Chapter 10 – Naraku's Curse

It was night. Both Rin and Jaken were asleep. Azura had her eyes closed. Sesshomaru had just left to go off on his own. A little later, Azura followed him.

Sesshomaru (without turning back): So, you have finally decided to say it.

Azura (smiling a little nervously): Oh, so you realized that I wanted to say something to you. And, by any chance, do you know what is it about?

Sesshomaru: I might. But I want you to say it yourself.

The authority in his voice did nothing to increase Azura's morale. She gathered all her courage.

Azura: Jaken had told me that you – you don't let anyone interfere when you are battling with someone.

Sesshomaru remained quiet.

Azura (continuing, her confidence faltering with every word she spoke): I was – I was wondering whether – whether you'd let me assist you in fighting Naraku?

Sesshomaru stopped and looked at Azura.

Azura (quickly): Not that you need my assistance. But – but the whole point of me joining you was so that I could – I could fight Naraku and avenge the deaths of my brother and father.

Sesshomaru looked at Azura for a while.

Sesshomaru (emotionlessly): I don't even let my half – brother interfere when I am fighting with an adversary – especially when it's Naraku.

Azura: Well, that's why I was asking if I had your consent.

Sesshomaru: And what if I refuse?

Azura: Then… I will (she had thought of the answer but was wondering whether she should say it) I will go by myself.

Sesshomaru now fully turned to face Azura.

Sesshomaru: Are you thinking of going against me?

Azura: The only person I intend to go against is Naraku.

Sesshomaru looked at Azura. She wasn't nervous anymore. There was a kind of flare in her eyes. He resumed walking.

Sesshomaru: You may join me in my fights with Naraku. But you will not interfere when I battle against anyone else, even Inuyasha.

Azura: Yes! Thank you, Sesshomaru. The thought of traveling alone really frightens me.

They had reached a cliff. Sesshomaru stood there, staring at the vast expanse of land before them. Azura sat on a rock.

Azura (quietly): This may be somewhat personal, but why do you hate your brother so much, Sesshomaru?

Sesshomaru didn't respond.

Azura: Is it because he is half – human? (Adding quickly) You don't have to answer if you don't want to.

Sesshomaru: That is just one of the reasons…

Azura was startled. She didn't expect that he would answer her.

Azura: So you are saying that you are actually ashamed of him? But I am a full human. And so is Rin. Then you must be pretty ashamed of us as well.

Sesshomaru: Rin is different. So are you.

Azura waited for him to elaborate. But he didn't.

Azura: I understand about Rin. She has her way of melting hearts. But what about me? Why did you let me come along?

Sesshomaru (curtly): I was under the impression that you wanted to come.

Azura: Well, of course I did. But I hadn't known that you hate humans so much.

There was a kind of sadness in her voice.

Sesshomaru: The reason I hate humans is because they are weak and vulnerable. Most of them cannot protect themselves and depend on others to save their pathetic lives for them. But you are able to manage yourself.

Azura noticed the bitterness in his voice.

Azura: Is that true? The only reason that you hate humans so much is because they are weak? Isn't there any other reason?

Sesshomaru: Meaning?

Azura: Izayoi, Inuyasha's mother. Isn't she the reason why you hate humans… and your brother?

Sesshomaru looked back at the stretches of land in front of him.

Sesshomaru: I told you. There are a number of other reasons behind my hatred for Inuyasha.

Azura: I think I have a very good idea about what those reasons are. First, he didn't turn up to join you against the battle with the Panther Demons. Also there is sibling rivalry. You wanted the Tetsusaiga, didn't you?

Again, Sesshomaru didn't respond.

Azura: But you know it wasn't his fault. He didn't even know about the sword. And it's your father who left him that sword, isn't it? Moreover, that sword controls his demon blood from over – powering him, so he needs it. As for the battle with the Panther Demons, he was sealed to a tree by a sacred arrow. How could he have helped you?

Sesshomaru: Who told you all of this?

