Chapter 13: Flames and a love lost to pride

Authors note: Thank youfor reading and reviewing! I love reviews!

Koga walked beside Rin glancing over at her here and there. Rin bit her lip nervously. They had been out for a long time and the sun was already starting to rise into the sky. She yawned stretching out as Koga looked over at her again. She wasn't Kagome… but she'd do. He was tired of the way his life was, and it was time for something new and fresh. Besides to see the look on that mutt's brother's face to see he took his human from him.

"You are tired?" Koga asked stopping. She looked at him and nodded. What a kind face she had, like Kagome's, "we will stop so you can rest."

"Really? Is that alright?" Rin asked shivering. He nodded and quickly made her a bed. She smiled as she lay down and quickly closed her eyes. She opened an eye to see him sitting there and watching her, "are you not sleeping?"

"I am watching over you," he said forgetting about the wounds on her back. She too had forgotten through the whole adrenalin rush, as well as the coldness making her body go numb, "you can sleep and still we'll be fine."

"Though… I am tired," Koga said looking around left to right to double check things.

"Then lay down. I feel safe enough," she said closing her eyes and shivering again.

"Your cold," stating the obvious as he laid close to her making her feel a little uncomfortable but she couldn't help but invite the warmness it brought. He did not sleep but lay there to make sure nothing invaded. Rin woke up to a noise and she quickly stood up. Koga felt the sudden change in environment and woke up. He then heard the noise of a scream.

"Stay here," he said before booking it.

"DON'T LEAVE ME HERE ALONE!" she yelled nervous of the sudden change in the wind. She quickly ran after him while tying her sheath on and applying the quiver with what was left of her arrows in her bag. She breathed hard as she ran after the fast youkai. A family was trapped between a pack of hungry looking youkai. With his claws Koga began to fight. Rin pulled out an arrow and shot it killing a youkai that was behind Koga. He looked at her and smiled, 'almost like Kagome…' Rin pulled out another and began to fight. When more started to surround them she pulled out her sword and began trying to kill them. Rin ran beside Koga as the family quickly escaped leaving them alone. Rin held up her sword ready to defend as she was back to back with Koga. He looked back at her to make sure he wasn't in it alone. She sliced her sword through the first youkai to attack. She ducked and tried her hardest to keep her balance and footing right as she sliced through the many youkai. Rin swallowed swinging her sword forward and could feel something inside her tremble, "…Shessomaru."

--

"Rin?" Sesshomaru asked looking around hearing her voice say his name. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach and booked it. He leaped into a ball of light dashed through the sky leaving no trace of a trail. His heart pounded as sweat dripped from his face as if he could feel exactly what Rin was feeling. He heard the sound of a battle and quickly dove towards it. He saw Rin back-to-back with Koga and bent over sweating as the youkai sat in front of her smiling with such evil. He dove down catching Rin off guard with his voice, "RIN!"

"Sessomaru?" she said softly as he brought his sword down slicing through the youkai threatening his women. He hollered swinging his sword making it cut through the hoard of youkai. Rin sat there breathing heavy as she watched him in action. WHAT A TURN ON! A small smile came to her face as without a problem he rid the ground of youkai. He then turned to Koga and Rin who stood there watching. Koga dusted his hands off.

"I had them before you butted in," Koga said placing his hands on his hips.

"Oh really?" Sesshomaru asked calm and coolly, "I leave Rin in your 'protection' for a minute and nearly have her killed. Rin let's go."

"Sess… Sesshomaru?" Rin asked shaking as she looked back at her new friend, "I cannot leave Koga."

"Just because you have a forgiving heart Rin, does not mean I do. I will never forget what he did to you, and so I will never forgive what he had done," Sesshomaru said his back turned to them, "and just now I almost lost you again. Only this time I would not have been able to bring you back. So please Rin let's go."

"Rin!" Kagome yelled running to the girl and hugging her. Rin hugged her but did not smile as she looked at the back of Sesshomaru's head.

"Koga?" Inuyasha growled, "What the hell were you thinking you idiot! You've caused an uproar and could have gotten her killed."

