A/N: Here we are again, another lesson! Written halfway through a bottle of Crown and three quarters of the way through Apocalypse Now, this is a lesson in what it means to be in charge and be responsible. Read. Review. Enjoy. Review. Please, for the Emperor, review.

MUQFF

It was a rainy day in ancient Japan. Actually, the description "rainy" would not have covered it, even for Lord Sesshomaru, the veritable emperor of understatement with regards to danger and discomfort. It may be more appropriate to say that the downpour was absolutely torrential, an unrelenting deluge of precipitation coming down practically in sheets and soaking the ground right down to the tree roots in a matter of minutes. Worst of all, it had seemingly come from nowhere, as nasty weather often does.

Lord Sesshomaru- in spite of being just as soaked to the bone as his small human companion- didn't seem to mind as he helped prop up the central pole of their tent while Jaken and Rin drove stakes into the ground and tied ropes. The demon lord had actually added the tent to his kit especially for Rin, for while he and Jaken could quite easily withstand being soaked and frozen, Rin was mortal. If Sesshomaru knew anything of humans, it was that even the large ones were quite frail, nevermind one that hadn't even finished growing yet. If he was to take this child on, it would be his responsibility to ensure she survived, he thought.

Once they were inside the tent- a large structure for what it was, with a vent in the roof- the demon lord dug a small pit and Jaken constructed and lit within it a fire to warm their human follower. Rin sighed in relief as she felt her clothes dry, for fires lit by the Staff of Heads burned quite hot.

"Lord Sesshomaru," the child questioned, "why did you help?"

The dog demon looked at her. His expression did not betray it, but he was befuddled by her strange, confusing question. Rin, as if understanding without words, went on to explain further.

"The headman of my old village wouldn't have helped," she said. "He probably would have sat under a tree and yelled at everyone else to do it for him."

Sesshomaru remained quiet a moment before he answered. "Then he was not much of a headman."

Rin cocked her head, now as puzzled with her lord as he had been with her but moments before. Sesshomaru- needing no verbal questioning, just like Rin- went on to explain.

"A leader," he said, "does not simply direct others without aiding them. Were the headman of your village a true leader, he would aid his subordinates in such a task. Leaders do not simply give orders, Rin. One who leads a set of people in a task- human or demon- surely must aid in such a task. I would not ask a soldier to follow an officer into battle if the officer would not fight. Why should I ask my own followers to set a tent in harsh weather while I do nothing? It is improper for a leader to abandon his followers. Example is the highest form of leadership. If I am lazy, incompetent or cowardly, what reason do those beneath me have to make any effort for me? Leadership is a mantle of responsibility to the people beneath you, far more than it is one of power. Those of us who take roles as leaders are obligated- both by practicality and morality- to be exemplary, and to care for those under us."

"As wise as ever, milord," Jaken said, as full of praise as ever. "Rin, Lord Sesshomaru does not gather loyal followers by strength alone! Demons follow him because they know he is more than worthy of them! Tease though he may, he will always match our loyalty."

"One of the lessons I kept from my father," Sesshomaru said with a nod. "Whatever your relationship with another individual may be, you will receive only what you give. Father and I both witnessed it- human and demon lords who treated their servants and vassals as slaves and arrow-fodder turned on by their people, or simply abandoned by them. I know that if I treated my followers poorly enough, they would leave my service. I would avoid this, as any lord should. I find myself quite attached to my followes' services."

"What service does Rin provde?" Rin asked, puzzled.

"You are Rin," Sesshomaru said. "That is enough."

That made the child smile, her grin running ear to ear and exposing her missing teeth. The night went on, and she considered what her lord had said.

Example is the highest form of leadership, she thought to herself. After all, people need something to follow!