It's been awhile since I've written. I'm sorry about that. Enjoy the next chapter.
In the Neko Lands
Sesshoumaru POV:
For days Sesshoumaru had drifted in and out of consciousness. Occasionally he had been aware of Jaken sitting near him, but that wasn't often. Normally when Sesshoumaru was awake he laid in his bed, with no energy.
Had Sesshoumaru been able to see himself, he would have been appalled. He no longer looked a thing like the carefully groomed and manicured youkai he had been. Sesshoumaru's flaky skin hung loose over protruding bones. His eyes were as filmy as a blind man's. Yellow tinged his long fingernails. Small bald patches showed on Sesshoumaru's head, where clumps of hair had fallen out.
Even at his most aware, Sesshoumaru's thoughts were no longer coherent. Once, he had thought he heard Jaken say something about four days left, but he paid no heed to this. He easily could have dreamt this.
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Rin's POV
They walked through the night and into the morning. At first Rin had walked alongside Ahun, but she eventually mounted them. Yukio set a quick pace; she found it difficult to keep up.
In late morning Rin's stomach growled loudly. She had not eaten dinner and her body demanded food. When Yukio heard this he looked over at her with contempt.
"Eat if you must." Yukio spoke diffidently. He stopped and leaned nonchalantly against a tree.
I do not need his permission, Rin thought indignantly, but said nothing.
She slid off Ahun's back. She took out a few pieces of dried meat and some berries. Several times she had had to stop to gather food. In her initial haste to depart on her journey she had forgotten to pack enough. Yukio did not eat. Instead he stood with his back to Rin, obviously on guard.
Soon after she had finished eating, Yukio jumped slightly. "Get up and draw your katana."
"Neko youkai," Rin stated, knowing what she said was true.
"Yes, their scent has been strong for awhile. Still I was not sure how close they were. Just now I heard them, which means they must be very close." Yukio muttered softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Rin knew a response was not necessary, so she didn't say anything. The youkai would be there soon. Then, words would be futile. They waited for a minuet. Then Rin saw shadows emerge from the nearby forest.
"What is a human child doing in our realm? We know why the puppy is here, though he rarely comes this far into the valley." A low hissing voice called out.
Before Yukio could respond Rin spoke up for herself. "I am here on a quest." Then, as an after though she added, "I am no child. I neither need nor want your permission to be here. If I must I will fight all of you."
The figures came closer and Rin was able to see details. There were only two of them, but they were still intimidating. Until now, she had never seen a humanoid Neko Youkai. They were fairly impressive.
Both were as tall as Yukio (who was almost a foot taller than Rin). Their ears were larger than Inuyasha's had been, and looked like they were more sensitive to sound. Both had long claws, but that was where the similarities ended. One, the female, had a thin, whip-like tail. The other, the male, had a fluffier tail. The first's hair and fur was pure white, while the second's was a combination of tan and black.
After a short pause, the male responded to Rin. "You speak well Girl. Perhaps we will yet let you pass. Explain your mission."
Tired of being ignored, Yukio spoke up. "She has come for a piece of the Fire Weed. She needs it to make medicine."
The female hissed, "We were not talking to you puppy. Now, Girl, why should we give you our greatest treasure?"
Rin brandished Kaitou, which she had removed from his sheath. "I will fight you if you do not."
The male laughed a little. "Girl, whatever you have heard, it is untrue that the Neko Youkai like to fight. Our only qualm is with the Inu Youkai. You may pass, but if you try to take the Fire Weed we will kill you."
Yukio growled low in his throat, "Then you would let my cousin die?"
The male drew the katana that hung at his side. The female tensed, "Is you cousin not Sesshoumaru? The one that killed so many of our people?"
Rin kicked herself mentally. Great, thanks to Yukio now I'll never get the Fire Weed. Why did he have to upset the Neko Youkai? Imbecile!
Yukio smiled a half-smile. "Yes, it was my cousin that was the slayer of many of your kind."
Rin sighed, and then glanced nervously at the other youkai. The male roared and charged towards Yukio. The female however, kept her composure. She had drawn her katana, but other than that, she had not moved a muscle.
As the men clashed, the female Neko Youkai calmly called out to Rin. "Well Girl, you work for our greatest enemy. That is a pity, you would have made an excellent slave, but now you must die."
Rin scowled deeply, "I will not be a slave, and I will not die. I think that you underestimate me."
The female glanced condescendingly at Rin. "I think not."
Without out delaying any further, the female stepped forward to engage Rin in combat. Obliging, Rin stepped forward to meet the challenge.
I cannot and will not lose, Rin thought with determination.
I hope to update soon. Please review.
