Act IV:

Chapter I: The Dangerous Child Named Rin

Rin felt chilled as she sat up against the side of the cave wall. It was cold. She just wanted Lord Sesshoumaru to come any second now and save her, and beat up the mean demon who'd taken her away. She knew Lord Sesshoumaru would come for her, he was coming as she thought about him. Then that jerk would pay.

But what made her worried was he looked almost exactly like Lord Sesshoumaru. He sounded almost the same, but his voice was a bit different, his wasn't quite as deep and commanding... it sounded more... vicious.

He was quietly sitting across from her, staring at her dispassionately, his left arm still looked like a complete wreck, and Rin could see the blood stains where his chest was and how he was careful not to flex his other arm too much unless needed. She wasn't sure what to do, he'd just abducted her and had been almost entirely quiet since.

The little girl swallowed hard and looked at him honestly.

"If you're hurt I can help you if you have some bandages." Came the offer.

What came in return was a look of suspicion.

"I do not need your help girl." Came the cold response. "I'm your captor, you are my hostage. If I need anything I'll ask you." He responded bluntly.

Rin sighed to herself as her stomach growled. She was hungry, but knew this demon was unlikely to help with that. She just looked over at him again, timidly her courage returning to ask something else.

"My name is Rin, what's yours?"

Katsuramaru's eyes turned up once again coldly.

"Haven't you been taught to not ask questions?" He demanded. "My father taught me to only question when given approval."

"I'm sorry, I just-"

"Just what?"

"Nothing sir." She responded in a low voice.

She liked it more when she'd been taken hostage by Kagura. Even if she was in danger and missed Lord Sesshoumaru, at least she could have talked to Kohaku. She missed everyone, and also knew they'd be looking for her, Kohaku too.

"Katsuramaru."

She looked up at the demon, blinking.

"You wanted my name didn't you? Stop looking so dumbstruck. Humans. You're all so pitiful."

He found the child endlessly frustrating. He hated humans and he despised children. The only reason she lived this long was because she was more useful alive than dead for the moment. She could die once Sesshoumaru, or whoever came to her aid arrived. He'd traveled very quickly, and very far with her, so he doubted it would be within the next few hours. His guess was closer to a day or two, provided whoever picked up his scent was competent enough.

"I don't like other people very much either. They're mean. But Lord Sesshoumaru keeps me safe from them."

The red eyes of the demon lord turned towards her again, narrowing.

"Is that why he left you in a human village? What level of ignorance you have."

"He left master Jaken to protect me!"

And what resistance the toad put up.

"Clearly he didn't care very much, given Jaken is so weak."

"He does care! But he had to go somewhere really important! Miroku, one of our friends, was in trouble. So was Sango and Kohaku! But they'll all be back by now, and then everyone can get together again and it'll be like it was a few days ago." Rin said with a smile before laughing.

"Shippou and me were playing 'who can chase Jaken the longest'." She added with thoughtful memories coming to the fore. "Kohaku didn't want to play though." She said, her mouth frowning.

Katsuramaru couldn't help but stare with amazement. This creature? This creature was the one who had put his father on the journey to becoming so spineless? This was truly stunning, it was like watching a cat demon flirt with a fish demon, in the water. How insane was this?

"Things will not be as before. Miroku and Kohaku died."

There, that ought to shut her up.

"... What?..." Rin asked, looking horrified and shocked. Her lip began trembling as tears welled in her eyes. "No! No Miroku and Kohaku will be fine! You're just saying that to be mean! You're just trying to make me feel bad! But I know Lord Sesshoumaru is coming for me, and he'll save me from you! If you know what's best for you, you'll stop lying to me and take me back to Lord Sesshoumaru right now!"

The demand from the child was quite something. He stood his full height, looking down at her with unforgiving red eyes.

"The next demand you make will be your last." He informed her in as plane a way as possible. She would be made to understand.

He failed to notice Rin was already beginning to sob quietly, her arms folded around her face as she had pulled her knees up to her chest.

