I don't own Sesshy or Inu. Or Rin, or Jaken, or...

Sesshomaru stared out the cave at the rain. The rain had never truely bothered him but he couldn't take Rin out in this weather. The little human would surely fall ill again if they tried to leave the cave.

They couldn't leave Carolina anyway. The female youkai had been unconcious for two days. When he had checked her wounds that morning they had finally begun to heal, but with her energy being so depleted it would likely be days before they were completely healed. She was out of immediate danger however and he hoped she would wake up soon.

Behind him in the cave he could hear Rin and Jaken bickering again. Sometimes he had to wonder if he had one child or two. "Rin, Jaken, be silent." He ordered as he walked to the back of the cave to check on Carolina. The child and imp obeyed immediatly, but sadly it only lasted a few minutes.

Sesshomaru sighed and was prepared to get up and physically seperate the two when a soft groan and movement next to him caught his attention. Carolina had rolled over and was now trying to push herself up to a sitting position. As she managed to sit up the blanket covering her fell away and Sesshomaru turned his head.

He heard Carolina draw a sharp, surprised breath and then heard the fabric rustle as she realized she was topless and pulled the blanket back up around her shoulders. Then he felt her eyes on him, "Where the hell is my shirt?"

"It was ruined in the battle." He replied turning to look at her again. "It had to be disposed of or the smell of blood might have attracted youkai."

Carolina saw movement out of the corner of her eye and looked to see Rin and Jaken sitting at a respectfull distance. 'Ofcourse. He couldn't have evil youkai so near his pup.' She looked around and saw that her book bag was laying within reach. She grabbed it and struggled to stand.

"What do you intend to do?" Sesshomaru asked also getting to his feet.

"I'm going outside."

"I am afraid I cannot allow that." He replied moving to block her.

"What do you mean you can't allow it? I am not asking permisson, I'm going out side!" She yelled. Sesshomaru didn't move, he didn't even blink. 'Shit, now what?' Carolina wondered to herself, though you could not see it in her face. 'I can't fight him, not in this state I'm in.'

Her irritation then turned to fear. 'Oh shit! I really can't fight him. And for some reason he won't let me leave! Here I am, half naked in a secluded cave with a male I don't know and unable to defend myself! Wait, no, the pup is here, he'd never do anything infront of her.'

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed just slightly as he looked at Carolina. Her face never changed but it didn't have to. He could smell fear creep into her sent. 'Why would she be afraid of me now?' He wondered. 'I saved her life did I not? Why would I save her only to harm her, Just who does she think I am?'

'That must be it, She doesn't know me.' He realized. 'She has no idea why I saved her life. Even I have no idea why... Rin, she must be making me soft.' He glanced down at her hands which were clenching the blanket around her. 'All she knows is that she is defenseless.'

Sesshomaru sighed mentally. "You have no reason to fear me."

"I never said I was afraid of you." She replied cooly and gave her self a mental pat on the back at how level her voice came out.

He raised an eyebrow just ever so slightly. "You did not have to voice your fear. I am an inu youkai."

She almost cringed. 'Damn, that's right. Dogs can smell fear.'

"If you over exert yourself now your wounds may reopen. I do not wish to waste my time battleing the likes of those weak fools who would be drawn by the smell of your blood."

Carolina's fear was gone now, replace once again with irritation. "Well what do you expect me to do about my current state of half-dress? Incase you have forgotten you saw fit to remove my shirt, with out my permission I might add! And I have dirt and blood on my shorts. I can't just change into a fresh set of clothing in here with you watching me!"

Sesshomaru regarded her carefully for a moment then turned his back to her. Rin sitting at the fire heard the argument and saw her lord turn away so out of respect she did the same. A quick glare communicated to Jaken the importance turning away might have to his health.

"If you wish to change your garments you have my word that I will not look." Sesshomaru told her when he sensed her hesitation. Carolina realized he was sincere and as quickly as her injuries would allow she changed into a clean pair of black shorts and a aqua tank top with a purple butterfly on it.

"Ok, I'm dressed." She told them sinking wearily to her knees. The arguement had used most of what little strength she had regained.

"You should rest now." Sesshomaru told her, his voice soft now. Carolina just nodded as she lay down and cradled her head in the crook of an arm. Sesshomaru looked back toward the fire and saw Rin and Jaken also laying down to sleep, was it that late already? a glance at the darkened mouth of the cave told him it was.

Sesshomaru retrieved the blanket from nearby on the cave floor and covered the injured girl with it. Then he chose a place to lean against the wall and followed his companions into sleep.

