Ok sorry I took so long but I had to reword this over and over again, it was the hardest chapter to write in this whole story I think. Well here it is.
Review Corner
Faded Moonlight: oh how I love cliffys and here is another one for you to enjoy!
Angellaggaine: lol actually I'm not tired of you saying that but thanks anyway! Glad you liked it; I hope this one is good for you too!
AznAnimeFanXP: Well I can't tell you just yet, but you'll find out sooner or later, here's the next one for you!
Inu Obsessed o.o: glad you liked it a lot; well hopefully this one will be worth the wait.
Angels Heart 1622: lol yay! A newbie! Well here is the next update!
Ham girl: Yay! Great! Whooo! Okies now I'm done...
(Divider)
"Are you sure about this Milord?" Rin asked nervousness deep in her sing song voice as Sesshomaru merely nodded. "When I say we move, move quickly. The bird is large which means that it will be out of sight in mere minutes. We need to split up to get all the villagers off our backs. The ribbon in your hair should keep some people off you," he replied in his mind thinking of the men that would hopefully stay away at the flash of red in her hair.
"Alright, but do I have to steal a horse?" Rin asked her voice still holding nervousness in its wake; Sesshomaru had to almost physically bite down on his tongue to keep from saying words of comfort to her obvious distress.
"You are not fast enough on your feet and us being together will only cause people to follow, seeing at least one of us for a bit will keep their suspensions down," he replied as Rin nodded but still felt unease creep at the back of her neck.
"We will meet at the beginning of the forest, if you do not see me there follow the bird in the sky," he ordered as he pointed upward to a small white dot that was supposed to be the bird or element for the next stone.
Rin just nodded as her lord nodded once before taking off into a ball of light heading for the skies to follow the large creature. Rin didn't waste any time after that as she sprinted forward moving her head from right to left looking for a horse that would be fast but have enough stamina to last a long time. Who knew how far or long that bird would fly?
A sudden large form caught her eye as a large chestnut horse stood grazing lazily by the side of the road. Two large bars were tied on its sides and attached to those bars was a large cart full of gigantic stacks of hay.
If that horse can pull that, it must be strong and with that Rin hurried forward but then forget she didn't have anything to take the bars off with. "I guess I will improvise," she muttered as she slowly neared the horse.
Its large ears perked up as she was a mere three feet from its cart as it raised its powerful head to look at her with its large dark eyes. She made a soft cooing noise before she gently rested her hand on its strong neck as it relaxed and began to graze once more.
Rin then tore her eye from its large body to see very frail strings tied around its immense back as Rin gently but quickly undid the knots. Setting the now unattached cart bars down Rin then jumped on its back as the horse gave a surprised grunt before moving restlessly under her but did not move one hoof forward.
"C'mon, Sesshomaru will be displeased if I take forever to move," Rin muttered her voice pleading as the horse's ears perked up. "Hey!" a voice screamed as Rin whirled her head around to see a man coming out of a small hut with his fist in the air.
"Oh no," Rin murmured with worry as her eyes grew huge, the horse must of noted her distress for it reared high on its large hind legs before taking off. Rin held onto its long black mane as it galloped at a pretty slow pace for a horse as Rin held back a sigh.
The horse was strong but slow, she needed a fast horse, looking back she saw the man from before on a black stallion swiftly on her tail. Looking back upward Rin then noted a white stallion standing around fidgeting under a young man's hold as Rin gracefully jumped from the big horse's back to the other horse's.
Grasping the reigns Rin kicked its sides as the stallion gladly began to gallop, "Thank you, sorry about your horse!" she screamed back as the man stopped his following to watch her as the young man gave her big eyes as he watched his recently wild catch run off with an unknown woman.
(Divider)
"Where in the world did those two go?" Otaku asked annoyance in his usual rich voice as Mizu yawned but shrugged. "Who knows with those two, they are young, the young should live their lives as if they would die tomorrow," Mizu advised as Otaku rested his sheath on the bench next to Mizu.
