The young noble checked his clothes again. It was the third time he did that since the travelers were sighted on the road. The sound of the servants running through the castle to prepare a meal for the guests was of little help to his mood. The samurai by his side, now without his armor and wearing only a white kimono and blue hakama, noticed how nervous his lord was.
“How do I look, Oda?”
“Impeccable, sir. I see your father in you.”
“You always say that.”
“And it becomes truer with each passing day.”
Kumari smiled before turning his attention to his guests, and he was serious again when the older noble arrived at the gates, a bit ahead of his family.
“Welcome, Lord Sesshomaru.”
The polite greeting had little effect on the demon lord’s mood.
“Thank you. It’s surprising that our arrival is expected. Could you explain to me what happened to the messenger I dispatched?”
Kumari took a deep breath, but before he knew what to say, Oda knelt down before the visitor.
“My apologies, sir. It’s my fault.”
“Do I know you?”
“Yoshiro Oda, commander of lord Kumari’s troops. I was leading a patrol on the lands north to the castle when we found your servant’s corpse. He was killed by the bandits I was chasing.
“It’s my responsibility. Oda was just following my orders”, Kumari intervened, but Sesshomaru let aside the subject when his family arrived to the castle.
“We’ll discuss it later.”
With no further word, the noble entered the castle, and Yume approached shortly after to greet Kumari. Sazume observed from the distance; there was a courteous smile on his face as he talked to her mother, but whenever his look slipped to the girl, that smile failed.
“What’s wrong?” Ichimaru whispered to her.
“I don’t know, Ichi. He doesn’t look well.”
Her brother took a discreet look.
“He looks tired. Anyone gets cranky in that state.”
Sazume agreed, but remained somewhat worried.
