Chapter 36 - Suiko: This Dog Doesn't Look Like a Good Demon!
"Is it done?"
In just an instant, the spiritual energy around Suiko dissipated, and a hint of fatigue settled into her aura.
Hearing the voice behind her, Suiko turned around, her face slightly pale. She nodded and said, "It's done. Wait here a moment—I'll go get you a Sacred Tree branch."
This woman…
She's turning her back to me just like that?
Isn't she afraid I might take the chance to attack her?
She's supposed to be someone many demons want dead, right?
Entrusting her back to a demon like me—was she just being naive, or was she testing me?
Renji's mind flashed through these thoughts as he watched Suiko walk away. An hour later, just as he was wondering if she'd run off, Suiko returned with Kirara and the Sacred Tree branch. She handed it to Renji and said, "I sealed the power into this branch. Just take it back with you. Also, here's a bento for you. You've been working all afternoon."
"I'm not eating."
Renji took the Sacred Tree branch but didn't even glance at the bento Suiko handed him.
"No! This is from the villagers. I can't finish it all myself, so I brought your share too. You have to eat it. Otherwise, it's a waste."
Suiko looked at Renji with determination in her eyes. Clearly, she wanted him to eat it.
Even though she'd already given him the Sacred Tree branch as payment, Renji had worked hard all day—carrying wood, helping build the well. What would've taken days was finished in one afternoon. The villagers had prepared food and entrusted it to Suiko.
They had wanted to invite Suiko to eat in the village, but she had declined—because of Renji.
This was her way of showing thanks. How could Renji just reject it?
Suiko practically shoved the bento into his hands.
"Ah?! So much food! Look, there's so much meat too!"
"…"
Renji glanced at the bento, then up at Suiko. This girl… seemed a bit unhinged.
Was she really the same Suiko—the miko who fought demons for days and hated evil with a passion?
She didn't seem that different from an ordinary girl.
But according to the manga, Suiko's death seemed tied to a man who had a secret crush on her. Many men were infatuated with her, but one man in particular harbored deep darkness in his heart. He eventually merged with a demon and lured Suiko into a cave. There, she fought the demon for seven days and seven nights. In the end, on the verge of being devoured, she unleashed her final burst of spiritual power and merged herself and the demon into the Shikon Jewel.
Even after her body died, her soul continued battling within the jewel.
It was kind of similar to how things started with Naraku and Kikyo.
"What kind of demon are you, anyway? And why are you still wearing fur in this heat? Isn't it hot?"
"That's my tail."
Renji answered flatly, motioning for Suiko to move her hand away.
"Heh… It's pretty soft."
Suiko laughed awkwardly and withdrew her hand.
"Dog demon?"
Suiko suddenly realized—based on the features, he seemed to be from the dog demon clan.
"Yeah."
Renji nodded, then opened the bento. It wasn't as extravagant as Suiko had claimed, but after a moment of hesitation, he still took a bite.
"See? You can eat after all."
"…Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much? Mikos and demons are enemies. After this Sacred Tree business, we might become enemies. So don't—"
Renji didn't even get to finish before Suiko cut him off: "See, that's your prejudice. Humans and demons don't have to be enemies. Humans and humans, demons and demons—they're not automatically friends either. I just wanted someone to talk to. If you find me annoying, I'll shut up."
Still a chatterbox.
Renji mentally slapped another label onto Suiko.
But in her heart, Suiko felt a little disappointed. As a powerful miko, she was admired by all in the human world.
Demons feared her—and wanted her dead.
Sometimes, Suiko felt incredibly lonely.
She had the power to protect everyone, and those she protected admired her. But that admiration created a wall between them.
Meeting Renji had been unexpected, but after helping each other, she thought maybe they could be friends. Renji's response, however, made her realize he wasn't interested in that.
Could it be… that humans and demons really couldn't be friends?
For a moment, Suiko fell into quiet doubt. But the next second, her eyes lit up with determination. She made up her mind, looked up, and stared at Renji while eating.
"What's with this woman?"
She was eating while staring at him. Renji buried his head and kept eating, not looking her way, but he still couldn't help glancing up now and then to see if she was still staring.
And of course, she was.
Even when she stopped talking, she just kept watching him with those burning eyes. It made his skin crawl.
[Demon Renji]: [Guys, I think I've been targeted by a woman. How do I shake her off?]
[Naruto Renji]: [What the hell? You're getting into a relationship already? Bro, I'm jealous!]
[One Piece Renji]: [Who is it?]
[Demon Renji]: [Suiko… And no, I'm not getting into a relationship! She's just… kind of intense.]
[Mundane Renji]: [Yo? Suiko—the one who created the Shikon Jewel? You got this, bro. What are you afraid of? Go for it! Sengoku-era demon x miko romance! Let's go!]
What is there to think about?
Just go for it!
[Demon Renji]: [Dude, humans live like a hundred years. What kind of relationship would that even be?]
[One Piece Renji]: [Chill, we'll get you some Pure Gold or something. If you like her, go for it. Worried about lifespan? Just toss her into the Sacred Tree or whatever.]
[Naruto Renji]: [If you keep hesitating, I'm gonna lose respect for you!]
In the world of Inuyasha.
He wanted to explain himself, but in the end, didn't know how.
He wasn't trying to fall in love with Suiko!
He'd joined the chat to get advice on how to get rid of her, okay?!
He looked up again—and saw Suiko still staring at him with that same unwavering gaze. Finally, Renji sighed and asked, "What exactly do you want?"
"Let's be friends!"
Suiko just wanted a friend. Someone she could talk to.
"Like the kind who can talk to each other, and sometimes help each other out—just like earlier. And, actually, I've been wanting to travel this world. Would you like to come with me?"
