With Shippo as a new member of the group of the "awakened," everyone continues on toward the next target on the list, Inuyasha.
He is located, as Asahiko had previously said, right in the middle of the path between Shippo's previous location and Kagome's current one, although the latter has begun to move erratically.
"We'll stay outside, Asahiko. That way you can go in, save Inuyasha, and get out more easily"
Looking at the enormous cocoon of roots surrounding Inuyasha's invisible figure, they only know he is inside thanks to Asahiko and his tracking method, Miroku speaks on behalf of the group to stay outside this time.
"You're sending me… someone you've barely known for a day, to save your friend? Forgive me if I think there's a trick behind this"
Making his doubt clear with a distinct touch of sarcasm, Asahiko raises an eyebrow at the hand signals quickly made by the monk.
"Ha… I remind you that I'm poisoned, while Sango is taking care of Shippo. Besides, you already know…"
"What do I know?"
"Inuyasha's nightmare must be something about the priestess Kikyo, we don't want to be there as a third wheel between you"
Speaking into Asahiko's ear while draping an arm over his shoulder, Miroku lets out his excuse, although something bothers Asahiko.
"But it would be an illusion, not something that—"
"Look, now is the time for me to earn some points with Sango, can you go do some sightseeing in Inuyasha's mind for a moment?"
"… With friends like you, who need enemies. Besides, time passes more slowly outside than…"
"Just go already!"
Forcing Asahiko out somewhat roughly, Miroku watches him for a few seconds and returns to Sango.
"Don't you think you went too far, Your Excellency? What if Asahiko gets offended by this?"
"Relax, Sango. He's more mature than Inuyasha, I don't think he'll think too much about it. On the other hand, you know what Inuyasha is like… If we had seen his nightmare, hahaha"
"So you sacrificed him? That's not very noble of you, Your Excellency"
"Hahaha, it's revenge for kicking me earlier! But as you know, they get along in some strange way, so they'll just fight over Inuyasha's embarrassment and then calm down"
Laughing heartily at his master plan, he basically threw the problem at Asahiko, kept Inuyasha's pride intact, and avoided a beating, Miroku once again does his thing.
What? That about earning points wasn't just a bad joke, as the last man of his lineage, he has to at least try to extend it… Even if he's in the middle of a murderous forest.
…Elsewhere…
Passing through the roots that form the cocoon around Inuyasha, he finally manages to see his hand, so to not drag things out he enters his mind right from there.
Just like the previous times, the scenery changes instantly, but this time it was extremely realistic… Indistinguishable from reality itself.
Heat spreads through the atmosphere distorting the air, while the black smoke from the burned houses flies toward the sky, painting it a gray tone and making ash fall.
"It's the punishment you deserve!"
"Filthy hanyo!"
"Guilty, guilty, guilty!"
With a fury that would make the blood of any onlooker boil, if there were any, an angry crowd of peasants with sickles and torches walks toward a temple.
That temple was the same one Kikyo visited when she went to Kaede's village, embedded in a mountain and only reachable at the top by long stone stairs.
No, in fact the entire village is a realistic recreation of it, whether the villagers' houses or the Shinto temple, but that is something Asahiko obviously could not know since he was never there.
"Wow, it reminds me of the baguette-eating guys and their guillotine"
Mocking the enraged mob while recalling a certain historical moment in Europe, Asahiko passes them without any obstacle and reaches the temple, but nothing prepares him for what he saw when he arrived.
It wasn't so terrifying as it was unexpected, since Inuyasha is pinned by an arrow to a large tree, although obviously that tree does not belong here.
Ignoring that "fun" touch, perhaps Inuyasha had some strange fetishes, Asahiko calmly approaches and slaps him directly on both cheeks without mercy, instantly waking the dog boy from his lethargy.
"As… Asahiko"
"Yes, it's me, your god and savior, Asahiko. You can thank me later, now let's go because this place is giving me the creeps"
Looking toward the silent sides of the temple where there is no trace of life, despite the "revolutionary fervor" that could be felt in the village, Asahiko kicks the tree and returns to the ground.
Now down there with the silence still prickling at his senses, Asahiko turns back and looks at Inuyasha who remains bound, apparently he would have to help him… Is there an imbalance in his movements?
