Rin stood at the forefront of the make shift dirt arena they created next to their camp. The harsh sunlight beamed. Her muscles tense and ready for combat. Her long, flowing hair billowed in the wind. Her expression stoic and focused on the man standing in front of her. "You can yield now while you have the chance young maiden. You caught me off guard before, but now you will not be so lucky." Takashi smugly spoke. Rin scoffed at him and drew her practice katana. The men in his unit surrounded the edges of the "arena" and began hooting and hollering in support of their commander. With many making snide comments about her being a woman and incapable of battle with a real opponent.
"Ridiculous" Rin thought to herself as she went on to ignore Takashi's men. At the signal Rin anticipated Takashi's immediate charge towards her. She was able to counter each of his attacks with little effort. Rin could not deny the strength in each of his strikes had she not been quick with her reflexes he could have bested her. Their swords and movements mirrored that of a dance. Each of them a warrior in their own right and both almost at an equal playing field, however Rin grew bored of this dance and when an opportunity presented itself she decided it was time to strike. As Takashi lunged forward Rin quickly ducked and swiped at his ankles with her leg quickly bringing Takashi down, as he lay in his back Rin pinned him down and held her katana to his throat. "Do you yield?" She asked returning his same smug smile.
All the men stood quietly watching in anticipation for his answer. "You truly are a remarkable creature, but-", suddenly Rin felt his hands tightly grip her waist before she found herself flipped and pinned under him "unlike the lesser males and yokai you've battled in the past, you'll find I don't lost so easily." While holding her down with one arm he swiftly took his dagger out and held it to her throat in doing so he managed to prick her neck causing a small amount of blood to come out. "Do you yield?" Rather than a look of defeat or annoyance on Rin's face, Takashi was met with one of utter confusion. Without saying a word Rin was able to loosen herself from Takashi's grip. Once standing she took a moment to study Takashi. "How have I just realized he's a half demon?"
"I guess I don't have to take it easy on you after all." Rin announced. Before Takashi could respond Rin greeted him with a high kick that at last the minute he was able to dodge, but the force of her leg caused him to hobble to the side. Noticing this Rin charged at Takashi and flipped towards him. Rin was able to wrap her legs around his neck and brought him slamming into the ground. "Do you yield?" She asked as she pinned him to the ground. In a daze and admittance to defeat Takashi threw his arms up.
"Why didn't you tell me you were a hanyou?" Rin asked while offering her hand to Takashi. "Agh so that is what caused you to wallop me the way that you did?" He grunted as he grabbed Rin's hand for assistance. "I did not think it was anything that needed to be disclosed and not something I want many to be aware of. Luckily for me I was born with no physical yokai features so I was able to coast through life as a human. I'm curious though fair maiden. How were you able to figure it out?" Oh that's easy, I've spent most of my life in the company of demons and half demons. As a slayer we are trained to sense your aura and presence. Your yokai aura is very familiar to me." Rin replied. "Humor me then Rin. What is exactly is familiar about my aura?" "You're half inu aren't you?" Rin asked matter of factly. "I am, but sweet maiden. Again you have left me with more questions. I hope to see again under the maple tree." With that Rin watched as he limped away to his tent. Rin let out a soft giggle as she turned and skipped towards the spring for a much needed bath.
Meanwhile:
Flying towards the Western Mountains Lord Sesshomaru picked up the trace of something familiar. "That scent…" it was faint, but he knew that smell anywhere. "Rin. But why am I catching it this far away from the village?" Sesshomaru changed course so quickly that Jaken was unable to keep up even with A-Un. "Wait mi lord! Where are you going?!" Jaken shouted, but he knew his question would go unanswered. "Left behind again." Jaken muttered to himself as he guided A-Un to a clearing he saw in the forest below him.