This chapter has been a long time in coming. I swear I didn't forget about this story, but I've been a little stressed out lately. Sorry that it's taken me so long to start writing again.
By the way, I don't think I mentioned before that Yukio is my original character, even if Rin and Sesshoumaru are not.
Sorry again, enjoy the chapter.
Cat Fight
The female neko moved with more grace than any human could possess. However, Rin was accustomed to inhuman agility and poise. Sesshoumaru was more efficient in these traits than even this youkai was.
Fighting youkai was always difficult, but Rin was more than a competent swordswoman. The female youkai paused, obviously waiting for her to make the first move. Rin would not comply. She needed to analyze her opponent's offense before she could attack.
Neko were known for their patience, but as enraged as the youkai was, Rin did not have to wait long for her to attack. The neko feinted to the right and then slashed at Rin's right. Moving as quickly as her reactions would allow, Rin parried the blow.
Slightly off balance the neko turned and tried to kick Rin's feet out from under her. She saw the blow coming just in time. Rin slapped the flat of her katana against the youkai's shoulder. The neko was pushed backwards.
The neko youkai yowled her indignation. Finding her feet, she launched herself at Rin. Her speed was amazing. Rin literally fell out of the way just in time to avoid losing her head.
At the same time she did not completely escape harm. There was a deep gash spanning half her collarbone. Rin had to counter-attack; if she didn't then she would lose her life.
The neko's momentum carried her a few steps further than was wise. Taking advantage of the situation, Rin thrust at her opponent's stomach. The youkai whirled around just in time to almost completely avoid the blow. Still, the katana nicked her side.
"Insolent Wench!" She growled as blood blossomed against the white cloth of her kimono.
Rin didn't waste any time responding to the neko's insults. Instead she launched into her next attack. The cut on her collarbone was seeping blood, which was going flying over both Rin and her opponent. She had to finish the battle before she lost too much blood.
Rin slashed upward at the youkai's face, but she met with the other's katana. Spinning off to the side Rin did something that ultimately won her the battle. Switching hands with her katana, Rin drove her blade deep into the youkai's already bleeding cut.
When she had first displayed her skill she had almost even bested Sesshoumaru. He had not been expecting her to change sword hands in the middle of the fight. It was the only time she ever gave him a bruise with her wooden sword. She has simply thought it natural to be ambidextrous. When she discovered it was not, she used her advantage mercilessly.
The female neko let out an inhuman screech. Rin nearly dropped her katana to cover her ears. Her knees almost buckled as the neko pulled off her blade and retreated like lightning into the forest. She watched the youkai leave with indifference.
Glancing over, she noticed that Yukio was finished with his fight as well. The male neko youkai lay unconscious at his feet. Rin let out a sigh, but then realized that Yukio had his katana poised to strike above the knocked out youkai.
Rin took three stumbling steps towards Yukio. She reached up and firmly grasped Yukio's sword arm with both hands. "Yukio don't, he's unconscious." She intoned firmly.
"This filth deserves everything he gets," Yukio spat on the neko youkai.
"He is unconscious! You will be nothing more than the monster the neko accuse you of being if you kill the youkai now." She explained urgently. Yukio's face became a still as stone. The sight was eerily like Sesshoumaru's causing a sharp pain to course through Rin's heart.
"I will not kill the Cur." He growled, kicking the neko youkai's ribs before he turned around.
Rin sighed with relief, putting her hand to her throat. As she did this she immediately pulled her hand away. It was crimson and sticky with fresh blood. Shuddering with pain, Rin ripped several strips off the bottom of the kimono Setsuki had given her. Yukio stood impassively beside her; he was unharmed.
When she had finished she turned to find Ahun. They were over near the wall of the cliff. With out any delay she mounted and followed Yukio's lead. They walked faster than before. In fact, they were almost running.
It appeared neither one of them wanted to spend anymore time within the Neko lands. Where earlier Yukio had been nonchalant, now he was urgent. Rin grimaced happy that finally someone was moving in haste.
Within the hour the temperature began to rise, making the bandage on Rin's neck prickle and itch. The scenery slowly turned from a bright green, to faded yellow, to a withered brown. The trees became small and wizened, but no less dense.
Finally, a grove of fiery red bushes came into view. Like their name implied, the Fire Weed did not look like any beautiful flower or bush, but instead like a weed. Rin could feel the heat radiating from the scrub bushes.
Rin jumped off Ahun's back and looked sharply at Yukio. "Will the plant burn us if we try to take its seeds?"
He looked thoughtful, "Yes, that is what is said to happen. I have hear that the neko youkai have special gloves they use to pick the seeds."
Rin frowned in irritation. "That does not help us in any way, now does it?"
"My job was only to guide you here. Your job is to get the seeds." Yukio stated calmly.
Rin let air hiss through her teeth. As much as I hate to say, he is right. It is my task to collect all three items.
"What is wrong Girl? You can't retrieve our renowned seeds? That truly is a pity." Rin whirled around, recognizing the feline's voice for earlier. The white neko youkai had neatly bandaged the hole in her side. Nevertheless, gouts of blood soaked through the wrappings.
Rin smiled grimly, "It seems Neko that you are more inured than you would care to admit. Why are you here? Surely you do not expect to fight me again?"
The neko hissed angrily. "I am here as the ambassador of my people. I have been told to inform you that we will not make any move against you for the remainder of your journey."
Rin laughed, "Your ambassadors here attack the people they negotiate with?" The female youkai remained aloof, but Yukio hid a smile.
After a moment of silence Rin inclined her head towards the youkai. "I will not thank you for you hospitality because you have not been hospitable. However, I will thank you for this temporary truce."
"I am glad that you realize it only temporary," and with that she was gone as suddenly as she had appeared.
Great, now all we have left is to figure out how to extract the seeds without being burned to cinders. Rin thought despondently.
Once again, I'm really sorry this chapter has taken so long to put up. I have some time to write now, so hopefully I'll get another chapter up soon.
