Disclaimer: I do not own Sesshomaru, InuYasha, Rin, Jaken...etc... You know the drill. XD

But Kira...Kira is miiiiiine. XD

Tell me what you think, if you want. XD


"Lord Sesshomaru! Oh, Lord sesshoooomaruuuuuuu!"

A faint, but rather obnoxious, voice broke through the dark that had previously cloaked the youkai's consciousness. He blinked hazily, eyes bleary as amber eyes struggled to focus on the tree branches that hung high above his head, partly blotting out a brilliantly blue sky. Sesshomaru squinted as sunshine poured into his eyes. His body ached, and he was suddenly reminded of his previous confrontation with his half-demon brother.

InuYasha had freaked, went full-blown demon on him, and blew away an entire mountain, along with a certain Sesshomaru who'd been standing in front of it with a freakishly powerful version of the Wind Scar.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes, nostrils flaring slightly as he recalled the incident that had resulted in his now-injured state. He could hardly move, and it felt like a bloody gash inhabited nearly every inch of his body. He attempted to sit up, but found it impossible. A quick glance at his bloody chest revealed the reason why, and he found himself staring with morbid intrigue at an exposed lung inflating with the surprised breath he took upon seeing the damage. His eyes closed yet again.

"...sickening..." He muttered. However, he wasn't referring to the ghastly injury. He simply couldn't believe that that half-breed brother of his had inflicted such damage on him, thus succeeding in temporarily defeating him. He had half a mind to go back and rip InuYasha's smug little grin off of his face-literally. But for now, it was time to rest and heal. He wasn't going anywhere today.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Came Jaken's voice again. "Where are youuuuuuu?!"

Sesshomaru scowled, not bothering to open his eyes, swearing to step on that annoying little demon when his strength returned. The noise was making his pounding headache worse, and his seething temperaments no better.

The rustling of the bushes across from the clearing he was laying in alerted Sesshomaru to another's presence, and the demon was suddenly reminded of how he and Rin had met. However, his injuries were far more extensive this time. "Jaken...?" He rasped, shifting his gaze to the noise. "...Rin?"

There came no response, and he was instantly on his guard. A growl rose up in his throat, and with as much ferocity as Sesshomaru could muster, he demanded, "Show yourself."

A small figure stepped out, and he quickly realized that it was neither Rin nor Jaken, as he suspected. Even so, he relaxed. The figure belonged to that of a small human girl, frail and trembling. Defintely not a threat.

The youkai regarded her carefully, wondering what she could possibly want. He remained silent, narrowed eyes relaxing into a passive expression. Perhaps in his weakened state she could finish him off, but he doubted she had the want nor the mental capability to carry out any such act against anyone.

She approached curiously, every step taken with obvious hesitation as she emerged from the ferns. The girl craned her head, wanting to get a good look without getting too close. As she observed him, bloodied and battered, he observed her.

Long, black hair flowed down her back, but showed signs of being damp as if she'd been swimming recently. Her bangs were plastered to her face, and deep, bright green eyes peered quizically at him from behind them. She was garbed in a simple, worn tan kimono that was on the brink of falling to pieces. Scratches and small cuts marred her bare feet.

But what intrigued Sesshoumaru the most was the scar at her neck. It was deep and wicked looking, and it was obvious something had been viciously removed from her. To confirm his suspicions, he asked quietly, "What is your name?"

She blinked, taking an uncomfortable step back, the gaze that had been originally locked on him now averted to the forest floor as her shoulders hunched up, then looked back up at him without raising her head.

He watched her haunted expression, then inquired, "Do you not wish to tell me, or has your voice been stolen from you?"

The girl blinked, and straightened slowly, nodding as her fingers poked together. She began to mouth words to him.

So, she couldn't speak. He squinted, "Repeat that, and come closer."

She bit her lip, shuffling forward a few inches. It was still too far for him to discern what she was trying to convey to him.

