Not long ago, Inuyasha's group, along with Kōga,whose wounds had only just been treated,were tracking the scent of the Shikon Jewel shard in Kagura's possession through the nearby mountain forest.
"Kagome, can you still sense the shard?" Kōga asked impatiently. He and Inuyasha,now stripped of his demonic power,sat together on Kirara's back, staring into the pitch-black forest ahead.
"I don't know what's going on," Kōga added with irritation. "But I suddenly can't smell Kagura's scent anymore!"
"Yes, I can still feel it," Kagome replied, nodding as she concentrated. Her eyes were focused as she tried to pinpoint the shard's location. "Kagura must be hiding somewhere nearby. We're getting closer and closer."
Just as she finished speaking, Kōga suddenly stiffened.
He sniffed the air sharply, his ears twitching.
"I've got it! That's Kagura's scent!"
At that very moment, Kagura had just finished her deal with Kagetsu and had only recently flown out beyond the shrine's barrier.
"Thanks for the help! I'll go ahead!" Kōga shouted excitedly as he leapt off Kirara's back. Calling out to Kagome, he immediately dashed off, racing in the direction of Kagura's trail.
"Kōga! Your injuries haven't fully healed yet!" Kagome called after him anxiously.
"They healed ages ago!" Kōga shouted back from the distance. He even turned his head long enough to mock Inuyasha.
"Unlike a certain loser, I'm a full-fledged demon!"
"Bastard! Who are you calling a loser?!" Inuyasha roared, his face flushing red with anger.
But there was nothing he could do.
Without his demonic power tonight, he couldn't possibly keep up with Kōga's speed.
"Sango," Miroku said with a frown, concern heavy in his voice, "Kōga doesn't have any Shikon shards right now. He's no match for Kagura."
"I know!"
Sango, seated behind Kagome on the bicycle, immediately responded. Turning toward Kirara, she called out,
"Kirara, get ready!"
She was just about to help Inuyasha down so she and Kirara could pursue Kōga when Kagome suddenly stiffened.
Her expression changed.
She slammed the brakes.
The bicycle screeched to a sudden stop.
Kagome stared into the distant night, frozen in place.
"This is…!"
"Kagome? What's wrong?" Miroku asked in confusion. "Why did you stop all of a sudden?"
Kirara, who had been about to take flight, paused as well.
Sango followed Kagome's gaze into the distance. Under the dim light of the night, a modest mountain stood there, its silhouette faint and blurred.
"Is something over there?"
"I sense Shikon Jewel shards!" Kagome exclaimed suddenly, her eyes lighting up in shock.
"Two… no, three shards! They're on that mountain!"
"What? Shikon shards?" Inuyasha was startled. "Are they the ones Kagura stole from that mangy wolf?"
"No," Kagome shook her head.
"The shards Kagura has are still moving. These are different,they appeared suddenly, and they're not far from us."
She turned toward Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango, hesitation written across her face.
"What should we do? Should we go check them out? But Kōga…"
Inuyasha looked in the direction Kōga had disappeared, his expression twisted with frustration.
"That stupid wolf runs straight toward danger!"
"Sango," Miroku said decisively, "you go after Kōga and make sure he doesn't get himself killed. We'll catch up soon."
He glanced at Inuyasha, who was currently powerless.
"Kagome, Inuyasha, and I will investigate the newly appeared shards."
"Miroku, you go with Sango!" Inuyasha snapped through gritted teeth, staring into the darkness.
"Kagome, Shippō, and I can handle it."
Thwack.
Miroku lightly tapped Inuyasha on the head with his khakkhara.
"In your current state," he said helplessly, "it's far too dangerous for you to wander around with only Kagome."
"No. Let's do as Inuyasha says."
Kagome stepped forward, gripping the longbow in her hand. Her gaze toward Sango and Miroku was steady and determined.
"Miroku, you go help Sango and Kōga. Inuyasha, Shippō, and I will check the shards."
"I'll protect Inuyasha."
She smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry. After all the training from Kikyo and Grandma Kaede, I can fight now too."
"Kagome… I can go alone," Sango said anxiously. "Let the monk stay with you."
"Sango… trust me."
Kagome tightened her grip on the bow. Her voice was calm, but her determination was unmistakable.
Miroku studied Kagome's unwavering expression, then glanced at Sango.
In the end, he couldn't bear the thought of letting Sango face danger alone.
"…Alright," he said at last with a nod.
"But you must be careful. If something seems wrong, run immediately."
He turned toward Shippō with a solemn expression.
"Shippō, protect Kagome and Inuyasha."
"Don't worry, Monk Miroku!" Shippō puffed out his chest proudly.
"Leave it to me!"
"Then we're going!" Sango called.
She and Miroku climbed onto Kirara's back. After one final warning, Kirara took to the air and quickly disappeared into the direction Kōga had gone.
"Alright, Inuyasha. Get on," Kagome said, slinging the bow across her shoulder and patting the bicycle seat.
"Don't worry, Kagome!" Shippō declared seriously from the bicycle basket. "I'll protect you and Inuyasha!"
"Hmph. Like I need protection from a runt like you," Inuyasha muttered, though he still climbed onto the back seat.
Kagome smiled.
"Don't worry. I've gotten pretty strong."
"I'll definitely protect you."
With that, she began pedaling toward the mountain where the shards were located.
Fortunately, this area lay near a castle town dotted with small villages. There were dirt paths running through the area rather than dense wilderness, which made Kagome breathe a little easier.
Although Sengoku-era roads were uneven and rough, the bicycle still allowed them to move much faster.
Before long, the trio arrived at the foot of the mountain.
"…Is this a shrine?"
Kagome stopped the bicycle and stared up at the long stone staircase leading to the summit. At its base stood a wooden torii gate.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Are the shards inside this shrine?"
She looked toward the top of the steps. Even in the darkness, she could see that the pathway was clear of weeds and well maintained,this was clearly not an abandoned shrine.
"Be careful. Let's go take a look."
Kagome hid the bicycle in a nearby patch of bushes. With her bow in hand, she slowly began climbing the stone steps with Inuyasha and Shippō.
But just as they reached the torii gate, Kagome suddenly stopped.
Her gaze fixed on the invisible barrier before them.
"This is… a priestess's barrier."
After training with Kikyo and Kaede, Kagome had learned how to recognize basic spiritual barriers.
She studied it carefully for a moment.
Then her eyes widened in surprise.
She actually recognized this barrier.
It was one Kikyo herself had taught her.
Relief spread across Kagome's face, and she smiled.
"It's alright. This barrier is only meant to keep weaker demons out."
"It doesn't affect humans."
Shippō tugged nervously at the edge of her sleeve.
"Um… Kagome?"
"If it blocks demons… can I still go in?"