Fifth Movement: Bishojo Senshi no Unme

(The Fate of a Beautiful Warrior)

Rin had drifted off amid her floor cushions in her chambers. She slowly opened her eyes and raised herself from her pile of pillows. The room was dark, despite the fact that the sun had not yet set.

"How long was I sleeping?" asked Rin to herself. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. When she left the dojo, it was not yet noon. However, she had taken tea with a small meal and was admiring the flowers outside in the garden from her chambers when she started feeling tired. Then she fell asleep. The practicing must have really worn her out, she mused. Rin noticed that there was a commotion outside. It was this that he stirred her awake. Several servants were shouting and running back and forth. Then there was a knock on her door.

"Yes?" called out Rin.

"Meiyuuri-Hime sama," said the servant, kneeling before her door. "Something terrible has happened!"

"What is it? What is wrong?" asked Rin rising to her feet. She slid the door open.

"An army has approached the castle. A scout has told us that this is an army of the dead! Lord Jun'ichiro rode out to meet them with his men, but they are outnumbered. Lord Jun'ichiro sent word to have you protected and ordered that you be taken to safety. Quick, Hime-sama, we must not delay. A small group is ready to escort you to Yamazaki Castle!" the servant said.

"What sorcery is this? Why were we not warned?" demanded Rin.

"It was reported that Lord Makoto was leading them, Hime-sama," replied the servant nervously.

"My…uncle? But, that's…." her voice drifted. She had seen stranger things during her journeys with Sesshomaru-sama. But this time, she did not have the benefit of his protection. Rin had to face her enemy alone and she needed to act quickly.

"Bring me my gear and some leather armor that will fit me. We ride out for Yamazaki Castle immediately!"

Hang in there, Jun'ichiro-san! I won't let you die!

Within the hour Rin and her small entourage made it to her family's castle before sunset. Looking into the horizon, she saw that the color of the sun behind the eerie dark clouds that hung overhead was blood red. It was very foreboding. She had the leader of her entourage call her father's men immediately. They were a bit disheveled, having only sat down for their supper. But they were happy to see her.

"My lords!" called out Rin as they rode out to her. "We must prepare for immediate battle. A dark army has encroached upon this land. Lord Jun'ichiro's life hangs in the balance on the field as I speak. We must protect our land and families! Lord Makoto, now obviously raised from the dead in some act of sorcery leads the army of the dead against the Yamazaki Clan. He is our sworn enemy and carries out his foul revenge even in death! In the name of Yamazaki and the honor of our clan, we cannot let this stand!"

At first they were shocked. How could Makoto come back? Where was Jun'ichiro? How does one fight an army of the dead? But one elder stepped up and addressed the crowd.

"If what Meiyuuri-sama says is true, we must prepare immediately! We must protect our lands!" The others started to agree and visibly moved by her speech, they all cried out in unison. She was truly the daughter of the Yamazaki. Horns were sounded, and the small Yamazaki Clan army gathered and moved forward in haste behind their new leader. They had sworn the oath to her grandfather and now, riding out into an uncertain fate they silently swore the same oath. They would follow her into Hell.

After what seemed like forever, Rin and the others made it atop the crest of a hill overlooking the plain. Jun'ichiro was nowhere in sight, and his army was severely diminished in number. Yet they fought on. This is the nature of humans, thought Rin to herself. Humans fight for survival no matter what the odds. Human passion and spirit can change the outcome of a battle. Inuyasha-sama had taught her that. She gave the signal for the horn. Rin stood up in her stirrups and gave the motion for the army to charge. The battle cry carried throughout the army as the thunderous hooves of the horses careened down the slope of the hill and into the melee. Her personal guard insisted that she stay away from harm and so Rin stayed atop the hill and surveyed the scene from a distance. She scanned the field but did not see her cousin. Rin's eyes darted all around the plain until she caught a glimpse of blue in the fading light. Jun'ichiro was covered in dirt and dark stains that Rin hoped was not his own blood. He had fallen off his horse and his closest guardsmen were surrounding him. They were in turn surrounded by a large group of skeletal like, dusty and muddy figures.

"Lord Jun'ichiro needs help!" she cried. Without heed of her guards' protests, she charged into battle. She wasn't going to let any more of her family members die. Rin was going to save Jun-san, who was like a brother, no matter what.

