InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Worthy ❯ Chapter 3

It had rained for a week straight and finally the sun was starting to shine again. There was still a large chance it would rain again, the thick cloud cover promised that but for now it was sunny and that was enough to make anyone restless.

Rin knelt on the floor a small table before her with parchment, ink, and a brush but they lay forgotten as she stared out the window. The rain had made the air colder and with the crisp scent of freshness. She wanted to go play out in the open air and feel the wet grass beneath her feet and feel the cleanness of the wind. But no, she was stuck inside.

Rin sighed as she continued tapping her fingers on the table and with her chin resting in her other hand, look to the door. Her sensei was late again.

Rin had no objections to schooling. In fact, she loved to learn, she just hated her sensei. Her sensei was a bird youkai. She didn't know what type. Personally, she thought he was a vulture but that could just be because he was so old and his head was as bald as a vultures. She never seen him in his youkai form but she suspected his feathers would be raggedy from age and he would be bald in more places then just his head. Maybe it was his age that made him cranky or maybe it was just the way he was but Rin knew that he hated her just like she hated him. He was often late and often complained just loud enough for Rin to hear about how he was wasting his time tutoring a human.

He also treated her poorly. Abusing her for her mistakes by slapping the back of her hand with an object, mostly his wooden pointer and ignoring her accomplishments. There had been many times she had left the room with the back of her hand red and swollen and his insults ringing in her ears. He had never hit Sesshoumaru when he taught him of course, he didn't have to. Sesshoumaru had probably been the perfect pupil. Rin kept quiet about the abuse. She may have been rebelling against Sesshoumaru on a regular basis but she did not wish to disappoint him and if he learned that she and her sensei were not getting along, he would be disappointed. So Rin kept her mouth shut and dove into her studies.

But this day, she didn't want to study. She wanted to go outside and enjoy the sunlight while it remained. Maybe she'd even catch a glimpse of the strangers.

Rin was curious about the strangers and continued to be so. Sesshoumaru had told her about his encounter with them in order to appease her curiosity but it only made it grow. They were from a different country. She didn't even know there was a world outside Japan and she wanted to learn of it and what better way than from the mouths of those who had been there. She wanted to learn of their travels and she wanted to know what people outside Japan were like. Most of all, she just wanted to learn more about them.

Rin bit her lip and looked back out the window. Either her sensei was going to be very late today or he wasn't coming. Anger burned in Rin's blood as she slowly stood from her cushion and went to the window. Normally, Rin would stay inside the room and study until the hour when her studies were suppose to end but not this day. She had waited long enough and after years of constant waiting, she had enough. If she would get whipped for it so be it but she was not waiting today, not when the day was so perfect. Grabbing her katana from the wall, she strapped it to her waist. She doubted she would run into any trouble but the wilds were full of beast and youkai so it was best to be safe.

When her sword was secure, Rin opened the window and looked outside. If anyone was out she could just tell them she was getting a breath of fresh air, which wouldn't be question before slipping back inside. But there was no one and she climbed out the window. She stayed low to the ground and waited to hear if anyone was coming but all was silent. The servants were probably all inside since laundry couldn't be done with the unpredictable weather and there was plenty of water and food inside. There was no need for the servants to be out. Still, it was better safe than sorry and there was always a chance that Sesshoumaru or Jaken was out.

Both preferred the outdoors but luck was on Rin's side and she quickly made her way through the castle grounds. She made it to the Sakura tree without incident and with the skill that came from practice and agility, she climbed the tree and onto the wall. It was a high drop from the top of the wall to the ground but Rin had spent many days in her youth climbing trees and jumping rocks so she knew how to fall to where she received the least amount of pain.

She let her knees absorb the shock of the fall and when she landed, she landed gracefully and without pain. Granted, she didn't want to do it again but she was rather proud of her accomplishment. Figuring that if she hadn't been caught yet, she wasn't going to get caught, Rin relaxed as she walked to the forest with the hope of meeting someone from the wolf pack.

~

Morgan sighed as she leaned against the trunk of the tree. So far, her new life in this strange land wasn't going too well. Her father was still mad at her for the way she treated Sesshoumaru. Granted, she knew that she had been in the wrong for treating him so coldly, which she would never openly admit, but she had just been so angry and scared that she couldn't help it. They had gotten passed the yelling but he was still treated her as if she wasn't there and would until she apologized. It had been a month. She hadn't apologized and he hadn't forgiven her.

