Wow. I live.

Inuyasha: Great…

Why don't you just shut up before I hurt you…?

Inuyasha: Well why the hell would I wanna do that? I mean, you leave for like six months, not updating this story, and then come back, all perky…and scary…

I'm gonna hurt you. No matter what they say, violence is an answer as I'm about to prove.

Ok, well, as you can see, I am back from my reclusive state. I apologize for the long wait, but I couldn't seem to get going on this story, and now, I have some new ideas for it. I am rewriting all of the chapters I had written before but not posted, before I post them. Sooo… Here is chapter four, and I hope you enjoy. Hopefully the updates will be a bit more speedy, but I do have a life, and am working on more fic's than this. The Christmas one I promised is kinda screwed up, and Im hurrying to get it done. Ok, well, I will stop rambling now, thanks for waiting, and I hope to update soon.

Love to all-

CD

Rin* could feel the heated breath of the youkai on her lips, but a second later, the moment was shattered by the door bursting open. Sesshoumaru drew back as if burned by something, while the stunned woman whirled to face whomever was currently at the door. The child looked at both of them, her dark eyes wide, both frightened and surprised at seeing her caretaker and new friend in the same room together. "Rin-chan," breathed the older girl, trying to calm her pounding heart. "W-what are you doing up at this time of night?"

As if answering the question, there was a brilliant flash of lighting, and a sharp crack of thunder which echoed through the stone castle. The child squeaked in fright, and launched herself at Sesshoumaru. The youkai lord looked momentarily surprised, and then hoisted her up with his single arm, glancing at Rin* for a brief second. Taking the silent hint, she walked over, and placed the child in her own arms, softly crooning comforts to her. "Rin-chan, shhhh. The storm's not going to hurt you, it'll be alright, promise…"

The little girl nodded, and stuck her thumb in her mouth, nuzzling her face in to Rin's* neck. Sighing softly, for what reason she did not know, she cast a final glance to the youkai who stood silhouetted by the window, imperious eyes watching the two of them. "Let's go…"

Rin remained curled up in her friends arms, sucking absently on her thumb, a habit which she only did when she was immensely scared. "Why's thunder so scary?" She mumbled sleepily, fisting a tiny hand in the soft material of Rin's* kimono.

"It's not meant to be scary…" Rin* answered back gently rocking the child back and forth. "You know what I was told when I was a little older then you?"

"Nani?"

"I was told that the reason that thunder comes and goes, is because long ago, Ajisukitakahikone, before he fathered the god of rain, was a young baby. He was so noisy, and loud, that his many nurses tried anything and everything to quiet him. Nothing seemed to work, so finally, an old woman suggested that they carry him up and down a flight of stairs, to sooth him, and then take him sailing. The child loved sailing so much, that he would not be taken from his boat, and they had to sail endlessly around and around Japan to appease him. The thunder was his loud cries. That is why thunder is supposedly heard to come and go. "

"So really…" Rin* let her voice trail off as she noticed the child was asleep, curled up in a ball. "Goodnight…"

*

Late that night, after Rin had been put to sleep yet again, Rin* padded up to the door where she knew that Sesshoumaru was in. Not sure if she was ready to speak to him, she leaned against the cool stone, thinking. Too many things were rushing in and out of her head, thoughts of the mighty Sesshoumaru from her time, and then thoughts of the Sesshoumaru from this time.

A small smile sad smile that spoke of longing, curved her lips as she thought of how affectionate the Sesshoumaru from her time had been. Never had he laid claim on her, but plenty of times he had bed her. Closing her eyes briefly, she swallowed, and turned around, lightly padding back to her own room.

Sesshoumaru was mildly disappointed that she had not chosen to come in. He knew she was there, he could smell her- her own unique scent which was not vile and unpleasant like most of the disgusting humans he had encountered. And he refused to think that he was biased.

