As Uchiha Lie was still deep in thought, he and Kikyo followed the Demon Slayer leader into a heavily guarded building near the center of the village.
The atmosphere inside was tense.
Several armed Demon Slayers stood at attention. Their eyes were sharp, their hands resting lightly on their weapons. Even before seeing the altar, Lie could sense it—an oppressive, sticky presence in the air.
In the center of the room stood an altar.
On top of it rested a wooden box wrapped tightly with multiple layers of shimenawa ropes and talismans. The ropes were meant to suppress evil energy. Paper seals fluttered faintly in the air, trembling as if struggling against something unseen.
But the moment Lie stepped closer, he frowned.
Even without any spiritual training, he could tell—
The suppression methods were failing.
A dense, murky aura seeped out from the box like smoke. It coiled in the air, thick and suffocating. The darkness wasn't subtle; it was practically overflowing.
"This is where we store the shard of the Shikon Jewel," the leader explained gravely.
"Since the jewel shattered, many demons obtained fragments. Their strength increased drastically. They began attacking nearby villages. After we slay those demons, we retrieve the shards and seal them here."
His voice carried pride, but also concern.
"We guard them carefully to prevent others from stealing them."
Kikyo stepped forward slowly. Her brows furrowed slightly as she stared at the box.
"With such a heavy evil aura… these shards are already deeply tainted."
Her tone was calm but firm.
The Demon Slayers immediately tensed. The subtle shift in their posture did not escape Lie's notice. Fingers tightened around sword hilts. Eyes sharpened.
They were ready.
Ready in case Kikyo was lying.
Ready in case she tried to seize the shard.
Kikyo ignored their suspicion.
She stepped up to the altar and gently removed the lid of the box.
Inside lay several fragments of the Shikon Jewel—once translucent pink, now stained a deep, almost ink-black color.
The darkness clung to them like oil.
Kikyo reached in and lifted one shard into her palm.
The moment she touched it, the evil aura flared violently.
The Demon Slayers' grips tightened.
But then—
A pure white glow erupted from Kikyo's hand.
Her spiritual power flowed outward, clean and radiant. It was not aggressive. It was not violent. It was gentle yet absolute.
The black corruption writhing around the shard began to melt away like frost under sunlight.
Within seconds—
The shard returned to its original soft pink hue.
The room fell into stunned silence.
"It is purified," Kikyo said simply.
She placed the shard back into the box. The oppressive aura that once filled the room had thinned drastically.
"As long as these shards are not touched by demons or humans with wicked hearts, they will remain pure."
Her voice was steady, without pride.
The Demon Slayers stared at her in disbelief.
"To purify it so easily…"
"Such spiritual power…"
Even the leader was visibly shaken.
He stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Are you truly the priestess Kikyo from fifty years ago?"
"Yes," she replied calmly.
Beside her, Lie straightened slightly, adopting a quiet protective stance. Combined with the massive Black Bear Demon waiting outside under illusion control, the sight made Kikyo appear even more mysterious.
The leader bowed again.
"Lady Kikyo, thank you. We are deeply grateful."
He quickly turned to his subordinates. "Prepare a feast at once to welcome Lady Kikyo properly!"
"There is no need," Kikyo said immediately.
Her refusal was firm.
"We did not come for hospitality. I only wish to learn the origin of the Shikon Jewel."
Her eyes grew distant.
"Back then, I was entrusted to purify and guard it. But I never learned where it truly came from."
The leader paused, considering her request.
After a moment, he nodded.
"Very well. Follow me."
---
They walked through the village once more.
As they passed between buildings, a small blur of yellow darted out from behind a house and landed lightly in front of them.
It was small and fluffy, with golden fur marked by black stripes. Two large tails swayed behind it gracefully.
Kirara.
Lie recognized her instantly.
Once the companion of the shrine maiden Midoriko, and now Sango's loyal partner.
His gaze sharpened slightly.
If Kirara was here, then perhaps—
He tried to sense it.
A faint presence. Tiny. Almost undetectable.
Just as he suspected.
A small voice suddenly called out—
"Miss Kikyo! Miss Kikyo!"
A flea-sized demon leaped from Kirara's fur onto Kikyo's shoulder.
"Grandpa Myoga?" Kikyo said in surprise.
Lie's lips curved faintly.
So the old flea had been listening all along.
Myoga bowed dramatically from Kikyo's shoulder.
"I heard rumors of the Shikon Jewel's fragments and followed the trail here! I never expected to find you, Miss Kikyo!"
The leader blinked in confusion.
"And this… creature?"
"A friend," Kikyo answered gently.
Myoga bowed again nervously toward the leader. "Forgive my intrusion."
The leader waved awkwardly. "No… it's fine."
Myoga then glanced toward Lie.
"And you as well… I did not expect to see you here."
Lie smiled faintly.
"Kikyo is collecting the shards. I am ensuring her safety."
As they spoke, they arrived at the edge of the village.
Ahead lay a cave entrance.
It was simple. Unremarkable. Dark.
The leader stopped before it.
"The Shikon Jewel first appeared from within this cave."
Kikyo's eyes widened slightly.
"This cave?"
"Yes," the leader continued. "We Demon Slayers craft weapons and armor from demon bones and hides. The useless remains are discarded here."
He looked toward the shadowed entrance.
"This cave has long been filled with demon remains."
The wind blew softly from within the cavern, carrying with it a faint, ancient scent.
Kikyo stepped closer.
She never imagined that the object which shaped her entire destiny—
The jewel that caused betrayal.
The jewel that led to Naraku's birth.
The jewel that caused her death—
Was born in such an ordinary, forgotten place.
The cave stood silent.
But deep within—
Something ancient lingered.
The origin of everything.
And perhaps—
The truth she had never known.
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