Protect

Chapter 4: Tarakun's appearance and Sesshomaru's sacrifice

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru got closer and closer until they were in the outskirts of the village. They noticed that half the village laid in ruins and in the middle of the village stood the same demon that they had come across earlier, only this one wasn't a puppet.

Tarakun turned around and saw the two dog demons approaching. He smiled a devilish, toothy grin.

"TARAKUN!"

"I'm flattered that you two already know my name." Tarakun said.  I'm flattered that you two already know my name." Tarakun said.

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru landed few yards away from him. "You smug bastard, I'll slice you into pieces!" Inuyasha growled, raised his sword, and then began to charge towards Tarakun.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you half-mutt!" Tarakun turned his gaze to the far right of him. "You wouldn't want your dear human friends to suffer a painful death would you?" He chuckled. Inuyasha looked over to where his gaze was and saw Kagome, Sango, and a dazed Miroku tied up around a large poll. Inuyasha stopped in mid step and lowered his sword. "Kagome. Sango." Inuyasha whispered.

A demon minion raised his spear to Kagome's throat. "Inuyasha." Kagome whimpered. "Kagome." Inuyasha whispered. He turned Tarakun. "I swear Tarakun, if you hurt anyone here, you'll regret it dearly." He growled.

Tarakun chuckled and turned to Sesshomaru. "I haven't forgotten about you Lord Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the demon. Tarakun spoke again. "Tell me, do you take pride, knowing that you slaughtered my younger brother O-Kaitsu?"

Sesshomaru smirked. "Indeed. It was rather amusing to see him die by my sword. Tarakun closed his eyes and grinned, trying to hold back the anger. "It's quite surprising, there's an actual similarity between us. You enjoy killing people that are close to me just like I enjoy killing people that are close to you." He snapped his fingers in the air and a large minion walked behind him, carrying a tied-up, squirming and kicking Rin.

'Rin'. Sesshomaru's eyes softened. Rin kicked and squirmed away from the demon minion and Tarakun. "Let go of me! Let me go NOW!" She screamed, jerking away from Tarakun the best way she could. When she saw Sesshomaru, she stopped as her eyes widened on him. "Sesshomaru." She whispered frightfully.

Tarakun took Rin from the minion and held her close to him. "I can see why O-Kaitsu kidnapped her for himself, she is a real beauty." He said to Sesshomaru.

Then he turned to Rin. "My dear Rin, are you truly happy with a demon such as him. If not, I can always kill him and take you in as my woman?" He leaned closer to Rin, as if to kiss her.

"Die and rot in hell!" Rin hissed and spit in his face. She was expecting him to get angry and hit her, but he merely wiped the spit away and chuckled at her.

"My, my, what a feisty little wildcat. Sesshomaru, you have good taste in choosing your bitches." He continued to chuckle, insulting Sesshomaru along with his race as a dog demon by saying 'bitch' instead of woman.

Tarakun leaned in and whispered into Rin's ear. "I like the feisty ones, they're always known to be the screamers." Rin felt fear streaming through her. "Se-Sesshomaru." She whimpered.

"You sick bastard! I'll kill you!" Inuyasha growled, raising his sword up again.

"I've warned you, but you never listen, either that or you're just as dumb as a tree stump." Tarakun glared at Inuyasha. "If I were both of you, I wouldn't dare attack, if you do, anyone of your 'friends' or 'loved-ones' will be killed. And of coarse I know about Tensaiga's powers, but that still won't stop me."

The two dog brothers stared holes through him, but dared not move. They didn't want to take the chance. Just then, there were sounds of children's laughter far behind where Tarakun and Rin stood. Everyone was so caught up in the tension, they forgot about Hakashi, Kohaku, Shippo, and Kirara that were playing in the field. Hakashi was laughing and walking next to a smiling Kohaku. Shippo was walking beside them with Kirara trotting alongside him.