Before Love Honor
Chapter Eight

The Fallen

Sesshomaru rode through the forest at a leisurely pace. His thought lingered on Rin and what she had told him of her brother. Of all the people in the world to have fallen in love with , why had it been the sister of a man he'd killed. When she'd first spoken he wasn't sure if indeed the lad he had met in battle three years earlier was her brother but all doubt had been thoroughly wiped away once she'd shown him that feather.

How many times had he paid visits to the young mans grave. How many times had he run his hands across the feather that hung at the hilt of the boy's katana never realizing its significance. And now he knew. He felt ill. He would have to tell her he thought as his mind wondered back to the words she'd spoken to him. " I have sworn to kill the one who has taken his life." Surely she would hate him once she knew the truth. As much as he wished there was different route he could take, he could not continue to allow her to agonize over something he held the answer to.

"LORD SESSHOMARU!" a woman's voice called cutting into his thoughts as the sound of hooves hitting the ground at a thunderous pace reached his ears. He pulled the reigns to his mount bring the beast to a halt as he turned to face the approaching rider. His heart stopped as Bikki rode up along side of him. The girl was panicked . Her face was completely saturated with tears.

"What are you doing here? Where are the others?" he questioned furrowing his brow together as he did so.

"My Lord we were attacked shortly after you left." Bikki replied in a sob ridden voice.

"NANI!? By whom?" He questioned his heart had begun to pound against his chest as panic ensued.

"I.I don't know by whom. The yukai were escorting us as you had instructed when the one called Jurobei said that he'd smelled something. He told us that he was going to scout ahead . Shortly after he vanished into the forest there came a loud scream . Hiroo the second of the yukai went after Jurobei. There was this loud cracking noise and the next thing Rin and I saw was Hiroo's body come flying from within the forest. It looked as if he'd been thrown. We never saw our attacker."

"Rin! Where is Rin!?" He questioned his voice revealing more emotion then he'd ever allowed.

"She .she told me to come for you while she held off our attacker."

"Nani!? What in the hell is she thinking if Jurobei and Hiroo were no match ..BAKA!!" he growled he could only pray that she was still alive. He glanced over to Bikki. There was no way he could leave her alone and the ride to come for him alone had been enough stress on her. Her condition was fragile he couldn't risk injury to the pups. There was only one way they could possibly make it back to Rin in time. Sesshomaru dismounted his horse tying it to a tree before turning towards Bikki once more.

"Do Not be afraid. This is the only way we can make it back to her in time."

Bikki watched in complete awe as the yukai turned into a flash of light rising into the sky and coming back down again.

"That is his true form." the girl gasped as she stared at the huge white dog with red eyes that stood before her. The dog lowered onto the ground so that the girl could climb onto its back. The beast wasted no time taking to the air.

"Damn it! What were you thinking Rin? Kami let her be alright" Sesshomaru thoughts as she soared through the air.

************************************

Miyohiko opened his eyes to the gentle nudge of his mount as the animal brushed its muzzle against his face. He blinked his eyes hard trying to bring into focus his surroundings. Slowly he let his eyes roam across the trees above him as he sucked in what little air he could through his narrowed air passage. His chest still hurt considerably. "Itaru must have thought me dead when I blacked out" he thought as he pushed his aching form into a sitting position his back pressed against a tree.

He glanced over to the dead fire cat. So his brother had planned to kill him and make it seem as though it the fire cats were responsible. Sesshomaru had been right all along. I should never have trusted you Itaru. Miyohiko thought thinking back to the impassive expression his brother had as he watched him die (at least that is what he had thought he had witnessed). Miyohiko coughed sending blood from between his lips to the ground in front of him. He had managed to escape death but only for a short time. Essence of fire cat was the most lethal of all poisons for Dog yukai. There was a cure but he was sure by his steadily weakening condition that the poison was already on its final course through his body.

"Not yet. Not before I make sure Bikki and the pups are safe. I will not die. You will not have her life Itaru. I won't allow you to harm her" Miyohiko thought as he moved to a standing position in front of the tree.