"Kagome," Koga bowed before taking Kagome's hand and kissing her, "at least it is a pleasure to see YOU. If dogface would shut the hell up a moment I would be able to explain myself."

"Why are you here Koga? Not that we aren't happy you are," Kagome said looking at him blankly. All her love was given to Inuyasha and he could tell she had none for him.

"You don't have to be so nice to him," Inuyasha said crossing his arms.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome said giving him the index finger that warmed him of a sit. He quickly shut his mouth and rolled his eyes.

"Thank you Kagome. Like I was saying… Ayame is gone. I believe she has left me," Koga said not looking in Inuyasha's direction already able to see the smirk on his face.

"Why would she stay?" Inuyasha laughed making Koga growl.

"Shut it mutt face!" Koga yelled before Kagome yelled for him to sit. Inuyasha plowed to the ground angry with his mate and future wife. Koga smiled as he placed his hands on his waist, "and if Ayame wants to be that way then two can play that game. I will take on Rin as my mate instead of her."

"Huh?" Rin's eyes nearly bulged out as Sesshomaru turned around quickly grabbing Rin and pulling her into his side.

"No, you will not," Sesshomaru said calm and coolly as Rin looked up at Sesshomaru, "and this is what you left me for?"

"I… didn't leave you," Rin said looking up into the amber eyes staring down at her, "you left me Sesshomaru."

"What?" He asked thinking back to the moment he had indeed left her. He looked down at her apologetically before looking up at the rest of them. His arm was still wrapped around Rin holding her tight to his side. His other hand went to his sword ready to defend his women, "this is my territory Koga so leave us alone."

"Sesshomaru?" Rin asked looking up at him her arms and face squished into him, "let's go…"

"Alright," he said releasing her and grabbing her hand aggressively and walking out of there. The others just watched then looked to each other.

"What about Kohaku?" Sango asked looking around worriedly. Miroku kissed the side of her head before grabbing her and pulling her to his side.

"Yeah… our territory," Miroku said to Koga making Sango's eye twitch before popping him in the head and then walking over to Kirara.

"Maybe she was taken Koga?" Kagome said shrugging.

"Obviously! He just walked away with her were you not paying attention?" Koga said clearly getting irritated.

"Keh," Inuyasha let out a snort that made Kagome glare at him, "deal with him on your own Kagome you made me sit."

"SIT!" Kagome shrieked her fist clenched at her side. Inuyasha's eyes widen before his rosary beads made him plunge for the dirt.

"I mean Ayame Koga," Kagome said glaring at Koga. He looked at her confused before catching her drift.

"Oh right… oh no!" Koga slapped his hand to his head, "all this time she has probably been waiting for me to rescue her!"

"Yeah you've been trying to court Sesshomaru's woman in the process. And you thought I use to be a two timer?" Miroku laughed before Sango dropped her Hiraikotsu on his head. He immediately cowered down as she wiped her hands together and then picked it back up. Miroku obediently followed pursuit.

"You can come with us until we find Ayame and Kohaku," Kagome said turning around. Inuyasha lifted her up and took off with Koga following right behind as well.

--

"Really?" Yuka said scratching his chin as he listened to Kohaku give the answers he so wanted to hear, "this turned out in our favor Kohaku do not feel guilty. We can finally get Lord Sesshomaru for all the things he has done to us. You know the plan… I've erased that wolf girls mind so when you find her she will believe that you saved her. She will believe anything you tell her."

"If you say so," Kohaku said sighing before changing into ragged clothing and dragging the unconscious girl into the forest.

"This will work Kohaku," the boy said nodding confirmation, "now don't let me down."

--

Rin paced uncomfortably in the meeting room as they discussed the current situation at hand. They had a serious problem. Both Ayame and Kohaku were missing, if it were easy it would be they were kidnapped together… but chances were it was two separate things. Sesshomaru sat off in the corner behind Rin as the others sat around the table.

"How do you suppose we go about this?" Sango asked laying her head on her arm. Miroku placed a hand on her back to make her feel better as her eyes got watery, "I am such a bad sister."

