AN: I love it when the library ladies won't let me stay. I get writing done! Not on anything important, of course, but hey, this is fun, so sit back and enjoy the show. You may not get to see another one for a while. I hate exams.

Oh, and I've noticed that you never see Jaken hurt Rin, no matter how much he wants to. This is why.

Her Name is Rin – Lessons Hard Learned

He was at it again. That blasted imp didn't know how to listen. Sesshoumaru forced himself to stay away, out of sight, even though he wanted nothing more than to strangle Jaken.

"Move faster, brat!" The imp struck her across the back with his stick. Rin flinched but held her ground.

"No." she said firmly. "Not until you say my name."

"Brat!" Another strike, another bruise across Rin's face. Sesshoumaru clenched his fist, forcibly holding himself in place. It would do no good to interrupt now. Remember what I taught you, Rin.

It had been a lesson hard learned. He had found fresh bruises on the girl's arms, and had inquired to their source. She had been reluctant to tell him, but it had helped him decide how best to deal with it. Since it was Jaken, simply killing him wouldn't work. Besides, this was a lesson she needed to learn.

Jaken was in for a surprise if Rin warmed up to the idea. It wasn't in the girl's nature to retaliate, but it was something she needed if she wanted to survive.

"Say my name."

"Only when you learn your place!" WHACK!

"Say. My. Name."

"No! You don't deserve one!"

Jaken moved to hit her again, Sesshoumaru tensed – and Rin acted.

She grabbed the staff, twisted it from his hands, and hit him over the head with a resounding thwack! The blow was strong enough to send Jaken rolling head over heels and screaming obscenities at the girl. For her part, rin couldn't help but laugh. Not that Sesshoumaru blamed her – it was a rather amusing sight.

Chuckling now, Sesshoumaru came from his hiding place. A bright grin spread across rin's face as the anger faded from her eyes. "Sesshoumaru-sama! I did just like you told me to!"

He placed his hand on the crown of her head, golden eyes glowing with pride. "Good girl, rin." he said softly.

/-----------/

She shouldn't have gone so far from the camp. She knew that now, as five bandits circled around her. Bandits had killed her family, and the fear of the evil men hadn't left her yet. She suspected it never would.

They had stunned her with one blow, gagged and bound her, leaving her helpless on the ground while they debated who would get to take her first.

She couldn't call for Sesshoumaru. Would he even come? Did she mean anything to him, or had he helped her out of curiosity? Now she would never know.

"I'm the leader, I get her first!"

"You would rape a mere child?"

The voice was cold, seething with barely controlled anger, and if the bandits had known who they were dealing with, they would have realized they were already dead.

"A demon!"

Rin's heart leapt in joy as she twisted around to see better. The voice stopped her first.

"Close your eyes."

As soon as she obeyed, the sounds of battle began. She could hear their screams being cut off as, one by one, the taiyoukai killed the men who dared try to harm her.

Finally, silence rang out. Sesshoumaru knelt by the girl and cut her bonds, gently picking her up and setting her on his knee. "Rin. Look at me."

Slowly, she raised her eyes to his. He did not allow many to see inside his soul, but Rin could see the fear in his eyes. He had been afraid for her.

She threw her arms around his waist and cried as he held her. He really did care for her.

It was his lesson hard learned.

AN: Dang, I need to make longer chapters. There are two or three more chapters this length, but then I'll start making them longer. Review, please!