CYCLE OF RIN
By Lady JenDragon
Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters. I'm really digging Fluffy and Rin though.
Chapter Six
Cycle Returns
Rin woke sweating, her body felt hot, even tense. Every muscle hummed in anticipation, her mind acutely alert. Flexing her fingers, Rin realized she craved air. Fresh air. She looked around the darkened hut, five still forms slept peacefully. With trained silence, she got to her feet and exited the hut through the bamboo door. The uneasiness in her hips indicated the Cycle was about to begin. Not just one Cycle, but both cycles; Demon and Human. Hot and cold shot up her legs, through her chest and into her mind. For an instant, she thought she heard screaming.
Shaking her head and the thoughts with in, Rin stumbled towards the forest edge, its darkness welcoming her. She needed to escape civilization to minimize the effects. What ever those may be. Miroku did not know what to expect or what to do about everyone's safety should she go into a violent rage. 'Demonic behavior was unpredictable sometimes.' Her movements were no longer labored causing her to stumble and stagger. Difficulty turned to ease, her muscles obeying commands. The forest passed around her in a blur, putting space between the village and her.
Suddenly, she could no longer feel her legs move. She collapsed onto the thick grass, rolling over and over until she came to rest on her back. Rin stretched an arm towards the moon slowly fading. Dawn was hours away and here she suffered. 'Why must I face this?' Tears began to stream from her eyes as the pain began. Slowly, it intensified, causing Rin to curl into a ball. She would remain here until the spasm passed.
The chains Inuyasha placed in the ground should be around here somewhere. He nodded his silver head, acknowledging her concerns since the Cycle continued to get worse over the last six months. Instead of occurring every three to four months, the Cycle appeared every month. Rin, worried about her friends safety, wanted a plan in case she did get…violent.
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Kagome looked on with worry, her hand over her mouth. Both Rin's hands and feet were tied, chained to the ground. She shook her head knowing Rin placed herself there voluntarily. Rin lay on the grass in her demonslayer suit, her face twisted in agony as another spasm ripped through her. Tears streamed from Rin's eyes, soaking the ground beneath her. Sango stared at the onset of the Cycle beside Kagome with anguish and a longing expression to help Rin on her face. Both felt hopelessly helpless.
"Kagome, I've never seen her this bad before!" Sango spoke entranced. "She's basically paralyzed."
"Neither have I. It seems to get worse every time this last year, the worst being last month." Kagome did not know what else to do.
"Until the demons come." Sango knew Rin could take care of herself. "Then it seems to take full control and then she comes out okay."
A star pupil of hers, Sango smiled inwardly. One of the strongest demonslayers she met outside herself. And the girl insisted on training in any area Rin could find a mentor. Miroku was even pulled into duty, training Rin in the arts of sutras. They were coming along very well, Rin invented two sutras that were very effective against demons.
"If we leave her here, she's away from the village and the demons can find her." Kagome shivered. "That sounds so bad. But here, she'll be able to defend herself from anyone that approaches."
"She's proven she can." Sango patted Kagome on the shoulder.
"Inuyasha has gone off to search for more information." Kagome offered. "I…I asked him to approach his brother."
"And?" Sango queried.
She lowered her eyes to the ground. Sango never spoke about Sesshomaru to Rin, afraid to open an old wound. Rin relayed that Sesshomaru abandoned her one rainy night after she had been kidnapped by three men. Inuyasha's brother never came back for his ward, choosing to leave Rin on her own. The hurt in the young girl's eyes was unmistakable. But, she showed a strong fasod to those who met and knew her. Even in the face of agony, Rin wanted nothing from Sesshomaru. Sango felt so helpless.
"He said, 'No way!' What else?" Kagome cringed as another spasm ripped through Rin's slender form. "Rin would rather die than ask Sesshomaru for help. But I can't help wonder if Sesshomaru may know how to cure her."
"Rin can't always have what she wants." Sango replied half-heartedly. "We've done all we can for her at this point. We don't have many options open right now. I'm sure Inuyasha will suck his pride in and go find Sesshomaru. He knows how much pain Rin is in. Maybe, Sesshomaru will have the answers."
"I can only hope he stops long enough to listen." Kagome lowered her eyes,
Rin fought against the chains restraining her and knew that Sango and herself were near-by. She worried about their safety. It was best they leave the area for now. Kagome hated to leave Rin. But, Rin wanted it no other way. She secluded herself from the village during the Cycle. And alone she suffered the side effects of her condition. Only demons seemed to suffer along with Rin when she disappeared for extended periods of time.
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Another surge engulfed her senses. Pain ceased her body, paralyzing her in a fetal position on the ground. Seconds passed like hours, Rin grunted, her muscles spasms growing worse with the ever brightening day. It had only been an hour since sunrise and her agony increased ten-fold. Tears formed and fell onto the grass. Her body shivered, unable to move. The wave had not desisted, assaulting her far longer than before.
