I don't own any of the characters from the Inuyasha anime series; Rumiko Takahashi does. I just own Yume. Constructive criticism welcomed bashers ignored! Got it? Good!

Translations:

Sama - Lord, Master

Taiyoukai - Ultimate demon (refers to high ranking demon)

Nani - What?

Ano - Umm...

Youkai - Demon

Hai - Yes

Nani desu ka - What? (longer way; I put it there cuz it sounds cool)

Chan - Little

Baka -Idiot, moron

Baka no - "The idiot..." (Insert the name afterwards)

Kimi - You

Damare - Shut up

Onegai - Please

Domo arigatou - Thank you

Yume- Dream

Fukai Mori - Deep Forest

Ningen - Human

Kimono - Dress (Originally worn in Japan)

Sengo Jaida - Warring Ages

Inu - Dog

Shi'ne - Die

Shimatta - Damn it

Hanyou - Half demon

Chapter 11

"I can't believe we are not out of this area yet…" Jaken grumbled; resting his feet on a stump. "And of all things…we are gonna sleep here too!"

Sesshomaru remained quiet with his back up against a tree. His eyes were closed but he his ears were open to every sound around him. With everything at peace though he still couldn't help but to wonder of Yume's plans.

"She wants me to suffer?" A slight smile made it's way across his lips. "She can't harm me…inexperienced demon…can't even control her powers…" Opening his eyes a little to check up on Jaken and Rin he closes them back and snickers. "She's worse then Inuyasha when his without Tetsuagia."

Hearing the tone of Rin and Jaken's voice increase he sits up and places all focus on them. It was amusing to him. To have his annoying but informative retainer along with his cute but troublesome pup with him like this. It was almost comforting to listen to the two of them argue from time to time. He sat back and watched as the two got into another disagreement.

"Stop complaining Jaken-sama! We are safe as long as we have Sesshomaru by our side!"

"She depends on me too much." He thought as he listened on. "It won't always be like that though…"

"Hai…" He sighed as he fell back over the log. "You're right…" He mumbled. "Still there's nothing to do around here!"

"Huh? What do you mean there's nothing to do?" She asked as she finished her daily brushing for AhUn.

"Don't even think of saying that I can dance or sing Rin!"

"I wasn't…besides…you can't do those things anyway."

"What?"

"You lack the ability." She teased.

"Clever little devil…that Rin…" He thought. Chuckling to himself at her antics at Jaken's own expense. She really did help to lighten the mood around his dark taiyoukai aura.

"Why you!" Jaken growled; scrabbling to get to his feet to chase after Rin; only failing as he fell back again. "GRRRR!"

"Still…she is only human…I won't have much use for her…especially when she becomes of age…" He thought.

To watch Rin grow up into a young lady would be an experience for the Lord of the Western Land; but he knew all to well what must be done in order to allow her happiness. Entrusting her to the humans when she becomes of age will be his only option. So she could meet a human man, get married and have…kids…

"Hmph…human men…" He growled. "I detest them…"

The thought of a human male courting HIS Rin? He wouldn't have it. They are violent and disgusting. Worse then any youkai he had ever seen come face to face with. The things they do to innocent human woman.

To rape them?

Beat them?

Kill them?

Leaving Rin with a human male…that would be his biggest mistake. Then again…what choice did he have? He wanted her to be happy.

There was always death…but killing his pup…that would make him out to be as bad as the men in the village. No, death certainly wouldn't be the best of choices.

But what else was there, really? She is only a child and the only thing that keeps her sane at this age is being around life itself. But when she gets older she will think of other things; things that usually plague the heart of a human female.

Insight, Freedom, Love. Love? Love…something she will desire more then anything when she becomes of age and realizes of her urges "to be" with someone. Someone of her own kind. There was no sense in denying it.

And he knew that.

Sighing to himself off the future and what it would hold for him and his human pup Sesshomaru remained silent the entire time. Seated up against a tall tree with his eyes staring up at the falling cherry blossoms.

"Spring time is a nice season…isn't it Sesshomaru-sama?" She asked innocently as she grabbed a falling cherry petal in her hand.

"It is a calmer season…" He answered; sighing as he took in the scent of the falling flowers from the tree he stood under.

