Nanashi felt a slight jealousy brooding up within her when she watched King Hayate with Hiei. The two were unexpectedly companionable. Unexpectedly so, he was even allowed to eat at the head table next to the king like a guest of honor. An exonerated and glorified former pit fighter. Apparently the king reveled in watching him fight back in the day. After reading his mind, the king and his guard went with him personally to the widow of the man he killed to publicly exonerate him. The widow had been upset, even tried to attack Hiei. Ayane subdued her before Hiei or the king had the chance. Nanashi thought she could have been just as fast, if not faster.
Nanashi was at the head table still next to Jiro, but farther down the distance from the king. At least Yasha and Kurama sat with her, too. Helped move conversation along as Jiro was babbling less and frigid more. He seemed still offended by her previous comments.
Nanashi picked at her food, hardly wanting to eat. "... so tomorrow then? High noon?" Kurama said.
Nanashi glanced up at him, not sure what he meant, having not been following the conversation. Yasha gave her an elbow to her ribs. "I'm sorry, what?"
Kurama restated, "the cape of no return. We can burn it, but the evil that resides within it will be unleashed. The evil within needs something solid to reside in. If it is too long in the open air, it will dissipate into nothing. We need to destroy it out in the bright sun in a group. It should be weaker in the sunshine. As a group, it's less likely to latch onto one of us and possess us. Tomorrow we destroy it. You, me, Yasha, and Hiei."
"I can help," Jiro spoke up, voice almost cracking.
Nanashi kept her face neutral, hoping Kurama would tell him no. "The more the better, in this case," Kurama answered. "Only if you are willing to risk it."
"I am," Jiro answered in earnest. Nanashi stilled herself next to him, trying to hide her feelings. "I want to help the angel," he said formally.
"Tomorrow then," Nanashi agreed quietly and without any emotion. She heard the king roar in a fit of laughter. She scowled as she saw the king laughing with Hiei smirking next to him.