"Alright, it's dry now."
Kagetsu withdrew the chakra from his hand, ending his temporary role as a human hair dryer. Then he added, "Eat while it's still warm. After that, you should get some rest."
"Hold this for a moment while I tie my hair."
Kikyo handed him a ribbon. After quickly combing through her long hair, she took the ribbon back and skillfully tied it into a loose ponytail that flowed down her back to her waist.
Watching her transform from a valiant warrior back into the gentle shrine maiden he was used to, Kagetsu couldn't help the smile that formed at the corner of his lips.
The two of them finished dinner quickly.
Just as they were preparing to meditate for a while before going to sleep, Kikyo suddenly froze.
Her eyes lifted toward Kagetsu.
"There's something wrong with the Shikon Jewel."
Her gaze shifted to a corner of the room.
There, a small shrine wrapped in a sacred shimenawa rope stood quietly. Upon it rested two shards of the Shikon Jewel,one obtained earlier from the Peach Blossom Spring, and another Kikyo had retrieved from a demon while helping villagers.
In the dim light of the room, the shards gave off a faint glow.
Within that glow, however, a jet-black curse was quietly forming.
Kagetsu followed her gaze and immediately noticed the abnormal energy surrounding the shards.
Frowning, he asked, "What's going on?"
Kikyo walked over and picked up the shards.
Spiritual power surged from her palm, sweeping over them in a flash. The dark curse within the shards was instantly purified.
After placing them back on the shrine, she reactivated the barrier around the shimenawa before turning back to him.
"Someone is using the Shikon Jewel to transmit a curse."
She paused for a moment, thinking.
Then she spoke slowly.
"The target of the curse is probably Kagome."
Her eyes grew colder.
"It must be Naraku."
Hearing that name, Kagetsu instantly recalled the storyline.
This had to be the work of Tsubaki, the Black Miko. At Naraku's instigation, she had taken Kagome's blood and used it to cast a curse.
Years ago, Kikyo had defeated that woman in a single move.
"I'm going to check it out," Kikyo said, slinging her longbow across her shoulder as she prepared to leave.
"I'll go with you," Kagetsu said immediately, standing up.
"There's no need." Kikyo shook her head. "I can handle it myself. The aura of this curse feels familiar,it should be someone I know. There won't be any danger."
"…Alright."
After thinking for a moment, Kagetsu nodded.
With Kikyo's strength, there weren't many threats in this era capable of endangering her.
"Take the wooden kunai I gave you," he said. "If something happens, crush it. I'll come immediately."
"Mhm."
Kikyo nodded.
"You should rest first. I'll be back once I deal with it. Don't stay up waiting for me."
With that, she pushed open the door and stepped outside.
In a swift motion, she mounted Kuromaru.
The demon bear instantly dashed forward, becoming a blur of black as it disappeared into the night.
Meanwhile, Miroku and Sango had been tracking the source of the curse's evil aura.
Eventually, they found Tsubaki's location.
But a barrier blocked their path.
Whoosh,
A dark figure suddenly leaped out from the forest and landed steadily atop a massive boulder near the cliff's edge.
It was Kikyo, riding on Kuromaru's back.
"A barrier…"
Kikyo stared at the spherical barrier covering the area ahead of her, her brows knitting together.
The oppressive aura of the curse was clearly radiating from within.
"This evil presence… I fought her years ago."
Feeling that familiar malice, Kikyo's gaze turned cold.
She patted Kuromaru's head.
"Let's go, Kuromaru."
At her command, the massive bear leaped down from the cliff.
Demonic energy wrapped around its thick paws, slowing its descent before it landed smoothly below.
Then it surged forward again like a streak of black lightning, racing toward the barrier.
"Monk, is there a way to break that barrier?"
Sango glanced down at the shimmering sphere below and turned to Miroku behind her.
Miroku said nothing.
He immediately began chanting sutras to dispel the barrier.
A moment later, his eyes snapped open.
"Kirara,go!"
"Roar!"
Kirara responded with a growl and charged forward, carrying the two of them straight toward the barrier.
Bang!
The impact echoed through the night.
Miroku's purification chant had no effect at all.
Kirara slammed directly into the barrier and was instantly thrown backward.
Fortunately, she had anticipated the rebound. After tumbling once through the air, she managed to steady herself before they could fall.
Miroku sighed helplessly.
"I hate to admit it, but I can't break this barrier."
"Hm? Monk, look over there!"
Sango suddenly pointed toward the forest.
A figure had emerged from the darkness and was rapidly approaching the barrier.
Miroku followed her gaze.
"…Miss Kikyo?"
He blinked in surprise as Kikyo came racing forward atop Kuromaru.
"Kirara, hurry!" Sango urged. "If it's Miss Kikyo, she might be able to break the barrier!"
Kirara immediately turned and flew toward Kikyo.
By the time they arrived, Kikyo had already stopped in front of the barrier.
As she studied it, she also noticed Miroku and Sango descending from the air.
Once they landed beside her, she spoke first.
"Since you're here, Kagome must have been cursed."
"Yes, Miss Kikyo," Miroku replied quickly.
He briefly explained the situation.
"Earlier today, Miss Kagome was bitten by something near the Bone-Eater's Well. She suddenly collapsed this evening."
"Lady Kaede believes a Black Miko used a shikigami to attack her and placed a curse on her."
"To break it, we followed the evil aura here."
"A Black Miko using curses…"
Kikyo focused on the presence emanating from within the barrier.
That familiar malice stirred a memory.
Her eyes narrowed.
"…Tsubaki."
"Tsubaki?" Sango repeated in shock. "Miss Kikyo, you know this Black Miko?"
"Mhm."
Kikyo nodded but didn't elaborate.
She raised her hand and tapped Kuromaru lightly. The demon instantly reverted into a small wooden carving, which she tucked away.
Then she stepped toward the barrier.
"Let's go inside and see what she's planning."
"Wait,Miss Kikyo!" Miroku called out hurriedly. "Be careful! That barrier is extremely strong,"
Before he could finish speaking, something astonishing happened.
The moment Kikyo's hand touched the barrier, it opened by itself.
A narrow entrance appeared,just large enough for a single person to pass through.
It was as if the barrier itself recognized her as its master.
"Kirara, Monk,come on!" Sango called immediately.
She jumped off Kirara and ran straight for the opening.
Miroku stared in stunned silence for a moment before snapping out of it and rushing after her.
Kirara shrank in a burst of flames and leaped onto Sango's shoulder.
Two humans and one demon followed behind Kikyo, passing effortlessly through the barrier.