This was frustrating, he hated children.

"Stop crying!"

The child stopped, breathing in her sobs as she tried to keep herself from continuing.

That was still better, much better. He sat back down and hissed as his chest moved to the side too much.

Despite her sniffles, Rin looked over at him as his face twisted with pain.

"Are... Are you sure you're alright, Katsuramaru?"

That was an action that he had to admit surprised him. She was still asking about his well being even after he'd shouted at her. He was her abductor. What was wrong with this child to make her like this?

"I am fine."

"You sound just like Lord Sesshoumaru when he gets hurt."

He growled, he couldn't help it now. He was finding her inquiries more bothersome.

"Did I not tell you before I do not wish for questions unless I allow them?"

"Yes Katsuramaru."

He should have never told her his name.

There was silence for almost ten minutes as Katsuramaru finally closed his eyes, hoping to rest, awaiting either Inuyasha's or Sesshoumaru's arrival. He certainly hoped it was Sesshoumaru, given how wounded the demon lord had been. He wasn't even sure if he would have been able to recover enough to walk.

He then noticed something, opening one eye he saw the girl was gone. Immediately he was up and out of the cave, walking briskly, knowing the child could not have gotten far. He only had to walk for a mere two minutes before coming across the child.

"What are you doing?"

Rin nearly jumped out of her skin as she turned around. "I was trying to find some herbs to help with your injuries." She said.

He almost prepared to strike her for lying to him, and then noticed in her hand herbs that were used for such things. What... was... this child? She had to be a monster of some sort, made by some dark sorcerer to weaken the resolve of creatures around her. He just stared further before turning his head back towards the cave.

"Don't leave the cave again."

Once back inside the cave Rin just sat quietly for a few minutes before finally asking.

"Why do you look like Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"Because I do."

"... But why?"

Katsuramaru knew the question wouldn't go away. He looked like the creature she idolized. Fine, you want to know?

"Because I am the son of Lord Sesshoumaru."

Rin gasped, looking amazed as she got up, walking towards him in shock before poking him in the cheek, just to make sure he was really there.

"Lord Sesshoumaru never said he had a son! He must miss you a lot! You know if you wanted to see Lord Sesshoumaru that much you didn't have to kidnap me." She said. She felt more comfortable with him just knowing he was related to Sesshoumaru?

"Don't touch me either, Rin."

Rin just smiled before continuing to look excited.

"Are you going to come with us?"

"... With who?"

"When Lord Sesshoumaru comes for me! Are you going to come with us! Lord Sesshoumaru is never in once place for long, we're always traveling everywhere seeing all kinds of beautiful things and mountains and rivers! You'd like it! We've got Jaken, me, Sesshoumaru, and now we've even got Kagura!"

The last word caused Red eyes to angrily flash towards the little girl.

"Wh...what? Did I do something wrong?"

"I hate Kagura. Do not mention her again."

Rin just frowned sadly when he said that, before looking both ways cautiously.

"Uhm. I... I like her. She's not mean to me. But. Sometimes I wish she wasn't around as much."

Katsuramaru looked at the girl again. "Did I not just tell you to not mention her again? Rin, I am not sure if you realize this, but I don't care. I don't want to hear about her."

Rin looked into the demon's eyes again before looking away.

"You... kinda remind me of her."

He grabbed her again and Rin choked out a small yelp of surprise.

"Oh? And why is that?" He asked dangerously.

"You-You have the same eyes." Rin whispered in fear.

"You wouldn't understand, girl. To be born from a woman who is lesser than your family. To have to put up with her poor attempts to guide you, and her weakness. I wish to see that woman dead. She made my father weaker than ever and she taints my blood!"

Rin wasn't stupid. She was a child, yes, but stupid, no.

"Did... Did you come here from the future like Kagome?"

"Yes." He responded coolly.

"Are you trying to hurt Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"Yes." He answered again, this time with yet more annoyance, stressing his words.

"... I'm sad for you."