"But you haven't lived out your life have you?" Otaku asked his voice tender rather then teasing as Mizu turned to look at the sword resting next to her. "I must admit I haven't, but I can't tell him, at least not yet, he won't have me now," she answered sorrow clutching at her throat causing her voice to catch.
"I wouldn't say that," Otaku stated obvious teasing in his voice now as Mizu looked down not sharing his joke and at that moment the man of the hour walked up looking down at the maiden of his dreams.
"I'll just go search for Rin now, you two play nice," Otaku teased as both flushed before sending glares at Otaku as he floated away chuckling.
(Divider)
Flying softly on thin air Rain set his wings gently on the clouds as he rested slightly sniffing for the dog and catching his scent closing in on him. Good, he thought but stopped when he noted that the woman was not with him.
Where was she? Looking through the clouds he saw her, she was on top of a white stallion with a man after her with a fist in the air. Descending the sky the swan let his gigantic body begin to fall as he saw more men chasing after the distressed woman.
(Divider)
Rin looked behind her to see the man had merely stopped to call back up to chase after her with the young man as well. What have I gotten myself into? Rin scowled as she kicked her horse in its sides again as it picked up the speed so she was further in front.
"Come back here wench!" the man cried as she looked back once more. "I gave back your horse! Aren't you happy?" she yelled back but the man merely answered, "But you stole my son's newest horse!" Rin took in a surprised breath before sighing.
"Just my luck," she murmured before she noted that the horse was slowly down, obviously too overworked to run any faster. Rin patted its neck before making it stop. "Might as well take the punishment as it is before I kill the poor creature," Rin mumbled as the men hurried over to her before roughly pulling her off the horse and taking it further away from her.
"Ow! That hurts!" Rin complained as the man's grip tightened on her forearm, "You should know better then to steal from me woman!" the man yelled pulling his hand up to strike her but Rin did not hide away, she was used to her old village beating her. She could take it, but before the blow could make contact the man was thrown off her as she was sent reeling back.
Gaping she looked up to see white feathers begin to fall as a gigantic bird landed in front of her squawking at the men as the man that had almost struck her stood wiping off some blood on his swollen lip. "What demon is this?" he asked outrage clear in his voice.
The bird narrowed its black eyes as it sent its left wing into fast flight as it hit the man making him soar into the wall of a hut leaving a body mark on the wood. "Get the demon!" the young man yelled as the others jumped off their horses with spears that had been attached to their horse's saddles.
"Oh no!" Rin cried as she sprinted forward and spread out her arms like wings in front of the swan. The men stopped to watch her as she waited for one to step forward and strike but none came. Oblivious to her was that the gigantic swan had spread its wings as well showing its powerful muscles and talons on its feet. The men then backed up seeing the swan begin to glow an odd whitish glow.
"Retreat the demon is too powerful to trifle with!" the young man yelled as Rin watched the men scurrying around like mice getting to their horses and getting the poor unconscious man that the swan had swiped at. Soon the road was deserted once more as Rin blinked twice before turning around to face the bird perched behind her.
Once she began to turn Rain shuffled his wings down to rest at his sides and his aura calmed as he looked down to the woman below him. "You did not need to waste your breath on those men, I did not need your help," he stated as Rin looked up to him with big eyes.
"Oh...it was just that, well I didn't want the men to hurt you since they were after me," Rin answered as Rain waited for her to proceed in her explanation but she looked away her cheeks red in embarrassment as she ringed her fingers together.
"Thank you, no human has ever even had the thought to risk their life for me," Rain stated as Rin looked up in surprise but then only grinned and shook him off. "Come," he commanded as he bent down so his left wing served as that of an increasing plane.
Gently Rin climbed up feeling his soft feathers as she grabbed from one to another, silently apologizing every time her foot accidentally kicked its wing. Once she was comfortable at the base of its neck she held on as it took flight.
