The family enjoyed the beautiful sunny morning with a walk around the castle. Sazume walked ahead of her parents, admiring the landscape. Ichimaru sneaked to her side and gazed at her.
“You’re thoughtful, sister. Worried about getting older?”
“Kinda.” She laughed. “Do you remember how many walks like that we had when we were kids? We stayed the whole morning playing at the sun, and when it was time to go back to castle for lunch, we begged not to go, even if we were starving.”
“I do! We used to be so scary of Kumari’s father. Man, he was so mean!”
“Don’t you find it strange that we don’t have any memories of Kumari? I remember mom asking about him, but his father never spoke much.”
“I think the old man never let him close to us. Strange, uh?”
Sazume thought about that on their way back. Slowly, it became clear to her that Kumari was much like his father, or at least how similar he was becoming. His bad mood seemed to hide a great sorrow; she asked herself if his father wasn’t like that, too.
When they reached the castle, a servant guided them to where lunch would be served. For an instant, her memories conjured the image of Kumari’s angry father waiting for them at the table, but it vanished when he smiled at them.
“Welcome back. And please, forgive me for the simplicity of the meal. It’s not worthy of today’s celebration.” He looked at the girl. “Happy birthday, Sazume-san.”
She bowed, thanking, and sat down with her family. While Kumari called a servant with a hand gesture, she noticed how sad it was to see him alone at his side of the table. It was strange to think that his father never let him share a meal with the guests.
“Excuse me...”
A shy voice sounded, and she found a human boy standing right by her side. He had a small chest in hands, covered in a beautiful green and pink fabric. She smiled when she saw his left hand covered in bandages, recognizing him as the kid from the previous day, and accepted the jewel box in her hands.
“Thank you, Soji” Kumari said, and the boy walked out of the room, smiling timidly at Sazume.
“Thank you, but that’s really not necessary”, she said.
“I insist.”
Sazume opened the box under the curious look of her mother, and found herself speechless when she looked at a beautiful hair comb, adorned by pearls.
“It’s gorgeous!”, Yume said, while her daughter was still looking for words. “Where did you get that in so little time?”
“It belonged to my mother.” Kumari explained.
“In that case, I can’t accept it”, Sazume said, closing the box and offering back to him. “You should give it to someone special.”
“I think that’s exactly what I’m doing”, he answered, resolute, making her blush. While she and her mother opened the box and admired the gift one more time, Kumari turned pale under Sesshomaru and Ichimaru’s looks. “Well, I, uh, I’m happy that you’re here. It’s a shame that you’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“What?”, everyone asked, with the exception of Sesshomaru, so the family looked at him.
“I was only going to announce it tonight. Lord Kumari has more to be concerned with than hosting us. We leave by the morning.”
Sazume thought of protesting, but remained quiet. After all, her father had promised to stay only until her birthday. Ichimaru, on his turn, seemed happy with the news.
“Well, it’s about time. I’m already homesick.”
“You’re not going anywhere”, his father answered, for everyone’s surprise. “Lord Kumari, I decided how you will pay the debt for my servant’s death. Ichimaru is going to stay here for one year.”
“Huh?!” Ichimaru didn’t understand. “Let me guess, that’s my punishment for stepping out of that meeting? You’re grounding me here as Kumari’s guest for a whole year?”
“No, not as his guest.” Sesshomaru looked back at him, a rare and malicious smile on his face. “As his vassal.”
Ichimaru and Kumari stood up instantly.
“WHAT?!”
