Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of his companions

This story is not the sequel to "A Hanyou's Legacy" (another of my stories). However, it does take place on the same time line. It occurs six years after "A Hanyou's Legacy" and ten years after the anime/manga starts. Hopefully you'll enjoy it!


Rin's Quest

Sesshoumaru's Sickness

Hearing birds chirp outside her window, Rin sleepily opened her eyes. Stretching luxuriously in her bed, she continued to lie against the pillows. She was happy to relax after the trip Lord Sesshoumaru, Jaken, and she had just taken to see Totousai.

Sesshoumaru had wanted to strengthen his Tokijin, and he only trusted the forger of his sword the Tenseiga, and his half-brother's sword, the Tetsusaiga. But, the trip had been taxing, and the mountain air freezing. Rin was just happy to be back at Sesshoumaru's estate.

Tearing herself out of bed, she put on one her best kimonos (after all, they weren't traveling this day), and dressed her hair. At eighteen, she was no longer the awkward girl that she had been when she had met Sesshoumaru ten years ago.

Rin had grown into a beautiful woman. Her brown eyes sparkled under the light eye shadow she had applied. She had long limbs and was nearly as tall as her lord, but not gangly in any way.

If she cared to, Rin could have had any man, but she did not care to. She had eyes only for the man, the youkai, who had saved her life countless times. Yet, he seemed not to even notice her attention. Still, Rin was happier than most people her age.

She light-heartedly made her way down the stairs. When she got to the dinning room, she noticed that Jaken was there, but not Sesshoumaru.

"Jaken, where is Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"How should I know? He makes his own decisions and doesn't consult me about them." Jaken whined.

"I was just asking," Rin laughed; she loved making Jaken uncomfortable.

Sitting down, Rin began to eat, what some would consider a feast. Sesshoumaru had always taken care of any of her needs.

She remembered when Sesshoumaru had first showed her his estate. She had been ten, and known him for nearly two years, at that point. Finally, longing to get off the road, Sesshoumaru had taken them to his father's old estate.

From the beginning, she had thought it was beautiful. It had multiple gardens, libraries, bathing houses, it was a vast mansion. And now, Rin called it home.

After finishing her breakfast Rin decided to walk in the gardens. "Bye Jaken. I'm going out; I'll see you at lunch."

"Wait, no, where are you going?"

Rin's voice tightened, "I'm not eight years old any more Jaken. I can take care of myself."

Seeing that he was getting no where, Jaken tried a different tact, "It's just, Lord Sesshoumaru may want to know where you are."

She sighed, "I'll be out in gardens."

"But how will I find…"

"Bye," Rin cut him off, and started running.

When she reached the gardens, she slowed down. She loved walking, it gave her so much freedom, and the landscape was so pretty. Sometimes Sesshoumaru would walk with her, and those were the best walks.

Rin spent hours in Sesshoumaru's gardens, but eventually had to go back for lunch. She hoped Sesshoumaru would be there. She hated sitting alone with Jaken. She did love him, but he was like any annoying older brother (not at a like Sesshoumaru).

Reaching the grand dinning room, Rin was surprised. Not only was Sesshoumaru not there, neither was Jaken. Getting restless, she decided to search for them. First she searched in the libraries, then the living quarters. She couldn't find either of them.

Where are they? They couldn't have disappeared!

Spotting a servant she called out to him, "Have you seen Lord Sesshoumaru or Jaken? I am looking for them."

"No Lady Rin, I have not seen Jaken since after breakfast. However, I believe Lord Sesshoumaru has not left his room today."

"Thank you," Rin called over her shoulder as she jogged towards Sesshoumaru's quarters.

She had never entered his room before, but Rin was getting too nervous to care. When she got to his door she hesitantly knocked. "Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"Rin! Come in," she heard Jaken's voice call.

"What is wrong Jaken? Where is Lord Sesshoumaru?" Rin asked, pushing open the door.

"I'm here Rin."Sesshoumaru's voice came from the bed, and was extremely weak.

Scared, Rin shuffled towards the bed. "What's wrong?"

"I am sick." He replied shortly, in a raspy voice.

"But you're a youkai! You can't be sick."

"Be quiet Rin. Lord Sesshoumaru doesn't need any more stress." Jaken remanded.

"No Jaken, she is right in some respects. Youkai do not easily get sick by human's diseases, but it is possible for us to get sick from youkai diseases. Illnesses that affect youkai often are not even harmful to humans, yet are deadly to us."

"Will you be alright?" Rin was now standing over Sesshoumaru.

"I need medicine. I know this disease because my mother died from it."

"No," Rin mouthed in disbelief. She had never heard Sesshoumaru speak of his mother before, and now she knew why.

"Rin, listen to me. You must go and fetch the proper medicine."

"Of course Lord Sesshoumaru, anything you want."

"No, you do not understand. This will not be an easy journey. You will need to use the fighting skills I taught you."

Rin looked gravely into Sesshoumaru's eyes, "Right."

"Take Ahun and go to see Kaede and Kagome."

"Master! Your half-brother's friends?"

"Quiet Jaken, you will stay here; there is no need for you to see them. Rin, understand me, they will not hurt you, but only they, will know the ingredients for the medicine that can cure me. Inuyasha knows this illness too, describe the symptoms to him."

"I will do it Lord Sesshoumaru."

"I know," His hand almost casually rested against her's; she fled.

Lord Sesshoumaru truly must be delirious. He wants me to go to see his brother! Well, now I must, I have to succeed.

Mounting Ahun, Rin took off, riding in the direction of Kaede's village.