Azura (quickly): Jaken.

Sesshomaru: Then he would have told you that it was due to his own foolishness that he was sealed. He was fooled by Naraku.

Azura (sadness filling her face): I know about that as well. Naraku had tricked Inuyasha and Kikyo into attacking each other. (She said the next words very quietly) Tell me, Sesshomaru, what would you do if, someday, Naraku forced me to attack you?

Sesshomaru (after a slight pause): I will kill … Naraku.

Azura smiled. Then she yawned.

Azura: I think I should go to sleep.

She went towards the forest. Before disappearing in the trees, she turned.

Azura: Thank you, Sesshomaru.

* * * * *

It was the following evening.

Sesshomaru, Rin, Azura, Jaken and Ahn – Uhn were walking down the forest.

A little later, Sesshomaru's nose twitched.

Sesshomaru: I can sense Naraku. Stay with Rin, Jaken. Azura, follow me.

Azura (smiling): Right.

Jaken: Yes, Lord Sesshomaru.

Jaken was a little surprised. He hadn't expected that Sesshomaru would allow Azura to accompany him in fighting Naraku.

Sesshomaru took off, his keen sense of smell guiding him. Azura followed. As they continued on the trail of Naraku, Sesshomaru couldn't help noticing. Azura, despite being a human, managed to keep up with him. She was jumping from tree to tree so that she didn't fall behind.

Sure enough, when they reached a clearing, Naraku was standing in the shade of the trees, wearing the usual baboon skin. There were a few minor demons surrounding him. Azura ran towards the demons while Sesshomaru charged towards Naraku. Naraku jumped out of the way. His head then turned towards Azura.

Naraku: My, my, Sesshomaru. Another human? And a priestess, nevertheless…

Sesshomaru (attacking him again): Worry about yourself.

Sesshomaru moved quickly towards Naraku readying his sword. But just before hitting him, Sesshomaru vanished.

Naraku: Huh?

Sesshomaru: Up here.

Naraku looked up, but it was too late. Sesshomaru had slashed him with his Tokijin and he vanished. At the same time, Azura sent out a purifying wave which destroyed all the demons but stopped short of Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru: Another demon puppet…

Azura joined Sesshomaru. They were about to head back when Jaken came running towards them.

Sesshomaru: Jaken, what are you doing here?

Jaken (panting): Lord – Lord Sesshomaru! Rin – Rin –

Azura: What happened to Rin?

Jaken: Naraku – Naraku has put a curse on Rin!

Azura: What? How?

They started running towards the place where Jaken had left Rin.

Jaken: Just after you had left, Lord Sesshomaru, Naraku appeared and placed a curse on Rin.

Azura: What? So he used two demon puppets at the same time?

Sesshomaru (icily): And what were you doing when all of this was happening, Jaken?

Jaken (flinching at his tone): Demons had surrounded both me and Ahn – Uhn, because of which we were unable to help her.

They had reached the place. Rin was lying on the ground while Ahn – Uhn stood over her. Azura ran to her followed by Sesshomaru. Rin's eyes were closed. Her face was contorted with pain. She was screaming. Azura placed one hand on her forehead and held Rin's clammy hand with the other. She frowned.

Azura: She will not be able to handle the pain for long…

Jaken: Azura?

Sesshomaru's hand went to the hilt of Tenesaiga.

Azura: The Tenesaiga cannot do anything to help her.

Jaken: Why not?

Azura: It's a curse. The Tenesaiga cannot heal curses.

Sesshomaru: Can you help her in any way?

Azura (quietly, looking fixedly at Rin's face): I might be able to… but all three of you will have to leave us alone for a while…

Jaken: Why's that?

Azura: It's a purification process. All three of you are demons. That's why…

Sesshomaru: Let's go.

Jaken took hold of Ahn – Uhn's reign. Sesshomaru glanced once at the pained expression on Rin's face and then made his way towards the trees, Jaken and Ahn – Uhn following him.