"Sesshomaru-sama?"

The innocent voice brought the great demon out of his thoughts, and he slowly turned his head to move his gaze at Rin.

"What is it, Rin?" He asked in a nonchalant manner. The pup couldn't be hungry or thirsty, as they had already eaten their dinner.

Earlier that morning she did seem quieter then usual. Assuming she was either thinking of her nightmares or contemplating over what the priestess who called herself Harin, Yume truly was he didn't bother to talk to her. But now she seemed more willing to talk. With a hopeful gleam in her eyes as she stared back up into his stern gold ones he watched as she began to speak.

"Rin's bored..."She uttered in a low voice. He responded with a sigh as he watched his pup kicking a small pebble into the nearby stream.

Arching an eyebrow at her the Taiyoukai responded with what he assumed she wanted from him. "You want to play?" A smile coming to her lips at the mentioning.

"Should of known…" He thought as he felt Rin grip his hand and lead him over to the fire that she made for him and Jaken earlier. He nearly toppled over the little

pup as she enthusiastically dragged him over to the spot.

"You sit here Lord Sesshomaru! I'll go wake Jaken." She smiled as she went over to the sleeping Youkai who laid on his back; legs up as if he was knocked out by someone more powerful.

"Wake up Jaken!" She jeered as she tugged on Jaken's haori sleeve.

"Nani…?" He muttered as he turned on his side. Drool falling from his lip.

"Ano…" She chuckled; backing away from Jaken. Looking toward her Lord she looked around and noticed a rock. "Do we need him for this?"

"Yes my Lord! Truth or Dare requires more then just one person to play in order for it to be fun!"

"Hmmm…" He muttered as he watched the pup pick up the small rock. Smiling mischievously at the sleeping youkai she through the rock at him. "Wake up Jaken-sama!" She jeered.

Still the toad youkai remained in his slumbering stare. "Ohhh…"She muttered sadly. "We need Jaken-sama in order to play my Lord…but he refuses to awaken.

Getting to his feet Sesshomaru made his way over to the sleeping youkai and smirked; raising an eyebrow at the mess that laid before him. "Jaken!" The Taiyoukai's Lord slamming down on the toad demon's head as he called his name. In the instant the toad youkai fell over the log he scrambled to his feet and bowed towards his Lord.

"Hai, Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Come." Sesshoumaru replied. Not sure of what his Lord wanted he obeyed him anyways. Sitting down with him in the newly formed circle of three Jaken crossed his arms and gave a questioning glare to Rin and then to his Lord.

"If I may ask my Lord? Is there something amiss that you had to awaken me so late into the night?"

Before he could speak the pup interrupted him with a laugh. "Jaken-sama we need you here so we can play a game."

"WHA?" His big, bulbous eyes going wide at the thought. "You? You awoke me from my slumber to play a game!" He asked; almost enraged. Calming his tone as he noticed the infamous "death" glare Sesshomaru gave him.

"Is that a problem Jaken-sama?" Rin asked sweetly. Sesshomaru's angry glare still being brought upon him.

"Uhhh…heh heh…no! No, of course not Rin." He smiled faintly.

"Great!" She jeered.

"So, this game we are playing? Truth or Dare?" The Taiyoukai gave Rin a questionable look. "How do we play this…game?"

"Simple." Rin began. First we must figure out who will go first." She replied as she stuck out a closed fist. Sesshomaru rolled his yes. He knew that they would have to play this game first.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors!" Rin cheered. It was revealed. After one turn. Rin chose Scissors while Sesshomaru chose Rock and Jaken chose paper.

"Well…" Rin replied; her hands in a scissor like shape as she observed everyone else picks. "Scissors cuts Paper…but Paper covers Rock."

"So…what does all this mean Rin?" Jaken asked curiously.

"I will go first. Then you, and then Master Sesshomaru."

Jaken smiled to himself. Maybe he would actually win this time. Truth or Dare didn't sound as bad as Leapfrog, or Tag or WORSE…Jump rope. The way his Lord attacked him after he had smacked him in the face with the rope…still lingered in his mind. He wouldn't end up hurting his Lord and he might actually fair well so he actually had a reason for sticking it out through one of Rin's silly games this time.

