Chapter 11:
Inuyasha is lying on a wooden floor somewhere in Naraku's castle, unconscious. Inuyasha suddenly wakes up, he squints his eye at something shining into it. Inuyasha sits himself up, slowly, holding at the back of his head. "Owee, my head." Inuyasha says.
"Listen to you, whining like the helpless half-breed that you are." Says Sesshomaru.
Inuyasha turns to see him, sitting in a couple of cells down from him. "Sesshomaru? Well, look who actually fell into one of Naraku's traps. How's it feel to be treated like the peasants that you treat so cruelly, mighty Lord of the Lame Lands?" Inuyasha asks.
"You're just lucky you are in a different cell and a couple of cells down from me. Otherwise, I would have killed you for that pathetic insult." Says Sesshomaru.
"Pathetic insult?! My insults aren't as pathetic as your style. I mean, do you really need to walk around with a fluffy. You keep going on and on about how manly and what a powerful demon you are, but you wear clothing that seem slightly feminized." Inuyasha says.
"My clothing is not feminine. Anyway, you should talk. At least I didn't go falling for a human girl and then get myself sealed by the same girl, not to mention the first girl you ever loved." Says Sesshomaru.
"Hey, that was uncalled for! At least I got a girl to like me, but with you it's always the same thing. It's 'I have to be all powerful', 'steal the Tetsusaiga from a disgrace to the name of a demon, my little half-breed brother', 'and then travel around some more before I have to be home by nightfall, so I can find a puffier fluffy'." Inuyasha says.
"That is not even true. Besides, you would be dressing like this if you were my full-blooded brother, but that is not the case. So, you dress like that." Says Sesshomaru.
"Damn it you bastard! Why do you have to be better at everything?!" Inuyasha asks.
"Its in the genes, which you seem to lack." Says Sesshomaru.
Koga suddenly comes to and sits up in the cell between the two half-brothers, holding at the side of his head. "Oww, what happened? I feel like I got hit with a brick." Koga says.
"We all fell into Naraku's trap." Says Inuyasha.
"Wait, where are the girls?" Koga asks.
"I was wondering that myself. Perhaps, this is all part of Naraku's plan. Keeping us here, so we can't interfere with whatever he's planning to do with Ashuri and the other two." Says Sesshomaru.
"What do you mean? Are you saying that Naraku is planning to harm Allie?" Koga asks.
"Or Heiri? Or even Kagome?" Asks Inuyasha.
"Any one of them could be Naraku's target, but he might not just be planning to hurt them. Perhaps, his other goal in mind is to do exactly what he's already done to that bat demoness." Sesshomaru says.
Koga stands up, with one fist up into the air, determined. "He better not even think about doing that to my Allie! I'll kill him if he so much as touches a hair on that pretty little head of hers!" Says Koga.
"The same goes for Ashuri. If any harm comes to her, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself." Sesshomaru says. He stands up, defiant, in his own prideful way.
Inuyasha just shoots straight up. "Yeah, I'm actually with you guys. Only this once. I want Heiri and Kagome back, I'll slit Naraku's guts out if he touches either one of them. Only how are we going to get out of here?" Asks Inuyasha.
"Your cells are weaker than you think." Kanna says, softly. She appears out of the darkness, her mirror held out in front of herself.
"Kanna." Says Inuyasha.
"Is she one of Naraku's incarnations?" Koga asks.
"Yeah, only her scent is very light." Says Inuyasha.
"Actually Inuyasha, I think she is more than just Naraku's incarnation. She differs from him and all his other incarnations I have ever encountered. It's very faint, but I believe she is something a little bit closer to Naraku." Sesshomaru says.
"So, you think this little girl is Naraku's seed." Says Koga.
"Possibly, it's just a guess. I could be wrong." Sesshomaru says.
"I don't know Sesshomaru. I mean, Kanna really doesn't seem to show any emotion. I mean, who would even consider bearing Naraku's demon seed." Says Inuyasha.
Both Koga and Sesshomaru give him a dirty look, in the 'really' manner.
"What?" Inuyasha asks.
"Anyway. Kanna, we can get out of here easily, right?" Asks Koga.
