Goodbye everyone! Rin shouted as she walked away from the village. Everyone had gathered at the edge of Edo to send Rin off. They came together to surprise her with a send off and provisions that should last her for the first leg of her journey. I promise I'll write to you when I land in the first town. She said. Inuyasha took it upon himself to escort Rin through the forest of Edo. After Sesshomaru entrusted her protection to him they came to develop a brother/sisterly bond. The two laughed and smiled as they reminisced about all their adventures together. The pranks they would pull on the local villagers, the first time she slayed a demon by herself, and him scaring the crap out of basically any man that attempted to ask for the opportunity to court her. Once they reached the clearing Inuyasha gave Rin a big strong hug. "I don't fully understand what it is you're searching for, but we're all gonna miss you kid. Promise me you'll make it back safe and you'll kick the ass of anyone who tries it." Inuyasha said as he brought Rin in for one last bear hug. "Haha I will Inuyasha." With that Rin gave Inuyasha a kiss on the cheek and skipped happily down the road leaving Edo's forest.
Rin hummed to herself as she walked down the dirt road. Outside of demon slaying or her midwife jobs in the neighboring villages she never ventured out by herself. "What is it that I want?" she thought to herself even now as she took this major milestone she felt hollow and confused. The warm summer air brought back fond memories of her as a child. Rin smiled as she recalled the times she spent skipping through the meadows and swimming with Master Jaken. "Let them go Rin, they're not coming back." She silently muttered. Rin inhaled and decided now was a good time for her take a short break. She sat under a large tree for shade and was grateful that it provided some relief from the summer heat. She reached into her sack and took a large swig of water from her canteen and proceeded to snack on some fruit that she gathered in the forest around the Edo.
"This is silly she thought to herself. I don't even really have a plan. Is it normal to be this impulsive?" Deep in thought Rin hardly noticed the sound of footsteps approaching her. "You young maiden, what are you doing out here?" Pulled from her daze Rin looked around to find she was surrounded by samurai. "I asked you a question." the warrior said with obvious signs of growing impatience. "I didn't know stopping to take a rest was such a crime!" Rin snapped. The man paused for a moment to take in the woman before him. She was stunning. Her raven black hair cascaded down to her waist, her light purple kimono accentuated her curvy figure. Her large eyes were a warm brown and her lips were full and pink. He quickly gathered his thoughts and began speaking "my apologies young maiden I did not wish to offend you. We've been called to the region by our shogun to dispatch a group of bandits who teamed up with some yokai. Apparently they've been raiding, robbing, and destroying villages throughout the region. The last thing we'd want is for you to fall into their hands". Rin let out a light chuckle. "I can handle myself Mr. Warrior."she stated while flashing her Kusarigama. "Where on earth did a little thing you like you get such a weapon" another samurai mused. Rin rolled her eyes and began hastily packing her things. "I've entertained you all long enough she stated with a bit of annoyance in her voice. Turning to the warrior, I appreciate your warning, but I must be on my way." As Rin went to leave she felt a hand tighten around her wrist. Rin immediately twisted her arm and went into a summersault sending the warrior flying.
With their leader now on the ground, the other samurai proceeded to take out their swords and encircled the young woman. "You ain't going anywhere one man growled. Not after what you just did to Takashi." Suddenly a loud chuckle erupted from behind them. "Stand down now Takashi ordered his men as he brushed off the dirt while lifting himself back up. It appears I underestimated this young maiden." Before Rin replied she paused for a moment to get a good look at the man before her. His skin was tan, he wore his shoulder length brown hair up in a bun, his tall statute was complimented by his muscular frame. If he wasn't such an asshole Rin might've considered having a bit of fun with him. "I count on unassuming men and yokai like you, it makes my job a lot easier when I catch an enemy by surprise." "I think I've heard of you before Rin" Takashi pressed. "The demon slayer who's as fierce as she is beautiful. I must say the rumors do not do you any justice. Perhaps we started off on the wrong foot and maybe you can be of some assistance." "Look I wasn't really looking for work, now if you'll excuse me." "Please!" Takashi shouted. "To be honest most of my men are volunteer farm hands. They know nothing about combat. And to be frank most of them will probably die by the hands of lesser yokai before we even reach the mountains of the West. I'll take all the help I can get."
Rin turned and studied the men that surrounded her. Some were old, some were young. Some were overweight while others were bone thin. One man only had one leg. She couldn't help but take pity on the warrior and his so called squad. "Damnit!" She shouted. "Fine I'll help you. But before you even think about taking these men to battle they will need to at least be trained on the basics and to do so I have to get some supplies and you'll be paying for them." "Why of course young maiden the warrior replied followed by a bow." "So much for my journey of self discovery" Rin thought to herself as she walked with the warrior and his troops.