Disclaimer: sigh, I do not, nor have I ever, owned Inuyasha or any of its characters. Please, if I did, do you really believe I'd be writing here where no money is to be made? Anyway, sorry I haven't written in a while to the people who have actually read this story and liked it. Hope you enjoy this chapter!!
Recap:

//***//

When she tried to explain why she was laughing, she fell to the ground, grabbing her sides for support as she laughed harder. Farther backbirth defects where the only things they where able to understand. When she stopped laughing, but was still lying on the ground breathing heavily, she looked over at Janken. Sooo, we going to see the Lord of the dogs now?

//***//


Rhian gazed up at the surrounding trees blankly. She had the distinct feeling she shouldn't be going this way. That danger lay but a few feet away. Trying to shack the feeling, she looked over toward her newfound friend Kagome.


She was staring at Inuyasha with all her love in her eyes. Until he looked over at her that is. Once that happened, her eyes narrowed and she would look away angrily. It was actually very entertaining to watch. Hey Janken, we there yet?


No, we will not reach my lord until nightfall I'm afraid. Janken shouted over his shoulder just before leaping over a small fallen tree.


Rhian sighed, looked up at the sky, and then smiled brightly. Are we there now?


Wha -- no, were not there yet.


Oh, what about now?











How bout now?





I'm hungry --


NO!! WE ARE NOT -- what did you say? Janken began shouting, only to stop short when he realized he was not being asked a question.


I said I was hungry. You have a problem with that toad-boy? Rhian's eyes narrowed into silver slits as she cracked her knuckles. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Inuyasha rolling his eyes and Kagome smothering a giggle under her hand.


Kagome suddenly piped, her head tilting to the side as she said her mats name.


Oh, you're talking to me now?


Fine! Be a jerk! See if --


I'm sorry Kagome, what did you want? Inuyasha murmured, taking her small hand into his big one.


Will you always be there for me? Forever I mean, when ever I need you?


Course I will Kagome. That's what mates are for, right?


Rhian stopped dead in her tracks for a second, before she began walking blindly behind the others. Her face turned a pasty white, and her normally laughing silver eyes turned a dead gray color and glazed over slightly. Memories from her past flooded her mind so quickly and sharply, it felt like she had gone back to those horrid, wonderful days.


Rhi, will yo always-z be dare for us? Forevor and evor I mean?'


Course I will twerp. That's what big sisters are for, right?'


That long ago conversation with her youngest sister brought tears to her eyes. Even after so many years, she could still remember the slight mispronunciations her sister would make when she talked and her slightly garbled tones. She had failed to uphold that promise to her sister. She had failed them all. And for her failure, she was condemned to spend eternity alone with her guilt.


Rhian? Are you all right? You haven't asked Janken if we were there yet' in over an hour. It took several seconds for Rhian to realist that this voice was not from the past. Seconds later her mind registered that it was Kagome who had pulled her out of her inner turmoil.


Don't remind her Kagome! I was just getting used to --


Inuyasha SIT!! Seconds later Inuyasha went crashing into the ground with a loud thud'.


Now what the hell was that for?!


It was for being a dumbass!


Why you --


Janken, your late! Lord Sesshomaru is getting restless from waiting so long! A twelve-year-old shouted as she ran down the hill towards them, cutting off the rest of Inuyasha's sentence.


Images of Lisimba, Peta, and Rhiannon filled Rhian's mind as if someone had just dumped a pile of stones on her head. Images of the four of them playing in the stream by their mother's hut. Images of the fights she had gotten into because some villagers had been making fun of one of her sister, because of their mixed blood. Images of the tear stained faces of them when they found their mother dead, hanging from the rafters of her room. Then, finally, came the images of her sisters being burned alive in the abandoned hut they had turned into a home.


Images of her best friend holding her back from the blaze when Rhian had tried to rush into the building, her sisters still screaming for help inside the inferno. Of the killing spree they both went on after they had found and buried the small chard bodies.


A light tap on her shoulder brought Rhian back to reality.


Looking over her shoulder she tried to smile through the tears that were streaming down her face. I'm fineum, really hungry is all.


Do you always cry when you're hungry? the little girl questioned, her big eyes alight with interest and concern.


Do you always ask strangers such questions? Rhian countered with a slight laugh as she wiped the tears from her face and eyes.


No, but --


Well then, there's your --


Janken, you are late. And what, exactly, have you brought along with you other then my brother. Do you ever do anything right? A low, emotionless voice asked from atop the hill the little girl had run down from. Looking up, Rhian saw a demon with long silver hair, pointed ears, and a tail wrapped around his shoulder.


Your LORD Sesshomaru? She asked, trying as hard as she could not to laugh.


I am. May I ask what your name is and what seems to amuses you so?


In a second. You ARE male, right?


Sesshomaru stared at her for several seconds, then bowed his head slightly. Indicating that her assumptions where correct. At that, she burst out laughing so hard she was having trouble not only breathing, but keeping her blather. Whale on the ground laughing, she tried, like the time before, to explain why. All anyone could make out was so inbreedhalf girl.birth defect!.


Looking up at Sesshomaru's face, Rhian smiled and tried to calm herself. Unfortunately, she was unable to do so for a very, VERY long time.


Please let me know what you think!!