Panel 7
Kagome leans in to kiss Koinu.
Koinu: Yeah, this is definitely getting to be boy and girl.
Panel 8
Kagome and Koinu are mid-kiss, eyes wide in surprise.
Mama Higurashi: Kagome?
Panel 9
Kagome is standing near her window, the curtains blowing in the breeze. Mama Higurashi is peeking around the door, looking concerned.
Mama Higurashi: Kagome, I heard a noise. Is everything all right?
Kagome: Fine, Mama. It was getting warm in here, so I just opened the window…
Page 17
Panel 1
Dateline: Tokyo, 2009. Morning. Auley is sitting on the bed of what is presumably his hotel room
Auley: Um…moshi moshi.
Panel 2
Dateline: CHICAGO, NIGHT. A shot of Mona, on the phone with Auley.
Mona: Moshi-moshi to you, too. Auley, what the hell are you doing in Japan?
Panel 3
Close-up of Auley, looking slightly guilty while talking on the phone.
Auley: Um…investigating a guy who may or may not be a cold-blooded killer…
Panel 4
Close-up of Mona in Chicago, looking slightly miffed at Auley. Their phone conversation continues.
Mona: Wrong-o. You are trying to get your good friend Lord Inuyasha to tell his brother his freaking sword has been stolen. We don't give a shit whether he's a cold-blooded killer.
Panel 5
Shot of Auley, who is now sitting on the bed while talking on the phone.
Auley: Yeah, I know, Mona. I know. It's okay, we're almost there. Some interesting things have turned up. Did Mattie talk to you?
Panel 6
Shot of a very annoyed Mona, with a slightly guilty Mattie standing behind her. The phone-dialog continues.
Mona: Oh, yes, Mattie's had a lot to say. Auley. I would like you to wind this up and get back here. "Here" being Chicago. We have a…situation here.
Panel 7
Shot of Mona, still on the phone with Auley. Behind him are Mattie, Elizabeth, and Roger. Auley's voice intrudes over the phone.
Auley: "Situation." What…why are you in Chicago?
Mona: It seems that our little brother Matthew has…a boyfriend.
Panel 8
Shot of Auley, looking slightly annoyed and amused.
Auley: …Mona. D'you remember the day Matt came home and told us he was giving up both ballet and interior design to concentrate on musical theater? On that day I said to myself, I sez, "Auley," I sez, "One o' these days young Matt's going to be bringin' home a boyfriend."
Panel 9
Close-up of Mona, looking exasperated. Auley is a voiceover from the telephone.
Mona: Auley, I want to know when you plan to do what we're being paid to do!
Auley:…Tonight, babe. Really. I swear. Tonight's the night.
Page 18
Panel 1
Legend: Tokyo, Night. Kagome and Houjou are talking. Kagome is sitting at a desk, writing on papers.
Houjou: How's it going?
Kagome: Well, obviously I've been wasting all those hours in front of a classroom…
Houjou: Bad, huh?
Kagome: Bad doesn't begin to express it.
Panel 2
Shot of Houjou and Kagome, not quite looking at each other. Kagome is smiling at Houjou.
Houjou: I'm feeling a little restless. Might go out for a walk. Can I bring you anything?
Kagome: You're going out? I'll come with you.
Panel 3
Shot or Houjou and Kagome looking at each other. Kagome is smiling, while Houjou looks a bit concerned, but seems to be trying not to.
Houjou: I thought you had tests to grade.
Kagome: Not due until day after tomorrow. And the fresh air sounds like just what I need.
Panel 4
Shot of Houjou. He has the case that holds Tessaiga on his back, and is looking a bit nervous.
Houjou: Um, I don't want you to get behind…
Kagome: I won't. This will be a nice break for me. You're bringing Tessaiga?
Houjou: Uh…yeah. I'm used to carrying it.
Panel 5
Shot of Kagome grabbing a bow, while Houjou looks on from the background. He looks a bit baffled.
Kagome: Maybe I'll just grab a bow…
Houjou: Kagome, you can't walk around Tokyo Carrying A Bow And Arrows…
Kagome: No? I'll use a case, just like you do.
Panel 6
Houjou is looking at Kagome's back as she searches for something. She holds up a small plastic dart gun and smiles happily. Houjou looks confused and guilty.
Houjou: I was just going for a walk…
Kagome: You're just going out to meet Sesshoumaru. I'm coming with you. Oh! This will do. Plenty of firepower to let us get away if we have to. And much better for close range.
Panel 7
Houjou looks really edgy now, and a bit scared. Kagome is practically laughing at him as she gathers more plastic darts for her gun.
Houjou: I'm going for a walk. Really.
Kagome: Plus it fits right in my pocket! I'll bring a few spare darts. People like you shouldn't even try to lie. Where are we meeting him?
