Wow! I am very suprised on the responses that I got from my first chapter! Thank you: inuandrave7, ArizonaBay, and finally Nevaeh Azalea. You three are the best. So this chapter is for you three! Enjoy!


The dim firelight that crackled and glowed from a small clearing happened to be Jakken's fire. He had set up his little blanket and pack over by Ah-Un, who was now laying down in the grass. Both of their heads resting. Ah's eyes looking towards the fire in bordom. The forest cooed and cawed with many different kinds of animals. Some that wouldn't mind having Jakken as a midnight snack. He wasn't scared though. He had learned to get over it, back when he had to look after Rin. Before..she had left. Jakken had gone down a small path to find a river swimming with salmon. Mmmmm. Now that would be something good tonight. He climbed down the steep ledge, and stopped. Setting himself on a rock as he hooked together his net and stick. Casting it in the water. His tiny feet swayed back and forth. He held the stick in his hands as he hummed a light tune in broken verses. No value, but it seemed to pass the time.

While he was waiting for some of the stupid fish to be caught as his dinner, he looked up into the starry sky. His wide eyes watching the stars twinkle and glitter. He remember, how wonderful the stars seemed to be to Rin. They had always seemed to be enjoyable to her. She use to make wishes on them and hope for the best. Though, he seemed to always know what she had wished for.

To be with Sesshomaru-ama and Jakken-sama forever..

He sighed. Sniffing abit from new tears coming to his eyes. He couldn't be crying now. It wasn't the time or the place for it. The curved trees over him loomed. He wiped his face before going back to looking at the water. Well..he had caught five. He at least wanted five more so he could salt them and save them for the trip. The fish he made tasted okay, but he wondered if a change in the meal would be good. A good thing in his opinon. He was careful not to fall over the ledge. For he seemed to be doing that often. Only ending up with Sesshomaru pulling him out.

", Oh! Come on stupid fish! Hurry up!", he complained. Pursing his lips as he eyed the water. There seemed to be alot today. His reflection in the water only mocked back at him. He huffed. Time was slowly going by, and he didn't like it.

The purple and blue of the sky was getting darker. Jakken's stomach seemed to grumble. It wasn't making things any better for him. They had been walking all day long. Just heading from the direction of Inuyasha's village to get back to the Western Castle. That's where Sesshomaru went every time the months grew cold and the game grew thin. So that they would be able to survive. Not like they were affected by the cold. But it would save them trouble they didn't need.

Jakken stomped his foot in annoyance. This was taking much longer then needed. He threw his hands up in the air. Swinging at nothing but air. Some owls stopped cooing and night creatures scattering as he yelled out in annoyance.

He didn't know how that Shippo character could it. He just sits there and the fish seemed to come to him. Somehow, someway. He paced around the ledge as he waited for the fish to get into the net. Not wanting to chase away his meal. He also wouldn't mind a pack of rice to go with it, but he wasn't going into the human village. Oh no. Not when his lord was out and about.

He also seemed to leave often now. Jakken not knowing where. But yet he wondered. Was it off to think? To hunt? To burn steam? Or even...to sate his desire? Jakken shook his head at that. His lord would never do such a thing. Not to a human mortal at that. The thought was just...auh...too terrible to think about. No one was matched up to be with his lord. This he was certain. They all didn't seem to be good enough.

Letting out a deep sigh, he went back to sitting at the ledge. A couple for fish had gone into the net. Without Jakken noticing it. He looked over and saw some cranberries growing. Yummy. Those would go good with his fish. He got up and wobbled over to them. Deciding to stuff them in his pouch that he had brought along. It couldn't hurt after all. He also tasted a few. It had been so long since he tried them. Jakken loved cranberries. Blueberries were better, but they didn't seem to be in season. He hummed a light tune as he picked some.

Sesshomaru noticed the sky getting darker. He looked down and noticed Rin was sleeping in his arms. He wondered just what had happened today. Her senses seemed flared and her breathing kept on going on and off uneven patterns. His step was light as he headed back to the campsite. She felt as light as a feather. So he could carry her for days and not get tired. But his mind was wandering to other things

How could the village he trusted to look after her, make her run? It didn't seem right. Something, didn't seem right. The fear she had held in her eyes about going back. The thought came to him. If he would have gone into the village to get her, would he have stumbled on different matters? Not like human matters were anything to him. He thought of them as such confusing creatures.

But...he decided that he would go back later. He owed Kan a visit anyway. Holding the blank and serious expression he always did, he came across the camp to find Jakken not there. Raising an eyebrow in question as Ah-Un greeted him with a happy groan. Seeing Rin, they got up and stalked over. A quick glance from Sesshomaru told them to quiet down. For she was still resting. He set her down in his fluff before he turned towards Ah-Un.

