Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this short oneshot… especially for the one who seems to know just what to do. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

A Debt of Gratitude: Many thanks to mine beta, Fenikkusuken, who knows a thing or three about old wardragons.

This oneshot was first posted to Live Journal on February 5, 2008.

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Surrogate

Though he'd long-since noted the restlessness of her sleep, Sesshoumaru didn't turn his head until Rin's soft whimper broke the silence. The child was prone to bad dreams—unsurprising under the circumstances. When the next, slightly louder moan escaped the girl's lips, she began to toss, and Jaken was roused from his doze. As fear seeped into her scent, the two youkai shifted uncomfortably, but neither made a move to reassure their trembling charge. Instead, two mismatched pairs of yellow eyes turned as one towards the gleaming set of pale gold gazes that watched alertly from under heavy lids. Ah exchanged a sly glance with Un, then looked expectantly at the taiyoukai.

Sesshoumaru suppressed an impatient huff as Ah-Un calmly waited, refusing to act until bidden. His chosen steed was either remarkably intelligent or remarkably stubborn, depending on which of its two heads you happened to be confronting at the moment. When they worked together, their united front was a formidable asset on battlefields, but Ah and Un were just as likely to join forces against their master when they disagreed with him. Their minor bouts of rebellion were dismissed as harmless posturing, and it was Sesshoumaru's private opinion that they threw their considerable weight around from time to time just to make sure he noticed them. The two-headed youkai had enough sense not to push too far, but they refused to be taken for granted. With the introduction of Rin to their little pack, Ah-Un had become indispensable, and they all knew it.

Ah-Un's current disregard for Rin's suffering was all a show. They'd accepted her on sight, laying claim to the child with all the fierce possessiveness of their kind, showing none of Sesshoumaru's or Jaken's reluctance to own her. The creature seemed quite prepared to compensate for the rest of the entourage's reticence, offering Rin the tactile comfort human children seemed to require. Though he realized he should be grateful that the doubly-obstinate youkai was so willing to fill the role of nursemaid and mother for Rin, Sesshoumaru found it strange to watch the dauntless old wardragon fawn over a pint-sized human girl.

Their twin look of reproach never wavered as Rin's distressed mumbling grated against Sesshoumaru's nerves. He knew Ah-Un was anxious to soothe the girl, but the obstinate youkai would refrain from the action until it was requested. An imperious glare was not admission enough, and as the tang of tears reached Sesshoumaru's nose, he flicked his claws in Rin's direction. "Ah-Un, tend to the girl," he ordered with quiet authority.

Immediately, the youkai shifted to assist Rin. Un lowered his head, curling his neck protectively around the quaking child and rumbling deep in his throat. Meanwhile, Ah pressed his blunt muzzle into Rin's hair, wuffling in concern, then nosing her cheek and cooing softly in an effort to break the nightmare's hold. She woke enough to recall herself, and small hands reached out to hug Ah as she gave Un a sleepy smile. With further clucking and prodding, she was gathered more closely against the draconic steed's broad chest, and she burrowed into the soft hide with a sigh of contentment, dropping back into an untroubled sleep.

Jaken harrumphed quietly, and after adjusting his staff against his shoulder, tucked his chin and returned to his rest. Sesshoumaru watched the girl narrowly, and when all traces of fear and tears had dissipated, he cast an assessing look at Ah-Un, certain the creature's triumphant air of self-satisfaction was meant to imply a personal victory. He cared little about the perceived concession, but Sesshoumaru did wonder what their goal had been. Was this latest perversity meant to emphasize his continued reliance on his mount… or his perplexing compulsion to see the girl's fears assuaged?

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End Note: This oneshot was written for the Live Journal community iyfic(underscore)contest and their theme for Week 130—Dreams. 627 words.