Kikyo noticed Enju's gaze lingering on her again and again. Those wine-red eyes were filled with hesitation, as if she wanted to speak but couldn't bring herself to.
Kikyo slowed to a stop, turning gently toward her.
"Is there something you wish to ask?" she said softly.
"…Miss Kikyo…" Enju hesitated, lowering her gaze before finally speaking. "Are you… truly alive now?"
A faint, gentle smile appeared on Kikyo's lips.
"Yes," she replied calmly. "With Kasage's help… I am truly alive."
Enju's eyes widened slightly. She glanced at Uchiha Kasage with a mixture of awe and fear, then quickly lowered her head again, falling silent.
Kasage noticed her reaction. A faint hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.
Ever since he had wiped out Wamaru's clay army with a single Water Release, Enju had treated him with quiet reverence—clearly intimidated by the power he wielded.
Seeing her fall silent, Kikyo chose not to speak about reviving her.
She understood better than anyone—the price Kasage paid for that technique was immense.
Last time, Naraku had borne the cost.
Now… it would not be so simple.
Naraku was no fool. After being caught off guard once, he would be far more cautious. Trying the same method again would be incredibly difficult.
And if she gave Enju hope… only to fail…
It would hurt her even more.
"Kikyo," Kasage's voice broke the quiet moment, calm but steady, "Inuyasha and the others have caught up."
"So soon?" Kikyo blinked in surprise. Before leaving the shrine, she had asked Yuzuki to leave a message, but she hadn't expected them to arrive this quickly.
Kasage leaned lightly against a tree, his gaze fixed ahead.
"Let's wait for them. This is probably about Naraku."
"…Alright." Kikyo nodded, stepping beside him.
Enju, though unfamiliar with the names, quietly remained behind Kikyo.
---
"It's Kikyo—and them!"
Kagome's voice rang out as she pointed ahead from Inuyasha's back.
Sango and Miroku, riding Kirara through the air, quickly spotted them as well and descended.
"Inuyasha…" Kikyo's eyes softened slightly.
Inuyasha landed firmly and set Kagome down. "Kikyo… Kasage."
"—Kasage! Miss Kikyo! We finally found you!" Sango called out as she jumped down, Miroku following close behind.
"You're looking for Naraku, aren't you?" Kikyo said without hesitation.
"Exactly!" Kagome stepped forward quickly, hope shining in her eyes. "Do you know where he is? We've been searching everywhere!"
"Inuyasha suggested we come to you," she continued, a bit breathless. "But when we reached the shrine, you had already left. Then we heard the message from Yuzuki and chased after you."
Kikyo listened, then nodded slightly.
"We've only confirmed that Naraku was in this region," she explained. "However… along the way, we encountered someone who directed us to a place called Mount Hakurei."
She paused briefly, her tone more serious.
"We believe Naraku may be there as well. We were just about to investigate."
"Mount Hakurei?" the group echoed, puzzled.
"Yes," Kikyo continued. "It is said to be the sacred ground of a monk known as Hakushin Bodhisattva—a place where even those burdened with deep sins can seek purification."
As she spoke, Kikyo gently took Enju's hand.
"This is Enju. We met her along the way. She will be traveling with us."
Kasage stepped forward, calmly introducing the others.
"This is Inuyasha, a half-demon. Kagome, a shrine maiden. Sango, a demon slayer. And Miroku, a monk."
He then gestured lightly. "And these two—Shippō and Kirara."
"Nice to meet you!" Kagome, Sango, and Shippō greeted warmly. Miroku also smiled and bowed politely.
(In contrast to what Kasage expected… Miroku behaved himself.)
Inuyasha stepped closer to Enju, sniffing lightly. His brow furrowed.
"She's like you were before, Kikyo… revived by Rito, right? I can smell the herbs—and the scent of the dead."
Enju lowered her head, speaking before Kikyo could answer.
"My name is Enju… I was revived by Rito… and forced to create clay soldiers…"
Her voice trembled slightly as she explained.
Kagome and Sango immediately softened, stepping closer.
"Enju… Rito is gone now," Kagome said gently. "You're free. You can live your life."
"That's right," Sango added with a reassuring smile.
---
"Wood Release: Four Pillar House Technique!"
Kasage formed hand seals swiftly. Chakra surged into the ground.
In an instant, thick trees burst upward. Branches twisted and intertwined with a deep creaking sound, forming a refined wooden house in the clearing.
"Alright. We'll rest here tonight," Kasage said, lowering his hands.
The decision had been made.
Inuyasha's group would travel together with Kikyo and Uchiha Kasage to Mount Hakurei.
"Woah! That's incredible!" Shippō's eyes sparkled with amazement.
"Finally! No more sleeping outside!" Kagome beamed, grabbing Sango's arm as they rushed inside to explore.
"Tch… show-off," Inuyasha muttered, though he couldn't help glancing inside as well.
"No wonder we never saw you near villages," Miroku said thoughtfully. "You never needed them."
Kasage gave a faint, casual shrug. "If I'd known you were following us, I might've left the last house standing."
He paused, then added calmly, "I usually destroy them. Empty shelters attract wandering yokai."
"…I see," Miroku replied, momentarily speechless.
---
"Kagome, come help me set up a barrier," Kikyo called from beside the fire.
"Coming!" Kagome responded immediately, hurrying over.
---
"Ahh… I feel alive again…"
Kagome set down her bowl with a long sigh, her eyes almost watering as she looked at the abundant food before her.
For days, they had survived on grilled fish and wild plants. Even instant noodles had become rare luxuries.
Earlier, when Kasage casually pulled out ingredients and seasonings from the Kamui Dimension… she had been completely stunned.
Kasage watched her reaction, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
He hadn't expected their pursuit to leave them in such a pitiful state.
His gaze shifted across the group—Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Shippō—devouring their food without restraint.
Then his eyes settled on Enju, sitting quietly in the corner.
"Enju," he called calmly. "Come here. You should eat something too."
"I… I can't," she said quickly, shaking her head. "My body… can't process food."
"I know," Kasage replied, his tone steady but gentle.
He gestured for her to come closer.
"Just come here."