The reason Kagetsu handed the Shikon shards to Kikyo so easily was simple.
They no longer held much value for him.
He had already gathered more than enough life force. Lately, when demons came drawn by the amplified aura of the shards, he simply killed them outright. There was no need to harvest anything further.
Nor did he intend to entrust them to Kagome. If events unfolded as he remembered, Naraku would inevitably target her and seize the shards again.
Kikyo, however, was different.
She was a priestess capable of purifying the Shikon Jewel.
Letting her hold onto them,for now,was a reasonable choice.
With that settled, Kagetsu formed a hand seal.
Poof.
White smoke burst outward. When it cleared, he no longer wore shinobi attire. Instead, he stood clad in simple samurai garb, a katana resting at his waist.
"How about this?" he asked lightly, resting a hand on the sword hilt. "I shouldn't frighten the villagers now."
The blade itself had once belonged to a bandit leader he had dealt with. It lacked refinement, but it would suffice as a prop.
Kikyo glanced at him indifferently.
"Do as you wish."
She turned and resumed walking toward the village.
"By the way," he added casually as he fell into step beside her, "my name is Uchiha Kagetsu. You can just call me Kagetsu. I'm a ninja."
"A ninja?"
She paused slightly, a hint of curiosity surfacing.
There were shinobi in this era, though most were little more than covert operatives skilled in stealth, hidden weapons, and trickery. Nothing extraordinary.
"Yes. A shinobi of the Uchiha clan, from Konohagakure."
A faint, almost nostalgic smile flickered across his face. His tone, however, remained solemn.
"I see."
Though she did not understand the weight behind his introduction, Kikyo inclined her head politely and continued forward without further inquiry.
Kagetsu did not elaborate.
He understood why she allowed him to follow.
Her resurrection was incomplete.
Most of her soul remained within Kagome.
What animated this clay vessel was merely resentment and lingering attachment. Even standing upright required effort. For now, she relied on the Soul Collectors to gather the souls of deceased young women to sustain herself.
She could not defeat him.
Allowing him to remain was the pragmatic choice.
As they entered the village,
"Lady Kikyo! Thank you for treating my illness earlier!"
Villagers bowed respectfully as they passed, their faces filled with gratitude.
"Lady Kikyo! Lady Kikyo!"
A small girl in a kimono came running over, clutching her sleeves as she stumbled forward.
"Look! Is this a medicinal herb?"
She held up several green stems with shining eyes.
Kikyo's expression softened instantly.
"You found ground cherries," she said gently. "Well done. They reduce swelling and ease pain. A very useful herb."
"Lady Kikyo, what about this one?"
"And mine?"
Soon several more children gathered, crowding around her with excited chatter.
Kikyo knelt patiently, examining each plant in turn.
"This is plantain… and this one you should not eat raw…"
The coldness she displayed toward enemies was nowhere to be seen. Her voice carried warmth and quiet patience.
A few paces away, Kagetsu leaned beneath a tree, arms folded over his borrowed katana, observing silently.
How ironic.
A priestess who slew demons without hesitation. A woman resurrected through resentment and dark sorcery.
Yet before children, she revealed nothing but gentleness.
Some of the children noticed him watching and hid shyly behind Kikyo, peeking at him curiously. Sensing no threat, they soon returned their attention to her.
Kikyo did not introduce him.
He was background scenery at best.
Kagetsu didn't mind.
He found a smooth stone nearby, sat cross-legged, and quietly began gathering natural energy. Senjutsu flowed steadily within him.
He had no intention of forming attachments here.
He knew she would not remain long.
After some time, Kikyo sent the children off to gather additional herbs, and their laughter gradually faded into the distance.
"You're popular with children," Kagetsu remarked.
"Children are pure," Kikyo replied , watching them go. "They do not yet understand betrayal or malice."
Her voice was calm,but faintly distant.
"How long do you think this peace will last?" he asked.
"I do not know."
"If they discovered you are a soul bound to this world by resentment," he continued evenly, "they would likely drive you out."
"…I only wish to live quietly."
She did not argue.
There was only a trace of sorrow beneath her composure.
Kagetsu studied her profile thoughtfully.
As expected of Kikyo.
Though incomplete,sustained almost entirely by resentment,she maintained extraordinary clarity of mind. Unless directly provoked, she rarely allowed hatred to control her actions.
Yet he could sense it clearly.
The Kikyo before him was, in essence, resentment given form.
The miasma surrounding her rivaled that of powerful demons.
She was not yet whole.
Only a vessel eroded by lingering hatred.
If stirred,especially by the one tied to her death,she would lose control.
Just as she had once slain a monk who attempted to exorcise her.
Just as she had once tried to drag Inuyasha into death alongside her.
But over time, as her spiritual power recovered, that resentment would gradually be purified.
And the true Kikyo,the resolute, compassionate priestess,would return.
The days passed quietly.
Kagetsu remained in the village at her side.
Each day, Kikyo treated the ill, gathered herbs, and purified the occasional wandering demon. She lived as though she were once again the guardian of a peaceful settlement.
The villagers whispered about the silent samurai who followed her, but none dared question him openly. Their respect for Kikyo outweighed their curiosity.
One afternoon, Kikyo brought several children to the riverbank to gather herbs.
Kagetsu sat beneath a broad tree nearby, eyes closed, sensing the forest's natural energy.
He was waiting.
The moment of departure was near.
Suddenly,
His eyes opened.
Two presences approached from the forest behind him.
They concealed themselves clumsily behind a tree, peering toward the riverside.
A faint, knowing smile tugged at his lips.
So it begins.
As expected, after a short while, Kikyo's calm voice rang out.
"Monk, you have been observing us for some time."
From behind the tree, a middle-aged monk stepped out with an awkward chuckle.
"Oh dear, I was discovered. Forgive me,your beauty was so striking that I found myself unable to look away."
"You flatter me," Kikyo replied with polite restraint.
"It seems my spiritual discipline is still lacking," he said, approaching slowly. "I've embarrassed myself."
As he walked, he stumbled deliberately.
A scroll slipped from his sleeve and rolled across the grass, coming to rest between him and Kikyo.
"Would you mind picking that up for me?"
His eyes sharpened subtly.
"That is a demon-sealing sutra," he added. "It is said that if a demon touches it… their true form will be revealed."
The air grew still.
The test had begun.