The sun blazed down from the blue sky with all the power of a blast furnace. Even at an hour after sunrise, the day was hot and stifling. No wind blew, not even a little breeze. It was uncomfortable.
Kagome awoke with a headache from the heat. She kicked off the single blanket she had been sleeping under, already feeling hot and sticky with sweat. Miroku and Sango were sleeping.
InuYasha, and Shippo, were nowhere to be seen.
Kagome stood, reaching in her backpack for some soap and a towel, and some clothing. She would have to wash - there was no way she could get dressed feeling so icky.
She pushed back the door covering, and winced as the brilliant sun nearly blinded her.
A little distance away from the hut, she saw the hanyou and kitsune sitting under a tree, in the shade. There were a few bags and packages of food laid out. InuYasha was wearing only his gi, and she could see that was untied and loose. Shippo was wearing only his pants.
Kagome walked out of the hut, approaching them, one hand up to shade her eyes. She could hear InuYasha and Shippo talking, light, easy banter. They stopped when they saw her. Shippo smiled, and ran towards her, "Good morning, Kagome!"
"Good morning. Wow, it's so hot. What are you guys doing?"
"Trying to escape the heat," Shippo said, "We had some breakfast, is that ok?"
Kagome blinked, "Why wouldn't it be?"
"He means we helped ourselves to some stuff in your backpack," InuYasha said.
"Oh, sure, it's fine. I'm not surprised you guys didn't want a cooking fire today."
InuYasha eyed the things in her hand, "Going to bathe?"
"Yeah."
Both InuYasha and Kagome suddenly remembered the other morning, and blushed, looking away. Kagome wasn't completely sure InuYasha may have accidentally seen her bathing, but his behavior indicated it. For his part, InuYasha kept being haunted by flashes of her in the water, usually at the worst times possible.
Kagome looked back at him as he pointedly looked away, and spoke, "You should change your clothing, InuYasha. Put on your other clothing, the lighter haori and hakama. That must be so hot."
"Meh," he shrugged, "It's fine."
"Is that why you've got your gi untied? Let's go wash, then you change, and I'll-" her words died as he looked at her, stunned, eyes wide, brilliant blush across his cheeks and nose. She looked at him, confused for a second, then spoke.
"Not together! I didn't mean bathe together! In different places!"
"I knew that!" he said, not meeting her eyes.
Kagome took a deep breath, steadying herself, "On second thought, I'll go, then you go, ok?"
"Good idea. I'll stay here."
"Ok, good." Kagome turned, and started walking towards the river.
Ug, this is so annoying. You'd think after all this time we could stop tripping up in our words like this.
She returned a short time later, feeling much better, wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. InuYasha had gone back into the hut to get his lighter wear, the clothing Kagome and Sango had forced him to buy, so long ago. The pale, light green coloring looked nice against his skin, and it had been cut nearly to the exact specifications as his usual, crimson clothing. The arms and legs weren't quite so volumnous, was the only difference.
Kagome handed him the soap, and with that, his clothing, and a towel, he left to wash.
Kagome had a light breakfast of fruit juice and bread and jam, and was resting in the shade when InuYasha returned.
His hair was sodden, plastered to his back and shoulders. Kagome spoke, "Do you want me to put that up again?"
InuYasha shrugged, and she beckoned him over. Taking an elastic band, she pulled his hair back in a loose ponytail, getting the thick silver hair up off his back and neck. She worked quickly, remembering the last time she had done that for him. Things had gotten heated...
That will never happen again, she said, firmly, But I don't want to even get him thinking about that.
He thanked her, and she sat beside him, watching as Shippo played with a new toy.
Her mind suddenly went to the dream he had had last night, and she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He looked tired, and she wondered if he had been able to get back to sleep after it.
She wanted to ask him about it, but she wasn't sure if he would talk with Shippo there. Kageom cast about, wondering how to get him to talk, when the answer literally ran up to her.
Two small human children ran up, laughing, asking Shippo if he wanted to go play. Shippo readily agreed, and left.
Perfect.
Kagome turned to him, stretching her legs out, and spoke.
"So..."
He turned, looking at her, and she spoke again, "You told me you'd tell me about that nightmare you had."
"Oh...yeah." He suddenly looked uncomfortable, and she guessed he probably wouldn't tell her. Maybe it had been personal.
