"This is nice… no more running on foot," Kagetsu said comfortably, seated on Kuromaru's back with Kikyo in his arms.
"You were in such a hurry to send Enju back to the shrine… don't tell me this was your real goal?" Kikyo glanced up at him, rolling her eyes slightly.
"Of course," Kagetsu replied without hesitation, tightening his arms around her. "She was hogging my spot earlier. I had to run the whole way."
"…Honestly."
Kikyo was briefly speechless,then let out a soft laugh, her clear voice drifting through the air.
"Miss Kikyo and Lie really get along well…"
Sango watched the two of them ahead, her eyes filled with a hint of envy as she sat on Kirara's back.
"Sango… I could hold you too," Miroku said from behind her, glancing at the large Hiraikotsu resting between them with mild frustration.
Sango froze.
Her cheeks flushed faintly as she stole a glance at the pair ahead.
After a moment's hesitation…
She quietly shifted the Hiraikotsu aside.
Just as she braced herself,
Her body suddenly stiffened.
She looked down.
Miroku's hand,
Had landed squarely on her backside.
Smack!
A crisp slap echoed through the forest, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
A bright red handprint appeared on Miroku's cheek.
"You shameless monk! Pervert! Idiot!"
Sango's face burned red as she snatched up the Hiraikotsu and slung it back over her shoulder. It was unclear whether her expression was more anger or embarrassment.
Miroku rubbed his cheek, forcing an awkward smile.
"You moved your weapon aside… I thought that meant you,"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence!"
"Tch. That idiot's at it again," Inuyasha muttered, glancing back while carrying Kagome.
Kagome sighed, long since used to the scene.
"That's just how they are…"
"Yeah, Miroku's hopeless," Shippō added from Inuyasha's shoulder.
"What happened?" Kikyo asked, glancing back at the commotion. "Did they argue?"
Kagetsu chuckled.
"Want the full story?"
He quickly explained what had just happened.
Kikyo listened,
Then couldn't help but laugh.
"…Does Miroku truly not understand a woman's feelings? To do that at a moment like that…"
"He's a full-time lecher," Kagetsu added with a grin. "Sees a pretty woman, grabs her hand, asks her to bear his child,and if that fails, he goes for the backside."
"…Is that so?" Kikyo blinked in surprise, glancing at Miroku, who was now desperately apologizing to Sango.
"He's always been quite respectful around me."
"He's probably afraid you'll purify him with an arrow," Kagetsu said lightly.
"Then… aren't you afraid of that too?" Kikyo asked, her lips curving into a teasing smile.
"Not really," he replied casually. "You already shot me once when we first met."
"You still remember that?"
A flash of memory crossed Kikyo's eyes as she lightly punched his chest.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you? With your strength, you could have avoided it easily,but you pretended to collapse and nearly scared me to death."
"Of course I did," Kagetsu admitted shamelessly. "I'm a villain, after all."
He grinned.
"So I kidnapped you to get my revenge."
"You,!"
Kikyo's cheeks flushed faintly as she gave him another light punch.
"I'm not speaking to you anymore, you shameless villain."
Kagetsu was about to tease her again,
When his expression suddenly sharpened.
Without hesitation, he drew a shuriken and flung it forward while forming hand seals.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
The single shuriken split into dozens midair, scattering like a storm of steel through the forest.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Several strange, wasp-like creatures were pinned to the trees.
Naraku's poison insects.
"…Mōryōmaru."
Everyone's expressions tightened instantly.
"So we're on the right track," Inuyasha said, baring his fangs in anticipation. "Those things only show up when Naraku's nearby."
"He must be watching us," Miroku added, his tone turning serious.
Kagetsu flicked his fingers.
A blade of wind shot out, slicing another insect in half.
"Let him watch," he said calmly. "I'm more curious what kind of 'welcome' he's preparing."
"…Shouldn't we change routes?" Shippō asked nervously. "What if it's a trap?"
"No need."
Kagetsu snorted.
"He relies on tricks because he lacks the strength to face us head-on."
Inuyasha grinned, gripping Tessaiga.
"Good. I'll cut him down wherever he's hiding."
Sango and Miroku exchanged a glance before nodding.
"Then let's move."
As they pressed on, the number of poison insects increased.
Some came in small clusters.
Others in swarms.
Naraku was clearly tracking their every move.
Eventually, the dense forest thinned.
The view opened wide.
Rice fields stretched across the land, dotted with small villages. In the distance, a castle rose above the landscape.
"There's a village ahead!" Kagome said brightly. "Finally, we can see people again!"
"Let's stop there," Kagetsu said, scanning the area. "We can restock,and gather information."
Kikyo nodded.
"If Naraku is nearby, something unusual must have happened here."
They dismounted.
Kuromaru was dismissed, and Kirara returned to her smaller form in Sango's arms.
After tidying themselves, the group began walking toward the settlement.
Then,
The sound of galloping hooves thundered across the ground.
Everyone turned.
A cavalry unit charged past.
The riders wore standard armor, swords hanging at their sides,
But what stood out most,
Were the firearms strapped to their mounts.