OK, back with more! Sorry for not posting in a while, I've been too busy and gotten lazy. I'm starting to get less and less eager to write, which is a bit sad. Anyway, let's not waste more time and get this going!
Thanks for the reviews!
Disclaimer: I don't own Nurarihyon or InuYasha
Death of a Master
Jess looked through the wooden window she was next to. After Bankotsu took her and ran off, he brought her back to the old era and then to some kind of temple someplace she hadn't been to before. She hadn't heard or seen anything from him, nor did she know if the other guy had come back. The second the thought of Jakotsu made a shiver go down her spine, Jess shaking her head quickly.
"I should be thinking of a way to get out of here, not about creepy guy who is very skilled at fighting with an interesting blade. But, how am I supposed to get out when Bankotsu took my blade? Can't really leave it here either," she thought out loud, making sure no one was around to hear her.
She got up, looking around the room she was in. She checked the door first, seeing it was unlocked. This is too easy, something's wrong here. She thought, slowly opening it and looking through the halls. As she started walking to her right, she heard two voices talking in a room not too far from where she was.
"Why don't we just hand her over to Naraku like we were supposed to? We're not Demons, so she's not useful to us," Jakotsu said, Jess keeping her mouth closed as she listened in on what they said.
"Because she could become very useful when we meet that Sesshomaru guy you talked about. Besides, just handing her over just like that wouldn't be too fun. And as long as he keep her sword here, she won't be going anywhere," Bankotsu said, Jess slightly sliding the door open to look in. Her sword was laying behind Bankotsu, who was leaning into the wall and had his body turned towards the door. His head wasn't looking there, so she thought he was looking at Jakotsu, who she couldn't see.
"Hm…that could work. I don't know how much Sesshomaru cares about his little puppet, but the power the sword has is very hard to give up so easily. And if she dies, someone else will have to become the Master of the sword. And Sesshomaru can't get chosen twice, can he?" he asked, Jess moving a bit behind as Bankotsu's head moved towards it. She looked behind her, making sure no one saw her.
"We could ask her, but let's wait with that. Renkotsu still has to come back, and we're still missing Suikotsu and Ginkotsu. Renkotsu might meet up with Ginkotsu, but we're still one short. I wonder where Suikotsu disappeared to?" Bankotsu said, Jess hearing footsteps coming towards her from her right, she quickly went around the corner and saw a unfamiliar face, thinking it was one of the three Bankotsu mentioned. He walked through the door, Jess slowly moving back the it, but not taking the chance of looking through the opening this time.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Ginkotsu is outside in case some intruders think they'll get in. A couple of Humans tried stopping us earlier, but they didn't last long," he said, Jess feeling sweating slowly dripping down her neck. She was a bit scared to say the least, especially since she didn't have any way of defending herself.
"Is that so? Ordinary Humans can be so stupid it's almost funny. But, their efforts always end in vain. Oh, I just remembered, can you hold this sword? Since its power is to manipulate fire, I thought you might be able to wield it," he asked, Jess almost letting out a laugh. Idiot. No matter how well someone uses fire, they can't wield it unless I let them. And if I'm nearby, that's makes it even better. She thought, Flarenix adding something.
"Nor can they if Sesshomaru sees them as his enemy, which I'm guessing he is. What is he doing, anyway? He doesn't usually waste too much time," Flarenix said, Jess not saying anything. She peeked inside, seeing Renkotsu going for the sword and getting burned the second his finger touches it.
"No good, huh? Maybe we could get that girl to tell us how we can use it," Jakotsu said, Jess moving back and hearing Bankotsu moving towards the door.
"Seems there's a lot we need the girl to answer for us. I'll go and talk to her while-" Jess didn't stay there long enough for him to finish his sentence before quietly running to where she was sitting by the window again. She knew he didn't see her, since his footsteps only now started walking towards the room she was in.
"I hope he didn't see me at least," she whispered to herself, the door opening as she looked over with a cold look on her face.
"Heh, still not happy with us taking you away from your Master?" he taunted, Jess looking through the window again and ignoring him. "Oh well, not that it matters. All I want you to do now is answer some questions about that little blade of yours. You'll answer without any trouble, won't you?"he said, Jess looking at him from the corner of her eye.
"That all depends on what you want to know," she said, even though she already knew since she listened in on them. And the questions they had weren't some she was going to answer, since it would be like throwing away half her advantages.