"Why do we even have to look for the boy?" Sesshomaru said emotionlessly making them all look at him.

"How dare you," Sango hissed standing up.

"Now darling control your hormones," Miroku said already expecting the slap to his face.

"I am not that far along you idiot!" She yelled cowering over him. He cowered down closing his eyes at the scary woman he called his wife.

"You're further then you think you are," Sesshomaru said with his arms still crossed making everyone look back at him with confusion. Sango's cheeks went red.

"He… knows?" Sango asked looking to Miroku, "why would you tell him!"

"He didn't tell me anything. I am surprised Inuyasha didn't sense the change," Sesshomaru said in his strong deep voice.

"Keh! I noticed she is pregnant," Inuyasha said crossing his arms and sticking his nose in the air. Sesshomaru just smirked.

"Sango?! Inuyasha you didn't tell me?!" Kagome said glaring at him. Inuyasha's ears went down as he slid into his seat. Sango was so red that she took off running. Kagome sighed before running off after her with the others. Rin with curiosity wanted to run after them too but Sesshomaru stopped her. She looked up at him as he grabbed her shoulders and looked her dead in the eyes.

"Sesshomaru what are you doing?" she asked looking deep into his beautiful golden eyes. He sighed before taking her hand and guiding her into a room where cozy white furniture decorated the room.

"Rin what were you thinking out there?" Sesshomaru asked standing with her in the middle of the room. She looked up at him and shrugged, "you could have been seriously hurt… or worst, Rin, and you could have been killed. I wouldn't have been able to bring you back. Rin…"

"Sesshomaru… why do you look so sad?" Rin asked placing a hand on his face as he trembled. His eyes almost seemed… watery? No it must have been the trickery of the light.

"Have you not been listening Rin?" Sesshomaru asked coldly as his grip on her arms grew tighter.

"Sesshomaru I was doing alright. I killed quite a few of those youkai," Rin said looking up at him worried at the coldness and helplessness in his voice.

"They were weak youkai Rin you were lucky and for that I am grateful that Koga was there. But Rin… if it were a powerful youkai you wouldn't have been able to do so," Sesshomaru said looking at her with seriousness, "Rin if I hadn't heard you call me…"

"I've fought large demons before Sesshomaru!" Rin said defending herself not realizing what was going on in his mind.

"Those were weird coincidences. Some sort of magic unknown protecting you Rin, not you alone," Sesshomaru said touching her face as if it would be his last touch. She looked up at him before he closed his eyes and turned around, "I need to think a moment leave."

"Yes Sesshomaru," she said swallowing before quickly trying to get to the door. He turned around to watch her leave.

"Rin return in an half an hour," Sesshomaru said looking at her with sadness in his eyes. Rin nodded before taking off to find the others. They had all separated figuring things out. Sango REFUSED to go home, and Miroku refused to face her wrath in asking her to go home. Rin sat on her bed with her knees curled to her chest. She played with her kimono as she waited for someone to come and get her. No one came and she was tired of waiting so she decided to leave. Rin turned a corner to see Sesshomaru and that girl Hachia the one he was originally betrothed too. Rin watched them from around the corner as they talked. She nodded before touching his shoulder and kissing him on the cheek. He looked down before looking back at the girl with a smile. Rin's eyes watered as her hands clenched into fists, that girl was going down. Rin had had it with that home wrecker. Rin waited for Sesshomaru to disappear before walking out and puffing up her eyes all round and watery, her cheeks puffy and Rin.

"Hachia!" Rin said catching the golden haired youkai's attention. Her ears went to the back before looking backwards and turning around.

"What do YOU want?" the girl said laughing. Rin didn't find it so funny as she walked over to her.

"Now I have always been a very sweet person, but if you keep this up… I am going to kick your pretty butt is that clear enough?" Rin said all puffed up like a blowfish ready to defend her territory.

"Excuse me?" the girl asked now lowering her eyebrows. Shippo walked down the hall with Miroku trying to hide from the anger and rage of a pregnant Sango. They saw a Rin they had never seen before.

