Huuuh… I'm sorry guys. What can I say? I'm a lousy author. Hehe, their meeting draws nearer. The next chapter? Who knows…. Even I don't D

Cross Roads

"aaiieieiee! Kagome-Chan!"

The near serene view of the Sengoku Jidai changed from that of a romantic feeling to the reality of a woman living in that time.

A plumped Sango hobbled over towards Kagome, Inuyasha and their toddler Daiki. At first, she was unrecognizable due to her swollen belly and the absence of her Youkai-Taijiya uniform. All that remained of their friend was the familiar fringe and her persistence to reach them despite her swollen ankles.

"Uh… Sango-Chan!" Kagome returned the call and ran to meet Sango half the way.

The closer the two friends were, the more they realized the difference a year and motherhood had on them. Their faces showed the strain of discipline and constraint, also the faint and impending wrinkles of early aging brought by children. Sango rested, panting faintly and supporting her back with her arms. They looked at each other in silence for a long time… Silence can convey the most words and the hardest expressions especially after a long separation.

The steady silence was broken by Inuyasha's loud and intended yawn and the harassed cry of Miroku yelling for Sango.

Shortly after…

They managed to settle shortly into the square hut of Sango, Miroku and their sprightly daughter, Sayuri whom Daiki had a strange interest in. Both Kagome and Sango showed the signs of motherhood almost too visibly thru the lines on their faces. Only Miroku and Inuyasha remained the least unchanged.

"Kagome-Chan, a new metal-bender has been born not far from here."

Kagome's face kept it's confused expression but Inuyasha's ears perked up.

"Yeah…? So?' he tested Sango.

She calmly turned to the hanyou and started.

"Not only that, the western lands are going on a massive power struggle. This Taisho is trying to grab power from your brother."

Inuyasha snarled.

"So what. I don't care for that idiot."

Kagome shot Inuyasha a glare and reached over to separate Daiki from his odd tussle with Sayuri.

Miroku cut in while Sango tried to separate their children " The thing is that we heard from Kaede-sama who's old friend resides in the western friends that Sesshoumaru intends to kill the metal bender. The news is pretty old since that guy's always looking for something to kill…"

"What's this got to do with us?" Inuyasha blurted. A perplexed expression plastered on his face.

Sango gave a sigh in dismay.

"Time can't change some things…" she murmured.

"We thought you would be able to smell it Inuyasha. The metal." Miroku said bluntly.

"The Metal-bender is heading this way and can't you smell the wind Inuyasha? The Youki is strong! Sesshoumaru and the metal-bender may meet in the middle of that forest!" Miroku pointed dramatically.

Kagome remained silent. She did not think that Inuyaha would pick up the scent that fast. In Tokyo with all the cars and buildings, metal was just one of things that the air smelt of. This was probably why Inuyasha was unable to pick it out.

Rin's POV

"Yes, Rin. You may be forced to leave the village, you pose as a threat to our secret existence."

He continued despite Rin's visible trembling.

"This sudden outburst of energy will attract many Daiyoukai. You're even starting to unsettle some of us…" Yuragu shifted his weight uncomfortably.

Rin stared blankly at his shadow formed by the weak candlelight. She held back her tears and the unnatural but familiar pain spread through her nose.

"-But you don't want that?" Yuragu continued. Rin stopped and listened.

"There ARE ways to contain your powers. The most typical way is to train over a long duration to gain enough experience to control it."

"Of course, that would be too tedious." Yuragu sounded almost hinting something in his tone of voice. Rin did not appreciate his holding back of information and she once again sincerely felt alone against one who was so used to ulterior motives. She had never felt this strange unease with Sesshomaru-sama. She could exist in his presence and understand that although she may never have been told of his true actions, she could always affirm that he would return to her always. It could not be told as trustworthiness or loyalty. Perhaps some hidden attribute too great to be put in words, an attribute that Sesshomaru-sama had and Yuragu lacked.

" You could also SUPRESS this by wielding the katana of a dai-youkai."

Rin's eyes widened as much as her gaze intensified on Yuragu's shadow. The air smelt metallic and Endan's copper belt emitted an interesting hum that both soothed her but warned her.

"Ex-Shitatsupa, Rin, I entrust you with your first mission. After minimal training, you will be set upon finding a dai-youkai. It is not necessary to kill it but your task would be harder than stealing its life."

Dai-youkai…. Rin gulped.

" Stealing the katana that signifies his status and power is harder than massacre. Many Youkai-lords would never give up their katana."

Yuragu looked down.

"I have a feeling that this mission would force you to recall-" he coughed uneasily

" I won't announce your mission and you may leave when you deem the time right. Just tell me when you are leaving this village so that I can listen for you from the forests. I will hear you if you call me and I will come to your aid."