Suiko wasn't just speaking on a whim. She had always wanted to explore the world. But back then, she couldn't leave because of her responsibilities with the demon-hunting village, and also because she didn't want to travel alone.
So, in the end, she buried that desire. But now, with Renji here, she wanted to be friends with him—and travel the world together with a friend.
Besides, she could tell. Renji, just like her, carried a lonely soul.
Maybe… both of them longed for friendship?
"Sorry, Dad… Looks like I need to travel a bit before I can get to you."
Renji fell silent for a moment. Looking at Suiko's hopeful eyes, he figured Inu no Taisho could probably manage a little longer without him.
If he went now, he might not be able to help much anyway. Better to travel a bit, get stronger, and then head to the battlefield.
And honestly, he was curious. If he got involved in Suiko's life… what would change?
Friends, huh…
In this demon world, Renji didn't really have any. As Inu no Taisho's son and the young lord of the Castle of the Dog, his status alone created distance between him and most others.
He was always surrounded by flatterers or demons afraid of him—or of his father. Even Sesshōmaru, most of the time, was more of a rival than a companion.
"I'm Suiko. What's your name?"
"Renji."
"Mhm! Renji, what kind of dog demon are you?"
"…?"
You can just not talk, you know?!
Renji turned his head and stared at Suiko. Was this woman calling him a dog?
Though… technically, she wasn't wrong.
"Probably a big white dog? Your tail is white and fluffy."
Now that she had her first real friend, Suiko suddenly became super talkative. Even Kirara on the side looked a little surprised—clearly shocked by how much Suiko was saying today.
"Suiko, stop touching my tail!"
"...?"
Suiko turned her head like she'd unlocked a new instinct. Her hand, almost automatically, reached back to touch it again. The more he told her not to, the more she wanted to.
But she thought to herself—if she scared Renji away after finally making a friend, wouldn't that be a huge loss?
As for why Renji agreed to travel with Suiko—part of it was because her words hit something in him too. He also wanted a friend. Part of it was curiosity—how would his involvement affect Suiko's fate? Would she still become the Shikon Jewel?
Besides, with alternate world Renjis around, he could just rely on them to get power later. Even if Suiko didn't become the Shikon Jewel, it wouldn't mess up the plot too badly.
And the Shikon Jewel storyline didn't even begin for years. No need to rush.
The last reason was Suiko's strength. At first, Renji had only come for some Sacred Tree branches. But now, with Suiko at his side, he could go challenge powerful demons for rare materials.
Since he was going to forge a great sword, he might as well gather everything he could. This sword—he didn't plan to ever replace it.
"Let's head out today then. Is there any place you want to go?"
Suiko wanted to hear Renji's thoughts first.
If it were up to her, she'd just start wandering aimlessly.
"Horai Island."
"Is there some important reason you need to go there?"
Suiko asked curiously.
"I need to forge a demon blade," Renji said. Seeing Suiko still looking confused, he explained, "Every fifty years, the barrier around Horai Island weakens. When that happens, the Four War Gods attack. I want to defeat them—and use their remains to forge my demon blade."
Using the corpses of powerful demons to forge a sword—of course that would be ideal. Back then, Renji wasn't strong enough to take on the Four War Gods, so he didn't act.
But with Suiko's strength beside him, they could absolutely take them on.
"So you're just using me as a hired sword?"
Suiko gave Renji a pointed look. So that was it—he saw her as muscle.
"Aren't you the type who hates evil? The Four War Gods kill innocent people. You'd be helping the world. I'm also helping the world. We both are. We're heroes with bright futures!"
"Didn't expect you to be this kind of big dog."
This guy…
So obviously smug. No wait—he wasn't hiding it at all.
"Suiko, you're not scared, are you?"
"Who said I'm scared?! I've heard of the Four War Gods too. If that's the case, then let's go!"
Watching Suiko's back as she walked ahead, Renji couldn't help but smirk. Ah, the good old bait-and-challenge trick—it really works on naive girls like her.
Stop pretending to be all cold and aloof. Honestly, dropping the Sesshōmaru act made him feel way more relaxed.
Trying to mimic that guy's stoicism was exhausting. It was better to just be himself.
"Wait a minute—you're totally using me!"
Suiko suddenly stopped mid-step, her mind catching up. Something felt off—wasn't this dog up to no good?
This dog really didn't seem like a good demon at all!
"We're friends. How could it be called 'using'? Look at it this way: we're working together to eliminate evil demons. You purify them anyway, right? Instead of wasting their remains, I repurpose them. Win-win! You save Horai Island, the villagers will thank you and sing your praises. Isn't that great?"
"How come you didn't talk this much before…"
Suiko muttered under her breath, but didn't argue anymore. Thinking about it differently, Renji's logic kind of made sense.
With Suiko convinced, one human, two demons took off toward Horai Island.
"Renji, Kirara's tired. Can I ride on your tail?"
"No."
Renji looked at Suiko's sparkling eyes and turned her down without hesitation.
This woman was clearly up to something.
"Renji… you wouldn't want to waste time and miss the window for Horai Island, right?"
Suiko said in a low, threatening tone. After these few days together, their relationship had grown a lot.
She'd come to realize that Renji only looked cold on the outside. Inside, he was a snarky, mischievous type.
Suiko herself was a bit of a chatterbox—and maybe a little scheming too.
"My tail's off limits. But carrying you is probably fine…"
"Hey hey hey, put me down!!"
Hoisting Suiko onto his shoulder, Renji caught a brief flicker of panic in her eyes. She struggled for a moment and muttered to herself—this isn't how the scene was supposed to go!
Seeing her like that, Renji chuckled inside. This girl thought she could threaten him?
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