Luna: Well I have a few things to clear up for all of you right now. Since
some people don't bother to read the review responses I'll make a few
things loud and clear.
Veron: ((nod))
Luna: First off, I CAN'T see an ending currently so I have not the slightest clue if and when I'll bring our dear lil INUYASHA back. So until then, your just going to have to sit back and wait patiently, or impatiently, your choice.
Second, I CAN'T tell you why and how Miroku came back. But I will give you a hint: well okay maybe I won't. It'll spoil everything!
Third, Yes I know I switched Rin's age around. I felt like it. So here's the 'logical' excuse. When Kagome's power and Tenseiga's power crashed together, killed Jakken (Yay!), and propelled Sesshomaru and Rin into the future, Rin aged a bit. There, so now there's a reason and you can't get mad at me. .Well actually you can but whatever. It's NOT a Rin/Sess fic. She's too young in this fic. Even though I like to read those, this one isn't an R/S fic. Who I'll pair her up with I'm still kicking around.
Fourth, (So much stuff.. ) I'm not sure when but in a few chapters there will be a few INCREDIBLY depressing chapters. So for all of you who can easily turn on the waterworks, keep a box of tissues nearby. For those of you who don't, doesn't matter. I will WARN you when those chapters are posted so you will all be prepared for the angstyness.
Fifth, (This is getting LONG!) I WILL FINISH THIS STORY! NO MATTER HOW MANY FLAMES I GET! I AM FINISHING THIS FREAKING THING!
So now you don't have to worry about me abandoning this sweet lil thing.
((Grins))
Lastly, I believe I forgot to respond to a very important review earlier.
: Where I got the two Inu-chan movies huh? There is a manga store at our local mall. And I guess the owner has connections in Japan because he has the first movie on DVD (subbed in Chinese and English no dubbing!) And I know these are NOT bootlegs because they came in the original movie box.
As for the SECOND movie with the 'famous' scene in it, for those of you that know what that scene is. He managed to have some, merely a month after it had been released in Japan. For me, that's pretty damn cool. It's also subbed in English and Chinese and not dubbed. I managed to get the last one.
No really, I'm not lying. They put it in the DISPLAY box.
((Happy sigh))
So now you know. Since I don't know many of you reviewers I can't tell you the shop name or what city. Because some of you might STALK me.. ((Shudder))
Gomen Nasai.
And I won't tell you the famous scene cuz it might spoil it for you (if you don't know) or the other people who don't want to know.
But a couple of websites should tell you if you search long enough.
TY 4 reviewin!
Veron: Now enough with this crap. On with the chapter!
Luna: ((streamers and confetti is thrown around while Veron shakes a 7-up can and spurts it everywhere))
Veron: We celebrate for NO reason!
Luna: you get off of restriction silly!
Veron: YAY! PARTAAAAAAAAAY! ^___________^
Chapter 7: The tournament
*~*
" So you're in a special fighting class?"
" Yeah it's so cool! I'm getting my uniform today since I've been improving so much lately."
" That's great Rin!"
The young girl smiled before sighing softly.
Kagome noticed the girl's change of attitude and looked down at her.
" Daijabou?"
" I'm fine." She answered, with a wistful look in her eyes as she watched a young boy jumping on his father's back and the two laughing.
'Oh.'
" You miss your family Rin-Chan?"
" How'd you guess?" Rin looked up; slightly embarrassed it was so obvious.
Kagome shrugged, " Just a hunch. But that's okay. I miss my family too."
The miko and the young girl traveled down the sidewalk in silence. Kagome looked up her face thoughtful.
' That's right.I really should pay my respects to my family's graves.'
As she looked up her eyes widened.
" KOGA?" She cried staring at a billboard a few stories above them. Rin jumped slightly with the loud cry of her nanny's outburst and followed the woman's trail of sight.
There was Koga.
On a billboard.
No not painting it. Actually ON it.
Kagome just stared while feeling herself blush slightly.
He was lying back on a sandy beach with only a pair of black swimming trunks on. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail as always and he had a cocky grin on his face. He was holding.
A bottle of beer?
And above him in large white letters contrasting in the sunset background it said.
' If I drink this. You should too.'
Kero Beer.
Kagome just stared, Koga was.FAMOUS?
Rin realized what Kagome was so shocked about and smiled.
" Yeah, Koga's making quite a name for himself. In fact, there are rumors of his mysterious lover that never loved him in return. And the tabloids are dying to find this mystery woman. I wonder WHO this woman is?"
Kagome sighed and rubbed her temples; " He still loves me?"
