Chapter 11 – Azura's Secret
Sesshomaru, Jaken and Ahn – Uhn were waiting around the fire. Sesshomaru was sitting, leaning against a tree, staring at the fire. Ahn – Uhn was lying down while Jaken was walking up and down in front of Sesshomaru.
Jaken: What is taking Azura so long? It has almost been two hours.
Sesshomaru: Sit down, Jaken. It is irritating to watch you pacing like that.
Jaken (immediately sitting down): Yes, my lord.
A little later, Azura emerged from the bushes. She was carrying Rin in her arms. She walked towards Sesshomaru and placed Rin gently on the ground near him.
Azura: Rin is sleeping now. I have lifted the curse from her body.
She then dropped to her knees beside Rin.
Jaken (genuinely concerned): What happened, Azura?
Azura: Oh, it's nothing. I just used a lot of my powers. (She lay down) But nothing a good night's sleep can't fix.
She closed her eyes and fell asleep almost immediately. She was not aware of a certain pair of amber eyes observing her.
Jaken: Wow, Azura must be very powerful. She actually healed Naraku's curse.
* * * * *
It had been two days since Azura had lifted Naraku's curse off Rin. As they were walking, Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. He could smell a lot many people ahead of him. It was his half – brother and his group… along with Naraku. But this time, he didn't ask Jaken and Rin to stay behind. For some reason, Naraku seemed to have taken a new interest in harming Rin.
Azura looked up at Sesshomaru. She knew he had sensed that smell long before she had. She was a little confused. Sesshomaru neither quickened his pace nor did he tell Rin and Jaken to fall behind. But Azura had learnt to trust Sesshomaru and so she didn't object.
Just as they reached the clearing, Sesshomaru told Rin and Jaken to wait near the edge of the forest with Ahn – Uhn. Then Azura and Sesshomaru headed towards the already raging battle between Inuyasha and Naraku.
Naraku (seeing Sesshomaru): Ah! We meet again, Lord Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru was really angry. It took him everything to keep himself from transforming.
Inuyasha: What are you doing here, Sesshomaru?
Sesshomaru: Stay away, Inuyasha. This is my battle.
With that Sesshomaru ran towards Naraku. He dodged Sesshomaru's attack, and jumped on a branch of tree.
Naraku: Be careful about what you do, Sesshomaru. The little girl is at my mercy.
He took out the almost complete Shikon Jewel from under his pelt. He looked at Rin, but was surprised to see her standing near the trees, unaffected. A ghost of a smile appeared on Sesshomaru's face.
Sesshomaru: She is no longer under your control. The curse has been removed.
Naraku: Removed? Who removed it? (His eyes traveled towards Azura) You removed it? But how? Unless…
He suddenly let out a laugh. Then he clasped the Jewel tightly. Azura let out a scream and dropped to her knees.
Naraku (maliciously): It's not possible to heal my curse. She merely transferred the curse from the little girl's body to her own.
Sesshomaru (surprise visible on his face): What? (Glancing down at Azura) Why would you do such a thing?
Azura (panting a little): There – there was no other choice… Rin... couldn't have endured the pain much longer…
Sesshomaru (looking back at Naraku): So you lied to me…
Azura: I didn't…
Sesshomaru: Huh?
Azura (a faint smile appearing on her face): I never said that I had healed the curse… I only said that I had lifted the curse from her body… So, I didn't lie…
Sesshomaru was looking at Azura from the corner of his eyes. He then turned his attention back to Naraku as he spoke.
Naraku: Like they say, all's for the best. I think I am going to enjoy playing with you much more than I would have with the little girl.
He grasped the Jewel harder. Azura let out another scream and clutched her heart.
Sesshomaru (angrily): Leave her alone!
He charged towards Naraku, continuously attacking him. But he just kept on jumping out of his reach.
Naraku: You know, Sesshomaru, if I were you I would pay more attention to my opponent…
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. He turned and just managed to block his opponent's attack. It was Azura. She had rushed towards Sesshomaru with both her swords. Her eyes were blank. Naraku was controlling her.
Naraku (stealthily): Azura, Sesshomaru is your enemy. You must kill him…
Azura (blankly): I must kill him…
She started attacking him again. This time her attacks were continuous. She sometimes used her weapons and sometimes her spiritual energy, in the form of balls of fire.
Rin: What's going on there? Why is Azura attacking Lord Sesshomaru?
Jaken himself was speechless, wondering what the outcome of all of this would be.
Kagome: Naraku is playing his tricks again.
Miroku: Well, it's the thing he's known for, making allies fight against each other.
Inuyasha: I've had enough of this nonsense. Wind Scar!
He used his Wind Scar against Naraku. But some demons came in between and took all the damage on themselves.
Meanwhile Sesshomaru was dodging Azura's relentless attacks. He had never before appreciated her true potential. Her attacks were getting fiercer, almost tempting Sesshomaru to use Tokijin. But he didn't. Azura's voice kept on ringing in his mind, 'Tell me, Sesshomaru, what would you do if, some day, Naraku forced me to attack you?'
Naraku (tauntingly): I never thought that a human girl fighting you would last for so long, Sesshomaru…
Sesshomaru let out a growl. He and Azura ran towards each other, their swords in their hands. Rin let out a cry and hid behind Ahn - Uhn. Azura attacked Sesshomaru but he passed Azura and charged towards Naraku instead.
Naraku was surprised. He hadn't expected Sesshomaru to attack him all of a sudden. He didn't have the time to summon the demons as his shield. Sesshomaru sent out a shockwave from his sword and that was the end of Naraku's another demon puppet.
Inuyasha: He pretended to be attacking Azura when he was aiming for Naraku all along.
Sesshomaru landed gracefully on his feet. He turned back to see Azura lying on the ground. Rin and Jaken were running towards her. Two of Naraku's poison insects took the Jewel and flew away.
As Sesshomaru reached Azura, Rin let out a small cry. She was pointing at Sesshomaru's side. Jaken looked there and saw a red stain over his otherwise white clothes.
Jaken (thinking): It must have been that final attack by Azura.
Sesshomaru, however, did not pay any attention to his wound. He kneeled beside Azura.
Sesshomaru (quietly): Wake up, Azura.
Inuyasha was amazed. He had never heard his brother speak so gently before.
Inuyasha (to Kagome): Let's go. There is nothing else to do here.
Kagome (looking at Azura): Yeah, but –
Inuyasha (firmly): Let's go.
Kagome: Um… okay…
Inuyasha and the others slowly walked out of the clearing, leaving Sesshomaru, Jaken and Rin kneeling around Azura.
Jaken: She is not d – dead, is she?
"Don't worry, Jaken. Naraku will have to work harder than that to kill me…"
Azura slowly opened her eyes.
Rin (gleefully): Ah, Azura!
She slowly sat up. Sesshomaru rose.
Sesshomaru: Let's go.
As she made to get up, Azura's eyes traveled to one of her swords lying by her side. She picked it up. She was shocked to see blood on its blade. Her eyes moved towards Sesshomaru and the blood trickling out of the wound on his side.
Azura: I – I did that, didn't I?
Tears filled Azura's eyes. Sesshomaru looked back.
Azura (looking at the blood stain on her sword): I am so – so sorry…
Sesshomaru (quietly): You are not at any fault… But don't worry… I will make Naraku pay for it…
Azura (slowly getting up): I – I think it's about time I visit my mother…