Chapter 21:
Out in the deep forest. Koga and Allie have gone ahead of the others. They then suddenly stop.
Inuyasha and Heiri are close behind them.
Ashuri and Sesshomaru on the other hand took to the skies, following them from high above.
"What is it, Koga?" Allie asks. "I lost Naraku's scent. I had it, but I just recently lost it. It's almost like he vanished." Says Koga. "What? Your nose isn't working right, you useless wolf?" Inuyasha asks. "Willya shut up?! No one asked you, you filthy mutt!" Says Koga. "Come here and say that to my face, you mangy wolf!" Inuyasha says. Koga bashes him in the head, easily, causing a bump to form. "How's that for an answer, mutt-face?!" Asks Koga. Inuyasha slugs him right in the face. "There's my answer, damn you!" Inuyasha says.
Sesshomaru and Ashuri both land on the ground. "Such child's play." Says Sesshomaru. "I agree." Ashuri says. "Did you sense anything from up there?" Asks Heiri. "No, I didn't sense anything out of the ordinary." Ashuri says. "Well, Koga lost Naraku's scent. So, I'm afraid our search has gone cold." Says Allie. Sesshomaru's attention is focused on something else. Ashuri instantly notices. "Is something wrong, Sesshomaru?" Ashuri asks. "The scent of human blood." Says Sesshomaru. "Lead the way then." Allie says. "Very well." Says Sesshomaru. He runs off where the scent of blood is coming from.
Ashuri and the others follow after Sesshomaru.
The scent of blood leads them to the hut of the priestess, also known as Jordan and Nadia's mother.
Sesshomaru stops when he reaches the hut.
Ashuri and the others stop short of Sesshomaru. "This is where the scent is coming from." Sesshomaru says. "Wait, I recognize this scent of blood." Says Ashuri. She runs towards the hut and heads inside.
When she does, Ashuri finds Nadia lying on the floor. Ashuri kneels down over Nadia and places her hands on her shoulders. "Nadia, are you alright?" Ashuri asks. She lifts Nadia up, holding her close to herself. Nadia's still unconscious and the side of her head is still bleeding.
Heiri and Allie soon join Ashuri on either side of Nadia. "Nadia…?" Asks Heiri. "If she's here, that means Adrian's been here." Allie says.
Jordan suddenly comes to and starts approaching them, her tail ready to strike.
Ashuri sees it coming from the corner of her eye. "Heiri, look after Nadia." Says Ashuri. "Okay, I can do that." Heiri says. Ashuri stands up, while she kneels down beside Nadia. Ashuri and Allie both turn to deal with this. "Who are you?" Asks Allie.
"I'm Jordan, I'm a dragon demoness."
"You're only a half-demoness." Ashuri says.
"What's your point? You shouldn't even be here, this is my mom's home." Says Jordan. She sends her tail straight at them.
They both dodge out of the way.
"Heiri, get Nadia out of here and meet us outside." Allie says.
"Sure thing." Says Heiri. She lifts Nadia up and carries her on her back, running out of there.
Jordan sends a bolt of lightning straight towards Allie.
Kanna suddenly appears in front of Allie, her mirror held out in front of herself. "Kanna." Allie says. The lightning bolt hits the mirror and deflects back at Jordan.
Jordan is then hit with her own attack, sending her falling backwards.
Ashuri walks over to Kanna and Allie. "So much power in one little girl." Says Ashuri. "I don't think its Kanna alone. I think she gets her abilities from her mirror." Allie says. "Still, she's powerful for someone her age." Says Ashuri. "Come on, lets go." Allie says.
Kanna walks away from them, glancing down at Nadia's weapon. "Nadia's Glaive shouldn't stay here. She will need her weapon." Says Kanna, softly.
"Kanna's right, Nadia shall need her weapon." Ashuri says. She walks over towards Kanna and picks up the Glaive. "Lets go, Kanna." Says Allie. She walks out of there.
Kanna and Ashuri follow after Allie.
When they're outside. Heiri is holding Nadia close to herself, while the guys are separated from each other.
Bankotsu and Kohaku step out from the shadows of the forest.
"Bankotsu? Kohaku?" Inuyasha asks.
"Relax, we didn't come to fight. We came as messengers. Naraku's scheme will be executed in three days, during the night of the full moon." Says Bankotsu.
"And he wants us to know this why?" Koga asks.
"Because if any of you interfere during the night of the full moon, our mistress will pay the consequences." Says Kohaku.
Bankotsu walks over to Nadia and lifts her up, cradling her in his arms. "When the sun rises the day after the night of the full moon, then he'll allow you to try and defeat him. He also said if you want to try rescuing our mistress during that night, then so be it. He'll be looking forward to your decisions." Bankotsu says. He then walks back over to Kohaku, taking Nadia with him. "Kanna must come with us now." Says Kohaku.
