She trusted him with the pup…how absurd. When the child was lifted into her arms once more, the demon turned away from her a little more, glancing off into the darkness of the forest a little longer. She wanted him to protect her and her child, to forget the child was his brother's. That didn't matter, none of it did! Sesshoumaru simply needed no more to guard. He had his own needs and wishes to follow... He had no time to be protecting an infant and a woman, who in his eyes, was less capable of protecting herself then Rin was. This was…. ridiculous.
"I am going back to Rin now Lord Sesshoumaru she's most likely hungry just as my pup." She turned her back to the young Lord. "I will not leave until I know my child will be safe." She walked slowly toward the small camp that was set up earlier. The small infants head on her shoulder looking to the lord her eyes half closed her eyes filled with sadness as she lifted her hand to reach for him.
Sesshoumaru caught sight of the child when looking to Kagome, but just as their eyes focused upon one another; he pulled his sight elsewhere once more. She'd not leave till she knew her child would be safe…With him as a protector, she should already know her hopes for a guardian were doomed. He ignored it and idly figured she'd get harmed or killed sooner or later…She would, and her child too…. Her child. The eyes of that pup were just like Inuyasha's when he was but an infant as well…He bit back the memory, forcing himself to suppress them from pestering him. His solitary time ruined, but not at all done, Sesshoumaru chose to return to camp…But for a different reason. The child laid on her back sucking on a fresh strawberry Rin watching Kagome slice fresh vegetables as she let the slices of deer meat roast over the fire. She smiled as Rin took everything in studying what Kagome was doing for future references if she was hungry.
Jaken watched silently from his spot… Surprisingly, the imp hadn't spoken much even as Kagome returned. His eyes watched her though, carefully marking her as to find her slip up and do something to start his mouth. He was caught off guard however, when the dog returned so soon. Rin looked over to the demon, welcoming him back and as always, receiving silence. Sesshoumaru stopped half in the shadows but the fire's light, reaching forth to dance upon his profile in a calm, smooth sway. "Where is my brother's sword, human?" The voice was low, but loud enough for any of them to hear over the crackling of the fire. His eyes, not quite half lidded but staring with all the same sense a lazy lion eyes his prey…
She looked to him slowly then back to the vegetables pulling out a small necklace that had a piece of the sword. "...Its been shattered by the fangs of wolf yokai. I collected the pieces after Inuyasha let me go." She turned her attention to the small pup giving her another strawberry to keep her occupied. "Totosie came for the sword after he heard of what happened. The pieces haven't been put back together yet I lost contact with Totosie I can't make my way up the mountain because of the miasma." She looked up to him once more. "You still want the sword I really don't care if you take it or not."
What wasn't to say he would get the sword once it was fixed and kill her with it? She really wasn't thinking him to be quite vicious…That or thinking him to be like a damned pet dog. His eyes narrowed slightly at the news. The sword his father made with his own fang, by far the most powerful blade ever created on this miserable piece of earth, had been shattered by lupus fangs…what terrible, by far stupidest luck. The dog checked his temper and simply gave a light shook. "I have no use for a blade that gets shattered by teeth from stray mongrels. It holds no strength anymore." Strength…if the blade was that weak to be broken by wolves…Then…that left two things open. One, he was too weak and still was, or three it was a fluke. Inuyasha HAD to have done something to it.
"With your fang you could make it stronger lord Sesshoumaru." She reached over her child for the meat slicing the warm meat into shreds placing them into the bowls of vegetables handing them to Rin, Jaken, and then her child. She lifted one branch of meat holding it out to him. He looked towards the offering, closing his eyes afterwards and turning away from her completely to wander off to the other side of their small camp. The option was always open to placing his fang into the blade, but there was something about doing that which bothered him. The sword had been made form his father's fang…then shattered, and now that he recalled such a thing, Inuyasha's as well, so perhaps, the "weakness" of the fang had indeed come from Inuyasha's tooth. Even as that may be true, his father had made the blade… He'd accept it no other way.
The girls soon finished their meals soon Rin played with the little infant for a few minutes as Kagome sat up an area for them to rest at. Rin carried the small child laying her down beside her as Kagome lay on the other side of her little child. Kagome covered both with her kimono priestess shirt so they could stay warm during the night.
By the time the two young ones had been put to sleep, the canine had wandered off once more. He was closer than before but out of view. The small imp had followed, leaving the humans and hanyou to themselves. "Perhaps it be best if we leave Rin in the care of that human?" Jaken pushed, moving closer to the dog and stopping about a good two feet away. "Milord?" The dog was not paying attention however, and instead, held his back to the small demon. Leaving Rin in the care of an already weak human was like sending her back to the wolves…just asking for something bad to happen. He'd not leave her, but as always, Sesshoumaru would give her the choice.
