While Inuyasha and the others were still staring blankly at Kirara's adorable new form, something small suddenly leapt into the air.
A familiar flea-demon sprang from Kirara's back, landed squarely on Inuyasha's face, and latched on with expert precision.
Slurp,
"My, how I've missed you, Young Master Inuyasha!" Myōga cried cheerfully, already gulping down a mouthful of blood.
"Smack!"
Inuyasha slapped him flat in one swift motion, squashing him against his palm. His eye twitched. "Old man Myōga…"
Kagome leaned closer, staring at the paper-thin flea demon stuck to Inuyasha's hand. "What are you doing here?"
Miroku adjusted his robes, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "You seem… well acquainted."
Afterward, they finished burying the fallen villagers. Smoke still drifted faintly over the ruined stronghold as the group gathered together.
Myōga dusted himself off and cleared his throat.
"This," he began gravely, "is the hidden village of the Demon Slayers. For generations, its people have made their living hunting demons. I never expected that Kagetsu's warning would prove true,that demons would seize this opportunity to attack."
"Kagetsu?" Inuyasha and Kagome echoed at once.
"Yes. He and Lady Kikyo came here yesterday to investigate the origin of the Shikon Jewel. They also took the village's shards with them."
"Kikyo?!" Inuyasha's voice sharpened instantly. "She was here?"
Kagome shot him a glance but held her tongue. Turning back to Myōga, she asked steadily, "Did they learn why the Shikon Jewel was created? And the shards,are they really gone?"
Overwhelmed by the barrage of questions,and Inuyasha's increasingly dangerous glare,Myōga hurriedly raised his tiny hands.
"Patience, Young Master! I shall explain everything!"
"Then hurry up," Inuyasha growled.
"Yes, yes!" Myōga coughed lightly. "I have been investigating the Shikon Jewel for some time. It troubled me. What is the jewel, truly? Everyone who becomes entangled with it meets misfortune."
He paused, voice lowering.
"Following old rumors, I traced its origins here."
"And Kikyo?" Inuyasha pressed impatiently.
Seeing that his attempt at storytelling was going nowhere, Myōga surrendered.
"Very well. Yesterday, some visitors arrived in the village. I secretly followed them and discovered it was Lady Kikyo… accompanied by that rather peculiar fellow, Kagetsu."
Kagome blinked. "So they came together? For the Shikon Jewel?"
"That's correct," Myōga nodded. "From their conversation, I learned that fifty years ago, Lady Kikyo was entrusted by the Demon Slayers with the Shikon Jewel. She was responsible for purifying it."
Inuyasha's expression shifted slightly.
"So that's it…" he murmured. "Fifty years ago, Kikyo received the jewel from this village. That's how she became its guardian."
Kagome looked around at the ruined stronghold. "So this really is where the Shikon Jewel was born?"
"Yes," Myōga confirmed. "Near the village is a limestone cave. The jewel was first discovered there. However…"
"Take us there," Inuyasha demanded immediately, grabbing Myōga.
"Y-Yes! Right away!" Myōga yelped, scrambling free and hopping onto Kagome's shoulder. He pointed the way as they headed toward the cave.
At that moment, Miroku spoke thoughtfully, "There should be survivors, shouldn't there?"
Myōga nodded. "Indeed. Besides the slayers summoned to the city, there are women, elders, and children in the village. They've taken refuge inside that limestone cave."
Shippō tilted his head. "How did you know that, Miroku?"
"When we buried the bodies," Miroku explained calmly, "there were only young and middle-aged men. No elderly. No women. No children. It seemed likely they were hiding."
Myōga added, "Before Lady Kikyo and Kagetsu departed, they warned the village chief that demons were gathering nearby. The Demon Slayers have long held a blood feud with demons. After the chief left for the city yesterday, those unable to fight sought shelter inside the cave."
He hesitated, worry creeping into his voice. "Still… the village's strongest fighters were called away at the same time its defenses were weakest. I cannot help but feel uneasy. I wonder whether those who went to the city are safe."
"With so many hiding inside," Miroku asked, "aren't they afraid demons might break in?"
"They cannot," Myōga replied firmly. "Demons are unable to enter that cave."
"Unable?" Inuyasha frowned. "Why?"
At that moment, Myōga pointed ahead. "We've arrived."
A large limestone cave entrance loomed before them.
Inuyasha didn't hesitate. He strode forward at once.
"Wait,Young Master Inuyasha!" Myōga cried out.
"What now?" Inuyasha snapped, already stepping inside,
"Gah!"
An invisible force erupted outward. A powerful barrier flared into existence, repelling him violently and sending him crashing to the ground.
"A very strong spiritual barrier protects this cave," Myōga explained belatedly. "It cannot be entered so easily."
"You could've said that sooner!" Inuyasha barked, climbing back to his feet and glaring.
Miroku studied the shimmering distortion in the air. "So this is how the villagers are protected. With such a barrier, demons truly cannot enter."
Kagome stepped closer, peering at the entrance. "Myōga, can you deactivate it?"
"I can," he admitted, "but it would be unwise to do so now."
"Why?" Inuyasha demanded.
"Because the villagers inside have just survived a demon assault," Miroku answered gently. "If strangers suddenly force their way in, it may cause panic."
"Precisely!" Myōga nodded vigorously. "In their current state, misunderstandings would be inevitable."
Inuyasha clicked his tongue irritably. "So what, we just sit here?"
"We wait," Miroku said. "Either for the villagers to emerge on their own… or for the Demon Slayers summoned to the city to return."
"Tch. What a pain," Inuyasha muttered.
He found a large stone, sat down heavily, and folded his arms, eyes fixed stubbornly on the cave entrance.
And so they waited,beneath the shadow of the mountain, beside the birthplace of the Shikon Jewel.