Panel 8
Houjou has switched tactics. He is now standing with arms crossed, trying to look forceful and refuse Kagome.
Houjou: I am meeting him. You are staying home and grading tests!
Kagome: No, I'm not. You're not heading into danger alone. Let's go.
Page 19
Panel 1
Houjou looks a bit deflated, and now Kagome is raising her eyebrows and looking angry.
Houjou: I'm not heading into danger. He and I have a truce.
Kagome: Then there's no reason for me not to come.
Houjou: Kagome…
Panel 2
Kagome and Houjou are outside the shrine now. Houjou is walking grumpily, carrying the covered Tessaiga on his back, while Kagome appears not to have a care in the world. She is carrying her dart gun in her hand.
Kagome: Oh, what a lovely night! A little chilly, maybe…
Houjou: I'm just going to talk to him. Get that De Dannan off our backs.
Kagome: Good. We can both talk to him. I need to discuss that warranty.
Panel 3
Close-up of Houjou and Kagome. They are walking past the God-Tree. Houjou has his head back in frustration.
Houjou: Kagome…Kagome, he's got Toukijin. He's calling me out.
Kagome: Third hand? I think not. Good thing, too. You can't transform Tessaiga. He'd kill you.
Panel 4
Shot of Kagome and Houjou walking further from the shrine. They are almost to the steps. They both look very serious.
Kagome: You think he's calling you out and you can't even draw your sword…
Houjou: I can't carry a naked katana in Tokyo. It's against the law. Sword's dull and rusty anyway.
Panel 5
Kagome and Houjou are at the bottom of the steps to the shrine. They have paused beneath the gate.
Kagome: Stop—we're going out of the wards.
Houjou: I can't, I have to meet…
Kagome: Shh…I'm feeling for youki.
Houjou: Ah. You getting anything?
Panel 6
Close-up of Kagome and Houjou. Kagome is staring off into space, while Houjou looks around a little closer to hand. He looks uneasy.
Kagome: Hm. Rouyakan.
Houjou: You sure? I'm not getting him. In the grove?
Kagome: Maybe two blocks from here. Probably heading for Samizdat, the youkai bar. He's been hanging out there.
Houjou: They just added a microbrewery. He likes high-end beer.
Kagome: Mmm. Me too.
Houjou: …Beer's beer. I'm going.
Kagome: I'm with you.
Panel 7
Kagome and Houjou are walking further from the shrine and down the street.
Kagome: Where are we going?
Houjou: Ginza.
Kagome: You're fighting him in the Ginza?
Houjou: I'm hoping not to fight him anywhere. He's a 700-year old taiyoukai, possibly carrying a 400-year-old daemon sword.
Panel 8
Close-up two-shot of Kagome and Houjou. Houjou looks serious, though a bit sarcastic, while Kagome looks a little worried.
Houjou: I won't stand a chance.
Kagome: That's why you have a wife.
Houjou:Who is pregnant and should be home behind the wards…
Kagome: …Knitting little things. Hey, are you getting anything?
Panel 9
Similar shot, but Houjou now has his nose to the wind, and Kagome is behind him, looking cautious.
Houjou: Hmm…Nothing.
Kagome: Yeah. Not even the little stuff…Kappas…nothing.
Page 20
Panel 1
Shot of Houjou and Kagome. Kagome is attempting to walk in front of him, but Houjou pulls her back with a hand on her shoulder.
Kagome: Word must be out that you two are facing off…
Houjou: Hey, get back here! Inuyasha does not stand behind a pregnant woman.
Panel 2
Houjou and Kagome have gotten on the train. Kagome is sitting down, and Houjou is standing with his hand on her shoulder.
Kagome: Well, he's not on the train.
Houjou: Of course he's not on the train. If he were going to take the train, he wouldn't take the train. He'd make Jaken do it.
Panel 3
Shot of the two, still on the train. Houjou is standing with both hands on Kagome's shoulders.
Houjou: Hey.
Kagome: Yeah?
Houjou: I love you. I love the baby. Whatever you do, don't let Sesshoumaru talk you into letting him raise the baby…
Kagome: Not going to be an issue.
Houjou: If things get rough, grab Tessaiga and get back to the shrine.
Kagome: Not going to be an issue.
Panel 4
Kagome and Houjou have gotten off the train and are walking through the Ginza.
Kagome: Where do we go?
Houjou: We walk. Window shop. He'll find us.
Panel 5
Kagome and Koinu have stopped near a window and are looking in at the mannequin displays while talking.
Kagome: Do you want me to just carry the sword?
Houjou: No. I'm 27 years old. Why bother? Maybe I should take it out and give you the scabbard, though.
Panel 6
Kagome and Houjou have turned to each other in front of the window and are taking the sword out of its scabbard.
Houjou: If the cops decide to confiscate this, things could get interesting.
Kagome: That's why you have a family full of police officers.