A/N Thank you for the alerts, favourites and reviews! Hope you like the next chapter.

Once again I remind you all, English is not my mother language.

I do not own Inuyasha. I do own Yuutsuki though ^_^

Chapter 3

After two days of travelling, Yuutsuki had already had enough of Inuyasha's opinionated behaviour. She was walking wordlessly, unwillingly paying attention to a pointless argument between Kagome and Inuyasha involving their place of sleep for the night. Everyone besides the demon boy was exhausted, thus his arguments had clearly been invalid. Soon they were to draw near the swamps, therefore rest was extremely advisable. When Miroku and Sango spoke in favour of Kagome, Inuyasha had no choice but to yield, there was no more walking that day. Miroku quickly set the camp, Kagome and Sango went off to gather wood for a fire and Inuyasha was scavenging for food. Yuutsuki was left with Miroku and a cat demon with two tails called Kirara. The creature was adorable. Its fur was charmingly smooth like yellow velvet.

The party hadn't had any troubles so far and meanwhile Yuutsuki had familiarized herself with this world's secrets. Obviously not with all of them, but she had grown accustomed to powers surrounding her, demons weren't a problem anymore either.

Yuutsuki wasn't a timid person, but she couldn't break down the reluctance to be more than politely nice, which didn't make her the most likable person ever. The awareness of the fact provoked her not to flaunt with her presence even more. On the contrary, the group treated her kindly, especially Sango and Miroku, they had never meddled in her business. Inuyasha didn't speak to her at all and Kagome… Kagome talked too much, a real chatterbox, but Yuutsuki found her a bit too inquisitive, travelling together or not, there was no need to tell her life story in details, especially when nobody had told theirs.

Yuutsuki sighed, hearing this Miroku causally sat next to her and said:

"There seems to be a lot on your mind today, is there anything I can help you with, lady Yuutsuki?"

The girl smiled slightly.

"Please, cut the lady part, makes me feel old."

Miroku nodded and reformed the question.

"Is there anything I can help you with? You seem really tense all the time. You keep rubbing that ring of yours."

She froze for a second and became all stiff.

"I am fine, thank you. I am not used to travel this long. A good night sleep and I will be better. As for the ring…It reminds me of my grandmother, I hope my family is fine."

Yuutsuki squeezed her hands tightly when she realized how much she had wanted to go back. A single tear went down her cheek, but she wiped it hastily, hoping the monk didn't see it. On that exact moment the rest of the party returned, shortly afterwards everyone was already eating cheerfully chatting about trivialities. Yuutsuki was the only one who remained quiet and barely touched the meal. Nobody seemed to mind it, but she couldn't help noticing Miroku looking intensively at her over the dancing flames of fire.

An hour passed and the sleeping arrangements had been done when Yuutsuki followed the girls to a hot spring, and on the way back picked up some blueberries.

Already in her sleeping bag, watching the fire die slowly, Yuutsuki fell into the land of Nod.

Her grandmother was lying down on a cold ground in a puddle of blood, lifeless eyes opened in fear. Heavy rain started to fall, making the blood less dense, a shadow covered her stiff face. Suddenly a strong pull deep inside Yuutsuki's body… It wasn't her grandma anymore. It was her in a puddle of blood feeling the freeze of the ground…

Yuutsuki woke up abruptly, her face covered in sweat and tears. Sobbing inaudibly she left the camp, not to disturb anyone. She entered the darkness and lost her footing on a root. Yuutsuki started to cry. She had injured her knee quite seriously, the blood didn't stop flowing. Falling had been the drop that filled up the goblet of sorrow. The accumulation of bitterness, anger, loneliness and pain made it unbearable to withstand. While pressing the wound she lifted her head. The moon showed itself, and the leaves rustled in a faint breeze. Yuutsuki quietened down and observed the beautiful landscape that had filled her up with tranquillity.

"I must find something positive in here, something that will give me determination to move on…" She whispered to herself while placing a makeshift dress for the wound. The only pleasant thing she could recall at the moment was the monk's handsome face gazing at her over the fire. Yuutsuki limping slowly returned to the camp, and went back to sleep as if nothing had happened.

She woke up with Inuyasha speaking:

"She reeks of blood"

The girl opened her eyes and saw the party surrounding her.

"Yuu, are you injured? Inuyasha says he smells a wound" Kagome seemed really worried

Yuutsuki remembered last night and didn't dare to look at the monk, being afraid of revealing her interest in him.

"Today we fight and she's injured. Great" Inuyasha complained through his back.

"It's nothing serious, I simply tripped at night. Thank you for the concern though." She smiled at Kagome, but apparently it hadn't been too convincing.

"Let me see it, I can treat wounds nicely" Sango removed her covers "Where is it?"

Yuutsuki gave up and merely said: "Right knee" while rolling up her trousers to exhibit the wound.

When Sango finished tending her, Miroku passed food to her, saying:

"We all ate already. After you are done we can depart"

They didn't have to wait long. In ten minutes she was fully ready, and even though the leg hurt and it required a lot of effort to walk, she was bearing it bravely.

