Quick note: This chapter is a combination of episode 96 and 99.
"..." Normal chat
ABC Thought
CHAPTER 9
Somewhere within the forest
Surprisingly after the event, Sesshomaru didn't question me anything related to Kagome nor Inuyasha and acted as if nothing had happened. Not sure whether he just didn't bother or his suspicious of my motive/identity was silently increasing...
Traveling through the woods as usual with Sesshomaru's taking the lead. Rin's riding Ah-Un's back and I walk next to her, Jaken's being the furthest from behind.
Everything's all nice and quiet until Rin's stomach rumbles and she covers her stomach in embarrassment.
"Let's see if I still have some snacks in my bag."
Therefore I begin to search my backpack. Unfortunately, there is nothing left and I totally forget to restock. Guess we have no choice but to search for some food here.
"Sesshomaru-sama! I'm hungry, may I go and look for something to eat?"
Rin calls Sesshomaru to ask for his permission.
"Silent, Rin! A forest like this will contain nothing for human to eat, just bear with it!"
However Jaken doesn't fond of her idea leaving the group on her own.
"But we won't know until we try, right?"
And I try to convince him to let her go. Thinking that he may have extravagate things.
"Shut up! No is no!"
Instantly annoyed by my voice, he yells and stomps off. Not to be obliged so easily, Rin jumps out of Ah-Un's back and grabs my hand to drag me away.
"Come on, Onee-chan! We'll be back real quick!"
"H-Hey! Seriously! That girl."
Before Jaken can stop her, the girls have already disappeared into the woods.
"Jaken, let them be," And Sesshomaru's abnormal order causes Jaken's jaw to drop once again. "No way…I can't believe it!"
After a bit of searching, Rin has found some mushrooms under a tree.
"Hmm…I guess they look edible enough to eat. Should we boil or roast them?"
"How about half-half? That will make it less boring to eat"
Following my suggestion, Rin starts collecting them while humming a happy tune. However our peaceful moment doesn't last long as an Orge's hand appears out of nowhere and grabs the girl up onto the air.
"Kyaa!"
"Rin!"
In instant I draw out the Naginata and intent to charge forward save her.
What if it hurt her once detecting danger? Should I wait for it to move?
Before I can make up my mind, Sesshomaru has dashed up from behind and strike at the orge to free Rin. Seeing her falling from the orge's hand, I rush over to catch her.
"You sure are amazing, Sesshomaru-sama!"
Jaken approaches us and praise his lord's victory.
Just as we're about to return, suddenly the rest of the giant green arm on the ground transforms into a group of giant bees. If look closely, they seem to be a lot similar to the bees that were with Naraku last time as Jaken yells.
"Those are poisonous Saimyosho!"
Sesshomaru gestures his arm at us to stay back once the Saimyosho has combined into a green Orge's hand and leaps at him.
"That Naraku, leaving his annoying insects behind. Jaken, There should be a hive nearby."
Without hesitation, Jaken rushes further into the forest. Figures that staying behind will only slow down Sesshomaru. I decide to take Rin with me to aid Jaken with his search.
Before leaving, I glance back to the battle and see that Sesshomaru's still in the advantage. Easily dodging the hand's attack by jumping up, spinning around in the air before slicing it in half.
Never in my life have I seen someone fighting a youkai that elegantly...
"Jaken-sama! Look!"
Rin is the first one to spot the hive up on one of the trees nearby, and I carefully approach and to take it down with my Naginata. However before I can even touch it, a swarm of Saimyosho appears and flies straight to our spot. Afraid of their painful stung, I immediately squat down and cover my head.
"Rin! Get down! Nintoujou!"
Quickly Rin lies down onto the ground and Jaken uses Nintoujou to kill them. However, Saimyosho just keep coming one after another out of their nests and even worse, their aim is now turning at me.
There are too many of them, I need to get out of here!
I stand up and attempt to run away, until hearing Sesshomaru's calling for my name and spin around. Seeing that Sesshomaru is standing not too far away from us while holding his sword up in the air.
Hold on, I regconize that stance! He's going to use his special move!
And I lay down again to avoid whatever is coming yet Jaken remains standing. Quickly, I yank him down with me.
"Idiot! What are you standing there for?!"
