Rion and Kirinmaru
 

The sound of clanging swords, bright flashing of lightning illuminating the whole sky, drenched hair and clothes is enough to add to the pain and misery of her father having her watch another one of these horrible battles. She still has the memory of her father losing part of his horn and arm in the last battle against the Inu No Taisho; and although he has since regenerated that arm, it’s still too early for him. Even though, she sees her father’s absolute foolishness in this, she’d never dare tell him that. She knows that Kirinmaru loves her deeply but with his temper, she wouldn’t dare challenge anything he told her; not only that but she was taught not to disrespect nor disobey anything he says.

“P-papa, please. I want to go home.....”,she cries, quietly from the trees; her father ignoring her as usual.

“Hmph! It seems you’re too foolish to learn your lesson! I see you brought your child here, yet again!”,says Toga, disgusted, “What will you do if she gets hurt or even worst because of your foolish pride??”,he retorts, the two of them face to face with their swords, currently locked.

"It's good for her to see my victories!" Kirinmaru replied, giving his sword another swing. "She'll grow by seeing them, I hope. So she'll know what to and what not to do. And today, she'll watch me defeat you" he yelled at his opponent, not saying a word to his daughter in spite of her wishes.

“Such foolishness!”,snaps Toga, forcing his opponent back! He really doesn’t want to kill this demon right in front of his little girl but it’s seeming like he has been giving no choice here. The fight continues like this for several more minutes, when Toga is about to land the finishing blow when Rion rushes in and shields her father from Toga’s blade. She was so close to getting cut by the sword that her vest ends of being torn.

“Go away! Leave my father alone!”,she cries.

Toga is relieved that no one is harmed.

“This is exactly what I was referring to.”,says Toga, sheathing his sword, looking down at this young girl, still shielding Kirinmaru, who is still laying on the ground.

Shocked at what was about to happen, or could have happened, Kirinmaru instinctively grabbed Rion, stuck her under his arm and ran off. "I'll be back, Toga" he yelled as he ran.

Toga sighed although, he absolutely knew what Kirinmaru planned to do and would absolutely do the same thing. He also decided to leave, because his opponent’s child did not need to be exposed to anymore of this. Though, no doubt that Kirinmaru would accuse him of running away from battle; and Toga could live with that.

......

Rion realized her father was furious with her.

“F-father. I’m....sorry.”,she mumbles, quietly.

Kirinmaru didn't answer at first, but then he finally started speaking. "That was dangerous, Rion" he said. Although he knew why she did it, he still couldn't allow it to continue like this.

“I know, father! But, I had to!”,says Rion, her legs still dangling as he still has her tucked beneath his arm.

Kirinmaru sighed. He knew why she did it, but he also knew that he had to teach her this lesson. When they finally reached the boat, he went inside with Rion still tucked under his arm. He then put her down. "Do you know what's about to happen?" he asked her.

“Yes. You’re going to yell at me and send me to bed without supper like usual.”,says Rion, with a sigh.

"Today is going to be a little different" Kirinmaru said. "Come over here for a moment" he said and beckoned his daughter closer.