Disclaimer: I do not own the rights of InuYasha or any of its characters which are the wonderful creations of Rumiko Takahashi.

Author's Note: Not too bad for a first chapter! The idea struck and thus I wrote (er...typed.) This one is dedicated mostly for just having fun...before this story really begins. R&R, and as always, enjoy! :)

Pretty Traits

Nightfall had begun to set as Rin busied herself tackling a way to free the still-bound-to-the-tree-Kairin. To help pass the time by he decided to start a staring contest with the impassive lord. They had been at it amazingly for well over two hours, at least until Kairin felt something hairy skittering along his cheek.

"WAH!" Slamming his eyes shut he shook his head viciously in a wild manner. After a few more good tosses he finally spotted the huge spider being thrown off to the grass.

Looking back up, he was greeted with his rival's unfazed expression. "Damn, you are good," Kairin pouted. "Guess I have no choice now but to concede to you my title as Staring State Champ," he grinned.

"Fool," a small imp huffed crossing his arms. "As if there was a contest to begin with," he snorted just as a black boot found the back of his head.

Said owner of the boot had been preoccupied observing the young male his ward was tending to. Aware of the lack of immediate danger within the area he was still on guard when he took notice to the slight pulses of yokai that sprang from the tied up male despite his human smell and appearance. There was something vaguely familiar about him that the demon lord just couldn't put his finger on. Aside from the oddity of a human giving off a demonic aura, the atmosphere Sesshomaru found within his company remained soothing and calm. Something that he had only recently come to truly appreciate in the presence of another. And then it hit him. The lack of fear that blazed brightly in those similar blue eyes of his reminded him so much of her own. Taking a delicate sniff his eyes widened fractionally at the confirmation.

"Finished!" Rin chimed giving the rope a finally tug.

Kairin felt relief wash over him as the last tendrils of his prison slid to the ground. Rushing up to his feet he jogged quickly in place before giving his neck, arms, and legs a much needed stretch. Satisfied with the last crack that resounded from his limbs he stood up dusting himself off.

His long-sleeve shirt was a dull blood red that extended past his waist with five embroidered patterns running down the front of it. His matching pants flooded down his legs in rolls, enclosed by the black boots that bound his feet. A black silk sash was tied over his shirt and hung around his midsection. A silver medallion with a bright emerald stone drooped over his chest. A black hooded tattered cape was draped over his shoulders secured by a small silver lunar ornament. Dark stony grey tresses with silver strands were held in a loose ponytail allowing hair to fall over his slightly tanned face resting just above his deep indigo eyes.

Flinching when he found the imposing snow haired being suddenly standing before him he involuntarily took a few steps back only to be stopped by Rin. After receiving a push forward from her along with an encouraging nod he took a deep breath, stood up straighter, and met the girl's obvious guardian square in the eyes. "Kairin H Ryessel," he introduced himself.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin jumped in without hesitation. "Kairin is the one who saved Rin when Rin was lost."

"What? That's really you name?!" Kairin exclaimed eyes wide. Hastily brushing his clothes again he fell into a brief deep bow. "Um, ma'am, you're as pretty as you are tall. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"F-fool," the imp chocked while blushing, "there's no one more masculine than his lordship Sesshomaru-sama!"

"That's a personal opinion," Kairin snorted folding his arms. "Just look at that make-up, those eyes, and that hair!"

"Uh, Kairin…" the girl murmured tugging his shirt.

"No, she radiates absolute feminine beauty!"

"But Kairin!" Rin wailed a little louder as Jaken fainted on the spot.

"This warrior princess…um," he paused suddenly feeling the hairs on the back of his neck rise, "is now glaring at me with the most killing intent I've ever felt in my entire life…" Rin nodded at him weakly.

Shakily turning back to the being before him he was graced with piercing golden eyes that could kill without a moment's notice.

"Kairin," Rin pleaded, "Sesshomaru-sama is a male!"

"Oooooh…" was all he could muster in a low whisper. "I-I am SO sorry!"

"Hn."

"R-Really! It was an honest mistake…with all the make-up and hair and-"

"Idiot! Those are the traits of his high bred inheritance," Jaken squawked back to life.

"You have very pretty traits," Kairin admitted honestly. "May all women forever be envious of your long lavish locks and flawless pale skin," he announced causing the imp to fall back to the floor.