Chapter 56

Jaken trapped




Sesshomaru set his gaze in front of him, as he and his group were marching. The demon was avoiding the infuriating woman for the past two days – he feared, that he would snap that fragile little neck of hers, if she angered him further. It was difficult for him to admit, but he was rather pleased to have this human near. However, she kept disobeying Sesshomaru and questioning his position as her master. Why couldn't the insolent woman be like Rin was? Quiet and obedient. The demon clenched his fist. He decided, that at the first opportunity he would have to show her, where her place was, again.

The inu-youkai stopped, as he picked up a strange scent. It was familiar, but Sesshomaru did not meet its owner before. The scent must belong to one of Naraku's servants. He turned around to look at his companions. The idiot woman and Rin were sitting on Ah-Un already. Sesshomaru knew, that it would be foolish to engage in battle when the human females were around – they would be a distraction and would hold him back.

"Jaken." He commanded in harsh tone. "Take Rin and Mai in safe place. One of Naraku's minions is approaching."

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama!" the imp answered immediately and climbed on Ah-Un in front of Mai. He took the reins and motioned the dragon to take off, carrying out Sesshomaru's order. The older girl gripped the saddle, her face paling.

"Why can't we stay with Sesshomaru?" she asked, not understanding why the dog demon would send them away now. Earlier they were with him even when he was fighting.

"You two would only hinder him in the fight." Jaken explained, urging Ah-Un to fly faster. The dragon soared into the sky and flew, fortunately not high above the ground. Every time Jaken wanted to fly higher, Mai would shriek at the imp.

Suddenly a shape flew right behind Mai's nose – it was a common hawk. The girl gave out a surprised cry and let go of the saddle. She lost her balance and swayed in the saddle. When she was about to regain the balance, Ah-Un turned abruptly and she felt herself slipping of the saddle. Frantically, she grabbed the first thing she could to prevent falling. Unfortunately, that thing was Jaken.

"Let me go!" he yelled waving with Nintoujou, but Mai pulled him with herself and they both fell from Ah-Un.

"Mai! Jaken-sama!" Rin screamed, after them.

Mai was screaming, still gripping Jaken's clothing, as she expected the lethal collision with solid ground. However, that didn't happen. Instead of dying from the impact, they fell into the water. The girl wanted to yelp from the pain, as she hit the stone bottom of the river with her butt, but water filled her mouth. Not being able to breath, she panicked. Luckily she was able to bounce from the bottom to swim to the surface. Mai gasped for breath, as she managed to emerge. She yanked Jaken upwards and he also coughed, giving a sign, that he was alive. Both the girl and the imp were alive, but, unfortunately, they weren't save either. Mai shrieked, when they got into the strong water current. She and Jaken desperately tried to get onto the dry ground, but they just couldn't.

"Jaken!" Mai shouted, when she heard a terrifying roar, that she had heard only in movies before.

"A waterfall!" the imp squeaked and frantically tried to swim to the riverbank. Finally, he used his head and, just when they were passing two large boulders, submerged in water, he managed to stick Nintoujou between them, so that it was keeping himself and Mai in place. The girl cried, feeling the unbearable pressure on her stomach, as the water flowed from behind.

"Mai, get on the rock!" Jaken shouted to her. She nodded and slowly made her way, fighting with the pressure of the water. Just when she finally climbed on the rock, one end of the staff freed itself and Jaken squealed. Swiftly, Mai grabbed another end and dragged Jaken, who attached himself to Nintoujou, onto the rock. They were couching on the boulder for a while, panting heavily. The rock was close to the riverbank, so Mai easily tossed Jaken and jumped after him.

"That was close." The girl commented.

"Yes." Jaken agreed and looked around. The landscape was mountainous and wild. Mai sighed, looking at her completely soaked and torn kimono.

"I guess, that we have no choice but to go up the river, maybe Rin and Ah-Un will find us." The girl said. Even if she and Jaken were lost, she knew, that the rescue would come sooner or later. If not Ah-Un, Sesshomaru will surely track them down once beats the crap out of his opponent.
Mai and the imp set off, complaining along the way. Jaken was scanning the surroundings with focused look.

"This place reminds me of Musashimo." He stated.

"Musashimo?" the girl repeated. Jaken nodded and sighed heavily.

"My homeland, the place where I spent all my life, before I met Sesshomaru-sama." He told Mai with nostalgic look in his eyes. She gasped – Jaken was so loyal and dedicated to serving Sesshomaru, that it didn't even cross her mind, that the imp even had other life before.
"Didn't you regret leaving home?" Mai asked and Jaken smiled.

"I have a debt to repay. I owe Sesshomaru-sama my life."

"Oh." Mai muttered. Speaking of owing the life, she would have probably repay her own numerous debts to Sesshomaru for a couple of reincarnations.

For a while they walked in silence. Mai noticed, that her clothes finally began to dry. Suddenly, a rustling voice in the bushes caught her attention. She whirled around just in time to see a bunch of little creatures, reaching her knees, pointing spears at her. Instinctively she stepped back, but she was circled. While making a step, she accidentally knocked her companion of his feet and tangled in her kimono. Mai saw, that the creatures, surely youkai, were looking awfully lot like Jaken – the same size, green skin and huge yellow eyes.