"Fine, then I'll start asking," he said, moving closer and sat down so he could get a good look at her face. "First, where does the power of the sword come from?" he started easy, Jess not really seeing why she shouldn't answer since every other Human knows about it.
"From the Spirit of a Demon that was killed many centuries ago. That's something every Human and Demon should know," she added, Bankotsu only smirking.
"Is that so, and how do you use that power? You don't look like someone who has spiritual powers," he asked, Jess looking confused at him. He really doesn't know a thing, does he? She thought, moving her head again.
"Only people who didn't have any special abilities can use the sword, so there's no way I could've had spiritual powers. As for how I use the power, that's not something I'm planning on telling someone anytime soon," she said, Bankotsu still smirking. What's with him? Is he asking these easy questions on purpose to make him seem like an idiot? Or does he really not know? If that were the case, he wouldn't be smirking like he is right now. Something's off. She thought, not moving her eyes or head to look at him.
"So, what type of Demon is inside the sword?" he asked, Jess staying silent. She hadn't even told Sesshomaru that, and she told herself in the beginning that if there's something he doesn't even know, no one else is going to know until he does. So this was defiantly something she had no intention of answering. "Not going to say anything, huh?" he said in a low voice, Jess felling something on her neck. She turned and saw Bankotsu dangerously close to her face.
"Wh-what the hell are you doing?" she asked, already trying to push him away. Without much success.
"Why not answer my question?" he said, Jess moving her head away. He moved closer, his breathing touching his ear. What the hell is this guy trying to get by doing this? Does he think I'm the type to tell him whatever he wants if he's doing something like this? She thought, flinching when he pulled her hair a bit. He pulled it hard enough to force her head back a bit so his breathe touched her cheek instead..
"It's not something I plan on telling you! It would be like throwing my life away!" she yelled in almost a panic, Bankotsu freezing up and moving away from her and looked shocked. Jess only closed her eyes, trying not to beat herself up for saying that.
"What do you meant, throwing away your life?" he asked, Jess sighing.
"If I do anything against my Master, it would be like throwing away my life. Even though I've never once thought Sesshomaru would get rid of me for that reason, but he's not the only one who's supposed to make sure I stay put," she said, also adding that she wouldn't be saying anything else on the matter.
As the sun was rising early that morning, Rikuo and the other members from the Nura Clan were on their way back to the Main House. They had a long night, fighting enemies and allies, as well as letting jess get captured. Rikuo still felt guilty since he was with her and in his Demon form no less.
Tsurara on the other hand was constantly talking about how rude Sesshomaru was for just attacking him and then just leaving before finishing the fight. Although the Demon side of Rikuo was very annoyed, the Human side was relieved that he chose to end it like that and instead go after those Humans that took Jess. He was more worried about her than his Family's honor.
"Young Master! We were worried something had gotten you! What took you so long to get back, and why isn't that Sesshomaru with you? And his Human pet as well?" Karasu Tengu kept asking questions, Rikuo making a fake smile as he walked past him and told him he'd be in his room. Tsurara was about to follow him, but Kappa held her robe and stopped her.
"The Third Heir has a lot on his mind, leave him be for a while Tsurara. A lot happened last night. Instead, you could go and explain the situation to the Master," he told her, Tsurara reluctantly nodding as she headed towards the hallway. But before she could even get close to where Nurarihyon was staying, two Demons were walking towards her. They didn't seem to notice her, and seemed rather relaxed.
"What are you two doing here? Don't you have work to do somewhere else?" she asked them, both of them noticing her when she did and were slightly annoyed by the tone she was talking to them with.
"You're one to talk. All you do is get in the way of the next Heir. Right, Gonzumaru?" the one with a skull thing on his head, the other one, Gonzumaru, only closing his eyes.
"That doesn't really concern us. What we want to know is why there's a new Demon that's been hanging around lately. Although I haven't seen him since last night. And don't try to pick a fight this really in the morning, Mezumaru," he asked, hitting his friend, Mezumaru, in the head before she could answer.
"He's gone after his puppet, apparently someone wants the power she has and abducted her. And I've got to give a report to the Master, so good bye," she said and left before either could say another word. She kept walking towards where Nurarihyon was, but just as she was about to open the door, a loud sound from inside stopped her.
