Authors note: So here is yet another release of Uncertain Future there will be some more character reveals along the way but we won't be following the quest to destroy Naraku instead for this story that is a side element if you wish to see it as it happened I would say you should both read the manga and watch the anime.
Ranma can't seem to catch a break but stormy days do pass eventually I hope you will stick with me for this ride it will be long and perhaps have some rough times ahead but I believe the journey's end will be worth it.
With that said on with the show! -Zeltronica
U.F. Chapter: 6
It had been but a week into her journey the winter had seemed to take a turn for the worst the temperature dipping down further as more snow fell, Megumi had decided to take shelter in a small cave that had been made by an animal at some point and was long abandoned.
This cave was very near a riverbank which was currently frozen over which Megumi used as a water source, inside this cave she had set up a small campfire a breeze seemed to carry the smoke out of the cave meaning there was an opening somewhere else in the winding cave system.
Megumi sat on the floor of the cave on a gray bedroll, seeming to stare into the fire as she chewed on some dried fish that had been provided by the aging Kaede. The cave provided a decent respite from the bitter elements she was a party to just earlier.
Observing the flames of the fire blowing fiercely from a draft that had blown into the cave she looked to the opening observing the falling snow, just as quickly as it came the wind changed directions and ceased blowing into the cave though the howling remained quite furious.
'If I had known the weather would have been this bad maybe waiting in the village would have been better.' she inwardly noted to herself.
Though in her defense how could she have known though she mused in the thought of fate somehow was conspiring to delay her journey for the kettle.
The time was a bit sometime afternoon which looked almost night due to the dark cloud cover overhead, she could tell it was getting darker which in turn meant it would soon be nightfall estimating the time to be around four or even six something o'clock.
Eventually, she decided after putting a couple of logs on the fire to keep it burning she finally decided to lay down wrapping herself in her blankets slowly dozing off staring at the ceiling of the cave her eyelids eventually growing heavy and she went into a deep sleep.
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The following morning the storm had calmed down though a slight snow flurry was still coming down, the crisp air barely kept away by the embers of the fire that was slowing dying out as the red-head wrapped in her blanket was still dozing away.
Eventually, she stirred opening her sapphire eyes groggily looking to the embers of the fire, reaching with her left hand out from the covers she rubbed the sleep from her eyes letting out a dainty yawn.
She slowly sat up stretching slightly allowing the blanket to fall away, as she then observed the stream of sunlight pouring into the cave indicating the sun had come out and was visible through the dense cloud cover above though it slowly faded to dark again on and off as the storm overhead continued to move away.
She reached over grabbing the last of the logs she had gathered tossing them onto the fire, before rummaging through her supplies looking through her various foodstuffs for options to fill her stomach.
As she did so she thought of the elder Tendo sister, as well as Saiya already missing the food they would make which was much better than what she currently had available.
'Faster I get the kettle the faster I can go home.' she inwardly thought to herself finally deciding on having more of what she had the night before being dried fish.
Once she was fed she then decided to get her shoes on venturing to the cave enstance looking out observing dense forest blanketed by snow, she then looked slightly down noting the snow had slightly blocked the cave entrance since it was waist level with her current standing position.
She frowned slightly since this would make traveling sooner less than desirable. No, she realized she would need to wait a day or two for it to melt some before she ventured out further lest she wanted to struggle through it.
Turning her attention back to the cave she observed a corridor with a slight breeze passing through it deciding she would later explore it just to see where it would lead.
Half an hour later after she had explored the path leading deeper into the cave she had discovered some animal bones belonging to what she believed to be a bear taking them back with her to camp she had sat them down by her chosen spot by the cooking fire and was in the process of fashioning a sewing needle along with a crude knife.
She had even found more wood she could use for the fire which meant the cave most likely during the rainy months was prone to flooding which meant she probably wouldn't want to reside within during those days and nights.
She carefully did the last finishing touches to the needle adding a small eyelet for thread, as she did so her ears could make out the sound of what she assumed to be people somewhere beyond the cave entrance and the clatter of chains.
She half wondered who would be traveling in these miserable conditions, but there was always people who did that stuff she could make out the gruff voice of a man who said, "Keep moving." along with the crack of a whip and the whimpering of what she assumed was a woman.
Then she could make out the whimpering and sobbing of multiple other women as well as the clanking of chains, and the hoofbeats of horses, and the sound of the carriages they pulled.
"Slavers," Megumi muttered to herself as she realized this was a common thing of the time period she currently resided in. Though she had hoped the man and whoever he was traveling with would pass her by she could tell they were getting closer almost as if they were heading directly for the cave she was at.
Setting the needle down she then crossed the distance looking out the cave entrance observing a large group of individual's some of which were armed with various arms which meant they were either a bandit group or small army of some kind, men proceeded them digging snow to allow a path for the wagons to pass easier.
She then stepped back a bit as one of the men looked in the direction of the cave she was in seeming to try and get a better look she remained still in hopes to not entice his interest, though the glow of her fire she thought may have made it so he was very interested in her location.
"Sir I think there is a cave and someone is dwelling inside." the man called, to which a larger man on horseback spoke with the same gruff voice she had initially heard, "Go check it out we may be setting up camp here for the night," he ordered.
'Dammit.' Megumi muttered as she observed the man who had looked in her direction along with six other men with spears and or swords all started heading in her direction two of which had bows equipped.
Remaining hidden she reached over grabbing her quarterstaff bringing it closer to her side as she tactically considered her options given the current environment and situation since she realized she could bottleneck these men, and if things got hot she could follow the path further into the cave possibly finding an escape point.
Of course, she had prepared her camp earlier the night before having set some traps for animals taking care that they were human friendly since someone could happen by and all she wanted was a potential warning should someone enter while she was sleeping.
She knew these would only be a minor annoyance to the group heading in her direction, the lead man who had called out to his leader about the location she figured was a tracker of some kind and he may easily pick up on her snares.
She waited patiently gripping her staff tight preparing to swing on the first individual to enter the cave. The men slowly but cautiously approached the cave now observing more evident the orange glow of fire though they could not see anyone all the same they continued to cautiously close the distance.
The lead individual hung back some as he watched two of his subordinates neared the mouth of the cave, the duo took another step further and a snapping sound was heard and both men ended up flung into the air as they screamed in fright hanging from nearby tree branches via thick vines around their ankles.
Megumi couldn't help but snicker to herself as she watched the two men flail about, then at a wave of the lead man more men started to approach also getting ensnared until there was six men hanging upside down flailing about.
She then waited for the inevitable as more men were waved forward, there were no more snares between them and her position which meant she had two choices to flee or fight but she only had mere moments to decide on what actions she would take next.
She counted ten men approaching close enough she waited patiently her back against the wall, making her breathing as silent as possible the only sound that could be made out was the external noise of the cave's surroundings and the crackling embers of the fire within the cave.
Two of the men made their entry right as they did so Megumi made her move quickly taking them down with two well-placed strikes from the staff she wielded proceeding to place her back against the wall as she waited patiently.
She then ducked as she heard something cutting the wind as both men came in swinging on either side their swords hitting stone, she then proceeded to spin as she lowered using her staff to knock their feet out from under them causing them to hit the ground groaning as she gave each a hard wack with her staff across the back of their heads sending consciousness fleeing them.
"Whoever you are in there you better give this up do you really think you can take us all?" came the voice of the man she took to be their leader.
Megumi didn't answer as three more men entered which she quickly knocked them out to now she was standing over six unconscious men their stench causing her to gag since none of them had bathed in days if she had to hazard a guess.
'Kami they smell horrible eww gross what did he eat!' she inwardly exclaimed just as one of the unconscious men passes gas that was quite horrendous and foul-smelling.
"If you come out now I may consider sparing your life but if we have to come in there and drag you out we will kill you very slowly." the leader called.
Megumi went about gathering her belongings proceeding towards the back of the cave she could hear more men approaching the entrance, 'If I was a guy giving myself up could save my life heck they may conscript me into their merry band of idiots. However, I am not a man currently and they would surely try to enslave me.'
With that thought in mind she proceeded to follow the tunnel she got farther in hearing shouting from the men that just entered the cave observing her handiwork, she then could make out the lead man's voice shouting for his men to head deeper into the cave to find her.
As she continued further in she found it hard to see where she was going her night vision wasn't bad but that could only take her so far as she followed the breeze which was crisp and cold and damp upon her skin.
Feeling her way along the walls of the cave her pace slow but steady, the sound of her pursuers getting closer could be heard by the echo's of their foot steps of the rocky corridor walls of the tunnel, she then found herself falling briefly having found herself sliding landing into some water.
"EEK cold!" She shrilly let out quickly scrambling to her feet as she looked up observing the orange hue of a torch on the above walls, though this light was partially beneficial to her given it showed three different tunnels she could follow.
Nearing them she could feel the air rushing at her from one tunnel in particular meaning it would likely lead her to safety or so she hoped she wasn't in a hurry to kill if she could help it and this situation her instincts told her it was fight or flight in which she was choosing the latter for the time being.
She did her best to ignore her damp and now freezing clothing, as she quickly made her way into her possible freedom, however, upon entry she found herself on an icy slope as she went into an uncontrolled slide the surface luckily was smooth like a water slide at a park.
Fear of the unknown kicked in as she realized her situation had gone from bad to worse, quickly she retrieved the short sword proceeding to try and spike it into the floor of the cave however the momentum and weight only caused it to be pulled out as she was now sliding feet first on her stomach.
She continued to slide some time before she proceeded to once again attempt to plunge the short sword into the icy floor with success this time however she lost her grip due to her momentum as she watched the blade disappear in the darkness.
"This sucks." she griped to herself, as she continued sliding she then found herself sliding up the left side rolling onto her back as it seemed to follow a loop into a deeper and steeper incline picking up speed.
Eventually, she observed moonlight coming from an opening meaning she reached the end of her hazardous slide in the darkness the only trouble for her she inwardly noted it looked like a drop-off.
"Oh Shit!" she exclaimed placing her feet against the walls of the tunnel in hopes to slow her descent however to no avail since her feet only slid on the icy rock surface eventually flying out and into nothing but air above a frozen lake about twenty feet in the air.
She then found herself plummeting to the icy surface below bracing herself for the impact that would surely come next taking a deep breath hitting the ice breaking through it finding herself falling deep into its icy cold contents and depts.
She then proceeded to swim to the surface observing just how clear the water was eventually reaching the hole she entered proceeding to with some effort getting up onto the surface rolling onto her back looking skyward as she started to shiver from the cold and damp clothing she wore and thanks to the freezing cold temperatures of the nighttime air.
Taking stock of her situation and glancing about she found some of her things laying on the icy surface including her quarterstaff retrieving them proceeding to get off the ice and back to land as she did so she observed an old structure she assumed was for fishing that appeared long-abandoned which while it may or may not be too close to the cave she once occupied she realized it was her best bet for survival if she didn't wish to freeze to death.
Eventually crossing the distance she entered the structure observing indeed it didn't look to have been abandoned a very long time ago quickly she spotted what appeared to be a type of stove made from clay a stone chimney lead to the roof.
Nearby she observed a decrepit old table of some type that was practically falling apart, crossing the distance she preceded to break it apart tossing pieces into the mouth opening to the stove.
With this done she dropped her bag on the floor proceeding to grab her fire-starting supplies gaining a slight frown having observed some of it was wet. However, that frown quickly turned to contentment observing just enough tinder was dry enough to be utilized.
Quickly she went about creating fire which took several tries but eventually she managed to light fire to the wood, shivering she looked to the opening observing a door made of timber sitting to the left of the opening she walked over grabbing it moving it into place covering the opening to block out the cold.
With this done she then proceeded to strip off her sopping wet clothing shivering as she did so tossing them to the floor for the time being, she glanced over observing an old woolen blanket laying just on the floor she proceeded to shake it out observing it was quite ratty but would work as she wrapped herself in it.
Walking over she sat down just in front of the fire, her adrenaline rush dissipating meaning she was starting to feel the cold nipping at her skin but the warmth of the fire was now helping and whoever built the stove appeared to know what they were doing since it appeared to be working rather well.
'I would have been better off fighting them.' she inwardly thought to herself though she knew if she had she may have been okay or may have got herself overwhelmed so many outcomes it made her head hurt just considering them one of which deeply concerned her which is why she made the decision to consciously not chance it and just run.
Eventually feeling tired after her ordeal her eyes started to feel heavy as she slowly slumped sideways asleep onto the floor.
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Dream scape...
Megumi lay in a field of never-ending flowers the surrounding land perfect with lush forest and animals frolicking about slowly stirring she opened her eyes as she sat up to take in the beauty of the surroundings the sounds of birds chirping could be heard and not a cloud was in the deep blue sky above.
Proceedings to stand she took stock of her situation observing she was naked as a jaybird, but not just that the weather was perfect and animals of all kinds had started to gather around her as they had many a time before since she realized right away she was a reoccurring dream she would have once every few months.
She then watched as the animals seemed to run in all directions in fear but from what? Not once had she ever not woken up at this point but it would seem she was still in the dream.
Hearing a terrible screeching her head almost appeared on a swivel as she looked all around until her gaze settles on an object off in an easterly direction she started forward towards it running as the hairs on the back of her neck raised as she felt like she was being chased and the object she felt was her salvation.
Now the screeching got louder and the ground beneath her feet had started to rumble with a frightening roar and dark clouds had suddenly appeared blocking out the sky as lightning crisscrossed the sky.
She continued barreling towards the object observing a gated arch that was elaborate in black-n-gold soon she was almost a football field length away when the clouds gained an orange hue as suddenly a terrible roar sounded out as she looked up observing a fireball heading directly for the gate.
This fireball was a meteor as she slowed in her step only to watch the gate get blasted to pieces causing her to halt her movements.
She then felt a tap on her shoulder causing her to turn around only to have her throat seized by a delicate hand of what appeared to be a young woman her age that appeared to be her height and even looked like her the young woman's face was a look of anger.
Megumi then observed two horns that almost by appearance to give the woman rabbit ears but not quite since they were dark brown in color among her bright red hair, the sapphire eyes like looking into the eyes of a cat.
She then notices on the teen's back were two large black feathered wings that looked broken and disheveled, a tail similar to a cat with black fur but with a triangle tip curled around her left leg.
Megumi tried to speak between gasps but found she couldn't, however as she was struggling the woman's grasp as she then spoke to her, "Wake up!"
Which everything faded away to white then black as she shot upright from her laying position as she reached up covering her ears as a loud deafening roar was heard that seemed to last up to thirty minutes as she observed bright white light piercing around the gaps in her makeshift door revealing it to be day time.
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Back in the waking world...
Megumi could hear male voices not far from her location that sounded like they were getting closer, she threw the tattered blanket off herself observing nearby the embers of the fire she had created were near death.
Slowly she got up walking over to the opening looking out observing six men approaching the structure she was in one of which looked to be one she knocked out the night before she grimaced as she quickly went over grabbing her damp clothing ringing it out and putting the items on.
She then grabbed up her quarterstaff realizing she may have to fight these men if they planned to enter the structure, steeling her nerves she waited for them to make entry.
Eventually, the men did indeed make entry kicking the makeshift door in without so much of a knock or a word sending it crashing against the opposite wall all six men entering at once brandishing their weapons looking everywhere observing nothing but an empty structure.
Megumi held herself flat against the ceiling looking at the men as they passed her.
One of the men walked over bending down putting his right-hand palm out near the embers, "Someone stayed in here recently probably the bastard from the cave that attacked us." he stated in a voice that sounded as if he swallowed shards of glass.
As the men stepped further into the room one of them finally looked back and up spotting her but it was too late as she dropped down swinging her staff knocking him out and into the east wall sending him through the old rotten boards.
Once her feet hit the floor as the men were turning to face her she then whirled as if a whirlwind proceeding to taking all their legs out from under them before promptly also knocking them out cold.
With this done she let out a breath of relief as she stood up taking stock of her situation as she considered just what to do with the men since they would eventually wake back up hopefully later than sooner.
One idea crossed her mind as she quickly acted on it proceeding to relieve the men of their coin purses since she figured it had all been stolen anyways, second she gathered up their weapons bundling them together using one of the men's cloaks to wrap them.
With that done she gathered the rest of her effects what was left of them, tilting her head down to the right as she was exiting the structure saying, "Well Gentlemen it's been real but I will take my leave."
As she quickly made for the direction she knew her destination was located she considered to herself as she shifted to her coin purse along with the others she counted and placed in her bag.
'Well I lost some of my items but I can make do with some of the weapons I gathered off those bandits even sell some of it and maybe buy some proper provisions upon the next village I find.' she inwardly noted in observation though the weather still was bitterly cold and she knew she shouldn't be out in the elements she realized she needed to put as much distance from the bandit army as possible.
Of course part of her knew innocent women and children were most likely being held she reasoned to rescue them could inadvertently change the course of history and maybe even undo herself since she didn't know her family's entire history.
Even if she did have that knowledge she still realized what she was doing could quite possibly have ramifications that could be disastrous just the thought made her head hurt yet she pushed on since regaining her manhood was of importance to her.
As she continued further her mind wondered, 'In theory what if I've done this before in another instance? Then wouldn't any action I take be a part of the current timeline? But what if I do something different than the previous time if there was one...?' she inwardly trailed.
"Oh, my head hurts just thinking about it..." She muttered to herself as she continued her forward momentum, though her damp clothing wasn't the best due to the cold she pushed on doing her best ignoring it.
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Present Day...
Saiya then found herself under a hail of rapid-fire punches of a technique she was very intimate with, proceeding to fire off with her own though a revised version meant to block incoming punches with her palms though she didn't shout like the hooded individual revealed to be female judging by voice.
Abraham and his men observed the dueling duo as Saiya finally put the hooded figure on the retreat firing off a rapid volley of punches and kicks the individual bobbed and weaved around though took quite a few hits for her trouble.
Eventually, the hooded figure quickly did several backward somersaults, calling out, "Jeeze take it easy won't you?" the figure reached up taking hold of the hood pulling it back revealing a very beautiful girl that looked between fourteen and sixteen years of age with short raven-hair with crimson highlights among the hair was two tiny dark brown horns that had a rabbit ear appearance to them.
Her skin was pale like she didn't see much sunlight, and her sapphire cat-like eyes shimmered in the moonlight.
Saiya shook her head at the girl, "Sorry I will only hold back so much even with you dearest."
"Sorry for dragging your daughter all this way we thought Lilt could be of help in tracking this troublesome vampire down," Abraham said apologetically.
Lilt gained a cheery smile, "It has been a very long time but I knew you were still alive Mama even though nobody believed me after all only-" she then found herself interrupted by Saiya who went on to say, "Enough young lady we have prying ears who don't need that kind of information.
"Gomen' Mama." Lilt softly said realizing she almost revealed too much to the fellow hunters.
Saiya then turned her attention to Abraham a slight smile to her lips, "No I understand and in some ways, I am glad you did I had been meaning to travel soon to go to her anyways... However I am a little concerned why is she wearing these chains?" she inquired observing the chains were also connected to a collar around her child's neck via two gold rings, in front was also a golden ring with a broken chain link connected to it.
"Your daughter has displeased the Pope greatly since according to him she seduced his son." Abraham explained to Saiya who both tilted her head and gaining a wide-eyed expression going on to exclaim, "Lilt you are far too young to be doing such things!"
"But Mom I am eighty years old ain't I allowed to date?" Lilt inquired of her mother slight angst in her voice.
Saiya still looking concerned spoke up, "No out of the question your still a spore!" she exclaimed going on to think, 'Unbelievable I leave her with the Holy Roman church and she is already wanting to date what have they been teaching her?'
"Whatever Mom I am old enough to make my own decisions and if I want to date that is what I am going to do no matter how you feel!" Lilt exclaimed a red aura surrounding her person that produced wind pressure that pushed everyone back with exception of both her mother and Abraham who's hair and clothing were rustling.
It was then another figure wearing a white cloak appeared behind the Lilt raising its right white-gloved hand into a fist bringing it down hard on the back of her head saying, "I for one while I don't always agree with your Mom wholeheartedly agree with her on this subject."
Lilt reached up rubbing the top of her head, "Ouch that smarts you are so mean Auntie..." she whined.
Saiya looked to the cloaked figure knowing just who it was, "Ah Ansuz judging by the chains I should have known you were involved."
"Well someone had to babysit her while you were away so I was dispatched... Also Hild was also watching over her time to time as well." the hooded figure revealed to be named Ansuz explained.
Saiya gained a slim smile saying, "Well it is nice that my child is cared for by such priestesses as you and Hildr."
"They both have also been teaching me to hone my fighting techniques and innate abilities." Lilt explained to her mother to which Saiya gained an approving look that quickly turned into a blank mask.
Saiya then looked to Ansuz posing a question, "Why is she chained up I know these are your doing so what is the story?"
"Your little spore here lost control of one of her innate abilities and turned the Pope's son," Ansuz explained, to which Lilt gained a look of embarrassment her cheeks going red as a tomato.
Saiya shook her head while reaching up running her fingers through her hair, "Oh darling this is why I say you are far too young you're not ready for such intimate encounters." She pauses a moment speaking to the cloaked woman and Abraham, "I'll be right back."
With that Saiya blinked out of existence before a moment later reappearing in the same spot saying, "Okay he is back to normal though he will be quite sickly for the next month."
"If only you could do the same to all of them." Abraham dully stated.
Ansuz then spoke up, "Yes sadly she can only affect those infected with her blood the Pope's son is lucky Saiya yet lives because Lilt herself doesn't yet have the ability to do so."
"However they have to want to turn back otherwise I cannot restore them," Saiya explained, of course I do relish a soul or two but then I am not rushing out to gather any.
Abraham shrugged having listened to his friend's words, "Troublesome then most likely this vampire we will just have to kill them when they finally come out of hiding, unfortunately, Lilt has had no luck in finding them and seems neither can you yourself readily find them."
"If you tracked them to Japan then the target is me so sooner or later they will have to face me in combat we just need to wait," Saiya stated feeling quite sure this would be the case.
Abraham looked to his friend, "So you don't rush to gather any huh? not even in the slightest?" he inquired to which she shook her head negatively.
"No, I do not besides I am more of a catch and release kind of gal so to speak." Saiya dully said shrugging her shoulder's holding her hand's palm up just at her waist.
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Back to the Feudal era...
A couple of weeks had gone by since Megumi's run-in with the bandit army she had made camp near a small lake the water was quite clear but was still mostly iced over from the past storm. The weather was calm though snow still blanketed the land, the sky was bright blue with the morning sun just beaming over the horizon.
Currently, she sat on a cloak she had laid on the ground, behind her a makeshift tent-like structure made from branches and grass thatching with a slight overhang. Nearby a campfire was set up that provided her heat and just over this fire were four sticks sharpened into skewers holding fish over the fire as they were slowly cooking.
She continued to gaze at the fire as she thought of her wayward father remembering the last time she had camped out with him was on a similar day to the one she currently resided in the only difference is she wouldn't need to worry about competing with or him stealing all the fish for himself.
Her thoughts then turned to her reoccurring dream pondering on them as she wondered what the significance of it really was since it felt like a place she had once been but for the life of her she couldn't remember nor remember seeing that gate before but for some reason or another it felt familiar to her for some reason.
Also, the woman with horns, wings, and a tail almost looked like herself but seemed quite angry at her when she got grabbed by the throat.
"What was that..." she trailed aloud.
Megumi observing the fish looked ready she snatched up one of the skewers proceeding to nibble on it though her thoughts were troubled at this moment she savored the flavor upon her tongue.
Nearby just past some bushes a young girl with brown eyes and mid-length raven-hair that came down just past her shoulder's also a tiny ponytail held at the top right side of her head via green-n-yellow thread, wearing a orange and tan patched robe with a green sash around her waist with her feet bare.
Though if the cold snow her feet were in bothered her it didn't show at all since the girl in questioned hadn't ever bothered with shoes of any kind since she was quite used to it.
She currently was in the process of foraging for food attempting to spear a fish with a stick with a very sharp point however thus far she wasn't having much success with exception of a few near catches.
She was about to thrust the spear once more as she caught a heavenly scent upon the air as she paused deciding to follow it walking over to the bushes she wondered into them taking car to avoid rustling them too much until she made it just near the edge peering through observing a young woman that looked older than her by a few years who looked to be eating fish.
With her curiosity satisfied she then started to return only to observe the red-head was looking right at her then called out to her, "Hey you hungry I don't mind sharin'?"
The girl seemed to ponder since she didn't trust that many people speaking hesitantly, "It is okay I-" she then found herself interrupted.
Megumi continuing to look to the unnamed girl, "Look not going to hurt you, and it is prudent to be cautious around strangers but you look hungry and I am offering to share some so won't you come on over?" she offered once more.
The girl seemed hesitant but slowly made her way over as she did so she cautiously looked around as if looking for something or someone.
Observing the girl's cautious movements Megumi spoke once more, "I can assure you it's only me here and shouldn't be that many people with exception of us out here which makes me wonder little girl why are you out here all alone?" she inquired.
The girl as she came closer she sat down opposite of the fire from the red-head softly speaking, "I am not alone my lord, and his vassal are not far. I was hunting since Lord Sesshomaru says I have to fend for myself."
"I take it the hunting isn't going that great is it?" Megumi inquired as she looked to the fire proceeding to grab up two skewers proceeding to hold one out for the girl.
The girl shook her head negatively replying as she took the proffered skewer in hand, "No it is not since there is not much fish out this time around."
She then proceeded to take a bite from the fish gaining a content expression to her features, "This is delicious!" she exclaimed.
"Of course it is this isn't my first time cookin' fish." Megumi cheerily called as she smiled a wry grin.
She then tilted her head watching the girl eat inquiring, "So guess my manners are a bit lacking my name is Megumi, and yours?"
"It is Rin thank you for the meal I am grateful." the girl revealed to be Rin replied.
Megumi simply nodded in recognition of the girls thanks as she grabbed up another skewer proceeding to devour it as she then proceeded in taking her now empty skewers placing two more fish on them before angling them over the fire proceeding to cook them.
As Rin finished her first Megumi took the skewer placing a new fish upon it repeating what she previously did with the others while handing the girl a second helping to which the girl gratefully took in hand proceeding to munch on it.
"So this Lord Sesshomaru he doesn't provide for you at all you are quite young to be hunting on your own?" Megumi inquired as she was merely curious.
Rin pondered momentarily going on to explain, "He is always near and will protect me if I call his name so I am in no danger when I go hunting."
"Is he your Dad or Guardian?" Megumi questioned.
Rin glanced to the older girl, "Why the question do you think he treats me poorly having me gather my own food?"
"No, not at all. No, I do not I was simply curious my Pop's used to make me gather food for us both when I was about your age though judging by your appearance I would think this Lord Sesshomaru treats you far better than my Pop's treated me." Megumi casually replied as she watched her fish cook.
It was then they both heard the snapping of branches very close to Megumi's camp both girls looking to the right only to observe twenty armed men come out of the forest and into the clearing of the camp.
Megumi easily recognized six of the men from both the cave and the cabin, 'How far are they going to follow me and now there are more of 'em.'
"Suigetsu see I told you she was exotic looking I bet we could fetch a king's ransom with her what do you think?" one of the larger of the original six men inquired.
A rugged balding man with fine chiseled features stepped forward, he looked rather tall for a Japanese man standing at six-foot-two and looked quite buff, wearing the trappings of a samurai she had read about in history class though this man didn't match anyone famous that she knew about.
In his right hand he held a Katana that leaned over his right shoulder, he looked to the red-head approvingly replying, "Yes she is indeed very exotic I haven't seen any women with crimson red-hair outside of foreigners of course the kid could go for a decent price as well. Though with that said are you sure it is the girl who attacked you and our men, Boro?"
The initial individual named Boro nodded his head saying, "Without a single doubt that is the girl that attacked us she has the skill and swiftness of a kunoichi."
"Looking at her almost makes it seem like you must be mistaken surely she isn't the one who attacked you are you sure?" Suigetsu inquired as he found it hard to believe such a tiny girl could defeat his men so easily as he had been lead to believe.
Megumi listened to the two men however said nothing only listening as Rin was doing much the same but with a slightly worried expression to her features.
"I can assure you Suigetsu I am not mistaken it was her," Boro assured, bringing a club to bear.
Suigetsu listening to his subordinate's words then went on to address the red-head inquiring, "So it was you from both the cave and the cabin?"
"You all are a persistent bunch to follow me this far." Megumi dully stated, slowly reaching over to take hold of her staff when an arrow struck the dirt between her hand and the quarterstaff.
Suigetsu sneered at her saying, "No sudden movements Missy I have archers nearby all taking aim at you and the girl there. While it would be a loss of profit for you to die here I can assure you death will be swift if you do not surrender yourself to me and my men."
'Archers damn if I was alone I could chance it... but Rin will be killed.' She inwardly thought as she considered her options as she watched all the men take three steps each towards them.
She then went on to address the lead man, "Let the girl go and I'll turn myself over to you." she offered.
"I don't think you understand your situation clearly Missy you are not in a position to make demands. No, you will surrender yourself or the girl's blood will be on your head along with your own." Suigetsu stated with the promise of death should the red-head refuse.
Observing the red-head take on a thoughtful expression going on to think, 'She'll cave nobody would readily allow a child her age to die needlessly'
'Great just great not even my time period yet just offering Rin food I may have screwed things up in the future...' Megumi fretted, though she was quite worried she kept a blank mask to her features the best she could.
The men drew closer while Megumi continues to consider her options though she paid attention knowing the closer the men got the less threat their archers posed to her and her companion. 'Just a bit closer she inwardly thought.
Eventually, the men got closer as Megumi then kicked her left leg out sending a shocked Rin off her perch and to a prone position as she herself quickly rolled forward just as a hail of arrows impaled the space both she and Rin once occupied.
Quickly grabbing her staff proceeding to do a whirling motion surprising all the men knocking their legs out from under them with the exception of Suigetsu and Boro who quickly jumped back just in time.
Megumi didn't waste time in getting to her feet proceeding to take the fight to both Suigetsu and Boro who both did their best to fend off her relentless assault which shocked them as neither were used to such furiosity from a girl her size.
Meanwhile, the other men were in the process of getting back to their feet, two of which quickly closed on Rin who was getting to her feet attempting to run when she was grabbed by one of the men she quickly stomped on the man's foot causing him to cry out in pain briefly releasing his grip on her allowing her to briefly get away dodging just barely avoiding a barrage of arrows.
The recovered man quickly ran after the girl who cried out, "Lord Shessomaru help!" as she ran avoiding yet more arrows as well as the various men trying to catch her.
Megumi kept up her attack on the two leading men then using her staff as if a pole erecting it horizontal proceeded to spin on it kicking Boro sending him flying into a tree causing it to be splintered to pieces and felled much to Suigetsu's dismay at the display as the girl briefly posed before rocketing towards him as if an arrow loosed from a bow just shy of being hit by yet another volley of arrows.
"So fast!" Suigetsu exclaimed quickly finding his sword knocked from his hands as the girl then shouted, "Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken" (Chestnut Fist) he then found himself at the mercy of what seemed an endless amount of blows at an insane rate he had never once seen or felt before by even the most fierce warriors of his day.
Each blow was quite powerful like those he would expect from a powerful male Buddhist Monk yet this was no male monk rather a young very beautiful Japanese woman who both shocked and stunned him.
She then using her feet against her opponent's chest spun herself at a super high rate of speed giving him a powerful roundhouse kick sending him crashing against a very large bolder causing it to crack in half rolling apart.
"What the Hell is she a yōkai?" Boro questioned slowly getting back to his feet having witnessed what just happened to his boss.
Suigetsu seemed to pass out as Megumi landed on her feet, observing Boro was up to his feet though she ignored him side-stepping yet another hail of arrows quickly speeding up into a blur as the yells and shouting of men could be heard from two directions as thuds of fists on flesh and slicing of swords on flesh could be heard in either direction.
Boro backed up as he quickly looked for the red-head bringing his weapon to bear feeling himself back against someone turning his head over his right shoulder he found himself face to face with a very handsome young yet all though feminine features of a pointed ear man with long silver hair worn straight with glowing red eyes with slit pupils.
Upon his forehead was a violet crescent moon beneath the bangs of his hair, a magenta stripe on each eyelid, and two magenta stripes on each cheek
His man was none other than Lord Sesshōmaru himself wearing a kimono that was mostly white with red-n-white cherry blossom flower crest at the collar and on his long sleeves. Apart of his outfit was a spiked pauldron covering his left shoulder connected to a cuirass and lotus petal faulds.
Missing was his left arm just below the bicep hidden by a long billowing sleeve having been cut off in a previous battle. For at his waist he wore a blue-n-yellow sash and the bottoms he wore sashinuki hakama which gathered at the ankles giving them a ballooning effect with black ankle boots completing his outfit.
Upon his right shoulder was his mokomoko-sama, the fur, and tail of his true form which he always retained even in humanoid form.
Boro didn't have time to speak as the Demon before him without so much as a word with one swift strike drove his fist through his chest and out the back holding Boro's still-beating heart within its grasp killing him instantly.
With that done the Demon slipped his hand out of the corpse allowing it to slump to the ground as he side-stepped it.
Rin quickly closed the distance hiding behind Sesshōmaru as they could hear the sounds of battle not far from their position the Demon's eyes changed to gold in color still with the slit pupil as he stared off blankly in the direction of the fighting his attention turning to a figure slowly getting to his feet.
The figure being none other than Suigetsu who didn't yet register the nearby Demon whom one of his targets was hiding behind, yet before he could the red-head came speeding back proceeding to land blow after blow into him which he either in appearance didn't have time to stop them or wasn't trying to stop them.
All the while both Sesshōmaru and Rin looked on watching as the duo battled it out mostly in what appeared to be a purely one-sided battle.
After allowing himself to take numerous attacks from the relentless red-head Suigetsu finally decided to get serious and with inhuman speed caught her by the throat before throwing her against a tree where she crashed against it quite violently.
Megumi groaned as she looked to her opponent with one of her eyes closed, slowly she stood as she watched her opponent appearing to undertake a transformation as two glowing yellow eyes appeared on his forehead his body becoming larger as his clothing became ripped having not been created for a creature his size.
The creature only paid the human girl and the Demon she hid behind with a brief uninterested glance before settling his gaze on the defiant red-head. "I have to admit you are quite a strong girl however playtime is over and I am going to kill you here and now," he called in a voice that boomed and shook the ground they stood on.
"Nani?" Megumi said aloud observing the rapid transformation of her opponent then quickly found herself lifted into the air via an unseen force that yanked her up by her hair. She then found herself slammed from one tree to another almost as if she was a ball in a pinball machine.
By the eighth time she had struck a tree she then found herself thrown to the ground where she groaned in pain and seeing stars consciousness threatening to leave her though she did her best to keep awake as she attempted to pick herself up off the ground.
Suigetsu retrieving a large stick crossed the distance observing the redhead was trying to get up managing to get up on her knees, he then with a single blow brought the stick against the right side of her head near the temple sending her straight into unconsciousness where she slumped backward onto her back.
Rin watching the scene in horror from behind the silver-haired demon spoke pleadingly, "Sesshōmaru?"
Though Sesshōmaru had no true reason to intervene he did so anyway due to his traveling companion moving in quick as Suigetsu was lifting the stick high in the air preparing to crush the redhead's skull in one blow.
Lifting his right hand a golden whip seemed to lash out and Suigetsu was torn to pieces practically exploding into a shower of bloody mist.
Both he and Rin then closed the distance between themselves and the fallen martial artist once they were a foot away Rin questioned, "Is she?"
"She still draws breath." Sesshōmaru said with little emotion, he then glanced at his companion's features observing her saddened and concerned expression proceeding to get closer bending down with his one good arm hoisted the red-head up placing the girl upon his right shoulder starting to return to where he had come from.
Rin crossed the distance grabbing up a bag along with the remaining skewers of fish she believed belonged to the martial artist heading after her companion.
'This human smells like that woman... but those features remind me of someone from long ago from a time when Father was still alive.' Sesshōmaru thought to himself though he couldn't quite place her though he remembered he was younger.
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A week had passed since the ordeal where Sesshōmaru came to the rescue of one of his entourage Rin along with the newest edition of his group the young red-head who was still sleeping since the incident riding on the back of a brownish-green two-headed dragon sporting a black main of hair with green eyes and slit pupils named A-Un by Rin.
Following just behind them a short 43 cm or 1'5" very green-skinned bird-like beaked mouth and traditionally pointed ear imp who used to be a ruler of a tribe of his own before leaving the tribe to follow his Lord Sesshōmaru, wearing a traditional black Japanese style hat of a priest, and dark brown robes in hand was a two-headed staff that was significantly taller than himself.
This imp was none other than Jaken who decidedly wasn't happy about the newest edition to the group deciding to inquire, "Lord Sesshōmaru why are we bringing this barely clinging to life human girl with us? I mean my Lord she hasn't woken up since you brought her back to camp."
Sesshōmaru ignored his servant's words continuing his forward momentum. Jaken then spoke once more having still not been answered, "My Lord we hardly can afford to have her with us it is barely advisable that Rin be here with us considering where it is we are going which I can only assume is after Naraku."
Sesshōmaru started to speak when Rin spoke up, "Shut up Master Jaken." to which the earlier gained a ghost of a smile that neither Rin or Jaken could see.
"Why you insolent child!" Jaken exclaimed crossing his arms under his chest begrudgingly following behind the group.
Rin looked to the slumbering red-head momentarily that looked quite battered and bruised she retrieved a water skin proceeding to dribble a small amount into the redhead's mouth she held open with her free hand before using the same hand to cause the red-head to involuntarily swallow.
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The following day the group arrived at a small hut on the outskirts of a village Sesshōmaru stood just outside the door speaking to an elder man with a graying head of hair wearing a light blue robe, a grass hat worn upon his head.
The man then walked past crossing the distance between himself and the dragon picking up the unconscious red-head off its back before carrying her back to the entrance handing the girl off to an elder woman who carried her the rest of the way into the home as Sesshōmaru followed the aging man inside the home.
"I must say you are peculiar bringing that human girl here Lord Sesshōmaru and here and I thought besides myself and my wife you despised all humans." the elder man called as he removed his grass hat hanging it nearby onto a hook on the wall.
Sesshōmaru looked around the hut observing several crates filled with what he assumed to be weapons forged by the elder before him not far past on a display was a sword of immense power wrapped in a purple silk bundle covered in dust and cobwebs though he never had an interest in it and neither did his father when he was alive.
"For the record, I despise most humans I am only doing this on a whim." he simply stated, his gaze still resting on the sword on its display hearing whispered words that sounded far away but he paid them no attention even to discern them.
'It will be nice not to be hearing her whispers once and for all.' he thought to himself having grown tired of hearing the whispers from afar.
The man pondered on the words of the silver-haired demon, "Then Lord Sesshōmaru have you finally come to draw the sword and wish to give this human girl as payment for it?" he inquired.
"Don't be ridiculous I have no interest in that cursed weapon may it rot." Sesshōmaru dully stated feeling slightly offended at the elder's accusation.
The elder then held his hand's palm up in warding, "Of course you wouldn't Lord Sesshōmaru sorry that was a poor joke of me to make."
"She is in your care from here I am taking my leave." Sesshōmaru stated and with that, he turned and disappeared out the front door he and his group leaving the hut behind.
Notes: Well we got to see some more Inyuyasha characters and we have furthered the journey just a bit further. I hope you enjoyed this installment of the story I will try to have more very soon!