Yuzuki felt as if she were wrapped in something soft and warm.
That warmth seeped into her body, spreading gently through her limbs, easing her pain and fear.
For a moment—
She felt safe.
Then suddenly—
The memories came crashing back.
A yokai breaking into the village.
Screams.
Blood.
The abbot shouting desperately.
And that unbearable moment—
When sharp claws tore through her abdomen.
Pain.
Cold.
Fear.
"—!"
Yuzuki jolted awake, gasping.
Her eyes snapped open, still clouded with confusion.
Above her—
A vast full moon hung in the sky, glowing with a soft silver light.
"…Where… am I…?"
"Awake?"
A gentle voice reached her ears.
She turned her head—
And saw a beautiful woman leaning over her.
Dressed in red and white shrine maiden robes.
Her presence was calm… almost sacred.
Her clear eyes were filled with quiet concern.
"…You are…" Yuzuki hesitated, her voice weak. "…a shrine maiden?"
She tried to sit up—
But her body refused to obey.
Her strength failed her halfway, and she began to fall back.
A warm hand caught her gently.
"Your injuries were severe," Kikyo said softly, supporting her.
"The wounds have healed, but you lost too much blood. You're still very weak… don't push yourself."
With Kikyo's help, Yuzuki managed to sit upright.
Only then did she realize—
She was lying on the back of a massive black bear.
Its body radiated warmth beneath her.
The creature lay calmly on the ground, breathing steadily.
Yuzuki tensed for a moment—
Then relaxed slightly.
*It must be her companion…*
Suddenly, her expression changed.
"The bowl—!"
She hurriedly reached for her side.
Her fingers brushed against a familiar bundle.
The gray cloth.
Still there.
She exhaled in relief, clutching it tightly.
Looking up at Kikyo, she spoke softly:
"My lady… my name is Yuzuki."
"Thank you… for saving me."
Kikyo watched her quietly, then gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"My name is Kikyo."
"You're safe now."
She paused briefly, then added:
"…It was Kasage who saved you."
She gestured toward the fire nearby.
Yuzuki turned—
And saw a man sitting beside it, stirring a pot with calm focus.
"Lord Kasage…!" she said quickly, bowing as much as her weak body allowed.
"Thank you for saving my life!"
"It's nothing."
Uchiha Kasage didn't look up, casually stirring the pot to keep it from burning.
"Just rest."
At that moment—
A rich aroma drifted from the pot.
Yuzuki's stomach growled loudly in the quiet night.
"…!"
Her face turned bright red.
She lowered her head in embarrassment.
Kikyo smiled faintly.
"You must be hungry. You've been unconscious all day."
"I'll bring you something."
She stood, walked to the fire, and took a bowl from Kasage.
After filling it with warm porridge, she returned.
Yuzuki reached out—
But Kikyo gently stopped her.
"You're still too weak."
"…Let me."
Before Yuzuki could protest, Kikyo sat beside her, scooped a spoonful, and gently blew on it to cool it.
Then—
She brought it to her lips.
Yuzuki froze for a moment—
Then slowly opened her mouth.
Kasage, sitting nearby, watched the scene out of the corner of his eye.
*…Now I get it.*
*No wonder Onigumo fell that far…*
With Kikyo's calm, gentle demeanor—
It wasn't hard to understand.
Honestly—
It wasn't just men.
He could clearly see Yuzuki's face turning redder by the second.
Kikyo continued feeding her patiently, one spoonful at a time.
Gradually—
Yuzuki's eyes began to tremble.
Then redden.
Tears gathered.
Her breathing grew uneven.
"…Hic…"
A quiet sob escaped her.
Then another.
Tears spilled down her cheeks, one after another.
Kikyo slowed, her expression softening further.
"It's alright…"
But the moment those words reached her—
Yuzuki broke.
She threw herself into Kikyo's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
All the fear.
All the grief.
Everything she had held back—
Poured out at once.
Kikyo gently set the bowl aside.
Her arms wrapped around the trembling girl.
She stroked her back slowly, whispering soft words of comfort.
She understood.
Losing an entire village—
Was too much for a child to bear alone.
Kasage didn't interfere.
He quietly continued eating, giving them space.
But his gaze lingered on them—
Softened.
After some time—
Yuzuki's sobs gradually subsided.
Her breathing steadied.
She slowly lifted her head, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
Then—
With both hands—
She held out the gray bundle.
"Kikyo-sama…"
Her voice was still shaky, but determined.
"This… the abbot entrusted it to me."
"The Buddha's Stone Bowl."
"I… want to give it to you."
Kasage wasn't surprised.
Even in the original course of events—
This girl had endured until the very end.
Even on the brink of death—
She fulfilled her duty.
That alone spoke of her strength.
Kikyo accepted the bundle gently.
She could feel the faint spiritual energy emanating from it.
"Can you tell me what happened?" she asked softly.
Though she already knew—
She wanted to hear it from Yuzuki.
"A yokai…" Yuzuki whispered, her voice trembling.
"It came into the village…"
"It killed… everyone…"
Her hands tightened slightly.
"…It was after this."
She glanced at the stone bowl.
Kikyo gently placed a hand on her head.
"It's over now."
"You're safe."
"…Finish eating first."
She picked up the bowl again and continued feeding her.
---
After Yuzuki finished eating, Kikyo stepped away to have her own meal.
Kasage remained behind.
He picked up the Buddha's Stone Bowl, studying it briefly—
Then turned to Yuzuki.
His expression became serious.
"Yuzuki."
"There's something you need to understand."
Yuzuki straightened slightly despite her weakness.
"…Please, go ahead, Lord Kasage."
"Our arrival in your village… is connected to this."
He held up the stone bowl.
"This is one of the items needed to break the seal of a yokai."
"Her name is Kaguya."
"A yokai named Naraku is trying to release her… and devour her power."
Yuzuki listened silently.
"Our goal is to kill Kaguya before that happens," Kasage continued.
"But to do that—"
"The seal must be broken first."
He paused.
Then spoke clearly:
"We will hand this over to Naraku's subordinates."
"So they can complete the unsealing."
Yuzuki's eyes widened slightly.
Kasage met her gaze directly.
"…Do you understand?"
In truth—
He didn't believe Naraku was behind the village massacre.
More likely—
It had been a group of rogue yokai drawn by the artifact.
If it had been Kagura—
Things might have been different.
She was efficient.
She wouldn't waste effort on needless slaughter.
At most—
Only the abbot would have died.
But now—
That didn't matter.
What mattered—
Was what came next.
Yuzuki lowered her gaze.
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
Then—
She nodded.
"…I understand."
Her voice, though weak—
Was steady.
"Since the bowl has been entrusted to you…"
"Please do as you think is right."
At that moment—
Kikyo returned.
She gently placed her hand on Yuzuki's head, ruffling her hair slightly.
"…You trust us that much?" she asked softly.
"Aren't you afraid we might be working with the yokai?"
Yuzuki paused—
Then smiled.
Small.
But sincere.
"I trust you, Kikyo-sama."
"No matter how I look at it…"
"I don't think you're a bad person."
Kikyo fell silent for a brief moment.
Then—
A gentle smile bloomed on her face.
"…Thank you."
Her voice was soft, but firm.
"Don't worry."
"We will stop Kaguya."
"No matter what."