Chapter 5 Fighting Fair

I don't own Inuyasha

Moving along a path, Sesshoumaru recognized the strong scent of Rin's blood and stopped only to turn and face the direction it was coming from. He could tell that she was close to the northern boundary of the West. The area consisted of nothing but demons and was a certain trap to any human foolish enough to venture in. His eyes narrowed at the thought of wanting to go after her. He had no reason to. He understood her to be a demon slayer, capable of fending for herself. Someone who betrayed you was not your responsibility.

Rin struggled to get up as multiple demons surrounded her. She had known better than to meet them on their own grounds alone but they had challenged her abilities. She realized that there was a fine line between arrogance and foolishness and she was currently walking it. Striking one of the demons down that charged her, she held her side as blood ran from a wound. Doing her best to fend them off, she felt another demon attack her from behind, tearing through the material and into her back. She stumbled but regained her stance as she struck down the offending demon. Taking out the last three she breathed deeply as her vision waned. She looked around and tried to focus but she was too fatigued. Laying onto the grass she closed her eyes for a moment. Things were quiet until she heard the sound of footsteps coming toward her. Fearing for her life, she tried to push back up to fight but her energy had drained completely. She shook from the blood loss as she heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed.

"Did I anger you so much?"

"I am only finishing what you started."

She looked up to see his face but the blood of a wound against her forehead obstructed her vision. The last thing she saw was him raising the sword.

… …

Sitting against a tree she reflected on the past few days. Many of which had been busy traveling around to several different villages. Many of her nights had not varied greatly from her days. Sleep had not come easily and when it did it was less than peaceful. She seemed to fight as much in her dreams as she did in reality but with the opposite outcome. Maybe it was the excitement of the day that kept her on alert, even in her dreams.

"Lady Rin! Lady Rin!" The villager ran up to her, almost out of breath.

"What is it?"

"Demons! Many demons!"

"Stay here."

Coming up to the village she could see the mass of demons approaching. If they made it into the village, there would be no stopping them. She had to hurry.

Within feet of the village she position herself in front of them. Seeing her, they slowed to a stop.

"Human, you would stand in our way?"

"This village is under my protection. I will not allow you to enter it without going through me."

The lizard demon circled around her. "You are the one we've wanted dead for so long? But seeing you is such a disappointment. A tiny human woman."

"Do you question my ability to send you to your grave?"

"Precisely."

"Then leave this village alone and take me on instead."

"Bold human. So be it. But there is one condition. You will fight us on our own grounds."

She knew it was a trick. As soon as she got there, their numbers would most likely double to over fifty. But it was a chance that she was willing to take. She was not to be taken lightly.

"Fine. Lead the way."

… …

The demon screamed as her body was cut in two. Sheathing the sword, Sesshoumaru bent down to check to make sure Rin had only passed out. What was he supposed to do? Take her in again, care for her as he had done so many years ago? He couldn't see himself repeating the same mistake. He leaned against a tree. She wouldn't be grateful. She wouldn't care. After all he was the one who was so cold and unbending. It wasn't as if he loved her. He sat down.

It was near sunset before he noticed her move again. Slowly she opened her eyes. Her body felt sore as she pushed herself off the ground. Frankly, she was surprised that she was still alive. Hadn't Sesshoumaru tried to kill her? Reaching up to touch her face she winced. Her side was still covered in blood. She kept her gaze ahead of her.

"I was vulnerable. What stopped you?"

"You misunderstood my intentions. Even if I had wanted to kill you, I would have allowed you the honor of being at full strength."

"I don't owe you anything." She stood, though still a bit unsteady.

"You do."

"How so? All you did was change your mind."

"You're unaware that you left work undone."

"How am I supposed to believe a liar my lord?"

"The same way that I am supposed to believe that you're a demon slayer."

"Then you mean that I shouldn't believe you at all."

"Do you wish for me to validate what you are?"

"Only if it would satisfy you!"

"You do realize what you're suggesting?"

Rin nodded, "I am in my right mind my lord. I never assumed that you would be one to hesitate at the mention of a battle. I will allow you the choice of location if that is what concerns you."

He had been angry with her, yes but he had no interest in fighting her. It was a worthless battle. She had to know that she didn't have a chance against him. What was she thinking?

"No, I would not have you tarnish your position. We will do this the way in which we're meant to. Unexpected!"

A/N: Thank you for being patient and continuing to read and review. I hadn't planned on this update taking this long but school has been at the forefront :/

Chapter 6: The Way I Remember (this title may change)