"My shikigami!"
Tsubaki, who was being carried through the air by a swarm of Yokai, had expected to watch Kagome die.
Instead—
her white snake shikigami had been reduced to ashes in a single blow.
Rage surged within her, but she didn't dare linger.
Without hesitation, she urged the Yokai beneath her to move faster and flee.
**Whoosh—**
A sharp vibration of a bowstring suddenly rang through the night.
Then—
a piercing whistle tore across the sky.
Tsubaki's body stiffened.
She turned abruptly—
and saw Kikyo in the distance, standing calmly with her bow drawn, her gaze locked onto her.
An arrow of pure spiritual power blazed in the darkness, shining like a falling star, trailing a long streak of light as it shot forward.
"Block it!" Tsubaki screamed, her face turning pale.
All the Yokai around her surged forward, forming a desperate shield.
But—
it was useless.
The sacred arrow did not slow.
It cut through them like light through shadows—
piercing every single Yokai in its path.
Then—
it struck.
Straight through Tsubaki's chest.
The arrow passed cleanly through her body and vanished into the night sky, dissolving into a faint glimmer.
"…What…?"
Tsubaki trembled.
Her hand pressed against her chest—
but there was no wound.
No blood.
As if nothing had happened.
She was about to speak—
when her expression suddenly twisted in horror.
"My… my power…!"
The Yokai energy within her body was vanishing.
Rapidly.
Violently.
At the same time, every Yokai around her lost their form—
and disintegrated into ash, scattering into the night wind.
**Thud!**
Tsubaki fell heavily to the ground.
The Shikon Jewel shard slipped from her grasp, rolling across the dirt before coming to a stop a short distance away.
"…It's not over yet…"
Her eyes locked onto the shard.
Hope flickered.
She staggered forward, reaching out desperately.
"I still have the Shikon Jewel… If I can just—"
**Buzz—**
A swarm of venomous bees suddenly burst from the darkness.
Before she could react—
they seized the shard—
and disappeared into the night.
"My… my Shikon Jewel!"
Tsubaki stumbled after them, but her body gave out.
She collapsed to the ground, powerless.
In that moment—
she understood.
"…Naraku…"
Her voice trembled with fury.
"You tricked me!"
Rage burned in her eyes.
"I won't let you get away with this…!"
With the last of her strength, she tried to rise and flee.
But without the Yokai sustaining her—
her body began to age rapidly.
Wrinkles spread across her skin.
Her strength faded.
After only a few steps—
she collapsed again.
"Damn it… damn it!"
She lay there helplessly, staring at her trembling hands as they aged before her eyes.
"My face… my youth…"
**Step… step…**
Soft footsteps approached from behind.
Tsubaki slowly turned her head.
The first thing she saw—
white tabi socks.
Red straw sandals.
A shrine maiden.
A bitter smile formed on her lips.
With effort, she turned onto her back and looked up.
As expected—
Kikyo stood there, calm and composed, gazing down at her.
"…Kikyo."
Tsubaki exhaled weakly.
"You win. Kill me."
Her eyes drifted to the sky.
"…I just don't understand. What did I do wrong…?"
"Your obsession."
Kikyo's voice was cold, like moonlight.
"The moment you became obsessed with the power of the Shikon Jewel… you had already lost."
"…Obsession?"
Tsubaki let out a faint, bitter laugh.
"No…"
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"I just wanted to prove my master wrong."
Her voice suddenly rose.
"To prove that I am the strongest priestess!"
She glared at Kikyo, emotions surging.
"I'm not satisfied! Why was the Shikon Jewel entrusted to you instead of me?!"
"Why wasn't I chosen?!"
"What am I lacking?!"
Kikyo paused.
"…The strongest priestess…?"
For a moment, she was genuinely surprised.
She had never understood why Tsubaki had fallen into darkness and turned against her.
Now—
she did.
"…I wish I had never been chosen," Kikyo said quietly.
A trace of sadness flickered in her eyes.
The Shikon Jewel…
had not only taken her life—
it had dragged Tsubaki into ruin as well.
Regret came too late.
Without another word, Kikyo lifted her hand—
and tossed a snake-like Yokai toward Tsubaki.
"…You're not going to kill me?"
Tsubaki stared in disbelief.
But survival instinct took over.
Her right eye glowed with eerie purple light.
The snake Yokai was drawn into her body.
Instantly—
her fading Yokai energy returned.
The wrinkles on her skin receded.
Her youth restored itself rapidly.
She looked at her hands—
smooth and beautiful once more.
A relieved smile spread across her face as she touched her cheek.
"Stand up."
Kikyo's calm voice cut through her thoughts.
Tsubaki hesitated, then rose slowly.
She brushed off the dirt, straightened her clothes, and composed herself carefully.
Then she looked at Kikyo, eyes filled with suspicion.
"…What do you want?"
"You said you'd let me go… but I don't believe you're acting out of kindness."
Kikyo said nothing.
At that moment—
"Inuyasha! Kagome!"
Miroku and Sango rushed forward alongside them.
They had finished dealing with the Yokai blocking their path.
Inuyasha immediately spotted Tsubaki standing beside Kikyo.
His expression changed.
"That black priestess—she's still alive!"
He raised Tessaiga instantly, stepping forward protectively.
"Kikyo, be careful!"
Standing beside Kikyo, Tsubaki smirked.
Her eyes gleamed with provocation.
"She didn't kill me," she said deliberately, her voice carrying a mocking tone.
The tension in the air tightened once more.