The scabbard had originally been given only a simple polish, but now ornate patterns had been engraved on it. It also felt much lighter in her hand than before.
Xu Zhiqiu's attention was not on her sword. She put it away and smiled at the handsome young man before her. "Hello there. I'm Xu Zhiqiu."
Hakudoshi dismounted from Entei. Hearing Xu Zhiqiu speak so gently to Mugen no Byakuya, he thought of how she treated him instead. "Big sis, I don't think you ever introduced yourself to me."
"Oh, well, it's not too late for you to find out now." Xu Zhiqiu turned to glare at Hakudoshi, then looked back at Naraku's newest incarnation.
Seeing Hakudoshi get rebuffed, Kagura hid her smile behind her fan and snickered to herself.
Unfortunately, her laughter was audible, earning her a deeply "affectionate" stare from Hakudoshi.
Mugen no Byakuya raised his eyes to meet Xu Zhiqiu's again, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "I'm Mugen no Byakuya, an incarnation of Naraku."
"Oh! You feel strangely familiar." Xu Zhiqiu spoke to him as she followed him into the cave.
Mugen no Byakuya's gentle voice reached her. "I feel the same about the beautiful Miss Qiu."
"What a sweet tongue you have." Who didn't enjoy being called beautiful? His praise sent flowers blooming in Xu Zhiqiu's heart.
Their voices drifted out from inside the cave. Kagura lowered her fan, her red lips curving slightly. "Interesting. Byakuya actually spoke to Xu Zhiqiu in that tone. Isn't he afraid Naraku will teach him a lesson?"
"I don't know," Kanna replied, then followed them inside.
"Boring." Hakudoshi had Entei lie down, then stretched out on the horse's back to rest.
Kagura glanced at him before entering the cave.
The cave opened into a whole other world within. Xu