She smells good…He decided, and then looked a bit annoyed with his conclusion. Gods be damned, she is a ningen. Attachments will only make you weak, and weakness is not an option. How can I even think about her like that?

Why ever not? Is it some rule that you are not allowed to think well of ningens? What is it in you that makes you hate ningens so much? Face it- you like her. You have liked her ever since you saved her with the Tenseiga- for the second time might I add, and as much as you protest it, it was not just an experiment. Taunted an annoying voice- inside his head. The great youkai lord resisted an urge to groan. Just what he needed- to be having a conversation, with himself.

I do not 'like' her! His colder side proclaimed as if it would settle the matter. She is merely a means to an end- something to distract me, a mere bauble…The only useful thing she is for, is to kill when she bores me.

HA! That's a laugh, you do like her; you are just too arrogant to admit it, because…dare I say, you are afraid!

Afraid, I, Sesshoumaru fear nothing- for there is nothing strong enough to make me fear anything. The first side snapped angrily.

Ah, there, emotions. You are not without imperfections- and you are in denial. The teasing voice was back.

No, I am most certainly not. I, the Great Lord of the Western Lands fear nothing. This time, it was slightly less assured and cocky.

Hmmm. As you wish to believe. You are still in denial, and you still like her, and I now take my leave of you. That was the last remark.

Sesshoumaru growled softly, and ran a clawed hand through his silvery mane. "Damn this…" He muttered in aggravation.

\\

The next morning, bright and early, Rin* was out in the gardens, a light pink kimono wrapped around her. The storm that had passed the night before had soaked the ground, leaving it still damp, but not so much as to where her feet became soaked. Idly she let her fingertips drift over the petals of different flowers, stroking the silky stems and watching as dew fell to the grassy ground. Soft footsteps caught her attention, and she wondered for a moment who it was. Sesshoumaru is on patrol, Rin-chan is asleep, Ah-Un is not here, Jaken- oh for heavens sake.

"Jaken-sama, I- Oh gods…" Rin* choked out, fear overriding her senses. The half demon grinned in malice, fangs gleaming.

"Not the brightest are we, my pretty one? I suppose you thought that coming back here, would save you, and you precious demon lover. Is it not funny how things seem to work out?" Matsuri drew a slim dagger from a sheathe on his thigh, and absently toyed with it, his fingers dancing over the sharp edge of it. "By returning here, I am even stronger then before, and nothing can stop me. And what possessed you to come out alone? Honestly, humans are so dense. Say good-bye now, for I will kill all of you."

Rin* stumbled back, looking desperately for any type of weapon that she could use to defend herself, but there was none, she was in a garden. Baka, baka, baka! It was so stupid of you to come out alone, and Sesshoumaru even warned you about this! But how did he manage to get through the barriers? Her mind chided, as she tried to find a way out of the mess that she had gotten herself in to. Matsuri leaped at her with his demon speed, knocking her down, and pushing all of the air out of her lungs. Gasping, the girl struggled, swinging her fists wildly, but missing as he gripped both her wrists in one of his hands.

"Sesshou-" Rin*s cry for help was silenced by the large clawed hand that clapped over her mouth, efficiently stopping her screams for help. Muffled cries and whimpers escaped her parted lips, and she realized with a sick feeling in her stomach, that she had doomed all. Her thoughts were cut off, however, when a large shadow fell over the two of them, and Matsuri was forcibly flung away.

Sesshoumaru stood before her, eyes glowing red with hatred, deadly sharp claws oozing with his acidic poison. Matsuri grinned widely, and muttered something as Sesshoumaru wordlessly stalked toward him, claws poised to rip out his throat. Rin* got up shakily, and watched as a black ball of rippling energy formed in the half demon's hands, but Sesshoumaru seemed to not take any notice of it.

"Sesshoumaru- look out!" She shouted, blinking as he glared back at her. The energy ball dissipated, and he drew his dagger with an arrogant smirk.

