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Cerulean sky floats above emerald ocean, laughing at its chaotic movements. Tall, ancient trees watch as decades passes by. Death is lurking behind their strong barks. Hunters wait for their prey. Prey looks for its hunters. Never-ending cycle of life.

Sesshomaru slowly opens his amber orbs to meet the first rays of light. He had that dream again. The dream about the thaw. Dog demon deeply signs, cherishing rare moments of privacy. No-one is there to judge him. Right now he is alone in the world. His gaze rests on a tiny, sleeping body that is covered with warm fur and smiles. Maybe not so alone, anymore.

It is funny, how you never feel lonely, before you find someone to miss. Sesshomaru thought of himself as indestructible. He deemed himself above sentiments. Killing perfection was in no need of compassion and love that undoubtedly made beings weaker. However, he met Rin and this bundle of irrational devotion and happiness planted a seed of caring inside his stone hard soul.

She stirs, as if sensing his eyes upon her person and sleepily smiles, crawling out of the warmth and instantly attaches herself to his lean leg.

- Good morning, Sesshomaru –sama.

- Good-morning, Rin.

His voice stays impassive, but Rin already knows where to look to find flickers of attachment. Her tehshi insisted on being a demon and a ruthless one. However she knows better. No one before him showed her so much kindness. He saved Rin from wolves, allowed her to follow him; gave her shelter and clothes. Rin was convinced that he is sent by Kami themselves in order to make her life happier.

- Prepare yourself for the day, Rin.

She softly nods and runs towards the lake to wash her face and teeth.

This was their daily routine for the last three months that they spent together. The girl was content and joyful. Rin traveled across the land with the most honorable and gracious being she knew. She ate good food, run around fields, picked up flowers and listened to his stories full of battles and conquests. Sometimes they spent time in his "den" that she was allowed to call home. There she was taught by old demon painting, reading and writing. Rin easily admits to herself that it were (and are) the best moments of her life; until she sees two hungry youkai slits watching her lustfully, that is.

- Yummy, human, – rasps disgusting demon that stinks of rotten corpses and dirt.

Save me, Sesshomaru-sama!

She cries in her mind, unable to move her lips, as fear paralyzes her muscles. She should be stronger than that. She should scream and run towards the one who could save her. Get up, Rin. She hears his voice. However, she is in no condition to move. Her body is not cooperating with her panicked mind and petrifying muzzle of the youkai gets closer. Rin sees his sharp teeth and ugly purple tongue. Feels its hot breath on her skin. She trembles and finally screams.

- Sesshomaru-sama!

Next thing she sees are deadly sharp claws that stick out from the demon's open gorge. Youkai howls and thrashes around. His huge paw hits her and she flies across the small clearing, hitting her back on something sharp and solid. The last thing she saw, before darkness consumed her, were two crimson blood eyes that looked at her with warmth and concern.

Rin came to her senses after several hours. She was safely cradled against Shesshomaru's chest and despite the spiky armour, she was comfortable.

- You must not venture into the forest, Rin.

His voice was still and uncaring. He did not even spare her a glance. However his hand held her tenderly and she remembered how he looked back there in the clearing.

- Hai, Sesshomaru-sama.

Rin voice was steady and tender. The nightmare went away. She moved closer to him in an attempt to nuzzle his neck; she wanted to show him her gratitude.

- Ouch, - Rin yelped, getting cut on the sharp ages of his armour and heard his exile.

- Be careful, Rin, - he told her, displeasure coloring his voice just a little, and licked her shallow cut, healing it with his saliva.

- Hai, - Rin whispered feeling embarrassed of her weakness. Will I bore him with my imperfection?

The child proved to be a handful. She needed too much attention and care. Today's happenings proved that: and also showed his inability to take proper care of her. She asked more devotion and enthusiasm that he could provide. Sesshomaru did not trust Jaken with her, as imp was mostly useless in a battle and could not take her away to a safer place should it be necessary. Thus it was essential to find someone who will look after her, while he was away.

- Sesshomaru –sama, look, - said child brought him from his musings pointing to a huge mass lying on the road.

- Hn, - he answered, disinterested, but complied with her silent request and got closer to the beast.

It was injured and barely breathing. Some youkai ripped its stomach open and its insides were now lying in the dust. It was not long before it will be dead. Unfortunate fate that awaits every weak being.

- Can we help him, Sesshomaru-sama?

Despite the fact that it was obvious, he still answered:

- No.

- But, Sesshomaru-sama, saved, Rin. Why it's different?

The dog demon does not know how to answer that particular question, so he chooses to be silent. The beast died. His ward is upset. He can feel it and smell it. It displeases his beast and his pride a lot. He exiles, something that he does a lot more often recently, and wills for Tenseiga to come to his aid. Surprisingly, it listens to him instantly. The surge of energy courses through his veins, reshaping the world around. He sees servants of death and cuts them without mercy.

Adorable smile blooms on Rin's lips when she sees living and breathing beast and Sesshomaru inwardly courses, as right then and there understanding dawns on him; he will do literally anything to see that smile again, which surely will result in spoiling Rin's good character.

- Name yourself, - he growls.

- A - UN, from the dragon tribe, - two headed beast answered lowering his heads. – We are in forever debt to you, Lord of the West.

- You are in debt to this Sesshomaru's ward, Rin, and to repay her kindness you will serve her till her dying day.

- Yes, Lord of the West. We will guard her with our lives.

- Indeed.

Rin watched them with interest. Her tenshi glowered at the beast and it lowered its head, as if in submission and then grumbled something back. It fascinated and intrigued her.

- Rin, this is A-UN. – her Lord said. – He is a dragon and will guard you from now on.

The two headed dragon nodded in agreement. Rain smiled at him. She always was happy to meet someone new.

Two weeks had passed since that memorable day and Rin was not so happy anymore. Something changed. Her Lord did not take her in his arms. Now A-UN carried her around. He also became more distant and cold, his smiles were rare and warmth in his amber depths become almost non-existent. Rin was scared. He doesn't like me anymore.

She run away. It was hard for her to be close to him, when he was so indifferent. Rin was a mere child, but already knew what this aloofness leads to. Her parents' became distant. Villagers looked at her, as if she was an empty space. Sooner or later she would be left behind. She could not accept that. She wouldn't survive HIS coldness.

Her foot caught in a root and she fell down, crying. It hurt her so much. Why did her tenshi became like that? What did she do wrong?

How long she lay on the cold ground, Rin didn't know. The skies became dark and air held an autumn chill. Forest whispered wicked sounds in her ears, enveloping her in shadows. Nothing waited for her there, except for despair and loneliness. She wanted to go back.

- Rin, - one word, indifferent tone. He had come for her.

- Why, Sesshomaru –sama? – She didn't know what she was asking. She only felt the need to ask.

He took her with his large hand, carefully hugging her form to his chest that was lacking his usual armour.

- Do not ever run away. You belong to this Sesshomaru, - he softly growls into her ear gently caressing her back. Tears of happiness spilled from her eyes. She tightly hugs his neck, thanking every Kami on earth for giving her Sesshomaru.