With his story done, Sesshomaru turned his attention back to his mother who was staring into her mug as stone faced as her son. "I see."

"Do you have any idea how much trouble I could be in for taking her? But I just… I just couldn't leave her."

"I see."

"Will you say something else please?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"A warning? Encouragement? Anything."

She sighed then looked at him. "What do you want from me?"

"Can you clean her up for me? And maybe take her for some new clothes. And just… help."

"I can do that. But you have to understand… this is stupid. I don't see you as a… father."

Sesshomaru lowered his head and took a drink but when he lowered the mug, he saw the dirty little girl standing by the kitchen door looking both tired and confused. The man nodded to her. "Rin, I'd like you to meet my mother."

"Hello dear."

The girl looked at the woman then smiled and nodded once.

Sesshomaru's mother nodded then put her mug on the side and stepped to kneel by the girl. "Rin, Sesshomaru has asked me to help give you a bath. Would you like that?"

Rin nodded several times and stepped towards her, arms wrapped around the older woman's neck in a tight hug. The woman chuckled and wrapped her arm under the girl, lifting her up. "Ah Sesshomaru, she is so cute! But she is filthy. I'll go run the bath now."

The man huffed and looked away as his mother carried the child out of the kitchen and towards the bathroom. Meanwhile the man just sat on the sofa with his drink, thinking about what he could do next when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. His mother was stood beside him, her hair and shirt a little damp but her face was pale. She nodded once as stepped to the sofa. "I put her to bed in your spare room. Little thing was exhausted."

"Thanks."

His mother sat not far from him and sighed, running her hand over a wet patch of her clothes. "Did you know she has bruises all over her?"

"And her wrist is badly swollen. That was one of the reasons why I took her. From what I could get out of her, it's her foster family."

"And nothing has been done about it?"

"I don't know why but the doctor thinks it's a child so let it slide."

"She didn't say a word when I saw them; she just kept her head down."

"I haven't heard a sound from her since I found here."

"I wonder why." She turned to look at him with a serious glare in her eyes. "So what now Sesshomaru?"

"Could you get her some clothes?"

"Shouldn't be too hard. But what about you?"

"I guess I'll try and get some work done. Since she's asleep."

His mother raised an eyebrow then stood, turning for the door. "I'll be a few hours. Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?"

"I think I can cope."

"I hope you can cope."

He waited until he heard the front door close then stood, walking down the hallway to one of the rooms in his apartment and opened the door a fraction. The large double bed seemed to almost swallow the tiny lump in the middle. Her face was very peaceful as she slept, curled up on herself.

He sighed and closed the door silently, turning and walked to his office. He worked for several hours, his mother returning with a collection of clothes and toys for the child but left without saying much.

Now the day was getting late and he was getting hungry so stood making a quick stir fry in the kitchen. Tossing the food in the wok, he grunted. "Thought I'd see you when I started cooking." He turned his head and saw Rin stood by the door as she licked her lips.

He arched an eyebrow. "Hungry?"

Almost skipping over, she stood beside him, looking up and smiling. With one more sigh, he tipped the food between two plates and held one out to girl. "Come on then." He took his meal to the sofa and turned the TV on before beginning to eat.

Rin sat on the floor with her back to the sofa, watching the TV while shovelling the food very quickly into her mouth until she almost choked.

The man over her gave a small deep chuckle. "Slow down Rin. You're eating like you haven't seen food in weeks."

The girl paused and turned her head to him. Her eyes brimmed with tears. He sighed then looked back to the TV, lifting the remote and changing the channel to a kids show.

She gave him a funny glare, as if asking what he was doing but he shrugged and looked away to the screen. "I'm not use to having kids around me."

Rin smiled and put her plate on the sofa before pulling herself up onto it and sat beside him, eating slower and watching the TV. Hours went on and the man found her shows to be very mind numbing but she was smiling so he didn't care.

When he saw the streetlights outside, he sighed and nodded. "Bedtime for little girls."

Rin groaned then yawned and nodded.

Sesshomaru stood and looked down at her. "Right. Brush your teeth and get into bed."

As the girl slipped off, the man blinked, realising what he had just said. He shook his head and went to wash up the plates. Finished, he sat back on the sofa and turned on the news until he noticed there was someone at his side. Rin in a pink and white striped pair of pyjamas and a small giraffe toy in her arms. She had her hair brushed and she looked exhausted but she smiled at him.

Staring back at her, Sesshomaru tried to think what she was telling him before giving up. He groaned his way to his feet and sighed while stretching his back out. "Alright. Alright. Honestly, you are trouble. Come on."

He walked to the spare bedroom and looked at the mess she'd made after her nap. Calmly he stepped over and pulled the sheets into a reasonable state then turned it down and looked at Rin. "Come on, get in."

Clambering her way in, Rin turned onto her back and pulled the covers up while Sesshomaru helped to tuck her in as well. She kept the little toy tight to her chest and smiled up at him but he stared blankly back before standing and turning for the door.

As he pulled the door closed behind him, Rin gave a loud whimper. On the spot, he turned back and looked at her. "What is it?"

She pulled the cover up over her face, looking at the door. He looked at her in the light from the hallway then sighed and nodded, giving a gentle smile. "I'll leave the door open." He gave one sigh then pulled the door partly closed. Peering through the gap, he looked at her, tucked up in bed. Her eyes closed and she rolled onto her side, holding the toy tight. He smiled a little. "Goodnight Rin."

Leaving the open door ajar, he returned to his work and got a few hours done but he was exhausted and soon went to bed himself. He lay on his back on the bed and thought over the mess his day had become. Sleep wouldn't come to him as his mind raced and worried.

As the clock on the side of his dresser started a new day, he heard the door of his room open and a crack of light form the landing illuminated the bed.

He couldn't help but smile when he heard the girl try and quietly walk over to him. His eye cracked open as he saw her pull her body up onto the bed and roll onto her knees, looking at him but by then he'd closed his eyes.

He could tell she was just sat there, wondering what to do. He let out a deep breath. "I've said this once and I'll say it again; you are too much trouble." His eyes opened and he looked to see the girl sat with a blank expression while her eyes were clearly scared. He sighed and pushed himself up a little. "Bad dreams?"

She nodded, looking down at her hands but then up as he rubbed the top of her head. They stared at each other for a moment until Sesshomaru lay back on the pillows. "Alright, just tonight."

Smiling, Rin quickly moved to his side, placing her head on his chest and his arm naturally held her close. He sighed and turned his head away.

"Thanks."

He let out a breath and kept his eyes closed. "So you can talk."

"Yes."

"Why not don't you?"

"I… I haven't spoken to someone in… in years."

"Why?"

"Because… no one would listen."

That made his eyes open and he turned to look at her, already half asleep on his side. "Well… I'm listening."

She didn't say anything and he didn't say anything back, deciding to just let her sleep and soon sleep came to him.

A/N:

Well everyone, I hope you are enjoying these new stories of mine. But you have to keep in mind that I'm really, really busy with my uni work at the moment. I'm not joking, I have got a load of really trouble heading my way. So please, be patient and give me your support. Thanks.

Don't forget to review!