Sesshomaru didn't know whether to be irritated or amused, and kept his voice steady, "Closer. I shan't harm you, child."

Her chest heaved in a nervous sigh, and she took the few remaining steps needed, coming to a stop at his side. From there, she clearly mouthed the words 'A name, I have not'.

He frowned, "Didn't your parents give you a name?"

She shrugged.

Mildly frustrated, he looked away, deep in thought. She waited in silence beside him, searching his face with wide eyes. 'What do I do with her? A girl without a name and a voice... I should send her away...I have Rin and-' his thoughts were interrupted as cool fingertips brushed his cheek.

His head snapped back to face her, and she let out a soundless yelp, snatching her hand back, eyes widened in fear. However, she didn't withdraw herself, and froze in place.

"What are you doing?" He asked calmly.

'Hurt.' She mouthed. 'Face.'

A smile tugged on the corner of his lips as he surveyed his already-healing wounds, "Indeed." He wondered if she caught his subtle amusement, because she started to smile. "But I'm afraid it's more than my face."

She nodded, and, without warning, suddenly whirled around and dashed into the ferns.

He blinked, almost startled, and stared at the empty space she once stood. He blinked. Had he spooked her somehow? Sessho,aru waited in silence, feeling slightly disheartened now, listening as Jaken's voice came closer. He then heard Rin's voice pipe up.

"Oh, you found him? Is he injured?"

There came no audible reply that the youkai could pick on, but he heard Rin speak up again, "Then we must get to him right away! Here, take the basket of herbs you handed to me and show me where you found him!"

He could only guess that she was talking to the mute girl that had been with him moments before, and found he was correct when Jaken and Rin emerged from the brush along with her.

"Milord!" Rin rushed forward, falling to her knees at his side, hands instantly hovering over his injuries. "You're injured!"

"This Sesshomaru will be fine." He replied stoically, giving her a small nod.

Rin offered a huge, happy grin. "Still." She replied, obviously happier, "We must care for your wounds."

He thought about protesting, but realized it would be pointless. Rin was dead-set on helping, and would continue to do so despite any discouragement, just as she did when she first met him.

She glanced over her shoulder, "You got the basket?"

The voiceless girl behind her nodded, coming forward, holding it out whilst grasping the handle with two little hands. He noted her slender fingers. Everything about this girl was petite, save for her big, curious eyes.

"You know how to use them more than I do." Rin shook her head, gesturing for her to tend to Sesshomaru. "If I do it, I may end up poisoning him."

"That would be unfortunate." Sesshomaru said quietly, and Rin giggled. "Rin."

"Yes, milord?" She asked brightly.

"Who is this child?"

Before Rin could respond, Jaken spoke up, "Rin found this human girl wandering around while we searched for you. When she learned of your injuries, she disappeared before returning with this basket, and helped us look."

"Yup!" Rin announced, "I found her!"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes, fighting off a flinch when the girl pushed a bundle of smelly leaves to one of his wounds. "Is that so?"

Rin nodded, then bit her lip, eyes suddenly conflicted, "Um...Lord Sesshomaru?"

He had anticipated this, and remained quiet to hear her ask the inevitable.

"Can we...can we...keep her?"

The silent girl blinked at Rin, quizzical.

Sesshomaru opened his eyes, "Rin." He began seriously.

Her shoulders fell.

"...If she wishes to follow, she may."

Rin's eyes lit up like a star, and she leapt to her feet, filled with joy, flinging her arms into the air, "Thank you, milord!"

Jaken opened his mouth wide, almost speechless, but not quite. "ANOTHER human?!" He squeaked. "Rin already gets into enough trouble! Lord Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru ignored him, smiling in amusement, eyes closing again as Rin celebrated in the background, the quiet girl's eyes locked onto his face. "You..." He spoke softly.

She tilted her head.

"Your name is..." He paused in thought. "Kira."