Chapter 4 - Realization

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in InuYasha what so ever. With the exception of the story's original character concept for "Ame"

"He's waking up!" I heard Rin's voice exclaimed. It was comforting to know that I was still alive; I have never been so badly injured.

I opened my eyes to see the mortal girl was poking around under my shirt. I growled at her.

"Stop being a baby, I'm just taking off your bandages." She said.

"Listen, girl, that will be the last time you belittle me-"

"Lord Sesshomaru, her name is lady Kagome. She's so nice." Rin tugged my shirt. It never mattered to me if Rin spoke out of line, I could never be angry with her even if I tried to. She continued on "I really think you would like her if you got to know her."

Then again, children need to be reared; otherwise, they think they own you. "Rin, that is enough…" I looked around "Where is Jaken?"

That Kagome girl answered, "He's outside, Ah-Un Shippo and are playing."

Her answer caused me to quirk my brow.

In that instant, Rin jumped to her feet "I wanna play, too!"

I watched her run outside, leaving me with the mor –Kagome.

"She looks happy." The girl smiled at me.

I didn't reply.

"You must really care about her. She told me that before you found her, bandits killed her parents and she never spoke."

Is that so? Rin never told me that. But then again, I suppose I never let her feel like she could speak freely.

"Sesshomaru?" the girl tapped my arm.

I glared "What do you want, girl?"

She recoiled slightly, obviously offended.

"Kagome." I said, feeling my pride being torn to shreds.

Kagome smiled "Better…" she handed me a bowl filled with some odd looking sting-like objects "Its food."

That appalling substance is food? Not likely "I don't consume human food." She picked up a sack that was both translucent and shiny. Was that food too?

"I got these for Inuyasha awhile back. You know… dog demon and all. He won't eat them because he thinks they smell funny."

"Do you honestly think I would touch something that the half-breed didn't want?" I frowned.

She put her hands on her knees "I'm sorry if I offended you… I just wanted to make you more comfortable." She got up and left the hut.

I do not like this Kagome girl, so why do I feel guilty? I assume it is because Rin wants me to.

I could hear them talking outside. "Lord Sesshomaru is very stubborn. He doesn't seem to like anyone." Rin stated.

"He likes you, though. So he can't be all that bad. I just don't understand why he puts up a front like that. I'm sorry, Rin, but I tried."

"I really wish he'd notice how much I love him. He's the closest thing to a parent I have." Rin sounded like she was choking back tears. She thinks of me as a parent? How could I be so cold to her? She's just a child…

Kagome gasped "Rin, please don't cry. He'll come around soon."

I sat there and pondered for a long time until I heard tha- er, Kagome scream. I almost broke the door as I exited. She was standing soaking wet.

"-Miroku, you jerk!!" she appeared to be livid.

The monk shielded himself with a large cooking pot "I'm sorry, Kagome! I tripped!"

"Well you won't be able to walk after I'm done with you! This was my last clean outfit!"

Kagome chased the monk in circles until Inuyasha and an old woman walked over "Here, Kagome," he threw clothes to her "Kaede found these for you."

"That was quick. Thanks." She walked past me, her scent catching my nose. It seemed to change, as if it was somehow less foul. I couldn't place it.

"Where's Rin?" I asked.

She turned around, looking surprised by my question. "She's over at the next hut taking a nap."

Rin was curled up with a large cat demon. I sat down next to her. 'Until now, I had never thought about having children. I had never really seen Rin as mine for the simple fact that she's mortal. Having just a father wouldn't be fair to her. 'I rubbed her head. 'However, demons aren't likely to take to her well. And humans are naturally afraid of demons.

"Can I ask you something real quick?" I turned around, having been deep in thought I didn't even hear Kagome enter the room.

I nodded, not even moving my hand from Rin's head. I had no idea how long she had been there, so it would not make sense to hide the fact that I have grown soft.

"We're leaving this afternoon to search for jewel shards."

I opened my mouth, about to interrupt.

"Just hear me out. Almost every time we encounter a shard, it leads back to Naraku..."

I growled, waking the demon cat. "… And What about Rin? I don't want to leave her alone again."

"I can keep her safe. All I'm really able to do is sense jewel shards and I have a little bit of spiritual power."

"Why do you want us there?" I stared at her.

"Personally, I think we need each other's help. None of us have been able to kill Naraku alone. If we stick together I think we have a fighting chance."

"Lord Sesshomaru?" tiny hands touched my hand. I looked down at her "Where are we going?"

"I suppose we are travelling with Kagome and the others."

"Yay!" Kagome and Rin both said simultaneously and hugged me.

"To be honest, I do not wish to be company to Inuyasha." I told them.

"I thought about that, too." Kagome said proudly "We'll split up into two groups."

Rin tugged her on her kimono "Will you be coming with us, lady Kagome?" She certainly is a persistent child.

"I guess I could come with you guys. Inuyasha will probably get mad at me."

Inuyasha's eyes grew wide "We're doing what?!"