HNH~R

-"Lord Amatsu the Lord of the West and the rebels are together at the "Yume"village. We await your orders to proceed."

-"No do not attack I have a much better plan. I need you to send an urgent message to Lady Zen, tell her that the Lord of the Western lands is with Rin at my base."

-"Yes Sir!"

Looking at his reflection in the river he could observe the traces of exhaustion that this war was drawing upon his appearance, yes he was growing weaker by the day. Lord Akihito would soon take his last breath he could feel it. This was not a good sign or his stay in these lands he was far too dependent on that wretched lord's life. If he had that jewel he wouldn't need Lord Akihito it would be heaven to move freely without him.

~HNK~R

RIN POV

The points in the map formed a triangle in the deterred land it almost felt like a presage of death. Each one of us separated to look but found nothing there were only broken bottles and an underground stream in the last hut. The stream was weakening the structure of the old decayed cottage. We kept along the subterranean passage the only sound was that of the small river splashing against unseen rocks. A big wall of rocks was blocking the way it seemed to have been made during a collapse of the rocks that formed the walls.

We reunited in the middle of the village to find Inuyasha, Kagome and several members and affiliates of Renritsu. The atmosphere was doleful their expressions giving away the grief and agony in their hearts. Some stared with eyes filled with resentment but only one of them dared to step up to the front,

-"D-Dai is dead…"

-"Dead?..."

Perhaps I have been surrounded by death for too long I would not call myself immune to it but I was learning to accept it. Dai's death choked me and on the inside I wanted to scream and run towards whoever killed him and avenge him but my body reacted in a manner that surprised even me. Shiawase quickly went to my side and pressed her hand on my shoulders in a reassuring embrace, she truly was my best friend.

Sesshomaru POV

Her eyes were not teary they did not seem sad at all which was a surprise for me considering that this was not the attitude I expected of Rin. The expression that was bestowed upon her semblance was that of coldness, it was like watching a representation of me. But there was something else, her body was tense, her hands were both forced into knuckles to which the rest of the people did not notice.

-"Rin?"

-"Yes, I heard you the first time."

-"Rin, well he always said you were his best apprentice now that he's gone (sobs) will you be our new leader?"

-" Crying is useless ( addressing the rest) all of you know that very well."

Anger was corroding her . This behavior was unlike my Rin, denying that it doesn't worry me would be a lie I am not sure how much a human can take of death before they break. My pathetic brother interrupted my thoughts by deciding to join the accusations,

-"Sesshomaru you didn't tell her anything that happened? Rin, look I know you must be shocked let's take a break for a moment and talk then we can keep going."

To which Rin coldly answered,

-"Inuyasha our enemies will not rest until they find us and taking a break will not do any of us any good."

Now she was addressing the group like a leader should which shocked me. I was witnessing firsthand what rumors had mentioned, she wasn't like before a change that was beyond me had emerged.

-"My dear friends from Renritsu I apologize for my previous words but I want to remind all of you what Dai taught us all. That surrendering ourselves to pain was not an option but on the contrary it was to use it to make us stronger. We have come too far in order to give up now. I know that I will use his words to fight on and win and I would like all of you to join me, together we can defeat Amatsu and Lord Akihito!"

Her speech seemed to have awakened something in the hearts of the Renritsu group because even though their eyes were still tearful they cheered on.

Jaken was with Ah-Un they were still far up the sky but it seemed he had urgent news; it was irritating because somehow all my carefully studied plans had been messed by circumstances.

-"Lord Sesshomaru! Bad news! Bad news my lord!"

-"Jaken to the point!" I was at my last nerve already with this incompetent fool.

Jaken was hesitant and was trying to signal Rin with his staff,

-"My l-lord it would be better if Rin would go away…", he was glancing at her fearful for once.

-"Jaken, Rin will not go away now speak."

By now everyone gathered was surrounding Jaken intrigued by his news, it made me want to kill them all now and take Rin away from this rebellion.

-"Lady Zen my lord…" Jaken boldly looked at Rin, "your fiancée, rumor has it that she has taken over her father's army and has declared war to the North and East. The lords want to meet with you immediately."

-"Very well" I stared at Rin who was biting her lips anxiously, "Rin I need to talk with you alone."

