I don't own Inuyasha
Sesshomaru's demon speak
Sesshomaru's thoughts
Sesshomaru's demon thoughts
Rin's thoughts
*Dog demon speak*
*dog speak*
Hojo again
"Ahhhh…!" A scream suddenly cut through the air. "Help Me! I'm under attack from a dog monster!" *yip, yip, bark, bark, snap, growl, howl*
"Chou, come." Sesshomaru called to the puppy. Sure enough the puppy came herding a human towards her master. *Snap, snarl, growl* the puppy stopped and came running to her alpha. *yip* Chou started to jump up and down excitedly. *Yip, snap, snarl.* Chou stopped jumping and walked over to Rin only to sit on her feet.
"What is that monster going to do to me?" the human asked. "Oh it is you guys again. Hello Rin and Lord Sesshomaru?" Unsure if he got the name correct it came out as a question. Rin nodded letting him know he was correct.
"Hello again, Hojo," she giggled "have you been searching for this village for the past month, since we last met?" He nodded. "Well you finally made it."
"Who is this, Rin?" Sango asked curiously. "Why does he look so familiar?" she muttered.
"This is Hojo, Sesshomaru and I met him on the way to the Palace. He was looking for Inuyasha." She said. "Hojo, these people are Inuyasha, Kagome-his mate, Sango-a demon slayer, Miroku-a monk, and Sango and Miroku's twins, Kimi and Iumi." She pointed to each in turn. ""She pointed to each in turn. ', Kagome-his mate, Sango-a demon slayer, Miroku-a monk, and Sango and Miroku' You never did tell us why you were seeking a dog demon's help." Rin smiled, "Will you tell us now?"
"My village has long been attacked on the same night every month; the attack comes from serpent demons. Whenever we try to give chase they disappear somewhere in the woods, it is always a different area however it is always in the direction of the Western Palace. We don't think it is by the Lord's command because once our priest heard one of them say that no word should be made to the Western Lord. All of the dogs in the area are killed and most of our young women are raped. When it comes time for them to give birth they are killed by the next attack of demons. None of our attempts at hiding the women prior or after the attacks go well. They kill the older women one at a time until the younger ones show themselves. We don't know who else to turn to. We heard that the Western Palace won't allow humans anywhere near the lands so we avoid it, not to mention we don't want to come across the snake demons in the process. My village sent me to ask for help, and I heard that your group was the best hope we had." Hojo concluded.
"Why didn't you just send an animal with the message? They could get into the barrier and deliver the message to one of us." Sesshomaru asked, intrigued at the problem. "If the Hebi's are acting up then you should have reported it to the Western Palace. As to the fact of it being human messengers if they say they need to report to the Lord they will be given safe passage." He looked at Rin, "Also the current Lady is human so of course I would send someone to help."
"How can you promise that? I can tell you are powerful but who exactly are you?" Hojo asked Sesshomaru.
"I am someone who can help you." Was the reply from the Western Lord.
"When is the next attack due to come?" Rin asked concern for the women evident in her voice.
"It is due in a week from tomorrow." He thought for a minute. "As long as I don't get lost I can guild you there in 2 or 3 days."
"Sesshomaru?" Rin inquired, silently asking her mate if he would help them. He nodded.
"We will leave in the morning." Sesshomaru informed her. "Jaken, did you bring Ah-Un?"
"Yes, my lord. He is out by the forest entry to the village." Jaken replied without hesitation.
"Good, you will return and tell General Kasume that he is to meet me at the border of the human village." Sesshomaru ordered. "Rin, do you want to be there or go back to the palace?" he questioned.
"I want to stay by your side."
"Jaken, send Ah-Un back when you reach the palace." Sesshomaru looked at his vessel. "Why are you still here? Be gone now."
"Yes, my lord, as you wish, my lord." Jaken said bowing. He then bowed to Rin and ran off to find Ah-Un.
"Why is Ah-Un returning alone?" Rin asked quietly.
"He will carry the human and you shall come with me." She flushed and smiled.
"You just don't want him touching me." She teased, with a laugh.
"You're right, I don't want anyone touching you."
"So you're taking this mission Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha asked. "That is unusual for you to get involved in human affairs."
"It is too close to the Palace to not look into it. And those humans by proximity are under my protection. So it is my duty to help them." Rin started to giggle, knowing it was mainly for her sake that he was doing anything. Inuyasha smirked knowing the real reason as well.
"Whatever." He said rolling his eyes. "It is getting late so let's turn in for the night." The group nodded and separated heading for their respective homes. Sesshomaru and Rin both headed back into the forest to take shelter in the trees, with Hojo following behind. Chou watched her masters leave and started to follow only to stop when she heard some of the village dogs growling at her ferociously.*whine, yip, yap* When Sesshomaru didn't respond and the dogs all attacked she started to yelp in pain. Upon hearing her yelps Rin turned only to find 4 adult dogs attacking her puppy.