Confused, Rin did not understand why the Cycle hit during the day. Due to both cycles coming together at the same time? The chains were a good idea. Yanking on the metal links, she found them difficult to pull apart. Kagome and Sango discussed this as they watched her away from the village, wanting to help tie her down just to show their concern and let her know she was not alone.
Tied like a stray dog to a stake in the middle of small field, Rin did not want to suffer through another Cycle. She had been a fool to wait until this Cycle ended to decide her next step. Rin could barely breathe as another spasm ripped through her. Her entire body felt as if on fire. There was nothing more to consider. 'It must end now!'
'SOMEONE KILL ME!' The words screamed in her head. Rin curled tighter as another spasm of pain surged through her. Hot needles pressed into her insides, causing her more agony. Her skin felt as if the battle beneath would escape the war.
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Jaken stared wide-eyed at Rin's curled form on the ground, her face twisted in sheer agony. He had never seen a human or demon suffer as Rin did now. He turned and looked up at Lord Sesshomaru standing at his side, his eyes hopeful that his master would help.
"What…what are w…we going to do?" Jaken asked hesitantly.
"There is nothing to do." Sesshomaru turned from the scene.
For the first time, Sesshomaru felt uneased by Rin's predicament. Koi was correct after all. The two cycles had merged and were attacking each other in an attempt to drive the other out to gain total control. Unfortunately for Rin, her body would not release the demon blood and the human blood rejected the demon. It had seven years to acclimatize to her body. Yet, the two bloods remained at odds.
He sniffed the air, her scent assaulting his senses. The desire she aroused within grew into necessity. She was more potent than the month before. If he left now, his absence would guarantee that his lineage not be tainted by a human. Sesshomaru fisted his right hand beneath his kimono cuff, hiding Rin's effect on him. The other demons would be more determined to obtain Rin for themselves this night. Rin suffered immensely, her determination to battle the demon blood's natural cycle. 'Foolish.'
"But…" Jaken's words fell silent.
Jaken did not want to leave Rin there, agonizing alone. Though he had been jealous of her relationship with Lord Sesshomaru during their travels, her warmth and kindness were missed once she was left behind. Surely, Lord Sesshomaru would not leave her to die here. His master had a soft spot where Rin was concerned, tolerating her idiot human ways day in, day out for five years. His decision to leave Rin behind one day was never understood by him. What was his master keeping from him?
"Lord Sesshomaru!"
"There is nothing that can be done, Jaken!" Sesshomaru repeated impatiently, narrowing his eyes.
Jaken had not noticed before that Lord Sesshomaru's fist was tightly clenched. His shoulders shivered slightly, his eyes grew faintly red around their edges. His master was sensing something on the air. He perked an ear up to the noises breaking through the forest. 'Demons! Lots of them.'
"Master!" Jaken started. "There are many demons coming this way!"
"I sense them." Sesshomaru growled, fighting for control over his own natural response.
Rin was not going to allow this Sesshomaru to walk away unscathed. He had not sensed the allure of a woman in hundreds of years that affected him so thoroughly. His body reacted instinctively, without logic. Add to that the threat of hundreds of other demons closing in on his territory. That would not be tolerated!
"Master!" Jaken moved to Sesshomaru's feet. "What is it?"
"Her demon blood is calling out to me." Sesshomaru staggered backwards.
Sesshomaru thrust his clench hand forward, concentrating on fighting his lust. No weapon could be utilized to fight this battle. Rin demanded to be accosted, her need satiated. He fell onto one knee, a low growl emanating from deep within him.
"M…mas…master!" Jaken stammered.
"Silence!" Sesshomaru growled.
Jaken cowered from his master, his arm across his face. He backed away, watching Lord Sesshomaru fighting the battle within his own body. Come to think of it, Lord Sesshomaru had not shown interest in a female since his service began. He rubbed his toady chin. Rin would birth a half demon child if she conceived on this night…Jaken hook his head. 'Ludicrous!' Lord Sesshomaru would never allow that to happen. Demons and humans were not to be mixed.
Jaken jumped out of the way as Sesshomaru fell onto the second knee. He covered his mouth in surprise at his master's inner fight. Lord Sesshomaru's fangs lengthened, the red of his eyes growing a deeper crimson. The best thing for him to do was get out of the way. He was helpless in all of this. He would pay for abandoning his master later if he survived long enough to escape. Jaken chose to remain at Lord Sesshomaru's side.
