Chapter 23

Rin couldn't help but glare at the sword as it lay on the table before her. Years of training with a firearm and she was destined to use a sword? She sighed again.

She considered herself lucky Sesshomaru had been trained from a very young age in the sword and had taken to training Rin. If Midoriko's sword was the only thing able to kill the Wolf, she had to learn how to use it.

Before they left, Kilala had told them that the sword had a great deal of power inside it, stored from Midoriko herself. But so far, all Rin had seen was a very decorative sword. Whatever power was inside it, or inside Rin for that matter, she had yet to find it.

So she went back to glaring at it.

It was as long as her arm and far thicker than Sesshomaru's ornate thin blade but the golden one was far lighter than it appeared, light enough that Rin could wield it one handed if she wanted. And all the way down the main blade was that writing, a language no amount of research could decipher but she did have a feeling she had seen it somewhere before. "You know…" A voice said right behind her. "Staring at it won't help."

The sudden move had caused her heart to leap in panic, standing up, panting for breath as she looked at the smug Sesshomaru. "You bastard." She cursed. "Why did you sneak up on me?!"

"You were so lost in thought, I couldn't help it."

She glared at him a bit longer then huffed and stepped into his arms, holding him loosely. Her eyes closed as he wrapped his arms around her back. "I just wish there was some way to know what was going to happen."

"You mean to tell the future? Even an angel like you can't do that."

"I'm not an angel." She mumbled, burying her face in his clothes. "Just the incarnation of one."

"If you say so."

Too comfortable in his grip to argue, Rin just stood and let herself relax. He always made her feel so calm… it allowed her to think clearer. "You know, there is someone who might be able to decode that writing."

"Really? Who?"

"Grandma."

The prince frowned at her. "I thought you didn't have any family left alive?"

"I don't. 'Grandma' is a nickname, like Red Hood is mine. She is a tutor at the Rainbow training camp, no relation to me. But she taught me almost everything I know. She's only 40 but after a creature attack, she was left with a limp and a walking stick so everyone called her Grandma. It was meant as an insult but she turned it into a compliment, like I turned Red Hood."

"And you think she can decode the sword?"

"It's worth a try." She said, shrugging. "You and I are stuck so maybe a fresh pair of eyes will reveal something we missed. It might help."

He paused and glanced over at it. "I guess it can't hurt."

"I'll give her a call, see if she's free to talk." She backed off slightly from him and looked up with a smile. "It's a three day round trip to Pot of Gold from here."

"I'm sure I'll live." He chuckled lightly then leant down and kissed her. She instantly responded and grabbed his shirt, pulling him to follow as she sat on the table. After making out for a few minutes, Rin went on her way to contact Grandma. The woman was more interested in the new development with the EOL and cleared her schedule for the next few days, demanding Rin came as soon as possible.

"Ok so Monday you'll have to patrol down by the docks and Tuesday will have to be the road in the South forest. And on Wednesday, don't forget to do the North road. You won't be able to do the West but as long as you do it tonight and when I return, we pay attention to that area, we'll be fine."

Two arms wrapped around her from behind. "Rin, I protected the city for years before you turned up. I can cope three days without you."

She huffed and looked upside down at him. "You think you can cope."

"I know I can, minx." He smiled then kissed her nose. "If you are going to make it my night, you need to head off now."

She sighed and leant into him. "Yes mother."

He rolled his eyes and looked away. "I'll see you when you get back."

"Don't I get a goodbye kiss?"

He smirked and turned to her, pulling her into him and giving her what she asked for, nipping at her lower lip as he pulled away. She huffed at the pain and touched her lip. "Ouch."

"Wimp." He nodded towards her car. "Get going."

With a chuckle, and a gentler kiss, Rin stepped into her car and was soon on her way but not before pausing to wave goodbye.

Sesshomaru stood waving for as long as he could see her, smiling to himself as she left. Even she was gone, he still stood there, pleased with how happy he was as the warm sun tickled his skin.

"How sickening."

He turned at the voice and was faced with a man taller than himself with long black hair and blood red eyes, his clothes clearly fine and elegant but they were ripped and slashed. The prince staggered away from him. "You… what are you doing here?"

The man frowned as he stepped forward, his whole body shimmering like a mirage. "I'm here because that whore is still alive."

"I keep telling you, I'm trying to find her weakness."

"She can be killed by the Wolf and by poisons! What more do you need to know!" The demon growled, growing even bigger as he stood. "You asked me to give you time, to play your stupid game. Well guess what! Game's over now Sesshomaru."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know I want her dead. You know how to kill her. So DO IT!"

The prince backed off a little, glaring at the shadow before him. "No."

It sank down. "What?"

"No. I won't kill her."

The beast looked him over with a blank expression. "You dare go against me? You refuse to complete my orders?" His voice grew louder with each word he said. "You dare defy me!"

Sesshomaru lowered his gaze. "Yes. I refuse to kill Rin."

"Why? Don't tell me…" The beast cackled. "You love her!" He looked at the mortal before him. "You've fallen in love with her."

The prince said nothing.

With a deep dramatic sigh, the creature looked over him. "Well... I guess there is nothing else to do." He held up his hand suddenly and Sesshomaru felt every muscle in his body tense, unable to move in agony. His captor smiled. "I will just have to get rid of you." He squeezed his hand tighter, increasing the tension. "The next time you lay eyes on dear little Red Hood..." His smile grew even larger. "You will have no choice but to kill her."

"I... I won't." Sesshomaru gasped thought the pain.

"No you won't." The demon added with a nod. "Because you see, the moment you look upon even a hair of your beloved Rin, you, my sweet prince, will have no choice but to give in to the Wolf inside you." He glared at the human a little longer. "I was the one to give you that power. I control you. And I will ensure that you stand and watch as you rip her heart out."

Sesshomaru thrashed against his bondage as the marks on his arms burned, the spell cast into his blood and soul. Naraku waited until it was set into him before he let go of the invisible rope binding the prince, watching him fall to the floor.

The man looked up, anger filling his eyes but the demon was gone. He fell forward a little more, even now he could feel his heart break as he knelt on the ground.

So much for happiness.