"B-behind you…"
"Don't mess with me, now I'm even less going to turn around, you idiot dog! Better let's get your body out of there, we need to go find Kagome"
Do you know the feeling of stepping on a landmine? No? Me neither. But Asahiko certainly knows it now, how all the muscles tense, cold sweat spreads down the back, while rational instinct screams in your ear.
Fortunately for him, or perhaps unfortunately depending on how you see it, a cold breath brushes his neck, while a soft scent of bellflowers spreads from his back.
"Asahiko… Are you going to leave me for her too?"
Maintaining a stoic expression at the pale, cold hand that caresses his face from behind, Asahiko fixes his gaze on Inuyasha's amber eyes, all in an attempt to seek help at the possible existence of Kikyo behind him.
The thing is, it was useless, since Inuyasha averts his eyes almost instantly, as if something were gnawing at his conscience. That left him alone, with a mad woman behind his neck, just like that night after going to Kaede's village.
"Inuyasha can't understand it. She is not for him… It's something unnatural, just like you are as well"
"What are you—"
"But no! He rejected us, me, the real one… both of us! We offered him everything, but at the slightest presence of Kagome… Once again he rejected us without thinking"
Hearing the grinding of teeth behind him, while his right shoulder quickly becomes damp, Asahiko feels the clear pressure of a head on his shoulder.
"So… please, just stay with me… For a second, even if I've done something wrong"
"Who are you? What are you talking about?"
"Obvious question, Asahiko. I am Kikyo, the one who accompanied you these past days, even weeks, or have you already forgotten?"
"No, she has never—"
Cutting off the words he was about to say as he feels the pair of cold arms wrap around his waist, Asahiko notices how Kikyo's head moves from his shoulders to his back.
"She would never do this? Maybe Inuyasha hanging there can explain to you why this is right, why Kikyo would do this… Something so common and mortal"
"Inuyasha?"
"Grr, I…"
"Hahaha, did you really ask him? It's so cute when you act clueless and come ask me things, although now… I know why"
Being pushed by Kikyo from behind, Asahiko is forced to take a few steps forward due to inertia and tries to turn quickly, although his eyes are instantly covered by a cold hand and then he feels a soft embrace.
"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, Asahiko. I couldn't continue with the doubt… with fear of the result. I had to know what or who you were, but it was selfish…"
"You… Could it be… Did you do all of this?"
"Yes, using the rose you gave me as a catalyst for the formation… That's why the illusions became more and more realistic, so much that upon reaching this one it cannot be distinguished from reality at all"
Embracing her more out of inertia than anything else, Asahiko now understands the reason for her apologies, although one doubt still remains in the air.
"But this is Inuyasha's nightmare, why are you so… You?"
"Hahaha, are you willing to accept that I am Kikyo? It's because the real one entered this nightmare, and due to an emotional fluctuation… this also became her nightmare, almost poetic really"
"So you are Kikyo and Inuyasha's nightmare, that's why it is so different here from everything else"
"Mmm… This is where my part ends, I think I've already done enough. Although I'm going to give one last bit of help, a gift for my creator"
Finally opening his eyes since nothing forced him to keep them closed, Asahiko is left staring into nothingness, since in front of him there is only the distant burning village and the nearby structures of the temple.
"Are you going to free me or what!"
"… Good point. But stay still because this is probably going to hurt"
Jumping up to the tree strangely dissonant with the surrounding temple, Asahiko avoids Inuyasha's gaze and grabs the arrow with his hand, pulling it out in one motion.
With everything done, and also fearing some outburst of rage from Inuyasha, he kicks the tree and jumps a bit away.
Thank God nothing happens, instead Inuyasha remains watching the burning village, the columns of smoke rising into the sky, and the tree in which he was captive.
"Uh… Ahem, shall we go, Inuyasha?"
"Finally, I was getting tired of waiting"
"But you were the one staring into nothing!"
"I was waiting for you to say something, third-rate fox!"
Ignoring Inuyasha who was erupting like a volcano in full eruption, despite the brief moment of clarity he had back there, Asahiko opens a door to the surface and invites him to jump.
Of course the dog boy didn't give it a second glance, instead he lets out a sigh and jumps in, leaving Asahiko alone who shakes his head, before jumping in as well.
As the two of them leave and the nightmare collapses behind them, a blurry and indistinct figure remains for a few seconds, but then takes the form of a dark rose and collapses along with the nightmare.