In the previous chapter, Kouga is bitterly disappointed by losing his intended yet again. Ayame presses her advantage and makes a full on advance on Kouga's heart. She tries her best to convince him that Kouga is better off with his own kind.

For the record (ahem): I do not own, in whole or in part, any part of the Inuyasha franchise. Nor do I own any of the characters from said franchise that is used forthwith. The following story is solely based on the ramblings of a college student at a boring job and is not to be taken or believed as part of the true Inuyasha saga. That being said, please enjoy my first attempt at fan fiction. Feel free to critique ad nauseum. (Whew!)

Chapter Four – Bittersweet Lullaby

Shippo was getting tired of playing with his spinning tops. Again. So he dropped it on the floor of Kaede's hut and picked up his crayons. But, he didn't know what to draw. He had already drawn everything he could think of over the last couple of days. He sighed and plopped down on the floor beside the hearth, where Lady Kaede was stirring the evening's supper. "It's been three days since we have done anything. Why haven't we gone anywhere?"

Without looking up, the old miko answered the impatient kitsune. "Because Kagome has not detected any jewel shards nearby."

"Except for Kouga's" replied Miroku, who was sulking in a corner by himself. Kagome and Sango had gone off to bathe, without him.

"Mmm. And, strange though it may be, we are better off leaving them be."

Shippo rolled his eyes. "At least until we've got the others. I know, I know." He shifted in his seated position, but made no move to go anywhere. "I am so bored."

Miroku merely hung his head in mute agreement. "Why don't you go outside. I am sure the village children will play with you."

Shippo stood up, his legs akimbo and his fists on his hips. "I am not a child. I don't need to play." Miroku stifled a giggle as he picked up the top and pelted it at Shippo's head. "Hey! I need something to do. Something meaningful. Playing is for the weak."

"Now who does he sound like? I swear. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he idolized that fool." The monk stood up and walked over to Shippo. He picked the fox up by the scruff and pulled him up to eye level. "That is it. I have heard enough of your bellyaching. I don't care if you don't want to play, you need to."

Shippo had no choice but to go, but he went out kicking and yelling. "Hey! What about you? Mooning over Sango. Why don't you just tell her how you really feel?" That failed to stop the monk, and the little fox found himself dumped unceremoniously onto the dirt outside the hut. Coughing, he rubbed his eyes and waited for the dust to settle.

When he could finally see, he knew he wasn't alone. He was staring at a pair of tiny feet. Unfamiliar feet. Another village kid who wants to make fun of me. Shippo stood up and dusted himself off, pulling his tiny frame up to his full height. "What do you w…"

I know that face. A cute little girl with a bright smile looked him full in the face. A slight bending of his neck allowed Shippo to see beyond the little girl to Sesshomaru. Oh, yeah. "Rin, right?"

She smiled, handed him a little bunch of pink flowers, and ran into the hut to do the same for Kaede. Sesshomaru watched Rin with hidden amusement and then stared hard at the little fox attempting to stare him down. Is he actually trying to intimidate me? With his akimbo stance, it seemed that that was exactly the case. "Kitsune" was all Sesshomaru said in response.

Shippo's chest puffed out. But, at least he knew better than to provoke Sesshomaru's anger. "My name is Shippo, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru's eyebrow lifted sharply. Brave. I'll give him that. Brave for the last of his clan. "Lord Sesshomaru." He thought about it for a moment. He is like a son to my Kagome. "Master Shippo."

His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. Master Shippo. I like that. He gave the lord a quick nod before darting into the hut to tell Kaede. But, he quickly donned his rough demeanor again as he saw the little girl. For some reason, he wanted at least someone to see him as important. And this one could meet him on his level.

As for Rin, she only saw Shippo as someone new to play with. "Shippo. Will you play with me?"

"Yes" came his reply before he could stop it. He stomped his foot in exasperation as the others in the hut laughed at his oh-so-childish display. But, he had to admit that he was aching for someone to play with. So, he decided to let her grab his hand and race out the door towards her favorite place to play, the sunshine.

Miroku walked out of the hut to talk to Sesshomaru. "Why did you bring the girl, Lord Sesshomaru?"

Because, and only because, he was given due respect, he answered the houshi. "She wanted to see Kagome again. She has gotten quite attached to the miko." And I cannot say no to her, either. "Since Kagome refuses to go home, Rin came here."

Kagome hasn't even spoken to you since that night two days ago. But, the monk nodded and headed towards the forest. I wager he brought the little girl to try to win Kagome back. She is still so mad. I hope Sango can calm her down. Kagome cannot sense jewel shards until she is calm again.

Kagome enjoyed the feel of the sun as it warmed her. She lazily towel-dried her hair as she sunned herself on the large flat rock. Sango was a little bit slower coming out of the river, enjoying the feel of the cool current racing around her toes too much to want to come out. But, the threat of pruning drove her onto the shore. "It is truly one of the last best days of Autumn."

Kagome sighed in agreement."Yeah. The cold will be here any day now."

