Chapter 6

Craven sighed as he tossed yet another corpse to the side. He had just finished sucking all the life-force out of some hapless villages girls his servant Lilith had brought him. Although it had satisfied his hunger for the time being, he was not happy. "Lilith! Where are you? Get out here!" A beautiful girl with long brown hair and curves that never seemed to stop appeared before Craven. "Yes, my master?" Craven narrowed his eyes angrily at her, "Care to explain to me why you brought me these disgusting whores to feed on? Not one of them was a virgin and they were so old too. I said I wanted young girls."

Lilith looked at her master apologetically, "Forgive me master, but these girls were I was able to find. The ones that suit your fancy are never allow straying from their villages without escort. But master Craven please I implore you, this isn't right. A divine being like yourself, shouldn't commit such terrible acts on mortals. Please, come back to the heavens with me." Craven threw his goblet at Lilith's face, "I don't want to hear any of your excuses or lectures you worthless bitch. Now go get a young girl, and don't bother to come back until you have one. If you do, then your sister's life is forfeit."

Lilith's eyes filled with tears, "No my lord, please... I beg you... I'll do anything... just don't hurt my sister." Craven smirked cruelly at Lilith, "Then get going, hurry the longer you keep me waiting the closer I come to deciding to satisfy my hunger with you sister." Lilith quickly teleported away to do her evil master's bidding.

Rin ran happily around the field that Sesshoumaru had left her in under Jaken's eye. She ran hither and yon chasing butterflies, sometimes crouching down to look at some weird bug or sniff a pretty flower.

Jaken sighed as he half-heartily watched Rin. He kicked at a clump of dirt at his feet. "Why do I always have to play babysitter? I'm a demon too. I used to assist Sesshoumaru-sama in fighting ferocious demons and spreading word of my lord's might all over the region. Now look at me, stuck watching after a human brat. This is a waste of my talents. Way in the old days I would have-" suddenly a loud screech from Rin brought Jaken back to reality. Jaken snapped his head in Rin's direction and saw a female demon snatching Rin up. The Demon had feathery wings sticking out of her back. The wings were mostly white but they were trimmed with black as well.

Jaken ran as fast as he could towards the demon and Rin. "No stop! Put her down! Sesshoumaru-sama will have my head if I allow her to be kidnapped again." Jaken whirled his staff around and prepared to attack. The demoness showed little distress at Jaken's threat and a purple shell of energy stretched over her and Rin. Jaken knew a barrier when he saw it but he still tried his best to break through it. His efforts were in vain as all his attack bounced off the demoness's barrier. The demoness then pushed her hand out and the barrier expanded suddenly and knocked Jaken back.

The demoness unforrowed her wings and rose into the air. Rin squirmed and screamed, 'No! Help me, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Lilith whacked the girl on the back of the neck and watched her slip out of conscience. "I'm sorry little one..." She then took off through the air heading back towards Craven's lair.

Seishi had been knelt down next to a stream getting a drink of water when her sharp ears picked up the screams of a child… This made her alert as she narrowed her eyes opened all her senses for any other clues. Her nose picked up a familiar scent as well as one like nothing she ever caught wind of before… Silvery blue eyes snapping skyward she caught sight of the winged being baring away a small child in an orange and off-white kimono… "Rin… Damnit Sesshoumaru… don't you know how to keep a child safe?" She darted off along the ground, keeping them in sight as she followed… She needed a better handle on the situation before jumping head long into it.

Lilith bore Rin all the way back to Craven's head quarters. She flew into the very top of the building then went directly to Craven's main room. "Master," she said dejectedly, "I have brought a suitable girl for you..."

Seishi stalked up to the fortress like a white specter, avoiding any life forms she sensed as she leaped up over a wall, crouched on it, looked around for signs of life, before then jumping down inside. She looked around again, sniffing and testing the air… Her nose would lead her to Rin… She knew they were up there since that woman had gone in that window... So she went to find some stairs, else she'd have to scale the wall.

Craven looked Rin over from top to bottom, 'Yes yes Lilith, you have finally brought me a suitable girl. I will award you with one hour of time with your sister."

