I am so sorry. It's been so long since I updated. I was trying to finish my other story and neglected this one in the process. Here's the recap, Rin is almost able to fulfill her first task, but she might be crushed by falling boulders. Please enjoy!
In the Garden of the Nikko Tree
Recap: As Rin rolled to the ground, the badger struck the cliff. The crash resounded through the air. The beast struck the wall with such force that rocks began to fall.
The boulders hit the ground with such force that both Rin and Jomei were knocked off their feet. For a few more seconds the boulders fell, but then they stopped. As the dust settled Rin called out to Jomei. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but I have a huge gash in my leg." Jomei called back.
Rin waited until she could see clearly and then walked towards Jomei. She glanced at his leg, "Here, let me help." Rin ripped the bottom of her kimono off and tied it tightly around Jomei's leg. Then she took two more strips and did the same thing.
So much for wearing my best kimono, she thought dryly.
"Thank you Rin," Jomei said gratefully. Then he reached around and rubbed her butt.
The sounded of a slap echoed through the mountain. "Pervert!" She screamed.
"I'm sorry Rin, I couldn't help myself. Really though, I am thankful for your help." He apologized quickly.
"Fine, but how did you get that gash?" She asked, changing the subject.
Jomei shrugged, "The rocks were falling. I felt something hit my leg. When everything settled I felt a searing pain in my leg."
"Do you think it's broken? If it is you're in trouble, because your mount found the quickest way home." Rin asked, with the faintest hint of malice.
"I don't think it's broken." Jomei tested it by standing up. "I think I could even walk on it."
"I won't make you walk. Ahun can carry both off us." Rin said, not unkindly.
"Thank you Rin. I am in your debt." He bowed his head.
"You can fulfill that debt by taking me to the Nikko garden." Rin said quickly.
She then walked over to Ahun, who was standing nearby. "I'm so glad you two had better sense than Jomei's stupid beast." She praised.
Ahun rubbed his heads against Rin's shoulder and then allowed both of them to mount. Rin took the front and Jomei sat behind. He shouted directions to Rin and they progressed fairly quickly.
After a half hour of traveling Rin heard the babbling of a stream. Then she heard rushing, and finally roaring. "Is the Nikko grove near a river?" Rin asked.
"You could say that," Jomei replied smiling.
After a short while they came to canyon with a pool at the end of it. It was churning because a waterfall fed into it. Rin was confused, "What do we do now? It's a dead end."
"This is what I meant by the garden was near the river. It is behind the waterfall. On the other side of the water is a meadow where the trees grow." Jomei explained laughingly.
"Well, I'm not stripping in front of you. Besides, can you even swim?" She asked skeptically.
"I could swim, but we won't have to. There's a path that leads behind the waterfall. We may have to dismount; this Ahun that we're riding probably won't like the sound of the water."
Rin just laughed, "Ahun can handle it."
As if in response to her words, Ahun walked calmly towards the waterfall. She quickly noticed the way through, and so did Ahun. Before long they stood on the other side of the water.
However, instead of seeing the red-pink blossoms of the Nikko flower they only saw bare branches. Rin was horrified. "What will I do now? I can't save my lord if I don't have this flower!"
Sesshoumaru can't die because I couldn't find the flower he needs! Rin thought, gathering her determination.
"I don't understand. I visited a week ago and the trees were all fine then." Jomei cried with confusion.
Just then Rin looked at Ahun. They were trying to eat something, but they spit it back out. "What have you got there?" Rin asked.
She looked at the thing which Ahun had tried to eat. It was a beetle youkai, and it was covered in saliva. "Jomei, I found what destroyed the trees." Rin called, angrily staring at the beetle.
"It figures. Insects always have loved these groves." Jomei muttered.
"There are no other Nikko trees like this in all the world." A raspy voice called from bellow them. It was the beetle.
"You have destroyed my lord's chance to live!" Rin cried, on the verge of tears.
"We did not devour all the blossoms." The beetle retorted, indignantly.
"Where are the ones you did not consume then?" Jomei asked coldly.
"Do you see the ledge? There is one tree up there with all its flowers still on it. My comrades and I were to full to finish it off too." The beetle replied, but before anything more could be said he flew off.
"At least there is one left Rin." Jomei said as he turned to face her, but she was already at the cliff wall.
Okay, I can do this. For Sesshoumaru, Rin encouraged herself, as she began to climb.
The cliff was steep, but it was not sheer. There were also small rocks protruding from the face. Rin made progress slowly, but steadily. It took time, but she eventually reached where the ledge stood. Like the beetle youkai had said, there was one lone tree standing there.
Rin quickly grabbed a several blossoms from a low hanging branch. Then she realized there was no way that the blossom would keep for ten days. She reached into her small bag of ingredients and realized that Kaede had solved that problem for her.
Inside was a small book for her to press the flowers in. She quickly, but gently put each flower into its pages. She then she died her satchel back around her waist and carefully climber down. The descent was not nearly as hard as the ascent.
When she touched the ground Jomei came over to her, "You found the blossoms?"
"Yes, can we go back to your hut now?" Rin asked tiredly.
"Are you insane? Night fell an hour ago. We can stay here for tonight." Jomei suggested. He was completely thrown off by Rin's request.
"But, it will save time if we go back down now." Rin insisted.
"Do you remember how much trouble we had by day?" Jomei asked.
"I remember, but…" She stuttered.
"Rin, I know you're in a hurry, but one night will not make a difference. Come on, I already started a fire. We should get some rest."
But what if one day night does make a difference? Rin asked herself. Nevertheless, by this time Rin had already sat down and started to eat a meager dinner.
Sorry, I realize now that Ahun can fly. Now I have two reasons for him to not: 1) He didn't start off flying, so he's not going to now. 2) The journey would be too easy if he could fly.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It's been a long time in coming.
