The field of lilies of the valley sways gently in the wind as Kagome reaches out for the final shard. The moment her fingers are about to grasp it, the shards she and the group have collected shatter from their glass container, drawn toward the last piece as if summoned by an unseen force. A blinding purple light engulfs the area. When the radiance fades, the Shikon no Tama is whole once more.

A voice, clear and ethereal, echoes through the field.

"This is all wrong. The Shikon no Tama was never meant to be in your hands, Kagome."

Kagome stiffens, her expression shifting from shock to disbelief. The voice continues, cold and unwavering.

"You are not the priestess meant to hold the jewel. You are not even worthy of comparison. You hold only a fraction of a soul that does not belong to you."

Before Kagome can respond, a sharp pain pierces her chest. She gasps, clutching at her heart as a glowing essence is ripped from her body, swirling toward the jewel. The energy coalesces above the altar, taking shape—

A woman now lies upon the sacred stone, bound in the ritualistic pose of her burial, the purified Shikon no Tama resting in her hands. Her long black hair cascades around her, her face serene yet hauntingly familiar. The very priestess who was meant to protect the jewel… Kikyo (You) has returned.

The voice speaks again, final in its decree.

"Protect her. She is the only one meant to guard the Shikon no Tama."