" Yup. But he says that he won't say who she is, and people are speculating she's dead or something."
The miko rolled her eyes as they approached the dojo.
Rin took a deep breath at the front door and slowly led them inside.
*~*
" Sensei-sama!" Rin cried out into the dojo, she always came early, just for a little extra practice before class, and today she'd need it. To obtain a uniform, you had to prove you were worthy of the costume first.
No answer.
" Sensei-sama? I brought my nanny like you asked!"
Rin looked about, where was she? She was normally always here on time and the door had been open, sensei was always just a little paranoid.
A winded young woman ran out of the back area. Her hair wild and strewn about her tanned face and her magenta eyes were surprised and apologetic.
" Gomen Rin, I hadn't heard you call for me."
" No problem Sensei-sama, I brought my nanny with me."
' Since Sesshomaru-sama's too damn busy with "work" to even come' The girl thought bitterly as she set her gym bag down toward the side of the room.
"Sensei-sama this is my nanny." Rin made a gesture with her hand toward Kagome.
" S-S-Sango-Chan?" Kagome stuttered staring at her long lost friend.
" Kagome-Chan!"
The two girls quickly embraced holding back happy tears.
Rin smiled warmly, so her plan had worked. Sensei really was the famed Sango she heard about from Kagome.
" A dojo to teach youkai exterminating, how very fitting for you."
Sango laughed. " Yes. How have you been?" The other girl required softly, a sad look coming across her face, putting a hand on the younger girl's shoulder.
Realizing her meaning Kagome sighed slightly, " I'm coming to terms with it. I'm doing fine." A quirky smile graced her face; " After all I could just go after Koga-Kun and release the tension between the news reporters and him about the mystery girl."
Sango giggled, " Now Kagome-Chan if you did that Inuyasha would roll in his grave and probably return from the dead to slice Koga's head clean off!"
The two smiled and laughed guiltily.
" Rin, you need your uniform don't you?" Sango asked her student, looking down at her, pride in her magenta eyes.
Rin nodded eagerly as she quickly came up to her teacher's side.
"Come then. You can come as well Kagome-Chan."
" Hai!"
The two younger girls followed Sango out of the large training area into the back. One excited and the other incredibly curious.
*~*
Rin smiled, her eyes glittering with happiness as the black material fit snugly to her form. She slowly fitted the clasps at the neck before tying her hair into a tight braid at the base of her neck. Her hands slowly slid over her form in the costume, making sure the hidden blades at the forearms were securely fastened and properly hidden from sight. She felt a pair of strong arms fasten the red sash about her waist and tighten it, before tapping her shoulder as a signal for her to turn around.
Rin obliged to find Sango facing her with a katana. The handle was black and the scabbard was a deep crimson red color. Her fingertips trembling slightly, she delicately ran her fingers over the smooth scabbard and she felt herself smile widely as Sango slipped the weapon into Rin's grasp. Rin immediately slid the katana at her left hip through the sash and sighed contentedly.
" A few last things Rin." Sango reminded her eager student as she pulled out a small red bundle. The teacher quickly untied the knot holding the piece of cloth together, revealing a poison shielding mask, a small leather bag with poison powder in it, a chain, a set of red armor.
" Here." Sango handed them to the girl and Rin smiled. After all her years of training to be able to defend herself, she was finally getting the last and most honored part of the entire class.
Her own taijya uniform.
Rin slid on her red elbow and shoulder pads on and fitted them securely, before moving on to put a pair on her knees, armor on her torso, and finally the two bits of armor on her feet. Taking the two sashes that held the poison mask, she quickly secured it over her mouth and nose before hiding the poison powder in her left hand. The chain was tied to the sash and Rin spun around.
" You look like a real taijya Rin-Chan!" Kagome cried, clapping her hands together enthusiastically.
Rin bowed, " Arigatou Sensei-sama."
The two women smiled when Sango looked over to Kagome.
" I have to speak of something to Rin alone, do you mind if."
Kagome put waved her hands about in front of her in a defensive gesture.
" Not at all." With an encouraging smile to Rin, she returned to the training room where distinct sound of sparring could be heard echoing off the walls and hallways.
Sango knelt down on one knee before Rin and looked up at her student curiously.
" Rin-Chan.why did you ask me to change the color of your armor? You were perfectly fine with the color blue earlier. What guided you to make such a change on such short notice?"
" Gomen Nasai, Sensei-Sama.but."
" But what?"
" I changed the armor for.Kagome-Chan." Rin whispered, her brown eyes dropping to the floor.
