Again, Setsuki is my character. However, Rin, Sesshoumaru and all their 'friends' do not belong to me. Enjoy the chapter!
Setsuki of the Marsh
Rin was up before the sun. She impatiently shook Jomei awake too. "Come on, it's time to get going!"
"Hmm? What? Why are we getting up so early?" Jomei muttered, still half asleep.
"Remember, I only have ten days left! I need to get going. If you don't get up now then I'll go down the mountain without you." Rin insisted. She had already changed out of her formerly best kimono.
"Alright, alright! I'm up." He complained.
Within ten minuets they were ready to go."I can walk if you want." Jomei offered.
"Don't be stupid. That will only slow us down." Rin replied with irritation.
Jomei hopped on Ahun. Rin urged Ahun into a gait like a canter. Before long they had left the Nikko Grove behind. They progressed much quicker than they had before. This was because they were going down, and they didn't have Jomei's horse to slow them down.
They were silent until they came to where the rockslide had been. Jomei whistled, "Wow, it's a good thing we escaped that thing. How will we ever get across?"
"Ahun can manage it. Just hold on," Rin laughed.
The horse-like youkai carefully ascended the mound. They would jump from one with rock to another. They did this with such precision and timing that not even a pebble shifted. Descending the rock pile was more difficult, but Ahun still managed.
When they were done Rin patted both their heads. "Nice work. Now, let's go."
It didn't take them much longer to reach the bottom of the mountain. By the time they spotted Jomei's hut Rin was relieved. The trip up the mountain took nearly five hours, but the trip down only took two. Even if I did waste a night, I at least just made up some time.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Jomei asked with concern.
"No thank you Jomei. Ahun can travel faster with only me. Besides, I'm going to a marsh next and I wouldn't want that gash on your leg to be infected." Rin replied kindly.
"Whatever my Lady wishes. Farewell Rin, perhaps we will see each other again. I hope you save your lord." Jomei called, sliding off Ahun.
"Goodbye Jomei and thank you for everything." Rin called back. Then she turned away from her new friend and rode west; the direction of the marsh.
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"I've never actually been to this marsh," Rin said to herself.
Then she looked down at her mount that seemed to be practically leaping in the direction of the marsh. "Have you been here Ahun?"
Both of his heads bobbed furiously. "I wonder, was that before I met you?" Rin asked, both Ahun made no response.
They were traveling at a good pace nearly the whole time, but it still took them nearly two days to reach the Shitsuken Marsh. Again, Rin slept little, and when she did it was on the back of Ahun.
Maybe it was a good thing I got that's night sleep, she thought to herself musingly.
Then she threw off the thought, because the image of Sesshoumaru lying there sick came into her bed. Maybe it wasn't, she thought again.
There was a small village that came into view before the swamp. It did not seem cozy at all. In fact, terrorized was nearer the word to describe it. The streets were empty of children playing. There were even very few adults walking the street.
When the villagers first spotted her they ran to hide. However, as she made her way through the streets an old man approached her. "Do ye come to destroy thy village? Methinks not, but thy cohorts disagree."
"No, I don't come to destroy your village. I'm just passing through it to get to the marsh." Rin replied, trying her best to sound cheerful.
"What does thou wish with Shitsuken Marsh?" The old man asked.
"I'm looking for a plant. I there anyone who could help me find it?" Rin asked hopefully.
"In yonder hut there be a young lady. Perhaps she can help thou." The old man suggested.
"Thank you very much Sir." Rin bowed her head in respect.
"It was thine pleasure." The old man responded, also bowing his head.
Rin guided Ahun through the streets; towards the hut the old man had pointed to. When she got there she knocked gently on the door. Isn't this ironic? Who would have guessed I would have been knocking on yet another person's door? Rin thought dryly to herself.
"Hello, is any one there?" Rin called.
Rin heard the light sound of footsteps and then the door opened. "Hello, what is your business here?" The speaker was a woman, around Kagome's age. She had dark brown hair, which was tied back tightly. She also had shocking green eyes.
"Hello, my name is Rin. I was hoping you could guide me through the marsh. I need to find a reed that only exists in this marsh." She got straight to the point.
"My name is Setsuki. I have lived near this marsh my whole life, and will gladly guide you through it. The name of the reed you look for is the Ike Reed." The woman replied with a smile.
"Thank you so much!" Rin cried happily. "Could we get started right away?"
"If you'd like to. I have nothing better to do today. Come with me, I have a special mount that will help us get through the marsh." Setsuki answered.
Together they walked away from the house. As they walked around the back, Setsuki spotted Ahun. She stopped dead in her tracks. "Oh, one of my futatsu youkai has returned to me!" She yelled excitedly.
By the way, futatsu means "two people." I hope you enjoyed the chapter, review if you want to.
