I DO NOT own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi, Johnny Depp, Cookie Crisp, or any cool things out there. I only have my computer and my imagination. I would -appreciate- reviews but they are not necessary. Pro tells all!

Have You Someone to Protect?

Sesshoumaru looked out over the cliff, repeating his father's words in his head. 'I have no one to protect.' he growled. It had been about ten years after he saw his father again, or at least to an extent. It had been Inuyasha's first time though and for some reason, he hasn't been himself. As if…nah. He cleared his thoughts of such rubbish, he hadn't protected Inuyasha, he was trying to overpower his father's strength.

"Lord Sesshoumaru?" he closed his eyes at the soft voice. Rin had just turned 17 and had somehow stayed alive.

"Yes Rin?" he turned around to see the brown-haired, brown-eyed girl. Well, at least to him, she was still a girl. Her figure had come to its full curviness and her eyes still held that special sparkle that only Rin could give out.

"Do you think we should keep moving? It is getting dark and the forest is quite dense." she said astutely and pointed to the forest.

Sesshoumaru thought a moment, "No, we shall rest here for the night. Go tell Jakken we will leave at dawn."

Rin bowed and left. He hated that. Rin felt the need to bow before him? If there was one thing that irked Sesshoumaru more, it was her bowing. Had they not been through enough? And she still called him "Lord Sesshoumaru" not "Sesshoumaru." He almost envied Inuyasha and his woman mate. He looked back over the cliff. At least some things would change…the wind was already whispering of it.

Rin sat beside Jakken, who, in his impish way, tried to start a fire for the 134, 564, 4975 ½ time. Give or take a few other misfortunious attempts including, but not limited to: catching his hat on fire, catching a tree demon on fire…who later made Jakken very close to firewood. Not to mention he was using his staff that for some reason, he had -too- much fun with. He scorched a rabbit and called it dinner. Rin had only poked the hare and it poofed into ashes. Yes, definitely not limited to a few misfortunes when creating fire.

Rin sighed and looked around for something to do. "I'll be right back, Lord Jakken." she said quietly and stood up, walking off. Jakken hadn't heard her. He was too busy being the impish pyro he is.

Rin walked through the forest and stopped suddenly. 'Perhaps I should have told Lord Sesshoumaru where I was going…' she thought and frowned, walking farther into the thicket that she had told her master about, the density about ate her alive, or it just swallowed her up as she fell into a pit under leaves and dirt. She screamed as she fell down the hole and hit bottom. "Ow…" she said as she rubbed the small of her back and stood up.

"What did we catch?" she heard a rough male voice and peered above her at the fire torches. She paled and fell against the dirt wall and tried to blend in, if only she were younger. She would have never strayed. But a girl aging into womanhood had to test her curiosity. She cursed her uncanny ability to want to explore. She was definitely a woman. She cursed like a man. And not just one word, she cursed herself left and right for stupidity. Under her breath so as not to alert the people up there.

The man with the torch looked down and lowered the torch down with a rope. Her features were illuminated. Her fair but tan skin illuminated like a goddess of the night. Her eyes shown with flames in them, though she was no more fierce at the moment than when she was a meek child of 7. Her hair was tied up in a bun, sloppy and dirty from the fall.

"Well wouldya lookie here Itiopei!" another man came from behind him and peered down. Rin could barely see them as the flame was almost beside her. "We gots us a lassie!"

She squirmed under their lustful eyes. "Lord Sesshoumaru…" she whispered to herself as the men jumped down and grabbed her by the arms. She screamed as their fingers dug into her flesh. The one named Itiopei slapped her across the face, leaving a bruise-to-be mark on her cheek.

"Hush your mouth, you ungrateful rat!" Itiopei drawled, half past dead and drunk.

Rin's bottom lip quivered under his gaze as she tried to escape. They began to tie her up and before they but the gag on her mouth, she screamed for Sesshoumaru again, hating to be so dependent but she had no choice. Oh! But he would be so furious with her!

Sesshoumaru turned at his name being yelled and looked back to Jakken who had almost burnt the camping area to nothing but soot. "Jakken…where is Rin?"

