"Oh!"
Kagura's eyes lit up as her gaze fell on Kikyo's red-and-white miko attire.
"So… you married Kasage to have a little shrine maiden who can inherit your power?" she asked with open curiosity.
"…"
Kikyo pressed her lips together. A faint blush spread across her cheeks, and even her earlobes turned slightly red.
She lowered her gaze, avoiding Kagura's teasing look—
and said nothing.
"Of course."
Kasage answered without hesitation, his tone firm.
Then he turned to Kagura, a sly smile forming.
"When we have a child, how about you help us take care of them? Consider it repayment for saving your life."
"Huh?!"
Kagura shot upright, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Are you serious?! I'm a yokai! How could I possibly help a shrine maiden raise a child? Absolutely not!"
Kasage sighed dramatically, shaking his head.
"Tsk… you won't even help after I saved your life."
"Impossible means impossible!"
Kagura snorted and flopped back onto the grass, crossing her arms behind her head.
"I'm the free wind. I don't want to be tied down by some brat. Kids are annoying."
"You're so stingy," Kasage scoffed, then lifted his chin proudly. "Let me tell you—if you ever want to help take care of my kids in the future, you'll have to line up."
"Heh. Dream on."
Kagura rolled her eyes, full of disdain.
Beside them, Kikyo listened quietly, her cheeks still faintly flushed—but her eyes held a soft, gentle warmth.
Unconsciously, a thought crossed her mind:
If they had children one day…
Would she teach them spiritual arts—
or would Kasage teach them ninjutsu?
Kasage suddenly glanced at Kagura again, smirking.
"You know… I didn't expect you to be this kind of woman."
He tilted his head slightly.
"So, Kagura… when are you planning to find someone you like and settle down? I could help you take care of your kids too."
Kagura froze—just for a brief moment.
She cast him a complicated, unreadable glance—
before quickly masking it with her usual cold expression.
"I will never marry. And I will never have children."
"You shouldn't speak so absolutely," Kasage replied with a light chuckle. "One day, you'll meet someone who makes your heart move."
Kagura let out a quiet, almost self-mocking laugh.
"And even if that happens… so what?"
Her voice softened slightly.
"Human lives are short."
"By the time I find someone I truly care about… you'll already be dust."
Kasage smiled faintly, a mysterious glint in his eyes.
"That's not necessarily—"
Before he could finish—
A sudden gust of wind swept through.
Kagura was already standing on her feather.
"I'm leaving."
With those words, she shot into the sky, disappearing in an instant.
Kasage brushed stray petals off his clothes, frowning.
"…What was that about? We were having a perfectly good conversation."
"Kagura…"
Kikyo watched the direction she had left, her voice soft.
"She might like you."
Kasage paused.
"…Like me? That's impossible."
But as he recalled her sudden reaction—
it did seem… strange.
Kikyo turned to him calmly.
"You're strong. You saved her from Naraku, gave her freedom… and now you're protecting her."
"Yokai admire strength."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"And as a woman… I can tell you that the way she looks at you is not normal."
Kasage rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
When you put it that way…
It made sense.
After all, Kagura had admired Sesshomaru in the original story for the same reason.
And now—
he had given her something even more important.
Freedom.
He didn't deny it.
Nor did he make excuses.
Kikyo stepped closer, her gaze steady and firm.
"She's free to feel whatever she wants."
"But I won't share you with anyone."
Her voice was calm—
yet absolute.
"Don't even think about becoming like Inu no Taisho."
"You will have only one wife."
Kasage couldn't help but laugh softly.
He pulled her into his arms.
"I know."
"I promised you—you'll be my only wife."
Kikyo's determination didn't come from insecurity—
but from clarity.
She understood love.
Yet she would never let it override her convictions.
That was what made her different.
What made her… irreplaceable.
---
"Kikyo! Kikyo!!"
Urgent shouts suddenly echoed from outside the shrine, breaking the peaceful atmosphere.
Kikyo turned immediately toward the torii gate, frowning slightly.
Why would Inuyasha's group suddenly come here?
And in such a hurry?
Moments later—
several familiar figures rushed in.
Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Shippo—
and Kohaku.
"What happened?" Kikyo asked, her tone serious.
"Miss Kikyo—please, you have to save Miroku!"
Sango rushed forward, grabbing Kikyo's hand tightly.
Her voice trembled with desperation.
"What happened to him?"
Kikyo's gaze sharpened immediately.
Then she noticed—
the unconscious figure on Inuyasha's back.
Miroku.
His face was pale.
Blood stained the corners of his mouth and eyes.
"Inuyasha, lay him down," Kikyo said quickly.
Without hesitation, Inuyasha knelt and carefully lowered Miroku onto the ground.
Sango immediately followed, kneeling beside him.
She gently lifted his head onto her lap, her movements trembling—
afraid to hurt him, yet unable to stay still.
"Kikyo… please," Inuyasha said, his voice tense with worry.
Kikyo crouched down beside Miroku.
The moment she examined him—
her brows furrowed deeply.
Something was very wrong.