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Chapter Ten


Inuyasha got back to camp three hours before sun rise. Rina was placed in one of the bigger buildings and Ayano went to work. Inuyasha was told to go back to his camping area. Muttering he finally complided. Kagome, Sango, and the rest woke up to find Inuyasha sitting in the tree, extremely consentrating on the middle building closer to town.

Breakfast was made and still no word from Rina. Inuyasha was frustrated and had a lot of questions. Finally about three hours after dawn, (9:00), Ayano walked up to Inuyasha. The others stopped what they were doing and watched.

"She's not doing that well, though her spirit is strong. Because she was human at the time the posion did more damage then normal. But she's recovering quickly because she's demon again."

"You mean this has happened before?"

Ayano smiled slightly. "This is war, anything and everything as happened."

"Can I see her?"

Ayano nodded. "But only you." They walked away.

"I'm tired of being left out." Kagome sighed. "So much hiding and secrets."

Sango smiled. "We're strangers in their territory. I wouldn't have suspected anything less."

"I'd still like to know what's going on."

Inuyasha walked in the room. There wasn't much light, only things burning were several candles. Rina was resting in a corner. Inuyasha sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?"

Purple eyes opened slowly. "Pretty good...yourself?" Rina's voice was low.

"I'm ok." He looked around the place, though he couldn't see much. "I'd like to know what going on, Rina. I know that attack wasn't just another fight."

"Get Ayano to tell you, please." Her eyes closed again. Inuyasha stood and walked out, intent on finding Ayano.

She was washing some clothes when Inuyasha walked up to her. "We need to talke Ayano."

She stood and nodded. "I figured you'd want to know what was happening."

"Firstly who was that archer that hit Rina?"

"He was probably from the southern lands. How he knew Rina was in a human state, that I don't know."

"What's this war she talked about?"

"It's punishment for harassment."

Inuyasha looked at her to see if she was telling the truth.

Ayano looked back. "Ok that's just half the reason. You see some want peace, others want war, while others still want a unified area. Rina's part of the peace and unify. Another reason is that she refused to become the mate of Akahito. I suppose she mad him extremely mad, and now he's had it in for half demons and humans alike."

"Was that one of his people?"

Ayano shrugged. "I wouldn't be surprised. Our people have been disappearing mysteriously and Rina went down to the higher temple to talk to Akahito. She came back pretty bad, but there was blood on her blade as well. Rina hasn't healed completely from that battle and this shot did a number on her." Ayano looked down.

"What is it?"

"I had a feeling that there was a spy in the town. I told Rina about it and who I thought it was. I guess she's been dealing with that too."

"Who's the rat?"

She hesitated. "Katrina."

Inuyasha looked at her again. "The right hand!" Ayano nodded. Things were quiet and she went back to washing clothes. Looking around Inuyasha saw something that caught his eye. It was Rina. "Uh Ayano, is Rina suppose to be up?"

Standing Ayano looked in the direction he was talking about. "No not really." Rina walked to them. "Your not suppose to be up."

"I know Ayano. I'm a demon...though and...can heal faster now. Besides I have an army to get ready."

"What do you mean?"

"I've had enough of this hide shootings. I'm going to bring it out. And we'll finally see who is the victor."

"Alot of life will be lost. It's four against four. No one has sides."

Rina's look was of determination. "I've already made the plans. We're leaving in two days." She looked at Inuyasha. "You and your group shouldn't be here. There's safe passage north of us. I can give you an assistant but only as far as the northern mountains."

"Look I want to help, beside Sango, Miruko, and Kagome are good fighters."

She shook her head. "All the demons you've fought is nothing compared to the fighters of the Sacred lands. That's why there are no roaming demons." She walked away.

Inuyasha watched her go then turned around and looked a Ayano. She shrugged and began washing again. Scoffing he walked off to his camp outside the town area.