Chapter 14:
The sun comes up the following day. The sunrise begins to light up the room Naraku and Adrian are sleeping in. Adrian winces slightly, as her demoness characteristics begin to return. The spider scar on Adrian's back vanishes and her bat wings return. Adrian's claws and fangs return, while her bat ears reappear. When she opens her eyes, they have changed back to purple. The dark blue eye shadow returns to normal, as well.
Adrian's once again a demoness. "The night of the perfect crescent moon has passed, about time. I can't stand being a weak mortal." Adrian thinks to herself. She quietly gets herself up and moves Naraku's baboon fur off of herself. Adrian glances over her shoulder at Naraku, who's still asleep. Adrian then turns to leave, opens the door and quietly closes it shut, so she doesn't wake up Naraku. Adrian slides herself down, her back against the door.
Kanna suddenly appears in front of Adrian, her mirror held out in front of herself. "Mother." Kanna says, softly. Adrian opens her eyes and looks up at her. "Kanna. You're up awfully early, aren't you?" Asks Adrian. "So are you." Kanna says, softly. "Sweetie, what's the matter? Is something wrong?" Asks Adrian. "A lot of things happened last night. Naraku nearly killed them all. Kohaku and the young girl are safe. The woman Kagome was rescued by Inuyasha and was taken away from here, she has returned to her friends." Kanna says, softly. "I see. Thank you for informing me, Kanna." Says Adrian. She then gets up and walks away, with Kanna following after her.
Inside the room Heiri and Ashuri are in. Heiri is lying over Ashuri. Ashuri is beginning to show movement, her clothing, mokomoko and hair is all dry by now.
Ashuri awakens, slowly, she seems to be unharmed though. Ashuri looks down at Heiri, her arms are badly burned. As soon as Ashuri moves herself, Heiri begins to stir a bit. "Heiri, come on. Wake up." Ashuri says.
Heiri opens her eyes, slowly, looking up at her. Heiri then moves herself off of Ashuri. "You alright, Ashuri? I didn't hurt you, did I?" Asks Heiri. "No, I'm alright. What about you?" Ashuri asks. Heiri rubs at her burns. "They're nothing too serious, they're just burns. They can easily be healed with my Water abilities. If I had any water to use." Says Heiri. "I'm sorry I burned you, Heiri." Ashuri says. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm fine see. I'm sorry I blasted you with water, Ashuri." Says Heiri. "It's alright, it was just water." Ashuri says. "Yes, but water is your weakness." Says Heiri. "I know. Just like fire is your weakness." Ashuri says. "I'm aware. So, how are we going to get out of here?" Asks Heiri. "I don't know. Naraku probably locked us in here." Ashuri says.
Outside. Adrian is walking around, Kanna is still following after her, staying near her. There's a strong scent of blood in the air.
Kohaku shows up and runs over to Adrian. Kohaku kneels down and bows to Adrian. "Mistress." Says Kohaku. "Kohaku, I'm glad to see you are unharmed and still alive. You may rise." Adrian says. Kohaku does as he's told. "Of course, Mistress." Says Kohaku.
Rin then runs over to them, too. "Rin, I see you are well." Adrian says. "Yes, I'm quite alright. Thank you." Says Rin. She quickly curtsies to Adrian. "You are a sweet young girl, Rin. I'm glad you are safe." Adrian says. She walks past them. Kanna, Rin and Kohaku all follow after Adrian.
Adrian soon approaches where Bankotsu and Nadia lie. Adrian kneels down near them. Adrian places one of her hands on Bankotsu's forehead first. "Mistress, is Bankotsu dead?" Asks Kohaku. "No, he's alive, but just barely. Jewel shard or not, he's in a lot of pain right now." Adrian says. She removes her hand from Bankotsu's forehead and then places it on Nadia's. "Is she dead?" Asks Rin. "No, Nadia's still alive, as well. She's just badly wounded." Adrian says. She takes her hand away. Adrian moves to lift Bankotsu up, having him lean on her, one arm over her shoulder.
Bankotsu winces, in pain, and then opens his eyes. Bankotsu looks over at Adrian. "You?" Asks Bankotsu. He winces, in pain, again. "Why are you helping me? I thought I was just a servant to you." Bankotsu says. "Is that how you feel, Bankotsu? Do you truly believe that I see you as one of my servants?" Asks Adrian. Bankotsu is struck silent by her words, he then looks away from her. "I don't know. I listen to you, don't I? I mean, I do what you say. I follow your demand." Bankotsu says. "And why do you, Bankotsu? Why do you see me that way?" Asks Adrian. Bankotsu thinks about it for a minute. "Well, Nadia and I were both assigned to follow in your command and we were also assigned to protect you at all costs." Bankotsu says. "But, who was it that assigned you to do so?" Asks Adrian. Bankotsu sighs. "It was Naraku who assigned us that way." Bankotsu says. "My point exactly." Says Adrian. "So, where are you taking me?" Bankotsu asks. "I'm taking you back to the temple so I can tend to your wounds, but so you can also rest yourself a little better." Says Adrian. She brings Bankotsu inside the temple and places him on the floor of the temple, carefully. "You just stay here and rest yourself. You will be safe in here." Adrian says. She gets up and turns to leave.
