Chapter Six-The Real Sesshoumaru

"Rin. Take this plate to your friend." Sesshoumaru handed over a plate of meat to the young girl. "If she doesn't want this, she doesn't eat."

"Yes, My Lord Sesshoumaru." Rin carried the plate over to Sara. "Here."

The young girl just looked at it, then Rin. "Why did you do this? I liked living with…. With him." Sara had learned really quickly that Inuyasha's name was barely said around Sesshoumaru.

"Well, you live with us now. Inuyasha only wanted your jewel shard. That's it." Sesshoumaru spoke up quietly. "He would've left you for dead once he had it. Those jewel shards are all he cares about."

"He wanted this?" Sara pulled the shard out of her pocket. The thing that her father had treasured so much. "It was my father's. It's all I have left of him."

"And he wanted to take that away from you. If you stay with me, I can keep that from happening." Sesshoumaru crouched down to her level. "Will you trust me on this?"

Sara stared up into Sesshoumaru's eyes. "Maybe…..but what about Shippou? He was my friend."

"He survived before you. I am sure he will find another friend eventually. Rin is a good playmate too. We can be one happy family together. You were no more than a burden to Inuyasha and his group. You do not burden me, young one." Sesshoumaru touched her shoulder lightly. "I want you. He didn't."

She nodded slowly. She remembered Inuyasha's harsh words to Kagome concerning her. The last thing we need is a little brat following us around. "I'll stay with you."

"There's a good girl. Now come and join us by the fire. It's getting a little chilly." He led her over to the fire Jakken and Rin were feasting near. "The meat is fresh. Have a taste of it. " He handed the plate back, and went to tend to his own food.

"What a waste of time! We've no idea where Sesshoumaru took her!" Inuyasha muttered. "That snake! Wait until I see him again! Steal My child,will he?"

"Calm down, Inuyasha. We'll find her. We've got to find her. That shard will lead any demon to her that possibly lives!" Kagome said worriedly. "Sesshoumaru's strong, but he can't defeat all demons."

"Like he would protect her! He took her to spite me,Kagome!"

"That might be, but I think there is more to him than we think. Look how he was worried about that girl Rin. He is not about to let a child die for no reason." Miroku spoke up thoughtfully. "He is softening."

"Don't tell me you agree with what he did!"

"Of course he doesn't! He's just making observations." Sango defended. "You have to admit,Inuyasha, he's a lot kinder to Rin than you were to Saraku."

"What?! Don't be rediculous. I didn't hurt her none!" Inuyasha exclaimed.

"But you weren't nice to her either. The only reason you've been tolerating her is for her jewel shard." Shippou put in finally. "You scared her, Inuyasha."

"Pfft!" The hanyou walked up ahead of his group in annoyance. They think they know me so well. Well,I've got news for them. I am worried about Saraku. Yes, she is a burden, but she makes Kagome happy. I don't admit it to anyone, but I like Kagome most when she's happy. If she never gives the shard up to Kagome, I wouldn't care as long as Kagome was happy. Inuyasha smiled to himself. He had to get Saraku back for Kagome, and he would.

Rin awakened Sara early the next morning. "We have to go get water for tea." She told the girl softly.

"Okay. What kind of tea does Lord Sesshoumaru like?"

"Green tea. Sometimes, Jakken and I make mint for him,but his favorite is green." Rin told her. She was happy that Sara seemed to really be making an effort to adjust. "Then Jakken will make breakfast for us, while Lord Sesshoumaru wanders for the day. He comes back when he wants to. Mostly at night."

Sara nodded. She withheld a sigh of displeasure. Even though she'd told Lord Sesshoumaru she would remain with them, she longed for the comfort of Kagome's arms. "Rin….do you think he'd let me visit?"

"I don't think so, but it's not unlikely that we won't run into them. Inuyasha and My Lord are always battling each other." The girl shuddered. "I'm not usually permitted watch such things but I do know about them. Maybe he won't let you watch either."

"Then I truly never will see Kagome again….." Sara bit her lower lip to keep from crying.

"Don't cry….Maybe I can convince him to let her visit. It's Inuyasha he has problems with for the most part." Rin put a comforting arm around Sara. If I had know it would make her so miserable, I would've never insisted upon having her. "Come on. We'd better get the water. Lord Sesshoumaru doesn't like to be kept waiting for his morning tea."

"Alright." Sara wiped her eyes, and followed the girl Rin down to the spring. Part of her hoped Shippou would be there. Shippou could tell Kagome and Sango she was well. As it was, the kitsune was not there. They got the water, and returned to Sesshoumaru's camp, to prepare the tea. Sara wondered if the group had gone looking for her.

"Here. Take this over to Jakken. He'll cook it up for us. It's the fish from last night." Rin handed her two dead fish.

"Eww…okay." Sara carried the fish over to the reptile-like Jakken. "Rin said you would cook these for us…."

"Yes Yes…as soon as the fire is built up again. Se them on that stone over there. You and Rin should go play for a while, but please don't go too far."

"Yes, Jakken." She walked off to tell Rin. It was then that she realized she hadn't actually seen Lord Sesshoumaru that morning. "Did he leave already?"

"Yes. He leaves right after tea. I told you wouldn't see him until tonight. Then I'm going to ask him about Kagome."

Sara merely nodded, and they went off to play.