Chapter Ten

I'll Be Your Protection

Sesshoumaru sighed heavily as he stood before the palace gates to the home he had grown up in. The servants were in awe of his return though they tried to hide it professionally. He mocked their surprised expressions as he strutted up the couple hundred steps to the entrance. The air had thinned the closer he got to the top; after all his home was on a mountain, far above the clouds. It was nearly impossible to reach in a day if not for his dog demon form. He was irritated enough knowing that was a day's worth of traveling and searching he did just to reach Inukimi. The wolf demon wouldn't be too happy with the wait and he could only imagine Inuyasha's frustration if he was awake by now.

"You are a rude child of mine Sesshoumaru" his mother chirped firmly from her comfortable perch as Sesshoumaru entered the thrown room. The area was long ago scarce in visitors since the times had changed. No longer did his father rein over the great multitude of demons he had before and his mother no longer had the influence of his name. He cursed his old man for taking even that with him in passing.

"It is so nice to see you again too mother" he retorted sarcastically.

The female demon grimaced and balanced her chin in her palm as she interrogated him with her eyes. "When you had first left here and told me to care for that human girl of yours I was under the impression you had meant for only a few days. A month in waiting and almost no word from you…I was beginning to think you were dead" she explained. Sesshoumaru kept his usually stare. "So have you found what you were looking for? Do you have the stone?"

"I have stumbled across as disturbance but I'll have the matter fixed soon. However…your own actions have made my job all the more difficult" he pointed out.

She breathed out in jest and threw back her head. "My actions? Why you spoiled brat. Just like your father; scheming on your own and telling no one" she grumbled. "I don't know how anything I could do here be a hindrance on you" she retorted.

"The wolf demons you attacked; where is one of the bodies?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Instantly her expression hardened and she leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms and glaring. "You come here making accusations. You ought to thank me for knocking those pesky wolves down a peg. They had the nerve to invade my home; our territory to accuse me the same as you! I tell you now I defended myself but I did not take their lives. No that, Sesshoumaru was the pride of another demon upon the scene long after I had left. Not my fault that some scavenger came and finished the wolves after I left them defenseless."

Sesshoumaru huffed lightly, turning his eyes to the ground in thought. It was very possible that someone else could have gotten to the scene after his mother but he would have noticed it. The only one missing was the wolf demon leader. Conveniently, this seemed to be a more internal crime he had to assume. "The wolves…when they came here; did you fight them off?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Inukimi rolled her eyes. "You mean to ask did I protect the girl." She examined his eyes, finding them to be serious and determined as ever when Rin was called into question. "Of course, though I don't think there is much left worth protecting. You and your father have a weakness for pathetic human females. It's disappointing. When are you going to settle down with a real demon? I'm not getting any younger and I should like to see a grandchild or dozen before I die" she huffed.

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and headed for the hall.

"That girl doesn't count!" Inukimi called out. "I want real grandchildren even if you mean to adopt her" she insisted. She huffed again, sitting back in her chair. "Seeing how you fond for that girl Sesshoumaru…you would be a greater father than your own" she whispered to herself.

The hallways were near empty in the eastern wing. Inukimi kept the demon servants few when it came to caring for a sickly human. She would not have Sesshoumaru blaming her if one of the servants should get hungry and not be able to contain themselves. He came before two large wooden doors. Pushing them open slowly he kept quiet as he entered. The room was lit faintly with a few candles and the warmth of a fire in the far center of the wall. He felt an easiness come over him as he spotted the small mound rolled beneath some blankets. He silently stepped over and sat at the edge of the bed. His weight only slightly shifted her in her spot.

For the first time in a month his lips curved vaguely upward in a genuine smile as he stared at her sleeping. He had been relentless in up keeping his emotions and thoughts when it came to being familiar with others. But even he knew the façade was broken when he was left alone with the girl. He reached out his hand carefully and wiped her messy bangs from her soft face. She twitched and muffled a soft snore in her sleep. Slowly he lowered his hand to the collar of her white, evening kimono. His smile faded beneath a scornful frown as he stared at the offensive looking bruising along her collarbone. Like his own skin, the decay was spreading. It hadn't seemed to decrease in his absence which only confirmed a few suspicions he had. This would not simply go away if he remained out of contact with her.

"…Lord…Sesshoumaru…" she whispered softly. His chest tightened as her sleepy brown eyes appeared from beneath her long lashes. She smiled brightly for a tired little thing. "You came back" she murmured with a raspy voice. She reached her hand over his. "I had a funny dream lord Sesshoumaru. I dreamed about my family" she admitted. Sesshoumaru held a look of confusion. "You were the papa…and there was a mama…Jaken was the uncle" she giggled. "And I was a big sister…I had a little baby brother" she smiled. "He was so cute."

"I'm off looking for your antidote and you are in bed dreaming pointless things" Sesshoumaru remarked. He had no formal training when it came to speaking with children but it seemed with Rin he could do no wrong even when he insulted her, she would just smile and laugh.

"I'm sorry…I'll dream something different if you like" she mentioned.

