CHAPTER 4: RETRIEVING THE CUP!
Tired and disorientated Rin realised they had reached a cave entrance, checking around she saw the sun was peaking out from the trees 'has it really been all night since someone has spoke Lord Sesshoumaru likes his peace but what if I really angered him this time?'
"ha-ha" Jaken chuckled as they all entered the cave it was dark and damp, you could only see so far down and then darkness covered, the cave seemed lifeless, Rin had no idea why they were there that is until Jaken spoke. "we are here. I warn you it will be no easy journey through the cave just thank heavens that the one whose lips shall touch that cup is not here, the guards would crush them in seconds, nobody knows how but they seem to know who it is, sense somehow the person who will touch that cup and attempt to annihilate them with every ounce of strength they have, unless they can find a use for them but that is very rare!" Jaken babbled proudly looking up at his Lord who's expression had changed from impassive to anger
"JAKEN, why didn't you warn me of this before" Sesshoumaru stated harshly
"I didn't think it relevant milord because Kagome isn't with us!" Jaken answered confused but had an idea of why he was angry and suddenly felt queazy
"I have a confession to make" Sesshoumaru whispered but he didn't have to say anymore, it was written all over his face
Jaken began to tremble "you mean, Rin? Oh no she is in grave danger, and the entrance has closed up" Jaken informed as they felt a rumble and a barrier form over the entrance of the cave to allow nobody else to enter or to escape
Jaken wasn't as shocked as Sesshoumaru would have liked him to be when he revealed the cup for infact for Rin and not Kagome but he decided to ignore it, he had more important things to worry about, like keeping Rin alive
"Rin Stay close to me" Lord Sesshoumaru demanded
Rin beamed up at her lord she loved it when he was acting protective around her 'could this mean your worry has a bigger picture, could you be feeling more'...Rins thoughts were cut short, hearing footsteps behind her
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH" Rin shrieked as she felt six claws grab at her arms. It was a demon fly and it was trying to fly of with her. Only getting so far because Lord Sesshoumaru had quickly swooped up and chopped the flies wings off, Rin fell on the ground with a thud, feeling no pain she got up, Sesshoumaru stepped back once he knew she wasn't hurt but had sensed a strong aura coming at them really fast before he could react, A herd of Demon Bears crashed their way through the sides of the walls and surrounded Sesshoumaru and Jaken pacing around them so they couldn't get near Rin "Lord Sesshoumaru" Rin cried hurling a rock at a demon bears head who just side glanced at the girl and laughed quietly taking his attention off of Sesshoumaru which proved to be a bad move when Sesshoumaru shot out his poison whip,
A bright green light lit up the cave as a demon bears head rolled across the floor of the cave and landed near Sesshoumarus feet, blood oozing from the wounds. Sesshoumaru frowned as the biggest demon bear seemed to ignore the fact that one of it's pack had just been slaughtered, instead let out a loud howl which sounded like a calling, seconds later a bright green, webbed hand grabbed Rin round the waist, jumping her in the air to the cave ceiling, Rin let out a surprised 'eep' but before she had the clance to do anything more the frog looking creature puffed it's cheeks and spat and glued her to the wall of the cave by something that looked like sticky, blue gunge at her, which seemed to encase her around her middle and harden sticking her to the wall, Rin began wriggling, her hands clawed at the hardened blue gunge around her waist, letting out a scream when a tiny shock wave entered her body sending pain rippling through her, Rin bit her lip and held in another scream, the frog thing just giggled at her before licking her face and hopping off back into the darkness.
