The man gasped and yelled as he ran forward. "Rin! Oh Rin my little girl!"

The girl smiled broadly as she ran forward and into his arm, burying her face in his shoulder while he lifted her off the floor. "Papa!"

The king half laughed, half cried as he hugged the girl tight, his hand rubbing up and down on her back. "Oh Rin my darling, my little girl. I thought I would never see you again! I really feared… I really thought you were dead."

"Oh papa! I'm so happy to see you again."

"Rin?"

Rin looked up suddenly from her father's shoulder and saw a woman in black running towards them; her skirt picked up so high, her knees were visible. She ran over and took the girl from the man. "Oh Rin! Rin my little girl! My sweet little baby! Oh I…."

"Momma…" the girl sobbed, hugging the woman tight. "Oh momma. I missed you most of all!"

"Oh my little Rin I missed you too. I was so worried. That's it, no more monastery visits for you. You are staying right where I can see you."

"Oh momma."

The king smiled as he reached out, stroking the little girl's hair off her face. "Rin, there is something different about you. Did you come through the forest?"

Rin smiled as she leant on her mother. "Yes papa."

"Did you really Rin? All on your own?"

"No mama, I had help." Her smile vanished as she looked down the path at the gates to the palace. "He said he would bring me as far as the palace gate… but no further."

"He, Rin? Who is he?"

"Lord Sesshomaru. He is the lord and master of the ancient forest."

The king and queen exchanged strange looks while Rin rested her head on the queen's shoulder. The queen cuddled the girl closer and sighed. "Well, we are indebted to this Lord Sesshomaru for keeping you safe and bringing you home."

"He was so kind mama. I really wanted you to meet him but he said it wasn't safe. He had return to the forest." She yawned into the queen's shoulder and cuddled into her thick black hair. "Mama, I'm tired. Can I go to bed now?"

The queen giggled a little then nodded, turning towards the palace behind them. "Yes my dear. I'll even have the cook bring up some fresh cookies for you."

"I can have them in bed?"

"Only tonight little one."

Rin smiled as she hugged her mother and looked over her shoulder, her eyes scanning for the great dog. But she couldn't see him so turned her eyes to her father as they entered the palace. "Papa… you remember you told me that anyone who wears the crest of our family is safe from harm?"

"Yes Rin?"

"Well… I gave my seal to Lord Sesshomaru. So… would that mean he can come back and see me? If he wanted to?"

The king chucked a little. "Yes my dear. Tell me what your lord looks like and I will make sure all the guards know not to harm him."

Rin yawned again as the queen carried her down the halls of the palace. "He… he has long silver fur that catches the moonlight. And he has golden eyes like the sun. And his claws so sharp that he can skin a rabbit without harming the flesh." She yawned once more and closed her eyes. "P… promise me… he won't be… harmed. If he comes back."

The king nodded. "Yes Rin. I will be sure that if a man with long silver hair and golden eyes comes to the palace, providing he has your pendent, he will be welcomed here with open arms."

Rin suddenly looked up, wide awake. "Oh no papa, he isn't a man."

"Oh?"

"He's a huge dog. The biggest I have ever seen. He's as tall as me! And he has this mark… right here on his forehead."

The king smiled as he patted the girl on the head. "So your lord is a dog! Oh. Well, in that case, I will be sure to tell the guards that if a great dog with white fur and golden eyes comes to the palace then he will not be harmed and be free to do as he pleases."

"Thank you papa."

The queen smiled as she reached out to a door before them and opened it. "Rin, we're here."

The girl looked up in her sleepy daze and looked over her own room, the floor covered in toys and stuffed animals as well as a bookcase and a wardrobe. She smiled while her mother carried her to a large bed by the window. "I've missed my room."

"And it's missed you. All your friends are here, waiting for you." The queen smiled as the girl slid onto the covers and the bed. "I came in here while you were gone, just to be close to you. And now you're back." She sighed while tucking the child in. "But you're tired and had a long exciting adventure. I'll go see the chief about those cookies. Then when you wake up, you can tell us all about it. Just sleep for now."

"I missed you mama."

"I missed you too darling. Now, go to sleep."

Rin nodded as tears of joy rolled down her mother's cheeks and sent her to sleep. After a light kiss on her forehead, the queen stood back and turned to her husband, giving him a hug and a kiss before leaving the room. In the hallway, the queen looked at him. "Oh, I really feared I would never see her again. That we had lost our little Rin. But now she's back."

