Chapter 4
Dressed in a simple yukata, Rin yanked out a stubborn weed from her herb garden. Ah-Un rested in the grass beside her as she worked. She flung the weed to the side, finally standing up after hours of work.
Looking over the small plot of land, she nodded to herself. Miroku had done well to tend the garden while she was gone. The herbs and plants were central to the village's welfare. In this bit of land grew the herbs for remedies and for her home made poisons.
Bending down, Rin began to pick leaves off a red plant. Then she took them into her hut, left to her by the late Keade. She put on her breathing mask before throwing the leaves into a mortar. Then she began to grind them with a pedestal. After the leaves were a paste, she threw in parts of a poison powder.
Taking her concoction out of the mortar, she took it towards Sango and Miroku's home. Over the years, the two of them had expanded their one room hut into a small manner. In the back was a blacksmith area. Sango had already lit the fire and stood ready with a pile of crushed demon bones.
Together, they spread the bone powder over a bamboo mat. Then Rin put the poison over the bone powder. Sango folded the mat in half and poured the clumps of bone goop into a mold. Rin scraped bits of the goop off the mat into the mold. Then they placed it over the hot fire.
"That smelled like some potent stuff," Sango took off her mask away from the fumes of the forge.
Rin took off her mask, making no reply.
The next day, Rin and Sango heaved the black ingot out of the fire with clamps. Miroku stood over the ingot and began to purify the demon bones. Green and red auras left the metal and flew into he skies. The metal turned a bone white. Now it was safe to use.
Rin took the ingot and began the long process of making arrowheads. Akito came from his chores at the temple and sat to join her. Together, they fletched the poison arrows until Rin had an ample stock to replace the ones she had lost.
"The fletching on these is red," Akito pointed to the feathers on the end of the arrow, "Didn't they used to be green?"
"This poison is stronger," Rin explained.
Rin set the arrows in a division of her quiver. The other two sides held green arrows, a lesser poison, and white arrows, regular arrow heads. She put the leftover arrowheads into storage in Sango's weapon's store. Miroku put a seal over the door to keep out unwanted intruders.
As she made her way back to the hut, Rin felt a prick up her neck. Ah-Un growled, appearing next to her.
Water appeared from the air, twisting and forming into the shape of a woman. Rin loaded a red arrow into her bow as the woman appeared. Without hesitation, Rin shot her arrow. The woman's form disappeared into mist. Then she reappeared behind Rin.
"I'm not here to fight," the woman said.
"What are you here for, then?" Rin pointed another arrow at the woman.
"Rin, stop!" Miroku called.
Miroku approached the woman. He knelt before her with his hands folded in prayer.
"This woman cast a spell on me," Rin said, "You made me attack Lord Sesshomaru!"
"I only cast the spell, Geril is the one who made you attack that demon," the woman replied.
"It doesn't matter! Because of you, I..."
Rin's throat began to lock up.
"Girl, I'm not here to repeat the past," the woman stepped forward, her blue gown flowing around her like a river.
"Then what are you here for?"
"Monk, do you care to explain why you show devotion to me?" the woman asked Miroku.
"Rin," Miroku turned to the young slayer, "this creature has pure energy beyond any human. She's obviously a divine being."
"Half-divine, to be technical," the woman said, "You can call me Lin, it's one of the names I'm fond of. And you should have no trouble pronouncing it."
"Lady Lin, what brings you here?" Miroku asked.
"This woman," Lin replied, "You broke my spell."
Rin pulled her bowstring tighter.
"Not many humans can do that. A few strong minded ones have the willpower. Although, your emotions may have played a part."
"Your point?" Rin asked.
"I don't want to be a part of this. Geril has forced three of us into this fight of hers. I want out. If you help me removed Geril's leverage over me, I will tell you how to defeat the other four."
"Four?"
"The Golden Dragon, the divine beast born of a koi, the Sacred Tiger, Geril, the half-goddess who's true form is a unicorn, the phoenix, a firebird, and myself... I am Lin, daughter of the water god and human maiden. I suppose you could call me a mermaid."
