I am the virus. What? Sesshomaru had to repeat this to himself several times. How can this happen? Why now? Are the stories true? I've heard from my mother about certain humans being allergic to demons but why would it would happen to Rin. She's been fine around me from the start. What happened to spark it all of a sudden? I haven't the slightest clue, but I don't think she should be around me anymore. I don't want to put her in danger. I could wait a few days and see what happens, but I would be wise not to risk it. She and I need to be apart until I can find out how to stop it. Sesshomaru was scared to look at Rin. He had no idea how she would take this news. So far, she hadn't said a word. This worried Sesshomaru.

"Rin, did you hear me? I am the cause for this."

Rin went from feeling sad and heartbroken to upset and frustrated. "No you're not! There's nothing wrong with you! Why would you say something like that Lord Sesshomaru?! It makes no sense!"

"Look at your body, Rin. I touched you and infectious bumps appeared. They even started bleeding. That's not normal. For some reason, you're experiencing an allergic reaction to me." Sesshomaru gave Rin a look to show he was sorry. "I don't want you to get worse. These viruses, demons like me are possible of carrying, can prove to be quite fatal in time. If you stay with me Rin, I'm afraid you could die, and I don't want your death to be because of me."

"What exactly are you saying Lord Sesshomaru?"

"I think it's best if you and I say our good-byes, Rin."

"You want me to leave? Just like that? Don't say things like that, Lord Sesshomaru!"

"There is no need for you to suffer because of me Rin. I don't want you to go, but I simply see no other way around it."

"I don't care. I'm not leaving. You said you would always protect me, remember? You can't do that if I'm away from you!"

"How can I protect you from myself, Rin? I would have to let you go in order for me to do that. Surely you must see that. It's really the only option."

"You don't sound like you care anymore."

"Rin, don't be ridiculous. Of course I care. I care a lot. I want you to live a long happy life, but you can't if your body is bleeding all the time by being around me."

"Lord Sesshomaru, but why!? What exactly is the problem? I was able to be close to you before. How are things different this time? I don't understand."

Sesshomaru shook his head. "I don't know Rin, but until I find out what's going on, you're better off without me Rin. Trust me, it's for your own good."

"No! I don't want to be alone! I want to be with you!"

"Rin..."

Oh my gosh! He's serious right now. I'm looking at him and he really wants me to leave! I can't seem to get through to him about how I don't care if I'm sick and dying because of him. If spending time with him ends up killing me, then it will be worth it not to die alone. Though it's looking like Sesshomaru doesn't care what I feel.

"Rin, let me tell you..."

"No! Don't say it. I get it. I'll leave. You can just go back to Kagura. That's probably what this is all about anyway." Rin gave Sesshomaru the most upset look he had ever seen from her and turned to run away.

"Rin, where will you go?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll be alone, like I was before you came along!"

"Rin, don't say that."

"Whatever, I'm leaving."

Sesshomaru wanted to protest and tell Rin it wasn't what she thought at all, but he couldn't find the words. He could only watch her as she went away.

Rin was surprised she had snapped at Sesshomaru like that, but who could blame her? She was frustrated and realized it was never going to work out the way she wanted. Sesshomaru and her could never be together in harmony. There would always be some sort of problem. It didn't matter. She was already losing interest. There would be no future with Sesshomaru. Rin looked around at this place she called home. Well wandering around with Sesshomaru had been her home. Now, she was alone. I don't want to live here anymore. I must get away. I will go far, far away. I think I'll go back through the well and stay with Kagome's family. They won't mind. They were really nice to me before. Yeah, that's what I will do.

Sesshomaru walked quietly back to his house. I'll find a cure Rin. When I do, we will be able to be together.

...

Rin went to go live with Kagome's family. They were happy to have her. Especially since they never saw Kagome all that much anymore. They quickly made Rin a member of the family and insisted she start going to school where she would be in the 11th grade. A couple of weeks passed and Rin seemed happy with her new life. Well, that's what everyone thought. She was actually quite miserable and lonely.

"Have a good day, dear." Kagome's mother kissed Rin on the cheek as she scurried of to school.

Rin always had a smile on her face. No one would give her a second look and think "Hey I bet she's really depressed." Nope. Rin never let anyone see her inner feelings. She knew it wouldn't matter. They couldn't help her.

Rin got to the front entrance to the school and stopped. She took a moment to look at all the other kids laughing and talking amongst themselves. Everyone had friends and people they were excited to see. Rin did not. She was all by herself.

The bell rang. Rin didn't move. She didn't need a lot of time to think about what she should do. She knew she didn't want to sit in class today. She sat down on the steps and pulled out her unfinished homework from her backpack. What's the point of even being here today. I didn't complete my assignments and have nothing to turn in. I don't feel I'm learning anything anyway. Rin reached for her diary and pulled it out. She opened it to the first page and saw only a few words written on it. They were "I miss you, Lord Sesshomaru." Rin slammed the diary shut. Tears filled up her eyes. She tried wiping them with her sleeve, but all that did was smear them across her face. Rin looked around to see if anyone noticed her. No one was paying attention to her. They were all busy trying to make it to class on time. The second bell rang, and Rin knew she would definitely be late for class now. I'm not going to class so I don't care about the stupid bell. Rin sniffed. Her nose was swollen. She was probably getting sick. She wondered about going back home, but it wasn't even her home. If she didn't belong with Lord Sesshomaru then where did she belong?

...