"Its not that easy. Only Naraku has the say of whether to release you or to stay here and die. I cannot help you, I'm sorry." Kanna says, softly. She disappears just as quickly as she came.
Back in the temple that Ashuri, Adrian and Entei are in. Entei is still asleep. Both Adrian and Ashuri have dozed off a bit, too, it's obvious that neither of them have hardly slept at all.
The doors to the temple suddenly open and Kohaku enters, escorting Rin and Nadia.
Adrian soon wakes up, she was faking.
"Mistress, Heiri and Kagome are both in danger. Bankotsu has been ordered by Naraku to battle Heiri to the death, only one will survive." Says Nadia.
Adrian just looks down.
"Mistress, what should we do?" Kohaku asks.
"What can we do? Once Naraku orders someone to do something it's done, I have no say in what happens." Says Adrian.
"That's not true. You can get Bankotsu to stop his assault. He obeys you just as much as he does Naraku, maybe even more so than him." Nadia says.
"You can get him to stop, as well, Nadia. He's your companion, after all. You two have fought alongside one another long enough to stop each others assaults. In fact, you protect each other in battle. That's why you and Bankotsu are the last of your respective groups of mercenaries." Says Adrian.
"You're right, but he won't just listen to me alone. I need you to assist me." Nadia says.
"Does life threatening injury mean anything to you?" Asks Adrian.
"Its not like you have to fight him. You just have to alter the order that Naraku gave." Nadia says.
Ashuri soon wakes up and sits herself up.
"Ashuri." Says Rin. She runs over to Ashuri and embraces her around her waist. "Hello, Rin." Ashuri says. "I didn't think I would ever see you again." Says Rin. "Why did you think that?" Ashuri asks. "It's just, Lord Sesshomaru doesn't always like others tagging along with us." Says Rin. "Is that so?" Ashuri asks. "Uh-huh." Says Rin. "Well, we're just going to have to change that, aren't we?" Ashuri asks. "Yeah, you bet." Says Rin. "So, what's going on?" Ashuri asks.
"Heiri and Bankotsu are fighting to the death. While we also have another problem." Says Nadia. "Kagura is battling with Allie and it seems that Allie's losing." Kohaku says. "Heiri's not doing to well either." Says Nadia.
"We have got to help them then." Ashuri says.
Entei suddenly awakens.
Rin and Ashuri then start to back away from Entei.
Entei's about to get up, when Adrian stops him from doing so. "No, Entei." Says Adrian. Entei doesn't settle as easy as the last time, he still ends up getting up. Only before Entei can charge at Rin and Ashuri, Adrian gets between them, trying to keep him at bay. Entei stops and begins to settle. Entei unexpectedly changes character. Entei nudges his nose and face against Adrian's chest, playfully, as if he was still a little colt. Adrian then turns to face the others, Entei's head now lying on her shoulder.
"Sure, now he's acting like he's a little colt." Ashuri says.
"He still is, deep down inside." Says Adrian. Entei walks over to her side, moving his head in front of her, he closes his eyes when she rubs between his ears. "He's just like a big puppy dog, that's all. Now, I think it's about time that we helped out Heiri and Allie. Entei, down." Adrian says. Entei actually does, kneeling down on all fours. Adrian then climbs onto Entei's back. "Ashuri, want a lift?" Asks Adrian.
"I guess. I've never ridden a horse demon before. Actually, I've never ridden demon anything." Ashuri says. She climbs on, sitting behind Adrian. "Rin, you should probably stay here where it's safe. Kohaku, you stay with her." Says Adrian.
"Yes, Mistress." Kohaku says.
"Entei, up." Says Adrian. Entei gets back up to all fours. "Let's go, Entei." Adrian says. She kicks Entei on the side, gently. Entei gallops forward and out the door.
Nadia follows right alongside.
Entei's hooves soon go ablaze and he takes off into the air.
Nadia grabs a hold of his side. "Decided to hop on at the last minute." Says Adrian. Ashuri helps Nadia up, she then sits between the two demonesses.
At the battle between Heiri and Bankotsu. Heiri is cut open pretty badly, if she didn't have demoness in her, she would certainly be dead already.
