Chapter 8: Suffering

"A goddess?"

"Yes I am…well I'm heading back to the village."

"Then to the village we will go."

"Kouga?"

"Yes?"

"I want to ask you something."

"Ask away."

"I need to have your jewel shards in your legs."

"How did you know?"

"I can sense them…and I need to collect them."

"I see…very well…I will give them to you if you can bet me in a race."

"Your on."

They looked at each other then they nodded their headed and Kouga ran off towards the village. Crystal smirked her wings opened and flew towards the village, Kouga didn't know what he was in for twenty minutes later Crystal was standing in the front of Keade's hut laughing. Kouga had reached the village and he noticed that Crystal's scent was coming form the village. He ran towards the scent and saw her laughing at him.

"How did you?"

"Easy, I flew, now hand them over."

"Very well."

Kouga bend down and took out the shards from his legs and handed them over to Crystal. Kagome who had sensed the shards woke everyone up, they had gotten their weapons and ran outside the hut. They were met with Crystal and Kouga talking. Crystal looked at her sister and smiled, Inuyasha looked over at Kouga and unsheathed his sword.

"What are you doing here you wimpy wolf."

"Nothing dog turd…"

"Inuyasha."

"Don't start Kagome."

"Kagome?"

"Yes Kouga…"

"You look…ummm…"

"I not who I thought I was…"

"You look like…Crystal?"

"Its true Kouga, Kagome and I are sister's she is the Goddess of love and justice."

"What?"

"Crystal's right."

Kagome and Crystal's side conversation

"Kagome?"

"Yea Crystal?"

"I think that you guys should go inside."

"But…"

"Don't worry I'll be fine."

"You sure."

"Yup."

"Guys I think that we should go to bed."

"But Kagome, Crystal shouldn't be left outside alone." (Sango)

"I can take care of myself."

"We are not saying you can't."

"Feh."

Inuyasha turned towards the hut and walked back in. Miroku and Sango followed Inuyasha and Kagome waited a minute before going inside too. Kouga turned to Crystal when they all went inside.

"You never told me that Kagome was your sister."

"You didn't ask, I didn't think that you would care much."

"Ummm."

"What's wrong cat got your tongue?"

"No…are you traveling with your sister and her companions?"

"Yup…and my guardians too, which they should be here soon, they are looking for me as we speak."

"Why did you leave?"

"I needed some time to myself."

"Oh…"

"Are you after Naraku as well?"

"Yes he killed my pack mates."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Its alright."

"I think that I should get some sleep."

"I'll leave you alone then."

"Well will meet again…"

Kouga took Crystal's hand and placed a kiss on it, at that moment Lee and Lightening ran towards their Queen and knocked down Kouga and holding him there.

"Lee, Lightening let go of Kouga he wasn't doing anything."

"He was going to attack you."

"No he wasn't and you know it."

"Very well."

Lee and lightening got up from Kouga and let him go. Kouga got up and brushed off the dirt. Kouga looked over at Crystal's guardians and snorted they were very possessive of the goddess and nothing more. Kouga looked over at Crystal and spoke.

"I better go."

"Yea, Lee, Lightening lets go to bed?"

"Yes Mistress." they both said

Lee, Lightening and Crystal walked towards the hut, Crystal bid her guardians a goodnight and she walked inside while her guardians stayed outside to watch over the group. Inside the hut was full but no matter, Keade was sleeping in the back of the room. Miroku and Sango slept on one side of the hut, Kagome and Inuyasha slept together on the other side. Crystal formed her cloud and laid down to sleep.

Early next morning Rin had woken up and ate breakfast with Sesshomaru, Rin was still confused and sad that her mother would leave her alone. Sesshomaru had tried talking and explaining to Rin that it was for the best but Rin wouldn't listen. Rin was in the field picking some flowers and she was thinking of Crystal.

"Mommy why did you leave me?"

The bracelet on Rin's wrist started to slow and a imagine of Crystal appeared in front of Rin. She looked up at the figure and ran to her and hugged her, crying. When Rin calmed down a bit she began to speak again.