", Where did Jakken go?", he asked blankly as the beast grunted and one of the heads turned towards the path ledged between some old trees and bushes. The dirt looking old and dim. Sesshomaru's ears twitched as he sighed. He must be fishing. Taking a long time no less. Finding himself a spot under a nearby tree, his gaze turned to Rin and her dirty kimono. She smelled of lavender,distant blood, water, and a faint smell. But he couldn't pin point what it was.

The smell seemed to linger on her skin. Deep down in her pours where his senses ended the smell. He closed his eyes. Trying to think of how the smell seemed odd. Odd, yet somehow familiar. As if he had smelt it once before. A while ago. He tried again, but getting no luck. The lavender and water covered it too well. She must have washed herself hard to get the smell off. Another question flicked in his head. What would cause her to do so? Not that he should be involved in her bathing matters, but she didn't wash herself with that much force unless something...or someone had bothered her. Thoughts about the village came floating back to him no less.

That also brought another thing on. They would have to leave earily tomorrow. He had a feeling that the leader of that village would send soilders out to look for Rin. The soilders from eariler were no threat. Not like humans were to him. But they were so bothersome. Always sticking their noses in business that didn't involve their say. One reason down on why he didn't like humans Except for Rin, she was different. Much different. He looked up at the sky. One of his hands going to rest on his lap. Yes, after some time he also had gained his other arm back. That had been a chore, but it was done. He closed his eyes and listened for any danger. There seemed to be none, but it wasn't even dead night yet.

Another thing that had always been normal. It seemed to be one of his daily things to do now. He had always made sure to check for danger before they set up camp. Not like it involved much. Just listening for the small things. When he took Rin to the village, he had realized something. It would only be demons traveling togther. No having to stop for breaks. Or hunt for game. Use his fluff as a bedding. Or even stop to check for danger.

He had been thinking about growing out of the habit, but part of him remembered that he was going to go back to go her. So he always kept the habit with him. Even when he felt that it wasn't needed at all. That had been for eight years. Now everything was going to change. He closed his eyes, sensing to see if Jakken was back but finding that he wasn't. Must be having a hard time catching dinner.

His eyes then wandered back to Rin. Still sleeping as she laid on the fluff. Her breathing seemed to be uneven again. He wondered if he should find a healer for that. But maybe when she woke up and ate, things would change. They were somewhere in the eastern lands. A part of Japan he didn't like. Just because there seemed to be more humans then demons.

They would be walking for abit before they arrived in the western lands. The one place he knew no danger and hard would follow. For he was the lord. But even in his own land, he needed to be carefull. Ah-Un happened to grunt. Looking at something in the grass. Probably nothing but a small snake or bug. Jakken seened to be taking a very long time. Longer then he usually took.

He seemed to relax and listen to the forest around him. His senses perking when he heard Rin stirr. The cracking of joints making him open his eyes. She was looking back at him. Rubbing one of her eyes. The other looking towards his direction. Her dirty kimono wrapped around him. Going abit up her leg. Her black hair was abit messy, but hanging softly around him. She was the first to speak.

", W-What happened Sesshomaru-sama?", asked Rin sitting up.

", The soilders ran off. I got you and brought you back here.", he said blankly as she nodded. Seeing Ah-Un as he grunted in happiness. She smiled.

", Is..Jakken-sama here too?", she asked as Sesshomaru nodded.

", Got himself lost.", said Sesshomaru nodding towards the path. Old trees and bushes covering it. The dirt looking old and worn. But no doubt, having Jakken's distant scent. The sound of water flowing through Sesshomaru's ears.

", May I go help him Sesshomaru-sama?", asked Rin as she looked at him. Sesshomaru nodded.

", He is catching his dinner. Don't take long.", he said as Rin nodded.

", Thank you Sesshomaru-sama.", said Rin with a smile as she got up. Instantly going over to Ah-Un and nuzzling him. A long, happy groan coming from the beast. She giggled and sighed.

", I missed you too Ah-Un. Now...we can pick flowers like we use to.", whispered Rin to them as she patted each muzzle. Ah-Un nuzzled into her hand.

Sesshomaru watched this from his place resting against the tree. They seemed be getting back to their old habits. Becoming really close again. To the point where things they use to do came around. Ah-Un getting scraps from Rin's dinner. Walking in the meadows togther. Ah-Un sleeping near her for protection. He only raised an eyebrow at this. So odd.

", I'll be back.", she said kissing both of their muzzles before going off towards the river. Walking over the roots as she straightened out her kimono before heading down the path. She wondered how suprised Jakken would be to see her.

Jakken on the other hand had putt his berries in the sack. Setting it along the side as he fumbled with the stick. He had ended up with getting twenty fish instead of his ten that he had wanted. Now it was too heavy for him. He wheezed and grunted as he tried with all his might to pull it up. One leg sticking out as he began to lean backwards. Eyes widening.