"Well...I mean...if you don't want to talk about it, it's ok. But, if you do, I'm more than happy to listen."
InuYasha seemed to study her in silence for a moment, and Kagome had the uncomfortable feeling that he was trying to tell if she were serious, or just being polite.
She spoke gently, "Really, InuYasha. You know I'll always listen."
He looked at Kaede's hut, suddenly looking so lost.
"I dreamed about Izumi."
Kagome blinked. She actually hadn't expected that, but it certainly made sense.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, I...it was weird. It was so real."
InuYasha raised a hand, rubbing his face for a moment, before lowering it, resting it in his lap, "I could feel the grass under my feet. Smell the flowers. Smell Izumi. It started off...something woke me up, and I went outside, you know? And the moon was so bright. That's when I started to realize something was wrong. All of a sudden I was on this cliff, looking out over all these little villages...I mean, it was high."
Kagome nodded, to show she was listening.
"And when I looked...Izumi was standing there."
Kagome spoke softly, "You're missing her. It's not surprising you dreamed about her."
"But that's just it. It didn't even feel like a dream. And I started talking to her, I...I wanted to...apologise..."
He fell silent for a moment. In the distance, children laughed, shrieking as they played. Kagome watched his face, his profile. He seemed to be struggling to put his thoughts into words.
"She held out her hand, and I...I took it, and I...we talked." He stopped, short. Kagome had a feeling he had spoken to her about how he felt, and knew that was personal. She didn't ask any questions, just listened.
"But then she started talking, and she...what she said made no sense."
"What did she say?"
He closed his golden eyes, thinking, remembering. His pale green clothing seemed to set off his skin, his hair, and she watched him, silent.
"She said...she pointed towards the villages, and there was this storm starting to form. Lightning, and...she said 'The only sound is a distant thunder. A tempest rages'...and then she said, 'I walked for miles, towards the sound and storm...where you might find me.' And I asked her what she said, and she repeated it. 'Towards the sound and storm, where you might find me.' "
He fell silent. Kagome sat back, watching him, her mind moving over everything he had said.
"What...what do you think it means?"
He shook his head, his voice angry, "How the hell should I know? Izumi's living in a stormcloud somewhere?" He sighed, rubbing his face again, "She sounded so desperate...her face. She needed me to find her, Kagome. She needed me to help her."
"InuYasha..." Kagome reached out, and lightly touched the back of his hand, "She's gone. She's at peace. She's not suffering, or desperate, or..."
He didn't say anything.
Kagome sat back, and spoke gently.
"Do you know where I think Izumi is?"
He looked at her, "Where?"
She softly smiled, "She's standing somewhere, right now, in a field of flowers, and there are birds all around her, and the sun is shining down on her. And she's talking to someone."
He watched her, quiet, "Who?"
"Your mother," Kagome said gently, "And your father too, probably. They're all there together, talking, and Izumi's smiling, because she's finally happy. She's not tired any more, or lonely. She's with the ones she loved and missed, and she's happy."
Kagome watched him swallow, and he looked back to the hut. He turned his hand over, entwining his fingers in hers, and spoke, his voice a little rough, "Thanks."
Kagome nodded, and let him hold her hand.
"Good morning, Shisuta," Teruko said. The old woman picked up a pitcher and poured water into the small kettle boil.
"Good morning, Teruko. You slept in late this morning."
"Ehhh, it's this heat. It always makes me feel so groggy. You were up with the sun again, I suppose?"
Shisuta smiled, nodding, "Yes. I enjoy watching the sun rise."
"And how is Yuji?"
Shisuta blushed faintly, "How would I know?"
The old woman cackled, watching the tall, slender woman, "You mean you didn't talk to him this morning, then?"
"Well...as a matter of a fact, I did." Shisuta tried not to blush more, "But you act as if I purposefully sought him out."
"I said nothing of the sort. Would you like some tea?"
Shisuta looked at her, "In this weather?"
"It settles my stomach."
"No, thank you."
Teruko put the little kettle on the fire, "Did that...thing...come back yesterday?"
Shisuta made a face, "No. And I hope it doesn't. A talking flea is just too...unnatural."
"There are many strange things in this world, my dear."
Shisuta nodded, and gazed out doors through a window.
The sun was shining brightly, and the sea was reflecting it back, sparkling vividly, like diamonds.
