Learning to Live

Part 1: Being Reborn

Chapter 2: Connecting

Sesshomaru watched from the hallway as his young ward watched television. She had been staying with him for almost two weeks and already her body was beginning to lose the signs of her malnutrition. Her face was fuller and her skin had more color to it. He had been right in his assumption that she would one day be very pretty. In fact, any other being with a heart would probably have been spoiling the girl by now. He wasn't. He just wasn't that type of person.

He had asked her, a few days prior, if she wanted him to turn her over the police so they could find her family. She had shaken her head fiercely. It was apparent from her mood thereafter that she didn't want to see her family.

He could understand that. He didn't like his family much either.

"Rin," he said as the show she was watching ended, "Have you finished your homework?"

He had hired her a tutor. He didn't want people to know he was keeping a child with him and this proved to be an appealing solution.

Rin nodded, but stood up anyway and went to her room; once the guest bedroom. A moment later, however, she peeked her head out and asked softly,

"Sesshomaru? Can I go to the zoo tomorrow?"

He looked at her. The tutor had mentioned that though she was very bright, she knew little about the outside world. Also, the tutor wanted her to do some sort of report on an animal. No doubt this was why she wanted to go. Whenever she asked him a question, it always seemed she was waiting for him to rebuke her for such a request. He didn't fail to notice that she asked if she could go, not if he could take her. As much as he wanted to deny it, Rin was slowly making herself a part of his life.

"I will take you," he said slowly.

Rin smiled, and after a quick 'thank you' she went into her room to do whatever it is that children her age do.

---

Why was he here again? Oh, that's right. He was helping his ward with her science project.

Rin ran to and from each exhibit with a smile so large it looked plastered on. He was almost afraid her face was stuck that way. A scary thought indeed…

Had she never been to a zoo before? What kind of life did she live before he found her?

He had never asked her outright because he thought it was her business and that he honestly didn't have a right to know. Now, however, as he became closer to a father figure, he was almost curious as to why she was with him and not her own family.

After collecting the necessary information, they left the zoo. One in tow with a child, the other in tow with a smile so large it needed its own zip code.

"Did you enjoy yourself, Rin?" asked Sesshomaru with the barest amount of amusement in his voice. He didn't know why, but he wanted to know if she had had fun. Her surprise hug and cheerful bantering about all the things she saw was more than enough to confirm his suspicions.

He was surprised that she had hugged him. He had never been an overly affectionate person, and so far, he had assumed that she wasn't either. Another surprising fact was that he allowed her to hug him. Normally, any person to close to his person with out his permission would be removed of forcibly.

Sesshomaru hugged her back a bit tensely. He wasn't used to this sort of thing.

After Rin had settled down, Sesshomaru started the engine. As he began to leave the parking structure, he looked to the side and saw Rin. The light shined on her in a very eerie manner. Also, she had a very, well, he could only describe it as a thoughtful look on her face. Maybe it held contentment and reminiscence too. All of a sudden, he had the urge to know the truth.

"Rin, why are you with me?"

Rin looked at him with both shock and embarrassment clearly written on her features. The blush and insecurity in her eyes told all. She was so young, but he could tell that there was something clearly wrong about what had happened to her.

Rin looked away, but did not speak.

"Rin…"

She sighed, but did not move her gaze from the scenery passing by her window.

"I… I'm a mistake."

A/N

So… a bit of a cliff hanger there. I hope you liked it. Well, please review!