******************************

Rin stared into the forest her Katana drawn. The ground beneath her shook as the sound of trees crashing inside the forest echoed through the emptiness. The one who had attacked them was fast approaching Rin thought as she narrowed her eyes staring into the shadows. Suddenly and eerie silence engulfed the area. Not so much as a breeze could be felt.

"He's here! But where!?" Rin questioned silently as her heart beat against the back of her rib cage violently. She would have to keep a calm head she thought thinking back to the lesson her father had taught her. A cool head was the difference between life and death. Rin closed her eyes as she steadied her breathing. Suddenly she felt a breeze come from behind her. She turned quickly forcing her sword in front of her just in time to deflect her attacker's weapon. Rin jumped a safe distance landing on a branch of a near by cherry tree.

Her chest rose and fell quickly. Her opponent was going to prove a challenge. His strength alone was going to prove bothersome. She had just barely deflected his attack. It does not matter. If it is my life he seeks, he will earn it. She thought narrowing her eyes as she stared into the darkness.

"Humph you are quick boy, but if you value your life , you will leave while I am feeling merciful." A voice said

"Do not underestimate me Yukai!" Rin retorted extending her sword in front of her. If she was correct she knew where her attacker was. She would need to get in and out as fast as she could.

"So you insist on challenging me even when you know you can not win. How foolish." Kuro barked

"You are the foolish one you foul beast!" Rin shouted as she took leave of her perch in the tree charging the yukai. She sliced into the side of what appeared to be a tree. Blood spurted hitting the girl in the face. She had inflicted damage to the yukai but it had cost her. Rin stared down at her side. The yukai had impaled her on what appeared to be his tongue. Slowly the yukai's form appeared from the side of the tree. Rin gasped as she took in the hideous beast features. He had the head of lizard but the body of a man and he was as huge as the tree he'd camouflaged himself against.

"I am going to kill you slowly boy" The yukai growled as he whipped his tongue flinging the impaled girl some distance across the forest. Rin struck a large cherry tree before landing with a large thud against the ground. She laid on the ground surrounded by dried leaves as blood pooled around her. The yukai ran his tongue around his mouth lapping up the spatters of her blood.

"Delicious. I haven't eaten a human as delicious as you in sometime. I am going to enjoy this." The yukai said as he charged the injured girl. His onslaught was stopped as his path was blocked by a large black yukai dog with a silver crescent moon shaped into the fur on its breast plate. The dog growled as acidic saliva fell to the ground burning the plants in its path .

"You are suppose to be dead. Humph...it does not matter. I can smell the poison on you. In your weakened state you are no match for me the yukai growled as the ground beneath him began to shake. Rin watched in helpless horror as the yukai burst through his skin as his form changed. Rin cringed as the yukai took shape of a two headed monitor lizard with the tail of a scorpion. There is no way this dog is any match for this yukai . The reptilian yukai had to be at least three times the size of the dog.

The black dog rushed in towards the beast barely dodging its tail as it whipped forward striking the spot where the dog had only moments before stood. The dog latched on to one of he yukai's head clamping its jaw around the lizard's neck while digging its claws into the beast flesh. Smoke begin to rise as a putrid smell filled the air. The trees near the two warring beast begin to wilt under the toxic fumes. I have to get to safety Rin thought as she rose balancing her small frame against her katana.

"Ahhh.. " A moan came from Hiroo. He's alive Rin thought as she made her way over towards the downed yukai. She knelt as far as her injured body would allow before speaking.

"Can you hear me?" Rin questioned as she watched the yukai who lay flat on his stomach.

'Hmmm." Was the only response she got.

"Hiroo we have got to get to safety" she said rolling the yukai over onto his back. Rin stared at the injury that was just below the yukai heart. He must have been caught off guard and pierced by the lizards tongue same as she had been she thought as she examined the injured area. I can not lift him even if I weren't injured. I've got to get his attention before we both find our selves looking like those trees. She thought as she glanced back over towards the beast who continued to battle oblivious to she and Hiroo.