Bankotsu only has small slits as injuries. Bankotsu has a pretty good one on his left cheek though, three scratches from Heiri's claws. "It seems the stray pup has lost her bite and is left with only bark. I'll give you this, you fought a good fight. But in the end, every dog has to be put down at some point." Bankotsu says.
Heiri's breathing pretty heavily and places a hand against one of her open wounds. Heiri lifts her hand up towards herself, looking at the blood stained on her hand from her wound.
Bankotsu's now standing over Heiri. "I guess it's time to put you out of your misery." Says Bankotsu. He readies Banryu for the final strike. "Farewell, little pup." Bankotsu says. Heiri closes her eyes so she doesn't have to watch, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I guess, this is the end for me. I tried my best, but my best wasn't good enough." Heiri thinks to herself. Bankotsu's just about to strike, when a sudden beam shoots out of nowhere and deflects Banryu, sending it flying out of his hands. "What? Who dares deflect my Banryu?" Asks Bankotsu. He looks up to see Entei charging towards him. "Entei?" Bankotsu asks.
Entei flies right past him, landing only a few feet behind him. Entei's hooves lose their flame as he lands. Nadia then steps off, her weapon held securely at her side, Banryu held on the other side.
"Nadia, why did you? Are you betraying me now, too?" Asks Bankotsu.
"Not at all. Bankotsu, I would never turn my back on you, but I do not wish for any of this to happen either." Nadia says. She places Banryu down to show her loyalty to Bankotsu. "Listen Bankotsu, I don't want anything to happen to you and I know you feel the same way towards me, don't you?" Asks Nadia. She walks over to Bankotsu.
"Of course I do, it's just. We're stuck to be here with Naraku and once he's through with us, we'll experience the same fate as either Heiri, Allie or Ashuri. Only one will be killed and two will survive. Naraku is testing all of us to see who is worthy to be kept around and who'll suffer the same fate as Inuyasha, Koga and Sesshomaru. It's already too late for us Nadia and I'm sure she knows that. She could have let us go a long time ago, but she hasn't." Bankotsu says. "This isn't her fault, Bankotsu. None of this is her plans, they're Naraku's plans and you know that." Says Nadia. "I just don't know who to trust and believe anymore. The only one I can even trust is you, Nadia. But, I don't know anymore." Bankotsu says. "You can trust me, Bankotsu. I'll never leave you, you're all I have left anymore." Says Nadia. Tears are streaming down her cheeks. Bankotsu notices this, showing concern for Nadia. "Nadia, I never realized you felt this way for me." Bankotsu says. Nadia brings herself closer to him and presses herself into his chest. "Because you've been blinded by Naraku's influence. Just like the rest of us. Please, cease your assault on Heiri." Says Nadia. "I… I'll do as you wish. From now on." Bankotsu says. He places one of his hands on Nadia's upper back and holds her close to himself. "Thank you, Bankotsu." Says Nadia.
Ashuri then flies over towards Heiri and kneels down beside her, being protective of her. "Heiri… Please, wake up." Ashuri says. Heiri's cheeks have tear trails streaming down her face.
Heiri opens her eyes. "Ashuri... you're okay..." Says Heiri, pained. "Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?" Ashuri asks. "I thought… Naraku killed you..." Says Heiri, pained. "Why would you think that?" Ashuri asks. "I'm… not sure..." Says Heiri, pained and weakly. She closes her eyes.
"Heiri? Heiri, wake up." Ashuri says. Heiri doesn't budge, not even trying to open her eyes again.
Ashuri looks to her left, seeing Adrian standing over them. "Adrian, what's wrong with her?" Asks Ashuri. Adrian kneels down beside them and places one of her hands on Heiri's forehead. "She's suffering and she's delusional. Her fight with Bankotsu was only part of it. She's been affected by Naraku's influence somehow. Naraku had Bankotsu battle Heiri because he wanted her to be exhausted to the point of death, so he could manipulate her. Sort of like what he did with me." Adrian says. "Is it the same with Allie and Kagura's battle?" Asks Ashuri. "I wouldn't doubt it." Adrian says. She then walks away, into the guest temple that Heiri was trying to get into before Bankotsu attacked her.
Adrian opens the double doors, to find Kagome lying unconscious on the wooden floor. Adrian walks in and crouches down beside Kagome, placing one of her hands on top of her forehead.
