Chapter Five: Chaos Is Come Again

It takes six minutes for a human to drown.

Sesshoumaru himself had told her this once in that cool, matter-of-fact way of his that warned her not to press for details concerning how he had obtained this information. She'd given him a warning look anyways, him and his friends. Sesshoumaru had only bowed his head coyly. Tama had smiled up at her, with mirth and overzealous youth in his clear ruddy face and she had ignored it. She had simply soothed her robes as she stood, walked towards them and picked up little Ryuhoji by his hands to comfort him.

It had been a different time then, a whole other age.

They had all been fairly young then. No longer pups, they still were not to her and her maternal stubbornness old enough to be called men. They were simply still children; young, indulged princes that she, with all her fondling and maneuvering, spoiled. Each one of them she had considered her children: Sesshoumaru, Tama, Tajomaru and Ryuhoji. They had come into her chambers that day, like they did all other days, unannounced and soiled from the days adventures. They had kneeled, offering respect before seeing her sly welcoming smile and knowing it was okay to play again. Their mother had been waiting for them.

It had been an entirely different age.

When she could laugh off those useless facts Sesshoumaru would bring to her chambers proudly. When all her approached her did so with fear and adoration. When she had no need to travel the countryside like a commoner. When she had been a different woman then, known by a different name.

When she still had Inutaisho's heart, and his ear from time to time.

But Inutaisho was dead now. Cold in his grave. And she was no long a lady of repute and standing. The times had changed, utterly and terribly changed.

And now she, Nanashi, stood before her once-called son and knew she only had six minutes to save a life.

She felt like laughing.

Tama cocked his head when he saw her reach for her blade. His expression was clear, soft and surprised. "Old Mother?" He exclaimed. "Even you would partake in this conspiracy against your son?"

"You are the only one here who would harm Sesshoumaru!"

"Would you allow him to be so poisoned!" Tama demanded as he sidestepped the Hiraikotsu.

It was like dancing to Tama.

He was already in action by the time Inuyasha and the others reacted. Naturally the first move had been to rush to Rin's aid and Tama had expected that. Grabbing the whip he held around his neck, Tama slashed at Sango, followed by Fox Fire. Then his whip was turned on Kagome, grabbing her by the throat and jerking her to him. Inuyasha lunged at him, too enraged to pull Tessaiga. Tama tightened the whip around Kagome's neck until she choked before unleashing it and throwing her at Inuyasha.

Sango had recovered by then, and swung the Hiraikotsu again. This time, it struck Tama on the recourse. The Fox growled and threw himself down- jerking around to buy himself seconds to recover. When he did, his whip aimed not for Sango but Nanashi- taking the old woman down as it coiled around her legs like a snake.

"Do you think I would forget about you?" He asked her. "Don't worry, Mother. With the child's blood that appetite of revenge you always wished for Sesshoumaru will be birthed."

"Inuyasha, Sango get down!" It was the Monk's voice: wild and panicked. His hand was around the Rosary beads. Tama turned, looking at him and smiling.

Within a heartbeat, he was by Miroku's side, his hand firmly on the Monk's wrist. "Foolish little humans shouldn't be given such clever toys." Tama jerked his wrist, a quick afterthought of a movement but it did its damage. Miroku howled in pain as he fell to his knees, clutching his broken wrist.

Nanashi grunted as she forced herself to her feet. She had four minutes. Wildly she looked around for Zen and Shippo. She wondered if Tama had thrown them also into the river. Anger rushed through her veins as she rose. No. She could not allow those children to die. Not for Sesshoumaru's sake and not for Tama's whims.

Nanashi stood, closing her eyes and concentrating. Summoning her true form; Nanashi felt the power surge under her skin like lightening. She smiled a little. She'd forgotten how much she missed combat, and how very much a part of her body it was. Calling on her powers, Nanashi began to channel the powers into one single wisp of light that extended from her fingers like a whip.

Now it was her turn to dance.

Tama seemed to smell the power: he jumped backwards twice, avoiding her whip. Nanashi jumped in pursuit, ignoring the humans and Inuyasha who scrambled for cover. She side stepped the Fox Fire as if it was the breeze, and grabbed the whip with her bare hand.

Then she smiled. "Remember who trained you Tama." She told him, before jerking the whip and yanking Tama towards her like a leashed dog.

But Tama had learned a few tricks since last they sparred. He waited till he had been thrown almost against her, before slashing out at her with his claws. They dug deep into Nanashi's face, and ripped through her cheek before he jerked free and stumbled backwards.

Inuyasha jumped forward again, picking up where Nanashi left off. She stumbled back, clutching her face. Blood was stinging her eyes, she wasn't sure if it was hers or not. She turned back, calling on her powers again for another assault.

Then there was a splash of water that broke her attention, stopping her cold. Zen had appeared from the water's surface, clutching Shippo in his arms. The Fox kit was blue in the face, and coughing to expel the water that had forced itself into his lungs. Zen held Shippo tighter when he saw Tama approach; but looked towards the water. His mind was with Nanashi.

Two minutes.

