The next day, morning sunlight fell on the shrine of Kaede Village. The air smelled of dew and earth. The demons from last night seemed to have left little shadow on this small village. The villagers had already begun their work, their calls echoing across the fields.
Only in the backyard of the shrine, the atmosphere was a bit unusual.
Swish—
A white-feathered arrow shot through the air, striking the red center of the target fifty paces away.
Kikyō stood beneath the veranda. She had just bathed, carrying a faint scent of soap. Her white top was as white as snow. The wide sleeves slid back as she released the arrow, revealing pale forearms, her skin so fine it seemed nearly translucent in the morning light.
Since she was practicing at home, she hadn't bound the front of her robes tightly. When she drew the longbow, the muscles of her shoulders and back tensed and opened, the normally loose top clinging to her form. In that instant, the fabric outlined a breathtaking curve.
Though usually hidden by the generous cut of her shrine maiden robes, Kikyō's figure was actually quite fine. The swell of her breast was full and round, trembling slightly with each breath, casting faint shadows beneath the white fabric. The red hakama were tied at her waist, cinching a slender, flexible waist. Below, even through the thick fabric, one could sense the long, straight lines of her legs.
Beautiful beyond compare. And cool enough to deter any profanation.
…But Shinji dared to profane, because he wasn't human.
"Wow! You hit it! Again!" A cheer broke the quiet tranquility.
Two figures ran quickly toward the target. One in red-and-white shrine maiden attire, Momiji, One in blue-and-white, Botan.
These twin shrine maidens from the Tahōtō were now like two diligent little helpers, racing each other to pull the arrows from the target.
"Lady Kikyō's archery is incredible!" Botan ran back with the arrows, her face full of admiration. "You don't even aim, you just raise your hand and hit the bullseye!"
Momiji, though quieter, also followed behind with a few arrows, carefully wiping them clean before placing them back in the quiver. Her eyes were full of respect.
They hadn't left. The Tahōtō was gone. Their master was gone. The senior sister who had misled them was gone. After crying their hearts out last night, the two homeless girls made a decision, to stay here.
In their words: "To atone for our sins and repay Lady Kikyō and Lord Shinji for saving our lives, we have decided to stay and help protect the Shikon Jewel!"
They had folded faster than anyone. But anyone could see that these two young shrine maidens just wanted a new refuge.
To this, Kikyō hadn't objected. Shinji didn't mind either. Which was why they were here now.
At the same time, little Kaede sat on a small stool nearby, holding a plate of freshly washed wild fruits.
"Brother Shinji, Sister Kikyō, Sister Momiji, Sister Botan, have some fruit!"
The little girl was all smiles. Before, she had been too lonely. Even though her sister doted on her, she was always busy exorcising demons and training. And her sister's personality was too cold; it was hard to play with her.
Now suddenly there were two lively big sisters who could perform all kinds of paper doll tricks, Kaede was overjoyed.
"Thank you, little Kaede!" Botan grabbed a fruit and stuffed it into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out like a hamster's.
Momiji was more restrained, but she couldn't help reaching out to pinch Kaede's cheek.
The three girls huddled together, chattering, adding a bit of warmth to this usually quiet shrine.
Shinji leaned against a pillar of the main shrine hall, watching this scene. His crimson pupils narrowed slightly. He thought this scene was quite nice. Really nice.
Two extra hands could also share some of Kikyō's burden. At least the daily chores, the cleanup of low-tier demons, and the basic maintenance of the village barrier, these two shrine maidens, with their formal training, could handle.
Kikyō shot her last arrow, lowered her bow, and turned. Her eyes met Shinji's gaze. The girl paused briefly, then looked at the three girls playing together, a softness appearing in her eyes.
She walked to Shinji's side.
"They're noisy," Kikyō said softly, but there was no disdain in her voice.
"A little noise is good." Shinji reached out and naturally tucked a strand of hair, blown astray by the wind, behind her ear. "It's lively."
Kikyō didn't pull away, letting his fingers touch her cheek.
"Yes," she replied.
They stood side by side, watching the play in the yard. Peaceful days. It seemed everything had settled.
But Shinji knew this was just the calm before the storm.
The string of black prayer beads in his robe still faintly radiated coldness, he was trying to wear down the resentment within with his demonic aura. It was a slow process.
And what made him more wary was the wind from the north.
When he had returned last night, he had deliberately taken a detour to look. That smell. The smell of gunpowder. And that, even from hundreds of miles away, the hair-raising feeling of that 'divine artifact power.'
"What are you thinking about?" Kikyō, sharp as ever, noticed his shift in mood.
Shinji lowered his hand and looked north.
"Uesugi," he said. "Our retreat before was just a strategic pause. That female general named Kakizaki Kageie is dead, but that won't scare off the woman called the 'God of War.' Instead, it might, excite her even more."
Kikyō's hand on her bow tightened.
"You mean… Uesugi Kenshin, the ruler of Echigo, will come personally?"
"Without a doubt." Shinji was certain.
According to Imagawa Yoshimoto, that woman who called herself the incarnation of Bishamonten, having raised the banner of 'exorcism,' would not slink back in defeat after losing a general.
They would have much to do.
But.
"That's fine." He had long been prepared, had his countermeasures.
Shinji smiled, a smile with the edge of a Shura. His condition had never been better. Lightning-Muscle Sharp Body was completely stable. The cat demon's paw had unlocked Soul Summoning. The Kantō land's recognition was increasing.
He looked at Kikyō beside him. That feat of 'borrowing the sun' last night had refreshed his understanding of his lover's strength.
If before, facing an opponent like Uesugi Kenshin, especially with her forces, he might have considered avoiding direct confrontation.
But now.
"Let her come, then." Shinji's hand rested on Muramasa at his waist. "I'd also like to see if this Bishamonten… is truly a god