"JUN-SAN!" she called out. Rin drew out both of her short swords. One in each hand, she carefully balanced herself in the saddle and slashed the enemy on both sides. Rin knew enough of demon skeleton warriors that she had to take off their heads to do any real damage.

"Take off their heads!" She called out behind her. Her guards were still flanking her, doing as they were told. It seemed like forever before she even got near Jun'ichiro. There were too many skeletons in front of her. Her horse was beginning to hesitate. Rin did not blame it. These dark, slimy warriors had glowing red eyes and gave her goose bumps.

Sesshomaru-sama, she said silently, out of habit. I'm scared. She balanced herself atop her horse, crouching in the saddle. Then, with the help of her levitation stone, she leaped into the fray, to protect Jun'ichiro. Rin slashed left and right, using all her strength. Cutting the bones while off her horse was a tedious task. It was much harder than before. Her guards were all horrified by her actions and they fought hard to get to her side again.

"Hime-sama!" they cried out, hacking the skeletons around her. "Are you all right?" asked her Captain, Akio.

"Akio-san, see to Jun'ichiro-sama!" she said. "Retreat!" she called out. "Retreat and regroup! Sound the horn!" Her guardsmen found her horse, and she mounted with a wounded Jun'ichiro behind her.

"Jun-san, are you all right?" asked Rin.

"Just barely," he said with a grateful smile. "I'm glad you made it in time, O-Hime sama."

"We have to retreat and regroup, Jun-san. You need to be treated immediately."

"As you say, my lady Princess." He wrapped his arms around her waist to steady himself in the saddle. They galloped immediately back to the top of the hill as her guards cleaved a path for her. Rin could tell that he was considerably weakened and pale.

"Be careful of Lord Makoto, Rin. He's—" but before he finished speaking, a long spinning blade shaped like a scythe came towards them. Rin kicked her horse to jump over it successfully, but Rin could still hear the whirring motion of the blade behind her.

"It's coming back!" she cried out. "Down!" Jun'ichiro did as he was told and the blade flew over them once more, nearly scalping them. Rin spurred her horse back onto the hill. The remainder of Jun'ichiro's army dragged themselves back up the hill as well.

"Those who cannot fight, stay back and defend the Castle!" ordered Rin. "Those who can fight will follow me."

"Hime-sama, we must protest," said Akio. Her other guards and captains agreed.

"I will not stay behind. If we must die here, so be it. There is no use being a clan leader if there is no clan left!" she retorted. "Makoto will not kill any more of my family! Not while I still live and breathe," Rin said with determination.

"As you say, Princess," bowed Akio.

Rin surveyed the plain once again. The field was dark now, which was a disadvantage to the living. The army of the dead was still advancing towards them. They would not survive the fight like this. She had to stay strong and think clearly. There had to be a solution. Then she thought of it. Corpse demons were afraid of fire.

"Have the scouts and a group of soldiers pour oil in the field. Circle the demon army twice. The dried brush should catch fire quite easily. We will have some more light! Get more torches up here on the hill." ordered Rin. Her orders were carried out, and a group of swift riders with oil jugs circled the field wide. As they did so, the archers lit their arrows. They returned just as swiftly and as soon as they did, Rin gave the order for the archers to fire.

"Fire at will!" Rin ordered. A wave of fire arrows hissed and whistled into the air. The skeleton army was surprised at the sudden fire shower. Some of them screamed in agony as their old decaying bones caught fire and they shriveled into the ground. The oil on the ground immediately began to burn. The field was lit brightly. Her soldiers began to cheer.

Then Rin saw him. Makoto was standing in the middle of the ring of fire. He rode a demon dragon with wings. In retaliation, his dragon took flight and charged directly towards them. Having befriended Ah-Un a two headed dragon who spit fire and lightning, she knew what was about to happen.

"Archers, fire at will!" she called out. The archers fired, but the dragon's hide was plated with impenetrable scales.

"Run to the river and get water! Now!" she ordered. The dragon was upon them, and in a single breath, a stream of fire attacked them. Her soldiers shrieked in fear and fell prostrate on the ground. Some of them actually caught fire and were rolling on the ground, trying to put themselves out. Demon fire burned hotly, and some of the soldiers already lay motionless on the floor as their flesh continued to burn. Soldiers came back from the riverbank to put out the fires. Rin survived the first attack. She saw that the dragon was returning to the demon army. The demon army had gathered its bearings again, and those who fell before the fire, paved a way for the others to step over them and out of the circle. They were steadily advancing forward again en masse.