Sango stood up and gazed down at the girl. Kagome would never be selfish enough to force Rin into changing something so important, so why.
Oh.
Red was the color of.
Inuyasha's haori.
Now she understood.
Sango pulled the younger girl into an embrace.
" That was very thoughtful of you Rin-Chan."
In the woman's embrace Rin smiled enough to outshine sun.
*~*
Parents and friends were seated at the sides of the training room. Most chattering excitedly among themselves, other tapping their fingers against their legs nervously and some being calm about the whole ordeal or encouraging their children.
Kagome kept a seat empty beside her in case Sesshomaru actually made it. She didn't think he would, but it was nice to pretend to hope he would.
And for once, the hope worked.
Kagome nearly jumped out of her chair when she turned to find the demon lord sitting calmly next to her in only a white dress shirt and a pair of jeans.
His amber eyes flickered over toward the miko.
" Yes?"
Kagome shook her head and smiled nervously.
" Nothing."
The miko was mildly expecting him to come in a business suit, seeing him casual clothing was quite a shock to the system for anyone who knew him.
The patrons in the audience quickly went silent as Sango stepped out into the middle of the floor. Many of the adults were smiling warmly at the woman or waving slightly, to which she nodded her head in greeting.
She was dressed in her normal kimono attire. Well, what was normal to Kagome had mildly shocked quite a few of the members of the audience.
Whispers of ' She's looks so nice' 'Her hair looks nice that way' and' Such traditional clothing' was flying about the room.
Sango lifted her hand to quiet the whispers and musings of the surrounding crowd and smiled pleasantly.
" Thank you all for coming today. As you know, today the intermediate classes are proving themselves worthy of obtaining the highest regard in this class. A taijya uniform to call their own. To own such an outfit is a great honor and a privilege. As you all know, that when you enrolled your child in this class, you knew the background. My family and my family's ancestors were demon exterminators in the Sengoku Jidai. They fought demons that periled villages and used their remains to create armor for themselves. The age of demons and hostile violent ways has long passed, but we want our children to be able to fend for themselves in such times otherwise. Now, it is still the same, only now the demons are fellow human beings with negative intentions and the weapons have evolved into much more damaging things then swords. Either way, we want to give our offspring knowledge of their past and let them have the strength to survive in their future. So today, I hope you will enjoy watching your child spar with another child with the same level of skill, displaying how much they've learned over the years. Thank you." With that, Sango bowed and moved to the back of the dojo.
When.
Kohaku stepped out in full taijya garb, a scroll in his hands. The familiar scythe was strapped to his back and his hair was still in the same place it always had been, tied to the top of his head.
The only difference was.
He was alive and free.
" The first tournament is between Dan and Ayako."
The young boy stepped back as the two took their places.
Ayako had a small silver tube, about 10 inches long. With a flick of her wrist, her thumb quickly flicked a hidden switch on the handle and the cylinder grew to be a yard. She settled the handle in her left hand and the edge in her right hand. Holding it horizontally, she guarded her self, staring the boy down.
Dan smirked quietly, before pulling out the samurai sword at his back. With soft scrape of metal, he held the sword out in front of him, staring down the girl in return.
Ayako's eyebrow quirked,
" Using Hihiirokane Dan?" She asked underneath her mask.
Dan nodded, and the girl smiled.
Kohaku clapped his hands, " IKE!"
*~*
Kagome had long tuned out the many battles; she only listened for the names of who was to fight. It had been an hour already and Kohaku hadn't called for Rin yet. It was bugging her, but at least Kohaku was alive now.
Rin was too busy silently cheering her friends on to care about Kagome's utter boredom.
Kagome's attention snapped awake as Sango made her way to the middle of the floor once more.
Only this time, Hiraikotsu was strapped to her back and she was wearing her taijya uniform, her mask was dangling around her neck. Once again she smiled warmly at the astonished group.
" Some of you may have lost and must return your uniforms until the next battle. But you tried your best and I respect that. Those of you that won your battles, I congratulate you. But some of you may have noticed, there is one student who has not been tested yet."
Murmuring began to filter in the crowd, their minds trying to find out who was missing.
She noticed Rin paling, as a few people looked her way.
" Rin, will you come up here please?" Sango asked the distraught girl, smiling at her.
With an audible gulp, Rin shakily stood up, strapping her two weapons on her back.
As Rin reached the edge of the fighting mats, she took a quick look behind her shoulder. To see Kagome giving her a 'thumbs-up' and Sesshomaru nodding emotionlessly at her.
' Well at least he's HERE.' She thought before taking a deep breath and stepping before her teacher.
