Disclaimers on all the characters of Inuyasha that solely belong to creator Rumiko Takahashi.

AN: A bit of a note before I start. This fanfiction doesn't fit into the current manga timeline, so if any of the readers wish to contradict me due to that reason, please keep in mind that this fanfiction is mainly deviated from the junky ending that anime provided VIZ with. And I'm also aware that I still have yet to finish Small World, It's. However, I'm just itching to write this more than that. I'm not sure if it's the adrenaline of new plots or the decaying inspiration for old ones, but I'll be sure to finish both with my fullest capacity and love! And without further ado, I bring you Distortion.

Edited 8/31/12.

Sudden Abandon,

By Winterwing3000

The sky was grey, so thick with snow clouds that the midday sun could not peak through and spread warmth in the cold wintry forests. Everything was silent and nothing stirred. Snow fell quietly and gently, lightly dusting the mountains and forests at their foot.

Within the naked branches of the forests, a motley group of four traveled forward toward the clearing at the edge of the forests that loitered on the mountain side.

Sesshomaru led the group, holding onto the reins of his carrier dragon, Ah-Un. His silvery hair and starch-white garments blended in with the bleakness around them. His fur wrap trailed behind him as he walked, erasing all traces of his footprints.

Ah-Un, the faithful and diligent dragon demon, lumbered behind his master. Occasionally, puffs of white breath could be seen as they breathed through their nostrils despite the muzzle over their jaws. On their back was Rin, who was dressed warmly with a downy fur cloak. She rubbed her hands from time to time to warm them. Her feet held on tightly to her ride's saddle, adorned in a simple pair of linen wraps and summer sandals.

Finally, at the tail of the demon pet was Jaken, who grumbled about the cold weather and shivered in his clothing. He clutched the Staff of Heads to his body as if seeking warmth from the wooden staff.

They had been traveling for nearly three days in the cold, snowy weather of the northern borders without a destination in mind. Naraku was still at large, hiding away in an unknown location and trying to recuperate from the devastating battle that he fled from against Inuyasha and company.

"Sesshomaru-sama, where are we going?" Rin asked, looking up into the sky of slate colored clouds.

Jaken squawked despite his freezing condition, "How dare you question Sesshomaru-sama's actions, Rin!"

"But we've been traveling for so long now and all Rin can see is snow, Jaken-sama!" the girl said, pouting. She wished for the fields of flowers and green grass, not the bleakness of the mountains.

Ah-Un stopped suddenly behind Sesshomaru who halted as they finally reached the edge of the forest.

"Ara, why are we stopping here, Sesshomaru-sama?" Jaken inquired, hopping off from his seat and wobbling up behind the demon lord.

Sesshomaru did not answer Jaken. He merely looked down at the valley. They reached the space between two great mountains surrounded completely by forests. At the bottom, of the valley was a snowcapped village. It was small with barely any suitable farms but a great lake supplied it plenty of fish year-round. At the end of the small rural and isolated village was a shrine built on an incline. Stone steps led up to the shrine.

"Rin." Sesshomaru called, still staring at the shrine. He could feel the purifying presence pulsing from it at where he stood.

"Hai!" Rin answered promptly, sliding off the dragon's back and stumbled slightly through the ankle deep snow. She came up behind his fur stole.

He did not acknowledge her presence but addressed Jaken instead. "Jaken, take Ah-Un and wait for me at the foot of the mountain."

He did not wish to be abandoned by his lord or to be second best compared to the human girl. The toad imp whimpered. "But what of Rin? Surely Sesshomaru-sama wishes for Rin's safety with Ah-Un!"

A pebbled flew and knocked Jaken over.

"You dare question this Sesshomaru's ability?" the daiyoukai rumbled without turning over to look at the quickly prostrating Jaken.

"N-No! Forgive this lowly Jaken, Sesshomaru-sama!" The lower class demon went and picked up the dropped reins of the dragons and began to back track from their journey upwards.

He gave a jealous and aggravated look at Rin, who only smiled and waved. "See you later, Jaken-sama! Bye bye Ah-Un!"

It wasn't long before Jaken and Ah-Un's back profile disappeared completely from sight and only silence and whiteness remained. Rin sighed at the colorless landscape. She missed the effulgent colors of spring and summer. Not to mention the warmth as she shivered from the cold seeping through her feet wraps.

Turning back around, she looked up at the back of Sesshomaru's head. "Sesshomaru-sama?"

Rin blinked as she stopped at his side. She saw his eyes linger on the human village below and remained staring at him, waiting for some sort of answer.

Sesshomaru felt some of the hair on the nape of his neck stand up from the tingling sensation creeping up on him. He did not wish to travel past the village and have feeble humans threaten him meaninglessly with their tools. And he did not deem them fit for his purposes. However, a priestess was entirely another case. Without a doubt, the priestess would attempt to destroy him with useless spells and incantations as many previous monks and priests and priestesses have. Both options were therefore troublesome yet he promised himself that he could no longer keep the human child with him.

