Welcome to Hubris, version 2.0. There are three main differences in this version:

1. I'm making an effort to be a little more personable on this version than I was on the last. I completely forgot to add any author's notes or disclaimers, or anything on the last one. Sorry!

2. I've edited the text of the story and corrected some errors.

3. I've updated the story with the more recent events including the return of Sesshomaru's mother and the events of chapter 518 of the manga. Google it if you don't already know.

If you've already read this one, I hope you'll find something new and interesting. If you haven't, then you definitely will!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the manga, Sesshomaru and Rin in particular, but Inuyasha, Izayoi, and anyone else I happened to mention. The versions of InuPapa (Kaemon) and SessMom (Nishi) that are included, brief though their appearances may be, are my creations and any other OCs including Mizuki, Amarante, etc. are mine. If you want to do anything with them or feel the inspiration to express your reactions through art, send me a message or leave a comment and maybe post them on Deviantart if you have an account. I have an one and have put a link on my profile.

Anyhoo, read on and enjoy Hubris 2.0

Metal cracked upon metal. The sounds of mortal combat rang through the ancient forest. The orange radiance of sunset filtering through the massive trees glinted from slashing blades. White charged black in search of long-awaited vengeance. The assailant in white landed blow after blow, fighting equally with his claws and his sword; while the black-haired defender, though possessing the skill of a superior demon slayer, could barely parry any of his opponent's strikes, each clash draining him as he became weaker and weaker.

His years of training had taught him that once a demon grew tired toying with a slayer, it would strike the killing blow. That moment came sooner than the man in black anticipated, throwing him backward into a particularly large tree where his expiring body slumped into a pathetically bruised and bloody heap. The aggressor sheathed his sword and drew another blade from a second scabbard.

As he held the katana over the mangled body, it pulsed. The sword drew the small blue-green imps that appeared around the body onto the mortal plane, catching them in the act of extracting the slayer's soul for the journey to the Underworld. When the white-haired man swung the blade at the creatures, they fell to pieces that dissolved into wisps of smoke. The assailant put away his sword and waited as the slayer's body became whole once more.

Almost out of nowhere, a pale hand shot out of the darkness and lifted the slayer by the throat, pinning him against the tree as finely sharpened claws dug into the back of his neck. The blood-red sunset enhanced the twin red marks, as thin as slits from a fine blade, that coiled around the pale wrist. The white figure's lips parted into a cruel, fanged smile, distorting the red stripes that ran along his cheekbones.

In a deep whisper came the voice of the white-haired man, "When your ancestor fought for a mercenary army under the employ of the Demon Lords of North and East over 300 years ago, he helped kill those that I loved the most. Since then, it has been my sworn duty to track down each of those descendants who followed his path as a demon slayer, to earn vengeance for all that was stolen from me. You are the last. This is for Mizuki-chan." The pale figure plunged the claws of his free hand through the slayer's body and discarded the carcass against the tree. Turning on his heel, he dissolved into the thick shadows cast by the falling night.

Please comment nicely as soon as you feel the need. I would love feedback! Read on!