"Hey get away from her now!" She yelled. "Leave my puppy alone." Seeing Rin was headed towards the angry dogs Sesshomaru turned. *Snarl, snap, growl, yip* when the dogs didn't move away he stalked towards them releasing his aura enough to get the adult dogs attention. *Bark, snarl, snap, yip, bark, howl* the dogs all ran from the angry demon. Chou whined and limped over to her master. *whine, yip, yowl, whine* Sesshomaru nodded and lifted her carefully. He returned to his mate's side only to have her start to fuss over the injured puppy.
"Will she be alright?" She asked worried for the pup. "Thank you for saving her." Sesshomaru nodded in response and they continued walking into the forest. When they reached the clearing from earlier they Rin gathered wood for a fire and when she returned Sesshomaru started the fire with his whip. With the fire started Rin settled into Sesshomaru's arms and she quickly fell asleep. Hojo stayed up staring at the stars and giving short but annoying glances to the couple under a tree.
The next morning
"Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Kimi, Iumi see you next time. Don't forget you can visit the palace whenever you want." Rin called when Sesshomaru and Hojo left with her. "Have fun!" She then walked up to Ah-Un, "Ah-Un, this is Hojo, you are to let him ride you and follow Sesshomaru and me." She told the two headed dragon mount. "Hojo, don't be afraid, he won't hurt you. If we get off course then tell us, other than that we prefer to travel in silence." She warned.
"We are leaving." Sesshomaru said to his party, he was carrying Chou and his mokomoko wrapped around Rin and she snuggled into it. Settling into the warmth she quickly fell asleep. When Hojo climbed aboard Ah-Uh, both Sesshomaru and the dragon flew off. A few hours later they landed so that both humans could eat.
"Sesshomaru is this clearing the same clearing that is like half a day's walk to the palace?" Rin asked. He nodded. "Then this is where we first met Hojo?" Sesshomaru nodded again.
"This is also where General Kasume will meet up with us." He stated, "He will be here in about half an hour. So gather your food and hurry to be ready to leave." Rin nodded and then ran to catch some fish for herself and Hojo. She returned 5 minutes later with 5 fish; 4 medium, and 1 small; "is the fire ready yet, Hojo?" She asked. Hojo nodded. "Good, these will take about 10 minutes to cook and that gives us about 15 to eat and get cleaned up."
Sure enough just as they were returning from washing up from their meal the general arrived. "You called for me, Lord Sesshomaru?" He asked with a bow.
"Indeed. How many Hebi demons are in this area?" Sesshomaru inquired. "And are they attached to the Western Palace?"
"There are only 3 Hebi in your court right now. I haven't heard of any others in a 50 mile radius of the palace." The general looked confused, "why do you ask?"
"There is a human village that has been under attack once monthly by Hebi demons. I was told of this problem by that male." He pointed to Hojo. "How many would you say there were attacking your village?"
"10 to 20." Hojo informed him, "It depends on if there is a woman due. They always seem to know when one is due and they bring more to help keep us men from trying to stop them."
"My lord, I don't see how this is a problem for us. Humans breed quickly so it isn't like some can't die." Sesshomaru opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by Rin.
"General, are you saying we should do nothing to aid a village that is being harmed, not 15 miles from the Palace, just because humans breed faster than demons?" She cut into the conversation. "Might I remind you that while humans are easy to kill they for the most part out number demons 50 to 1? And that the current Lady is a human?"
"Who are you to question me woman? You have no"
"You will speak to MY MATE with respect General, or you will die by my hand." Sesshomaru snapped.
"She is your mate? I'm sorry for being so rude to you, my lady. I have never had the pleasure of meeting you before so I didn't know you were the Lady of the West." Kasume was groveling trying to ensure that he didn't die for his earlier words. "Where is this village?" He asked Hojo.
"It is a 10 minute walk from here." He points a little further west than the western palace. "That way."
"Then what are we waiting for, let's go." Rin says, "Lead the way Hojo." She softly commands. "Sesshomaru, are you ready to go?"
"Yes, let us get this over with." Sesshomaru says. "Leading the way means you have to walk ahead of us." He teased the man. Rin giggled at the microscopic smirk on Sesshomaru's mouth, and the unhidden amusement in his eyes. Hojo flushed at Sesshomaru's comment and started walking towards his village. Like he told them, it took 10 minutes to reach the village. When they arrived the villagers all stopped to see who was coming, upon seeing Hojo the men ran out to see if he could find help to defeat the snakes when they arrived in 3 days' time.
