After a month of waiting, A new chapter is up! Thanks for reading.

Chapter 21

Kikyo hushed Hakudoshi as his father raged. It hadn't worked. After years of planning the jewel hadn't granted Naraku's wish. Kikyo made sure to stay out of his way as much as she could. Naraku's wrath was not something to take lightly.

"Why did it not work? Did your sister seal the power somehow?" Naraku seethed.

"Even if she had you would have noticed when you were spying on her." Kikyo said.

Naraku threw the jewel against the wall and cursed. The jewel bounced off and rolled to Hakudoshi's feet. The young boy picked it up and inspected the small artifact.

"It's not intact Father." Hakudoshi said quietly.

"What are you talking about boy?" Naraku asked annoyed.

Hakudoshi rotated the jewel until the side with the missing shard faced his father. Naraku held it up closely. He rubbed his fingers against the crack gently and smiled.

"It would seem that Sesshoumaru's ward was able to do something slightly useful before her demise. How unfortunate for her that her big plan only served as a temporary hindrance."

"What are you planning to do now?"

Naraku smirked. "I'm going to retrieve a body and reclaim my wish."

Kagome tucked Shippo under the covers. He didn't want to sleep in his own bed that night.

"I know today has been just terrible Shippo, but try to get some rest sweetheart." Kagome coaxed.

"It doesn't make any sense. How can Rin be gone?" Shippo cried in Kagome's shoulder.

Kagome stroked the young kit's hair and comforted him. She couldn't believe it herself, but she couldn't keep crying in front of Shippo. She had to be strong. She didn't answer his question, but lifted him on her lap. She rocked him gently, singing softly until his sniffles gave way to soft snores. Kagome slipped him back under the covers, and snuck out the door.

Against her better judgment, she rapped lightly on Sesshoumaru's door. A muffled sound told her to come in. The room was dimly lit, but the moon illuminated Sesshoumaru perfectly. Neither spoke as Kagome walked beside the sitting prince. She took in his form tentatively. He was clothed in a simple white yukata, draped sloppily around him. His skin was paler than normal and his amber eyes were hollow. His silver hair was no longer neatly in place, but splayed wildly around him. The closer Kagome was, the tenser Sesshoumaru became. However his eyes never met the demoness.

"Sesshoumaru, please look at me. Tell me what I can do." Kagome said softly.

Sesshoumaru refused to answer or even acknowledge her. Kagome touched his cheek tenderly.

"Talk to me." Kagome urged.

Sesshoumaru jerked his face away from Kagome and growled. "Get away from me! There's nothing you can do!"

Kagome took a step back hurt. Sesshoumaru lowered his tone.

"There's nothing anyone can do." Sesshoumaru grit his teeth and Kagome could see him shaking slightly.

His hair shaded his eyes, but the hurt was undeniable.

"I'll leave in the morning with Father if that will lessen the hurt. I don't want to bring anyone anymore suffering."

Sesshoumaru nodded, regaining a little more composure. "Naraku no doubt believes that you're dead. You won't be able to walk freely or reclaim your title as princess."

"I don't care about the title. He won't be spying on me now, but I know now I can't underestimate him again. If I don't finish him off, it could be my last chance."

Sesshoumaru looked Kagome in the eye. "And what of your sister? What will you do to her?"

Kagome fell silent. Sesshoumaru glared.

"She is just as responsible for Rin's death as Naraku!"

"I know. I know she's done wrong, but she's still my sister."

"Forget it. You don't have the capability to finish what you started. I will take them both down."

Kagome's face hardened. "I can't let you kill Kikyo. I won't let you."

Sesshoumaru spoke roughly, heading to his bed. "You've failed once already so the choice is not yours to make. Now leave."

Kagome sighed. He'd at least spoken to her. She decided not to press him anymore. Sesshoumaru shifted in his bed. Tomorrow he would have to make the funeral arrangements. Rin's room would be cleared out. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed.

'Naraku will beg for death once I'm finished with him. He will pay for what he did to Rin.'

That lone thought was enough comfort to help the dog demon drift off to sleep.

"Prince Sesshoumaru! Are you awake?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes cracked open at the melodic voice calling to him. Staring down at him was a young girl. She watched him curiously. Sesshoumaru shot up.

"Who are you?"

The young girl scratched her head in confusion. "I'm Rin. Did you truly forget about me, Prince Sesshoumaru? Only a week has passed."

Sesshoumaru sniffed the girl. Her voice sounded like Rin. Her scent was eerily close to Rin's, but still different. Was it guilt that caused him to see this specter?

"Such a strange hallucination," murmured Sesshoumaru. "Leave me child."

He heard the girl run away, but didn't catch what she was saying. What he did catch were the screams that followed her departure. Kagome and Shippo ran in simultaneously.

"She's alive! Sesshoumaru, she's alive!"

They pulled Sesshoumaru from the bed and into Rin's room. She looked innocent and fresh faced, speaking to Kaede as if nothing happened. Rin turned to Sesshoumaru. He ran over to Rin and held her.

"Are you alright, Prince Sesshoumaru?" Rin asked innocuously.

"Yes. Are you alright, Rin?" Sesshoumaru asked quietly.

Rin smiled. "I will be when you wake up."

Sesshoumaru pulled away. "What?"

"I said wake up."

Sesshoumaru bolted from his bed. It was not morning as he'd thought. There were no screams of joy, only some sick dream. Unable to fall back asleep, Sesshoumaru made his way to a familiar room. Rin's bed was empty. Sesshoumaru assumed his father moved the body. He sat at the foot of the bed.

"I was foolish. I should have protected you." Sesshoumaru said.

