DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN INUYASHA

Chapter 3: Uncertainty

Kagome silently followed Sesshomaru towards his camp. She kept her head down with tear-filled eyes trained on his back from beneath her tousled bangs. They walked for awhile, he glanced back towards her only once. She pretended not to notice.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" The high-pitched voice echoed around them bouncing off the trees. Kagome grimaced. 'What a jerk I am,' she thought. She hadn't even asked if Rin was alright. She knew the little girl had been taken by a youkai and that was the reason that Inuyasha had followed Sesshomaru in the first place. She should have at least made sure that the child was alright before allowing herself to grieve for her fiancé.

Kagome looked up just in time to stop herself from running into the stationary youkai-lord. Sesshomaru was staring at her intently. She couldn't read his face, but he stared at her nonetheless. She stood motionless, blinking slowly. What was it he was searching for in her gaze. His eyebrows knit together slightly, but he turned and started walking again. Sesshomaru had never made much sense to her. He hardly ever spoke and when he did he was almost always severe. His unexpected words the night before were really the first kind words she'd ever heard from him. The way he always stared was so disconcerting. He seemed so aloof, uncaring, and cold. Kagome's eyes bored into Sesshomaru's back, daring him to turn around and face her. He glanced her way without turning his head, but said nothing. A minute later they were in the clearing.

For Sesshomaru's part, he was merely wondering what the silent girl was thinking as she followed him. He kept fighting the urge to turn and look at her. He could smell her distress. He chanced a small glance in her direction. She was watching him from beneath her hair. He turned around again. Would it be kinder if he were to speak to her? But what was there that he could say to alleviate both pain and discomfort?

Rin's voice shook him from his musings and he heard Kagome suck in a sharp breath. Suddenly he remembered that it was his little charge that Inuyasha had died protecting and a horrible thought passed through his mind, unbidden. What if Kagome resented the child for her part in Inuyasha's death?

Sesshomaru turned abruptly, stopping to look at the miko. Her eyes were pinched shut, her head tilted down. He inhaled softly, searching for a hint of anger or hatred in her scent, instead he sensed regret and…was that nervousness? He was so lost in his inspection that he didn't notice her unchanged speed until she nearly ran into him. Right before she could collide with his person she opened her eyes and apparently realized that he had stopped. She came to a sudden halt and stared up at him. His eyes narrowed inadvertently and he wondered if she was hiding any form of contempt for his young charge. Surely this woman couldn't forgive both of the beings responsible for the death of her betrothed. He had been shocked at her complete acceptance of his own presence and attempts at conversation. She didn't even look at him with anger or blame. He wasn't sure he deserved her forgiveness, but then again, he was his own biggest critic.

Sesshomaru realized that he was staring and since he still couldn't think of anything to say to the girl, he turned and started walking again. What was there to say anyways. He had already said he was sorry. Which was extremely uncharacteristic for him. In fact why should he even say anything. It wasn't as if he needed a human's good opinion. Inuyasha was his brother, this miko was Inuyasha's woman. Perhaps that was the reason he seemed to need her forgiveness, yet she was so easy to it, almost too easy. She should at least curse him out. He had half expected her to purify him when he had informed her of Inuyasha's fate. Instead he had seen a look of shock, disbelief and finally horror cross her face. She had run from him, tears already streaming across her face and into her hair. If she had been able to so readily forgive a youkai how could she not be forgiving to a fragile human child?

He felt her eyes against his back, what was she thinking. What would she do when she saw Rin for the first time. He doubted she would attack one so small, but also didn't believe she could outright accept the girl either. He ventured a look in her direction from the corner of his eye. She was staring at his person rather intensely. It was somewhat unnerving for a look that he so easily gave to be returned. He tried not to think about it and continued walking towards the light beyond the next tree.