"You think you are such a catch don't you? With your golden hair and long legs, you smile like such a lady innocent and sweet. You might have everyone else fooled but I see who you are. You are just a home wrecker; I know what you are trying to do. You think your going to ruin what Sesshomaru and I have. But you are not. And if I have to I will teach you a listen if you mess with my Sesshomaru, you don't stand a chance against me," Rin said showing off more then she had.

"Heh I could squish you," Hachia said with such a convincing smile that even Miroku and Shippo swallowed nervously.

"HA! You're a real go-getter aren't you? I am not scared of you. So before you try another move you and I need to get a few things straight. There is now two ways we can do this… how about I let you decide. You can take it somewhere else or we can take it outside," Rin said placing her hands on her hips. Shippo placed a hand on his mouth. Hachia just smirked before flipping her golden hair around, "that's right!"

"Pathetic useless irritating human. Not even worth lord Sesshomaru's appearance," Hachia said smirking before she felt two pair of hands deep in her long golden hair dragging her into the floor. She flailed around scratching everywhere. Koga was walking down the hall when he spotted Shippo and Miroku watching something around the corner.

"What are you creeps looking at?" Koga asked stopping.

"Cat fight!" Miroku said excitedly as he watched the girls roll around trying to gouge each other's eyes out.

"RIN!" Koga yelled running to his newest friends rescue. He pulled Rin off of Hachia as Rin flailed her arms around her dark black hair all over her face.

"I'll kill that stupid demon!" Rin said still kicking and screaming, "OUCH!"

"What?" Koga asked before dropping her hearing a thud, "oops!"

"My back," Rin said crawling onto her knees. Koga then remembered the marks on her back and quickly helped her up. Here I will get you help.

'I wonder if Ayame is alright,' Koga thought as he helped the girl walk to find someone who could help her wounds. He didn't want to look at them because she'd have to take off the top half of her garments. While looking they ran into Sesshomaru who was standing beside a golden haired Hachia. Clump's of hair was missing and Hachia had a black eye, which made Rin smile.

"Rin?" Sesshomaru asked trying to get a little distance between him and Hachia.

"Yes lord Sesshomaru," Rin said stepping forward away from Koga. Koga stood behind her hoping to get a word in.

"I've been looking for you. We need to talk," he said and before Rin could say anything he interrupted, "it isn't safe here for you anymore. You should head back to your village."

"What?" Rin asked her eyes widening in sadness. Sesshomaru did not change his expression at all, Rin looked back at a astound Koga.

"We need a moment alone," Sesshomaru said dismissing them. Koga hesitantly left and Hachia made sure to smile agonizingly at Rin, "Rin I am doing this for your safety."

"That's always been your excuse to get rid of me Sesshomaru," Rin said looking up at him watery eyed.

"This mission is dangerous and you are too reckless as much as I hate to admit it. I will find you when the world is in a better place. But Rin a part of you will always live inside of me, deep inside of my heart. The days keep coming without fail and so does danger," Sesshomaru looked down at her expressionlessly, "A new wind will find you, which are where your journey starts Rin… not with a youkai. Out in this world promise me you will be brave; you should go and see the valley and the peaks so that I may see you on the top Rin. Rin just don't forget met. Remember me when you're out walking. Remember me when snow falls outside your family's door. Remember me late at night when your not sleeping, and moonlight falls across your floor. You will find better love, strong as it ever was, deep as the river runs, warm as the morning sun… but don't forget me Rin. This way I can't hurt you anymore…"

"Enough," Rin said placing a hand in the air, "if you are going to make me leave… please don't give me a reason to want to stay. I'll leave… but let me leave with some dignity. I hate you for this. I hate you and never want to see you again!!!"

"Rin?" he said as she ran off in tears throwing the doors open. Sesshomaru closed his eyes trying to control himself, "…Rin."

"Sesshomaru?" Sango asked closing a door, "are you alright?"

"I let her go," Sesshomaru said softly, "which is the way it should be."

"You never held her prisoner Sesshomaru. She loves you," Sango said looking at him curiously, "so… where did she go? Is she in her room?"

"No," Sesshomaru said looking at the open doors sending in the chilly breeze of the night.

