Kikyo had already guessed what Uchiha Kasage intended to do. A soft smile appeared on her lips as she gently pushed Enju's shoulder.
"Go on," she said warmly. "It's for your own good."
Hearing this, Enju stepped forward hesitantly, confusion written all over her face. Her wine-red eyes flickered with uncertainty as she spoke in a quiet voice.
"Lord Kasage… what do you need me to do? My body is made from grave soil—it's a clay vessel. I cannot eat. To keep moving, I must rely on the souls of the dead…"
Kasage already knew this.
Just like Kikyo once had—her body sustained only by lingering resentment—she had depended on soul collectors to gather the spirits of the dead.
Enju, though different in that she possessed a complete soul, still required external souls to maintain her clay body.
That was also why Wamaru had been obsessed with war.
Without the souls of the fallen… none of them could continue to exist.
"Stand still," Kasage said calmly. "Raise your hands above your head."
Though confused, Enju obeyed without question. She lifted her arms and straightened her posture, not daring to move.
"Good. Don't move," Kasage said.
His hands began forming seals rapidly.
Watching Enju's posture, a faint smile touched Kikyo's lips. A distant memory surfaced in her eyes.
Back then… when she had first been revived, trapped in a clay body filled with resentment… Kasage had done the same.
Now, she was truly alive.
Thinking back on it… it felt like a lifetime ago.
Her gaze softened as she looked at him, a quiet warmth lingering in her eyes.
"Sango… look at how Kikyo is looking at Kasage," Kagome whispered, leaning closer with a teasing smile.
Sango blinked, then followed her gaze—and immediately froze.
Kikyo's expression… was unmistakably gentle.
Affectionate.
Flustered, Sango glanced at Miroku, her face instantly turning bright red.
"I—I do not look like that!" she stammered. "That lecherous monk—"
The more she spoke, the more embarrassed she became. Finally, she turned sharply toward Kagome.
"And you?! Don't you look at Inuyasha the same way?!"
"W-What?!" Kagome's face turned red in an instant. Caught off guard, she panicked—then suddenly shouted:
"I like Inuyasha! So what?!"
Silence.
Everyone froze.
All eyes turned toward Kagome.
Even Kasage paused mid–hand sign, glancing over in surprise.
Kagome's mind went blank under the weight of everyone's stares.
"Inuyasha, you—" she began—
"SIT!"
The command rang out.
The prayer beads around Inuyasha's neck glowed instantly.
"THUD!"
He slammed face-first into the ground, cutting off his words entirely.
Ignoring his groans, Kagome covered her burning face and bolted into the wooden house.
"BANG!"
The door slammed shut behind her.
Kikyo blinked softly, watching the scene unfold.
…Her reincarnation truly was… somewhat impulsive.
Kasage glanced at the closed door, then at Inuyasha picking himself up, utterly puzzled.
He shook his head slightly, returning his focus.
"Enju," he said, voice steady. "Ignore them. Stay still."
Before she could respond, his palm struck lightly against her abdomen.
"Four Symbols Sealing Technique!"
"Ah—!"
Caught off guard, Enju's body arched as she let out a soft cry, instinctively trying to pull away.
"Don't move," Kasage said firmly, maintaining the seal.
She froze instantly, forcing herself to remain still.
A moment later, Kasage withdrew his hand and exhaled.
"It's done."
Enju slowly straightened, still unsure if she should move.
Then—
Small glowing orbs began drifting out of her body.
"W-what?! The souls… they're leaving!" she cried in panic.
She reached out, trying to push them back inside—but each time she did, they slipped out again from somewhere else.
Again.
And again.
Like an endless game she couldn't win.
Kasage watched for a moment, then sighed faintly.
"Stop. Let them go," he said.
She froze.
"…What?"
"Feel your body carefully," he continued. "You can still move, can't you?"
Enju hesitated… then slowly let her hands fall.
The glowing souls drifted upward into the night sky.
She closed her eyes, focusing inward.
And then—
Her eyes widened.
A steady, warm energy flowed from her abdomen, spreading through her entire being.
It sustained her.
Supported her.
Replaced the need for those souls entirely.
"I… I don't need them anymore…?" she whispered.
"I sealed my Chakra inside you," Kasage explained calmly. "It will sustain your body in place of the souls. As long as it remains, you won't need to gather the dead."
"And if it runs out… come to me."
Enju's eyes trembled.
"…I don't… have to take souls anymore?"
Her voice shook with disbelief.
Then, without hesitation, she bowed deeply.
"Thank you… thank you so much, Lord Kasage!"
Kasage waved it off lightly.
"It's nothing. If you're traveling with me, I won't have you doing something like that."
He turned toward the others.
"I'll take the first watch. Inuyasha takes the second. The rest of you—get some sleep."
"No problem," Inuyasha replied, rubbing his head.
"Let me keep watch!" Enju said quickly. "I don't need sleep—"
"You're too weak," Kasage interrupted bluntly. "You wouldn't even notice if something crossed the barrier."
Her shoulders drooped slightly, but she nodded and followed the others inside.
---
"Kikyo… you're not going to rest?" Kasage asked, glancing at her.
Instead of answering, Kikyo walked over and sat beside him.
Close.
Very close.
She leaned gently against him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"…I just want to stay like this… for a while," she said softly.
Kasage paused.
Then, without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
She didn't resist.
The two sat quietly together.
The crackling fire… the distant chirping of insects… filled the silence.
After a long while, Kikyo spoke again, her voice quieter than before.
"…Why did Kagome say that earlier?"
Kasage looked down at her.
Though she tried to hide it… he could see it clearly.
That faint shyness.
That uncertainty.
A small smile formed on his lips.
He leaned closer, his voice a soft whisper near her ear.
"I like you, Kikyo."
Her body stiffened slightly.
Then—
A deep blush spread across her cheeks.
Her lips curved upward, unable to hide her happiness.
Kasage understood.
Kagome's sudden confession had made her realize something—
They had never said it.
Not like this.
Not openly.
"Your turn," he whispered gently.
Kikyo buried her face slightly against his shoulder, her voice barely audible.
"I… I like you too… Kasage."
Her cheeks burned as she spoke.
Kasage felt warmth rise in his chest.
He tilted his head slightly, moving closer—
But Kikyo suddenly lifted her head, stopping him.
A soft smile lingered on her lips, but her eyes shifted toward the wooden house.
"…Not now," she whispered. "They're watching."
Kasage paused, then extended his senses.
Sure enough—
Behind the window, several faces were pressed tightly against the frame, staring at them with full attention.