Author's Notes: I HAVE REACHED 61 REVIEWS! I own nothing… So tragic!

Nellyy: I'm glad I'm updating too! If I leave anything too long without updating it then everyone loses interest and doesn't bother to read. I know this because…well…I do it.

Razux- THE SECRET IS OUT!

Taraah36- Well… Let's say that even though Sessh can hear what Rin is going to say but he's not quite himself.

Icegirljenni: Renshi's fate is quite sad isn't it? I don't mean to be rude…But who is Renshin? Did I misspell something? I have an idea about another kid though… And what happens to Renshi eventually…

Deadman19: Thanks!

SerenePanic: (fake pout) But without a cliff hanger I have to actually think what I'm going to write next! Thanks for the compliment!

ILuvFluffySama: NOT THE FANGIRLS! I'LL UPDATE! I SWEAR! THEY'LL KILL ME!

MonNos: Never have truer words been spoken! It's like they say: Like alpha like pup! Well, they don't actually say that but…never mind.

Min00: (blushes) Aw Thanks!

Rin could do nothing but stare at the small demon whose golden eyes shone with strange warmth. How could he have known? She had never told him and now that Sesshomaru was actually here it had made her all the more reluctant to say something. Would either Sesshomaru or Renshi reject her if she told the truth? Would they both? Renshi was part of Sesshomaru's soul…

'He deserves to know Rin.'

The woman tensed slightly at the voice before recognizing it as Yūkan's. The golden dragon was trying to console her and she appreciated it. The anxiety writhed in her stomach like a multitude of live snakes though, and deciding that lying to Renshi would only cause more tension between the group she tried to force the words from her constricted throat.

"He...Renshi, I..."

The words would not come however and Rin resorted to a meek nod. She was, however, stunned with Renshi's reaction. The warm glow his amber like eyes intensified and radiated pride the more you stared into their honey depths.

"I'm glad."

The woman gaped at the young demon in wonder. Did this mean he accepted that Lord Sesshomaru was his father? A low snarl interrupted her thoughts and Rin spun around without a second thought, ready to meet whatever demon had decided to infiltrate Sakura's shield. Her mind went blank however when she was met with furious, bloodthirsty and fiery red eyes.

"Lord...Sesshomaru?" The woman whispered as another growl rumbled within the demon's chest, his eyes fixed on herself and her pup.

The inuyoukai was sitting tensed against the tree which he had slept on the previous night, blood red eyes staring at both Rin and Renshi with fury evident in his gaze. For a spilt second, fear and confusion was all Rin could decipher from her torrent of emotions until she spotted the white bands that had wrapped themselves onto the demon lord's wrists and were preventing him from advancing on the human and pup.

'Sakura is unknowingly trying to purify him! She has lost so much of her strength that she can't recognise someone or tell one demon apart from another! Renshi has been with me so long that he is not affected by her spiritual powers but Sesshomaru…' Rin's thought were abruptly cut off when a savage snarl was heard and she saw much to her terror that Sakura was managing to slowly drag Sesshomaru closer to the tree. If the tree spirit managed to drag the dog demon close enough there was a good chance that she would injure him. Sakura was far too helpless to kill Sesshomaru but she could seriously wound him.

Without hesitating for an instant, the woman swept forward, knelt beside the struggling demon that was pressed up against trunk of the tree and reached past him, sweeping back his long silver hair enough so that she could press her palm to the smooth texture of the wood. Rin pleaded frantically within her mind but it seemed that Sakura was far too deep in her slumber to recognise her voice.

Sesshomaru went completely still at the feel of the woman's body pressed against his own and his red eyes widened ever so slightly. The action was over so quickly that only Renshi noticed it and his amber eyes narrowed as he saw Sesshomaru's claws inch closer to Rin even though Sakura tugged at the white bonds.

'Father's demon is reacting to being under threat.' The inuyoukai pup realised. 'He cannot control his actions nor realise what he's doing. He could seriously hurt Mother or even kill her in this state.'

It was only when he noticed the deadly claws mere inches from her back that the inuyoukai released a threatening growl from within his throat. Even if Sesshomaru was his Father, Renshi wouldn't hesitate to protect his Mother from harm. As red, demonic eyes met threatening gold ones the two demons stared at one another. It seemed to be almost like a silent challenge, each demon daring the other to back down. Renshi let out another warning growl. It was a message to his Father that if he dared to hurt Rin any pain that he would inflict on her would be much worse if Renshi got his hands on Sesshomaru. Deep within the older demon's red gaze, the smallest spark of pride flickered in his eyes before it vanished.

Rin was close to lose her nerve as she frantically tried to reach Sakura. If she didn't make the connection in time there was no telling what could happen. As desperation crept into her heart, Rin leant forwards to press her head against the cool wood, unknowingly pressing her body even closer to Sesshomaru's.

"Please Sakura," Rin whispered against the wood, dread weighing down her heart. "Please don't hurt him!"

"Please Sakura, please don't hurt him!"

Rin's voice echoed with the tree spirit's head, her eyes opening wearily to reveal lilac coloured eyes filled with fatigue. Sakura could feel the tendrils of spiritual power that wrapped themselves around Sesshomaru's wrists and were trying to purify the powerful demon lord.

"Forgive me, Guardian." The tree spirit whispered at she called back the tendrils of spiritual power. "My strength is weakening. It shall not be long before the darkness of Damasa's soul is too much for me to bear. Forgive me my flaw, Rin."

Rin felt Sesshomaru's tense stance loosen and she pulled back slightly to see if he was truly alright. Much to her relief, the demonic bloodlust had vanished from Sesshomaru's eyes and they were once more their ordinary amber colour. As she opened her mouth to inquire whether he felt alright after the ordeal, she stopped abruptly. Something was out of place. It was only then that Rin realised their position.