The castle was steeped in miasma, dark, sinister, and deathly silent.
Inside a room.
Naraku leaned against the wall while Kanna sat before him, holding her mirror. It showed Inuyasha and his companions. Finding the scene utterly dull, he had the mirror switch to Kikyo.
Kikyo was treating the wounded soldiers, smiling as she spoke to them.
The sight of Kikyo like this stirred the heart he had sealed away.
Thump, thump, thump.
Naraku's expression darkened. The bandit's lingering heart, which yearned for Kikyo day and night, began beating again. Images flooded his mind: the bandit lying on the ground, and the Miko feeding him porridge.
It was because Onigumo's soul remained within his body that, even as time passed, he still could not bring himself to kill Kikyo.
"Leave."
Kanna walked out with her mirror in her arms.
As her tapping footsteps faded into the distance, silence returned to the room.
The nearly complete Shikon Jewel appeared in Naraku's hand. He stared at the Shikon Jewel Shard glowing purple, murder in his eyes.
That Miko had to die.
Rumble!
Thunder suddenly rolled across the sky. Rain came pouring down over the castle, drenching its grounds.
The Modern Era.
"Zhiqiu, it's such a hassle for you to come see us every time. Why not give up your old place? I know a landlord who rents out rooms near our school. I can give you his contact information."
"Thanks for the kind offer. Once I'm done with this, I'm planning to go home for a visit. I'm not thinking about moving right now."
"Oh, right. Take care on your way back, then. If you need any help, just let me know."
"Okay."
Xu Zhiqiu said goodbye to him and turned to leave, helplessness showing on her face. Last time, she had