Sorry readers, it's been almost 2 years? I feel bad, but I'm back. A lot of things happened, and I took a break from writing, but I'm back at it again! The previous chapter was a bit of a poopy one, this one is longer, and who knows what will happen. Anyways, enjoy~

A dagger came flying directly from behind Sesshomaru, but he neatly dodged it without even having to look at it. He jumped up high onto a ledge of his castle, he scowled at the scene; his castle was a wreck. The beams of the once great walls were crumbled, and the gates destroyed. Various areas of the garden were on fire or trampled. Bodies lay everywhere, of his men, and the brigade which was against them. Clouds of smoke and soil were in the air, the smell of dead bodies filled Sesshomaru's lungs making him gag. The once magnificent Western Castle, once owned by his father, now destroyed and barely recognizable. As frustrating as it was, Sesshomaru kept his calm façade, but on the inside he was extremely angry.

They were ambushed when trying to prepare for the forces, after Sesshomaru had hidden Rin, and gotten Kagome to seal her underground with Tadao, he sent off Nakira with Takumi and Shin to the Peach Sage where he would guard her. Realizing that both of the needed material, some of the other forces had gone off to find the needed for Nobu, The violent fighting was continuing with arrows firing everywhere, Inuyasha and his friends were here aiding Sesshomaru's forces. Kagome's powers proved to be the most powerful, when she purified the other soldiers, her arrow powerful enough to purify anyone who got in it's way.

Spies were all over, searching for Rin and Nakira. Both hidden in locations that could not be found unless you had spiritual powers; Sesshomaru eliminated those who tried to enter the castle. His priority was to protect Rin. How pitiful that his mother couldn't show her face in battle, she would manipulate the weak to do her dirty work.

"You've grown weak Sesshomaru," A voice from behind him came, "You've only knocked out my soldiers rather than killing them, how pathetic."

"Hmm," Sesshomaru smiled, "I see, you think showing mercy is a sign of weakness, when my real target is you."

Nobu smiled as well, seemingly as unscathed as Sesshomaru was.

"You truly are pathetic," Sesshomaru began, "Doing the dirty work of my mother like a whipped dog on a chain."

"Silence," Nobu began feeling flustered, "I will gain that wretched stone and bring myself eternal life!"

Sesshomaru turned to face Nobu, "That's right, I forgot you are merely half demon."

Nobu drew his sword, "Silence, I will slice that pretty head off of you and give it to your human lover in exchange for that wretched stone!"

Sesshomaru drew Bakusaiga, and jumped backwards, whipping the poison whip at Nobu who dodged it. Narrowing his eyes, Sesshomaru knew that he had to be careful with Nobu; he wouldn't be that easy to kill even though he was only a half-breed.

-0-

"Tadao, please let me out of this room!" Rin begged, "I don't care what happens, let me out!"

"I'm sorry, I can't do that." Tadao said firmly, "You don't realize how important you are in this battle. You can't be foolishly wandering outside. Plus outside there is a full blown war going on."

"Tadao, you know how important he is it me!"

Tadao said nothing; Rin noticed that he was clutching something, Chiame. She narrowed her eyes, "Give me my sword."

Tadao narrowed his eyes, and sighed, his eyes becoming gentle again. "If I let you out, Sesshomaru will not be pleased with me, or you especially."

Rin shook her head, "I know the consequences, and I don't really care if he's gong to be mad or not. I'm going to aid the fight."

Tadao pursed his lips, and stood up in the tiny hut. Stretching, then cracking his knuckles. "I'd rather this burn me, then you, because I'd need Inuyasha's mate to release us; but I guess this shouldn't be too bad."

Rin frowned, "Wouldn't it be better if I did it? I'm human and it doesn't hurt me that much."

"If your hands are burnt," Tadao began, "I'll be fried to death."

"Don't worry," Rin said rolling up her sleeves, "He'll have to fry me first before he touches you."

Reaching forward, Rin could feel the tingling from the power; the closer she got the sensations. Rin touched the paper, and it zapped her hand painfully sending shudders through her body. She winced as she attempted to strip of paper from the door. The pain increased, as she began to peel more and more.

"Rin!" Tadao shouted, "Stop!"

Before she could let go, the paper burst from the door and faded into shreds. Rin fell to her knees, and observed her hands. Light pink skin was visible with brilliant red marks from the burns. She analyzed the paper, and it looked like Kagome had indeed written out the paper that sealed the hut. The door loosened up a bit as if it were unlocked from a dead bolt.

She sighed, "At least it's not black."

"I'm so dead," Tadao sighed, "But at least we can open the door now."

Rin shook her hands, trying to ease the pain a bit, it wasn't too harsh but it was enough to bother her. Tadao swiftly kicked down the door, to reveal a dark tunnel from under the castle. Rin remembered being down here once when Jaken was giving her a tour. It was dimly lit, and was only suited for demon's eyes. To a human it was nearly pitch black. Rin could hear howling from outside, and men shouting. She shuttered, it reminded her of the wartime when she was younger.