As soon as Sesshomaru had entered the clearing a small streak of muddy orange and unkempt brown crashed into his leg. Kagome, under different circumstances, probably would have laughed at the little girls audacity, coupled with the youkai lords facial expression. Obviously Sesshomaru had not been expecting Rin to latch onto his leg and in a moment of surprise had accidentally lost control of his well maintained flat expression. Perhaps if Kagome's heart wasn't still breaking and perhaps if the little girl wasn't crying she would have at least allowed a smile to escape her lips, instead she squinted against a fresh batch of tears that were threatening her eyes with their burn.

'Poor, Rin,' Kagame thought. The little girl had been through so much. Even though Rin didn't love Inuyasha the way Kagome did, they had started to form a close relationship since he and Sesshomaru had stopped fighting. Kagome shuddered at the thought of seeing someone you cared about being killed right in front of you. She strained against the strength of the threatening tears. In a way Inuyasha's death had to be worse on the little girl who had watched it happen.

"Ses-sesshomaru-sama!" Rin cried out again, this time stuttering with the weight of her tears. "Ja-jaken-sama wasn't here," her voice cracked with her sobs, "and then you-you weren't either…" The little girl burst into sobs again.

Sesshomaru flashed a glare at Jaken who's eyes shot open so wide that Kagome was sure they would pop out of their sockets. He dropped to the ground bobbing up and down and yelling, "Sesshomaru-sama! It isn't true, Sesshomaru-sama! Jaken would never leave Rin's side when Sesshomaru-sama told him to watch her!"

Sesshomaru sighed in what could only be considered exasperation and he gingerly pried his leg from Rin's grip. When she looked up at him, her tears already beginning to dry, she noticed Kagome for the first time.

The expression that leapt into the little girl's face as she recognized her, almost made the miko's heart melt. Rin's eyes went wide, then slowly started to well with tears again. "Ka-kagome-chan." Rin reached a hand out almost pleadingly towards Kagome. She took a little stumbling step forward.

"I…I'm sorry…" The little girl started, but Kagome couldn't stand to hear her finish. She rushed to Rin's side and pulled her into her arms, holding her tightly like a teddy bear and clung to her for dear life. They both started crying, Kagome's silent sobs mixing with Rin's high pitched squeals.

Sesshomaru had felt a moment of anxiety when Kagome moved suddenly, he still wasn't positive that it would be best to bring them all together so soon after Inuyasha's death. The scene in front of him, however, was rather touching. He was pleased that no one seemed inclined to hurt anyone else.

He watched as the two girls cried against each other's shoulders. Rin had begun to think of Inuyasha as a big brother and seeing him killed in front of her like that had deeply wounded the small girl. He hadn't known what to do for her, aside from allow the little one to cry into his silk hakamas when she felt the need. He wished so much that he could somehow heal her little heart. Unfortunately Tensaiga could do nothing for emotional wounds and he wasn't adept in the ways of comforting. He was angry with Jaken for not taking better care of her while he was with Kagome throughout the night. She hadn't been sleeping well since…well just since. Sesshomaru shook his head. Women were so fragile. It didn't help that these two were human. Still, it was good that they could be of comfort to one another. If he allowed himself to be honest he would accept the fact that he wasn't handling his brother's death too well either.

Sesshomaru slowly sank to the ground and crossed his legs. He allowed his head to dip and he closed his eyes. The heavy scent of tears and the strong redolence of sorrow burned his nose and scratched at his throat, bringing moisture to his own eyes. He wouldn't cry, but his eyes were definitely stinging.

"Kagome?" Sesshomaru cracked an eye to look at the little girl who's voice was barley audible through Kagome's haori.

"Yes, Rin-chan?" Kagome's voice was hoarse and low from emotion.

"Do you hate me?"

"No." Kagome's arms tightened around Rin's small frame. "No, honey, I don't hate you, not at all."

And he knew she meant it. The weight of uncertainty lifted from his heart like a blanket and for the first time since he told Kagome about Inuyasha's death, he was sure that he was following the proper course of action.

Thanks for all the encouragement guys!

It gives me that extra nudge to complete my next chapter

XD I'm really enjoying the way this story is unfolding in my head

hope you all like it too