"If I win maybe Lord Sesshomaru will congratulate me!" He thought optimistically to himself.

The thought of the one he admired most; Lord Sesshomaru praising him for accomplishing a goal was a nice thought.

"Rin? What next?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Well…I'm first so it is my job to ask someone to either answer truthfully to a question or to do something for me."

"Do something for you?" Sesshomaru questioned.

"What? Do you mean like go get something for you?" Jaken asked.

"I can ask you to do anything when it comes to Dare." She smiled; the most mischievous of mischievous smiles appearing on her face as she said "Anything".

"Wipe that devilish smirk off your face girl! You are creeping Lord Sesshomaru out!" Jaken yelled. Rolling her eyes she goes on explaining. If I say Truth I get to ask you a question about anything and you must answer truthfully to it."

"What if you don't?"

"Hmmm…then you get throne into the stream!" She announced excitedly.

Both the Youkai Lord and the toad youkai looked at each other for a moment and then at the stream. Neither of them minded water…but to be throne in…without question…? That wasn't going to work.

"So I think you guys should be honest!" Rin giggled.

Jaken just snorted at her. These human games were stupid. They were only meant to embarrass. Sesshomaru thought the same; but he did feel like being amused by another's humiliation on this lovely spring night.

"Oh! One more thing! We each take turns! So after I ask a question or dare someone then it'll be Jaken-sama's turn and then Lord Sesshomaru's! Understand?"

The two demons just nodded.

"Okay…hmmm…" She began; smiling as she stared at her two targets. "Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Hm?" He mused. "What will she ask of me?"

"Truth or Dare?"

Pondering the question for a mere moment he sighed and narrowed his eyes towards Rin's.

"Dare."

"Okay…Lord Sesshomaru…I dare you to…" She went on; her eyes searching for something in the area for her to use on her Lord for the appropriate dare. "I dare you to lift AhUn above you're head."

"WHAAAA?" Jaken cried; his jaw dropping at Rin's request. "How dare you Rin?"

"Nani desu ka Jaken-sama?" She whined as she felt Jaken's staff hit her on her head. "Asking the Lord of the West to lift a beast like AhUn above him?"

"Excellent my Lord!" Rin squealed; seeing Sesshomaru successfully take on the Dare.

"M-My Lord…?" Jaken's draw dropped to his master actually lifting the heavy Dragon above his head with such ease.

"What?" He asked; rolling his eyes at Jaken. "This isn't difficult Rin…" He muttered in an un-amused tone.

"It's not suppose to be." She smiled.

"How long must I hold him up like this?" He asked; effortlessly holding the beast above his head with his only arm.

"You may put him down now my Lord; you've done the Dare." She smiled in approval. As the TaiYoukai Lord took his seat Jaken began to praise him. This was a simple task for him; lifting a heavy object over his head.

"Jaken…" He muttered.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Isn't it your turn?"

"Ehhh? Already?" He wondered; looking to Rin.

"Hee hee…" She jeered as she looked towards her TaiYoukai Lord. "Master Sesshomaru, now you can ask either me or Jaken to do a Truth or Dare of your liking."

Oh? So now it was his turn to question his comrades? This would be fun.

"Rin-chan?" She turned her gaze right to his; a smile as always upon her face.

"Hai, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Truth…"

"Ano…" She blushed. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at the reaction; he sensed her readiness to answer truthfully but was nervous about it.

"Hmmm…" He muttered.

"What's wrong my Lord?" Jaken questioned.

"Quiet Jaken! He's going to ask me a question!" She yelled; smacking him on his head. "You have to wait till it's your turn baka!"

"Wha! Why you little…!" He growled; griping his staff to refrain form releasing his rage upon the girl with his Lord standing watch.

Doing his best to hold back another snicker he looked to Rin and figured out just what he wanted to ask her.

"Why do you like to hit and talk back to Jaken when he tries to reprimand you?" Sesshomaru asked in his monotonous voice.

"Excellent question my Lord!" Jaken replied as he settled back down into his spot. "I have to hear this." He replied as he sat closer to the fire.

"Hmph!" She muttered; crossing her arms in annoyance. "Jaken is a big meanie my Lord!" She began her big, brown puppy eyes enlarging and beginning to well up.

