Chapter four

Blood Brothers

As the motley crew headed out to find Rin and Kanna, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had walked ahead of the others. It was the first time since the Shikon Jewel had been repaired, that the two brothers had set aside their differences for a common goal. Inuyasha had to wonder where five years went. Five years since Naraku's destruction.

Sesshomaru broke through Inuyasha's thoughts. "Why didn't you use the jewel? You've always wanted to be a full fledge demon."

Inuyasha looked back to Kagome, who was talking to the fourteen year old Shippo. "A certain person told me that I was loved as a half breed. I'm just glad the jewel was thrown into the fires of Mount Fuji."

Sesshomaru nodded. It was the old woman named Kaide who suggested that the two brothers destroy the jewel. Inuyasha couldn't understand why he and the others had went through so much trouble to collect the shards in the first place. "Yes, that's one less thing to worry about. Are you glad, little brother, that you chose this path?"

Inuyasha, once again stole a look at Kagome. "Yes. Some things are worth the sacrifice of the things you want."

"Such as?"

"The love of a very unselfish woman. The friendships that have been acquired over the years."

Sesshomaru realized that Inuyasha was not the only one who had grown up in the last five years. He thought of his beautiful little Rin. Well, Rin was not so little any more. She was a girl blossoming into womanhood, at the tender age of sixteen. It seemed that he, Sesshomaru, had also grown up in some ways. True, as children, he and Inuyasha had fought over a lot of things. But none so fierce over the love of their father. No wonder they had been at each other's neck.

Inuyasha was seeing his older brother in a new light. "Why do you think that Kanna has become so aggressive?"

"Maybe the death of Naraku has affected her so. Or maybe part of Naraku still resides in her. I've been thinking about what you told me underneath the sacred tree. Could Kanna be targeting those that are responsible for Naraku's death?"

Inuyasha hoped not. He remembered that the key element in killing Naraku was Kagome's sacred arrow. "Why Rin?"

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Who knows. But I will find and rescue Rin before anything happens to her."

Several hours later, the group stopped at the same river that Kagome was killed at.

Suddenly, Sango exclaimed, "Look! Someone's headed towards the river!"

"Rin." Sesshomaru said.

"Wait," Inuyasha, "That's not Rin. It's not her scent. There's no scent whatsoever. That means it could only be…" He didn't even want to finish the sentence.

"I hope you're wrong, little brother. For Rin's sake."

Kanna disguised as Rin walked up to Sesshomaru. "Father! You came for me."

Sesshomaru couldn't believe that Kanna could be so reckless. Rin had never called him father. It was always Lord Sesshomaru. "Who are you?"

"I'm your daughter, Rin."

"I see what you're doing, Kanna, and it won't work. You think I'm some mere mortal that will be betrayed by emotions? You're not Rin!"

Kanna laughed. "Well since there's no point in continuing this act, I demand the Tetsusiaga and the Tensaiga!"

Inuyasha spoke up, "And if we refuse?"

Kanna pulled out a dagger and held it up to Rin's throat. "Give me the swords, or I will kill this body and there will be hope for this girl."

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said, "Give her the Tetsusiaga."

"What?"

"Give her the sword! I won't play around with Rin's safety."

Begrudgingly, Inuyasha pulled out his sword and gave it to Rin. Sesshomaru followed suite.

"Finally! The two most powerful swords ever forged are in my possession!"

"Lord Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru looked in the direction that the voice came in. It came from Kanna's mirror. Rin's soul was fighting against the confines of the mirror.

"Rin?"

"Lord Sesshomaru! Use the priestess! She said that only the blood of the priestess could…"

"Quiet you insolent brat!"

Sesshomaru looked back at Kanna. "You have the two swords. Let Rin go."

"No! I've become rather attached to this vessel. It's very becoming, don't you think so, Father?" Kanna held up the mirror and a dagger flew out headed strait towards Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru retaliated by lifting up two fingers. There was an otherworldly glow that came from the fingers. The light tirned into a whip that Sesshomaru used to slash her across the face.

"You would slash the face of the mortal girl you claim to love?"

Sesshomaru was taken aback. Why was Kanna doing this?

Meanwhile, Kagome was putting the pieces together. "Hey, Sango. Let me have your sword."

"What do you have in mind, Kagome?"

"Rin said that only the blood of a priestess." Kagome slashed her hand, letting the blood flow. She took an arrow and soaked the tip in the blood. She docked the bloody arrow into the bow. "What do I aim at? Rin's body or her soul?"

Sango replied, "Well isn't Kanna the incarnation of Naraku, just as you are Kikyo's reincarnation?"

"Right. She's Naraku's reflection, so I need to aim for the mirror. Priestesses of the past, lend me your strength." She fired the arrow and it hit the mirror, completely shattering it.

"NOOOO!" Kanna's soul was forced from Rin's body as Rin's soul took it's rightful place.

Sesshomaru threw the Tetsusiaga to Inuyasha and grabbed his Tensaiga. Working together instead of against each other, the two brothers slashed at Kanna. She faded away and disappeared.

Kagome, suddenly weakened, fell to her knees. Inuyasha caught her. "Kagome, are you okay?"

"Yes Inuyasha, I'm just a little weak."

He kissed her. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Miroku had seen Rin, a lovely sixteen year old maiden. He grabbed her hand and said, "Excuse Miss, would you mind bearing my children?"

Before Rin could answer, Sesshomaru picked Miroku up by the throat and growled, "Keep your hands off my daughter, you pervert!"

Rin gasped. "Your daughter? Really? Oh Lord Sesshomaru! Thank you!" She hugged him knocking him down in the process. "I'm so sorry, Lord Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru lifted himself and smiled. "I would rather you call me Father."

Rin hugged him again.

Sesshomaru got up and said, "Come along, Rin."

Inuyasha looked at his older brother. "Sesshomaru?"

"We'll meet again, little brother."

As Sesshomaru and Rin disappeared into the forest, Inuyasha shook his head. "He's just like the wind, coming and going as he pleases." Inuyasha looked at Kagome and saw his future. That was all that mattered.