Chapter 5 Part 1-Coping with stress
Inuyasha had been walking for miles till nightfall came and he decided that it was best to hide in a nearby tree so he could rest and regain his lost strength. As he sat their in the tree he looked down at Rin who had made a small pillow out of his fire rat clothing and ribs. She was just directly below the three arrows that were still painfully lodged in the left side of his chest otherwise unscarred chest. At that certain moment in time while Rin had been sleeping he used what strength he had regained to pry the arrows from his chest only to get little in results unless you counted pain and he for one didn't as he felt it was the opposite of the progress he wanted. 'We can't always get what we want my friend,' thought the ancient Inuyasha as he saw his half-demon reincarnation trying continuously to struggle with the three identical items that caused him pain.
"Shut up!" whisper Inuyasha as he tried again only to wince again and decided to stop for fear of waking Rin and possibly scaring her if she woke up with his blood on her from the open wound.
Meanwhile the said child had stirred slightly and grabbed his side tighter as she snuggled up to his ribs like the half-demon pillow she made him out to look. "Thank you," said Rin in mumbled voice of her sleep causing Inuyasha to frown.
'Why in the hell did she say 'thank you'?' thought Inuyasha as he adjusted himself ever so slightly so she would be more comfortable.
'You're asking the wrong spirit my half-demon friend. But...if I were to guess think she was unknowingly saying thank you to you for protecting her earlier,' thought the voice of the ancient Inuyasha.
'Nah! She's just having a dream where she's getting a gift from someone she knows and is just trying to be polite,' thought Inuyasha as he smiled as he put his head in the back of the tree trunk and looked up at the sky seeing the full moon in all its pure glory.
'Great night to be alive,' thought ancient Inuyasha seeing what his half-demon self saw with his eyes.
Inuyasha decided not to respond as he decided to ignore the words of his ancestor's spirit dwelling within his head. "Time to sleep," Inuyasha said in a whispered voice as he could no longer say awake as his wounds and lack of energy had made exhausted.
(Naraku's Castle)
Naraku was less then thrilled when Kane came back and told Naraku that Inuyasha was still alive as far as he knew with all the wounds the half-demon received it was unsure. "Inuyasha has a power in him that if words could even describe what he had unleashed on me it would be considered 'legendary' at the least. I need sometime to repair my weapon so I may begin my attack on him when he least expects it," said Kane calmly as he had yet to return the 2 sacred jewel shards back to Naraku and Naraku knew that.
"I should have Kagura tear you a new mouth! However, you are alive and are still mostly undamaged. All you have to do is repair your weapon right?" said Naraku looking at Kane suspiciously now that the demon mercenary was without his robes.
"Aside from exhaustion? Yes. I should be ready to pursue Inuyasha in a few days at least and few weeks at the most. Also I will have to try and find him without that little girl you had with you to help me know where his location was. Where is the little white mirror of a doll you had here last time?" said Kane who could sense that she was not in Naraku's castle at all.
Naraku also wanted to know about where Kanna was too, but couldn't tell that to Kane for the fear of possibly making himself appear weak. If word got out he had been in fact weakened then anyone worth their skills as a killer or hunter would go looking for him for his head. " I had her run a certain errand for me that required her expertise in retrieval involving a certain artifact that peaked my interest so she will not be back fro sometime," said Naraku as he lied straight through his baboon pelt to Kane about Kanna's unknown whereabouts.
"Very well then. I will see you later and this time I will have Inuyasha's head with me," said Kane as he got up from the ground and left.
"You'd better deliver it to me Kane or else I'll have the jewel shards I gave you in my hands...or your bleeding heart instead," said Naraku getting his message across as clear as crystal.
After Kane had left the room Kagura enter holding back a smirk on her face for fear of Naraku's possible retaliation. "I take it Kane's performance was less then what you were expecting from the demon mercenary?" said Kagura in what seemed to be an innocent attempt at finding out what had happened.
"Indeed Kagura. Find Kanna and bring her to me. If you see Inuyasha and should he be weakened I want you to kill him. I do not want to fulfill my end of the payment when this is over. The jewel as a whole is almost complete and Kane along with that girl Kagome, Koga, and my loyal servant Kohaku have jewel shards. I want those sacred jewel shard to make it whole again," said Naraku who Kagura could tell was clearly agitated by Kane's failure.
"I shall go right now Lord Naraku," said Kagura as she bowed before turning around to leave the room.
