Author's note: Starting from the next chapter I will be following the original's plot. Therefore, I will try my best not to screw everything up. So yeah, wish me luck.

"..." Normal chat

ABC Thought

CHAPTER 7

Right now I, together with Rin and Jaken are traveling through the air on Ah-Un's back, having Sesshomaru's leading in the front.

"U-uhm Sesshomaru-sama?"

I call to him when we're gliding side by side and he glances at me. Getting embarrassed, I slightly bow to him to apologize for causing another trouble.

"Thank you, for saving me earlier. I'm really appreciate it."

To be honest, back there in the youkai's cave I was still having a huge doubt about his sanity, and that he wouldn't come back to save a stranger, and a human no less, like me.

Obviously because Sesshomaru, who is a cold and heartless monster, with a mindset that every living's lives are lowly and not worth wasting his time for. Except for Rin and Jaken(?)

However after experiencing what has happened, I have changed my point of view about him...Just a bit though.

"Hn" Is the only thing he has in return and Jaken comments, having his arms warped up to his chest. "Hmph! Is that all you have to offer for Sesshomaru-sama saving your lowly life?!"

"I thanked him, didn't I? What else do you want me to do?"

Cannot stand any more of his ridiculous nagging, I huff and earns another Hmph! from him.

"Onee-chan, Where did you get that?"

Rin, who is curious about the object in my hand, slightly touches it.

"Oh this? I found it at the youkai's nest back then."

I raise it up, reveals to be a long red Naginata.

"A Naginata? Do you know how to wield it?"

"Of course I am! Just so you know I joined a Naginata club back when I was still in junior high."

Except I've never use this for a single real life situation back in my home place. And now we are talking about self-defense in the middle of a world full of youkai here...

Oh well, it's still better having a weapon by my side to slash something, or at least be able to threaten anything than having nothing.

"Club? Junior high? What are those?"

Rin's head tilts by those yet to be existent words.

"They are places where people gathering together to learn about many things and share one's experience of something to another."

Soon after the conversation ends, Sesshomaru picks an empty space on the ground to land on, which I suspect it will be our next resting spot. As usual, Sesshomaru settles himself under a huge tree and drifts into his own world.

"What a joke, as if a weakling like you can harm anything. Talking about a youkai. Hah!"

As if having just heard a joke, Jaken snickers. Although what he has said isn't wrong, they still give quite an itch to the ears.

Once done helping Rin to gets down on her feet, I silently approach him from behind and Jaken immediately stays on his guard.

"What are you trying to do?!"

Without warning, I whack him in the head with the Naginata's body and he yelps in pain.

"Bweh!"

Tears flow out of the corner of his eyes and he rubs his head, yelling at my face. "Why you…What was that for?!"

"Does it hurt?"

I squat down before Jaken, pretending to pity him.

"Of course it is! What do you think?!"

"If it is then that means it works, to some youkai, at least!"

Watching his face turning red and about to erupt, I grin viciously and give Rin a gentle push to the opposite direction to go find ourselves some fruits.

"How dare you insolent human! Using me as a practice dummy! I'm going to kill you! You-"

From the back, Jaken keeps throwing tantrum and prepare to charge at me.

"Jaken, enough."

And his rampage only stops when Sesshomaru orders him to calm down.

Within the forest.

We begin our search from small branches up on the trees to the bushes below. Luckily, I spot some red apples and start snatching them off to take a bite.

Good, they are edible.

With that, I gather some more that enough for three people to eat. Just in case either Jaken or Sesshomaru wants any. Suddenly Rin rushes over to my side and shows some pretty bright red round berries inside her palms.

"Onee-chan! Look!"

And I stare at the suspicious fruits, somewhat having an uneasy feeling about them. Don't they look a bit…dangerous?

"Rin, are you sure they're safe to eat?"

Then I earn a confident nod from her. "Yep! I've tried them many times before! I think!"

You think…? Just to make sure, I pick one up to examine. It does look ripe enough to eat and does have a similar look to wild cherries, no wonder Rin's confused by it.

I haven't seen this type of fruit before, not in my school book at least... Now I feel even more regret not reading more about these kind of things back home.

"Have you tasted any of them yet?"

Seeing she shakes her head in response, I sigh in relief.

