*
“He doesn’t feel anything.” Inuyasha commented walking in front while Kagome and Rin talked.
Jaken harrumphed. “My Lord Sesshomaru does not need emotions to make him weak like some half breed mutt.”
“What did you say?” Inuyasha turned around glaring at Jaken who automatically hid behind Rin.
Rin shook her head making her black hair flow forward over her shoulders. “It’s more complicated than that. Lord Sesshomaru is the Lord of the west lands and heir of the Great Dog Demon. He not only wishes to be stronger than his father like you Inuyasha. He also wishes to have power. Power that comes from fear and respect.” She looked down holding her stomach tenderly. “When your father fell in love with your mother he was already powerful. Many feared him but all respected him. So when he died Sesshomaru wasn’t just left with a shadow of a father he could never defeat in battle. But he was left with a tainted inheritance. The Great Dog Demon Lord, in the end did the most noble thing anyone could ever do. He sacrificed his life for the woman he loved and his child. But Lord Sesshomaru doesn’t look at it like that. He sees you as someone his father loved more than him. And he hates the fact you took him away before he could defeat him and take his place as the Great Lord.”
Kagome looked thoughtful while Inuyasha harrumphed and Jaken spoke up angrily. “Lord Sesshomaru is already the Great Lord of the Dog demons. He has no need to prove anything.”
Rin looked over at the little demon. “I know Master Jaken.”
“I think you see what you want to see. All I see is a heartless jerk.” Inuyasha spoke up making Kagome sigh.
“Heads up here comes another wave!” Inuyasha said pulling out the Tetsusaiga again it transforming into a large elegant blade. Suddenly Jaken jumped off the two headed dragon and stood with his staff forward.
“Stay back you vile pests! Don‘t worry Rin, I‘ll protect you.”
“Master Jaken.” Rin whispered smiling as another giant line of demons came at them, hungering for blood and flesh.
*
An arc of light flashed as another demon fell to his Tokijin. Sesshomaru looked around, the ground lay littered with dead flesh and the stench of blood hung thick in the air. Even still her scent was fresh, he was close. The bitter smell of Inuyasha and the girl, Kagome was mingled with hers. He leapt as another demon came at him from under the ground. His arm swung effortlessly slicing the demon, with four horns protruding from its head, in half.
The light was getting brighter and his eyes narrowed peering up ahead. “Audrain.” He said faintly increasing his speed.
*
The light was blinding as the egg like cocoon hung in the air just above their heads. The wall to the lair closed the moment they came in. Inuyasha stayed alert his body posture said he wasn’t liking this. Rin got down calmly and Kagome took her hand sensing the aura of the being inside of the cocoon.
“It is a demon but yet it’s not.” Kagome said absently looking up with Rin next to her.
“Well whatever it is I don’t like this.” Inuyasha said still looking around, his ears twitching.
Rin let go of Kagome and walked up to the glowing egg as it lowered slowly. “It’s my only hope. Thank you so much for brining me here. I’m in your debt Kagome and Inuyasha.” Her head turned. “Master Jaken. I’m sorry for everything. I wish I could make it up to you.”
Jaken was sitting on the two headed dragon with his back to her but his head turned slightly and she could see his wall of indifference break slightly but he didn’t speak. The ground began to shake. A high pitched sound made everyone cover their ears. Inuyasha fell to his knees and Jaken laid on the mount in excruciating pain. The light from the egg exploded taking in Rin and creating a bubble of impenetrable light.
Rin was inside, where everything was quiet. Her fear pushed away she stood as a being of pure light coalesced into a beautiful woman with long flowing blue hair like water. Her eyes opened. They were red and seemed to flicker like the flame of a candle. Her skin was brown and dust fell from her feet as she hovered.
“I have slept for three thousand years. Are you the one who has come to ask?”
Rin felt the force of her words like a gust of wind. She swallowed. “I am.”
The wild malevolence in her eyes didn’t surprise Rin. She expected to be in the presence of a supremely powerful demon who had surpassed all other’s. “Then ask human. What have you come to wish for?”
She touched her stomach feeling the child kick. “I do not ask for me but for my child. He is a half breed. I wish for him to be a full blooded demon.”
When no response came Rin looked up only to be greeted by a gentleness she hadn’t expected. The woman’s head tilted and her feet touched the ground. “I can see past your words and beyond, into your heart. You cannot carry a full blooded demon child to term. It would take your life”
Rin bit her lip. “I figured as much.” She whispered. “As long as I know the child will be tended, my life doesn’t matter.”
*
Kagome and Inuyasha got up from the ground. “She’s inside.” Kagome said. Inuyasha walked up to the light and sniffed.
“I don’t like this we should get her out of there.” He was about to strike with the Tetsusaiga when Kagome shouted.
“No! This is what she wanted. We have to wait and see what happens.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this but I agree with Inuyasha.” Jaken said hopping off the two headed dragon. “She could be in danger.”
A blast of rocks came flying in and Inuyasha instinctively went to protect Kagome. As the dust cleared they all saw Sesshomaru walk in his eyes focused on Jaken. He didn’t even acknowledge Inuyasha or Kagome.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Inuyasha shouted readying himself for a fight.
Sesshomaru came closer to Jaken who was shaking. “My Lord.” He dropped to his knees. “I’m sorry my Lord she insisted on this. It wasn’t my idea she wouldn’t listen to me.”
“Jaken.” Sesshomaru interrupted his minion’s ranting. “I told you to take care of her, not walk her into a demon’s lair!” His shout echoed off the walls.
In the midst of Jaken’s groveling and constant apologies that didn’t seem to phase Sesshomaru, his eyes turned to the light sphere. Kagome stepped forward. “But Audrain grants wishes. I don’t understand.”
His head didn’t turn and his tone was absent like he was only answering her as an after thought. “No you don’t understand. Audrain can grant wishes, yes. But after granting your wish, she eats you to regain her powers.” At the end Kagome could hear the anger in his voice.
“What?”
*
“Are you ready?”
Rin swallowed and nodded. “I’m ready.”
Audrain smiled, her sharp teeth made it look like a snarl. “This will be painful and I cannot guarantee you’ll survive.”
Slowly Rin nodded. “I won’t change my mind. And….if I don’t survive. I want you to know how grateful I am to you for this.”
Audrain laughed throwing her head back. “Do not thank me child. I get reward enough once everything is over and I can see you happy.”
Audrain reached out her hand and touched Rin’s forehead.