He was about to respond more harshly than before, but then looked up at the little girl. She was legitimately sad for him. The feeling he felt as he realized this lowly creature pitied him was strange to describe. He'd been far from nice to her, he'd abducted her, he even said he wanted to hurt the thing she cared about more than anything in the world. Instead of hating or reviling him, she felt pity for him.

"You must have hurt a lot to go all the way back here just to hurt Lord Sesshoumaru. Lord Sesshoumaru would never hurt me. Neither would Kagura. She even had the chance to hurt me before and didn't. I... I think-"

"Stop thinking Rin." Came the calm response as his hand let go. "Please, go sit in the corner." He then added quietly.

Rin frowned but nodded, leaving the demon to brood quietly to himself.

()()()()()()()()

If anything happened to Rin Sesshoumaru would fly off the handle.

Kagura thought this immediately once she ran into Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Jaken, Shippou and Bankotsu. They were out following Katsuramaru's scent already when she'd come into them.

Of course, the mood grew no brighter when she'd mentioned Naraku.

Still, all the same Rin had to be found first.

Kagura however was no optimist. Inside of her head she could already imagine the pain Sesshoumaru would be in if Rin were already dead and they failed to save the little girl. She imagined his pain and knew she'd never be able to mend such a wound. She wasn't even sound how he'd respond.

She had to stop thinking about this, this didn't help Rin at all. She was behind Inuyasha now, flying above the trees and looking down, knowing there was little to be done from up above the tree canope.

Below, Inuyasha's nose twitched as he followed the scent along.

Everything had gone so wrong lately, everything had just fallen apart for him. His friends were dying and in pain, Naraku was back, Katsuramaru abducted that poor girl. It felt like there was nothing he could do to change any of this for anyone. But he did intend to keep his promise, the promise he made the still body of Sutoomu.

He was going to kill that son of a bitch Katsuramaru. He was going to kill him for everything he'd done. He brought back Menomaru. He was the one responsible for what happened to Miroku. He killed his own brother Sutoomu, and now he abducted a child? After attacking and apparently injuring Sesshoumaru so badly he couldn't even come for her himself.

Inuyasha intended to send Sesshoumaru the head if he wanted Katsuramaru so badly.

()()()()()()()()

This child creature was dangerous. Another good reason humans should be eliminated began with an R and ended with an N. Katsuramaru stood up and Rin's head poked up from the corner.

"You can leave the corner now Rin."

"Thank you Katsuramaru."

When she walked up along his side he looked down at her for a moment.

"Why are you being like this?" He finally asked. "I don't understand. Every other human I've met has begged for their life. They've even tried to fight me. And you just seem to want to help me. You have no idea what I've done."

Rin smiled at him brightly however.

"I don't think you want to hurt me. I think you really want Lord Sesshoumaru's attention."

Katsuramaru drew the Tsumeken. The blade seemed to almost glow blue, and it hummed seemingly as well.

Rin looked at it and it seemed oddly familiar, it almost had a manner about it like Lord Sesshoumaru. She stepped back from the blade all the same, worried perhaps she'd misjudged her captor.

"This blade, Rin, is the Sesshoumaru from my time. I killed him. In no uncertain terms do I want his attention in the way you are thinking."

Rin's hand went to her mouth in horror. He'd killed Lord Sesshoumaru? Even if it wasn't in this time, why had he done such a horrible thing?

"Why would you do such an awful thing?"

"Because it was what I was made for. My father trained me to kill him. Just as his father trained him to kill him. Demons do not work as you think they do. No Demon would turn away from the chance to kill their parent to inherit their power."

Rin was quiet as she watched the blade, even the blade seemed... sad. It seemed to pulse with an emotion she couldn't quiet describe. Regret even.

"Lord Sesshoumaru would. He'd never hurt his father, or me. He's a good man." She finally said, her voice almost challenging as she looked up to Katsuramaru.

Katsuramaru gave the child a look of... disgust. Not towards her attitude, but towards her words. He's a good man?