"Wait, where are you going now?" Asks Bankotsu.
Adrian turns to look at him from the corner of her eye. "I'm going back to get Nadia. I shall tend to her wounds, as well." Adrian says. She then leaves.
As soon as Adrian does, Bankotsu has remorse in his eyes. "I was wrong about her. I literally thought she didn't care about anyone, but I misjudged her. I should've realized it the moment I noticed how she treated Kohaku. I thought she was the feminine version of Naraku, but I was wrong. She's nothing like him at all." Bankotsu thinks to himself. He closes his eyes and rests himself a bit.
Adrian finds her way back to Nadia. Adrian lifts Nadia up, carefully, having her lean on her, one arm over her shoulder. Rin, Kohaku and Kanna follow alongside them.
Nadia awakens, slowly, and looks up at Adrian. "Mistress…?" Asks Nadia, weakly. "Are you going to question my assistance, as well?" Adrian asks. "What? No, of course not." Says Nadia. "Listen, I'm sorry this happened. I should have been able to stop Naraku from doing this." Adrian says. "Hey, listen to me. This is not your fault. Naraku's the one who did this, not you." Says Nadia. Adrian brings her inside the temple and places her on the mat on the floor, gently. "Just rest yourself." Adrian says. Nadia falls back to sleep, instantly.
Adrian then gets up and leaves, Kanna still following closely behind her. Kohaku and Rin follow on either side of Adrian. "Mistress, what are you going to do now?" Asks Kohaku. "I'm going to help Bankotsu and Nadia. Only, first I have to retrieve the remedy I gave to Inuyasha." Adrian says.
In the room Allie's in. Allie finally manages to wake up, the light of the sun is shining in her room. "I need to get out of here. I can't let Naraku manipulate me. I will get out of here, Naraku. I swear it I will. You can't keep me here forever." Allie thinks to herself.
Meanwhile, Adrian's still walking around outside, with the three young ones still following her.
As Adrian continues, a whirlwind appears and then ceases, revealing Koga. Koga approaches Adrian, not backing down one bit. "Koga, I see you're still able to move. I'm guessing your injuries aren't as serious." Says Adrian. Koga reaches a hand to his wounds. "These are nothing. I've been wandering around all night, in search of Naraku." Koga says. He falls to his knees and hands in front of Adrian, out of weakness and exhaustion. "Demoness, I need your help. My wounds have been getting worse." Says Koga. He collapses to the ground.
Adrian goes down to her knees, kneeling down to one knee. "Is he okay?" Kohaku asks. "Yes, he's just exhausted. He needs to rest, he's been up all night." Says Adrian. She moves to lift Koga up, having him lean on her, one arm over her shoulder. Koga's a little bit heavier for Adrian than what Bankotsu and Nadia were. Koga's about to fall out of Adrian's hold when someone else ends up assisting her with him.
When Adrian looks, Inuyasha is helping her out, despite his own injuries. "Inuyasha? I thought you despised Koga?" Adrian asks. "Don't worry I still do, but it looked like you were struggling with him. So I thought I could offer you my help." Says Inuyasha, sounding actually rather nice. "Thank you, Inuyasha." Adrian says. She and Inuyasha work together to bring Koga inside the temple that Bankotsu and Nadia lie asleep in.
They then place Koga down on the floor, gently, although Inuyasha kind of lets him fall. "There, now that we got puny wolf-boy in here. Lets go and get Sesshomaru." Says Inuyasha.
"Wait a minute, Inuyasha. You have your own injuries to look over. Please, just stay here with the others." Adrian says.
"Now who are you to start telling me what to do?!" Asks Inuyasha.
Adrian turns back to look over her shoulder at him.
Inuyasha is struck silent with what he sees in Adrian's eyes.
Adrian's looking at Inuyasha, with sympathetic eyes. "Please, Inuyasha. Just stay here and rest off your injuries." Adrian says.
Inuyasha doesn't know what to say, but he chooses his words very carefully. "Okay, I'll stay with them." Says Inuyasha.
Adrian then turns away from him and walks out, leaving the temple once again.
"She showed sympathy towards me, but why? What could she possibly understand about me? She's certainly not one of Naraku's incarnations. If she is, well, she's definitely not like his other incarnations." Inuyasha thinks to himself.
