Chapter 3: By his side

Authors note: Thank you to my reviewers! Peepsolez, Queenlizrule101, Eleirah, Firefairie93, and ArizonaBay. Keep reading and reviewing… it gets so lonely! And yes this might get a little bit mushy as I try to put Sesshomaru back in order but show how changed he is.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, etc. you know the drill.

Sesshomaru laid down feeling the pain in his arms, it happened after everytime he transformed. He would become temporarily crippled and therefore vulnerable. He shook trying to not show his weakness. Jaken walked in looking at Rin who slept in misery. If it weren't for the necklace around her neck she would be answering the call to the youkai. Sesshomaru looked to Jaken trying to get up.

"Do not move master," Jaken said rushing to his side, "what are we going to do about Rin?"

"We are going to find her the cure," Sesshomaru said feeling the pain slowly going away before sitting up feeling dizzy. Jaken looked out at the rain and sighed.

"I cannot lose her," Jaken said sadly. Sesshomaru looked at Rin who was growing sicker by the hour.

"I will not let her die," Sesshomaru said getting up and walking out clearly frustrated with something. He paced through the rain wondering what he could possibly do for the girl. If she turned she'd be lost to evilness, but all he could think of was a place far off out of the way where she could get good treatment. Then he thought of something… there was an herb that would clear any poison. Perhaps that would be strong enough to cure Rin. He walked back to the cave and told Jaken that at first sign of light they'd leave to find her the medical herb called, 'Galsa root.' All night they rested before they took the sleeping girl along the dirt road until they reached a village. Sesshomaru tried to ignore the tension that the villagers gave him. He walked up to a man who walked out to question them.

"What are you doing here youkai?" the man asked ready to defend his village.

"My youngest companion has been bitten by a youkai and is transforming. She needs help," Jaken said pointing at the girl in Sesshomaru's arms. Rin woke up looking around.

"Leave the girl here and we shall help her but you are a youkai and cannot stay," the man said threateningly.

"No!" Rin yelled squeezing Sesshomaru's neck. Sesshomaru did not change facial expressions nor did he move.

"Rin… it is what is best for you," Sesshomaru said looking down into her deep brown eyes. He slowly set her down before walking off.

"No!" Rin yelled to him but he kept walking. Jaken look stuck standing between two. Sesshomaru closed his eyes as he kept walking. Rin pulled away from the villager and ran off in Sesshomaru's direction. Sesshomaru stopped looking behind him, "SESSHOMARU!"

"Rin…" Jaken said softly. Sesshomaru closed his eyes tensing remembering the day he gave Rin the choice to stay with the humans but she chose Jaken and him. She had been so young then.

"Rin go back," Sesshomaru said as she stood in front of him.

"I must look just like a fool to them, here in the middle of the road… standing in front of you. But I don't care; you cannot leave me with these people. It is a long road alone Sesshomaru… and I will not let you go without Jaken and I. Not again," Rin said looking at him. He didn't say a word or change his look, "if it hurt at all leaving us you haven't show it yet. I keep looking for the slightest sign that you missed what you left behind... and I held on longer then I should have Sesshomaru believing you might change your mind. You never came back… until now so I will not be left alone again. I don't trust these people… I am not safe with them. They aren't my friends…"

"Let's go," Sesshomaru said walking forward making Rin gasp before following after him. Jaken let out a breath before taking her hand. For a whole day they walked down a dirt road to the next village. They found a place to camp out before they set up camp. Rin was very quiet as she looked into the crackling flames.

"Are you hungry Rin?" Jaken asked handing her a plate. She took it and picked at it.

"Why do you not eat Rin?" Sesshomaru asked plainly as he ate his food.

"I do not feel good," Rin said as she nibbled at some bread. Sesshomaru sighed setting his food down.

"We'll find away to save you Rin. But you must promise me something," Sesshomaru said as Jaken went outside to gather some fresh water.

"What?" Rin asked sadly making Sesshomaru frustrated.

"Promise that you will not give up if you are called… if things start to look bad you will not give in," Sesshomaru said looking up at the moon, "… I wouldn't want this to…"

"I'll promise if you promise that you won't forget about me… that…" before she could finish he interrupted her.

"Sure," Sesshomaru said trying to hide a smile as he crossed his arms.

"Your arms… how did you get them?" she asked making him look at her in shock. He moved his shoulders as his new muscles flexed before explaining to her. She looked up at him feeling her body tremble and her body slowly bending to the poisons will.

"You do not look well Rin," Sesshomaru said trying to be who he use to be, "sleep."

"I don't want to sleep," Rin said trying to sit up but falling back down. Sesshomaru did not move but he wanted to, "tell me…"

"I was offered arms in exchange for saving the world. Besides if I want to be the most powerful youkai of all I have to have arms… and a world to see me," Sesshomaru said silently.