Jakken paused, "Why, she's right here, My Lord…" Jakken turned behind him to see no Rin. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" Jakken ran around in circles, "I've burned her alive! Forgive me, My Lord!"

Sesshoumaru growled and launched into the forest, leaving Jakken to believe that he was being left alone for scorching Rin. Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, had other things on his mind. He paused at Rin's scent and looked around, prancing through the forest swifter than a wolf but with the cunning of a fox. He loved being a demon from the canine branch.

He neared the camp where he smelt Rin and looked over and his mouth almost dropped to the ground. Almost. Because, as we all know, Sesshoumaru doesn't get ruffled that easily!

Rin was strapped to a pole, her hands tied above her head as she hung there. Tears streamed her face and he could tell the gag was draining her fluids. 'Have you someone to protect?' the image flashed before his eyes. "No." he ground out the word and marched into the camp as a true ruler would do in complete bravery, or stupidity…though he didn't have to worry about the latter.

Rin's sobs weren't covered by the gag. She may not be able to scream or talk, but Sesshoumaru heard her sadness and maybe even shame. He never knew Rin to have shame. He walked up to her and looked at her, bending down to see her face. Her eyes closed, his brow creased as he traced the tear marks upon her face. She almost had a stroke from his fingers, afraid that it was another man to hurt her. Her eyes shot open immediately as she recognized him. "Mm Mm-m-m-mph?" (translation: Lord Sesshoumaru?)

Sesshoumaru almost took the gag off when he saw the mark upon her cheek, as well as blood dripping from her nose and her opposite eye was beginning to swell. His hatred flooded him as he turned away from her. Tears streamed down, 'Does he not care enough to help me?' she thought and then the idea fluttered away when he called out.

"Whoever feels like they want to die, will have their wish fulfilled tonight." he growled out, over the camp.

Men came out with weapons and Rin knew not to fear for Sesshoumaru, but could not help it. 'Please be careful.' she prayed for him.

Sesshoumaru attacked them and defeated them effortlessly. The last man fell from Sesshoumaru's poison claw. He was Itiopei. Sesshoumaru knew he had hit Rin, her scent was on his hands. He had abused her. He knew it.

Sesshoumaru turned and saw Rin's face in sheer terror. He inwardly cursed himself, but did not lose face. Rin still had yet to see him fight, he wasn't one to pour violence into purity. He took the gag off her and sliced the rope with nothing but his claws. She wouldn't have fallen but she had no strength whatsoever from the restraints. Instead of toppling over as she tried to avert herself from Sesshoumaru, it just made it worse. She fell right into him.

Sesshoumaru went rigid.

He wasn't sure if he should help her or step away from her. He forgot the latter when she looked up at him, peering into his shining eyes. "I'm sorry Lord Sesshoumaru, I'll sit down and when I'm stronger, I'll come back to the camp."

Sesshoumaru slid one arm around her neck and the other under her knees and lifted her up effortlessly. She almost squealed but she kept her tongue in check. "Lord Sesshoumaru, please set me down. I said I'd come back."

Sesshoumaru didn't answer.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, please. You don't need to carry me."

Sesshoumaru's jaw ticked a bit but she didn't catch the sight of it in the darkness. She could only see his glistening eyes in the night but she knew every curve and muscle that was visible as he wore his armor. There are times that she had sown to his wounds, but they were few and far between.

"Lord Sesshoumaru--"

"Rin." he exhaled a long breath as she shut her mouth. "Stop calling me that."

Rin looked at the darkness strangely, "Then what should I call you?"

Sesshoumaru's gaze drifted to her and she held her breath. "Sesshoumaru." he said calmly and looked straight again.

"But I do call you that, Lord--"

"Not Lord Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru." he said and looked down at her again.

Her mouth made an "O" shape. "Why should it offend you? Lord Jakken calls you that as well."

Sesshoumaru didn't answer. There wasn't a word spoken until they got back to the viewing of the campsite. "What is wrong with Lord Jakken?" she asked and tried to scramble away from Sesshoumaru's grasp. That didn't work. She didn't realize what strength she had till she about fell out of his grasp and he lost balance from the shock of it, tumbling down over her, with her still in his arms, shielding her head and back with his arms.

