Ch46 In Pursuit
(Inuko POV - Higurashi Shine - Modern Era)
Can't really sleep tonight, so I figured that I would just look up at the stars. But there wasn't really that much here in Y/N and Kagome's era compared to what I'm used to.
To think that humans would come so far within a few centuries when things haven't really changed back in my time, especially when Kikyō stinging me up in that damned tree for 50 years.
At least it was nice to look and no new moon in sight. Last one was definitely one of the worst ones I have lived through. But it was nice to not be alone on a night like that again especially after-
"Okay that is enough of that." I said to myself, stretching myself over the roof of the wellhouse "Time to head back." I grumbled out before jumping off of it.
Might as well tried to get some sleep for looking for more jewel shards later in the morning. Hopefully we can find something this time.
Especially anything on who was behind what happened what happened 50 years ago, a little over a week has passed since they released the Ne no Kubi. That overgrown weed not giving good anything away or no sign of them at all.
Considering what they pulled 50 years ago, it would make sense they would up and vanish like that. Making it all the more eager for me to finally rip my claws into them once I did find them!
And with Kirinmaru's forces I haven't seen that tatarimokke around, so like Myōga said it was probably confirming if I was awake or not. Neither has Myōga and he has asked several of my father's former servants at least around Kaede's village to keep an eye out for anyone affiliated with him.
Once again no signs, but with how things have been it was probably for the best. They already have enough to deal with already without worrying about the possibility of one of my old man's enemies.
As I entered the wellhouse, I heard something at the bottom of the well. Getting me to draw out my claws before noticing Yura pulling herself out from the well.
"So there you, I thought that you would be somewhere nearby the village." Yura said, getting me to huff.
"Well I expected you to be stealing hair in some alleyway or rebuilding your nest at this time. So what do you want with me." I said with a huff.
"Not just you. Master and Kagome as well, an onibaba attacked Kaede's village and injured her." Yura said, getting me to growl as clenched my fists.
Whatever I plan to do once I get to my claws on who set the Ne no Kubi free, that onibaba will good practice before I can do so!
"Is Kaede alright?" I asked Yura.
"She is alright, the girl was helping her before I left." Yura said, getting me to let out a small sigh of relief.
"I take it this onibaba was after the jewel shards or something?" I asked.
"No, but this onibaba Urasue leveled Kikyō's shrine to steal her ashes." Yura said, shocking me. "And she is known for brining the dead back to life."
...No.
No.
No!
Once I get my claws on Urasue, I will make whatever awaits her in the pits of Yomi seem like a small abrasion compared to what I will do to her!
I might not have the best opinion of Kikyō...and admittedly I was still sorting things out. But to bring her back to life. I can not allow that to happen!
"You we're going to get everyone else than, I can guess you were going for Y/N." I said, trying to keep my voice even.
Not all that surprised that she nodded in response. But right now I could care less.
"Yes, I'll get master. You will get Kagome." Yura said, to which I just nodded before bounding out of the wellhouse.
"Just don't take too long or I'll drag you back to the well!" I growled out, uncaring if she responded or not as I jumped onto the shrine's roof and towards Kagome's house. Remembering where here window was and started to bang on it with one hand.
She better wake up soon along with Y/N. The sooner we go after this Urasue, the better it will be for everyone!
Especially when I will gut her with my claws and Tessaiga for what she is doing!
I would prefer that Kikyō to stay dead. Despite my conflicted feelings on the matter, she did deserve a peaceful afterlife after what she had done.
So for threatening to take that away from her, this Urasue will suffer a long, slow trip to Yomi by my own hand!
(Y/N POV - Y/N's House- 5 minutes later)
"Seems like they have dried off by now." I said, inspecting the paintings before me.
Both of them were of the sotobas in the sunset from the Buddhist temple that we burned down...not sure if getting rid of the Kumogashira swarm that took over and desecrated the place that way would be good or bad karma for us.
Honestly I should be asleep right now. I managed to sleep for about an hour or two...but once I get the urge to draw or paint I couldn't help myself so I woke up.
That and I probably still have plenty of energy after my date from Kagome.
I smiled remembering how excited she was during the whole movie.
I could see why she loves it so much. Visuals were pretty breathtaking and the story was pretty good.