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Sango set the laundry to dry on the line. Normally, she did not like doing laundry at night but Rin would need tending to once the Cycle passed. And there was nothing to do until the Cycle passed. Rin could not be approached until after it passed. She looked up at the Fox Demon, Shippo, zig-zagging around the hut's exterior sniffing the night air. Shippo closed his eyes.
"Shippo?" Sango frowned.
Shippo had not done this before. What's going on? Sango walked over to the small demon who still appeared the same age in the twelve years she knew him.
"It's Rin." Shippo opened his eyes to Sango. "She's different."
"The pain is harder on her this time."
"No." He shook his head. "The two Cycles have merged, both human and demon. I can sense it, even at my age. She's in severe pain, Sango. Her body's crying out for help."
"What does that mean?"
"Every demon will be looking for her." Shippo's cheeks blushed. "She waiting for the right demon to come along. Only the strongest will be allowed to..."
Just then Kagome walked out of the hut, her eyes looked between Sango and Shippo. 'Uh-oh, something's wrong.' Sango looked severely worried and Shippo blushed a deep shade of red. Was it Rin?
"What's going on?"
"Rin's cycles have merged, both demon and human." Sango answered alarmed.
Miroku mentioned that this would most likely happen soon not too long ago. However, he had not thought it to occur within this year. Had he miscalculated? No, that did not sound right. Maybe she should go find him and let him inform about what Shippo just said.
"We know." Kagome nodded. "Inuyasha's won't be back until after it passes. If he can find any information about this Cycle thing, he'll let us know."
"Kagome, we have to go to her!" Sango practically ran towards the hut. "She needs us now more than ever. Shippo just mentioned that she''s waiting for the strongest demon to come along. I don't like the sound of that."
She could change in a few minutes and be ready to go. Sango felt it her duty to see after her pupil. Rin was a quick study but there was much to teach her yet.
"Sango! Kagome!" Miroku emerged from the forest, his staff gripped tightly in his hand. "Rin, she's gone! She's gotten free of the chains!"
Sango and Kagome turned to face Miroku jogging towards them. He stopped, slightly out of breath from his physical exertion.
"Gone!" Kagome asked automatically. "Where?"
"I'm not sure!" Miroku didn't understand young Rin's condition. "I was positive she couldn't walk. I think Sesshomaru is around. I saw his dragons down at the river."
"Sesshomaru!" Sango exclaimed, directing her question at Miroku. "You don't think he's come for her after all, do you?"
"Sesshomaru is a demon and Rin's cycles have merged." Miroku spoke out loud. "All the demon's in the area will be drawn to her, not just him."
"Miroku!" Shippo yanked on the monk's kimono. "I can smell Rin! She's calling all demons to her! Even ME!"
"What!" Kagome placed a hand over her mouth.
"When the two cycles merge, no demon can resist her." Miroku replayed the logic in his head. "That means, she's looking to select the strongest demon for whatever's going to happen."
"And guess who's in town?" Kagome pointed out. "And he hates half-breeds."
Miroku noted the quick exchange between the two women. Both were very concerned, knowing Rin's past with Sesshomaru. If she conceived a half demon child with Inuyasha's older brother, Rin would not be allowed to survive let alone a child. Even if the child was his.
Kagome nodded in silent agreement, veering her eyes from Miroku. They had come to the same conclusion. Sesshomaru was the strongest demon in the area. Inuyasha took off days ago to escape the Cycle for Kagome's sake.
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Sesshomaru knew his attempts to fight the lure of Rin's pheromones was pointless. Nature dictated his actions not logic. Jaken remained nearby, anxiously waiting the outcome of his master's battle. Then he lifted his nose to the night air. The scent weakened. She was on the move!
Jaken's eyes widened as Lord Sesshomaru leapt into the air, running off towards the east at a speed never before witnessed by him. His master was leaving with out him! Jaken hastily got to his feet and tripped over his feet. By the time he recovered his balance, Jaken lost Lord Sesshomaru over the tree line. His master disappeared into the darkness of the forest chasing after Rin.
"He lost the battle, after all." Jaken lifted his own nose into the air.
To find his master, all he needed to do was follow Rin's scent to where she waited. Jaken got his bearings then began running after Lord Sesshomaru. He would catch them up in no time.
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Rin leapt over the large fallen tree, just missing a low branch. Her body hummed as the air passed around, cooling her hot skin. The Cycles were at war inside, burning her insides to near melting. Suddenly, she sensed the demon. A demon was following her. No, pursuing her. A smile crept across her lips. She broke free of the forest, the large field opened out before her.
A form streaked across the open meadow, the dying grass reduced to splattered clumps across the ground. Rin skid to a halt in a cloud of debris and dust. Someone brave blocked her path on purpose. She barely glimpsed the white form before stopping. Yes, a demon had found her. And he was strong. She knew him, Rin grunted mournfully. The dust settled…
Sesshomaru.