"Hojo, you've returned. What took you so long? Did you find someone to help us?" Hojo stopped and nodded.
"I have brought the Lord of the West to help, and he brought along his Lady, a flying two headed dragon, and one of his generals." Hojo announced to everyone.
"You brought 3 demons instead of getting someone like a group of demon slayers to help? What kind of idiot are you? We don't need more demons killing us." The headman yelled. "And why would the Lord of the West help a group of humans, when he hates humans so much that any who enter his barrier are killed immediately? You've been tricked."
"It is no trick." Rin said walking into view followed by Sesshomaru and Kasume. "It is an insult to the Lord of the West to have a village under his protection attacked and no word being sent to him for help." She snapped at the headman. "He wouldn't look the other way simply because you are humans."
"What would a demon's whore know about the Western Lord?" the headman sneered. "You are young and if you stay here you will be raped by those snakes. They don't care if you like demons or not. You are just a pretty body to fuck." The headman stated. "Leave before they attack and you might survive for a while longer." He advised.
"She is no whore." Hojo stated. "You heard rumors that the Western Lord took a human as his mate and Lady, right?" the headman nodded. "Well you are looking at the Lady of the West." He looked at Sesshomaru who nodded at him to continue, "The silver haired demon is the Western Lord, Sesshomaru. The other is General Kasume. The woman is Lady Rin." By the time his words were done the headman was on his knees begging for forgiveness for his ignorance.
"Please, Lady Rin, don't let me be killed for my ignorance. I beg of you." He groveled. "You are welcome in our village, but we can't promise your safety if you stay here when those snakes attack. Please understand." He begged.
"Stand up, I don't like people groveling at my feet. It makes me feel bad." She stated. "I believe that by us coming at all you should be able to tell we will help." She turned to Sesshomaru, "what do you think?"
"Of what?" Sesshomaru responded.
"Everything you see, what is going on in that head of yours? You seem to be distracted, Sesshomaru." She asked. "Do you have a plan yet?"
"Hn…" Sesshomaru wasn't looking at her he was surveying the village. He started to walk around and plan out how he wanted to fight the impeding battle. "How many men do you have left?"
"20 can still fight, 10 more are seriously injured, and 5 are fatally wounded." The headman responded hesitantly. "Why do you ask?"
"Lead me to the fatally wounded ones."
"What can you do for them that we can't? It is pointless, they will die before the end of the day." The headman responded with a heavy heart. "One of the men is my own son." He stated when Rin looked at him questioningly.
"Sesshomaru can heal them." She stated. "He can even bring people back from the dead."
"What you say is impossible." The headman was dejected. "Don't get my hopes up." Rin sighed.
"Just do what Sesshomaru says and you will see." A woman's broken hearted wail suddenly cut through the air. Sesshomaru ran towards the voice.
"Cease this racket woman." He demanded drawing Tenseiga, narrowing his eyes in concentration. I can see the pallbearers of the Underworld. He then cut though the pallbearers returning the life of the human boy. "Calm yourself and help the boy up." He stated as the boy came to. "You are fine child, your wounds are healed." He looked to the headman who was standing in the doorway, "Where are the others?" He demanded. The headman led him to a small hut that held the other 4 men, most of whom were not over 17 years. Sesshomaru once again concentrated and swung Tenseiga over the injured, healing them all. He then walked back to where he had left Rin.
"Done already?" She teased, "That didn't take very long." She smiled when he looked at her questioningly. "Come here," she whispered, he came close and she surprised the villagers by kissing him. "Got you." She stuck out her tongue at him, playfully.
"Rin," Sesshomaru started, "don't start something you can't finish." He looked happily at his mate when she started giggling.
"Lord Sesshomaru, what is your plan for the fight?" General Kasume cut in. He didn't like the fact that his lord was mated to a human woman, and he would do everything in his power to keep her from getting pregnant.
"We wait until they attack and then we decimate them. It will all depend on timing." Sesshomaru responded easily. "The next few days the men of this village should train on how to kill Snake demons. Kasume, you will train them." He decreed.
"Yes, My lord." Kasume responded. "Let us get started."
"General," Rin called, "kindly remember these are not demons but humans and the stamina is different. Try to teach them without wearing them out." She reminded him.
"As you wish, my lady." Kasume clipped tone made Sesshomaru narrow his eyes in caution.
"Well I am going to see if there is anything I can do to help the women here." Rin said passing her mate, "Good luck."
He nodded. "As you wish."
They spent the next three days getting ready for the battle to come, and Rin was preparing the women on their own self-defense. When the day of the battle arrived everyone in the village was ready.