"Not yet! I snatch them from the bush and bring it here right away! Aren't they pretty?"

"Very. But perhaps that is why it isn't suppose to be eaten? How about we throw them away?"

Since none of us can be certain whether these fruits are safe to consume, I try to convince Rin to get rid of them. Stating that these apples that I have collected are enough for us to get by.

"Nuh uh! I want to keep and eat them!"

Yet she refuses to listen and hides them behind her back, shaking her head vigorously. It almost as if Rin would run off the moment I try to snatch them away from her.

Figures that it's impossible to explain for Rin to understand. I have no choice but to try out my final option, which isn't going to be pleasant.

"A-Alright how about this. I will try one and if it's not edible. We forget about them, okay?"

Only then she nods, carefully I take a small bite at the berry and chew slowly. The texture is fine but its taste hits me hard to the brain. What the heck?! Too sour and bitter!

"Definitely not edible!"

I spit it out and wipe my lips continuously. Telling Rin to get rid of the rest of the berries in her palms.

"Awww, okay."

The girl pouts but obliges. Thanks god...

"Come on, let's get going."

I say, making my way toward to our resting spot. Unbeknown to me, Rin has sneaked some of the pretty berries on the ground into one of her pocket before getting back with me.

Around two hours later...

While sitting with Rin, suddenly I feel dizzy.

"Onee-chan, what's wrong?"

Aware my uneasiness, Rin asks me as I try to lay down onto the ground to rest.

Why do I feel so hot and cold at the same time? and my mouth feels so dry too. To make thing worse, pain is coming like waves from the inside of my stomach.

Must have gotten food poisoned. But from what?

Holding back the urge to throw up, I look at Rin. Her face is starting to look fuzzy but at least she doesn't seem to be suffering like I do. If she's totally fine then... It must be the berry's fault!

"Onee-chan! Your skin is burning!"

Concerned, Rin touches my hand and gasps in shock as they are now burning hot.

"What now?"

Notices there's a ruckuss, Jaken approaches us.

"I don't know, Jaken-sama. She suddenly collapses."

Rin turns panic, not knowing what to do to help.

"I..think...It's because of…something I've eaten…"

And I whimper, hugging myself into a ball.

"Didn't I see you two ate apples together just now? How come Rin's totally fine but you're not?!"

Suddenly realizes his shadows on the ground turns bigger than normal. Jaken spins around and finds Sesshomaru is standing right behind them. "Sesshomaru-sama!"

"This girl is..."

Before Sesshomaru can even finish asking, Jaken chimes in. "I think she got food poisoned, Sesshomaru-sama."

Then he turns to urge me to perform some self-healing. "Why don't you just cure yourself like you normally do?"

Just because my body can regenerate doesn't mean I can cure myself from poisonous, you idiot!

I cringe, wanting to yell that into his face but the pain in my throat and stomach are too much to even move a muscle. "Sorry, I… cannot…do that"

Her ability isn't working against sickness and poisons. It seems that she's not as flawless as I thought she would be.

And Sesshomaru keeps staring at her, totally being nonchalant about her suffering.

"Uhm...Sesshomaru-sama? It's true that we did eat some apples together earlier but this was actually the first thing that she tried. Perhaps it's the cause."

Rin approaches and shows him a bright red berry in her hand. Then Sesshomaru takes it and departs into the air. Quickly, Jaken jumps up and grabs the white fluffy thing to get carried away with him. Leaving Ah-Un behind to watch over us.

"Urg!"

I yelp in pain again. Now that it's gotten up to my head and my ears can't even identify any sound anymore. Soon, my consciousness gives up on me as Rin's image and voice slowly fade away.

"Onee-chan, hang in there! Sesshomaru-sama will surely find a way to help you!"

Some time later.

Sesshomaru returns with Jaken by his side. And for some reasons, Jaken doesn't look so happy.

"Jaken."

Seeing him hesitate to move, Sesshomaru urges and he reluctantly nod. Approaching the girls and hands Rin a small warped brown paper bag, while glancing at Shiomi, who seems to have fallen into slumber.

We had to go into human village just to find a cure for this one girl?!

Jaken's irritated after witness his lord special treatment toward to a complete stranger. Back then, even Sesshomaru has threatened to slice the doctor in pieces if he provided them the wrong medicine.

