*Author Note: It's been a while hasn't it? Sorry, was never my intention to leave everyone hanging. I've been reading all the wonderful reviews and felt guilty as hell so I decided to start writing this again. I'm currently in the middle of writing my own romance novel and this story got placed on the back burner. Anywho, my plan is to give you guys at least one chapter every week, if not more. Please continue to rate and review. lol it'll keep me feeling guilty and obligate me to finish this. :P Happy reading!

Chapter 5

Whispers ran rampant throughout the assembly as demons and their disciples from the world over had gathered on this momentous occasion. Today would be the announcement that would declare who was strong enough (or believed they were strong enough) to hold the elusive and coveted title of Demon Lord of the west.

Though many had vied for the spot, in truth only a select few had the abilities to truly hold it. Among the five, they had battled for days much to the delight of the audience. They were ruthless and relentless and in the end one had come out the victor. A young but strong and ambitious demon female by the name of Kitsune, the nine tailed demon fox. She was notorious throughout human history and had possessed many human females and made them do and participate in the worlds most unspeakable atrocities. She had been known to use not only her wiles, but her cunning intelligence to seduce and manipulate men of power to do as she bid for her own amusement. Despite her reputation, many in the demon world often forgot her experience with all sorts of blades and her merciless thirst for blood. The battle itself had ended when she had transformed into her fox form and managed to rip off the genitals of her opponent before she used her tails to painfully and slowly twist his head from his body. Now with Kitsune standing as the lone victor, it seemed the new Demon Lord had been chosen.

Kitsune stood tall above the rest of the demons and moved to stand above them all on a large outcropping. Her companion, a decrepit spider demon suddenly yelled out into the crowd. "All hail our new Demon Lord! May her reign be fierce and bloody!" A loud and rambunctious roar ripped through the gathering as flames and other noxious gasses spewed from the assembly in celebration. Suddenly a lone but deep voice questioned the elation.

"Why do we celebrate a fraud?"

Kitsune stiffened and all eyes turned towards the giant bear demon at the back. "What did you say?"

The bear demon shrugged and his armor clinked and echoed along the cavern walls. "It is easy to claim a throne when you have yet to challenge the rightful heir."

"I have not only challenged but easily defeated our strongest. I dare any other to step forward to claim what is rightfully mine." Kitsune growled.

The crowd mumbled in submission but the demon bear would not be ignored. "So you defeated the demons that tried to lay claim to the throne. But I have yet to see you defeat the true heir."

"And where is this true heir? Why is he not here to defend his throne?" Kitsune laughed and many in the crowd laughed alongside her.

"I'm surprised any of you have dared to forget the first born. The legendary dog demon Sesshomaru." The bear boomed through the howls of laughter that abruptly died on their lips at the name of the one demon they all secretly feared, respected and detested.

"Sesshomaru? He has walked his own path for decades. He has shown no interest in claiming any of his fathers holdings." Kitsune sneered.

"True, he's done nothing but walk the world in search of knowledge and power. He was powerful when he left us, and has only gained more. Even if you claim the throne and lands. All he would need to do is return and you would run with your nine tails tucked between your legs." The great bear demon mocked. The assembly laughed and many of the demons were already dismissive of Kitsune as they regaled each other with stories of Sesshomaru's exploits.

"Sesshomaru is weak! Not only did he turn his back on us all but he even joined forces with his half demon brother Inuyasha on more than one occasion." Kitsune yelled into the crowd. However her roar landed on deaf ears as the mention of Sesshomaru's younger brother brought on more tales of their exploits, their unimaginable power and how they had even managed to defeat and utterly humiliate the demon Naraku and his minions.

The decrepit spider demon reached for his mistress with one hairy leg and managed to get her attention. "It seems you have no choice but to find Sesshomaru and kill him."

Kitsune hesitated. "Sesshomaru is not easily found nor defeated. I don't believe even I have the power to kill him." She said in a low voice to her companion so no one else could overhear.

The decrepit spider demon merely laughed. "His demon is too powerful and cannot be touched. However, his human heart is another matter. If you destroy his heart, he will be brought to his knees and you will forever be revered as the demon who rid the world of the great Sesshomaru."