" Rin had improved greatly these past few months. Passing each and every test with incredible ease. She has worked hard these past few years and it shows greatly in her fighting skills. With or without her weapons." She swept the crowd with her eyes, before letting them linger on Sesshomaru and Kagome, before letting them fall down to the nervous girl before her.
" You should be proud of yourself."
Rin nodded, her palms sweating as she calmed herself into taking large even breathes.
Sango's eyes smiled as she saw the two ninja swords strapped to the student's back.
"Ah you are using Rekki-maru and Mekki-maru I see." Sango commented as Rin nodded.
" In conclusion, I Sango, the owner and teacher of this dojo announce that..." She undid the strap holding the large boomerang to her body and slid her hand into its handle, keeping it behind her back.
" No student will be battling this young woman today."
Gasps were heard in the crowd and a few of her friends were glowering darkly in their sensei's direction.
" She will be fighting me instead."
The entire room went quiet and every person in the room was staring wide eyed at Sango.
No way.
Rin was going to fight.SANGO? She had so much more experience, this was suicide!
Sango looked down at her downright shocked student.
" Do you accept my challenge Rin?"
Stare.
Kagome thought her best friend had seriously lost her sanity. You knew it was an immense shock when even Sesshomaru's eyes were wide for longer then three seconds. In fact, they still were, staring blankly at Sango.
And everyone continued to stare some more.
*~* (Rin's POV)
She just asked me to fight her.
Me, little old resurrected from the dead, frog-beating, orphan, dog demon cared for me.
I'M supposed to fight HER?
My TEACHER for god's sakes?
Well.I might as well.
If I get my butt kicked, at least I'll get remembered for being brave and not backing down.
Voice in Rin's head: Rin! You are wearing red!
Rin: So?
VIRH: C'mon! You're wearing red to commerate Inuyasha for K-Chan!
Rin: .And.
VIRH: (( groans)) Would Inuyasha back down and be scared shitless of fighting his teacher?
Rin: I don't think he had one.
VIRH: THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT!
Rin: Okay.so you're saying to fight her then?
VIRH: You want this costume. It's your dream. Are you going to be a wimp and give up everything you've worked so HARD for?!
Rin: No.I won't.
*~*
The entire crowd watched Rin's face go from shock, to annoyed, to shock and then to creepy determination.
Her nervousness had drained away as she stared defiantly into her sensei's gaze.
" I accept your challenge, Sensei-sama."
*~* Luna: This was getting TOO long so I ended it here. Next chapter you get to see who wins!
I couldn't resist Rin fighting with herself; I needed some humor in here! ^_^
Veron: Now read and review! Onegai!
*Gomen for having such a LONG chapter. A couple of explanations next chapter and such.
*~* Japanese words:
Haori: Inuyasha's robe shirt thing.^_^;
Daijabou: Are you okay?
Sensei: Teacher
Ike: Go
*~* Yeah I know the whole learning taijya stuff thing is a little farfetched. And there is such a weapon that Ayako used. But it's illegal in the USA. I dunno about Japan so.
Dan's weapon is the version of Soul Calibur for Yoshimitsu (without the flag) in the v-game Soul Calibur II
Rin's weapon is Taki's most familiar weapon a pair of ninja swords named Rekki-maru and Mekki-maru. It's also from Soul Calibur II
And about Ayako's weapon, it's like a silver version of Daredevil's extendable billyclub.
Sorry, for not contacting you Ayako first, but I was in a writing mood and put you in.
Dan didn't care what I did so I did this. Hope you like! ^_^
Oh yeah.and Kero from Card Captor Sakura is a beer! LOL! ^_~
*~* Review Responses
Tabi: Good to know you think it's nice! ^_^
Actually I was shooting for acclaimed author but if I work on my anime skill more, I might become a mediocre manga artist scrambling to scrounge up enough leftover cash from the last paycheck to buy a gallon of milk, some cereal, and some Chinese take-out for dinner. While praying hopelessly that the thundering annoying voice of my pissed landlord will quit bugging me about my overdue rent and that I wish to damn my telephone to the depths of hell because I have missed my dead line due to writer's block.
*sigh* Strange image ne?
Hiro-tyre: Cool I scored! ^_^
BGR: LOOK! Moreness! ^_^
Ryoko.Kilala: No problem with the rambling, I do that quite often in my own reviews myself. And good to hear that my crossover meets your standards. ^_^
Hope you enjoy the latest installment!
Lost Darkness: TY! ^_^
Animebaby08060: SEE! UPDATEDNESS! ^___~
*~*
TY for the reviews and Gomen for the long wait.