"What do you want from me?"
"You've been to the Netherworld before, have you not?"
"What of it?"
"Twice, if I'm right?"
"I don't remember what happened," Rin said, "But I remember that Lord Sesshomaru and his mother brought me back."
"So that dog is using the gift from the King of the Underworld," Lin smiled, "I want you to go back."
"Don't play me for a fool, I can't be called back if I return to that world!"
"It's because you are a mortal who has been to the underworld that you can do it," Lin explained, "You would be a spirit, not human, demon, or divine. You can go where we can't."
"We would like to discuss this," Miroku said, "If you would be so kind?"
Lin nodded.
Rin went with Miroku into the house.
…
"We have to cut this serpent's head off," Dracon said, "Geril is the clear leader."
"We could keep an eye on the army troops," Gina added, "The demons have begun to hide in the mountains. The humans have started to inform the Order where the demons hide."
"They've begun to invade your lands," Ryuu said to Gina, "You should warn General Kuro to fortify the city. The Demon Council should stay in one place."
"Easy to defend, but it also makes the nobles sitting ducks. Half those fools don't know how to fight," Dracon scoffed.
"What about the common demons?" Gina asked.
"Have those who can not fight hide. Those who can fight should converge on Yambiro. If the Order is going to come after them, they may as well fight with numbers on their side."
"The army is not the issue here," Dracon said, "It's those demi-gods. And the Golden Dragon of all men..."
"They must be taken out" Ryuu said, "Then the humans will have no advantage."
"Perhaps we should wipe out those vermin after this. I've put up with them for far too long. I give them my protection, the security of my realm, and this is how they repay me?"
"Father, you don't treat humans in any way to make them feel grateful."
"Do they think they would be better off under a human ruler? The 'Emperor' is no better than I am. All I ask is obedience, they do as they like otherwise."
"You're proposing a mass slaughter," Gina said, "Do you wish to incur the wrath of the gods?"
"Right," Dracon gritted his teeth, "The gods. They insist that humans and demons live in the same world."
"It is not our place to question it," Ryuu said.
"What if these attacks are the wrath of the gods?" Gina asked.
"I doubt it," Ryuu shook his head.
"But they have the Golden Dragon on their side."
"Something about that is not right," Dracon said, "I've seen him fight before. He doesn't always look so... disinterested."
"What do we do? He's immortal. We can't kill him. Nor any of the others."
"We'll have to imprison them," Ryuu said.
"Geril is mine," Sesshomaru said.
The three demons looked at the forth lord, who remained silent up to this point.
"What I would give to talk to that old dog again," Dracon said, "He had his share of knowledge regarding these beings."
"Inu no Taisho?" Gina asked.
"He used to be friends with the Golden Dragon," Ryuu said, "Which is why I do not understand why the Golden Dragon would attack demons indiscriminately."
"Dragons deal with dragons," Dracon said, "If he should fall, it should be to one of his own kind. Honor demands that much. The Golden Dragon is mine, Sesshomaru."
"Do as you wish," Sesshomaru replied.
"What about the other three?" Gina asked, "The firebird, the tiger, and the mermaid?"
"Your cousins are fire demons," Dracon said to Sesshomaru, "Katsurou has been training long in this land. Perhaps he has some insight on how to deal with the firebird."
"Katsurou is an idiot," Ryuu scoffed.
"And Lady Hikari is not a warrior," Gina added.
"Have General Kuro ask her what she knows of fire demon seals," Dracon said, "Whatever knowledge of the demon arcane arts she does have may be of help in capturing that bird."
"Father, couldn't you simply consume them?" Ryuu asked.
"I would never consume any less than a full god. Demi-gods are below my station. But... I would make a singular exception."
"Do you intend to consume the Golden Dragon?"
"If I must," Dracon said, his face turning grave.
"What of the other two?" Gina asked.
"The Tiger has a grudge against the late Dog General," Dracon said, "He'll go after Lord Sesshomaru in spite."
"Or Inuyasha," Ryuu pointed out.
