"Don't worry, I know what to do. Kikyo taught me how to open this kind of barrier before."
Kagome felt a little puzzled. The barrier in front of them was exactly the same as the one Kikyo had shown her. The resemblance was almost too perfect to be coincidence.
Although she still didn't know how to create barriers herself, she did know how to open an entrance in one.
"Kagome, you're amazing!" Shippō exclaimed immediately, his eyes shining with admiration.
"Really?" Inuyasha looked at her with an odd expression. He clearly hadn't expected Kagome,this half-trained shrine maiden,to suddenly prove useful.
"Of course really! I've been studying seriously, you know!" Kagome puffed out her cheeks, annoyed by his doubtful tone. Then she closed her eyes.
"Don't distract me. I'm going to open the barrier."
Recalling Kikyo's instructions, she began murmuring a quiet incantation while carefully guiding the spiritual power inside her body.
A few seconds later, the invisible barrier before them slowly cracked open, forming a narrow passage just wide enough for one person.
Kagome opened her eyes, a pleased smile appearing on her face.
"Quick, Shippō,go in!"
Shippō immediately darted through the opening. The moment he landed on the other side, he jumped excitedly.
"I'm really inside! Kagome, you're incredible!"
Being praised so enthusiastically made Kagome smile proudly.
But just as she was about to respond, the opening in the barrier abruptly snapped shut again,her concentration had slipped.
"…Now what?" Inuyasha said helplessly. "Open it again?"
If he still had his demonic power, he would have sliced the barrier apart with Tessaiga by now.
Kagome rolled her eyes. She grabbed his wrist and walked straight toward the barrier.
"Are you an idiot? This barrier only blocks demons. You're human tonight, remember? It can't stop you."
Sure enough, the two of them passed through the barrier without encountering the slightest resistance.
"Hmph. I knew that."
"Inuyasha, you definitely forgot!" Shippō said immediately from beside Kagome.
"Shippō!"
Inuyasha raised his fist threateningly.
"Kagome!" Shippō squeaked, instantly hiding behind her.
"Alright, that's enough," Kagome said, cutting off their bickering with a stern look.
"Inuyasha, you've lost your demonic power tonight. You need to be careful."
"Since this shrine belongs to a priestess, there probably aren't any demons around,but we still shouldn't let our guard down."
Inuyasha's playful expression faded. He drew Tessaiga and held it ready, scanning the surroundings cautiously as he followed Kagome and Shippō up the final stretch of stone stairs toward the mountain summit.
Soon the three of them reached the last step.
Passing beneath the torii gate at the top, they officially entered the shrine's courtyard.
A warm orange glow shone through the windows of the main hall, the candlelight standing out vividly against the dark night.
"Be careful. The Shikon Jewel shards are inside," Kagome said quietly.
She was about to remind Shippō to stay alert when she noticed him frowning, his nose twitching repeatedly.
"Shippō? What's wrong?" Kagome asked in a low voice while still scanning the area.
"There's… Kikyo's scent here," Shippō said in surprise, looking up at Kagome and Inuyasha.
"Kikyo?!"
Both of them were startled and immediately looked toward the candlelit hall.
"Could Kikyo be living here?" Kagome murmured.
Only then did she realize she had never actually asked where Kikyo lived. Every time they had met before had been in Kaede's village.
"Kikyo!" Inuyasha suddenly shouted toward the hall, unable to hide the anticipation in his voice.
"I've been waiting for you. Come in."
"Kikyo really is here!"
Kagome's tension immediately melted away. Smiling with relief, she quickly walked toward the door of the main hall.
Only now did she understand why the barrier outside was identical to the one Kikyo had taught her. This shrine must be where Kikyo lived.
"Kagome!"
Just as Kagome reached for the door, Shippō suddenly tugged at the hem of her clothes and whispered urgently.
"There's Naraku's scent here… no, wait. It's Kagura's!"
Kagome froze instantly.
Shock filled her heart.
Had Kagura been here earlier?
Inuyasha heard Shippō's words as well, and his expression immediately grew serious. Moving ahead of Kagome, he gently pushed open the door to the main hall and stepped inside first.
Kagome suppressed the questions swirling in her mind and followed him in with Shippō.
Peeking from behind Inuyasha, Kagome quickly saw Kikyo,and someone else,sitting together on the tatami.
Kikyo and Kagetsu were seated side by side.
Their hands were intertwined, fingers laced together in an intimate, natural gesture.
The sight made Kagome instantly recall Sango's earlier speculation. Now it seemed that it hadn't been speculation at all,it was simply the truth.
She subconsciously glanced at Inuyasha.
Sure enough, he was staring silently at their joined hands, his expression complicated and unreadable.
Kikyo also looked at Inuyasha.
Her gaze was calm, but she did not release Kagetsu's hand. The quiet gesture spoke clearly enough,it was her choice.
For a moment, the room fell into silence.
"Kagome," Kikyo said calmly, "you've learned to open barriers quite well,though you were a little slow."
"Th-thank you…"
Kagome felt a little embarrassed.
Only then did she realize that Kikyo had already known they were coming long before they reached the shrine. The barrier at the foot of the mountain had likely been a test.
"Don't stand in the doorway. Come sit down."
Kagetsu watched the powerless Inuyasha with clear interest.
Without his demonic power, Inuyasha looked completely different. His iconic silver hair had turned smooth black, the dog ears atop his head had vanished, and his facial features seemed softer. His usual wild aura had been replaced with a much calmer temperament.
What fascinated Lie most was that he couldn't sense even the slightest trace of demonic energy from him. At the moment, Inuyasha felt no different from an ordinary human.
The rules governing half-demons in this world were truly intriguing. No matter how powerful their demonic side became, the human blood within them could never be erased. At a certain time, the demon blood would be completely suppressed, leaving only the human side behind.
"Um… thank you," Kagome replied politely.
Once they sat down, the trio's attention was immediately drawn to the Shikon Jewel shards lying on the table. Under the candlelight, the three fragments glowed faintly.
"Kikyo… did you already know we were coming?" Kagome asked curiously.
"Yes," Kikyo replied calmly.
"Kagetsu sensed your presence nearby earlier, so I used these shards to draw you here."