In the Southern lands, a lord lived in his palace. This said lord was evil-incarnate. He was ruthless to his enemies, but kind to his subjects, who are oblivious of his true nature. Unless, of course, one got on his bad side, which wasn't recommanded because you would be six-feet under. He doesn't hate them, per se, but he believed that they are nothing. He saw humans as slaves nothing more; nothing less. Unlike Sesshomaru, who hated humans, but yet had to tolerate them, unless one was Rin or Kagome.

This said lord hated Sesshomaru with a passion. He coveted everything that Sesshomaru had. No. Not everything. Just one thing or should one say, person. Yes, he wanted this person so much that it hurt so badly.

He was in his study's balcony looking in the direction of West; Northwest. He was comtemplating on his plans to take the Western lands. No. Not just the West, but all lands. He decided to take the West, first.

"Soon...all my plans will be put into action. The first plan was to kill the strongest hanyou of all time, Inuyasha, and then take the famed sword, Tetsusaiga. That was only the beginning. Sesshomaru will pay for everything that he done to us. Yes, soon, we shall take vengence, right father?"

"Yes, my son, we will take vengence on him. First, we need to find your mother, whom I believe that she's in the West, living with her family. I hadn't yet locate her," said his father.

"Hmm...I guess until we find her. We won't put my plans into action, than I expected. Oh well, the Kami knows that I am patient. I could wait a thousand years if I had to. Hopefully, not that long, though, but soon. I can't wait to put Sesshomaru in his place. He will wish that he wasn't born into this world," said the foe. They both laughed their evil laugh.

Meanwhile at the Western Palace, Rin was suddenly awaken from a terrible nightmare. She instantly ran to Sesshomaru's room. He and Kagome was still sleeping after they made love early that morning. It was Kagome, who heard the sniffing of Rin. She sat up as Sesshomaru was still asleep. She woke up Sesshomaru. He turned over to face her, then he saw his young ward. Rin had tears streaming down her warm, red cheeks.

"Rin, why are you up? It's not time for you to be up," he said.

"Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagome...she hesitated a little...Rin had a nightmare."

"Oh, Rin, come here," said Kagome.

Rin threw herself in Kagome's lap and let the tears out as Kagome rubbed her back to comfort her. Sesshomaru looked at Kagome and Rin. He knew that Rin had nightmares before. He had always said something to an effect; 'It's over now. Go back to sleep.' Afterwards, Rin had always went back to sleep, although, there was only one time that she asked to sleep by his person. She, then, instantly went to sleep. The way that Kagome was comforting her was strange to him. Apparently, his father and/or his mother had never comfort him, when he was young. It was so long ago, that he barely remembered anything of his childhood. They might had comfort him that way. He just can't remember. He doesn't remember having any nightmares. He may had, but he just can't remember. Even if would had save his life, he wouldn't remember a thing.

"Rin wants to see, Lady Inuki," cried Rin.

"But, Lady Inuki maybe a sleep, Rin," Kagome said calmly.

"Rin knows, but...Rin probably won't be able to go back to sleep if Rin don't."

Sesshomaru said, "She's right, Kagome. It would comfort her seeing my sister. She wants to see for herself that she's alright. I'll take her. You should go back to sleep."

"No, Sesshomaru, I am concern, too. Please, I want to make sure that Rin will be okay. Besides I want to tucked her back to bed."

He sighed. "Very well, come on."

The couple stood up and their night haori on. They made their way to Inuhime's room, first, but she wasn't there. It was so odd that she wasn't in her room at this hour, which was now 3:00 a.m. in the morning. Then they went to Sesshomaru's study to see if she was there. Rin was getting scare because it seemed like her nightmare was becoming to reality. Sesshomaru sensed her fright.

"Rin, it will be alright. She was probably working on paperwork. She may had been behind because of the planning of the annual ball. Don't worry, Rin. Lady Inuki could take care of herself. She's like me. She's a survivor."

Rin nodded, but still she couldn't help, but be worried. Sesshomaru sighed.

They were at the study's door.

Sesshomaru said, "I'll go in first, just in case she isn't there."

They both nodded. He slid the door open; walked inside the room; then closed it. It seemed eeriely quiet. He looked around the room for Inuhime. He saw her sitting by a fireplace. He gulped, yes, he was a little afraid, only a little. He saw her with her eyes opened. She looked like she was dead. He thought, "Think goodness that they hadn't follow me inside."

He whispered her name knowing that she could hear him. She blinked. He was relieved. She looked from behind her, when she had seen Sesshomaru standing there practically over her. She blinked once more.

"Is everything alright, brother?"

"No."

"Oh...what happened? Is Kagome alright?"

"Yes, she's fine. It's Rin."

"Oh, is she sick?"

"No...she had a nightmare. I believed it was regarding you. She barged in our room; crying histerically. Kagome calmed her down. Rin asked to see you to make sure that you're alright."

"Oh...poor girl. You can send her in."

Inuhime inwardly knew that Rin was frighten. She could smell it.

Sesshomaru went to slide to door open to let them inside. Then gracefully walked back to where he was standing. At first, they walked in slowly until Rin saw Inuhime sitting up on the chair. She ran quickly to Inuhime and put her arms tightly, around her neck. Kagome walked to her mate and stand beside him. Inuhime could feel Rin's whole body trembling with fear. She was crying again. Inuhime rubbed circles around her back until she calmed down again.

Inuhime said, "Rin, my dear niece, what has gotten you so frighten?"

Rin loosen up her arms that were around her neck, but didn't let go, to look at her aunt in the eyes; not even noticing her ill state.

Rin said as she tried not to cry again, "Rin had a terrible nightmare. It was so scary."

"Would you want to talk about it?"

Rin nodded. She said, "It was a horrible dream, aunt Inuki. It was about you."

"Really? Tell us about it."

"It really started two days ago. Rin thought Rin could handle it. As it continued, it got scarier and Rin became more afraid. Sometimes it continued from the last dream or it would start over again."

Rin hesistated a little.

"We could wait until you are ready, Rin," Kagome said.

"No. Rin needs to get this out, Lady Kagome."

Then Kagome said, "Ok, then, we'll stay to give you more support, right my anata."

"Hn."

"Now tell us about your nightmare, Rin," said the concerned aunt.

"Ok, but I really don't remember much."

"That alright, Rin. Just tell us what you do remember."

"Ok...Rin remembers that Rin was in a dark cave and then..."

Oh yeah, a cliffie *mwahahahaha*

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari