"This place… Mount Hakurei… it feels too sacred."
Kagome stared up at the mountains shrouded in dense mist, her voice filled with disbelief. "Would Naraku really hide somewhere like this?"
"…It's too pure," Kikyo murmured. She carefully sensed the overwhelming spiritual energy permeating the air, her brows knitting slightly. That level of sanctity felt… unnatural.
"Ugh,!"
A low groan suddenly broke the silence.
Kirara, who had been in her larger form, trembled violently. Her fur bristled, her legs buckled,and in the next instant, she collapsed, her body shrinking rapidly back to its small form.
Beside her, Shippō swayed unsteadily, his face pale before he toppled over as well.
"Kirara! Shippō!"
Sango rushed forward at once, scooping them both into her arms. Their eyes were tightly shut,they had already lost consciousness.
"Miroku, what's happening?" she asked anxiously.
Miroku stepped closer and examined them carefully before letting out a quiet breath.
"They've absorbed the spiritual power emanating from Mount Hakurei," he explained. "They're full-blooded demons. That power forcibly purifies their demonic energy… and this is the result."
He then turned toward Inuyasha, who was standing nearby, his body tense.
"Even a half-demon like you might,"
"Inuyasha! Are you okay?" Kagome asked immediately, worry written all over her face.
Inuyasha said nothing. He tightened his jaw and stepped forward toward the mountain, clearly determined to prove he was fine.
But after only a few steps,
A brilliant white light suddenly burst from his body.
It crackled like electricity, the violent clash between his demonic energy and the overwhelming spiritual power around him.
Inuyasha's expression twisted in pain, veins bulging at his temples,but he gritted his teeth and forced himself forward.
Step by step.
But the deeper he went, the more intense the light became,like countless currents tearing through him.
Finally,A blinding flash erupted.
Inuyasha froze mid-step, unable to move any further.
"Damn it…!" He staggered back, breathing heavily. "There's a barrier!"
"This must be a barrier created using Saint Hakushin's spiritual power," Miroku said gravely, gazing at the mist-covered mountain. "It purifies nearly all demonic and evil energy. Demons can't approach it at all."
"And at the same time," Kikyo added softly, watching Inuyasha struggle, "it has become Naraku's perfect shield."
"If Naraku is truly inside, Inuyasha won't be able to pass through this barrier."
Miroku frowned, his face tense. "Even for someone like me… this level of purification is uncomfortable. If we stay here too long, it may affect all of us."
"…Huh?" Sango blinked, confused. "I feel fine."
"Me too," Kagome nodded, holding Shippō. "I don't feel anything strange."
Kikyo glanced at Miroku, a peculiar look flickering in her eyes.
Inuyasha leaned in, giving Miroku a sideways look full of disdain.
"Your heart… isn't exactly pure, is it?"
"…"
Miroku froze on the spot. His solemn expression cracked instantly, replaced by unmistakable embarrassment.
Sango and Kagome exchanged a glance.
Without a word, they both handed Shippō and Kirara to Inuyasha,then each grabbed one of Miroku's hands.
"Eh? Wait,you two,?"
Before he could react, they began pulling him toward the barrier.
Warmth spread from their soft hands, and the faint scent of them filled his senses. Miroku's thoughts immediately began to wander in a… less-than-holy direction.
But in the next instant,
The purifying power of the barrier surged like a tide, washing over him and forcibly cleansing those thoughts.
On one side,temptation.
On the other,absolute purity.
The two extremes clashed violently within him.
"Ugh… this is awful… wait,don't,!"
The closer he got, the worse it became.
Finally, unable to endure it any longer, Miroku yanked his hands free and stumbled backward in a panic, as if burned.
Only after leaving the barrier's influence did he bend over, panting heavily, his face pale.
He clutched his chest, visibly shaken.
If he stayed there any longer…
He might actually lose all interest in women.
That was far more terrifying than death.
He hadn't even found someone willing to bear his child yet!
"Yeah… your heart's completely corrupted," Inuyasha said flatly, cradling Shippō and Kirara, his tone dripping with disdain.
"These people are quite entertaining," Kikyo said softly, watching the scene unfold, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Beside her, Kagetsu couldn't help but chuckle.
He remembered this scene vividly. It had been hilarious the first time he saw it,watching it play out in person was even better.
"Come," Kikyo said, taking his hand naturally. "Let's take a closer look at this barrier."
Kagetsu followed her forward.
The closer they got, the heavier the air became, saturated with powerful purification energy.
He knew this was only the outer influence,inside the barrier, it would be far stronger.
"This isn't just the power of Saint Hakushin's remains," Kikyo said thoughtfully as she sensed the fluctuations. "The barrier itself was likely created by him personally."
She paused, then added, "Even I can feel it affecting me. Do you really think Naraku is inside?"
"He should be," Kagetsu replied calmly. "This barrier is powerful,but that's exactly why it's perfect. As long as you stay inside, there's no safer place."
He continued,
"You once told me that spiritual power is shaped by the will of the heart. This barrier rejects demonic and evil energy because of that will."
He glanced toward the mountain.
"So if the owner of that will… doesn't reject someone,then they wouldn't be affected at all."
Kikyo considered that, then nodded slightly.
"That… makes sense."
"Kagetsu."
He turned at the sound of his name.
Kikyo was already looking at him, a faint, mischievous smile playing on her lips.
Before he could react,
She stepped closer.
A soft breeze carried her scent as she rose onto her toes and pressed her lips lightly against his.
For a brief moment,
Kagetsu froze.
Then instinctively, his arm slipped around her waist.
But just as quickly, Kikyo pulled away, stepping back with a small exhale of relief.
Then she frowned slightly.
"…Why aren't you affected at all?" she asked, clearly dissatisfied. "I felt uncomfortable just now, but you're acting like nothing happened."
Kagetsu blinked,then immediately understood.
"Oh… so that was your plan?" he said, narrowing his eyes. "You wanted to see me make a fool of myself?"
He reached out and pinched her cheeks lightly, tugging them to the side.
"You,"
"Stop it… it's uncomfortable near the barrier," Kikyo said, slapping his hand away and rubbing her slightly reddened cheeks.
"Funny," Kagetsu shot back dryly, "you didn't seem uncomfortable when you decided to ambush me."
Kikyo's face flushed faintly at being called out.
"…Just tell me," she said quickly, changing the subject. "Why aren't you affected by the barrier at all?"