Chapter 7: Kaira's Nest Part 2
After her deal with Kaira, Reina was sent to a room with a beautiful flower design on the shoji screens. There was a dresser in the corner that had all shades of rouge and eye powder. She opened up the other drawers and saw numerous kimonos with different designs on it.
He's trying to bribe me into making me help him. Reina thought and sighed, What a jerk!
She was hating this tengu by every second. Kaira reminded Reina of Naraku in every way. Putting that thought aside, Reina had to figure out on how to contact Masahiro and the others about Kaira's plans. But most importantly on how she and Akari were going to free the women. Then she remembered the ofudas that Hansuke gave to her and Akari before they were taken to Kaira.
Flashback:
"We know that you two won't be able to contact us while you're in Kaira's nest, so I'll give these." Hansuke said as he took out two ofudas from his kimono sleeve and gave one to Reina and another to Akari.
"Ofudas?" Akari asked.
"These ofudas will allow you to contact us without Kaira's knowledge. Just channel your auras into the ofuda and you'll be able to speak to us through them." Hansuke said.
"Alright. Thanks, Hansuke." Akari said.
"Just be careful you two. You'll be on your own until we get to you." Hansuke said.
"Yes, thank you, Hansuke." Reina said.
"Be careful, mama." Akinobu said as he wrapped his arms around her neck and Tomoe wrapped her arms around Reina's waist. She gave both of them a tight squeeze to reassure them that she would return safe. They also went over to Akari and gave her hugs. Akari hugged them back. She wanted to let the little ones know that they will come back to them. Masahiro entered the hut when she released Akinobu and Tomoe. Akinobu, Tomoe, Hansuke, and Akari decided to leave the two to talk.
"Masahiro." Reina said as she walked up to him.
"Don't worry, your shards are safe." Masahiro said. Patting his hand over his heart. She could tell that Masahiro was scared for her. But she had to help save the women. She knew that the women were probably terrified right now. She could relate to them. All those times she was kidnapped, she always waited for Inuyasha come and rescue her. They were always close calls. But now she was the rescuer and she was facing an enemy without Inuyasha's help. She couldn't help feeling uneasy.
Noticing her uneasiness, Masahiro pulled her into his arms. Reina could feel her heart rate go up as Masahiro held her close. She was tense for a moment, but then she relaxed. Somehow, being in Masahiro's arms made her feel less nervous. It made her calm while she placed her head near his heart, feeling his warmth made her body feel at ease.
"Please come back safe, Reina." Masahiro said.
"I promise I will, Masahiro." Reina said.
After Reina made the deal with Kaira, the guards dragged Akari by the arms and shoved her into a room. In the room, there were a group of women who looked terrified when they saw Akari. They were all huddled together as they sat a few feet away from her.
"Are you the women from the mountain village?" Akari asked, calmly. The women remained silent as they stared at her. She knew that this was going nowhere. Then she heard one of the women get up. Akari looked up and saw a girl with long dark brown hair and brown eyes wearing a simple pink kimono with a yellow obi around her waist. She was probably around Reina's age at least. The girl walked towards her and kneeled down at her at eye level.
"Yes, we are the village women who were kidnapped by Kaira." The girl said.
"What's your name?" Akari asked.
"Kuri." Kuri said.
"I'm Akari." Akari said.
"Are you a tengu?" Kuri asked.
"Yes, I am." Akari said.
"Why are you locked in this room with us?" Kuri asked.
"White tengus are known to be bad luck for black tengus." Akari said.
"That's terrible." Kuri said.
"Yes, it is." Akari said, "Anyway, the real reason why I'm here is to rescue all of you."
"Rescue?" A woman asked.
"Why should we ask for rescue from the same breed of the demon that captured all of us?!" Another woman said.
"But she said that she has come to help us. Surely, she doesn't mean to harm us." The third woman said, nervously.
"Are you siding with the demons?" The fourth woman asked in an angry tone. All of the women began to argue among each other. Akari knew that they couldn't decide if they could trust her. After all, she was the same breed as Kaira. Then she saw Kuri stand up in front of the women.
"Shut up!" Kuri said. The women went silent when Kuri shouted. But they still looked frightened at the moment.
"I know that Akari isn't evil. If she was, why would she be put here in the first place?" Kuri asked, "I also know that Akari is our savior and we have to have faith in her for now."
Akari was surprised at this human. A mortal human actually trusted her. A human that had no powers, but had a side of courage and trust a complete stranger. Humans were still a mystery to her. They were always surprising her.
"But I didn't come alone. The Shikon Miko is also here." Akari said, surprising the women.
"Really?" A woman asked with hope in her eyes.
"Yes. So trust the both of us, please." Akari said. The room was silent and the women looked at each other. They nodded and stood up while looking at Akari and Kuri.
"We'll trust you." Another woman said.
"Thank you." Akari said as she gave a little bow.
Masahiro and the others, minus Reina and Akari, raced towards the mountain that Kaira called home. All of them grew worried about their two comrades. They knew that Reina and Akari would have fight on their own if trouble were to brew. Akinobu clenched his fists onto Masahiro's shoulder as he rested on his shoulder. He was worried about Reina. He remembered all those times when Reina use to get into trouble and then Inuyasha would come in and save her. But all of them were really close calls.
