CYCLE OF RIN

By Lady JenDragon

Disclaimer: Don't own it, moving on now.

Author's Notes: Wow…recently read some of the first chapters I wrote of this story seven years ago…damn, I really needed an editor!

Onward my friends…you've waited long enough.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Legends of Lies

Thousands of years ago, the southern Swamp Mountains were once home to a tribe of demons known only as the 'Mountaineers'. Known for damp caves and abundant water, the Swamp Mountains provided every need for the Mountaineers. They called themselves by only one name to keep the mystery of their clan, their numbers, and their village secret from all other demons. It is also said that the Mountaineers kept all their knowledge and power hidden in a single cave and guarded it with their lives.

Mountaineers possessed magic, a powerful black magic straight from the pits of hell itself. They used the blood of animals and Humans to grow in strength and created powerful weapons to protect themselves from invading armies. They were often heard chanting and screaming on the evening breezes that turned into the howling winds that rushed down from the Swamp Mountains reaching the nearest human villages. Many Humans, not sure what to make of these sounds coming off the mountains, called them the Screaming Winds.

Such was this power that no demon dared go near the mountains in the south. For many never knew what the Mountaineers possessed and none were willing to tempt fate. The humans who lived at the base of the Swamp Mountains were rarely harmed and often flourished.

But with seclusion comes restlessness. The Mountaineers grew strong and powerful, peering out at the lush world around them. Legend tells of a battle that took place between demon clans to the north, drawing out the Mountaineers from their seclusion. Curious and enraptured by the aura of battle, the Mountaineers left the safety of the Swamp Mountains to explore. Upon seeing the great battle between armies, the Mountaineers saw both sides at their enemy.

The leader of this army remains nameless to this day. But he wielded a sword so strong that not even the likes of So'unga could stand against it in conventional battle. It is said that Rasengan was created specifically to defeat So'unga. For this sword was possessed by the demons of the western swamps known for their iron will and strong magic. Anyone who possessed this power would dominate all the lands and those who lived there. Those who stood in their way would be struck down with a single stroke.

One night, at the behest of the Mountaineers enemies, a thief snuck into the southern Swamp Mountains. His presence was not detected and thus, took the powerful sword, Rasengan, in the quest to hide the dreaded sword away for all eternity. For a thousand years it remained hidden. The Mountaineers search for the sword with ferocity and determination across the lands sparing no demons or humans in their wrath to retrieve Rasengan.

But Rasengan could not be found.

The surrounding demon clans answered the call of the Mountaineer threat and assembled a great army. The great army came across a lake with a most unusual caretaker, a demon unlike any other. At the bottom lay Rasengan that would only answer to the one it deemed the most suitable for its power. The enemy demon leader dove into the water and lifted the sword from the depths. With Rasengan's acceptance, this leader and his followers defeated the Mountaineers.

Angered by their defeat, the Mountaineers placed a curse on Rasengan. Whoever possessed the sword would be trapped within its evil power until battle once again called its name.

One by one, the lands of the west fell to the strength of Rasengan. Many powerful demons desired this sword for their own agenda, much like So'unga and Tetsusaiga. And many battles were waged until the lands were no longer safe to live, demon or human alike.

After years of warring, a single battle so devastating, claiming so many lives, wiped all that surrounded it out of existence. Nothing grew there, nothing lived, and to this day, it remains a lifeless landscape at the base of the Swamp Mountains. It was rumored once that Rasengan lived there for a time.

Rasengan would be found when it wanted to be found.

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Sango finished the story then looked up at Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku and Rin. She blinked that every face was so intent on her that the fire ring in the center was left to almost embers. Inuyasha noting the fire's lack of enthusiasm stoked the tiny flames with his stick while Miroku added a few logs. Soon the fire cheered once more.

"Wow." Kagome liked a good story. "I've never heard that one."

"Father told me he once visited the ruins of that village at the base of the Swamp Mountains long since burned and the ground scarred." She was too young to be a part of that mission so she stayed behind in the village. "The remains were left to rot in the elements all these passing years." Sango had no cause to doubt her father's account. "In the thousands of years following that battle nothing has grown around that village. No one ever went back to live there either. The grass, flowers, and trees remain unwilling to take root."

