A vibrant green chakra, overflowing with life energy, glowed in the palm of Uchiha Kasage. The chakra, gentle and Yang in nature, enveloped Miroku's chest, and the terrible miasma-inflicted wounds on his body began healing at a visible rate.
Sango, Kagome, Inuyasha, and Kohaku held their breath, staring intently at the glowing chakra in his hand. None of them dared make a sound, afraid of interrupting the treatment. Their faces were filled with tension and hope.
"Mm—"
After a moment, Miroku let out a faint groan and slowly opened his tightly shut eyes, his gaze still slightly unfocused.
"Monk, you're awake!"
Sango rushed to his side, her eyes reddened, her voice trembling with relief and joy as she looked at him.
"I'm… alive?"
Miroku relaxed when he saw Sango before him. His voice was weak.
"Sango… where are we?"
"We're at Lady Kikyo's shrine," Sango replied softly, noticing the color slowly returning to his pale face. Her worry finally began to fade.
Miroku then noticed Kasage treating him and quickly asked,
"Kasage… did you save me?"
"To be precise, it was Kikyo who first purified the miasma in your body and saved your life," Kasage replied calmly, maintaining the medical ninjutsu in his hand.
"I only healed the damage your body suffered from it."
"Thank you… truly," Miroku said sincerely, glancing around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
Kasage gave a faint smirk.
"You really pushed yourself. If things had gone worse, even if you managed to kill Naraku, you wouldn't have lived much longer."
After a while, the chakra in his palm gradually faded. He withdrew his hand.
"That's enough. The internal damage is no longer a major issue."
He turned to Sango and instructed,
"Give him his medicine and make sure he rests. Don't let him strain himself."
"How do you feel?"
Sango quickly took the bowl of medicine and carefully handed it to Miroku, her voice gentle.
"I'm sorry… I won't make you worry again," Miroku said apologetically, noticing the lingering concern in her eyes.
As Sango helped him drink the medicine, Miroku suddenly leaned closer with a cheerful expression.
"Even with my strong body… I almost didn't make it…"
Seeing this, Kasage quietly turned and walked away, giving them space.
"Kasage, is Miroku really okay?" Kagome asked, stepping forward.
"Other than some weakness, he can move normally," Kasage replied.
*Smack!*
A crisp sound echoed behind them.
Everyone turned to look. A clear handprint was visible on Miroku's face, while Sango glared at him furiously, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger.
"Yep… he's definitely fine," Shippo said casually.
"Yeah. No doubt about it," Inuyasha added, arms crossed, completely unfazed.
Kagome nodded, a small smile forming.
Kohaku, holding Kirara, seemed used to this by now. He gently handed Kirara to Sango and took the medicine bowl.
"Big sister, let me take care of Miroku."
"Hmph! That pervert deserves it!"
Sango shot Miroku an angry look, but despite her harsh words, she stayed by his side.
"Uh… I just wanted to confirm I'd really recovered…"
Miroku awkwardly rubbed his cheek, laughing.
"This familiar feeling… yes, I'm definitely back to normal."
"You just wanted to grope Sango!" Inuyasha exposed him bluntly.
"I truly don't understand how Sango fell for such a lecherous monk," Kikyo said calmly from beside Kasage.
Kasage smiled faintly.
"That's just their way of expressing affection."
"Affection?" Kikyo gave him a cold look.
"That's clearly perversion."
While the others were distracted, Kasage leaned closer to Kikyo and whispered near her ear,
"If you don't understand… I can show you."
Before she could react, he reached out and lightly touched her through the fabric of her shrine maiden robes.
"Hm!"
Kikyo's body stiffened instantly. Without hesitation, she struck his chest with her elbow.
"Pervert!" she snapped, her cheeks faintly tinted.
Kasage chuckled, rubbing his chest.
"See? That's how lovers communicate."
Kikyo ignored him completely and turned to Kagome, her gaze shifting to the ordinary bow on her back.
"Kagome… your demon-slaying bow is broken?"
"Ah—right!"
Kagome looked slightly embarrassed.
"I accidentally broke it when Naraku's incarnation, the Infant, tried to steal the Shikon Jewel… I'm sorry."
"It's normal for weapons to break in battle," Kikyo said calmly.
"Besides… your spiritual power has grown stronger. You now need a bow that can truly match it if you are to face Naraku."
She paused briefly, then said,
"It's good that you're here. I'll take you to retrieve one."
"A bow that suits me?" Kagome's eyes lit up.
"Kikyo… will you make me a new sacred bow?"
"It's not about making one," Kikyo replied, already heading toward the door.
"There is one waiting."
"Kikyo! Kagome! I'm coming too!" Inuyasha quickly stood.
"There's no need," Kikyo said firmly.
"Only Kagome and I can enter that place. You wouldn't be able to, even if you came."
She turned to Kasage.
"Stay here and look after them."
Kasage nodded.
"If anything happens, use the summoning technique."
"Don't worry!" Kagome said reassuringly to Inuyasha.
"With Kikyo, I'll be fine."
She then looked at the others.
"Sango, Kohaku—take care of Miroku. We'll be back soon."
With that, she followed Kikyo out.
Moments later, the distinct sound of a horse echoed from outside the shrine.
Kasage sensed their presence rapidly moving away.
"They've already left… riding the Entei," he murmured.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"It must be the Sacred Bow of Mount Azusa… from the Azusa Temple."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"That bow… is exactly what Kagome needs right now."