"Dance of the Wind Blades!"
A clear female voice rang out, laced with chilling killing intent. From deep within the dense forest, several gleaming wind blades shot forward, slicing through the air toward Inuyasha and her group as they rested by the campfire.
Inuyasha reacted instantly. In one swift motion, she drew Tessaiga from her waist and unleashed a surge of yokai power.
"Wind Scar!"
A dazzling arc of golden energy clashed violently with the incoming blades. The collision exploded with a thunderous roar, sending a fierce gust sweeping through the clearing and whipping Inuyasha's fire rat robe wildly around her.
"Kagura!"
Spotting her not far away, Inuyasha tightened her grip on Tessaiga, her body poised for battle.
Yet Kagura simply stood there, her folding fan resting lightly in her hand, making no move.
"Ah—!"
Kagome's cry suddenly broke the tension.
Inuyasha's expression shifted as she snapped her head toward the sound.
Floating beside Kagome was White Child, his small hand already reaching for her throat.
"Kagome!"
Inuyasha shouted, instinctively raising Tessaiga—only to halt mid-motion, afraid of hurting her. Her hand clenched instead, sharp claws digging into her palm as blood dripped between her fingers.
"Flying Blade Blood Claw!"
Crimson blades tore through the air toward White Child, glowing with violent energy.
Just before impact, a pale purple barrier unfolded around him. The blood blades struck it—and shattered instantly into nothing.
"Hiraikotsu!"
Sango reacted without hesitation, hurling her massive weapon. It whistled through the air and slammed into White Child's barrier, producing a sharp metallic clang—but it held firm.
Kagome forced herself to stay calm. Gritting her teeth, she shouted, "Get out of the way!"
She gripped the demon-slaying bow like a blade and swung it fiercely at White Child's arm.
White Child's eyes flickered with disdain. He didn't even bother to dodge, clearly underestimating her.
But in the next instant, his expression froze.
The bow erupted with brilliant purifying power. His barrier shattered instantly, as fragile as glass, dissolving into particles of light.
The strike landed.
Crack!
The bow snapped under the force, but not before unleashing its full power. White Child's arm—and half his chest—were obliterated. His small body was blasted backward, flung like a broken puppet through the air.
"Wind Scar!"
Inuyasha was already at Kagome's side. Without hesitation, she swung Tessaiga again, sending another blazing arc of energy toward White Child's shattered form.
"Dance of Dragons and Snakes!"
At that critical moment, Kagura finally moved.
With a single wave of her fan, a massive tornado surged into existence, roaring as it collided with Wind Scar. The impact churned the battlefield into chaos, wind howling and dust spiraling upward.
Then, through the storm, Kagura's voice rang out clearly.
"In the Land of Fire, within Yamanaka, there is said to be a gate… one that leads to the boundary between the underworld and the mortal world."
As the dust settled, both Kagura and White Child had vanished.
"…Damn it."
Inuyasha slowly lowered Tessaiga, frustration flashing across her face before she sheathed it.
She turned quickly to Kagome. "Kagome, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Sango, Miroku, and Shippo gathered around her, their concern evident.
"I-I'm fine," Kagome said softly, shaking her head.
Her gaze dropped to the broken bow in her hands, her voice tightening with regret.
"The bow Kikyo gave me… it's broken."
"It's just a bow," Inuyasha said, a little too casually.
"Inuyasha!"
Kagome shot her an annoyed look, then hesitated, her expression dimming.
"And… the Shikon Jewel shard… White Child took it…"
"What?!" Inuyasha froze, eyes widening.
"I said he took it!" Kagome repeated, her voice filled with guilt.
Silence lingered for a brief moment.
"…It's fine," Inuyasha said at last, her tone calm but firm. "If they took it, we'll just take it back."
Kagome blinked in surprise.
"I thought you'd be angry…"
"As long as you're safe," Inuyasha replied, turning away.
"Inuyasha's gotten softer!" Shippo declared, crossing his arms like an adult.
Sango and Miroku exchanged knowing looks and nodded.
"Shut up!" Inuyasha snapped, flustered. She bonked Shippo on the head and looked away, embarrassed.
Kagome smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Inuyasha."
After comforting Shippo, she sat beside her again, her voice quieter.
"I'm sorry… I lost the shard again."
Inuyasha glanced at her, her tone gentler now.
"You're what matters. We'll get it back."
Kagome lifted her head, her eyes bright again.
"Right!"
Then she paused, recalling something.
"What Kagura said… about that gate in the Land of Fire… do you think it's true?"
Miroku frowned. "If she told us directly, it's likely Naraku's trap."
"Maybe," Inuyasha said, standing. "But we won't know unless we go."
Sango nodded. "Exactly. Trap or not, it's a lead."
"Then let's go!" Kagome said, her determination restored.
On the other side
Kagura sat atop her feather, watching as White Child's body rapidly regenerated. Her brows furrowed slightly.
"…He can't even die from that?"
Moments later, White Child stood as if nothing had happened.
He glanced at her, faint surprise in his eyes.
"Kagura… I didn't expect you to save me."
Kagura let out a cold scoff.
"If you hadn't taken the shard, I wouldn't have bothered. I have no intention of being punished by Naraku for losing something already secured."
White Child studied her for a moment, unconvinced.
"I hope you're as clever as you claim."
He said nothing more. Instead, he casually tossed the small glass bottle containing the shard into the air.
Several Mōryōmaru rushed forward, catching it before disappearing swiftly into the forest below.
"You brat…" Kagura muttered, though her gaze lingered, a faint, hidden anticipation flickering in her eyes.
She knew very well that Uchiha Kasage had already tampered with Kagome's shard.
That was why she chose to intervene.
"What now?" she asked coolly.
White Child turned his gaze toward the direction Inuyasha's group had gone, a faint, calculating smile forming.
"We wait."
His eyes gleamed.
"We wait for them… to open the gate for us."