I do not own Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru's mother was never given a name in the manga but I have read many have nick named her Inukimi. I don't care for the name but for simplicity's sake I'll use it. Don't forget to tell me if you like it. Or if you hate it (Though you may also feel free to kiss my grits if you do.)

Inukimi regarded the little girl who now stood before her in her palace. The child hadn't screamed. She'd shown up unannounced and grabbed her, she honestly expected the child to be terrified. But she hadn't screamed. She now stood before the youkai with wide, curious eyes. Nervous, but not terrified. Was she really that trusting?

Of course the child was in no danger. She was merely there to force Sesshomaru to heed his mother's summons. Something he had not done the last several times she'd summoned him to the palace. How long until he realized what was missing?

"Little girl, how often does Sesshomaru visit you in that village?"

The girl shrugged, "Some times Sesshomarusama visits Rin every day. Sometimes Rin must wait a few months. Sesshomarusama is very busy."

So they might have to wait a while. Did the child always speak in the third person? It seemed childish, granted kind of cute. She was adorable, but what was Inukimi going to do with this little girl while they awaited Sesshomaru's arrival? Her husband had always said she was poor at planning, perhaps he had been right. Well, she knew one thing that needed done with the little girl. She summoned one of her maids in waiting "Get this child into a bath and her kimono into the wash. She smells like her village."

"Yes my lady, and what shall she wear while her kimono is being washed? Or is she to be eaten?"

"Have I ever been known to eat human flesh?" honestly she found the idea slightly nauseating. "This child belongs to my son. Find something appropriate."

The maid in waiting turned to Rin, "What is your station?"

Inukimi had been about to walk away, but stopped to hear the child's answer. She had watched them when Sesshomaru had followed the hell hound into the Meido to retrieve the child. Had witnessed how devastated he'd been when he discovered he could not revive her. She knew very well what this little girl was to Sesshomaru, but did the child know?

"Station?"

"Yes, what are you to Sesshomarusama? Your clothing is to fine for a servent. are you a pet of some sort maybe?"

The child blink in surprise, pet certainly had not occured to her. "Rin is Rin." She asnwered simply.

"Come now child, I need more information than that if I am to decide what you should wear after your bath." The maid replied with irritation.

Inukimi turned back to look at Rin and the maid. "You see how she is dressed now. She should be dressed in a similar fashion once bathed."

"But my lady, Sesshomarusama seems to have dressed her as though she were his..."

"My son has dressed her has he see's fit. I will not repeat myself."

The maid paled and bowed. "Yes my lady." She replied then ushered Rin away for a bath.

Inukimi turned to another maid and commanded "Inform the kitchens that they must find out what and how often a human child must eat." 'What is it,' She wondered as she walked away, 'about these humans that intrigued my husband, intrigue my son so?'