Sesshoumaru looked up worriedly to Rin disrupted for a second to long. One of the demon bears slashed him across the stomach sending blood splattering and him to his knees panting heavily it had been a long time since Sesshoumaru had been brought to his knees in a fight and he was beginning to get worried these were all upper level demons and they were out numbered plus Jaken had passed out due to fright a while ago, that was until Sesshoumaru felt the earth rumble and a familiar voice. " WIND SCAR!!" a gruff voice came from the background as the ground shook even harder and a huge hole was blown through the wall of the cave to reveal a flash of white and red, it was then silent for a few seconds. Sesshoumaru groaned inwardly knowing exactly who it was, although him and Inuyasha had made a truce since Naraku's death that still didn't mean they liked each other that much. Just as he was starting to get dizzy from blood loss he saw Inuyasha come leaping through the hole he made and sprint over to Sesshoumaru, he was so busy watching his brothers entrance he didn't even notice the bear demon come at him again
The Demon bear was about to take another swipe at Sesshoumaru when Inuyasha attacked the bear from behind using tetsuaiga to disintegrate the demon before it had a chancve to even cry out. Ignoring Sesshoumaru's growls of stay out of this Inuyasha carried on "hey there big brother, Where's Rin?, there's a horde of demons after her out there and they were looking for Rin, so we thought we'd better warn you since we caught you're scent nearby. What's going on?" Inuyasha questioned. Sesshoumaru winced beckoning his brother to look up, Sesshoumaru was quite startled at the pain in his abdomen mostly because he wasn't used to pain being such a powerful demon he was more used to giving out the pain.
"little brother don't you have somewhere else to be this is none of you're concern" Sesshoumaru grunted making sure to let out a little warning growl.
"what the..I thought you said you were looking after her Sesshoumaru" Inuyasha stated ignoring Sesshoumaru's question and gaping up at the cave ceiling to where Rin was trapped
"HE IS" Rin hissed from her entrapment disgusted that Inuyasha could blame Sesshoumaru for this
"I'm coming to get you out of there, hold on Rin" Inuyasha shouted up encouragingly, Rin just nodded unsure of what else to do.
"READY SHIPPO" Inuyasha grunted, looking up at the hole he came through
"YOU BET" a handsome fox demon shouted back from the hole Inuyasha had blown through the cave he looked around the same age as Rin with Red hair and mischief filled emerald eyes, he jumped down from the hole at amazing speed carrying Miroku, Sango and Kagome on his back all at once, that was mostly to show off, he was proud of his improved demon powers, since he used to be so naive and petrified all the time, but that had all changed since Inuyasha had trained Shippo to a be a powerful ruthless, demon, unfortunately Miroku had gotten to Shippo too
"wow...she's got alot prettier since the last time I saw her...I'm definitely saving her now then maybe she can bare my children" Shippo gawped up at the beauty attched to the ceiling who looked quite frightened, raising his eyebrows Shippo went to speak some more but soon shut his mouth as he got a big whack over the head by Sesshoumaru who looked as if steam was about to come out of his ears.
Inuyasha jumped on Shippo's back as Shippo transformed into a bird swooping smoothly up to Rin, Inuyasha unseathed his tetsuaiga and swung down hard on the hardened gunge when a blue light encased his sword and sent electric pulses through the glue to Rin who yelped in agony as she felt the pulses crawl up her bones almost in slow motion, leaving a painful tingling effect.
"huh" Inuyasha cried as he was thrown backwards by the pulse and him and Shippo came crashing to the floor.
"oh no..a barrier" Miroku shouted in alarm
"See if you can purify it Kagome?" Sango cried looking on worried that Rin had been injured
"I'll try, but I don't want to hurt Rin" Kagome stated as she pulled out her bow and arrow, her hands shook as she realeased the arrow, everyone's eyes widened in horror as the arrow hit the entrapment and glowed a bright blue before disappearing, this time the pain was almost unbearable as the pulses that ripped through Rin were bigger and more agonising. Pained tears streamed down her face
"ahhhhhh" Rin cried, the entrapment was tightening around her waist. At that point the ground began to shake, parts of the cave roof began to fall down around them and a wide crack formed along the floor.
