Thanks for the great reviews.
Here's chapter three!
Enjoy.
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Embers cracked gently against the small pile of logs. The burning flames dancing in many shapes and sizes. Warming and comforting the young woman who watched. Her eyes entranced by them. And her shallow mind beginning to think of the ways of life.
'Knock.'
"Huh? Who is it?" Her peaceful state by interrupted by the knock on her hut.
"It's Rin. From this morning…Remember?"
She lifted the long shade covering the doorway to show her familiar face.
"Oh hey kid." She waved her in.
The girl responded and cheerfully went in, sitting across from the girl.
"I'm so glad you have a fire going." She set her tiny bag beside her and warmed her hands.
"Yeah Mother hates it so she sleeps in a different hut."
Rin peered around the small home. She hadn't even noticed that the elderly woman was missing.
"Hey wait a second…How'd you know where I lived?"
"Oh one of the villagers was standing guard outside. I just asked where you were and he let me in." She smiled.
The woman's face lost it's color. Had everyone become so damn open to letting strangers in? They could be angered soldiers, thieves, bandits, or even worse…DEMONS! Miza began to wonder if she was the only sane one left in the world.
"Kid you must have some kind magic over people." She sighed.
"Why do you say that?" She placed her warm hands on her lap.
"Well I guess cause my mother trusted you…more than she usually does with people. Our only guard decided you were okay…I don't know it just seems like you have something that people find so…charming."
She eyed Rin with suspicion and uncertainty. Maybe the other villagers were blinded by her cute and harmless nature. But Miza wouldn't be tricked with warm words or heartfelt gestures. Because even though she liked this girl she remembered how Rin had spoken of demons in such high terms. How she even admitted to following one. It sickened the mortal to think of it, she couldn't even trust her own kind.
"Humans like me…maybe because I'm like them. I only wish demons could see that too." Her eyes chased the flames around the burning wood. She could see his gentle face in them. Warm, protective, yet harmful if need be.
A smile stained the woman's lips, "Wait I thought you LIKED demons. It sounds like somebody had a fight with one….Your precious lord perhaps?"
Rin blushed, "Well not a fight…okay a little one."
"Ha! I knew it! That damn beast tried to eat you! Well let me tell you kid I'd do anything to protect a human! You just tell me where the smug bastard is and I'll bring his head back!"
Rin's eye twitched at the jumpy girl. She got so excited over hurting other creatures, that's not right. Not at all.
"He didn't try to eat me….I just upset him and now I think he'll never forgive me."
Her sudden burst of pleasure stopped, "Why do you feel like he should forgive you? Do you really want acceptance from him?"
She nodded slowly. Her love and care for him hadn't stopped yet. Though she liked to think her new life would be happier without him. She felt so strongly about her decision but part of her was very much attached to the dog. He was the only thing she ever saw as happiness, the only thing giving her life. Now he was gone and she had a new world to enter. And even now she regretted leaving him, even if he didn't know about it yet.
"Look Rin. You made the right choice coming here. Cause even if he's just mad he might come back and hurt you. You don't deserve that from scum like him."
"….Miza? Why do humans and demons live in two different worlds? Why can't we be in one?"
She sighed, "I told you already. Humans are dominate rulers. Demons want their power so they fight for it. We can never cross or the world would meet a terrible fate. Death, violence, never any peace…we're just to different."
Rin stayed silent and tried to come up with her own explanation. Maybe one that didn't sound as bad.
"Kid I know you have feelings for him…"
She looked up at her, eyes widened.
A stern look came from the older woman, "You care for him and love him. Otherwise you would never have followed him."
Her heart began to beat rapidly. In her mind she had kept the thought of that locked away. She tried avoiding it in fear that it was true. Sure her love was obvious in the sense that she respected him. It was the same with Jaken. The care for them as leaders. But the slim chance her heart belonged to him had always been kept hidden. When said out loud it seemed official.
"He…He's my lord. Of course I love him."
She laughed, "No you love him as in you want to be his…."
She gasped, "Oh no. That's not possible. He's just my leader."
"Rin face it. You've given yourself to a demon…It's wrong though."
Her eyes narrowed, "No it's okay. I have another friend who loves a half demon."
She choked, "That's disgusting! Their low life animals! Has everyone except me gone mad? Demons and humans shouldn't be together! In any form!"