Kitsune frowned at her companion. "You are mistaken. Only his brother Inuyasha is half demon. Sesshomaru is full blooded yokai and does not have a human heart."

"No mistress. He has a human heart. And her name is Rin."

Kitsune suddenly recalled the rumors of Sesshomaru traveling with a young human girl. "So it is true? He has a human pet?"

"More than a pet. He appears to be quite protective of the child. So protective in fact..."

"She's his weakness." Kitsune finished for her companion. She smiled to herself. She had doubted her abilities would help her in her battle with Sesshomaru. But if she planned it correctly, she would not only kill him, but she might even be able to make him give her his powers if he truly cared for the girl. Then killing him would be so simple it would be laughable. "Tell the mongrels I will bring them Sesshomaru's head." Kitsune said before she hopped off the cropping and launched herself into the sky.

"Rin!" Jacken yelled after the most stubborn girl he had ever had the misfortune of knowing. They had been walking for nearly half the day and he was exhausted! "Rin! Not all of us have long legs! I can barely keep up with you." He shouted after her. Even from where he stood he could tell her chin went up just a little higher and she quickened her step. Jacken growled in frustration and picked up his pace. The girl had died yesterday and if not for his master she would still be dead. But does she show even the slightest appreciation or gratitude? No!

"I've warned you repeatedly Rin. Master will not be pleased by your defiance! He told us to begin our trek back to Kaede's village, YOUR village and he would scout ahead. When he returns and see's we're not where we are supposed to be he will be furious with both of us!"

Rin merely shrugged her shoulders and continued on her way. Jacken ran to catch up beside her and held his hat firmly to his head so it wouldn't be swept away. Once at her side he used his staff to help him keep up with her longer strides. "This is dangerous Rin. Do you even know where you are going?" He felt her stride slow for a second before she continued on with determination. Jacken jumped as high as he could and pointed at her. "I knew it! You have no idea where you're going. Why are you being so stubborn? There's no logical reason I can understand why you are insisting on heading in the opposite direction of your village. Kaede is there and she appears to love you. You don't seem to have been mistreated there. Yet you ran from her and in your rush do you realize what happened? You were attacked. You are very lucky master was able to find you when he did and return you with Tenseiga. But have you learned your lesson? Of course not. Instead of heading back to safety and where you belong, you are determined to head off into the sunset with no clear destination and whatever befalls you will befall you. Do you not realize more dangers can lurk out there for you? And what if master tires of your childishness and decides to leave you be? You will surely perish and contrary to popular belief I do not want you to die!" Jacken finished with an exasperated yell.

To his surprise, Rin stopped and looked down at him. She knelt by his side and kissed him gently on his forehead. She smiled at him as tears filled her eyes and sank into the floor. She wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her head against her knees. Jacken paused for a moment, not sure how to handle this new development. She had seemed so determined and now...

When she began to cry earnestly Jacken sighed and rested his green claws on her thigh in a show of comfort. When her tears finally subsided she turned her head to face Jacken and rested her cheek against her knee. She dragged her index finger through the dirt and it took Jacken a moment before he realized she was writing symbols into the dirt. It took him a few moments to decipher it. Human letters were not his favorite form of text.

I'm sorry

Jacken glanced at her and shook his head. "There's no need to apologize young Rin. I realize you have been through a lot these past few weeks while you were alone. I forget you are only human and not as strong as I or master are."

I'm so lost

"Of course you're lost. You set off in anger. Luckily for you I know exactly where we need to go so you can follow me back."

Not that kind of lost

Jacken paused at her writing and looked up at the child he helped raise. Seeing her look so dejected broke the heart he didn't realize he still had. "If you'd like...we can stay here for a moment and you can take the time you need to find your path."

How?

"I'm not sure. My path has always been beside master. I've never truly had to think beyond his needs. My purpose in life is to serve him. And I take great pride in my work.

I thought I could do the same

Jacken sighed. "I thought you would have acclimated to human life in your years away from us. It never occurred to me you would want to keep traveling with us. It seems so important to human females to find a strong mate and procreate. I imagined you would be the same."