The king nodded slowly as his wife cleared her eyes. "Our little girl."

"This Lord Sesshomaru she spoke of. Who do you think he is?"

The kind chuckled. "Probably some farmer's dog who ventures into the forest and lead her home by chance."

"Most likely. But the way she tells it, it sounded like he could speak!"

"She was lost and alone and has always had an impressive imagination. She probably made it up to help her cope. All the same, I shall tell the guards to allow the dog entrance, should it return."

~#~

Slowly the captain of the guard lowered the sleeping form in his arms onto the bed and sighed while the queen tucked her in, not even slightly disturbing the child.

The king shook his head as they all exited the room. There he turned to the guard. "Again captain?"

"Yes my lord. She was there from dawn 'til she fell asleep."

The king nodded softly. "I appreciate you watching over her."

"She keeps the men entertained your highness. She tells amazing stories of this 'Lord Sesshomaru' she is waiting for."

"I'm sure she will grow out of it eventually but until she does, please continue to watch over her."

"Yes my lord."

Inside her room, princess Rin smiled in her dreams and rolled up into a ball, pretending that instead of a blanket that covered her, it was the great dog's white tail as he lay behind her and kept her warm.

Once dawn arrived, she jumped out of bed and hurried to wash her face, change her dress and sped out of the palace via the kitchen where she picked up some sticky buns. From there she ran down thought the houses and market to the city gates. "Good morning Captain!" She giggled, holding out one of her buns to him and passing the others to the guards she passed.

The guard took it with a smile and a nod. "Good morning princess."

"Any sign?"

The guard shook his head as he looked out towards the forest. "None my lady. The night patrol saw nothing. I'm sorry."

Rin moved towards a large old millstone by the wall so she could look out at the forest as well. "He'll come. I know he will. When he's ready."

The captain tried not to chuckle as she climbed up the rock and crawled on her hands and knees to watch the road. "I'm sure he will too princess."

Rin smiled as she sat on the rock, silent as she ate her breakfast and the captain ate his with her, chatting and indulging her fantasy.

Over the day many people passed through the gates but the princess kept away from them all, just watching the path and looking for her lord. As she had shared her breakfast with the guards, they shared their lunch with her which she was very grateful for and told them stories as a reward. They laughed and clapped with her and the little princess grinned while she sat on her rock.

Towards the late of the afternoon, the captain came over to her and leant on the wall by her rock. "Princess… can I ask you something?"

"What is it captain?"

"Do you see that cloud over there?"

"Yes…"

"What is it telling you?"

The girl lowered her head slowly, eyeing the clouds. "That it's going to rain."

"It's going to rain a lot. And the king would never forgive me if you stay here in the rain and got sick. So, please princess, will you return to the palace?"

"But… what if lord Sesshomaru comes?!"

The captain nodded as he knelt to her side. "I'll keep an eye out for him princess. I know exactly what he looks like from your stories. I'd be able to recognise him from a single hair. And if he comes, I promise you I will escort him to the palace myself."

Rin smiled and looked up at the cloud. "You promise?"

"I am a knight, bound to my word. I promise, if he comes, I will take him right to you."

"Alright. I trust you. See you tomorrow!"

"See you tomorrow princess." He waved to her until she was out of sight then turned to look at the clouds. "That is one big storm."

Soon the storm filled the air and the water flooded the ground, covering the faces of the guards. But they had to continue their patrol, making sure no harm came to the people inside the city.

As the sun set behind the black clouds, one of the guards on top of the wall wiped his eyes free of water and stared at the road. "Ah! Captain, someone's coming down the path!"

"It looks like a cart sir!"

"Who'd be mad enough to travel in this rain?"

"Wait… sir! It appears to be a wolf!"

"A wolf?" The captain swallowed as he ran up the wall to look down while the figure walked down the path. His breath caught in his throat as the rain poured down, disturbing the outline of the creature. It was very large and walked on four legs. As it came closer, the captain could see that despite the rain it walked with its head high and looked right up at the humans on the city wall. Finally it stopped just before the gates, looking up as the water rolled off its coat.

The captain looked for a moment then wiped the rain off his face. Out the corner of his eye, he spotted one of his men prepare a bow and arrow, aiming over the wall to the beast.

"I'll kill it in one shot sir."