Although I guess my favorite part was just watching it with her.
Anyway I finally had time to finish things up and to make two of those paintings. Although the copies were slightly different.
They were mainly the same thing, except one of them bringing closer attention to the sotobas of Nazuna's parents. That copy was going straight to her.
The other one...well I'll give it to Kaede to decide what to do with it.
Not long after we got back from our date we found on the news that two paintings have been found and authenticated to have been made by me in the Sengoku Jidai.
..at least that I would make...or in this case one made and one to be made in the future. ..
Still trying to wrap my head around it.
I recognized one of them based on the mostly complete painting for Nazuna with less emphasis on the sotobas's identities and painted from a different angle.
The other was apparently one of a few I would make of Lake Amakoi.
Which I guess is fitting since what would happen to it alongside other such locations such as the Kohaku River. ..
Looking over both paintings I would say that they were both dried up and completed now. The second painting was looking like the one that was on the news, except brand new. Literally as I just finished it, except for the one found had been aged for centuries.
I consider it impressive that what I could make would last for centuries and still in relatively good condition, yet than again they were probably preserved properly before being rediscovered.
I consider that an honor that anyone would want to preserve them, but I am still trying to wrap my head around it.
But of those paintings I would say that the one for Nazuna is my favorite. I believe that a modification of a quote I once heard would sum it up best.
The second painting will just be one more painting to the world that has been preserved for future generations.
The first painting would mean the world for Nazuna, for she would be the one person who would appreciate and cherish it above everyone else.
"Looks like everything is finished." I said, turning the lights off in the room before heading for my bedroom.
I'll give the painting to Nazuna in the morning. Right now it was best to get some more sleep before sunrise.
I opened the room to see Shippō still asleep, curled up on my bed. He briefly shifted as I turned on the lights briefly before dimming them.
Well at least one of us will get a good amount of sleep tonight.
I smiled at him while I looked over a bookshelf before pulling out a book and climbing into bed without trying to disturb him. Reading in bed often seems to lull me to sleep after painting like this.
Deciding to read Spirit of Wonder by Kenji Tsuruta. Well volume 1 at least. Most people were probably more familiar to volume 2 considering most of the OVA's and being more interconnected. Although some of them were original for the OVAs.
Volume 1 was more one short stories except for dealing with the Boy's Scientific Club.
Have to admit they were pretty good and the surreal and bizarre aspects combined with the artwork were pretty impressive even decades later. Although some of Tsuruta's artwork in there was risqué in a number of panels, it was still art. But there was way more so in the second volume.
Still the passion was more than evident in the detail of artwork itself and the stories behind it.
Now as I opened the manga and flipped to chapter 4, one of my favorites I heard doors opening when I knew very well that I had locked up for the night.
Before I could get up the bedroom door opened up and I sighed internally to see that it was Yura. That and thankful I didn't fall asleep when she barraged into my home.
Though I hoped that she better had a good reason to do so.
"You're still awake master?" Yura asked.
"Couldn't get much sleep tonight. But please tell me that something happened." I said while getting out of bed.
"Indeed master, an onibaba named Urasue just attacked the village. As far as I can tell no one died by the old miko was still injured pretty badly. She was being treated by Nazuna last I saw." Yura said, getting me to wince.
An onibaba, that wasn't good. They usually left a large death toll in their wake depending on what magic they had. They were lucky they were no casualties.
But from what I know unless an onibaba didn't feel slighted in some way or provoked than they wouldn't attack first usually unless they had a purpose.
With Kaede left alive Urasue wasn't after her reiryoku so that narrowed down what she could be after. If no one was taken or dead like Yura said that was another possibility down. With myself and Kagome back in the modern era it could not have been the Shikon Jewel shards.
With Kaede's village besides us frequenting it and her pretense there wasn't much out of the ordinary from other large villages from the Sengoku Jidai.
Except for one possibility. Something that filled me with dread thinking about it.
"It was Kikyō's ashes wasn't it?" I asked, hoping to be wrong. Only for Yura to shake her head.
"It was, the old hag is the most prolific necromancer in Honshū that isn't a daiyokai. The bitch is already getting Kagome after I told her. We need to head down the well now master." Yura said, getting me to nod rapidly.
