Sorry for the wait!

Please enjoy.

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'Boom!'

'Crack!'

As lightning and thunder united again to clash, they boomed with fury. Showing their true might to all who witnessed the terrible sight they caused. Cracking and shouting, deafening the land's inhabitants. Even the most sensitive ears were having a difficult time sensing any other sound hidden within the storm.

That was a main flash of fear for the young girl who watched frozenly as a toppling tree log came down at her. Her life being her main fear but also for her dog friend who may not hear her loud cries for help. She couldn't even hear them over the echoing of thunder.

InuYasha! Please help me!

Her mouth was limp as she tried screaming out the final words…Only in her mind were they heard loud enough for someone to protect her. In her thoughts where the dog would swoop in to save her…as he always did.

No. Maybe that's why InuYasha had not come for her. The cries she screamed were more for her lord to help. Though she thought of the half breed's name all she could see was the brilliant silver streak of her master guarding her. Holding his own body up in front of her, to save her, to help. Perhaps she had accidentally screamed unknowingly the name of her leader, forcing InuYasha to forget rescuing her.

Would he really deny helping just because she "favored" his older brother?

The mortal could only pray he made up his mind quickly as the log was mere inches from her fragile body.

She caught her breath and prepared to give one last shrill cry.

"A…."

"Look out kid!"

Her newfound breath was drained as a reassuring arm slipped around her waist, yanking her in a blur from the tree's crushing blow. Saving her life just in time.

'Crack!"

The rest of the remaining log fell to the earth, smashing deep into the soil before it calmed. All seemed to be clear now, sounds that were hidden: revealed.

"Y-You okay, kid?"

Shallow pants elapsed as the dog kept his strong hold on the human. Her firm grasp still clutched around his neck as her head buried into his shoulder. Her body shaking lightly.

"I-I'm fine….Thank you so much for saving me."

He huffed lightly. Saving humans was one thing he fully got used to. Though it was normal to feel that way. Demon blood still ran within him and the abuse he received as a child was enough to drive his mind slowly away from mortals. Away from their games and harsh ways.

Though he would always protect them he never fully accepted it as a responsibility. It did give him satisfaction deep down that they were safe but he could admit that to himself.

More rain showered down in harsh gallons. It made it even more difficult to see past a nose or even past a cheek. All that was clear was the powerful rain and the semi-visual trees. Even the mutt's acute eyes couldn't glimpse past nearby objects.

Taking this girl home was turning into a quest not a favor.

"We'll take shelter for the night. The rain should clear up by morning."

"Huh? But where will we stay?…Oh! Lord Sesshomaru will be so mad! I'll have to apologize so many times…"

The mutt sighed in disgust. Always thinking of her precious Sesshomaru. Anything similar to him made the half breed cringe inside.

"I'll find somewhere."

He ignored her panicking as he began leaping off to seek a shelter.

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'Crack.'

'Crack.'

A new, more pleasant sound filled the air. No longer were harsh thunder whips scouring the land, no lightning creaking. Just the soft scent of rain and continuing downpour of it.

But also the welcomed sound of wood burning. A gentle fire warming the resident of the cave as she sat as close to it as possible. Rubbing her hands before it and calming herself.

InuYasha I'm glad you're with me or else I'd still be out in the rain. Or worse…

"Alright this'll last us the night."

He dumped a small stack of wood into the crackling flames, a burst of warmth filling their makeshift shelter.

"It's a good thing you found this cave." She giggled.

"Yeah well that dumb bird that was hunting us led me to it's hideout. Idiot." He laughed at the memory of the stupid bird he was forced to slaughter.

"Oh. So you killed the bird?"

"Had to. It wanted to eat you…"

"I thought it wanted to eat you too."

"Yeah right. It wouldn't think twice about messing with me! It'd eat you and be on it's way!"

"If it didn't mess with you then why did you kill it?"

"I…Be quiet."

The mutt glared before turning his gaze towards the flames. Why was it that every human girl had to outwit him with his own words? They couldn't let him be right, could they? No! It was either outsmarting him or a stupid 'sit' command that held him tongue tied and out of options. All human girls must be like that.

"I'm sorry InuYasha."

He perked his ears towards her.

"I didn't mean to irritate you. I'll be quiet."

She slid her knees up to her chest as her eyes stayed focused on the warming fire. Dancing flames and small crackling making her feel right at home. Still her feelings were hurt by the dog.

"Talk all you want. I don't care."

Her gentle eyes slid up to look at him, his own eyes still buried in the fire. They seemed to be distant and off in their own world. Dreaming, wondering, and looking for answers. His mind never seemed to rest on one thing. It was always thinking of inner problems and maybe unhappiness.

Am I the only one who can see it? Or am I imagining it?

"InuYasha, I'm sorry to put you through this trouble but I'm also very happy you came with me. I don't think anyone's ever stuck with me through this sort of thing."

He finally glanced to look at her, "What about 'him'?"

"You mean Lord Sesshomaru? Well sure he's been there but I don't think he'd put up with me if it meant going through this."

Sesshomaru…She thinks differently of you.

"Well don't worry, kid. I'm doing all this because I want to so don't be sorry."

She gripped her knees tightly as a smile came across her face. It felt good knowing he'd stay and she wouldn't have to worry about waking to find him gone.

'Whip.'

A gentle icy breeze swept into the cave, quickly exiting but annoying the residents. Luckily it didn't diminish the fire but left a cold, wet feeling on the two friends.

"Burr."

Rin held her shoulders as she closed her eyes. Her kimono was still soaked and the chilly wind wasn't helping. The weather seemed to be against them tonight.

"Here."

Her eyes popped open as a warming wrap draped across her shoulders. InuYasha's red kimono top.

She looked back to see him silently crouching as he awaited a response.

"Oh no! Now you'll be to cold!"

"Relax kid. If I was to cold I wouldn't have given it to you. Now just warm up."

She nodded, taking hold of the edges and pulling it tighter around herself. It seemed almost dry already. Probably because of it's legendary material as the mutt had bragged about several times.

"Oh."

She looked back once more as the dog leaned against the cave wall. He stretched before sighing.

"Getting sleepy?"

"A little, are you?"

She nodded slowly as her aching muscles throbbed.

"Then lets get some sleep. We'll leave first thing tomorrow."

His eyes snapped shut as another low sigh escaped. All the night's events were taking their toll. Even his body had it's limit before it tired out.

"Umm InuYasha?"

He reopened his yellow gems, "What is it?"

Carefully he watched as the human crawled a bit closer to him, her eyes looking slightly scared.

"I was wondering…Well see I'm still cold and I usually sleep on Ah-Un's soft saddle."

He rolled his eyes as he gently took her hand, pulling the teen up to him. She obeyed gratefully and snuggled up to the powerful dog.

"Now get some sleep."

She only snuggled tighter as her mind drifted off into slumber. A single thought passing by.

Lord Sesshomaru never lets me sleep next to him.

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Rin and InuYasha sitting in a tree!

Okay no but it looks like Sesshomaru has some unwanted…competition?

Thanks again for putting up with my annoying long wait!

Please review!