Kanna walks over to him and Bankotsu. "So long." Bankotsu says. Him and Kanna leave, heading into the deep forest.
Kohaku walks over to Ashuri. "I'll take Miss. Nadia's Glaive, please." Says Kohaku. Ashuri hands him the Glaive, being able to actually carry the weapon. "Thanks, Miss. Ashuri." Kohaku says. He whistles.
Entei comes flying towards him, at a very fast speed. Kohaku manages to jump onto Entei's back and get a good hold on his mane. "Bye, guys." Says Kohaku. Him and Entei are soon long gone.
"So, what do we do now?" Koga asks. "I don't know, we can't trust Naraku's word. We have to do something." Says Allie. "Maybe we can get to Naraku's hideout before the night of the full moon." Heiri says. "How? Naraku's castle was destroyed, so who knows where his new hideout is." Says Inuyasha.
"Try looking at Mt. Hakurei." Kagura says.
They all turn to see her walk out from the shadows of the woods. "Kagura?!" Asks Koga. "What the hell are you doing here?!" Inuyasha asks.
"You wanted to know where Naraku's hiding, didn't you? Well, now I told you. He's hiding at Mt. Hakurei." Says Kagura.
"Why are you telling us this?" Heiri asks. "You're one of Naraku's incarnations. So, why help us?" Asks Ashuri. "Because she despises Naraku and wishes to be free of him. She's told me this before and even asked me for my help once." Sesshomaru says.
"You didn't even try to help me, you refused to do so!" Says Kagura.
Allie walks up to her, without any hesitation. "I heard enough out of you! If you wanted to escape from Naraku, then why didn't you just leave?!" Allie asks. She approaches Kagura, she's actually making her feel very small right now. "Why should we believe you, anyway?! You work for Naraku and he tells nothing but lies! What makes you any different from him?!" Asks Allie. "You wouldn't understand! None of you would ever understand what I go through! My life is nothing but misery! Dance of…!" Kagura says. Allie moves to defend herself, only she doesn't finish the attack.
When Allie looks, Kagura seems quite terrified, she has a sharp object pressed against her back, ready to impale her. Kagura lowers her fan and turns to face Adrian. Adrian has the So'unga now aimed at Kagura's chest. "I see you managed to survive the destruction of Naraku's castle, as well. However, it seems I shall not be able to end your life even if I do stab you through right now." Says Adrian. Kagura is trembling right now, she closes her eyes and falls to her knees before her. "Please, be reasonable." Kagura says. "Reasonable, with you? If I recall, you tried to manipulate Lord Sesshomaru to try and kill me just so you could watch Naraku agonize at my death." Says Adrian. Kagura looks over at Sesshomaru, who apparently heard what she said.
Sesshomaru's glaring right at Kagura.
Kagura then looks back up at Adrian. "You have also attacked Allie twice, nearly killing her the second time. You attacked Entei, injuring him. And you also came very close to hurting and even killing Rin. Shall I continue?" Adrian asks. "Okay, I get it. You made your points. Just let me live and I'll never try to kill you again." Says Kagura. "I find that very hard to believe." Adrian says. "Fine, then what are you waiting for? Your sword is in the right position, so stab me through and kill me already. Use your wings, too, if you so desire." Says Kagura. "If only it were that easy." Adrian says. She takes her So'unga away from Kagura's chest and starts walking away, returning her sword to its sheath, that hangs at her left hip.
"Wait, so you're not going to kill me?" Asks Kagura.
"Killing you would be pointless. Besides, your heart is in Naraku's possession." Adrian says.
Kagura stands back up to her feet. "You don't have the heart to kill me, do you? As much as you despise me, you can't kill me even if you wanted to." Says Kagura.
"You should be grateful that she didn't kill you!" Allie says.
"You're lucky she even showed you any mercy at all, Kagura." Says Ashuri. "That's right, feel obliged that she's going to let you live." Heiri says.
"This doesn't concern any of you right now! Adrian… Or Mistress, whatever you prefer me to address you by. Why do you choose to not end my life, end my suffering?" Asks Kagura.
"Like I said before. There is no point in killing you. Besides, I would prefer not having your blood stained on my So'unga's blade." Adrian says.
"Or did you just figure it out… Mother?" Asks Kagura.
Adrian stops and looks at her from the corner of her eye. "Kagura, I shall only tell you this once. I am not your mother. So, don't ever address me as such again." Adrian says.
"See, you can't face the truth that like Kanna. I am the daughter of you and Naraku." Says Kagura.
"Or so you have decided to tell yourself." Adrian says. She turns to face Kagura. "You are no daughter of mine, Kagura. You are nothing more than an incarnation of Naraku." Says Adrian.