That was a good idea as if Urasue could resurrect Kikyō and bring her under control it could be a bad idea. Especially with her soul having already reincarnated into Kagome.
Even with what I know on the subject there had been no recorded cases of trying to bring someone back to life once there soul had reincarnated into someone else and no one had even attempted.
No one had dared to try as such a subject was considered taboo. There was no telling what could happen to Kagome if she did succeed. The sooner we get to Urasue the better.
"Yura please get out of my room for a moment, need to get dressed and ready to go." I said, pulling out my clothes hurriedly.
I was fully awake at this point, focusing on getting ready to head back to the Sengoku Jidai. It should take me only a minute to get dressed and to wake up Shippō. I was hopping for a quiet morning before heading back, but that will not be the case today.
No, we needed to find Urasue before she could prepare everything to bring Kikyō back to the land of the living.
(Kagome POV - Wellhouse - 20 minutes later)
"I don't want to go back yet..." Shippō yawned out tiredly as Yura's hairs wrapped around him and Y/N. "Especially with the crappy lady..."
"No can do Shippō, we have to go back." I said to him as I inspected the quiver to make sure that I wouldn't run out of arrows if the need comes to it.
Trying my best to hide my own irritation and tiredness.
After everything with the Kumogashira swarm I was hoping to at least sleep in as much as possible before heading back to the Sengoku Jidai, but my hopes were dashed when Inuko woke me up by banging on my window.
Before I could ask what in Yomi she was thinking of waking me up so early when Inuko told me everything she knew while Yura was getting Y/N.
Instead transferring my wrath to Urasue, I wasn't thrilled with the idea of her brining Kikyō back from the dead. Especially with her razing her shrine and injuring Kaede.
Hearing that I wanted her dead almost as much as Inuko, feeling my reiryoku flare up at exorcising her from the land of the living.
It took a bit for me to gather everything and to wake up Gramps to at least let Mom and Sōta why we had left earlier than we planned. Once I had everything I rushed out to see Yura already lowering our bikes down along with what appeared to be two paintings with Y/N and Shippō already there.
With the kit looking half awake while Y/N looked more so than the both of us...he was up late again wasn't he...
"Alright nobody better not have forgotten anything, once we go through there we will of be coming back here until Urasue is burning in Yomi!" Inuko growled out, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"I got everything, what about you Kagome?" Y/N asked, getting me to nod.
"I do, now let's go." I said, getting Inuko to grin.
"Exactly what I was thinking!" She said before jumping into the well followed by Yura. Both me and Y/N shared a look.
"Ready?" I asked with a smile, to which he returned.
"As I'll ever be." Y/N said before the two of us dived into the well.
"Then how about the next time before we head back into the Sengoku Jidai you should not have stayed up again." I said, getting him to look away briefly. "You were up painting again weren't you Y/N?"
"I managed to sleep for an hour or two, but yes I did." He sighed out.
"Probably should have learned better after what happened with the Kumogashira but you will most likely do it again." I said flatly.
"True, but I still had plenty of energy left to paint.
Especially with remembering how our date turned out earlier.
" Y/N said, getting both of our faces to heat up.
"I mean I felt like I still had trouble falling asleep thinking about how good it was along with enjoying Summer Wars with you before deciding to paint. Did you feel the same way Kagome?"
Izanami damm it...
"I did, it was hard enough for me to fall asleep while thinking about it." I said, trying to hide my face while smiling. "Just please try to get some sleep later on."
"That I can do." Y/N said before we found ourselves back at the bottom of the well back in the Sengoku Jidai. Before he let out a chuckle. "Though it seems like Shippō already has me beat in that regard."
Looking over his shoulders as we were starting to be lifted out of the well by Yura's hairs, I saw that indeed Shippō had fallen back to sleep. Curling around the back of Y/N's neck and using his shoulders as a bed.
It was so adorable.
"Indeed, let's just let him rest up for a bit longer." I said while laughing a little before we were pulled out of the well, Yura's hairs receding.
"Thank you Yura." Y/N said as he began to cradle Shippō so he wouldn't fall off. "So where is Inuko."