Ashley then walks in, realizing how Heiri got attacked, she's carrying her on her back. "So, Kagome was in here then." Says Ashuri.
"Yes." Adrian says.
"Is she under Naraku's influence, as well?" Asks Ashuri.
"No, my last encounter with her put her into this state. She hasn't woken up ever since." Adrian says.
"Can't you help her?" Asks Ashuri.
"I'm afraid this is out of my reach. It seems the only way she'll awaken is if she's free from Naraku's barrier, until then she's stuck like this." Adrian says. She stands back up and walks over to Ashuri.
"Heiri on the other hand is a different story. I can probably only cease the pain of her wounds and be able to free her from Naraku's influence." Says Adrian. She and Ashuri then walk out of there, she closes the doors behind them.
The wind soon picks up, slightly. Adrian gets a sense in the wind. "Adrian, what is it?" Ashuri asks. "A scent of blood and it is close by." Says Adrian. Her eyes suddenly widen, she recognizes this scent of blood, her eyes then change to anger. "Ashuri, take Entei and bring Heiri to the temple. I have something I must do, on my own. Nadia, Bankotsu, escort them there." Adrian says. She runs off in the direction the wind came from.
Adrian then opens up her wings and takes off into the air, it hurts her to fly at this point, but she'll ignore her pain to get where she has to go.
The battle between Kagura and Allie. Allie is face down on the ground right now, struggling to get herself up.
"Why bother to rise? It'll be less painful if you would just lie down like the wolf you are. Accept your fate and die. Dance of...!" Says Kagura.
"No, that attack will finish me." Allie thinks to herself.
"Kagura!" Adrian says.
"Hm?" Asks Kagura.
"You're dead!" Adrian says. She claws Kagura right in the ribs, nearly breaking them in half. Kagura collapses to the ground.
Adrian lands and kneels over Allie. "Allie." Says Adrian. "Adrian…" Allie says, weakly. She tries to get up, but her injuries are really getting to her. Allie's eyes then close, out of both exhaustion and pain.
Adrian suddenly collapses over Allie, losing consciousness very quickly, mostly feeling the affect of her wounds. "Kagura, you bitch! I'll kill you for what you did." Says Adrian. She tries to crawl towards Kagura, but she can't really get very far.
Kagura stands up and holds at her ribs. "Oh please, you have nothing left. You're finished, your wounds have taken their toll." Kagura says.
"Kagura." Says Naraku. He appears between Kagura and Adrian, he has his baboon fur wrapped around himself, only no mask. "Enough, your task is complete. Now leave us." Naraku says.
"Yes, Naraku. As you wish." Says Kagura. She then takes off on her feather.
Naraku turns to face Adrian. "Naraku…" Adrian says, weakly and pained. Naraku kneels down to one knee before her. "You are in great pain. You've already lost quite a bit of blood and Kagura didn't even fight you." Says Naraku. "What… do you mean...?" Adrian asks, weakly and pained. Naraku lifts her up, slightly, 'assisting' her to sit up. Naraku then pulls his hands away, showing his hands stained with blood. "Your wounds have reopened." Says Naraku. He removes his baboon fur and places it around Adrian instead. Naraku then lifts Adrian up and cradles her in his arms.
"Naraku!" Allie says. She suddenly wakes up, staggering to get up. "Put her down!" Says Allie.
"You mistake my heartfelt gratitude. Consider yourself lucky, that your condition isn't as critical as your friend's or your sister's." Naraku says.
"What?" Asks Allie.
"Let's see, what should I do with you? I'm not completely sure, but I'll be generous to you. I'll allow you to stay in one of my guest rooms in my castle and you will not be permitted to leave, until I come up with something for you. The same goes for your cousin, she'll be confined to a room, too, until I say otherwise. You are my guests, I shouldn't let you stay outside in the cold. Now, you can either come free willingly or will I have to force you myself." Naraku says.
"You can put me down for neither, there is no way in Hell that I will stay in your castle." Says Allie.
"I guess I'll have to fight you myself then, but first." Naraku says. He makes Adrian disappear.
"What did you do with her?" Asks Allie.
"Relax, she's safe and sound in my castle. Now, to deal with you." Naraku says.