Once they were taking it easy in the sky Rin waited impatiently as she searched for her lord amongst the large trees but to no luck. "He is directly below us small one," the swan stated as his left wing pointed down towards the ever continuing green but sure enough Rin's chocolate eyes spotted a white blur once a clearing of the trees appeared under where they flew.
"There he is!" she cried in happiness as the swan descended its flight before landing a little away from where Sesshomaru was destined to pass. Sure enough only a few moments after did the dog demon stop in front of the large bird.
"Lord Sesshomaru," the swan stated in a mellow voice that showed kindness and respect as it lightly bowed its large head. Sesshomaru waited as the bird moved to look back at the demon. "I have heard many rumors of your strength though this region from other passing villagers and demons is it true that you control the Western territories?" Sesshomaru merely nodded silently awaiting for Rin to appear soon, she was taking quiet awhile.
"Milord!" a small voice cried as Rin's head poked out from behind the swan's neck as she enthusiastically waved at the demon, he could not suppress his surprise nor his relief to see her unharmed.
"The poor girl was almost beaten by a human man moments before I appeared to save her," the swan stated looking down at the demon before him. He shuffled in a knowing smile when he saw the demon's eyes go red slightly but then he regained his power looking pointedly at the swan.
"I should thank you for saving her but I don't think a demon of your authority deserves my thanks," Sesshomaru replied coldly as he noted the swan flinch slightly in annoyance but did not respond. "I am Rain," he soon said as Rin looked up at him with wonder.
"Rain...such a beautiful name, you are positively the most gorgeous bird I have ever seen!" she replied as the swan turned his long neck to peer at the woman though a side ways glance. "What flattery, you must be a beautiful maiden as well, even now with no make-up as I see on other maidens," Rain stated as Rin slightly blushed.
"We mustn't keep stalling, bird, tell us where your stone lies," Sesshomaru ordered curtly as Rain looked back at the demon but merely scoffed, "I hope you can fly for I'm not letting you on my back," he replied as Sesshomaru waited impatiently.
Rain soon noted Sesshomaru's anxiousness as he ruffled his feathers before taking off with Rin on his back. Letting his tail cover his legs Sesshomaru watched as he took flight slowly after the swan.
"Hopefully your mate isn't slow," Rain stated with a friendly scowl as Rin blushed, "Uh...he is not my mate," she answered as Rain turned his black eye on her. "Are you sure? His scent is smothered all over you, I would only guess that mates would let the other smell of them so strongly," he observed as Rin grew even redder.
Turning the subject Rin asked, "So where exactly are we going?" Rain turned his head back to the front to look out. "Where my stone lays, the stone of storms," he answered and for some reason Rin was positive that she had heard thunder somewhere.
Suddenly a thought hit her as she gasped in horror, "What troubles you so?" Rain asked, "I forgot... Otaku isn't with me, he needs to keep the stone in his scabbard," she breathed but Rain only chuckled. "I am a step ahead of you small one, I sent for Otaku already, he must not have told you but the four stones can telepathically chat with one another," Rin felt her eyes widen before she relaxed.
"Alright," she agreed as Rain nodded, "He is coming now, I believe that he is with that dog demon now, chatting harmlessly," to Rin though, by the way Sesshomaru looked annoyed Rin was sure that Otaku was being anything but harmless.
(Divider)
"Otaku...what are you doing here?" Sesshomaru asked as the sword rested against his tail as it wrapped around his shoulder. "Why I was harmlessly following since Mizu and our lord seemed to want time alone, besides I don't want Rin hurt," Otaku replied as Sesshomaru stuffed a sigh down his throat.
"You have missed when she was almost hurt," Sesshomaru breathed as Otaku then slammed his sheath to make contact with Sesshomaru's head. (A/n: Lol couldn't resist, funny picture in my mind). "How could you leave Rin unguarded like that!" Sesshomaru merely grunted letting his eyebrow twitch rather then grab the sword and break it in half for even touching him.
