Once again, thanx for the reviews. Here's the replies for them.

Baka Psycho: -laughs- No, there will be no "yes-face." I am not using any "faces" for this story, I don't think. And what is plot? Oh...that thing that the story is about...? Still don't know. heh heh...but anywayz, thanx for the review.

Devlinn Reiko-sama: These chapters are starting to really stray from the movie a bit. I should know, I think them up. That just makes it better, right? And I'm glad you like Maru's personality. I think it's quite accurate to his actual personality, with some conformation to his now human nature. Oww...sounding scientific...brain melting...-thanx for the comment before brain oozes out of ears...-

Jgal: Poor Sesshy indeed! Although we can't say he doesn't deserve a teensy bit of punishment, even if I am on his side most times. -cough, Inuyasha, cough- excuse me. Thanx for the review.

Vixen Duchess: Hell, I'm surprised I don't know the plot word-for-word. I've been watching it daily lately. I think its the pining over loss of PS2...A crush on Dash? Huh? I'm scared...Oh, and don't worry. I have a friend who crushes on Inuyasha, another who crushes on Miroku, yet another who crushes on Kagome, and one who crushes on Sango. I'm in your boat. And I actually saw that Cat movie on the shelf, but I didn't consider it. Sounds stupid, ne?

Well, now I have an announcement. I am giving Rin(Lin) a background story. And I'm doing this for a reason, so I ask you of it now-should I do a Rin(Lin)/Sesshoumaru(Maru) pairing? Tell me when you review. I'll keep a tally of it in this area, so you can see the stats. I'll close the polls after about three or four chapters, depending on how quick the story flows. Thanx in advance. So far, obviously...

Yes- 0

No- 0

And now on to the story, sorry this was sooooooooo long.

Maru got back late, but not too late. He felt ready for anything today. Now he had enough of a sense of smell to be able to identify different people, but nothing stronger than Inuyasha's nose, or even on par with it.

"Hey, Maru, you had me worried for a minute. I was wondering whether you were all right," Rin said.

"I am fine. Better than yesterday, in fact."

"Good. We're still on big tub duty, and it's really nasty from yesterday."

Maru groaned inwardly. Damned tub from hell!

He stretched his arm out, wincing as he felt the old pain from yesterday, then grabbed the coarse brush and began to scrub at the walls once more. He and Rin had scrubbed half the tub clean in just half a day, a major accomplishment. They decided to leave the fetid slime on the floor. The tub was more important. By the end of the day, they were about three-quarters done with it and both were ready for a meal and some much needed rest.

Maru hissed as he put his arm down on his bed. It was swollen and purple from overexertion and stress.

These are the times in which one wishes for two arms…

Rin stared at him in pity. He looked so pained and troubled. She knew what it was like to be treated different, but she could never imagine what it was like to be turned from a demon to a human and thrown into a job you had no choice but to take. And especially to work this hard…

He's a strong spirited guy, I'll give him that. More spirit than Sen had in her. Of course, he's a dog; he's all spirit and loyalty, right?

"Hey. Maru, come here. How about I help you? You're arm looks sort of sore…"

"Just a little?" he mocked.

"Don't take that tone with me. I'll let you sit there in agony."

"That is just fine. I do not recall asking for your help."

"Then do you want it?"

"It would be appreciated."

"Fine. Hold your arm out."

Maru did as instructed and Rin began to rub the kinks out of the muscles in his stress-ridden arm.

"Ow…" he whispered, suppressing a cry.

"Don't get all wussy on me, dog boy," Rin told him. "I won't be long."

She began to rub more rapidly, adding a little bit of salve before wrapping his arm in bandages.

"There. You're all done. Feel any better?"

Maru clenched his fist. His arm still hurt, but he could feel the tingle of the herbal salve working on his tired limb.

"I will be."

He turned away from her.

"But…h-hey! Can't you say thank you?"

"I would…if I had asked for the help," Maru sneered playfully.