"Shut up! I was about to duck too!"
Seconds later and Sesshomaru's energy waves successfully eliminate every single one of Saimyosho there along with their nest, plus a whole tree.
"You saved me, Sesshomaru-sama!"
Jaken waves his hand at Sesshomaru in joy once we all get back on our feet. Unbeknown to us, there are still some Saimyosho alive and one of them stings Jaken by his right arm before flying off.
"Yah!"
It's happens too fast for us to react. And we both rush over to Jaken's side when seeing him crying in pain. While Sesshomaru doesn't bother and chases after the Saimyosho instead.
Jaken rips off his sleeve and urges Rin to take the stingers out. However they have already crawled into his skin before she can even try.
Huh? Did they just sink into his arm? What exactly are these things?
"I'm sorry. Jaken-sama"
Rin's head dropped, much to his terror.
"Oh no! The toxic poisons have entered my body!"
Jaken starts screaming and running in circle. Hitting his head onto the tree nearby over and over. Crying that if we don't do something about it, he will die.
"I'm sorry, Jaken-sama. It's all because of me…"
Watching his painful reaction, Rin can only apologize and in a verge of crying.
"Fool! I'm not going to die for you! I'm dying for Sesshomaru-sama!"
Jaken tosses his sleeves onto the ground. Though soon after he gasps and collapses to the ground.
"It's okay you two…I have been happy traveling the land together with Sesshomaru-sama"
Watching us getting worried all over, he shakes his head and mumbles under his breath.
Does it mean there's no cure? Still cannot believe this is the truth, I kneel down next to him and hold his little hand tightly.
"Jaken-san, please don't say that."
"Beside, if I die here then I will have no regrets...Tell Sesshomaru-sama that I always pray for his well-being from my grave…"
Having said his final words, Jaken faints. Staring at the unconscious Jaken, I cover my mouth from sobbing and Rin cries out loud.
"No! Jaken-sama! I don't want you to die. Please, I'll do anything just tell me!"
Our tense and sorrowful moment doesn't last that long until the guy jolts up from his death. "R-really?!"
Seeing my indescribable expression, Jaken immediately falls back down and gives me his most pitiful face ever.
"E-erm…Then maybe I'll ask…"
After that he explains about a herb farm from the east called Jinenji's garden. He pleads us to go there and harvest the berries of Sennensou for him, urging us to hurry as he has to swallow the thing before sunset or everything will be too late.
Now we are on Ah-Un's back and heading toward to the east. While Rin is definitely bearing a huge determination to get the berries, I on the other hand, somehow having a bad feeling about what is about to come. Well, he did tell us to harvest the berries yet providing us nothing about this farm... Will it be that easy for us just to go there to grab it then come back?
"Stay here, Ah-Un." I command the dragon as we jump down from its back. Begin to make our way toward to an herb garden we just have found. Soon, I spot a the small sitting next to it and decide get in there to ask for the cure instead of stealing.
"There's a house over here. Let's see if we can find anyone we can ask for the berries."
"Hello?" I peek inside and find an old woman sitting on the floor, checking the herbs inside her basket. Hearing an unfamiliar voice, she shifts her head to my direction.
"Who is it?"
"May I ask if Jinenji-san is home?" Both I and Rin approach in caution.
"Jinenji isn't seeing anyone today. So go home."
The old woman shoos us away and turns her attention back to the leaves on the floor.
Is this Jinenji person is the only owner of this place? I wonder if this old lady know anything about the herb? Will it okay to ask her for it instead?
Many questions start to pop up inside my head. Then my eyes land on the big plump under the blue blanket in the middle of the house. What is that thing over there? Why is it so huge?
"You're here, aren't you, Jinenji-san? Please, hear me out! I need some Sennensou berries to save someone's life!" Rin approaches the plump fearlessly.
And I stare at it in disbelief. You're telling me that thing is Jinenji?!
This guy is either super big boned or simply a youkai. And I'm definitely going for the second option. A youkai owning a herb garden, nothing too suspicious, right? Let's just hope that he won't be asking for any human sacrifice in turn for a single herb.
Hearing Rin calling for it, the figure begins to stir and speaks through a small hole of a lifted up blanket.
