I was gone for a while to my grandmother's, so sorry about the delay. She has no computer.

Anyways, time to explore the thoughts of some of our other companions… This one's a bit shorter, I know, but there are not as many members in Sesshomaru's group. I hope you find it to your liking.

Disclaimer: Don't own squat…

Obsession of Sin

Opposite Sides of the Spectrum… Pt. 2

Sighing as she took in the regal form of her father figure, the small girl ran a nervous hand through tangled hair. She was confused, thoroughly. Torn between bitterness and adoration, Rin was not sure what to make of the current situation.

Upon their arrival into the strange little group, Rin had immediately felt welcome. The priest and demon slayer treated her kindly, as though she had been traveling with them for some time. The man was quite silly, she had come to find, always sneaking around and grabbing women's bums. He would always get a good beating when he did so, which was why she thought him so silly. Why would he go through all that trouble to touch a girl's bottom if it only meant getting hit in the head? Was it a game of sorts? What did touching a girl on the backside mean? Apparently it wasn't good, hence the pummeling.

Though the dog-eared boy, who she understood was her Lord's half-brother, was often rude, she could tell that he had a good heart, despite his rough exterior. He was loud and, in her opinion, goofy. Why was he always so determined to start fights with her Lord? No one could defeat Sesshomaru. Either way, there was something not right in his head, she was sure.

Aside from Ah-Un, who was rather neutral, and Jaken, who was always angry at her for something, Rin had never really had a play mate. Shippou, the young boy who accompanied them, was always anxious to frolic, and his mischievous behavior made her feel at ease. He was charming, she supposed, and adorable.

Wiggling bare toes into the dirt near the fire, she fiddled quietly with a strand of grass, tying the thin, green strand into several knots before throwing it carelessly toward the flame.

Her stomach growled loudly, and she giggled loudly at the awkward noise. Almost instantly a soft hand offered her a piece of fruit, which she readily accepted. Kagome's kind face smiled down at her as she made her way back to the other side of the camp.

Bright red and yellow speckled the ovular morsel, a few beads of solidified juice dappling the skin, signaling its ripeness. She bit eagerly into the fruit, tearing a chunk of the sweet flesh from it and slurping as the sugary liquid rolled down her chin. Wiping her mouth on the back of her sleeve, she tore yet again into the delicious fruit.

She believed Kagome had called it a 'mango', a food that grew across the seas. She hoped that some day she could travel there and see what other fascinating things this foreign land had to offer.

Shippou handed her a cloth for her mouth, and she accepted shyly, trying to hide the blush that stained her cheeks. He was so very cute. She watched him scurry across the small clearing to sit next to Kagome, who was casting wary glances at Sesshomaru.

It was actually that same young miko that had her mind in such a tizzy. She was caring and kind, always offering her something to drink or a toy to pass the time with. Her soul was pure, she knew, and Rin couldn't help but idolize her for being as strong and determined as she was.

Now, her Lord had never been talkative or lively, but she knew he cared deeply for her. He showed it in subtle gestures. A brush of knuckles against her shoulder, the utterance of her name, a soft hand atop her head… but all that had changed. His attention had been drawn to another, leaving her feeling alone and somewhat neglected.

He tried to hide it, she could tell, but his eyes were constantly drawn to the beautiful priestess that was now traveling with them. It was so odd, his reaction toward her. Whenever they spoke, he would often belittle her, and Rin thought it strange to show someone you care by making fun of them.

No matter what her father figure claimed, she knew very well that some sort of bond was forming between the two. He was always masking what he felt, and she had learned to read him in a way that no other person could.

Others called him cold for his actions, but Rin knew differently. He had a heart, like any other individual, it was just a little more difficult to read. He was not a monster. He had saved her from the wolves and taken her into his care, how could a monster do anything of the sort?

It wasn't that she didn't like Kagome, no, quite the opposite in fact. She loved the older woman deeply. The miko was loyal and friendly, outgoing and courageous, beautiful and strong. In truth, Rin was jealous. She knew Sesshomaru would not abandon her, but the idea of having to share his attention was new and would take time getting used to.

Then again, perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing. She enjoyed Kagome's attention just as much as Sesshomaru's, and if, by chance, she managed to get them to admit their feelings for one another, she would receive twice as much love. The thought of having Kagome as a mother sent a flurry of joy spiraling through her, and she smiled broadly. Maybe, if she played her cards right, she could have a real family again.

With that in mind, she set about making a plan to draw the two together. It would not be an easy task, she knew, but perhaps with the help of Shippou, it was something that could be accomplished.

Kagome would be easier to sway, she knew. The woman's heart was kind and full of love. It was simply a matter of getting her to see the true Sesshomaru.

That, of course, was where it became tricky. Her Lord was not fond of emotional displays, and making him admit to himself that he cared for her would be hard. She guessed that perhaps he had trouble displaying his emotions because he was treated poorly as a child, and didn't know how to properly say what he felt.

Afterwards, she would need to find a way to get him to open up to her. Then, of course, there was the part where he admitted to her that he cared.

Rin sighed loudly and took another bite of her treat. She certainly had her work cut out for her.