Rin said nothing to this wondering what Rasengan's power actually was considering it would trap the one who wield the sword.

Normally it didn't take her so long to remember stories like these, but something about this particular story bothered Sango. Could it be the mystery surrounding the actual events? Or was it that no demon family remembered this particular part of the past? Sango ended the story having divulged every detail she could recall. But nothing that seemed to answer how Rasengan was found and what was the source of its power.

"So this clan…of demons." Kagome frowned. "They created Rasengan to go up against So'unga?"

Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest confidently. "We defeated that sword years ago."

"True." Kagome pointed out. "But now there's nothing to stand up against Rasengan now."

"I'm afraid we're out numbered and out classed here." Miroku hated to admit it. "Since we are dealing with demons after demons, we should wait here to see how things play out."

"We can't just do nothing, Miroku." Inuyasha glanced at Rin. "She's still in danger."

"Not from anyone right now." Miroku reasoned. "They're fighting amongst themselves to claim Rin." He had thought about the price on human life since the 'Demon Bearer' took hold of Rin. "However, from the battlefield we saw, there's not much fighting going on between strong demons yet. Yes, among the weaker demons there have been considerably more battles, but they have no hopes against the likes of Sesshomaru."

"What about the other more powerful demons?" Sango asked. "While I doubt there are few demons that can truly challenge Sesshomaru…we haven't seen any evidence of their arrival in the nearby valleys." She hesitated before continuing. "Powerful demons can't mask that kind of aura." She paused surprised by her own admission. "Actually…I'm kind of rooting for Sesshomaru to win." Noting Rin's surprised yet dire expression, she had to be honest. "Sorry, Rin but it has to be said. He's the best option out there right now."

Miroku and Inuyasha stared at Sango as if she sprouted two heads. Kagome nodded agreeing with Sango hoping for the same outcome. While Sesshomaru was not the most favorable demon to converse with, as she experienced, he did act with some measure of character not often witnessed in demons of his stature. Sesshomaru was not the type to kill randomly or without merit. He often ignored many 'inferior' creatures since killing them required him to believe they were anywhere near his equal. Sesshomaru didn't look upon many demons as an equal. How dare anyone think that! Kagome chuckled softly at the idea.

Rin looked at the other four resenting she would be forced to wait this out here at the temple. "So…we have no choice but to wait this out then?"

As if running would be a solution?

If the demons were after her then getting far enough away made no sense. The demons would only follow her regardless of direction. Sesshomaru had no trouble finding her no matter where she was staying. But staying in this temple would certainly protect them long enough until a powerful demon over ruled the seals and could break the magic surrounding the temple. No demon she knew could do that, including Sesshomaru. But Rasengan could be the first weapon to possess such a power. Would Rasengan be unleashed on the temple?

She pondered that thought for a moment then dismissed the idea. Rin felt no desire to leave. Her protruding stomach was beginning to move now that the demon within her was getting close to birthing. Nine months, three weeks, and two days since the child began to grow. A demon child that would be Sesshomaru's clone, Rin reminded herself. The perfect replica of himself.

None of her blood was used to create this child. But her body was paying the price for the "honor" of carrying such a prize. She pouted in disgust, angry at herself for being forced to be a part of this nightmare. Her attempts to die were thwarted by the child, Rin realized that she still held Sesshomaru's abandonment tightly to her chest. This emotion ran deep and angry. But these emotions were also eating away at her normally calm temperament. Maybe if he showed some sign of caring, like he had when she traveled with him, she could let her anger go. But those days when he once might have cared were gone. Nor did Sesshomaru seem affected by the consistent requirement to visit her. As usual, Rin lamented, hating herself for feeling this way all the time. Their encounters were nothing more than "feeding" time for Sesshomaru and his verifying the child remained his. Rin heard the snap and returned to listening to the others.

Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango and Miroku all nodded in agreement that remaining at the temple would be the safer course of action. The temple would provide some protection from the forthcoming demon clashes. It was the most logical thing to do at the moment. At least until a passage could be found to get Rin out of the valley.

