Soon the sun was coming up on the dewy, summer morning. Sesshomaru was still watching over Rin---he did not sleep that night. The sun's rays were soon shinning through the leaves; she groggily moved and hid her face against Sesshomaru's chest. He smiled to himself. He could tell that she was not a morning person and for some reason he thought it was cute. He held her closely and she roused herself from her slumber. Rin looked up at her master and smiled. She felt so safe and comfortable in his arms. She looked up to him like her own father, even though she knew her own father was dead, but Lord Sesshomaru had so far looked after her like she was his own.

"Did you have a good rest, little one?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Yes, Master! I had a wonderful sleep," Rin replied.

Sesshomaru smiled and the Rin jumped out from his lap and stretched her body towards the sky. When she was done stretching, she twirled on her toes and let her arms flow around her as she done so. She accidentally kicked Jaken with her one foot and automatically covered her mouth with her hands. Rin knelt by the imp and apologized. He grumbles for a bit and then forgave her. Then the both of them lit the fire once more and Jaken prepared breakfast because he hand an inkling that Rin would have been hungry again. Humans! That was all they did was eat and sleep. He friend up some of the leftover roast rabbit and picked some forest berries for the girl. She ate eagerly when it was finished, but was quick to her manners and asked if Jaken and Lord Sesshomaru wanted any. Jaken had taken up the offer, but as always, Sesshomaru declined. He would never eat mere human food, ever.

When the sun was slightly higher in the sky, the small band had begun their journey again to find more pieces of the Shikon Jewl. The day had already begun to get warm. Every hour the temperature was rising and Rin was really feeling the heat. Sesshomaru hardly noticed and neither did Jaken. He didn't really think that Rin would be affected by it as much as she was. He studied the girl as they continued their journey. The sweat rolled down her forehead, her body was just drenched. She panted as she walked, her chest heaving greatly. He had also noticed that her feet were dragging across the beaten path they were following. Sesshomaru looked around. They have been out of the forest for some time now and there were barely any shade in site. They were climbing through the mountains and slowly ascending to its peak so they could get to the other side. The closer they climbed to the sun, the hotter it got for the girl. He knew that they had to stop, but where? No place was suitable for a rest. There wasn't even any grass where they were walking; they were past the tree line. Sesshomaru had decided to just stop and sit down then.

"What are you doing Lord Sesshomaru? Why are we stopping? We are so close to being over this mountain," Jaken asked.

"Why are you questioning my actions so frequently, Jaken? Don't you think you are crossing your boundaries?" Sesshomaru injected.

"N-No, sire!" he quickly knelt down to the ground, throwing his face down to it. "Please don't kill me. I was just curious! I am sorry for prying."

Sesshomaru looked down at Jaken, then over to Rin for a moment, pulling her into his lap, and then looking out to the scenery, noticing that were quite high up on the peak.

"Rin just needed a rest," Sesshomaru said to himself, not so loud that Jaken heard. He rested his cheek on the top of her head, and his long, silvery hair fell forward and made a vale for the two. Rin pressed her body closer to his as they rested. She was in the shade now, and she was feeling a bit cooler.

At the side, Jaken watched his master show such love to the small child and was bewildered. He would not dare question his lord though---oh no! He wanted to keep his life and if Lord Sesshomaru wasn't threatening him as much, Jaken was going to keep his mouth shut. He had noticed, he was enjoying his masters mood lately since Rin became apart of their lives. Things seemed serene.

AN:

Hey there! I know it has been well over a few months since I have last updated. I've been so busy that I hadn't had time to update what I had. Now that I have the Net at my place now, I will be able, or at least try to, update more. Thanks to all of my readers! You guys are gems! Thanks a lot! Merci Beaucoup!!! J

Aelise