Sniffing, Rin licked her lips and cracked her eyes open. "Umm, that smells nice." She licked her lips again, sitting up and looking across the fire. The dog was stood beside the fire, his eyes locked on the flames as two large fish cooked on some sticks.
Then the dog looked up at her. "You like fish?"
"Very much my lord."
"Then come, eat."
"Thank you!" Rin giggled as she made her way up but then fell down onto the bed, grabbing her wounded leg. Slowly the fabric began to turn red and the air filled with the bitter smell of tears. "Oww. My leg."
The dog leaned over the fire and picked up one of the fish in his mouth and walked over, holding it to her.
Rin sniffed once as she looked at the fish then nodded and took the cooked food from his mouth, her hand brushing light on his fur. She tried to stop herself but it was so soft, she just let out a small gasp. Lord Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed slightly as he let go of the fish and quickly stepped back.
Then he blinked and turned away from her, walking to the fire and lifting the second fish and sat to eat it.
Rin sat as well with the meal, nibbling at the hot fish until her stomach was full. Licking her lips and fingers, Rin then turned to the bandage, undoing it and looking at the cut, wiping it with the scrap. It had begun to scab but now it was bleeding freshly from her sudden movements. She groaned a little as it stung. "Oww."
"It hurts?"
"A lot."
He narrowed his eyes then stood again, walking over and looking at the wound. "It is a deep cut. How did you come by it?"
The girl looked at the cut before pulling it under the skirt of her dress. "I… I was attacked."
"By who?"
"I… I don't know. They just came out of nowhere and… I don't know."
The dog lowered his whole body to the ground, staring at the wound before him. "What were you doing out in this forest alone?"
"I wasn't alone; I was with my friends. They told me to run… but… but I… I got lost!"
"I see. You have family?"
"Yes. My mother, father and elder sisters."
"They will be worried about you."
The girl blinked as she heard his words. He sounded sad. Then she flinched as the dog began licking away at her wound, his rough tongue wet on her skin. It stung a little but soon he stopped and Rin looked at her leg. The bloody cut was now clean and smaller than before but still long and raw. She blinked as the dog stood and turned towards the cave entrance. "Thank you my lord."
The dog turned to look at her then looked back at the entrance. "I am going to hunt. Remain here. I will return before dusk."
"Alright."
With a small nod, he looked to the cave entrance and ran out in several loud quick strides.
Stretching her leg out, Rin looked over the cave. It was so simple and plain, empty yet warm and homey. Her eyes drifted to the fire and she had to wonder how the great dog had formed a fire. The warmth was so welcome she didn't really worry and curled up in the mix of fur, moss and feathers.
She slept for a while then sat and looked at the fire, wondering when the dog would come back. She did try and stand but her leg would not hold so she sat and thought over her family.
"Rin."
Shaking herself awake, Rin looked up from the fire as Lord Sesshomaru walked back into the cave. She smiled and bowed a little. "Welcome back. Did you have a good hunt?"
He gave her a strange glare as he reached down and picked the dead rabbit from the floor and carried it over. "Rin, lie down and close your eyes. I do not want you to see this."
"What do you mean?"
His eyes shone in the darkness. "Have you ever seen a rabbit being gutted?"
Biting her lip, Rin nodded. "Yes, once."
"It is not pleasant, is it?"
"N-No… not really."
"Then do as I asked."
"Alright." Rin sighed as she lay back on the bed and pulled the fur over her head, hiding herself from the sight before her but she could still hear as the dog ripped and tore at the animal with his claws and fangs. The sounds did make her stomach churn but she pushed it down and closed her eyes, blocked it out by humming until told she could come out. After eating, Lord Sesshomaru asked Rin to undo the bandage on her leg again and he sat licking it clean before sitting opposite the fire and watching her sleep.
The next day Rin felt a little better so was able to limp around the cave with the dog watching her every move. Again he went off to hunt and returned with fish which Rin was able to help prepare and watch over them as they cooked.
For three more days Rin sat in the cave and waited while the dog went out to hunt, sometimes returning with rabbits, sometimes fish. If it was rabbits Rin was made to sit with her head covered but if it was fish the dog didn't mind her helping. They sat in silence the rest of the time but sometimes the child's curiosity would take over and she'd ask questions. Mostly they were ignored but every now and then the dog didn't mind answering and Rin learnt he lived in the cave for far longer than she'd been alive, which wasn't hard as was only five herself. She also learnt that he had had become lord over the forest by defeating all who opposed him. From this Rin learnt the dog was both strong and old. But as each day passed, Rin found herself grateful for his help and company.
Then, as he sat up from her side and looked at her leg which was now nothing but a faint scar, Lord Sesshomaru nodded. "Your leg is fully healed." He turned away from her. "Tomorrow we begin the walk back. Which side of the forest are you from?"
"Palervale."
"That is at least five days. We leave at dawn."
Rin reached out her hand suddenly. "Sesshomaru!" But he was gone, running out of the cave. She might have followed him but she didn't want to get lost. She'd been out of the cave a couple of times but only with Sesshomaru and he had remained constantly close to her. So she curled up on the bed and closed her eyes, dreaming about returning home.
A/N: Just to let you guys know, I have no idea when I'll update any of my stories again. I've got a busy few months ahead of me so please be patient for stories. :D