Her mind went to Yuji, and their conversation early this morning...
"Good morning to you, Shisuta."
"And to you, Yuji. I hope you catch many fish today."
He laughed, his kind, handsome face beaming, "So do I."
He watched her for a moment, then spoke, "May I...ask you something?"
Shisuta blinked, and watched him, nervously. Teruko told her Yuji held her in favor. Perhaps even to marry. What was he going to ask her?
"Yes...of course."
"I couldn't help but notice last night...the past week, actually...you've been leaving your house, very late at night. I...forgive me, but last night I followed you."
Shisuta blinked, shocked.
"I saw you went down to the beach behind the houses, and you were...practicing with a wooden sword, weren't you?"
Shisuta felt her face heat up, and she nodded, looking away, "I was, yes. It's just a piece of bamboo, actually. I wasn't aware I had an audience."
He looked somber, "Forgive me, but I was worried. It's not safe for a woman to be walking around alone so late at night."
Shisuta looked at the ground, feeling oddly embarassed, as if he had seen her naked.
"You...you are quite good with the wooden sword. You have obviously had training."
Shisuta raised her eyes, and looked at him, "I...cannot remember. But the motions, the stances...they all came to me. So easily. I felt this...mounting tension in me, and...I find that those practices help me. Help me sleep."
He nodded, and smiled gently, "I understand. Perhaps your memory will return someday. And you will...return to where you belong. I imagine you would like that."
She looked at him, "Not necessarily."
He blinked, and laughed. She blushed.
"Just promise me you will be careful. I would hate for anything to happen to you."
She smiled, "I promise."
"Good."
Shisuta had watched him push his boat out into the water, and hop in, rowing out to deeper waters to set his nets.
She frowned faintly.
Sometimes...at night...when she was almost asleep...feelings would come to her. Terrible, crushing feelings. Of some great...terrible...thing that was hovering over her. Some great event that was going to happen, and crush her. If she wasn't ready, if everything wasn't in place, she would be swept away...everything would be swept away, and she would be filled with an awful panic.
When those sensations came to her, all she could do was slip out and go down to the beach, and go through the motions that her body seemed to remember, even if she didn't. To move and exercise until the nervous energy was burned off, and she could sleep again.
She turned, and walked back to the small hut she shared with the old woman.
Back up on the small hill, overlooking the tiny village, the demon lord stood, gazing down.
"M-My Lord?" Jakken asked, nervously, "May I ask why we are here, at a human village?"
Sesshomaru had returned last evening, and had told them they were moving. Rin and Jakken were put on Ah and Un, and they had walked here, making good time. Lord Sesshomaru hadn't told either the imp or the little girl what was going on, but they were used to not questioning him, and so went easily enough.
Now Jakken peered past his lord down to the village distastefully. Why on earth was his Lord setting up this close to a village?
He looked back at Rin, who was patting Ah and Un. Was he finally going to leave Rin somewhere with some humans?
It was about time!
"There is something interesting about that village," Sesshomaru explained calmly, "And I am going to investigate shortly. You will stay here, with Rin."
"Yes, of course." Jakken was more than willing to agree. He hated humans.
Kagome eyes were closed as she sat in the shade, her back against the tree. It was still so hot, but at least in the shade it was cooler.
She listened to the sound of the children laughing, the villagers calling to each other. Bees droned in the background, insects that should have been long gone, still looking for food.
When the winter does arrive, it's going to be hard, she thought.
Kagome opened her eyes, and looked towards InuYasha.
He sat beside her, back against the same tree, eyes closed. He seemed so peaceful, calm. Kagome couldn't help but wonder how his back was doing. He seemed to be moving easier now, so at least that was a good sign.
"Ah, Nushi, there you are!"
Kagome looked up to see DarkWind walking towards her, and he smiled.
The sun fell on him, making his hair seem to shine, so black. His eyes were so dark, and his smile seemed to light up his face. He seemed so happy to see her, she felt her heart speed up a little.
"I've been looking for you. You seem very relaxed this morning, and you are looking even more beautiful than normal."
Kagome blinked, blushing, "Oh, uh, thank you, DarkWind, that's very sweet of you to say."
He opened his mouth, about to say something else, a sweet smile on his face, when his body jerked with an impact, smile dropping from his face, eyes wide. He grunted in pain, and staggered, dropping forward onto his knees.
