When Mei found herself a room to rest for a while, she suddenly sensed a familiar little creature sneaking in.
The moment the little creature came close, Mei grabbed her and looked...
"Hiyoumaru..."
"Sister Mei..." Hiyoumaru, caught by the arm, immediately looked at Mei with a pitiful expression.
"What are you sneaking over here for?"
"Sister Mei, you haven't forgotten what you promised me, have you?" Hearing Mei's words, Hiyoumaru suddenly became serious and stared at her sternly.
"A promise? What promise?"
"It's... it's that thing you gave Crimson Crow's Wing to drink. Last time, you said that if I protected Yōki and the others, you'd give me some when you came back, but you still haven't given me any! Hmph..."
Hiyoumaru glared at Mei unhappily, as if saying... Mei had gone back on her word.
"Huh? Did I? Did I promise that?"
Mei stared down at Hiyoumaru before her with a puzzled look.
"You obviously promised me..."
Upon hearing Mei's words, Hiyoumaru's expression immediately froze, as though she found it hard to believe that Mei would break her promise.
"Maybe... perhaps there was such a thing! But I don't have any right now. Next time... when I get some, I'll give it to you." Looking at Hiyoumaru, who seemed to have turned to stone, Mei suddenly felt a little sorry for her...
But that kind of thing...
She could only put her off for now.
"Really?" Hiyoumaru looked at Mei with wide eyes full of suspicion.
"Of course it's true... All right, go back and rest first! Build up your strength and prepare to deal with Hagoromo Gitsune and Seimei!"
Imperial Palace
Three days later...
It was afternoon, with roughly three hours left until dusk. Kyoto should have been bright and sunny at this hour, but... it was now