She was getting sick of it but she knew he wouldn't give in and accept her reasons for being as she was that night and she couldn't apologize for something she knew wasn't wrong. Morgan bit her lip. It looked like time would be the only way they could cross the bridge they had set between them and hopefully they would forget.

Morgan's eyes suddenly narrowed and without moving she focused her attention on the tree beside her. She fought the need to sigh. Why did they always have to use her as a target? Why couldn't they find a rabbit or a deer? Why did she have to be the one to put up with the annoyances?

Morgan dropped out of the branch the moment a little war cry broke the silence and landed on the branch below. The cry turned into the scream when the pup's prey disappeared and he ended up flying over the branch and falling toward the ground, until a hand roughly grabbed him by the base of the tail.

Brennan yelped as his weight pulled on his tail before glaring up at Morgan.

"Morgan, dammit, let me go."

He screamed when Morgan did just that but sighed in relief when she took hold of the end of his tail.

"Next time, think before asking that question," Morgan suggested as her baby cousin dangled from her grip. Brennan was the youngest male of the pack, barely four-years-old, and the grandchild of her uncle Connor, the middle brother of the three leaders and he seemed to take after Morgan and her brother with his tricks and temper. He even looked more like Alban than either of his parents, though he did have his grandfather's blue eyes.

Brennan swung, trying to reach a nearby branch but Morgan pulled him just short of reaching it. Just then, they both heard movement down below and each looked to see her other cousin, Cory, who was also Brennan's uncle, along with three other pups. One of them was Brennan's older brother but the other two were of no relation.

Cory looked up at the two and noticed Morgan's annoyed glare but smiled in return before crossing his arms and looking at his other's students.

"Can any of you tell me what Brennan did wrong?" he asked.

"He made too much noise," one answered.

"He didn't stay down wind," answered another.

Cory nodded and looked up at Morgan.

"Anything else, Morgan?"

Morgan growled low in her throat.

"Why am I always being used as the bait?"

"Because you're the only one that sets herself for it, always leaving the pack to be alone."

"It's called privacy, Cory. A woman needs it sometime."

"No, you're just trying to get away from another argument with your father."

"We're not arguing," Morgan snarled.

"Excuse me," a tiny voice interrupted, "all the blood is rushing to my head."

Both looked to Brennan who was still suspended by his tail and both blushed when they realized that they had forgotten him. Morgan quickly pulled him up as she stood and rested him on her hip as she dropped to the ground. She landed gracefully, just a few inches from Cory who didn't even flinch while the others back up a few feet in the fear of being landed on.

Brennan who was clinging to Morgan's shirt from sudden dropped, squirmed to get down. Morgan glared one last time at Cory before raising Brennan to eye level.

"Next time, control your breathing," she instructed. "With all the panting you were doing, I would have heard you a mile away."

Brennan glared up at Morgan.

"I had to climb a tree, of course I was panting."

Morgan's brow rose in amusement. "Should I also tell your mother that you need a bath?"

Brennan eye's widened and he went quiet as he frantically shook his head. Morgan smiled.

"Good." She set him on the ground and looked to the others.

"If you need someone to hunt, ask next time." She glared up at Cory, "Don't just assume it's okay."

Cory frowned, "You would expect them then. Prey needs to be surprised."

"Then train on a rabbit. I need my time alone."

"Then become a Rogue like your sister."

Morgan snarled and lunged but almost immediately she found herself on her back with claws at her throat. Sympathy flashed in Cory's eyes before being replaced with anger.

The pups whimpered in fear at the attack and looked at the two in confusion.

"Go back to the pack," Cory ordered.

"But," one of them responded.

"Do as I say."

"Don't hurt her."

Hearing that, Cory's grip loosened and Morgan stopped growling.

"I'm not going to, now go."

The pups hesitated but did as their told. Brennan's older brother picked him up then they were all running as fast as their young legs could take them and making sure they stayed close together. When they were gone, Cory looked back at Morgan who was glaring at him with fire in her eyes.

"This is a pack, Morgan," he explained, "we stay together, work together, and hunt together. We always need each other. If you don't feel that way, then you are destined to be a rogue like Briana."

"You think I feel nothing for the pack?" Morgan snarled. "I love this pack, more than anything and it pains me that it has weakened." Morgan looked away from Cory and took a few calming breaths. "Me needing to be alone as nothing to do with the pack. It just sometimes I need someplace quiet to think."