"Why did you leave me?"

The figure of Crystal looked at Rin and tears began to fall down her cheek.

"Rin honey I had to make you leave me…I knew that if you stayed with me that you would die…and I couldn't let that happened. With you being with Sesshomaru you have less of a chance to die…I need you to be strong for me…we will see each other soon I promise you."

"Alright mommy I promise I will try and do my best…I miss you."

"I miss you too…if you need me call me."

"Alright I will."

Crystal kissed Rin on the forehead and she faded away. Rin looked at where her mother was a few minutes ago and she sighed. Rin spent the rest of the afternoon is the fields. She had picked many flowers and she was feeling better now that she understood a little more about why Crystal had left her. It was getting a little dark so Rin decided to go back to the castle. When she arrived a servant was at the gate so he could take her to the dinning area. She entered the room and sat down in he usually seat, Sesshomaru was waiting for dinner to be served. Being dinner Sesshomaru noticed that Rin was being very quiet.

"Rin what's the matter?"

"Nothing Lord Sesshomaru."

"You sure?"

"Yes…may I be excused?"

"Yes you may."

Rin Bowed and exited the room, she headed to her room to bath and then go to sleep. Sesshomaru had watched Rin leave the room, he knew what was brothering her because it was brothering him as well. Crystal was far away from them, he missed her and thought that he had to get her back but how?…Sesshomaru stood and watched away from the dinning room and into his room. He sat on his bed and pulled out a necklace that had a few Shikon Jewels on it. He was preparing to present the necklace as a courting present.

But all he had to do was to talk with Crystal again and to keep his jealously at bay. Sesshomaru sighed and he laid down on his bed, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep the night away. Kagome and Inuyasha were sitting by the lake the group where camped out a little away from the pair. Kagome had noticed that Inuyasha was nervous about something, Kagome turned to Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha…what's wrong?"

"Kagome…"

"Yes?"

"I wanted to ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Would you….would you be my….."

"Be your what?"

"My mate?"

"…."

"I understand…"

Inuyasha didn't finish that sentence because Kagome had pressed her lips onto hers. The kiss became more passionate and more demanding, Inuyasha took Kagome into his arms and he lowered her onto the ground. They both broke apart when they had no more breathe in their lungs. Kagome looked into Inuyasha's eyes and she felt so loved.

"Inuyasha I love to be your mate."

"Really."

"Yes."

Inuyasha kissed Kagome again, Kagome put up a barrier around them so no one would be able interrupt them.

At the camp Crystal tensed when she noticed that a barrier had been put up and she sighed and lowed her head in sadness. Sango who was sitting close to Crystal noticed her behaviour.

"Crystal what's wrong?"

"Nothing, it just that my sister is finally with the man she loves and I have no one."

"That's not true Mistress…Lord Sesshomaru will come around you'll see." (Lee)

"Whatever…I think its time for bed."

Early in the morning Kagome and Inuyasha had came into the camp. Shippo immediately jumped into Kagome's arms and asked if he was able to call Inuyasha father. After a few Feh Inuyasha had told Shippo yes. The whole group was happy for the two they desired each other. Crystal looked at her sister, Kagome was happy so therefore Crystal was happy.

But Kagome knew the truth, she could feel Crystal's sorrow and it hurt Kagome to know that she was happy and her sister wasn't. After they had eaten the group started to head out again.

Unknown Pov

They had been watching the little girl for a while now they were watching her habits and were waiting for the right time to strike. Every day the girl would go into the gardens away from the castle and pick flowers or just to play. Again he was sitting in the tree watching the girl he was waiting for the right moment. The dragon had flown again from the girl and the toad looked like he was asleep. It was the right moment to strike.

Rin's Pov

Rin was picking flowers again Jaken had falling asleep watching her, Ah and Uh had gone and Rin was left with Jaken alone. The wind started to blow and then their was an explosion near Rin's body. She was blown away by the explosion and Jaken had woken up and looked around his surroundings. The smoke had surrounded the area and Rin tried to search around for any one that had made the explosion. A demon had walked out of the smoke and slowing walked towards the two. Jaken saw the demon as a threat on Rin's life and he grabbed his staff of two heads and ran towards the demon. The head of the old man shot fire the red haired demon waved his hand and the fire disappeared.

