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AN: Wow it's been like ninety years since I updated, my thanks to everyone, (I'm to lazy for a thank you section) YOU GUYS ROCK! Anyway, college preparations are driving me up the wall…. (wah) so I've had some writers block (ducks as fruit is pelted her way). I'm rambling on with the story!

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By pure smell alone the great demon Sesshoumaru reached the desolate clearing in the center of the forest. Darkness had fallen over the forest due to the powerful demonic aura that pervaded everything. A huge fire was lit near a small broken down hovel of a mortal home and a large cauldron was bubbling furiously, greenish liquid spilling over into the fire.'

"Show yourself!" Sesshoumaru barked furiously his eyes turning pink at the edges, that Kitsune demon was hiding from him, cloaked in a spell. He could smell Shikon jewels all around, like a vile perfume. The spell faded and floating near the cauldron a hand through Rin's small body was the Kitsune demon. At once Sesshoumaru recognized his face, he looked very much like Naraku. His temper flared and he attacked the demon, claws and fangs bared. Easily the Kitsune avoided his attack. Waiting patiently for him to realize what had happened to the mortal girl.

Sesshoumaru floated gently to the ground staring with mixed rage and terror, the red from his eyes faded and he was standing there looking at the demon from above. As slowly almost lovingly, the Kitsune demon drew his blood-soaked hand from Rin's chest. Between his thumb and forefinger was the shard of the Shikon jewel that Kagura had given Rin over four months ago.

"I'm surprised you haven't realized who I was, I have been following you and the girl for the last four months. I am Ryjuta, a eighth reincarnation of Naraku." The Kitsune bowed slightly his long red hair swaying in the night wind. Licking the blood from the shard he grinned

"I can save the girl if you give me your fang" he whispered gently, his cerulean eyes sparkling red in the fire. Sesshoumaru growled

Ryjuta grinned "There is nothing you can do in this situation, she will become part of my potion. And you know that it is my magic that is keeping her barely alive in such exquisite, beautiful pain."

Sesshoumaru lunged at him again, but Ryjuta protected himself with the nearly lifeless body of Rin. Again they were at a stalemate, Ryjuta hovering over the fiery mass of wretched smelling potion.

"How did you attain Rin's body?"

"She ate my vegetables didn't she? It was easy enough for me to conjure her here while you were running through the forest like a lovesick mortal."

Sesshoumaru clenched his fist, blood dripping to the rocky ground.

In one quick motion, Sesshoumaru broke off the tip on his right fang and held his palm aloft

"Heal and restore her soul and I will give you this"

Ryjuta looked at Sesshoumaru for a moment and shrugged "I thought you would have put up more of a fight… But then…"

Sesshoumaru's cool voice cut him off again "Give her back the jewel as well or I will not care if you and her live or die. I will throw you and her into together if you do not do what I say." His hand had closed menacingly over Toukijin, the Oni Sword. Ryjuta was not stupid, he knew the power of the sword and chuckled.

"But it is not her shard, nor is it yours, it belongs to Naraku. It was Kagura who gave it her and but the price on her head. Do you love her yet Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"I have told people time and time again I have nor will ever love a mortal girl!" he drew the sword and swung. A dark surge of power spilt caldron and the Kitsune in half, but not Rin. She was falling promptly into the awaiting cauldron before Sesshoumaru caught her, the hot liquid spilling all over the ground and there in the ruins of the metal was a small glowing orb tainted with a strange red on once side. Sesshoumaru beckoned the soul to him and slowly it sunk into Rin's blood soaked chest. There was a gasp and Sesshoumaru felt some life within the body, replacing Toukijin he floated away from the ruins, finding a place where it could revive her…

A few moments later Sesshoumaru came to the copse of the trees holding four Shikon shards in his hand. He had caught them when Ryjuta's body had disintegrated, they were cutting into his flesh drawing his precious demon blood. Laying her down were at least some plant life managed to grow, he turned briefly to the center of the giant clearing where the hovel was ablaze. Tingeing the sky a dingy red and black, he then withdrew Tenseiga. Another slash as the demons of the underworld fast gathered and a moment later Rin opened her eyes.

Tears rolling down her cheeks she cried "Why did you take me away from the light!" Sesshoumaru dropped to his knees and hugged her deeply, inhaling the familiar scent of her hair. Stunned Rin pulled away looking at him with an open mouth, taking one of the Shikon jewel he placed it in her limp palm.

"This belongs to you" he began softly, closing her hand over the shard there was a flash from within and Rin took a deep breath finding her inhuman strength returning to her. Though she was still very weak from losing so much blood, she managed to keep her eyes open.

"W-what happened?" she asked as he picked her up

"Your soul was taken from your body by one of Naraku's minions" he replied calmly, sweat beading his brow.

"One of his reincarnations?" Rin asked again leaning into the curve of his neck with a grateful sigh. The trees had now become a blur, all she could feel was Sesshoumaru's strong arms around her frail body.

"Indeed one of his rebellious reincarnations."

Rin closed her eyes, feeling the world momentarily spin, the smell of her blood drenched kimono making her want to gag. But Sesshoumaru's lighting speed was saving her from really feeling anything else other then the wind on her face…

"Thank you Sesshoumaru" she whispered before her eyes closed and the physical world faded into a land of dreams…

And of the beautiful light….