"You're keeping this calm despite that someone that was supposed to be your ally tried to kill you?" Nurarihyon yelled angrily, Tsurara knowing who he meant.
"You're not listening. He wouldn't have killed me, he was trying to show that I had a long way to go before I could become the next Heir. And he is right, just making me see how right," Rikuo said, trying to defend Sesshomaru.
"Then where is he now, if he's not hiding because he betrayed us?" his grandpa asked, not really hearing what Rikuo was saying.
"He went after the ones who took Jess, like I mentioned before you got angry. You always forget what I say in no time at all," Rikuo sighed, Nurarihyon calming down suddenly.
"Oh yes, I was going to ask who took her before you mentioned your fight with him. So, he just left in the middle of the fight to go after them?" he asked, Rikuo nodding as he kept thinking. "Who were the ones who took her? Demons from another clan?" he asked after wards, Rikuo shaking his head. He told him about the band of Seven, and their scary skills to fight even against Demons. Nurarihyon didn't say anything after he told him, he just sat there and was in deep thought.
"Grandpa, do you think she'll be OK?" he asked after a while, Nurarihyon looking t him with a serious look.
"Who can say for sure. The girl is talented, I'll give her that. But without her weapon, she's not much different from a normal Human her age. So if she's defenseless, she'll be nothing more than any ordinary Human," he said, making Rikuo worried. "But, if she's as smart as she is skilled, she'll be fine. I haven't met them myself, so I can't say for sure. But I know a smart Human when I see one. And it seems like she's been through a lot," he said, smiling at the end.
Tsurara was still standing there, sighing in relief when they both came to an agreement. She walked away, no need to give a report since Rikuo sort of already gave one. She wanted to make sure Rin and Jaken were still here. She saw Rin playing with the small Demons in the Garden, Jaken sitting under a tree in the shade. She walked over to where she saw Rin, sitting down nearby.
"Oh, hello. Do you know where Lord Sesshomaru is?" she asked, Tsurara nodding, but didn't know if she should say anything about it.
"Yeah, he went after someone calling themselves the Band of Seven. They took Jess, most likely after her sword," she told her in the end, thinking it would be best for her to know. She gasped slightly, Jaken looking over at them. He walked over to them, looking a bit annoyed.
"Those pesky Humans have been causing a lot of trouble, and have already confronted Sesshomaru! Besides, that sword is only useful to Demons, so why would those Humans want it? Unless…" Jaken thought for a second before he started yelling in a panic. "Unless they plan on giving her to Naraku! He's already powerful as it is!"
"Who's Naraku?" Tsurara asked, Rikuo walking past just when she did.
"He's a very powerful Demon who possesses most of the Sacred Jewel Shards, which is a very powerful shard which with all together forms the powerful Sacred Jewel. If one Demon has the entire Jewel, his power will be almost unbeatable!" he explained, but was still in a panic. Rikuo's eyes widen, thinking about what kind of power was already in the sword. He narrowed his eyes and went to his room to change clothes, wanting to ask her friends what kind of power she as.
"Young Master?" Tsurara asked as she saw him running towards his room, looking very confused. She wanted to follow him, but Rin held on her robe so she couldn't move.
"Will Jess be alright? Lord Sesshomaru won't let anything happen to her, right?" she asked, Tsurara not sure what she was supposed to answer. She smiled and crouched down in a sitting position and told her that they both would be OK. She just needed to make sure she stays in the household area so he doesn't get more trouble. She nodded and went back to check on the other Demons.
Sesshomaru was jumping from tree to tree, seeming like he was in a very, very big hurry. He had heard from Black Fang, who had seen Bankotsu taking Jess, which direction he went in and had caught his scent again. The speed of his jumping was very fast, nearly no one noticed or knew he was there. He stopped by a cliff of some kind, a river, a very long way down, was running very fast and seemed rough. If someone falls down there form this height, they won't survive. Unless they get really, really lucky. He thought, hearing footsteps behind him. He turned his head a bit, seeing Jakotsu walking towards him.
"Well, there's a handsome Demon I haven't seen in a while. How've you been, Sesshomaru?" he asked, acting like there was no reason for him to be mad at them. Sesshomaru only stared at him, not answering. Jakotsu smirked, drawing his blade and pointed it towards him.
"Where is the girl? She's useless to you Humans. And Naraku cannot have the power as long as I'm still breathing. So there's no point in him trying to get his hands on her sword," he told him, Jakotsu still smirking.
