Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha®…I would kill to own Sesshoumaru…or Inuyasha for that matter…yummy.

Chapter III– Gathering Forces

The sounds of the mountain were much too quiet that day. Something about the way the wind blew, and how the surrounding woodland's creatures were somewhat silent…as if they were hesitant to make any noise.

The okami okami prince noticed, of course he noticed, he was nobility– it was his job to notice, right? Damn right! And there was no way the great Kouga was going to let something as prominent as this slip.

Okay, so he it did take him a while to notice the shift in the world, but he did notice it…eventually. Lets just say his observance-ness level was enough to make any reasonable anime character sweat drop and fall over before they could stop themselves.

But what this wolf lacked in brains he made up in…um…strength! Hai, if there was one thing Kouga was good at, it was fighting, and he had super speed to match…or he did. He could run at an incredible pace that could not be matched, that is, until that Kagura wench attacked his tribe and took his jewel shards.

Kagura had been undoubtedly sent by Naraku, the very same person that caused his tribe's death so long ago. So now he had two means of vengeance on that miserable youkai– and he was dead set on carrying them out.

And that's the very reason he spun around when that scent reached his nose. The prince unconsciously growled as his demonic instincts quickly identified the owner of that smell and that huge youki.

But after the discovery Kouga smirked and placed an arrogant hand on his hip. "It's that Naraku guy."

The other okami demon, with a white mohawk stood by his side, quickly sniffed, and nodded. "Hai Kouga, he's the one who killed everyone and took our Jewel Shards."

The prince nodded. He turned to his comrade, determination shining in his blue sickle-like eyes. "Ready everyone, we move out as soon a possible."

Ginta (A/N: I think that's his name, yes, there is a wolf demon in Kouga's tribe with a white mohawk, cool, huh?) grinned and nodded, then sped off to carry out his leader's request, just as eager as the prince himself to avenge their lost comrades, for the bonds of wolves go much deeper than friendship or kin.

Kouga turned with that same arrogant pose toward the direction in which that massive youki was pulsing. 'I'm coming for you, Naraku, and I'll make you pay for all you've done.'

His senses tweaked. The very tall, very eloquent, and very handsome youkai lord gracefully spun around, hiding his sudden surprise exceedingly well. He stared absently through the dense and colorful forest to beyond, where a massive youki was growing larger every second.

Breaking his stoic attitude, Sesshoumaru glared while he contemplated this new threat. Well, it was a situation to him, a threat to anyone else, he was much too great to let anything scare him.

A girl about sixteen strode up to his side "What is it, Sesshoumaru-sama suffix for Lord or Lady ?" (A/N: the peanut gallery claps and cheers like they do when a favorite dormant actor appears in a new hit movie v)

Her black hair fell to her waist, flipped out at the tips, her auburn eyes were wise and playful at the same time, she wore a expensive violet kimono dotted with cherry blossoms, some raining across the fabric, some still holding onto branches, all weaved in silk. A katana was strapped to her tiny small waist, her thin curvaceous body and beauty were a sight for sore eyes, even standing next to such a extravagant youkai, the only thing that seemed out of place about this girl was a shoulder length ponytail drawn from the side of her head, but it gave her a childlike streak which only added to her charm.

A human, yes, that kawaii cute little girl that had wormed her way into Sesshoumaru's heart all those years ago had grown into a beautiful young woman, which was a dangerous inconvenience on the Western Lord. (A/N: and can you guess why? . giggle)

little

Still, he valued her presence and had silently vowed to be her protector when she was still a chibi little , and he would hold true to that promise until the day he died, and being immortal, that was a pretty darn firm commitment.

"Concentrate, Rin. Can you feel that?" the prince asked without taking his eyes from the direction of the youki.

The girl closed her eyes for a second, and then they shot open as she gasped. "That's Naraku!"

"Hai." Sesshoumaru said, hiding his loathing for the aforesaid.

"Naraku, you mean that bastard who gave Lord Sesshoumaru the false arm in a means to kill him those years ago?" a small demon, with bulging yellow eyes, green skin, and not even to Sesshoumaru's knee in height exclaimed.

"The same, Jaken, and the Naraku who kidnapped Rin."

Rin was blushed a little and looked down so she could clear the rosy color burning on her cheeks.

Hate tainted ones heart, but on the inside she secretly liked the fact that Sesshoumaru wanted revenge for her. Still, she wouldn't allow him to be taken by fury.

The girl didn't herself know how, but Rin was able to stop him from killing someone, even when he was so mad he did show rage; that usually occurred when someone had hurt her.

