"Thank you for your hospitality. We'll be taking our leave."
Retsu and Kikyo stood side by side at the gate of the demon slayer village, bidding farewell to the group escorting them.
"You're welcome!" The village chief stood at the front of the crowd and waved. After hesitating for a moment, he suddenly gestured behind him.
"Kohaku!"
"Yes!"
A clear, youthful voice answered.
A small boy ran out from the crowd, holding a wooden box in both hands. He obediently handed it to his father—the village chief.
Retsu's gaze lingered briefly on the boy.
Kohaku.
Sango's younger brother.
The chief's son.
In the future, on his first mission with the village's slayers, he would meet Naraku, be manipulated, and slaughter his entire team—including his own father. Only Sango would survive.
After that, he would become Naraku's puppet, forced to fight his own sister.
But now, the boy knew nothing of the tragedy awaiting him.
After handing over the box, Kohaku quietly returned to the ranks.
The chief accepted it and stepped forward, bowing as he presented it to Kikyo.
"Lady Kikyo, please accept these Shikon Jewel fragments. Our village has no way to purify them. Keeping them here only attracts demons. We hope you'll take them with you."
"I understand."
Kikyo considered briefly, then opened the box and took out the fragments.
She knew Naraku was gathering them.
Leaving them here would only invite disaster.
"Thank you so much, Lady Kikyo." The chief exhaled in relief, though guilt lingered in his expression.
He knew he was placing danger on her shoulders.
But keeping the fragments would endanger the village.
"Even knowing this may trouble you, we still…" He bowed deeply. "If you ever need our help, please don't hesitate."
"There's no need for thanks."
Kikyo shook her head gently, then turned and mounted the black bear.
She waved lightly.
"We'll be going."
Retsu leapt up behind her and settled into place.
Kikyo patted the bear's head.
"Let's go, Kuromaru."
That was the name she had given it.
Since she intended to turn it into a shikigami, she might as well name it.
Just as Kuromaru prepared to descend the mountain, Retsu suddenly turned back.
"Oh, right. I sensed a large number of demons nearby. They're probably targeting your village. Be careful—this place attracts trouble."
"What?!" The chief's face changed instantly. He bowed hurriedly. "Thank you for the warning! We'll stay alert!"
Kikyo then turned to Myoga, who was still standing on her shoulder, looking hesitant.
"Elder Myoga, would you like to come with us?"
"Ah—well—um…"
Myoga suddenly produced a tiny bundle from nowhere and slung it over his back.
"N-No, Lady Kikyo! I should go find Master Inuyasha! I'll be taking my leave!"
"Travel safely," Kikyo replied.
With a whoosh, Myoga leapt into the grass and vanished.
Kuromaru carried them out of the gate and down the winding mountain path.
Halfway down, a figure approached from below.
She wore a crimson-striped haori over green narrow-sleeved hakama, perfectly outlining her graceful figure.
Her skin was fair. Her features were soft and beautiful.
Light violet eyeshadow adorned her almond-shaped eyes.
Her long black hair flowed like a waterfall down her back.
Most striking of all—
Was the massive bone weapon strapped behind her.
The Hiraikotsu.
Sango.
Retsu hadn't expected to meet her here.
He studied her quietly.
No wonder she was one of the core members of the group.
Her beauty rivaled Kikyo's and Kagome's.
And that heroic aura unique to demon slayers only made her more captivating.
He couldn't help thinking—
Miroku really had it good.
Sango also noticed the strange sight: a priestess and a warrior riding a demon bear.
Curious, she slowed.
This path was only used by people entering and leaving the village. Judging by their direction, they had just come from inside.
Guests, perhaps?
She didn't ask.
She simply stepped aside and watched them pass.
Just as Retsu was about to look away, Kikyo spoke calmly.
"That demon slayer just now… she was pretty, wasn't she?"
"Huh?"
Retsu blinked, then chuckled.
"Yeah. She's definitely beautiful."
"I see."
Her tone remained flat.
But Retsu sensed it.
She was… slightly annoyed.
Amused, he quickly added, "But she's nowhere near as beautiful as you."
Before Kikyo could respond, he reached past her and opened his palm.
A softly glowing Shikon fragment lay there.
"This is—?!" Kikyo froze.
She took it, staring at him in disbelief.
"Where did you get this? Don't tell me you stole it from that girl?"
She had sensed a Shikon fragment on Sango earlier.
She hadn't expected Retsu to take it so quietly.
"Correct~"
Retsu grinned mischievously.
"But 'stealing' is too harsh. Let's call it… 'early safekeeping.'"
"It was dangerous for them to keep it anyway. They'd probably give it to you sooner or later. I just helped in advance."
Kikyo didn't argue.
He wasn't wrong.
Still, she asked curiously, "How did you do it? I didn't see you move."
"Hehe. A little chakra trick."
A nearly invisible thread shot from his fingertip and wrapped around the fragment.
With a flick of his wrist—
Whoosh.
It flew back into his palm.
"Chakra threads. Originally used by puppet masters."
He handed it back to her.
"I don't use puppets, but I learned some basics. Good for grabbing small objects… or weapons."
"Like taking that fragment from her just now."
Meanwhile, back in the village—
Sango had already realized something was wrong.
The Shikon fragment was gone.
She searched frantically.
Nothing.
She had kept it in a cloth pouch inside her clothes.
The pouch was still there.
Empty.
Her mind flashed back to the two strange travelers on the mountain path.
Before meeting them, she had checked the fragment.
It was definitely still there.
"…Could it be them?!"
She hurriedly looked up at her father.
"Father, on the way back, I met two people riding a demon bear. Were they guests of the village?"
To Read advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon.com/DarkVerse146