"He is not a man. I think you misunderstand what he is."

His nose then turned up slightly, the scents from outside, they were strong. Inuyasha was here. Finally.

"Rin, I think its time we greet my guests."

The little girl, who had slowly started to become more accustomed to the demon over the last day felt nervous now. As they got outside she saw her friends waiting. But no Lord Sesshoumaru.

"Katsuramaru you bastard!" Inuyasha shouted, drawing the Tetsusaiga as it turned into its fang-like shape.

Katsuramaru smiled at the insult as he looked at Inuyasha, and then to his friends.

"My, I can see I've made quite a few of you mad. Oh, Kagura. I would have expected you to be hurdled over the body of Sesshoumaru. Tell me Wind Wtich, how is he? He was certainly in bad shape the last time we met."

"How is the arm?" Kagura responded.

Katsuramaru was reminded in that moment of his humiliation, snarling as he grit his teeth.

"I won't need two to kill all of you, so don't be so concerned with it."

Rin was quiet behind him, listening only as she looked up at Katsuramaru in further horror, he'd nearly killed Lord Sesshoumaru? She just wanted to break past him and run, run for Inuyasha, Kagome and the others and hope, but she fought the instinct for now.

"You killed Miroku and you're own brother too! And how did Sango and Kohaku get to that tree? Kaguya is your ally too huh? Well you'll pay for Kohaku too!"

Katsuramaru further smiled, only to find his leg being grabbed angrily by a little girl.

Inuyasha and the others froze as Rin started to punch his leg angrily, tears brimming in her eyes.

"You killed them! You evil, evil man!" She sobbed as the demon looked down at her, his lip curling into a near sneer, but fell short of such. He made no motion to strike her.

"Tell me Rin. Are you still sad for me?" He asked.

He saw her head tilt up at him, before looking at the Tsumeken, and then back at him.

"Well? Are you still sad for me? You know what I've done. I've killed him, I've nearly killed your precious Lord Sesshoumaru. I killed your friends Miroku and Kohaku. Tell me Rin, are you still sad for me?" The last sentence was almost mocking as his lips curved into an arrogant smirk.

Inuyasha had to restrain himself from attacking as he bore his teeth.

"To hell with the girl, I say we kick his ass now." Bankotsu said quietly.

"Shut up." Kagura then ordered.

Rin's mind thought as she looked at this evil creature looking down at her, as if he was taking pleasure in what he'd done, the smile on his mouth was revolting. But there was something behind it, something forced. She could almost feel the Tsumeken pulse, if only to her eyes.

"Yes." Came the quiet response from the girl.

Katsuramaru's jaw dropped slightly as he saw the sincerity in the little girls eyes, the little girl who'd just been punching his leg impotently moments earlier. His eyebrows knit with confusion as he looked down at her. What could he respond to that? This child... was still sad for him, even after all he'd done.

He sheathed the Tsumeken, before looking towards Inuyasha and his friends.

"You may go to them Rin. I will not stop you. But do it before I change my mind."

The little girl lingered for a moment before just uttering one phrase. "Thank you." She said quietly, before running towards Inuyasha and Kagome.

Inuyasha had another thought.

"What're you up to Katsuramaru? What the hell was that about?"

"Another time, half-demon." He declared, before with a hop and a lung, he jumped into the woods around them.

Kagura was of course, the most relieved as she hugged the little girl along with Kagome, Shippou, Sango and others, everyone thankful she was still alive.

Rin looked back from where she'd just been before closing her eyes hugging tightly in response to the attack of hugs she was receiving.

()()()()()()()()

I hadn't done as much with Rin as I have wished to so far, so expect to see a bit more of her around. I also wanted to point out that even if evil, Katsuramaru is still not entirely devoid of the ability to empathize with others. Much of his 'evil' comes from the noble demon structure he was raised in. He's never going to be a hero mind you, and he's still got many evil schemes to go through in this story, but even Adolf Hitler loved his dog.