Lilith bowed her head dutifully, "Yes, thank you very much my lord." Lilith felt like the worst kind of scum delivering this innocent little girl to the clutches of this bastard, but she couldn't defy him else she'd risk her sister life as well as her own. What else could she do? She turned and left to go spend the limited amount of time she was given with her sister. Craven picked Rin up and took her over to a stone table nearby, "Hehe Lilith you've outdone yourself this time. Such a sweet, unspoiled, little flower…"

She found some stairs and hurried up them, keeping alert, she stalked up them, still sniffing and listening for Rin… or any signs of life… but so far she hadn't run into a single guard of anything…

Lilith on her way down to see her sister she turned ran face first into a female dog demon that looked to be in a hurry. Lilith fell backwards onto her ass.

Seishi growled, recognizing the girl who had been carrying Rin, "Where is she? If you don't tell him I swear I'll rip your throat out…"

Lilith her eyes widened as she faced the snarling dog demoness but she kept her wits about her, "If you looking for the girl she is in the highest room in the fortress. But go at you own risk, my master is very powerful and despises being interrupted.."

Seishi narrowed her silvery eyes, "If you're lying to me, girl, I will hunt you down... I have your scent now... " She moved past the girl and hurried on. Rin had better be ok when she got there...

Craven opened Rin's mouth and poured a special concoction of herbs designed to keep her paralyzed but still allowed her to feel pain. He then picked up his knife and slowly started to cut her kimono off.

Seishi sniffed around frantically... she caught the sweet scent of Rin coming from behind a door and she wasted no time kicking it open and rushing inside.

Craven looked up at the sudden intruder, "Who the hell are you? You have a lot of nerve violating my dominion and interrupting my fun."

Seishi snarled, flexing her claws, "Get away from her... I'm taking Rin with me, and I will tear you apart if I have to, to do so."

Fury built up in Craven's red eyes, "Take my toy away? Never! I rarely come across a girl of this quality. Go find you own meal you thief."

Seishi advanced, "She isn't a toy you sick bastard, she's a little girl. You disgust me talking about her as if she were simply a thing to play with."

Craven snarled menacingly, "Your the disgusting one. You talk like humans are your friends. What else could these filthy creatures be here for other then for our own personal pleasure." smiled inwardly, 'that's right you fool,' he thought to himself, 'just a little bit closer…'

Seishi wasn't that stupid… She suddenly burst forward with her speed, seeming to be in three places at once as one of the three sent a kick at Craven to knock him the hell away from Rin on the table.

Craven smirked as she would find herself right directly into a barrier.

Seishi yelped and sprang back, landing on her feet a few feet back. She snarled... damnit... well if he thought a barrier was going to stop her... he was dead wrong... Her hand fell to her side and she gripped the hilt of the Kitoiga... drawing it from it's sheath... it couldn't break the barrier... but it could drain energy from it and weaken it so it could be broken...

Craven smirked, "That dull blade can never pierce my barrier. The demon that taught me how to erect them is very, very knowledgeable" just then the whole place started shaking "Go damnit what the well now?

An entire section of wall suddenly seemed to explode and a large cloud of dust and debris filled the room. Seishi shielded herself with her arms. Craven and Rin were protected by the barrier and Craven anxiously waited the dust to clear.

As the dust finally cleared it reveal the Lord of the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru flanked by his faithful servant Jaken. Craven narrowed his eyes at the two new intruders. "Look what you did to my palace, you asshole! Who the hell do you think you are?"

Sesshoumaru glanced over at Rin and saw she was still unharmed, and then he looked back at Craven. "You took something which belongs to be. I'll never forgive you..." Sesshoumaru's facial features never changed once but the fire in his eyes told everyone that he was beyond pissed.

Seishi coughed some as she dusted herself off and shook debris from her hair. "I give you a nine for dramatic entrances… But you're late… you shouldn't have let her be taken in the first place."

Jaken stamped his staff "Silence wench, how dare you be so disrespectful to Sesshoumaru-sama. He has much more important things to do then play babysitter to a human pup"

Sesshoumaru ignored both of them and focused his attention on the asshole that stole his human and his valuable time. "A barrier... I've seen many before and yours is laughable."

Craven's eyes flashed, "Shut up! It's good enough to deal with vermin like you!" Sesshoumaru raised Tokijin, "oh?" he said as he waved his sword and a blue energy streaked forward and slammed into the barrier. The barrier briefly fought with the attack, but soon gave way and dissipated along with Sesshoumaru's attack.

Seishi sighed, muttering under her breath, "Showoff..." but she moved forward anyway, Kitoiga in hand. She knew Sesshoumaru wouldn't expect help, but while he was trying to deal with this guy she wasn't going to leave Rin alone.

