Chapter Three
A Jewel For An Eye
Inu waited in the tree for days, feeling utterly desolate.
The world below carried on without him. The distant sounds of Bosu's men trudging through ash and ruin filtered up through the branches, but Inu remained perched like a ghost unwilling to descend. He wondered if Bosu would ever call for him—or if he had been abandoned entirely. His punishment surely wasn't simply being forgotten. No, Bosu was far too cruel, far too creative for something as mundane as that. Inu had lived under his shadow for years. He knew better than to hope for mercy.
The hunger began to hollow him. At first, his stomach growled like a caged beast, demanding to be fed. But after a few days, it quieted into a dull, aching void that settled into his very bones. His body grew weaker, and yet his mind could not detach itself from Bosu's inevitable retribution. Every moment was agony—not because he feared death, but because he feared survival. He feared Bosu's hands shaping his suffering into something unique and personal, as only Bosu could.
By the fifth day, Inu was reduced to little more than a shell, his head lolling against the rough bark of the tree as he waited, motionless. When Bosu finally came, Inu watched him approach with an eerie stillness. The man looked up at him in silence, his expression unreadable. For a fleeting second, Inu dared to think Bosu might allow him to stay in his perch, ignored but alive.
But then Bosu's voice cut through the quiet like the snap of a whip.
"Sit."
Inu fell like a stone, crashing into the dirt face-first. The unseen force of the subjugation left him sprawled and dazed, too weak to lift himself. The ground smelled of ash and damp rot, but Inu didn't move, his face pressed against the filth. He wouldn't dare rise without permission. He had learned that lesson long ago.
Bosu crouched beside him, his voice low and venomous. "Ye ever again pull a stunt like that, and I will kill ye. I'll grab that damn Shiko Jewel and wish myself a new hound—an obedient one! And ye'll be the one to fetch it for me. Got that, ye mongrel?"
Inu nodded feverishly, his forehead brushing the dirt. His heart thundered in his chest, but his body remained frozen in submission. Bosu stood with a grunt, dusting his knees off. "Get up," he barked.
Inu scrambled to his feet, swaying slightly as lightheadedness threatened to topple him. The ache in his stomach had become a gnawing void that dragged at his every step, every breath. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to hope Bosu might feed him. Just a scrap. Just enough to quiet the emptiness.
Bosu's hand moved to his pocket, and Inu's sharp nose caught the scent of dried meat before it even appeared. The aroma made his mouth water, and he fought the urge to lunge for it like the animal Bosu had always seen him as. The single strip of jerky was brandished like a prize, held high above Inu's head as though taunting him.
"You were bad, Inu," Bosu said coldly, dangling the meat just out of reach. "I shouldn't even feed ye this, but I need ye in tip-top shape."
Inu didn't move. He stayed low, his eyes fixed on the jerky, his body trembling with hunger. Bosu grinned and finally tossed the morsel to the ground. "Fetch," he said, his chin jutting forward in a lazy command.
Inu dove for it, snatching the jerky off the dirt without hesitation. He swallowed it whole, barely registering the taste—or the grit of soil that clung to it. The dirt didn't matter. The indignity didn't matter. Nothing mattered except the blessed sensation of something in his stomach, however fleeting.
When he finished, he crept back to Bosu on all fours, head lowered in absolute submission. He crouched before his master, waiting, trembling. Bosu patted his head like one might a dog, his calloused fingers rough against Inu's silver hair.
"Never disobey me again, Inu," Bosu said, his tone a dangerous whisper. "I'll kill ye if ye do."
Inu didn't respond. He didn't need to. There was no pride left in him to argue, no will left to rebel. He was hollow now—just a vessel waiting to be filled with whatever Bosu saw fit to pour into him. And yet, deep within the hollow space of his soul, there was nothing but silence. Not anger. Not defiance. Just desolation.
o - o - o - o - o
Over the next few months, Bosu sent another group of bandits to eliminate the priestess guarding the Shikon no Tama.
