I do not own Inuyasha.
Where to now?
Sesshomaru felt as if his body was suddenly much heavier. This was a new sensation, and one he did not relish. His powers allowed him immunity to poisons but whatever the witch had done to him had caused this response. He struggled to lift his sword as his knees buckled under him. She stood only a short distance away, laughing cruelly.
"Yes, young Lord, your sword can do many things." She smiled wickedly and caressed the blade. "You feel my corruption spreading? The sword is linked to you, I see."
The Tenseiga glowed with a strange dark light Sesshomaru had never seen before. The witch walked forward.
"I may even keep you…"
"You will die." Sesshomaru forced the words out a moment before his mouth too succumbed to paralysis.
She hovered over his upturned face.
"No, I will never die. I will slay the guardians and rule Hell and Earth."
It was the flash of green light that told Rin that she and Jaken were going the right way. Before long, they stood at the entrance to a cave. Rubble, and demon blood covered the ground. Cautiously, Rin picked her way forward. Jaken cowered behind.
The woman standing over Lord Sesshomaru was by far younger than the witch they had encountered on the road. But, Rin was certain they were the same. Her hair was short and shown with a blue light. The Tenseiga in her hand swirled with darkness. Rin's breath caught in her chest. Sesshomaru didn't look like he could move. How was that possible? She wondered. His expression was tense and focused despite the agony Rin was sure he felt. She had to do something.
Turning back to Jaken, she whispered "Do you remember when I was small, and you helped me sometimes to steal food?"
Jaken looked at Rin and nodded. "But, Rin, this is no time for reminiscing. We must save Lord Sesshomaru!"
"That is just what we'll do Jaken. I'm going to need your help."
He couldn't turn his head, but Sesshomaru could hear, and he could definitely smell them. He wanted to tell Rin to leave, that she had no business being there, that it was too dangerous for her. He had had his own misgivings about her resuming travel with him. She would have been safer staying in the human village, but it had been painful to leave her. Perhaps that was why he gave in. Sesshomaru cursed his own weakness. That weakness would get Rin killed; he might truly lose her this time.
Jaken's voice cut through the air as he ran up to Sesshomaru. "My Lord! Oh, what has happened to you?!" He turned to the witch. "What do you plan to do with my Lord? And how is it that you are no longer the old woman I saw before?"
The witch laughed, tossing her head. " My powers have grown, and they shall be greater still. Your Lord Sesshomaru was no match for my deception, it's so easy to underestimate an old woman, isn't it?"
"You're not the only one who's been underestimated." Rin stood behind the woman, Tenseiga in hand.
"What?!" The witch looked down at her hand, in it, a thick branch was grasped tightly. Anger replaced gloating, and she flew at the girl, intending to tear her apart.
What had returned in that moment was enough. No sooner than the witch reached Rin, she felt Sesshomaru's claws rip through her. He crumpled to his knees, not having had regained his full strength yet.
Rin sank down in front of Sesshomaru and flung her arms around his neck, dropping the sword. He wrapped his arms around around her waist and held her, her scent intoxicating him. He could feel her heart beating fast along with his, and for a moment, he wished that he could hold her that way forever.
When they parted, he saw that her cheeks were flushed, and her soft brown eyes glistened. For a moment he felt lost in them. Sesshomaru knew he could not send her back to the village. She belonged by his side.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I know that you told Rin and I not to look for you," Jaken interrupted. "But, I was so very worried. And, look, it seems it is good that we did! That witch had you right in her grasp!"
Sesshomaru rose to his feet and crossed over to his servant. Rin did not envy Jaken the headache he received.