Zen wanted desperately to return to the water to search for Rin but he seemed to know that if he released Shippo, Tama would destroy the child. Nanashi felt a great swell of pity for Zen.

Tama seemed to recognize the demon. "Appeared again, have you?" He asked Zen. "So soon after my disappearance and you would take up with my enemies?" Tama took one mighty swing at Zen, sending him flying. The Water demon's head struck the back of a rock and he moved no more.

Tama, true to Zen's fears, grabbed Shippo by the neck and held him high. Inuyasha stopped dead. Nanashi inhaled and waited. Tama would not risk another Fox. Even his madness couldn't have stretched that far.

"Let him go." She demanded. "He's a child."

"Move and he dies."

"Is all you know anymore? Killing?" She tilted her head, keeping Inuyasha in his sight. Her heart was pounding in her chest; torn between keeping Inuyasha out of harm, and relying on her own demonic powers to rip Shippo from Tama's grip. There was also Rin to worry about. Ninety seconds. "What happened to you, Lord Tama? What has twisted you so…"

"Twisted?" Tama returned, hatefully. "Am I only the only one to recall your family's former glory? Have you and Sesshoumaru gone mad? Has Inutaisho's disease of humanity infected even you, great mother? What of the armies that rose up against Inutaisho in your name! What of your brother's campaigns…for your honor!"

"What Nori did was not for my honor, nor Sesshoumaru's."

"No." Tama shook his head. "No! There is still fight in you. In the both of you, and I will show it to you…" His grip tightened on Shippo's neck. It took every once of power in Nanashi to remain still. Inuyasha was fidgeting but following her lead. "Or, so help me, I will damn you to the humanity you so zealously embrace like I have with Sesshoumaru!"

Nanashi felt winded suddenly at his exclamation. Jaken had told her Sesshoumaru was dying…

Tama seemed to sense her confusion for he laughed; a thin, wispy laugh. "Come now mother, do be so surprised…you can love one hanyo son." He made a motion to Inuyasha. "Why not a full blooded human?"

Then, as cool and as crisp as the water that rushed behind them, a voice broke through with the reply. It was strained, shaking a bit as it forced words out but it retained all the authority and chill it always possessed. It was the voice of a calm destruction, of entropy itself. It was a voice that, despite all reason and sense, gave birth to hope for Inuyasha, Nanashi and everyone there.

For this one voice changed the rules.

"Not human." Sesshoumaru whispered. "Not yet."

Tama paled as he turned slowly. Sesshoumaru was kneeling partially, with his own arm cradling Rin's form against his chest. Water dripped from the sleeve, where he had reached into the river and plucked Rin from death as easily as he would have drawn his sword. He kept the girl child close to his frame, but he never looked down at her. Instead, his cool gaze was focused intently on Tama.

Tama stepped back. "How…could you have gotten here that fast? Your powers…they are fading."

"But not gone." Sesshoumaru repeated. "Not yet."

Nanashi felt too sick to even think or move to think. Instead, her whole energies where focused on Sesshoumaru. His smell was different. His appearance. His skin was ruddy, flushed even, and those golden suns that burned as his eyes were dulled into a cool amber. She looked to his hand that clutched so desperately to Rin's frame, as if he were afraid she would fade away if he released her.

Human. The magnificent creature she once called son. Human.

Tama's curse was a dark one.

"No matter." Tama whispered. "Soon enough." He threw Shippo towards Inuyasha, and bounded away, sending volleys of Fox Fire down to shield his escape. He didn't need to. As soon as the children were free of immediate danger: the adults had run to them. Inuyasha gave Shippo to Sango who was kneeling by Miroku and darted towards Zen to retrieve him.

Kagome and Nanashi ran straight towards Sesshoumaru and Rin. Sesshoumaru glared at Kagome for a moment, bringing Rin closer to him. She had been in the water almost nine minutes.

"Please," Kagome started. "I can help her."

Sesshoumaru turned away from her, seeing Nanashi for what appeared to be the first time. She became entirely aware that it was probably the case. He reeked of fear, exhaustion and pain. And humanity.

"Let her." Inuyasha urged. "She can help."
Nanashi reached over and placed her hand on Sesshoumaru's arm. The Demon Lord jerked away from her touch angrily, but never met her eyes. He instead relaxed his arm, surrendering Rin to Kagome.

They watched in silence as Kagome positioned Rin's body flat on the grass: propping her head slightly forward. Sesshoumaru flinched again, moving his hand to Tenseiga when he saw Kagome beat on Rin's chest. She pushed against the chest five times, before breathing into Rin's mouth and returning to thumping the chest. Again. Again.

"You're hurting…" Sesshoumaru began then stopped as Rin's body froze up.

Rin jerked her head up and coughed, choking up blood and water. Rin sat up, coughing, and leaned against Kagome's chest for strength. Then, she looked over to him. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to run to him but Sesshoumaru reacted before then. He stood, weakly going, and stared down each member of the group- daring them to ask.

Inuyasha stiffened under his brother's glare, but Nanashi beat him to it.

"Tell us." She demanded. "Tell us everything."