READ AND REVIEW ONEGAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
Veron: ((nod))
Luna: First off, I CAN'T see an ending currently so I have not the slightest clue if and when I'll bring our dear lil INUYASHA back. So until then, your just going to have to sit back and wait patiently, or impatiently, your choice.
Second, I CAN'T tell you why and how Miroku came back. But I will give you a hint: well okay maybe I won't. It'll spoil everything!
Third, Yes I know I switched Rin's age around. I felt like it. So here's the 'logical' excuse. When Kagome's power and Tenseiga's power crashed together, killed Jakken (Yay!), and propelled Sesshomaru and Rin into the future, Rin aged a bit. There, so now there's a reason and you can't get mad at me. .Well actually you can but whatever. It's NOT a Rin/Sess fic. She's too young in this fic. Even though I like to read those, this one isn't an R/S fic. Who I'll pair her up with I'm still kicking around.
Fourth, (So much stuff.. ) I'm not sure when but in a few chapters there will be a few INCREDIBLY depressing chapters. So for all of you who can easily turn on the waterworks, keep a box of tissues nearby. For those of you who don't, doesn't matter. I will WARN you when those chapters are posted so you will all be prepared for the angstyness.
Fifth, (This is getting LONG!) I WILL FINISH THIS STORY! NO MATTER HOW MANY FLAMES I GET! I AM FINISHING THIS FREAKING THING!
So now you don't have to worry about me abandoning this sweet lil thing.
((Grins))
Lastly, I believe I forgot to respond to a very important review earlier.
: Where I got the two Inu-chan movies huh? There is a manga store at our local mall. And I guess the owner has connections in Japan because he has the first movie on DVD (subbed in Chinese and English no dubbing!) And I know these are NOT bootlegs because they came in the original movie box.
As for the SECOND movie with the 'famous' scene in it, for those of you that know what that scene is. He managed to have some, merely a month after it had been released in Japan. For me, that's pretty damn cool. It's also subbed in English and Chinese and not dubbed. I managed to get the last one.
No really, I'm not lying. They put it in the DISPLAY box.
((Happy sigh))
So now you know. Since I don't know many of you reviewers I can't tell you the shop name or what city. Because some of you might STALK me.. ((Shudder))
Gomen Nasai.
And I won't tell you the famous scene cuz it might spoil it for you (if you don't know) or the other people who don't want to know.
But a couple of websites should tell you if you search long enough.
TY 4 reviewin!
Veron: Now enough with this crap. On with the chapter!
Luna: ((streamers and confetti is thrown around while Veron shakes a 7-up can and spurts it everywhere))
Veron: We celebrate for NO reason!
Luna: you get off of restriction silly!
Veron: YAY! PARTAAAAAAAAAY! ^___________^
Chapter 7: The tournament
*~*
" So you're in a special fighting class?"
" Yeah it's so cool! I'm getting my uniform today since I've been improving so much lately."
" That's great Rin!"
The young girl smiled before sighing softly.
Kagome noticed the girl's change of attitude and looked down at her.
" Daijabou?"
" I'm fine." She answered, with a wistful look in her eyes as she watched a young boy jumping on his father's back and the two laughing.
'Oh.'
" You miss your family Rin-Chan?"
" How'd you guess?" Rin looked up; slightly embarrassed it was so obvious.
Kagome shrugged, " Just a hunch. But that's okay. I miss my family too."
The miko and the young girl traveled down the sidewalk in silence. Kagome looked up her face thoughtful.
' That's right.I really should pay my respects to my family's graves.'
As she looked up her eyes widened.
" KOGA?" She cried staring at a billboard a few stories above them. Rin jumped slightly with the loud cry of her nanny's outburst and followed the woman's trail of sight.
There was Koga.
On a billboard.
No not painting it. Actually ON it.
Kagome just stared while feeling herself blush slightly.
He was lying back on a sandy beach with only a pair of black swimming trunks on. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail as always and he had a cocky grin on his face. He was holding.
A bottle of beer?
And above him in large white letters contrasting in the sunset background it said.
' If I drink this. You should too.'
Kero Beer.
Kagome just stared, Koga was.FAMOUS?
Rin realized what Kagome was so shocked about and smiled.
" Yeah, Koga's making quite a name for himself. In fact, there are rumors of his mysterious lover that never loved him in return. And the tabloids are dying to find this mystery woman. I wonder WHO this woman is?"
Kagome sighed and rubbed her temples; " He still loves me?"
" Yup. But he says that he won't say who she is, and people are speculating she's dead or something."