It wasn't noon yet when Inuyasha stopped unexpectedly and said:

"We are surrounded. Prepare to fight!" And as he had said, seven human shaped demons appeared laughing and shouting to each other.

The biggest one of them stated:

"Give me your gold and your women, maybe then we will spare you"

"Keh, try me then" Inuyasha drew his sword, and everyone put their defence up.

"Kirara, take Yuutsuki somewhere safe and…"

Yuutsuki didn't hear it anymore. It was a perfect opportunity to test her new sword. Disregarding her aching leg she dashed forward with her blade ready to encounter the opponent.

"That woman…!" Inuyasha screamed "Hide! They are …"

Before he finished the biggest yokai giggled again, but his amusement finished as suddenly as it started, if he had moved a second later, the thin girl with beautiful hair would have cut right through his throat. After his swift dodge, the demon stroke Yuutsuki in the back, hurling the girl to the ground. When he was about to deal the final blow, she avoided the attack performing a barrel roll. Inuyasha used the moment of the opponent's discomposure to knock him down with Tessaiga's Kaze no Kizu. The fight's tempo had been increased, and in the heat of the clash Kirara received an unexpected hit, making the cat demon unconscious.

Yuutsuki was still on the ground, for the prior attack combined with already feeble body had rendered her incapable of moving. The failure had surprised her unpleasantly and caused fear of being ridiculed, all because of her whim to test out the sword. Lost in thoughts, she didn't notice a figure shadowing her face, and before she managed to respond, somebody grabbed her by her hair and a hand covered her face to keep her from screaming. It didn't feel like a skin of a human, its scent was foul. Yuutsuki's eyes filled up with tears of pain.

"They will pay a lot for you" She heard a sound of a wet tongue champing noisily. It wasn't too difficult to imagine, how repulsive that had been.

"Now you go to sleep." Yuutsuki trembled in terror upon hearing this.

She had little idea of how far the creature had taken her. Last thing in her memory was a piercing pain on the scruff of her neck. The surroundings weren't too different from where the team had set up the camp previously, but then again, a forest may look similar in the whole range of its mantle.

The demon had gagged and tied her up. The girl looked around and stopped her attention on the familiar sword that had been placed few meters further. The act had captured the attention of the abductor. Approaching rapidly he grabbed her by the forehead and compelled to look at him.

A dull pain renewed across her body.

"Awake, huh? That was fast. Don't you worry darling, soon you will be sold to a nice pair of hands"

She truly abhorred his smile, the filthiest one she had ever seen. They seemed to be alone, and the sun had just begun to set. He removed her gag bringing his face dangerously closer.

"Pig" Yuutsuki said immediately, spitting in his face. Certainly he had abandoned and betrayed his companions, just to gain some profit, the concept of loyalty was unknown to him.

"Wench" said the demon slapping her with might. The strength of the hit made her collapse on her face. The abducted girl decided to fake fainting and remained immobile.

"If you weren't worth so much, you'd be dead by now. A wolf in sheep's clothing, shame, such a tasty face."

She heard his footsteps receding into the distance and carefully took a peek, spying his movements. A silent sight of relief escaped her lips, for he had sat and turned his back at her, utterly distracted by his food.

Since the ropes restraining her were thick, her slender hands managed to slide out quite easily, trying not to make a sound she took off the rest of the ties. The demon had been motionless for a while when a humming rang out, a young voice. Apparently a child was picking up nourishment and cheerfully singing:

"Sesshoumaru-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama"

Yuutsuki got terribly anxious when the demon slowly moved towards the child. Her body was aching and most likely a slight push would knock her down. The girl was aware, that only she can save the kid and that allowed her to surpass and ignore the pain. She reached out for her sword and in a blink of an eye was standing next to the opponent, looking into his surprised eyes. Before the demon made a move, she managed to cut the left side of his waist. Dark blood from his inners was splashing at his feet as he growled in pain. Yuutsuki's stomach turned upside down at the sight and she barely noticed a rusty dagger aiming straight for her throat. She parried the attack, but didn't have the strength to fully deflect it. Years of kendo practice had taught her how to evade successfully, nevertheless she suffered some damage. Her left shoulder received a deep cut, and her whole arm became numb. The oppressor was weak from blood loss, and apparently had put all his strength in that blow not expecting her to ward it off. The attacker finally lost his balance and fell to his demise. Yuutsuki, never letting go of her sword, accidently pierced the beast. An unpleasant sight, the blade made its entry through the throat and its exit through the skull. The girl's vision became blurry and she fell on her knees, feeling her pulse decreasing.

The child came closer. A young, thin, black-haired girl in a neat kimono touched her savior.

"Are you fine?" She asked, when the older girl fell on her face, but only silence answered her. Yuutsuki had already fainted.

