Contrary to what Ran might have believed, Kikyo really did care. Though mostly it was for reasons he might not have agreed with. No one could lay a hand on his Ran. To leave a mark on his face, or any other part of his body, for that matter. It made no difference whether it was deserved or invited; it was still a trespass.

Ran didn't know what Kikyo had done to the man who'd shot him, that fatal night in Sendai seven years ago.

Kikyo matched Ran's cold smirk with a smile that was deceptively warm.

"Of course I care," he said. "Why wouldn't I?"