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "No need. Whatever dream comes to you. Rest now…" he pulled back his hand from her's slowly.

"You are leaving again? But you just got here" Rin whimpered.

"You are demanding me to stay?"

She pouted and shook her head. "I wish you could take me with you. I miss traveling with you and master Jaken. Is he mad?"

"Why would Jaken be mad?"

"Because I'm not there to sing." Sesshoumaru furrowed his brows in confusion. "Sometimes…when master Jaken can't fall asleep I sing to him" she giggled. "I sing quietly because he's embarrassed."

Sesshoumaru blew air through his nose quickly in an amusing manner. "Then…sing for me and I will relay it back to Jaken" he insisted.

She gave a toothy grin and nodded. She cleared her throat as best she could and started to sing. "In the mountains, in the forest, in the wing, in my dreams~Lord Sesshoumaru where are you~with faithful Jaken at your heels~I will wait all alone~for Lord Sesshoumaru's return…"

Sesshoumaru waited till her eyes drifted slowly closed again before he moved from the bed. Pulling the blankets back up to her chin, he moved back for the door. He stepped out only to find Inukimi stand there outside the door.

"What will you do if she dies before you return?"

"She won't."

Inukimi frowned deeply. "Why? Because you don't want her you? Well I have news for you Sesshoumaru; no one is going to stick around just because you want them to. No matter how badly you may wish for it…" she bit her lip lightly as she quieted her tone again.

"She's different. She's strong."

"And your father wasn't?" Inukimi snapped back.

Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth tightly and glared to her. "No, he was weak and stupid. He died because of it. He broke his ties with us and I'm glad for it. We would not want to be pulled down with him" Sesshoumaru growled.

"Stupid boy. You already are." She grabbed his shirt lightly. "We made an agreement long ago Sesshoumaru. I did my part…but why haven't you done yours? You've met him right? The one person who has stolen your birth rite…he still lives and he's just pissing on your head right now."

Sesshoumaru shrugged back his shoulders and moved from her touch. "How exactly have you done your part? I've been doing all the work. You may have told me where to find him but you did not go there to retrieve him. I did."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, and playing around with him has really gotten the job done. Get the stone and get rid of him. Nothing could be simpler. It's been the same responsibility of yours for the past few decades and you still can't do it. If you don't, I will. I sure as hell have no problem slaying the bastard that took your father from us and drove him to such a humiliating death."

"When I say I will do something, I keep my word. I just need more time."

"More time for what? The longer you keep him around the more pity you will give him. You seem to have a habit for taking in pathetic creatures…" she retorted, eyeing the door where Rin resided. She gave a final huffed and marched down the hallway. The evening would not be a peaceful one.

Now a couple days track away, another was having just as frustrating a time. Miroku kneeled politely before his host before straightening his back and gazing sternly into the lovely eyes across from him.

"You make an odd request" Sango replied, looking uncomfortable as she sat. "Most people come to the demon slayer village to pay us to rid a demon but here you are asking me to rescue one?" she asked to be sure of the request.

Miroku laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "Not rescue per say, I don't even know if he is in any real danger right now. I just need to find him. Your village is the best to tracking down demons. Though I admit I had planned to come here originally for other reasons. I did want help slaying a demon."

Sango smiled lightly, gaining an equally satisfied look from her father and younger brother who sat beside her. "Now that sounds about right. What demon did you need killed?" she asked, hoping the monk would soon forget his first request as it was something she was not interested in doing to begin with.

"A half demon named Naraku. He cursed my family long ago and it shall pass through me and generations to come if I don't kill him. But now I have another mark to add to his crimes. He has taken something precious from the friend I wish you to find."

Sango frowned again. "This demon friend of yours, why do you care for him so? Have you not seen for yourself what harm demons can do?"

"He's different. At least he was. He is a half demon with more of a human side than I have seen in most. I would just hate to see a pure soul be tainted by the demonic nature within him. Call it my monkly duty" he chuckled.

She rolled her eyes and nodded. "Fine. I'll find this demon for you and then hunt down this Naraku demon for you. But it will be a hefty price. How will you be paying?" She suddenly gasped as the monk rushed up, grabbing her hands in his.

"Allow me to pay with my body, lovely lady…"

Miroku flushed with shame as he felt the sturdy slap across his face. Women were so moody. It was why he occasionally so the plus side to having male lovers as well. He pouted as he settled back down, though his eyes still shamelessly undressed her. Even sitting he could see she had a fine, supple back side. He was not sure who's he liked more; Inuyasha's or Sango's. He reminded himself that he would compare as soon as he saw Inuyasha again. At least he hoped he would see Inuyasha again. He was worried when the other ran off in such a state. In fact he was disappointed at first. But he took hold of his anger and fear quickly, realizing Inuyasha really needed his help. It was his job as his savior to make sure his hard efforts did not go to waste.

To Be Continued…

A/N: ^_^ a little fluff for those of you that support Sess and Rin's father/daughter relationship. Personally I love them being together in a family. It's too cute . Can't wait to have the odd family come together as whole. (snicker) Inuyasha is the mama. Keep alert! Updates soon!