In the modern world, beneath the Time Tree of Higurashi Shrine, the figures of Uchiha Kasage and Kikyo appeared out of thin air.
"So this is… the world Kagome lives in?" Kikyo lifted her gaze, carefully observing her surroundings. Her eyes were filled with curiosity—and then widened in astonishment, especially when she saw the towering skyscrapers in the distance.
"That's right." Uchiha Kasage smiled and nodded gently. Reaching out, he took her delicate hand and led her toward the back of the shrine.
"Let's find Kagome first. Even though I told her I'd bring you here, she definitely didn't expect us to arrive this quickly. After we meet up with her, I'll show you around this world."
"Alright." Kikyo nodded softly. Curiosity and anticipation shimmered in her eyes, and her steps unconsciously quickened.
At that moment, inside the living room, Kagome was carefully explaining the function of the Summoning Technique wooden plaque to her mother.
Inuyasha, who had been sitting off to the side, suddenly changed expression. He sniffed the air, then stood up abruptly.
"Kagome—Kasage and Kikyo are here!"
"Really?" Kagome's eyes lit up instantly. She spun around, grabbed Inuyasha's wrist, and rushed toward the door while calling out, "Mom, keep the wooden plaques safe!"
"Kagome, are guests arriving?" her mother asked with a warm smile. But before she could get a reply, Kagome had already run off.
Still smiling gently, she lowered her gaze to the three wooden plaques in her hands. She carefully placed them into the living room cabinet, then turned to Sota.
"Sota, these are very important to your sister. Don't touch them."
"I know, Mom!" Sota nodded vigorously, his little face serious.
"It seems Kagome's friends have arrived," her grandfather said, setting down his newspaper with a smile.
"Yes…" Kagome's mother murmured softly, her eyes full of anticipation. "I wonder if they'll be… special friends, like Inuyasha?"
---
"Mom! Grandpa! Sota! I've brought guests!"
Kagome's clear voice rang out as the sliding door opened. She and Inuyasha stepped into the living room side by side.
Kagome moved aside, revealing the two figures behind her.
"These are my good friends from the Sengoku era!"
She pointed first to Uchiha Kasage. "This is Uchiha Kasage."
Then to the woman beside him. "And this is Kikyo."
Afterward, she turned to her family. "Kasage, Kikyo—this is my mother, my grandfather, and my little brother Sota."
Uchiha Kasage nodded slightly, his tone calm and courteous.
"Madam, Grandfather, Sota—please excuse our sudden visit."
Kikyo also bowed lightly, her voice clear and composed.
"Please forgive the intrusion."
However—
The Higurashi family froze.
Their gazes locked onto Kikyo's face, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Whoa! She looks exactly like big sis!" Sota exclaimed first.
"Ah—sorry, sorry! Please, have a seat!" Kagome's mother snapped back to her senses, smiling warmly as she invited them to sit. Yet her gaze kept drifting between Kagome and Kikyo, the resemblance growing more astonishing the longer she looked.
Once everyone sat down, a brief silence filled the room.
Kagome's grandfather's eyes landed on Kikyo's miko attire, and he spoke to break the awkwardness.
"Miss Kikyo… are you a miko?"
"Yes." Kikyo nodded gently, her posture straight, hands resting neatly in her lap.
"I see…" Kagome's grandfather nodded thoughtfully, then added with a hint of exaggerated depth,
"Our Higurashi Shrine has passed down many spells and sacred artifacts through generations. We've even produced powerful priests and miko. Perhaps we could exchange some insights? I wonder how the miko arts of the Sengoku era compare—"
"Grandpa!"
Kagome cut him off sharply, shooting him a fierce glare.
Her grandfather immediately choked back the rest of his words under her terrifying look.
Kikyo tilted her head slightly, a trace of confusion flickering in her clear eyes.
She hadn't sensed any spiritual power from Kagome's grandfather… and from Kagome's performance in the Sengoku era, it didn't seem like she had inherited any particularly strong spiritual techniques either.
Noticing her confusion, Uchiha Kasage smiled faintly. He gently held her hand and gave a subtle shake of his head, silently telling her not to worry about it.
He knew very well—
Kagome's grandfather was just an ordinary old man.
But this shrine… was anything but ordinary.
Hidden here were many unusual objects—likely remnants connected to the Bone Eater's Well.
That well, after all, linked directly to the Sengoku era—a world where yokai roamed freely. To the villagers of that time, it often served as a convenient place to dispose of sealed evil objects or yokai remains.
Over time, some of those items would inevitably pass through the well… and end up here.
Still, Kasage had no interest in such things.
Compared to the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan, those artifacts meant little—and many carried risks he had no desire to provoke.
---
Kagome's mother, however, noticed something entirely different.
Her gaze fell on the way Kasage and Kikyo's hands were gently intertwined.
A soft, knowing smile appeared on her face.
Then she glanced at Kagome and Inuyasha whispering together nearby, her expression growing even more satisfied.
Turning back to Kikyo, she spoke warmly,
"Kikyo, you and Kagome look so alike… for a moment, I almost thought I had another daughter I didn't know about."
Kikyo froze slightly.
A faint blush spread across her usually calm face.
For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
She couldn't exactly say that Kagome… was her reincarnation.
Fortunately, Kagome's mother didn't press further. Instead, she smiled and changed the subject.
"Are you and Kasage… a married couple?"
"No—no, we're not!" Kikyo quickly waved her hands, her blush deepening. Her voice carried a rare hint of flustered panic, softening her usual composed demeanor.
"Oh, I understand~" Kagome's mother smiled knowingly, her eyes full of gentle teasing.
Then she turned toward Sota, who had been secretly staring at Kikyo.
"Speaking of which, Sota… how are things with your little girlfriend? Hitomi, was it?"
"Mom!!" Sota's face turned bright red instantly as he protested in embarrassment.
"Alright, alright~ I won't say any more." She covered her mouth, chuckling softly.
As the conversation continued, the atmosphere gradually warmed.
Kagome's mother truly seemed to treat Kikyo like a second daughter, asking gently about her life in the Sengoku era, her tone filled with genuine care.
Although Kikyo was not used to such warmth and attention, she could clearly feel the kindness behind it.
So she answered each question sincerely.
And slowly—
A quiet warmth began to grow in her heart.