It was far too muggy out for Kagome to resist any longer…with a polite inquiry she located the hot spring, though it required an artful dodge of Youko's offer to safely escort her.
"It is a private forest," she replied, eying his grin with a hint of familiarity—it reminded her of Miroku, and not in a good way. "So long as the two of you steer clear, what could I possibly run into?"
It was a challenging question, one which the kitsune rose to.
"A wayward root," he offered, "A steep ravine. Low hanging branches."
She laughed. "I know I'm clumsy, but even I can defeat those foes."
Youko settled back down with a shrug and a bemused smile. "If you must go on a quest I could find you more worthy opponents."
"You are as worthy as they come…and I'll ask you to grant this human some privacy."
He flopped to the floor in defeat. "With such kind words I must concede!"
Thus, armed with victory, and path lit with blossoms, Kagome set out to relax.
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