Like I said, I have more time on my hands now. Here's the next chapter!


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"What good is being charged with getting this bush's seeds if you get burned doing it?" Rin glared at the Fire Weed insolently.

For several minutes Yukio had just stood there, not responding to her. Finally, Rin had had enough of the silent treatment. "You know what, forget the gloves. Who cares if I get burned? I'm going to get those seeds."

As she started off in the direction of the bush Yukio's voice rang out like a whip-crack. "Rin, wait. Tell Ahun to come to me."

Rin sighed, but gestured for them to move towards Yukio. What good is Ahun going to do?

She looked over; Yukio was muttering something the youkai. Both heads nodded and they started off towards the Fire Weed. Rin didn't say anything, but instead looked on completely hypnotized.

Ahuneasily stepped up next to the plant. They seemed to take no heed of the heat. Without a second thought both heads reached down and picked some of the fruit. Holding it gently in their mouths they retreated back towards their companions.

Rin ran up to Ahun and hugged them around their necks. "Thank you!" She cried happily.

Ripping yet another strip off her kimono, Rin put it down on the ground. Ahun dropped their prizes onto the cloth. Rin wrapped the fruit up carefully, not sure if they were still hot. When she was done she shoved the bundle into the pouch Kaede had given her.

Once she was finished she turned to Yukio. "Thank you too," she smiled grudgingly.

"I suppose it was better than you being burnt." Yukio replied with a slight smirk.

Rin looked down at her feet feeling slight sheepish. She knew she was stupid for trying to take the fruit without gloves.

"There's an exit from this valley a quarter of a mile west of here. It is faster this way." Yukio pointed in the direction of the gap in the cliffs.

"How long will it take for me to get to Lord Sesshoumaru's estates?" Rin asked anxiously.

"Two days," Yukio answered firmly.

Two days! I will barely make it in time! I had hoped to have one extra day. Rin gasped inwardly.

Without out a second thought she leapt onto Ahun. "Bye Yukio! Thanks again, I have to leave now."

Sesshoumaru's cousin nodded. "Good bye Rin. Save my cousin's life."

Rin waved one more time and then told Ahun to go. The youkai took off, as if sensing her urgency. She had slightly more than two days left, and it would take about two days to get to the estate.

I have to arrive in time! There's simply no other option.

Though they had to be tired, Rin had never felt Ahun move so fast. She thanked them, but then turned her attention to her ingredients for the potion. Taking out the bundle with the Fire Weed fruit in it, she noticed it was no longer warm. Carefully she unwrapped it, clinging to Ahun with her legs.

The fruit was orange, and an oblong shape. There seemed to be nothing remarkable about it. Taking one of the fruits she took an experimental bite. If Sesshoumaru was supposed eat the seeds, she might as well test the fruit. It did not scorch her like she expected, instead it practically melted in her mouth. She waited a few minutes, but nothing happened.

No wonder neko youkai treasure this fruit so much. It is delicious, but most of that's probably because I've barely eaten in the past two weeks. Rin laughed at herself.

She finished the fruit, making sure to save the seeds. After that she ate two more of the Fire Weed fruits. She saved three more of the fruits for later. The seeds she wrapped back up tightly and put in the satchel.

Rin felt warmed and rejuvenated for the rest of the day. The fruit had worked wonders on her, and if it could do that for her, she could only imagine what it would do for Sesshoumaru.

It did not take long for night to fall. Feeling secure, Rin dozed off while Ahun continued to make a blistering pace. Unsurprisingly, she dreamed of walking in the gardens with Sesshoumaru.

In her dream Sesshoumaru was his normal self again. His long hair flowed in the slight breeze. His face was unexpressive, but his eyes glowed. Rin watched his movements carefully, looking for any sign of sickness. There were none.

Together they walked under the cheery trees. Rin practically skipped with happiness. Everything was just like before. They didn't speak, but simply walked along companionably. Rin heard quietly splashing water. She looked over at a slowly moving stream.

Suddenly, Rin was pulled out of her dream by the sound of real water. Ahun had stopped at a stream; they were sipping noisily out of it. Slightly irritated, Rin slipped off their back and dipped her water flask into the stream. Then she took a long swallow; it was refreshing. Nevertheless, Rin remained agitated. The memory of the dream only served to heighten Rin's anxiety about Sesshoumaru. She barely waited until Ahun was done until she hopped on their back again.

For the remainder of the day and a half journey Rin remained grim. The thought of Sesshoumaru's condition remained constantly at the back of Rin's mind. She ate the rest of the fruit, but only to get the seeds out of them.

When the gate to the estate finally came into view Rin nearly jumped off Ahun It was three hours before sunset. Rin had until morning to brew and administer the cure to Sesshoumaru. All I can do is hope that the medicine will work in time!

When Ahun finally came to a stop Rin dismounted Ahun, unlocked, and threw open the gate. As much as she wanted to, Rin did not head to Sesshoumaru's suite first. Instead she started to run towards the kitchen so she could fix the potion.

When she got into the kitchen she dumped out all the ingredients on a table. Kaede's note drifted to the tabletop. Rin picked up the crumbling piece of paper. It read:

Ingredients:

3 stalks of Brush Weed

8 roots from the Leyley

7 bunches of Holly Moss

5 blossoms from theNikko Tree

2 stalks from the Ike Reed

18 seeds from the Fire Weed.

Instructions:

Grind the Brush Weed, Ike Reed, Fire Weed, and Holly Moss into powder

Put in bowl half filled with water

Cut up and mix in Nikko and Leyley

At the bottom of the note Kaede's words became too blurred to read. Apparently when she had gone for a forced swim in the marsh the writing had faded because of the water. All Rin could do was pray that whatever the words had said was unimportant.

Hastily, Rin put together the potion. When she was done it looked as unappetizing as a clod of dirt soaked in pond scum. It was green with a chunky texture. I'm glad I don't have to eat it. Rin thought guiltily.

As soon as she was done Rin hurried towards Sesshoumaru's room. She reached the door and took a deep breath.

Please let him be okay, Rin prayed as she turned the door handle.


Well, that's it for this chapter. Please review! I love the ones I get.

Don't worry, I'll update soon. What I have in store for the next chapter will be too fun not too. In the next chapter, Sesshoumaru will be completly delirious.