"How nice… I don't have to travel on foot anymore," Uchiha Kasage said contentedly, sitting atop Kuromaru while holding Kikyo in his arms.
"So eager to send Enju back just to steal this spot?" Kikyo rolled her eyes, though there was a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
"Of course," Kasage replied without shame, tightening his arms slightly around her. "That fellow took my place earlier—I had to run the whole time."
"…You really have no shame," Kikyo said, momentarily speechless.
Then she laughed softly.
Her clear, gentle laughter echoed in his ears.
---
"Miss Kikyo and Kasage really get along well…" Sango murmured from Kirara's back, a hint of envy in her eyes.
"Sango… I can hold you too," Miroku said from behind her, glancing at the massive Hiraikotsu separating them.
Hearing that, Sango's cheeks instantly turned red.
She stole a glance at the pair ahead—
Then, after a moment of hesitation, quietly shifted the Hiraikotsu aside.
Just as anticipation rose in her heart—
Her body froze.
She looked down.
Miroku's hand… had landed squarely on her butt.
*Smack!*
The sharp sound echoed through the forest.
Everyone turned.
A bright red handprint appeared on Miroku's face.
"You lecherous monk! Pervert! Idiot!"
Sango's face was flushed, her voice trembling between anger and embarrassment.
Miroku rubbed his cheek awkwardly.
"I thought… since you moved the Hiraikotsu… you were inviting me…"
"Hmph," Inuyasha snorted. "That idiot monk is at it again."
Kagome sighed.
"…Some things never change."
"Big dummy," Shippō added from Inuyasha's shoulder.
---
"What happened?" Kikyo turned back, confused by the commotion.
Seeing Sango furious and Miroku apologizing, she blinked.
"…Did they argue?"
Kasage chuckled.
"Let me explain."
He briefly recounted what had happened.
Kikyo covered her mouth, unable to hold back a laugh.
"…Does Monk Miroku not understand a woman's feelings at all? To do something like that at such a moment…"
"He's always been like that," Kasage said with amusement. "Grabbing hands, asking women to bear his child… and, of course, touching where he shouldn't."
"Is that so?" Kikyo looked surprised. "He's always been quite respectful toward me."
"Probably because he's afraid you'll purify him with an arrow."
---
"Oh?" Kikyo's eyes curved slightly with mischief.
"And you? Aren't you afraid I might do the same?"
Kasage laughed.
"You already shot me once when we first met."
"…You still remember that?" Kikyo's expression softened with nostalgia before she lightly struck his chest. "You did that on purpose, didn't you? With your strength, you could have dodged—but you pretended to be dead and scared me."
"That's right," Kasage said shamelessly. "I *am* a villain."
Then he grinned.
"So I kidnapped the culprit—you."
"…You—"
Kikyo froze for a moment, then flushed faintly and hit him again.
"I'm not talking to you anymore, you shameless villain."
---
Kasage was about to tease her further—
When his expression suddenly sharpened.
Without hesitation—
He flicked a shuriken forward.
At the same time, his hands formed seals.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The single shuriken split into dozens mid-air, slicing through the foliage.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
Each one struck precisely—
Pinning several wasp-like creatures to the trees.
"Mōryōmaru…" Inuyasha narrowed his eyes instantly.
The group became alert.
Naraku's poisonous insects.
---
"These were custom-made," Kasage said casually, glancing at the embedded shuriken.
Kagome had brought them from her world—
They were finally being put to use.
"It seems we're on the right path," Inuyasha said, gripping Tessaiga. "Naraku must be nearby."
"These insects are clearly scouting us," Miroku added, his tone turning serious.
---
As they continued—
The number of Mōryōmaru increased.
Single scouts.
Then small swarms.
They were being watched.
Closely.
---
"…Naraku is keeping an eye on us," Kasage said calmly, flicking a wind blade that split another insect in half.
"I wonder what kind of 'welcome' he's prepared."
Shippō shivered.
"Shouldn't we change routes? What if it's a trap?"
Kasage snorted.
"No need."
"He only relies on tricks like this. It's not worth slowing down."
"Exactly!" Inuyasha grinned. "We'll just find him and cut him down!"
Miroku and Sango exchanged a glance—
Then nodded.
"…Alright."
They quickened their pace.
---
Soon—
They emerged from the forest.
The view opened wide.
Rice fields stretched into the distance, dotted with villages and houses. Farther away—
A castle stood against the horizon.
"There are people ahead!" Kagome said brightly, her face lighting up. "Finally!"
"Let's head in," Kasage said, scanning the area. "We can restock supplies."
"And gather information," Kikyo added. "If Naraku is nearby… something must have happened here."
---
They dismounted.
Kuromaru was dismissed.
Kirara shrank and returned to Sango's arms.
After tidying themselves, the group walked toward the town.
---
Then—
Hoofbeats.
Fast.
Sharp.
Everyone turned.
A cavalry unit galloped past.
Armored soldiers.
Swords at their sides.
And—
Something unusual.
Mounted alongside their gear—
Firearms.
The sight made the group pause.
Because in this era—
That kind of weapon…
Should not have been so common.