* Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. *
The name of the girl was lost to him. It seemed for good measure as she was obviously neglected and unwanted if her state of dress and injury was anything to go by.
Sesshomaru took in the sight of the tattered blue kimono his ward had tried to put over the body. It was not silk but one of cotton and there was only a white yukata under the outer kimono signifying that she was no better than a servant. It didn't suit the ningen's status as the Shikon-no-Miko. She should have been in silks and satins as was due.
Looking further he noted that she seemed underfed and unkempt. It didn't seem as if she'd been allowed to bathe in days, uncharacteristic for the woman he remembered standing at his half brothers side for the last 5 years. Her once shining black and blue hair flaxen, dull, and matted. Her feet also spoke of travelling hundreds of miles withowithout shoes. He knew she had them when they started the hunt for the shards so what had happened to this woman?
"Rin..." He spoke. He knew his tone would convey everything.
Watery honey eyes turned up to look at her lord. She heard the unspoken question but only shook her head and sniffled.
"I don't know Sesshomaru-sama. She appeared and told me to hide so I got on Ah and Uhn and then Inu... He..." Rin tried to speak and explain but broke down and cried again.
Ah and Uhn moved over and laid their heads on the fallen miko. She was always nice to them, bringing treats, speaking kindly, and playing with them. They too mourned the loss of one with so much light.
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. Rin was insinuating something that would bring the utmost dishonor upon his family if she spoke true. To attack one's pack, one's alpha female at that...
'But she isn't the alpha female anymore is she?' His beast asked.
'The dead one does not count.' Sesshomaru growled out vehemently.
'Not to us, but to the hanyou. ..' the beast trailed off and went away.
'Hn.' Was his final thought before focusing once more.
His mind made up Sesshomaru drew Tenseiga. He watched for a moment so the pallbearers tried to chain her large soul before destroying them. When he sheathed the fang he waited for the Miko to draw breath once more.
Rin and Ah and Uhn felt when her heart started. They moved away when Kagome opened her eyes and sat up drawing in a large breath. Shaking her head clear she looked at the young girl who tackled her back to the ground crying in joy.
"Rin?" She asked weakly. She was confused for a moment as to what happened.
The younger girl just shook her head and held Kagome tighter. She looked to the dragon who in turn looked at their lord.
"Sesshomaru..." She whispered but without fear.
The demon lord inclined his head and raised an eyebrow at her. He knew she would understand what he was inquiring and frowned when she caught onto what had occured.
Kagome tried, she really did, she tried to not cry in front of him, however when the memory of InuYasha using the wind scar on her came to her she realized she died and she started to cry. She reached under the tattered remains of her kimono and felt the jar of jewel shards.
"He was after this. He wanted to bring HER back, but he doesn't know, he can't see. So, I died? The wind scar, but how?" She looked t the demon lord at that. How could she make him understand?
"The others, they dontknow. He's going to lie to them all." She whispered to herself. She was saddened at the thought of how Shipp will react. "My son... I must get my son."
"You will follow this Sesshomaru." He stated before turning and walking away. He had more questions than answers but now he knew for sure. The stain on his honor grew.
Kagome was helped up by Rin before Ah and Uhn nudged her to their back. She frowned and looked down at herself before blushing.
"Umm Sesshomaru-sama? Do you think I can get... never mind." She sighed and got on Ah and Uhn's back.
"There is a village five miles from here, we will get you new clothes and weapons before retrieving your kit." Sesshomaru stated.
Rin just smiled and led Ah and Uhn to follow their lord with the Miko pondering how the wind scar hit her.
'Something meant to protect, but he still... Kikyo what have you done?'