"Get ready to defend to the death, everyone!" said Rin, giving the signal to the horn blower. "Divide into three groups. I will take the center and Makoto," said Rin.

"I'm coming too," said Jun'ichiro, now properly bandaged and sitting atop a horse he loaned from one of his captains.

"No, Jun-san. You're wounded," she protested. Jun rode his horse close to hers, leaned over and put a hand to her head, leaning in and touching his forehead with hers.

"There is something I want to protect as well," he said. Rin blushed. She had not yet given him an answer to his proposal.

"Besides, what's the use of being spared when there is no clan left after the battle?" he asked. "You make a very good point. As allied clans, we'll take a stand together." Rin nodded in agreement.

"Sound the battle horn!" ordered Jun'ichiro. Rin and Jun'ichiro charged down the center with their personal guard and flanked by fifty soldiers each. Her blood was racing now, as she focused entirely on Makoto. His cold red eyes burned into her and the chilled hand of fear wrapped around her heart.

Makoto was waiting for them. His sword was raised as they approached. Rin drew her blades again, and Jun'ichiro drew his spear. Each taking one side of the dragon, they attacked simultaneously. Jun'ichiro's spear dug into Makoto's side, causing the demon to cry out. But then, it cracked loudly under the pressure and splintered into several pieces. Jun'ichiro had to veer away from the dragon to avoid its fiery breath. At the same time, Rin's blades tried to hack Makoto's head off, but his sword was waiting for her, and she did not have the strength to accomplish the goal. She lost her balance in the saddle Makoto's sword pushed against her with great strength that Rin could not withstand. His kenki aura surrounded him and in a flash, Rin and several of her soldiers close to her were blown into the air by an invisible force.

Rin tumbled several somersaults onto the ground; landing finally crouched down but on her feet. She would not yield. Rin grimaced at the sharp pain that ran through her left arm. She worried that it might be broken, but realized she could still move it in spite of the pain. The wind was picking up now, more foul than before and the aura around Makoto was menacing. Her blades were still in hand. She needed to get closer.

"I think you are beaten, little girl," laughed her dead uncle, still atop his dragon.

"I will not yield," said Rin under her breath, breathing heavily now through the pain in her arm. A trickle of blood flowed down to her finger tips.

"Never," she whispered, getting up again. "I will never yield!" she cried out. Rin would not be beaten by this murderer. She wanted to live. She wanted to win. She wanted to protect Jun-san. She wanted to protect her family and her clan's honor. Never in her life was her purpose so clear than in this very moment. Everything fell into place, and she knew what she had to do, or she would die trying. One final battle cry came from deep within her diaphragm, and using the power of the stone around her neck, Rin advanced with lighting quick speed. The dragon opened its mouth wide, and sprayed a deluge of fire headed directly for her. Timing was everything, and just as she could smell the fire singeing her hair, Rin used her mind and tapped into the stone's power.

Please, she thought. Let this work! Her right foot tapped the ground once and a whirl of dust and debris circled around it upon impact. Pushing up with all her might, Rin jumped up and over the flame, high into the air. Imitating something she saw Sesshomaru-sama do once, she flipped midway into the air, and twisted her body around in a slight spiral to avoid the blades trying to slash her. She landed right in front of the dragon and with both blades crossed, she cut through most of its neck as she pulled them apart. The metal cut in the soft skin in its neck and its bones with a disgusting sound, and right before the blood spilled out everywhere, Rin tapped into the stone's power once again, leaping backward this time and landing at a safe distance.

Makoto's grin disappeared from his face, and the dragon reared back. Its rider gave out a little cry as the dragon fell down upon him. He crawled back out from underneath the dead beast.

"Foolish girl, you will pay for that. Before long you will be begging for me to kill you," he snickered.

"You have disgraced our family, Makoto Oji-san," said Rin in a low voice. "I will not permit you to cause the Yamazaki clan any further dishonor. Go back to where you came from."

"Ah, I get it now!" laughed Makoto, his hollow voice wheezing through the rotted openings in his chest. "The last of our line is a little girl. My brother has died and left this slip of a girl to defend the family honor. This is amusing."

Rin's anger burned hot now, and she took off her helmet to reveal her face. Makoto stopped laughing and stared in astonishment.

"Saiyo-sama…" he said. For a moment, he hesitated.