"That's very regrettable...Because I no longer have them with me."
"What's wrong? Why won't you come out of the covers?"
Rin kneels next to him and the old woman sighs. Explaining to us that Jinenji is actually a half-youkai and once a while, he takes on the human form. Though she calls him a coward for never showing his human self to anyone.
I wonder why. Is it because his human form that horrifying?
"Then can you please tell me where to find the berries? We'll go get them on our own."
Since the conversation has been wasting much time than we've expected it to be, I skip the chit chat and ask for the berry's location.
And suddenly, her eyes shine brightly. "Sennensou berries are used as an antidote by youkai. Are you trying to save a youkai?"
"Y-yes." Rin answers and she leans closer, seem to be in a lot interested.
"Say...Are you smitten with this youkai?!"
Confused by such strange word, the girl's head tilts. "Smitten? What's that?"
My face shows a great disgust and almost puke just by thinking about it. Smitten? With Jaken..? Are you for real?
"I see! It's understandable because you're too young. You know, I was like you once."
For some unknown reasons, not that I'm interested, the old woman's cheek turn pink.
"More importantly ma'am, will you let us know a bit about this berry whereabouts?"
Cannot stand it any longer, I evade the insane topic and suddenly Jinenji speaks up.
"Ma. That little girl resembles Kagome."
Kagome?! I gasps in shock upon hearing the familiar name. "You know Kagome-chan?"
"Yes. Kagome-chan is my friend."
How surprising, Kagome seems to well-known by a lot of people here. Just how long have she been staying in this place?
Therefore his mother also agrees as she stares between Rin and me. "Now that you've mentioned it. Your outfit looks similar to hers too. Do you and Kagome know each other by any chance?"
"Y-yes, she and I are also friends,"
I confirm that Kagome and I are in friendly term, only then Jinenji tells us about the Sennensou berries, which only grows in the ravine of the mountain out back. However, there are lots of youkai and beasts so it's impossible for human to go there.
"When it's dark, I'll turn back to normal. So can you wait for me until then?"
Therefore he offers us his help but Rin refuses.
"No! Then it'll be too late! I don't care how dangerous it is! I will definitely do it no matter what!"
And I too, try to convince him to tell us more about the herb so we can go there to collect it ourselves. After a while he finally accepts our request and hands us the drawing paper of the Sennensou berries, telling us to be careful before we depart.
At the mountain
"Great, just great..."
I sigh in distress at the sight of a bunch of youkai and giant insects. Since this area is deserted, it's not too surprising for it to become a nest for these kind of things. No wonder Jinenji told us to be careful back then.
Just by having one step forward, those monster have already detected our locations and immediately charges at us.
"Oh no!"
Fortunately, a mysterious blue beam coming from behind me turns them into dust before they can reach to where we are. Turns out it's Ah-Un which have saved us.
"Thank you, Ah-Un!" Rin pats its head.
Nice! That will make things so much easier! With the drawing in my hand, I tell Rin to stay with Ah-Un to help clearing up the path. Soon after, I spot a familiar looking purple herb up on top of the mountain and check the drawing one more time to confirm. Yes! That must be it!
Now that Rin is staying with Ah-Un at the back to protect us. Guess I have no choice but to get up there by myself. Before trying to climb, I frown at its insane height.
Damn, this is going to require a lot of work.
Only after reaching half way, however, I finally realize something very, vert important...
Wouldn't it be faster if I just ride on Ah-Un's back and fly up here to grab it?
"Whooshh…"
The cool wind gently blows at me as my body goes stiff, dying inside since it's already to late to head back. Without any other choice, I continue my way up and after a huge waste of effort. I finally be able to get close to the Sennensou berries. Jeeze, what kind of plant growing by itself in such a high place?!
Using all the strength left, I try to reach out for the herb just above of my head. Alright, only…a little bit more...
And the moment I have the herb inside my grip, the earth below me falls apart. Causing me to loose my grip and doing a free falling. Shutting my eyes while holding the herb tightly into my chest, I let out a long sigh and think of the most positive outcome.
Great…Oh well, at least i will go down faster this way.
Then out of nowhere, a shiny light orb flies toward to where I am and catches me. Slowly, I open my eyes and see that Sesshomaru is carrying me into his arm.