"Ah. I had forgotten about him... We have not even considered Tessaiga-"
"Inuyasha is not to be involved in this war," Sesshomaru said.
"I suppose not," Dracon frowned, "But if that Tiger goes after him-"
"The Tiger will not kill him."
"Sesshomaru..." Dracon sighed, "Do you realize the message you send?"
Sesshomaru glanced at Dracon. Then he looked outside at the horizon.
"We'll deal with the Tiger last," Dracon declared, "He should be simple enough to deal with once his allies are neutralized. Begin to prepare the troops. Sesshomaru, I wish to speak with you."
Sesshomaru stayed behind as Ryuu and Gina left. Dracon took a demon talisman out of his tunic. Then he threw it into the air. A red bubble surrounded both Dracon and Sesshomaru.
"No pne will hear us from within this barrier," Dracon said, "Right now, I need every warrior on my side. But once this is over, something must be settled."
Sesshomaru kept his eyes on the horizon.
"Your brother, you did not call him to the front lines. Even that half-breed would be of some use. You chose to leave him behind."
Dracon looked sharply at Sesshomaru, who made no move.
"That girl is there, in the village. You left Inuyasha to guard the human."
Sesshomaru's eyes widened a fraction.
"Sesshomaru, I'm disappointed in you," Dracon sighed, "You know what I must do if you repeat the mistakes of your father. The demons of your land cannot afford to be ruled by a weak-"
"There is no need for this," Sesshomaru said, his voice like scraping rock.
"I don't want to kill you. But this... human is a danger. You should take proper action. I offer this advice to you as a friend. Find a proper demoness and produce a worthy heir. Or at least name one of your clan to succeed you if a bride is so distasteful to you. Lady Gina and Lady Kimiko are certainly good prospects. And I have offered my daughter as a candidate in the past. She would be honored to be your wife."
"Your daughter is unsuitable."
"Hmp. If only Ryuu had been born as a woman," Dracon jested, "Then we would finally have an alliance. Hmm. Perhaps if you have a daughter, our clans will finally join."
"Perhaps. Is that all?"
"I suppose so... for now," Dracon nodded.
Sesshomaru walked out of the barrier.
…
"I don't like it," Inuyasha said.
"Of course you don't like it," Miroku said, "That woman attacked Rin. And now she wants to betray her own allies. This could be a trap."
"Or this could be our only chance to gain an upper hand on those enemies," Sango said, "I don't like the idea of waiting around for them to come to us."
"We could always have hope that Sesshomaru and his allies will turn these enemies back."
"They're not even attacking humans," Inuyasha said, "What's the deal, anyway?"
"They are attacking demons," Sango said.
"How long will it be before they come after you and Akito?" Kagome asked, "You're a half demon, and Akito is part demon too."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we can trust her," Inuyasha said, "I say we kill her."
"You cannot kill a demi-god," Miroku said.
"Come on, you all know Rin's gonna go," Inuyasha huffed, "Why are we even talking about this?"
Rin looked at Inuyasha.
"You seem to believe the best of me," Rin said.
"You act tough, but you're just like the others. You'll do the right thing, even if it means risking your life."
"I thought it might be best to give Rin a fuller view of the situation," Miroku said, "It is her choice after all."
"Lord Sesshomaru wouldn't want me to go," Rin said.
"Screw him," Inuyasha replied.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome lectured.
"Come on. He hasn't been in charge of your life for years. You're gonna obey him now?" Inuyasha asked.
"I... I'm not sure. I just end up creating trouble for him."
"Good."
"Rin, did something happen?" Kagome asked.
"We had a fight... And I said I hated him."
Everyone looked at her.
"Wow..." Inuyasha said, "I would have loved to see the look on his face."
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called again.
"Don't worry about it," Inuyasha said, "Kagome and I used to get into fights like that all the time."
"That's not the point!" Kagome said, "You insensitive jerk!"
"Come on. Sesshomaru will forgive her. You have told him you didn't mean it, right?" Inuyasha looked at Rin.
She shook her head.
