Author's Note: I'm unhappy with this chapter, partially because Sesshoumaru's appearance was planned for later but he decided to be all arrogant and show up now. I hope you like it, despite my objects and review.

Chapter Two: Heavens Proclaim the Death of Princes

The group had encamped late that night because the women needed rest. Rin had quickly taken her seat beside Kagome and refused to budge, even after Zen's repeated, terse urgings. It was decided silently that if any information would be weaned from Rin, it would most certainty be done without Zen. Miroku had been the fastest one to come up with an exact means of separating the children; he had suggested a patrol. Zen had seemed taken but reluctant, that was, until Sango had mentioned Rin's habit to get kidnapped. He followed Miroku without a word after that.

And now, a few minutes later, Kagome watched Rin watching the fire, debating on the best way to approach the subject. Sango was sitting across from them, playing with Kirara in her lap. Shipp had gone off to study the woods somewhere; leaving Inuyasha to lurk a few feet away from them, his sword resting on his shoulder as a not so subtle reminder of danger's ever present nearness.

"It's quiet tonight." Kagome whispered suddenly, wishing to egg Rin into speaking. The little girl looked up, inhaled and poked the fire with the stick she held.

"The stars are hidden." Sango prodded, looking skyward. "It won't be long till the new moon."

Inuyasha grunted. This caused Rin to look up, staring for a long time at him. The half-demon turned to meet her gaze and for a time, longer then Kagome and Sango would have, Rin continued to stare into Inuyasha's cool gold eyes. She was searching for something, but what could not be discerned by merely watching them. Finally, after a time, Inuyasha grunted again and looked away.

"You miss him, huh?" He asked simply.

Rin made a sound again, and nodded. "It's been weeks since I've seen Lord Sesshoumaru." She told him, ignoring for the time Sango and Kagome. "I've never had to be alone this long…"

"Are you scared?"

"Not for me."

The seriousness behind the words, and the biting surprise that came from realizing she was just a child made Inuyasha mute. Sango lifted her chin, placing a hand on Rin's small knee. Rin stared at it but didn't flinch. Without Zen near, she didn't need to. Sango tilted her head. "What can you tell us that could help us, Rin? Was Sesshoumaru in a battle?"

"A month ago, we went to a palace. He had a…" Rin's face became haunted, as she folded her knees to her chest. "He knew the Regent."

"What happened?"

"He didn't like me. He said I made Lord Sesshoumaru weak. When he tried to challenge Sesshoumaru…" Rin's voice failed her. She closed her eyes, forcing the words to spill forth. "He tried to use me. Lord Sesshoumaru stopped him but was hurt by his sword." Her face brightened a little. "But Zen saved me!"

"A wound from the Tokijin wouldn't be enough to make Sesshoumaru retreat." Inuyasha supplied, although none really needed to hear it. Kagome looked over, studying his face. Despite his best efforts, Inuyasha's face still betrayed his concern. "And in anyone else's hands, that blade would be more dangerous to the wielder then him."

"Something else must have happened." Sango murmured. "Something that Sesshoumaru wasn't prepared for." She turned to Rin, keeping her voice low and kind, using the same mild tones she had with Kohaku so long ago. "Was he bitten by something, Rin? Cut? Anything out of the ordinary?"

Rin paused to consider Sango's words. "No."

"Is there anything you think we should know?"

"I was leaving Lord Sesshoumaru."

Kagome blinked, sitting up. "What? Why? Was he sending you away?" Rin shook her head. "Was Jaken?" Another head shake. "Then what?"

Rin's face became haunted again. "Four Creeks."

Sango gasped and even Inuyasha stiffened a little. "He told you about it?" Inuyasha asked.

"No. It was in a mural Zen showed me." Rin stood, suddenly and walked towards the darkness. She knew somehow, innately, that none would try to stop her and that should trouble arise, Inuyasha would sense it. He would not as fast as her Lord, but still enough for her to venture out alone. Kagome rose to stop her, but Sango put a hand over her arm.

"Let her go." Sango said, quietly. "She knows enough of solitude to be safe."

"What is Four Creeks?" Kagome asked, her eyes darting from Sango to Inuyasha for some hint. Neither would meet her eyes. "Was it Rin's village?"

"No. The massacre at Four Creeks happened centuries ago." Sango whispered. She poked the fire suddenly, viciously. "But there are still stories about it, legends and horror stories. Four Creeks had been a trading outpost that had fallen on hard time but it was still populated. It was said two hundred humans lived there; all of them very old, very young or infirmed since the able-bodied would have left to find better homes. One night, four powerful demons came into the town; two drove the humans out into the streets, forcing them to the town square. Once there, the leader, a figure of pure beauty and pure hate the legends call it, claimed that he would offer them freedom to any who could prove his blade sharp." Sango's face twisted into disgust. "So one by one he went through the crowd eviscerating each person. It took hours they said, and the rivers ran bloody and did so for years."