"It's no problem master, and as for her apparently the bitch's stubbornness seemed to have rubbed off on the old miko." Yura said before pointing a little bit away from the well.
Me and Y/N followed to see Inuko with Kaede, Nazuna, and Rikichi. With Kaede having bandages wrapped around her head and her right arm, holding her bow in her free hand and a horse with the other.
"Are you sure that you are fine with this Kaede? Believe me I all for you coming alone, but are you sure." Inuko asked.
"I'm fine Inuko, it will take more than some grave robbing onibaba to keep me down. Especially one that thinks destroy my sister's shrine, robbed her grave, and bring her back to life she has another thing coming." Kaede said determinedly.
"But Lady Kaede what will happen if your wounds open up again? I don't think that I managed to bind them upon treat them perfectly." Nazuna said, getting Kaede to shake her head.
"You did more than enough Nazuna, they will hold even if they do sting like Yomi. But as I said next add the extra kudzu root, okay." Kaede said, getting Nazuna to stare at her for a moment before nodding.
Well than again she was a little girl when she did meet Inuko and her sister's shrine was just defiled and desecrated. She was out for Urasue's blood along with everyone else here.
"Just please try and take it easy Kaede, even with Inuko I assume it will take a while to track her down." I said, getting their attention as the three of us walked towards them. Before turning to Yura. "Isn't that right?"
"You are correct, that hag is known to be quite slippery. But she will have some location set up in order to properly resurrect Kikyō. And considering that she uses grave soil to do so, she already has a anagama set up somewhere nearby in the mountains." Yura said, getting Y/N to nod.
So basically that was a kind of kiln than.
"So what does Urasue plan to do, use a clay mold and an anagama to bring Kikyō back to life?" I asked.
"Actually that what she is planing." Y/N said, surprising me.
"You mean that way can bring someone back to life like that?" I asked, getting Y/N to nod.
"Somewhat, one of the ways to bring someone back in Japan is to bake someone's remains and grave soil into a clay mold to revive them as a shibito.
Not sure of the whole details, but it is not whole reliable without constant supervision and even if it does succeed from what little I can tell it isn't the easiest to maintain the shibito.
But that method is the one less likely to cause the user their life or the shibito to take their life.
" Y/N said, getting Inuko to growl and Yura to sigh.
"Master is right and the hagis the most experienced one in her craft in Honshū, she will probably take her at least two day to properly bring Kikyō back to life. Maybe a little less." Yura said, getting me to nod with a sigh.
So we still had some time before this resurrection could happen. Though I hadn't heard of the term shibito before either. But from the meaning I believe that it could be at least it could be related to what the West consider some kind of zombie.
"Than we have no time to waste!" Inuko growled out before turning towards Kaede. "Do you have anything that I can track her with?"
"Some of my blood on her scythe, along with grave soil. Rikichi." Kaede said, getting the man to nod as he pulled out a clay vial.
Opening up to reveal some soil that I presume was from Kikyō's grave. Inuko hesitated for a moment before crouching down a little towards the open vial. She stayed there for a few moments before growling, her ears seeming to hang back as she growled while looking off into the distance.
"I found her, she is far ahead of us by now. Won't stop us from ripping her to shreds when we catch her!" Inuko growled out, drawing out her claws.
Now we know which direction this Urasue is, let's hunt her down.
"Rikichi look after the village while I am gone, I should be gone for a few days." Kaede said as, getting him to nod as he approached her.
"Of course Lady Kaede." He said, helping her onto the horse while I went to our bikes already.
Only to find that Y/N and Yura had already beaten me to them, cradling Shippō with one arm and carrying a painting with his other arm. Yura carrying the other one with his hairs.
Honestly I expected him to have brought them out earlier.
"Are you certain that this is the time for this Y/N?" I asked as the two of them approaching Rikichi and Yura.
"Certainly, especially since this painting could be sold or traded for costs and materials to help pay for rebuilding Kikyō's shrine.
" Y/N said as Yura brought over the painting to Rikichi, the man looking surprised as he placed the vial down and held the painting.
"Might not be worth much but it should help out somewhat. "
"Thank you, I will make sure that this painting is sold." Rikichi said while I smiled.
