"Kid, keep an eye on the girl."
Kagura said casually as she tossed the unconscious Rin toward Kohaku.
"Understood."
Kohaku nodded and sat beside Rin without hesitation.
He didn't speak again.
His gaze remained empty—quiet, detached—as he guarded her like a lifeless puppet.
Kagura stepped onto her feather and shot into the sky.
The wind howled past her as she accelerated—
But her eyes shifted slightly.
Mōryōmaru was following her.
Close.
Silent.
Watching.
A faint crease formed between her brows.
Without drawing attention, she adjusted her path—just slightly, curving her trajectory.
In that brief instant—
A tiny white feather slipped free.
It drifted downward, carried by the night wind.
Silent.
Unnoticed.
Kagura cast a sideways glance.
Mōryōmaru showed no reaction.
"…Good."
She relaxed, just a little.
Then sped up again, heading straight for Naraku's castle.
Meanwhile…
The feather traveled alone.
Through the dark forest.
Past a quiet, sleeping village.
Until it reached a shrine.
The barrier surrounding it—
Did nothing to stop it.
The feather floated gently into the courtyard and landed on a wooden swing.
Still.
Waiting.
Moments later—
A hand reached out.
And picked it up.
Uchiha Kasage looked down at the feather in his palm.
A faint trace of Yokai energy pulsed from it.
Familiar.
"…Kagura."
He understood immediately.
To anyone else, it would look ordinary.
Just a white feather.
Nothing more.
But Kasage's eyes shifted—
The Mangekyō Sharingan emerged.
Under its gaze—
Hidden characters revealed themselves.
Written in condensed Yokai energy:
"Come to Naraku's Castle."
Kasage closed his hand.
The feather crumbled into dust.
"…What are you planning this time, Naraku…"
He looked up at the moon, irritation flickering in his eyes.
"…Always at night. Doesn't he ever stop?"
"You already know the answer."
A calm voice came from behind him.
He turned.
Kikyo was already approaching.
Her expression steady.
Her presence quiet—but sharp.
"I sensed something pass through the barrier."
She looked at him directly.
"What was it?"
"A message from Kagura."
Kasage answered simply.
"She wants me at Naraku's castle."
He paused slightly.
"…No details."
Kikyo's gaze hardened.
"…Naraku."
There was a faint edge in her voice now.
"I'm coming with you."
She stepped closer.
"I can locate his barrier."
Kasage studied her for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…Alright."
No hesitation.
No argument.
Kikyo began to summon her shikigami—
But Kasage reached out and stopped her.
"No need."
"He's too slow."
She looked at him, questioning.
"If Kagura went this far to send a message…"
"…then this isn't something we should take lightly."
He stepped closer.
"Just tell me the direction."
"I'll take you."
Before she could respond—
He removed the bow from her back and stored it away.
Then—
Without warning—
He lifted her into his arms.
Kikyo's breath caught slightly.
A faint warmth rose to her cheeks.
But she didn't resist.
Instead—
She lightly held onto him.
"That way."
She pointed quietly.
Kasage nodded.
"…Hold tight."
Chakra surged beneath his feet—
BOOM—!
He shot forward like a shadow tearing through the night.
The forest blurred.
The wind roared past them.
Kikyo leaned slightly into him—
Calm.
Steady.
Trusting his speed.
At the same time…
Sesshomaru came to a sudden stop.
Behind him—
Jaken blinked in confusion.
"Lord Sesshomaru?"
"What is it?"
Sesshomaru's gaze remained fixed ahead.
"This…"
"…is Naraku's castle."
Jaken froze.
"…What?"
He looked around wildly.
"But—there's nothing here!"
The forest looked completely ordinary.
Empty.
Silent.
Sesshomaru didn't explain.
He didn't need to.
The scent in the air—
Thick.
Rotten.
Unmistakable.
Naraku was here.
And since Rin had been taken—
He already knew.
This was a trap.
But he stepped forward anyway.
Just then—
The air distorted.
Space rippled.
The illusion shattered.
A dark, ominous castle revealed itself.
Jaken gasped.
"The barrier…!"
Sesshomaru's aura flared faintly—
Cold.
Sharp.
Controlled.
Without a word—
He stepped inside.
"Lord Sesshomaru—!"
Jaken hurried after him.
Elsewhere…
As they approached—
Kikyo slowed slightly.
"…I can feel it."
Her brows furrowed.
"The barrier."
Kasage glanced ahead.
"…Naraku didn't hide it completely."
Kikyo nodded.
"…Which means he wants someone to come."
"Inuyasha?" she asked instinctively.
Kasage shook his head.
"…No."
His eyes narrowed.
"I can already sense him."
"That presence…"
A faint smile appeared.
"…Sesshomaru."
Kikyo blinked softly.
"…So that's his name."
Kasage nodded.
"He's nothing like Inuyasha."
"A full Yokai."
"He inherited everything from Inu no Taishō."
"Strength."
"Instinct."
"Pride."
"And a personality to match."
Kikyo gave a quiet, thoughtful look.
"…I understand."
"We're here."
She stopped.
Ahead—
The air shimmered faintly.
"The barrier."
She stepped forward.
"I'll open it."
Kasage set her down gently.
His gaze sharpened with interest.
"…I've been curious."
"How do you break it?"
Kikyo didn't answer.
She simply raised her hand—
And touched it.
A soft glow spread from her palm.
Spiritual Power.
Pure.
Calm.
Overwhelming.
---
The moment it made contact—
The Yokai energy forming the barrier began to dissolve.
---
Like frost under sunlight.
---
Gone.
---
*Bzzzt—*
---
A clean opening formed instantly.
No resistance.
No delay.
---
Kasage stared for a second.
---
"…That's it?"
---
No technique.
No complexity.
---
Just—
Erased.
---
Kikyo glanced back at him.
There was the faintest hint of softness in her expression.
---
"…Was that not enough?"
---
Kasage exhaled quietly.
A small smirk forming.
---
"…No."
---
Then his eyes sharpened again.
---
"Let's go."