Cory's eyes softened and he got up from Morgan. "You're mother used to do that. I thought it was just the rogue in her."

Morgan slowly sat up but she wouldn't meet Cory's eyes. "Briana's not a rogue. She's just avenging the pack."

"Maybe so but she's always been a rogue, you've just never seen it."

"Briana is noble and brave."

"I don't know about noble but she is brave and stubborn, blood thirsty, and unable to submit. The only reason she stayed as long as she did was because her father is a leader and because her full blooded siblings wanted to stay though I think it was Daman who kept her here."

"I don't want to hear this."

"Morgan, I know you love her, I love her too, but she's not coming back."

Tears filled Morgan's eyes but she refused to let them fall. "I know. I need to be alone."

Cory nodded but it was clear that he wasn't happy about the decision. "There's always someone to talk to if you need it."

Morgan smiled her thanks but shook her head.

"No, I just need to be alone but I'll be back before nightfall."

"You'll miss the hunt."

Morgan nodded and slowly stood. She was covered in dirt from the toss but she didn't brush it off as she looked at her cousin.

"You're always looking out for me and my siblings, why?"

Cory smiled and shrugged. "You and your brother are my baby cousins and your mother was my favorite aunt and I promised her that I look after you three."

"Katherine isn't her daughter."

"No, but as timid as that one is, she needs protecting."

Morgan chuckled her agreement.

"Save me some meat," she requested before taking off into the trees. A few seconds later, his father and Uncle Kallan appeared behind him.

"The pups said you and Morgan were fighting," his father explained.

"It was more of quick tussle that ended with a discussion."

"Where is Morgan now?" Kallan asked.

"She said that she'd be back before nightfall." Cory looked to his uncle. "She said she needed to be alone."

"Brother, I think it's time you forgive Morgan for the night Lord Sesshoumaru appeared," Connor suggested.

"Morgan has yet to apologize for her treatment of Sesshoumaru after the attack."

"Do you expect her to?"

Kallan looked to his brother, silently demanding an explanation.

"Morgan is almost exactly like her mother. And you were making her apologize for a wrong she didn't commit."

Kallan lowered his eyes and looked of in the direction his daughter took off in.

"I was afraid that if she didn't, he would make use leave."

"We only met Sesshoumaru that day but I think he understood. I saw him fight, both fair and unmerciful. He is both a warrior and a lord. The attack was something he expected and forgave. He didn't need to hear an apology."

Kallan sighed before chuckling. "For a month, I have been waiting for her apology, now it looks like I will be the one apologizing."

The other two smiled their agreement before they all went back to the pack.

~

Morgan ran until she was several miles away from the pack. She was still a little shaken from what Cory told her but the run did her good and she felt much better. Leaping into a tree, she settled herself in a comfortable position against the trunk. Whether she liked it or not Cory had been right. Briana was a rogue and had always been one. It was Daman and Katherine who weren't and it was her love for them that kept her with the pack. Or more like her love for Daman. Daman had been the youngest of Kallan's first mate pups and the weakest of all his offspring. Briana, who was the oldest, had taken the responsibility to protect him and as he grew, they became inseparable. Morgan smiled. She and Alban had been like that when they were pups but the bond between Briana and Daman was much stronger. Morgan pitied the priest that killed him for she doubt Briana would be merciful.

Morgan sighed and leaned back against the tree. Briana wasn't coming back. She had to face that. Briana would continue fighting until every priest and army was dead or until she was killed. Morgan knew it would be the latter. It was hard admitting that. Morgan loved Briana. After all, it had been Briana who had helped raised her, who trained her, who rocked her to bed at night and claiming that she was dead put her heart in a painful grip.

Morgan fought the tears. Briana had taught her that tears were a sign of weakness and she wanted to be strong for Briana and besides, she had already mourned for her lost sister.

Morgan rubbed her eyes in an effort to force the tears away and took a deep breath to ease her aching chest. She stiffened when she caught a scent she didn't recognize.

Lowering her hand and staying as quiet as a demon possibly could, Morgan leaned forward and lowered herself to the branch to get the leaves out of her view. She brow furrowed when she saw a young human girl making her way toward her tree.

