Chapter 4:

Rin could not reach to him, and was looking frantically around for any kind of shelter, or anything to get out of this heat.

"Jaken, do you see anything?" Rin asked.

"No I... Wait..." Jaken's large round eyes squinted against the sun, "Oh. It's just a village." He sighed.

"A village?" Rin asked.

"Yes but... Rin! We're not gong there are we?" Jaken asked in suprise.

Rin moved next to Sesshomaru, trying to figure out how she could get him there. "Yes. We are. We are humans they can help him. You..." Rin glanced at Jaken, "They won't worry about you too much. Just don't cause a scene."

Jaken blinked, watching as Rin was trying to wake up their lord.

"It's not working. He's shut down. We have to get him there fast! Jaken, can you help me?" Rin asked, trying to grab one of Sesshomaru's arms.

"Oh, yes, of course." Jaken came forward, although he couldn't do much as Rin thought he could.

'Hang on Sesshomaru.' Rin thought, trying to get a good grip on him.

Her body was weak as well the sun soaking her energy out.

She finally had one of his arms around her shoulder, and let the rest of him lean against her, and she pushed herself up.

"Jaken. Lead the way. To the village." Rin gasped out.

Jaken was hesitant but the position of his lord was a boost for him to start.

Rin had to stop many times, her arms growing sore and quick.

If she didn't hurry, her body would shut down too.

She saw signs of the village ahead, which soothed her strength.

She stood once more, leading her and Sesshomaru to the village.

"Help!" Rin called, but it was quiet and dry.

"Help!" Rin forced out louder.

It worked, she saw someone leave their hut, looking around for the voice.

"Here!" Rin panted.

Luckily, the villager caught their view, and gasped calling to other villagers.

More people began to emerge, all heading towards them.

Rin simply fell to her knees. They were here. She could rest now...


When Rin awoke, she felt her temperature down, her skin dried and cool.

Her mouth remained dry though.

"What were you travellers doing in the Devil's Desert?" A voice sounded.

Rin turned her head, seeing a person sitting, watching her.

"I..." Rin started, but it was nothing but a croak.

"Here. You may want to drink this." The villager said.

Rin forced herself up, all of her muscles sore.

She took the cup and slowly took a drink.

It instantly replenished her system with one swallow.

Rin looked down at the cup.

"It's a special herb we make here. It has the gifts of all proteins needed to recharge the ody. It comes in handy when you live in a desert." The villager explained.

Rin's eyes widened at a sudden thought, "Where's Sesshomaru!"

"Calm down. He is in another hut being treated. I don't know what possibly possessed you two to go in that desert with broken bones and no water." The villager said.

"It's a... Long story." Rin sighed, "What's your name?"

"Shira. I am the leader of this village. And who might you be?" Shira asked.

"I'm Rin." Rin said, holding out a hand to her.

"Yes. I see." Shira said, looking down at Rin's hand.

Rin sighed before standing, "I need to see Sesshomaru."

"He really is alright. He is resting. Are you two a couple?" Shira asked.

Rin blushed, "Um. No. We are just... Friends."

Shira nodded, "He's this way."

Rin followed the female leader out of the hut.

The village wasn't very large, it was small and simple. Rin wondered how these people had made a home in the desert.

"He is in here." Shira shook Rin from her thoughts.

Shira was holding the flap of the hut door open for her, and Rin ducked in.

Sesshomaru was indeed resting, but also wrapped in many bandages.

They made Rin fill with regret, she didn't realize how bad Sesshomaru was hurt, and yet he kept pushing on.

"Um. I think this belongs to you as well." Shira said, and a small toad demon came waddling in.

"Thanks." Rin muttered before she was left alone.

She looked back down at Sesshomaru.

Had he woken up when the villagers had treated him? Probably not.

Slowly, she sat next to him.

"I'm so sorry, Sesshomaru." Rin whispered brokenly.

This was all her fault.

She had gone looking for danger, which always brought Sesshomaru running.

She had caused this, despite Sesshomaru's ignorance to fight, she had caused this.

"Rin." A soft voice called to her.

Rin was pulled from her guilt by Sesshomaru's soft voice.

Was he... Awake?

"Do not cry, Rin." Sesshomaru spoke again, and Rin knew he was awake.

"S-sesshomaru? Are you ok?" Rin asked.

She didn't get a reply, only a few seconds to react before Sesshomaru's arm went around her, pulling her down to him.

Rin nearly yelped, w-what was he doing?

Rin was placed against his soft chest, leaving her there, stunned, "S-sesshomaru?"

"It is not your fault Rin." Sesshomaru whispered, his breath teasing her hair.

Rin wanted to object, to pull away, to get out of this embrace! This wasn't Sesshomaru!

Before Rin could catch herself, she relaxed into his embrace.

Sesshomaru absorbed Rin's scent, never finding it so luring. He suddenly couldn't stand her crying over him, she wasn't supposed to be sad.

He had no idea where he was, but it was comfortable, he could sense no danger, so why was Rin so troubled?

As minutes went by, Rin was suprised Sesshomaru hadn't pushed her away, she knew this wasn't like him, even worst, she began to feel comfortable leaning against him, little by little, she had found room to lay nex to him.

Without her control, she found peaceful sleep again.