"If you truly want a peaceful life, then the only way is to help Kagome resolve the trouble with the Shikon Jewel."
Uchiha Kasage stared at Kikyo. As he spoke, he suddenly recalled the inevitable entanglement between her, Kagome, and Inuyasha. A faint, malicious smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"Stop staring at that half-yokai Inuyasha. He already has Kagome now. Whatever you had with him ended the moment you died."
"Shut up!"
Kikyo's expression instantly turned ice-cold. Spiritual power surged violently around her, and a streak of Demon-Breaking Power shot straight toward him like a flash of light.
Kasage didn't dodge.
He remained hanging upside down from the branch, completely still, allowing the attack to strike him directly.
*Thump.*
Her power exploded against his chest, blasting open a wound the size of a fist.
But in the next instant—
White dust gathered rapidly from all directions, swirling and condensing over the injury. The wound healed completely in the blink of an eye, leaving no trace behind.
Kikyo already knew she couldn't truly harm him.
Without hesitation, she turned and walked away.
Kasage watched her retreating figure, clicking his tongue in mild boredom.
He channeled chakra into his feet. His body flipped naturally, as if pulled by gravity, landing upright on the branch. Stretching lazily, he called out:
"For the strong, the boundary between life and death is meaningless. Compared to crossing time itself, stepping over life and death isn't difficult at all."
Kikyo stopped.
She didn't turn around.
"You… do you have a way to truly revive?" she asked quietly.
"Of course."
Kasage grinned casually.
"I'm not interested in staying in this dead shell forever."
"You…"
Kikyo turned sharply, as if wanting to ask more—but after a moment of hesitation, she swallowed her words.
"What? Want to ask how?" Kasage raised an eyebrow, clearly teasing her.
"…It's nothing."
She avoided his gaze and continued walking.
"I'll leave this place tonight."
Kasage watched her go, a faint smile lingering on his lips.
He was curious—
How long could this proud priestess endure before asking him?
---
Night fell.
The sky was pitch black.
Still lingering resentment from their earlier exchange kept Kikyo from calling him. Alone, she packed her belongings and quietly made her way toward the outskirts of the village.
By the river, she stopped.
Moonlight reflected across the water, casting a pale glow over her solitary figure.
Then—
Soft lights began to appear.
Countless faint white orbs drifted through the air like fireflies, slowly gathering around her.
As they drew closer, their forms became clear—Soul Collectors, pale and delicate, each carrying a faintly glowing human soul.
They circled her gently.
Kikyo raised a slender finger, catching one of the drifting souls.
"Poor soul… come with me," she whispered softly.
She guided it into her body.
This clay vessel required these souls to move—to exist.
"Is it because you cannot ascend to heaven that you remain in the human world, priestess?"
A voice broke the silence.
Kikyo's eyes sharpened instantly.
Master Harumi.
Before she could respond—
A sharp *whistling* tore through the night air.
A katana shot out of the darkness like a streak of lightning.
*Thud!*
It pierced straight through Harumi's chest, pinning him violently to the ground.
"Gah—!"
He coughed up blood, his hands trembling as they grasped the blade lodged within him.
Then—
Crackling lightning surged along the sword.
The current spread instantly through his body, freezing his muscles. He couldn't even scream.
"Old man… it seems you really didn't take my words seriously."
Kasage's voice descended from above, cold and merciless.
"So eager to die? Should I grant your wish?"
He dropped from the sky, landing beside the monk.
In the darkness, his Sharingan glowed crimson—cold, oppressive, like something inhuman. The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
"W-Who's there…?" a small, frightened voice trembled nearby.
Kikyo turned sharply.
In the grass, a girl—Sayo—was hiding, her body shaking.
Kasage had already noticed her earlier, but he didn't care.
He stepped forward, gripping the katana's hilt, and pulled it free. Blood dripped slowly from the blade.
He raised it again—
Aimed at Harumi's neck.
"Wait."
Kikyo's voice cut through the tension.
"There's a child."
Kasage paused.
He glanced over.
Kikyo had already brought Sayo out from the grass.
The girl sat frozen on the ground, her face pale with terror. When her eyes met Kasage's crimson gaze, her body jerked violently. Tears filled her eyes, but fear locked her voice in place.
Kasage clicked his tongue inwardly.
*She'll definitely have nightmares after this.*
"…Fine."
"For the child's sake, I'll spare him."
He lowered the blade and sheathed it.
Killing the monk meant nothing to him.
But doing so in front of a child—that, he avoided.
---
Kikyo knelt down, gently comforting Sayo until her trembling subsided.
Then she stood.
"Let's go," she said quietly.
"Miss Kikyo…"
Sayo's voice called out, trembling with reluctance.
Kikyo paused.
She turned back, offering a soft, gentle smile.
"I'm sorry… for leaving you with such a painful memory. Farewell, Sayo."
Then she turned—
And walked into the dark forest.
Kasage followed.
Soon, both of their figures disappeared into the night.
---
The forest was quiet.
Only the sound of insects and their footsteps filled the air.
Kasage glanced at the Soul Collectors circling Kikyo, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
They were small, pale, and softly glowing—almost beautiful compared to the grotesque forms of most yokai.
He reached out to touch one—
But it darted away instantly.
"Tch."
Bored, he looked at Kikyo walking ahead.
"You're quite liked by children," he said lightly. "That girl saw everything… and still didn't want you to leave."
After a pause, he added casually:
"If you had children… you'd probably be a good mother."
Kikyo's body stiffened.
Her steps faltered—just for a moment—before continuing.
Silence stretched between them.
"…As someone who is already dead," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper, "my time has already stopped. Is something like that even possible?"
Kasage replied calmly, almost indifferently:
"If something can't be done… it just means you're not strong enough."
Kikyo said nothing more.
The forest fell silent again.
---
After a while, Kasage glanced at the Soul Collectors again.
"Are those your tools for gathering souls?"
"My soul is nearly depleted," Kikyo replied calmly. "This body requires the souls of recently deceased maidens to keep moving."
She spoke as if it had nothing to do with her.
Then, after a brief pause, she asked:
"Your body… what exactly is it?"