Chapter II

Unbreakable bonds

The first few days were the most awkward ones, more or less. Rin didn't talk much unless Sesshomaru asked something of her. Which he rarely did. Even Jaken was silent most of the days. They indeed had to get used to having a new companion. In Jaken's eyes, his very large eyes, he didn't see a need for another follower. He was perfectly happy being the only one to accompany his lord.

It was a clear night along the western lands. Being made mostly up of meadows and fields, the stars seemed to shine their brightest. The breeze was warm and gently, a great night for sleep. But the group moved on, walking through a meadow. Jaken walked slightly behind, holding the straps that connected to the leash of the twin head dragon that Sesshomaru owned. Rin walked ahead of him, filling in the gap between him and Sesshomaru.

Rin was tired and sleepy, but didn't dare complain about it. After rubbing her eyes, she looked up into the sky and smiled slightly. "The stars are dancing." She said out loud to no one in particular.

"Don't be foolish! Stars don't dance." Jaken snapped suddenly, while trying to pull the unruly dragon along.

Rin sighed and yawned tiredly. "But..they looked that way.." Her feet slowed down involuntarily, blocking the already frustrated Imp. He bumped her with his staff to make her walk up. She quicken her pace.

A light breeze flowed down the open meadow and caressed Rin's exhausted face. It smelled of cherry blossoms and fresh grass. A smell that eased her mind and sent her into a trance. She walked on, thinking of sleeping in a big bed of flowers, and right into the leg of the taller youkai. She squeaked and fell backwards on her bottom, blinking out of her trance.

Sesshomaru had halted without warning, as he usual did. "Rin, do you need rest?" He asked the sleep deprived child quietly. She shook her head and stood to her feet.

"I'm ok mi' lord!" Trying her best, she gave him a hearty smile. Jaken rolled his eyes, still tugging at the dragon's leash. The dragon was now tired of the little toad imp and flung one of its head, sending Jaken flying into the air. Then walked up to Sesshomaru, as it knew he wanted it.

Sesshomaru then picked Rin up with his right arm and placed her on top of it's back. She blushed at the show of concern and sat against it. It felt good to her little feet, now that there wasn't any body weight being forced on them.

He took hold of the leash and they were on the move again. Silence had again settled down on them and the only sound being heard was the locusts and the sound of leaves moving in the night air. Rin felt oddly secure sitting on the dragon that was being guided by her new guardian. Her eyes now drooped with the weight of fatigue, so she decided to carefully lay down. She felt extra happy from Sesshomaru's peculiar gesture of kindness. Maybe he was beginning to love her, she couldn't help but think- or at least hope. He was always so uncommunicative towards them. She often wondered if he even remembered they were following him.

As Rin drifted off to sleep, her eyes caught one last glimpse of her protector. His left sleeve. It waved emptily in the gusty air. 'Where's Lord Sesshomaru's left arm?..' Was her last thought as sleep engulfed her wholly.

Sesshomaru looked back slightly, Rin was asleep. He sighed heavily and looked up to the "dancing" stars. Why did he allow this human girl to join him? He despised human creatures. They were weak and useless. But every time he looks to Rin, who is indeed a human, he harbors no such feelings of annoyance or hatred. He feels pity and a need to protect her. Was it because she showed him pity? That day when she found him in the forest, wounded from the battle between him and his brother. What was it that she saw in him that day that made her so bounded to him?

"The stars are undeniably dancing..." he said to himself, well maybe to Rin as well.

"Damn that double headed lizard!" Jaken huffed and puffed as he desperately ran to catch up with his lord. "Mi' lord! Please wait for me!"

Sesshomaru paused to turn around. Jaken was running towards him from in the distance. When he did finally caught up he tripped and tumbled into the taller one's feet. His robes were all in a jumble, leaves and twigs clung to him and his hat was crooked.

"Thank you, mi' lord! I was sure you would've left me!" His eyes sparkled with admiration and respect.

Sesshomaru said nothing and continued walking, while still pondering on his situation. Maybe he was lonely, Jaken was no company. If anything he was an irritation that bored him to no ends. Which explains why he usual just resorts to abusing the little toad demon.

"Soften your voice, Jaken. Rin is asleep." He concluded matter of factly. Jaken sighed inwardly.

"Yes...mi' lord." The imp was growing weary of that little girl. ' I must do away with her without Lord Sesshomaru's knowing.' His eyes traveled up to his youkai lord. A shiver hit him at the thought of what he would do to him if he managed to get rid of her. 'Er...I must plan this carefully! Or it'll be my ass...'