Kikyo crouched down, her fingertips lightly brushing against the lingering demonic aura on the ground. Her brows furrowed slightly before she slowly shook her head.
"No… he escaped."
"Just as I thought." Inuyasha didn't seem surprised, but his expression darkened, his tone growing more serious.
"Oh, right!" Kagome suddenly recalled something, her eyes widening. "When Musou disappeared just now, I think I heard him calling your name, Kikyo! Does he know you?"
"…He recognizes me?" Kikyo paused, her gaze drifting into the distance as she murmured thoughtfully.
"So that's it!" Miroku suddenly exclaimed, glancing between Kagome and Kikyo. "The reason he was so obsessed with Kagome is because she looks exactly like Kikyo!"
"I see…" Kikyo stood up slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes. "No wonder I encountered Naraku on my way to Maple Village. That incarnation must be connected to Onigumo."
"Kikyo, you saw Naraku? Where is he?!" Inuyasha stepped forward urgently, his voice tense.
"Yes. He appeared suddenly and attacked me on the way to the village," Kikyo replied calmly. "At first, I didn't understand his intentions. But after seeing that incarnation… it makes sense now."
"He attacked you?!" Inuyasha's expression tightened immediately. He moved closer, scanning her carefully for injuries.
"It's nothing," Kikyo said lightly. "I struck him, and he fled. He's likely hiding somewhere, recovering."
"You… struck him?" Everyone froze in shock.
Only then did Kagome notice it—
At Kikyo's waist hung a katana.
"Kikyo… when did you learn to use a sword?" Inuyasha asked, clearly surprised.
"I learned it from Uchiha Kasage when I had time to spare," Kikyo replied calmly, as if it were nothing. "It proved useful, so I kept it."
Her indifferent tone made Kagome feel a quiet sense of embarrassment.
*Kikyo is already this strong… and she still trains herself further…*
*Meanwhile, I rely too much on Inuyasha…*
Although she had learned archery, she rarely practiced unless forced into battle.
Still—
She couldn't help but imagine how cool Kikyo must look fighting with a blade.
"Lady Kikyo," Miroku said, breaking Kagome's thoughts, "you mentioned that Naraku's incarnation is connected to Onigumo. Could you explain?"
Kikyo nodded slightly and began:
"Naraku was born from Onigumo's greed and malice. Even after becoming Naraku, Onigumo's obsession remained within him—his desire for the Shikon Jewel… and his attachment to me."
"As long as Onigumo's heart exists within him, Naraku cannot harm me. Nor can he ever truly be free. He will always be bound by that obsession."
Miroku's eyes widened in realization.
"So Naraku separated that obsession… and created Musou as an incarnation. That explains why Musou was so fixated on both you and Kagome."
"And his attack on you…" Miroku continued, his tone sharpening, "was likely a test—to see whether removing that obsession freed him from its influence."
"…Yes." Kikyo nodded.
"In other words," Kagome said after thinking for a moment, "Musou is something Naraku discarded. He wanted us to destroy him."
Inuyasha crossed his arms, irritation clear on his face. "That bastard… he's using us!"
"Whether he is or not," Sango said quietly, "we still have to defeat Musou."
"…Tch." Inuyasha clicked his tongue, clearly frustrated, even though he knew she was right.
"Inuyasha—!"
A familiar voice called out from the distance.
Everyone turned to see Kaede hurrying toward them from the village.
"Kaede!" Kagome waved.
"What happened here?" Kaede asked, her face filled with concern as she approached.
Then she noticed Kikyo.
"Kikyo-nee-sama! When did you arrive?"
"Kaede," Kikyo replied gently, her tone softening. "I came to deliver something to Kagome. I happened to encounter Inuyasha fighting Naraku's incarnation and assisted."
"An incarnation of Naraku?" Kaede's expression immediately grew serious.
"Yes—but he escaped," Kikyo said simply, her gaze shifting toward the distance. "However… I believe I know where he went."
Kaede followed her line of sight—
Her expression changed instantly.
"…You mean… that cave?"
"Yes," Kikyo confirmed. "The place where Naraku was born… the same cave where I once sheltered Onigumo."
Then—
She suddenly turned her head toward a nearby tree.
"You agree… don't you, Kagura?"
"Kagura?!" Everyone tensed immediately.
A figure slowly stepped out from behind the tree—
Dressed in a flowing pink-purple kimono, holding a folding fan.
It was Kagura.
She raised the fan slightly, her expression calm.
"That's right. Musou is currently in that cave."
"Inuyasha immediately gripped Tessaiga, his eyes sharp with suspicion. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm not here to fight," Kagura replied coolly, though her grip on the fan tightened slightly. "Naraku ordered me to monitor Musou's movements."
She paused, glancing at Kikyo.
"Be careful. Musou is not like me."
"I understand," Kikyo replied softly. There was a subtle understanding in her eyes—Kagura was warning her without saying too much.
"Good."
With that, a gust of wind swirled around Kagura.
In the next moment—
She vanished.
Miroku frowned, looking toward where she disappeared.
"Kagura already discovered Inuyasha's secret before… Naraku may know by now."
"…Secret?" Kikyo looked at Inuyasha, puzzled.
Kagome leaned closer and whispered quietly:
"During the new moon… when Inuyasha lost his yokai powers… Kagura saw."
"…I see." Kikyo nodded slightly, then gave a faint smile. "Don't worry. She likely won't tell Naraku."
"Why not?" Shippo asked, peeking over Kagome's shoulder.
Kikyo looked at him gently, her expression softening as she reached out and ruffled his hair.
"Because her situation is… complicated."
"She does not serve Naraku willingly."
Kikyo's gaze lifted slightly, as if following the wind itself.
"She is the messenger of the wind…"
"How could the wind ever accept being bound… and stripped of its freedom?"