Hello! I'm so sorry I know you hate me for not updating but I met a guy, and well, you know that goes. Anyways, I also had a tough time with the fight scene, so don't eat me if it sucks!

Caiyoko, you are the coolest! Who would read a story backwards? You, and for that, you have gained my respect.

Chapter 9: A Stroke Of Red

Rin flew through the forest, tripping and scraping herself, but never stopped. Nothing seemed to frighten her any more. Not after Sesshomaru. The castle and everything in it was a dark and mysterious memory that she wanted nothing to do with.

She knew she had disobeyed her Lord, but did he have to be so angry? He had such a temper. Her thoughts drifted back to the upstairs.

What was that place? The crystal…that picture… The picture. Who was it? Who else would Lord Sesshomaru allow to wear his kimono?

She looked down, and saw the beautiful kimono, splattered with dirt and grass stains. She would wash it when she got home. Home.

Home with everything she loved. With her uncle, her house, everything. Where there was no Sesshomaru to worry about. No dragon blurting little wisps of a secret, which would be on her mind for hours. No Jaken trying to kill her. No anything!

Rin increased her speed, fleeing to a place where only bright happy thoughts occurred. The edge of the forest came into view, light streaking though the old trees. It was like she had reached holy land. She burst through the forest, enthralled by their beauty.

She saw a flash of red.

Sesshomaru? She thought instantly.

No, of course it wasn't. He was still back at the castle. Why did she immediately –

In an instance she was met face to face with Inuyasha. She let out a short scream, and stumbled backwards.

"Finally! Do you know how long that stupid village has been looking for you? You stupid girl!" Inuyasha yelled angrily at her, though a wisp of relief shown in his amber eyes.

"Looking…for…"She said confused.

Then she remembered. Of course! All they knew was that she went into the deadly forest, and whatever else that hair-brained Naraku told them.

"I'm…sorry?" Rin guessed.

"You will be. Naraku has gone crazy and took over the village, ordering them to search for you."

"Why are you looking for me?" She asked curiously.

"That's none of your business." Inuyasha glared.

Rin left it at that as he admired his claws. Now she remembered. Life wasn't as good as she had thought. Naraku. Beasts she couldn't protect herself or anyone else from…

Inuyasha sniffed around her, and then eyes wide, stared, "I smell…where have you been all this time?"

Could she tell him? Would he believe her? Were the smells of Sesshomaru's palace still lingering around her?

Suddenly Un and On dropped down hard beside Rin. Inuyasha leapt into a battle stance, growling while the dragon sat up groggily.

"Hi Rin! Are you all better n-" On began cheerfully, but then his eyes met the hanyou's.

Un froze.

"You!" Inuyasha recognized.

Leaping into action, Un grabbed Rin, and flew away, while Inuyasha ran behind them, hopping from tree to tree. On began to blabber away about how excited he was to see her. He made it sound like he hadn't seen her in years instead of hours.

"Put me down!" Rin yelled.
"You don't really want to go back with him, do you? Isn't that why you ran away to us?" On asked.

"I wasn't running away!" Rin persisted.

"Sesshomaru sent us after you to apologize. He really was not thinking clearly. That temper of his will be the death of us all. Can you imagine the damage he would cause if you never came back?" Un commented.

Then there was silence as he let her ponder this thought.  Sesshomaru sent them after her, just to bring her back and apologize? Would he really be sad if she never came back? …Wouldn't she

Inside her, Rin's heart began to ache for the castle. Which was something she didn't understand. It was a prison. She was, trapped there against her will! But then, did it really feel like it was a prison? She could go practically anywhere but the second floor, and really, the dragon wasn't even welcomed there. He gave her her own garden. What does a prison give you but misery?

The wind in her face blew harder as the dragon increased speed, while Inuyasha chased after them. She had completely forgotten about him. She still wondered why he was looking for her. Why would he follow her all the way into the forest just to bring her back to the disgusting Naraku?

Un swallowed hard, while On smiled, "Wow, just think if we couldn't fly! You'd probably be back at your village, while Inuyasha came to get Sesshomaru. Just like now!"

"But, isn't he coming after me? I mean, he's been looking-" Rin shook her head trying to make sense of it.

"You talk to much." Un said to his brother.

Rin looked back down, and saw that Inuyasha was not looking at them, but seemed to be looking at something he could not yet see. The castle? But then it came into view, illuminated by the sun.

Un looked down also, and with some hesitance hovered by a second story window, and let Rin off.

"Find Lord Sesshomaru, and tell him Inuyasha is here!" He said frantically.

Rin gulped, and then ran down the hall. Stopping at the master stairway, she saw Sesshomaru walk past.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" She called, glancing at the banister before running down the stairs.