"I'm glad you got your arms are back," Rin said closing her eyes, "you wouldn't have come back."

"Uh," Sesshomaru said caught off guard. He quickly stood up and walked past the girl and out of the cave. Rin rolled over trying to not lay on her back. She softly touched the necklace that he had left her.

"Sesshomaru," she sighed thinking back to when she was younger, "ten years you've been gone…"

"What bothers you lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken asked curiously. Sesshomaru stood looking up at the moon.

"Rin," Sesshomaru said silently not wanting to talk.

"What did that insolent idiot of a child do this time!" Jaken said squishing his fists together.

"Nothing," Sesshomaru said sighing again, "she's just growing up. She's becoming more of a human women everyday."

"This I know milord but why does it bother you so?" Jaken asked worried he'd send her to live with her kind.

"Leave," Sesshomaru said becoming his old kept to himself self, 'she might decide to leave us to be with her kind,' Sesshomaru thought to himself, 'she is not the same sweet child I knew. She is growing into a woman… that means she is growing up. Adult humans are much different then children. Maybe… I should send her now and save myself the trouble. No… Jaken would never be happy. Perhaps I should distance myself from her; perhaps she does not see me as her protector as she once did. Why do I care about… a human girl? She was always such a sweet child…'

"Sesshomaru?" Rin asked rubbing her eyes and breaking his thoughts apart. He nodded before turning to look away, "Jaken looks worried. I'm sorry."

"What?" he asked quickly as he felt something call to him as if something wanted him to fight. He had an urge to run through the world and to destroy it.

"I'm sorry if I am causing you trouble, I never meant…" before she could finish Sesshomaru started walking off leaving her puzzled. She rolled her eyes before following him. Sesshomaru walked through the forest following the feeling, the hatred, as it got hotter and hotter.

"Go back!" Sesshomaru said turning around and yelling at her. She stopped in shock. He walked towards her with a look she only saw when he was locked in attentive battle. She backed up slightly feeling the necklace around her neck growing hot. Just as he began to walk closer to her something shot from the ground throwing both of them back. Rin hit the ground with a thud and Sesshomaru went through a tree. He slowly got up now prepared for the giant serpent that was facing Rin. It radiated hate. Jaken came running out feeling the awkward feeling and seeing Sesshomaru facing the back of the creature.

"Rin! Rin!! RIN!" Jaken yelled trying to run to her rescue as she slowly got up reach around for her sword but finding nothing. The creature then attacked her its large mouth open revealing ugly sharp teeth. Rin screamed as she curled up and the creature was flung back. Sesshomaru had grabbed it by the tail and tossed it around letting it fly off into a tree. The serpent hit the ground before recoiling and attacking again. Jaken helped Rin up before telling her to go back to the cave as she was beginning to look pale. She ran off tiredly but grabbed her sword. She stood there feeling something weird pulse through her. A new strength, almost as the youkai poison mixed with the protection of the amulet gave her power strength. She ran as fast as she could back to the scene where Sesshomaru and Jaekn were fighting the youkai serpent.

"Dokasso!" Sesshomaru yelled as his acid whips came out whipping the creature making it hiss. When that did not work he sliced at the demon. Rin leaped into the air with a feeling of power as she sliced through the creatures heavy armor making it forget about Sesshomaru giving Sesshomaru a chance to do his ultimate attack, "Sooryuha!"

"Sesshomaru!" Rin yelled as it flung it's tale towards Sesshomaru. Hearing her call he noticed the sword like tale flying in his direction. Then he noticed Rin looking at him instead of the large mouth about to claim her as it's dinner.

"RIN!" Sesshomaru yelled as he ran towards her. It all seemed to be in slow motion. She looked at him with curiosity and for the first time thought about how handsome he really was. Jaken looked back at Sesshomaru before looking to Rin and then running towards her. Rin looked at them before looking back to see the large mouth engulf her. Jaken stopped and fell to his knees as Sesshomaru lifted his sword. This time he would not miss… this time, "SOORYUHA!"

"Rin! Rin!" Jaken cried out flopping around as if giving a funny prayer. The Sooryuha hit the serpent making its body shatter into a million chunky bloody pieces. But there on her knees with her sword in the ground and a weird shield dripping off poison from the creatures mask sat Rin. Jaken held his breath and Sesshomaru let out his as he slowly walked to her. Jaken ran trying to get to her but when Rin opened her eyes the first thing she saw was Sesshomaru and so the first thing she did was jump into his arms catching him off guard and making Jaken's eyes widen in fear as his hands hit his head.