But he came down hard and knocked the wind out of her. She gasped as she cringed a bit and looked back up to Sesshoumaru's eyes, "Lor- I mean, Sesshoumaru, since when did you lose balance?"

Sesshoumaru looked down at her, "Since you gained more strength than me." he muttered and sat up, pulling her up with him and looked at her strangely.

"What?" she asked, scared at the intensity in his eyes.

He touched her cheek and she winced and turned away. "Rin?"

"Please don't ask. I didn't mean to venture that far off."

"Rin?"

"Please?"

"Rin--"

"Rin! Lord Sesshoumaru! Rin is alive!" Jakken ran up to her and tackled her down, "I thought I burned you up with the rest of the area! Don't scare me like that girl!"

Rin smiled meekly, "Sorry Lord Jakken, I was just going for a walk. I did tell you."

"You did no such thing, human!"

"I did so!" Rin argued back.

"You did not!"

"Did so!"

"Did-" Jakken was halted by Sesshoumaru's hand

"Jakken, let's just rest. Rin has been through enough tonight."

Jakken looked to Rin strangely, and his eyes were round as saucers…and bigger. "What happened Rin!" he grabbed her face forcefully and looked at the marks.

"Ow!" Rin slapped his hand away and got up, still a bit wobbly and looked down at Jakken, "I'm fine! Would you two stop worrying! I may not be a full fledged demon like you guys but I'm pretty sure I'll live!" she screamed and walked over to the camp, rubbing sticks together, made a fire in an instant and sat by it, her arms wrapped around her knees.

Jakken looked to Sesshoumaru, "Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru exhaled another long breath and stood up, "Do not fret Jakken, she is just tired." though he didn't know if he believed his own words. What made her snap? She was the most mellow being he ever had known and that took a lot for her to put up with Jakken. And maybe a bit of him. There was no reason for her to mind Sesshoumaru, he didn't want anyone attached to him. Or at least he thought he didn't. 'Have you someone to protect?' "No." he growled and walked up to Rin.

Rin was writing in the dirt when he walked up behind him. She was drawing the picture of Itiopei and writing his name beside it. With the occasional doodles of horns and mustache upon his head. Bushy brows. Big nose. Sesshoumaru almost smirked. "Rin?"

She jumped and looked at him awkwardly, "Yes?" she was calm again.

Sesshoumaru looked as though he wanted to ask something but didn't know how. She took off her kimono jacket and laid it down beside her. "You may sit down on that if you do not wish your clothing dirty." she said quietly.

He picked it up and looked at the soil that was already attaching to the silk cloth. "Rin." he shook his head and sat down on the dirt beside her with the jacket in his hands, plucking micro-dirt particles out with his claws. She watched him with the firelight illuminating his work.

"I don't understand." she finally said and he looked up at her, pausing in mid-picking.

"You don't understand what?" he was a bit bemused at her words when she continued.

"I don't understand how I've come to be, alone in the world and I can never see, a time of peace, a time of unconditional love and hope though I see war and torture and families that have no other choice but to mope. I just don't understand it, Lord Sesshoumaru." she paused and saw a flicker in his eyes…or maybe it was just the flames. "Sorry, but why is everything so harsh in the world? Doesn't anyone understand that there is no reason to fight because if you fight for the love of your families or anything like that, why doesn't the other side see it fit? You are fighting for the same outcome and are blind to it? Perhaps I am not as old as either you nor Lord Jakken but I am seeing all this before me and it doesn't make sense."

Sesshoumaru plucked the last bit of soil from her jacket and handed it back to her. He didn't realize when he took Rin under his wing that he had to play ally, protector, and daddy. He looked up for some kind of answer and breathed slowly as if he were about to meditate her words in his head. "Many beings die for ones they protect. It doesn't matter if the other side sees it fit, as long as they do. That is the main cause of war, blindness to the truth. If you don't see it, it doesn't exist."