"I'm a what?" Jaken protested.

"I won't sit there and take punishment…especially if I didn't do anything wrong!"

"You fowl mouth ningen! You always talk back to me!"

"But never to Lord Sesshomaru!"

"You'd be a fool to do that!" Jaken answered back.

"Like you!"

"What!"

"Baka! Baka! Baka!" She teased. Hiding behind Sesshomaru. "Baka no Jaken-sama!" She teased as she started running around the fire and away from Jaken.

"What? How dare you!" He snapped as he chased Rin around the fire; with Sesshomaru watching.

Having trouble holding back the chuckles he tried to hold in earlier at the sight of Rin and Jaken's argumentive moment; he lets out another snicker as he quickly apprehended the fleeing girl and the pursuing youkai and placed them back around the fire.

"Kimi…" Jaken growled.

"It's your turn Jaken." Sesshomaru answered.

"Oh!" His gaze only on Rin.

"What Jaken?" She asked in the same tone as Sesshomaru.

"Grr…"

"Rin…you know better." Sesshomaru replied.

"Hai…" She admitted. "Gomen ne Jaken-sama…" She replied to the irritated toad youkai.

"Hmph! That's better!" Jaken replied happily. "Now, Rin. I Dare you to…" Smiling as he caught sight of AhUn.

"Go and kiss AhUn!" He smiled deviously. "Okay!" She jeered as she got to her feet.

Sesshomaru growled a low growl as he watched his pup walk over to the great dragon horse.

"Ehh…m-my Lord?" Growling again; Rin could hear Jaken's immediate yelp as she heard Sesshomaru bopping him on his head for making her kiss such a nasty beast.

But to Sesshomaru's surprise after the quick hit his eyes caught sight of Rin placing a gentle kiss on Ah & Un's foreheads.

"Keh?" Jaken muttered; sitting up and shocked to see the little girl place her lips above the heads of each dragon.

With a quick slurp AhUn responding to Rin's affection by kissing her back.

"Ewww!" Rin jeered. Laughing as she ran over to the stream to wipe the slime from off her cheek. "I love you too AhUn!" She yelled as she splashed water on her face.

"Ehh…heh…gomen ne…Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Damere…" He growled; smacking Jaken a second time. As he walked up to AhUn; shaking in his head in disapproval at the grinning beast it was before he could say anything that he felt Rin attaching herself to his leg.

"My turn Sesshomaru-sama!" She beamed as she grabbed the TaiYoukai by his hand and lead him back to the fire.

With Jaken rubbing his sore head upon returning to his seat Rin made her next turn work when she proposed a question to her Youkai Lord.

"No more Dares." Sesshomaru answered sternly.

"Right. Now I must ask you a question."

"Go on then." The little girl paused for moment as she ran her fingers through her hair; playing with it a little as she pondered the question. In seconds her she looked towards Sesshomaru with curiosity.

"…Do you like having Jaken and me around?"

Jaken's eyes widened at the thought. How he badly wanted to scold the girl for asking such a dumb question! But…at least he'd get an answer. A truthful one at that…hopefully the one he wants to hear.

Sighing to himself he looked up at the falling blossoms that fell from the tree above them. "I tolerate you…"

"Toler…?" Rin muttered; having trouble pronouncing the new word. "…ate?"

"Teh? Tolerate?" Jaken stuttered; confused by the word as well.

Sighing to himself he clinched as he felt Rin wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Rin?"

"I don't know what the word means…but I know you mean well!" She jeered; burying her head into the youkai Lord's fury tail as she hugged him.

With her distracted Sesshomaru looked at Jaken.

"Right! Upon our return to the castle I will teach the girl more words!"

Nodding in approval he grabbed Rin by her waist and gently pulled her away from him. Looking into her eyes always provoked this strange feeling in the pit of his stomach.

It didn't matter when she was happy or sad about something; just looking into those big, brown, puppy like eyes always did something to him.

He couldn't explain the feeling; and he didn't really like the feeling either…but it was Rin. HIS pup. So he could care less.

Watching her yawn he knew that play time was over.

"Time to go to bed Rin."

"Awww…just one more?"

"No Rin! It's late! You need to go to bed!" Jaken protested.

