Chapter 711: Coral's Knot Came Undone; Four Women Admired the Cherry Blossoms. Morning light streamed through the carved window lattice and spilled into the room.
Kagome opened her eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for a long while before she remembered she was no longer in the Warring States Period.
This was Dog Demon City.
Chiyo's home.
She rolled over and buried her face in the soft pillow.
The pillow carried a faint scent that belonged to Chiyo, like a clear breeze in a mountain stream, like the first snow of winter. She could not quite describe it, but breathing it in made her feel at ease.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Kagome, are you awake?"
It was Coral's voice.
Kagome sat up from the bedding, rubbed her eyes, her hair a mess like a bird's nest.
"I'm awake, I'm awake. Come in."
The door was pushed open, and Coral walked in carrying a tray. On the tray were a bowl of hot porridge, two small dishes of pickles, and a pot of tea.
She was wearing the pale blue kimono Princess Lingyue had had someone prepare for her, her hair casually pinned up behind her head with a wooden hairpin, revealing a fair stretch of neck.
"Do you cook for yourself at home?"
"No, Mother does it."
Kagome took the tray and set it on her knees.
"The food I make... doesn't taste very good."
"I can't cook either. Back in Monster Slayer Village, everyone ate from the same big pot.
Later, when I took Kohaku out to fight demons, having food to eat was already good enough. Who cared whether it tasted good?"
Kagome scooped up a spoonful of porridge and put it in her mouth. Her eyes lit up.
"This porridge is