She stopped before the monster dog, and started to speak very fast, "LordSesshomaruI'msosorryIleftIpromiseIwon'tdoitagainbutInuyasha'satthedoorandI'mnotsurewhathewantsnowbuthefollowedus-"

Sesshomaru growled, as she shut up, "I KNOW."

The front doors opened before him, and found On circling Inuyasha in the air, as Un desperately tried to fly away.

At the sound of the door, Inuyasha turned and growled, "Sesshomaru. So you've been keeping her all this time."

"YES DEAR BROTHER, SHE'S MY PRISONER." He said calmly.

Rin gasped. His brother?

"How many other humans you got in there, or is she the only one you haven't eaten yet?" Inuyasha smirked.

"I THOUGHT YOU WERE STILL STUCK ON THAT TREE. WASN'T IT, A MERE HUMAN WHO STUCK YOU THERE? WHY DO YOU SEEM TO EGGER TO TAKE THIS ONE?"

"Why don't you get some other girl to be your prisoner?"

"OH, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN."

"Fine."

Inuyasha unsheathed his Tetsuiga, confident in protecting Rin, and whatever else he was there for. It was an all too familiar start as Inuyasha charged at his half brother. Sesshomaru easily moved out of his path, a blank face watching him as he skidded to a stop.

"JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE FOUND ME DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL DESTROY ME."

Saliva began to drool out of his mouth, melting the ground before him like acid.

"Your old tricks won't save you this time. I've got the Tetsuiga." Inuyasha smirked as he ran and swung again, but to no avail.

"IF ONLY YOU COULD HIT ME."

The fumes began to get stronger. The dog looked at the young woman who was still watching in the doorway of his castle.

"DRAGON! GET HER AWAY FROM HERE."

Dutifully Un and On flew and picked her up, taking her high into the sky.

"No!" Rin cried.

She wasn't exactly sure she wanted either of them to "win". She couldn't bear having either die. Inuyasha had all of his friends and Kagome. Sesshomaru had…her. What could she do?

"I want to watch!" She said voice full of concern as she looked down at the battle.

Un and On halted and obeyed her wish silently.

Meanwhile the fumes were getting to Inuyasha. His head felt funny.

"Why are you so worried about her? Don't want to waste food?"

Sesshomaru glared, "MY MEAL IS RIGHT INFRONT OF ME."

Inuyasha charged once more, but instead of swinging, he jumped onto Sesshomaru's back. Sesshomaru furiously tried to grab Inuyasha with his large fangs, but couldn't reach. The hanyou managed to stay on the beasts back as he chuckled.

"Payback Sesshomaru." He murmured, aiming his sword at the back of the large neck.

Rin's eyes went wide in terror. She was speechless.

Inuyasha put all his hanyou strength into the sword, but it slipped away from the determined place it should have struck, landing on Sesshomaru's furry shoulder.

"What the?" Inuyasha looked at where it should have gone in, and then at the sword.

It was in its travel size form.

"What!?" He yelled angrily, before losing his hold on his brother and was thrown off and into a tree.

Groaning from the pain he tried to get up as his back cracked, and he slumped down again his head resting against the tree. Just to rest for a moment. But before his breather had finished, Sesshomaru had him pinned with one paw.

"SHALL I KILL YOU NOW?" The dog questioned evilly.

Inuyasha coughed with the lack of air from the crushing paw, "Kill your only brother just for a human girl?"

"I HAVE MY OWN REASONS FOR KILLING YOU HALF-BREED." Sesshomaru glared, eyes narrow.

His claws pierced the skin of the hanyou as a reminder.

"Weren't you the one who detested humans dear brother? Have the times changed?  What? Are you, in love with her or something?" Inuyasha smirked to mask his discomfort.

"I DO NOT CARE ABOUT THIS HUMAN! I DETEST THEM ALL!" Sesshomaru roared, ripping through Inuyasha stomach.

Fire exploded in his blue eyes.

Then, they met Rin's. She shook with…anger? Fear? Sadness? The smells of mixed emotions wafted in his nostrils. They confused him. It was almost like…she was…heartbroken…

His attention was brought back to the ground as Inuyasha moaned, stumbling towards him. The normally fatal cuts spilled out streams of blood from the front and back. The Tetsuiga was left behind him.

"I can kill you without that stupid sword."

"NO!" Rin yelled to him.

She'd been told by Kagome stories of when he'd discarded his sword.

Inuyasha fell to his knees, his head hidden beneath his hair. What started as a soft mumble became a full-fledged maniacal laugh.

Oh no! Once again, please excuse my updating process. By the way, read Just Because He Was Different by my best friend! I've realized I've gotten about 6 reviews per chapter, so if I get 7 reviews for this chapter, I'll update as soon as I get the 7th review! Party! Miaa