Chapter 9:
The man Rin threw to the ground was awake and on his knees.
"I'm sorry Gen-" he started
"Enough I don't need your apology. On your feet. You said 2000 soldiers survived, where are they now, Taiji?"
"I contacted the eight remaining Captains, they're awaiting your orders at the edge of the East and West border," he replied.
"Orders for what exactly?" she counters.
He swallowed thickly, "Orders to enter the West."
Rin looked taken back, "These are not my lands Taiji, those are not my orders to give."
"I understand General," Taiji eyes flickered hesitantly to Lord Sesshomaru, "My Lord these problems are happening on your lands, we ask entry to help solve this. If the traitor returns, he will not be alone."
Sesshomaru approached him and Taiji instinctively took several steps back, the aura coming from Sesshomaru was no joke. Taiji knew he would kill him where he stood without question.
Sesshomaru stopped next to Rin, "Why my lands."
Taiji held his head low, "All 20 portals we discovered lead to some part of the western lands, I am unsure as to why, but we observed that none appear in the East, North, or South."
He turned to Rin after a few seconds, "If they're at the easter border, have them come through and wait inside the Darden Forest,"
"Yes my Lord. Taiji have the 8 Captain's wait at the edge of the forest for a meeting with the Lord of the West."
Rin turned to the soldiers, "You both will stay here and see if another portal appears. If so, follow them but do not engage and report it to your Captain immediately with your orb."
The two soldiers said together, "Yes General."
They dispersed and Rin turned to follow Sesshomaru back towards the village.
Rin walked to his side, "I'm sorry. This is my fault."
Sesshomaru continued walking on, "Do you think I am upset Rin."
"I don't know Lord Sesshomaru, I can't get a read on how you feel at times." she muttered.
He stopped and turned to face her; Rin kept her gaze low with an obvious slouch in her shoulders.
'No this won't do,' thought Sesshomaru.
His clawed hand reached out and lifted her chin, "Look at me when speaking Rin. I am not upset because I want them to come. They hurt you badly and in turn I want to decimate them all. These portal are in the West alone which makes it my responsibility as well" he faintly smiled and added, 'General'
Rin groaned loudly, "Not you too."
Sesshomaru dropped his hand, "8 Captain and 2000 soldiers, you are very much a General whether you like it or not. Enlighten me on these Igami."
Rin blushed at his praise, "Yes well, I follow your orders my Lord and by extension so do they. Let me know how you want to proceed."
Sesshomaru grumbled, "You have it under control, I will interject only if I need to. The ranking system is similar to the demon aristocracy"
Rin up widened, "How so? Where exactly are you in this demon ranking system?"
Sesshomaru shook his head at her banter, "I have lieutenants to manage the masses, but I am the only Lord and General of the West."
Rin proceeded to tell him what she knew of that realm and its keepers. He listened patiently, never interrupting, only absorbing the knowledge she gave him.
"So, we are preparing for war then," he stated.
"If they return…yes my Lord they will try to conquer the West."
Soon they made it to the outskirts of the village, Sesshomaru stuck his hand out and stopped her before she could walk any further.
The demon raised his other hand in front of them and sparks flew out from the contact.
"Inuyasha wasted no time I see," muttered Rin.
Sesshomaru replied, "I would break it but that would defeat the purpose. Inuyasha should be alerted to our presence now."
As if on cue, Inuyasha came towards them at a fast pace, skidding his feet on the dirt to stop by them.
He crossed his arms defiantly, "So?"
Sesshomaru spoke first, "War is coming, protect the village."
Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak but Rin beat him to it, "The ones who took me will come back and try to conquer the west. We will stop them before they ever reach this far."
"That's not comforting, A demon and a General are going to stop an invasion." he mocked with his face scrunched up in anger.
Sesshomaru was quick to punch him, knocking him back several feet, "Enough."
Inuyasha was on his feet quicker than Rin had seen him move, "Enough?! You're powerful I'll give you that but war? Tell me how exactly you are going to stop this?"
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, "Rin isn't the only one with an army."
Rin and Inuyasha turned to him in shock, neither had known about that fact. It made sense now why Sesshomaru told her to proceed with the soldiers because he has his own to maneuver.
"Rin, how many soldiers exactly should we be expecting from them?" Inuyasha asked.
Rin did miss how he said 'we'.
"Roughly 20,000 give or take a few."
Inuaysha nodded, "Good I'll join you then."
Rin's eyes went big at his proclamation, and she turned to see Sesshomaru's angry face, Sesshomaru sent her a look out of the corner of his eyes before looking back at Inuyasha.
"Why?" he growled out.
Inuyasha took a step closer to him, "You may be the Lord of the West, but this is my home too. I won't sit by hoping you stop them before they get too far. I will protect my family with or without your approval."
The demon pivoted on his feet and walked away, "He's staying with you Rin."
"Why? Too good to be with your army?" he taunted.
"The demons in my ranks won't take to a half-demon well." he stated.
"Oh, but a group of human experiments is fine?" he asked boldly.
Rin jumped in, "Inuyasha please stop, we will all work together but some things don't change. War or not. We will fight together but that doesn't mean everyone will get along."
The moment Sesshomaru mentioned his army, Rin knew some prejudice would arise. The idea of Inuyasha being the only half demon was a new one. Half demons were stronger than humans, but Sesshomaru was levels above Inuyasha reach.
Inuyasha huffed, "Fine, I don't care anyways but I will be going to the mountains later today to get a group together."
Rin looked at him questionably, Inuyasha responded "There's about 4000 half demons up there who'd fight to keep the west without question."
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes at this information and Inuyasha shouted, "You wanna fight?!"
"You wish to die? I thought you wanted to fight for the west."
Rin saw this conversation going nowhere, "Inuyasha how soon would they be ready?"
Inuyasha uncrossed his arms, "Give me two days."
"Done but they're your responsibility. Meet at the eastern border in two days." Replied Rin.
Inuyasha nodded and took off back towards the village to inform his newly pregnant wife about what was to come.
"A demon army, roughly 4000 half demons, and 2000 soldiers. What could possibly go wrong."
Sesshomaru shook his head lightly as they headed towards the eastern border, "Everything. You have armor?"
"Too bulky, speed is my advantage." she replied.
"Hn."