Morgan had never seen a Japanese girl like this before. True she had seen the human's of this country but they had all been peasants. This girl screamed nobility with her silk gown that looked to tight to be comfortable, shinning well-groomed hair, and straight posture. The only thing that would suggest other wise was her bare feet and the girl was walking among the forest as if it was an everyday occurrence for her. But where did she come, as far as Morgan knew there were no villages near here and they were all poor. Keeping still and waiting for the girl to come close enough, Morgan took a deep breath and her eyes widened. Either she was imagining things or Sesshoumaru's sent was on the girl. But why?

Morgan quietly climbed down to a lower branch. The girl wasn't a mistress, the scent was strictly a contact scent but it was strong, as strong as a parent's scent would be on a pup. Morgan's eyes widened. Could the child be a ward? From what Morgan had learned that night, Sesshoumaru didn't seem the type to take in orphans, especially a human but how else could she explain the scent. She wasn't a whore and even if she was, Sesshoumaru had too much honor to take a whore to his bed. The girl defiantly wasn't a servant, the clothes reviled that much so the only option left was that she was his ward. The knowledge was very interesting but she would be smart and keep her mouth shut. If the lord wanted them to know, he would tell them himself. Besides, she had no threat from the pack. They didn't eat humans and though they didn't trust them, they would treat her kindly.

Morgan watched the girl pass under her tree and disappear into the woods. She waited a moment but it was clear that the girl was alone. Strange. Morgan didn't think the Sesshoumaru would allow the girl to go off on her own. Hell, the nobles of her own country never let their daughters go off on their own but this child was. Morgan smiled. The girl had snuck off. Either she was sick of being doted on or she needed time to herself and the forest was the only way she could get that. Going through that herself, Morgan wouldn't go after the girl or let any one know that she was here. Besides, she was just Sesshoumaru's soldier, not the girl's wet nurse. If the girl wanted time to herself, who was she to stop her.

Satisfied with her discovery and her decision, Morgan went back up on the higher branch and settled herself back in her original position. She wanted to take a nap before going back to the pack but she couldn't stop the sting of guilt slipping into her conscience. Maybe she should at least watch over the girl. No, then she'd be a hypocrite and that was the last thing she wanted to be.

~

Rin was enjoying herself. It had been a long time since she walked through the woods, and in her bare feet no less. It had been a long time and it hurt a little but it felt good at the same time, like she was traveling with Sesshoumaru again. The wet grass felt cold against her skin and it soaked the hem of her kimono but Rin embraced it. It felt like old times. The only thing missing was Sesshoumaru, Jaken and Ah-Un (did I get that right). Oh well, not everything could be perfect.

Rin walked deep into the forest until she came to a clearing. She had been here before when she was a child and it still looked the same if she ignored the fact that it was overgrown. It didn't matter. She was trying to remember where she last saw the smoke. If she could remember that, then maybe she could meet the strangers. The problem was, she couldn't remember and she hadn't seen the smoke in over week since the pack hadn't been able to light one do to the rain and she wouldn't be able to remember the exact location any way.

Rin sighed. Maybe this had been a mistake. Oh well, at least she got to enjoy the outdoors for a little bit.

Rin was about to make her way back to the castle when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Slowly, Rin turned around and gasped when she saw a youkai on the other side of the clearing. It stared at her with dark eyes. They weren't red like most youkai, just black; his torso was bare, revealing powerful muscles and ugly scars. His hands were more like talons and sported nasty claws that were black from dried blood. From the waist down was the body of a snake. His entire body was covered in gray colored scales like a snake and he was even sniffing the air like a snake with its humanlike tongue.

Rin had never seen this kind of youkai before and nor had she heard about them. This creature had to be an outsider to the Western Lands as well but that didn't matter. What mattered was that he looked hungry.

Rin thought about drawing her sword but that would be pointless. She was good but she was no match for a youkai besides, he'd probably kill her the moment she reached for her weapon. The only things she could do were stay still or run. Running was the more appealing option.

Slowly, Rin took a step back. The youkai saw the movement and narrowed its eyes. That was the only movement she saw before the youkai was in front of her with his claws raised and ready to strike.

~

Morgan was just about to fall asleep when she smelt the demon. She ignored it at first since it was far enough away not to worry about but her eyes snapped open when the scent of the girl was carried with it. Whether she was responsible or not, she couldn't let the girl die. Not if she could stop it. Without wasting another moment, Morgan raced toward the scent as fast as her legs could carry her.

~

Rin braced herself for the strike but it never came. Instead, strong arms wrapped around her and she was flying through the air. They landed roughly on the ground and burning pain shot up Rin's arm and she whimpered. It didn't feel broken it just burned. Rin opened her eyes to see the face of a woman who brought them to their feet again before jumping to dodge another swipe.