"But? I wanna stay up with you and Sesshomaru-sama!" She whined; looking at Sesshoumaru with those big eyes like she always did when she wanted her way.

"Rin…"

"Onegai…" She begged with her lip quivering and her eyes filling up with tears that looked as though they desperately needed to fall.

"That feeling again…" He thought to himself; as that same strange overwhelming feeling in the pit of him came up again. Knowing he wasn't going to win the battle he just sighed and said "Yes…" to her demand.

"Domo arigatou Sesshomaru-sama!" She smiled as she cuddled up closer to her Lord.

Jaken just sighed heavily at the sight. "My Lord…" He thought. "I am amazed at how you even put up with her…" He thought to himself as he went over to his log and back to sleep.

With Rin falling fast asleep the only one to remain awake was Sesshomaru. Like his brother he never really slept. He kept his eyes closed but his ears were always open to the sounds around him. Even his nose was on full alert; like any InuYoukai of course.

As the hours passed and sleep claimed just about every other living thing; Sesshomaru kept alert; being that since Rin had fallen asleep he could sense a strange aura lurking all around the area.

The scent was even stranger. In the midst of Rin's flowery scent mixed with the earth and everything else around him he smelled the same aggravating scent he smelled the day he first met Yume in the Fukai Mori. The same scent; it was also reminiscent to the so called Protector of the Field of Ignorance; Yume Harin.

"All to easy…" He scoffed; the scent seeming even more strong as he opened up his eyes; hoping the wench was standing somewhere nearby. But of course not. She wasn't that dumb. "Just like last time…" He muttered; remembering the first time he met with the Guardian of the Subconscious Realm.

Flashback

Dark green eyes and blood red lips with sunlight refracting off of each black tress to discover crimson colored highlights. Someone so young yet so innocently beautiful; a youkai lady dressed as an everyday ningen slut.

A red tube top kimono held by a tightly woven black bow. Long black boots that make they're way up to the youkai's thick thighs and then stop at the massive slits present on the left and right of the dress. A hint of what appeared to have possibly been her thin under garment appearing from both sides as she stood there.

Her hand tightly gripping a long pole like weapon with a crescent shaped scythe at the top. Her arms covered by flowing, crimson colored sleeves. Her hands covered by black lace; to protect and define her beauty if any.

What stood before the teenage Taiyoukai was what he thought to be a vengeful but insolent girl; bent on getting attention. Knowing full well it was his destiny to be the Lord; him to be one of the great ones to oversea this demonic era of the Sengo Jidai yet…she hated him. Despised him. She could never bow to someone who she felt was below him because of his race.

"Baka Inu…" The young demonness growled; pointing her staff at the youthful Taiyoukai.

"Out of my way…" A young Sesshomaru threatened. His gold eyes burning with the desire to take her head off; trying to reframe from such savage and needless behavior being she was a lady and also amongst the ranks of the Taiyoukai race.

"You don't deserve the chance to be Lord!" She yelled. "I hate you so much!" She screamed; tears falling from her eyes.

"Too bad you feel that way about me…" He muttered in an uncaring tone of voice. He assumed she was jealous; for he had done nothing to harm her. Well not yet at least.

"I have been given the job of guarding the Dream Realm! A place where people sleep and think up of their greatest desires and worst fears! And yet you! YOU! You get to rule a part of the Sengo Jidai!" She whined in aggravation. "It's not fair!" She growled as she aimed at Sesshoumaru with her weapon.

"Silence." Sesshomaru replied as he grabbed the end of her staff and held her in her position; unable to move. "You bore me." He muttered as he tossed her to the floor.

"You're lucky you are still here. Father has slaughtered your troops…" Yume's green eyes widen to the shock of such news; gripping the dirt as her only means to hold back her rage. "Now you have no one…but yourself." He muttered as he walked on by the weeping demonness.

"I knew I had angered her…but I was surprised that I could anger to the point of which she would reveal her true form…"

"Get over yourself Yume…or else you won't live as long as you expect…" He muttered; half smiling as he continued onward.

Suddenly a bright flash of red light from where the dream wench sat came up. It was her aura!

"I had never felt anything like that…ever…someone so young…yet that powerful…" He growled; despising the memory of that time.