The times she had held him back from killing her attacker, it threw the usually collected demon into a fit of jealousy, and that was the only thing that really unnerved him. It was during those times which only made her love him more (though she didn't understand the fluttering sensation in her stomach, nor did she know the reason he got so envious) …the way he was so territorial was…cute, and it made her feel appreciated, but she hated the way it sometimes lead to a fight with him. But in the end, even that made them closer…it was working out their differences, wasn't it?

He had always been protective, ever since he had brought her back to life with his Tenseiga all those years ago…

They had become close…and perhaps they were to get closer, hai?

"It seems that Naraku has collected all the fragments of the Shikon No Tama," said Sesshoumaru placidly.

"Nani? I thought your half-brother was searching for the shards." Rin said confused, she had met Inuyasha and his companions some years back, but the encounter hadn't given her the chance to get to know them enough. She had been so little that she barely remembered them anyway.

But, Rin suddenly recalled, some years ago she had asked Sesshoumaru why he didn't have one of his arms. Jaken had been hesitant to tell the story, considering it was probably a shaming subject for the youkai lord. But nonetheless, Sesshoumaru himself told the girl all about his little brother, his fight with him, and how Inuyasha was on a quest to gather the pieces of the legendary Sacred Jewel.

She had loved it when Sesshoumaru had told her about the exciting fight, and the very day after she had asked the prince to teach her to fight. It was to him that she owed her skill today.

She had loved listening to his rich voice, and loved the way his stories put images of vivid detail in her head, she wanted to hear more, and after a while she was sitting snuggled up in his lap while they sat in front of the firelight, or while he was resting high in a tree holding her close, just telling her stories.

As she grew older, she would sit right next to him, or in front of him with wide eyes. His stories got more gruesome or depressing…and as she matured, she realized that he only talked to her that way, when he was alone with her, with his amber eyes clouded.

Eyes clouded…as if…he was remembering something, then one night it hit her. He was remembering the past, his own past, he wasn't merely telling her stories, he was confiding in her.

As time passed she realized how much she knew about him that no one else knew.

And for some reason, she liked that.

"He was, and he has failed it seems." the Prince of the Western Lands answered with absolutely no sympathy, disappointment, or even remorse in his voice.

"Why would Naraku want the Jewel milord?" asked Jaken

Rin caught his eyes going dark before he spoke, "I do not know that Jaken, but I do know it is for an ill purpose, most likely to make himself stronger."

The chibi demon muttered something along the lines of taking the easy way out of things.

Rin swallowed "We are going to go after him, hai Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked timidly, yet sweetly.

Sesshoumaru didn't look at her "Of course."

The girl smiled, ha! She had achieved her goal.

Finally, the noble youkai turned to address his servant and companion. "That is, if you two are willing to fight." neither his face nor his voice showed any sign of hesitation or concern in regard for safety, or course, but this time Rin knew it was there, otherwise he wouldn't be asking.

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama I will fight along side of you," said Rin still holding that beautiful smile.

"Do you not think girl? You will surely get in the way! " Jaken exclaimed

"Oh shut-up, Jaken, you're the one who doesn't think, he just asked us, baka."

"You have no respect, girl."

"Arigato." answered Rin flatly

"No manners either. Do you honestly believe that the great Sesshoumaru will want the likes of you to fight with him?" Jaken asked. It came out harsher than he meant it to. True, he thought Rin could be annoying, but he really didn't hate her.

She knew he was mostly kidding, but she still had to admit he had a good point.

Instantaneously the pair slowly turned to the youkai lord who had silently been watching their quarrel with hidden amusement, to see what his view on the subject was.

He stared at them stoically for a moment, he simply said. "You are correct Rin, I want you both to assist me if you feel the need to."

Gracefully, he turned around, and said "Come, we leave immediately."

Behind him Rin half-smirked, half-smiled, and quietly told Jaken "I won", as she had so many times as a child.

In reply the servant snottily looked ahead. "This time, girl."

Owari Chapter San

Author's Note: Well, Sesshy and Rin made their debut! huggels both of them I love them both so much, and I had a lot of fun describing them, not to mention their relationship giggle

Well chapter four will be up soon IF YOU REVIEW, HINT, HINT

Shippo: very subtle

Amehana: I know! Anyway, what'll happen next chapter? You'll have to R&R to find out! Sayonara!

P.S. I know my chapters are short but hold tight, they will get longer. I have somewhat of a plan in this crazy head of mine.