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The sun rose higher in the sky over the small demon camp set at the edge of a small meadow in the foothills below the Southern Mountains. Kaori and Mayuki watched as Katenomaru went through his morning ritual of the various stances with Rasengan again and again. He practiced with precision and grace congruent with a sword like Rasengan. However, he behaved as though he was obsessed with the weapon.

Kaori huffed. "He's been doing nothing more than playing around with that sword of his for the last three days!" She growled out. "We need to find Sesshomaru and be done with this!"

"Rasengan has its own schedule." Mayuki replied.

Kaori glanced at Mayuki. "So we do nothing then? The lesser demons have all but dwindled their numbers to nothing."

"The stronger demons are coming." Mayuki kept her voice soft. "Not that it will matter. Rasengan will find Sesshomaru when it is ready. For now, Katenomaru will play before he meets his fate on the battlefield."

Katenomaru gripped the sword in his hand and turned the hilt so the metal twinkled in the sunlight. It seemed to hum in his palm. A calming hum that felt like a massage to his mind. Soothing his anxiousness in facing Sesshomaru in battle, clearing his mind of negative obstacles, and allowing for a solution that would give rise to victory to be found. Today was the day he would make Sesshomaru kneel to the eastern dog demon clan. No one would stand in his way of becoming the father to the Demon Bearer. His eyes narrowed.

No one.

"He's making up his mind now." Kaori watched Katenomaru. "I doubt it will be a good ending."

Mayuki said nothing, her eyes narrowing slightly in amusement. "Perhaps the ending of this day will surprise us all."

Kaori paused to look at Mayuki. "I hate it when you speak in riddles, sister."

Katenomaru stood up and began walking towards his sisters.

An inner voice spoke to him then. He stopped walking concerned it was his imagination at first. But the pause he took was long enough for the voice to comment.

The soothing voice spoke. "That's right. You need your sister's powers today."

"For my final battle with Sesshomaru?" Katenomaru understood that swords with minds of their own should be handled with care. Not every demon could handle this type of magic, ones easily swayed by power. Katenomaru was not such a demon. When he first picked up Rasengan, thinking it was just any sword, he felt the immediate difference from his other weapons.

"Take them both." The voice commanded.

Katenomaru stopped in front of both sisters.

"Now point me at them both." There was a pause. "Their power will meld with yours and make you more powerful than Sesshomaru. And the General's son will fall before you."

Liking the thought of that, Katenomaru did as he was told. He pointed Rasengan at Kaori first then towards Mayuki. He returned the tip to Kaori. His sister's eyes narrowed at him wondering what he playing at. Katenomaru knew her facial expressions well enough by now to make logical conclusions from her shallow vanity point-of-view.

Kaori was unimpressed by her brother's swordsmanship abilities. "We should leave and find Sesshomaru. We've left this way too long, brother."

"We are leaving." Katenomaru agreed.

Suddenly a bright light emanated from the tip of Rasengan, enveloping Kaori in the white blinding light. She shielded her eyes, suddenly understanding the purpose of this light and with bright eyes looked to Katenomaru and disappeared without a whisper. Katenomaru swung Rasengan towards Mayuki now walking towards him. She smiled as the light engulfed her, seemingly melting her aura and sucking the remainder of her physical form into the sword.

Katenomaru held Rasengan in both hands feeling the power he wielded strengthening with the addition of Kaori and Mayuki. The energy increased 100-fold it seemed. Now, he felt his chances of defeating Sesshomaru were now tipped in his favor. The General's son was certainly a powerful demon and would be difficult to defeat in conventional battle.

"Sorry my sisters." Katenomaru smiled. "Some sacrifices were required for the greater good." He paused, allowing a broader smile across his lips. "Today, I will be victorious."

With that he walked off towards the forest in search of his target. Sesshomaru would be waiting for the strongest demon to confront him for the rights to the Demon Bearer. Not even the dog demon could escape the inevitable fact he would have to do battle to remain the sole holder of the Demon Bearer.