Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, I just love it and am obsessed with it.
Notes: This is my first ever fanfic. If it sucks, or if it's good, please tell me why. :) I'm going to be studying creative writing in college and I want to do the best job I can on everything. Also remember to tell me if you would read more of it if I continued. No point in writing a story no one will ever read.
Prologue: Recognition
Sesshoumaru sniffed the air experimentally. There was a faint scent that seemed familiar, and yet… His eyes widened and he felt the shock ripple through him as he identified the scent as the boy Kohaku's. Kohaku was supposed to be dead! His jewel shard had been removed by Naraku, so Sesshoumaru had assumed that he was dead. I will not underestimate the boy again, he thought grimly. He tried to kill Rin. When we next meet, I will kill him.Knowing Kohaku was not nearby, Sesshoumaru turned and headed back to camp.
Chapter 1: Into the West
"Lord Sesshoumaru! Welcome back!" Rin greeted Sesshoumaru brightly when he arrived back at camp. Her demeanor had not changed since she was a little girl, except that maybe she was a little quieter and on occasion, pensive. Sesshoumaru regarded his energetic teenage ward with his usual detached expression. "Rin, are you well?"
"Yes, my lord!"
"Where is Jaken?"
"Master Jaken said that it isn't safe for humans to search for food in this forest. He said even if humans could tell what is good to eat and what is bad, they would be killed by wild animals or demons." Rin giggled a bit. "Maybe he won't be killed, but Master Jaken is very good at getting lost."
Sesshoumaru sighed, but inwardly he was smiling. Jaken didget lost quite a bit when left on his own. "I will go and find him," he said out loud. "Rin, stay with Ah-Un." He walked away, disappearing into the lengthening shadows of the twilight.
Rin watched him go, and then added more wood to the campfire. Her brow furrowed as she pondered the purpose of the journey that Lord Sesshoumaru was taking them on. He had not said where they were going, nor did he seem to want to tell her and Jaken. Rin was reasonably sure of this because Jaken had asked and been kicked in the head for it. All she knew was that they were moving west. Lord Sesshoumaru never said anything… but Master Jaken says Lord Sesshoumaru's palace is in the west. Maybe we're going there? But why? I thought he didn't like being at the palace.
Rin sighed. What was taking them so long to come back? It was dark beyond the circle of the fire. Even the stars were veiled by clouds. Rin's head grew heavier and she fought to stay awake. Her eyelids fluttered in a last attempt to remain conscious. But it had been a long day, and the fire warded off the night's chill. Rin relaxed against Ah-Un and fell asleep.
Chapter 2: Left Behind
Rin woke up the next day alone. But she wasn't in the forest anymore. She was in a room that was brightly lit by the sunlight that streamed through a glass window. She lay in a bed softer than any other bed she had ever slept on. Still, her unfamiliar surroundings left her feeling guarded and she got up and looked out the window, hoping to find a clue about where she was. The sun was high in the sky, indicating that it was around noontime. Outside was a garden, with some small flowers of varying color, but it was mostly roses. There was a screen next to the window and Rin opened it a crack to breathe in the fresh air. After a moment she closed the screen and decided it would be good idea to leave her room and find out where she was.
Cautiously, Rin opened the door to her room and stepped out into a hallway. "Good morning, miss." The soft voice made Rin whirl around in surprise. A woman stood by her, bowing her head. "Is there anything you need? Breakfast? Lunch? A bath to wash away the dirt from your travels?"
Rin took a moment to collect herself. She then asked politely, "Could you tell me where I am? And how I got here?"
"You are in the palace of the Lord Sesshoumaru. He brought you here late last night," the woman replied. "I am your lady in waiting, Harumi." Then she added. "Lord Sesshoumaru thought a human might be able to serve your needs better, so I came from my village, not far beyond the palace walls." She tried to steer Rin back into her rooms, but Rin didn't move.
"Where is Lord Sesshoumaru? And Master Jaken and Ah-Un? Can I see them?"
"The Lord had business to attend to." Harumi answered carefully. "As for Master Jaken, you are to see him later. The dragon is in the stables." Rin followed Harumi back into her room. "I took the liberty of ordering some food for you. I will draw your bath while you eat." As she spoke, a servant entered and placed a tray of food on a little table by the window. Rin realized then that she was very hungry. She sat down at the table, noting that there was boar meat and not fish. Lord Sesshoumaru must know I'm tired of eating fish all the time, Rin thought, smiling. He'll never admit it, but he does notice the more 'trivial' details.
Rin ate and bathed quickly, not rushing but moving fast enough so that after only an hour of being awake, she was clean and dressed in a presentable fashion. Harumi then led her to one of the courtyards, where Jaken was waiting.
"Master Jaken!" Rin called. Jaken turned around and Rin felt a strong sense of relief. She had been feeling as if she was alone, waking up in a strange place without her usual companions.
"Rin! Stop that noise this instant!" Jaken squawked, "It is unseemly and –"Jaken was cut off as Rin threw her arms around him and hugged him hard enough to break a rib. "Oh, Master Jaken, I missed you!"
"Rin, release me at once!" gasped Jaken. Rin did and Jaken fell on his rear in the dirt coughing. When he had got his wind back, he frowned at Rin and said, "What do you mean, you 'missed me'?! I just saw you yesterday!" Rin hung her head, feeling silly. "Well, what's wrong, Rin? Speak up!"
"Well, Master Jaken, it's just that I woke up and I didn't know where I was or where you and Ah-Un were or where Lord Sesshoumaru was." Rin paused and then said with an anxious frown, "Actually, I still don't know where Lord Sesshoumaru is."
"I'm supposed to bring you to him after I tell why we're here," said Jaken.
Note: I know it's short, but that's all I've got for now. Reviews are kind of like royalties, so bring on the reviews! ;) Also, feel free to let me know if there are any spelling or grammar errors. I always check, but just in case... I hate them and I want to fix any that are there.