Okay, he picked the perfect time for this. And if that painting was one that did survive to our era, than it's cost is more than enough to help rebuild the shrine.
"I hope that you won't have that much trouble doing so." Y/N said as he walked towards Nazuna, handing over the painting he was carrying to her. "This one however is much more important to me than that one."
Nazuna looked at the painting and tears began to pool up in her eyes as she looked at it.
"This is one one with your patent's sotobas girl that master painted for you, the one you asked for. I hope you enjoy it." Yura said, getting Y/N to nod.
"I am sure she will. The first will hold meaning towards those who possess it. This one's meaning will hold value to you alone, Nazuna arguably making worth much more that the other one will be to me." Y/N said with a smile.
Before hurriedly raising Shippō into the hair as she hugged him for a few moments separating, trying to wipe away their tears.
"Thank you Y/N, this means so much." She said, getting him to nod with a smile.
"It's no problem, just make sure to find a good place to put it. Can't wait to see where that will be when we get back." He said before he and Yura began to head back to the bikes while I got mine out and got on.
I guess it was time for us to head out.
"Lady Kagome, Lord Y/N please make sure that Lady Kaede will be alright." Rikichi said.
"Don't worry we will, but I think Inuko will mainly take care of that." I said.
"Your damn well right I will!" She growled out from ahead of us.
"Please take care everyone!" Nazuna called out.
"Can't promise how well that will be girl, but we will make it back." Yura said as Y/N got on his bike.
Considering our luck, I suppose that was probably the right thing to say. Speaking of which.
"Y/N besides these shibito, do you know what else can we expect from Urasue?" I asked, getting him to shrug.
"Honestly with how many recounts of what onibaba can do it is hard to pin down anything concrete.
Especially with her specialty of bringing the dead back to life.
I am more worried what will happen if she does bring Kikyō back to life and under her control.
" Y/N said with a shudder. "What I do know is that Inuko, myself, and Yura would be screwed if she got her hands on a bow and arrows. "
"Yeah I can imagine that, especially for Inuko." I said before noticing that Y/N was looking between Shippō and his bike. "Would you like me to take him?"
"Cer-" "I'll do it." Inuko cut in as she jumped between us. "At least until he wakes up. Probably easier this was way and he would only freak out if Yura takes him."
Both me and Y/N shared a look before the two of us shrugged.
It was fair enough, and there was less of a chance of accidentally waking him up if we ran over a bump or something.
"Here you go." Y/N said as he handed Shippō to Inuko, with her bringing the kit to her back. Who immediately began to snuggle into her hair.
"Warm...so warm..." He mumbled out sleepily, getting Inuko to sigh.
"Yeah I would imagine that." She grumbled out as she walked away.
I just couldn't help but giggle a little while Y/N sighed while shaking his head, a small smile on his face.
"Honestly I should have expected that." He said before we noticed that Inuko and Kaede were taking off. "Yura are you ready?"
"I always am master, and I am looking forward to flaying that onibaba." Yura said as suspended herself behind us.
"Than I think you might want to wait to see what remains of her after Inuko, Kaede, and myself are done with her." I said, looking for award to this. "Are you ready for this Y/N?"
"With you, always." Y/N said, getting me to smile as we biked after Inuko and Kaede.
Time to hunt down an onibaba.
(??? POV - The Next Day- Early Afternoon - Mountainous Region)
My main body was still halfway across Honshū, having created another kugutsu to finalize some of my on going plans.
Something of which that Urasue's grave robbing is creating the greatest risk factor to them.
Kikyō's resurrection must be prevented at all costs.
Her anagama was somewhere close by this location from what my Saimyōshō could find with clay molds decorating the forests around a nearby mountain.
An excellent location to hide and hide time until a task was complete.
The dense foliage and natural fortifications providing enough of a delay and with shibito the possibility to by Urasue enough time to complete her task before spiriting what she needs away.
Unfortunately is Y/N and the others find this location pursuing her, it will be compromised.
No real loss to me, but a bit of a disappointment to lose such a potential location.
The Saimyōshō have only observed clay molds and shibito of a severely lesser grade patrolling. Nothing more effective than a moving shield made out of clay.
