I do not own Inuyasha

Sesshomaru sat staring out over the landscape with a heaviness in his chest. They were very near the village. For decades visiting this village had brought joy to his heart. Now each visit brought fear, fear of a pain he didn't think he'd be able to bare. He came all the same, though he now had to take a moment before entering the village.

A rustling caught his attention and he turned towards it. A child was running towards him in an orange and white checkered kimono, a basket full of flowers clutched in her hand. 'Rin?' But it was not, he knew that.

"Chihiro is coming my lord." Jaken announced unnecessarily.

"I see her." Sesshomaru replied watching the child as she approached. She gave him a snaggle toothed grin that revealed her two missing front teeth. Without fear nor invitation she climbed into his lap and began sticking flowers in his hair. He allowed it and felt the weight in his chest lighten considerably.

He tapped her on the nose to make her look up. Sesshomaru was the only person who could do this, anyone else she'd bite. "You should not wander so far from the village, Chihiro. Were I not your Grandpa Youkai this Sesshomaru might have eaten you." He whispered then added "Rin had a kimono just like that when she was your age."

His words were so soft the wind carried them away, but it didn't matter. The child read his lips, she'd never heard his voice. She smiled at him and threw her arms around his neck.

Though he shared no blood with them Rin's children had always called him grandfather after her oldest had over heard Rin tell Sesshomaru he was like a father to her. When they had children of their own they stared to call him Grandfather Youkai so as no to confuse him with Grandfather Kohaku. Of all those children this one was his favorite, she had wormed her way into his heart quite as deep as her grandmother had so long ago, though the two could hardly be more different.

She was the very image of a young Rin, and she loved flowers. The similarities ended there. Aside from being deaf and mute she was contrary, hard headed and stubborn. And used her considerable intelligence to cause mayhem and mischief, especially when she thought it might amuse her Grandfather Youkai.

As if the illustrate that point she turned around and clicked her upper teeth against her lower teeth at Jaken, a threat to bite him. She grinned at his reaction to the threat then turned back to Sesshomaru and mouthed the words "Jaken's funny."

This was another part of their bond, Sesshomaru alone knew she could mouth the words she read on the lips of others, even though she never had made a sound. Some day he hoped she'd show someone else, but for now it was their secret. He would often hold her in ways that concealed her face from all others and they'd have silent conversations.

"Lets get you home, little one." He breathed. Then he stood, cradling her in his arms with his head bowed so that his long hair swung forward and created a screen between them and Jaken while she told him all about her week and the news that concerns a 7 year old child.

When they passed the grave yard she wriggled in his arms and pointed at one of the stones. A request to be put down. He complied and she chose several flowers to lay on Kohaku's grave then started to walk toward the village. Sesshomaru pulled one of the blue flowers from his hair and laid it next to hers and also walked toward the village.

As they crossed another field Sesshomaru heard Shippo yell "Fox fire!" and a large orb of blue flames soared across the field. Sesshomaru scooped up Chihiro and dodged the flames. He spotted Inuyasha at the same moment Inuyasha spotted him and the hanyou called "Shippo, hold your fire, human on the field."

"Where?" Shippo yelled running forward and looking around to see who he'd injured. The daiyoukai landed in front of him. "I'm sorry Sesshomaru, I didn't see her, is she alright?"

Sesshomaru nodded once then looked around at the singed grass. "Your fire is stronger."

Shippo beamed.

Inuyasha looked less than pleased as he waked toward them. "Chihiro, you've got to.." She turned her face away from him so she could not read his lips. he scowled and waved a hand in front of her face to get her attention. She buried her face into Sesshomaru's pelt. Inuyasha grabbed her tiny chin and turned her face to his "quit wandering OW!"

Having no front teeth she had compensated by biting him with the corner of her mouth. Sesshomaru felt a surge of pride that she had thought to do that.

"You know better than to lay your hands on her face Inuyasha." Sesshomaru chided, making it clear it was the hanyou's own fault. They both looked down at Chihiro to see her stick her tiny pink tongue out at Inuyasha then bury her face in Sesshomaru's pelt once more. Then she looked back up and grabbed the lock of hair over Inuyasha's shoulder and pulled him down to her level. She took a dandelion from her basket and tucked it behind his fluffy white ear before clapping happily.

Inuyasha scowled and started to reach for the dandelion. Seeing the warning in his brother's eye he crossed his arms again, figuring it was easier to leave the flower be just now.

"Have you been to the village yet, Inuyasha?"

The hanyou looked at his brother with sadness and concern in his eyes. "Briefly. Rin's not doing so good."