"we need to get out of here" Inuyasha Grumbled looking up at Rin who was struggling
"go, get out of here, Milord save yourself...please" Rin pleaded anxoiusly
Sesshoumaru just stood there and in an emotionless voice stated "no" 'I have someone to protect, father it's all becoming clear now, I believe I finally understand'
Inuyasha had a plan to save Rin but they needed Sesshoumaru to come with them, looking towards his brother he noticed the solemn expression on his face. Sesshoumaru was in fact deep in thought 'No Rin I can't let her die or I'll follow her, she can never leave, I will save her'
"Listen Sesshoumaru the demons have to remove the barrier to get to Rin and they aren't going to do that when we are around so we need to go now, but we can only do that if you come with us, it's the only chance you have of saving her" Inuyasha informed frantically, Sesshoumaru hesitated for a second and then followed Inuyasha around the corner of the cave wall.
Inuyasha informed everyone of his plan once they were out of the way and they all got into positions, Shippo cloaked them all with his fox magic so none of the demons in the cave would not be able to sense them anymore and they waited for their cue
Rin was busy fighting with the pain she was feeling, but not just physical pain 'he really did go, he left me, I know I told him to but I would of thought at least he felt something for me' Rin was to busy thinking to realised a cat demon was now hovering around her on the ground near to her
"HAHAHA, awww young girl have your companions abandoned you..what shame" the demon cat purred. Lifting the barrier.
From behind the crumbled wall Inuyasha nodded at Shippo and Sesshoumaru, as they watched the barrier from around Rin disapate
Shippo creeped around the side of the cave and jumped out, pouncing on the Cat "not expecting me were you kitty cat" Shippo teases he l oved patronising, distract the cat demon for the plan to go ahead.
"so you thought you could get to the girl, nice try but no" the cat purred
"that's what you think, take a look for yourself" Shippo pointed over to Sesshoumaru who had jumped up the wall and unglued Rin gently setting her down on the floor. "Thank you" Rin grumbled weak from the electric pulses, but most of all she felt relief as she look into her Lords eyes then another feeling washed over her... It was pure love and happiness to see him, she blushed and turned away when a tear hit the ground.
"Lets go" Sesshoumaru ordered lifting Rin into his arms bridal style and heading towards the hole Inuyasha had blown into the wall.
Meanwhile Miroku, Sango and Kagome were fighting the guards of the cup. They were weird looking creatures Brown human like hair with red eyes, small but very fast and there were only two of them but they were crafty. Sango decided to attack first.
"Hiraikotsu" Sango yelled hurling her weapon through the air only to have both the little termites dodge it, feeling shocked Sango caught her weapon, not many demons had been able to dodge her weapon. Next up Miroku threw sutra's at the guards but it was still no use.
"I'll get Inuyasha" Kagome yelled
"no need, I'm here" Inuyasha yelled back coming out of the shadows "ready Kagome" Inuyasha queried with a smug look on his face.
Kagome nodded and got an arrow cocked. Inuyasha nodded and swung his sword letting off power that glided along with Kagome's arrow, hitting the mark, The two termites were caught in the blast of power and were disintegrated into nothing. Miroku wasted no more time, he couldn't wait to get out of this hell hole, He grabbed the dark cup off of it's stand chicking it to Sango. When Jaken Shippo noticed Inuyasha's eye's widen and his ears twitch, there was a small ticking noise and he could sense a mass of miasma about to blow the cave.
"WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE...RIGHT NOW!" Inuyasha bellowed grabbing Kagome around the waist and shooting upwards, Shippo grabbed Sango and Miroku, whilst Jaken clung desperately onto Shippo's tail as they raced at demonic speed to find the entrance of the cave before it was too late.
Out side the cave a few miles off Rin and Sesshoumaru were sitting up against AhUn, as Sesshoumaru studied Rin for any injuries, only finding one long scrape up her arm. Sesshoumaru's stomach churned as he saw blood drip down her arm.
