Chapter 94 - Insignificant

For long moments the trio gazed up at the sky as it became shadowed with writhing demons of various serpentine forms. Though he made no visible motion to draw his sword, Sesshomaru's mind was intently focused on the circling hordes. Behind him, obediently, Rin crouched near some sheltering boulders with Jaken standing near. Only Sesshomaru stood in the open, fully aware and prepared to be the target of the nearest swarm. The squelching and barking roars of the demons filled the air lewdly, like a symphony of distaste. Then suddenly, as if they had one mind among them, the demons turned and sharply angled toward the standing yokai.

"Lord Sesshomaru! No!" Jaken shrilled from his place standing beside Rin.

Sesshomaru took no notice of the imp, and duly ignored the warning cry. His lips set in a firm line as he eyed the writhing mass of demons descending, and reached his right hand out to grasp Tojikin's hilt. With a smooth motion, the demon blade released from his obi and flashed through the air. A concussive blast of power encircled Sesshomaru, then burst outward in every direction. The white hot energy from Tojikin was so powerful that it ripped the demons to shreds, their forms dissolved midair. The rocks which had formed the smooth top to the cliff, ripped up out of the ground, sending massive boulders blasting away from where Sesshomaru stood.

"Excellent swordsmanship as always." Jaken called, sounding a bit wobbly. "Now it's time for my staff of two heads!" Without waiting for a response from Sesshomaru, the little green demon ran forward and casts fire from the Kaguhana head on his staff. The descending demons vanished into a firestorm of ash. Jaken laughed maniacally, apparently quite pleased with his accomplishment. "Come on you pathetic demons!"

"You tell 'em master Jaken!" Rin cheered from her place by the boulders.

"Ha Haaa!" Jaken leapt into action, swinging his staff with fiery blasts every which-way.

Sesshomaru's eyes were on the sky, Tojikin drawn as he eyed the other demons swirling overhead. "Rin, get on A-un." Not shifting his focus from the impending threats, Sesshomaru heard her soft sound of assent, followed by the distinct sound of bare feet on the stones. The battle with the swarming demons continued. With Rin now safely held by A-un, Sesshomaru gave it his entire focus. Instead of simply defence, the yokai lord advanced on the mountain, walking steadily toward his goal. Naraku has not yet emerged, but it will be soon.

As the sun began to rise into the darkened sky, Sesshomaru noted that the plants and trees which had grown from the cracks of the rocks, had fully withered and died. The forest that they'd stayed in the night prior, was no longer green and lush… but looked as if it had been ravaged by fire. "Hm." He didn't focus on it. Obviously the miasma with emitted from the mountain after the barrier was removed, killed all living things close to the mountain. But the miasma has lifted now. It should be safe to move closer.

Steadily they climbed the mountain, slaying the flying demons anytime they were foolish enough to descend for an attack. Each blow from Sesshomaru's powerful blade sent bits of dissected demon flesh flying through the air and spattering across the ground. The bits would flop around on the ground in a morbidly gruesome attempt to retain life, before eventually falling still. Rin followed behind her protectors, still atop A-un, occasionally calling out with encouragement, declaring how brave or well an attack had landed. Though unnecessary, the words warmed a tiny forgotten corner of Sesshomaru's heart.

"Take that! And that!" Jaken swung his staff with fiery bursts, as if it was a club. Despite his arduous movements, demons did disintegrate into ashen piles.

"Master Jaken look at the sky!" Rin's voice was clear as a bell, as she pointed up at the mountain which loomed above them.

"Huh….?" Jaken followed her pointing finger, squinting his bulging eyes against the sun.

The swarm of demons, seemingly had enough of the slaughter. As a group, they wheeled and flew as quickly as they could away from the mountain. Within moments the morning sky was clear and blue again. All traces of the grotesque demons vanished.

"Look Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken cried. "The demons are making their escape!"

Sesshomaru had already seen their withdraw from battle. Calmly he slid Tojikin back into his obi, and watched the last vestiges of the demons flee.

"Eugh? Aren't you going after them?" Jaken asked, clearly confused.

For only a heartbeat more, Sesshomaru's gaze lingered on the flying specks on the horizon. Then he shifted to look up at the mountain itself. "They're insignificant." Turning, he began moving toward the mountain path before them. "Let's go." Silence fell as they obediently fell into line behind him, only the heavy footfalls of A-un, broke the almost eerie silence.

It wasn't long until Sesshomaru realized that something was amiss. He stopped, lifting his gold gaze to the mountain peaks rising far above their heads. The miasma… it's returning, and it's much stronger than before. A furrow appeared between his eyebrows. Rin will not survive miasma so strong. For a moment, Sesshomaru was torn with indecision. He had no desire to leave Rin alone… but he could not accomplish what was what necessary with her in tow. For a moment he closed his eyes, before turning to look at the girl riding the dragon. It cannot be helped. He turned back, watching as the thickly purple black miasma billowed closer.

"Rin?"

"Yes?" The human girl gazed at him expectantly.

"Take A-un and get away from the mountain."

"Huh?" Confusion filled her brown eyes, she leaned forward, as if embodying her desire to remain with him. "What will you do Lord Sesshomaru?"

"It goes without saying. Naraku is in there somewhere."

"Pardon me, milord." Jaken rasped from his left side.

Sesshomaru glanced down at the imp impassively. "What is it?"

"There's no question that Naraku has kept himself hidden from his enemies until now in order to recoup his strength. He has undoubted grown much stronger than he was since the last time we met."

At times, Sesshomaru regretted becoming so approachable to his indentured servent. This was one of those times. From the corner of his eye, the yokai glared down at the imp, nose slightly lifted into the air. "Your point is?"

Realizing that he'd angered his master, Jaken visibly withered. "Ahh…" the imp fell to his knees in a low bow. "M-my point yes… what was my point?" Sweat beaded on his bald green head. "Nah… I suppose my mind is growing weaker with age?! Eheh…"

Disgusted with the inference that the imp didn't have the courage to voice — that he believed Sesshomaru could not beat Naraku — the yokai began walking away.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

It was Rin's voice that gave Sesshomaru pause. He hesitated, and glanced at her over the fur of his mokomoko. She sat on A-un's saddle, her usually exuberant face was solemn. Though he had his mind stoically closed to her thoughts, he could feel both the concern and her belief in him… it filtered through to him, filling his soul with warmth.

"Good luck my Lord."

Turning, Sesshomaru walked toward the darkness encompassing the mountain. I will be back for you, Rin.