"…Who… is she?"
Musou stood frozen, staring intently at Kagome.
His pupils were unfocused, his expression blank—yet filled with deep confusion.
Something about her—
felt familiar.
*What are you spacing out for?!*
"Inuyasha's" furious roar shattered the silence.
Musou snapped back to reality—
Just in time to see Tessaiga already descending toward him, wrapped in a fierce surge of yokai power.
*SLASH!*
Caught off guard, he raised his arm to block—
Too late.
With a sharp, tearing sound, his tentacle-covered arm was severed cleanly.
But Musou didn't react.
He didn't even glance at the wound.
His eyes remained locked on Kagome.
"…That woman… who was she…?"
His voice was low, almost absent-minded.
Then—
A fragment in his mind sharpened.
A blurred face—
A priestess—
And suddenly—
It became clear.
"…That's it."
His pupils shrank violently.
"It's her!!"
"What nonsense are you babbling about?" Inuyasha scoffed, raising Tessaiga again. "Enough talk—I'll finish you in one strike!"
He lunged forward.
But Musou didn't even look at him.
"It's you!"
His gaze burned as it fixed on Kagome.
"Get out of my way!"
With a violent surge—
Thicker, more grotesque tentacles burst from his severed limb.
*BANG!*
Inuyasha was sent flying.
Without pause—
Musou charged straight toward Kagome.
"You bastard!"
Sango and Miroku moved instantly.
Hiraikotsu and the monk's staff struck together—
But Musou slipped past both with unnatural agility.
Several tentacles shot forward like venomous snakes—
Straight toward Kagome.
Kagome's eyes widened.
She turned to run—
Too late.
The tentacles wrapped tightly around her waist and lifted her into the air.
"HAHAHA!"
Musou threw his head back, laughing wildly.
"It's you! This is the woman I've been looking for!"
His face twisted with greed and madness.
Then—
*WHOOSH—!*
A sharp whistle split the air.
Musou's laughter stopped instantly.
A chill ran down his spine.
He turned—
And saw it.
An arrow.
Wrapped in overwhelming spiritual power, shining like a falling star—
Racing straight toward him.
Before he could react—
*BOOM!*
It struck.
Pure white light exploded outward.
His body began to disintegrate instantly under the force of purification.
Within that blinding glow—
He saw her.
Standing on a distant hillside.
Clad in red and white.
Bow drawn.
Eyes calm and unwavering.
That face—
Etched deep within his being—
Shook him completely.
With the last of his strength, as his body crumbled to ash, he roared:
"Kikyo! You are… me—!"
And then—
He vanished.
---
"Kikyo?!"
Inuyasha stared toward the hillside in shock.
He hadn't expected her to appear here.
"Aah—!"
Kagome's startled cry snapped him out of it.
He looked up—
She was falling.
In an instant, he leapt into the air and caught her, landing smoothly.
"You okay?"
Kagome nodded, still catching her breath.
By then, Kikyo had already approached, riding Kuromaru calmly toward them.
"Inuyasha," she said, stepping down, "what are you doing here?"
Then her gaze shifted to Kagome.
Kagome quickly straightened and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for saving me!"
Then, lifting her head—
"…What brings you here, Kikyo?"
"I came to see you."
Kikyo's tone was calm.
But the next moment—
Her expression sharpened.
"Why were you standing there doing nothing?"
Kagome froze.
"You were watching the battle," Kikyo continued, voice steady but firm, "yet you didn't draw your bow. You didn't even try to defend yourself."
"You simply stood there—waiting to be captured."
"I…"
Kagome's face flushed red.
She lowered her head, unable to respond.
Kikyo was right.
Even if she couldn't fight directly—
She should have at least protected herself.
Instead—
She froze.
"Kikyo, she just came back from the well—she didn't expect to run into Naraku's incarnation!" Inuyasha quickly stepped in.
"It's fine, Inuyasha."
Kagome gently pulled him back.
When she looked up again—
Her eyes were steady.
"She's right."
"I can fight too. Even if I can't match you all, I should at least protect myself."
Her hands clenched slightly.
"I won't just stand there again."
"Inuyasha" blinked, surprised.
He had expected anger.
Not this.
When did these two… start understanding each other like this?
"…Good."
Kikyo's expression softened slightly.
"Though your reaction was lacking, part of the reason is that you don't have a proper weapon."
She reached behind her and brought out a newly crafted bow and a full quiver of arrows.
"This is for you."
Kagome's eyes widened.
"…For me?"
She took it carefully, her face lighting up.
The craftsmanship was beautiful—clearly made with care.
"Thank you!"
"It's a return gift," Kikyo said quietly. "For the pendant you gave me."
She paused.
"I like it very much."
Kagome smiled brightly, gently running her hand along the bow.
"…You made this just for me?"
"Yes."
Kikyo nodded.
"This is a demon-slaying bow designed specifically for you. The core contains spiritual material—it will help guide and amplify your power."
Kagome held it tighter.
"I love it."
Kikyo picked up her own bow again, her tone turning slightly serious.
"A shrine maiden's power can purify yokai—but it also attracts them."
"When you travel, always carry your bow."
"It's not just a weapon."
"It's your protection."
"I understand."
Kagome nodded firmly, slinging the bow over her back just like Kikyo.
"Kuromaru—take her bag."
Kikyo gestured lightly before walking toward the spot where Musou had vanished.
"Let's check the area."
Inuyasha followed beside her.
"That thing just now… it was Naraku's incarnation."
"…Musou."
"He kills people and steals their faces," he added grimly. "Even that name isn't his."
"And he seemed… obsessed with Kagome," Sango said.
"That's right," Miroku agreed. "From the moment she appeared, he only had eyes for her."
"…Still," Inuyasha muttered, frowning.
"It ended too easily."
His grip tightened slightly on Tessaiga.
"…Something feels off."