"Sessy! You've come back. Did you have a nice lunch?" Rin called to her Sesshoumaru as he approached from the woods.
"I'm fine, Rin."
"Rin behaved herself today. I didn't wander around like I promised and played with butterflies in the fields. Rin had a great day today. Huh, what's that?" Rin was watching Sesshoumaru hold something in his right hand – a tiny piece of what looked like a crystal. It glittered under the sun.
"This, Rin, is a shard of the Shikon Jewel. I found it deep within a demon."
"It's beautiful." She crept slowly to Sesshoumaru's hands, looking at the jewel. "What's it for?"
"Don't ask Lord Sesshoumaru so many questions after a long day, girl! Honestly, you have…"
"Quiet, Jaken. The girl can ask whatever she wants." He turned to Rin. "This jewel is very powerful, and I know that my despicable half-brother, InuYasha is looking for these jewels. As for me, I have no need for them. So, I think we'll give it to him, don't you agree, Rin." There was a smirk hidden along his face, but the little girl didn't catch it.
"That would be very nice."
"Yes, but I need something. InuYasha and his friends won't sense one jewel shard that easily, and I want him to come to me, so I need something to lure them here. Rin, can you help me get more shards?"
"Of course, Sesshoumaru. I'd do anything for you."
"Good. I will take you to him, and I need you to find the girl with a lot of jewel shards around her neck. She doesn't dress like ordinary humans, and she rides a pink bike. I want you to take the jewels from her. Just get them in any way you can, but be discreet. Then give me the jewels and hide as far away as you possibly can. Do you understand, Rin?"
"I – I understand what you want me to do, but I'm not sure why you want me to do it. It sounds strange that you want me to st – steal from a strange girl." Rin held a confused and apprehensive expression upon her face.
"I know it sounds strange Rin, but I need you to do it. Please, for me?"
I would do anything for you, Sessy. "Yes, I will do it."
"Thank you, Rin." He gave the little girl a very rare smile. I don't want to have Rin do all of this, and I worry that if InuYasha found out she stole the jewels, he might hurt her. But, knowing InuYasha and his friendliness towards humans, he won't harm her. Hopefully, he won't see her at all, if she does this correctly. By taking the jewels from that girl who is the reincarnation of Kikyo, it should lure InuYasha to me, and then I will finally defeat him with all the jewel shards I will posses and take the tetsusaiga – the sword that should be mine!
"Alright, I'm getting out." Rialle climbed up the bank of the river after taking a nice, warm bath.
"Hey Rialle. Go make sure the boys aren't spying on us or anything, especially Miroku." Sango and Kagome giggled as they remained in the water.
"Don't worry. They aren't anywhere near us," Rialle said as she put on her clothes. She gathered her jewel shards and sat down next to a nearby tree, her back leaning against the trunk. She placed the numerous shards on the ground beside her, and picked them up one by one to strand into her necklace. Only five remained when she looked up back at the two girls laughing and splashing in the river. How peaceful they look. They all seem so happy. If only they were like this back home. Suddenly, Rialle's senses picked up on small hands snatching the shards beside her. "Hey!" By now, the little girl started to run. "InuYasha! Miroku!" she called. Then, she ran after the girl and was soon joined by InuYasha. "Wait! Stop! Come back with those jewel shards."
InuYasha got to her first, grabbing her wrist. "Ouch! That hurts," the girl exclaimed.
"Yeah, well hand us back the shards." His grip tightened around her wrist, though he was trying not to hurt her.
Immediately, the rest joined the two, but when Rialle saw the girl, her facial expression was full of surprise. "InuYasha, let her go."
InuYasha reluctantly obeyed, but once he released the girl, she kicked him hard in the shins and started to run. InuYasha reached for her again, but "Let her run, InuYasha. We'll get the jewels later." Rialle turned around and headed back toward the river.
"What! Why didn't you let me stop her?" He got no reply from Rialle.
That girl – that was Rin. I can't believe it. It's been months since I last saw her, and now, I'm seeing her as a little girl. She looks so young and happy, like everyone else in this world. How I miss her so.
Flashback
"Mommy! Mommy! Rin's coming." A little girl with long, black hair pulled into a ponytail and deep brown eyes ran to her mother waiting for her. Her voice was full of laughter.
"Rialle, go to her. See if she needs help." The girl's mother gave her a little push as little Rialle ran to greet her friend. Through those long summer days, and the cold winter nights, they had their fun together like sisters.
"Rin! Mommy got a new sword for me. Do you want to see?" The little girl showed Rin her new present.
"A sword? A girl like you shouldn't have a sword."
"Mommy says that I will grow up to be like my father, and one day, I will be the hero who kills all the demons!"
"Tough words for an eight year old. Your mother is really going to let you kill demons when you are older?" A look of sadness came across the young woman's face. "She actually said you could."
"Not exactly, but she told me my father was one of the best warriors in the world, and I will grow up to be like him." She then turned a thoughtful face to Rin. "Did you know my father? I don't know many who will talk about him – not even my mom."
Rin smiled down at Rialle. "Yes, I knew your father, and he was a great man. But he wouldn't have used his sword to kill – only to protect."
Rialle's expression changed to confusion. "I don't understand."
"Hmm." It was a thoughtful laugh. "Once you grow to become a warrior, you will. You will, Rialle."
9 years later
"Rin?" The girl's voice was full of fear. "Rin. He's a demon you know?" It was almost like a whisper, afraid of what her friend would say.
"I don't care, Rialle. I don't care what he is or who he is." Rin looked back at the brave, young warrior.
"Argh! You can't do this to me." Rialle pounded the table and shot out of her seat. "I am the rebel leader! It is my duty to protect the humans from the demons and you – you of all people, my best friend – you betray me and fall in love with…in love with…a DEMON! Why Rin, why!"
"I'm sorry Rialle." Her eyes glistened under the dim lights. "You – you wouldn't understand. He practically raised me. As I child, I had no friends, no one to talk to. He was the first person I had ever cared about, my first friend. He may be a demon, but you must understand that not all demons are evil. Your father…"
"I have no father!" Rialle was full of malice and rage. Tears started rolling down her eyes, but she wiped them quickly, believing a warrior should not cry. "You once told me that my father was a great man, and that he used his sword to protect. Well, all I see is killing."
"What you see is all the killings today by the hands of Lord Naraku's henchmen. You don't know, Rialle. It is very unfortunate that you were born in this time and that all you have learned is suffering and hatred. But things weren't like this before. Although several demons did attack villages, it was never like what it is today. Yet still, like humans, there are both good and evil demons out there, and all you ever see are the evil things. You never look at the good things." Rin sighed, averted her eyes, and continued, "Despite what you may think, I am still your friend, and I promise you I have never and will never betray you. I will not turn you in to the demons as the rebel leader, but whatever you do is up to you. And know this; I am on no one's side. I support all those I truly care for – humans and demons alike." She turned to leave.
"Wait, Rin." Her heart turned soft again, but tears still watered her eyes. She paused for a while, but Rin stayed patiently at the door. Then, "Just – just be careful, ok? I don't want you to get hurt, that's all."
End Flashback
She was right. Not everything – not everyone – is evil. I see that now.
"Rialle." Someone was calling her name. "Rialle. We have to go get the jewel shards that twerp stole. Man, I can't believe you made me let her go. If you're done resting, I think we should go now." InuYasha kicked the dirt underneath his feet.
"Huh? Is something wrong?" Kagome asked as she saw Rialle sitting against a tree.
"Mmm?" Rialle looked up at her new friends. "Nothing's wrong. You're right. Let's get those jewels."