Kaida yawned as the group settled down for the night. They had been walking around for a while watching Sesshomaru practice his new technique. He was able to get the crescent moon to grow a bit, but it still wasn't a full moon. Totosai had told them that it would become a full moon shape when it got stronger. Sesshomaru seemed determined to practice and get it stronger as they traveled. He was still searching for Moryomaru, but they hadn't gotten any scent of him or Naraku.
Kaida wasn't fully complaining. She didn't want to go anywhere either of the two, but she knew Sesshomaru wanted to kill both of them. Rin and Jaken quickly fell asleep after having a quick dinner, but Kaida wasn't tired yet. So instead she snuggled up against Sesshomaru. He didn't seem to mind when she rested her head on his chest. "Sesshomaru…" Kaida whispered gently. "Don't worry… You'll find them."
He was silent for a moment. "Can I leave Rin in your protection?"
"Of course." Kaida smiled. "You go find that monster and kill him. I'll wait for you." Kaida smiled and leaned up kissing him gently. "Go ahead…. But do you mind waiting till morning?" Kaida smiled gently as she snuggled up against him sleepily. "I sleep easier when I'm with you."
She felt Sesshomaru's hand brush through her hair. She wished for a moment that he had both his arms so he could hold her as well, but she knew that there was nothing she could do about that. "Sleep." Sesshomaru said gently. It was sweet, the only times he spoke gently was when they were alone… or at least the only two awake in their group.
"Alright…. I love you Sesshomaru." Kaida whispered gently before drifting off to sleep.
When Kaida woke up, Sesshomaru was gone. She knew she shouldn't expect anything more, but she still wished he would have at least woken her up before he left.
"Mm…" Rin sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Lord Sesshomaru?"
"He left." Kaida got up. "But he'll be back. And while we wait we can have some breakfast and start walking."
"Alright." Rin smiled. Nothing seemed to faze her. Jaken on the other hand woke up and grumpily complained about Sesshomaru leaving him behind. Kaida just ignored him as she made up breakfast for the group.
"I'm glad that you are with us." Rin smiled as they walked later. "I miss you when you're gone."
"So do I." Kaida smiled. I'm glad to be back and traveling with you and Sesshomaru again."
"Don't forget master Jaken." Rin laughed. "And Ah-Un! They are with us as well!"
"How could I forget?" Kaida laughed and patted Rin's head. She glanced over at Ah-Un and Jaken. "I guess it's because they are always so silent."
Jaken frowned. Ah-Un paused at the same time as Kaida. They had both recognized a scent in the air. Kaida spun and froze as she saw Naraku standing in their path.
"Hello Kaida… It's been a while." He eyed her over. "And I see you are a demon now. How interesting."
"Rin run!" Kaida said stepping in front of Rin. "Ah-Un protect her!" The dragon nodded and grabbed Rin and Jaken before running off.
"How sweet." Naraku said, but he ignored the fleeing group. "But I didn't come for them. I came for you."
"And I'm going to kill you!" Kaida pulled out Raz and shot at him. "I'm stronger now than I was before!"
"I can see that." Naraku said calmly as he dodged her attack. "But so am I… And I have decided that I'm going to lock you away out of the way while I complete my goal." He dodged her next attack. "That way you don't get in my way, and I can see you when I wish to."
"You really think I'll let you take me?" Kaida smirked landing. "I have no plans of going anywhere with you!" She shot at him again, but this time Naraku did more than dodge. He knocked her to the ground and hit her spear out of her reach. He smirked and one of his vines shot forward and shot through her shoulder and pinned her to the ground.
Kaida flinched at the pain and whimpered. Naraku smirked. "This is not a choice you get to make. You are coming with me." He wrapped another vine around her. "I didn't want to hurt you, but you wouldn't come quietly."
Kaida couldn't move as his vines tightened their grip. Losing blood wasn't helping either. Sesshomaru….. I need you…. No…. I need to be able to save myself… He won't always be here to save me…. Kaida struggled as much as she could and whipped her tail around, trying to create enough room to get out of Naraku's grip.
"Now what are you doing?" Naraku frowned. "You don't think you can get away from me do you? I am stronger than you Kaida."
"No…. I'm…. not…. going…. with…you…" Kaida bit down on one of the vines, cutting enough room for her to wiggle out. She dropped down to the ground and flinched as the pain from her shoulder flared.
Naraku laughed as he watched Kaida pick up her spear. "What do you plan to do injured like that?"
Kaida shot at him, ignoring the pain as best as she could. If I can at least land a big enough blow he should run… He's always been a coward if it came to his life! Kaida threw the spear and watched it fly through Naraku's shoulder. He frowned, but looked unaffected. "No…"
"Now enough of this Kaida, you're coming with me."
Right as Naraku was about to pin Kaida again, Naraku jumped out of the way as a crescent moon appeared in the sky where he had been a moment before.
Kaida turned and saw Sesshomaru standing there with Tenseiga in his hand. "Sesshomaru!"
Naraku frowned as he eyed Sesshomaru. "I see…. So that's how it is?" He looked between Kaida and Sesshomaru. He looked annoyed. "Goodbye Kaida…" He turned and disappeared.
"Are you alright?" Sesshomaru turned to Kaida.
"I'll be fine." She nodded; her shoulder she could feel was already healing.
"KAIDA!" Rin came running up from behind Sesshomaru and hugged her. "I went and got Lord Sesshomaru… Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine." Kaida smiled down at the girl, and then looked up at Sesshomaru. "As long as Sesshomaru is here I'll be fine."
