Inuyasha, Kagome, and the others sat down to rest a little distance from where Han lay, while Sesshomaru and Kikyo sat beside the silver-haired girl. Kikyo's gaze settled on Midoriko, entwined in the monsters coiling around her. Though there was no trace of weakness on her face, the sight still stirred a sense of desolation.
"Kikyo..." Inuyasha gazed at her quiet profile and murmured the miko's name.
Kikyo glanced back at Inuyasha. Her pale red lips moved slightly, but in the end, she said nothing and gently turned away.
Inuyasha lowered his head gloomily, thinking of the miko's pale lips, of the vivid red rouge he had once given her, of...
"Inuyasha." Miroku leaned toward him, pointed in Kagome's direction, and whispered in his ear, "Lady Kagome..."
Inuyasha looked up and saw Kagome hugging her bent knees, her entire face buried between them. The air around her was heavy and oppressive.
Inuyasha wanted to say something, but looking at Kikyo and then Kagome, he had no idea what to say. There aren't any monsters right now, anyway. I don't need to protect Kagome, so leaving things like this for a while should be fine. He could not help retreating into that thought.
"Ah..." Miroku sighed softly and returned to his place.
"Master Spellcaster," Sango said worriedly. Ever since the miko named Kikyo had arrived, the atmosphere between Inuyasha and Kagome had felt strange, making even her uncomfortable. "Inuyasha and Kagome..."
"Ah..." Miroku sighed again. "Sango..."
"Yes?" Sango answered, then suddenly felt what seemed to be a hand wandering over her waist and backside. This was... "Master Spellcaster!" Her face turned scarlet, and she hissed angrily. With Sesshomaru and Kikyo there, both people she barely knew, she was too embarrassed to knock Miroku away forcefully. She could only shove his hand