For far too many times, Rin had been taken hostage and endangered and he could no longer have such a hindrance at his side. Feeling annoyed, he decided his option was to quickly leave Rin at the hands of the priestess and depart. Looking downward at the human girl, he felt something tug within him as the innocent doe eyes stared at him in complete wonder. "Sesshomaru-sama?"

He knelt to her level, although not entirely on his knees, and told her, "Come."

At first, Rin hesitated, unsure of what he meant, but smiled widely as she walked into his arm and carefully gripped onto his forearm, avoiding the protruding horns of his breastplate.

Sesshomaru stood up gracefully as he secured his arm under her knees and lifted her. Rin was a lightweight compared to the weight of his swords. The girl felt slightly discomforted and frowned. She gingerly released her hold on his bicep and instead reached around his neck. She didn't encircle her arms all the way, waiting for some negative response from her lord but was given none. So she wrapped her arms around his neck gently and beamed. "Where are we going, Sesshomaru-sama?"

"The shrine," he answered simply, checking his grip on her before saying, "Do not move."

She nodded and remained still. Sessshomaru sunk into a slight crouch and leapt into the air. Rin suppressed an urge to laugh though her eyes twinkled with delight. This was better than riding on Ah-Un! The wind whipped at her side pony tail and flowing tresses as the hood fell from her crown. Her cheeks turned red from the cold. She wanted to giggle when a silver strand of hair tickled her cheek.

The ride was short but thoroughly enjoyed by Rin as Sesshomaru landed softly onto the sacred grounds. They were immediately confronted by the priestess, who resided on these premises, with a staff in her hands. The short silver trinkets hanging from the bound spearhead clinked.

"State your business demon! What have you trespassing upon the holy grounds of the good?!" the priestess demanded. She quickly scanned Sesshomaru and her brown eyes widened at the sight of Rin in his arm, even though she was nearly hidden by his pelt. "You monster! To have taken a child from the village! Release her!"

Sesshomaru growled at her insinuation. "Do not make such absurd assumptions, miko. This Sesshomaru needs not listen to the likes of your kind."

"Release her or you won't be leaving in one piece, youkai," the woman warned. Her spiritual energy glowed with a silvery green as she positioned herself in an offensive stance.

Sesshomaru ignored her completely and turned his focus upon his ward, who only gazed at him with inquisitive eyes.

"Sesshomaru-sama? Can we leave? Rin does not like her," Rin said with distrust in her eyes.

He did not blink as she addressed him. He only continued to stare at her, soaking in the details of her youthful face, the rosy cheeks and those pure brimming eyes. He leaned in close enough so that the tip of his nose was buried into her dark brown locks, quietly inhaling her scent of wildflowers and sweet ginger. The scent crawled from his nose, up to his mind, traveling as if a ghost into his soul, causing his blood to churn.

Suddenly, he bent down low enough for Rin's feet to reach the lightly snow covered ground. Understanding his action, even if she was perplexed at it and did not ask why, Rin unlatched herself and stood motionless in front of the demon lord. She cocked her head to the side and said again, "Sesshomaru-sama?"

Sesshomaru reached into the sleeve of his haori and procured a long silk ribbon with a bell tied to it. He slipped it over her head with his single hand, brushing away a bang from her eyes afterward. The bell jingled. Rin carefully picked up the bell and turned it in her hand before smiling widely.

"Arigatou Sesshomaru-sama!" she said sincerely, eyes filled with happiness at his gift.

However, her smile quickly turned into a frown when he did not respond but rather stood up, averting his focus to the miko behind her.

"Miko," Sesshomaru started.

"I have a name, youkai. It is Tsukiko. And know it well before you perish at my hands," Tsukiko said, glaring at him now. She had quickly recovered from her shock at witnessing the abnormal interaction between Sesshomaru and Rin.

"I care not for your name. I leave her in your hands," he said monotonously.

"Sesshomaru-sama? Where are you going?" Rin asked as a slight fear taking hold of her when the words "leave her" slipped from his tongue. She reached forward to grab hold of his dangling pelt, but it was whisked away from her touch.

"Stay here, Rin," he told her and began to walk away without a second glance.

"No! Don't leave Rin here, Sesshomaru-sama!" she shouted in defiance. "Take Rin with you!"

She started after him but was immediately held back by Tsukiko, who seized her from behind.

"No! Let me go! Hanase! Sesshomaru-sama!" The girl child struggled in the grasp of the older woman as fear completely consumed her. The fear of abandon overrode her senses.

"Sesshomaru-sama! Don't leave Rin! Come back! Please!" Tears formed and rolled down in fat drops. "Please, come back, Sesshomaru-sama!"

Rin watched, sobbing, as Sesshomaru, her savior and guardian, descended the stone steps with his back straight and silvery mane rustling in the wind. She waited for him to turn back and take her away but all her hopes were crushed as she could only see his head disappeared slowly.

And then, there was nothing left.

"SESSHOMARU-SAMA!"

...

AN: Chapter 2, Rusted Memoir, is under construction. Will be posted before Christmas though.