"Prince Sesshoumaru? Is that you?"

The voice came was Rin's bathroom. The light was on. Sesshoumaru crept open the door. Rin's face lit up and she ran toward her father figure. She hugged his leg. Sesshoumaru stood paralyzed. He bent down to the girl's level and scrutinized this Rin. He refused to get his hopes up. This Rin was definitely different. She observed him with a serene expression, two black dog ears twitching in glee. Strangely the girl smelled a little like Kagome as well.

"Who are you? Why are you in Rin's room?"

Rin touched Sesshoumaru's forehead lightly. "Are you sick, Prince Sesshoumaru? It's me."

Sesshoumaru scowled. "You're a half demon! Why are you here? Answer me and I may spare you."

"Half demon? What?"

The girl made no move to answer the prince, but ran to the nearest mirror. She screamed.

"My ears are furry! I have dog ears!"

Her reaction would have been comical if the situation had been different. Kagome's sensitive ears picked up on the shouting. She ran in and halted when she saw Rin. She rushed to Rin's side past Sesshoumaru.

"Rin? Is that really you?"

Rin hugged Kagome's neck. "Kagome! You're alright. I was so afraid you were hurt."

The young princess peered at the girl, stroking her hair. "How is this possible?"

Kagome breathed in Rin's scent. "You're-you're a half demon and you smell kinda like me."

Rin lifted her arms and sniffed herself and then Kagome. "You smell really nice like cherries and Prince Sesshoumaru smells good too, like the forest. Ever since I woke up I can smell, hear and even see things better."

Sesshoumaru motioned for Kagome to step aside and knelt eye to eye with Rin. Rin's bubbly personal turned timid.

"Is this real?"

Kagome touched Sesshoumaru's shoulder. "It's true Sesshoumaru. I don't know how, but she's here. She's alive and well."

Without a word, Sesshoumaru pulled Rin in an embrace. His grip was firm but still held tenderness to it. Rin was speechless. She returned the hug the best she could. She wrapped her arms around his broad frame. For a moment Rin felt him shake and something wet landed on her forehead. Confused she tried to look up, but Sesshoumaru tightened his grip and wouldn't allow her to look at him. Kagome smiled. They'd been given a second chance, a miracle. Sesshoumaru picked up the girl and placed her on her bed.

"Prince Sesshoumaru, why did I change?" Rin asked.

Kagome stepped up. "I think I did that."

Rin and Sesshoumaru looked at her to explain. "When you drank my blood in the forest, I thought it would simply heal you. However I think it transformed you into a half demon. At least that would explain why you smell like me." Kagome had a look of guilt.

Rin absorbed the information and smiled. "It's ok Kagome. Now that I'm a demon too, I'm stronger. You won't have to protect me so much now."

Kagome gazed at her affectionately. She sounded so much like a younger version of her, wanting to be no one's burden.

"I didn't put you in any pain, did I Rin?" Kagome inquired.

Rin shook her head. "No, I feel really good now. I'm happier now!"

Sesshoumaru's eyebrow quirked up. "Why are you happier?"

Rin averted her eyes and looked at her feet. "Well now I'll live longer like you and Grandpa. Now you won't forget about me when I die. Plus I look more like you now; it almost looks like I could be your daughter."

Rin's voice had fallen to a whisper. A small blush of embarrassment rose to her cheeks and she was playing with her hair nervously. Sesshoumaru lifted her chin until she was looking at him.

"Rin, don't ever say such foolish things like that again." Sesshoumaru chastised.

Rin lowered her eyes disappointed. Sesshoumaru gave a slight smile and continued.

"You've always been my daughter. Never forget that."

Rin's appearance went from dejection to one of bliss. She clung to Sesshoumaru's side, burying her face into his chest.

"Can I even call my daddy?"

Sesshoumaru nodded. "If you wish."

Rin giggled at the thought. Kagome gave a sigh of relief. A huge burden had been lifted. Rin turned to Kagome.

"Oh yeah! I have something to give you, Kagome!"

Rin hopped off the bed and picked something up from the dresser. She placed a sliver of pink in Kagome's hand.

"What is this Rin?" Kagome asked.

"It was a part of that pink ball that Naraku tried to take. It broke off."

Realization dawned on Kagome's face. "You broke a part of the jewel?"

Kagome broke out in a smile. "Rin, you're so smart! You've stopped Naraku's plan!"

Rin beamed. Sesshoumaru frowned. " Kagome, we were lucky this time, but don't you ever involve Rin in your battles. End this conversation."

Rin spoke up. "But I helped and now that I'm stronger we can defeat Naraku."

Sesshoumaru growled. "You will NEVER run off and do something that reckless ever again! If you even think of doing that, I guarantee you that you will never leave the castle grounds."

Rin's ears flattened, but she listened.

Kagome tried to dissipate Sesshoumaru's worries and tension. "He's right, Rin. Thank you for helping me, but this isn't your fight. You should focus on just being a happy little girl. I should have explained that to you better. Then you wouldn't have been put in harm's way. So for now on, just trust us ok?"

Rin nodded, feeling a little better. Kagome smiled and inspected the shard again. Sesshoumaru tucked his daughter in her bed and the two demons let themselves out.

"I'm sure by now Naraku knows that the jewel is broken so wake your father. We'll need to come up with a contingency plan." Sesshoumaru said once they were out of earshot.

"Right now?" Kagome asked.

"Now's the best time, besides everyone would like to know about Rin."

Kagome agreed. Time was ticking before Naraku would hit them again, but they would strike first. This moment would not go by wasted.

Another chapter done. Please review and I'll keep going! Thanks.