The first days of travel to Senzaikyu were calm. Even at that pace, they’d arrive one or two days before the festival, so there was no need to rush. Kumari walked at Sesshomaru’s side, in silence. On their back, Sazume, Yume and Soji couldn’t stop laughing as Ichimaru told them the several awkward situations he had got himself into during the last months. The bear demon couldn’t help but notice that he intentionally omitted certain details; the incident with lord Hitori’s daughters, for example, remained a secret.
How much he wished to be a part of that conversation… But etiquette demanded him to stay close to the other lord, a little ahead of his family. Sometimes, he risked looking back and his eyes met those of Sazume for an instant, but Sesshomaru always spoke something at those moments, calling his attention. No conversation with him lasted more than a few words; it was as if he was intentionally keeping the young noble’s eyes away from his daughter, and every time he did that, Kumari felt the chills crawling up his spine.
At one of the nights, a patrol dispatched by the samurai Oda met them and camped with them. Sesshomaru kept his distance with his family, observing his son as he accompanied Kumari in listening to his soldiers. Feeling his father was paying attention, Ichimaru was smart to convince his lord to let him take care of hearing the reports of the pursuit to the bandits.
“Are you sure of that?”
“Of course! I’ll listen to what they have to say and give them new orders, if necessary. If you give me the authority to do that, of course.”
Kumari saw through him and didn’t deny him a chance to impress his father. With a smile, he let the men to Ichimaru’s orders and walked back to where the family had stopped to rest.
“Troublesome... Isn’t he?”, Sesshomaru asked when Kumari passed by.
“Well… Yes, he is. But, to be honest, he’s been of great help around here. He earned the soldier’s respect, and helped me taking care of the bandits’ problem. He’s wild by nature… But I think that’s exactly what’s going to make him a great leader, someday.
The demon lord assented, in silence. As Kumari walked away to take a look on Soji, Yume approached her husband, her eyes over their son too.
“So? Looks like he’s been a good boy.”
“Maybe… I didn’t make up my mind yet. I want to watch him some more, until the festival.”
Kumari found Soji lain down next to Ah-Un, his head over one of the dragon’s paws, while Jaken slept over the saddle. He smiled as he knelt down in silence, and gently messed up the boy’s hair.
“He’s been sleeping on Ah-Un’s back since the sunset”, Sazume whispered, approaching them. “I don’t think he’s used to walk that much.”
“It’s going to be worthwhile. He’ll love to see the fireworks.”
She sat by his side, observing how careful he was with Soji.
“Ichi told me that his parents died at the same night you lost your father.”
“It’s true. I’ve been taking care of him ever since. He’s like a little brother to me.”
“They’re such a headache sometimes, aren’t them?”
He laughed at her comparison with Ichimaru.
“Yes. But he’s all the family I have left.”
She touched his hand, hoping that the sad look on his face would vanish.
“You’re a lord. One day you’ll be married, and you’ll have your own family.”
“I know. It’s strange to think about it… But sometimes I really want this to happen.” And, in an impulse, he held her hand tightly, for a moment long enough to make them blush and let go of each other. “I… I think we should rest, tomorrow’s going to be a long walk.”
“I agree!”
Embarrassed, Kumari walked away to rest under a nearby tree. Sazume went back to her parents, not before glancing at him again, smiling.
By the morning, the soldiers departed to the north, as Sesshomaru’s family and Kumari took the way to Senzaikyu. The trip was calm, at least until they ran into a caravan that stopped at the road. Surprisingly, they had met the fox demons before the festival.
That is, if the festival was really going to take place. The Tamaya had been attacked.