Craven fumed his anger, "Bitch you stay away from my prey!" He arm then extend and grabbed Seishi by the throat and tired to slam her into the far wall. He noticed Sesshoumaru advancing quickly and extended his other hand to fend him off.

Sesshoumaru flicked his wrist and turned Craven's arm into vapor with the power of his sword

Seishi ground and grabbed his attacking arm with her free hand. She simply severed his arm the old fashion way with her blade before she could slam into the wall.

Crayven growled in frustration, then seemed to vanish

Sesshoumaru stayed on his guard, "Your illusions cannot hide your scent!" Slashed a point in the room and Craven was forced to reappear

Seishi narrowed her eyes... "Petty tricks..." While Sesshoumaru dealt with him, she moved over to Rin to make sure the girl was really ok.

Craven moved as quickly as he could to get away from Sesshoumaru and he summoned all his speed to appear behind Seishi. He put her in a hold and places a long sharp claw directly on her jugular vein, "Stay where you are mutt! Unless you want me to bleed this bitch dry."

Seishi actually laughed, "You're barking up the wrong tree... He doesn't give a shit about me, on the contrary he tries to kill me himself every time we meet."

Sesshoumaru quirked a brow at the winged demon's demands. He really didn't care what happened to her, she had been a thorn in his side from the first moment he had meet her, but still not even he wished for her die at the hands of this scum. Sesshoumaru slid Tokijin back into his belt, "Very well, what are your demands?"

Seishi blinked with visible surprise, looking back best she could at the dog demon lord. He couldn't be serious...

Craven smirked, "Now your talking sense. You guys are strong and having people like you after me isn't very desirable so tell you what, you both clear out and I'll forget this ever happened."

Sesshoumaru's facial features didn't change for a second, as he replied, "No."

Craven's face flashed with renewed anger, "Don't fuck with me pretty boy! You may be tough but I haven't shown my full hand yet. I'll rip both you and this bitch to pieces."

Sesshoumaru didn't moved or look the slightest bit phased, "Jaken..."

At this master word, the toad demon that had stuck up behind Craven hit as hard as he could over the head with his staff. The blow stunned Craven enough for me to release his hold on Seishi

Seishi didn't' hesitate the pull free... she turned and jumped back twice to put some distance between herself and that guy... in case Sesshoumaru got sword happy...

Tokijin was instantly in Sesshoumaru's hand again and he unleashed a wave powerful enough to vaporize almost any demon. Jaken squealed and got out of the way just in time to avoid the blow as it hit Craven dead on. The demon cried out and seemed to disintegrate.

Seishi didn't like it... something didn't seem right to her as Craven was seemingly defeated... But for now she was more worried about Rin, moving to the table where shy laid. "Rin?"

Sesshoumaru also had an uneasy feeling in his gut. He had seen the enemy disintegrate so why did it feel wrong. Jaken in the mean time cheered for his master, "Hah that is what you get for messing with Sesshoumaru-sama. He was no match for you my lord, you're simply unstoppable."

Sesshoumaru ignored Jaken and also went to check on Rin.

Rin's eyelids slowly flutter open as he heard a friendly voice, she turned her head and he eyes widened happily, "Sesshoumaru-sama! Seishi-sama!"

Seishi took Rin's hand, holding it softly, "You're safe now Rin-chan..." then to Sesshoumaru without looking at him, "I think she's been given something to paralyze her... but it seems to be already wearing off..."

Rin slowly started to move her sluggish limbs, "Rin knew you would come for her. I was scared but I knew I would be ok n.n" she babbled as he struggled to get to body to obey her commands.

Seishi knew she was talking to Sesshoumaru... heh... Rin's hero... "You're going to need a new kimono, Rin..." She let go of Rin's hand and helped her sit up.

Rin she absentmindedly tugged at the cut pieces of her kimono. It was indeed ruined but still covered what needed to be covered. Rin got up on her feet, but the drug she had been given had not been completely filtered out of her system yet so she clung to Seishi for support. Rin smiled up at Seishi, "You came too, thank you n.n"

Sesshoumaru stood by letting Seishi handle getting Rin ready to leave. Sesshoumaru's senses were still scanning the whole vicinity. Something was wrong, he could felt it, but he wasn't sure what

Seishi also had an uneasy feeling... the sooner Rin was away from this place the better... She slipped her arms around the little girl and cradled her in her arms... She'd carry her until she got the full use of her body back. "This place has a bad smell to it... let's just leave already..." turned to head on out.