Scowling resentfully at the maggots that were seated so comfortably around the fire, Jaken scoffed angrily to himself. Who were they to act so calm in the presence of his Lord? They should have all been cowering in fear, groveling at his feet and thanking him for his generosity. The fact that they seemed to act so familiar toward him was an insult. The lowly scum did not deserve to be in his presence.

He doubted very much that his Lord enjoyed sitting amongst smelly ningen peasants. What was worse, the annoying nuisance that was had been named Inuyasha was fouling his master's mood, he was sure. Being in the same general area as the twit was bad enough, but traveling with him? How was his Lord managing? Then again, Sesshomaru was capable of anything.

He, himself, had not enjoyed a second of the trip. Having to put up with one human was bad enough, but four, as well as a hanyou and a snotty little fox kit? It was unbearable. Now, not only did he have to watch Rin, but the miko's stupid brat as well.

Watching the monk's disgusting and perverse display angered him as well. Who were they to act to barbarically in his Lord's presence? Were they no better than beasts?

Inuyasha had always been an idiot, but traveling with the boy showed him just how far the hanyou's stupidity spanned… and, to put it lightly, he had truly underestimated the fool's idiocy.

His umbrage toward the ragamuffin group was clear, but the one who peeved him most had to be the miko wench. She was rude and disrespectful, speaking so out-of-place to his master. Such blatant disrespect should not have gone unpunished, and yet she still remained in the world of the living. Who did the little whore think she was? She pranced around and spoke with Sesshomaru as though she thought herself his equal. No woman was any man's equal, for starters, but for a common peasant girl to think herself on the same level as a Lord? It was unheard of!

He had a good mind to fry her with his staff, but a pact had been formed, and he would not disappoint his Lord by going back on his word. Jaken was certain that, once this silly agreement was finished with, that Sesshomaru would waste no time in ridding the world of their filthy existence.

The young, raven-haired miko was currently preparing a tea of sorts, and distributing it to the members of the group. She threw a curious look in his Lord direction, frowning a little and then going about her business.

How dare she look at him with anything but respect and fear? Was she daft? Large, bulging yellow eyes shifted to take in Sesshomaru's form, widening slightly when he noticed his Lord's line of sight was directed at the miko. Why was he wasting his attention on the pathetic human wench? As a matter of fact, Sesshomaru had seemed rather distracted as of late… most of his attention focused on the silly little trollop that traveled with Inuyasha.

His distaste for the priestess deepened, and he frowned, his wrinkled face becoming marred with several more lines as he glared coldly at said miko. Perhaps there was more to her than she let on. Was she an enchantress of sorts? If that was the case, perhaps she had cast a spell on his Lord. Such was not tolerable. He would discover what tricks this witch had used on his master, and when he did, he would make her pay.

Humanoid creatures were so very nonsensical. They had watched for days as the beings bickered and squabbled over petty things, ignoring their true feelings for one another. The one dressed in black and the one in purple had an obvious attraction for one another. The male would pursue, and the female would challenge him with a test of strength. What they did not understand was that every time she did, the male would submit and back down. How could he settle for being beneath her? When a female resisted, it was a male's right to force her into submission. Why did the one in purple not simply shove her to the ground and rut her properly? Really, it was shameful to let the weaker sex get the better of one.

As for the two male inu demons, they seemed to have an issue with dominance. It was obvious which was stronger; they simply found it a little bizarre that the elder did not simply fight the pup in order to state his rank as Alpha. The younger of the two was constantly barking at his better, and all the dog did was stare at him.

The Alpha female of the group confused them as well. Why was she not making attempts to attract the Alpha male? It was only proper that the two of them rut, since they were head of the pack. Their procreation would produce strong children, so they could not see a reason why the two were delaying.

The Alpha male was an odd one as well. His scent spoke of his interest in the female… but he never made a move to pursue her. He reeked of power, so there was no doubt that he could easily overwhelm the female.

The only one who really made any sense in the group was the fire neko that often rode atop the one in black's shoulder. Then again, she was a cat, and felines tended to be lazy most of the time as well as distant.

The young ones were normal as well, still not of age to begin breeding. They were certain that, once the pair was old enough, they would be strange, like the others, and complicate the matter.

The short, green one they doubted would ever reproduce. He was weak and had an unpleasant scent. No female would be drawn to such a useless creature. From what they could sense, the little creature's ability to produce young was withered, if not already nonexistent.

They would never understand these odd beings and their peculiar, complex natures.

While one molar filled mouth widened in a languid yawn, the other lowered to the ground to pull a wad of grass from the dirt. Chewing unhurriedly, they busied themselves with scratching the bothersome itch that had been tickling their hide for quite some time.

"Ah-Un!"

Both head's lifted to the small female at their side. They gave her a placid look and snorted, wondering over these strange creatures behavior. This 'Ah-Un' noise she made they were unsure of, but they had come to understand she was generally referring to them when such a sound was made.

Snorting in delight as she offered them a handful of some odd cuisine they found particularly delicious, both heads lowered to lick the contents from her palm greedily. She made the happy little noise she tended to make often, squirming as they continued to lick her hand.

Once all remnants of the food were gone, they gave her a gentle, satisfied nudge and went back to itching the tick on their back. Damn insects.

Hmmm… bet no one was expecting to hear from Ah-Un. Oh well, I had to stick it in there.

Anyways, gunna start on the next chapter, so I'll leave you all be.

Please review…