Sesshomaru?! He came all the way here to check on us?!
"Thank you...for saving me, Sesshomaru-sama."
Once we land on the ground, I thank him yet he just stands there staring at me. Making me feel even more anxious and confused.
"Okay, okay I apologize for leaving and bringing Rin with me without permission. So you can stop the glaring now."
Still Sesshomaru doesn't respond after hearing my sincere apologize. He's mad, right? Shouldn't the scolding be starting now? But more importantly, when is he going to let me down?
My body goes stiff as being stuck in such an awkward position. As I notice Sesshomaru opens his lips and is about to say something, we hear Rin's call from afar.
"Onee-chan! Sesshomaru-sama!"
Rin, together with Ah-Un flies toward to us. Within a single of heart beat, I jump out of his grip to avoid misunderstanding and approach to show her the herb in my hand.
"Rin, look! I got it!"
At first she smiles brightly at the sight of Sennensou but then pouting at my reckless actions.
"But you scared me to death, Onee-chan!"
Her cute pouting face cause me to giggle and I pat her head, hoping that she will let thing slide since I wouldn't want to listen to her nagging later on. As Jaken's and mom's have already been more than enough.
"He he. Sorry... Alright, let's go back. Jaken must be waiting!"
Back to Jaken
Around 20 minutes later
"They didn't make it, after all..."
Suffering from the poison, which is starting to spread all over his body, Jaken sighs in depress and looks at the sunset, having no choice but to accept his ill fate.
"Oh…My vision is blurring..."
Suddenly someone tall in white covers all of his sight. And before he can say anything, Sesshomaru tosses the berries at his body.
T-this is the Sennensou berries! Jaken bursts into tears and gulps down the herb in joy. I'm saved!
Meanwhile, standing some feet away from them are Shiomi, Rin and Ah-Un.
Seeing that Jaken's now all well and safe, Rin sighs in relief then turn to me, who is completely beaten up.
"Onee-chan, how are you feeling?"
"Eh...So…tired."
And I mumble under my breath, lying flat on Ah-Un's back. Limbs have turned numb as my back, hands and shoulders burning like hell. Feeling my eyelids which are getting heavier and heavier by second.
I wish there would be a hot bath here, oh screw that, makes it a comfy bed instead…
In the evening
"Hey, wake up!"
Awaken by no one else but Jaken, I toss to the other side to avoid him. "Uhm…Go away..."
Losing his patience, Jaken whacks my head with his staff.
"Ouch! What was that for?!"
Sitting up and rubbing the bump on my head, I groan out loud when my rare peaceful nap's destroyed. Yet he stays quiet and avoid my gaze. What the heck? Is he trying to mess with me?
"So? What do you want?"
This time being the one to lose patience, I spin the guy around by force. And Jaken coughs into his fist then starts fidgeting, still refusing to speak a proper sentence.
"Well..."
Confused by his weird attitude, I turn to Rin for a better explanation and she giggles. "I told him what happened!"
"Oh... Now i get it. So, you woke me up just to thank me, huh?"
I shift my head back and grin viciously. Irritated, Jaken yells and waves his staff around that almost his my head again.
"W-who says that I want to thank you?! I woke you up because you slept for too long that it would slow Sesshomaru-sama down!"
Once done throwing tantrum, he walks off. Not forgetting to throw a "Hmph!" at me.
"You're welcome!"
Laughing at his ridiculous reaction, I call out to him from behind and cause Jaken to flinch, almost tripping on his own feet.
After that day, Kagome was informed by Jinenji about a girl wearing a similar outfit to Kagome's and claimed to be her friend. As she came here together with a little girl to find Sennensou berries. Kagome then figured out that the two he mentioned would be Shiomi and Rin. Though she's curious why her senpai would need the herb, thinking if it's either for Sesshomaru or Jaken who actually got sick.
Some days later
"Onee-chan, come! There's a river here! We can catch fishes!"
Wanting to eat grilled fish, Rin drags me throughout the forest to get some. While Jaken is struggling to follow us from behind.
"Hey you two, wait up!"
Once there, we're instantly greeted by a group of wolves and two human looking guys, who seem to be their owners and one of them speaks. "What? Humans?"