"Go... but the fun's just beginning..." a bodiless voice called from all directions

Rin tried to make herself as small as possible in Seishi's arms and clung to Seishi's chest. Tokijin was back in Sesshoumaru's hand as he prepared to face the threat again. "Show yourself…"

The voice cackled, "Thought you had me beat didn't you? Well too bad for you that sword your using is an evil blade. I am the descendant of a long like for divine beings. Evil energies cannot kill me..."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, so he was that kind of being. That explained why Tokijin had failed to finish him off. Just then an ethereal being appear behind Sesshoumaru and kicked him hard in the back. Sesshoumaru was sent spiraling but he caught his balance and landed on his feet.

Seishi growled and hugged Rin protectively to her, "You'll have to kill me first to get to the girl..."

Craven smirked, "Kill you first? What an excellent idea!" Craven's armed turned into a blade and he started drove it straight through her shoulder

Seishi twisted away, the blade grazing her back and more then a few strands of shimmery, wavy white hair fell to the floor. Seishi moved away from Craven, wincing at the gash on her back but still refusing to release Rin. Craven pursued Seishi still swinging but then another energy wave vaporized his body. Sesshoumaru leapt next to Seishi ready to fend off the next assault.

This time Crayven took no time in reappearing and solidifying. As soon as he did Sesshoumaru struck him down again this time using his sword to cleave him in half

Craven laughed manically, "Fool! How many time will you insist upon this exercise of futility." Sesshoumaru's features didn't change ash he struck Craven down yet another time, "As many times as it takes to kill you."

Seishi growled and moved to Sesshoumaru, passing Rin to him, tying up his one arm... other wise she was sure he'd keep attacking futile. "Get her and the toad out of here..." Once her arms were free, she drew Kitoiga... so an evil sword couldn't hurt him... well maybe one of protection that used one's own energy against them would...

Craven reappeared away from Sesshoumaru, "Idiot! Don't you understand that it is impossible for you to kill me?" Eyed Seishi, "Oh now the lady is gonna give it a shot? How scary."

Sesshoumaru blinked at Seishi then passed Rin onto Ah Un who was hanging about near the hole that Sesshoumaru had made when he had arrived. "I don't need your help. He is my prey and I will slay him."

Seishi smirk, ignoring Sesshoumaru, "I guess I got to stop playing the weak female some time... Come on divine boy... give the girlie a shot..." She waited for him to attack...

Craven smirked as he turned his other arm into a blade and spikes appeared all over his body, "Women, it seems that only learn when you beat the lesson into them." He charged at Seishi.

Seishi growled and didn't dodge or try to avoid… she went right in for him… her blade didn't have to wait to absorb his energy by having it thrown at her… She thrust it straight at him… Even if his blade might have pierced her as well… He might think he was victorious… If she seceded, then he might find his energy was being sapped away by the blade embedded in his body… and even if he changed to his unsoild form, the sword would still absorb, only more quickly since then he wouldn't be nothing but energy.

Craven only smirked at Seishi, "and just what were you going to do with that?" he held the blade of the Kitoiga only inches away from his gut. He had changed his arms back to regular arms, except for the spikes. Then he pulled the sword sharply while aiming a kick at Seishi's gut hoping to the rip the sword from her grasp.

She would not release her blade, only grunted at his kick, still holding firm... "You wont be allowed to continue to exist..." Even if he was only holding onto it, she willed the Kitoiga to draw as much energy as it could from him, no matter how little.

Craven didn't seem to the notice the sword's effect and kept kicking again and again in the same spot. "Lord Craven, please I beg you to stop. You are a divine being. This behavior is so unbecoming of a person of your heritage..." Lilth said as she entered the room with her sister draped of her shoulder.

Seishi took each kick, but still refused to release her blade no matter what. Craven looked up at Lilith with anger in his eyes, "Shut up you worthless bitch! How dare you tell me what to do. I like it here on earth. I'll never go home, not with so many delectable humans here."

Craven began to feel like he was starting to tire and decided to put an end to Seishi. He had his foot change into a spike and he slammed that into Seishi's chest.

Lilith shook her head, "then I am sorry my lord, but you must be stopped." she ran over to Sesshoumaru and murmured a quick spell and placed it on Sesshoumaru's sword. "That spell sound temporarily make you sword able to do more damage to him." Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the this strange demon that had dared to touch his sword, but he pushed it out of his mind and ran forwards and used the sword to hack off the leg that had he had used to stab Seishi.