"DarkWind!?" she called, jumping up. She ran over to him, reaching for him, and gasped, horrified, to see the shaft of an arrow sticking out of the back of his shoulder.
Kagome looked up, to see Kikyo stepping out of the forest, bow in her hand.
"No. NO!" Kagome screamed. She looked back down at DarkWind, eyes wide, and saw the skin surrounding the arrow shaft starting to bubble, to hiss.
DarkWind cried out in pain, hunching.
"No! Please!" Kagome cried, kneeling down beside him. She grabbed his arm, not knowing what to do. Her brain was shutting down in fear, and she looked into the Kageri's face.
Pain lined his features.
As Kagome knelt beside him, she suddenly realized she could smell DarkWind's skin bubbling, a sickly sour smell, like bad milk.
"DarkWind!" she screamed.
He took her hand, and smiled weakly at her, "Do not fear for me, Nushi. I was very happy with you. I will remember that."
His image blurred as tears suddenly filled her eyes, "No, no NO! You can't! Please! I can't lose you!"
She turned towards the hanyou, "InuYasha! Help me! If we get him to the river, maybe we can wash-"
But InuYasha was gone.
Kagome looked around, heart pounding in her chest painfully, and saw him, standing in front of Kikyo. He smiled at the Priestess, and held out his hand. Kikyo smiled up at him, and took his hand.
"InuYasha, please, just help me! I just need your help, just this once! Please!"
He didn't even turn to look at her.
Kagome looked back at DarkWind, and was horrified to see his shoulder was now gone, dissolved, and he was leaning forward. As she watched the blackness spread down to his arm, his chest, moving up, towards his face.
She screamed.
"Kagome!"
Hands grabbed her.
She batted blindly at them, shaking her head, fighting.
"Damnit, wake up!"
Her eyes opened.
Colors assaulted her, images, shapes, nothing made sense, nothing seemed right.
She was shaken, "Kagome!"
She suddenly gasped, pulling air into her lungs, and that seemed to center her. She blinked, looking around.
InuYasha sat before her, holding onto her arms, looking into her face. His golden eyes were wide and worried, "Are you awake? Kagome? Can you hear me?"
"Yes, I..." she shuddered, gasping.
"Kagome?"
"I'm ok." Her voice sounded weak, and she shivered.
He watched her, uneasy, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Kagome raised a hand, putting it to her face for a moment, trying to still her heart.
"What happened?" InuYasha asked, his voice soft, gentle.
"I guess I fell asleep. Had a nightmare."
Silence. She waited for him to say something sarcastic, and was surprised when he only said, "You're having a lot of those lately."
"Seems like it," Kagome said, weakly. Her stomach rolled. She took a deep breath, and let it out, slowly.
InuYasha let go of her, and leaned back, watching her. Kagome looked up at him, and tried to offer him a smile. It was weak.
"Are...do you want to talk about it?"
Kagome shook her head, "It was just a stupid nightmare. Daymare. Whatever. I'm fine."
"Are...you sure? You listened to mine." he said, lamely.
She smiled at him, stronger, "I'm sure. Mine was just one of those stupid ones that make no sense. I'm good. Thanks."
"Yeah...ok."
He watched as she leaned back against the tree again, and he leaned back as well, looking out towards Kaede's hut.
He had almost been drowsing, when he had heard her speaking. He had slowly surfaced, looking at him, thinking she was talking to him. He had turned, and saw she was asleep.
Quietly, he watched her sleeping, her face composed, still and quiet.
His eyes moved over her profile. Her nose. Her lips. Her chin and throat. Her face was burned into his memory, so perfect and clear.
She spoke again, "DarkWind."
InuYasha scowled, looking away.
He clenched his teeth, angry and feeling sickly. She even dreamed about him.
Kagome spoke his name again, and this time it was different. Her voice was upset, high and shrill. Not loud, for she was just talking in her sleep, but the tone had definately changed.
He looked back to her, frowning. Was she having a bad dream?
InuYasha watched as her face changed, becoming a frown. A line appeared between her brows, and she twitched.
She twitched again, and suddenly cried out, a sound of fear, and grief.
Blinking, InuYasha leaned forward, and grabbed her, shaking her. Whatever she was dreaming, it didn't sound good.
