Kikyo noticed Enju's gaze lingering on her.
Those wine-red eyes were filled with hesitation,like she wanted to ask something, yet didn't dare.
Kikyo slowed to a stop and turned toward her.
"Is there something you want to ask?"
"…Miss Kikyo…"
Enju hesitated, then finally spoke in a small voice.
"Have you really… become a living person?"
A faint smile touched Kikyo's lips.
"Yes. With Kagetsu 's help… I am truly alive now."
Enju's head snapped up. She stole a quick glance at Kagetsu ,only to lower her gaze again, lips pressed together, saying nothing more.
Kagetsu caught that look.
Fear. Awe.
Ever since witnessing his overwhelming Water Release, the girl had been quietly intimidated by him.
Kikyo, however, chose not to say anything further.
She understood better than anyone,
The cost of that "resurrection."
The last time, Naraku had paid the price.
And now?
There was no guarantee they could make it happen again.
Giving Enju hope without certainty… would only hurt her more.
"Kikyo. Inuyasha and the others are catching up."
Kagetsu 's voice broke the silence.
"So soon?" Kikyo blinked in surprise.
She had left a message behind,but she hadn't expected them to arrive this quickly.
"Let's wait. They're probably here about Naraku."
He leaned casually against a tree, gaze fixed in the distance.
Kikyo nodded and stood beside him.
Enju quietly followed behind.
"It's Kikyo and the others!"
From afar, Kagome's voice rang out.
Perched on Inuyasha's back, she pointed excitedly.
Moments later, the group arrived.
"Kikyo…" Inuyasha greeted, setting Kagome down. "…and Kagetsu ."
"We finally found you!" Sango called out, landing beside them with Miroku.
"You're here about Naraku, right?" Kikyo asked directly.
"That's right!" Kagome stepped forward eagerly. "Do you know where he is? We've been searching everywhere!"
"Inuyasha suggested we ask you,but when we reached the shrine, you had already left. We only caught up after hearing your message from Yuzuki."
Kikyo nodded.
"We only know that Naraku has been active in this region."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"But we're heading to Mount Hakurei. An acquaintance asked for my help there… and we suspect Naraku may also be involved."
"Mount Hakurei?" the group echoed in confusion.
"It's said to house a temple of the Saint Hakushin," Kikyo explained. "A place that can purify even the darkest sins."
She gently took Enju's hand.
"This is Enju. She'll be traveling with us."
Kagetsu added casually,
"Inuyasha,the half-demon. Kagome,the priestess. Sango,the demon slayer. Miroku,the monk."
He pointed at the smaller companions.
"And those two,Shippō and Kirara."
"Nice to meet you!" Kagome and the others greeted warmly.
Enju nodded shyly.
Inuyasha suddenly leaned closer and sniffed.
His expression sharpened.
"She's like you were, Kikyo. A resurrected dead,she carries the scent of grave soil… and Ritō's herbs."
Before Kikyo could respond, Enju lowered her head and spoke quietly.
"My name is Enju…"
She recounted everything,her revival, her role, and her forced creation of Terracotta Soldiers.
By the end,
Kagome and Sango looked visibly moved.
"Enju… you don't have to live like that anymore," Kagome said gently.
"Ritō is gone. You can live freely now."
"Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique!"
Kagetsu formed hand seals.
Chakra surged into the earth,
And trees erupted upward.
Branches twisted and intertwined, forming walls, beams, and a roof in seconds.
"Creak,crack,"
An elegant wooden house rose from the forest floor.
"Alright. We'll stay here tonight."
"Woooow!" Shippō's eyes sparkled. "That's amazing!"
"Yes! No more sleeping outside!" Kagome cheered, dragging Sango inside to explore.
"…Show-off," Inuyasha muttered,though he still peeked inside.
Miroku nodded thoughtfully.
"No wonder we never saw you near villages. You can just… build your own lodging."
Kagetsu shrugged.
"I usually destroy them after leaving. Didn't want stray demons moving in."
"…I see," Miroku said, speechless.
"Kagome, help me set up a barrier," Kikyo called.
"Coming!"
The two quickly got to work.
Later that night,
"Ahh… I feel alive again…"
Kagome set down her bowl with a blissful sigh, eyes almost teary as she stared at the full spread of food.
During their pursuit, meals had been… rough.
Fish. Wild plants.
And the occasional instant noodles,now treated like treasure.
So when Kagetsu casually pulled out fresh ingredients and seasonings from the Kamui Dimension earlier,
She had been stunned.
Across from her, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Shippō were devouring food just as enthusiastically.
Kagetsu couldn't help but smirk.
They really chased us that hard, huh…
His gaze shifted,
Landing on Enju, who sat quietly in the corner.
"Enju. Come over. Eat something."
"I… I can't," she said quickly, shaking her head. "This body… can't eat."
"I know."
He gestured again.
"Just come here."