The miko rolled her eyes as they approached the dojo.
Rin took a deep breath at the front door and slowly led them inside.
*~*
" Sensei-sama!" Rin cried out into the dojo, she always came early, just for a little extra practice before class, and today she'd need it. To obtain a uniform, you had to prove you were worthy of the costume first.
No answer.
" Sensei-sama? I brought my nanny like you asked!"
Rin looked about, where was she? She was normally always here on time and the door had been open, sensei was always just a little paranoid.
A winded young woman ran out of the back area. Her hair wild and strewn about her tanned face and her magenta eyes were surprised and apologetic.
" Gomen Rin, I hadn't heard you call for me."
" No problem Sensei-sama, I brought my nanny with me."
' Since Sesshomaru-sama's too damn busy with "work" to even come' The girl thought bitterly as she set her gym bag down toward the side of the room.
"Sensei-sama this is my nanny." Rin made a gesture with her hand toward Kagome.
" S-S-Sango-Chan?" Kagome stuttered staring at her long lost friend.
" Kagome-Chan!"
The two girls quickly embraced holding back happy tears.
Rin smiled warmly, so her plan had worked. Sensei really was the famed Sango she heard about from Kagome.
" A dojo to teach youkai exterminating, how very fitting for you."
Sango laughed. " Yes. How have you been?" The other girl required softly, a sad look coming across her face, putting a hand on the younger girl's shoulder.
Realizing her meaning Kagome sighed slightly, " I'm coming to terms with it. I'm doing fine." A quirky smile graced her face; " After all I could just go after Koga-Kun and release the tension between the news reporters and him about the mystery girl."
Sango giggled, " Now Kagome-Chan if you did that Inuyasha would roll in his grave and probably return from the dead to slice Koga's head clean off!"
The two smiled and laughed guiltily.
" Rin, you need your uniform don't you?" Sango asked her student, looking down at her, pride in her magenta eyes.
Rin nodded eagerly as she quickly came up to her teacher's side.
"Come then. You can come as well Kagome-Chan."
" Hai!"
The two younger girls followed Sango out of the large training area into the back. One excited and the other incredibly curious.
*~*
Rin smiled, her eyes glittering with happiness as the black material fit snugly to her form. She slowly fitted the clasps at the neck before tying her hair into a tight braid at the base of her neck. Her hands slowly slid over her form in the costume, making sure the hidden blades at the forearms were securely fastened and properly hidden from sight. She felt a pair of strong arms fasten the red sash about her waist and tighten it, before tapping her shoulder as a signal for her to turn around.
Rin obliged to find Sango facing her with a katana. The handle was black and the scabbard was a deep crimson red color. Her fingertips trembling slightly, she delicately ran her fingers over the smooth scabbard and she felt herself smile widely as Sango slipped the weapon into Rin's grasp. Rin immediately slid the katana at her left hip through the sash and sighed contentedly.
" A few last things Rin." Sango reminded her eager student as she pulled out a small red bundle. The teacher quickly untied the knot holding the piece of cloth together, revealing a poison shielding mask, a small leather bag with poison powder in it, a chain, a set of red armor.
" Here." Sango handed them to the girl and Rin smiled. After all her years of training to be able to defend herself, she was finally getting the last and most honored part of the entire class.
Her own taijya uniform.
Rin slid on her red elbow and shoulder pads on and fitted them securely, before moving on to put a pair on her knees, armor on her torso, and finally the two bits of armor on her feet. Taking the two sashes that held the poison mask, she quickly secured it over her mouth and nose before hiding the poison powder in her left hand. The chain was tied to the sash and Rin spun around.
" You look like a real taijya Rin-Chan!" Kagome cried, clapping her hands together enthusiastically.
Rin bowed, " Arigatou Sensei-sama."
The two women smiled when Sango looked over to Kagome.
" I have to speak of something to Rin alone, do you mind if."
Kagome put waved her hands about in front of her in a defensive gesture.
" Not at all." With an encouraging smile to Rin, she returned to the training room where distinct sound of sparring could be heard echoing off the walls and hallways.
Sango knelt down on one knee before Rin and looked up at her student curiously.
" Rin-Chan.why did you ask me to change the color of your armor? You were perfectly fine with the color blue earlier. What guided you to make such a change on such short notice?"
" Gomen Nasai, Sensei-Sama.but."
" But what?"
" I changed the armor for.Kagome-Chan." Rin whispered, her brown eyes dropping to the floor.
Sango stood up and gazed down at the girl. Kagome would never be selfish enough to force Rin into changing something so important, so why.
