Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN IT!!!! (no matter how much a say I want to. *sigh*)

A/N: I am sorry that this has taken so long to put up. I know I said I would put this up sooner, but I got a bit involved in the story, and well, this is the longest chapter I have so far. hehe

************************************************************* Terms: Some more words have been added to the list

Densha - palace

Sumimasen; gomen; gomennasai = sorry, sorry excuse me (idiomatic informal); same, more formal

Oyasumi = good night

Hontouni = really, truly

Doumo; doumo arigatou; doumo arigatou gozaimasu = thanks, thank you, thank you very much (in other words, it just goes up in formality.lol)

Otousan = father

Kami = God

Anuki = big brother

Ohayo; Ohayo gozaimasu = morning, good morning

Genkan = an area to exchange your shoes in traditional homes

Sugoi = wow, terrific, wonderful

Tatami mat = straw floor covering

Do Itashimashite = your welcome

Kiniiri = pet

Baka = stupid, idiot, etc

Anu = uh, umm, (the word to fill space while thinking) *************************************************************

Chapter 5: An Unwelcome Surprise (Once again, leaving off where the last chapter left off exactly)

A bit too slow for his taste, the sun finally decided to peek its first beams of light over the trees. He mentally berated himself for his impatience, and then decided to jump down and head inside the densha. Just as he had expected, neither of his followers had had the decency to wake themselves. He growled to himself lightly as he realized if they would be heading anywhere this day, he would have to rouse them himself. First, he headed to Jaken's room; it would be easy enough to wake him. And vent some of his slightly growing anger before he headed to Rin's room. He grabbed his staff that was carefully propped up against the futon and studied it for a moment. He then held it out from him, slightly in the direction of Jaken, then brought his arm back in careful speculation. And then in a cool fluid motion, knocked Jaken out of the bed with it. Jaken started to scream and Sesshoumaru successfully shut him up by knocking him on the head with it. The toad looked up at him almost teary eyed, and just about ready to ask why his lord had woken him up in such a manner. Sesshoumaru figured this, and wasn't going to allow the creature to do such a thing.

"Are you completely ready to leave now, Jaken?" He attempted to make his voice sound more cold and menacing than usual. He got the desired effect, as Jaken looked up at him horrified.

"My lord Sesshoumaru, I.I." He stumbled for words, but his lord just coolly turned around and headed for the door, then paused at the doorway.

"I had thought as much." He then left and headed towards Rin's room. When he arrived there, he carefully opened her door. By the room itself, one could tell which one of his companions he favored the most. The room was large and elaborate; her walls were adorned with paintings of flowers and one of a large willow tree behind her large bed, which was covered with fine silken sheets. Other than that, she had a painted screen to dress behind, and a table to practice calligraphy at, and also a small case that held several scrolls. He neared her bed and paused only briefly to look out of her large window, it overlooked one of the gardens that were at his densha. This one was older though; it had been planted long before even he was born. He turned away from the window and knelt down to Rin's bed to wake her up in the usual way. He lightly nudged her, and she slowly started to come to her senses. She moaned and put her hand to her eyes. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open to see her master looming over her.

She could feel her heart beat faster for a moment before her senses took over. She blinked, then looked up to his beautiful golden eyes and smiled. The room was well lit. ~It must be morning~ "Ohayo Sesshoumaru- sama!" her eyes suddenly became wide as a memory returned to her. She quickly sat up, and then hustled out of her bed. As she did that, Sesshoumaru stood.

"Ohayo, kiniiri. You are not ready yet are you?" She looked down to the floor as if it were suddenly fascinating.

"Sumimasen, Sesshoumaru-sama, I meant to be." Her face fell then, and strangely it tugged at his heart. He turned from her.

"Do not apologize. Just try to hurry."

"Hai, Doumo." She stood just as he left the room. He had left her, but the strange feeling remained within his chest. He frowned as he went down to the main hall to wait for them. ~How? How is it she does this to me? ~ He sighed, and attempted to forget the feeling. Soon, he heard the rustling and sounds that were the early morning rush before they went. He smirked to himself as he heard them argue and bump into each other for the next three hours. ~They will never change. ~ By the time it was bout an hour past noon, they stumbled into the main hall, ready to leave.

