Rat Robe snapping in the wind.
His long silver-white hair was blown somewhat disheveled, and the two ears atop his head turned slightly, catching every faint sound around him.
He had been following Naraku's trail for three days.
But every time he felt he was about to close in, that evil aura would slip away like a loach, vanishing into some cave or at the end of some river.
"Damn bastard..."
Inuyasha cursed under his breath, his golden eyes full of exhaustion and impatience.
He raised his hand and looked at the transparent bead in his palm.
Inside the bead, that strand of silver-white light was still flowing slowly, like a little snake trapped in amber.
Chiyo had said that as long as he carried it, no matter where he was, Chiyo would be able to find him.
Inuyasha tightened his grip on the bead and stuffed it back into his sleeve.
He did not need help.
Naraku was his.
The debt owed fifty years ago—he would collect it, one account at a time.
Inuyasha jumped down from the ridge and landed in a stretch of woods.
The treetops blocked out most of the sunlight, leaving only a few shafts to leak through the gaps between the leaves, casting pale patches of light on the ground.
He was just about to keep moving when he suddenly stopped.
There was a scent in the air.
The scent of humans. A lot of humans.
And...
Inuyasha's nose twitched.
Demonic energy. Very faint, but disgusting.
Like the smell of rotting flesh.
He hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked in that direction.