Kumari was standing at the center of Senzaikyu, watching the intense flow of people. The presence of the Tamaya clan was a boost to the local economy; the market was crawling with fox demons running around, buying supplies for their camp and selling their little trinkets.
Only two days had passed since the festival, and Sesshomaru had already announced they were leaving. Kumari tried to hide his disappointment. He wanted to have more time to talk t Sazume; he felt guilty for what had been said, but there was no chance to speak to her. She had been quite thoughtful and he couldn’t blame her. And where was she? He had seen her almost an hour ago, searching for her missing brother.
It was then he saw her at the distance, pulling him by the ear.
“Let me guess: fooling around with two girls?” Kumari asked when they arrived.
“Three”, Ichimaru corrected, grinning.
“Don’t be proud of it!” Sazume snarled.
Sesshomaru and Yume joined while Jaken, with the help of Soji, finished packing provisions at Ah-Un’s back.
“So, I think this is it. Thanks for everything, lord Kumari”, Yume said, smiling.
“Always a pleasure having your family as guests, my lady. Have a nice trip back.”
“You sure don’t want to accompany us?”
“Yes, I need to stay for a few more days. It’s been long since the last time this village saw its lord. There are a lot of things I need to take care of.”
“I see. What about you, Ichi? Coming with us?”
The question caught him by surprise; he had almost completely forgotten about what Jaken had said, back at Kumari’s castle.
“What, that’s it? I can go home?”
“You have been here long enough. I’m freeing you from your service, and also considering lord Kumari’s debt to me paid”, Sesshomaru announced.
“So what, it means now you consider me a responsible noble?” he asked, laughing.
“No.” The cold answer ripped the smile off his face. “But you seem to have learned much here. You can learn more back home.”
“Wow, that’s amazing, dad! Thanks!” he said, scratching the back of his head. “But I think I’ll have to pass.”
“What?” Yume asked on behalf of all.
“Well, you heard lord Kumari, there are some issues needed to be solved here. And it’s harvest time, all the work of collecting tributes is about to start soon, and I think he was counting on my help for that. Not to mention there’s always a lot to be done before winter. So I think I’ll end my time here” – he said, looking at the bear demon. “After all, what would be of this clumsy bear without his faithful watchdog?”
“Huh. Says the guy who was getting beaten up by a girl”, Kumari replied.
“And that’s family secret from now on, everyone got that right?”
“What, so now I’m family?” he laughed.
“Well, I thought you wanted to be.” Ichimaru winked at him and quickly glimpsed at his sister. The two of them blushed immediately.
Yume smiled, proud, and received her son’s hug.
“Actually, Ichi’s time here started on my birthday”, Sazume said to Kumari. “What I mean is…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he leaves before that.”
“No. I was going to ask if you didn’t want to go with him”, she said, surprising him. “I hope we’ll have a better chance to talk then.”
Kumari smiled, relieved.
“I’ll be there.”
They smiled to each other and stepped back when Ichimaru approached to say goodbye to his sister. At that time, Jaken and Ah-Un had joined them, while Soji came running and stood by Kumari’s said. Ichimaru did the same.
“See you next time, dad.”
“Just don’t be late for your sister’s birthday”, the demon lord said – and, with a quick smile, turned his back and left.
Kumari and Ichimaru stood still, perplexed.
“Was it just me, or your father actually smiled?”
“Yeah, he does that from time to time… I know; it’s kinda creepy.”
