Chapter 27

As the meal drew to a close Inuyasha and his companions started to converse about there future travels. Shura tried to listen politely, but as the topic gradually settled on Naraku and the quest to find his new location, the demoness found herself sinking once again into despair. Keeping her face still and quiet Shura tried to distract herself by staring at the floating reflection cast by the cup of tea she was holding. No good. Her face only served as more of a reminder of her defeat. Though barely visible to the untrained observer, the scar from Tetsusaiga's blade was still there. It lingered from the tip of the v stripe on her forehead and maneuvered down across her left eye until it finally stopped just past the cheekbone. To Shura it was like Naraku was constantly mocking her. Humiliated and sick at heart, the demoness lowered the cup in front of her and pushed it and the horrible image it cast away.

Inuyasha was not the only one to notice her sudden change in mood; however, the half demon did sense the cause of it. He himself knew a thousand times over the pain inflicted by wounded pride, and so had become very familiar with the tell tale signs. Leaning back so as not to look obvious, Inuyasha tried to lighten the mood by changing the conversation entirely, though it was a topic he himself didn't especially care for.

"So where's Sesshomaru? Did he leave already?" Shura looked up, half startled that the conversation topic had suddenly shifted and now needed her input.

"I guess so." she muttered quietly "I haven't seen him around"

"That figures." Inuyasha scoffed, clearly displeased by her reply. Shura fidgeted nervously as all eyes settled on her. Though she was a little annoyed that Sesshomaru had left so hastily, she was not surprised by it. It was not in his nature to say in one place for long, and considering his disliking of humans, staying there probably made him uncomfortable. Shura touched her scarred cheek lightly. Then again, all things considered, perhaps his leaving was for the best. 

"Well he couldn't have gone far," Shippo's cheery voice made everyone look over in surprise. The little fox pointed to the corner furthest to them before stuffing a dumpling in his mouth. "See," he mumbled between chews "he left his weapon behind." True to his word, there in the corner, masked partially by shadows was the demon lord's blade.

"You're right Shippo, that is Sesshomaru's sword" Miroku commented after making the observation himself. Shippo swallowed then gazed curiously up from the floor.

"Why do you suppose he'd leave it? Do you think he forgot?"

"Not likely," Inuyasha grumbled as he turned up his nose. He knew for a fact that Sesshomaru was more likely to leave a piece of himself behind rather then risk loosing his weapon. To Inuyasha and his friends, the demon lord's behavior was a mystery, to Shura however, it was a message. By leaving his sword Sesshomaru had silently promised his return. He would have to eventually, if he planed to retrieve his weapon.

The demoness tensed when the dragon on her shoulder dug down with his claws and let out a hiss of alert. There was an intruder in there midst, and they were anything but subtle about it.  Focusing her own senses, Shura followed her dragon's stare as he tracked their not so secretive visitor, though she already had a good guess as to who it was. Even from where she sat Shura recognized Jaken's bumbling footsteps and squeaks of panic.

Sure enough a moment later Jaken came skidding though the door, tripped over his own feet, and did a face plant into the closest wall. This in turn caused the decorative picture hanging there to fall and bonk him hard on the head. As Jaken scrambled to his feet, Ukuri let out a series of fierce snarl-barks to ward off the intruder. Shura however just rolled her eyes in annoyance, plucked a dumpling from the table with her chopsticks, and stuffed the food in the dragon's mouth.

"Mind your manners Ukuri," Shura mumbled as she watched her father's accomplice attempt to walk strait, "Jaken is no threat." The dragon, unable to verbally protest any further with a full mouth, watched warily from his friends shoulder as the little demon approached Shura.

"My lady Shuramaru!" he cried with arms flailing in panic "You must act quickly!"

"What's happened Jaken?" Shura asked as she turned herself towards him. Jaken did an anxious little jig.

 "Naraku has tainted your father with a mind control spell fueled by a Shikon jewel shard. I fear he might turn against you!" the little demon wailed as he tried unsuccessfully to shake off one of Naraku's vines that still clung to his shoulder. There was a long pause as everyone's faces turned on Jaken in disbelief and embarrassment. Shura herself was so mortified she wanted to keel over on the spot. If there was anyone to be that clueless, Jaken was most definitely it. Shura reached her hand forward and daintily plucked the remaining vine tendril from Jaken's shoulder. After letting it fall to the floor Shura then stabbed the twitching object with one of her claws, disintegrating it instantly into a pile of sludge.

"Thank you for informing me Jaken… though it could have been done sooner." The demoness's reply came with Sesshomaru's calm tone and Inuyasha's sarcasm.  For a moment Jaken looked perplexed. He remembered nothing past seeing his master struck with a jewel fragment, and then himself getting woven tightly in enchanted vines. Had he missed something? The little demon scratched his head in confusion and looked to Shura for some kind of enlightenment. One glimpse of her battle scared cheek however was all he needed to draw conclusions.

"Your face!" Jaken squealed "Oh dear! Curse these retched bones I couldn't move fast enough!" With tear filled eyes the little demon fell to his knees and bowed pathetically. "I'm so sorry! It's all my fault! I should have warned you!" Shura remained silent. She herself had learned from Sesshomaru how to block out Jaken's whining however, for the sake of her guests she decided to at least attempt and calm him.

"Jaken its not your…" Shura tried to interrupt but it was no use. Once Jaken had his mind set on bashing himself, there was often no stopping him, and this time was no exception.

"And now look what's happened!" Jaken continued "My master's noble heir defeated by that wretched beast Naraku!" that did it. Those humiliating words snapped Shura's last remaining thread of patience. Drawing her claws Shura lashed out and struck Jaken across the face. The force sent him flying off his feet.

"Will you shut up! I already carry the proof on my face! I don't need you reminding me!"

"Shura that's enough!" Mia's scolding sounded over her daughters temper. "I will not stand this kind of behavior from you! I know you're upset, but that's no excuse for taking it out on him!" Shura said nothing, only crossed her arms defiantly and curled herself into an angry slouch.

Meanwhile Jaken, who had gotten to his feet, had started to yell a protest of his own until that is he realized Shura had scratched him. Filled with the sudden realization he had been poisoned Jaken went into a fit. Gasping and twitching uncontrollably he fell onto his back and started to flail about wildly. As the display continued everyone remained pretty causal. Inuyasha and his friends after all had witnessed far more gruesome events, and none of them had a real liking to Jaken anyway. Mia however was both furious and horrified.

"Shura you give him the antidote right n…" the innkeeper started to command but her voice trailed off. Shura wasn't listening to her or Jaken as he continued to roll spasmodically on the floor, her ears were focused on the new presence approaching. As Jaken's fit slowly came to an end he managed one final jerk, which rolled him towards the doorway. His limp body came to rest against his master's black shoes, one of which was tapping the floor in annoyance.