"That only happened a couple of times," a third voice said, a larger set youkai lumbering up behind the pair.
"People who go through my clothes don't get a say, Manten," she said, eyes narrowing.
Manten crossed his arms. "They were in the laundry basket. I was trying to help."
"With just the underwear?"
Golden eyes narrowed—puzzle pieces were beginning to fall into places, and he didn't like it.
The woman stomped up to Kikyou, shoving her palm in her face. "Give me the spare key. All of them." The trio looked at each other, Kikyou's lips pursed before they each handed over a key.
The woman sneered in disgust.
"What are you even doing at home," Kikyou asked, trying for some levity. "Normally you're knee-deep in your boring textbooks at the library at this time."
Cheeks flushed, the woman darted a looked over her shoulder, Sesshoumaru raising an eyebrow. "I wasn't feeling well, so I decided to stay home."
Manten immediately stepped forward. "Why didn't you say so? I'll take care of you—"
"That will not be necessary," Sesshoumaru said, intercepting the man's hand when he saw the woman visibly flinch. The trio jerked, as if just realizing he was there, Manten's beady eyes squinting as he looked between Sesshoumaru and his prey.
"Who's this?" he asked, tone rising.
"A friend."