Although I had to gloss over from what I could see from the shards brought to me that what they lack in quality, Urasue certainly made up in rapid production of them with minor flaws. I prefer quality myself, but absorbing the information on how she did so will provide most beneficial.
Yet it seems like my Saimyōshō were being cut down now in droves. With myself finding the remains.
They were to precise and large to have been cut apart by a scythe so that ruled out Urasue herself, and the wounds appear to have to cleanly by the swords carried by her mass produce shibito.
But most disturbingly was the damage also looked like it held traces of reiryoku in the slashes, the effects cauterizing the cuts.
Very few priests, priestesses, and monks were known to have been able to wield a sword and employ it with reiryoku.
The only one whose skill could both rival and surpass Kikyō's reiryoku body was in a place Urasue will never be able to reach.
And her soul bound in a place she could not gather without Kikyō's assistance.
So now another smaller risk factor running around and as a shibito as well. Without a single tell I could not discern their identity of the reiryoku user.
And I despise dealing with unknown variables.
With several Saimyōshō surrounding me I will be warned if someone were to approach from my blind spots.
Crossing over a mountain peak I saw where they had reported to be around Urasue's anagama should be somewhere. And with no Saimyōshō coming back for some time from there the shibito must be somewhere close by.
"Two of you spread and covertly try find any others still surviving." I said, getting two of the Saimyōshō surrounding me flying down the mountain as I trudged along the mountain side.
For a few minutes there was no signs of resistance until at the foothold of mountain were a number of sliced Saimyōshō lay.
Followed by the dying buzzes of the one's I had sent ahead.
Without a word they surrounded me as I heard the clanging sound of zōri sandals against the rocks. Standing still as the shibito approached.
There was nowhere for me to hide and considering the reiryoku was coming from a sword the best option was to keep a distance from them. I soon saw who had been interfering with my efforts.
It seems my assumption was wrong as it wasn't a priest, priestess, or a monk.
No by the appearance it was a samurai or ronin, curious.
"So you are the intruder I have been looking for, you are exactly how I imagined you to be.
Except for the yokai skull on the mantle.
" The shibito said, an older human male with white hair tied in a top knot with a massive scar alongside the top of his head and trailing alongside above his left eye, across the nose, and below the right eye.
Most likely caused by some kind of mammalian yokai judging by the shape.
He wore a simple white gi with an black intricate pattern along the sleeves and bottom.
Tied around the center was a blue haramaki with a swirling pattern along with a blue scarf around the neck like Y/N wore.
At the right hip and inside the haramaki was a long tachi in a black sheath, a golden cross like tsuba and golden kojiri.
Judging by his build not hidden by the gi he was physically stronger than the average human.
Procedure, swarm or sacrifice Saimyōshō while keeping distance if the need for violence arises.
"I couldn't say the same for yourself. Now allow me to pass I have some business with Urasue." I said, preparing to fight.
"As much as I prefer that, I have been given orders to make sure that you don't get past. Nor can I allow you to pass while Kawaramaru and Enju are here." The shibito said, going to his sword.
I began to-
I cut my observations off as the shibito rushed forward faster than most humans, quickly drawing his sword mid stride and sliced up a pair of my Saimyōshō. Before quickly catching up to me.
Cutting through my right arm and the top right half of my head in one stroke. If I had been just a little bit slower than I would have lost a lot more than just them. Possibly decapitated or breaking this kugutsu.
And if this had been my main body I would already be pulling back from the burning sensation of reiryoku. It wasn't much compared to most reiryoku users but with his speed and strength it would have been deadly.
"As I figured, this isn't your main body. I will give you one more chance to back away." The Shiite said as tendril like roots sprouted from my body as most of the Saimyōshō gathered around where my arm used to be.
"And I can not risk that with Urasue." I said, lashing out with the roots spreading from my body and lashing out wildly. Buying enough time for the Saimyōshō to gather around to form a long spindly limb with three claws and a nasty surprise hidden within.
That will do.
The shibito took a step back, but with a series of small, quick, and precise strikes began to hack away at them. Quickly closing the distance between us
Sending the last of the surrounding Saimyōshō ahead to distract him, using the roots to pull myself back. Observing him as he cut through or thrusted his sword through them with ease.
