Chapter 4 – New Friendships

Sesshomaru, Jaken, Rin, Ahn – Uhn and Azura were walking through the country-side. It had been three days since Azura had joined them.

Sesshomaru was, of course, leading the group. Surprisingly, immediately behind was Azura, followed by Jaken and Rin on Ahn – Uhn. This arrangement seemed to greatly frustrate Jaken.

Jaken (thinking): How dare that mere human girl take my place? I am the most devoted to Lord Sesshomaru, how dare she walk with him like she knows him for a long time? I must get rid of her… and soon.

Rin: Lord Sesshomaru, I'm hungry. (A low rumbling voice came from her stomach) see?

Jaken: Why do you get hungry so often, Rin? We have to stop for food ever so often, it's so troublesome.

Azura: Well, excuse us for being mere humans.

Jaken: Humph.

Azura: Hey, look. There's a stream over there. I am sure there will be some fish in there, Rin.

Rin's stomach gave another rumble.

Sesshomaru: Jaken, go and catch some fish.

Jaken: Wha- uh, yes, my lord.

Jaken trotted off. Azura and Rin followed him. Sesshomaru stayed behind.

Some time later –

Rin: Master Jaken, it's been half an hour and we still haven't eaten a single fish. What's taking you so long, Master Jaken?

Jaken: It's not my fault, the fish keep slipping away.

Azura: You know, if that's how you are going to catch fish, then I don't think we are going to be able to eat any fish before next year.

Jaken: Well, if you're such an expert, then why don't you catch some fish yourself?

Azura (with false delight): Jaken, that's the best idea you've had all day!

Rin was laughing so hard that there were tears in her eyes.

Jaken: Humph.

Jaken returned to where Rin stood waiting, while Azura went by the river. Within a few minutes, there were a dozen fish before them.

Rin (picking up a fish): Wow, Azura, you are such a fast fish – catcher.

Azura (smiling): You know, the fish is going to taste much better if we roast it. (She collected a few dry leaves and twigs) Jaken, do you mind putting up a fire for us?

Jaken: Actually, I do.

Azura gave him a dirty look. Then she saw Rin's sad face.

Azura: Don't worry. We're going to have roast fish anyway.

Rin (beaming): Really? How?

Azura smiled mysteriously. Then she put two fingers in front of her mouth with the palm facing sideward and gave a short blow in the direction of the bundle of dried leaves and twigs. A fire erupted and started burning merrily.

Rin: Yay! Azura can create fire!

Azura: Let's feast.

She carefully roasted a fish and gave it to Rin.

Rin (taking a bite): It's delicious. Here, Master Jaken, try some.

Jaken tried to move his mouth away, but she forced some into his mouth.

Azura: How is it?

Jaken: Humph.

Rin: You didn't say 'bad'. That must mean you liked it.

Jaken actually liked it but he didn't want to admit it.

Azura then helped herself to some fish. She then took one and rose.

Azura: You two carry on. I'll be back soon.

Meanwhile, Sesshomaru had spotted a poison insect and started to follow it, hoping that it would lead to Naraku's whereabouts. No sooner did he start following the bee than it vanished into thin air. Sesshomaru got angry. He realized that Naraku was just playing with him. Just then, Azura came from behind the bushes.

Azura: There you are. I've been looking for you for quite some time. Here, I brought you a fish.

Sesshomaru: I don't want any.

Azura: Oh, come on. It tastes really good. Besides, I haven't seen you eat anything since I got here.

Sesshomaru lost his temper.

Sesshomaru (icily): Just because I've allowed you to come with us doesn't mean that you have the right to tell me what to do. Is that clear?

With that, Sesshomaru walked out of the clearing, leaving Azura standing there, shocked at the sudden reprimand.

Sesshomaru took the longer route to the stream, so as to give Rin sufficient time to finish her food. When he reached the stream, however, Rin and Jaken were still eating. He strolled along the edge of the stream. A little ahead, Azura was sitting on the bank with her arms around her knees. Sesshomaru regretted his sudden outburst. He had taken out his anger for not being able to find Naraku on Azura.

As Sesshomaru approached, Azura turned.

Azura (smiling): Oh, it's only you.

Sesshomaru was surprised. She didn't seem to be annoyed with him for shouting at her.

Sesshomaru: I thought –

Azura: You thought I'll be angry with you for shouting at me, didn't you? (She got up, smiling) I don't see anything to be angry about, though.

Sesshomaru: You don't?

Azura: No. I know that you were actually frustrated for not being able to catch the poison bee. In fact, I'm quite happy that I was able to relieve you of some of your anger. (After a pause) Now that I come to think of it, I haven't seen you smile even once. So, the next time you want to let out your anger, feel free to do so. Azura is always at your service (she gave a little bow).

Sesshomaru (surprised): Why would you bother?

Azura: Why? Um… I don't know. I guess, because even though I don't look like one, I am, still, a priestess. And a priestess' job is to help people in any way they can. At least, that's what my mother told me…

Sesshomaru: You are a strange girl…

Azura: I know. (She looked over on the place where Rin and Jaken were eating their food) I think they must have finished eating. Let's go.

Sure enough, when Azura and Sesshomaru reached the dining place, Jaken and Rin had finished eating and were waiting for them.

Sesshomaru: Let's go.

Rin quickly ran to Azura and held her hand.

Rin: I'm ready!

