"Hahaha…"
Watching the two flee in complete embarrassment, Kikyo finally couldn't hold back her laughter. Her eyes shimmered with rare amusement.
Seeing her teasing succeed, **Uchiha Kasage** chuckled softly as well and stood up to close the door.
But just as he reached it—
*Bang!*
The door suddenly flew open.
Kagome rushed back in, her face still burning red. Without even giving herself time to think, she hurried over to Kikyo, shoved something into her hands, and spoke in a rapid blur:
"This is a gift from my hometown! You have to accept it—as a thank you!"
Before Kikyo could respond—or worse, tease her again—Kagome spun around and ran out just as quickly, slamming the door shut behind her.
Kikyo blinked, momentarily stunned.
She looked down at the object now resting in her hands… then shook her head with a faint, helpless smile.
"That girl…"
Curiosity flickered in her eyes as she examined it more closely—and then, surprise.
Kasage stepped closer.
In Kikyo's palm rested a teardrop-shaped amethyst pendant, delicately carved with a bellflower pattern. A red braided cord ran through its top, and under the soft candlelight, the crystal shimmered gently—elegant and refined.
"…This is too exquisite."
Kikyo's gaze lingered on the craftsmanship, genuine amazement passing through her eyes. Then her expression shifted, and she stood abruptly.
"I should return it—"
"No need."
Kasage reached out, gently stopping her.
"This likely isn't considered valuable where Kagome comes from," he explained calmly.
"Otherwise, she wouldn't have given it so casually."
He glanced at the pendant again.
"She understands your nature. If it were truly expensive, you wouldn't accept it. So she chose something meaningful… but not burdensome."
His voice softened slightly.
"…Most likely, she chose it because of the bellflower."
Kikyo paused.
She thought back to the "strange items" Kagome had brought before—each one unusual, yet given without hesitation.
Slowly, she nodded.
"…I see."
Her grip on the pendant softened.
"Then… I will accept it."
She turned and handed it to Kasage, her eyes carrying a quiet expectation.
"Will you put it on for me?"
"…Of course."
Kasage took the pendant, gently lifting the red cord. Standing behind her, he carefully placed it around her neck, his movements slow and precise as he tied the knot.
The pendant settled softly against her chest, catching the candlelight.
Kikyo lowered her gaze to it for a moment… then looked back at him.
"How is it?" she asked quietly. "Does it look good?"
Kasage met her eyes.
"It does."
His voice was calm—but sincere.
"…But not as much as you."
Before the words had fully settled, he reached forward and pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her lips.
Kikyo's eyes widened slightly in surprise—
Then softened.
She raised her arms, wrapping them around him, returning the kiss with quiet warmth.
Time seemed to slow.
When they finally parted, her gaze lingered on him, gentle and filled with emotion.
"…What was that for?" she asked softly.
Kasage gave a faint smile.
"No particular reason."
A brief pause.
"I just wanted to."
Kikyo rolled her eyes lightly—but there was no real annoyance in it.
She leaned forward on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips in return.
"Alright," she murmured gently, almost teasing, "that's enough. Let's rest."
---
Meanwhile…
Kagome and Inuyasha had already left the shrine.
They retrieved the bicycle hidden among the bushes. Kagome mounted it, Inuyasha sat behind her, and Shippo climbed into the front basket as they made their way back toward Kagura's direction.
For a while, silence stretched between them.
Then—
"…Hey, Inuyasha…"
Kagome's voice broke through softly, carried by the quiet night air.
"Do you think… that child would still be half-yokai?"
"…I—I guess so."
Inuyasha's face flushed red all over again. He avoided looking at her, his voice awkward and unsteady.
Kagome said nothing more.
She simply kept pedaling.
But her ears had turned bright red.
The earlier tension with Kikyo had long faded—replaced by something far more awkward.
Their hearts were beating far too fast.
"But wait," Shippo suddenly spoke up, tilting his head in confusion,
"Kagome is human, and Inuyasha's mother was human too… so wouldn't the child look more human? Can it still be called a half-yokai?"
"…Shut up!" Inuyasha snapped instantly. "Kids shouldn't think about stuff like that!"
His face grew even redder.
And just as the awkwardness reached its peak—
*ROOOAR—!*
A dense, violent surge of yokai energy exploded in the distance, shattering the atmosphere instantly.
All three froze.
Kagome reacted first—her expression turning serious as she pushed the bicycle faster.
"Hold on!"
They rushed toward the source.
Soon, the battlefield came into view.
"Kagome, protect Inuyasha! I'm going to help!"
From afar, Kagome could already see the chaos below.
Koga was fighting Kagura—
No.
He was being completely overwhelmed.
Above them, Sango and Miroku rode Kirara, battling a swarm of Naraku's yokai.
Without hesitation, Kagome grabbed her bow and dashed toward a nearby boulder.
"Kagome!"
Inuyasha panicked and moved to follow—
*BANG!*
Shippo leapt up and smacked him on the head.
A small, satisfied grin flashed across his face.
"Shippo!!"
Inuyasha clenched his fists in fury—but Shippo stood his ground without fear.
"You can't go!" he shouted firmly. "If Naraku sees you like this, you'll be in danger!"
"…Damn it!"
Inuyasha gritted his teeth, frustration burning in his chest.
All he could do was watch Kagome's figure from afar—
Ready to run to her the moment she was in danger.
Kagome, noticing he hadn't followed, let out a quiet breath of relief.
She climbed onto the boulder, drew her bow, and infused the arrow with her spiritual power.
*TWANG!*
The arrow shot forward, blazing with pure white light—
—and instantly purified several yokai attempting to ambush Sango and Miroku from behind.
Sango turned sharply at the sudden surge of sacred energy.
"Kagome!"
Seeing her on the boulder, already drawing another arrow, Sango immediately called out:
"Kirara—take us to her!"
"ROAR!"
Kirara surged forward through the air.
Below, Kagome released another arrow—
*FLASH!*
A yokai lunging toward Kirara was instantly destroyed.
With the path cleared, Kirara quickly reached Kagome's position.
Landing smoothly, Sango turned to Miroku at once.
"Miroku, go protect Inuyasha! Kagome and I will provide support from above!"
"…Understood."
Miroku didn't hesitate. He leapt down immediately. With Naraku's presence looming, his Wind Tunnel was too dangerous to use—far less reliable than Kagome's sacred arrows.
"Kagome—let's go!"
Sango called out as Kagome climbed onto Kirara behind her.
With a powerful roar, Kirara took to the skies once more—
Carrying them straight into the thick of battle.