(Very short,I know. I'm really struggling with my fics lately. Sorry about this! Please read and review!)


Chapter Ten-Bitter Tasting Emotions

Rin was awake when Lord Sesshoumaru approached the little camp she'd made for her and Saraku. "Lord Sesshoumaru!"

The demon lord smiled kindly, and patted her head. "I've heard everything. Is Sara okay?" He bent over Saraku, and examined her wrist. The girl snapped awake in pain. "I am sorry,my child...." He took Sara into his arms. "Rin,we ride back tonight. Nyrou's tribe is still looking for the two of you."

"But my lord,Saraku's in no condition to keep travelling." She was packing thier little bit of supplies anyway. "Are you going to carry her?"

Sesshoumaru said nothing,as he picked the human girl's head up. "No. She will be well in a matter of minutes." He removed the black flask from his belt.

"What's that?" Rin looked over, her eyes round.

"Hanyou elixir. One or two swallows of this, and Saraku will be a half-demon, with more stamina than she has now." He propped the girl's mouth open then,and began to adminster the drug.

Rin was in shock. Hanyou? Sara? How could Sesshoumaru do that?! Would he try and turn her too? "My lord,will it hurt her?"

"No. I've given her a form she will pleased with. A half-wolf demon." He helped Sara sit up, when she was completely awake. "How do you feel,Sara?"

"Sick....that stuff tasted horrible!" She gasped then. She had moved her wrist to get up,and it hadn't hurt. "I.....I feel wonderful..." She stood up then,and blinked,seeing the tail in her shadow. "A tail?!" She looked at Sesshoumaru,not sure of the emotions she felt inside. "W-what did you do to me?!"

Sesshoumaru remained emotionless,as he stroked her long brown hair. "I saved you a lot of future troubles. You will eventually thank me."

"N-never!" She turned,and fled farther into the forest. "I'll never forgive you for this!!"

Sesshoumaru just watched her go, before leading Rin off in the opposite direction.

He made me a half-demon! How could he do that?! Why not a full demon,like him? Does he think I would've been bad at it? Or did he like my human traits enough to let me keep them? I can't go back to Inuyasha like this! What am I going to do?! Saraku's young mind was all in a tangle,as she wandered alone in the forest. She hated Sesshoumaru for what he'd done. But she didn't really know what kind of strength she had either. The girl realized with a stab of pain that Inuyasha might reject her even more now. He himself was a hanyou,and at times, he ranted about how much he hated it. I can't go back to Lord Sesshoumaru either. I'm an orphan again. I belong to no one. She sat down and unpacked her bag,rolling out her sleeping roll. She then began to gather sticks for a fire. It didn't occur to her that she'd never made a fire for herself before. I can't depend on anyone anymore. From now on, I'm on my own.