Chapter 4 – The Agreement

Rialle leaned exhausted on her sword, but the Siamese Toad turned towards her. "Foolish girl. We have to admit, that would have destroyed us, but thanks to you, we are still alive. Now it's your turn." Rialle looked up and simply smiled. Then with the slightest movement, she took up her sword and slashed at the Siamese Toad. But the toad was ready for her. It took out one of its swords and pierced Rialle through the shoulder, causing her to just cut the toad. "Nice try, but you're going to have to do better than that," mocked the Siamese Toad.

"Humph." Rialle clutched her wounded arm. "I promise you that because this time, I'll stab you in the heart! Here I come!" She took a huge leap and flew into the air. Then with the wind, she landed softly on the ground, leaving the toad in halves. The air was silent with the exception of her harsh breathing.

She looked up and heard InuYasha moan with pain. She walked quickly to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't try to open your eyes."

"How else am I supposed to see?"

"Just trust me and let me help." Instead, InuYasha shoved her away.

"Don't touch me."

"Let me help." This time, she held his head in one firm hand, and with the other, covered his eyes, and closed her own eyes. Then, a glow started erupting from her hands onto InuYasha's eyes. She removed her hand and InuYasha could see again.

"Huh? What did you do?"

"You're fine now."

But instead of thanking her, InuYasha stopped her by grabbing her wrist. "Why did you stop my attack back there? I could have killed him on my own."

"Yes you could have." Her voice was like a whisper. The wound in her shoulder was exhausting her, and after just healing InuYasha's eyes also took some strength from her. "But you were blinded."

"So?"

Rialle looked up in the direction of where InuYasha's attack would have hit, and her sight strayed directly to the crowd of villagers watching them. "Not only would you have struck the villagers, but you also would have struck your friends as well. I had to stop you." She started walking towards the villagers, still clutching her shoulder, until she collapsed onto one knee a few steps away.

"Lady Rialle!" Haru cried as he ran to her.

"I'll be fine, Haru." She stood up when the little boy came up to her. "How is everyone else?"

"We're all fine, but how can you be? You've been hit badly."

"Don't worry, I'll heal in time." Now, the whole crowd of villagers circled around her and began thanking her ecstatically. Only InuYasha was left out of the circle, thinking about all that just happened.

"Who does that girl think she is?" He then pitched his voice to sound like a girl, "If I didn't block your attack, you would have killed your friends. Blah, blah. She even took the jewel shards all for herself." InuYasha was still irritated by Rialle.

"Well, it's true. We were in range of the attack, and…" Miroku was cut off by InuYasha.

"AAAARRUUGGHHH! Shut up. She didn't have to have the last blow to defeat the beast. I could have easily destroyed it if she'd only tell me which way to attack! I want to find out who she is, and where she's from, 'cause I know she isn't from around here."

"Quiet." Sango turned toward the forest behind them. "Someone's coming."

Everyone was tense as a rustle of leaves sounded with the wind. Then, out from within the dark forest walked Rialle. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the group, looking surprised at the people she last expected to see.

InuYasha expressed the same feeling. "YOU!" He impulsively grabbed for his tetsusaiga.

"InuYasha, stop that," demanded Kagome.

"Please, I didn't mean to intrude and I don't want to fight." Rialle politely stated.

"Yeah, well who cares about what you want. I'm fighting you for your jewel shards." InuYasha lunged at Rialle, who easily dodged his attack.

"SIT BOY!" With a loud thud, InuYasha obeyed Kagome's command and crashed to the ground.

"What the hell was that for?"

"She isn't our enemy InuYasha, just let her speak." Kagome turned toward Rialle. "So, where are you going?"

"I don't have any where to go. I wander this place and slay demons that are in my way for the jewel shards." And for the fun of it, she thought. "Anyway, I was hoping that I could possibly join you in searching for the jewels." Before she let anyone reply, she added, "We could help each other out. You know, find the jewels together and to make it fair on who gets the jewel in the end, we'll fight the demons together and whoever defeats the demon first gets all the jewel shards the demon possesses. The person with the most shards gets the whole jewel. How's that sound? I know you don't trust me that well, and you don't know me at all, but this gives you the chance to get to know me and I guess I'd be helping you get the jewel shards. We'll help each other out." She said all this really fast, wanting no one to cut her off.

"Feh, no way! Besides, why would you need my help if you're so good already." Of course, InuYasha was against the idea.

However, "I think it's a great idea!" Miroku exclaimed. "With Rialle, we'll get more jewel shards easier because she'll help destroy demons." He then quietly whispered to InuYasha, "Just get the last blow and you'll be fine. Let her wound the demons." Next, he turned towards the girls. "What do you girls think?"

"I don't mind at all. It would be nice to have another girl with us, wouldn't it?" responded Kagome.

"I second that. Shippo?" Sango asked the little fox demon.

"I like Rialle. She doesn't scare me, unlike someone I know." He glared at InuYasha, who wasn't paying attention.

"Well, that leaves InuYasha. So…?"

Sparked by Miroku's suggestion, InuYasha reluctantly agreed. "Only on one condition. You tell us who you really are."

Rialle looked thought fully at InuYasha. "I'm sorry, but I cannot do that at the time. But I don't think it will do any harm if I say that I am not from this time, just like Kagome. I promise you, as time goes by, you will learn more of me, so please, don't ask any question on who I am. You will find out someday." With that, everyone kept quiet and didn't ask more questions about her identity.

Thus, the mysterious young girl joined the group. Still, as the group walked off, InuYasha followed behind, thinking, You may have bewitched everyone else into believing you're such a good person, but you can't fool me. Hide all you want, but don't you get too comfortable, 'cause I will find you out.