"Are you guys their owners? Can you keep them in check?"
Terrified by the wolves growl and seeing them approaching, I push Rin behind me then hold out my Naginata in defense, slowly backing away.
Notices their subordinate's aggressiveness scare the heck out of us, they gestures their hands at the pack. "Hey! Calm down, you guys! Humans are no good!"
Luckily, the wolves oblige and I sigh in relief. Still, Rin tugs my skirt tightly and still trembling heavily. Now that I think about it, she used to tell me that she was attacked by wolves before...
"Say, Hakkaku. Does her outfit remind you of someone?"
The guy on the right asks the guy on his left and he tilts his head, staring at me from head to toes.
"Hmmm…Yeah, I think she looks similar to Kagome-san"
So they also know Kagome-chan? How odd, is it me or all the people that I meet here have already known her?
Suddenly, Jaken jumps out of the bush and makes me flinch in surprise. Notice our uneasiness, he asks.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
And I point my finger toward to the people standing before us. Following to my finger's direction, Jaken finds a bunch of not too friendly wolves up ahead and immediately shoo them away.
"You there, wolves! Leave this area immediately!"
Although the guy with more hair on his head protests. "Why?! Besides, who'd you think we are?!"
"Who?" I tilt my head cause of a bizarre questions.
The guy with less hair shouts out, "The young leader of the Youkai-Wolf tribe! Hakkaku the shrewd one!"
Then the guy with more hair follows. "And the dimpled Ginta! So there! Remember us now?"
What's with them?
Even after watching their fabulous introduction, I shake my head in response cause the lack of information. Or should I say, I've never met them ever since stepping my feet into this world. "Actually, no..."
"Never heard of you."
Jaken too and even introduces himself to them in a manner that we have never seen before. Though after watching such marvelous intro of his. No one recognizes him.
"You braggart! Never heard of you or Sesshomaru!"
"How dare you insult Sesshomaru-sama!"
And they continue yelling at each other, attempting to pick a fight as well.
"G-guys, calm down. We're not here to fight,"
Not wanting a pointless fight to start, I try to ease them but none listens to what I'm saying. And the tension keeps on raising until Sesshomaru makes his appearance.
"Jaken, what are you doing?"
Sensing his over-powered aura, the wolves slowly back away and Rin rushes over to her lord to feel safe. As Ginta and Hakkaku are also fluttered because of Sesshomaru.
"W-who are you?! Y-you wanna fight?"
Seeing him frown, they instantly turn panic and runs off for their lives. After the weirdos have complete gone out of sight, Sesshomaru calls to Rin, who is standing next to him.
"Rin, aren't you going to catch fishes?" He asks yet his gaze mysteriously shifts to me.
Confused, I raise an eyebrow at him and point at myself. Why is he looking at me? Is he suspicious that I'm no longer trustworthy to keep her? (Preferring to *some* of their incidents from before)
"Yes! Come on, onee-chan! I will show you how to do it!"
Upon hearing fishes, Rin bright side is fully recovered like speed of light. Then she takes my hand and drags me straight down into the cold water up ahead.
Soon after Hakkaku and Ginta regroup with Kouga and meet Kagome's group. There, they learn that Sesshomaru is Inuyasha's brother and the girl with the weird outfit is her friend, named Sora. Kagome then tell them more about Sesshomaru and they're soon informed by the wolves that they used to attack Sesshomaru's little companion in the past.
In the evening
We're now traveling through the forest, as usual Jaken's leading Ah-Un and Rin on its back. I walk next to her while Sesshomaru, for some weird reasons, following right beside me. And Nothing can describe how uncomfortable I am right now.
Jeeze, Is it really THIS necessary?! Is he suspecting that I will run away with his Rin or something?!
Therefore I can only curse inside, not being able to talk or act whatever when having his watch right under my neck.
"This road is closed! Turn around!"
All of sudden standing in our way are the two familiar figures from before.
"We are the right and left hand men of Kouga, the great young boss of the Youkai-Wolf Tribe. Ginta from hell! And Slayer Hakkaku!"
This time they even add status on their names. How interesting.
"Sound different from earlier on." Jaken comments, not even amused.
They ignore him and continue blocking the way. Attempting to scare us away by showing their skills, kicking and hitting the air randomly. Though none of their warnings are actually working.
