Akari and Inuyasha rested for a while in the village before continuing their journey. This time, Akari wanted to find the fragments first; she didn't want to play the part of being kidnapped. So she asked discreetly about two demons that could be making trouble in the surroundings. When she confirmed the information, she told Inuyasha to go for them. As Akari expected, Inuyasha agreed.
Akari had noticed that as long as it was something that Inuyasha decided, the world consciousness didn't do anything to punish her. Even when she changed the story. Perhaps it was because he was the male lead and because these were smaller changes.
"You are slow as usual". Inuyasha said, shaking his head.
"Shut up. We are here anyway." They were near where those brothers were hiding.
"I can sense the fragments. Let's go, Inuyasha." Inuyasha nodded.
"Wait, did you say the fragments? Shikon fragments?" Inuyasha and she turned around quickly and saw a small fox in front of them.
"Why do you care, kid? Get out of here." Inuyasha told him.
"If you have it, give it to me. I'm Shippo. I need to take revenge on the Thunder brothers. They killed my father." He is really talkative, Akari thought.
"That's your problem, we are busy, don't bother us." Shippo used his tricks to try to intimidate them.
"It doesn't work on us. Stay back." Akari told him while she dispersed his illusions with spiritual power.
"You are a priestess! Why are you with a half-demon?"
"It is not your business. I'm not repeating myself, kid, get out of here." Inuyasha said, upset.
"Inuyasha, they are here." Akari sensed that the fragments were getting closer really fast.
"Tsk, it doesn't matter. I will defeat them." Inuyasha said, drawing his sword.
"Be careful with them, they are strong." Akari said before tightening her bowstring.
Soon, the brothers arrived.
"Well, well, we have visitors now." The older brother, Hiten, said.
"Look, brother, that's the little fox." The younger brother, Manten, said.
"Where is my father?!" Shippo asked angrily.
"His fur was really warm." Akari saw how Shippo attacked Manten without success. In response, they attacked Inuyasha and her.
Akari shot her arrow at Manten, and thanks to his carelessness. She destroyed his arm.
Manten went crazy when he saw his injury. He blew the whole ground into pieces. Akari couldn't avoid it because she felt pain in her heart for a second. It was the world consciousness; it was punishing her.
Akari bit her tongue and moved away at the last moment. If she didn't do that, she would be in serious trouble. But she was grabbed by her neck, immobilised. Akari was enraged; she thought that the world consciousness was definitely her nemesis.
Akari saw that Inuyasha was distracted because of her and couldn't help but scream.
"Stay focused on your fight, idiot." Akari took out her sword and stabbed Manten in the chest. Killing him instantaneously.
Akari went backward and grabbed Shippo's father.
"Take this and run, now." Akari told him. Hiten was furious. He wanted her dead.
At that moment, Hiten had already consumed his brother's powers and attacked her with all his strength.
"Akari! Run!" Inuyasha shouted.
"Take cover!" Akari took Shippo and used her spiritual power to make the barrier as resilient as she could.
Akari fainted when the attack hit. It was still too much for her. When she regained consciousness. Inuyasha had already defeated Hiten. He quickly moved toward her and said.
"Are you dying? It was all my fault.." Akari's lips tightened. Inuyasha was an idiot. It was the protective fire of Shippo's father around her.
"Shut up! I'm not dead yet." Akari couldn't help but shout at him. She sighed, tired, and told him. "And, it wasn't your fault. We were in a battlefield where anything can happen. It had nothing to do with you."
Inuyasha stayed quiet for a minute and then said, irritated.
"Okay, okay, I got it".
**
Akari returned to her age to rest for a while. She had noticed that the influence of the world consciousness was weaker in her age than in Inuyasha's. She took almost a month of training and resting before Inuyasha came to take her away. Although it was true, she wanted to escape from the watchfulness of the world consciousness. Akari thought it would be better to stay away from Inuyasha. According to the story, Kikyou was about to be resurrected. She didn't wish to be involved in their relationship.
"Look, that's a beautiful, new moon". Shipo told them. Akari came out of her thoughts, and she glanced at Inuyasha discreetly. She kept them close to the village on purpose to avoid demons this night.
"What are you looking at?" Inuyasha told her.
"It was nothing". Akari answered. Shippo looked at both of them and thought they would be acting odd tonight.
Akari stood up and said. "I'm going to get some water." She walked into the meadow and saw something flying.
"Inuyasha, come here." Inuyasha quickly approached, and Akari told him.
"What is that?" Inuyasha sniffed for a second and said.
"I don't know, but it smells like blood."
"Tomorrow we should return to the village." Inuyasha nodded, and everyone went to sleep.
When an hour had passed. Akari heard the steps of Inuyasha moving away from them. Akari kept her eyes closed and pretended to be asleep. It wouldn't be good for anyone if they continued to become familiar with each other.
"I know you are awake." Akari went stiff when she heard Inuyasha's voice. Wasn't he far away?
"Why do you pretend to be asleep?" Without any other option, Akari sat up and turned to Inuyasha.
"You really don't care, do you?" Inuyasha chuckled.
"Yeah, I had my suspicion, but you really don't seem surprised looking at me like this."
"Well, I heard a couple of things from Madame Kaede and Myoga the flea from the half-demons. So I guess." Akari shrugged. "But I'm the one who should be surprised. I thought the half-demons never showed their weaknesses to anyone. Why did you, then?"
Inuyasha said. "It was a bet."
"Oh, with your life on the line?" Akari really didn't understand this point. Even he didn't reveal this secret to the original female lead voluntarily. He was forced to reveal it to her. Why was he telling it to her?
"I don't know, it was just a hunch. Maybe I believe that I felt confident in you." Akari asked.
"Why do you trust me? You didn't even know me well. Is it because I'm Kikyou's reincarnation?" Inuyasha was startled and didn't answer. He just said.
"Go to sleep." Akari looked at him for a while, and then she lay down. His answer didn't matter. It wouldn't matter starting tomorrow.