Always Faithful

Chapter 1

It was after his fierce battle with Inuyasha….that fated day when Sesshomaru set eyes upon a mischievous young girl's face. A girl that remained speechless ever since her family was brutally murdered, and was left with no one to turn to for affection. Although sympathy was an emotion Sesshomaru had never felt, Rin brought to him the very thing he had been lacking. Ever since then, she always had a place in Sesshomaru's heart.

They were sitting by a peaceful lake, the three of them- Sesshomaru, Jaken and Rin. The air was still and silent, but a slight breeze sent little ripples through the water, splashing against Rin's bare legs. She threw a casual glance in Sesshomaru's direction, and noticed that Tenseiga was unsheathed and in his grasp. Curious as she was of his sword, Rin couldn't help but ask.

"Um….Lord Sesshomaru? I was just wondering if I could…I mean you don't have to let me…it's totally up to you and I don't mean to be rude, but…"

Tenseiga instantly clattered on the ground in front of her. Rin stared at it, mesmerized. She then looked up at Sesshomaru, who was gazing out at the horizon.

"Are you sure? I mean, if it makes you uncomfortable…" Just then Jaken snatched the sword away, and brought it to Sesshomaru's side.

"No touching you worthless brat! You should know better than to steal a man's prized possessions!" Jaken sneered. He offered the sword to his master, but Sesshomaru knocked it away, still keeping his eyes fixed on the line where water and sky met.

Night fell all too quickly, and the temperature dropped to a very cool level. Both Jaken and Rin lay fast asleep among the tall reeds that surrounded the lake. Sesshomaru, however, was fully awake, unwilling to let sleep take him. He was trying to decide how to drag out the death of his little brother when he caught sight of a feather flying in the distance.

"It's that damn wind witch again" Sesshomaru muttered to himself. Silently so as not to wake up anyone, he disappeared into the brush.

"Alright, what is it you want this time?"

Kagura emerged from behind a tree with a smirk on her face. "I thought I'd find you here, you sly demon. I have a favor to ask, and Naraku has nothing to do with it."

Sesshomaru became aware of a deep red scar that ran the length of the elemental demon's arm. Most likely from Naraku's relentless beatings.

"Well? Can't I trust a man of such strength and beauty to do my bidding?" Kagura persisted, moving in very close.

"Why do you constantly seek me?" Sesshomaru questioned. "I have no interest in working with you."

Kagura rested a hand on his chest. "I know." She smoothed out some wrinkles in his robe. "Did you really think I came here to send you on a mission? Don't be ridiculous. I want the chance to prove myself worthy of you."

"I do not involve myself with others. Step away before I am forced to kill you" Sesshomaru growled.

Before Kagura could protest in frustration, a loud cry pierced the air. Sesshomaru immediately pulled away from her. As he slipped into the darkness, Kagura laughed in spite of herself. "You'll be mine eventually, pretty boy. When I am free of Naraku, I will come for you."

Sesshomaru was hoping Inuyasha had cried out, so he could cut off the dog demon's head to silence him. Unfortunately, the lake was empty. In spite of this, the scent of blood lingered in the air. By following his keen sense of smell, Sesshomaru was led to the source: Rin. She laid face down, deep slashes imbedded in her tender flesh. Rivers of blood poured down her body and collected in pools on the ground beneath her. Jaken had obviously run away; he was nowhere to be seen. Damn him! Sesshomaru thought. As he searched for the Tenseiga, he realized that he had left it by the lake and it was no longer there. What kind of creature came through here? It couldn't have been Inuyasha, because he was too tame to hurt an innocent girl. It had to be a demon, most likely another one of Naraku's henchmen. A familiar laugh broke the silence, startling him. Sesshomaru made a swift turn, only to set eyes upon the head honcho himself. Naraku stood quite poised, his grungy black hair hanging limp under the baboon disguise.

"Poor girl. Dying for the second time" Naraku said. Though Sesshomaru didn't have fiery blood like Inuyasha, he had to admit that Naraku was a natural at pissing people off.

"It was you….I should've known."

"Don't be so quick to place the blame. Is this bloody mess my fault?"

Sesshomaru's hand made its way to the handle of his remaining sword. "I have no business with you." Naraku ignored him and commenced his pissing-off-the-big-dumb-mutt speech.

"I'm dreadfully sorry the child was murdered. Too bad you don't have that sword of yours anymore. I'd love to help you, but it may cost you your life."

"I tire of your games, Naraku. Tell me what it is you really want, or you will do so in pieces" Sesshomaru threatened.

"Your hand is trembling…is the great Sesshomaru intimidated? Or maybe this girl really means something to you. Fascinating…and all this time I thought you were a heartless demon."

In a flash, Sesshomaru pulled the Tokijin from its sheath and pressed the pointed edge to Naraku's neck.

"Hehehehehe…." Naraku laughed. "Do you plan to kill me? What will happen to Rin if there is no one left to help her?"

It was obvious that Naraku was teasing him, but it took everything Sesshomaru had not to behead him then and there. Why did he care so much for the scrawny little girl anyway? It wasn't like he needed her for anything. Even with these reassurances, he still couldn't drive away the ache in his chest. Ache? What was this feeling? Surrendering to his emotions, Sesshomaru withdrew Tokijin from Naraku's shoulder. A wide grin spread itself across the youkai's face.

"What….must I do?" Sesshomaru spoke, hesitantly.

Naraku held out his hand, palm up. "Help me send a priestess back to the grave where she belongs. I desperately need the Shikon no Tama, Lord Sesshomaru. This woman is collecting shards as well as I, but no matter what I do there is no way for me to harm her. Curse that stupid bandit Onigumo. If you work with me, Rin will be revived."

Kill a priestess? It seemed unusual of Naraku to bargain so reasonably. Maybe it was a trick of some sort. Sesshomaru thoughtfully stared into Naraku's outstretched hand. His fingers were gnarly, and there was dirt hidden in every nail and crevice. A sudden image of Rin's lifeless body pierced through his mind like a thousand needles, and the pain was unbearable. Well, I guess I could save the brat's life. All I need to do is assassinate one woman anyway. He made a compromise, not willing to admit that his feelings had influenced his decision. Slowly, Sesshomaru lifted his hand. Naraku clasped it in his own and shook it readily.

"You and I, Lord Sesshomaru, were destined to be comrades."