Chapter 51:

Hmm…his scent. It's the same with that pathetic smoke user I killed. Then, he must also be one of the Band of Seven Inuyasha was talking about.

Sesshomaru thought as he prepared himself for a duel against the conceited man.

"Arisa."

He called as he took an immediate assessment of their current situation.

"Take Jaken and Ah-un with you then get out of here."

However, she was quick to protest.

"Are you suggesting that we'll leave you alone? We could take on that guy together and—"

"Leave. Now!"

He commanded in such a terrifying tone that Arisa had no choice but to comply. She immediately grabbed Jaken who was lying weakly on the ground and hopped on Ah-un, then made their escape.

"I...I could feel Naraku's faint aura from him, the same as last time so he's probably using a sacred jewel shard!" She loudly informed him before completely getting out of the place.

"Oh, that woman is kinda sharp." the enemy commented, slightly bothered about her ability which is much like of that young priestess who was with Inuyasha.

"…"

"Wow. You're looking very scary right now. I don't like that."

"So what? Let's get this over with."

The two started with their battle right away as Sesshomaru drew out his Tokijin and was about to land a strike, but the unknown man was fast enough to swing his sword and it went swaying in a back and forth zig-zag. Sesshomaru was able to evade the chain of blades with his demonic speed - however; with his constant swinging, he couldn't land an attack against him.

"Hey! Aren't you going to ask my name?" the man asked flirtatiously, to which Sesshomaru disregarded.

"I couldn't care less about your name."

"You're so cold…! Anyway, the name's Jakotsu."

Sesshomaru glared at him, and proceeded to unleash his next attack to silence him.

If direct hits won't work…

He used the powerful energy blast which his sword possessed, and it was enough to wound Jakotsu and weaken his swings. However, he was still in shape to fight.

Hmph, must be the jewel's effect.

"…cool! As expected of the great dog demon...! Heh, I can't believe I'll be using the trump card this early, but…"

Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow at his statement.

"Are you sure about letting that woman escape on her own?" Jakotsu said boldly, and it made him halt from almost unveiling another energy blast. He gave him an icy stare.

"Oh, don't look at me like that. Did you honestly think I came alone, knowing you and who you're with?"

Immediately, he turned his back against Jakotsu and was about to chase after his companions, but he wasn't granted with it. His current perpetrator hurled his snake sword, but he was again able to dodge it, thanks to his keen senses.

"The white girl told me about being a bit careful about her, but she seems to be nothing special after all."

Tsk. One garbage after another. Do these weaklings know they are just being used by Naraku?

Sesshomaru merely looked at him with a piercing glare, determined to kill him in the next attack once and for all.

Elsewhere - Arisa, together with Jaken and Ah-un were on their way to someplace safe. Still, she was a little worried about leaving Sesshomaru alone.

…he'll probably take care of that guy in no time, just like how he easily dispatched that one who also had resemblance to Naraku's energy. Just how many more of Naraku's decoys are out there anyway?

Also…why wasn't I able to feel his aura on that man at once? Does it have something to do with the barrier, perhaps…?

However, while they were approaching the other side of the mountain, an armored man with spiky hair and blades in his hands was there, seemingly waiting for them. Just to be sure, she quickly tried to concentrate and feel his vibe, and it alarmed her.

Shoot, it's another one of Naraku's decoys! If so, he's probably using a jewel shard too…!

She then quietly gestured Ah-un to change directions, but the man was one-step ahead of them and they were instantly attacked. Luckily, Ah-un was able to avoid it, but they had no choice but to land.

Since the area was foggy, she conjured the four cuts to dispel most of the mist in their surroundings. With that, it revealed the man who just attacked them, who was standing in a daze, just a few feet away from them.

He was about to launch an attack just now, if I hadn't cleared the area...!

For a moment, Arisa studied him. Naraku's faint aura was absent at first; which confused her. But slowly, it occurred and she became nervous of it. Not only that; it also made the man suddenly go berserk.

"You damn woman! Almost made me revert back to my goody-goody trash self…! To think you were capable of doing this!" he screamed profoundly and abruptly barged towards Arisa.

She quickly dodged the man's attack by side-stepping, and ran a few feet away from him.

So, when I used the four cuts, did I temporarily erase that nasty aura from him?

The man was immediately back to assaulting her and all Arisa could do for the meantime was to clumsily avoid him.

Putting up a barrier is useless. Jaken is still out of it right now and Ah-un is beginning to succumb from the barrier's purity too. I'm seriously in trouble…!

Arisa knew that her attacks were purely against demons and other dark entities. Deciding to gamble whether it would work again, she then opted for the five cuts and chose to cast it aloud. At the same time, she was also thinking of other means to escape, in case her spiritual magic would fail.

"Rin! Kyo! To! Sha! Kai!"

A bigger and denser wave of light went straight to the man and he was about to elude knowing the outcome, but he was a second too late. The light went through him and soon, she noticed that the man just fell to his knees, quivering.

She observed him for some time, and tried to focus. Then, she was quite surprised that she couldn't feel Naraku's aura from him anymore. She then guessed that she was successful in exorcising him, as if he was possessed.

I'll have to grab this chance while he's still sane…!

"Umm, excuse me…!"

"No…! Don't come any closer! That bad guy could emerge any minute and I'll end up hurting you…!" the man pleaded right away.

"…what are you called?"

"I'm Suikotsu…and I am simply a doctor."

"Okay…but why are you carrying deadly weapons with you?"

"No, these are not the items I'm supposed to have…! It's that criminal's fault! Trying to overcome me…"

"What are you mumbling about…? You're the one who just attacked me—"

"That wasn't me! It's him! I can…never attack people!"

Does that mean that this Suikotsu just has a double personality and it was only triggered because he was possessed by Naraku's aura?

She continued to gaze at him, still organizing her thoughts about him.

Then… is it possible that this guy doesn't have the jewel shard? But wait…Sesshomaru told me that the first decoy at that hut used a jewel shard tainted by Naraku, which is what I felt back then. The vibe I felt from this guy earlier and the other guy back there were literally the same. What's the meaning of this…?

Arisa stayed beside Suikotsu for quite some time, while keeping distance and observing him for possible changes. But instead, he finally calmed down and was even smiling at her.

"I think that guy has finally kept himself in, thanks to you." He said, and it embarrassed her.

"I-It's nothing. That was just a coincidence…" she quickly answered.

"May I know your name?"

"It's Arisa..."

"It is an honor to meet you."

Relieved, she relaxed her shoulders and gave him a small smile. Suikotsu was still staring at her though, which made her uncomfortable.

"What is it? Is there something wrong…?"

He sighed heavily, before raising a question.

"If it's okay…will you accompany me back to the village? I left the children there horribly, and I need to apologize. I want to live my life permanently as a doctor, especially now that he's gone."

Arisa was hesitant, knowing that the aura was from Naraku; and a persistent one, in fact.

Is he really back to normal…?

She was about to read his energy again, but was interrupted by his considerate words.

"It's alright if you don't want to, Miss Arisa. I just thought that I would be assured of myself if you came with me." Suikotsu suggested apologetically. He then stood up and started walking away.

"Wait…! I mean, it's okay. I'll come with you." Arisa said, making him stop in his tracks.

"Thank you…I'm in debt." He replied, and faced her with a calm smile.

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