(Elsewhere-Several days later in the morning)
Sesshomorru along with Kikyo, Sango, Kilala, Shippo, Miroku, and a reluctant as well as hindering of progress Kagome tried to search for Inuyasha and Rin. They searched near the area of the edges of the river made from the waterfall in hopes of finding the two. On the plus side no bodies were discovered meaning that Inuyasha and Rin could possibly be alive. The down side was that if they were alive they were possibly dying if not dead after they had both eventually got out of the water. Of course these thoughts pressed everyone (save with the exception of Kagome) to continue the search for the two in hopes of ever finding them before it was too late. 'Where are you Inuyasha?' thought Sango as he was on Kilala looking for any signs of life that may have originated from Inuyasha and/or Rin.
"I found something!" said Shippo who was on the ground not far from the scattered group sniffing a patch of recently wet grass and dirt too big to be from on person.
"What?" said Kikyo as she came over to where Shippo was before the other did.
"I got a scent of something similar to Inuyasha, but its weird and...different," said Shippo slightly confused by the scent.
"Could Rin be altering his scent in combination to the water?" said Miroku who found himself deep in thought about it.
"No this scent is all Inuyasha, but the scent is different. Its almost as if he is...changing," said Shippo who saw Kilala fly over sniffing the scent as well.
"Inuyasha may have lost Tetsuigia or his demon side may have slowly been taking over him. If that's the case Rin may be endanger," said Sesshomorru whose face was nothing more then a mask to hide his worry for the little girl.
"Inuyasha would never hurt her no matter what," said Sango knowing Inuyasha would never do that to an innocent child no matter what.
(Meanwhile)
Inuyasha's nearly useless left arm had healed overnight thanks to the power of his demon healing powers. They had been accelerated greatly since the absorption process was still being taken in to an effect. Right now he was walking with a very happy Rin, who was in very high spirits. The girl was skipping along slightly behind Inuyasha who at that time was unfortunately, not happy as his dark demon side was making its self felt to him. What his ancestor had said was true because as soon as Inuyasha woke up he felt like he had felt like doing horrible things he would normally do to another person. Rin being her naïve self did care to notice this as she was being her usual cheery self. 'I have to keep my anger in check for the next few days,' thought Inuyasha as he felt the dark demon urges in him arise that involved Rin, his claws, and her blood staining the ground as he would begin ripped her to shreds.
He pushed back the thoughts with great mental strength, control, and resolve knowing that part of him that wanted to do those things was not him and never would be. He had almost succeeded in calming his dark urges when Rin unknowingly raised them back up. "Lord Inuyasha Rin is hungry again. Rin needs food please," said Rin a sad tone as her stomach grumbled as she had barely eaten anything since she woke up and had to fend for herself for what little she could find.
Inuyasha put his clawed hands to his face covering his eyes that glowed their dangerously looking demon red with green pupils. He had tried to get the kid food when ever she had asked for it, but she was picky in what she ate and the last few days had not been kind to him. "Rin! I tried to give you food earlier, but you turned it down. If you didn't want to be hungry you should have eaten what I gave you," said Inuyasha turning his head just slightly, but not enough for Rin to see his eyes since the last time she did she nearly had screamed when Inuyasha put a hand over her mouth so stop it.
"But that food smelled funny and looked icky," whined a hungry Rin as her stomach seemed to want to argue with him too.
At this point in time Inuyasha couldn't take it anymore as she turned all the way around and showed Rin his blood red eyes. "Listen Rin sometimes you can't always get what you want. My lousy brother may have been soft on you and gave you what you wanted, but I won't! You're whining had been most...taxing on my mind lately and I would prefer it would not be this way however you have forced me to speak out. I HAVE HAD IT RIN! I had it with your whining and I have had it with you complaining. You want food? Grow up and find it yourself!" said Inuyasha angrily ignoring Rin's shocked reaction.
"L...Lord Inuyasha...Rin...Rin...," said Rin as she was almost to tears as she felt Inuyasha was being unfair to her if not mean as Inuyasha immediately interrupted her stuttering and speaking thus preventing her from getting any more words out.
"That's what I did when I was your age and when I had nothing, but the clothes on me in a world that eats kids like you for breakfast. Know this Rin...I will protect you and help you in anyway I can...to a point! You have to learn Rin that the strong survive and if you want to be strong...then you have to earn that strength. Up to this moment you were on borrowed time and being protected by Sesshomorru, but when your under my care you pull your weight around or you don't follow. Period," said Inuyasha angrily as he looked at Rin who had now burst into tears as she stared in disbelief that this was the same man who rescued her a few days ago from the depths of the waterfall and river.