It was that defiant stare again it made me want to fly with her and make her reason but I couldn't do that now as she was.

-"If you are going to side with that demoness then whatever you have to tell me you will say in front of my allies."

-"It is in your best interest to listen to what I have to say in private." this persuasion apparently worked because she followed me to a nearby tree. I knew that Inuyasha would be able to listen from this distance but the rest wouldn't be able to.

-"Rin seize this revolt it will cause a war between all lands. The act that they want to meet with me is the prove. The lands are on the edge of a war for power between the lords and you with that group would be inciting a war between humans, hanyō's and the lords…"

-"In other words you are saying that will take the side of Lady Zen in your search for more power and I will be on your way." Her expression was calculating, never in my life had I met such a willing opponent.

-"I am not going to be the girl that would obey your every command anymore! You told me that you felt something for me! Am I your toy to play with? Why would you still go after her? ( Sesshomaru made a gesture to speak but she raised her hand making a sign to stop) NO! I will not listen to your story anymore about how I'm a mere human and you a demon!" No one had dared to speak to me that way before under such a circumstance I would have finished anyone that defiant. Her words were firm and final I knew that once she walked away without a goodbye. Judging by Inuyasha's open mouth I knew that it was a surprise for him too.

~Seven days later~

RIN POV

Inuyasha had joined Renritsu on our mission to fight against the tyranny of the Lord of the South and any demon who dared to impose power on humans. At first it was only to help me but, now is to spite his brother. Once Sesshomaru left I had no news from him I can't deny that my blood was boiling in rage.

Renritsu made its new base in the "Yume" village every day more hunters as well as hanyō have arrived. After Amatsu's attack and the all the lives that were lost word crossed the lands. Many decided to join our cause against Amatsu, Zen, Lord Akihito or to defend their freedom rights in the lands. Up till now Renritsu is composed of two hundred allies and with me as their new leader.

-"Rin, so far I have scouted the whole base but it is still completely empty. I think that somehow they knew about you coming…"

-"I think so too Inuyasha, but until we find that shrine we can't leave this place or stop our search."

Shiawase had become my counselor because of all the scrolls she stole we already knew all of Amatsu's hideouts and bases.

-"Lady Rin, excuse me …", one of Renritsu's hunters was outside my hut.

-"Yes, come in" I answered I had the feeling they were important news.

-" Lady Rin, one of our informants has spotted Amatsu thrity minutes away from here."

Inuyasha hastily moved towards the hunter with the enthusiasm of a boy about to have a new toy.

-"Take me there now!" Inuyasha wasted no time and made his way towards Amatsu cheerfully while dragging by the hand the hunter.

Shiawase made a sigh these days were quite a lot for her none of us had gotten any sleep. But, I am proud of her she has been by my side consoling me like a sister. The only one who could understand my pain with Sesshomaru has always been her.

-"Shiawase you should stay here I will go after Inuyasha." she hugged me while whispering,

-"You better come back safely or else!"

Shiawase POV

Her figure was vanishing away at the distance it made me uneasy because I knew that deep inside that tough act she was still hurt about everything that has happened.

There were several scrolls and weapons scattered around the floor while organizing I heard fast approaching footsteps. Everything happened so fast in an instant the edge of a sword was against my neck.

-"So you are the problem…"

-" Fushoujiki! What are you doing here?" I managed to speak against the beatings of my stammering heart.

-"Amatsu noticed how there seemed to be one of Renritsu's informant at each base and we decided to scout here looking for a possible suspect. I believe you are a worthy candidate! Now come!"

It wasn't like there was any other choice so I followed.

RIN POV

The area where Amatsu was last seen was far too vast it covered by many trees and bushes. It made me wonder why Amatsu would try to hide; his strength was stronger than mine so I couldn't comprehend the reason for this hide and seek.

We all divided to scout more areas I decided to search near the village he could have moved to attack the base. Running through the field I heard the rustling of leaves someone was following me but I couldn't detect whoever it was.

I threw a knife to the bush,

-"My, My, Rin always so aggressive…" It was Amatsu's voice behind me.

I summoned a bright sword using hoshi no hikari which was something I tried to use only when the situation required it.

-"Rin, please I didn't come here to fight. I only want a truce…"

Authors Note: Comments and reviews are greatly appreciated!