The man quickly grabbed the arrow before it could be fired. "No! Wait!" Arrow in hand, the captain looked over the wall at the beast and couldn't help but think it was looking right at him now. "You there… come closer."

The creature was still for a moment then came a little closer, standing right under the guard's eyes, still looking up at him.

Quickly the captain ran down to the great city doors and went to the other side, a lantern in his hand while his other held his sword. Once on the other side of the wall, he looked closer at the beast.

It wasn't a wolf; that he was sure of. The eyes held such intelligence that there was no way it was a normal animal either. He lifted the lantern and saw the light reflected back on the creature.

Gold.

Golden eyes with silver shining around the eyes. There was a mark as well, a crescent on its forehead.

The captain couldn't believe his eyes. "Lord Sesshomaru?" It almost sounded silly and he wanted to stab his toe just to make sure he was still awake.

He almost did when the creature nodded and opened its mouth. "I am here to see Rin."

The guards at the top of the walls staggered then drew weapons but the captain held out his hand. "Stay your blades! He is under the king's protection! None may harm him!"

The men obeyed and lowered but did not sheathe their blades, watching the dog as the rain continued to pour. The captain took a deep breath then nodded. "The princess has told me about you, my lord. She… she has come here, to the gate every day for two months, just hoping to see you again."

The dog blinked. "Has she?"

"Yes. And I swore that if you should come while she was not here, I would escort you to her myself. If you wish to see her, I will take you to the palace at once."

With a small nod, the beast stepped forward. "At once."

Lantern in hand, the solider lead the way through the gates and into the city, down the winding streets of the city and up towards the palace. Once past the second wall, he took the great dog to the main entrance.

Inside, the guard told a servant to fetch a warm towel for the beast but the lord said he was in no need and shook himself dry once, much to the disgust of the servants around him. His wet cloak and hat removed, the captain looked presentable enough to see the royals and lead the dog though the maze of the palace up to the king's study.

Knocking on the large wooden door he waited to be allowed entrance then stepped inside. Instantly all eyes were on the beast behind the man. The silence was cut by a sweet squeal of delight and a little girl in a long green and blue night robe ran across the room to the dog and stood eye to eye with him. "Lord Sesshomaru!"

He blinked slowly, his head bobbing as he did. "Little Rin."

"I knew I'd see you again!" She giggled, her hands resisting the urge to hug the dog before her.

Seeing her discomfort, the beast placed his head on her shoulder. "I should have come sooner."

Arms wrapped around his neck, the princess laughed and held on tight. "You're here now!"

"Umm, Rin…" the king whimpered then cleared his throat. "Are… you going to introduce us?"

Letting go, Princess Rin stepped to the side, a hand still on the silver fur. "Papa, this is Lord Sesshomaru! He's the one who saved me!"

Wide eyed the king let out a breath, thinking for a moment before regaining his smile and kingly grace. "Lord Sesshomaru, my wife and I are forever indebted to you for saving our child. However can you repay you?"

The dog stood for a moment then lifted his head. "Grant me permission to come and go as I please at the palace."

"But… may I ask why?"

"The ancient forest is my home. It is my land, my hunting ground and my domain. As you are king here, I am king there. However, there aren't any who I can… communicate with. Most are scared of me or too dumb for me. Your daughter on the other hand is neither scared of me nor unintelligent, despite her age. I will still live in the forest, I will still hunt their and rule there, but I shall come and visit the princess. For my own enjoyment."

The Queen stood from her chair and joined her husband, holding his hand tightly. "Sesshomaru, you saved my daughter's life so I too am grateful to you. But… I must know… you… you won't…." she stopped, looking away.

Sesshomaru's fur bristled at the Queen's words but he reined his agitation . "I will protect your child. No harm will come to her. Not by me or any other."

Rin suddenly ran forward and grabbed her father's shirt. "Please papa, please let him stay!"

The king looked between them for a minute then sighed and nodded. "Protect my daughter… and you are free to do as you please in my land. Providing you mean no harm to my people of course."

The dog gave a small snarl. "I can't guarantee that. If they wish to harm me, I will defend myself."

"That is understandable. We have an agreement then?"

"We have an agreement."

"Yipee! Come on Sesshomaru, I'll show you my room!"

The girl ran off out of the room while the dog turned slowly and headed after her at a trot while the king and queen sat and stared at each other.

"You did just see that… didn't you dear?"

"A talking, giant white dog? Yes, I saw it."