Rather than risk another coup by sending his best men, Bosu handpicked new recruits—fresh faces with no connections, no loyalties, and no knowledge of the jewel they were about to stumble into. He gave them vague, misleading instructions: attack the village, find the miko, kill her from a distance, and leave no witnesses. They were told nothing of the Shikon Jewel, only that the miko was a threat to their operations. Before dispatching them, Bosu interrogated each one to ensure their pliability. All five were skilled killers, but intelligence wasn't their strength. They followed orders without question, which was exactly the type of simplicity Bosu prized.
The group departed quietly, blending into the countryside as they made their way to the priestess's village. Their task was clear, if not overly simple: find the miko, kill her, and leave unseen. Bosu knew they would likely fail the last part of the plan, but it didn't matter. The true objective was to test the waters and avoid drawing attention to the Shikon Jewel. If the bandits died, it was of no consequence.
After a week passed with no word from the group, Bosu's temper flared. He became more volatile, pacing through his quarters and barking orders at no one in particular. The mission should have been straightforward—kill the miko and return. Even Bosu's most inept thug could have managed it by now. Frustration boiled over into every interaction, and those closest to him bore the brunt of it.
Inu, of course, was the easiest target.
On top of withholding food and sleep, Bosu made it a habit to subjugate Inu at random, asserting his dominance in the most degrading ways he could manage. He treated Inu like an animal, taunting and demeaning him, pushing him to the brink of exhaustion. But Bosu never inflicted physical harm. He knew better. Even as he held the leash, Bosu was keenly aware that Inu was something far greater than he could ever be. The power Inu possessed was intoxicating, but also dangerous—a fact Bosu never forgot.
Despite the cruelty, Inu endured. He had faced worse under Bosu's hand, and he would survive this, too. Time always moved forward, and with it, so would Bosu's whims.
Two days later, one of the bandits finally returned. He burst into Bosu's newly acquired house—a grand estate stolen from a neighboring lord after Bosu's last hideout was destroyed—covered in mud and bruises. The man looked as though he'd run the entire way from the priestess's village. Judging by his ragged appearance, Bosu suspected that was precisely what had happened.
Bosu's men ushered the bandit inside before being dismissed, leaving him alone with Bosu. The room grew cold with tension as Bosu glared at the panting man.
"Where are the others?" Bosu asked, his tone clipped.
"They...they were…they…" The bandit stammered, unable to get the words out.
Bosu's impatience was palpable. "They were what? Spit it out, will ye?!"
The bandit flinched and took a shaky breath. "They...they's dead. By-by-by the miko. We's thought she was justa shrine maiden, see? But-but…"
"But what?" Bosu snapped, his voice rising.
"But theys was killed by her. She took us out one by one wif her bow. Pretty sure the lil un with her helped."
Bosu leaned back, rubbing his chin as he processed the information. "Didn't think she'd put up much of a fight," he muttered to himself. "Guess that makes the path clear."
He waved a hand in dismissal, and the bandit bolted from the room, eager to escape Bosu's ire. Once the door slammed shut, Bosu let out a long sigh and tapped his foot against the floor.
"S'pose this will be one for you, Inu," he said absently.
At the sound of the signal, Inu stepped out from a separate room where he had been ordered to stay hidden. Bosu rarely allowed his men to see Inu, preferring to keep his "secret weapon" shrouded in mystery. The recent exposure to half the band had been unplanned, and Bosu briefly considered having Inu silence those who had seen him. But no, fear and respect worked better when laced with whispers of the unknown.
Bosu motioned for Inu to approach. "S'pose this warrants a meal and a full night's sleep for ye."
