"Put everyone under an illusion? Why would anyone do something like that?"
Kikyo's eyes widened in shock as she listened to Kasage's explanation of the *Infinite Tsukuyomi*, disbelief clear in her voice.
"War and hatred can drive people into madness." Uchiha Kasage spoke calmly, his tone indifferent. "In my world, ruled by ninjas, there was killing everywhere. Suffering was common… so it's not surprising that such lunatics appeared."
Kikyo sensed he didn't want to dwell on it, so she didn't press further.
The two remained quietly in each other's arms as Kuromaru carried them swiftly through the dense forest. The only sounds were the rustling leaves and the steady rhythm of their breathing.
"…Kasage," Kikyo spoke softly after a while, her voice carrying a faint hesitation, "do you really want to be with me?"
There was a subtle unease hidden beneath her calm tone.
"…Isn't someone like me… strange?"
"Of course I do!" Kasage replied instantly, a grin forming as he deliberately raised his voice.
"I even want you to give me a whole bunch of children—to strengthen the Uchiha clan!" he added shamelessly. "Don't you like children? With our abilities, raising a few more wouldn't be a problem at all!"
"What nonsense are you saying?!" Kikyo's face flushed instantly.
Embarrassed and flustered, she nudged him sharply with her elbow, trying to free herself—but Kasage only tightened his arms around her.
After struggling for a while with no success, she finally gave up, settling back into his embrace, though the tips of her ears turned an even deeper shade of red.
"…Is that really how you see it?" Kikyo asked again after a moment, her voice quieter now, tinged with sadness.
"My hands are stained with the blood of countless yokai… and I bring misfortune to those close to me."
She lowered her gaze.
"I'm not gentle like other women… I don't know how to dress myself properly… Do you really like someone like me?"
"…An outcast like me?"
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Kasage's tone turned serious.
He took her hands firmly in his.
"You're beautiful. Why wouldn't I like you?"
He held her gaze steadily.
"And as for being an 'outcast'…"
A faint smirk appeared.
"I've killed far more than you ever have. If anyone's an outcast, it's me."
"So doesn't that make us a perfect match?"
His thumb gently brushed over the back of her hand, his voice softening.
"You're a priestess. You eliminate yokai to protect others."
"That doesn't make you strange—it makes you strong."
He let out a quiet breath.
"If even you call yourself an outcast… then what should I be? Should I just stand here and let you purify me?"
Kikyo fell silent.
Kasage could see it clearly—deep within her, that lingering sense of isolation still remained.
She had always believed she didn't belong.
That someone like her… didn't deserve happiness.
He lowered his head slightly, resting his chin gently against her hair.
"Kikyo," he said calmly, "do you know how old ninjas are when they first kill someone?"
Kikyo froze slightly.
She didn't answer—but from her expression, it was clear she already feared the answer.
"Most of us graduate at twelve," Kasage continued. "That's when we officially become ninjas."
"Soon after… we're sent on missions."
"Assassinations. Eliminations. Killing."
His voice remained steady, but carried weight.
"I was lucky. I graduated during a rare period of peace."
"So my first killing mission… was at twelve."
His eyes grew distant for a moment.
"I still remember it clearly."
He looked back at her.
"So don't let your identity bind you."
"And don't think of yourself as an outsider."
"These things… they're just part of life."
"My classmates had blood on their hands too."
"But they were still ordinary people."
"They laughed. They cried. They loved."
A faint, nostalgic smile appeared on his face.
"And back then… quite a few girls confessed to me."
Kikyo, who had been quietly moved by his words—
…suddenly narrowed her eyes.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Oh? So you were quite popular," she said softly, though her gaze carried a hint of scrutiny. "Girls confessed to you, did they?"
Kasage immediately felt a chill run down his spine.
He realized instantly—
He had said something very dangerous.
"Wait—don't misunderstand!" he said quickly, waving his hands. "I was only focused on getting stronger back then! I didn't pay attention to any of them!"
He leaned forward slightly, his tone sincere.
"Before I met you, I hadn't even held a girl's hand. I swear!"
Kikyo stared at him silently for a few seconds.
Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.
"It's alright," she said gently. "I believe you."
She motioned slightly.
Kasage hesitated—but eventually loosened his arms, though a trace of reluctance lingered in his expression.
Kikyo sat up, turning to face him.
Seeing the faint disappointment in his eyes, her smile deepened ever so slightly.
Then—
She leaned forward.
And gently pressed her lips against his.
The kiss was soft and fleeting.
But in that instant, Kasage's mind went completely blank.
Before he could react, Kikyo had already pulled back, sitting upright again.
Her cheeks were flushed, her voice soft.
"…Thank you."
After saying that, she lightly patted Kuromaru's neck.
"Kuromaru… go faster."
Kasage slowly raised a hand to his lips.
The warmth lingered.
Looking at Kikyo's slightly reddened ears, he suddenly grinned.
"I really like this kind of 'thank you.'"
Kikyo didn't turn around.
But the deep red coloring her ears—and even the base of her neck—made everything clear.
---
### Some Time Later
"You're back."
In the shrine courtyard, Kikyo was arranging medicinal herbs when she noticed Kasage's return. She immediately set her work aside and walked toward him, her eyes gentle with concern.
"Was the yokai dealt with smoothly?"
"Just a minor one," Kasage replied with a relaxed smile. "Nothing worth mentioning."
"That's good." Kikyo stepped forward and gently embraced him.
"This is your reward," she said softly.
Kasage wrapped his arms around her in return and leaned down, placing a light kiss on her forehead.
"I'll gladly accept."
"Oh, right." He reached into his robe and pulled out a heavy pouch. "Payment for the exorcism."
Kikyo opened it and glanced inside.
A hint of surprise crossed her face.
"…That's quite a lot."
"It seems that lord was very wealthy."
She turned toward the main hall.
"I'll go put it away."
As he watched her leave, Kasage couldn't help but smile.
Ever since that conversation in the forest—something very close to a confession—their relationship had changed.
They had grown closer.
More natural.
Simple gestures like hugs and kisses… had become part of their daily life.
What amused him most, however—
Was Kikyo's newfound attitude toward money.
She had once been completely indifferent to it.
But after he casually mentioned "strengthening the Uchiha clan"…
She had started taking it seriously.
Now, whenever they accepted commissions from wealthy clients, she made sure to request proper payment—and carefully stored it away afterward.
It was a small thing.
But to Kasage—
It meant everything.
Because it showed that Kikyo… had begun quietly thinking about their future together.
After leaving Tsubaki behind, they returned to their peaceful, fulfilling routine.
They trained.
They healed villagers.
They accepted exorcism requests.
As the shrine's reputation grew, more people came seeking help.
For distant or dangerous tasks, Kasage would handle them alone.
Like this recent mission—far away, but trivial for him.
This life…
Strangely reminded him of his days as a ninja in Konoha.
But now—
There was warmth.
Something he had never truly had before.