Kagome sat in stunned silence as her mind formed visions of the doomed town. Even though she didn't wish to see it, her mind pictured Sesshoumaru there, his sword slicing through the elderly like straw. She hugged herself, and gasped a little at the pain growing in her stomach. Her thoughts were jarred by Inuyasha's sudden bitter laugh.

He was staring into the darkness. His fingers curling around Tessaiga's hilt to keep some center of reality. "…is your fang still sharp?"

"What?"

"It was a game." Inuyasha cursed. "They'd go hunting humans and be gone for days. Sport, they would call it, a game. At least that's what Tama called it. It was all Tama. I remember him. He hated my mother and me; mistreated us whenever he got the chance."

"Your brother let him?"

"Sesshoumaru never admitted to knowing." Inuyasha spat. The wounds, Kagome could tell, were still fresh. "He treated my mother civil, if not kind, and he sent Tama away when she asked him too…but I know he hated to do so."

"Was Tama his friend?"

"Yes. Since childhood. There was no one he trusted more."

"This Regent that Rin said they visited…"

"I don't know what happened to Tama after Sesshoumaru sent him away but I do know Tama wasn't happy about it." Inuyasha leaned back. "I don't remember a lot…besides, they were friends. Sesshoumaru has tons of enemies that would be more likely."

"But we still don't know how Sesshoumaru is hurt."

"Or even if he is," Sango interjected softly. "Remember, this could just be another attempt to get the Tessaiga from Inuyasha."

"If he is using Rin like this." Inuyasha retorted darkly. "He'll pay for it."

XXXXXXX

Jaken watched helplessly as Sesshoumaru fell to his knees. His first instinct was to run to his Master's side but fear, and Sesshoumaru's strict order, stayed his hand. He watched as his Master gritted his teeth, and threw his weight into his knees, arching his back and curling his head in till his nose was almost touching the ground. The Youkai lord looked like he wanted to scream, his face contorting. Suddenly, Sesshoumaru's eyes flew open, shining blood red as the stripes adorning his cheek elongated and for a moment Jaken thought Sesshoumaru would seek refuge in his true form.

Then, Sesshoumaru's mouth opened in a silent scream as his body uncoiled and slumped. His eyes returned to gold and white, now filled with painful tears. Jaken turned away, what he did not see, would not exist. Though by no means as acute and sensitive as his Master's, Jaken could still rely on his senses to describe the scene he refused to acknowledge. Sesshoumaru was still on his knees, panting to force air back into his starved lungs. He had sat up by now, wiping his brow, brushing hair from his face and looking skyward. Jaken imagined his Master searching for guidance.

When he finally turned back, Sesshoumaru had stood, his arm around Ah-Un's saddle to keep himself upright and his cheek resting against the cool leather. Sesshoumaru's face flushed, and the Youkai was shaking. Jaken looked down again, pretending that the shadows captured his attention before looking back up. Sesshoumaru had fully composed himself by now, and was staring back at Jaken.

"The stars are hidden tonight, Jaken." Sesshoumaru said softly, turning his head towards the heavens again.

Jaken followed his eyes, allowing his mouth to venture where his mind traveled. "Rin hates nights like these. They frightened her." He stopped himself suddenly, and turned to Sesshoumaru. "But I'm sure she is safe, my Lord is wise in his actions."

"Am I?"

"My Lord?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, and mounted the dragon once more. "Come. It's late."

"Lord Sesshoumaru…" Jaken began as he ran forward to take the reigns. "Should we not rest for a while…"

"There will be time enough for me to rest." Sesshoumaru answered. "Soon enough."

Sesshoumaru turned Ah-Un towards the West and disappeared into the forest. Jaken waited till he had disappeared completely before prodding.

"Where are we going?" Jaken asked although he never really expected an answer. Sesshoumaru's voice came to him from the darkness. "Home."

Jaken stopped at the sound of rustling near him. He shifted his Staff from one shoulder to another and crept closer to the sound. Surprisingly, the voyeur did nothing to hide. It waited till Jaken had come well within a safe distance before the large creature rose and examined him. It looked at first to be a cross with a dog, and a wolf and had many years on him. Its thick brown coat was beginning to shed, as gray crept in. Jaken and the creature stared at each other for a long time.

"Hurry." Jaken told it. "There's not much time."

The creature nodded and bounded away, towards the South and Inuyasha.