So I have been quite busy, and will continue to be for a bit, but I didn't want to leave the story unattended for too long, so here is the next small bit as I continue to pick away at it. I only made time for it due to requests to continue, so if you are enjoying it, as I hope you are, letting me know does actually make it happen
"Jaken," Lord Sesshomaru urged, peering down at the small imp as he slept. Jaken did not reply, and was consequently kicked into a single small bounce. As soon as he hit the hard ground he squawked, disoriented. Then he saw Sesshomaru looking down at him with serious, expectant eyes. Before he could ask, Sesshomaru informed, "We are going to visit Rin."
"Ah, yes me lord!" Jaken quickly obliged, but Sesshomaru was already turning away. They began on their quest, leaving Ah-Un behind to enjoy the courtyard without need of his assistance.
Sesshomaru walked through the forest with Jaken waddling in tow, as he was also using this journey to survey more of his land. It wasn't long before he heard a rustle before him and detected the scent and aura of another demon. Then, straight ahead of him, the demon unveiled himself, stepping out from the thicket of the woods. He also resembled a human, with long black hair and pointed ears. He had slightly tanned skin, nicked with scars, and was dressed in the clothes of a prosperous thief, his eyes just as unkind.
"Are you the one they call Sesshomaru? You are, aren't you?" the demon asked.
"That's Lord Sesshomaru to you, commoner!" Jaken yelped.
Sesshomaru ignored his vassal and answered the question. "Yes, I am Sesshomaru. What business do you have with me?"
"Why don't you just do this the easy way and hand over your title now, eh? Though if it's a fight you want, I certainly wouldn't mind getting my hands a little dirty."
Sesshomaru responded, "I suggest you abandon this plight before you realize how foolish it is." He stood there, looking at the stranger, stern and motionless as always.
"Ha," the unknown demon uttered, "you cocky bastard-" He drew his sword as he lunged at the lord, never even caring to introduce himself.
"Young Rin, ye must go now! Hurry, bring me the herbs to ease the labors of childbirth. Do you remember where to find them, child?" Kaede asked.
"Yes, me lady!" Rin replied cheerfully, perking right up with the new assignment.
"Well, don't doddle, child, go! Kagome is a tough las, but these labor pains may be too much for even her," Kaede urged.
"Right!" piped Rin, turning to run, her arms playfully held straight out to each side as she began to hurriedly trot up the hill. She was still a rather happy child, making the best of the life she now lived. It was Lord Sesshomaru's decision for her to lead this life, and she trusted him more than anyone. Rin knew she could never resent Lord Sesshomaru, so she embraced this life, but it did not stop her from thinking of him everyday. Nor did it stop her from wishing that today would be the day he came to take her back.
Rin sighed as she found the herbs. It had been quite a trek to the spot from the small village, and Rin slowed when she reached it. She dropped to her knees to rip the plants up, rushing with Kaede's words tumbling through her mind. It so happened that these plants grew far from the village, and there were no people around. She knelt next to the plants at the edge of the forest, humming to herself as she gathered them. She thought of what was going on in the village below, and how they were counting on her.
Inuyasha and Miroku were away again, working another job in another village. This scenario had happened many times, a birth in their absence, but this was the first time that Kagome was to deliver, as it was Kagome's and Inuyasha's first child.
"I wonder what Lord Sesshomaru would think of that," Rin wondered aloud. Her curiosity was interrupted when she heard a rustling in the bushes. "Huh?" she said reflexively as she turned to look in the direction of the noise.
The face of a huge mantis faced her, looking down at her hungrily. Rin gasped, then screamed as she dropped the herbs and jumped to her feet, already turning to run. The mantis took a swing at her, but Rin ducked and was able to evade the attack.
"Lady Kaede! Help me, please! Lady Kaede! Sango! Inuyasha! Anybody!" Rin cried in vain, hoping that someone would hear her cries and come to her aid. The large mantis fought to keep up in the obstacle course Rin was providing, but it was still gaining on her. She continued to cry for help as she wove through the woods. Then, in her utmost fear as the mantis reached her, reaching up and ready to strike, she called out desperately from the bottom of her heart, "Lord Sesshomaru!"