Chapter 27

Ride in the rain



Mai rushed her horse and rode out of the village. As she reached the top of the hill, she turned back to look once again at the village, where she met miko Kikyo. The girl was on her way home - it was, what she wanted. Then why did she hesitate? Mai clenched her fists on the reins, ready to depart.
"Mai! Mai!" She froze, as she heard familiar voice calling her name over and over again. Mai turned the horse and saw Rin, running towards her, smile on her face. In her little hand she held lilies, she gathered on a meadow. The child stopped a few meters from her and looked at Mai with the brown eyes. A single tear dropped on the woman's cheek.

"Mai?" asked the child, as the smile disappeared from her face and the flowers fell scattered at her feet. Mai clenched her teeth and turned her horse.

"I'm sorry, Rin." She said quietly with her back to the girl, not being able to face her. She kicked the horse strongly. The animal neighed and leapt forward, speeding to the gallop.


 
Mai kept forcing the horse to keep up the murderous pace. She felt the wind slowly drying her tears. She regretted leaving Rin behind, but it was her ultimate goal – to get home – and she couldn't let herself be distracted. She had to concentrate on the basics and that meant not getting herself killed by pissed Sesshomaru. Mai hoped that Inuyasha would be in the place, Kikyo told her of. If not, she would be dead. That was the risk, she had to take. She kicked the animal again, not letting it slow down. She must get to Inuyasha before Sesshomaru gets to her.

The girl felt more and more drops of water falling on her. As she looked up, she saw, that the sky was covered with thick rain clouds. Then the downpour came, soaking Mai to the bone. Her hair was plastered to the face and she barely saw, where she was going. The horse's steps were unsure now, as it was sliding on the slippery mud. The girl cursed, but determined moved forward. She tried to think of the rain more of an ally than an enemy. It made the ride more difficult, but it also washed her tracks and scent away, what would hinder the chase.

She managed to gallop for a couple of hours more in the heavy rain. How many, Mai didn't know, as she didn't see the sun. The horse grew weary, but still galloped, rushed by the girl. The animals hooves were splashing mud. The girl wiped the water of her eyes the best she could and saw the bridge, miko told her about. She estimated, that she was about in one third way now, quite a good pace, considering the weather conditions. She kicked the horse's sides to make it go faster. The animal tried to speed up, but stumbled suddenly. Mai swayed in the saddle, but gripped the mane and held herself with her thighs. However, the animal didn't manage to regain balance. It neighed and fell on the side, crushing Mai's leg. The girl struggled with the horse to free her limb. Thankfully she did it after a while, mainly thanks to the slippery mud. She was now covered in mud from heads to toes. She stood up and tried to encourage the horse to get up. Something was wrong. The animal was thrashing and neighing without a break, but wouldn't get up. Then, she noticed, that one of the horse's legs was twisted at a strange angle. Mai cursed, as she realized the horse had a broken leg. She felt pity for the pained animal and decided on the act of mercy – she owed that to the animal.
The girl reached inside her kimono and pulled out a knife, she bought in a village some time ago. She kneeled by the horse's head and unsheathed the blade. She pointed it towards the bottom of the jaw.

"I'm sorry." She muttered, before thrusting with all her might. The animal squeaked and trashed more, but stilled, as the knife pierced its brain. Mai pulled the blade out and wiped it with her kimono, as her tears mixed with the rain on her face. Being not able to afford to waste time, she stood up, sheathing her knife. She untied her obi and threw off the heavy silk kimono. It would only slow her down. She tied obi, slid the knife behind it and was again on her way.



Meanwhile…
 
There could be a loud slapping sound heard, as Sango hit the perverted monk again, leaving a red mark on his face. Shippo sighed.

"Miroku will never learn." Stated the fox youkai, shaking his head. Kirara in her kitten form meowed in agreement.

"It's the curse on my hand." Said Miroku, smiling sheepishly. Sango glared at him maliciously and the monk backed away.

"It's his personality, that's cursed." Kagome commented and Inuyasha nodded. The hanyou suddenly stopped, sniffing the air. Kagome looked at him, alarm.

"Inuyasha?" she questioned him. The half demon tensed and grabbed Tessaiga's hilt.

"Everyone, stand back!" he said, narrowing his eyes. "That bastard is coming!"

The whole group came closer, Miroku and Sango with their weapons ready to attack, shielding Kagome and Shippo. The fox demon stirred nervously on Kagome's shoulder.

"Inuyasha, did you mean by that…" the kid started.

"Sesshomaru!" exclaimed Sango, as the lightning ball collided with the ground right in front of

Inuyasha and none other than the demon Sesshomaru emerged from the light, emitting his menacing aura. The red-clad hanyou drew Tessaiga. The sword transformed immediately. The youkai stood still, not making any move.

"What do you want, Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha yelled, assuming the battle stance and growling at his brother.

"Hn." Sesshomaru snorted. "I am today not in a mood for your foolishness."

"Bastard!" Inuyasha snarled and leapt forward, swinging the sword at the demon. Sesshomaru avoided the attack easily by jumping back.