"Rin…" he said grabbing her by the shoulders so he could peal her off of him. She realized what she had done and quickly pulled her self away.

"Lord Sesshomaru I am so sorry…" she began talking really fast.

"It is alright for now, are you alright?" Sesshomaru asked looking her over. She quickly nodded her head after swallowing so loud even Jaken could hear her, "then how did you do that? You have not a scratch nor acid burn on you?"

"I… I don't know," Rin said nervously as she looked up into his golden amber eyes. He sighed before looking away. When quickly glanced back at her he saw the necklace he gave her softly pulsing.

'My mother' amulet,' he said in his head as he looked at it, "your fine we can move."

'Well he's back to himself,' Rin thought sighing before following behind him. A small smile came to her face making Jaken frown in understanding. When they had reached the cave they packed their belongings and began walking. Sesshomaru was far ahead as Jaken and Rin fell behind.

"You idiot," Jaken whispered softly to Rin making her look at him in shock as they walked through the green grass.

"What!" she shrieked making Sesshomaru's ears twitch. Rin placed a hand to her mouth before repeating her statement quietly, "why am I an idiot?"

"You are letting your human… instincts take charge Rin. You are going to get us separated if you keep showing affection for our lord…" before he could finish silently scolding Rin he was interrupted.

"Jaken, Rin… I do not like when people talk behind my back," Sesshomaru said softly.

"We weren't!" Rin said feeling a little sick but better. Sesshomaru stopped and Jaken jumped on Rin high enough to where he could cover her mouth.

"Yes lord Sesshomaru, sorry lord Sesshomaru," Jaken said still holding her mouth shut, "can't you hold your tongue even for a moment child?"

"I am not allowed to speak my mind?" Rin said with her hands on her hips.

"No you are to keep your mouth shut!" Jaken said pointing a finger up at her before she punched him in the head and returned to walking. Rin crossed her arms walking further ahead leaving Jaken lying on the ground with a bump on his head.

When the three had reached a good resting place they all settled down. Sesshomaru slowly walked off towards a creek where he sat. He heard Rin and Jaken fighting all the way back to camp. There were thuds as Rin and Jaken tried to out do the other. Rin gave in as Jaken pushed her towards the river where Sesshomaru sat. Rin sighed before standing in front of her lord. Sesshomaru did not look up at her.

"I'm sorry," Rin rolled her eyes trying to not show that she was wrong. When he said nothing she dropped her shoulders got a dump founded look on her face, "lord Sesshomaru?"

"Hmm," he said making her slump further.

"I am sorry… that I disobeyed you," Rin said finally fully giving in, "I am sorry that I talked back to you for you are my lord."

"Hmmm," he said sighing and tensing as he listened to the sound of her voice. He closed his eyes listening to the sound of the wind, the river, and her voice. Peace all at once… freedom.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she said poking him and jumping when he looked at her, "sorry!"

"Rin!" he yelled as she ran off scared of what he would say and Jaken would do. Jaken went to run after her.

"You foolish girl! Get back here!" Jaken yelled running after her before Sesshomaru stopped him. Jaken stopped and looked at her, "oh please lord Sesshomaru please don't send her away."

"I will not force her," Sesshomaru said sighing, "to do or be anywhere she doesn't want to be."

"Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken asked curiously.

"Silence," Sesshomaru said walking slowly as if in deep thought as to what to do with them. He sighed pacing further and greener in the forest. Everything was a blue green as the beauty of nature surrounded him. Rin slowly walked up to him with her head hung low.

Lord… Sesshomaru," she said biting her lip with her hands behind her back. He looked at her and thought a moment.

'Is she something that can't be lived without? Is it how after all these years she is still as sweet as a child? Or… something… never,' he thought to himself making Rin look at his funny facial expression.

"Uh… lord Sesshomaru?" Rin said on her knees facing him with her face in his. He opened her eyes and looked at her, "I'm sorry for running off. I'm sorry for being disobedient. I'm sorry if I have been a burden for you."

"You know Rin… you do not have to stay," he said looking at her plainly as he always did though his head and heart screamed, 'DON'T EVER WANT TO LEAVE.'

"Wha… what?" Rin asked swallowing and backing away.

"I mean I am not going to hold you here. You are free," he said before looking away. She perked straight up looking at him with a look of shock.

"B…ut, b, uh… oh," she couldn't seem to figure out something to say. She slowly stood up nervously. He watched her as she left.

'I knew she wanted to leave,' Sesshomaru said before turning his head, 'we will reach a village soon where she will be treated. She will no longer need me and then I can move on with my life. I can…'

--

The next day they traveled to find a healer. They walked through the village ignoring the awkward looks from the villagers. They asked the people if there was a healer and were finally directed to a women named Kettla. The woman was a very warm and welcoming woman. She had seen many injured humans and youkai, even a couple of hanyou's.

