"What is your connection with my brother?"

Rose remained silent. She couldn't figure out if he was angry or not. Her mind went back to what Yuki had mentioned just moments before. Rose sighed and watched as a light rain fell from the clouds. "Kagura has already informed you on that, my lord."

Sesshoumaru roughly turned Rose to face him. His eyes stared into her brown orbs with frustration. Rose winced slightly as his claws dug into her bare shoulders, though not enough to draw blood.

"You are hiding many things from me, Rose. I let that pass. But this...this is one thing you will not hide any longer! Speak!" Sesshoumaru released her after a couple of frustrated shakes of her body. Rose backed away then assumed her submissive posture--head down and hands behind the back--that she always took when her master was angered. She was used to this, but this was the first time the frustration was actually toward her.

"I...I was a loner at first, my lord, but--"

"I don't want to hear your life story!"

"I must speak this, Lord Sesshoumaru, for anyone to understand. I was a lone wolf until your brother and his friends came across me as I slept. I awoke to see them camped nearby, and they shared thier meal and warmth with me. I joined them and, during a resting time, I searched for Naraku for them. However, when I found him, he made me an offer I chose not to refuse. You know the rest, my lord."

"I see." Rose looked up to see Sesshoumaru cross the room to his bed where he sat down. His expression, though stern, told of deep thought. While a quiet settled on the room, one could hear the rain as it hit the roof; it was coming harder and faster. Rose fell into a trace as she listened, but Sesshoumaru's voice broke that trance. "I have learned that Inuyasha seeks you. They still trust you, thinking your fight was a trick of Naraku's. Somehow they have learned that you are with me. They are probably coming here as we speak."

"I see." Rose bowed her head again, not wishing to look to her master.

"Do you wish to leave?"

Rose was shocked by this question and looked to Sesshoumaru in hope that he wasn't serious. All she saw was that familiar gaze lacking emotion that would always reveal nothing to her. "No, my lord. I came to you willingly, and I stay willingly."

Sesshomaru was quiet again, but Rose worried. 'Does he really think I want to be rescued?' But Rose could think no more on this as an all too familiar voice yelled above the rain. "Sesshoumaru! Get out here!"

"They are here. Come." Rose followed Sesshoumaru into the hall then to the front entrance. There they paused. Sesshoumaru looked as though he longed to tell her something, but the emotion was gone as he walked out into the pouring rain with Rose at his side faithfully. "Why do you call me out, Inuyasha?"

"You know very well why! We're here for Rose!"

"And what makes you think she would want to leave with you?"

"We are her friends, unlike you: her kidnapper!" Kagome jumped into the brothers' quarrel.

"Me? Her kidnapper?" Sesshoumaru was actually gaining an amused expression before he went serious once more. "Don't make me laugh!"

"Why you!" Inuyasha drew Tetsusiaga and charged at his brother.

"Rose! Run!" Sango called. Taking her advice, Rose ran from the brotherly swordfight as Sesshoumaru drew Tokijin to defend himself. Rose stood not too far off and was about to jump in to help Sesshoumaru when she felt something clinging to her leg. Looking down, she saw that Rin had awoke and was clinging to her in fear as her eyes watched Sesshoumaru fight with his brother. Rose lifted the young girl into her arms and carried her back to the entrance where Jaken waited. Setting her down and kneeling to her level, Rose spoke to Rin like a mother ready to leave her child.

"Rin, stay here. Everything will be fine. Sesshoumari-sama will get out of this with barely a scratch."

"But, Rose, what about you?"

"I may be going away for a while. I don't want to, but I may not have a choice. Stay with Jaken; he'll look after you."

"But--"

"Hush. Now stay here." With that, Rose rushed back to the battle. The new scene was horrifying. Sesshoumaru stood over Inuyasha as if to give the final blow, Inuyasha was readying to block as he lay in the mud, and Sango was about to attack. Rose rushed to Sango and grabbed her arm, stopping her from throwing the Hiraikotsu. "Sango! Stop!"

"Let go, Rose!"

"No!"

Miroku grabbed Rose about the waist and pulled her away from Sango. "Come on, Rose! We have to get you out of here!" By now Inuyasha was on his feet again. Kagome, Sango, and Miroku fought the struggling Rose to get her on the transformed Kirara's back with Sango in front of her and Miroku behind. Shippo jumped up onto her lap.

"Now go! Inuyasha and I will meet you at the village!" Kagome yelled above the raging storm.

"Kagome!" Rose called. "Don't let Inuyasha kill Sesshoumaru! Please, promise me you won't!" But the promise never came for Kirara was flying into the sky before any more could be said. Rose watched as Kagome turned back to the battle. Inuyasha was readying for his next attack. Sesshoumaru was watching Rose's departure, a look of disappointment noticable in his amber eyes, before running to the palace to grab Rin and Jaken then fleeing into the woods.