'You shouldn't be too hard on her my boy or else she is going to be cold inside like your brother is,' thought the ancient Inuyasha who shook his head, but he knew this was to be expected with the darker half of Inuyasha coming out now with the absorbing of his spirit still incomplete.
Inuyasha looked at Rin whose knees hit the ground as she sniffled and cried some more making Inuyasha sigh as he tried to control his emotions before approaching Rin. Rin however, seeing him approach nearly screamed as she tried to crawl away from him. Seeing this Inuyasha sped up slightly in his walk and picked her up by the waist with his left arm while she now squirmed to get free. "Rin. (Rin stops) I'm sorry for yelling at you like that. I haven't really been myself the last few day due to some things you do not know or could comprehend about and for that I'm sorry. I just think that if you want food you should know how to get and fend for yourself rather then depend on others. If you depend on others you will never survive in this world filled with being who go bump in the night that not even Sesshomorru or I for that matter can fend off. If you want I will help you get the food you seek," said Inuyasha in a calm, soothing, and whispery voice that made Rin look up into his eyes and she stopped crying only to dig her face into his fire rat clothing, which he now wore after the night with the girl sleeping in it.
"Rin is sorry. Rin will try to make you proud Lord Inuyasha," said Rin as she hugged him and shook slightly while he held her as he petted her hair.
"Its all right Rin just don't call me Lord Inuyasha as it makes me feel like an old man inside as my real friends call me Inuyasha. Now how about I help you get you the food that you want to eat and make it up to you with a gift should I find one?" said Inuyasha in the same soothing voice as he put Rin down who was nodding her head in approval.
"Thank you...Inuyasha," said Rin bowing respectively to him as they walked deeper into the forest for the food she needed to keep her stomach happy.
Chapter 5 Part 2- Keeping Your Friends Close, but Your Enemies Closer
After several hours had passed Inuyasha finally found the food that Rin really liked that was in the form of some sweet fruit that Sesshomorru had gotten for her once. Inuyasha helped Rin pluck the fruit from the tree though she originally insisted that she be the one to get it herself as a way to become more useful without relying on him too much. 'I will not be weak anymore,' were the echoes of Rin's words that Inuyasha remembered vividly when she protested him picking her up to get the fruit as she wanted to get it herself.
Never the less Inuyasha helped her as he said she was still too young for such a task and would have to wait till she was slightly older as well as taller. By then the dark half that was his demon side had calmed down and the urges that it wished him to perform were barely a whisper anymore. As they headed towards the cave that was their destination Inuyasha sensed something near them he knew he had sensed beforehand. 'Were not alone,' thought Inuyasha as it was then that what he sensed before appeared in front of them forcing him to shield Rin behind him as he drew his sword Tetsuigia to protect the girl.
"Wait! A mean you no harm," said the silent voice as a familiar white haired, doll eyed, mirror holding girl appeared in front of them that was Kanna of the Mirror.
"Kanna! If you're here then that means...," said Inuyasha as he readied himself into a very tight defensive stance used to protect ones self from multiple attacks from multiple directions.
"Naraku is not here nor are any of his servants," said Kanna as she had her head down not moving.
"With you being the exception," said Inuyasha who didn't remove himself from the stance while Rin held onto the his back in fear of an attack.
"His LOYAL servants. I am not one of them. I cannot serve such a monster so I have come to serve you instead," said Kanna who got on her knees, dropped her mirror over to the side and bowed before a baffled Inuyasha.
"Why?" was the only thing Inuyasha could say as he felt he wanted to hear the reason for Kanna's betrayal to the one who created and gave her life.
"For some time now Naraku has become paranoid as all he sees is enemies around him no matter if they are loyal to him or not...including me. He is not thinking like his usual self and the tactics he uses for hurting others has become disturbing. All the while his behavior has also become erratic as he talks like there is someone in the room, but there is not. In fact when I come into the room he is in he talks like he is in a conversation with someone, but he and I are the only ones in the room. He is no longer stable and is a threat to everyone around him...including me," said Kanna in a sad voice as she raised her head from seeing the ground, but didn't look at Inuyasha for she felt she was unworthy to look at him knowing what she had done to him in the past made her feel...tainted for the lack of a better word.
"So you come to me in hopes I will protect you from him. Right?" said Inuyasha as he slowly lowers his guard, but keeps his senses heightened for any possible threats that may appear.