The shibito quickly closed the distance as I attacked with the Saimyōshō arm, stretching as I clawed at him. He deflected the blow and sliced off one of the claws as I retaliated with some more roots. Cutting through them before piercing my left arm and slicing through it.
Pulling his sword back to bisect me, only to step back and slice my fallen left arm and the roots connected to it after I tried to bludgeon him.
"Quite the low blow, but a clever tactic." The shibito said before slicing through some more of my roots as several from my back began to pull me up the mountainside.
The chances of this kugutsu surviving any further was quickly dwindling due to this shibito interfering. Best to retreat for now and find another route to Urasue.
However that possibility was dashed when the shibito jumped up and slashed at me, cutting of a number of roots and right leg. So I pushed off the mountainside and clawed at him.
The shibito cleaved the hand in half, but barely had anytime to pull back as a small cloud of miasma sprung fourth. He jumped back as the hand was replaced with a hardened sword like appendage.
He didn't know the miasma was just heavily diluted, nothing more than a sour lungs for a few days if a human breathed them in. Nothing more a than a simple smokescreen.
Pushing through the cloud and lunging at the shibito, with him raising his sword to deflect the first attack. I tried to slash at him, once again deflecting off his blade. But with a quick thrust I managed to scratched his arm.
Nothing more than a small nick.
The shibito frowned and took a step back as I tried to retreat. Sheathing his sword and rushing forwards.
I swiped at him again, but the shibito ducked underneath and drew his sword. Cutting my arm and chest in half in one cut.
The last thing I saw was the ground before everything faded to black.
(Somewhere else in Honshū)
I sighed and tapped my hand against a tree trunk as my connection to that kugutsu had vanished.
That one had provided me with much valuable information these past few weeks. I'll create another one to keep an eye on things later after this situation blows over with Urasue. With that shibito providing more of an obstacle than imagined.
Yet that was only a minor annoyance in the long run.
That kugutsu was weeks old while I have grown stronger since in my time collecting Shikon Jewel shards. The main issue is preventing Urasue from resurrecting Kikyō.
I could smash that shibito later, it's risk factor much lower compared to her.
Y/N and the others are most likely on their way to her location already and it will take me until tomorrow to catch up. Especially if I should bring about another Saimyōshō hive to better prepare against them and the shibito.
Nothing more than a minor annoyance and divergence in my plans, but as long as the results was that Kikyō stays dead than the terms were acceptable.
(??? POV - Mountains around Urasue's Anagama - Same Time)
"Enju should be able to fix this, hopefully." I sighed out, sheathing my sword after cutting down the last Saimyōshō that had sprouted from the kugutsu's death. Nothing more than dirt, mud, and locks of hair now.
The trio of Saimyōshō emerging from the remains of the arm was an unexpected surprise, it something in line from such an opponent.
Still a decent if dishonorable challenge after so long, the main yokai must be quick the crafty opponent. Yet was possibly quite far away from here.
I just shook my head as I turned away and began to walk back Urasue to report the intruder had been dealt with for now.
As much as I am grateful to her for this second chance at life, I would have preferred to stay dead or not serve under someone as dishonorable as her.
This body lacked the strength I had before I caught that accursed plague.
Back in Yomi I was back at full strength and I could fight my friend to my hearts content.
And as much as I wish to strike down Urasue, it would be dishonorable to do so after she has given me a second chance at life. But unlike my 'younger siblings' I will never call her mother.
That doesn't mean that I can't love them all the same, even if I have to continuously keep Kawaramaru and his delusions of grandeur in check. I will say he did make the right call about this tachi.
It was quite reliable, but I was still getting used to how light it was compared to Shūsui was.
I wonder where it was right now, hopefully in the hands of someone worthy enough if the seal was applied.
With a sigh I shook my head and quickened my pace, trying to keep the dishonorable thoughts of Urasue's latest attempt of resurrection would backfire like every time since my resurrection at bay.
But if the strength of this Kikyō is what she say it is than it might be possible. Either way if I do become free I suppose I will just travel Nippon looking for honorable opponents.
I am grateful for this second chance of life and relish the chance for a good fight, to clean the sin of coming back to the land of the living I will settle for nothing but an honorable death from a worthy foe.
(Chapter 46 end)