Inu's ears twitched at the mention of food and rest. He stood straighter, a faint glimmer of hope flickering in his weary eyes. Whatever task Bosu had planned, Inu didn't care. For now, there was the promise of relief, and that was all that mattered.
o - o - o - o - o
Bosu made the journey himself, though he had Inu's assistance, of course. They arrived at the village where the miko was said to live in good time. Bosu hadn't brought anyone else from the band this time—he didn't trust them not to muck it up. The only reason he'd come along was to hold the leash.
"Listen here, Inu," Bosu said as they crouched in the shadows of the forest outside the village. "Yer gonna kill that priestess. She ain't nothin' for ye—just some slip of a girl with a bow. Soon as it gets dark, ye go. And be quick about it; I don't fancy sittin' out here all night. Ye understand?"
Inu ducked his head in silent acknowledgment, his expression unreadable.
Earlier, while Inu remained hidden, Bosu had ventured into the village alone to gather information. The villagers, unaware of his ill intentions, had been more than forthcoming in their admiration for the miko. They'd practically laid out her entire routine—where she lived, what she ate, who she spoke to, and when she walked home. Armed with this intel, Bosu had chosen a spot by a bridge near the tree line where she was said to pass at the end of her day. It was a perfect location for an ambush and a hasty retreat.
Bosu had taken precautions to keep Inu out of sight. He'd even gone so far as to crop Inu's hair and put a cap over his ears, hoping to avoid drawing attention if anyone spotted him. Not that it mattered much—Inu had an air about him, something primal and otherworldly that no disguise could hide.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Bosu's patience paid off. The miko appeared on the path, walking with purpose yet radiating serenity.
"Damn shame," Bosu muttered as he watched her approach. "Sure is a good-lookin' one, that miko. Too bad for her, eh?" His tone was casual, dismissive, as if her beauty were merely an afterthought.
Inu, crouched nearby, caught her scent before she came into view. It was clean and fresh, like spring rain. When he finally laid eyes on her, he was struck by her presence. Her hands were clasped before her, as though in prayer, and her large, dark eyes gleamed with intelligence and a quiet sadness. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, impossibly soft-looking, tied simply at the nape of her neck. Around her throat hung a string of elegant beads, from which dangled a large, luminous jewel. She held it to her lips, murmuring silent prayers as she walked.
"Wipe the drool from yer chin, boy," Bosu hissed, snapping Inu out of his trance. Inu quickly ducked his head, averting his gaze to avoid Bosu's wrath.
"Now then," Bosu continued, "when I give the signal, ye take care o' her, neh?" He didn't wait for a response before stepping onto the path.
"Miss!" Bosu called, his voice dripping with feigned concern. "Pray, offer yer assistance. My companion lies injured beyond this bend. You're the priestess of this village, neh?"
The miko stopped and regarded him with calm curiosity. She tucked the jewel into her kosode and replied simply, "Lead the way."
Bosu's grin was as smug as it was sinister as he turned to lead her toward Inu's hiding place. "Just down this hill, m'lady," he said, his tone almost pleasant. As they walked, the miko asked polite questions about the supposed injury. Bosu answered vaguely, leading her to give her name.
"Kikyo," she supplied without hesitation.
When they neared the tree line, Bosu abruptly stopped, grabbing her hand with an oily smile. "My thanks to ye, Lady Kikyo," he said, his grip tightening.
She frowned, sensing something amiss, but before she could react, Bosu shouted, "Inu!"
At the sound of his name, Inu sprang from the ditch where he'd been crouching, claws bared and ready to strike. He moved with inhuman speed, a blur to mortal eyes. But as he lunged, pain flared in his side, and he was thrown off course, crashing into the dirt.
With a growl, Inu rose to his feet, yanking an arrow from his side and tossing it aside. He looked up and spotted a second miko—a much younger one—standing further up the path, her bow drawn and another arrow aimed straight at him.
His gaze shifted back to Bosu, who now knelt on the ground, arms raised in surrender. Kikyo stood over him, her bowstring taut, an arrow pointed directly at his throat.