"Now now, you honestly can't be thinking about letting your little toy just run around like that…? Where's your-" Sesshoumaru growled lowly, and Matsuri shrugged. "Very well then." Pointing his dagger at Sesshoumaru, who obviously did not think of it as more then a letter opener, he breathed out a word, "Bringir."

Sesshoumaru was flung violently back, hitting a stone fountain with a sickening snap of bones. Rin* gaped, and teetered as she tried to stand up straight. "Sesshoumaru- Sesshoumaru get up! Onegai!" Her frightened eyes flickered from Sesshoumaru to the half demon who was currently stalking toward her, a predatory look in his cold eyes. "H…h…help…" She squeaked, her hand flying to her throat as she found her voice left her.

Her limbs seemed to be frozen as she tried to back away, but only managed to trip and fall with a soft thump. Rin*s attention stayed on the half demon who made his way toward her, smirking deviously. "Up." He commanded, lifting the dagger, and Rin* found herself being brought up as though she were just a marionette on a string, and he was the puppet master. "Well little human, the fun has ended for now." He pressed himself against her, and leaned in to breathe against her lips, "You're youkai will die by my hands. I will feel his blood spill from my blade, and know, it is your…fault." With that last word, he drove the dagger deep in to her stomach, releasing the levitating spell, and letting gravity do the rest. Her weight brought her down farther, and she let out a startled gasp of pain as a burning sensation flooded her body. A choked whimper brushed past her lips, and then he shoved her away, to sprawl across the grassy ground. She fell with a thud, and her blood spilled across the grass, tainting it a chilling red.

"Rin*!" Matsuri turned to see the great demon lord in his almost demon state, jagged streaks across his cheeks, and his eyes a frightening scarlet with rage. "Make sure you understand me…" Sesshoumaru gritted out, taking slow, deliberate steps toward the hanyou. "I will rip the still warm flesh from your bones, and tear your intestines from your body, for this. "

Matsuri nodded, the taunting smirk still on his lips. "As you wish to believe…" And then he vanished.

Sesshoumaru staggered in near exhaustion, to the still girl laying on the blood stained ground. Tenseiga wasn't doing anything so that meant two things. One, she wasn't hurt enough as to where the sword would work, or two, it was just being a pain, and not working. Dropping to his knees, he cut a long strip of material from her bloodstained kimono, and with a tenderness that surprised him, he began to wrap her wound. Her heartbeat began to accelerate slightly, and her eyelashes fluttered open. "S-sorry…" Came the broken whisper that even he had trouble hearing. "Sesshou-" Her weak voice dropped off, and she fell back unconsciousness.

Picking up the limp girl, he walked slowly back in to the castle, ignoring the two broken ribs from where he had been slammed in to the fountain.

Sesshoumaru made his way up the steep stone steps which led to his own room, and opened the door, carefully transferring her so she would not fall when he reached for the door handle. Blood still dripped from her wound, but by her scent, Sesshoumaru could only hope that she would be alright. Jaken hurried in to the room, not bothering to knock in his haste. "Me lord Sesshoumaru- oh."

"Jaken, go fetch bandages." The voice was deadly soft, as he used his claws to cut through the material of her elaborate kimono. Jaken scurried away, his clawed toes scratching lightly on the stone floor. Soon he had returned with bandages, and a small pot which held a sweet smelling paste.

"Me lord, why bother with this pathetic human? Me thinks-" Sesshoumaru cut him off with a cold stare, and Jaken bowed hurriedly, before backing out. The inu youkai wrapped the bandage that he had requested from the toad demon, leaving her breast band on for modesty. Soon she was bandaged completely, and he ignoring the blood that stained all over the covers, fell down beside her, quickly dropping in to an exhausted sleep.

Yes, I know a little OOC, but all the same, this is fan fiction, and this is how I think that Sesshoumaru would act if put in this situation. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, go ahead and review or send me an email, as many of you already have. You know who you are- thanks! Your input is wonderful!