Author's Note – I have reviews! When I began this fic I didn't realize just how difficult or time-consuming it would be to write. Thank you for the encouragement!

Chapter Four

Jaken was already snoring next to her. Rin sat beside the fire, her arms curled around her legs and her head resting on her knees. It was unlike Sesshoumaru to be late. He had promised to return before nightfall, and several hours had already passed since then. She wondered where he had gone. She wondered if he was safe.

"Rin."

"Sesshoumaru-sama! You've returned." Rin stood up. In her joy at his return she forgot to worry if he was still angry. "I'm so glad you're back! I thought that something may have happened to you."

Sesshoumaru said nothing. Rin gulped and hoped that she hadn't made him angry again by suggesting that anything bad could ever happen to him. She tried to think of something to say.

"Jaken-sama is already asleep." That was a stupid thing to say. She was reverting to old habits again, talking when she was nervous.

It seemed that Sesshoumaru smiled slightly.

"You've been waiting. I apologize for keeping you awake."

Rin was surprised. This was not usual. She wasn't even sure how to acknowledge an apology from Sesshoumaru.

"Oh," she said. Stupid Rin! Stupid stupid stupid!

Again, he seemed to smile. The demon walked over to the outcropping of rock, a few paces away from the warmth of the fire. He sat down and rested his back against the stone.

"I have a gift for you."

"A gift?" Rin's face lit up. Gifts from Sesshoumaru-sama were rare, but they were always good. She needed a new kimono. Perhaps that's where he had gone?

Sesshoumaru pulled a small bundle wrapped in cloth from his side and handed it to her.

Rin unwrapped the package. It was a small dagger and it was no toy – the edges glinted sharply in the moonlight. She'd never received such a gift before, and it made her uncomfortable to hold it.

Sesshoumaru was not looking at her. "It is a good blade," he said.

Thank him. Say thank you. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama."

She hoped that she sounded properly grateful. She wanted to ask him why he had given her such a thing, and what exactly she was to do with it. But he was acting oddly and she decided not to pester him with too many questions.

"How are you feeling, Rin? Are you feeling better?"

"Yes," she lied.

He looked at her. Deep golden eyes which were impossible to read.

"Come." He extended an arm towards her.

Rin had not done this for a long time. She paused for a moment, and then happily flew to his side, curling up on the tail he wore. If he was letting her sleep next to him, that meant that he was definitely not angry. All was well. She snuggled her face against the fur, inhaling the warm clean scent. She felt safe and protected again, like she did when she had first met him. She felt instantly sleepy. Through half-closed eyes she looked up at him and smiled.

"Are you tired Sesshoumaru-sama?"

He looked down at her for a long moment. Then he turned his face forward towards the fire and nodded.

"Sesshoumaru-sama should try and rest."

"Yes."

Rin closed her eyes. He's tired, that's all. He must have traveled far this evening. In the morning I'll have Jaken show me how to use the dagger... Rin's thoughts trailed away.

Sesshoumaru slipped his arm around the sleeping girl, and regarded for a long time his own clawed fingers resting against her small shoulder.

He did not sleep.