"Please?" Xu Zhiqiu's pleading voice brought him back to his senses.
Naraku instinctively stroked her back, drew her into his arms, and murmured, "Mm."
Hearing him agree, Xu Zhiqiu raised her head. Her eyes were rimmed with red, but her lips curved upward, a smile lighting her radiant face and holding back the tears that had been about to fall.
Naraku cupped her face, lowered his head, and pressed a kiss to the corner of her eye.
Despite the early hour, the two spent another little while tangled up together.
Finally, Xu Zhiqiu straightened her clothes, her cheeks flushed, then shouldered her bundle and picked up her sword. She glanced at Naraku, who sat on the bedding. "I'll be going, then. I'll be back soon."
Naraku was a little displeased, but he still let Xu Zhiqiu leave without protest.
Once her figure disappeared, Naraku took out the nearly complete Shikon Jewel. Dazzling purple light radiated around it, while his expression remained unreadable. At last, he closed his hand tightly around it and let out a low, husky chuckle.
"Kanna."
Using her lightness skill, Xu Zhiqiu bounded across the trees, heading toward Kaede's Village at tremendous speed.
Along the way, she pondered how to resolve things between Naraku and Inuyasha's group. Naraku had attacked them, and they had attacked Naraku. She would not ask Inuyasha and the others to forgive him, but she did not want their relationship to remain such a mess, either.
As she drew closer to Kaede's Village, an unfamiliar scent hung in the air. She frowned and stopped, sniffing carefully. It seemed to be the smell of cats.
An unfamiliar animal scent always brought a sense of foreboding.
Xu Zhiqiu picked up speed and hurried toward the village.
As she went, she spotted Inuyasha and the others