Oh.
Red was the color of.
Inuyasha's haori.
Now she understood.
Sango pulled the younger girl into an embrace.
" That was very thoughtful of you Rin-Chan."
In the woman's embrace Rin smiled enough to outshine sun.
*~*
Parents and friends were seated at the sides of the training room. Most chattering excitedly among themselves, other tapping their fingers against their legs nervously and some being calm about the whole ordeal or encouraging their children.
Kagome kept a seat empty beside her in case Sesshomaru actually made it. She didn't think he would, but it was nice to pretend to hope he would.
And for once, the hope worked.
Kagome nearly jumped out of her chair when she turned to find the demon lord sitting calmly next to her in only a white dress shirt and a pair of jeans.
His amber eyes flickered over toward the miko.
" Yes?"
Kagome shook her head and smiled nervously.
" Nothing."
The miko was mildly expecting him to come in a business suit, seeing him casual clothing was quite a shock to the system for anyone who knew him.
The patrons in the audience quickly went silent as Sango stepped out into the middle of the floor. Many of the adults were smiling warmly at the woman or waving slightly, to which she nodded her head in greeting.
She was dressed in her normal kimono attire. Well, what was normal to Kagome had mildly shocked quite a few of the members of the audience.
Whispers of ' She's looks so nice' 'Her hair looks nice that way' and' Such traditional clothing' was flying about the room.
Sango lifted her hand to quiet the whispers and musings of the surrounding crowd and smiled pleasantly.
" Thank you all for coming today. As you know, today the intermediate classes are proving themselves worthy of obtaining the highest regard in this class. A taijya uniform to call their own. To own such an outfit is a great honor and a privilege. As you all know, that when you enrolled your child in this class, you knew the background. My family and my family's ancestors were demon exterminators in the Sengoku Jidai. They fought demons that periled villages and used their remains to create armor for themselves. The age of demons and hostile violent ways has long passed, but we want our children to be able to fend for themselves in such times otherwise. Now, it is still the same, only now the demons are fellow human beings with negative intentions and the weapons have evolved into much more damaging things then swords. Either way, we want to give our offspring knowledge of their past and let them have the strength to survive in their future. So today, I hope you will enjoy watching your child spar with another child with the same level of skill, displaying how much they've learned over the years. Thank you." With that, Sango bowed and moved to the back of the dojo.
When.
Kohaku stepped out in full taijya garb, a scroll in his hands. The familiar scythe was strapped to his back and his hair was still in the same place it always had been, tied to the top of his head.
The only difference was.
He was alive and free.
" The first tournament is between Dan and Ayako."
The young boy stepped back as the two took their places.
Ayako had a small silver tube, about 10 inches long. With a flick of her wrist, her thumb quickly flicked a hidden switch on the handle and the cylinder grew to be a yard. She settled the handle in her left hand and the edge in her right hand. Holding it horizontally, she guarded her self, staring the boy down.
Dan smirked quietly, before pulling out the samurai sword at his back. With soft scrape of metal, he held the sword out in front of him, staring down the girl in return.
Ayako's eyebrow quirked,
" Using Hihiirokane Dan?" She asked underneath her mask.
Dan nodded, and the girl smiled.
Kohaku clapped his hands, " IKE!"
*~*
Kagome had long tuned out the many battles; she only listened for the names of who was to fight. It had been an hour already and Kohaku hadn't called for Rin yet. It was bugging her, but at least Kohaku was alive now.
Rin was too busy silently cheering her friends on to care about Kagome's utter boredom.
Kagome's attention snapped awake as Sango made her way to the middle of the floor once more.
Only this time, Hiraikotsu was strapped to her back and she was wearing her taijya uniform, her mask was dangling around her neck. Once again she smiled warmly at the astonished group.
" Some of you may have lost and must return your uniforms until the next battle. But you tried your best and I respect that. Those of you that won your battles, I congratulate you. But some of you may have noticed, there is one student who has not been tested yet."
Murmuring began to filter in the crowd, their minds trying to find out who was missing.
She noticed Rin paling, as a few people looked her way.
" Rin, will you come up here please?" Sango asked the distraught girl, smiling at her.
With an audible gulp, Rin shakily stood up, strapping her two weapons on her back.
As Rin reached the edge of the fighting mats, she took a quick look behind her shoulder. To see Kagome giving her a 'thumbs-up' and Sesshomaru nodding emotionlessly at her.
' Well at least he's HERE.' She thought before taking a deep breath and stepping before her teacher.