Adrian soon ends up reaching Sesshomaru, still clenched onto his sword. Adrian tries to place one of her hands near him, only Sesshomaru grabs a hold of her wrist instead.
Sesshomaru stands up to his feet, without a hassle. Sesshomaru still has a hold of Adrian's wrist though, his grip seems to have tightened a bit. Sesshomaru's eyes are hidden by his bangs. "Lord Sesshomaru, I see that you are well." Adrian says. Sesshomaru glances up at her, his eyes blood-red. "Sesshomaru?" Asks Adrian. Sesshomaru's eyes return to normal, he releases her and picks up the Tokijin, sheathing it. "My apologies for startling you, young demoness." Sesshomaru says. "You didn't really scare me, Lord Sesshomaru. You just confused me, that's all." Says Adrian. "So, you don't fear me then?" Sesshomaru asks. "Not really. I have seen more terrifying things than you, Lord Sesshomaru." Says Adrian. "I see." Sesshomaru says. He walks up to Adrian, standing a little too close for comfort. Sesshomaru towers over Adrian quite a bit. Sesshomaru then unexpectedly pulls Adrian closer, holding her close to himself. "Sesshomaru, what are you doing?" Asks Adrian. "What does it look like to you?" Sesshomaru asks. He pulls Adrian closer to himself, they're practically chest-to-chest with each other. Sesshomaru then pulls Adrian into a kiss.
Rin peers from behind the side of a house, she knows something isn't right. "I know my Lord, this is not him. He doesn't have feelings for Adrian. I mean, he cares about her, but Lord Sesshomaru doesn't have feelings of affection towards her. Lord Sesshomaru loves Ashuri." Rin thinks to herself.
Sesshomaru opens his eyes, once he does his eyes become blood-red again.
Rin notices this. "There's something wrong with Lord Sesshomaru." Rin thinks to herself.
Sesshomaru is reaching for his sword, Tokijin.
"He's going to kill her with the Tokijin." Rin thinks to herself.
This whole time, Adrian's been trying to push Sesshomaru away from herself, but his hold is stronger than hers. Sesshomaru finally stops kissing Adrian, glaring at her with his blood-red eyes. "Sesshomaru, you need to stop and let go of me!" Says Adrian. "What's a matter, I thought you had feelings for me?!" Sesshomaru asks. His voice is deeper than it usually is. "I don't like you this way! Besides, you love Ashuri, not me. Now, let go of me!" Says Adrian. "That demoness is not worth it!" Sesshomaru says. "Now I know this is Naraku's doing! That damn bastard! You wouldn't dare speak that way about Ashuri and you are not going to speak that way about her in front of me! Sorry about this, Sesshomaru. But this is for your own good!" Says Adrian. She claws Sesshomaru right in the face, where his markings are.
Sesshomaru releases Adrian, instantly, his cheek dripping blood. Adrian got Sesshomaru pretty good, only he's really mad now, his teeth are clenched. Sesshomaru turns to face Adrian, she's just as mad as he is. "You just summoned your own fate! I shall kill you for what you did!" Sesshomaru says, furiously.
"I'm sure you will!" Says Adrian.
Sesshomaru readies his claws, bringing out his poisonous whip.
The moment Sesshomaru does, Adrian seems slightly terrified. Not exactly of Sesshomaru, but of the whip.
Sesshomaru's about to lash Adrian with it, when Rin suddenly runs out and gets in between the two. "Lord Sesshomaru, please stop. Don't hurt her, my Lord." Rin says. She tries approaching Sesshomaru, only he hisses at her. Rin isn't showing any fear towards Sesshomaru. "My Lord, please." Says Rin. "You stay the hell away from me or I shall kill you, as well!" Sesshomaru says. He unsheathes his Tokijin, raising it up to slice Rin with it. Rin stops approaching Sesshomaru. "Lord Sesshomaru!" Says Rin. Sesshomaru slashes it at her.
Only, Adrian moves her out of the way in time, cradling her in her arms. "Rin, are you alright?" Adrian asks. Rin opens her eyes, looking up at her. "Yes, thank you." Says Rin. "Good. Now, go back to the temple. You shall be safer there." Adrian says. "Okay." Says Rin. She then runs in the direction of the temple.
Adrian stands up to face Sesshomaru again. Sesshomaru's already right there and slashes Adrian with the Tokijin. Adrian screams out, in pain. She clutches at her side and falls to her knees. Sesshomaru's standing over Adrian. "Now, die!" Sesshomaru says.
Before he brings down the Tokijin, Kagura appears flying on her giant feather. "Well, I see my plan is going off without a hitch. You'll be killed by Sesshomaru's hand and Naraku will agonize at your death." Says Kagura, fanning herself.
Adrian looks up at her, glaring right at her. "Kagura! You're the one who did this?! For what reason would you possibly have to gain?!" Adrian asks.
