Chapter 35:
"Sorry to interrupt your moment, but we will kill you right here and now, for our King." Karan proclaimed in a condescending tone. Sesshomaru huffed sarcastically.
"It is high time you know who the real killer is."
Carrying Arisa in his arms, he moved swiftly to a place where he laid Arisa down. He then ordered Jaken to watch over her, before facing off with the two cat demons. Their battle started, and Sesshomaru proved himself worthy even without his left arm, which actually amazed Shuran and Karan, as they had themselves at a great disadvantage.
As their battle continued, a signal was fired up in the sky just as Shuran and Karan were overwhelmed by Sesshomaru's skills, making them retreat easily.
"See you at the hideout, Sesshomaru." Karan informed him with confidence, to which Sesshomaru only simpered at.
Fools.
He followed them to their so-called hideout, and there he found the cats still trying to revive their Panther King. Beside the King's corpse were the captives, intended to become the sacrifices. Not minding about the captives, he went straight to the King, where the cat demon siblings were, but couldn't get through, because of the powerful barrier that he had only felt upon getting near.
Just as he was losing his cool, Inuyasha finally arrived and cut the barrier with his Red Tetsusaiga, much to Sesshomaru's surprise.
Since when did he give Tetsusaiga with such power?
Once the barrier was out, Sesshomaru quickly barged in just as Inuyasha did, and set his curiosities aside. Shortly after, the Panther King suddenly spoke.
"Hurry…hurry up on reviving me."
"Wait just a little, our King. The sacrifices are not yet enough…" Toran replied happily, but her voice was trembling.
The King's head turned to them, and it seemed to eye on the other three siblings.
"It is taking too long. If you really wish for me to be revived, you will offer yourselves as sacrifices."
The four cat demons blanched, and without hesitation, the King grabbed the three – Shuran, Shunran and Karan and instantly killed them, gaining the life force he had wanted; much to Toran's horror.
Meanwhile, Arisa regained her consciousness, feeling a bit energetic compared to before. There, she saw Jaken beside him.
"Where am I, Jaken?"
"Sesshomaru-sama laid you here in a safer place, and had me watch over you. Are you alright now?" Jaken answered meaningfully.
"I…I see. But where is he now? What about the cat demons? What about Kagome?"
"How should I know? I was with you the whole time I got here…!"
Concurrently, Arisa felt the bracelet break off and disappear on her wrist, and quickly stood up as she sensed a faint dark aura from the cats' hideout. She abruptly carried Jaken in her arms.
"H-hey! What are you doing? Put me down!"
"We're going to the hideout! Something is definitely wrong…!"
Has Shunran been defeated? Or is she…killed?
Even with Jaken squirming, Arisa managed to run fast and reached the area just in time.
Arisa saw what was taking place, and spotted Sesshomaru, watching as the Panther King engulfed the three loyal cat demons, while Inuyasha and Koga were busy getting the captives out; as Kagome, Miroku and Sango were part of them. Seeing that Toran was too horrified to move as she sat there, feeling helpless; she concluded that something bad really happened to Shunran.
Arisa let Jaken down, and dashed to Sesshomaru's side.
"What are you standing there for, Sesshomaru?" Arisa asked, chagrining.
Sesshomaru eyed at her, a bit surprised to see her there.
"You're okay now."
"Yes, I am. But why—"
Arisa was cut off by the sudden pulsation of Tenseiga, making them look at each other simultaneously.
They both aligned their sight to the awakening Panther King, and the three other cat demon leaders in his body, lifeless.
"Use your Tenseiga to revive them…!" Arisa pleaded, garnering a sardonic look from him.
"I do not see the reason why I should."
"They have been wrongly used by that King…! And not just that, you will prevent him from getting back to life…!" Arisa continued to plead.
After contemplating for a while, Sesshomaru finally gave in as he stepped forward and unsheathed his Tenseiga; and it made Arisa truthfully happy.
He focused on the three cat demon's body to be able to see the Pallbearers of the Underworld. Once he had located them, he delivered a long, fine slash – taking their souls back. A few seconds later, they opened their eyes, and immediately escaped from their King, reducing his life form and powers.
"How dare you…!"
Inuyasha, who was now finished with freeing Kagome and the others, took that as a sign and ventured the final blow to the King using the Wind Scar.
Arisa quickly ran to where Sesshomaru was, and offered him a genuine smile.
"Why are you smiling at me?" he asked dubiously, raising an eyebrow at her.
"You do have a good side, after all."
"Hmph. I only heeded Tenseiga's orders."
Arisa sighed. "When will you ever admit your feelings…?"
Sesshomaru did not answer and instead scowled at her, to which Arisa nervously chuckled.
Toran approached the two, and bowed deeply to Sesshomaru with a guilty smile.
"I thank you for saving my siblings. We acknowledge our defeat."
"Hmph."
With that, Sesshomaru turned his back, already on his way out of the village. Toran shrugged, but nevertheless, she was contented. Arisa was about to go as well, but Shunran came.
"I…didn't get to know your name." she said shyly, as if she wasn't the brat she once knew.
"It's Arisa."
"I'm sorry about what I did to you, Arisa. I bet the bracelet is now gone…?"
"Yes, it's gone."
"I see. If you want, we could really be friends…"
"Sure…why not?" Arisa replied with a small smile, which made Shunran smile back.
"Then, see you around!"
Together with their remaining cat members, the cat demon siblings now went away in search for an empty or abandoned land to call their home.
As Arisa continued to stare at a distance, Sesshomaru called for her attention.
"Arisa, we are leaving."
"C-coming!" She replied, a bit aflutter as she was astonished to know that he was actually waiting for her.
She then caught a glimpse of Inuyasha, Kagome, and the others, and waved them goodbye while mouthing the words 'Sorry, I have to go. The master is impatient.'
Kagome, Miroku and Sango chuckled, while Inuyasha only looked away cheekily, crossing his arms.
When will he ever be friendly with me?
Arisa thought as she sighed inwardly, reacting to Inuyasha's attitude.
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