Authoress: Once again, I hope you are all enjoying the story so far, please remember to review!

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"Jaken-sama, what's taking Sesshoumaru-sama so long…?" the eight-year-old figure of Rin asked as she perched upon a large boulder, a creased forehead maturing those childish features.

"How am I supposed to know, wench? I know as little as you do. Feh, it disgusts me to even think you and I have something in common. Even something as petty as this!" the green toad grumbled under his breath as tiny fingers nervously tugged at onyx robes.

The sun had just begun to set when the Great Lord ran off to rescue Rin's savior, but now stars scattered across the evening sky. The unusual thing about Sesshoumaru's behavior was the fact that he actually agreed to the child's demands.

Even if he had refused to do as the little girl had ordered, she would have forgiven him anyway. Jaken's brooding was interrupted by a long shadow that cast over the fire and darkened any light which embraced the small campsite.

He was back.

The Ruler of the Western Lands watched with stoic features as Rin jumped up and darted to his side, curious about the woman in his arms. Sesshoumaru bent down and set the female on the ground, leaving the eight-year-old to tend to her wounds.

The Inu Youkai seated himself beneath a large oak with his head against the bark. He closed his eyes for a few moments, tempted to drift off into a dormant state. Opening amber eyes that glinted every time the moonlight crossed them, the Lord arched a brow at the sight of the nine-tailed Demoness resting under the tree opposite him.

Gold-flecked irises slowly opened and a groan escaped the woman's throat, a clawed hand reaching up to gently grasp her skull. A headache, perhaps? Most likely. Coughing into her other palm, Rin looked up from the flickering flames of the fire and darted to the Youkai's side, a smile tugging at the ends of her mouth.

"Hi-hi! How're you feeling?" she beamed gleefully, peering closely at her savior.

"Did you save me from those Demons…?" the injured female questioned, an astonished hint to her tone.

"Of course not. Rin couldn't do such a thing! It was Sesshoumaru-sama that saved you."

Those emotionless orbs widened.

"Lord Sesshoumaru?" the girl breathed, gaze flicking up instantly to fall upon the stoic features of the Lord sitting across from her. Those dark, piercing eyes narrowing viciously as she said coldly, "Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands."

A small, toad-like creature stepped into the Demoness's line of vision, causing her to lean back in surprise, a brow cocked curiously. "How dare you use such a tone when speaking about my Lord! You should be bowing down and begging him not to take any offense, you disrespectful wench. He was the one who decided to save you, after all!"

"So he did save me, eh? I guess I wasn't dreaming when I saw him appear out of no where. How typical of a Lord. Feh. It's been awhile, Sesshoumaru."

"Lord Sesshoumaru, you ungrateful-" Clawed fingertips pushed Jaken out of the way in irritation.

The Inu Youkai stirred then, fixing his glance upon the crescent moon that hung like a blade in the starry sky. His beauty was almost breathtaking as he sat so still, the light breeze blowing wisps of silver out behind him. He was like a stunning figure-head who seemed so much like a marble statue. A statue that couldn't be scratched, no matter how hard someone tried to damage it.

Golden eyes flicked to the other Demon, watching her before asking, "What is your name?"

It was quite an off-topic question, but what did he care? In this case, he was running the show, he was the boss, so he got to ask the questions. A sigh parted the woman's full lips as she looked to the ground, feeling three pairs of eyes staring at her.

"Ryoko."

The word floated off her tongue very melodiously, her voice graceful in a way unknown to most common Demons/people. It almost sounded seductive in a way. But this Demoness was full-blooded, and what was less appealing than a stuttering Youkai?

"And you are a Neko Youkai, correct?"

The silence was awkward. Rin sat at Ryoko's side, glancing from Sesshoumaru to the woman, her chocolate eyes moving back and forth every few seconds. Jaken was frozen in place against the large, rock supporting him, yellow-slitted orbs watching his master as he tried to ignore female Youkai and her audacity.

"Yes," came the reply.

The Lord nodded solemnly, making a mental note of that. As he diverted an emotionless gaze back to the moon, the Demoness sighed deeply before turning to Rin, determined to pretend that the male didn't exist at the moment. It was weird, meeting the only person she had ever helped in her entire life again. But worst of all, she felt degraded by the fact that he had been forced to rescue her.

How embarrassing. But hadn't she helped him once before. Realizing this bit of information, Ryoko decided to view his aid as a debt now repaid.

"Please don't get mad at Sesshoumaru-sama, Ryoko-chan," the eight-year-old child began, leaning in closer and whispering the rest, "He might be cold at first, but he's the best thing that ever happened to Rin…" Did this child truly believe that he wouldn't be able to hear her?

A warm smile from the woman followed Rin's worried statement. What a cute thing she was! But what was she doing traveling with the only Inu Youkai famous for his hatred of the ningen race? A Human child, no doubt! How odd. It seemed that even a little girl could soften the Great Lord's ice-cold heart.

Ryoko shrugged nonchalantly. She didn't know the Dog and wouldn't have the chance to because as soon as her wounds were fully healed, the Neko would disappear without a trace like she had done many years ago when she and the Lord had first met. Her fingertips combed through chestnut tresses as the Demoness watched Rin admire her nine tails waver about boredly.

It seemed as if each one had a mind of it's own. They were soft to the touch and smooth under the little girl's fingers as she reached out to stroke one. The woman didn't mind; it was the least she could do for the child who had informed Sesshoumaru of her situation and convinced him to come after her. So basically, Ryoko owed Rin her life.

"I believe you, little one, don't worry…" the nine-tailed female cooed gently as the dark-haired mortal yawned, pulling herself closer to her savior. The feline sighed contently and pulled Rin onto a soft bed made from her tails.

The heavens were black as gravity began to pull on Ryoko's eyelids, though she refused to acquiesce to sleep's persistent tugging. Those glowing, amber irises glanced towards Sesshoumaru, his gaze still firm and unwavering as he looked up at the moon. Jaken, too, was fast asleep against, low growl-like snores emitting from him with each inhaled breath.

The Great Lord glanced to the Neko and then down at Rin, his face remaining blank. And then the two full-blooded Demons were staring at each other.

"Thank you," Sesshoumaru said suddenly, catching the female off guard.

"Thank you?" she asked, trying to mask her confusion. "For what?"

"For saving Rin."

Ryoko could have said more, but was there really anything else to be said? Nodding in reply, the woman leaned back against her support, wrapping her slightly-tanned arms around the dormant child that snuggled deeply into her lap.

The day had gone by way too fast. It felt like only moments ago that she had emerged from that village with blood-stained claws and a mind to kill anything that got in her way. Only moments ago that she had trespassed on that Demon group's territory to save a little girl. Only moments ago that they had decided to beat her to near death. And now? Now she was cuddling a ningen, readying for bed, and keeping the Great Lord of the Western Lands and his two companions company.

Trying to keep her eyes from closing, the Demoness finally gave in to the rest she craved, a crescent moon hanging in a star-scattered background the last thing she saw.

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