I wonder why are they trying to much for. What are they hiding up ahead?
"Make way."
Tired of watching them fooling around, Sesshomaru orders them to move and they flinch in panic, still they remains standing tall and not having any sign of giving up.
"Y-you go elsewhere! R-right now!"
Don't they value their lives? Jaken's jaw dropped.
Figure that these warning and threatning won't take us anywhere, I step in. "What do you mean this way is closed? Is there any specific reason for us not to keep going?"
For some reasons upon seeing my face, they tear up in joy. "Hey! Y-you are! You are Kagome-san's friend!"
And before I can even ask what is going on, they rush to my side and starts begging.
"Please! Friend of Kagome-san, you've gotta stop them going this route!"
"I said make way!"
Sesshomaru approaches, causing them both to cower. After a while they come up with another idea to solve their own problem by taking someone called Kouga away from this area.
"What about me?"
Behind Hakkaku and Ginta, we see another guy standing on top of the mountain's edge. Having his hair up into a high ponytail and wearing the same clothes as them with a sword on his waist. Therefore he jumps down next to his friends and confronts Sesshomaru face to face.
"Who are you? Boy, it's starting to smell like that mutt."
"He's Inuyasha's older brother! Don't goad him, Kouga!"
H iding behind his back, Ginta and Hakkaku warn him.
What? Sesshomaru is Inuyasha's older brother?! Are you for real?!
Staring at Sesshomaru from head to toes, especially that white scarf, I finally figure out that the fluffy thing he's carrying is indeed dog fur. Suddenly Sesshomaru glances back at me and I immediately look away, seems like he knows what's running inside my head. Jeeze, why is he so sharp?!
"Inuyasha's older brother? So he's not a half-youkai?"
Kouga raises his eyebrow as Sesshomaru's eyes return to him and he smirks. "What? Struck a nerve?"
Sesshomaru gestures his arm at me, "Stand back."
Even without him telling me, I would still find somewhere far to hide. Cause I'm not going to let myself getting involved around these mad men with unexplained supernatural power.
Though different from our expectations that they're going to fight each other. Sesshomaru and Kouga actually join force to kill a giant purple Orge, which is running wild from the other direction. At the same time without us knowing, a giant purple centipede crawls behind where me, Rin and Jaken are standing.
"Ekk!"
I yelp in disgust at the sight of giant bug. In instasnt Jaken jumps foward to protect us, only to get whacked to the side like a breeze. Having to get out of here as fast as possible, I help Rin gets on Ah-Un's back and try to lead it fly away. However, the centipede has already shifted its attention back Rin and I and charge at us.
"You are mine!"
In a blink of an eye, Kouga launches himself at the creature and lands a kick on it, destroying the centipede. Much to our surprises. "Don't you dare eat humans!"
"T-thank you, for saving us."
I bow to him in appreciation and he stares at me for a bit before walking off. "It's nothing."
"Unnecessary interference."
On the other hand, Sesshomaru doesn't seem to be grateful about his action and Kouga smirks, "Feeling's mutual."
With just simply having a small conversation, they cause everyone's jaw to drop. After that Kouga, together with Hakkaku and Ginta, leaves the scene.
"Is that alright, Sesshomaru-sama? Kouga wolves were the one that attacked Rin."
Jaken expresses his worry about what happens in the past and I turn to Rin. "Was you afraid of Kouga and his friends?"
"Uhm…Not really."
She shakes her head in response.
"If he tried the same thing, I would kill him. But the one I'm after now is Naraku, I don't need unnecessary battles."
To ease them, Sesshomaru states to never let those wolves touch Rin again before continues forward. As his answer makes me wonder if he is actually kind by heart or only showing his soft side to Rin. Though I would probably lean onto the second option.
"Hurry, Jaken-sama or you'll be left behind."
After Rin urges him, Jaken snaps back to reality to chase after us. "W-Wait up!"
Later on that day, Kouga has also learnt from Hakkaku and Ginta that the short hair girl who's wearing weird clothes is Kagome's friend. Beside commenting that Sesshomaru's actually having a good taste, he's more curious about why a full fledge youkai like him would let humans tagging along like companions...