"Be gone, demon, before I dispatch you to the hell from which you came!" Kikyo shouted, her voice steady and commanding. Despite her calm, she risked a glance at Inu, who felt a sharp pang of pressure to act and protect his master.
"Inu!" Bosu barked, anger lacing his tone.
Spurred by the order, Inu lunged toward Kikyo with blinding speed, knocking the bow from her grasp. The cap Bosu had used to conceal his identity fell free, revealing Inu's pointed ears and shaggy silver hair. Without hesitation, he extended his claws and yanked Bosu off the ground, then brushed past Kikyo to address the younger miko further up the path.
He released Bosu and darted toward the girl, pausing only to smear his bloodied hand across his claws. As he zigzagged to confuse her aim, she fired an arrow, but her inexperience showed—it missed him by a wide margin. Reaching for another arrow, she didn't anticipate Inu's next move. He flicked droplets of his blood toward her, aiming to maim her hand and prevent her from drawing her weapon. His aim, however, was imperfect, and some of the blood struck her face.
The girl screamed, clutching her eye as she collapsed to her knees in pain. Inu faltered, pity flickering in his chest at the unintended injury, but he forced himself to keep going.
When he turned back, Kikyo had already reclaimed her bow. Her next arrow gleamed with an unnatural, purifying light that radiated menace. She held the weapon steady, her aim locked on Inu's chest.
"Stay still, beast!" she commanded, her voice unwavering.
Inu stopped and regarded her for a long moment. This woman was unlike anyone he had ever encountered. She was far from the weak and helpless priestess Bosu had painted her to be. Her expression was a striking combination of confidence and sadness, an enigma that seemed to mirror his own burdens. For a brief instant, Inu felt a strange connection to her—a shared sense of being trapped in lives neither of them chose.
Kikyo seemed to sense it too, as she hesitated with the arrow poised to fly. "Why have you come?" she demanded, her eyes fierce with a mixture of authority and curiosity.
Inu opened his mouth to answer, to speak for himself for once, but the moment was shattered when Kikyo's expression twisted in pain. Her eyes widened, and a quiet grunt escaped her lips. Blood pooled at the corner of her mouth as the arrow in her hand lost its glow and clattered to the ground.
Behind her stood Bosu, his face twisted in triumph as he gripped her arm tightly to hold her upright. A dagger, slick with her blood, slipped from his grasp as he seized her other arm. Despite his age and softening frame, Bosu's hunger for power outweighed all else, and this woman now stood in his way.
"Inu!" he shouted, his voice ragged with fury. "Finish her now!"
Inu hesitated, his claws trembling at his sides. He had never been commanded to kill a woman before. In every power play he'd witnessed, women had always remained on the sidelines. The blood trickling from Kikyo's mouth glinted in the fading light, but her gaze was sharp and unyielding, filled with hatred—and something else he couldn't quite place. Betrayal?
She didn't struggle against Bosu's hold, though Inu suspected she could have. Still, he couldn't bring himself to strike.
"What are you waiting for, Inu?!" Bosu bellowed, spittle flying from his lips. "Do it now!"
Inu's hesitation cost him. Bosu's voice turned cold as he snarled, "Damn it, dog! Sit!"
The command dragged Inu to the ground, his face meeting the dirt with a painful thud. That familiar, suffocating force tightened around his neck, rendering him helpless. He could hear the scuffle behind him—Kikyo twisting free from Bosu's grip and reclaiming her bow.
The force holding Inu finally loosened, and he pushed himself up, crouching low to the ground. Bosu was already unconscious, his face bloodied from where Kikyo had used her bow as a bludgeon. Her swift movements betrayed no sign of her earlier injury as she grabbed an arrow and drew it taut.
Inu ignored her, instinct driving him to Bosu's side. Without orders, he didn't know what to do. He crouched protectively by Bosu, waiting for his master to wake.