"Oh ho, you seem to like seeing pictures of breaking me in half but I tell you now that if you try I'll burn off your hand before you can even touch me," Otaku warned his voice filled with venom for the first time and Sesshomaru finally believed that Otaku was stronger then he first lent on.
Sesshomaru did not respond but looked up to see Rin looking down at him her face filled with concern before she blushed and turned away at the sudden attention. "She finds that I am annoying you and she is worried about you breaking me in half," Otaku stated as Sesshomaru glared half because Otaku seemed so smug and half because Rin was worried over a sword more then her lord.
(Divider)
Rin's eyes widened when a sight met her eyes after Rain had just passed a large cloud, there were what looked like a big castle but made of clouds! "Here," Rain breathed as his wings beat against the wind more frequently.
But once the castle was almost a hair breath away a large barrier struck Rain as he gave a surprised cry before flying a safe distance away. "It seems someone else is in there and doesn't want anyone else to come in," Rain observed as Rin looked back to see a purple barrier begin to disappear.
"Move forward," Rin stated as Rain gave her a suspicious eye but followed her order as he reluctantly moved forward. For some reason the barrier was calling to her, but it wasn't in a male voice but female, a foreign female that she did not know.
But in her line of vision she saw a pair of blue eyes lock with hers in a picture flashed through her mind. Again the voice begged for her to move forward to touch the barrier's walls. Once Rain was a safe distance but close Rin climbed slowly to his left wing holding on every time he had to flap to stay in the air.
Once her finger tip was barely there she murmured, "Almost there, c'mon Rin you can do it!" she encouraged. But once she touched the barrier a tingle went up her spine and she felt dizzy but she heard the sound of something like glass breaking as Rain gave a start of surprise before he flapped quickly making Rin lose her balance.
She began to scream as a lurching feeling hit her stomach as she looked down to see the scenery of the village come quickly to her. But before she could make out people she was grabbed swiftly by the waist by a pair of arms, she looked up to see Sesshomaru there as he pulled her up so her back met with his masculine chest. "A/n: couldn't resist that either! So cute!)
Soon after she regained her stomach and head she began to slightly squirm, uncomfortable in her lord's arms so intimately. He must of smelt or noted her discomfort for his hold loosened as Rin was able to breathe and bring some space to their ever so close bodies.
"That was close! But you broke the barrier!" Otaku cheered as Rin looked up to see Rain flying past where he had last stopped. "Why isn't he waiting for us?" Rin asked as Otaku floated so her eyes were on his scabbard.
"He has to go check on his stone, if it is broken it could mean his life," Otaku replied as Rin suddenly felt fear consume her senses at the thought of poor Rain in pain or even dieing because she was taking forever to come and being a weak human she was.
"It isn't your fault, I'm sure Rain can last a few more minutes before he is free from his curse," Otaku soothed as Rin nodded. Sesshomaru merely began to fly after the demon his bright light consuming Rin and the sword with him.
Just as soon as Rin blinked she was inside the castle seeing a very large and squished Rain trying to get past a wall. Rin looked around to see that even though the floors and walls where made of cloud it was as strong and hard as steel.
Sesshomaru let her down as she hesitatingly walked around waiting to fall through but it never happened as Rin walked past Rain who was still stuck.
"Stay here Rain I'll go check it out," Rin stated as Rain nodded but looked oddly angry and annoyed. Otaku then floated near her with Sesshomaru following, "We'll accompany you Rin, we don't want this visitor to make off with you and the stone in case he is stronger then we think," Otaku stated as Rin nodded but didn't think she really needed back up.
They were off as Rain untangled himself and waited outside the castle flying around by them talking through the windows. "I...never...had...a...problem..with...being...too... big," Rain stated but Rin ignored him as she hurried up the staircase that appeared from behind a cloudy door.
Going up she heard the sound of footsteps and things being pushed over and before she knew it she was on the top level to see a man hunched over a large squared shape cloud that she was sure held the stone.
(Divider)
Ok suspense! Hope you all happy. Bye-bye till next time!