Sesshomaru awoke to a wolf baying in the distance. He saw Carolina stir and sit up, she looked in the direction of the sound and made herway to the front of the cave. Sesshomaru watched her. She settled herself at the opening but went no further. The wolf howled again, this time it was further away and niether howl had registered with the sleeping child.

Sesshomaru joined her at the mouth of the cave. He glanced at Rin when he heard the distant howl again, this time it was to far away for the child to hear but he still looked to see that she rested peacefully.

"Is she afraid of wolves?" A soft, almost musical voice asked.

"She was attacked by wolves once."

"Before she met you?"

"Shortly after. It was just after the attack that I took her into my care. I had originally planned to leave her at a human villiage..."

"So your weakness is damsels in distress?" Sesshomaru gave Carolina a confused look. "You know, like in all the old fairy tales. A young maiden alone and helpless, in need of a tall, hansome prince to save her."

Carolina brought the back of her hand dramaticly to her forhead as though fainting when she said it, mocking the weak females in cheesy old movies. Though Sesshomaru had never seen a movie he had in his long, long years seen women of standing and culture faint quite dramaticly and almost smiled at Carolina's mocking.

He glanced at her out of the corner of his sparkling eye. "Perhaps they are." He stated in that flat monotone they both ussually used. "helpless young maidens such as yourself."

Carolina's head snapped around at him. Then she realized he was teasing her and turned an attractive shade of pink. "By the way, thank you for helping me with the spider." Sesshomaru just nodded in aknowledgement and the two spent the rest of the night gazing at the stars in companionable silence.

When Sesshomaru awoke at dawn the first thing he was aware of was a warmth against his right side. At sometime during the night Carolina had leaned gainst him in her sleep. Then he realized it was the other way around, he was leaning against Carolina. He sat up away from her and gazed down at her in shock.

He quickly stood up and walked away. There was a logical explination of course. It was just natural to lean against something warm during the cool night, thats all. He was merely reacting to her body heat. After all, who is aware of what they are doing during the hours they are asleep.

"It's a beautiful day out." Carolina commented waking up. She didn't know why she woke up so early, it was almost like she felt cool. Kinda like when a sudden draft from the AC wakes you up on a lazy summer afternoon. Oh well. She yawned and started to stretch, then winced when she felt her movement pull against the half healed wound on her stomache.

"Are you well enough to travle?" Sesshomaru asked her.

"Yeah, If I take it easy I think so."

"You will ride Ah 'Un then to be safe."

"I will ride?" She asked.

"Is that a problem?"

"Oh, no. I just have never ridden any animal before. I will try to be a good rider though."

"How can you be a good rider if you have never ridden?" The imp asked as irritably as ever. He didn't seem to be a morning person.

"Well, I've been riden a few times." She cringed, that so didn't come out right! "What I mean is I know how uncomfortable it is to have some one on top of you that has no idea what they are doing. Wait... I mean... Never mind, lets just go!"

She turned to go back in the cave and retrieve her few belongings. As she did so she saw the twinkle in Sesshomaru's eyes, he was laughing at her. She paused to lock her irritated eyes on his, it wasn't funny. This however only amused him further and she turned and walked into the cave.

"Sesshomaru-san, before we leave I need to see how to get back to the meadow where I fought from here." She turned to him with her backpack slung over one shoulder. "Otherwise When I leave your company I may become lost and not be able to find my way back to the villiage I have been staying in."

"Very well. Rin, Jaken, We will return shortly." He took up Ah 'Un reigns and nodded for Carolina to mount the beast. Carolina did so and found the riding truely was more difficult than it looked. Eventually she adjusted to it, though she would prefer to walk.

After nearly and hour Sesshomaru stopped at the edge of the feild. Carolina slid off the dragon's back and walked into it. Sesshomaru watched her. He couldn't see her face but his nose told him that returning to this feild upset her. She was younger than he, this was probably the first time she had come so close to dying.

Carolina stared at the once tranquil feild. The rain had washed away the spilt blood but the bodies remained. Buzzards now fought over the rotting corpses. She realized that if Sesshomaru hadn't shown up she would also be part of this putrid feast.

She didn't notice Sesshomaru had walked up behind her and turned away to fast running right ino his chest. She almost fell backward from the impact but a strong arm instinctively wrapped around her and held her close untill she steadied herself. He could feel her trembling and her head was lowered. Then without warning she tore herself aways and turened to go back with her head up and her face emotionless.

Sesshomaru garbbed her shoulder to stop her. There eyes locked for a moment then he glanced back at Ah 'Un. Carolina nodded and got back on the beast and they returned to their group.