"Ugh! How dare you, you presumptuous ass!" Rin fumed.

"I have been called that before," he added. "There is no need to become upset. Even though I did not ask for your help, I do appreciate it very much."

Maru flashed a rare grin at the woman and she blushed.

"You're welcome. Oh, yeah. I swiped some food from those Frogs. Want some?"

Maru nodded and Rin handed him a bowl of rice and some chicken on a stick.

"Thank you."

He sat on the balcony, staring at the moon. It was a crescent this time, a waxing crescent.

Why do I care whether it is waxing or waning? He wondered. Ah, I suppose it's more of a thought that I never get to see it to tell…

He took a bite of rice.

"Rin?" he beckoned.

"Yeah, what?" the woman asked, sitting next to her.

"Do humans really need to eat so much?"

"It's not just humans. Normal people like me and lower class demons from what I hear eat like this. Higher class people and demons have a higher tolerance and stuff like that," she explained. "I think it's sort of a pity. No time to enjoy what you got…"

Maru sighed. "True."

He took a bite of his chicken, then remembered his herbal cake from the River Spirit.

"Hn…Rin?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you…could you tell me what this is made of?" he asked, holding it out to her.

"Umm…I don't have a demon's nose. Can't you?"

"I don't even have a half of a demon's powers. I can only tell that it is made of herbs."

"Tough luck," Rin said sadly.

Maru sighed, feeling very forlorn and homesick. He cried, something he'd been unable to stop doing since he'd become human. His heart ached for his Rin and Ah-Un, and even Jaken.

"What's the matter?" Rin asked.

"I want to go home," he said softly. "I miss everyone."

"I wanna get outta here too, make no mistake. This is no life for someone…" Rin concurred.

"I will not be staying here long. I must go home. My Rin…"

"It's always about your Rin. What's so special about her?"

Maru was taken aback.

"I only call her my Rin to distinguish between you and her. Besides that, Rin is but a child. She needs care, and I do not trust Jaken for that. He is only an imp."

"Oh. The way you were saying it…was like she was…your wife…"

"A strange, but I suppose plausible mistake…"

Maru put his head on his knees, letting tears flow freely from his eyes.

"Look, it'll be okay, I'm here, and Haku's here for you, so you don't need to worry," Rin said. "Even Kamajii's with you. So rest easy."

Maru was confused.

"'Here for me?' What do you mean?"

"You know. We're your friends."

"Friend?"

"Ugh. Friend! You know! Someone who stands by your side, who you consider an ally…"

The ex-demon smiled a true smile.

I have friends…new friends…

Day 5 (hafta keep track myself…)

Maru woke up feeling better than ever the next night. His arm was totally healed up now, although he was a bit hungry. As a human, he seemed to be a bit of a glutton. However, he was still plenty strong for a human.

After a good three hours' work, the giant tub was clean and ready to be dirtied. By the first hour, Maru, who had never before sweated so much in his life, stripped to his hakama as he worked. Rin had no problem with this at all; she actually thought he looked dashing without it. However, it didn't distract her from her work like some other girls she saw staring at him like drunken, preppy teenagers.

"Okay, now what do we do?" he asked Rin.

"We finished our work for now. Let's take a short break until they slap some other impossible task onto our little army here."

"I would not call us an army. We're more like a squad," Maru told her.

"One."

"Hn?"

"You used one contraction in the entire time I've heard you. I think you only used one. I think I'll keep track of it now…"

"Don't you dare!"

"Two. That's two contractions, Maru."

"Why you…the impudence…" he fumed. "If I wasn't human…"

"Three."

"Grr…"

He bent down and picked up a damp rag.

"You wouldn't!" Rin said.

"Oh?" he replied, flinging it with all his strength at her. He then took the bucket and tipped it over on her hair.

"IIIYYEEAGHH! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!" she snarled.

"Only if you can catch me…"

R&R, please!