"What are you doing here, human?" demanded one of them.

"Tch." Mai snorted at the question. She wanted to gave a witty reply, but Jaken managed to get back on his feet and stepped in front of her, holding the staff – ready to attack and protect the girl.
One of the creatures gasped.

"It's Jaken-sama! Jaken-sama has returned!" he cried and fell onto the ground, making a deep bow. The others threw away their spears and followed him.

"Jaken-sama, please, come with us to the castle." The imps pleaded Jaken.

"I told you, that you must forget about me!" Jaken said. Then, Mai's stomach rumbled, reminding her, that she forgot to eat a breakfast today. The girl laughed sheepishly.

"Jaken, maybe we could stay for dinner? I really have to eat something." She told her companion. Jaken sighed, shaking his head, but agreed. One of the imps ran first to announce Jaken's arrival.
The group of the youkai led Jaken and her through the forest to something like a castle, carved in the mountain's slope. As they were walking by, the creatures kept bowing and whispering. Apparently Jaken was quite an important person here.

"Jaken, exactly who were you before you met Sesshomaru?" Mai whispered to the imp. Jaken straightened his back, trying to appear taller than he was – not that made any difference to Mai.
"I was ruling those youkai." He side, pride in his voice. The girl gasped.

"And now you you're Sesshomaru's servant and you're happy with it?" she asked, doubtfully. Jaken sent her a scolding look.

"You were a princess yourself." He commented.

"It's not the same. I was kidnapped." She hissed, rolling her eyes. Well, now she was following the silver-haired demon kind of her own will, but it wasn't like she had other choice.

The imps led Mai and Jaken to a huge dining hall, where a huge feast was already prepared. Mai winced, as she saw the roasted lizards, that her companion liked so much, but she spotted also many edible things.

"Jaken-sama, please stay with us." Pleaded one of the imps, an older one, who looked like some kind of leader here. "We need you."

"I can't return, I must serve great and honorable Sesshomaru-sama." Jaken repeated stubbornly. Mai couldn't ignore her rumbling stomach. Discreetly, she made her way to the table and snatched a riceball. Munching, she observed the development.

"But, Jaken-sama… We are in a need of a strong leader to defeat the daughter of Bikuni, the same you fought one hundred years ago." The old imp pleaded.

"I am no longer one of you. You will have to solve your problems by yourself." Jaken, stated, folding his arms. He turned to Mai, who was stuffing herself with another riceball.

"Mai, are you done?" he complained. The girl nodded, grabbing as many riceballs as she could and made her way to her companion. Damn, those riceballs were simply delicious – it's a pity, that she won't have time to get a recipe.

She and Jaken were walking toward the exit, ignoring the desperate pleas of the other green creatures.
"JAKEN-DONO!" a loud female voice shrieked. Mai noticed that the imp stiffened, as though genuinely terrified. Slowly, he turned around. The girl did the same. She saw a female green creature running towards them. She was slightly shorter than Jaken and had long, flowing green hair, which looked a little strange on such a youkai, not mentioning the make-up. Startled Mai observed, as the imp-girl darted towards her friend and wrapped her hands around his neck, embracing Jaken. The imp tried to shove her away, but she was holding him firmly. Mai began munching a riceball. This was beginning to be like some cheap drama.

"Jaken-dono, I've been waiting for you for those hundred years. I've never doubted, that you'll return to me and keep your promise." She said, smiling at him seductively. Jaken gulped.

"What promise?" asked Mai, suddenly interested in Jaken's private affairs.

"On the day, when Jaken-dono departed to the battle, he promised me, that once he comes back, he will take me as his wife. I've been patiently waiting for my love to return to me. And there you are." She said, the last words to Jaken, looking softly into his eyes. Mai gasped.

"Hotaru, I…" Jaken began, looking uneasy.

"We should have our wedding right away!" the imp-girl exclaimed with bright smile. Her smile dropped, as Jaken shoved her from himself. She looked at him with wide-opened eyes, surprised by his action. Mai cursed under her nose, as she ran out of the riceballs. She would kill for some popcorn right now!

"Hotaru." Jaken said in serious tone. "I have a duty, I must fulfill. I'm sorry, I can't marry you."

"Jaken-dono…" Hotaru stared at him, taking his words in. Then she furrowed her brows and slapped Jaken in the face. "You betrayed me!"

With those words she ran off, sobbing. Jaken sighed heavily, looking depressed. Finally he looked at Mai and motioned her to move out. The girl grabbed the remaining riceballs and trotted after him.
"I didn't know, that you had a fiancée." Mai said, inwardly rolling with laughter as she remembered the dramatic scenes just a while ago. Jaken mumbled something, obviously not in the mood for conversation.

Suddenly, there was a great commotion. The imps were running, screaming something. Mai noticed, that the females and kids were ushered to hide.

"Jaken-sama!" one of the imps ran towards them. The girl saw, that he had blood all over himself.

"Jaken-sama, Bikuni's daughter just attacked! Please, help us."
Jaken folded his arms and gave the imp the stern look.

"I said already that…" Jaken began, irritated.

"She has Hotaru!" the imp exclaimed. Jaken's eyes widened, if it was even possible.

"What?" Jaken whispered.