Tsubaki believed she had hidden the Shikon Jewel perfectly.
What she didn't realize was that, as someone connected to it, her presence had already formed a faint link with the Jewel itself. At this distance, both Kikyo and Kagome could clearly sense it.
To Kikyo, her actions were nothing more than self-deception.
Yet Kikyo said nothing about it.
She understood well—this Jewel was vital to Naraku. He relied on it to sustain his existence. Lending it to Tsubaki temporarily to amplify her strength was acceptable… but allowing her to truly take it away was out of the question.
There was no need to warn her.
Instead, Kikyo kept her bow raised, the arrow aimed steadily at Tsubaki.
"You cooperated with Naraku and cursed Kagome," she said coldly. "As my reincarnation, she was attacked without reason. If you wish to leave… you will pay a price."
Tsubaki stiffened.
"…What do you want?" she asked reluctantly. "What must I give?"
"It's simple."
Kikyo's gaze shifted slightly, noticing the Yokai aura swirling within Tsubaki.
"I know you have a Yokai sealed inside you. Release it… and fight Kagome."
Her tone remained calm.
"You may injure her… but you will not kill her."
Tsubaki's eyes widened in fury.
"Kikyo, you—!"
She immediately understood. Kikyo intended to use the Yokai she had painstakingly nurtured as a sparring tool.
Her fists trembled.
"Don't push me too far!"
Kikyo did not respond.
The arrow remained fixed on Tsubaki's forehead—silent, unwavering, absolute.
The meaning was clear.
**Obey… or die.**
Tsubaki took a slow breath. The killing intent in Kikyo's eyes was unmistakable.
Her anger had to be swallowed.
"Kikyo, no!" Inuyasha suddenly stepped forward, his voice filled with urgency. "It's too dangerous! What if she tries to kill Kagome?!"
"Silence."
Kikyo didn't even turn her head.
But Inuyasha didn't back down.
Instead, he stepped firmly in front of Kagome, shielding her with his body.
"I won't allow it," he said, his voice steady. "This is too dangerous for her."
Kagome froze.
She stared at his back, eyes widening.
Then… slowly, warmth filled her chest.
She hadn't expected this.
That Inuyasha would stand against Kikyo—for her.
Kikyo finally shifted her gaze from Tsubaki and looked at him.
There was a hint of surprise in her eyes.
"Inuyasha… you've changed," she said softly. "Kaede was right. Kagome truly is remarkable."
"Inuyasha, I…" he hesitated, but he did not move.
Not even a step.
Kikyo smiled faintly.
"I'm glad to see this change in you. But…"
Her tone shifted—just slightly.
Then, with a faint trace of mischief:
"If I remember correctly… Kagome's Word of Power is—"
She paused.
"…Sit."
The moment the word left her lips—
the rosary around Inuyasha's neck flared with light.
"Wait—!"
**BOOM!**
Inuyasha was slammed violently into the ground, his face pressed against the earth.
"…W-What?!" he groaned, completely stunned.
He slowly lifted his head, staring at Kikyo in disbelief.
"Kikyo… how can you… use it too?!"
Behind him, Kagome stood frozen.
Her eyes were wide with shock as she watched the scene unfold.
Sango and Miroku exchanged stunned glances.
"…Poor Inuyasha," Sango muttered. "Even Kikyo can make him 'sit.'"
"Well… Miss Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation," Miroku said thoughtfully. "It makes sense that Kikyo's spiritual power can also activate the rosary."
Kikyo met Inuyasha's gaze calmly.
"You're wondering why I can activate it?"
Inuyasha nodded, still rubbing his face as Kagome helped him up.
"…Didn't Kaede give this to Kagome?" he muttered.
Kikyo's lips curved slightly.
"And where do you think Kaede got it?"
Kagome blinked.
"…You made it?" she asked carefully.
Kikyo nodded.
"Yes."
She looked at Kagome with a faint smile.
"Is it easy to use?"
Kagome nodded instinctively.
Inuyasha's face instantly turned red.
"You—you—!" he stammered, pointing at Kikyo, unable to form a proper sentence.
Kikyo's eyes gleamed with quiet amusement.
"I originally intended to give it to you," she said softly. "As a gift."
Her smile faded slightly.
"But… things changed."
Her gaze drifted between Kagome and Inuyasha.
"In the end, it was Kagome who placed it on you."
A trace of melancholy entered her voice.
"If I had given it to you back then… perhaps everything that followed could have been avoided."
Kagome understood immediately.
If Kikyo had placed the rosary on Inuyasha back then—
Naraku would never have succeeded in deceiving them.
The tragedy… might never have happened.
Silence fell between them.
Kagome lowered her gaze briefly, then spoke, trying to ease the tension.
"Kikyo… what was your original Word of Power?"
Kikyo paused.
Her eyes softened slightly, filled with distant memories.
"…I don't remember," she said at last.
Then she looked at Kagome, her voice carrying a deeper meaning.
"And even if I did… it no longer matters."
"The Word of Power now belongs to you."
Kagome froze—then slowly understood.
The past was gone.
Now—
she was the one bound to Inuyasha.
She glanced at him quietly, lips pressed together.
"…Hey!"
Tsubaki's irritated voice shattered the moment.
"How long are you going to keep talking?!" she snapped. "Kikyo, are you letting me go or not?!"
Kikyo turned back to her.
"Oh? So you've agreed?"
Tsubaki's face flushed with suppressed rage.
"…Just hurry up," she growled through clenched teeth.
But deep inside, her thoughts burned:
*Once I fully obtain the power of the Shikon Jewel…*
*I will make you pay, Kikyo.*
Kikyo nodded calmly and shifted her gaze to Kagome.
Kagome immediately stepped forward.
She drew her bow smoothly, her movements steady despite the tension.
An arrow slid into place.
Her eyes sharpened with determination.
"I'm ready."
"Kagome!" Inuyasha called out, worry clear in his voice.
He wanted to stop her—
again.
But Kagome turned to him, her expression firm.
"Don't worry."
She glanced briefly at Sango and Miroku.
"Everyone is here."
Then she looked back ahead, her grip tightening on the bow.
"I want to try."