"Then where is she?" Sango asked scratching her head. She then looked out the door in the dirction he was looking, "you didn't…"

"I forbid any of you to go and bring her back," Sesshomaru said before turning and walking away slowly.

"How can you be so cold!" Sango yelled clenching her fist, "you idiot! The only chance at a real love and you throw her away like a piece of trash! You selfish stupid youkai! Kirara!"

"Mew," Kirara pounced out of a room.

"Go to Rin… take her where ever she wishes to go and keep her safe," Sango said sending Kirara off to find Rin.

--

Kirara dove from the sky crashing into the earth in front of a crying Rin. Kirara nuzzled the girl a moment but Rin just patted her and then kept walking. Kirara walked beside of her waiting for her to climb on. Rin told her to take her home… back to her old village. For the rest of the night they traveled for what felt like ages. Rin was slowly falling asleep on Kirara's back. Kirara mewed to wake her up before she went down to the village. Her village sat in tact as wonderful as ever. She bid goodbye to Kirara before walking into her old hut to cry the night away.

"I don't love him anymore… I don't love him anymore I hate him… I never want to see him again," Rin cried into her pillow until she fell asleep, "father Jaken… I miss you!"

-A week later-

"You look miserable," Inuyasha said throwing a grape in his mouth. Sesshomaru just glared at him.

"Well I am not," Sesshomaru said hoping the others would soon come in so he wouldn't have to deal with the awkward tension between him and his half brother.

"If your so miserable why don't you go and get her?" Inuyasha asked leaning back into his chair. Sesshomaru just looked to him with a blank face.

"No I won't," Sesshomaru said before looking away to the window.

"So then you are miserable," Inuyasha smirked making Sesshomaru look at him and lower his eyebrows in warning.

"No I'm not," Sesshomaru said in irritation, "now stop bothering this Sesshomaru I am thinking."

"About Rin and how you want to go and get her?" Inuyasha asked still teasing and enjoying every minute of making his brother squirm.

"Shut up hanyou!" Sesshomaru said losing his cool, "I've heard enough! She is better off and safer without us!"

"You keep telling yourself that. I remember being in that stage," Inuyasha said thinking back to Kagome and him before they were mates.

"I am not you. I realized I don't love Rin," he said looking away lying to himself, 'I can't love Rin.'

"Don't you wonder if you're wrong Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha asked with curiousness stretching through his smooth voice.

"I'm never wrong," Sesshomaru said before softly saying, "just sometimes misdirected."

"Keh, what ever you say," Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"We are going to take a break before going on with our journey. We could use healing time," Sesshomaru said getting up and frustrated to no extent left the dinning hall, 'she's not coming back…'

-Rin that same day-

Rin dragged the bucket of water across the floor and left it for the old woman and man. She then grabbed her bag and ran off. She had begun working for a little old couple to get some money for food. Rin took her money to a cart and bought some eggplants as winter was coming and they were limited to resources. She grabbed a thing of bread on the way and took it home. Her friends came by but she was not up for the company. It had been a week and already she was heart broken out of her mind. She sighed as she sat by a creek hugging her knees looking at the floor. She wondered where they had gone to, she had thought about going back but knew she would be shunned.

"Rin?" A voice came catching her off guard. She looked behind her and saw a familiar boy. It was Kayko. She looked shocked as she stood up and looked him over.

"I thought you were lost, I was nearly lost," Rin said touching his once again normal skin. He smiled and laughed before pulling her into his arms.

"Fate has brought us together. We should have died and here we are together in the same spot. It is meant to be," he said holding her tight. She closed her eyes as a tear slid down. If this was fate why was she so torn apart? "jineji healed me. He works miracles I tell you."

"That is good to hear," she said feeling the pain inside of her, 'maybe if I apologize and go back… no he would never listen. He doesn't love me.'

"Shall we go back?" he asked taking her hand and guiding her back. Rin sighed before following obediently.

"Perhaps… I should move on and be somebody. Our romance has already gone down to his foolish pride," she said as she felt something she hadn't felt before.