As they resumed their journey, Jaken was in deep thought. 'Lord Sesshomaru was with Azura just now. She must have started to try winning his sympathy and affection. I must do something.'

Jaken (aloud): I have something important to attend to. Please excuse me, my lord.

And he disappeared into the bushes.

Azura: What has he got to attend to?

A few minutes passed. Sesshomaru was getting a little impatient. The continuous breaks in the journey were irritating. Azura sensed Sesshomaru's annoyance.

Azura: I'll go look for him.

Sesshomaru smiled inwardly. Even though she refused to call him 'Lord', she still respected his wishes.

Azura was walking along the forest. She suddenly heard Jaken's voice. However, it was too faint to be audible.

She sprinted off in the direction of his voice.

Presently, she reached a clearing. What she saw greatly surprised her.

Jaken was standing amidst many demons. But it didn't look like they were about to attack him. They seemed to be discussing something.

Jaken (noticing her): Oh, so you have arrived at last.

Azura didn't like the tone of his voice.

Azura: What's going on here, Jaken?

One of the demons suddenly spoke up.

Demon: You were right; the girl's spiritual power is amazing. Devouring her will surely increase my strength.

Another demon: Don't you mean our strength?

Slowly, they encircled Azura.

Azura: Damn you, Jaken. You planned this, didn't you? Once Sesshomaru knows about this –

Jaken (cunningly): He'll never know about this. All I have to say is that I never met you and that you must have gotten lost.

Azura was trembling with anger.

Azura: You scheming little devil!

Jaken: Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to return to my lord.

He made his way out of the circle, but the demons blocked his way. They picked him up and threw him back into the circle.

Jaken: What the –

Demon: You're not going anywhere. You are going to be our snack as well.

Azura (smirking): Nice friends, you've made here, Jaken.

Jaken (scared out of his wits): Please, please don't eat me.

Azura: You really think they'll listen to you?

The demons started closing in.

Jaken: Oh, no! I'm done for.

Suddenly a ring of fire erupted and separated them from the demons.

Jaken: What the –

He looked up at Azura. The power she was radiating was amazing. She opened her eyes. She picked up Jaken and leapt on to a tree. Then she started jumping from tree to tree to get away from the demons.

Azura (dodging the tentacles): Damn it! These demons just don't give up. And you are so heavy, Jaken. If we survive this, I'm going to make you lose weight.

Jaken: Why are you saving me?

Azura: There is no time to discuss it right now.

She increased her speed. Presently they reached a big tree. Azura went into the innermost branches and settled herself in one of the branches. She placed Jaken on another. Then she created a barrier around her and Jaken.

Azura: This will prevent them from smelling us.

The demons caught up soon.

Demon: I can't smell them from this point forth. Where did they go?

Jaken started trembling with fear.

Azura: Don't shake so much, the branch will collapse.

No sooner had she said this when the branch actually broke and he fell amidst the demons.

Azura: Oh no!

Demon: Here's the toad demon (he picked him up and started shaking him). Where's the girl?

Jaken: I – I (he gulped) I don't know.

Azura was surprised. She was almost sure that he would tell them.

The demons threw Jaken on the ground.

Demon: If you don't tell us then we will eat you.

Jaken (mumbling): You are going to eat me anyway.

The demons slowly moved towards Jaken. He closed his eyes. 'This is the end', he thought.

But 'the end' never came. He slowly opened his eyes. He saw Azura was standing in front of him, both her arms spread in front of her.

Jaken (thinking): She has created a barrier. But why did she save me? There was no need for her to come down. Doing so, she has endangered her own life as well.

Azura unsheathed her swords. One by one she moved near the demons and killed them. Jaken was amazed. She was moving so quickly and yet so gracefully, that it reminded him of Sesshomaru himself. Jumping elegantly over the fallen demons and slaying the others, either by using her weapons or her spiritual powers, within seconds she had destroyed all the demons.

Azura: I guess that's that. Let's go.

She put the swords back in her waistband and started walking.

Jaken: Why did you do it? Why did you save me?

Azura turned back and smiled.

Azura: I was a fool, wasn't I? After you planned my killing, I shouldn't have saved you. Such a stupid girl, aren't I?

She smiled at Jaken's puzzled expression.

Azura: It's okay. You didn't tell the demons I was hiding on the tree branch. So, we are equal.

Jaken: But I tried to kill you.

Azura: I'm still alive, so don't worry yourself too much. Let's go.

Jaken: All right…

They then walked towards the place where the others were waiting for them. When they reached the clearing –

Sesshomaru: You took your time.

Azura: We… got lost.

Jaken looked quickly at Azura.

Sesshomaru: You got lost… I see.

Jaken: I can't take it. I can't lie –

Azura: Yeah, you're right. We might as well tell the truth. You see, we got attacked by some demons in the forest…

She started narrating the incident to Sesshomaru but carefully hid Jaken's role in it.

Sesshomaru (after hearing the whole story): So, everything is fine now (Azura nodded). Let's proceed then.

And the group continued on their journey, Rin asking Azura every detail of their small adventure.

At nightfall, when Rin and Azura were asleep –

Sesshomaru: Jaken.

Jaken: Yes, my lord?

Sesshomaru: Make sure that the blunder you committed today is never repeated in the future. The only reason you're still here, is because Azura chose to forgive you.

With that Sesshomaru walked away and disappeared in the darkness. For the second time in the day, Jaken started trembling with fear.

Jaken: Y –Yes, m – my Lord.