"Have you someone to protect?"

"No." Sesshoumaru said and Rin looked at him strangely.

"I'm sorry?" Rin asked, a bit confused.

"Did you not just ask me if I have someone to protect?"

"No Lord Sesshoumaru." she shook her head. "Though…that is a good question, why would you say no?"

Sesshoumaru almost kicked himself. "Jakken can take care of himself. He's quite strong if need be. And for the most part, you knocked me off balance, I'm sure there is more in that brain than just thoughts. You could be cunning and think of something. I have no one to protect."

"Have you someone to protect?"

Sesshoumaru turned and stood up at the sight of Itiopei, horns and a dragon snout with smoke fuming out. "Who are you?"

Rin paled and donned her kimono jacket, standing up behind Sesshoumaru, "it is that man, Itiopei, Lord Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed red and this time, Rin did catch it. She backed up a bit and swallowed hard.

Itiopei smirked and held his hand out, "That bitch is mine." a mist shot after Rin. All Sesshoumaru saw and heard was the misty water covering Rin, her scream as she started to reach Sesshoumaru until she vanished.

Sesshoumaru looked at Itiopei, "Where did you take her!"

Itiopei, "The Vanishing Isle, meet me there for a fair duel. Winner gets the girl. I have yet to hear your answer."

"What answer? I will be present." Sesshoumaru growled.

"No. Have you someone to protect?" with the last word out, Itiopei vanished.

Jakken ran to Sesshoumaru, "What do we do, Lord Sesshoumaru!"

Sesshoumaru growled, "Let us find my brother."

Inuyasha poked Kagome's stomach, his ears twitching, "When is it time!"

Kagome crossed her arms, "Would you give it a rest!"

Miroku and Sango walked in with their son tagging behind him. Miroku sat down and gave the child a noogie, "Now Kohaku, be good. Kagome will play a game after a while."

Sango sat beside Kagome, "How are you feeling, Kagome?"

"Like I swallowed a melon." she jested.

"Every time I ask, that's what you say."

"Then think of a new question." Kagome laughed with her friend.

Shippou walked in and looked around, sighing, "I'm done."

Kagome looked to Shippou, "Did you place the flowers on the grave?"

"Yes." Shippou said sadly, "I still can't believe he's gone."

Inuyasha crossed his arms, "Yea, Naraku, with that control…"

"Inuyasha." Kagome warned as she caught sight of Sango's expression.

Miroku patted Sango's shoulder, "Your brother is in a better place now Sango."

"I know. But he's still my brother." she looked over to their son who tugged at Kaede's sleeve. She looked down to him.

"What is it child?"

"How is grandpa doing?" Kohaku asked innocently.

"He is just fine." Kaede pointed to Kagome's grandfather. Who knew those two ol' geezers would find love! Bet ya you didn't see that one coming!

Kohaku ran over to him and sat down to learn another legendary story passed down through generations. Kagome's mom and Souta were out in the village. She was so glad that she didn't have to leave her family all the time when she chose to stay with Inuyasha.

She couldn't have a better family. Miroku the lecherous, but taken part time monk. The other time, well, let's not go into that. Sango the unique demon exterminator, who only exterminates demons that piss her off…sides Inuyasha, that's a given. Souta, her mother, and grandfather, all so supporting, until Souta wants to spend more time with Inuyasha than she does! Kaede as a grandmother and teacher…wow. Really, who would have thunk? Shippou, just like a brother to her. Kirara the family pet. . meow. And not to mention the trio of Sesshoumaru, Rin and Jakken. She loved Rin like a sister and Jakken was fun…give or take a few laughs at his ignorance. And Sesshoumaru, that still needed work. But never forget Inuyasha. She couldn't. She loved him too much. She looked at her mate who was arguing over when the baby was due with Sango.

"She's still human Inuyasha! She won't have the child for another 3 months!"

"She's my mate and that speeds it up!"

"But you are only half a demon!"

"Don't rub it in!"

"Hey, you're the one that said Kagome should figure out something to do with the shikon jewel instead of granting you full fledge demon stuff!"

