Not even ten minutes had passed before I could hear the pitter patter of a child's small feet. I turned my head to the side, to find the small girl from earlier.

Rin… Was it?

"Master Jaken! I found some berries! Would you like some?" I could hear the girl cry out happily. Her orange dress bounced slightly as she ran towards the make-shift camp.

The imp didn't turn around to face her, but I heard him sigh to himself. Grumbling, he replied, "No."

I glowered at the imp's short and gruff response. I looked to the child who just smiled at him with a nod. How was she so easy going? Did the imp's rudeness not affect the poor girl?

"Ummm, are you awake?" Rin called to me slightly from across the small clearing.

"I am. Thank you." I sighed. I felt as though it was my time to finally move and face the damage done to myself. I could no longer bask in the peace. I groaned as I sat up. I tried to, at least. I had brought myself up against a tree. My side was most definitely going to be scarred, no question about that. My breathing sped up and there was pain shooting through my entire body. I could feel the soreness from my fleeing. The guilt was unbearable the moment I realized that I had abandoned and left my tribe to die. If I had stayed, would they had lived? If I had gone back for the few that might have remained, would they have lived?

Everything was spinning, the ground before blurred once again, this time from tears. "Ah! Don't move! You'll open your wound!" The girl cried. Rin had settled the berries beside the fish, before turning to me.

"I'm fine," I grumbled. I wasn't trying to be hostile, but I wanted to meet my savior. If it really was the great dog demon, then I was very lucky. Warmth flooded down my side, and when I looked down, I saw that I was once again, bleeding. "Nevermind, no i'm not," I said in defeat. I looked at Rin, who was calling for 'Lord Sesshomaru'. I let my head lean back on the tree I was propped up against. The wind blew a little, my bangs tickling my forehead.

Quick, light steps.

Even breathing.

The scent of a great demon.

Sesshomaru quickly stepped out into the clearing with a calm manner, as if he hadn't rushed over here. I knew better. I had heard the man after all.

"What is it, Rin?"

Rin didn't say anything, but pointed to the damaged me. Sesshomaru's eyes followed the young girl's finger, like a dog following a treat, until they landed upon me, eying me carefully. I gazed back at him, meeting his golden eyes with my own blue ones. They were probably glassy, I realized, as if fog was overtaking my brain. It felt like it, too.

I could sense his judging gaze rest upon me, even without looking at him. I screwed up my eyes in pain. Normally, a wound such as this would not cause me this much pain. "Lord Sesshomaru, I think my wound is laced with poison.

His piercing golden eyes did not move from me as he approached me. "It is indeed," he replied, his voice reminding me of a storm. It rasped slightly, but it seemed as smooth as silk, if it were possible to begin with.

Was it a dog's distaste for wolves? I particularly had nothing against dog demons, for I had not had an experience to hate one. My brother had said he hated dog demons, he never went into great detail, but he did mention the name of Inuyasha. Sesshomaru motioned for me to lie on my side, which I did without a word.

I did not move as the great demon towered before me, inspecting me. He silently reached out and found the edge of my wrapping. He slowly undid it, making sure to keep enough distance between us. I cranked my neck to peer at the wound. The gash reached from the left top portion of my back and circled around to my right side like a snake. I watched the demon as he watched me. Only when a thin line of greenish yellow light appeared at the tips of his fingers, did I make a sound. It was a small gasp, but Sesshomaru only looked me in the eye before slicing the light across my entire wound.

My scream hurt my own ears.

Blackness clouded my vision.

The next thing I knew, I was waking up with a dull ache everywhere. The stress had finally taken it's toll, I assumed. I had been wrapped in fur. It was white as snow. Not dirty snow, but freshly fallen snow. It calmed me, cleared my mind even. I had not noticed the approaching footsteps, until the being stood over me.

My breath caught in my throat. I felt as though I could see clearly for the first time. Sesshomaru stood before me, a dark and hard look covering his beautiful face. His long white hair glistened without light shining upon it and his demeanor was strong and silent. He seemed to be more frightening than I had visioned him to be, but I did not let it phase me too much, as the little human girl was not bothered by it at all. I unconsciously pushed the fur off of me. The dog demon simply bent down and picked it up, draping it over his shoulder.

I took me a second to regain my voice, but I found it eventually. "W-what happened?" I trailed off slightly, giving the great demon a questioning look. I realized that I would forever be grateful to this demon, but I had nothing to repay him with. I only had myself, which I could use in order to protect him, though I doubted he needed saving or protection. Maybe I could do small unimportant things for him? Anything seemed like a good idea to me, so I went with it.

"I used my poison to cancel out the other poison. It seems you are well enough now." He turned on his heel and started walking off. "Rin," was all he said, before disappearing into the forest.

I frantically scrambled to my feet as the imp mumbled under his breath, "What an ungrateful wolf". I lurched forward as the blood rushed to my head and a dull pain flooded through my overused system. I growled at my lipm self, and forced my legs to slowly move forward.

"Wait! Lord Sesshomaru, wait! Please!" I called out after him. I was greatly indebted to the dog demon, therefore, I decided that I would most definitely repay him. I could still see him, as he stopped walking and turned around, a passive look on his face, although I could see his brows raise in question. "I am in your debt, let me repay you. I also have nowhere to go now. I wish to accompany you," I stated simply. I bowed my head in his direction as well. I did not want to anger him.

"I closely watched him from my bowed position. "Do as you wish," was all I heard before his footsteps sounded again, light and quiet like snow. I quickly raised my head up ignoring the flaring pain, and walked up to Rin, who was waiting by a two-headed dragon.

"Oh I'm so glad you'll be joining us!" she exclaimed, as if she had candy. "My name is Rin, nice too meet you!" She held out her hand to us as we began to walk.

I took the little girl's hand in my own. "I'm called Akane. Thank you for protecting me, I promise not to eat you," I said as I gave her a small side grin. Rin laughed excitedly and took the reigns of the dragon once her hand left mine. I turned to look at the small demon near my feet. His green skin looked a sickly color, but I assumed it was normal, so I did not dare comment on it.

"Hello. And what might your name be?" I spoke calmly to the demon, but I felt my throat close up as the recent memories came back to me. I wanted to puke.

The little demon hmmped in annoyance, but he responded, "My name is Jaken." It was all that I got out of him before he rushed past Rin and I, walking behind Sesshomaru.I nodded at this and quietly sunk into dark thoughts. I would not forgive the one who sent the demons after us. nodded at this and quietly sunk into dark thoughts. I would not forgive the one who sent the demons after us.