"I am Saiyo's daughter, Meiyuuri. You had my parents and brother slain but you failed to realize that there was one left. This oversight will be your downfall. I will not permit you to claim the seat of leadership to the Clan. You forfeited that right when you slew your own kin."

"We shall see about that, Meiyuuri," snarled Makoto. He charged her all at once at a fierce speed. Rin steadied her blades and waited for the right moment. But then, Jun'ichiro came into view, driving his horse as fast as it would go, charging Makoto from the side. Makoto altered his course instantly and went straight for Jun'ichiro. Makoto crouched low and cut off the horse's legs. Squealing in pain, the animal fell to the ground dying. Jun'ichiro tumbled out of the saddle, but did not get up.

"Jun-san!" cried Rin. She tried to go to him but Makoto charged her immediately. There was a cruel derisive grin on his lips. Rin steadied her blades and blocked his first blow. The impact was so forceful however, that she thought that if her left arm was not broken before, surely it was broken now. Searing pain raced up the arm into her brain. It took everything in her to force back the tears. Makoto leaped off again at a distance, watching his prey. He wanted her to suffer. I won't last long at this rate. I must allow the soldiers to retrieve Jun'ichiro. I must attack, thought Rin. But I don't have much left in me…

000

Jaken could not believe his eyes. Initially, when he smelled the smoke and heard the war horns, he thought perhaps it was a marauding band of bandits raiding a village. But when he peered out from behind Sesshomaru-sama, he saw that an all out battle was taking place in a large plain as the sun set. Sesshomaru was watching the battled carefully. A small army of humans was defending its lands from an army of dead corpses, led by a demonic warrior on a flying dragon. The leader of the human army had lit the plain on fire to even the odds as the night came on. They were sorely outnumbered by the dead. Next came the suicide charge. The humans were desperate in their last attempt to protect their territory. But then two leaders of the human army clashed directly with the demon general on the flying dragon. Both of them did not succeed their goal of taking the general down. One of them veered off and was attacked by a band of skeleton warriors. The other tried again and succeeded in killing the dragon, which was most impressive. But the largest shock of all was when this warrior revealed her face.

"RIN?" cried Jaken, visibly shaken. "Ah! I let her run off for a bit and this is what she does?!" he exclaimed, rubbing his eyes to peer into the dark night more clearly. She was in a very bad situation.

Rin steadied her feet and dug her heels into the dirt. Her last attack had failed and her two twin blades were lost somewhere on the battlefield when Makoto blocked the assault. Blood trickled down her lip as a result of an unexpected punch in the face. This was her last chance. Makoto swung his boomerang blade at her once again, and the whirring blade sang as it cut the air. As it came towards her, Rin tapped into the power of the levitation stone around her neck and timing it just right, she jumped. Using the flying blade as a second step, Rin jumped from the blade and launched herself even higher into the air. Then, using the throwing dagger given to her by Sesshomaru, she aimed for Makoto's head. In a second, the blade pierced his left eye. Makoto screamed in anger and frustration. Rin then twisted and flipped in mid air, landing directly behind him. She pulled out Sesshomaru's dagger from its sheath and in one curving arc she slashed Makoto from behind. The blade was forged with demon fire and was exceptionally sharp. It made up for her lack of strength. It managed to cut through Makoto's armor. Again, he screamed in anguish. Conjuring up his ken-ki he sent a shockwave that blew away everything near him, including his own warriors. Rin felt as though someone had punched her in the stomach and the pain almost made her black out. Hurtling backwards in mid-air, she had lost her grip on her sword. Knowing that she would be defenseless when she reached the ground, Rin was out of ideas. She didn't have the strength left in her to even land properly. Rin was certain that things would be broken upon impact.

"Damnit," she breathed. "Sesshomaru-sama, save me!" Rin closed her eyes, expecting the worst. Suddenly a blur of white and silver light came towards her, and she could see and sense it behind her tightly closed eyelids. She kept her eyes closed, fearing it was a midair attack from Makoto. Before she made impact with the ground, she was carried up again. She was flying. Rin was puzzled and did not yet realize why she had again taken flight. She was being carried by a strong arm around her waist, and her head rested on a warm shoulder. But there was also the smell of musky twilight and water lilies. She opened her eyes and saw the beautiful features of Sesshomaru's face highlighted by the moonlight.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" she whispered, barely believing her eyes. Rin's heart paused when he looked at her. There was a clear expression on his face. For once, Rin could read it. It showed concern.