"Where did you get these, Jaken-sama?"

Meanwhile Rin's surprised to find the bag is full of dried herbal medicine.

As Jaken's about to open his mouth to to answer, he notices Sesshomaru's sharp glare is aiming at him. As if they're threatening him not to mention a single thing.

"I found it! Now hurry up and give them to her!"

Still, Rin looks between the bag and him. Confused. "But Jaken-sama, we need fire to boil water."

"Arg! Fine! Whatever, I will lend ya a hand! Go gather some water! Don't forget to take Ah-Un with you, it's faster and safer that way."

Only waiting for that answer, Rin jumps onto Ah-Un's back and fly away. While Sesshomaru takes a seat under the tree and stares into distant again. While Jaken can only sigh and starts collecting the branches scattering around him. For god's sake... this girl, bringing nothing but trouble to us.

The next day.

After the horrendous nightmare, I finally be able to move some muscles and open my eyes.

"Onee-chan, You're awake!"

And Rin's face is the first thing to jump into my view. Her smile is as bright as ever.

"Rin? How long have I been sleeping?"

Exhausted from that crazy fever, everything's still hazy to me.

"You have been unconscious for a whole day! How are you feeling now?"

Therefore she explains while helping me to sits up. For some reasons my body feels lighter and it's not in pain anymore.

Even if having fallen asleep for that long, I couldn't just magically cured myself from food poisoning, right?

"Did you call a doctor to cure me?"

"Nuh uh. It was Jaken-sama who brought back the medicine when you collapsed."

Rin points at Jake, who is sitting by himself under a tree some steps away.

"Jaken?! Are you serious?"

My eyes widened by the shocking information.

"Yup! He was the one who gave me this."

Then she shows me a brown paper bag in her hands. A faint scent of dried herb is coming out of it and there are still some leftovers. Wow, he did that for me? Unbelievable...

"So the human's awake, huh?"

Speak about the devil, Jaken approaches us to check on my condition, with an annoying manner, as always. Seeing me keep staring at him, his eyebrow raises.

"What? Ya have something to say?"

Embarrassed, I look away and murmurs under my breath but still enough for him to hear. "Uh...T-Thanks..."

Yet Jaken moves his ear closer, acting as if he hasn't heard anything.

"Huh?! What was that?"

I swear he's doing this on purpose! Annoyed by his arrogant attitude, I take a deep breath and shout into his little ear to make him suffer.

"I said... THANK YOU, JAKEN-SAMA!"

As expected, the annoying servant falls backward by the sudden change in volume and covers his ears in pain.

"D-Damn you! Is that how you pay appreciation to your life savior?! You ungrateful little brat!"

"Fine, whatever. Sorry."

I turn away when Jaken's about to explode like a volcano. However instead of bursting out his anger, he just spins around and stomps away. Much to our surprises.

Why Sesshomaru-sama had to go that far just for her! When we could have just easily left!

Jaken stops at his old spot flops down. Shifting his head slightly toward to Sesshomaru, whose eyes have been watching him from the very beginning of their conversation, and sigh.

It's so hard to figuring out what Sesshomaru-sama is thinking. He isn't considering to keep this strange girl with him, is he?

One week later.

On one usual morning.

It's been a week since I've left home already, how fast.

Watching the white clouds floating away from the high cliff of a remote mountain, I let out a sigh of boredom. Apparently, Sesshomaru has led us here earlier in the morning and left on his own once again.

"There's nothing to play here."

Sitting on the ground next to Ah-Un, Rin's pouting for having nothing but rocks and wild grasses to play with.

"Quit whining! We're here to investigate, not to play!"

Annoyed by her overly playfulness and constant nagging, Jaken yells.

"But what is there to investigate in such a remote place?"

Curious about the reason we're here. I ask him. Yet Jaken shifts his head away to avoid seeing my face. Why does this guy have to be always so grumpy?

"Whatever it is. That is none of your stinky human business!"

Oh well, at least he doesn't ignore me completely and answers my question.

"Fine by me then."

Guessing that there is nothing for me to do here either, I take a book out of my backpack to entertain myself. Except something appears right in front of my eyes and stops me from doing so.

Hey, that looks like a….

The creature sits just right behind Rin, looks exactly like the fox from before at the shrine. It's definitely that sneaky little thing! But why is it here? Did it follow me?

