Chapter 7: Wear and Tear
I don't own Inuyasha
Rin took a few deep breaths as she jumped back to quickly reevaluate her strategy. She needed to conserve energy. Without the skills of a true miko, the barrier would slowly strip her energy until there was nothing left. She was using the ability for a selfish act which meant that her chance and time to come out on top of this battle was substantially limited in comparison. She knew the barrier would only be a defense and even so she couldn't keep it up against his every attack; he was too fast.
He found himself hesitating to draw Bakusaiga. But right now, she was untouchable. It didn't make sense that she was able to maintain a barrier. She never claimed the abilities of a miko but her revealing that she had spent her time well during the past two weeks was clue enough. She was obviously a quick study, but maintaining that kind of energy had to be taking a toll on her body. She was conserving or better yet, trying to delay the inevitable. He drew Bakusaiga.
"So you're ready to fight now." She flipped one of the daggers in her hand as she sized him up.
"…don't waste your energy."
Before she could blink, he was there. She tensed and crossed the blades overhead to block the sword as he came down on her from the air. Gritting her teeth, she could feel herself being driven back. Her strength wavered as the daggers threatened to separate and allow the sword to come through. Her breath caught as her daggers slid apart and she faced down the sword against the barrier.
He jumped back as he tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword. He had half expected her to still have the barrier up when he first attacked her. Had he not have let up when he did she wouldn't have been able to form the barrier fast enough to separate herself from the sword. Despite his reserve to use his full strength, he knew that he still had to be cautious. The plan had been to damage her pride without damaging her. But she wasn't making that so simple.
"Why are you holding back?"
"I assure you I'm not."
"Don't lie to me."
He sneered as he readied himself against her. The sound of metal rang out as he blocked her attack and faced her down between the blades.
"You said you would do me the honor of validating what I am. Or are you ready to turn your back and run away like you did years ago?"
"What?"
"Don't act like you don't remember."
"What are you talking about?"
"You never answered my questions, I won't answer yours." She smirked as she removed one of the blades and missed his side only for her arm to be caught in his other hand.
"Now is not the time for games."
"Then quit playing with me."
He could feel her energy rising to form the barrier again and let her go to prevent her from doing so.
"You would be foolish to keep this up."
Rin ignored his words, sending him back into defense. It didn't matter whether she won or not at this point. She wanted him to know her frustration and anger no matter what the cost.
It pained him to see her so upset. Every time he got close, she used the barrier but eventually it started to fail and he abandoned Bakusaiga. It was the failed attempts that had caused her the most damage. The kimono torn, showing through to superficial wounds against her arms and waist caused by his claws. The few lone cuts against her cheeks were mostly caused by her own carelessness. The smell of her blood was something he didn't care to take in.
His body shadowed hers as she pushed back to her feet against the tree. He was ready for the fighting to end and the only way to get answers from her was to do what she wanted.
The daggers were out of sight. Her glare was her only form of defense. Surprise took her momentarily as she felt her neck threatened by his claws. Only a little more pressure could cause them to sink right through.
"Do it."
"I don't need your encouragement, I need you to answer me."
She swallowed as the fatigue of her eyes met the seriousness of his.
"Why do you say that I left you?"
"Because you did."
"When?"
"When Kaede died. I asked you to take me with you and you turned away from me. You didn't keep your promise." She struggled to keep the tears from falling.
"You were distraught and you were too young to make that decision."
"Admit it. You just didn't want me with you. I was a burden that you needed to get rid of."
"No, Rin."
"You told me I would be safer at that village than by your side. But I wasn't. I was attacked by demons and I called out for you. You didn't come for me. Sango came for me. I should have known better than to trust you or anyone else." He removed his hand from her throat as she turned her head to hide her emotions.
'So that was why she had become a demon slayer. To protect herself.' He shook his head realizing that his intentions had played against him.
"Rin, I wanted you to know that your own kind could be there for you as well. I wanted your decision to be fair. Had Sango not have been able to handle the situation, I would have stepped in but there was no need. That's why I didn't come back."
"…no…you were angry with me…you were going to kill me." She didn't want to believe what he was telling her.
"I thought that you had betrayed me by becoming a demon slayer. Even so, the day you thought I was going to kill you, was in your defense."
Her loss of awareness became evident as she seemed to look past him.
"Rin…" Her weight was unexpected as he felt her wrap her arms around his neck in an effort to keep from falling.
A/N: THE END! Ha just kidding!It took me longer than I expected to get this chapter right. I went through a bunch and I do mean a BUNCH of ideas!
Chapter 8: Divided Decisions - "What are you saying?"