---

Sesshomaru paced in his room reliving every word they spoke. He punched the wall and sliced through curtains in anger. It would just be so simple to go and get her, but instead he sat letting his emotions take charge. He wrestled with the emotions defeating him, realizing he lost her his best friend. Sesshomaru threw the bed over before he heard a knock. He ran to the door hoping it was her but instead saw Jaken.

"I have to go and see her please I never got to say goodbye," Jaken said frantically. Sesshomaru nodded as Jaken looked around the destroyed feather covered the room. Jaken thanked him before running to find his mount. Koga said he would go with him for extra protection. Koga ran fast with Jaken on his back. It would take a while before they reached the village but still they went as fast as possible.

Miroku found Sesshomaru in the garden. After two and a half weeks without Rin Sesshomaru was even worst then before! Miroku was going to leave but realized it was best for him to say something. They were slowly breaking apart because of this. Kagome had left for her time, Inuyasha went to go and check on her, Rin was gone and now it was just the three of them.

"Sesshomaru," Miroku said sitting down knowing he had Sesshomaru's attention, "don't you realize your love is just another love lost to pride. The stubborn souls are the losers here on this earth, and while the bridges burn your only going to hurt the both of you and us more. Don't let this love go down to foolish pride… don't let it win."

"Leave me alone monk," Sesshomaru said before yelling, "she could have came back but she didn't!"

"Did you tell her she could?" Mirokua asked before leaving Sesshomaru with his painful thoughts. He sighed before lying down on a bench.

"Rin?" he asked hearing her voice in his head as if she were frantically calling for him. He squeezed his eyes close hard in pain.

---

Kagome sat reading a book on her bed as she kicked her feet up and down. She whistled realizing how addicted to the book she was. She flipped another page nearing the end. What a tragic romance it was. She was so excited to find out how the demon prince and human girl who had been really something magical would end up together after all of there problems. Her eyes burrowed at something the book said.

"He's never accepted me because of the human in me. It was as if he could see through everything except my heart…" Kagome read out loud no longer kicking her legs. Her mouth dropped when she read, "I began to think about how we had gotten here. To the moment where I faced him the full demon that I still loved and I killed him. How could he ever tell me to leave? How could he ever tell me that it was best this way? To go back to my old village… I hated him. I loved him and then I hated him, I nearly died because of it. My new wound mixed with my old ones… it was his entire fault. How he could tell me by sending me away he couldn't hurt me anymore. Why? Why did it come to this? Now forced to live this way forever…"

"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked sitting in her window seal.

"We have to go somewhere," Kagome said reading the name of the authoress.

----

Jaken watched the flames lick the sky with intense heat. Koga quickened his pace. Jaken hung on for dear life worried for his daughter. Finally they were nearing a clearing. Everything was catching on fire and falling into charcoaled rubble. They walked into the village that Kirara had dropped Rin off. Jaken jumped off looking at the dead people and huts on fire.

"RIN!" Jaken screamed running through the burning village. Things began to fall into rubble as Koga frantically ran through huts looking for her body.

"Rin?!" Koga yelled as he watched Jaken run to a house that was completely in flames. There was no way in… it was there old hut. Jaken cried out falling to the floor looking through the window at Rin who was lying on the ground with something lying on top of her unconscious. A gust of wind and white went by and quickly broke down the door running into the building.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Jaken said excitedly. Koga stopped searching and ran to the building.

"Rin?" Sesshomaru asked looking at Rin laying there the necklace clasped in her hand. She looked dead but he didn't care he tossed the large log off of her before lifting her into his arms and running out before it collapsed. He walked out of the burning city past Jaken and Koga who stared in amazement. Sesshomaru's heart was pounding with intensity. Once away from the flames he sat down cradling her in his arms. His hand guided over her hair gently stroking her hair.

Authors note: Thank you to TheMysteriousAuthoress for the idea of the demon who heals. Instead of rewriting it I used him as an excuse for Kayko's "wonderful" (mysterious) excuse for being alive. Hmmmm I wonder what will happen. Sorry for the clffy but at 2:33 AM you can't seem to make a chapter any longer. Thank you all for being so supportive! Another chapter is already being worked on!