‘Who cares?’ ‘I’ve already transmigrated.
Why should I give a damn about the original story?
I’ll live however the hell I please.’ Inuyasha cleared those thoughts from his mind and wrapped an arm around Yura’s slender waist.
Amid the demoness’s delighted laughter, they retraced the same route they had taken into the tomb.
After returning to the forest in the living world, he picked up the Black Pearl and handed it to Yura.
“Keep it safe.
We may need to visit the Border of the Afterlife again someday.” “Inuyasha-sama, does this count as a token of love?” Yura blinked.
Under Inuyasha’s gradually heated gaze, she giggled and slipped the Black Pearl between her full breasts.
“That doesn’t look entirely secure.
Let me check whether it might fall out.” Inuyasha reached out with his naughty dog paws.
Dusk settled around them, while the forest breeze carried the scents of grass and damp earth.
The two began their journey home.
Inuyasha had come west for Tessaiga, and now he departed with the legendary sword hanging at his waist.
The conflict in the Western Lands had temporarily ended.
Toran, Royakan, and the other demons had scattered in different directions to carry out their assignments.
The search for resurrection arts and preparations for the new city were already underway.
Inuyasha’s only remaining task was to return to Kaede’s Village and enjoy life as a lord for a while.
His subordinates caused plenty of trouble along the way.
Some demons barged into the daimyo’s estate where Inuyasha had lived as a child, while others were slain by monks.
New reports arrived every few days.
Inuyasha handled the matters that only the leader could resolve and left everything else for his underlings to manage themselves.
He had built an organization to make his life easier, not to become everyone’s babysitter.
Traveling at a leisurely pace, the now-famous [Crimson Yasha] and [Black Enchantress] headed east toward Kaede’s Village.
Morning light and evening clouds took turns filling the sky as mountains and rivers slipped away beneath their feet.
…
Two months later, the setting sun painted the horizon orange-red as familiar scents rushed toward Inuyasha.
Kaede’s Village had finally arrived.
Inuyasha stood atop the hill at the village entrance.
He gazed at the cottages trailing cooking smoke, the silent Sacred Tree in the distance, and the farther hillside where Kikyo rested.
He released a long breath.
“I’m home.” Yura stood beside him and followed his gaze.
She felt none of his joy at returning home, but she had tied her fate to his and would follow wherever he went.
Inuyasha withdrew his gaze.
“The main force will arrive in a few days.
First, I’ll show you around so we can plan everything.
Once they arrive, you’ll serve as my chief steward.” Under his plan, the treasured Sacred Tree and Bone-Eater’s Well would become the rear garden of the lord’s residence.
The site of the original Kaede’s Village would become the future castle keep.
From there, they would gradually expand the inner and outer cities.
In this era, constructing such a mighty fortress would take several decades.
Inuyasha was in no hurry.
He had more than enough time to carefully shape his capital into exactly what he wanted.
By the time the city was finished, Kagome would probably have arrived.
She could move straight in and live there with him.
As for occupying Musashi Province—the land that would one day become Tokyo—anyone with an objection was welcome to argue their case with Tessaiga.
With their speed, it did not take long to survey the entire area.
Only after the moon had risen and silver light covered the village did Inuyasha push open the door to Kaede’s house.
A fire danced inside, and a pot of delicious fish soup bubbled above it.
Thick, savory steam rolled toward him.
Inuyasha sniffed the air and smiled at Kaede, who was kneeling beside the fire while tending the soup.
“Kaede, I’m back.” “Did you miss me?” “As if.
You said it would be years, but you came back before even three months had passed.” Kaede stirred the fish soup with a wooden ladle and gave him an annoyed sideways glance.
“I sensed another demonic aura the moment you returned.
Who came back with you?” Inuyasha walked over to the fire, picked up the empty bowl waiting nearby, and handed it to Kaede with an innocent smile.
“Just a friend.
I’ll introduce you when there’s a chance.” He had already spent plenty of energy convincing that demoness to willingly sleep beside the Sacred Tree tonight.
He could have brought Yura inside, but even Inuyasha was not stupid enough to bring his current girlfriend into his wife’s home and sleep there.
Time was a wonderful thing, and very little remained unchanged beneath its influence.
After they spent more time together and their relationships gradually changed, many things would naturally fall into place.
There was no need to rush headfirst into a romantic showdown.
“I kept thinking about your fish soup on the road.
Nothing smells as good as food from home.” Kaede accepted the bowl and filled it to the brim, though her words remained unforgiving.
“Save your flattery.
You’ve been feasting on delicacies out there.
How could you still remember my simple cooking?” “Of course I remember.” Inuyasha blew over the soup, took a sip, and narrowed his eyes with satisfaction.
“Mmm—your cooking is still the best.
The roasted meat those demons made in the Western Lands can’t compare with this soup.” The corner of Kaede’s mouth curved upward before she quickly flattened it again.
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she asked as casually as she could.
“Did you finish your business outside?” “All done.” Inuyasha gulped down the soup and answered indistinctly.
“I also picked up a few subordinates along the way.
Things around the village will become livelier from now on.” Kaede did not question him further.
She merely nodded and tossed another handful of wild vegetables into the pot.
Firelight illuminated her profile, making the eyepatch over her right eye look especially striking amid the shifting shadows.
Inuyasha smiled, drained the bowl, and handed it back.
“Another bowl.” Kaede called him a bottomless pit, but her hands had already accepted the bowl and filled it to the brim once again.
The fire crackled as steam from the fish soup filled the room.
Moonlight flowed like water beyond the door, while inside there was only a simple meal and the warmth of home.
Once he had eaten his fill, Inuyasha sprawled across the floor and rolled onto his side.
He pulled a small medicine jar from his clothes and casually placed it beside him.
“Here.
I found this while I was away.
Apply it to your eye, and it should restore your sight.” Kaede’s hands paused as she gathered the dishes.
Instead of looking at the jar, she stared at Inuyasha, who lay upon the floor with complete indifference.
Firelight danced across his silver hair, leaving his profile shifting between light and shadow.
He had spoken as casually as if he were merely commenting on the pleasant weather.
Emotion rippled through Kaede’s visible eye, and her throat moved slightly.
A long time passed before she lowered her gaze and resumed stacking the dishes.
“…I understand.” Inuyasha said nothing more.
He rolled over, turned his back to the fire, and closed his eyes.
Kaede washed the dishes, dried her hands, and sat down beside the wooden rack in the corner.
She lowered her gaze to the medicine jar, then picked it up and held it in her palm.
The container still carried the warmth left by Inuyasha’s body.
She did not open it.
After quietly holding it for a while, she tucked it inside her robes.
The fire gradually died down as night deepened and insects chirped outside.
Kaede turned and looked at the silver-haired half-demon, whose breathing had already settled into a steady rhythm.
Her lips moved slightly, but no sound emerged.
She turned back toward the moonlight outside the window.
Only after a very long time did she finally close her eyes.
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