Craven's eyes widened in pain and his limb fell off and for the first time, his blood was drawn. He collapsed on the ground scream like a young child from the pain.

Seishi growled as she stayed on her feet despite the wound along her upper back and the one now in her chest... Her sword was glowing... it had absorbed enough... "You die now..." drew her blade up, "Buryoku no Kito!" she swiped it forward at the wounded heavenly being, letting all his corrupted energy multiplied by her swords swipe toward him...

Craven saw the attack coming at him and for the first time in his life felt what all of his victims must have felt. "No! Don't! I'm sorry I-" his pleas was cut of as the attack disintegrated his body, permanently this time

Seishi glared at the singed area where he had stood... the feeling of unease gone... so she knew he wasn't going to come back after that one... She swayed some, then carefully sheathed the Kitoiga... She was going to be sore in the morning...

Lilth bowed to them both, "I'm terribly sorry for all the trouble we have caused. I only wish there was some way to make it up to you.."

Seishi snorted and just made her way to the exit... Rin was safe and back in Sesshoumaru's care... the evil creature behind it was destroyed... and she was a mess... She needed to go clean up and find something to use to dress her wounds until her demon healing sealed them up.

Sesshoumaru watched Seishi walk towards the exit. Her wounds needed treatment immediately and she had already lost a lot of blood. Her attempting to walk away was only making it worse…

Seishi nearly stumbled... she mentally cursed to herself... but she refused to give in to her injuries... so what was a hole in her chest... it missed her heart... She grabbed at the doorframe for balance as she looked down the hall to where the stairs were... long walk... mushroom-cloud sigh.

Sesshoumaru he watched her to see what she would do. Would she truly rather die then ask for help? To a degree he could understand how she felt but her demon healing couldn't help her if she didn't stop.

Seishi looked at the stairs again… who was she kidding… she moved back a step inside the room and put her back to the wall, sinking down until she was sitting… She would just rest here… maybe she would be up for the walk in a few hours.

Rin scurried off Ah-Un and ran over to Seishi, "Seishi-sama are you alright?"

Seishi had hung her head when she sat down, but hearing Rin she forced herself to look up and put on a smile, "I'll be fine Rin-chan… I just got a bit reckless and need to rest now…"

Rin looked at Seishi's wound. The bleeding wasn't stopping and was leaving a pool around where Seishi sat; even Rin, a young child, could tell what was happening. "Seishi-sama come with us, Rin will take care of you, Sesshoumaru-sama too!" Sesshoumaru quirked a brow at Rin volunteering him.

The dog demoness gave Rin another smile; "I don't think your Lord Sesshoumaru is very happy with me right now. I stole his kill from him." was mostly joking... she could care less; all that mattered was that that creature was gone.

Rin shook her head, "Rin knows Sesshoumaru-sama! She knows he is glad Seishi-sama arrived in time to help Rin. Sesshoumaru-sama will help! Right Sesshoumaru-sama? You'll help Seishi-sama won't you?"

Sesshoumaru's face bore the same mask it always did, but his insides were doing flip-flops. Tears were already starting to roll down Rin's cheeks as she pleaded with him. He knew already he had lost, and at least Seishi's condition would keep her from annoying him for a while. Finally he spoke, "If you decide to accept, I will give you a room, food, and medical supplies until you are healed."

Seishi eyed Sesshoumaru… her pride was making her want to turn them down… but she knew she was worse off then she wanted to admit… And dying here really wasn't on her list of things she wanted to do in her life… She looked at Rin… now that Sesshoumaru had agreed, the girls teary eyes were on her… Damnit… Why did she have to be so cute… "Fine…"

Rin hugged Seishi a bit too enthusiastically, "Thank you Sesshoumaru-sama." She cried this time crying tears of happiness. Sesshoumaru lead Ah Un over to where Seishi was slouched against the wall. First he picked Seishi up and placed her on the great beast's back, next came Rin, then Jaken. "Jaken, take them back to the palace and have the servants treat Seishi's wounds. I will return as soon as I am able."

Seishi wasn't sure how she felt about being picked up and set on the two headed dragon-like steeds back… but she really just didn't have the energy to make a rude protest… so she just slumped where put and saved her energy for healing.

Jaken didn't like having to go take care of Rin and her guest again instead of going with Sesshoumaru to wherever he was going, but an order was an order, so he whipped Ah-Un's reigns and the beast took off in the direction of the Palace of the Lord of the Western Lands.

To Be Continued…