The demon had fire red hair, red eyes, he had Elvin ears, and black claws. He was named Match he was one of Naraku minions, he was a fire demon. Match smirked at the shocked faces of Rin and Jaken. He saw this as a good opportunity to kill Rin. Match ran towards Rin and tried to grab her but he was pushed back by a force field. He looked over at her and the tiara on her forehead was glowing blue. Rin tried to run but Match sent a ring of fire around her so she wouldn't leave.

Rin was so scared that all she could do was pray that her mother would come and save her.

Crystal's Pov

The group had been searching for the jewels again, Kouga had asked if he could join the journey for a while. The whole group agree that he could join, they had stop for a while when Crystal felt her magic being pulled. That meant that Rin was in danger. Crystal didn't tell the group anything she just stretched her wings and flew to her daughter. She could hear Kagome calling out to her but she wouldn't listen Rin was her first priority.

Kagome and Crystal mind conversation

"Crystal?"

"Yes?"

"What's wrong why are you leaving?"

"Rin is in trouble, I have to go to her."

"Where is she at?"

"Towards the west."

"We'll meet you there."

"That's fine see you there."

Crystal was flying the fastest that her wings could carry her. Fear was rising inside of her, for the safe of her child. Crystal hope that whatever god or goddess that could hear her to help her save Rin. When Crystal reached the scene Rin was lying on the ground with burns all over her body. A red haired demon was approaching Rin, Crystal could see that he was expanding his claws to finish the job.

Normal Pov

Crystal flew in front of her daughter to prevent the demon to attack Rin any further. Match looked at Crystal and snorted he was angry that a some one had come in between his prey.

"Get out of my way women."

"No! I will not let you near the child."

"What do you want?"

"To leave…who sent you?"

"My master."

"Who is your master."

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because I will kill you of you don't."

"Naraku."

"That Bastard."

"Now that you know out of my way."

Match tried to go past Crystal in order to get to Rin but Crystal wouldn't allow it. Crystal formed energy balls and threw them at Match, he dodged most of them. A few balls that had hit him were burning his flesh. Match waved his hand and fire started to fly towards Crystal, she expended her wings and flew out of the way. She received a burn or two but that was it. Crystal formed a bow and arrow and shot at Match, he dodged the arrow but the arrow seemed to follow him.

"You can't escape my incanted arrow."

"Want to bet?"

"Try all you like."

The groups Pov

The group had been running as fast as their legs could carried them. They were all worried for Crystal, she had grown on the group. She was part of the group when Kagome had told them what had happened they didn't think twice about not going after her to help. Kagome could feel that they were getting closer to Crystal and the demon.

After walking for few miles they had reached the clearing where Crystal and the demon were fighting on. Immediately everyone saw the blood strained ground and wondered if Crystal was alright. They all saw Crystal and the demon fighting, it seemed that the demon had the upper hand.

But Crystal formed another arrow that was charged to the max with her miko energy. The energy blast was so huge that Match wasn't able to avoid it. When the blast and smoke cleared their was no trace that a demon had been in the area.

Normal Pov

Everyone had ran towards Crystal to see if she was alright.

"Crystal you okay?" they all said

"Yea I fine guys."

Crystal smiled then she remembered that Rin was hurt and she ran towards her body. Rin seemed to be unconscious she had some burns but other than that no harm was done. Crystal gathered Rin in her arms and she started walking towards the west everyone else followed her. Kouga walked beside Crystal telling her that he would carry her if she tried. After a while Crystal gave up and let Kouga carry her and Rin. They were arriving at Sesshomaru's castle when two guards confronted the group.

"What is your business here?"

"I came to see Sesshomaru." spoke Crystal

"What have you done to Lady Rin?"

"Nothing if you fools think that I would hurt my daughter?"

"…."

"Get Sesshomaru NOW!"