Now that she was awake, he watched her out of the corner of his eye. Why wouldn't she talk to him about it?
Her voice came to him...
"I will not allow her to hurt him! I'm not having anyone hurt him! No one!"
I'll be so damned glad when DarkWind is gone. Kagome's too close to him. I want him as far away from her as possible.
He cast about, trying to think of something to say to her, to get her talking.
Everything was too uncomfortable now. Just when he had finally thought things were looking up, Kikyo had to show up and shoot Kagome.
He felt a strange surge of annoyance. Why did Kikyo do that? He had told her it would hurt Kagome if DarkWind was taken from her. And...
Was it possible that Kikyo had been aiming for Kagome? Would Kikyo actually do that?
No. I can't believe Kikyo would intentionally try to hurt Kagome. I can't.
"Hey...Kagome?"
"Yeah?"
He looked at her, watched her face as she looked at him, waiting for him to speak.
"Would you...I mean..."
"InuYasha?"
"Why don't you...go back home for a bit?"
Kagome blinked, "What?"
"Well...I mean...there's nothing major going on here right now. And...when the fighting starts, you might not be able to go home for a long time. Why not go see your family now, while you can?" And stay away from DarkWind.
Kagome looked at him, uneasily, "You're talking like I might not see them for years. You don't think it's going to be that long a war, do you? I mean...that I would be so busy I can't go home for years?"
He felt a sudden, irrational anger, "How should I know? It's a war, Kagome, they don't usually get over in an afternoon, you know!"
She blinked, "I only asked! You don't have to bite my head off!"
"Well that was a stupid question."
"Well forgive me!"
Stop it! his mind suddenly yelled at him, Don't start screaming at her, what are you doing?!
But his anger and unease at her apparent affection for DarkWind came welling out as arrogance and anger, "Meh. Sometimes you're so stupid. I suppose you think this is going to be as easy as one of my usual battles, huh? Well it's not! They don't call it war for nothing! It might take days, weeks, months, even years!"
"I'm perfectly aware of how long 'war' can last, InuYasha! What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing! I'm fine! You're the one being stupid!"
Kagome glared at him, and stood up, "I think I'll go get some air somewhere else. There's a decided taint around here I don't like."
"Good!"
"Good!"
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
He watched, furious, as she turned, practically stomping away towards the forest, muttering dark things under her breath.
He was practically trembling in anger.
Why was she so stupid? Why was she getting affections for DarkWind? He was leaving. He'd be gone soon! While he, InuYasha, would always be there for her! Why wouldn't she listen to him, believe him? Had he really treated her that badly when Kikyo was around? She acted like he intentionally shoved his love for Kikyo in her face! Had run around, lying to her! He had never lied to Kagome about Kikyo!
Kagome's voice came to him, "You always came back, after she pushed you away!"
And the time she had told him she no longer loved him, in her world, "I'm not a floormat, InuYasha, that you can wipe your shoes on! I'm not some good old reliable bone that's always there when Kikyo walks away from you! I have some pride!"
InuYasha gouged his claws into the ground, needing to strike out at something, hard.
And what the hell was I doing, starting a fight? I want to show her I care, and then I jump on her like a cat on a mouse! I haven't learned anything! I'm still an utter idiot.
Why can't I just be normal?
The sun was starting to set, the stars just starting to come out. It was surprisingly cool, after the heat of the day, but that only made it comfortable.
Sesshomaru had spent the day walking the perimeter of the small fishing village, trying to get a feel for it. He still remembered the birds leading him here, and assumed something was wrong with the village. Something to do with Keimetsu, perhaps. Telling Jakken to stay with Rin, he silently walked the outter ring, trying to get a sense of the small place.
Nothing seemed odd. He picked up no scent of Keimetsu's taint, or even that of a demon.
Had he been wrong? Had the birds just been acting oddly, and he had followed them here for no reason?
He paused, looking into the village.
Men were just pushing their fishing boats up onto the shore for the night, having brought in their last catch of the day. They talked amongst themselves, tired and hungry.
The demon lord watched them in silence.
Humans were so pathethic. They toiled all day, sweating and bleeding, just to make enough to survive. They worked like insects to sustain themselves, and died early in their miserable lives.
Well. Before he left, he would pass through the village, for one last look around. Perhaps there was something actually inside he needed to see.