"Miza calm down." She comforted.
"It's just sick, Rin. Don't fall for something lower than yourself. Become the bride of a powerful human. If you like the thought of being overpowered by someone than wed to a mortal lord. A demon wouldn't love you. This pathetic leader of yours DOESN'T LOVE YOU!"
The teen trembled at the cruel words. They dug deeper in her mind. Hurting her and making her want to break down. The thought of her loving the dog and him shunning her was unbearable. It was wrong of him…or was it wrong that she loved him? Did she even love him?
Why does it have to be like this? Why can't we live together in peace?…We can't! He didn't even care that I left! He won't come for me this time! He'll leave and never think of me!
"Miza…you're right. I had no place in his life." She tightened her grip around her kimono.
"Don't take it so hard. Once you start living the human life everything will be okay. You'll fall for another man. A better man. I promise."
She nodded and prayed that she was right. That things would be better here. Life would be good and grand. Life far beyond her dreams.
She smiled warmly, "May I stay with you?"
"No I'm going to send you back to demon land. Of course you can stay!" She joked.
She laughed, "Thank you very much. I promise to help out and be good."
Miza nodded, her smile still on her face. It was nice to get more humans away from scum.
"Rin you'll be…"
'Crash!'
"Help! A demon!"
The girls heard villagers screaming outside. A new terror had been brought upon them.
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The tiny huts were smashed without any effort from the creature's power. It easily trampled the lands, field, and now began searching for a snack. For the mantis demon loved the innards of mortals.
"A lovely feast I shall have." It boomed over the running humans.
The woman and children screamed as the mantis reached it mighty claws for them. It was soon stopped by the arrows being shot at it's body. Only a few barely pierced it's skin.
"For this you will all meet a death so foul!"
It swung it's whipping claw at the few men trying to guard their land. The powerful wind quickly knocked the men down. Their wives and children attempting to aid them.
"What the?!" Miza and Rin emerged from the hut to see the reigning disaster.
"Oh no! I have to get Mother! She could be hurt!" Miza began running for the group of terrified villagers.
"Wait! That demon will devour you too!" Rin called.
The woman ignored her warning and began looking for her beloved mother. She darted straight into the grove, pushing the cluster apart in desperation.
"Mother! Where are you?!" She screamed.
Suddenly she felt a painful grip clutch her waist. It's pinching hold closed around her.
"Let me go!" She kicked at the beast but to avail.
"You shall die first. Whiney mortal!" It opened it's pointed mouth as she screamed in terror.
"Hit the mark…"
An arrow cut across the night sky, slamming into the mantis's eye. It's painful cries echoed loudly.
It gripped Miza tighter as it turned to see who had struck it. There stood Rin, an empty bow in her hands. She secretly thanked Kagome for all the times she'd shown her how to fire a hit.
"Drop her demon!" She yelled.
"You wretch! How dare you?!" It let Miza fall to the ground. Luckily a man caught her unconscious body.
"Go! I don't want to kill you!" She hoped her plan would work. Maybe if she acted tough the mantis wouldn't notice that she had no arrows left.
"Filthy mortal!" It yanked the bloody spear from it's eye, tossing it aside.
It's huge claw-like feet quickly dashed to the human, it's claw snapping at her.
Rin screamed and managed to dodge the beast. She fell to her knees as she jumped away from it. The bloody yellow ball staring at her with vengeance and rage.
It swooped down once again, this time retrieving it's prize. Holding the teen firmly as it raised her to it's face. She slammed her fists against it's knuckles but of course she couldn't hurt it.
"Let go you oversized bug!" She squealed.
It only tightened more around her fragile figure. Her breath decreasing as it slowly began crushing her. Gasps escaping every time it clenched.
"Stop…please…"
"Not a chance you ungrateful human. You shall be a mere morsel before I finish off your village." It laughed.
She screamed out as it felt like her bones were breaking. Her cries filling the air along with the terrified villagers who watched.
Her eyes became blurry and darkened. She knew her life would end soon. This beast was to powerful for the town to handle. She couldn't count on the unconscious Miza to rescue her. Humans couldn't handle a monster. So now she could only call the one person who could.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Help me!"
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Doggy better hurry before Rin goes bye bye.
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