"Did you actually mean it?" Inuyasha asked.
"No..." Rin shook her head, "But I couldn't talk to him. He just made me so mad. Why does he have to be so..."
"That's just him. You gotta learn to live with it."
"Inuyasha!" Kagome repeated.
"No, I believe Inuyasha is correct," Miroku said.
"You do?" Inuyasha asked in surprise.
"He does seem to know the best way to deal with his brother," Snago agreed.
"How come you're all agreeing with me?" Inuyasha asked in horror, "Did you breathe in demon poison fumes or something?"
"Sesshomaru is direct... most of the time," Miroku said.
"But he's most stubborn," Sango added.
"He's a bit of an idiot," Kagome sighed.
"What are you three talking about?" Inuyasha asked.
"Hmmm... Best to let things play out by themselves," Miroku said, "No one can force the bud to blossom."
"I think you three are way off the mark," Rin grimaced.
Sesshomaru doesn't have any feelings for me, Rin thought, Not a human.
Making up her mind, Rin stood up.
"Going with the mermaid?" Inuyasha asked.
Rin nodded.
"They grow up so fast," Miroku said sadly, "I feel like I've just lost one of my daughters."
"Master Miroku, you're strange," Rin said as she put her boots on."I'll be back."
"Have a safe trip!" Kagome called after her.
…
Lin lead Rin to a shoreline. They came to a temple at the top of a cliff. Inside, Lin began to burn incense at the shrine.
"Lay down," Lin said, "Your spirit will be transported to the underworld. If you're successful, you'll be let back to your body once your mission is complete."
Rin nodded. She laid on the ground.
She closed her eyes as Lin began to chant over her body. Breathing in the incense, her eyes grew heavy. Soon, all faded to black.
…
Sesshomaru watched Gina slash down a soldier on the battlefield. Her skill with a naginata was exemplary of the power of his army. Unmatched by any other force in the world.
Evening fell and the battle waned. Sesshomaru stood next to Gina as she relayed his orders. Geril had yet to make another appearance.
"She is biding her time," Sesshomaru said.
"We'll have to out-wait her," Gina agreed.
"Come with me," Sesshomaru ordered the demoness.
Taken off guard, Gina followed Sesshomaru towards a lake. Looking up at the full moon, Sesshomaru contemplated Dracon's advice.
The perfect night to mate, Sesshomaru thought to himself.
His golden eyes looked at Gina. She was a warrior and a woman of honor. The clear choice to be Lady of the Western Lands. The perfect mother for his heir.
Slowly, he approached her. Gina's face showed a hint of surprise. But as the blood in his body grew hot, she understood his intent. She put her weapon on the ground and prepared to submit to him.
…
When Rin woke up, she found herself on rocky ground. The air around her chilled her to the bone. Black sky and no light besides the blue fires that lit up occasionally filled her with hesitation.
"You made it," a voice said to her.
"Huh?" Rin looked around.
A white orb of light circled around her. Then it hovered at her eye level.
"My son is clearly and idiot," the voice said.
"Who are you?" Rin asked.
The light flashed, and a dog demon appeared in its place. Rin's eyes adjusted to the light and began to make out the outline of the armor.
"I am who you would call Inu no Taisho. History seems to be content to forget my name."
"You're Lord Sesshomaru's father... Then I'm in the land of the dead," Rin looked around.
"More accurately, you're in one part of it," he clarified, "Some parts of this realm are actually quite lovely. And you can't die while you're here, so battle never ends."
"Battle?"
"Just sport between souls. King Author never seems to give up, even after I've beaten him countless times."
"Who?"
"Never mind. You're not here to listen to an old man talk about his glory days. You're here for the mermaid's lover's soul."
Rin nodded.
"She neglected to tell you that your soul will be trapped here if you fail? And that you will be subjected to endless pain if you are caught?"
Rin nodded.
"Lin never did play fair," Inu no Taisho sighed, "I'll lead you to Geril's home. The sooner you start, the sooner you can leave."
The Daiyokai lead her down the craggy path. Rin followed, preparing for battle.