"Can you stand Hiroo. Please try." Rin said as she wrapped the yukai arm around her shoulder and begin to rise slowly. Rin stared down at her katana. She could only pray that the blade did not give under the pressure of both she and Hiroo's weight. Rin heard a loud crunch followed by a yelp. She glanced across her shoulder just as the large black dog was taken down.

"No!" Rin whispered as the reptile turned his gaze towards her . "Is this how I will meet my end? " Rin questioned silently as she closed her eyes bracing herself for what she was sure would follow. Suddenly branches above her came crashing to the ground. Rin's eyes shot open just as a large white yukai dog appeared before her. He was twice the size of the first beast. The dog turned facing Rin.

"you're safe, You're safe" Sesshomaru thought as he breath a sigh of relief. He turned to face the large monitor lizard. Immediately he noticed the downed yukai dog.

"MIYOHIKO!!" he thought as panic took hold of him once more. He should have been able to take this beast down with little effort. Something is seriously wrong. Sesshomaru thought sniffing the air around him.

"So you have come to meet your end Lord Sesshomaru? My this is getting more and more interesting by the minute."

"Sesshomaru!?" Rin questioned staring at the large white dog. Then this is his true self."

"Humph..so this beast thinks that I will be taken down as easily as Miyohiko. I am not a pup like Miyohiko." He thought as he dropped his head a snarl planted on his muzzle. Kuro rushed in for attack. Rin and Hiroo continued to move away from the battling beast. Tree after tree was toppled by the two large beast. Rin watched in Horror as Sesshomaru was struck by the lizards stinging tail. He let out a yelp but to her amazement he continued to battle as if un affected. Sesshomaru swiped at the reptile's only living head with his acidic claw. The reptile hissed before collapsing as his claws dug into their mark. Sesshomaru pounced on the beast sinking his fangs into the reptile's neck tearing out its throat.

He jumped back placing some distance between he and the beast as it thrashed around violently. Rin heard the beast make a gurgling noise than nothing. Sesshomaru took in the air around him checking for life in the beast. When he was satisfied the danger had passed he turned his gaze to Rin as light engulfed him changing his form to that similar of a human once more.

"Rin!" he exclaimed rushing over towards the girl who sat her back pressed against a tree. He knelt beside her glancing over towards Hiroo.

"Is he dead?" Sesshomaru questioned as he eyed the yukai who lay flat on the ground next to Rin

"No but he has received some life threatening injuries. If he does not get care soon he will die." Rin said staring at the yukai. This was the first time she'd seen him express so much emotion. Gently he moved his hand to her side looking over her injury. He snorted as his brow came together. "BAKA! What in the hell did you think you were doing? You could have been killed Rin." He growled as he stared at the hole in the girl's side.

"Well I wasn't . I am fine. I don't need your help!" she barked pushing the yukai's hands away from her injury

"You're not fine wench. Damn it your loosing blood." He said in a frustrated voice.

"Injuries happen when you are in battle. You should know this Lord Sesshomaru." The girl retorted coldly

Sesshomaru stared at the girl. He supposed all the anger shed been suppressing was coming to a head.

"I think you should focus on Miyohiko. I think he was seriously injured earlier." Rin said turning her gaze to the downed yukai on the opposite end of the forest.

"Sesshomaru rose from his kneeling position in front of the girl. He watched her a moment as she avoided eye contact with him. He'd supposed he deserved that response after all he hadn't given her any reason to behave differently after how he'd treated her. He turned and made his way towards Miyohiko. Sesshomaru came to a stop next to the yukai. He suddenly found himself enraged as he took in the yukai's features for the first time.

"MIYOHIKO!!!" he exclaimed as he dropped to his knees next to the yukai lifting his head and settling it in his lap. He could smell the all to familiar smell of essence of fire cat pouring off the younger yukai's body. So that is why he was taken down by the reptile he was injured prior to battle.

"What happened to you Miyohiko?" Sesshomaru questioned as the yukai eyes fluttered before opening. Miyohiko stared up at Sesshomaru as he clasped his hand through that of the older yukai's. He clenched his hands close squeezing Sesshomaru's hand bracing himself as he was struck with a violent tremor. Sesshomaru watched in horror as the yukai convulsed in his arms. Slowly the yukai went lax in his arms as the tremor subsided.

