"Ooh, stew!"
"Look at all these rich ingredients!"
Back in the familiar village, the group gathered beneath the sprawling branches of the Goshinboku to rest.
Shippo stared at the pot overflowing with rare delicacies, drool dripping unceremoniously from his mouth. When had a small fox demon like him ever laid eyes on such expensive ingredients?
"Um..."
Rin blinked at Kirinmaru and the young girl standing beside him, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Consider it part of my repayment," Kirinmaru said with a relaxed smile, the oppressive aura of a Great Demon completely gone.
"Thank you very much for your help... Lady Rin."
The girl, Rion, spoke softly. Though she was about the same height as Rin, her emerald green eyes held a depth and wisdom far beyond her appearance. Clad in glowing white robes, she radiated an ethereal presence.
Rion--Kirinmaru's daughter, who had once died.
For reasons of his own, he had sealed her soul within Mount Musubi. But now, thanks to a wish, Rion had been fully resurrected, forcing Kirinmaru to reflect deeply on his past actions.
Just as the Inu no Taisho had said, he had been a failure of a father.
But things were different now. He had a chance to make amends.
'Father doesn't need to fight anymore. I want you to live peacefully.'
Faced with his daughter's heartfelt request, he had agreed without hesitation. In the past, he couldn't understand or accept Rion's feelings, but after his exchange with the Great Dog Demon, even his legendary stubbornness had given way.
"It's okay. I just did what I should have done," Rin replied, shaking her head with a warm smile.
"Humans really can be kind."
"Thanks to you, Father was able to change."
No one disturbed their quiet moment. Kirinmaru turned to look at the approaching Inu no Taisho.
"General, I heard you don't plan to rebuild your empire?"
"Ah, the age of conquest is over. I'm content just being an ordinary dog demon in my old home."
"That fits your current mindset... True. In another five hundred years, it will be the 'Modern Era' Kagome talks about."
The two Great Demons exchanged looks of mutual respect, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Come on!!!"
"Cheers!"
Nearby, Cu Chulainn was already drinking with Nura Rikuo, who was in his yokai form. To set the mood, the Lancer had specifically asked Kagome to bring back some modern alcohol.
"Do I only get juice?"
"Rikuo said yokai are adults at thirteen!" Moroha pouted, eyeing Rikuo's cup with envy.
"Absolutely not!"
Kagome's firm refusal made Moroha wilt, shooting her mother a resentful glare. Having parents around really did have its downsides.
"I've never felt this relaxed before."
Miroku, Sango, and Kohaku sat nearby, watching the lively group with content smiles.
"Nom nom nom!!"
CHOMP!
In stark contrast, Akame was acting completely out of character. Her appetite was terrifying; it was hard to believe such a small frame could hold so much food.
"Stupid dog! If not for my help, you'd be dead!"
"Skinny Wolf, don't get too cocky!"
The familiar bickering brought a sense of normalcy back to the group.
"But... isn't this nice?"
"Yeah. No Naraku, no worrying about Shikon Jewel shards."
"We're finally free."
......
"I say... since my brother lost his demon power, can you lend a hand?"
Carrying a heavy load of firewood, Byakuya looked at the wooden house taking shape ahead and complained.
He bought the food. He carried the materials. Why did he feel more like a slave after being freed from Naraku?
Clack.
The Mirror Yokai slowly placed a log, tilting its head at Byakuya's whining. Kagura sat by the window, looking utterly relaxed. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was the supervisor.
"It's almost done," Kanna said, standing small and quiet at the door.
"No, I know it's almost done..." Byakuya sighed, recognizing his place in the pecking order.
WHOOSH!
A sudden gust of wind lifted the logs from his back and gently deposited them by the door.
"Really. You lost your demon power, but you're still a yokai physically. Don't look so pathetic."
"If I didn't complain, you wouldn't help."
Finally relieved of his burden, Byakuya dropped the fatigue act and grinned.
"Hmph!"
SNAP!
"Oh! That's my new outfit!"
"Sleep outside naked tonight!"
"That's too much! Is that what a sister does? You'll never get married like this!"
"Shut up!"
Watching the two siblings chase each other, Kanna looked back, the corners of her mouth curling up ever so slightly.
If nothing changed, the three siblings might just live here forever.
......
"Kagome, looks like you can study in peace now."
"Ah, don't mention that! It's a nightmare!"
"I have so much homework to catch up on!"
Hearing Sango bring up the taboo subject, Kagome instantly entered a state of "self-collapse."
"Sorry," Sango said, covering her mouth as she realized she'd triggered Kagome's academic trauma.
Kagome felt her world turn gray at the thought of the remedial hell awaiting her.
'Ahhh, if only someone could help me.'
She wished, but knew it was futile. Letting out a sigh, she decided to ignore reality for a bit longer and enjoy the party.
"Yo!"
"Let me tell you, actually Master..."
"Hey! Don't talk nonsense!"
"Haha..."
"Jaken, you're too careless!"
"Shippo, you brat! My Nintojo!!"
"Eek!!"
The noise continued into the night. Watching the lively scene, the Inu no Taisho smiled. He liked this atmosphere. It was a scene impossible for pure demons to create.
The carnival lasted until midnight.
Then...
"..."
Opening eyes from a deep slumber.
Chirp chirp.
Birdsong drifted in from outside the window, accompanied by dazzling sunlight illuminating the room.
Getting up groggily, Kagome looked around, momentarily speechless.
"At a time like this... should I say I'm going to school?" she whispered, looking out the window, seemingly unadjusted to her current reality.
Recalling Kagome's actions last night, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Kagome had groggily drunk some rare beverage Kirinmaru brought--thinking it was juice--only to find out later it was potent alcohol. She had passed out cold.
Although Inuyasha had carried her back to this room, she had remained unconscious.
As a last resort... she had to take over temporarily.
It was unexpected.
She, who had passed away, was now revived in Kagome's body, two souls sharing one vessel.
Yes... Rin's wish for "everyone" to be saved included the vanished...
Kikyo.