They landed on the other side of the clearing and the woman dropped her near a tree before turning to face the snake.

Rin, holding her arm that bled from where the youkai had clawed her, stared up at the woman. This had to be one of the wolves. How else could she explain the red hair and strange clothes but that didn't matter right now. Right now, what mattered was the youkai on the other side of the clearing.

The two youkai were staring at each other, sizing each other up as they growled and hissed. Rin saw the wolf's claws extend as she drew her strange looking sword and she noticed red had seeped into the woman's eyes. Then they attacked.

Rin could do nothing but watched as the woman fought to protect her. Fighting with dainty claws and a sword that couldn't penetrate the scales of the demon. Occasionally, the wolf would use a lightening attack that did hurt the snake but didn't stop him. Rin bit her lip, her rescuer was losing and would probably die and it was her fault.

Morgan was getting frustrated. Nothing she tried seemed to work. The thick scales of the youkai repelled her claws and sword and her lightening attacks had little effect. She could try using her most powerful attack, the white fire, but the chance that she'd hit and kill the girl was too great.

Morgan didn't know how long the fight was lasting but she was losing. Blood ran from various wounds on her body and her clothing was ripped and clinging to her skin. The rain had started again mixing with her blood and stinging her eyes. She was weakening. She could feel her strength leave her body with every drop of blood. The snake was also hurt. Blood flowed from where she managed to rip off a scale to get to the weaker flesh underneath but the wounds were superficial. They wouldn't even slow him down. Morgan needed help. She needed the pack.

Making her decision, Morgan jumped away from the youkai and put herself between him and the girl who remained near the tree. Why the girl didn't run she had no idea but she would yell at her later for it. Gathering energy into her left hand, Morgan shot a beam into the sky then jumped back to avoid the snake's claws. He still managed to graze her stomach but it was only a flesh wound. Besides, she was bleeding all over and with the pack coming, what was one more wound.

~

"Uncle Kallan," Brennan pulled on his uncle's shirt to get his attention. "I saw lightening."

"It's raining again, that's why," he explained.

"But this one came from the ground."

Kallan dropped his food and grabbed his nephew.

"Where?"

~

Morgan fell to the ground, holding her shoulder, her left arm lying uselessly underneath her. Her sword lay useless a few yards away and before it was the snake. Morgan tried to rise but her feet slipped on rain and blood.

Morgan always knew that she wasn't the strongest fighter but she never felt it until now and now an innocent child might die because of it. Gritting her teeth, Morgan tried again. She succeeded this time but her legs were shaking and she felt weak. She wouldn't be able to defend herself against another attack, but then she didn't have to.

Several howls filled the air and brought a wicked smile to Morgan's face. She saw her father first. Striking the snake with expert skill. Like her claws, they did little good but with the power of the pack, the snake didn't have a chance. She wished she could join her family in the fight but she would have to sit the rest of this out.

Morgan backed up until she was in front of the girl. If by chance the pack failed, she would be the girl's last defense. She would fail but at least she could try. It was strange; her wounds were starting to burn.

It turned out the pack did win. It took the power of fire, the only thing the scales couldn't protect the snake from, and the snake burned to death. The pack surrounded the withering body, making sure it died before quickly going to Morgan.

She collapsed in exhaustion and her father and brother caught her and she accepted their embrace. The others went to the girl. She was frightened and didn't look well but she was awake and alert.

"Are you okay, girl," one of them asked.

Rin looked up at him. Surprised to be spoken to and slowly nodded.

"Are you the pack, Lord Sesshoumaru told me about?"

The others looked among each other, surprised to hear that name.

"You know him?"

"I'm his ward."

Morgan smiled. She was right.

"My name's Morgan," she greeted the girl.

"I'm Rin. Thank you."

Morgan nodded before grimacing and grabbing her shoulder when it began to burn more. Just then, Rin fainted. Morgan quickly followed.

Panicked, the pack studied the wounds on Morgan and the wound on Rin more closely and discovered the scent of poison. They would need treatment quickly. Cory picked up Rin and raced back to the den with Kallan, holding an unconscious Morgan on his heels and the rest of the pack following.

Alban went in the opposite direction, heading for Sesshoumaru's castle. The lord would need to know about his ward.

Next Chapter: Sesshoumaru learns of the fight.