"Miyohiko who had done this to you?"

Slowly Miyohiko moved his hand to the ground beside him. He moved his index finger through the soil slowly. Sesshomaru watched as the first letter took shape. He narrowed his eyes. He was sure he knew what would follow. He waited patiently for the younger yukai to finish writing that last letter confirming what he'd already guessed.

"ITARU!? Has he done this to you Miyohiko?"

Slowly Miyohiko nod his head yes.

"Miyohiko!!" A woman's voice called as Bikki ran up along side of the injured yukai dropping to her knee next to him. She covered her mouth fighting the urge to scream at the sight of the dried blood near his mouth.

"My love what has happened to you?" Bikki cried wiping his damp blue bangs away from his fore head. "He is burning up with fever." the girl said looking over towards Sesshomaru.

"He's been poisoned" Sesshomaru said his gaze still firmly planted on the suffering yukai. How cruel he thought. Even if he could not accept the union of a yukai and human, he could never be as cruel as Itaru. I will make you pay for what you have done I swear it Itaru. Even if it cost me my life, I will have vengeance. Sesshomaru thought as Miyohiko coughed sending blood from between his lips.

"Miyohiko!' Bikki cried resting her head on his chest. "Please tell me my lord, who has done this?"

"His brother has done this." Sesshomaru responded

"His Brother? But why would he do such a thing?" Bikki questioned stroking the yukai's head gently.

"He knows of you and the pups." Sesshomaru said turning his gaze towards the girl that at across from him.

"Me and the pups? Are you saying Miyohiko is suffering because of me?" The girl questioned as tears fell free of her gray eyes "Please tell me will he die?" she questioned in between sobs

Sesshomaru stared at the girl his face expressionless. Bikki knew immediately what his silence meant.

"Noo..no,no,no." The girl said shaking her head as if willing away what was inevitable.

"Bi.ki" Miyohiko called in a gurgled voice

"Do not try to speak my love" The girl said staring down at the yukai as he strained to speak.

Miyohiko shook his head slowly in defiance. If he had to die she would know that he had no regrets. That he loved her more then as he lay suffering from his brother's pride than he had before. Even If he had known that this would be their fate, he would do it all over again if he knew that he would experience a love so pure. Miyohiko reached up stroking Bikki's face gently as a weak smile came onto his face.

"Noo..No.Re..grets." He said staring up at her as a tear rolled down his cheek

"Bikki smiled weakly at the man she loved. Even now as he lay suffering because of her he could love her so freely.

"I Love you Miyohiko" she said as she watched his eyes close .

"Is he dead ?" She cried looking over towards Sesshomaru.

"No. his body is weakening though. We will need to get him to safety soon." He said lifting the younger yukai off of the ground and flinging him across his shoulder. Miyohiko has a strong will to live. I think there is still hope but we must get him to the fort just inside the Western Lands. Once there I will send for Aya the medicine woman. I will do my best to save him." Sesshomaru said staring at the girl

"My Lord." a mans voice called from behind Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru turned to face the direction the voice had come from.

"Hiroo! You've come too. RIN!" He exclaimed noticing the unconscious girl cradled in the yukai's arm.

"What happened to her ?" Sesshomaru questioned a worried expression on his face.

"I woke to find her collapsed beside me. My lord I think she has lost too much blood." The yukai said glancing down at the wound that dripped a steady stream of red fluid.

"We must hurry" Sesshomaru said as he turned towards Bikki. "Grab hold" he said motioning to the girl. Bikki clamped his fur pelt between her fingers as she was engulfed in a blue light.

Hiroo took pursuit as he was encompassed in a red light.

"Damn you Itaru . All of this is your fault. If either of them die. I will make you regret crossing my path I swear it."

*********************************

Yep Yep.. This is my latest chapter to Before Love Honor Let me know what you guys think. You can email me at animechick262003@yahoo.com or depending on where you're viewing this just sign the guest book. ^ ^