"You poor, pitiful creature," Kikyo murmured, her voice soft with disdain. "There's no way you're a yokai. Even the weakest yokai would have more pride than to debase itself like this." She took a slow, deliberate breath. "Perhaps I should put you out of your misery."
"Sis-Sister!" a voice called out from the path.
Kikyo didn't lower her bow, but she risked a glance toward the young miko. Kaede was limping toward them, her eye covered by one hand.
"Sister! Why are you waiting? Kill them! They've come for the Shikon no Tama!" Kaede cried, her voice trembling with desperation. She clutched her own bow in her free hand, though her injury rendered her aim questionable.
Kikyo's expression tightened as she studied her younger sister. "Kaede, go back to the village. I can handle this."
"But, sister… Kikyo… why haven't you dispatched them yet? What are you waiting for?"
Kaede pointed a shaky finger at Inu and Bosu. "It's just an old man and his pet yokai! To think someone could tame a yokai…"
"It's not a yokai," Kikyo corrected sharply. "He's a hanyo. Half-demon, half-human."
Kaede's brow furrowed in confusion. "Whatever he is, we cannot let him take the Jewel. We have to protect it!"
"Do you presume to tell me I am incapable of doing my duty, little sister?" Kikyo snapped.
Kaede faltered. "N-no, sister… but you're hurt!" she pointed out, her voice rising in alarm. Blood soaked through Kikyo's garments, staining them crimson.
"It seems I am," Kikyo said calmly, as though her injury were a mere inconvenience. Her sharp gaze shifted back to Inu.
"You're called Inu, then?" she asked, lowering her bow slightly. Her earlier sense of urgency seemed to ebb as she observed him more closely. At the sound of his name, his ears twitched slightly.
"Inu?" she repeated.
Still, he wouldn't meet her eyes.
Kikyo drew a breath, her resolve hardening. "Such a pity," she said, raising her bow once more. "To kill a creature bound so completely by another's will. But I cannot allow the Jewel to fall into the wrong hands."
The arrow gleamed again as she pulled it taut, ready to fire. Before she could release it, Bosu stirred, his voice slurred but firm. "Ssstopp her…"
Inu's ears perked at the command. Obediently, he leaped at Kikyo, snapping her bow in two and scattering her arrows. He knocked her to the ground and planted a foot on her chest to pin her. Though she struggled, she was no match for his strength.
"Sister!" Kaede cried, her voice breaking with panic as she fumbled with her bow.
Bosu groaned as he staggered to his feet, wiping dirt from his face. He scanned the ground until his gaze fell on Kikyo, crumpled and vulnerable. A wicked grin spread across his face as he approached. Without hesitation, he drove a sharp kick into her side. Kikyo gasped, clutching at her ribs, her pain evident.
"Stupid miko bitch," Bosu spat, delivering another kick, each strike fueled by malice. "Was gonna give ye a quick death, but now it seems ye'll have to suffer for it." He crouched down, yanking the Shikon Jewel from its hiding place within her kosode. His hand lingered far lower than necessary, and Kikyo's eyes blazed with fury and disgust.
"Hnh," Bosu sneered, leering at her. "Never got this kind o' attention as a miko, did ye? I bet ye like it." He straightened, pulling the Jewel free from its necklace, and held it aloft, examining it with casual disdain.
"Doesn't look like much," he muttered.
"You will never achieve what you seek!" Kikyo hissed, her voice trembling with both anger and resolve. "The Jewel will never grant your wish without being purified!"
"Stupid girl," Bosu scoffed, tossing the necklace aside. "What makes ye think I'd want to use this? I've no use for such trinkets." He turned the Jewel over in his palm and then nodded toward Inu. "I'm just here to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
"You fool! You cannot destroy the Jewel!" Kikyo snapped, trying to push herself up.
Bosu chuckled darkly. "Forgive me, lady, but ye seem to be the one sprawled in the dirt while I hold all the cards. Who's the fool here?" He retrieved his discarded dagger and knelt beside her, pressing the blade to her throat. "Ye can take the Jewel with ye—to the grave."
