Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Inuyasha characters! But you can give them to me as a Christmas present, if you like! ^_~

Author's Note: Hi everyone! I'm so sorry that this chapter took so long to write! I've been very busy this week, and I will be busy for the rest of this month, so chapters may not be uploaded as quickly as they used to. I'm really sorry! I'll try to write as often as possible! This chapter is dedicated to my friend Jennifer, also known as totally-wicked! She's given me so much encouragement and lots of help these past few weeks! Without her, Sesshoumaru never would have appeared in this story! So all you Fluffy fans out there, go build a shrine to totally-wicked! Um, I'd also like to thank chickittychick for recommending my story to all her readers. Her story is called An Unexpected Destiny, and it's pretty good, I suggest that you all read it. I'm also up to 30 reviews, which I'm very happy about, thanks to chickittychick, Crystallord, Nako-chan, Lightning, totally-wicked, and Anzu-chan! Arigatou, you guys! Thanks so much to everyone who's read my story so far, and I'm sorry that this author's note has been very long! You can go on and read my story now! Enjoy!

The Course of True Love Ne'er Did Run Smooth…

Chapter 14

Rin pranced into the room where Kagome was currently in, and cried out happily, "Kagome-chan! I'm so glad to see you again! I-" She stopped abruptly and looked around the room. The entire place was a mess. The blankets were in a bundle on the floor. The mirror had a large crack down the middle where a flying glass cup had hit it a while ago. There were hairbrushes, soap, clothes, and other things scattered about the blue carpeted floor. And on the bed in the corner, Kagome was sprawled haphazardly over the cream-colored mattress on her stomach, sobbing miserably. Rin could see her disheveled hair, rumpled clothes, and shaking frame as the teenager slowly leveled herself off the bed and stared at the young child dully.

Kagome was a wreck. She had woken up to find herself in a strange room, with no one there and no idea of where she was. There were no windows, the door was locked, and no matter how loud she screamed, nobody answered. She was angry at first, mad that anyone had dared to lock her up. She had rummaged through all the drawers and wardrobes, and made the entire room look as if a tornado had swept through it. The furious young woman had tosses as many objects as she could, flinging them around the room and breaking anything of value that had been placed there. But she slowly lost her fury and was left with a sense of despair and impending doom. Whoever had put her in this room had enough humor to provide her with suitable clothes, useful accessories, beautiful decorations, yet neglected to give her the key to leave her room. Kagome flung herself onto the bed and cried. She had sobbed and sobbed until her chest ached, and now there were still rivulets of tears running silently down her pale cheeks.

Rin took one look at the suffering girl and ran to her, wrapping two skinny arms around Kagome's waist, as far as they could go, and buried her head in Kagome's stomach, saying, "Kagome-nee-chan, don't cry! Please don't cry! See, Rin's here now to make everything all betta! Don't feel sad, onee-chan, 'cause when you feel sad you make Rin cry too!"

The older girl smiled sadly through her tears, and asked softly, while stroking Rin's back, "Hey Rin. What are you doing here?"

"Rin lives here, Kagome-chan! Now you can live here too, with me n' Sesshoumaru-sama, and be Rin's big sister forever and ever! I always wanted a big sister like you, Kagome-chan!" The child clapped her hands enthusiastically, and grasped Kagome's hand in her own, smiling encouragingly at her, "Kagome-nee-chan, will you stay here and play with Rin? Rin's so bored here, even though I have Sesshoumaru-sama to play with me. Now you can play with me too!"

Kagome looked down, startled, "Sesshoumaru-sama?!?!" She looked up, and finally noticed the demon lord who was standing unobtrusively in the corner. Sesshoumaru had no expression on his face, as usual, but his stiff posture did not seem threatening. Rather, it excluded an air of warmth and protection, though she couldn't go too far as to say he acted friendly. Kagome was reassured by the non-aggressive pose he had taken, and did not become frightened, though she was a bit apprehensive. "Rin," she spoke in a disbelieving voice, "You live with Sesshoumaru?!?!?"

"Hai, Kagome-chan!" Rin answered in a loving voice, looking at her guardian with adoration. "Sesshoumaru-sama is so kind to me! I just know he'll let you stay here and play with me!"

Kagome looked toward the dog-youkai, who showed no signs of having heard what Rin had said. He stood as still as a statue, unmoving. Kagome couldn't bear to disappoint Rin, who was eagerly awaiting her answer, so she dried her tears and cleared her throat. Deciding that she would stay with Rin a few days before leaving to find Inuyasha and her friends, the miko from the future nodded. Even with tattered school uniform and tear-stained cheeks, she looked elegant as she gracefully lowered herself, bowed once to Sesshoumaru, and said in a smooth, polite tone, "If Lord Sesshoumaru allows, I will gladly accompany Rin for a few days and take part in your hospitality."

Sesshoumaru gave a slight nod, and said in a crisp voice, "I shall have servants show you to a new room. You may do as you wish around my home as long as you do not leave the castle grounds. I expect you to amuse Rin and tend to her while you are here. If you displease her or me, you will be punished." He did not act upset or intimidating, he spoke as if he were merely stating facts. The demon lord waited until Kagome gave a slight tilt of her chin, before turning about with a swish and leaving the room.

Rin cheered, and tugging on Kagome's hand, saying, "Kagome-chan! Will you come play with me now?"

"Of course, Rin-chan!" Kagome replied with her normal bright smile, "What would you like to do right now?"

"Um, can we go to the gardens to pick flowers? Rin wants to make a bouquet of flowers for my Fluffy-chan because Rin loves him so much!"

Kagome giggled at Rin's nickname for the stern dog-demon, then led her out of her room and followed her to the flower gardens.

A/N: Heh, heh! Sorry, nothing much happened in this chapter, but don't worry, more excitement, humor, and fluff to come! Keep on reading! Please review, or feel free to email me at seashells_by_the_seaside@hotmail.com!