" Rin had improved greatly these past few months. Passing each and every test with incredible ease. She has worked hard these past few years and it shows greatly in her fighting skills. With or without her weapons." She swept the crowd with her eyes, before letting them linger on Sesshomaru and Kagome, before letting them fall down to the nervous girl before her.
" You should be proud of yourself."
Rin nodded, her palms sweating as she calmed herself into taking large even breathes.
Sango's eyes smiled as she saw the two ninja swords strapped to the student's back.
"Ah you are using Rekki-maru and Mekki-maru I see." Sango commented as Rin nodded.
" In conclusion, I Sango, the owner and teacher of this dojo announce that..." She undid the strap holding the large boomerang to her body and slid her hand into its handle, keeping it behind her back.
" No student will be battling this young woman today."
Gasps were heard in the crowd and a few of her friends were glowering darkly in their sensei's direction.
" She will be fighting me instead."
The entire room went quiet and every person in the room was staring wide eyed at Sango.
No way.
Rin was going to fight.SANGO? She had so much more experience, this was suicide!
Sango looked down at her downright shocked student.
" Do you accept my challenge Rin?"
Stare.
Kagome thought her best friend had seriously lost her sanity. You knew it was an immense shock when even Sesshomaru's eyes were wide for longer then three seconds. In fact, they still were, staring blankly at Sango.
And everyone continued to stare some more.
*~* (Rin's POV)
She just asked me to fight her.
Me, little old resurrected from the dead, frog-beating, orphan, dog demon cared for me.
I'M supposed to fight HER?
My TEACHER for god's sakes?
Well.I might as well.
If I get my butt kicked, at least I'll get remembered for being brave and not backing down.
Voice in Rin's head: Rin! You are wearing red!
Rin: So?
VIRH: C'mon! You're wearing red to commerate Inuyasha for K-Chan!
Rin: .And.
VIRH: (( groans)) Would Inuyasha back down and be scared shitless of fighting his teacher?
Rin: I don't think he had one.
VIRH: THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT!
Rin: Okay.so you're saying to fight her then?
VIRH: You want this costume. It's your dream. Are you going to be a wimp and give up everything you've worked so HARD for?!
Rin: No.I won't.
*~*
The entire crowd watched Rin's face go from shock, to annoyed, to shock and then to creepy determination.
Her nervousness had drained away as she stared defiantly into her sensei's gaze.
" I accept your challenge, Sensei-sama."
*~* Luna: This was getting TOO long so I ended it here. Next chapter you get to see who wins!
I couldn't resist Rin fighting with herself; I needed some humor in here! ^_^
Veron: Now read and review! Onegai!
*Gomen for having such a LONG chapter. A couple of explanations next chapter and such.
*~* Japanese words:
Haori: Inuyasha's robe shirt thing.^_^;
Daijabou: Are you okay?
Sensei: Teacher
Ike: Go
*~* Yeah I know the whole learning taijya stuff thing is a little farfetched. And there is such a weapon that Ayako used. But it's illegal in the USA. I dunno about Japan so.
Dan's weapon is the version of Soul Calibur for Yoshimitsu (without the flag) in the v-game Soul Calibur II
Rin's weapon is Taki's most familiar weapon a pair of ninja swords named Rekki-maru and Mekki-maru. It's also from Soul Calibur II
And about Ayako's weapon, it's like a silver version of Daredevil's extendable billyclub.
Sorry, for not contacting you Ayako first, but I was in a writing mood and put you in.
Dan didn't care what I did so I did this. Hope you like! ^_^
Oh yeah.and Kero from Card Captor Sakura is a beer! LOL! ^_~
*~* Review Responses
Tabi: Good to know you think it's nice! ^_^
Actually I was shooting for acclaimed author but if I work on my anime skill more, I might become a mediocre manga artist scrambling to scrounge up enough leftover cash from the last paycheck to buy a gallon of milk, some cereal, and some Chinese take-out for dinner. While praying hopelessly that the thundering annoying voice of my pissed landlord will quit bugging me about my overdue rent and that I wish to damn my telephone to the depths of hell because I have missed my dead line due to writer's block.
*sigh* Strange image ne?
Hiro-tyre: Cool I scored! ^_^
BGR: LOOK! Moreness! ^_^
Ryoko.Kilala: No problem with the rambling, I do that quite often in my own reviews myself. And good to hear that my crossover meets your standards. ^_^
Hope you enjoy the latest installment!
Lost Darkness: TY! ^_^
Animebaby08060: SEE! UPDATEDNESS! ^___~
*~*
TY for the reviews and Gomen for the long wait.
READ AND REVIEW ONEGAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!