Awared that I have somehow noticed its presence, the white fox turns around and runs off. Quickly, I throw my backpack to Rin and take the Naginata with me to chase after it.

"Stay here! I need go somewhere real quick!"

"Onee-chan, where are you going? Onee-chan!"

Rin calls for me but I have already gone out of sight. While Jaken can only shouts to the nothingness. "Hey you! Where do you think you're going!"

...

That's odd, as if it disappears into thin air or something.

After following the fox for god knows how long, I end up losing its sight. Along with my conscious about my whereabouts.

Oh great, now I'm lost.

What a perfect time to test my amazing sense of direction. Taking a quick scan all over the place and unfortunatley, everything looks the same to me. Best I can identify right now is rocks, unfamiliar dead end, tree, and more trees

...Hm? A monk?

Then I spot an unfamiliar man in monk's clothes with a traditional straw hat on his head and a bronze staff in his hand, making his way through the rocky route not too far away.

"Excuse me, sir!"

Without thinking, I approach him from behind and he pauses, turns around to greet me with a polite bow.

"Good morning miss. What are you doing here, in such a remote place?"

Quickly I bow to him in return and ask for direction.

"H-Hello! I..Uh.. Kind of got lost. May I ask if you know the way to get down this mountain?"

"I see... You want to get to the mountain's feet, huh..."

He nods in understanding and responds in something that I've been waiting to hear. "Just your luck, I'm on my way to the shrine at the foot of this mountain. How about you accompany me?"

Yes! So much yes! Look likes I'm not totally doomed!

"Really? Thank you so much!"

"The pleasure is mine. Say, you aren't from around here, are you?"

Notices my strange outfit, he comments. And I flutter, immediately find an excuse.

"U-uhm, that's right! I came here from a faraway land to visit my relatives. A-Anyway! Shall we go?"

After wasting more time walking, the surrounding changes but doesn't look like how I expect it will be. Confused, I ask him. "Are you sure we're going the right way? It seems like we're going up not going down."

"Ho ho, It seems to be like that at first for first-timer. But we will reach to the mountain's feet soon."

Or so he states. Perhaps he's right about me not being used to this place. Still, something inside telling me that it's just not that simple.

"But there's even mist surrounds us now. Are you sure that's normal?"

"Yes. That's mean we're getting close. Come on, this way."

Therefore he nods and fasten his steps. While I'm struggling behind trying to catch up with his sudden change of speed. How can a human walk that fast?!

Soon after we reach to a small, old looking shrine. And just as I've guessed, we're now standing on top of the mountain, instead of its foot.

Seeing me stop in front the shrine's gate and hesitate to go in. The monk urges me. "What's wrong? Come inside."

"No sir, I'm good. On second thought. I think I will head back to find another route. I'm really appreciate for your help earlier."

Getting uneasy feeling about this shady of a monk, I refuse his invitation and turns around. In instant, my arm's grabbed from behind.

"Why in a hurry? How about you rest here for a while, then I will lead you back later."

His strong grip makes me flinch.

"There is no need to. Beside, I need to leave now so can you let me go?"

I try to get away from him but failed. Suddenly, the monk laughs manically. "Heh heh heh."

Such strange reaction catches me off guard. "What's so funny?"

"You're going to stay here, little girl. Whether you like it or not."

All of sudden he transforms into a black crow, as big as a human being that looks a lot like a Tengu. In reflex, I slash him on the stomach with the Naginata on my other hand to push him away.

"Ack!"

Unfortunately he dodges, but at least it makes him let go. Taking that chance to escape, I backtrack toward to the old route. However, more of them appear and cover my only exit. What?! There's more?!

"Quick! Corner her!"

While I'm still struggling against several Tengu at the same time, one with a fancy hat on his head orders. And within a mere second, I'm surrounded by a bunch of Tengu at the end of the area.

"There's nowhere else to run now, little girl. Better give yourself up to us!"

I keep my defensive stance, looking around for an exit and my eyes soon land onto the end of the cliff.

Guess there's no other choice but to jump.

A crazy idea pops up inside my mind and without hesitation, I take a faithful leap off the mountain, leaving the Tengu behind watching the scene in shock.

"That girl is crazy!"

"What are you all waiting for?! You have wings, don't you?! Catch her!"

