Hearing the name "Kikyo", Inuyasha's expression changed instantly.
In a flash, he rushed forward, ignoring the wound on Master Harumi's chest. Grabbing his collar, he pulled him up with force, his voice filled with anger:
"If you dare say that name again without knowing what you're talking about… I won't forgive you!"
The young monk beside him quickly moved to support Master Harumi and tried to calm Inuyasha.
"W-we're not lying!" he stammered, fear evident in his trembling voice. "There were many vengeful spirits surrounding that miko!"
"That's not what I'm asking about!" Inuyasha snapped. "I'm talking about her name!"
Seeing how badly injured Master Harumi was, Inuyasha finally released him—only to grab the young monk instead.
"Why did you say her name is Kikyo?!"
"W-we heard it in the village last night!" the young monk replied quickly. "Even the children call her that—it can't be wrong! That miko is really named Kikyo!"
"…Kikyo…"
Nearby, Kagome's heart sank as she listened.
"The one collecting vengeful spirits… is really Kikyo…?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Kikyo… you… are you still here? You didn't die back then…?"
Inuyasha didn't wait any longer. After forcing out the location where Kikyo had last appeared, he immediately dashed off, disappearing into the forest in search of her.
"Is it really okay to let Inuyasha go alone?"
After sending the two monks away, Miroku glanced at Kagome, who sat on a fallen tree trunk, staring blankly at the ground.
"There was no stopping him," Shippō said, spreading his tiny hands helplessly. "He moved faster than anything."
Kagome lowered her head, her voice heavy with emotion.
"Inuyasha… still loves Kikyo."
She paused briefly.
"So… it's better if we don't interfere."
"Huh? Why?" Shippō asked, confused.
Miroku suddenly sighed, his expression turning serious.
"I understand how he feels," he said slowly. "The woman he once loved… may no longer be the same as in his memories. If that's the case, he wouldn't want others to see her like that."
Shippō blinked, completely lost.
"What are you even talking about…?"
Then he asked, more practically:
"So what do we do?"
Miroku stroked his chin and answered without thinking:
"If it were me… I would reconcile with her."
The moment those words left his mouth—
A chilling pressure filled the air.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Kagome's voice was cold.
Too cold.
Miroku froze.
Slowly, he looked up—only to see Kagome already standing, pushing her bicycle as she walked away, her expression unreadable but her presence heavy with suppressed anger.
"I think…" Miroku muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead, "that wasn't just my imagination."
"…Definitely not," Shippō agreed seriously.
They hurried after her.
"M-Miss Kagome, wait—!"
"What is it?" Kagome snapped, stopping suddenly and turning to glare at them.
"Should we… go after Inuyasha?" Miroku suggested carefully.
"I'm not going!" Kagome replied immediately, her voice filled with frustration. "Why should I be the one chasing him?!"
Just then—
A wave of yōkai aura spread through the air.
All three of them stiffened.
Looking up, they saw countless Soul Collectors drifting through the dim sky, carrying faint white lights—vengeful spirits—toward a single direction.
"Those are yōkai… carrying spirits!" Miroku said sharply.
"Let's go!"
Without hesitation, they gave chase.
---
Not far away—
At the edge of the forest, Kikyo sat quietly on a high tree branch.
The wind brushed gently through her long hair as she lowered her gaze, lost in thought.
Kasage's earlier words echoed in her mind—
*"Kagome is your reincarnation… which one of you is the real you?"*
*"If she ends up with Inuyasha… is that you continuing your bond… or him moving on?"*
*"If you return to life… will you fight her… or let go?"*
A faint flicker of confusion crossed her eyes.
For someone who had long suppressed her emotions—
These questions lingered far more deeply than she expected.
Suddenly—
Her gaze sharpened.
She sensed something.
"They're here…"
A moment later—
*Thud!*
A heavy landing sound broke the silence, followed by a soft cry:
"Ouch!"
Kikyo looked down.
Kagome had fallen to the ground, clutching her knee, her face twisted in pain.
Seeing her like that—
A trace of disdain appeared in Kikyo's eyes.
"…I can hardly believe someone like you is my reincarnation."
Her voice was calm, but the judgment was clear.
Kagome slowly stood up, still rubbing her knee.
"Where… am I…?"
Then she heard Kikyo's voice again.
Looking up—
Their eyes met.
"Kikyo…"
Kagome's voice trembled slightly.
Kikyo remained silent for a moment, observing her.
Despite her reluctance—
She knew the truth.
This girl… was indeed her reincarnation.
"…Stop staring like that," Kikyo said coldly. "Come here."
"Kikyo, I—"
"Come here," Kikyo repeated, cutting her off.
Her tone left no room for refusal.
Kagome hesitated… but still stepped closer.
"You were able to pass through my barrier," Kikyo said. "So you must understand—I brought you here for a reason."
"…Barrier?"
Kagome looked around blankly.
"I didn't notice anything…"
Kikyo paused.
Then pressed her fingers lightly against her forehead.
"…Never mind."
For the first time in a long while—
She felt… mentally exhausted.
First Kasage.
Now Kagome.
It seemed the number of people capable of disturbing her composure had increased.
She placed a hand over her chest.
"…Chakra…"
Since that power replaced the souls sustaining her body—
Her emotions had changed.
They were… stronger.
More vivid.
More human.
She could feel confusion.
Annoyance.
Even something she couldn't quite name.
"Kikyo!"
Kagome's voice pulled her back.
"You were the one gathering those girls' souls, right?"
She looked up, her eyes filled with urgency.
"If it was you… please let them go."
Kikyo looked at her silently.
Then—
Without hesitation—
She raised her hand slightly.
The Soul Collectors responded instantly, releasing the vengeful spirits they carried.
The souls rose into the sky like scattered light, drifting away toward their final resting places.
"I no longer need them," Kikyo said calmly.
"Then why—?"
"I gathered them to draw you here."
"…Me?"
Kagome froze.
Kikyo didn't answer directly.
Instead, she asked:
"You and Inuyasha… aren't together?"
Kagome's eyes dimmed.
"He went to find you."
"And you?"
Kikyo's gaze sharpened.
"What are you to him?"
"I…"
Kagome hesitated.
She didn't know how to answer.
Kikyo looked toward the forest.
"Inuyasha is outside my barrier."
Then she turned back to Kagome.
"Tell me."
Her voice was quiet—but piercing.
"Should I let him in?"
A brief silence followed.
Then Kikyo spoke again—
"Do you think he's coming to save you…"
Her eyes locked onto Kagome's.
"…or to see me?"