"No… you will."
Kikyo looked directly at Tsubaki, a faint, mysterious smile playing on her lips. Her tone left no room for refusal.
"Hmph. How arrogant."
Though unease flickered in her heart under Kikyo's gaze, Tsubaki still snorted coldly, her face filled with disdain.
The rest of the journey passed in silence.
Riding on Kuromaru's back, they swiftly crossed through the forest.
Before long, the outline of a courtyard began to emerge among the trees. As they drew closer, a large temple revealed itself, hidden deep within the woods.
Kuromaru slowed his pace, following the narrow path toward the entrance.
When they were still more than ten meters away, Kasage—walking beside them—noticed something.
A faint barrier enveloped the temple.
However, he passed through it effortlessly, without the slightest resistance.
Though he hadn't studied barrier techniques in depth, after spending so much time with Kikyo, he recognized its purpose immediately.
A barrier meant to keep Yokai out.
It had no effect on humans.
The shrine he shared with Kikyo was protected by the same kind of barrier.
Kikyo, however, paid it no mind. She didn't even slow down as Kuromaru carried them straight through.
"Who's there?!"
Just as they approached the gate, the door suddenly swung open.
Two young girls—no more than thirteen—rushed out, each gripping a wooden staff, their eyes filled with caution.
The girl on the left had short, light-brown hair and wore a red shrine maiden outfit.
The one on the right had long, dark-blue hair and wore a light-blue outfit.
Standing side by side, moving almost in perfect sync—
they looked unexpectedly adorable.
"Momiji, Botan… it's me."
Kikyo stepped down from Kuromaru's back, her voice gentle.
"I visited not long ago."
"Miss Kikyo!"
The two girls immediately relaxed.
Recognizing her, they dropped their sticks and ran forward happily, surrounding her as they spoke excitedly.
Their joy was obvious.
Kasage watched with mild surprise.
He hadn't expected Kikyo to be so familiar with them.
Clearly—
she had come here before.
*So this is another change…* he thought quietly.
"This is Uchiha Kasage, my companion," Kikyo said, turning slightly. "You may call him Kasage."
She then gestured toward the two girls.
"These are Momiji and Botan—the shrine maidens of this temple."
"Hello, Momiji, Botan," Kasage greeted with a warm smile and a slight nod.
"Hello, Lord Kasage!"
The two bowed immediately, their movements perfectly synchronized.
"…You don't need to be so formal," Kasage said with a small chuckle. "Just call me Kasage."
"Yes, Lord Kasage!" they replied earnestly.
"…."
Kasage could only smile helplessly.
Kikyo then turned slightly.
"This is Tsubaki."
She indicated the silent figure behind her.
"She is your senior—once a disciple of your master."
"Ah—Senior Sister?!"
Momiji and Botan froze briefly before looking at Tsubaki with wide, surprised eyes.
They didn't doubt Kikyo's words in the slightest.
Seeing their innocent expressions, Kasage felt a quiet sigh rise in his chest.
With personalities like theirs…
it was no wonder they could be easily deceived.
"Yes," Tsubaki said calmly, nodding.
"I am Tsubaki. I trained here under Master."
She took out a carefully preserved piece of paper from her sleeve.
On it was a distinct mark—
the intertwined symbols of the sun and moon.
"It's real!"
The two girls' eyes lit up with excitement.
"I'm Momiji!"
"I'm Botan!"
They introduced themselves loudly, almost in unison.
"Are you the only ones left here?" Tsubaki asked, looking at them.
"Yes," Momiji answered seriously. "We are Master's final disciples."
"…I see."
Tsubaki nodded and stepped inside the temple grounds.
As she walked through the courtyard, her gaze swept over the familiar surroundings.
The buildings.
The trees.
Almost unchanged.
A faint trace of nostalgia appeared in her eyes.
"…It's just as I remember."
Behind her, Momiji hesitated before speaking.
"Um… Senior Sister?"
"Hm?" Tsubaki stopped and turned.
"…How old are you?" Momiji asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.
"You look so young!" Botan added quickly.
"…."
Tsubaki's expression didn't change.
"I am much older than you," she said flatly. "This is the result of cultivation."
She spoke casually, almost dismissively.
"If you train hard, you may achieve the same."
Kasage and Kikyo exchanged a glance.
Neither exposed her.
"Amazing!"
As expected, the two young shrine maidens looked at her with admiration.
Tsubaki couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride.
"Senior Sister… Miss Kikyo… is there something you need?" Momiji asked curiously.
At those words—
Tsubaki's expression darkened instantly.
She fell silent, clearly displeased.
"Your senior sister has become a dark priestess," Kikyo said calmly.
"I captured her while she was doing something harmful."
She chose not to hide the truth.
"W-What?! A dark priestess?!"
Momiji and Botan's faces changed immediately.
They hurried behind Kikyo, peeking out cautiously at Tsubaki.
The warmth from earlier vanished.
"Don't worry," Kikyo reassured them gently. "Her spiritual and Yokai powers are sealed. She cannot harm you."
"Sealed…?"
The two relaxed slightly, though they still watched Tsubaki warily.
"Hmph."
Tsubaki snorted, clearly irritated.
Without another word, she turned and walked toward the main hall.
Pushing the door open—
she stepped inside.
Her gaze fell upon the shrine ahead.
Then to the old tatami mats beneath her feet.
For a moment—
her expression softened.
Memories surfaced quietly.
Her eyes drifted to a spot on the right side of the tatami.
That had been her place.
She could almost hear her master's voice—
praising her.
And the smile he used to give her.
Faint.
Distant.
Yet still vivid.