After filling her stomach, Xu Zhiqiu hummed a little tune as she carried two full buckets of water back to her room. Nothing much should happen over the next few days, so she might as well get some proper rest first.
With that plan in mind, she yawned. Just as she reached her room, the door slid open, and Naraku stepped out. Their eyes met.
Seeing Naraku, Xu Zhiqiu looked a little surprised. "Naraku, have you been in my room the whole time since I left?"
"Yes." Naraku extended his tentacles, took the two buckets from her hands, and carried them inside. "If you want a bath, you can have Kagura bring you water."
"It's fine. I can do it myself." With Naraku helping her carry the water, Xu Zhiqiu rubbed the back of her hand. She was about to walk inside, but Naraku remained motionless, merely watching her. She looked up into his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Naraku discreetly took in the bloodstains on the hem of her clothes.
Noticing his gaze, Xu Zhiqiu tapped her head. She had nearly forgotten about that. She hurried to explain, "Oh. When I went to Kaede's Village, the Leopard Cat Clan wanted to revive their lord, so they took Kikyo and the others hostage. I went with Inuyasha and the others to rescue them and picked up some Shikon Jewel Shards along the way."
As she spoke, she handed him the Shikon Jewel Shards she had collected.
Four shards glowed purple in her palm. Her clothes had several slashes in them, and dirt clung to the hem, yet she seemed entirely untroubled, smiling with his figure reflected in her eyes.
He said nothing, but finally reached out and took the shards from Xu Zhiqiu's palm. "You don't need to risk yourself collecting