Rin nodded sadly.

Her first mission, her first time out of the village and her first job: finding a dai-youkai. Was fate aiding her or had it also an ulterior motive? Fate was never with her but she always had an accurate glimpse of its plans for her.

And some how, Sesshomaru-sama was involved somewhere along the line.

Sesshomaru's POV

Sesshomaru frowned. It was the deep scowl that he rarely presented. The last IT had shown itself was the day he realized he could never have the Tenseiga.

He was obviously in a dangerous mood.

The Taisho Tatsuyuama… Sesshomaru pictured his face and silently cut his image up slowly with his imaginary Doukosso.

He was good at this.

He had clearly stated his mission was to be carried out alone. Tatsuyama had done what could be called an unofficial act of rebellion. Having volunteered to follow Sesshomaru when it was made so clear that Sesshomaru was to go alone AND gaining the permission of the court to do so, Tatsuyama had unknowingly (or purposely) put himself in a competition of power against Sesshomaru.

It was a very smart political move.

Behind the simple and pretentious action of volunteering to come along: Tatsuyama had merely declared outright that he was attempting to go against Sesshomaru and challenged his power. Also, with the matter being that of searching for the metal-bender, it meant that he was doubted Sesshomaru's power in being able to protect the western lands.

Obviously Tatsuyama would try to preserve the metal-bender and convince the court that destroying the metal-bender would be a disadvantage to the western-lands. He would successfully have displaced Sesshomaru from his position of respect.

Sesshomaru could not say anything. Half the court agreed with Tatsuyama and the preservation of the metal-bender. His frown deepened. They did not think that he was capable of protecting them. They had never seen what he had done to Naraku-

Sesshoumaru coughed.

Tatsuyama had the support of the people.

Sesshomaru had the blood of his fathers.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes. He had only one chance.

Destroy the metal-bender BEFORE Tatsuyama and by doing so reclaim the respect of the court. Tatsuyama had obviously been doing a lot of work. Jaken also seemed swayed by the offer of a leader (or idol) who recognized his followers.

However, a look at Sesshomaru-sama's Tenseiga renewed his loyalty.

Sesshomaru swore silently.

His blood had better help him now.

Rin's POV

Rin sat silently in her hut. A sense of trepidation crept slowly up her back. The feeling of it made her stomach churn in revulsion. Her Naginata sang to her in the corner of the hut from the shadows. She could hear its distinct metallic ring resonate throughout the room. Ever since her powers had awaken, Metals from swords, armory and even from the nails from the walls of the village called out to her. She heard everyone of their mingled "voices" and was frequently unsettled by the constant humming and buzzing. It was not as bad now. Only her Naginata sang to her in the solace of her raised hut that was, thankfully, made entirely out of wood.

Rin could not bear to remain in the armory rooms of the village longer than an afternoon as the constant ringing and crying of well-used swords and weapons bewildered her. Yuragu had told her that Metal-benders tend to feel skittish after they have just realized their powers.

She coughed at Yuragu's name and Rin realized that she was angry with him. She strongly felt that her current dilemma was a result of his choice to bring her in how many years ago-

Rin paused and drew in a sharp breath. She had forgotten how long she had been living here. She gaped in horror and scoured her mind searching for a number to take the place of "how many". Rin cried in anguish.

"Ah" Her frustrations gnawed at her. The frustrations were built up from her years of residing here without someone to truly care for her.

Rin paused yet again.

"without someone truly caring for me" she mouthed slowly.

Yuragu was a companion and her team of Naginata wielders treated her kindly. However, in her long stay here, she lacked a mentor. Rin thought over the word Mentor. The word rolled over her mind again and again- it was like the waves of the oceans in the east that she saw once with Sesshoumaru-sama.

Rin tried remembering his face but the image was not summoned easily. She was not surprised at this. He had long ago ceased to appear easily. A low and soft murmur fell from Rin's lips.

Perhaps not Mentor… something else.

She turned her head to the window and tried separating her tumultuous emotions. When she realized it was useless, she got up with her Naginata and headed for the door. She did not want to tell Yuragu that she was leaving the village now. If she were in trouble-

She laughed.

"Sesshoumaru-sama will save me." She snorted. The more aggressive and cunning Rin took over the moment she stepped out of her hut. She needed to be strong to find her sword. The sword would ensure that she would be able to stay in this village for a very long time.

"I don't care if I have to take it from HIM." And she walked into the forest toward the falling autumn sun.

Sessshouamaru POV

I will leave before the Taisho. He will catch up with me no doubt but this early head start would allow me to get days closer to my target. I want to kill the Metal-bender. This is like a hunting sport.

I allow my final jaw-popping yawn before assuming the usual stoic face.

I then walk into the direction of the forests where the interestingly metallic smell draws closer.