2

I listen to the chirping of birds, and that's pretty much it. I sigh. Morning is breaking, and I'm still bleeding. I guess I ran faster, farther, and longer than I thought I did. I cringe at my knee, now sideways, the kneecap pushed outwards to the left and bleeding in said area, and then scream from the amount of dirt that managed to sneak through. I don't bother to cover my mouth, since it's pretty much useless. Sunlight flooding my vision and the whole fact that my mind is screwed into a 'pain knot' as Kagome likes to put it, I push up and start dragging my limp legs to the entrance. Unfortunately, last night I failed to notice the steep descend from the actual ground. I don't want to die, nor miss Sesshomaru, so I try to force it.

I was picking plants and herbs for Old Kaede, since she wasn't really looking her very best. Some of the village boys were running, some screaming and yanking out herbs, those few being the troublemakers. I just kept to my business and started yanking out herbs, even though that's not how you do it. I kneeled to grip a herb tightly with both hands. I take a deep breath and hold it, jerking back hard and falling onto my back, dirt sprinkling my face and upper torso. I spit out something that managed to crawl into my mouth and scream. Before you judge, no, it's not a worm. Just think about how it feels to have a spider in your mouth, and then you'll understand fully whether you want to or not. I threw it a bit of a ways and stood, gathering the herbs up and stepping off the planting grounds, the boys rolling on their backs laughing. Okay, so yes, I have braved demons, but a spider crawling into my mouth? That's revolting! I sighed and started walking a bit until I saw Sesshomaru over-head. He saw the boys and…lets just say it wasn't pretty so you can sleep at night. Later, I recall something he said, I just…oh yeah!

"Rin," he addressed, standing.

I looked up, still smiling. "Yes, Lord Sesshomaru?"

He stares, hesitating for a bit. "Don't mind the villagers; they're just cowardly humans."

I hoped he also accounted for brave humans, but not in that context per say. I nodded. "Well, they're just some ridiculous boys, so…"

He blinks once, in which his face tenses. "I'll probably be back soon, just don't get your hopes up."

Doing the math, he was due last night. I scrunch my eyes closed. I can't be missing for long if that's the case! I heave. "HELP ME!"

O)(O

I've…been…screaming…for…hours! I wheeze out what's supposed to be a huff and bury my face in the ground, the dirt slowly becoming mud with my boiling tears. I don't want to cry, but I guess it's futile. I mean, I'm human after all. I'm just a cowardly human, just like Sesshomaru said the villagers were. My limbs grow colder, I grip the dirt in front of me and jerk my body forward, rocks scratching my torso and cutting my clothes. I raise a shaky hand to the nearby dew resting in the grass. Almost there…ALMOST… "OW!"

I shut my mouth and wince as the boot rubs painfully into my fingers. Okay, now that's overdoing it! I try to push it off with the other hand, but looking up, the face is deathly familiar. I squint to black hair, and a HUGE sword. I raise a brow, which somehow triggers metallic clinks and roaring. I furrow my brows. I squint to the distance and the hand-smasher cackles like a young one, older than me though probably by three years.

"So you're Sesshomaru's little one," he laughs. "Jakotsu, come look at this!"

One with purple streaks running down their cheeks, obviously a young boy, jumps over off a black moving figure my weak state won't allow me to see. They land next to the REALLY PAINFUL foot man, revealing hung up black hair and a sword of sorts. Now I remember. This is the Band of Seven, two of which I got mixed with in recollection. I hold my breath, remembering his sword was and is often referred to as the 'snake sword', and for reasons only a few would understand. The reason it's a few, is because the rest are now ash, mold, and one with the land we walk upon, even you. Question to those who can actually think without being in pain: why haven't they aged? The black moves closer, slow and torturing to know death is only so far away, and won't just run over and end you quick. The hand is removed and the man lifts me onto what he expects to be feet, but they're numb, so I hang there. He sighs and looks back.

"Who wants to be in charge of the brat?" he sighs, obviously bored that I'm not putting up a fight.

A stout thing that isn't entirely human offers, but the jerk shakes his head. Jakotsu sighs and stares at the sky. "Oh Inuyasha…"

CREEPY! CREPPY! OH SO (I can't curse as often JUST because I'm in trouble; screaming on the other hand…) CREEPY! Honestly, I never met a Gay person in my life (not the one meaning 'happy'). Sure, some are nice, but this one is obviously a pervert. Hopefully she…HE! I MEANT 'HE'! (Sigh) doesn't have any interest in Sesshomaru. I stare up weakly at one with green stripes on his face, two on each cheek, and two running down to the bridge of his nose. In his hands are claws, which he doesn't remove before volunteering. The stout one pouts while the jerk (or leader) hands me over to the clawed one. No offence to anyone, but I doubt you've been clawed like this frankly. These are steel, shaped like a tiger's I guess if you choose to compare. I don't dare to struggle, since when is getting sliced by blades ever a good idea? I sigh and glare at the leader, who walks up next to the clawed one and we head for the black mass. As we near it, the torso attached clears, the gears and metal of sorts wiping away the fog of confusion. I shut my eyes and feel the light seep into my skin; might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

"Bankotsu," Jakotsu whispers, "how much are we getting for the girl?"

"All you need to know right now is that she's worth more alive," the leader, now known to me as Bankotsu, whispers in reply happily. "It's a worthy surprise."

I dig a nail into my wrist. What are these men planning to do? I open my eyes weakly to see us on the black mass. Bankotsu waves at me politely and I glare with any might I have left; all fades as my lids shut with the breeze. Although, the last of my senses isn't sight, but scent. Yes, there's something in the air…flowers?