"Ying—!"
Kirara, who had been crouching at Sango's feet, suddenly lit up when she saw Midoriko. Letting out an excited cry, she leapt lightly into the air and landed on her shoulder.
Her nose twitched as she caught the familiar scent, and she rubbed her fluffy head affectionately against Midoriko's cheek.
"Is this the priestess Midoriko who created the Shikon Jewel?" Miroku sighed sincerely as he looked at her refined face. "Even in death, she is still so beautiful…"
"Miroku!" Sango shot him a sharp glare, her expression instantly dangerous.
"Ah—purely observational!" Miroku quickly took half a step back, forcing an awkward smile.
"Tch. Perverted monk," Inuyasha scoffed without hesitation.
---
Uchiha Kasage quietly observed Midoriko.
She stood upright without support, moving alongside Kikyo and Kagome—
Yet her eyes were hollow, unresponsive.
Even Kirara's affection drew no reaction.
Kasage waved a hand in front of her eyes.
No response.
He turned to Kikyo.
"Kikyo… what's her current condition? Does she have a soul?"
"No."
Kikyo gently shook her head.
She reached out, taking Midoriko's hand and slowly opening it.
A shard of the Shikon Jewel lay quietly in her palm, glowing faintly.
"It seems the Shikon Jewel allows her body to move autonomously when near one of its shards."
She closed Midoriko's hand again.
"It should be Midoriko's soul within the Shikon Jewel influencing the body," Kasage concluded, nodding slightly.
---
"So what now?" Kagome asked softly, looking at Midoriko's empty gaze.
"Are we just going to leave her like this?"
Kasage turned slightly.
"I can stabilize her body… but before that, there's something else she needs."
His eyes shifted toward Kikyo.
"Kikyo. Did you retrieve it?"
"Yes," Kikyo replied calmly. "It's already on its way."
"…Huh?" Inuyasha frowned. "What are you two talking about?"
---
Suddenly—
He turned sharply toward the distance.
A white glow streaked across the sky at incredible speed.
"…Kikyo's soul collectors?"
A pale Soul Collector approached, carrying a cluster of shimmering white light—
A purified dead soul.
Inuyasha froze for a moment.
Then his gaze shifted back to Midoriko.
"…That's for her, isn't it?"
"Exactly," Kikyo said quietly.
The Soul Collector drifted closer and gently guided the dead soul into Midoriko's body.
"This is a dead soul gathered from what remained of Midoriko's power after death," Kikyo explained. "When the clay body was being formed, I sent the Soul Collectors to retrieve it."
She turned toward Sango.
"I'm sorry. All the remaining power in the cave where Midoriko's remains rested has now been absorbed into this."
"The barrier there… has likely disappeared."
Sango quickly shook her head.
"That's alright. That power belonged to Lady Midoriko in the first place."
---
Shippō, perched on Inuyasha's shoulder, tilted his head.
"…It doesn't seem to be doing anything though. She still looks the same."
"Of course," Miroku explained.
"Midoriko's true soul—the four souls that make up her spirit—remains sealed within the Shikon Jewel."
"This dead soul is merely condensed from residual power. It can sustain the body's movement… but it cannot restore her consciousness."
"…So it's useless?" Inuyasha frowned.
"Not necessarily."
Kasage smiled faintly.
"As long as the body can move, this dead soul—being hers—can still draw out a portion of Midoriko's original power."
---
Kagome looked at him curiously.
"…What are you planning?"
"Just a preliminary idea," Kasage replied calmly. "Whether it works… we'll see."
He gently lifted Kirara off Midoriko's shoulder and returned her to Sango.
Then—
He took the Shikon Jewel shard from Midoriko's hand and passed it to Kikyo.
The moment the shard left her grasp—
Midoriko's body went limp.
She collapsed backward.
Kasage was already prepared.
He caught her by the waist, steadying her.
"I'll store her body in the Kamui dimension for now."
---
His Mangekyō Sharingan activated.
A swirling пространственный vortex expanded before them.
In an instant—
Midoriko's body was drawn inside and vanished.
---
"Well, that's done," Inuyasha said immediately. "Let's head to Mount Hakurei already. We've wasted enough time."
"Alright," Kasage nodded.
Then he turned to Enju.
"Before that… Enju, I'll send you back."
"…Back?" Enju blinked in confusion. "Where?"
"To the Kikyo Shrine."
Kasage spoke calmly.
"We're heading to face Naraku next. It will be dangerous."
"I may not be able to protect you."
"I'd rather ensure your safety first."
---
Enju hesitated.
"…Wouldn't that trouble you? I can stay here and wait…"
"It's no trouble," Kasage said gently.
"I'll send you the same way I did just now."
"It'll be quick."
Enju relaxed slightly.
"…I understand."
She bowed deeply to everyone.
"Then… I'll take my leave. I hope we meet again."
"Goodbye!" Kagome waved warmly. "After we defeat Naraku, we'll come visit!"
Sango, Miroku, and Shippō echoed their farewells.
Finally, Enju turned to Kikyo.
"Lady Kikyo… please take care. I'll be waiting."
Then she faced Kasage.
"…I'm ready."
---
Kasage nodded.
"Stand still."
His Mangekyō activated again.
The пространственный vortex reappeared—
And Enju vanished into it.
---
"…She made it safely?" Kagome asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
Kasage smiled faintly.
"She's already at the shrine."
"If you want to see her later… just come find us."
---
### Meanwhile — Kikyo Shrine
Kasage's wood clone stood watch in the courtyard.
The moment Enju entered the Kamui dimension—
His Sharingan activated.
A vortex opened.
Enju stepped out.
Her vision blurred for a moment—
Darkness, then light.
When she regained focus—
She found herself inside a quiet wooden shrine.
Kasage stood before her.
"…Lord Kasage?" she asked, startled. "Where… are we?"
"This is the Kikyo Shrine," the clone replied calmly.
"Kikyo and I reside here."
He paused briefly.
"And I am a wood clone. The original is still with the others."
He turned toward the doorway.
"Come. I'll prepare a place for you."
"And introduce you to Yuzuki. She's staying here as well."
---
"…O-Okay…"
Still slightly dazed, Enju followed behind him—
Quietly taking in her new surroundings.