"NO!" Kaede's scream shattered the tension. The younger girl stumbled forward, blood streaming from the horrific wound that had claimed her eye. She held her bow tightly, an arrow already nocked and drawn. "Get away from her!" she shouted as she loosed the arrow.
It missed Bosu by mere inches, but the sudden attack forced him to step back. He growled in frustration, his composure slipping. "When will these women learn their place?"
Kaede ignored him, closing the distance quickly while nocking another arrow. Her aim remained steady, even as blood trickled down her face.
"Inu, stop that brat!" Bosu roared.
The half-demon sprang into motion, darting toward Kaede. Anticipating this, she pivoted, throwing her bow toward Kikyo instead. The elder miko scrambled to grab it, her movements swift despite her injuries. She clutched the weapon and staggered a few steps away, putting distance between herself and Bosu.
Inu tackled Kaede to the ground, his large frame pinning her. He hesitated, unwilling to harm her further, but Kaede didn't stay down. She squirmed free, lunging toward Kikyo to protect her.
Bosu's patience finally snapped. "Useless dog!" he bellowed. "I'll kill ye myself after this!" His face twisted with fury as he clutched the Jewel tightly. "Inu! Get us outta here!"
Inu's head jerked toward his master's voice, and he immediately obeyed. Abandoning his fight with Kaede, he bounded over, grabbed Bosu, and leaped toward the forest. As they soared through the air, an arrow whistled through the darkness and buried itself in Inu's thigh.
The half-demon grunted as they landed, swatting at the shaft of the arrow. Another hissed through the trees, striking his chest with brutal force. The impact drove Inu back into a towering tree, pinning him in place. He clawed at the arrow, but his strength ebbed as a strange lethargy overtook him. His limbs grew heavy, and his vision blurred. He barely registered Bosu trembling beside him.
"Drop it!" Kikyo's voice rang out, commanding and unyielding. She had her bow drawn, an arrow aimed directly at Bosu.
The man froze, panic flickering across his face. With trembling hands, he let the Jewel fall to the ground. Then, without a word, he turned and fled into the shadows.
Kaede ran to Kikyo's side, glancing at the motionless half-demon pinned to the tree. "Sister! Are you letting him escape?"
"He is powerless without his pet," Kikyo replied, her voice weary. She approached the tree, her gaze fixed on Inu. Gently, she placed a hand on the arrow embedded in his chest. "I seal you to this tree, demon," she said, her tone firm.
Then, softer, as though speaking only to him, she whispered, "Perhaps in another life, Inu…"
Kaede watched, wide-eyed, as Inu's body stilled. His expression softened, as if he were in peaceful slumber. "Is he dead?" she asked hesitantly, stepping closer.
When Kikyo didn't answer, Kaede turned to find her sister on the ground, her breathing shallow. "Kikyo!" she cried, rushing to her side.
"The old… man…" Kikyo whispered weakly.
Kaede pressed her hands to the wound near Kikyo's back, desperate to stop the bleeding. "Don't talk like that! You're going to be fine!"
"It's… okay, Kaede," Kikyo murmured. "At least the village will be safe now… No more demons. No more bandits."
"But the Jewel—" Kaede choked out. "I thought it couldn't be destroyed!"
"Burn it," Kikyo said, her voice faint. "Send it to the next world with me." She grasped her sister's hands and pulled them to her chest. "Be strong… little sister."
Kaede held her sister until her last breath. Silent tears streamed down her face, her heart heavy with grief. Finally, she stood, her gaze drifting to the sealed hanyo in the Goshinboku tree. She resolved to follow Kikyo's wishes.
As the funeral pyre burned, consuming both Kikyo's body and the Shikon Jewel, Kaede looked up at the sacred tree. The hanyo seemed to slumber peacefully, as if bearing silent witness to the flames. It was a fitting farewell for the sister she who had endured so much for so little.