I've never written three chapters in a day, so this will be my record. This is the beginning of my favorite part of this story, so enjoy reading it!


Guardian of the Neko lands, Yukio

Unlike their previous journeys, the trip to the neko lands only took one day. Still, Rin was worried because she only had five days left. When they had reached the cliffs above the Neko lands, Rin let out a sigh of relief. She only had one more task to go.

Together, Ahun and Rin carefully made their way down the steep cliff side. They remember very well what had happened the last time they were on a mountain. Still, they reached the bottom fairly quickly. They soon stood in a fertile valley.

Rin, who had always pictured the neko lands as bleak and desolate, was surprised at their abundance. Trees grew everywhere and the grass was up to Ahun knees. She could also hear water running in the distance.

Rin took a deep breath, "Well, here it goes Ahun. I'm not sure what we're going to do, but let's go anyways. Sesshoumaru cannot afford to wait."

Ahun took a few steps forward, but then stopped in their tracks. It whirled around, and Rin spotted a tall, poised form striding towards them. Shaking slightly, Rin drew her katana, Kaitou, and slid off Ahun's back.

"What do you want with me?" Rin asked, assuming a fighting stance.

"A better question is what are you, a human girl, doing here?" The tall figure questioned.

"I am here on a quest. You need no more information than that." Rin replied stubbornly.

"Indeed, it smells like your quest took you through a swamp and up a mountain. (Do you not believe in bathing?) How could a young human girl be on a quest like this?" The figure asked mockingly.

"I do what my lord wishes." Rin said simply.

"What could a human lord want…" The figure began, but then he stopped. "No, your lord is not human, but youkai. The smell is faint, but it is there nonetheless. You smell like Sesshoumaru."

Rin's mouth dropped open in shock. She was reduced to nodding speechlessly.

"You must be wondering who I am since I know Sesshoumaru. My name is Yukio, Inu Youkai, and guardian of these lands."

Shaking herself, Rin spoke haltingly. "Why does a dog guard a cat's lands?"

"Years ago we won land on the border of the neko lands. From then on, I swore to guard and protect that land we won. If there is any trouble I am sworn to report it. Now, tell me, how did you come to be here?" Yukio asked sharply.

Rin began her story, starting with when she had been a girl of eight. She ended with her quest to help Sesshoumaru. When she was done Yukio shook his head. "Cousin must be extremely sick if he has sent a teenage girl to help him."

Rin's mouth dropped open again. "You are cousins?"

"Yes, did I not mention that before? When we were younger Sesshoumaru and I were as close as he ever gets to anyone. Even then, people were always calling him 'Lord', but not me. Sesshoumaru may indeed be the most powerful among us, but I am not about to call my cousin by his title." Yukio said this all in one breath.

By the time Yukio had finished his rant, Rin and Ahun had edged far away. Yukio is not at all like Sesshoumaru, Rin thought with some disbelief.

When Yukio noticed they were gone, he swiftly ran after them and caught them. "No you don't Girl. Even if you are only human, since you know Sesshoumaru I am sworn to help you."

"My name is Rin and I do not require your help." She stated indignantly.

"You expect me to call a human by its name?" Yukio seemed disgusted.

"Yes, I do. Even Lord Sesshoumaru gives me that courtesy." Rin replied matter-of-factly.

"Now, good bye," Rin declared marching away, taking Ahun with her.

For a second Yukio was silent, but then he called after her, "Rin, wait. I do not want my cousin to die. I can show you to where the fire weed is quickly."

"Fine Yukio, I will accept your help." Rin replied in a fake gracious voice.

"Like you had say in the matter." Yukio muttered; Rin ignored him.

"Where do we go to find the Fire Weed?" Rin asked.

"If we follow the cliff wall we will eventually come to the other end of the valley. The route is slightly longer, but this way it is unlikely that we will run into any Neko youkai." Yukio informed her.

"How long will it take?" Rin asked, with tension in her voice.

"Only a day," Yukio replied.

"Fine, it will have to do." Rin agreed to the plan.

I would fight a thousand youkai for Sesshoumaru, but that may end up only taking longer. I will go this way; hopefully it will take a shorter time.

They walked along in silence for a long time. Yukio was not like any of her other companions on her journey. He spoke little and did not expect her to speak in return. His dislike for humans was always clearly evident. Nevertheless, he intrigued Rin because he was Sesshoumaru's family.

In the ten years she had known Sesshoumaru he had spoken little of his family. The only one of his family members she had ever met was Inuyasha. Truthfully, she had not even thought that Sesshoumaru had cousins.

Thinking of this, Rin asked Yukio more about Sesshoumaru's family. "Yukio, what other family does Sesshoumaru have living?"

"I don't know why you care, but he has a half-brother named Inuyasha. Apparently he has a nephew now too, though I don't know what the whelp's name is. It doesn't really matter since he's only a quarter youkai. To me, it seems like that side of the family has a weakness for humans. Sesshoumaru appears to have inherited it too."

Rin was irritated at receiving information she already knew, but she was persistent. "Does he have any other family?" She asked again.

"Both his parents are dead, as are his uncles and aunts. I think other than his half-breed brother, my sister Yuri and I are his only family." Yukio replied, still being aloof.

"Thank you Yukio." Rin said, and then she noticed the sky. "Look, it is getting dark."

"You don't want to stop now do you?" Yukio asked with irritation.

"No, I was just pointing it out, that's all." Rin said defensively.

Yukio sighed with annoyance and they walked on in silence.


This chapter was pretty much filler, but you did get to meet Sesshoumaru's cousin. Please review!