To wolf girl 4797: Thank you for saying so! I'm really happy that this story got your excitement :))
To mgreenleaf: Thank you very much for your detailed review! :) You made me super happy with your curiosity and interest towards the story. Your questions will mostly be answered in this chapter :)). Sending you virtual hearts!
Chapter 52:
Without any hesitation, Sesshomaru used a part of his demonic power to enhance the already-powerful energy blast of his Tokijin and aimed it directly at Jakotsu, wanting to end everything with that move. Jakotsu quickly swung his sword in an attempt to block his power, but it was more immense and he was overwhelmed by it. He was eventually hit and got wounded, then knocked unconscious to the ground.
Tch. He's still alive, because of that jewel. Moving on...
With that thought, Sesshomaru immediately went on his way to find where Arisa, Jaken and Ah-un were – hoping that they were doing fine.
Arisa quietly left Ah-un and Jaken, promising that she would come back for them once she had accompanied Suikotsu, at least until his village was in sight. She followed Suikotsu from behind anyway; who occasionally told her stories of his past.
He just wanted to become a doctor and serve the people in their village, but then his other half suddenly came out one day and slaughtered all the folk. He was then recruited by a group of mercenaries, becoming their last and seventh member. He couldn't remember anything after that, but he was glad that he was finally his true self again.
"I really hope you stay that way from now on…for the sake of the children and your village."
"Yes. I also need to apologize to that beautiful priestess. I think I did something bad to her, before leaving the children."
Beautiful priestess…? Does he mean Kagome?
"Is her name Kagome, by any chance?" Arisa asked, awaiting confirmation.
"No, I don't know anyone of that name. But the priestess I'm talking about…hmm, I recall that her name is Kikyo."
Kikyo…? As in Kaede-san's older sister…?
"I see…"
They were walking for quite some time now, but Arisa couldn't see any signs that they were nearing a village. Instead, it felt like they were just going around the mountain; only, on a different path. She also noticed that Suikotsu was sweating profusely.
"Hey, Suikotsu…" she carefully asked, and the man answered her calmly as usual.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Is your village that far? Because, to me, it seems like we're not getting anywhere. We're still here in Mt. Hakurei…"
Suikotsu nervously chuckled.
"Sorry, but please bear with me for a little more. I'm actually not familiar with the area, to be honest. So…I'm trying to find the way…"
"And…are you alright?"
"Yes, I-I am fine. I just feel hot, is all." He replied with an uptight profile.
"Okay then…"
About a few hours had passed, and she couldn't help anymore but notice that she was back to the place where they had exactly left Sesshomaru and that feminine bandit. Her suspicions for Suikotsu increased drastically, and so she secretly focused for his aura. She gasped right after her discovery.
What the…!? How long has Naraku's aura been back into him, and why is it suddenly this dark and distinct!?
Following smidges of Arisa's scent, Sesshomaru was able to locate the vicinity, but he only found Jaken who was fast asleep beside Ah-un.
"Jaken."
That one, deep call of his name was enough to wake the little creature and be fully alert.
"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama!"
"Where is Arisa?"
Immediately, the green imp creature fervently bowed at his master's feet.
"Forgive me, milord…! I was feeling dizzy and all I could remember was Arisa following that man who attacked us. I'm sorry; I wasn't able to stop her…!"
She managed to do something about him…that's good.
Appeased, Sesshomaru didn't do anything but gave him a soft command instead.
"Get up with Ah-un."
After that, he was already out of his way, determined to rescue Arisa, if by chance she's in real danger. Thankful that he was spared this time, Jaken obeyed and rode on Ah-un, doing his best to stay strong despite the holiness of the place gobbling him.
"What's wrong, Miss Arisa? You look pale." Suikotsu asked in a backhandedly gentle tone.
Small beads of sweat started forming on Arisa's forehead, as she tried to think of a way to successfully escape.
"I-I'm fine, Suikotsu. I'm just a bit tired."
"I see."
"Umm, I…I think you're alright now, since that other self of yours hasn't been emerging. I truly wish a good life for you." Arisa said, plastering a sincere smile on her face, acting as natural as she could.
"You're certainly right about that…but I wished you could've walked with me till the end." He said, his vocal range starting to change. She quickly took that as a cue to once again cast the five cuts, but she was grabbed from behind and had her arms locked before she could even implore the hand signs.
"Mmpphh…!"
"I was wondering what took Suikotsu so long to come to my aid, and it was because you were able to get him back to his good self, eh? In any case, it gave me a chance to recover."
Arisa took a glance at her captor, and it was the man that Sessomaru should've disposed.
What…? How come he's still alive? Don't tell me he actually defeated Sesshomaru?
Suikotsu suddenly laughed sarcastically.
"Hell yeah, that damned woman really brought that doctor out. However, his resolve became too weak that I overcame him at long last."
"What did you just say!?" Arisa protested, but he scoffed at her.
"Though I gotta admit that I had difficulty in resurfacing, but some strange power aided me through my shard and boom! There was my freedom. But…Jakotsu, you bastard. You should've been the one who took care of that woman. She's a hassle that I had to act nice all the way which is terribly disgusting."
So he HAD a sacred jewel shard after all…!
"You should be grateful that she's yours and I was the one who faced Sesshomaru. He is no easy foe."
Maybe it really is the barrier's fault that I can't detect their auras that easily….damn it. I let my guard down too much…
As she listened to their conversation, Arisa struggled to get free from Jakotsu's arms.
Ugh, I forgot that he's biologically male AND a trained mercenary to boot…
She gritted her teeth, as the consequences of her carelessness started sinking in.
"Now then, what shall we do with you?" Jakotsu asked pompously as he tightened his hold around her arms; making her groan in pain.
"…but if you ask me honestly, I would like to kill you right this instant so I could already get to see Inuyasha. But wait, there's also Sesshomaru-"
"Sesshomaru would never give a single damn to a whore like you, and Inuyasha would just do the same!" Arisa objected with the purpose of insulting, which annoyed Jakotsu.
"Shut up, you pale-looking woman."
He then threw Arisa towards Suikotsu, in a way where she rolled harshly against the rough and rocky ground.
"Suikotsu. Hold her tight so she won't escape or do anything weird. I'm going to end her with my awesome Jakotsuto."
The man with the double persona sighed and boringly picked up Arisa like some piece of material. He held her arms completely, almost straining them.
"Hurry it up."
"Any last words?" Jakotsu asked, posing like he was the compassionate villain.
Despite the fear and pain that she felt, she chose to brush it off and continued to insult them; accompanied by a stark, unyielding glare.
"You both are going to hell, along with Naraku!" she shouted.
"Well now. Someone's still being impertinent despite being at death's door."
Jakotsu's eyes widened in joy as he swiftly swung his sword to kill a vulnerable human; only to be stopped by someone he least expected to interrupt.
"Sesshomaru…!?"
The dog demon had arrived just in time and stopped the zig-zag attack of the bandit's sword, dragging it to the ground with force using his Tokijin; merely a few inches away before it reached Arisa.
She softly smirked in relief upon seeing him come to her rescue.
Ah...there he is. My demon paragon.
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