A/N: Thank you Breeb173 for the review. I am glad you are enjoying the story and hope you will continue to as we go. Thank you to the favs and follows and anyone who is just enjoying reading this story.
Full steam ahead, enjoy!
Skipping happily out of the garden Rin had waited for Sesshomaru while working and visiting with Kagome and Shippo. When he didn't arrive she chalked it up to him being busy with some task.
Waving to Kagome with a small satchel of assorted nuts she had given her Rin couldn't be happier. Their lives had improved so much since Sesshomaru and Kagome had begun to speak to one another.
Smiling to herself she knew they liked one another but sighed soon after knowing they could never be together. Gasping and giggling into her hand as the thought of a secret love affair came to her mind she walked directly in to some one in her distraction.
"Oh!" She startled dropping her bag.
"Clumsy oaf!" Sango shouted raising her hand as she turned on her heel hitting Rin square in the face. Falling to the ground the neko immediately bowed down with her forehead to the ground.
"Forgive me Lady Sango." She begged as she shuddered.
"Watch where you're going filthy half-breed!" Glaring at the other she saw the bag close by her. "What is this?" Picking it up she emptied the contents onto the ground. "You stole these."
"No my lady. Never." Shaking her head quickly she felt her tears sting her eyes. "They were given to me."
"By whom?" Sango questioned. When she received no answer she knelt down beside Rin twisting her ears painfully until she cried out. "Who!?"
Still remaining silent she decided to take matters into her own hand.
Sesshomaru arrived late to retrieve Rin from the garden but it couldn't be helped.
With a particularly heavier work load than usual he had lost track of time, submerged in his own thoughts.
Glancing inside he saw that Kagome sat with Shippo alone.
"Lady Kagome." He greeted from the gate. Glancing up her face erupted into a smile.
"Sesshomaru." Standing and walking towards him she waved. "I didn't think I would see you today. Rin has already gone home."
"I see. Then I will not keep you my lady." He said bowing to her.
"Do you really have to go so quickly?" Kagome asked her voice sounding hopeful.
"And what if someone were to see the two of us alone together?" He mused.
"We aren't alone. Shippo's with us." She motioned towards where the fox kit sat watching them.
"Then I suppose we are all set." He acquiesced. Nodding Kagome seemed happy with his answer.
"How was your day? Very busy?"
"Yes, it generally is. Quite monotonous but it makes the time go by quickly." Sesshomaru replied. "And you? How do you spend your days?"
"Bored." She huffed out crossing her arms over her chest. "Tutoring, etiquette, learning how to be a good wife one day…really the highlight of my day is meeting up with both you and Rin."
"Rin looks forward to this time of day as well. As do I." Sesshomaru said. Looking to him Kagome locked her gaze onto his. Oh, how she could get lost in his smoldering orbs.
Watching as he furrowed his brow and turned his head towards the main compound area he seemed to tense.
"Sesshomaru?" Kagome wondered.
"Stay here."
"What's wrong?" Gripping her kimono she watched as he went off. Shippo jumped to her shoulder and sniffed the air.
"I can smell blood." Shuddering against her Kagome felt her feet moving on their own. Coming to the crowd Kagome saw Sesshomaru fighting through it knocking people aside.
"Step aside." Kagome commanded. As the demons saw who she was they quickly moved out of her way making space and bowing.
"Stop this!" Sesshomaru snarled. "I will do whatever you ask of me. Cease hitting Rin!"
Kagome gasped as she saw Sango sneering at Sesshomaru on the ground. He laid on top of Rin covering her as she was tied to a wooden block by her wrists. Stripped nude the little females back was bloodied and raw.
"Sango! Stop!" Kagome screamed. Standing between her and Sesshomaru protecting Rin she put her hands out to her sides protectively. Whimpering Shippo hid in her hair behind her back.
"That half-breed is a thief! She stole from the main house!" Sango asserted loudly.
"No, she did not. Rin doesn't go in to the main house."
"Then how did she get a bag that came from the kitchen?"
"I gave it to her!"
"You gave a demon food?"
"Yes I did. Is there a problem with that?" Kagome challenged.