"Shall we then?" Rin just smiled her reply and Jaken nodded vigorously. So he headed in the direction of the cave, where they had left off their rounds. By that night, they had reached the cave again, and Jaken once again folded out the futons for the night. The next morning came, and they woke to start their rounds once again. The next week went by in the usual way. He being silent, Jaken muttering miscellaneous things, which he never truly listened to, and Rin, well, was being Rin. She was always so happy and carefree; she usually hummed or sang a song of sorts. At least he thought it was a song. He had tried listening to the words once, but couldn't find any, so he just took the pleasure in listening to her voice. It was silken almost, he loved for her to sing, and it seemed to make the day go by faster.

The next week started up the same as any other. They woke in the morning as he waited for them, and then continued walking on the designated route. Around noon, he stopped for a while so that Rin could rest and get something to eat. It was a weakness, but he was willing to stop for a while. So he settled on a stump as Jaken and Rin argued for a little while. As he sat there, his thoughts went down a path that more or less, disturbed him. It was an uncomfortable thought, and attempted not to dwell on it, but to no avail. ~Why DID I save her? Why was it that I kept her around? ~ He knew that for some reason he had saved her, no, he had NEEDED to save her. It was almost like he had no choice in the matter, and it seemed so natural that she follow him. And now, after eleven years, he could not even fathom her not being there. If she should die. He growled lightly to himself, of course she would die! She was human! A weak human, who would shrivel up and die before he knew it, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Not that he cared. "Baka!" he whispered to himself as he looked away from them, not noticing that he had voiced that in particular thought. Though Rin could not hear it for it was nearly inaudible, Jaken glanced over to him curiously, wondering what his lord was thinking. He soon shrugged it off, and continued to do whatever it was that he was doing. Which happened to be chiding Rin for taking so long to eat something. He sighed in feigned disgust.

"Silly human! Needing to eat for such lengths of precious time! There are much better things to do than sit around and eat! We have rounds to do!" She only smirked at the toad and ate even slower. She knew he did not mean the awful things he said about her, though he most likely meant the things he said of humans in general. He never really offended her, even when she was younger. She just figured him to be a bit silly. And truth be told, he was a bit odd, but he was rather wise when he wanted to be. She figured that due to the fact he was a servant all his life, he did not portray his knowledge of life. The toad was anything but a coward, but was very weak, his only strength being the staff of heads. She let out an exuberant sigh as she finished her meal, wiped her mouth and looked at Jaken.

"I am finished now, Jaken-san!" She smiled teasingly at him, wondering what insult that he would throw at her.

"About time, human!" He turned quickly and walked to his lord, who stood up as he approached. "We are ready now, Lord Sesshoumaru!" His lord did not respond to this, and continued to blankly stare in the direction he was facing. Usually he at least turned his eyes to him to show he heard what he had said. Perhaps he had not heard him then? "M-my Lord! Did you not hear me?" He waited a moment, and still nothing. So he opened his mouth to repeat his before statement, when he noticed his lord's ear twitch briefly and stopped.

"Hai, toad, I heard you." He growled out, making his voice low. He did not feel the statement had required an answer, but the creatures voice was rather annoying to him. At that time Jaken bowed down, once again pressing his forehead to the ground.

"Sumimasen Sesshoumaru-sama." At that he quickly rose and half sprinted, half waddled over to Rin. It would be best not to press the subject with his lord now, for he seemed to be in something of a foul mood. And he was. Unfortunately though for them, it was his own unwanted thoughts that had caused his mood. So, in a light attempt to be civil, he growled out that they were leaving, and started to walk in the direction he intended them to go. He did not care at the moment if they followed him, but after a moment heard their footsteps behind him. His steps nearly made no sound on the unseen path as they traveled, and this time, Jaken kept his voice still. After nearly an hour, Rin began to hum with her sweet voice, and slowed his pace some. Then after another hour, his mood had completely lifted, and concentrated fully on his foot placement, carefully paying attention to the sounds and smells of the area for stray youkai, and their days destination.

The sky slowly turned to black and the many bugs of the area started to 'sing' their nightly lullaby. Rin looked wearily to her master ahead, then to Jaken. Neither of them seemed to be getting the least bit tired, and her master showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. Her legs were starting to strain themselves as she walked, trying to keep up. They had been walking for so long, as they had left not long after noon, already the moon was high in the sky. She hated the fact she was human, if they kept this pace for too much longer, she would most likely collapse. And she did not want to burden her master. She heaved a deep sigh and attempted to hide her tiredness, which didn't work.

Jaken looked over to Rin and noticed her smile had fallen from her face and her steps had become heavier. Realization hit him. Rin was tired. It was also then that he noticed the smell of cold sweat on her, and that she was downwind to Lord Sesshoumaru. Surely his lord would not keep them walking if he realized his underling was worn? After a moment, Rin stumbled lightly, and then continued her pace. Jaken frowned at this; the girl was more worn out than he had thought originally. He bottled up his courage, and trotted up closer to his lord. "L-lord Sesshoumaru!". Nothing. "Sesshoumaru-sama! I have something to tell you!" His lord's eyes turned to him.

"Yes, Jaken?" His smooth voice had the underlying hint of annoyance.

"Yes, anu. Sesshoumaru-sama, perhaps we should rest now?" He paused when he seen his lords eyes grow to a deeper gold with anger, then recomposed himself, "You see, if we don't, that disgusting human will surely collapse." With that, Sesshoumaru looked past him to see Rin. He was right, she was worn and tired, and now he could even smell it on her. He growled lightly to himself. How had he not noticed this sooner?! He felt a small pang of guilt in his heart for pushing her so hard, but pushed aside the feeling. Right now, he would have to find a place for her to sleep.

"For once, Jaken, you had a reasonable point to your babble." He remembered that there was a hot spring in the area, and changed his direction towards it. She would be able to wash off her sweat then, as well as soothe her muscles. He did not need her to be slow the next day because her muscles were too sore. Soon, he reached a small clearing close to the spring, and turned to Rin. "We will stop here for tonight." He turned from her, and a light sigh of relief fell from her lips. "Jaken, take her to the springs, she needs to wash up, and once she is there, return here." Jaken quickly went to Rin, motioned for her to follow, and then headed in the direction of the spring. He watched them leave, and took comfort in the cool breeze as he waited for Jaken to return. He did not like the fact that he had told him of Rin's condition. Not that he thought that he would have noticed her tiredness until she collapsed, but it sounded like perhaps he questioned his lord's senses. So, he figured in just, he would throw him against a tree for his incompetence. And soon he returned, pressed his head to the ground, and for once stayed silent. Obviously, he seemed to know what was going to happen. He nearly felt pity for his servant, but quickly changed his mind as he swiftly lowered his hand to grab him, and threw him towards a tree in such speed that it was like lightning. The toad youkai half screamed-half grunted as he hit the tree, and fell unconscious. Sesshoumaru felt oddly relieved as he watched his servant lying motionless on the ground and felt a small smile trying to tug on the corners of his lips. It was then that an unsettling realization hit him. He was the one that was standing upwind from Rin, and the spring was isolated enough, he could hear nothing coming from it, not even the water rushing about.

Not that he felt that anything would happen, but he did not like the fact that he did not know exactly everything that was going on around his underling. After a while, he began to settle down, as he heard her laughing, she obviously was starting to head back. After a moment, she stopped laughing, and he silently waited for her return. A few more moments passed, and he looked in the direction he had last heard her. She probably was picking flowers, perhaps even making them into a small ring to place on her master's head, a small childish thing that she had always done. He let her though, after all, the flowers always had smelled sweet to him. He sat there; looking into the direction Rin would come, almost eagerly, anticipating her return.

Just then, Jaken awoke from his comatose state, and slowly rose to his feet. He picked up his staff and walked slowly to his lord. As he became closer to his lord, something strange happened. Jaken's staff froze, and then slowly rotated to where the old man's head pointed south and then the head screamed. Jaken blinked at it curiously. "How very odd! Lord Sesshoumaru-sama, the old man has spoken! There must be something amiss!"

At that exact moment, the air was pieced by a blood-chilling scream far off to the south. The air became unsettlingly silent, as Sesshoumaru bolted upright to his feet, shifting his eyes to where the scream came from, wide with a light fear as he recognized the source of the scream.

"RIN!" He hissed out, alarmed, and with that bolted in the direction the sound had come from.

*************************************************************

A/N: Ah, there we go, yet another chapter. AND A CLIFFHANGER!!!!

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH *cough* ehhh, I am ok, really. Anyways, if everyone would, please review this story! (It gives me some feedback! And gives me a little more motivation) I hope that you liked this chapter, and it is going to get a bit more into the plot here on out, I promise. (

Well, Nanitozo Yasashikusuru!