"Yes that is correct Lord Inuyasha. I know I am not worthy of your mercy as well as what I helped Naraku do to you and your friends, but...if...you...you give me the...the chance for me to prove myself...then I will forever...forever be your loyal servant," said Kanna who felt tears running down her face as she for the first time showing emotions in front of anyone.
Inuyasha was completely blown away by Kanna's show of emotions since he had never known for the mirror hold incarnation of Naraku to ever show emotions. 'This is very serious if she is showing emotion,' thought Inuyasha who was so stunned that he didn't realize that Rin had left his side and walked up to Kanna until the two girls were several feet away.
"Please don't cry," said Rin while Inuyasha quickly went by her side as Kanna finally looked at Rin and then to Inuyasha.
"Will...will you...protect me?" said Kanna as she shivered slightly as she saw Tetsuigia was dangerously close to her body.
"Before I agree to protect you I have a simple question for you that you must look me in the eyes when you answer. You must speak the truth even if the answer may determine your own death regardless of what I think of you. If I fight Naraku and I am about to kill him for all the pain he and hurt ha has caused...will you Kanna of the Mirror...stop me?" said Inuyasha as he raised Tetsuigia slightly from the ground ready to swing if he didn't like the answer she gave or if she lied to him.
"I will...not help...Naraku. I am bound to you now...master Inuyasha," said Kanna as she closed her eyes waiting for the attack from Inuyasha with his Tetsuigia as she felt the shadow of his blade over her ready to make that killing strike on her thus ending her life created by a being of pure darkness.
She waited several seconds...then a little over a minute, but still nothing happened as she waited for Inuyasha to strike her down. At first she thought he did kill her giving her a mercy killing and ending her life without her knowing it. She then heard two things that made her open her eyes in shock and surprise. First, was the sound of Tetsuigia being put away by Inuyasha and the second...was his calm yet serious voice. "I believe you Kanna, but still...you must prove yourself to me to earn my trust. As things are now you have...a lot to prove," said Inuyasha picking up Kanna gently till the incarnation was on her little feet.
"I'll prove myself Inuyasha. I swear I will," said Kanna who showed happiness and hope in her doll like eyes as she smiled a smile that even Inuyasha thought Kanna could never possess.
'Hey my half-demon self I take it your taking her with us now?' thought the ancient 1200 year old Inuyasha spirit inside the real Inuyasha's head.
'Yeah, but I'm not going to tell them anything just yet. At least not till the absorbing of your spirit is complete in that cave you mentioned,' thought Inuyasha who had mentally winced from the pain the arrows had been causing him since he never could remove them.
"Master Inuyasha do you want me to remove those arrows for you?" said Kanna as she saw that he still had them sticking out of his chest and knew that they were hurting him.
"No Kanna, but thank you for asking and just call me Inuyasha. Titles make me feel older then I should be. Maybe later when we reach our destination you can help, but till then both of you have to be on your best behavior," said Inuyasha as he picked the two girls up onto his shoulder so they could get their faster.
"Where is our destination Inuyasha?" said Rin with curiosity with Kanna being equally curious about where they were headed.
"It is a secret and a surprise all rolled into one Rin. When we get their I will explain everything when the time is right. Till then...just relax," said Inuyasha who felt his body starting to give out again.
'Oh boy Inuyasha you got problems,' thought the ancient Inuyasha as he looked and felt Inuyasha's strength starting to fade.
'What do you mean you stupid spirit?' thought Inuyasha as he physically started to sweat rather noticeable to Rin and Kanna.
'Those stupid arrows have been sending pulse of energy directly into your body and are messing you up inside. If you don't get them out soon you will die!' thought the voice of Inuyasha.
'Great...just what I need...another freaking obstacle...before we get to this...damn cave of yours,' thought Inuyasha who found his movement to be rather sluggish.
'Don't worry getting the arrows out will be easy it's the trials that are in the cave that are hard...and lethal,' thought the ancient 1200 year old Inuyasha spirit of the past to his half-demon reincarnation as the said half-demon started to slightly stumble before a surprised Rin and Kanna were forced to jump off Inuyasha's shoulders as the half-demon fell twisting in midair before hitting the ground unconscious on his back.
"We have to do something," said Rin as she looked at Inuyasha with concern all over her face.
"We must remove the arrows and to do so we must work together," said Kanna as she put down her mirror to get to work.
"Let's do it!" said Rin fill with determination in her heart to save Inuyasha.
(A/N: Vote and Review. No changes in the votes so far. Next chapter: Right of Passage: Blood Ritual. Are you scared? You should be. WHAHAHAHAHAHA! Seriously keep reading)