Chiyo stood in the open space outside the castle, his long white hair drifting gently in the morning breeze.
Kagome stood on his right, her hand still holding his fingers.
Coral stood behind Kagome, her gaze falling on Chiyo's back from time to time.
Kagura and Kanna stood on the left, both pairs of eyes fixed on Chiyo.
"It's settled. Let's go!"
As Chiyo spoke, Inuyasha quickly strode to the entrance of the Tenshukaku.
His golden eyes looked at Chiyo, and his lips moved.
"Hey."
Chiyo turned his head and looked at him.
"You're... leaving?"
"Mm."
Inuyasha was silent for a moment.
Inuyasha turned his head away and looked toward the distant mountains and forest.
"...Take care."
Inuyasha stood there, his red Fire Rat Robe snapping in the morning breeze, his long silver-white hair blown a little messy by the wind.
"Inuyasha!"
"What?"
"Help me tell Grandma Kaede that we're leaving."
Inuyasha glanced at Kagome Higurashi.
"Got it."
Kagome smiled.
That smile looked beautiful in the morning light.
She took Chiyo's hand.
The group walked out of the castle and onto the flagstone road.
The cherry trees on both sides of the flagstone road were still bare, and the morning light shone on the branches, gilding those withered black limbs with a faint layer of gold.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, the castle grew farther and farther behind them, until it finally vanished behind the mountain ridge.
Coral walked beside Kagome, her gaze landing on Chiyo now and then before quickly shifting away again.
Her heart was a mess.
Chiyo had saved Kohaku.
Chiyo had saved the entire village.
Chiyo had killed Naraku, the demon behind it all...
Coral's steps slowed a little.
She looked at Chiyo's back.
She thought of that day.
The moment Chiyo had gripped the