I don't belong with humans

"My sweet girl. You ARE human nonetheless. Kaede appears to greatly adore you." Jacken offered helpfully.

Kaede loves all broken things

Jacken stared at Rin in surprise. "You are not broken."

Without Sesshomaru, there's nothing left for me in this world

Jacken bit his lip in agony for her. He understood those words perfectly for he felt the same.

Why doesn't he want me?

Jacken felt tears flood his eyes for her. "Master knows what's best for us all. You must trust in him. Put your faith in him and he will not fail you Rin." He beseeched her.

Rin buried her face in her knees again and Jacken tucked himself into her side as best he could and patted her back in comfort.

They remained that way for a long time before Jacken gently stepped away. "Rin, we should get going."

Rin looked at Jacken before she nodded her head in ascent.

Thank you

Jacken smiled at her before he ushered her back towards the direction of Kaede's village. They didn't reach where Sesshomaru had left them until night fall. Jacken sighed. "It would be foolish to continue on in the dark. Let's find a place to camp that's not so close to the road." Together they wandered a little further out into the field. Once they found a spot to Jacken's liking, he made a small fire and regaled Rin with tales of a few adventures he and Sesshomaru had embarked upon while in her absence. For the first time, he watched her eyes light up at master's exploits and she seemed to really enjoy when they had to fight off other demons. Of course, he had to embellish the battles and make them seem much more dangerous then what they had been. In truth, Sesshomaru's reputation alone quelled many such battles and for those stupid enough to think they could challenge his masters greatness it really only took him a few minutes to dispatch them.

He was in the midst of retelling one such battle when he sensed something in the shadows. Jacken immediately brought his staff before him and emitted a great fire ring that swept in full circle around them. Immediately, a screech was heard and a dark figure launched itself over the flames and landed atop Jacken. He fell under the enormous weight and the creature launched itself off Jacken and crouched before Rin.

"I was just saying to myself I needed a snack for the road." The creature that appeared to be a large rat demon taunted Rin gleefully before it whipped its tail out from behind and wrapped it around her ankles before it ran into the darkness dragging Rin behind him. She tried to claw at the dirt to stop him from dragging her away but to no avail. Rocks with jagged edges pierced her skin as they bounced along. She could hear Jacken in the distance as he desperately tried to keep up with them and used his staff to throw fireballs at the rat demon but he was fast and dodged each attack easily.

Suddenly a large bright white ball of energy shot its way past them and the rat demon slammed into Sesshomaru's chest as he materialized before them. The rat demon hissed and attempted to run to the side, counting on its speed to aid in his escape, but Sesshomaru was faster. He thrust his clawed hand toward the rat demon and wrapped his fingers around his throat. The rat demon chocked and released Rin as it tried to use its tail to strike Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru moved his head to the side, barely missing the strike at his head and used his other arm to grip the whipping tail and ripped it from the demons body.

The rat demon screamed in anguish and Sessomaru tossed his bleeding, twitching tail to the ground. Rin scrambled backward away from the twitching tail just as Jacken finally reached them. His breathing was heavy and he used Rin as leverage as he tried to catch his breath. "Master Sesshomaru, he caught us by surprise-"

"See to Rin's wounds." Sesshomaru interrupted Jacken's explanation.

The rat demon struggled to speak as he looked into the eyes that promised him death. "Se-Seshomaru?" The rat demon brokenly asked.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed on the rat demon.

"Please, I did not know she belonged to you Lord Sesshomaru." The rat demon begged for mercy, "You've taken my tail...that shall be my penance to you."

Sessomaru squeezed his fingers a little tighter around the rat demon's throat. "You think your tail is penance enough? You think that alone is worth the same value as her life?"

The rat demon held both his clawed fingers to the fist wrapped around his throat as he hung in the air. "I was hungry. But she still lives."

"You wounded her. I can smell her blood." Sesshomaru said quietly.

"Flesh wounds only." The rat demon attempted to appease him.

"You frightened her." Sesshomaru continued menacingly.