"Rin are you okay" Sesshoumaru asked in a monotone
"yes Milord, I'm fine, just achy that's all" Rin replied, turning away as Sesshoumaru picked up her injured arm and began to tenderly lick the wound. This was normal to Rin when she was hurt, Lord Sesshoumaru had been doing it too her since she was a child, because dog demons saliver has healing abilities in it. Just as Sesshoumaru had finished healing her wound there was a loud boom in the distance, Rin's head snapped up to see the cave looked like it had blown up, smoke and flames could be seen from miles off.
"HUH, did they make it" Rin panicked starting towards the cave when Sesshoumaru grabbed her wrist pulling her back
"we wait here, trust me" he said emphasising the trust me!!
From the distance the twosome could see the six figures getting closer to them.
"JAKEN" Rin ran up to the toad and wrapped her arms around him sobbing in happiness "I was so worried about you" Jaken was shocked but this time he didn't care so much, he just started bragging about how brave he was, only to get a punch over the head from Inuyasha
whilst this little reunion was going on, Sango crept up to Sesshoumaru and handed him the cup wrapped in a cloth so nobody could see what it was.
Sesshoumaru nodded murmuring a thank you
"Come on then gang, let s get moving" Kagome asked, sounding exhausted
"goodbye big brother" Inuyasha waved as they all walked off.
Jaken scratched his head "is it me or has your brother taken a liking to you Lord Sesshoumaru" Jaken curiously asked until he caught the look on Sesshoumaru's face THUMP
"your indispicable to even suggest such a thing Jaken" Lord Sesshoumaru snarled obviously angry
"ohhh Jaken you never learn" Rin giggled as the toad swayed a few times and then dropped limply to the floor.
Sesshoumaru decided it was time to move, he stood up and began to walk off in the same direction as Inuyasha's gang, stalling a moment for Rin to dump the unconscious Jaken on AhUn and catch up.
"say Lord Sesshoumaru what is it we went into that cave for?" Rin queried confused 'why would we enter such a dangerous place not to gain something, I am almost certain we came out empty handed'
Lord Sesshoumaru hadn't thought of an excuse, he still wasn't ready to tell her about the cup and he wasn't expecting her to ask questions although he should of really because this was Rin.
'I cannot tell her yet it is too soon, yet what am I to tell her' Sesshoumaru thought looking around as if an excuse would pop up at him if he did.
"That doesn't concern you at this moment in time" Lord Sesshoumaru stated quite proud at his quick reaction until he looked and saw the hurt look on Rins face
"but you will know soon" Sesshoumaru was relieved to see this put Rins mind at rest a little
"ok, so how's your stomach milord?" Rin's voice dripping with concern
"huh" Sesshoumaru was shocked at her concern but he liked it
"well if it still hurts, I could take a look if you like, Kagome taught me some things when I used to stay with Kaede" Rin enthusiastically offered
Lord Sesshoumaru was very tempted but he held back his wounds weren't serious anymore and it made him cringe when she talked about living in that human village.
"no Rin that is not necessary" Sesshoumaru answered not even looking at her until she forced him too by stopping in front of him
"Why?" she was obviously hurt again because her eyebrows were furrowed.
"Because you are still recovering yourself, from those electric pulses" Sesshoumaru's voice nearly faultered but he managed to speak smoothly. Rin's shoulders slumped in defeat and she decided it would be best to let the conversation drop.
The small group walked on until darkness fell, by this time Jaken was wide awake once again and really getting on Sesshoumaru's nerves turning around to thump Jaken onvce again Sesshoumaru noticed Rin was struggling to keep up.
"Rin, if you are tired Ride AhUn" Lord Sesshoumaru spoke making it sound like an order so she would do it without hesitation.
"yes milord" Rin cringed as she heaved herself onto AhUn she hated putting pressure on AhUn, he looked tired too.
'She truly has a heart of gold, the way she cares not to ride AhUn even though it is clear she is worn out to the point she can hardly walk anymore and only because she didn't want to wear him out to' Sesshoumaru really did think she was perfect as they carried on walking through the night.
TBC.