"So what may I help you with?" the old women said seriously. She looked at the sickly looking girl.

"My daughter… I mean my companion…" before he could finish Rin looked to Jaken and interrupted him.

"I am his daughter… just not by blood," Rin said catching both Sesshomaru and Jaken off guard. Jaken had always known Rin thought of him and called him father, but never openly told people.

"Clearly child," the women said making Rin glare at her.

"What does that mean! Just because we aren't the same species! Or color… or anything doesn't mean he isn't my father," Rin said making Jaken smile and Sesshomaru look at her a little differently. It was one thing to be near, around, or with a youkai and to consider them the same, but is totally different then admitting it to another human.

"Calm down child… I only meant that it is clear he is not your blood father. But you seem very similar, and it is very precious that he sees you as a daughter. But let's talk business now. Who am I seeing and what am I seeing them for?" Kettla said looking at Rin, "is it you child? You look sickly."

"She's been poisoned," Sesshomaru said simply.

"By what? I am not a mind reader," the women said frustrated.

"Does it matter?" Sesshomaru asked glaring at the women.

"Look youkai I can help your companion but attitude is not accepted," the old women said crossing her chunky arms.

"Let us leave," Rin said hastily, "clearly she doesn't deserve our business."

"Who is he that he is so great?" the old women said frowning in anger.

"Lord Sesshomaru! The greatest of the great!" Rin said defensively, "The greatest man I've ever known. Besides Jaken my father of course."

"Rin!" Jaken said in shock making Rin blush as she had gotten carried away. Rin looked to Sesshomaru who she swore for a moment was looking at her differently. She fell forward feeling the poison kicking in again. This time Sesshomaru caught her.

"We… should go," she said breathing heavily. Was she really going to leave on the sake of him?

"No," he said simply making Jaken and the old woman look up at him. Rin slowly looked up at him as he held her up by her elbows afraid to touch her anywhere else.

"No?" Rin asked trying to catch her breath.

"How much do you want?" Sesshomaru said looking to the old woman. She looked at the girl who was beginning to turn green.

"Five gold pieces," the old women said as Sesshomaru set the girl down and pulled out his money and handing her what she asked of him. He helped Rin up as the old lady took a hold of her, "you may want to go outside."

"Yes," Jaken said marching out thankful someone would help her. The old women helped her take her top off. Sesshomaru peeked back to see the bareback and side of her breast before slowly turning away. Just as he did he saw the black spot where she had been bitten, black and green veins spread out trying to overcome her. Sesshomaru looked back up once more to see the pain across her face. He couldn't help but notice that she had grown. It was so hard to see under her outfits. The old women observed it taking a sample and figuring out what kind of poison it was. She walked out to where a worried Jaken and calm Sesshomaru sat waiting, "what news do you bare!"

"The poison is seeping through her body, yet I do not understand yet why she has not turned into the youkai that had bitten her. I know it sounds impossible for a human to turn into a youkai, she wouldn't be an actual youkai she'd be like one… only with a much colder heart," the old women said making Sesshomaru grunt. The old women looked to him before going on, "I don't know if what I can do for her is enough. I will try what I know, it should work but if not you will have to seek help in Gamla village."

"Hmmm," Sesshomaru said looking off making the old women turn around. She crushed herbs and mixed it together to make a paste. Rin opened her eyes to look out the window at Sesshomaru who sat so calmly. A tear rolled down her eye. The old woman saw it and looked out to see the handsome blonde haired youkai.

"What bothers you?" the old women asked curiously. Rin looked at the old women.

"I think my companion… Sesshomaru is going to leave me here once he knows I am alive. But if he is going to leave again… I'd rather not live," Rin said sadly. The women looked gloomily at Rin. Sesshomaru stood up and walked to see how she was doing when he heard his name mentioned. He stopped to listen.

"Then stay here with me, I will teach you that art of medicine," the old woman said kindly, "there is no place for a human with youkai's child. Your place is with humans."

'Rin must have told her… she wanted to stay here,' he thought before turning and walking away, 'I shall give her what she wants. She is not mine to claim.'

"As nice a offer as that is… my only place is by his side. Or at least behind him. I just got him back… I cannot let him go again but I do not think I have a choice," she said as the women rubbed in the medicine, 'he has become all I live for. I'd die just to hold him, to stay with him… somehow I'll show him that he's my nights sky. I've always been right behind him. I will be right beside him… I will.

Authors note: Sorry if that is a bit mushy… but I am trying to get somewhere with it. Still making decisions on whether I want certain things to happen. Next chapter will have Inyasha and others in it. My promise to you! Just keep reviewing… give me courage!