Not long ago, Inuyasha and his group, along with Koga—whose injuries had just been treated—followed the scent of the Shikon Jewel shard carried by Kagura and arrived at a nearby mountain range.
"Kagome, can you still sense the location of the Shikon Jewel shards?"
Koga and Inuyasha, who had lost his yokai powers, sat together on Kirara's back, staring into the dark forest ahead. Frustration filled their voices.
"I don't know what's going on, but I suddenly can't smell Kagura's scent anymore!"
"Yes, I can still feel it!" Kagome nodded, closing her eyes in concentration. "Kagura must be hiding somewhere. We're getting closer."
Before she could finish, Koga suddenly stiffened, sniffed the air sharply, and shouted,
"I've got it! That's Kagura's scent!"
At that very moment, Kagura had just concluded her deal with **Uchiha Kasage** and had only recently left the shrine's barrier.
"Thanks for taking care of me—I'm going now!"
Overjoyed at finding Kagura again, Koga leapt off Kirara's back without hesitation. Calling out briefly to Kagome, he dashed forward at full speed toward Kagura.
"Koga! Your injuries aren't fully healed yet!" Kagome called anxiously.
"They've been ready for a while!" Koga shouted back, not forgetting to glance at Inuyasha and mock him,
"Unlike some useless trash, I'm a real yokai!"
"Damn it! Who are you calling trash?!"
Inuyasha's face flushed with anger, but he could only glare helplessly. Without his yokai powers, there was no way he could catch up.
"Sango, Koga won't stand a chance against Kagura now that he's lost the Shikon Jewel shards," Miroku said gravely.
"I understand!"
Sango, seated behind Kagome on the bicycle, immediately turned to Kirara.
"Kirara, get ready!"
Just as she was about to act, Kagome suddenly froze.
Her hands tightened on the brakes—*screech!*—the bicycle came to an abrupt stop.
She slowly lifted her gaze toward the distant night sky, her expression shifting into shock.
"This is…"
"What's wrong, Kagome?" Miroku asked, confused.
"Why did you suddenly stop?"
Sango followed Kagome's gaze. In the dim distance, she could barely make out the silhouette of a modest mountain.
"Is something there?"
"I can sense them!" Kagome's eyes widened, her voice trembling with astonishment.
"The Shikon Jewel shards… two—no, three of them… on that mountain!"
"What?!" Inuyasha snapped his head toward her. "Are those the ones Kagura stole from that wolf?"
"No." Kagome shook her head firmly.
"The shards Kagura carries are still moving. These… these are new. They appeared suddenly—and they're close."
She hesitated, looking at everyone.
"What should we do? Should we investigate? But Koga…"
Inuyasha clenched his teeth, staring in the direction Koga had gone.
"That idiot wolf ran straight toward death…"
"Sango, go after Koga," Miroku decided quickly. "Make sure he's safe. We'll catch up soon. Kagome, Inuyasha, and I will check the new shards."
"No," Inuyasha cut in sharply. "You go with Sango. I'll go with Kagome and Shippo."
*Tap!*
Miroku lightly struck Inuyasha's head with his staff.
"It's too dangerous for you in your current state."
"No… we'll do it Inuyasha's way."
Kagome stepped forward, gripping her longbow tightly. Her gaze was steady, filled with determination.
"Miroku, go with Sango and help Koga. Inuyasha, Shippo, and I will investigate the shards. I'll protect him—don't worry."
She paused briefly, her voice softening but gaining quiet strength.
"With Kikyo and Lady Kaede's guidance… I can fight now."
"Sango, I can go alone," she added. "Let Miroku stay with you."
"Sango, trust me," Kagome said firmly, meeting her eyes.
Miroku studied her expression—unwavering, resolute. Then he sighed and nodded.
"…Alright. But if anything feels wrong, retreat immediately."
He turned to Shippo.
"Shippo, protect Kagome and Inuyasha."
"Leave it to me, Master Miroku!" Shippo puffed out his chest confidently.
"Be careful!"
With that, Sango and Miroku mounted Kirara and quickly disappeared into the darkness, chasing after Koga.
Kagome turned back.
"Let's go, Inuyasha—get on."
"I'll protect both of you!" Shippo declared from the bicycle basket.
"Hmph. I don't need your protection," Inuyasha muttered, though he climbed on anyway.
Kagome smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. I'm stronger now—I'll protect you."
With that, she began pedaling toward the source of the shards.
Fortunately, the area wasn't deep within the mountains. Small paths connected nearby villages, making the journey easier. Even so, the uneven roads of the Warring States era made progress difficult—but the bicycle helped them advance quickly.
Before long, they arrived at the base of the mountain.
"This is… a shrine?"
Kagome slowed to a stop, staring at the stone steps leading upward and the wooden torii gate standing at the entrance.
"Are the shards inside here?"
Even in the dim light, she could see the steps were well maintained—no overgrown weeds. Someone was clearly taking care of this place.
"Stay alert. Let's go."
She hid the bicycle in nearby bushes, tightened her grip on her bow, and began ascending the steps with Inuyasha and Shippo.
Just as they reached the torii gate, Kagome halted again.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…A barrier. A priestess's barrier."
Thanks to Kikyo and Kaede's teachings, she could now recognize such spiritual defenses.
After a careful moment of observation, realization dawned—and relief followed.
"It's alright," she said with a small smile.
"This barrier is meant to keep out weak yokai. It won't affect humans."
Shippo tugged nervously at her sleeve.
"Kagome… can I go in?"