Chapter IIII

Thinking of You

"Die!" Sesshomaru quickly raises his demonic aura, creating a barrier effect. Each and every badger youkai that leaped towards him were violently hurled away. The force was so great, their bodies were instantly ripped apart. "Pathetic scum." Sesshomaru mumbled, his eyes now a burning red. He was at the verge of transforming into his dog form.

The lord of the west scanned among the many body parts, and the ones that were still falling. A foreboding feeling crept into him as he calmed down. Where was Rin? "Rin. Ri-.." His words were cut short as he noticed something he was stepping on. Retracting his foot, a small kimono lay on the ground. Quickly recognizing it's owner he sped off in the direction of her faint scent. ' She better still be in one piece…Or heads will roll…' An enraged thought flew by.

(elsewhere)

Jaken sat under a tree, ever so often peeking to see if anymore random lightening rods were waiting. "What's taking Lord Sesshomaru so long? By now he would've return delivering the bad news…" the imp wondered, fanning away some smoke that still raised out of his clothing.

(back to Sessho)

The youkai lord was still in hot pursue. He was enraged so much for some reason he wasn't sure of. Actually, he knew why. Rin was taken from him, but he'd never admit that he lost his cool demeanor over a human child. Not even to himself.

A small growl rumbled from him, it was taking to long to catch up with her. No way that badger cretin could've made it this far that quickly. He paused to check the air for a clue. Maybe a vague scent. Nothing.

' Damn it all, how the hell did that demon hide Rin's scent?' This was frustrating him.

Kicking over some bushes, Sesshomaru decided to cut across to a different path. The shrubbery was thick and it took some force to move them aside. As he kicked one, something fell limp to the ground behind him. He turned his head to see a small arm. An arm that was frightfully familiar. Completing turning around, he kneeled downward to expect the arm. It was a human arm, still attached to a body hidden with in the greenery.

He found his self praying that it didn't belong to Rin. A clawed hand reached over and grabbed it, pulling it and dragging the body from out the bush. "..Rin." His voice was quiet and cold. She wasn't moving, let alone breathing. He felt as if a cloak of sorrow was threw over him, and suffocated any light that tried to squeeze in. Why would anything do such a deed to a defenseless girl? Rin was missing a soul…

Quickly he removed his armor and pelt, taking off his outer robe and wrapping her cold body in it. Then set her against a tree. His scent would protect her from any other random attacks. Looking back down at his armor, he drew the Tenseiga. He wouldn't need any armor for this battle. 'Whichever badger demon has her soul will be relinquished of it, along with it's life.'

"Wait, mi' lord!" Jaken came scurrying in, tripping and falling on his face. Sesshomaru didn't acknowledge him, his mind was set on killing. The green youkai ran out in front of him. "But Sesshomaru-sama! Maybe it's best that she is gone. Wasn't she a liability?" He puffed and was quickly stepped on.

"What have I told you about stupid questions? Now, take her along with Ah and Un to the castle. I will be there shortly." Suddenly, he stopped walking. Tenseiga still clutched at his side. "Jaken, if I find out you had anything to do with this, I will kill you. Multiple times…"

"Hai, mi' lord!" Jaken paled slightly, trying his best to balance the girl over his shoulders. 'Eh…I forgot he can do that! Kill me with his claws and revive me with Tenseiga…Then repeat the process…' He raced off, Rin carefully balanced over his head and shoulders.

When reaching Ah and Un, He slung her body over the dragon. "Alright, we have orders to return home. Let's get going before he slaughters me!" Jaken panicked, jumping onto it's back as well. With a disgruntled grunt, the dragon leaped into the sky and flew towards the castle. 'Damn it! If that badger with the brat's soul squeal on me, it's my head for sure!' Jaken rocked back and forth slowly, engulfed in fear and anxiety.

After reaching the castle, Jaken informed the servants to get one of the many rooms ready for Rin. Taking her in her arms, one of the female servants eyed the little imp suspiciously. "Where's Lord Sesshomaru? I don't believe he'd have a human child within his home."

"Believe it! Now get going before he returns and become cross!" Jaken hollered and stomped away. The female servant hurried away as well. No one wanted to make Sesshomaru angry.

It was nearly dawn when Sesshomaru did return to his home. Still being dark out, a small line of purplish-pink wrapped around the horizon. Morning was on it's way. He stepped down the dimly candle lit hallway. It was silent in his castle, not a thing was stirring. He held the small orb of blue light in his palm, carefully taking steps not wanting to disturb his sleeping servants.

He reached a room with a very faint scent, that of Rin. The silver haired youkai quietly slid the door open and immediately spotted the girl. She was laying in a bed, with the covers pulled up to her little chin. ' She looks as if she's asleep.' He smiled ever so lightly, kneeling down to her level. He could hear her voice in his head. Humming a tune or telling him about Jaken's cruelty towards her. Removing the covers back a bit, Sesshomaru took the orb and placed it over her chest. After a few seconds, the orb lowered it self into her, instantly restoring her color and heartbeat.

He sunk back with a tired sigh. Even he was lacking energy. His hair was in desperate need of a comb, it laid unruly over his shoulders and back. His bangs stuck to his moist forehead; cuts and marks showed themselves over his face. The badger gave him more of a battle than he thought it would. But that didn't matter to him. Of course he was one to make sure his appearance was kept up, but all he cared for at that moment was Rin.

"Mm…" Rin stirred slightly, frowning in either discomfort or pain. Sesshomaru bent over her, tucking the covers back.

"Shhh…Go back to sleep. It's only I, Sesshomaru." He answered her gently. Her glossy brown eyes opened slowly, everything was out of focus. When things did come back into focus, she smiled abruptly.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin cheered hoarsely. But something was different. He looked as if he'd been fighting, but his golden eyes glowed majestically. With a certain warmth only showed to a loved one. He was like an angel, returning from war to check on his precious follower. "Are you ok, mi' lord?"

Sesshomaru nodded. "Are you?" Rin giggled, nodding and cuddling under the covers.

"Is this your castle we're in, mi' lord?" She looked around the room. It was a fairly large room. Not really decorated, besides a few scrolls on the walls and a mirror. "It looks huge. Is there a garden? Maybe a lake with fish? Playing field? Servants with lots of sweets?" she went on.

He smile partially, almost laughed. The things she said sounded so naïve, yet important in her world. It was hard to explain but it brought him joy. "Hush, Rin. You should sleep now. Tomorrow you'll have all the time you want to explore." He got to his feet, paused and genuflected back down.

"Hai, Sesshomaru-sama?" She closed her heavy eyes, smiling again as she always did.

He placed a light kiss on her forehead. "Good night." Then left, closing her doors. A little embarrassed by his sudden show of emotion.

Rin laid there, wide-eyed and blushing. That wasn't like him at all. But she giggled it off, remembering the tickle of his hair against her face, and fell into a deep slumber. Dreaming one day she'll grow up and marry the young lord of the western lands.

THE END.

The shortest Inuyasha fic I ever wrote. I might make a sequel to it, with an older Rin. .

Arigato! (plz R&R)