Tomoe was worried about Reina as well as Akinobu was. Even though it wasn't very long that she had gotten to know Reina, she felt like she had a mother again. She now knew how Akinobu felt about Reina. Not wanting someone who is precious to you getting into danger. She continued to think about her as she held onto Hansuke's shoulders while he carried her on his back.
Masahiro was even more worried about his two pack members. He knew that Akari could probably fight by herself. Although he grew more worried about Reina. Knowing that she is miko, he had faith that she would be able to fight on her own. But he didn't know the number of tengus that resided in Kaira's nest. Plus that she didn't have her sword or her bow and arrows. He had a feeling that Kaira will try to do something terrible to Reina. He desperately hoped that the two of them would be alright.
Hansuke felt the same way as the others did. Kaira was at a different level of demons they have faced so far. A yokai bear is one thing, but a full fledged tengu is another. Then he felt two different auras near his chest. The group stopped when he took out two ofudas that were glowing in two different colors. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the auras.
Reina, what is it? Hansuke asked.
I know the reason why Kaira wants the jewel shards. Reina said.
Why? Hansuke asked.
He wants to be powerful enough to rule the Eastern Lands! Reina said.
What?! Is he insane? Hansuke asked, shocked.
Not only that, he wants me to be his shard detector and his mate! Ugh! I didn't know he would be such a pig! Reina said, fuming at Kaira's arrogance.
I agree that he is. Hansuke said.
There's something else that you all need to know, Hansuke. Reina said.
What is it? Hansuke said.
Kaira is...Akari's older brother. Reina said.
WHAT?! Hansuke asked, startled.
I didn't believe it either. But I think he was telling because Akari looked like she wasn't going to deny it. Reina said.
I see. Hansuke said, Do you know where the women are?
No. Akari might be with them. Reina said.
Okay. Do you know how we can get inside? Hansuke asked.
Yes. There's a crack on the side of the east side of the mountain. There a boulder that acts like a sliding door. Walk straight down and go to your right. Further down the way is where my room is. Reina said.
Thanks, Reina. Now hang in there until we get to you. Hansuke said.
I will. Be safe. Reina said. After their conversation ended, Reina's aura vanished on the ofuda and Hansuke concentrated on Akari's. He felt a little uncertained at that moment. He couldn't believe that Akari was related to that sinister and twisted tengu. But he needed her help even though she is related to the enemy.
Hansuke, can you hear me? Akari asked.
Yes, I hear you, Akari. Hansuke said.
I know where the women are. Akari said.
How can we find them? Hansuke asked.
After you get to through the entrance, walk straight down the hall. You'll reach a door with a sakura petals design on it. Take a left and stop at a pair of doors with rose petals on it. Akari said.
Thank you, Akari. Hansuke said.
Yeah. Akari said, She told you, didn't she?
What? Hansuke asked, confused.
Reina told you that I'm Kaira's younger sister. Akari said, sadly.
Yes, she did. Hansuke said.
I'm sorry. Akari said.
It's okay. I understand. Hansuke said.
You do? Akari asked.
I understand that you felt uncomfortable talking about your family. Hansuke said.
Yeah, I still can't believe I'm related to such a monster. Akari said, If he's a monster, then I'm probably one as well. She was internally angry at herself. She silently wished that she wasn't related to him at all. But she had to put that thought aside now. What she really needed to do right now was to help Reina and rescue the village woman.
You're not a monster, Akari. Hansuke said.
Huh? Akari asked, startled.
You're a special tengu, Akari. Hansuke said, One of a kind.
Akari blushed when Hansuke called her special. The only ones who knew that she was special was her parents and the miko who took her in. But there were more people who accepted her as a white tengu. She was glad that she met Hansuke and the others. They accepted her without a second thought. She smiled when she remembered the day when she joined the pack. It was a day that she would never forget.
Thank you, Hansuke. Akari said.
You're welcome. Hansuke said with gentleness in his voice, Don't worry, we're about a day away from the nest. We'll there soon.
Okay, I'll make that the women will stay safe until then. Akari said with confidence.
Alright then, good luck, Akari! Hansuke said.
You too, Hansuke. Akari said.
"So what did Reina and Akari say?" Akinobu asked as Hansuke put away his two ofudas.
"Reina told me how we can get into the nest and Akari told me where to find the women." Hansuke said.
"Are they alright?" Masahiro asked, worried.
"Don't worry. They're fine." Hansuke said.
"Thank goodness." Tomoe said.
"But there's another matter Reina told me about." Hansuke said.
"What is it?" Masahiro asked.
"Kaira plans on using Reina to find the jewel shards and use them to take over the Eastern Lands." Hansuke said.
"HUH?!" Masahiro, Akinobu, and Tomoe exclaimed at the same time.
"Apparently, that's the least of our worries for now." Hansuke said.
"For now, I guess." Akinobu said. Masahiro clenched his fists at that moment. He had a hunch that his older brother, Shinji had something to do with this. He probably told him that he would give him a part of the Eastern Lands. That's exactly what Shinji would do. Using people like game pieces on a shoji board. But there was something else to Shinji's game. Was he the other player whose playing against Shinji or was he a game piece in Shinji's game?
"Before we go in, we should think of a plan." Masahiro said.
"Right." Hansuke, Akinobu, and Tomoe said.
End of Part Two