", Gah! Come on!", he whailed before two soft hands grabbed the stick. Pulling up the net, along with him. Setting it on the ground. Jakken was about to turn around and give whoever did it a piece of his mind. Stopping when he saw the woman standing next to him. Rin smiled down at him warmly as his eyes widened even more. The black slits getting abit bigger.

", R-R-Rin!", he yelled in suprise before gasping and falling into the river. Rin giggled as she picked him back up. He spat out water and dirt before turning to look at her. He could tell it was her, for her scent was the same. She looked down at him. Smiling.

", W-Why. Y-your...older...", he said shocked as Rin nodded.

", Yes Jakken-sama.", she said hugging him. He felt his cheeks turn a light pink as he struggled.

", Let me go! Gah! Stupid eh..girl!", he said before she put him down. Kissing his cheek. He patted it and blushed.

", Still the same Jakken-sama. I've missed you.", she said sweetly as he nodded before quickly coughing and straighting out his robes.

", Errrm...n-not like it's changing anything.", he said correcting himself. Standing straight with staff of two heads in one hand. One finger pointing out in the other. Inside he jumped for joy. Now he had someone to boast his wisdom and scolding on.

", For I am still your elder. And expect to be treated as such.", he scolded as Rin giggled and nodded.

", Of course Jakken-sama. I haven't forgotten. I only came to help you with your fish.", said Rin looking over to the cranberries he had picked himself.

", Oh..I..I..Ah! Did mi'lord ask about me!", asked Jakken in a panic. Panic coming up his spine as his eyes looked wide.

", Yes. He only said you were taking long. So I came to help.", said Rin as Jakken nodded.

", Ehh..I suppose I could use it. Grab the fish while I take hold off the berries.", said Jakken before R in nodded and tied the bag of fish. Carrying it as she followed Jakken back to camp. Jakken, who now took more pride in his step.

Arriving back at the camp, Ah-Un looked up when the smell of fish came floating through the air. Staring at the bag Rin was carrying with interest. Jakken set the berries down to have Rin set the fish down next to it. Sesshomaru only watched him with his eyes.

", I'll make a fire.", said Jakken as he went over to the piles of sticks that Jakken must have collected eariler. This all felt so right. So...normal. Like things were going back to the way they use to be. Rin nodded and took out ten fish. Three for herself, three for Jakken, and two each for Ah-Un. She decided to gut them and skin them. Putting the slabs of fish in the nearby river to wash off before coming back. She set them on a cloth.

", How do you want them Jakken?", she asked as Jakken looked up in suprise. He usually fried his whole fish.

", Well...um...", he began but stopped. Realizing that Rin was going to cook. He swooned just thinking about it. Wondering how her cooking skills have improved.

", However you like.", he said as she nodded. She got out the flour from her pack. Adding the sauce and cranberry juice to it. Mixing it togther before she patted it down into the flour. Making it the breading. Then putting the fish pieces inside, she shook it up. A trick a village woman had showed her. After that, she took them out. Making a little rock stand over the fire and putting the fish on it to bake. The smell was amazing. Jakken's mouth was drooling at the smell.

", Soooo gooood...", he drawled to himself as he swooed around. Rin smiled and giggled. Jakken realized what he was doing before he straightened back up.

", It's alright Master Jakken. I can simply store the mix and fish for our travel.", said Rin as she took out her rice pack. Deciding to make a small bit of rice as a side dish. She would save her bread, ham, and cheese for a lunch meal. Maybe Jakken would enjoy such a treat.

The meal was ready a few minutes later. Rin served it on wooden plates and chopsticks that she had with her. She gave Jakken three to Jakken along with some rice and water. He tried it and instantly began eating his down. She shook her head and went over to Ah-Un. Giving them two pieces each as they grunted in happiness and ate the fish. Which tasted good. Licking their lips, they laid down. Content to get a good treat.

While Jakken was eating, Rin poured herself some of the tea. Taking small sips while eating her fish. Which she was suprised...tasted rather good. She continued to eat. Sesshomaru still sitting there. Quiet as ever. Rin sighed. Things seemed to be adding up. Everything seemed it would be back to the way it was. She finished and got up. Walking over to Sesshomaru.

", You remembered...", she began as Sesshomaru looked at her.

", Would I forget?", asked Sesshomaru as Rin smiled. Sitting next to him while holding the comb.

", Thank you...Sesshomaru-sama...", she whispered. Slowly leaning on him from being tired. Sesshomaru didn't say anything...but simply let her sit there. His gaze slowly seemed to travel along the stars.

Do you have someone to protect?...


Well...hope you all enjoyed it. If you have any ideas or requests...let me know. Bye