Disclaimer: Sorry for the disappointment for Demon Girl17, who thought my lemon was going to be of Kagome and Inu Yasha, not Rin and Sesshomaru. I didn't get any requests for the first lemon being Kagome and Inu. I have, however, gotten two people to review for the next lemon being Sango and Miroku. Unless more people request something different, whether it be K/I or another R/S, then the next will be a S/M. Thanx to Rikora and little- angel-no-one -els for the ego boosts. Now, this chapter is an explanation with Sesshomaru and why he is in this whole story. So, it's another Sesshy filled installment, ENJOY! Oh, and I made a severe overlook...I forgot that Jaken was in the same clearing as Rin when Sesshomaru first showed up...and he was there during their little interlude... lets just say that he is a really, REALLY deep sleeper, so he didn't wake when Rin screamed...

~~= Dreams

~*~= Scene change

'...'= Thoughts

"..."= Talking

~*~Chapter Eighteen: On the Search for Hope~*~

Sesshomaru woke early the next morning. He pulled his face from the sea of brown he was in. The inu youkai sat up beside his mate, grabbing his silk kimono and draping it on the girl's sleeping body. He pulled his pants on after standing and immediately ran off to get her breakfast. The sun was just making its way into the sky, lighting the trees and grass. The creatures of the forest were just waking, making them vulnerable and nearly defenseless. A small group of rabbits stuck their heads from their little home.

The largest sniffed the air, praying that no enemies were around. They all hopped into the clearing and began their lunch. In the blink of an eye they were sprawled across the ground. Three lifeless animals lay, as though sleeping, in the soft, partly chewed grass. Sesshomaru lifted the bodies and carried them back to the campsite. Upon arriving, he started a small fire and prepared the rabbits for cooking. He skinned and cleaned them before propping them above the flames to be cooked through and through.

Jaken was the next to awaken. He lifted his pudgy green head as he opened his eyes. After yawning twice, he surveyed his surroundings. Bones from his meal last night lay scattered at his sides. Across the site was his lord.... cooking?! 'Never, in all my time serving him has he taken it upon himself to prepare a meal.' Jaken sat up, moaning under the stain; his belly large with its contents. The toad youkai (I think that is what he is. No matter, though...) used his staff to stable him enough to stand. He sent another glance toward the inu youkai. Something disturbed the little servant to no end. His lord wasn't wearing his kimono! "M-M'Lord?" he asked in an extremely shocked tone.

"Jaken," Sesshomaru said, never once looking away from his task on hand, "what is it you want?" his voice was never wavering, staying the same cold tone that he had always spoke in.

"Lord Sesshomaru, why is it you are not wearing your kimono?" In one swift movement, Sesshomaru was towering over the small youkai. Anger evident on his features.

"You dare question your lord?"

"N-N-No, of course not! Silly me, m'Lord. Please, forget the question. It was wrong of me to ask." The youkai fiddled with the two-headed staff before sitting. Sesshomaru went back to the fire, ignoring Jaken as usual.

Rin carefully opened her eyes and snuggled into the cloth that surrounded her. It wasn't her love, but it was threaded with his scent, which was just as good. She pulled it around her naked body tighter. Mumbling reached her ears as she suddenly remembered where she was: in a forest, surrounded by trees, grass, and...Jaken. A blush crept to her cheeks as she tried to hide herself in the kimono. 'Jaken, he was...sleeping when we...' She shut her eyes.

"Rin," she heard him call her name and she turned slightly to look at him. "Breakfast is ready."

Rin slid her arms through the appropriate holes and stood with her back towards camp. She grabbed the yellow tie from where she had placed it the night before and tied it around her waist. The young human walked to the fire and sat next to Sesshomaru. He called Jaken and he sat across from the couple. He didn't dare ask questions, for he knew the wrath of Sesshomaru well, and didn't want to risk his own life with his curiosity.

They ate in silence like always, until the inu lord broke it.

"We are going to the Western Lands today," no emotion was evident in these words, and he continued in the same manner, "I have something I need to find for Inu Yasha." Although Jaken was tempted to ask why, he kept his mouth shut. Rin, on the other hand...

"What are you hoping to find, m'Lord?" Rin nibbled on what food she had left as Sesshomaru watched her out of the corner of his eye. 'She still calls me lord. I wish she wouldn't, not now anyway."

"Inu Yasha is in danger of losing his life and I intend on finding a way to stop it." She gave a humble 'yes, m'Lord' and stood.

"We had better be going then," she said in a cheery voice. She walked to her kimono, grabbed it, and ran off to change. Less than a minute later she reappeared, dressed like always. She placed the silk white cloth next to the steel armor by the base of the tree and stood before the two youkai. They both followed her suit. Jaken ran to retrieve his staff and Sesshomaru went to redress in all his attire. The three walked to the west like Sesshomaru had instructed. Rin trotted happily ahead of them, humming and dancing to her hearts content. Jaken muttered words about how stupid humans were loud and annoying. The inu youkai lord himself was torn between two thoughts: one of saving his dear brother, and the other of protecting the girl in front of them.

~*~END CHAPTER~*~

Ok, this chapter was kind of a filler, and I promise to write more on Sango, Miroku, Inu Yasha, and Kagome in the next chapter. No, there wont be a lemon in the next chapter. I am going to wait a few for the next one. Well, I am not supposed to be awake right now, and the fucking Internet isn't loading at the moment, so I do believe I shall end for now, so I am not banned from the computer. That would suck.

Inu: yes, but then you'd be able to spend more time with me. * kiss *

Well, I spend time with you every night and I will be all week since it is now SPRING BREAK. So, I think I shall get off.

Inu: good. Come to bed, you need to wake up early so you can get to typing tomorrow.

Sure...that's why you want me to go to bed...

Inu Face