"Sesshomaru must have transformed," Tadao, said, "You can feel his aura."

Rin said nothing, she couldn't feel the aura but she did feel a bit of reverberation in her body. She was unsure if it was because she was nervous, or because it was the power.

"Let me just carry you," Tadao said stepping out of the shed, he handed her Chiame and expanded into his dog form. He bent down so she would be able to climb onto his back. "It'll be faster if I can speed through here so you don't get hurt further."

Rin nodded, climbing onto his back. He gently stood up and began to run. She gripped his brown fur tightly as she could because of the speed that he was going at. Tadao was a massive dog, but he looked like a beagle compared to a German Sheppard when being compared to Sesshomaru. For about 10 minutes they made there way back from the underground. Tadao came to a gentle stop when the cave began to grow smaller and they came to a giant wooden staircase which led to the basement, he transformed back to his regular form still carrying Rin on his back.

"We're almost to the basement, but it may or may not exist anymore." Tadao said gravely, "I'm going to leave you at the door of the basement entrance and check it first."

Rin nodded, and Tadao began to run, still making his way up. The closer they got to the surface, the more noises that Rin could hear. She shuttered when there were screams of horror, and when there were sounds of bombs going off.

"I didn't realize…" Rin whispered.

"Yeah," Tadao said, "This war is a pretty big deal." He frowned for a bit, listening with his own hearing what was left.

The door came into view, and Tadao set Rin down. He told her to hide behind the doorsill as he crept it open to take a peak.

"Stay here, do not come out until it becomes quieter." He commanded, as he leapt through the door and shut it harshly behind him. Rin stuttered, hearing the voices from outside.

"Look there's Lord Tadao! Fire at him, the smaller dog form!" A voice shouted from the muffled door.

"Do you smell that? Human scent." Another said. Rin froze, but a voice came in later, "There's human smell everywhere around here." Rin relaxed but stayed as silent as she could. She was assuming that basement door must be a hidden part of the floor, which was why she could hear running around on the wood floor. Through the cracks of the wood, she could see the open sky, which meant that the magnificent castle that once stood over the basement was gone.

She could hear arrows flying through the air, and a load roar and men screaming in terror. She knew outside there would be demons, huge demons she may not be capable of taking down. She knew that she needed to wait for things to grow quiet until she could leave the protection of the cavern.

-0-

"What's the matter Sesshomaru," Nobu asked, "Why can't you even touch a half demon like me?" He snarled as he jabbed his sword violently at him. Sesshomaru neatly dodged the attack and whipped his poison whip harshly towards Nobu. Nobu had barely any time to duck before it grazed his cheek.

Sesshomaru suddenly rushed at Nobu, who barely had any time to react. He didn't realize how fast Sesshomaru was; he swung his sword blindly but missed. Sesshomaru punched him square in the face, sending Nobu flying.

"Is that it?" Nobu laughed, and lunged full forced at Sesshomaru who grabbed Nobu's wrist before he could touch him, and threw him to the ground.

"Don't underestimate me," Sesshomaru warned, "I'm merely testing how cocky you get before I destroy you." Cracking his knuckles, Sesshomaru swung the Bakusaiga and released its power. Cursing, Nobu jumped before the lightning would touch him. The blood oozing from his face began to flow even more, "What the?"

"I forgot to mention," Sesshomaru said, "That poison that touched you is lethal, it will eat your skin alive until you are nothing more but a speck of dust."

Glaring heavily at Sesshomaru, Nobu shouted into the sky. He jumped and transformed into a dog. Howling menacingly, it sounded as if he was calling out to something.

Sesshomaru glared, knowing what may be coming. The clouds began to whip up like a hurricane was forming.

"My Lord!" Tadao's voice came from behind, Sesshomaru turned.

"Where is Rin, why aren't you with her?" He said angrily. Tadao shuddered, "I'm sorry My Lord. But she's safe, I told her not to come out."

"Tadao, we have a problem."

"Yes, he's summoning Lord Inami as back up. I sensed it when I heard him screaming."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, "Nobu is dying, so I will take care of Inami myself."

The army has started to retreating now, along with Nobu." Tadao said, "Inuyasha and his friends are worn out, but they'll manage."

Sesshomaru only nodded, "Where is Jaken?"

"R-right here My Lord!" Jaken came running towards them with Ah-Un in tow, he looked worn out too but well overall.

Sesshomaru glared, "I-I-'m sorry for being late, I got caught up with that army." Jaken stuttered.

"Tadao, Jaken, be sure that there aren't any 'leftovers', understood?"

"Yes My Lord."

Sesshomaru stood analyzing the cloud, and noticed a figure dart out towards the castle center; he narrowed his eyes, as the scent in the wind changed. His eyes widened, and he quickly turned around and followed the character.

-0-

It was quiet outside for about 10 minutes, when Rin poked her head out of the door. She gasped when she saw that the basement had been cleared out and that the floors of the castle no longer existed. The battleground was smoky, and bodies of demons laid everywhere she looked. The smell made her eyes burn, and the place she once called home was destroyed. She angrily marched her way out of the basement, placing Chiame at her hip securely.

