Inuyasha:The third sword

Tall stone chimneys rise into the daytime sky, while from them a substantial amount of black smoke is shot out, making it clear that they are working at full power. 

Inside one of the multiple open-air forges, which is located right in front of the cave entrance, giving a privileged view for the eyes, are three people. 

The first is Asahiko, who is beating a piece of unrefined iron with a stick. Then seeing that nothing has happened, he grabs a piece of iron with his hand, sniffs it and after hesitating, licks it. 

"First of all this is very disgusting and unhygienic... Plus it's slightly dangerous. Even knowing it's bad, I still want to lick it."

Tossing aside that piece of iron, Asahiko strokes his chin and easily escapes from that "Addiction" he has felt from the iron. 

"It's because of the small amount of special energy flowing inside, this forms addiction and emotional control."

To give her words more strength, Kikyo points her finger at the blacksmith in front of her. The old blacksmith is in a trance, his eyes are blurred and he continues to hammer mechanically. 

"Energy, what does that have to do here?"

"It connects to the third use of the torii gates, are you going to listen to it?"

Moving around the place, amidst the stares that seem unable to see her, Kikyo approaches the cart full of irons and lifts one, as she stands waiting for his response. 

"Ha... Just say it, it seems like something pretty serious for you to wish to share."

"More than important, it's a rare thing to know, but you should have a little idea or know."

"I may dress as Onmyōji, but I'm not, so obviously I wouldn't know something about the torii gates?"

Finding her shoulders after finishing her words, Asahiko seems happy with the answer she has given, while Kikyo not so much. 

Noticing that, Asahiko completely ignores Kikyo's look, which conveys something such as "You're a powerful demon, how come you don't know this?", looking away. 

"The third use of the torii gates is to mark the boundary between life and death, or more accurately between these two planes of existence."

"Uh, why would that be? In all the ones we've seen, I've never noticed anything special. How come they have that effect now?"

"It is not the gates themselves, but a group of situations that give rise to this. Lost souls are drawn to places of high energy, torii gates are built there and messengers of death come for the souls, making the connection between the planes stronger there."

Delivering a textbook explanation, Kikyo makes a strange expression before swallowing saliva. Yes, her throat had gone dry from talking so much. 

"First of all, this has now gone up a few notches in danger. On the other hand, how do you even know about this... You wouldn't have thought to use it against Inuyasha or something, in an attempt to be together forever. Nah, I'm just imagining things."

Shaking his head furiously to the side, Asahiko plays dumb, perhaps he really is thinking that, though it's more likely that he noticed Kikyo's cutting look.

"Let 's go."

"Sure, sure, but first let me get the context from this good man. Tell me what's going on here~"

Activating her charm, Asahiko stares at the old blacksmith and speaks in a cloying manner. 

...Christopher/Asahiko pov.... 

In a few simple words it all boils down to Muramasa, not the name of a person, at least at present, but more accurately of a school of forging. 

Such a school uses the iron that emanates here, we already have the culprits of the destruction of the torii gate, for quite some time. The thing is that their katanas were highly appreciated by several important people, achieving a sales boom and forcing them to dig deeper into the mine. 

After a while those who used the Muramasa swords started to suffer several accidents, from simple illnesses to unexplained madness... But that didn't make them stop using them, they were already "Addicted" to them. 

"Wh at are you thinking?"

Clearly I couldn't tell her that I was talking to myself about useless information, so I did what I know how to do best... Avoid trouble. 

"Oh, nothing too serious, Kikyo. I was just wondering if we're going to fight a horde from hell or something."

Not far-fetched my thoughts, just think about it, gates connecting to hell, cursed metals and the ever increasing negativity I feel from there. Um, um, hell is invading us!. 

"There's no way that's going to happen, the differences between the planes are too many for a large group of them to subsist."

"Aha, so it's going to be a single super powerful demon."

"Neither, maybe if it is just one it can extend its lifespan longer, but in the end the result is the same. Being cast out or eliminated by the rules of the world."

Kikyo's words were like a bucket of cold water in my thoughts, I wanted to defeat a Demon King... Well, there will be another chance to be a hero. 

Putting that aside, we finally made it all the way to the dimly lit and deep entrance of the mine. But there was something else I wanted to know before going in there, something that has piqued my attention. 

"If want to sound silly, but what are the rules of the world?"

"Easy, you didn't, much."

Speaking slowly and maintaining eye contact, just as if she really couldn't believe what I've said, Kikyo sighs and then took a seat on a piece of the red torii door. 

"Too abstract to explain it to you quickly right now, the only important thing is that the world doesn't allow the existence of beings from the other side in this one."

"Tehh, how obvious. To say that you wouldn't have even sat down."

"I know, I only did it because your words were too shocking."

We looked at each other for a few seconds, while I was slowly realizing that I had played it, although it's too late she already has a smile of victory. 

"Tsk, well played, score a +1 on your scoreboard."

"Thank you, it's quite an honor those words coming from you."

Ignoring the small Toc running across the tip of my lip, I easily fix my expression and go back on the attack. 

"You know, I've been wondering, but... Did you already have this playful streak inside or was it me who created this monster?"

"I don't know, it's not like I had much time for myself before..."

"Welcome to the group of those who need to meet expectations. We have disappointments, high self-imposed standards and pressure imposed on us by others."

Spreading my arms wide in exaggerated fashion, I make a little joke that may resonate with both your life and mine. Ah, it was a stroke of luck to have escaped that suffocating house. 

"Experience of your own, Asahiko?"

"More than I'd like to admit in this particular area... HA! It's all become too sad already, let's do it!"

"¡Come on!"

I guess I'm not the only one with a taste for letting go of problems... No, we're very different. For Kikyo this is not a problem, maybe a little regret and nothing more. 

She is strong, not only physically but mentally she is superior to many people. She has had so many setbacks, be it Inuyasha's, Naraku's, he r body or even me... She really is someone amazing.