"It's simple really. I want to watch Naraku agonize and Sesshomaru was the perfect puppet to do so." Says Kagura. She readies her fan. "Now perish, Dance of Blades!" Kagura says. The attack is aiming towards both Adrian and Sesshomaru.
Adrian looks up at Sesshomaru, his eyes still blood-red. Adrian then moves herself and Sesshomaru out of the way of the attack. They both crash to the ground, Sesshomaru ended up hitting the back of his head, hard.
"You stubborn demoness!" Says Kagura.
Sesshomaru ends up waking up, his claws dig into Adrian's upper arm, his eyes are still blood-red. They then shortly return to normal, Sesshomaru's been freed of Kagura's control over him.
"Damn, he became free of my control." Kagura says. She takes off on her feather.
Sesshomaru removes his claws from Adrian's arm, blood dripping from the impact. Sesshomaru doesn't realize what just happened. Sesshomaru sits up and places Adrian down on the ground, gently. He then stands up and sheathes the Tokijin. "Demoness." Says Sesshomaru. He kneels down to one knee, trying to wake Adrian.
Inuyasha and Koga suddenly show up, making Sesshomaru back off. Inuyasha stands between them, while Koga crouches down next to Adrian. "I didn't think you'd stoop so low, Sesshomaru." Inuyasha says. "I didn't do it intentionally. I don't remember doing anything to her." Says Sesshomaru. "I'm sure it's quite obvious. You have the scent of her blood on you and she managed to get you pretty good. At least she was able to fight back." Koga says. Sesshomaru reaches his hand to his cheek, feeling the claw markings Adrian gave him. "Listen to me, whatever I did, I don't recall doing! However, I would never do anything to harm a demoness, unless she would end up trying to kill me." Says Sesshomaru.
"I'm alright, guys." Adrian says. All three of them look over at her, Koga helps her to sit up. Adrian then stands up on her own. "Don't worry, Lord Sesshomaru. I'm not one to hold a grudge." Says Adrian. She turns to walk away and heads towards the temple.
Koga then stands back up to his feet. "She's a very confusing demoness." Inuyasha says. "Yeah, but she's certainly not on Naraku's side. When we leave this place, I think we should take her with us." Says Koga. "One, there is no 'we', you scrawny wolf-boy. Once we're done here, we go back to hating each other and go our separate ways. And second of all, where would you take her?" Inuyasha asks. "Inuyasha actually has a point, for once. It would seem that as much as she wishes to leave Naraku, she doesn't want to leave here for some reason and I intend to find out why that is. However, once we're finished here, I take Rin with me and we're leaving. I'll be going right back to hunting you down, Inuyasha." Says Sesshomaru. He leaves, walking past both Inuyasha and Koga. "By the way, Inuyasha…" Sesshomaru says. He punches Inuyasha right in the face, knocking him to the ground. "What the hell was that for, Sesshomaru?!" Asks Inuyasha. "That was for last night!" Sesshomaru says. He then heads off, his mokomoko trailing behind himself.
Koga's laughing his guts out. "You had that comin', mutt-face. And the same goes for me. Once this is over, I'm goin' to be lookin' forward to kicking your butt again." Says Koga. He then walks off, with his hands on his hips.
"Damn you both! I can't stand either one of you! You both piss me off, you bastards!" Inuyasha says.
Later during the day, inside the temple. Adrian has finished tending to everyone's wounds with the healing remedy. Rin and Kohaku are fast asleep.
Nadia and Bankotsu are, too.
Inuyasha, Koga and Sesshomaru are still up.
"I've done all I can. Your wounds should be healed by morning tomorrow." Says Adrian. She hides the pouch behind her sash. Adrian's looking rather exhausted herself.
Inuyasha notices this. "You sure you're okay?" Inuyasha asks.
Adrian stands herself up to her feet. "Worried?" Asks Adrian, sarcastically.
"Curious." Inuyasha says.
"Right, well I'm fine, thank you. I must go now. Kanna, come." Says Adrian.
"Yes." Kanna says, softly. She follows after Adrian.
It's getting late in the night. Adrian enters one of the room's in Naraku's castle. Kanna's not following Adrian anymore and vanishes.
Adrian closes the door behind herself and walks off, exhausted. As she continues walking, Adrian doesn't notice that there's someone else in this room, as well.
It seems Allie managed to escape from the previous room she was in and found this one. Allie watches Adrian, as she makes her way to the bed that's in this room.
Adrian instantly falls onto the bed, exhausted.
Allie then gets up and walks over to Adrian, quietly. "Sister…" Says Allie, softly. Adrian is already fast asleep. "She's alright. That's good." Allie thinks to herself. She lies herself against Adrian, gently, lying slightly on her upper back and she falls asleep. Allie's been reunited with her sister, she's happy and feels safe, for now.