Uchiha Kasage quickly formed a series of hand seals.
In the next instant, five chakra flames ignited at the tips of his fingers. Within the flickering fire, the characters for **metal, wood, water, fire, and earth** shimmered faintly.
Without hesitation, he thrust his palm forward and struck Tsubaki's abdomen.
"Five Elements Seal!"
"Ugh—!"
The impact forced a pained groan from her lips. Her body arched violently as if all strength had been ripped away in a single moment.
As soon as Kasage released her—
she collapsed to the ground, completely powerless.
"Cough… cough…"
Tsubaki clutched her stomach, coughing until bile rose to her throat. Her brows tightened in pain, but when she looked up at Kasage, she suddenly rolled her eyes and forced a pitiful expression.
"You man… hitting me so hard the moment we meet…" she said weakly. "Couldn't you be a little gentler?"
"Enough."
Kikyo stepped forward immediately, frowning. She positioned herself between them, her tone turning cold.
"Stop pretending… old woman."
Her words were sharp—deliberately reminding Kasage of Tsubaki's true age.
Tsubaki froze for a moment.
Then her eyes widened.
Even weakened by the sealing of her spiritual and Yokai powers, she forced herself up slightly, staring intently at Kikyo. Her gaze then shifted toward Kasage—though Kikyo blocked most of her view.
A slow, mocking smile formed on her lips.
"Kikyo… is this your man?"
Her voice carried both surprise and ridicule.
"I thought after being abandoned by that half-Yokai, Inuyasha, you'd find another of his kind… but I didn't expect a human."
Though his arrival had been strange, she could clearly sense it—
Kasage was human.
Hearing that, Kasage inwardly gave her silent praise.
This woman… really knew how to talk.
Kikyo, however—
for the briefest moment—
showed a flicker of embarrassment.
The tips of her ears turned faintly red, though her expression remained composed enough that most wouldn't notice.
"Kasage," she said calmly, though there was a subtle urgency beneath her voice, "let's go back."
She reached out and took his arm.
Kasage's lips curved slightly.
Others might not notice—
but his Sharingan had already caught the faint tension in her expression.
She wanted to leave. Quickly.
Without hesitation, he took her hand in return.
Ignoring the fleeting warmth that crossed her face, he turned toward Kagome and the others and waved casually.
"We'll be going now. Goodbye."
"Goodbye!" Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo replied together.
"Kikyo—!"
Inuyasha's voice rang out suddenly.
His eyes were fixed on their joined hands, conflict flashing across his face.
But before he could say anything—
the three figures vanished instantly.
"…No matter how many times I see it," Miroku said, staring at the empty space, "Kasage's way of leaving is still astonishing."
Sango smiled faintly, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"It really looks like Kikyo and Kasage are together now."
"That would be natural," Miroku replied thoughtfully. "They act together often… and were revived at the same time. Feelings can grow from that."
Shippo crossed his arms, frowning.
"Then what about Inuyasha? Didn't he always go to see Kikyo, leaving Kagome behind?"
"Hmph." Sango nodded. "A two-timing man would naturally be unhappy."
"Indeed. Very persistent," Miroku added solemnly.
"You guys are so annoying!" Inuyasha snapped, finally breaking out of his daze.
He had just noticed Kagome quietly watching him.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome's voice came, calm and even.
"Huh?" he turned, confused.
"…Sit."
"Boom!"
Inuyasha slammed face-first into the ground, dust exploding around him.
"Kagome! What was that for?!" he shouted, dazed.
"Sorry," Kagome replied as she turned and walked away. "I just wanted to check if the command still works."
Her tone was completely unconvincing.
"…Men."
Sango, Miroku, and Shippo sighed in unison as they walked past him without stopping.
---
At the shrine where Uchiha Kasage and Kikyo lived—
three figures appeared silently on the stone path leading to the main hall.
"…Where is this?"
Tsubaki looked around, clearly disoriented.
One moment she had been in the forest—
the next, she stood before a quiet shrine.
Nearby, beside the torii gate, water dripped steadily from a wooden basin.
In the distance, candlelight flickered softly within the main hall.
"Welcome," Kasage said with a faint smile, "to Kikyo Shrine."
This shrine had once been occupied by a Yokai.
After Kasage and Kikyo worked together to exorcise it, the place had been rebuilt.
Now—
it bore a new name.
**Kikyo Shrine.**
The name hadn't been chosen by them, but by the nearby villagers.
To them, this place was home to a powerful, beautiful, and kind priestess.
Over time, the name simply stuck.
As for its original name—
no one remembered anymore.
There was, however, something rather amusing.
Because of Kasage's appearance and attire, the villagers didn't see him as a monk or a sorcerer.
Yet he lived alongside Kikyo.
In their eyes—
he became her **shikigami**.
A Yokai subdued and bound to serve her.
Kikyo had laughed for quite a while when she heard that.
"Kikyo Shrine…" Tsubaki murmured, surprised.
She studied the place more carefully.
"So this is your shrine?"
Then suddenly, she paused.
"Wait… how did I get here so quickly?"
"That is Kasage's ability," Kikyo replied simply.
"Your man's power?" Tsubaki raised an eyebrow, glancing at him again. "So what is he? A sorcerer?"
"He is a ninja," Kikyo answered calmly.
"Oh?" Tsubaki smirked, clearly amused. "So you admit he's your man."
"…."
Kikyo fell silent for a moment.
Then she turned toward Kasage, who was clearly enjoying the situation far too much.
"Kasage," she said evenly, "go and rest first. I'll deal with Tsubaki."
Kasage understood immediately.
She wanted to speak privately.
"…Alright."
Though slightly disappointed to miss whatever might come next, he didn't object.
With a nod, he turned and walked back toward his room—leaving the two priestesses alone.