Kikyo fell silent after hearing Inuyasha's words.
She took a deep breath.
"Fate... is it?"
She lowered her head and looked at her dust-stained hands.
For four hundred years, as a miko, her duty had been to protect this seal from generation to generation.
Every generation's miko came here while she was still young, strengthened the seal, then left.
She would marry an ordinary man, give birth to the next miko, and pass the mission on.
Her mother had done this, her grandmother had done this, and her great-grandmother had done this too.
No one had ever asked them...
Are you willing?
"I don't need your sympathy."
Kikyo's voice was cold, but softer than before.
"This isn't sympathy."
Sakura stood up from the ground.
"You helped us, so we'll help you."
"A life for a life."
"It's only right."
Kikyo looked into Sakura's eyes.
There was no sympathy in those eyes, no pity, only something very simple, very pure.
"You have no idea what's on the other side of the seal."
Kikyo's voice dropped.
"We don't, but we can learn."
Inuyasha tucked the Red Fang Blade back at his waist and walked up to Kikyo.
"You teach us."
Kikyo froze for a moment.
"What?"
"Teach us how to deal with those things."
Inuyasha's gaze was very serious.
"Your Spiritual Power is exhausted. You need time to recover."
"We have demonic power. We may not be able to purify them, but at least we can help you hold out until we reach the other side of the seal."
"Teach us."
He said it again.
Kikyo looked at the three of them.
Then she turned, walked to the dead tree, and sat down against its trunk.
"...Sit."
"What?"
"If you want to learn, then sit."
Kikyo's voice was very soft.
Inuyasha froze