Dear Readers,

This is my third Inuyasha fan fiction. I'm beginning to get the feeling that I'm a little obsessed...(Stares lovingly at all the Inuyasha merchandise scattered around the room, including posters and toys and manga and movies...that aren't really there). Me, obsessed? Please.

On a saner note, this is a fan fic that I completed upon one very ingenious request. That inquiry? To further my original story, "Only Words", and show if or when Rin is turned into a demon.

Anyways, this is yet another tale of our beloved Fluffy and his darling Rin. Please read, rate, reply! Enjoyment optional.

Sincerely,

Angels and Immortals

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha series, nor is this done for profit.

Heartbeats

Chapter 1

Death for Jaken would not be swift, nor merciful. Many times before the Great Sesshomaru had disregarded the stupidities dealt by the incompetent toad demon. Not this time. Not after what Jaken may have cost him. Sesshomaru flew through the trees, a silver blur, a guardian angel who had stumbled in his duties. If he found his charge, never again would he falter.

If he found her.

...

Pain. That was the first coherent thought in the girls mind. Rin tried to stir, only to discover that her body would not comply with the demand. Again she tried for movement of any sort. A fruitless attempt that left her in even more discomfort. A sharp ache kept slicing through her small frame, a stab here, a jab there. To add to her suffering, the river kept lapping at her bare feet, playfully soaking an even deeper cold into her fragile bones. Rush, rush. The flowing water rocked to and fro, drenching her further. Body suddenly overcome with a shudder, Rin thought, "I must move." The notion was as feeble as her weakened body. But she had to. Do or die as Master Jaken would say.

With all the energy she could gather, Rin drug her water leaden body from the shore and onto the bank with a tiny grunt. That small action had sufficiently drained her of any energy. She'd rest there for a moment, then try to crawl to a more suitable place. Just a moment, then she'd move... A howling wind slapped her still damp face, shooting angry shudders down her backbone. Moment over.

Still panting, she peeled her unwilling brown eyes from their heavy perch. Nothing familiar. Just endless trees, a maze to disconcert the most oriented of travelers. Not that she'd be going in there. At this rate, Rin would not be going anywhere. Never had she felt so horrible. Not even when the wolves tore her to shreds. That was quick, a detonation of anguish, then peace. But this? This was plain torment.

"What would Lord Sesshomaru do?" thought Rin as another gust stung her tanned skin, causing more chills. Not that he would ever allow himself to be in such a manner. Her Lord was of too high a caliber to be caught in such a pathetic situation. He was Lord Sesshomaru, the Great Dog Demon. Not a lowly beast like herself.

Well then, what would he want her to do? Lids falling back to their original post, her fatigued mind tried to collect the scattered thoughts in a pile. Her Lord would want her to.. Shelter. Yes, find shelter. Trees were shelter. Looks like she'd be going there after all. If she got to cover and rested up, Rin could follow the river back from whence it carried her. Crawl now, then sleep. Then walk. Problem solved.

But she was so tired. And the tiniest thought of moving made her even sleepier.

It's do or die girl! Jaken's voice shrilled in her head. Even as a recurring thought, his voice was annoying.

Rin would see her Lord again. Or die trying.

Grasping handfuls of grass in her hands, she began to tug her body towards the refuge of the trees, just as a bead of rain fell to the muddy earth.

...

Authors Note:

I realize in my story there are certain discrepancies. I was half way through when I decided to change my angle, thus resulting in the aforementioned errors. What started out as a father daughter relationship spiraled into a romance, so I'm hoping for leniency.

Sincerely,

Angels and Immortals