Chapter 57:

Clumps of cream-tan colored flesh started coming out of Naraku's body and soon, it formed a human figure and bore a face that was similar to his previous incarnation, Juromaru. He had long dark hair, and he was wearing a simple, dark brown yukata. He called him 'Oni'; just for the sake of giving him an identity. He was created to kill no other than one target: Arisa.

After instilling him his orders, Oni moved out of their den swiftly with that one goal in mind.

Arisa had just finished making flower crowns, and after she wore hers, she teasingly put one over Jaken's and two for the double-headed creature. Ah-un didn't mind it at all and just looked up, curious to what its purpose was. On the other hand, Jaken constantly removed it while she frivolously kept on putting it back.

"Arisa, you better stop this! Are you a child?" he complained loudly, and she laughed.

"But it actually looks good on you."

"Demons like me are not interested in petty things like these!"

"Really? But Ah-un here seems to love it, and he's a demon."

Ah-un grumbled positively as a feedback, and Jaken closed his eyes irritably with crossed arms.

She was having a good laugh, until she suddenly sensed a demonic energy which is very similar to Naraku, though it was mostly comparable to Kagura's. However, it was more inferior, and she had a bad feeling about it. It was fast-approaching, causing her to panic.

Ah-un seemed to sense it as well, as he suddenly perked up from his spot.

This is bad…I still haven't fully recovered…! I can't believe Naraku would decide to take advantage of my situation.

Despite her body weakness, adrenaline rush came over; driving her to quickly stand and pick up Sesshomaru's fluff, then hung it over her shoulder. She also grabbed Jaken and they mounted on Ah-un.

"A-Arisa? What in the world do you think you're doing? Sesshomaru-sama isn't here yet!" Jaken asked, as he stared at her quizzically.

"We don't have time to wait for him. We're getting out of here."

"Wha-?"

But before Jaken could reciprocate, she had already signaled Ah-un to fly away from the place. And just a few minutes later, a man in dark-brown yukata stopped in the flower fields.

The unknown man continued to scan the surroundings. After seeing that his target is nowhere to be found, he left the area in a speed much faster than Koga's.

Sesshomaru went to a place quite far from the flower field where he left his accomplices, definitely not wanting Jaken to see him actually losing his cool. There was no screaming or shouting, but he vented his agitation using Tokijin and destroyed everything in that area. No single plant or animal was spared.

I can't believe I am almost acting like that half-demon.

He was back to his usual self after that and decided to return, with the assumption that Arisa was already awake.

But as he was nearing the site, he caught a lingering scent of Naraku - no, it was more equivalent to Kagura's smell. He then stopped for a while and waited for her to show up, but there was no one around. He then nonchalantly dismissed the thought and moved on.

However, the scent continued to get stronger, and that's where he was able to tell the difference.

It is not Kagura. Then…this must be another one of Naraku's detachments. But where is it headed to?

And right at that moment, it hit him like a rock.

Arisa.

He quickened his pace as fast as possible, determined to reach the place before the unforeseen enemy could.

Sesshomaru frowned and clicked his tongue as he set foot on the flower field. There was no one around, and only the admixed scent of Naraku's detachment and Arisa was all he could pick up. He then enhanced his sense of smell to sniff fresher amounts of her scent, and after being successful; it became a cue for him that she hadn't gone far just yet. He dashed from the place in a flash.

"Ah-un, please go faster…!" Arisa said in a nervous tone, which Ah-un compelled to. She was sweating profusely, as the dark energy was getting nearer.

Just how fast whatever this monster is!? Even if I go at someplace to hide, it will eventually catch up or find me...!

"Arisa! Would you mind telling me what this ruckus is all about?" Jaken asked crankily.

"We're being chased, and right now I don't have the power to fight it."

"But who would waste their time chasing us?"

"I'm only guessing, but it's probably a new minion of Naraku."

"You can't be serious…!"

She continued to rack her brain for options, and shortly after - an idea sparked up. She wasn't sure about it, but it was definitely worth the try.

The well…!

"Ah-un, let's go the wooden well! You know the way, don't you?"

Ah-un grunted softly as a response, and changed directions in a jiffy. Unfortunately, the energy she was running away from was no longer a feeling, because it was already there. She turned around in a frenzied state, and there was the black-haired man, only a few meters away from them. Jaken finally felt his presence and turned around as well, and he yelped.

"Jaken, can your staff's fire reach him?"

"I-I don't know, but—"

"Just try using it!"

With that, Jaken balanced himself and continuously released fire attacks from his Staff of Two Heads, but they won't reach the predator. The predator also dodged them with ease.

"I-It's not working!"

She knitted her brows as she considered the next move.

I have no choice…!

She had difficulty in focusing, but she was able to do the five cuts and release a big wave of light. It was rather rushed, so she was worried that he might be able to dodge it easily, especially with his rapid movement. Her concern actually happened but luckily, it still grazed a part of his leg which slowed him down.

Alright…!

It seemed like a weight was removed from her chest, and she felt safe for quite some time as they headed towards the well. They reached the clearing in a few moments, but as they were about to land, a short-chained spear suddenly came for them, and it directly hit one of Ah-un's legs, causing him to howl in discomfort. Soon, he lost balance and they all fell with a loud thud, facing the ground.

Arisa winced in pain, and a controlled whine left her mouth as she turned her head sideways; while Jaken and Ah-un were completely knocked out.

"Damn it…!"

The madman casually landed just a few meters away from her. His weapon also came falling down, but he perfectly caught it with one hand.

Slowly, she lifted her head.

"Who…are you…?" she asked in a brittle voice.

"I am called Oni. And the only job given to me is to slay you."

She smirked. "Are you…perhaps…ordered by Naraku?"

"Yes."

Huh…he's brutally honest.

She took a glance at the well, which was just a few inches away from. She could make it there, but her body wasn't functioning well anymore. It was like an overworked machine that shut down on its own. Nevertheless, she tried reaching for it - but all she could do was touch the edges.

"Can I kill you now?"

She silently laughed at the man called Oni's weird personality.

"Do you even need to ask…?"

She watched as Oni briskly walked over to her, intending to stab her at close range with his spear. She suddenly held on to Sesshomaru's fluff firmly, suppressing the tears that were suddenly threatening to come out. She couldn't help but hope that he would somehow magically appear by now, but there were no signs of him at all.

Why does this feel like déjà vu…? Only, this time…he really won't come.

"Oni…make sure not to stain this long scarf with my blood…"

He looked her with curious eyes, but answered her blatantly anyway.

"I'll do my best."

She then closed her eyes and prepared for the incoming strike, surrendering to him as she was already too tired to even feel fear.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX