Chapter 4

The Demonstration and The New Girl

It was warm and sunny the next day; prefect for demonstrating Cincco's powers. They would have to get a good distance away from the village. Even though Cincco had had her powers for five years, that she knew of that is, she still didn't trust them fully. In the past they had done strange things, Cincco learned quickly to be aware of them.

It was just before dawn, and Cincco was creeping out of Keade's hut. She wanted to bathe before everyone woke up. The cool water would help to restore her strength., Cincco had been up very late the pervious night; keeping an eye on Miroku. The work tired her, but she felt that she owed it to him, and to his friends.

The day before, Keade had told Cincco of a calm, quiet pool where she could bathe, and warned her that Inu-Yasha would most likely be watching her. Cincco merely shrugged it off.

Cincco was now stepping into the fresh water. It cooled her feet, and calmed her spirit. She didn't bathe long, but all the while, she felt someone watching her. Feasting upon her flesh.

By the time everyone was awake and ready for Cincco's big "demonstration", it was midmorning. They were far enough away from the village that if anything went wrong, the villagers would be out of harms way. Everyone stood about twenty feet behind Cincco. Watching and waiting. Even Miroku. (Keade decided that he was strong to watch as well.) Cincco stood silently surveying her surroundings as she often did. Before she could really take it all in, Inu-Yasha interrupted.

"Are you just going to stand there all day?" He asked impatiently. Cincco turned to face Inu-Yasha, there was no expression found; her face totally unreadable.

A gentle wind was within the air and it caused a few loose strands to fall into Cincco's pale, mysterious face. InuYasha found himself staring at her. What was he doing?

'The only one I will ever love is Kagome,- I mean Kikyo! Wait a minute, where the hell did all that come from?!'



Before he could venture further with his thoughts, a small strange object appeared . He got into fighting position and was about to attack when Shippo pointed out that it was probably part of the demonstration. Even though he knew the kit was right, he ignored him, and stayed in position, just in case.

Cincco was now facing one of the objects, she was staring at it, but within seconds, the small object was blown to billons of pieces and disappeared. One after another blew up then disappeared afterwards until there were none left. The viewers all stood in shock. Not knowing what to do or say if anything. So they remained silent.

Soon after, another row came out of the ground to replace the old ones. This time instead of Cincco staying where she was, and not appearing to move, Cincco was hard to keep up with her. Even Inu-Yasha had a heck of a time. She moved so swiftly and silently. Cincco destroyed each object with a series of kicks, punched and swings. Never before had the group witnessed such stamina. All of her attacks were clean, and they seemed to have been planed in advance. For several moments she continued a pattern of strikes, and energy attacks, stunning her audience. It was late afternoon when the demonstration was complete.

Several minutes passed, and Cincco was silent. She was sweating heavily, and her breathing was uneasy.

'I sense something.' She could feel something or someone near by. She couldn't tell if it was a good or an evil ora. It was somewhere in between. No! That's no right! Whoever or whatever was trying to throw her off. And it was working. Cincco stood her ground. No one else seemed to notice. But right at the last minute a giant youkia came out of the brush. It was simply horrible. It had the body of a lion, hooves of a cow, the tail of a snake, and the head of a pig with a human face.

Everyone gasped in horror, and from the forest came a mimicking chuckle.

"I know that laugh anywhere." Inu-Yasha growled.

"Masa ka…" Cincco breathed. 'It can't be, can it? No. I haven't seen or heard from him in so long. If it is him I swear. I will kill him. Once and for all.'

Out of the shadows came the form of Inu-Yasha's half brother, and Cincco's greatest enemy.

"So it is you. After all this time. You've finally come. Sesshomaru." Cincco said coolly. Even though on the inside she wanted to scream, she kept a straight face.

"You know him?" Inu-Yasha asked dumbly.

Ignoring the question, and Inu-Yasha completely, Sesshomaru came into the light. In his arms was the body of a young girl. Cincco gasped at the sight of her. She had Sesshomaru's hair, and Cincco's face. She looked to be about three or four, and appeared to be sleeping. Sesshomaru came closer until he was face to face with Cincco. She stared up at him, eyes hard yet pleading. Sesshomaru just looked back at her. His golden eyes expressionless. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

'Why has he come now? Has he finally come to return her to me? Gods I hope so!'

They stood like that for a while. Just staring at each other. The little girl stirred in what they thought was sleep. But the group couldn't be sure with Sesshomaru involved. Finally, after what seemed like a century, Sesshomaru cracked a slight smile, and mocking one at that.

"Do you still desire to take the child into your possession?" Sesshomaru asked simply. Cincco glared at him. It was obvious that she still desired the child in her possession. At least she'd know that she would be safe. Sesshomaru gave a slight chuckle, then disappeared and reappeared where he had come.

"If you want her, then you'll have to fight for her." With a snap of his fingers the youkai gave a mighty roar. They all covered their ears in pain. While they were preoccupied, the youkai charged. Cincco managed to dodge it easily. At the moment she didn't care about the others as they screamed at the impact of the attack. Sesshomaru took of into the woods. Cincco hesitated for a moment, she need to help her new friends, but she couldn't let Sesshomaru get away.

'I'm sorry you guys, but I can't let him get away. I can't! I'll make it up to you , I promise.' Her mind set, Cincco took off after Sesshomaru, and what was so precious to her.

Sesshomaru knew that she was coming, and he would finally get what he desired. The young girl in his arms was weak. Even though she was three-fourths demon, she seemed incapable to learn any magic from him at least. It was true that she shared his looks and personality, but it was clear that she had her mother's heart. So Sesshomaru had come up with a plan. If it didn't work, he'd find what he was looking for else where. He could hear Cincco coming, her scent was getting stronger. At the very last second, he put the girl down and left. Whatever he had planed did not require having the girl with him. Not yet at least.

Seconds later Cincco came into the small clearing. Sesshomaru's scent was everywhere, but he was nowhere in sight. Was he playing more games? Cincco concentrated.

Nothing.

There she was. She was so… innocent. Cincco stood for many moments. Just looking at the child before her.

* * *

The battle had been won. But at a price. All of their blood had been shed. But they were all still alive.

'Damn her.' Inu-Yasha thought. 'Why did she have to take off like that? And how does she know Sesshomaru? And who was that girl?' So many questions raced through Inu-Yasha's mind. Just as he was about to go searching for her, even with the protests from of all his companions, Cincco emerged from the shadows. The small mysterious girl in her arms. Inu-Yasha glared at her.

"You abandoned us to save that?! What were you thinking?! We could have used your help, but no, you had to go and save her didn't you?" Cincco was silent as she approached her friends. All the while Inu-Yasha continued.

"How do you know Sesshomaru? Is he after you? If he is why? And why is she so important to you?" Cincco stopped in front of Inu-Yasha, and looked him in the eyes for a moment.

"I don't expect you to understand what she means to me." Cincco replied softly. Inu-Yasha gave Cincco the strangest look, but Cincco didn't seem to notice. All of her attention was on the girl in her arms. For a second, Inu-Yasha could have sworn that he saw love in Cincco's soft sea green eyes. Cincco began to move forward and Inu-Yasha moved out of her way. On her way back to the village, she showed no sign of knowledge that anyone existed. It even scared Inu-Yasha a little, though he would never admit it. What happened when Cincco went after Sesshomaru? Maybe there was more to that small child then Inu-Yasha thought. But one thing he was certain of; that child had both demon, and human blood.

'This could be very interesting.' Inu-Yasha thought to himself as he looked into the sky that was slowly turning colors. 'Very interesting.' With that last thought, he went to help his friends back to the village.