Tsubaki believed she had hidden the Shikon Jewel very discreetly.
What she didn't realize was that as priestesses connected to the jewel, both Kikyo and Kagome could clearly sense its aura at this distance.
In Kikyo's eyes, Tsubaki's actions were nothing more than burying her head in the sand.
However, Kikyo paid little attention to the jewel.
She knew the jewel was extremely important to Naraku. He relied on its power to sustain his existence.
Temporarily lending it to Tsubaki to enhance her strength was acceptable,but allowing her to escape with it was impossible.
There was no need to point this out to Tsubaki.
Kikyo kept her bow drawn, the arrow aimed straight at her opponent.
Her voice was cold.
"You cooperated with Naraku to curse Kagome."
"As my reincarnation, she is under my protection."
"You attacked her without reason, so before you leave… you must pay a price."
Tsubaki's body stiffened.
"What do you want me to give you?"
She understood clearly that if she wanted to leave alive, she had no choice but to pay some sort of price.
"It's simple."
Kikyo's gaze moved slowly across Tsubaki's body, stopping at the demonic aura surrounding her.
"I know you're harboring a demon inside you."
"Release it."
"Let it fight Kagome."
"It may injure her,but it must not kill her."
"Tch,Kikyo, you…!"
Tsubaki's head snapped up.
Rage instantly flooded her chest.
She understood immediately what Kikyo intended.
The demon she had painstakingly nurtured inside her body,
Kikyo wanted to use it as a sparring partner for Kagome.
"Don't push your luck!" Tsubaki shouted angrily.
Kikyo said nothing.
She simply held her bow steady, the arrow tip pointed directly at Tsubaki's forehead.
The message was clear.
Either comply… or die.
Tsubaki stared into Kikyo's cold, murderous eyes.
After a long moment, she took a deep breath and forced down her anger.
She remained silent.
"Kikyo, no!"
Inuyasha suddenly spoke up in alarm.
"That's too dangerous!"
He stepped forward quickly.
"What if she tries to kill Kagome? It's too dangerous!"
"Shut up."
Kikyo interrupted him without even turning around.
But this time, Inuyasha did not retreat.
Instead, he planted himself firmly in front of Kagome.
"Kikyo," he said firmly, "I won't agree to this."
"It's too dangerous for Kagome."
Behind him, Kagome stared in surprise.
First came shock,
Then warmth filled her chest.
She had never expected Inuyasha to openly oppose Kikyo for her sake.
Seeing Inuyasha stand there, shielding Kagome behind him,
Kikyo slowly lowered her bow.
Her gaze shifted from Tsubaki to Inuyasha.
A hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.
"Inuyasha… you've really changed."
She spoke softly.
"Grandmother Kaede was right."
"Kagome truly is an incredible girl."
"Kikyo, I…"
Inuyasha's face showed a conflicted expression.
But he didn't move.
He continued to stand firmly in front of Kagome.
"Inuyasha."
Kikyo smiled faintly.
"Your change makes me very happy."
"But…"
Her tone suddenly shifted.
Before Inuyasha could react, Kikyo continued calmly,
"I remember Kagome's Word of Spirit was…"
"Sit."
The moment the word left her lips,
The rosary around Inuyasha's neck suddenly glowed.
Inuyasha's expression changed drastically.
But before he could react,
BOOM!
He slammed violently into the ground.
His cheek was pressed against the cold earth as he groaned in pain.
"…W-why?"
Inuyasha lay there blankly for a moment.
When he finally recovered, he lifted his head in shock and stared at Kikyo.
"Kikyo… y-you…"
"How can you do that… just like Kagome?!"
Behind him, Kagome stared with wide eyes.
Even Sango and Miroku were stunned.
They all knew that the rosary around Inuyasha's neck normally only responded to Kagome's command.
"Poor Inuyasha," Sango whispered quietly.
"Even Miss Kikyo can make him 'sit.'"
"Well…" Miroku stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Miss Kagome is Miss Kikyo's reincarnation."
"So it makes sense that Miss Kikyo could use spiritual power to activate the Word of Spirit as well."
"You're wondering how I can trigger the rosary's command, aren't you?" Kikyo said calmly.
"Mmm!"
Kagome helped Inuyasha back onto his feet.
He rubbed the rosary around his neck, looking very unhappy.
"Didn't Grandma Kaede give this to Kagome?"
"Where do you think Kaede got it?" Kikyo asked with a faint smile.
Kagome blinked.
"…Could it be… you made it?"
"Yes."
Kikyo nodded lightly.
"I made it."
She looked at Kagome and asked with a soft smile:
"Isn't it useful?"
Kagome nodded reflexively.
"Incredibly useful."
"Kagome,..,,,,,... you…!"
Inuyasha's face turned bright red instantly.
He pointed at Kikyo, but for a long time he couldn't say a complete sentence.
His expression was a mix of grievance and shock.
Seeing his reaction, a mischievous glint appeared in Kikyo's eyes.
She smiled faintly.
"I originally intended to give it to Inuyasha as a gift."
"But unfortunately… that incident happened."
Her gaze drifted toward Kagome and Inuyasha standing together.
Her tone became slightly wistful.
"In the end, it was Kagome who placed the rosary on you."
"If I had given it to you back then…"
"Perhaps what happened later would never have occurred."
Kagome immediately understood what Kikyo meant.
If Kikyo had given Inuyasha the Kotodama Beads back then,
Naraku would never have been able to disguise himself as Inuyasha and attack Kikyo.
The tragic misunderstanding might never have happened.
Because the beads would have exposed Naraku instantly.
Seeing the heavy silence between Kikyo and Inuyasha, Kagome quickly changed the topic.
"Kikyo… what Word of Spirit did you originally set for the rosary?"
Kikyo paused.
For a moment, memory flickered in her eyes.
She looked at Kagome deeply.
"I don't remember."
"But it no longer matters."
"My Word of Spirit no longer works."
"Now… the rosary only listens to yours."
Kagome froze.
She immediately understood the deeper meaning.
The past was over.
Now she was the one connected to Inuyasha.
She turned and glanced at Inuyasha beside her.
Her lips tightened slightly.
She said nothing.
"Hey! Are you done chatting yet?!"
Tsubaki's impatient voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Kikyo! Are you going to let me go or not?!"
"Oh?"
Kikyo turned her gaze back to Tsubaki.
"You agreed?"
"Hmph!"
Tsubaki's face flushed red with anger.
Her chest rose and fell violently as she forced herself to calm down.
Then she nodded through clenched teeth.
"Hurry up!"
Inside, she swore fiercely.
Once I gain the full power of the Shikon Jewel…
I will make you pay for this humiliation, Kikyo!
Kikyo nodded in satisfaction.
Then she turned toward Kagome.
Kagome immediately gripped her bow.
She drew an arrow from the quiver on her back and nocked it smoothly.
Her eyes were firm.
"I'm ready."
"Kagome!"
Inuyasha looked worried.
"Don't worry, Inuyasha."
Kagome turned to him, then glanced at Sango and Miroku beside them.
Everyone was here.
Her voice was calm but determined.
"I want to try."