Looking around, she tried to find what she needed. Luckily, after a few minutes of overthrowing bodies, she found her destroyed dresser, which contained her body armor. Placing it on herself, and tying her hair up, she was ready.

"My, my, how fierce you look in that armor." Came an icy voice behind her.

Rin whirled around and drew Chiame, "The Lady of the West." She said with shock, "What are you doing here?"

The Lady of the West's eyes narrowed, "I see Nobu was useless after all, I'm simply here to complete a job. Human, I believe that I've shown you a great amount of mercy, now hand over that stone of yours and everything will be good."

Rin shook her head, "I'm sorry, but no." Pointing Chiame at her, ready to fight at any moment.

"I can't allow this stone to fall into the wrong hands," Rin said sternly, "And I certainly won't give it to you."

"A human challenging me? Interesting." The Lady of the West muttered, "I shall have my fun destroying you." Throwing away her shawl, she revealed clothing of brilliant armor, which was much like Sesshomaru's. The Lady of the West looked like a goddess in warrior's clothing.

The Lady of the West lunged first, and the battle began.

Rin's training with Sesshomaru definitely paid off, Rin could read movements of the next move. She dodged neatly and was able to land a few hits. Her burnt hands labored under the swinging of Chiame, but Rin pressed on, knowing that if her stone fell into the wrong hands it could lead to a disaster.

"A Thousand Blades!" Rin shouted, and the brilliant shards of diamonds flew at the Lady, however she turned into a blur and disappeared before any of the daggers could hit.

"What?" Rin's eyes widened, "Where did she go?" Looking franticly around, not sure of her whereabouts.

"Foolish human," The Lady of the West said icily, appearing right behind Rin. Rin felt something cold drive through her backside and through, she coughed and stuttered, looking down realizing it was a blade. Crap.

Using her back leg to kick away the Lady, she was able to release herself from the blade's run through. Holding her stomach, she coughed up metallic blood. She was losing blood fast, this is really bad, and maybe I should call for help?

She swung Chiame, and used A Thousand Blades, which was able to graze the Lady of the West. Rin used this distraction to start running towards the outskirts of the castle. She had to find Sesshomaru, or Tadao; it was her only chance.

"Running is futile," The Lady of the West said laughing, "You will bleed out before you reach help."

"Sesshomaru!" Rin screamed, blood rushing up her throat causing her to spit up more blood. She fell to her knees, feeling light headed from the heavy loss of blood.

Cracking her knuckles, "I shall finish you here, and put you out of your misery." The Lady of the West charged towards Rin ready to deliver the final blow.

Rin shut her eyes tight, knowing that she lost the fight. I'm so sorry Sesshomaru, that I could not keep my promise to you.

Rin heard splatting of blood, but it wasn't hers. She opened her eyes to see a tall figure with silver hair standing in front of her, Sesshomaru. Rin's eyes filled with tears, "Sesshomaru." She whispered before passing out.

"Rin!" Kagome came running out of the woods with Miroku and Sango in tow, "Oh my god, Sango lets get the bleeding to stop." They pranced over Rin's body. "I will heal her."

Sesshomaru knowing that Rin was safe turned to face his mother. "It was clever putting Inami's scent in the wind."

"Sesshomaru…curse you." The Lady of the West cursed, the hand that she was going to use to cut down Rin was now about 20 feet away, away from it's arm. "If you just handed over that wretch, we wouldn't have these issues son."

Sesshomaru's eyes red with rage that Rin was even hurt snarled out, "I will kill you, if Rin dies, you will pay even after I send you to hell."

Unsheathing Bakusaiga, "This is your end."

"You fool! Killing me will cause an uproar among the Dog Demon clan, marrying that human like your foolish father will cause you pain when she finally dies a useless life." The Lady of the West spat out, "Foolish boy, you're just like your father."

Sesshomaru did not want to hear more, "Join Nobu in hell." He swung Bakusaiga, and watched the sword's power disintegrate the woman he once called mother. As the body disappeared a magnificent light appeared, it was nearly blinding, the brilliance revealed a figure. That tall figure, strong, tall simply nodded at Sesshomaru, and as quickly as it appeared it disappeared. Dropping the Bakusaiga, Sesshomaru rushed to Rin's side. Sango and Kagome managed to bandage up Rin, but she needed blood.

"Move." He told them both coldly, they retreated, he lifted her up into a sitting position, supporting her head with his forearm. Biting harshly into his wrist, he gulped some blood, and gave it to Rin. Spreading her lips with his own, he let the blood run down her throat. He repeated a few times, and sighed, his own face stained with his own blood.

"Dog demon blood can heal," Sesshomaru said simply, "Thank you for your aid."

"Of course," Kagome said, "I'm glad that it's over."

"Yes," Sango agreed.

Picking up Rin bridal style, he walked away until he was in the middle of the dense forest. Careful not to open her wound further, he sat down and leaned against the tree. Placing his forehead to hers, he whispered, "I'm sorry."