Report: Naraku couldn't perform

Xu Zhiqiu wasn't surprised by this. "Clothes? Just pick whichever one you like."

"All right, thanks." Kagura gave her a look, then stood up and walked toward the wardrobe, fan in hand.

Xu Zhiqiu took quite a while to recover before lifting the quilt and getting up. She walked over to the washbasin and began rinsing her mouth and washing her face.

By the time she finished, Kagura had already left with the clothes she had chosen.

Xu Zhiqiu went to the wardrobe and found her usual clothes. She put on a white inner robe beneath a dark blue outer robe, then wrapped a navy sash around her waist and tied it into a bow at her side.

She simply combed her hair smooth and left it loose over her shoulders. Then she took her sword and bundle, left the room, and headed toward Naraku's room.

Just as Xu Zhiqiu reached Naraku's doorway, she saw Kanna coming out with her mirror in her arms. Kanna paused briefly when she saw her.

"Good morning, Kanna." Xu Zhiqiu smiled, then stepped inside.

Naraku wore dark blue today, and his complexion looked much better than it had in the basement. Hearing the movement outside, he looked up at Xu Zhiqiu. "Qiu, what brings you here?"

As he spoke, he noticed the bundle on Xu Zhiqiu's shoulder. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes, and he continued, "Where are you going?"

Xu Zhiqiu pulled her attention away from his clothes and looked at his face. "I want to go out for a walk. Since you can come out now, you must be mostly recovered, right?"

"Yes," Naraku replied flatly.

Xu Zhiqiu walked over, put down her bundle, and sat beside him. She asked softly, "I remembered there are still a few things I haven't asked you. Now that you've become a true demon, what are your plans?"

Seeing her sit beside him, Naraku took Xu Zhiqiu's hand and held it tightly in his palm. Rather than answering immediately, he asked, "What are your plans, Qiu?"

Xu Zhiqiu shifted closer to him and lowered her head, slowly leaning against his broad shoulder. "Well, I plan to find somewhere with few people, build my own house, start a vegetable garden, and live a leisurely life."

"Something that simple?" Naraku sounded a little skeptical. "Didn't you protect a village with that priestess before? Why stay away from people instead of protecting a village?"

Xu Zhiqiu raised her chin and nuzzled his arm. "Haven't you noticed what's different about me? If I lived in their village as a priestess and my face never changed at all, they'd surely mistake me for a demon."

"Heh. Those foolish humans." Naraku stroked Xu Zhiqiu's back, then gathered her into his arms.

Xu Zhiqiu nestled in the man's embrace without a word.

Naraku lowered his head and studied Xu Zhiqiu's beautiful face. From Onigumo's memories, he knew that the clothes she had worn when she first met Onigumo were unlike those worn in this era. He rubbed her fingers and asked casually, "Qiu, you're not from here, are you?"

"No, I'm not from here." Xu Zhiqiu had no intention of hiding it from him and answered frankly.

"Oh, now that is interesting."

Xu Zhiqiu shook off the hand toying with her fingers and said coolly, "We're getting off topic. You still haven't answered my question."

"Wherever Qiu is, that's where I, Naraku, will be." Naraku lowered his head, his crimson eyes fixed on the woman in his arms.

Xu Zhiqiu blinked, her red lips parting slightly. She tilted her head up and kissed his lips. Before she could pull away, he turned the tables and deepened the kiss.

Xu Zhiqiu pressed herself against Naraku, both hands sliding into his hair. Her own hair, originally loose down her back, fell forward with her movements and draped over his neck.

Naraku wrapped both arms tightly around Xu Zhiqiu's back, as though he wanted to meld her into his body.

After the kiss, accompanied by wet smacking sounds, Xu Zhiqiu's eyes were misty. Biting her lip, she stared at the handsome male demon, whose loosened collar exposed his chest and whose hair spilled freely down. A smile lingered at the corners of his mouth as he looked back at her.

Xu Zhiqiu forced herself to regain her senses and pulled her open clothes closed. She could feel the change in Naraku's lower body, but he still made no move. Bracing a hand against the floor beside them, she climbed off him. "Since you can't perform, I should get going."

After tightening her sash, she picked up her bundle and sword and stood. She had just lifted her foot to step forward when she realized a certain demon's tentacle was still wrapped around her ankle.

She pressed her lips together slightly and turned to look at the man behind her. "Naraku, let go."

Not only did Naraku refuse to let go, he tightened his hold. Watching the irritation appear on Xu Zhiqiu's face, he asked, "Qiu, you were really looking forward to us going further, weren't you?"

They had already kissed and embraced, and he was still asking whether she wanted to go further?

Xu Zhiqiu gave him an eye roll on the spot. "No, I wasn't. Happy now? I know you're an innocent demon."

As she spoke, she deliberately emphasized the word "innocent." As an amalgamation of numerous demons, with Onigumo's memories of his romantic exploits to boot, how could Naraku possibly be innocent?

But she couldn't understand it. Clothes and trousers had already come off, yet all he offered was innocent kissing beneath the quilt. Even when his body responded, he wouldn't do anything to her that would make him worse than a beast.

She had read too much into it. Naraku was simply using his good looks, offering romance without lovemaking.

Under Xu Zhiqiu's reproachful gaze, Naraku finally released her.

Once the tentacle was gone from her ankle, Xu Zhiqiu slung her bundle over her back and left the room without hesitation.

"Huh? Where are you going? Naraku actually feels comfortable letting you leave?" Kagura asked, waving her fan.

"Just wandering around. Want to come with me?" Xu Zhiqiu asked her.

Kagura was just about to say she wanted to, but before she could speak, a wrenching pain seized her heart. Clearly, someone didn't want her to leave. She snorted. "I'd like to, but Naraku won't let me!"

"Looks like he probably wants to send you on a mission. Stay safe." Just as Xu Zhiqiu finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something.

She continued, "If Naraku tells you to kill Inuyasha, watch out for his weapon, Tessaiga."

"Oh?" Kagura didn't yet know who Inuyasha was, but Xu Zhiqiu's words puzzled her. "Why are you warning me?"

"You're Naraku's child, after all. If I didn't give you a warning, what would we do if you got hurt?" Xu Zhiqiu said with a grin.

The corner of Kagura's mouth twitched.

Watching Xu Zhiqiu leave so effortlessly, Kagura frowned, envy showing in her eyes. She was the wind, the free wind. How could she willingly submit to Naraku's control? Yet her heart was in his hands. It was utterly infuriating!