"Then explain the wind powers that I possess. I surely didn't require these powers from Naraku." Kagura says.
"Naraku created you as the 'Wind Sorceress' for a reason. You are Kagura of the Wind, Naraku created you to be able to combat Inuyasha's Wind Scar attack. Besides, you use a fan to help aid your wind powers. Me, on the other hand, I can use the wind with a simple snap of my fingers." Says Adrian.
"Details, details. You're just trying to hide it and deny it, but just except the truth that I am your daughter." Kagura says.
"So, I take it you believe that all of Naraku's other incarnations, Goshinki, Juromaru, Kageromaru and Muso were all my sons, as well?" Asks Adrian.
"Yes, it's a big possibility. You see, Kanna is your birth daughter that you already know." Kagura says.
"Yes, Kanna is the only daughter and pup that I have." Says Adrian.
"So, Kanna is Adrian's daughter?" Heiri asks. "It seems that way." Says Inuyasha. "Well, the fact that she's calling Kanna her pup, it must be true." Koga says.
"Now that I think about it. Kanna gets her facial features from Adrian." Says Allie.
"Anyway, yes it is true that I am different from Kanna. Since Naraku got you pregnant with Kanna and you in a way delivered her. She's the birth daughter between you and Naraku." Kagura says.
"You don't have to remind me, I know this already. I was there, after all." Says Adrian.
"Only I was created in a different way. Yes, it is true that I was created from Naraku's flesh. But I was also created from your flesh, too. The same happened with Goshinki, Kageromaru, Juromaru and Muso." Kagura says.
"Alright, something you need to know about that. Muso, Juromaru, Kageromaru and Goshinki were all created from Naraku himself. While you were created from both of us. So, yes. In a way, I was involved in your creation, but I didn't deliver you like I did with Kanna." Says Adrian.
"I'm still a part of your flesh." Kagura says.
"That doesn't make you my daughter. That just makes you an incarnation of both Naraku and I." Says Adrian.
"You're a stubborn demoness! I choose to believe what I think is true!" Kagura says.
"That's probably the only thing we do have in common." Says Adrian.
"Damn you! Dance of Blades!" Kagura says.
A barrier suddenly appears, blocking her attack from hitting Adrian.
"What? You put a barrier around yourself?!" Asks Kagura.
"I did no such thing. This barrier isn't mine anyway." Adrian says.
Kagura gasps. "Naraku's barrier. He's protecting you, isn't he?! Only, he's protecting you for a reason and I will find out what it is." Says Kagura.
Kanna suddenly appears within the barrier. "Mother, you are well?" Kanna asks, softly. "Yes, Kanna. I'm fine." Says Adrian.
Naraku then appears, standing between her and Kanna.
"Naraku." Kagura says.
"Kagura, what she has told you is the truth. She isn't your mom and I am not your dad. You may have been created from the flesh of both of us, but you are not considered our daughter. You are simply just an incarnation of the both of us. Kanna is our only daughter. Have I made myself clear?" Asks Naraku, sternly.
"Yes, Naraku, you have. I understand." Kagura says.
"That's what I thought. Now Kagura, head to Mt. Hakurei. We'll see you there." Says Naraku.
"Very well, Naraku." Kagura says. She takes off one of her feather hair ornaments and summons a gust of wind, taking off on a huge feather.
"Now, as for the rest of you. The night of the full moon will be here in three days, can you reach Mt. Hakurei before then? We shall see, won't we?" Asks Naraku. He and Kanna both turn to leave.
"Adrian, don't go with him. Please, just come with us and we'll fight to keep him away from you." Allie says.
"I will be alright, Allie. I shall be waiting for you at Mt. Hakurei. Farewell." Says Adrian. She turns to follow after Naraku and Kanna. The three of them then vanish.
"I guess, we're going to Mt. Hakurei then?" Heiri asks. "Yeah, I believe that's where we're heading." Says Koga. "How long will it take us to get to Mt. Hakurei?" Ashuri asks. "If we time it right and leave first thing tomorrow morning. It'll take us three days to get there." Says Inuyasha.
"So, we could end up getting there before nightfall?" Allie asks.
"If we don't encounter any traps of Naraku that can delay our timing. Then yes, we could get there before nightfall and before the full moon appears." Says Sesshomaru. "Then lets get some rest. We can leave first thing tomorrow morning." Koga says. "Only first, Heiri and I need to head back to Kaede's village." Says Inuyasha. "Why's that, Inuyasha?" Heiri asks. "'Cause we're going to need Miroku, Sango and Kagome to help us out." Says Inuyasha. "Oh, okay. We'll be back shortly with some friends." Heiri says. She and Inuyasha then take off, heading back towards Kaede's village.