On a night bright with moonlight, Jaken sang happily. After failing to stop him, Yunai lay listlessly in Han's arms, long ears drooping to block the unbearably offensive sound waves. Beside them, Han repeatedly opened her mouth to speak, then struggled to swallow her words at the sight of Jaken's cheerful expression. Only Sesshomaru remained perfectly calm.
As expected of Sesshomaru... At that moment, Han and Yunai shared the same thought.
It was the second day since Sesshomaru and Han had returned hand in hand. Setting aside Jaken and Yunai's excitement at seeing them back safely, Sesshomaru seemed preoccupied, continuing along the coast in a single direction. Han was a little worried, but, unusually, Sesshomaru offered no explanation. Still, the hand holding hers remained warm and strong, gradually setting her at ease.
"So it has appeared..." Sesshomaru said gravely, gazing at the dark clouds over the sea.
"What has appeared, Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken asked blankly.
"Demonic energy," Han said softly. And it was far from weak. In her eyes, those clouds carried an ever-shifting mass of blue-violet demonic energy toward the shore, their ominous presence unmistakable.
"Han..." The rabbit nestled in the girl's arms clung to her arm and peered out, a little frightened.
"It's all right, Yunai. Don't be afraid." Han rubbed the little rabbit's plump paw in reassurance.
"Mm!" Reassured, Yunai drew back that rabbit head and leaned against the girl's soft body.
In the distance, the villagers knelt before their village shrine, praying fervently for the sea god to quell his anger. To them, the ominous clouds over the sea and the surging waves were signs of an impending disaster.
"Please save us. Please show us mercy and set aside your anger." The villagers pressed their palms together, rubbing them as they pleaded.
The deity did not