"And as much as it pains me, I've been told by a young boy that Naraku wants you dead. So I've been given the job of taking care of you. Oh, it must be hard for you to die without knowing your little doll is still alright," he said, Sesshomaru closing his eyes.
"You're talking is pointless, I'm not planning on dying anytime soon. And as for Jess," he started, opening his eyes again. "she won't do anything unless I tell her too," he finished, drawing his weapon and attacked Jakotsu. Although he had fought him before, he didn't want to risk it with the cliff behind him. He was having the upper hand so far, but he knew about Jakotsu little 'trick' and knew he had to keep an eye on his sword.
Just as he thought it, Jakotsu swung it up and Sesshomaru had to jump to the far right in order to avoid it, moving closer to the edge of the cliff. As he kept swinging his sword, Sesshomaru had to rely on his own weapon to defend himself. This can't go on for much longer, then they'll have a chance to get away. He thought, trapping Jakotsu's sword with his foot and kind of leapt for him. Taken aback, he jumped back on instinct and withdrew his sword.
"You're suddenly in a hurry again, something crossed your mind or something?" he asked, sounding very surprised.
"I don't have the time to mess with someone as clueless as you. You're not worth my time," he said coldly, another pair of footsteps walking towards them. Someone jumped out of the tree and the leaves followed after him. As he landed, Sesshomaru noticed Jess being held by the person around the neck.
"Well, there's the Sesshomaru I've been hearing about. You've got a real loyal servant, I'm actually kind of jealous. She wouldn't say a word even though I threatened to kill her," he said, holding the handle of his blade with his left hand and tightened his grip on Jess's neck. She moaned a bit, trying to loosen his grip.
"What would you expect, she won't do anything if I don't tell her too. And as long as I breathe, whether she knows it or not, she won't choose a new Master," he added, Jess looking very confused by why he said that.
"Are you sure about that, Lord Sesshomaru?" another voice said, Jess freezing as she recognized the voice. She looked behind Bankotsu, seeing another person standing there. As she moved, Bankotsu's grip around her neck loosened a bit, allowing her to speak.
"You're…the one who pushed me down the well," she said, Sesshomaru's eyes going from the new person to Jess. He looked back at him and narrowed his eyes.
"Naraku," he whispered, Bankotsu looking confused. But before anyone could say another word, a beam shooting right towards Sesshomaru. Jess gasped and got loose from Bankotsu, but he instantly grabbed by her arm and held her back slightly.
"Sesshomaru!" she cried, her Master not being able to react fast enough to get out of the way. The attack in itself didn't do too much at him, but there was enough force to push him off the cliff and wasn't able to get up because the attack made his body numb. "Sesshomaru!" she yelled louder, shaking herself loose again and running towards the cliff, Bankotsu jumping ahead of her and caught her again. She looked down, not seeing him anywhere.
"There's no way he could survive a fall like that, even for a Demon. Maybe we should make sure he's not alive," he said, putting his hand on his forehead to get a better view. Jess was just looking down, her hair blocking her eyes. He looked down at her, looking rather worried about her.
"I can go and check while you two take her to someplace InuYasha and the others can't get to," Jakotsu said, Jess opening her mouth.
"I'm not going anywhere," the two of them looked down at her, Naraku moving closer to them. "Didn't you hear what Sesshomaru said? I'm not choosing a new Master until I've seen with my own eyes that he's really dead. Until then, I'm not going with you," she said, getting up and jumped down to a shelf on the cliff below her.
"Oh no you don't," Bankotsu said, about to jump down after her. But someone beat him to it, a stranger to them jumping down and picked her up and went away from where she was.
"Let go!" she yelled, trying to get lose.
"Going to look by yourself will get yourself killed, which isn't something Sesshomaru wants," the person said, Jess recognizing the voice. It was Ryuu, but she didn't know why he was here. "You'd better stay with us until we can figure out what happened to him. And don't worry, your blade has been picked up by Leopara who isn't too happy about you getting caught. But you're condition is more my concern at this moment," he explained, Jess's eyes going blank.
Ohhh kay, that's one way to start and end a chapter after a month. And school is being way, WAY too busy for me, so I might not be able to post in a schedule like I would love to. I'll write as often as I can, but I don't think I'll be able to post like I wished. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed, leave a review and I'll see ya next chapter!