"Very well." Said the inu youkai, drawing Tokijin. "I have come here to learn, why you bother my servant. However, if you do not wish to answer me, I shall gladly FORCE YOU!" Sesshomaru yelled the last words, charging at Inuyasha. Startled hanyou lost his balance for a while, but parried the blow to counterattack. The both brothers were exchanging blows, jumping all over the place, the sound of clashing swords echoing. Then, Inuyasha leapt back to keep Sesshomaru at the distance.

"KAZE NO KIZU!" he yelled, swinging with Tessaiga. When it seemed, that the older brother wouldn't be able to dodge or parry, the demon lifted Tokijin.

"Souryuuha!" the youki of his sword clashed with Kaze no kizu and the explosion threw both of them back. Sesshomaru landed gracefully on the ground, while Inuyasha fell on his back, but pulled himself quickly up, panting. The hanyou and youkai were glaring at each other, neither was the victor.

"Sesshomaru, you're getting so worked up over Jaken?" Inuyasha mocked his brother, while trying to catch his breath. The demon narrowed his eyes, irritation showing on his face.

"This Sesshomaru was not talking about Jaken, you good-for-nothing." He said. The hanyou snorted and lifted Tessaiga.

"Feh! I don't care about your servants! Prepare yourself, Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha yelled and charged at his brother and the swords clashed again. The demon narrowed his eyes, anger on his face.

"What did you want with her?" demanded Sesshomaru, attacking hanyou from above. Inuyasha yelled and put all his force in the blow.

"I don't… Gah!" cried startled half-demon, as the older of brothers twisted his wrist and knocked Tessaiga of Inuyasha's hands. The sword landed out of the hanyou's reach, transforming itself back.



"Her?" asked Sango, as the rest of the group was observing the fight from the safe distance. "Maybe we weren't wrong, after all."

All eyes turned on the slayer and then on Kagome, who gasped loudly and darted to where Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were.

"Kagome-sama!" shouted Miroku after her.

"Come on!" Sango said, grabbing Hiraikotsu and rushing after Kagome.




"SESSHOMARU, STOP!" Kagome screamed, as she was running towards the two fighting brothers.

Now, disarmed, Inuyasha was at a disadvantage, with only his claws against Sesshomaru. At the sight of the approaching girl, hanyou's eyes widened in fear for Kagome's life. What was that stupid girl thinking? Noticing, that his brother turned his attention to Kagome, Inuyasha leapt forward.

"Sankontessou!" he cried in attempt to slash Sesshomaru. It didn't work, but at least he found himself between the demon and Kagome.

"Inuyasha, wait a moment." Said the girl to him and peeked from behind his back to look at Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru, is Mai travelling with you?"

The demon glared at Kagome, completely ignoring Inuyasha.

"What connection do you have to that woman, miko?" he questioned the girl. The half-demon growled.

"Don't answer him, Kagome!" Inuyasha told her, but she wouldn't listen.

"She's my friend!" Kagome shouted back to Sesshomaru. "We want to take her home!"
The demon studied the girl's face for a moment and then slid Tokijin under his obi.

"The human woman belongs to me now." Sesshomaru stated and the bright light engulfed him, as he prepared to take off in the ball of light. He flew away in no time.

"SESSHOMARU, YOU BASTARD!" yelled Inuyasha after him.

"Inuyasha, follow him!" Kagome shouted to the half demon, climbing on his back.




Elsewhere…

"Don't cry, stupid!" Jaken scolded Rin. The child didn't stop crying ever since she came back and told him, that the other human girl escaped. That's going to be a trouble. Speaking of trouble…
Sesshomaru landed gracefully in the middle of the camp, what made the child stop crying, as she glanced at him. The demon looked around, the upset girl caught some of his attention. He turned to the green imp.

"Jaken, where is Mai?" the inu youkai asked, narrowing his eyes. Jaken squeaked and hesitated to answer. Rin started wailing again.

"S-s-sesshomaru-sama!" the imp exclaimed, bowing deeply before the master. "She… escaped."

"Escaped?" repeated Sesshomaru slowly. Jaken raised his head and squeaked again, as he saw, that his master's eyes turning red – a definitely bad sign. His master looked like he was barely controlling his wrath. The imp yelped, as Sesshomaru smiled, baring the fangs.

The dog demon sniffed the air and leapt into the air. Rin stood up and ran after him.

"Sesshomaru-sama, where are you going?" she called after him. The demon looked at his ward over the shoulder, his eyes still red.

"Hunting."

Jaken and Rin stood side by side in silence for a few moments. The girl was the first to break the silence.

"Jaken-sama, what do you think Sesshomaru sama will do to Mai, when he finds her?" the child asked. Jaken sighed heavily.

"For something like that… I'm sure he will kill her." He responded. Rin's eyes widened in panic. She grabbed the imp's shoulders and shook him.

"We can't let him! We must save her!" she screamed. Jaken tried to calm the silly child down, but she was climbing on Ah-Un already.

"Come on, Jaken-sama!" she called, waiting for him to get on as well. The imp cursed under his nose. Seeing no other choice, he climbed clumsily onto the dragon's back.

"Let's go Ah-Un. Hurry!" Rin cried.