The aftereffects of the Breath of the Sun swept through his body. He ached so badly he could barely move, and blood seeped once more from his strained wounds.
Yet through it all, he never took his eyes off Doma.
Kochou Kanae had arrived and severed Doma's arm, saving Tetsu no Sosuke from certain death. Then she reversed her blade, sending a flower-scented slash straight for Doma's neck.
Doma sprang backward, but he was still a step too late.
The sword tip opened a cut on his neck.
Blood spilled from the wound. He frowned and instinctively reached up to touch it, only to remember that his right hand had been cut off.
He sighed softly. "How... did things end up like this?"
Shinobu Kocho leaped to Kochou Kanae and Tetsu no Sosuke's side. As she helped him up from the ground, she asked, "Older Sister, are you all right?"
Kochou Kanae looked over with a gentle smile. "This sword seems to be sending warmth through me."
Even in his condition, Tetsu no Sosuke's heart gave a jolt at those words. As if he had tasted something delicious, the corners of his mouth lifted in an involuntary smile.
Shinobu Kocho froze. She looked at Older Sister, then at Tetsu no Sosuke, and irritation flared up inside her.
I was the one who asked, wasn't I? Why did it feel like Older Sister had answered her question while leaving her out entirely?
"Step back, both of you."
Kochou Kanae's gaze swept over Tetsu no Sosuke. Worry flashed in her eyes before she turned back to Doma, her expression grave and cold. "Leave the rest of this fight to me!"
Shinobu Kocho nodded and helped Tetsu no Sosuke retreat to one side.
Doma shook his head. "After all this, you're still going