"No Lady Kagome, I suppose not. My mistake." Lowering the whip she snapped it onto the ground and turned on her heel.
Shaking with rage Kagome turned around to kneel on the ground as Sesshomaru gathered Rin to him. Crying out she sniffled with her small nose and ears twitching in pain.
"Sesshomaru…"
"Go home." He said standing with Rin.
"I can help…"
"This is not your world out here. This is not your concern." Moving to leave Kagome stood up.
"You told me that you have to listen to whatever it is a human tells you." Chasing after him it was hard to keep up with his long strides. "I am telling you to let me help her!"
"There are capable demon healers among us who will do fine." Approaching their hut he kicked open the door laying Rin down on her pallet on her stomach.
"This is my fault. If I hadn't given her those stupid nuts then this would never have happened." Crying liberally she took a cloth and dipped it into the water bucket. Wringing it out she knelt down beside Rin wiping the sweat and grime from her brow.
"My lady, you have done nothing wrong." Sighing out he watched Kagome weep over Rin as she stroked her hair from her face before tying it back with her own tie that bound her hair. "I will return shortly."
"Okay." Kagome nodded dipping the cloth into the bucket deciding to take on the task of cleaning her wounds.
"Rin?" Shippo jumped down from Kagome and stared at his friend.
"I am…okay." She managed out. "An-Un."
"They're asleep Rin." Shippo said looking over at the dragons who were nestled in her blanket at her feet.
"Please, I…hold them…" She whined with tears falling down her cheeks. Kagome stood picking up the small dragons placing them under Rins arm.
"Here are your babies, sweet girl." Kagome soothed.
"Mhmm." Smiling she settled somewhat.
"Rin, I'm going to wipe your back. I'll be as gentle as I can be." Pausing she took a breath. "I am sorry." Dabbing at the uppermost lashing that adorned the middle of her shoulder blades Rin whimpered biting her lip.
As she worked her way to the middle of her back she heard others enter the hut. Glancing over her shoulder she saw a wolf demon female.
Bowing respectfully she moved to Rins side.
"Excellent work Lady Kagome." The other said. "I am Ayame. Pleased to officially make your acquaintance."
"And yours Ayame." Handing her the cloth she watched as she worked quickly. Under Ayames skilled hand Rin was soon clean and her wounds were disinfected.
Standing outside of the hut with Koga Sesshomaru knew what the other was thinking. Grateful he knew better when to keep his mouth shut he waited.
Clenching his fist he looked down to his claws. Even without his demonic energy he could kill Sango for what she did to Rin. It was one thing to hate her for using him but now…
"Sesshomaru, hey! Where you goin'?" Koga called after him as he walked off towards the main part of the compound. "This can't be good."
"What is going on?" Kagome asked as she came out of the hut.
"My lady, uh…Sesshomaru he, went off." Koga stammered while bowing.
"Where?"
"The direction of the main compound."
"Oh no." Running after him Kagome searched for him only seeing him disappear into the keep. "Sesshomaru." Clutching her kimono up she ran pushing the door open and nearly slipped on the slab stone steps as she raced down them.
Flinging open the door she found herself suddenly pinned to the wall with a hand around her neck. Gripping the wrist she choked with her eyes going wide.
In an instant he realized his folly and quickly released her. "Lady Kagome. You shouldn't be here."
"Sesshomaru, neither should you. Whatever it is you're thinking of doing, don't." Kagome pleaded with a hand to her throat. "Please, Rin needs you and I couldn't bear it if I had to watch you be tortured or killed."
"It was one thing for her to use me for her twisted pleasure but it is entirely another for her to beat Rin." He ground out.
"Sango is not worth it. She is nothing but a mean, hateful creature." Moving closer to him she took his hands in hers smiling at him as her eyes welled with tears. "You are so much better than her Sesshomaru. You are a protector."
"A…protector." He repeated.
"Yes." She nodded her head. "Do you know how many people depend on you?"
Staring into her fluctuating blue depths he felt his hands slide up her arms to wrap around her back and pull her closer to him. Slipping her own arms around him she rested her head against his chest.
Hearing his heart beat wildly in his chest she knew her own was hammering just as hard.