Sango finished drying herself off and had just slipped on her pink and purple kimono as they heard a rustling in the forest behind them. Thinking it was Miroku, Sango picked up a rock and prepared her aim. But before she could throw it, two little bodies came racing out of the forest.

Rin ran just ahead of Shippo, racing to be the first to plant her feet in the river. When she did, the peel of laughter was catching, and soon Kagome and Sango were also giggling; although they did not know why. Rin jumped around at the shoreline, as Shippo kicked a rock into the water. "I win I win I win!"

"No fair. You were running before you said go."

"Was not. You are just a sore loser." Rin noticed that Kagome was one of the people watching them and scrambled over to her rock. "Kagome! I found you."

Shippo jutted his thumb into his chest. "I found them. I told you where they were."

Kagome hugged the little miko. "What are you doing here?"

"Sesshomaru said I wanted to see you. I missed you."

Kagome cooled a little. "So he's back. That's where he went, to get you?"

Rin nodded her head, oblivious to the venom behind it. She pulled her kimono over her head, leaving only her underthings on as she ran into the water. Shippo forgot all his frustrations as the invitation to play in the water became too much for him. He ran up to the rock, stripped down, and swan dived off the flat rock into the water.

Sango laughed at the pair. Perfect. Now we have a pair of children in the group. We are quickly becoming our own clan. She looked over at Kagome. "I know you are itching to go talk to Sesshomaru. I'll keep an eye on them." Kagome had left before Sango had even finished.

The exterminator turned at played nursemaid with relish, forgetting her adulthood for the moment and splashing around with two little children.

Kagome marched straight down the path, crossing Miroku without even a nod in his direction. This is it, he gulped and walked briskly towards the river and away from impending trouble.

Upon reaching Kaede's hut, she stopped for a brief moment to look around. Inuyasha was sitting on the step of the porch, not even looking at her. He has not been able to look me in the eye since… that night. Sesshomaru ruined what tentative friendship I still had with Inuyasha.

But, not all the blame can be place on him. You were just as full of lust…

Quiet you! This is all his fault. "Right…" Inuyasha heard her mutter as she burst into the hut.

Sesshomaru was standing at the other end of the hut, staring at her as she entered. Kaede was standing by the door. She placed her hand on Kagome's shoulder. "Now may not be the right time to talk to him. Ye should wait until ye have had time to calm…"

"I am as calm as I am going to get, Kaede. Please leave us alone." She did not take her eyes off of Sesshomaru. Looking smug as usual.

Kaede wisely made her exit. Sesshomaru took a step into the center of the room, but still did not know what to say. He hadn't expected to let his baser nature take control of the situation. But that damned wolf-boy brought out the worst in me. Just the thought of her in his arms still makes my blood boil. "Kagome."

"Don't you 'Kagome' me." She tried so very hard to keep her rage inside, but her fists were balled up so tight that her fingernails were beginning to draw blood from her palms.

The inu youkai's sensitive nose immediately picked up the smell of her blood. His heart started pounding faster, as the scent made its way through his body. It smells even sweeter now. Her blood sings in my veins. He took a deep breath to steady himself. Now is most definitely not the time to let my nature take control. If that happens, she might loose control of her powers as well. I have no desire to be purified by a mighty wave of her powers.

"How could you… you promised… we shouldn't…" She was unable to put her thoughts into words, because they would not stop rushing about in her head, trying to force their way out. I am tired of trying to hold it in like he does. Maybe he should have a taste of what he has gotten himself into.

She let out a low, loud growl, raising her fists high. Sesshomaru's eyes widened as he saw Kagome launch herself at him.

Miroku followed the merry sound of laughter away from the village. He knew his interests lie closer to the river. Sango will be in a better mood, now that she has had her bath. If only I could have had one, too. He smiled at that thought, and soon made his way to the bank of the river.

Sango was sitting on the flat rock, watching the two children play tag in the water. Since it was still fairly light outside, she saw no harm in letting them play a little longer. And watching them play alleviated her mind of her own problems for a while. She did not hear Miroku surface from the forest a little ways behind her.

He made his way to the edge of the rock without alerting her to his presence. Calming his nerves, and trying not to giggle like the children in the river, he put one foot on the rock. He was almost to Sango, and was about to give her the fright of her life…

"Hi, Miroku!" Said Shippo, ignorant of the plan he ruined.

Sango turned and saw that the houshi was breathing down her neck. "What are you doing?"

He stood, with his hands still in the air, and just smiled. "Uh, trying to surprise you?"

Instead of getting angry as he thought she would, she scooted to one side of the rock to afford him a place to sit. With a grateful grin, he took his place by her side and watched Shippo resume his chase of Rin. "How long are you going to let them freeze in that water? The sun will go down soon."

She just smiled at the monk. "The water is pretty warm right now. I'll get them out before it gets dark." She paused for a moment as a spray of water hit Miroku's face. "Besides, it has been so long since Shippo had someone his own, well, age to play with."

The delight was evident in Shippo's eyes as he just missed Rin's running form. She let out a yelp as she slipped out of his grasp and splashed water in his face. At least he has stopped acting like Inuyasha, Miroku thought to himself. I don't know how much more of that I could take.

"Besides," Sango's word snapped Miroku out of his reverie and he turned towards her. "It gives us a little time, too." She slipped her arm under his and snuggled closer. He breathed in the fresh scent of her hair as she leaned in to kiss him.

"Do all adults do that?" Rin said, looking at the pair on the rock.

Shippo paused in his climb out of the water to look at Sango and Miroku. He just shrugged. "Sometimes. Let's get out of here. I'm starting to get cold."

He helped Rin out of the water and the soggy pair climbed back into their clothes. "Where are we going to go?"

Shippo thought for a moment. This is my chance to make a new friend for life. "You like flowers, right?" Rin beamed and nodded her head emphatically. "There is a little clearing not too far from here that has loads of little white flowers. I could take you there, if you want…"

She grabbed his hand and started jumping up and down. "Yes yes yes yes yes…"

Shippo smiled at her enthusiasm. I guess I will have to be the adult around here. He straightened up, loosing his smile. "Okay, follow me. But, be careful. These woods are very dangerous." And he started off in the general direction of the well.

Rin cocked her head to one side. "Really? I never see anything when we come through these woods."

Without turning around, Shippo said in his cockiest voice, "Don't worry. I'll protect you." She ran to catch up to him, and they both ended up running to the clearing.

"I know where this place is. It is Kagome's well."

Shippo clucked his tongue. "It isn't her well. It is called the Bone Eater's Well. Kagome just uses it."

Instead of picking up flowers as Shippo thought she would, Rin walked over to the well. It was just taller than she was, so she couldn't look inside. "Why is it called that?"

"If you throw a demon inside, his flesh and bones disappear overnight. I think it is possessed by the spirits of all the old mikos who guarded it in the past." Shippo jumped onto the ledge of the well and lent a hand down to Rin.

She scrambled up the side, eager to see where it was that Kagome always went. But, she didn't see what she thought she would see when she looked down. "Ew! Kagome goes down there?"

Shippo nodded. "I've seen it. But when she goes down, her power transforms this into a doorway to her world." He looked over at his companion. "She is from the future, you know."

"I know. Kagome told me all about it."

Kagome is a reincarnation of Kikyou, a powerful priestess."

"I know that too."

Shippo was a little put out that Kagome would tell Rin all that. He wanted to amaze her with everything he knew, but it was not fun if she already knew it too. "I heard Inuyasha and Kagome talking a couple of days ago. She says you are a reincarnation of Kikyou, too."

Rin was finally surprised and looked up at Shippo. "How?"

Shippo scratched his head. "I don't know. Maybe because you and Kagome are from different times. You share the same soul." He looked at Rin for a moment. "Maybe that is why you look so much like her."

Rin blushed a little at what she thought was a great compliment and looked back down into the well. "I wonder if I could open the door, too."

"I don't know. Kagome uses the power of the Shikon Jewel to help her."

"It was in her at first, right?"

"Yeah…"

Rin's eyes lit up with hope. "Maybe it is in me, too. I want to try."

Shippo grabbed her hand. "I don't think so. It is a long way down…"

Miroku finally came up for air many minutes later. This was the most pleasant way to let the sun go down. In Sango's arms. Wait a minute. The sun is down. There is barely any light to see… "Where are Shippo and Rin?"

Sango broke from her hazy reverie to look around. She could barely see the river, but the children were definitely not there. But she wasn't worried. Shippo could wander on his own this close to the village. She shrugged and snuggled a little closer to Miroku's chest. "I guess they got tired or hungry and went back to the village. Shippo knows how to get there."

As wonderful as it felt to have her willing in his arms, something was not right. "I feel strange. There is a presence here."

Sango perked instantly at that sentence. "A demon?"

"Yes. But not a usual demon. Not malevolent, but not a good omen." He stood up and looked around. Sango did the same. They could not see anything untoward around them. No sign of a demon approaching. No screams of frightened villagers.

The houshi's trained ears did pick up something. "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"I hear… music. A pipe."

Sango listened for a moment. "I cannot hear anything."

Miroku looked up into the sky and saw the faintest silvery light in the direction of the village. "There. The music is coming from there."

Now Sango heard something. "I hear it, barely. What is it?"

"I don't… know." Miroku felt his blood turn cold when he also heard the sound of children laughing. But these voices were coming from the sky. "What on Earth…" He then realized what it was. "Tatari Mokke."

"The spirit that catches child spirits?"

"Yes. I hear the laughter of children in the sky. It is not an evil spirit, but it will take those souls to hell if they cannot let go of this world."

"It is close to the village. Has someone died?"

As if in answer to Sango's question, a single word ripped through the air. It was Shippo's voice, shrill as a banshee. "Rin!"

Coming Soon – Chapter Five – Plight of the Mu Onna

Rin's soul is in peril as a sorrowful spirit pretends to be the mother she never had. Sesshomaru cannot bring her body back to lif until they retrieve her soul. As he and Shippo go after Rin, Kagome and Inuyasha are confronted by Naraku's henchman.