Sesshomaru flew up to visit his mother again.

"Hmm the human girl isn't accompanying you. Where is she, son? Has she died?"

Sesshomaru frowned at his mother. "I sent her away. She was getting bumps on her skin and bleeding."

"I see. What do you suppose caused that?"

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Her body must be allergic to me."

"Oh? Do you really believe so?"

"Huh, what do you mean? You're the one who told me some humans can be allergic to demons mother."

"Yes, but Rin would already be dead if she was really allergic to you."

Sesshomaru gasped. "Are you sure, mother?"

"Of course I'm sure. Whatever Rin's problem is, it's not because of you Sesshomaru."

That was all Sesshomaru needed to hear. Hang on Rin. I'm coming. He was going to go get her.

Once he made it to the other side. He began searching for her. He didn't know she was staying at Kagome's house, so it never occurred to him he should look for her there. Instead, he proceeded down the street. He passed by some shops and saw a stuffed animal that looked like a white dog. I have to get that for Rin, Sesshomaru thought. He snatched it up and left before the store owner realized he hadn't paid for it. As soon as he was back outside, he was able to pick up on Rin's scent. He followed it to her school where he found her still sitting on the steps. Rin. He walked over to her and stood in front of her.

"Rin are you alright?"

Rin blinked up at him. "Why are you here? I thought you couldn't be near me."

"I went and spoke with my mother today. She said if you were experiencing any type of allergic reaction to me it would have already killed you. So needless to say, you can come back with me."

Rin frowned.

"If you want to." Sesshomaru glanced at her arm and noticed she still had bumps.

"Can you carry me? I don't feel so well."

Sesshomaru picked her up and together they walked back to Kagome's house. Sesshomaru was anxious to get back to the feudal era and was about to jump into the well when Kagome's mom came running out.

"Rin dear, I made an appointment for you to see the doctor tomorrow. I think it's important you go in for a check up. I'm worried about the infections on your arm. They look serious."

Sesshomaru glared at her. "Who is that woman?"

"She's Kagome's mom. I was staying with her and the rest of the family."

Sesshomaru looked disgusted.

"They're really nice," Rin added.

Sesshomaru glanced at Rin's body and sighed. "Very well. We'll stay here tonight and go to the doctor tomorrow. I'm curious to see what exactly is wrong with you since I doubt it has anything to do with me anymore."

Rin smiled. "Alright!" She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside the house. A wide-eyed Sota greeted them in the kitchen

"Whoa dude! It's another Inuyasha! Cool!"

Sesshomaru gave him a confused look before Sota pulled him away from Rin. "Come stay in my room!"

Rin giggled. She wasn't upset if Sesshomaru stayed with Sota. She figured spending another night without Sesshomaru by her side wouldn't be so bad. He would only be in the next room. Besides, she had a feeling she would be spending countless nights under the stars with Lord Sesshomaru in the near future.

The next morning, Sesshomaru and Rin went to the doctor's office. Rin had the first appointment and was called in right away. Rin was nervous but having Sesshomaru with her soothed her discomfort. The doctor however had a problem with Sesshomaru being in the room. "Excuse me, but you'll have to wait outside."

Sesshomaru shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"No, can't he please stay in?!"

The doctor sighed. "I don't think so. We have to have the room clear for the kinds of tests we're gonna run on you. They're very high-tech and give off harmful radioactive waves that can be harmful to anyone who's not properly protected. We don't have an extra one for your friend here so he'll have to wait outside. Otherwise we can't help you."

Sesshomaru frowned but remembered the stuffed dog he had gotten for Rin. He retrieved it from his pocket and handed it to Rin. "Here, pretend it's me and hold it close."

"Oh it's so cute! I love it!" She hugged it close.

"Alight, I'm gonna ask you step outside now sir." The doctor shooed Sesshomaru out the door. Sesshomaru didn't like being bullied and fought against killing him.

Rin hugged the dog even harder once Sesshomaru had left.

The doctor pulled up a chair and got ready to start the checkup process on Rin. "Ok young lady, let me ask you some questions before we get started. I understand you have been experiencing bumps and external bleeding which I presume is the reason for your visit?"

Rin nodded and held up her hand. She gasped at what she saw. The bumps were gone! "Lord Sesshomaru come quick!"

Sesshomaru burst through the door.

"No, we still need to run a scan to make sure everything is alright."

Sesshomaru smirked. "Ok, do what you need to do but I'm staying right here."

"But the radiation..."

"Won't bother me. You have five minutes, starting now."

The doctor look intimidated. No one had ever spoken to him like that.

Rin stroked the stuffed dog Sesshomaru had given her.

Sesshomaru was thinking. "Rin, did you happen to notice when the bumps disappeared?"

"I think they went away when I came in here."

"You mean after I gave you that dog."

Rin looked at him.

"Rin. I think giving you that dog helped heal you."

"How? It's only a stuffed animal."

"Rin, the doctor's time is up. Let's go." He picked Rin up and swung the door open.

"Hey!" The doctor screamed at them. "I think you might want to look at these test results before you guys leave."

"No need." Sesshomaru held Rin close as he flew to the well.

"Oh my." The doctor scratched his head and sympathetically held up the test results. "It seems that girl isn't so lucky. According to this, she has cancer and it's been in her body for a while now. She needs to undergo therapy right away for a chance to beat it. Sadly, they both left thinking nothing is wrong with her. This means, she will end up dying a lot sooner."

To be continued...