Annoyed by their dumb reactions, the leader orders and the others quickly follow.

Jeeze, they don't know when to give up, do they.

I shut my eyes and hope to get to the bottom as soon as possible. And a few second later my wish's granted, though the ground's is much comfortable than I thought it would be.

Huh? Isn't that a little too fast to reach the bottom?

Turns out it isn't rock that I landed on but Sesshomaru, who has caught me with into his arm.

"Sesshomaru-sama?!"

Surprised, I almost shout into. How does he know that I'm here?!

Oh right, I almost forgot he has sharp noses…

I stare at his expressionless face as fear's taking over my curiosity. He's mad, isn't he? Cause I left the group on my own without permission and such..

Then I realize his left sleeve is flapping within the strong wind. Did he lose his left arm? I wonder what happened to it.

"Hand her over! Or we're going to kill you too!"

Finally catching up to us, the Tengu's leader points at me and demands for my return.

"Try if you dare."

Sesshomaru smirks and draws out one of the swords at his hips. Surrounding us right now are at least twenty of these guys and he sure can be confident.

"Get 'em!"

Angered by his cocky response, it shouts and they all launch forward. However, just by a single swing, Sesshomaru destroys more than 3 Tengu at once. A minute gone by and more than half of the pack have been eliminated. Much to the leader's terror.

Jeeze, and I thought he's already shown too much back at the orge's cave. But this is definitely a whole new level.

The scene looks as if coming straight out of a action/supernatural movie. Seriously, this guy has never ceased to amaze me...

"Everyone, hurry! Retreat!"

Figured that he has activated a killing machine, the tengu gestures his subordinates to withdraw.

"Don't even think about running away from me."

Still having fun, Sesshomaru chases after him instead of the rest of his pack.

"Please don't kill me! I didn't- Gyah!"

The others cry in pain as the terrifying youkai slashes his way to their leader, for a split of a second I can see their frightened expressions before being completely destroyed under Sesshomaru's sword.

I know it's really unbelievable and ridiculous to say this but... I kind of feel bad for them... Just kind of.

After a while of thinking through and through. I finally take up my courage to open my lips to call him.

"Sesshomaru-sama...Uhm... I'm alright and their leader has already ordered them to retreat. So there is no reason for you to chase after them, is there?"

Hearing so Sesshomaru instantly glances at me, a glimpse of surprise can be seen in his eyes.

"Beside, Rin and Jaken must be worried sick by now. How about we head back?"

I try to clam him down, having expected that my plead wouldn't be working out to him that easily. However seconds later I feel his movement gradually slows down before completely stops. Much to my surprise.

Eh? He actually listen to me?

And we stand there watching them running away for their life until they completely disappear into the mountain up ahead before flying away.

"I am sor-."

While attempting to apologize for leaving the pact earlier, Sesshomaru cuts me off.

"Bring Ah-Un when you are going to wander off again."

This time he actually speaks a proper sentence this time. Too shocked by his sudden permission, I almost bite my own tongue but still manage to respond correctly.

"Y-yes, I will. Thank you Sesshomaru-sama!"

Right after he leaves me hanging with his dead silence. Not a surprise I guess, he did speak to me more than he *suppose* to be...

I let go of him as soon as we reach to our old spot. Once Rin sees me, she rushes over to my side.

"Onee-chan! Where did you run off to?! We were so worried!"

"Who says that I'm worried?!"

Hearing so, Jaken shouts from afar to fix her.

"Where did you go, Onee-chan?"

Rin asks me and I glance back and forth between Sesshomaru and Jaken. Trying to find the most suitable response in order not to cause a fuss.

"Nowhere specifically. I went to search for a toilet then couldn't find my way back. Luckily, Sesshomaru-sama appeared to guide me here."

"Cheh! Human." After listening my lame excuse, Jaken huffs but at least he caught the bite perfectly. Wow I can't believe he actually falls for that.

Once everything is settled, Sesshomaru leaps into the air again. Figures what his lord's up to, Jaken points his staff to me and Rin.

"We're done here. Let's get going."

Huh, that fast? But we just got back.

"Come on, onee-chan!"

Rin grabs my hand, excited to be able to get out of this boring place. And I follow her onto Ah-Un's back to continue on our bizarre journeys.