"And she banished Naraku to the underworld!"

"Still you had a chance!"

Inuyasha shut up and crossed his arms, "Miroku, take care of Sango, wouldya? She's not helping my nerves!"

Sesshoumaru burst in the door with Jakken on his tail.

"Don't you know how to knock!" Inuyasha challenged, still a bit on edge with Sesshoumaru, though he knew Sesshoumaru wouldn't cross ties with them. He did have some loyalties to his word. Jakken ran up to Kagome.

"Baby is about due!" Jakken felt her stomach and smiled, "What will you name it!"

Kagome shrugged, "I have to know if it's a girl or boy first."

"It's a boy." Inuyasha crossed his arms.

"How do you know?" Kagome challenged, "it could be a sweet little girl!"

"I just know, alright!" Inuyasha growled.

Sesshoumaru looked to Sango, "Perhaps I will have a better chance at telling you what has happened than my menace of a brother."

Sango looked up at him and stood up, "Sure what's up Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru ran the story by her while Kagome and Inuyasha were arguing. Again. "Rin's been taken!" Sango made a dramatic scene and everyone shut up. "There." Sango crossed her arms, "We have to go after her."

Miroku neared Sesshoumaru, "Do you know where to?"

"The Vanishing Isle." Sesshoumaru muttered.

"Oh! Wonderful!" Inuyasha charged, "we're supposed to go after Rin on an isle that vanishes all the time and is never seen in the same place twice?"

"Yes." Sesshoumaru growled, "Though I wouldn't expect you to know anything about anything, I am very impressed."

"Why you!" Inuyasha stormed at him.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed and he stopped suddenly and looked back.

Sesshoumaru folded his arms, "Tend to your mate while she births your child. I will go alone. She needs you more." he walked out the hut and Kohaku followed suit, leaving Jakken behind.

Sesshoumaru looked back, "What are you doing, boy?"

"My name is Kohaku." he smiled and Sesshoumaru remembered the boy that had befriended Rin but this couldn't be him. He was much too young. Then he remembered the boy had died finally when Naraku was killed.

"What are you doing?" he asked again.

"I'm coming to help you save Rin." he said and showed some of the fighting moves he watched Inuyasha pull off, no doubt without ease.

"Your parents need you here." Sesshoumaru patted his head, "Maybe next time."

"Ok…" Kohaku said sadly and held out a small gemstone. "Jade."

Sesshoumaru took it from the boy, "What should I do with it?"

Kohaku shrugged, "it is the color of jealousy. I don't know what that means but it might help. You can bring it back to me that way I know Inuyasha won't be sad."

"Why would Inuyasha be sad if I did not come back?"

Kohaku straightened up his shoulders proudly, "He sees you as his older brother. I don't have one but the way mommy talks about her younger brother, she loved him very much." he put his little index finger up, "He's up there now but she said that we will see him again. Siblings are never to forget each other. They are still blood."

Sesshoumaru raised a brow and nodded, "Go help your parents with Kagome." he said and walked off.

"Good luck!" Kohaku waved as Sesshoumaru drifted out of sight. "Really." he said and looked back to the hut. Walking back he looked to the grave by it and walked over. Reading it, "Kohaku, brother, son, friend, greatest demon exterminator ever known." he smiled, "And I'm named after you." he hugged the stone and gave blessings to Kohaku, "I wish I could have met you Uncle Kohaku. You sound like an awesome guy." he stood up and walked back into the hut as Kagome was going more into labor. It was such a ruckus. 'Geez, maybe it would have been easier with Sesshoumaru.'

Alright, and that's the end of chapter one. Next chapter, Sesshoumaru finds the Vanishing Isle after the Sirens divert him a bit. Jakken is a nurse for Kagome, and Kohaku asks his parents to teach him about his uncle. Inuyasha runs into a wall and don't miss another episode of Jakken's pyromaniac-ness!

Kage: well, that was nice.

Jakken: catching more things on fire

Kage: really nice…

Jakken: Weeeeeeeeeeee catches toe on fire Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Kage: join us again next time on Inuyasha, The Twisted Future!