Bracing himself for the inevitable smell of fish, humans, and sweat, he stepped from the forest, and started moving along the small path, curiously watching.
The people within the village looked up, and saw him, moving through their village, and froze, shocked. The tall demon, like a silver flame, moved so casually along the path, many stopped and literally rubbed their eyes, certain they were seeing things.
When he was still there after a second look, things started to happen.
Some turned and ran, calling, "Demon! Demon!"
Others just stood, and stared, stunned. The demon's clothing was beautiful, this was obviously some sort of aristocrat or noble.
A few tensed, picking up small fishing sickles or hooked sticks, things they used for fishing, holding them out as if arming themselves.
None, however, actually approached him or even raised their 'weapons' threateningly.
Sesshomaru stopped, gazing around. The fishing village wasn't even a large, well to do, one. It was small, probably just holding it's own.
He saw absolutely nothing worth his interest here.
Sesshomaru turned, getting ready to leave, when he heard a woman laughing.
He froze.
Moving slightly, he looked over a shoulder, back the way he had heard the laugh.
It came again, a little louder this time.
Sesshomaru turned.
And stared, shocked, as Izumi stepped around the corner, carrying a bucket of water, a cup hanging from the side, followed by three small children. The children were looking up at her, giggling. One of them said something, and Izumi laughed again.
She was wearing a man's clothing, long loose trousers and loose simple shirt, the sleeves only coming to her elbows. Her long black hair was pulled back in a low-slung ponytail, with leather ties all down her ponytail at regular intervals. It swayed as she walked.
She looked very different...but it was definately Izumi.
His very first thought, upon seeing her, was, Why will she not stay where I put her?
Lord Sesshomaru turned, and started walking towards her, trying to hide the shock he was feeling.
The men, watching, suddenly cried out a warning, and the children and Izumi looked up, and saw the Demon Lord walking towards them.
The children shrieked, one turning and running back towards the huts. The others fell back, frightened.
Izumi looked up, and saw Lord Sesshomaru walking towards them, and dropped the bucket, shocked.
Sesshomaru stopped not 10 feet from her, just staring, unable to understand what he was seeing. And the look on Izumi's face only heightened his confusion.
She looked...frightened.
They stood that way, each staring at the other, not moving, like two statues on the sandy beach.
The bucket of water fell from her hands, to hit the sand, water splashing out onto her feet.
The touch of the water brouht her out of her shock, and she suddenly turned, reaching out. She grabbed up a long bamboo staff leaning against the nearest boat, used for hanging a lantern on, and turned back, facing the Demon Lord, staff out before her.
She set her feet, eyes intent on his face, and spoke to the children, "Hurry, get back to the huts. I won't let him harm you."
The children turned, running back, crying, terrified.
Sesshomaru watched the children run off, keeping his face a smooth, impassive mask while inside he was so utterly confused he felt annoyed. He turned his gaze back to her.
" 'Won't let'? And why would I have any interest in attacking human young?"
Izumi did not move, just watched him, warily, over the staff in her hands. Sesshomaru gazed back at her. There was no recognition in her eyes whatsoever, and he was irritated to see there was some fear.
"Shisuta?" A man came running up, shocked at the presence of Sesshomaru. He stood beside the woman, and in his hand was an old sword, "Shisuta, what is going on?"
"Whatever you want here," Izumi said, "You cannot have. Please, just leave us be. We want no trouble."
Sesshomaru arched a brow, "Want? Lady Izumi, what on earth would I desire from this pathethic village that teems with humans and reeks of fish?"
"Then why are you here?" she asked him. The man, standing beside her, spoke, "Shisuta, lower your weapon, please, before he harms you."
Sesshomaru turned his attention more closely on the human man. He stood beside Izumi, watching Sesshomaru with a look of unease, but determination.
" 'Shisuta'?" Sesshomaru spoke. He looked back to Izumi, "My Lady, are you still unable to remember who you are?"
Izumi fell silent, watching, wary. The human man spoke to Sesshomaru, "Please. Leave us be."
Lord Sesshomaru watched Izumi in silence, drawing his golden gaze from her eyes down to her feet, and back up again.
He seemed to make up his mind about something, for her suddenly turned, and walked back the way he had come, heading up the beach, walking calmly.
Uneasily, Shisuta and Yuji lowered their weapons, and watched, feeling they hadn't seen the last of that demon.