Chapter 2 – New Acquaintance

Two days had passed since Rin was taken. Sesshomaru was walking at a rather relaxed pace. Somehow, he knew that she was all right, wherever she was. For one reason, they had found the demons who had actually taken Rin, dead.

Flashback

Jaken and Sesshomaru were running along the trail of the scent. Suddenly, they came to a stop. Lying before them were the corpses of numerous demons.

Jaken: These are the very same demons who attacked us, Lord Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru went closer to the dead demons and inspected them. The injuries seemed to be made of two short swords. He was surprised by the scent. He took in a deep breath. There was no doubt about it. Some of his surprise might have shown on his face.

Jaken: What's wrong, Lord Sesshomaru?

Sesshomaru: The scent is that of a human… girl.

Jaken: You mean to say that a human girl actually killed all of these demons?

Sesshomaru: Yes.

Jaken: She must be very strong indeed.

Sesshomaru: Let's be on our way.

End of flashback

Jaken: Shouldn't we hurry, my lord?

Sesshomaru: Rin is in no immediate danger… or are you missing her?

Jaken: Well, I actually am missing her chatter.

Sesshomaru glanced sideways at Jaken and then looked forward again.

Following Rin's scent they reached a village. A few children were playing outside. When they entered, they looked at them and started whispering excitedly. Sesshomaru didn't care much. His mind was fixed on finding Rin.

As they walked, he realized that her scent led to the sacred shrine at the end of the village. He frowned slightly.

Suddenly there was a slight tug at his clothes. He looked around and saw one of the children looking eagerly at him.

Boy (breathlessly): You are a demon, aren't you? My friends say you are a human but I told them you are a demon.

Sesshomaru: Yes. I am a demon. And a very dangerous one too.

The boy let out a cry of joy.

Boy: I was right! I was right! So where are you headed, Mr. Demon?

Sesshomaru was a little surprised.

Sesshomaru: Aren't you scared of me?

Boy: Why should I be scared? I have the village priestess to protect me.

Sesshomaru: Village priestess…

Boy: Yes, she is so powerful that she is called the reincarnation of Midoriko… though I am not sure who she is.

Sesshomaru: Midoriko? (He turned to Jaken) Isn't Midoriko the priestess who created the Shikon no tama?

Jaken: Yes, my lord.

They continued walking while the boy joined his friends.

Suddenly, Jaken fell to his knees.

Sesshomaru: What's the matter, Jaken?

Jaken: I don't know. It's like something is stopping me from going on.

Sesshomaru: You stay here.

Jaken: But my lord, I don't think you should –

But Sesshomaru continued to walk towards the shrine.

Sesshomaru (thinking): It must be a barrier…

As he reached the shrine, a beautiful miko stepped out.

Miko: You must be very determined, to get this deep into the sacred barrier.

Sesshomaru: I am looking for a small girl by the name of Rin.

Miko: Oh, so you must be Lord Sesshomaru, then. I am Saya, the village priestess. Just wait a moment.

The miko then closed her eyes and dispelled the barrier. Then she asked him to follow her.

As they entered the shrine, Sesshomaru took in her smell. Though it was similar to the scent he had sensed in the forest, it was not quite the same.

Sesshomaru: Did you rescue Rin from the demons?

Saya: No. Actually, it was my daughter who saved her. Her name is Azura.

Sesshomaru: Azura…

Saya: Yes, you see she is a demon slayer. She was walking down the forest when she ran into those demons.

Sesshomaru: Is she your only daughter?

Saya: Well, yes. Why do you ask?

Sesshomaru: Then she must have inherited your miko powers.

Saya: Yes, she does have miko powers. That makes her even more successful as a demon slayer.

Sesshomaru: I see.

Suddenly Rin came running from a room.

Rin (joyfully): I was sure it was your voice I heard. I knew it! I knew it!

She held Sesshomaru's hand lovingly.

Sesshomaru: Let's go, Rin.

Rin: But Lord Sesshomaru, won't we wait for Azura to come? You see, Azura has become my good friend. She took care of me and played with me and even brought me flowers. I want to thank her before going and say goodbye to her.

Sesshomaru: There's no point in waiting for her… (Then seeing Rin's crestfallen face he added) We might as well go look for her.

Rin's face lit up.

Rin: All right. Let's go!

Saya: Azura will be in the forest through which you came.

Sesshomaru turned and started going.

Rin (to Saya): Thank you so much for your kindness.

Saya smiled.

Saya: Goodbye, Rin. Take care.

As they walked out of the shrine, Sesshomaru felt Saya restoring the barrier. Jaken came running to him.

Jaken: So you have found Rin, my Lord. (As they walked) Um, Lord, why are we going back the way we came?

Sesshomaru: Rin desires to see Azura and thank her.

Jaken: Who is Azura?

Rin: She is the person who saved me from the demons and took care of me, Master Jaken.

They had walked a little while in the forest, when Sesshomaru caught two distinct scents. His hand went to the hilt of Tokijin.

Jaken: What's the matter, Lord Sesshomaru?

Suddenly a demon leapt out in front of them. Rin let out a scream. The demon then saw Sesshomaru take out his sword.

Demon: Please, Lord Sesshomaru. Please don't kill me. I will harm no one. A demon slayer is after me. Please save me.

Just then a girl leapt out of the bushes. She was in her late teens. She had long, black hair tied in a high ponytail which ended in slight curls. Her eyes were of the deepest shade of blue. She was wearing a navy-blue dress which was slightly above her knees. She wore a black waistband. A sky-blue locket hung around her neck. She was holding a short sword in each hand.

Rin (happily): Azura!