In a dark corner of the forest, a fresh stream slowly flowed to an unknown lake. Nazoki took the time to jump into the icy water, and rinse any remaining blood from herself. Of course, it would only help so much, as any injuries she had sustained would continue to bleed. After a quick once over, Nazoki took to the skies. It did not take long to see A-Un. Rin and Jaken seemed to have simply moved in a straight line. Wasting no time, the vixen set to catching up with them.
Cold wind swam through her hair, as she moved through the sky. Upon reaching A-Un, Nazoki did not bother to call out to the pair. She seated herself on the back of the two headed dragon, catching their attention.
"Nazoki!" Rin was obviously relieved to see her, and she placed a hand on the girl's head.
"Jaken... Find a better place to rest." That being said the vixen shifted into her fox form, and laid down. At the moment, falling didn't seem to be a huge threat.
It didn't take long for Nazoki to fall asleep. She hoped to would do so for a long while.
"Master Jaken, Nazoki's injured..."
Turning to peer at Rin, Jaken glanced at the sleeping fox. Just like old times, he was in charge. As the toad was about to answer, Nazoki whined. That probably wasn't a good sign.
"That vixen will be fine. We just need to wait until Lord Sesshomaru returns."
Rin Gazed at Nazoki, trying to convince herself not to worry. She nodded in response to Jaken, wondering when the lord was.
"Die!"
With a burst of energy, Sesshomaru ripped through the baboon clad Naraku before him. Earlier, when he had caught scent of his prey, he quickly followed the trail. It led him through a winding forest, which held various distractions. He had fought through a wall of demons to simply reach the man. It seemed as though an infinite amount of enemies were lurking in the shadows. All of his determination swelled within him, only to find his efforts in vain. The moment his attack connected, Naraku was indeed ripped to shreds. Despite that fact, the man's head hovered into the air, and a deep chuckle sounded. Without a single word, the man faded into nothingness. Scowling, Sesshomaru stared up at the spot Naraku had once been. He needed to kill that bastard; needed to find his heart.
Various youkai surrounded him, and the lord calmly peered at them. Without hesitation, he tore into all who dared challenge him. The lord easily halved a plethora of random youkai, with very little effort on his part. Leaping back, he managed to evade a large claw, which was intent on crushing him. Immediately retaliating, the lord jumped on said hand, and ran up the bear demon's arm. Though it tried to crush him with its opposing, hand, Sesshomaru ducked back, and leaped over the large fingers. He was not a mosquito, and he would not be swatted like one. The demon stood up, raising the man tens of feet into the air. Plunging his blade into its neck, he caught a familiar scent.
Nazoki's blood, nearby. Jumping from the demon's shoulder, Sesshomaru landed meters away. He quickly annihilated a clear path of enemies with a single burst of blue energy. Not a single second was spared to bother with the rest as he leaped towards the scent. The lord weaved through the trees, clawing through anything that came his way. The scorching ring on his finger pulsed, and he ignored it for the most part; It seemed to do so often. Upon reaching the edge of the forest, Sesshomaru knew the scent was across the open field, but it was somewhere else too. It seemed to rain upon him, yet was ahead. Slightly confused as to where the source was, the man opted to continue towards the opposite forest. The path he had left the group on was headed in that direction. Half way across the field, the man heard Jaken and Rin.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" The two called in unison. Coming to a halt, Sesshomaru turned around, and peered overhead, only to find A-Un racing towards him. The two-headed dragon nearly crash landed, and Rin clutched the sleeping fox behind her as it did. Of course, after such an entrance, Nazoki could not remain asleep. She peered at Jaken, slightly annoyed that he could not have landed better. The moment they landed, Jaken and Rin exploded into a mull of conversation, each at their own pace. All Sesshomaru could pick out was "Music", "Demon", "Monster", and "Hurt". Calmly staring at the two, the lord waited for their seemingly random stream of words to end. Jaken finished with "Oh, Lord Sesshomaruhuhu!", and leaped on the lord's mokomoko with a hug. Obviously, the toad was scared. Rin was more or less speaking of Nazoki, and how she was injured. The girl was not scared, just worried. Okay... Apparently a 'scary' monster, slash, demon combination was playing music, and injured Nazoki. Situation accessed, issue understood.
Without a word, Sesshomaru stepped towards A-Un's rear. Nazoki gazed up at him, remaining a fox. The look the lord held was clearly a command to shift, yet she did not want to. Seconds passed, and the vixen sighed. Of course, when Sesshomaru wanted something another's desires have no importance. Reluctantly obliging, Nazoki lifted herself into a sitting position, and shifted her gaze. A heavy silence seemed to hang over the group as Sesshomaru studied the multiple scratches, and puncture wounds. From the vixen's neck to her waist were various injuries. Her hands had been completely pierced, and three thick gashes adorned her chest.
Rin stared at her with raised eyebrows, and Jaken remained on Sesshomaru's mokomoko. The lord offered a single nod, as if to express his grasp of the situation. To his surprise, Nazoki murmured an apology for not being more careful when it came to choosing a spot to rest. She claimed that all was well, and Sesshomaru could leave; saying she was fine.
"Nazoki, can't you tell the lord is worried?" Rin's words seemed to catch all but Sesshomaru off guard.
"Worried? Bah! The lord doesn't care about something like that! She said she was fine!" Jaken declared, also adding that the only important thing was that he and Rin remained unscathed. Nazoki remained silent, staring at the ground to her left
"Hn. I appear to be worried?" Sesshomaru's deep voice was the next to be heard. He peered at Rin, and the girl nodded. Calmly staring at her, Sesshomaru chose not to comment. He was not worried. Just smelled the blood and it made him curious. That's all...
The lord offered no more words as he started away. A-Un followed, and Jaken dropped to the ground walking in his rightful place behind the man. Rin and Nazoki remained in place on A-Un's back. With the way his hunt had turned; Naraku getting away; Sesshomaru was less then pleased. Between that and being told he was worried, the lord felt annoyance tinge within him. Nevertheless, until he got a clue on the spear he desired, or Naraku's whereabouts, the man could spare a moment. Apparently, his 'pack' was not even capable enough to pick proper resting grounds at the moment, how tedious. Yet it did not make sense for Nazoki to have bad judgment of such a thing, Kitsune were always regarded as wise. They were also called devious and seductive. Apparently, Nazoki had been skipped for at least one of those traits. Or so he thought.
Never, would the vixen trick people (such as impersonating a human with money), and she was not attractive (because men always try to pick the least attractive of the kitsune at their unique mating gatherings). Right? Well, if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that Nazoki had obviously fought something. And she didn't appear to be the best at doing such. Maybe her flames had spoiled her, giving her the illusion of security because her natural reaction saved her. Or maybe she was just clumsy. The woman had displayed such a trait in the forest when that wolf saved her. Moreover, when she tripped over her own two feet in front of Inuyasha's group. How was it possible for a demoness to be so careless? Honestly, as weak as she was, it would always be easier to run. Maybe turn into a will-o-wisps like her little fiancé buddy.
It did not take long for Sesshomaru to find a concealed area. Once he stopped in the clearing he turned to A-Un.
"Nazoki, come with me." The man gazed at her with eyes of stone. Though she did not turn to look at him, she slid off A-Un, and slowly obliged. Unsure of what to expect, anxiousness surged within the vixen. After flashing an obvious, 'Do not follow us' glance over the remaining two, Sesshomaru continued through the forest.