"Shine!" A loud God like voice said as Sesshomaru fell to the ground. It only happened in a few seconds but it did. It was Yume's attack. She had scraped him several times with her own demonic claws and he was bleeding profusely because of it.

"Shimatta…" He growled as he tried to sit up; only to fall back down again. He sat their staring back at the creature that had done this to him. It was the same demonic, slutty looking beauty he had just spoke down to minutes ago! It was Yume! But everything about her changed. Her demonic aura was overwhelming and her scent reeked of souls…of all things…a mix of different souls.

"So…you consume dead people, huh?" Questioned an irritable half demon.

"Damn it…" Sesshoumaru growled; recognizing the spirited vice of his half brother; Inuyasha.

"He didn't belong there…I didn't want him there. It would have been better if that damn hanyou never came…but he did…" Sesshoumaru thought angrily to himself as he remembered the moment of when his brother tried to show how he wasn't just some weak half demon.

"So…you called upon your kid brother to help you huh?" She teased; picking up her staff upon Inuyasha's intrusion.

Running over to aid his big brother he backed off when he saw him snapping at him when he tried to help him to his feet.

"I'd never!"

"Inuyasha…" Sesshomaru mumbled angrily; the though of his hanyou half brother coming to his aid sickened him.

"I can take care of myself!" Sesshomaru growled as he whipped out his Poison Claw whip; only to be shocked to see it bounce right off of her. "What the?" Sesshomaru uttered; falling to his knees at the attempt.

"It didn't work…" Inuyasha muttered as he stood by his brother's side.

"Get out of here half breed! I didn't ask you to come here!" He growled; threatening his little brother.

"I should of killed her…but…she saved me the trouble…" The human woman with exquisite beauty and a kind heart; the woman known as Izayoi; Inuyasha's mother plagued his memory.

The thought of the human woman that came to aid her son and her stepson in case of this demon burned through his mind. "She only came…because of him…" Going under the assumption that Izayoi had come only for Inuyasha; being that he was her son.

"How cute…your Mommy has come to save you both!" The demonness went on.

"Leave us demon!" Izayoi demanded as she got in front of her kids; trying to protect them.

"Disgraceful…" She scowled; Inuyasha tensing up at the word. "You are the sons of a ningen?"

Sensing his brother's disgust at the assumption he shot up and defended himself.

"I am!" Inuyasha protested. "He isn't…" Looking towards his fallen brother; a pained but angered look in his eyes as he stared at his older brother.

"Worthless woman…she would have been killed…but then Father showed up."

"Hmmm…I knew it…" She smiled. Raising her staff above her head she gave them a glimpse of the demon woman known as Toki.

"My…!" Sesshomaru muttered as he struggled to stand; only falling back again; this time though in the arm of his own Father.

"Inu-taiso-sama…" Izayoi muttered in a soft hearted tone.

Sesshoumaru did everything he could to hold back his strength; he couldn't transform yet and if he could there would be no point. He was useless…of all things…he was now incapable of battle and could help no one. But at least his Father was there for him.

The sight of Sesshomaru's dead mother; her gold eyes staring back through the vision Yume had produced for them.

"I know the dreams and fears of the living as well as the dead…"

"I suggest you go now demonness! You're troops have been destroyed. You have a duty to fulfill as the Guardian of the Dream Realm. I will not be the one responsible for your death." He warned.

"You dog demons…all of you disgust me. You don't deserve to be amongst the highest of TaiYoukai…you belong at the bottom with the humans." She jeered. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha's wearing angered expressions on their face; more so Sesshoumaru and Inu-Taiso being that the dream wench concerned herself more with them.

"I plan to make you suffer…all of you."

"Go to hell you damn dream wench!" Inuyasha growled. His mother placing a hand over his mouth.

"Hmph…such a mouth for such a hanyou…I think you outta discipline him now…because the day your Hanyou or Taiyoukai sons meets with me again…will be the day I discipline them myself!" She yelled; melting into the darkness of the oncoming night.

"I thought she was out of my life forever. That she was merely bluffing to anger me further…but she wasn't…" He muttered; stroking Rin's head as he pondered the memory of his rival. "She's came back…"