Disclaimer: I don not own Inuyasha, but I do own Izou, who you will meet in a little while (you might remember him if you've read "A Hanyou's Legacy). If you want an explaination about why Inuyasha's human, read the fanfic I justt mentioned.
Sorry if anyone sincerely likes Jaken, but I couldn't deal with him for Rin's whole trip, so I left him at home. Don't worry though, they'll be plenty of new characters to make up for him.
Kaede's Advice
Normally, the journey to Kaede's village took about two days, but Rin was able to cut it down to just over a day. She arrived just before the sun rose for the second day. She didn't know how much time Sesshoumaru had, but she knew she had to hurry.
Leaping off Ahun, Rin began to hurry towards Kaede's hut, but found her way blocked by Inuyasha.
"What are you doing here? Doesn't my brother need his wench?"
"I'm here on Lord Sesshoumaru's behalf. He sent me to talk to you."
"What does he want from me now?" Inuyasha growled.
Rin hesitated, but then spoke evenly. "Lord Sesshoumaru is extremely ill. He told me to me to come to talk to you and your friends, because you would know what to do."
"Feh, you're going to have to be more specific than that." Inuyasha retorted dryly.
"The illness he has is the one his mom died of. He is pale, drenched with sweat, and can hardly speak or move."
"How did he catch it?"
"I don't know Inuyasha! That's why I came here, so I could save my Lord!" Rin burst out. Her eyes were tearing up, even though she willed them not to.
Inuyasha's face softened, and he stared a Rin, "Come on, let's go inside. We can talk about this more in Kaede's hut."
Rin nodded, gulping down tears. Then Inuyasha led her towards the hut she knew was Kaede's. Inuyasha was quieter now, and seemed almost pitying towards Rin. At this, anger began to rise inside her.
"Stop it! I don't want your pity!" She shouted, but Inuyasha simply nodded, which infuriated her more.
"Inuyasha! You pigheaded, egotistical hanyou! I don't need your help. I'm leaving."
As Rin spun on her heel, she heard a voice ring out from behind her, "Daddy, what's going on? I heard shouting."
Rin whirled around, her anger already dissipated because of her worry for Sesshoumaru. She saw Inuyasha's son, a boy she had never met, but knew was named Izou. His little dogs ears and his hair were white like his father's had been before he turned human, but his facial features were soft like Kagome's. He had brown eyes. He was aboutsix; two years younger than she had been when she had met Sesshoumaru.
Inuyasha had turned towards his son and was reassuring him. "Don't worry Izou. Everything's okay out here. Let's go to Kaede's hut. You coming, Rin?"
"Yes, I am coming." She followed Inuyasha, who had taken a squirming Izou into his arms.
"Daddy, don't! I'm too old for this now!" She could hear Izou whine, but Inuyasha ignored him.
When they walked into Kaede's hut, Rin noticed that all Inuyasha's friends were there. They must have all gathered when Inuyasha smelled me coming, Rin thought to herself.
"How are ye Rin?" Kaede asked before she was even fully in the door.
"Kaede, Lord Sesshoumaru sent me hear to ask your advice."
Kaede's voice was grave, "Tell me all, Child."
So, Rin quickly began her story. Explaining the whole story from start to finish, she even included Sesshoumaru's wish that she talk to Inuyasha as well as Kaede and Kagome. When she was done, she looked at Kagome and Kaede expectantly.
"So?" she asked.
It was Kagome who answered first. "In my past ten years of herb lore and disease study, I have barely touched on youkai diseases. However, I have heard of this one before. This disease can be contracted by close contact with a demonic sword, apparently even youkai aren't immune to evil demonic auras. It is fatal exactly fourteen days after contraction. How long has it been?" She spoke in a calm, but tense tone of voice.
"About two days, maybe a little longer." Again, Rin's eyes filled with tears.
I only have twelve days left!
Seeing Rin's panicked face, Sango tried to soothe her, "Don't worry Rin. I'm sure everything will be all right. Ask Kaede, she hasn't said anything yet."
"Yes Child, all will be well. There is a cure, but its ingredients art difficult to find."
"What are they Kaede? What are they?" Rin asked.
"There are only three which will be difficult. The rest I shall give you when you leave. The first ingredient ye must locate is a flower from the Nikko Tree. Since it be spring, that should be easy for ye, but I shall let ye know Child, the tree only grows on Mount Hakurei."
"The evil aura dissipated from that place before Naraku was defeated. I will have no trouble."
"Beware, though the mountain be once again pure, it still be a mysterious place."
"Alright, I'll be careful. What's the next ingredient?"
"It is a reed that exists only in the vast Shitsuken Marsh. Ye must be careful when attempting to retrieve this plant for the marsh youkai have taken more than one victim."
"Alright Kaede, Rin's a big girl. She can take care of herself." Miroku stepped in, obviously trying to keep Rin from becoming frustrated again.
Even though these people have been my enemies almost my whole life, they are treating me like a friend. I wonder why that is.
After a short pause, Kaede resumed talking. "Fine Monk, I shall proceed. Child, the last ingredient you must gather is the Fire Weed, which grows in the middle of the…"
"Neko Youkai Tribe's lands." Rin finished for Kaede.
She knew that the Fire Weed was the Neko Youkai Tribe's greatest treasure and they never gave it up willingly. She also knew that the Neko Youkai were Sesshoumaru's sworn enemies. To fetch Fire Weed from the middle of their territory would be nearly impossible, but she had to try.
Everyone was silent for a long time, until both Izou and Shippo tired of silence. In his usual untactful way, Shippo broke the silence, "Shouldn't Rin be going now? After all Kagome, you did say she only had twelve days."
"Right Shippo, thank you for reminding me. Thank you all so much, I should be leaving as soon as I get the rest of the ingredients from Kaede. Oh, and if it's not too much trouble Kaede, could you please include instructions for this potion too?"
"It would be my honor Child. I shall meet ye outside when I am finished."
Walking outside, Rin called to Ahun, and then turned to face Inuyasha's friends.
"Let us come with you," Miroku offered, speaking the words everyone else had wanted to say.
"No, thank you, but no. Lord Sesshoumaru would never forgive me if he owed his life to you. I must do this by myself."
"Feh, you aren't likely to succeed without our help, but do what you want." Inuyasha retorted, and stalked back inside, with Shippo, Izou, and Miroku (who gave a hurried wave to Rin) behind him.
The girls were more sympathetic and moved towards Rin, hugging her goodbye like she was a sister.
"We know how you feel Rin, I don't know what I'd do if my mate was sick like that." Kagome whispered in Rin's ear.
"Me too; I would be so scared if my husband, lecher that he is, were to catch a fatal disease.' Sango added.
"Good luck!" Both of them called to her, before hurrying back towards the hut.
The last person who wished her off was Kaede and she simply gave her a small bundle and wished her well in her travels, and with that she was off, off to Mount Hakurei.
