Chapter 56:

Arisa took a glimpse at Sesshomaru going at a fast pace towards Naraku, upon being able to clear the thick layer of miasma. She finally saw Naraku's figure, and instantly, she was invigorated by her seething hatred for the man. She began to focus her energy and prepared for the incantation of the verse cuts.

Then, she took the chance while Naraku was busy entertaining Sesshomaru, and struck him before he could react.

However, the impact she had experienced was drastic as soon as she had cast her powers. She was completely depleted, and couldn't move a single muscle. Only her desire to see Naraku suffer was fueling her up to keep being mindful.

Even if her attack didn't fully get him, she was still contented that she had done more damage to him this time compared to their first major previous encounter.

That'll teach you a lesson, jerk…

She felt his piercing glare for her, but she only smirked at it quietly. She could eve stick her tongue out at him, if she could.

You deserve it, Naraku.

Inuyasha was able to notice Naraku's lacerations that didn't seem to heal, but he was more concerned of what happened to the priestess.

"Naraku! What did you do to Kikyo!?" he shouted angrily as he reached for the hilt of his Tetsusaiga.

Naraku cut his own agitation and shifted to chuckling at Inuyasha's words.

"I pushed her towards the cliff, and she fell."

"Why, you…!"

"If anything, Inuyasha, it is your fault for coming too late to rescue your beloved woman."

He growled at his words, as he couldn't deny that he was correct.

But deeming his current situation, Naraku couldn't give him the show he wanted, so he made his escape not too long after, which further intensified his frustration.

"Come back here, you bastard!"

"We'll fight next time, Inuyasha."

At the background, Sesshomaru was focused on Arisa, who was now taking heavy breaths.

"You idiot." he complained softly, and looked at her with obvious concern. She became aware of his current expression, and raised a hand towards him.

"I'll…be fine…"

Inuyasha suddenly turned to Sesshomaru.

"Sesshomaru! Did you just watch Naraku push Kikyo at the cliff? Why didn't you save her!?"

Arisa somewhat discerned Inuyasha's words, and quickly defended Sesshomaru, knowing how he would respond.

"Kikyo-san was…no longer…there when he reached…Naraku. We're…sorry we…couldn't…do anything…"

"What?"

Sesshomaru eyed him with irritation and spoke up.

"I did not come here for a rescue operation."

"Damn you…!"

Inuyasha bitterly shouted and was ever-ready to swing his sword towards his older brother.

"I do not care what relationship you have with that priestess. But if there is someone who didn't save her, it was you." Sesshomaru addressed coldly, and went ahead to secure the already unconscious Arisa in a safe position on Ah-un's back. He then commanded Jaken to keep an eye on her, and flew away right after.

Inuyasha only grunted, as everything was just too hard to swallow.

"Sesshomaru-sama is right. So don't you dare blame him for this." Jaken reminded the half-demon before ordering Ah-un to follow after their master.

By sunset, Sesshomaru had found a decent site for them to recover; no – for Arisa to recover. This time, it was a much more serene area, near flower fields.

He removed his fluff then put it down on the grass, and silently hefted Arisa from Ah-un's back and laid her there. Just like the last time she casted the verse cuts, she looked vulnerable and ashen.

His image was aloof, but he was certainly worried for the young woman. Jaken was worried for her as well, and tried to 'console' his master.

"Sesshomaru-sama…this is just like that time. I'm sure she will wake up later…"

"…it is her fault for being stubborn." he said with a quiet voice, talking to himself instead of assuring Jaken.

The little creature didn't pry further anymore, feeling his lord's uneasiness in that statement alone.

The dog demon stayed up all night watching over her, and waiting for her to wake up. However, dawn came but Arisa has yet to regain consciousness. Though there was a slight change in her pallor, it was pretty much the same as yesterday.

"It is about time for you to wake up." Sesshomaru muttered towards her, but of course, there was no response.

"Stop feigning and open your eyes." He continued to say; a sense of anxiety now evident in his tone. He began shaking her shoulder gently at first until it turned rigorous. Jaken, who was sleeping at her side, was stirred by this and was alarmed upon seeing his actions.

"Se-Sesshomaru sama! What are you doing? Please stop…!"

He pleaded as he grabbed a hold of his arm, trying to calm him down.

Sesshomaru desisted right away, and yanked his arm away from Jaken.

"Guard her properly while I am out."

He said in a serious tone, and walked off somewhere; leaving a distressed Jaken behind.

Arisa woke up a few hours later, her eyelids heavy. She tried to sit up, but she felt her body extremely heavy as well. As a result, she lounged back into the ground, and only then did she feel the familiar texture which made her grasp on it.

Wait a minute…this is…Sesshomaru's fluff…

She then looked around, but only the flowers and a napping Ah-un were there, just a few feet away from her.

But where is he…? Jaken too…?

She decided to feel her surroundings, and she was taken in by the refreshing breeze and nature's tranquility. Later, she heard Jaken's footsteps and she quickly sat up, which caused a painful strain.

"Ouch…!"

Jaken was flabbergasted as he saw Arisa up and about, and he quickly ran to her.

"Arisa…! You're finally awake…!" he declared with a genuine relief in his expression, and it made her grin.

"How long was I asleep?" she asked nervously, scratching her head.

"One whole day, young lady. Sesshomaru-sama was on-edge the whole night until this morning, you know."

Her heart skipped a beat at Jaken's revelation.

He was that worried for me…?

"I see…umm…so where is he?"

"He went somewhere this morning, and he hasn't returned since."

"Oh...okay then."

Jaken was a little hesitant to comment about something, but he needed to say it.

"That was an amazing show of power against Naraku, but I do not recommend you to keep using it."

"But it's the only safe spell that will work against Naraku."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well…the five cuts would only graze him." She quickly said, trying not to spill the secret behind her powers.

"If it is not needed, you should not use it. Sesshomaru-sama can handle Naraku, trust me."

She only replied with a short laugh, to which Jaken sighed.

"You look terrible. I think you still need to have lots of rest. " Jaken added, to which she chuckled.

"Oh, do I?"

Only if he permits…he might just demand that I'm wasting our time again.

Meanwhile, Naraku, who had just recuperated from Arisa's verse cuts requested for Kanna's appearance. Just the thought of her certainly irked him a lot.

I can't believe that woman only became stronger. If it weren't for some interference and if Kagura and Kohaku had done their simple tasks back then. Even those mercenaries were useless…

His thoughts switched to his recent battle at Mt. Hakurei.

I still couldn't heal fast right on the spot, and the sacred jewel which was in my chest almost got purified by exposure to that sacred power alone. No doubt, she must be eliminated by all means.

Using Kanna's mirror, he searched for Arisa's location, and it showed her in a field of flowers with Jaken and their animal companion. Sesshomaru wasn't around, and he also noticed her frail features. Soon, he let out an atrocious laugh.

What a perfect timing.

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