After regaining consciousness, Yuutsuki found herself in a completely different place. The view had changed yet again, only this time there was no sense of danger and she was lying next to a warm fire which was illuminating the inside of a cave. Next to her, there was a little girl sleeping. It was the child she'd saved before. Her wounds had been tended but the pain remained, especially when she tried to get up in order to find her sword. There was no trace of her weapon in that place, so she decided to check outside. An imp demon was guarding the cave's entrance holding a two headed staff and snoring loudly. Not seeing anyone else, she assumed that demon was her savior, for a child alone wouldn't have been strong enough to transport her. She still had second thoughts though. It was a very small creature, and even with the child's aid it seemed farfetched them being able to bring her to the cave, that seemed so distant from where she had fought the previous demon.

She was wondering whether Kagome's group was safe, if they were searching for her. Yuutsuki kept quiet, admiring the stunning, silver moon glowing upon the skies.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the child came out from the cave. The little girl smiled saying:

"This is Rin" she pointed at herself "and this is Jaken-sama" she pointed at the imp. "And you are?"

"Thank you for saving me, Rin. I am Yuutsuki"

"No. Rin should thank you for saving her. Besides it's not Rin that saved Yuutsuki. It was Sesshoumaru-sama" the child smiled so honestly, Yuutsuki just had to return it.

"Sesshoumaru-sama took your sword, but don't worry, he said he would be back soon"

"Why would he do that?" Yuutsuki was fuming, nobody would usurp her belongings.

"Sesshoumaru-sama said the sword is interesting, and he doubted it's yours, but after I told him you used it, he believed. Sesshoumaru-sama is very kind, for sure he will return it"

With a gust of wind golden, amber eyes appeared in front of her. The eyes looked very similar to Inuyasha's, although the two demons were totally different. The one just in front of her was respectful, stoic, seemed dangerous, as well deadly strong. His kimono was mostly red and white with a crest, surely to emphasize his royal origins. Heavy armor on his torso and two swords on his hip stressed his warrior nature.

His gaze was indifferent and aloof once he lowered his eyes on Yuutsuki. A shiver ran down her spine.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken appeared totally awake "I guarded the place like you asked!"

"Rin, Jaken, go back to the cave" Two magenta stripes on each cheek and a crescent moon on his forehead contrasted with silver hair, longer than Yuutsuki's. His companions obeyed and she was left with the demon alone.

Sesshoumaru's voice was quiet, yet clear when he directed his words at her:

"Why are you here, Ren?"

Yuutsuki was stunned at the fact that he had known who she was. Maybe he was familiar with her ancestors, or maybe he had seen the sword before… She decided to play dumb until she would get to know his motives more.

"What do you mean by Ren?" Yuutsuki's voice was shaking. Moved by the wind, her hair partly covered her eyes. An appreciated coincidence, as Sesshoumaru's eyes were constantly piercing hers.

"You have the Rens's sword and you smell like a Ren, you as well smell like Inuyasha, do you want to deny it?"

"I did travel with Inuyasha's group, but we got separated. Currently I own no sword. If you return it to me, maybe I will talk more." For a brief moment she could see a sparkle of amusement in his eyes, but it faded as fast.

Yuutsuki bit her lip. She had to choose words wisely, it was needed to estimate how intelligent Sesshoumaru was.

Lifting his hand where he had been holding Yuutsuki's sword he said:

"It's a demon sword. The usage devours a human's soul. How come did you keep your sanity?"

She was incapable of being dishonest while that intense gaze was as if analysing her soul.

"I.. I am not sure myself, I believe it's the ring I am wielding." the words went along with a sigh and she added: "Do you know Rens' family? I need to speak with them and get an ad…"

A snarl interrupted her speech.

"If I didn't know Rens I would not refer to the origins of the sword. Human, you want me to believe that you are the wielder of the ring? Your life will be over once I discover you stole it." Sesshoumaru grabbed Yuutsuki by her neck, awaiting explanations, after tightening his grasp he hissed:

"Whom did you steal it from?"

Maybe noticing he went overboard, or maybe recalling her wounds, Sesshoumaru released her from his claws.

Yuutsuki coughed, holding her neck and throwing a ferocious look at the arrogant demon.

Understandably, she felt outraged with his behaviour, but calling her a thief was even more abusive.

"You have no right to hurt me" Yuutsuki's quiet voice sounded artificially confident.

"This Sesshoumaru-sama does as he pleases, especially on his lands" A slow burning anger could be seen in his eyes. Throughout the entire time, obviously the girl had been terrorized with the demon, although protecting her honour had been always a priority. She had an enormous necessity to clear the misunderstanding.

"The ring was passed on me by…" Yuutsuki really wanted it to sound truthful and plausible, so instead of 'grandma', "…the elder of Rens" Since it was true, the girl sounded assured. "I was told to protect it with my life."

The silver haired demon seemed astounded, very slowly, he asked:

"What do you know about the ring?"

Yuutsuki closed her eyes for a second. Perhaps he believed her.

"It was made out from a stone given by demons. It has powers to nullify the Shikon no Tama used in foul deeds. Apparently it allows using the demon sword without the risk of being devoured…Little people know about its existence…I will not speak about more details of me having the ring, it's a private matter to discuss with my family."

Sesshoumaru spoke with a loud voice:

"I am Sesshoumaru, the lord of the western lands. Long time ago my family granted a stone to the Rens family, and it happens to be the same one you wield on your hand."