"Is a human worth the life of a demon? I'll make amends Lord Sesshomaru! I'll swear fealty to you-"

"Her life and comfort is worth your life and a thousand demon's more." Sesshomaru interrupted him.

"I have information for you!" The rat demon implored desperately, knowing he was within moments of death. "If you let me go I will tell you what I know."

Sesshomaru paused and seemed to consider the rat demon's proposition, much to his relief, before he finally spoke "You can tell me first, and if I find the information valuable, I'll consider allowing you to live for a few more hours before I hunt you down." Sesshomaru offered magnanimously.

"She's only human Lord Sesshomaru!" The rat demon barely managed to gasp out.

"She's mine!." Sesshomaru growled in answer. "Now tell me what you know before I lose my patience."

"Ki-Kitsune!" He gasped.

Sesshomaru released his grip slightly. "What of her?"

The rat demon managed to get his toes to touch the ground and used that to try and drag in more air into his starving lungs. "She has won the bout of succession for your father's lands in the west. She shall be named Demon Lord."

"Yokai politics are of little concern. You are boring me." Sesshomaru said quietly.

"Though she won, many question her ability to hold the lands should you decide to return to us."

"Should I ever choose to reclaim my father's lands, no one would stand against me and live for long." Sesshomaru said confidently.

"Exactly! Which is why no one has dared to try before. But she is determined."

"She has always been very determined." Sesshomaru said with a bit of warmth much to the rat demon's surprise. "She can claim it. For now, I have no plans to interfere. Why should any of this interest me?"

"Because in order for her to claim the lands, she needs to dispose of the true heir. She would need to kill you and absorb your abilities Lord Sesshomaru!"

Rin gasped at their feet. Sesshomaru spared her a glance before he continued. "Kitsune can do as she pleases. I'll deal with her when and if she becomes a problem for me."

"There's a bounty on your human's head!" The rat demon squealed as he felt Sesshomaru's fingers re-tighten on his airway. Sesshomaru froze and his irises flared in red. "What?"

"Though I knew of the bounty, had I known this one was indeed your human I would have steered clear. But many other trackers and hunters are confident in their ability to take and deliver your human to Kitsune before you knew what was happening."

"Then they are fools. No one takes what belongs to me."

"I believe you Lord Sesshomaru!" The rat demon gasped out and tried to find purchase with his toes again.

"Why did Kitsune place the bounty? What does she hope to gain?" Sesshomaru shook him roughly as he questioned him.

"I don't know Lord Sesshomaru! Many know of your attachment to your human and dare not approach. Perhaps this is Kitsune's way of getting your attention?"

Sesshomaru allowed a ball of green fire to form in his other hand. The rat demon stared at the growing fire ball and resigned himself to his imminent death. "Thank you for the information. It was not as valuable as I would have hoped, but it was enough to give you a swift and painless death."

"Thank you Lord Sesshomaru." The rat demon said with resigned gratitude.

Just as Sesshomaru pulled back his arm to smash it into the demon's face, he felt small hands grip his arm and stop him. Sesshomaru glanced back in surprise as Rin's fingers tightened on his arm and she shook her head at him. He turned back to the rat demon and debated briefly whether to ignore Rin's request, but sensing his hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his and buried her face in the crook of his arm. She shook her head negatively again but with more force.

Sesshomaru allowed the fireball to disintegrate and dumped the rat demon to the floor at his feet. The rat demon quickly bowed his head in submission as he knelt at his feet and quacked in fear. Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around Rin's back and pulled her in tightly to his side. "Thank her and remember it was a human to whom you owe your life. Do not cross our paths again. I will not be as accommodating next time." Sesshomaru warned.

The rat demon gratefully bowed his head to Rin. "Thank you mistress for sparing me. Thank you Lord Sesshomaru." The rat demon quickly picked up his discarded tail and scampered off into the darkness. Sesshomaru wrapped his other arm around Rin and she buried her face into his chest. He rested his chin atop her crown and stroked her hair soothingly. Jacken watched the unusual display of affection and turned his back to head towards camp to gather their supplies. Best if master did not see him witness the unusually tender display.