Trees could be heard in a distance cracking under the pressure of what could be paws as howls could be heard from all directions a few seconds later screams could be heard from camp two of which sounded like children. The older woman struggled to keep the kids protected as the wolves moved in quickly tearing at her body trying to reach the small hanyou and the young girl. She struggled a crimson elixir was pouring out on the forest floor as she held the two close to her form. One of the brown wolves sneaking in grabbing hold on the small infant dragging her away by her sleeve as the hanyou struggled her mother reaching for her as she still protected Rin, Her child fading into the darkness.
The sound was not ignored and by the time the wind hit him, the smell of wild dogs was far too close for comfort. At the camp, Aun-Une was helping to rid the campsite of the wretched wolves. Electricity shot forth from one of the mouths as the other head reached forth, grabbing one of the dogs and tossing it away. Tail swung up, slapping away another mutt before it slowly, carefully made its way to the woman and Rin. Now cornered with them, Aun-Une could not reach the child. Teeth fell upon its leg, causing a cry from it before Une lowered its head, gripping the spine and forcefully snapping it. Time was not wasted for, as the group of wolves grew larger, they soon shrunk as a long neon whip slashed through their crowd. Sesshoumaru walked forth calmly, taking out the mongrels with a rather irritated look...Of all the things to bother him…fleabags…
She held Rin close protecting her Rin shaking badly remembering the attack from the past her hands were clenched tightly holding onto her shirt. Kagome's eyes looked franticly for her child hoping that she was not to far from her reach she had to protect Rin now as well she couldn't abandon her.
Paws beat against the earth at a rapid base. It drew closer and closer till a horrid bark tore from the creature's throat. Paws left the ground, jaws parted, lips peeled up to reveal ivory fangs. The demon turned his glance to his side, staring down the throat of the wolf just before smacking it away as though it were a fly. The sound of his claws tearing into its flesh left an echo within the air, following its yelp of agony. Finally, the wolves paused their attack; eyeing him for a time…their jowls quivered over a thousand angry threats. Their eyes fell into his amber hues and they coward…Turning swiftly, they left, returning into the darkness. Sesshoumaru lightly shook his hand, removing the blood upon his claws and soon, looking over to Kagome and Rin before hearing… A cry… A child's cry… It was loud within the silent forest and it was obvious to tell which child was screaming its lungs out. Kagome struggled standing helping Rin up limping weakly setting her beside the dragon like beast before she took off into the woods searching for her child blood dripped from her body from multiple wounds and cuts her left eye was closed halfway from a cut as she struggled to find her child. The child was still being dragged by one of the wolves she was struggling to get free trying to claw at it. Kagome's eyes widened as she quickly grabbed hold of a nearby branch whacking him hard off the small child the wolf taking off into the woods with the others. She walked forward toward her child picking the small crying child into her arms before stumbling a bit not able to reach camp she stopped leaning back against a tree before sliding down the small child clutching to her mother's top tears still rolling down.
The rustling of a bush caused the hanyou to glance back and quiet her cries for a time. Her amber eyes warily waiting for something to jump out…Amber hues met her own and a terrible growl erupted from behind the bushes. The beast charged, caring not for the fact that Kagome was there but sensing weakness in both, slammed its jaws down upon the child's arm. With terrible force, and a loud scream, the child was tugged right off of Kagome and jumped away as the woman swung it at. It shook its head violently, blood sliding into its mouth as it appeared to be trying to tear the babies arm off.
Its snarls were loud, vicious and as Kagome rose to intercept it's harming, it released the child, only to snap down upon her shoulder and clavicle, lifting her with great ease and started to trot away before breaking into a run. The child's cry echoed within the woods, her desperate fight seemed all but over as other wolves gathered around her violent carrier. The other animals snarled, inching closer. One barked, snapping towards the hanyou but failed in claiming a part of her as the other jerked away…It would not share this kill and the other wolves became enraged, preparing to attack. The five wolves approached the other and it snapped away, taking off once more. Halfway down its path, something white blurred within its vision.
The child fell from its mouth as it gave a last cry- something sliced through its breastbone, taking its head and half of its shoulder blades almost completely off. A claws hand reached down, ripping the child from her spot, turning her to carefully be placed against a hard surface of armor. Sesshomaru's hand held her careful as the other wolves came forth and upon his view, stopped immediately. She reached up, grabbing hold of the spikes on his breastplate before heaving herself up, gripping his clothes. At the feel of her being secure, his hand moved away quickly slashing forth at the mongrels before they had the chance to run and his whip sliced through them all, taking them out in one swing. He held her once more, only to feel her try and go higher. Once she had, her head tucked beneath his chin…. the dog moved his hand upon her back with a comforting presence and his head lowered some, only to give her the sense of protection she desired to feel…. The hanyou cried into his neck... Soaking it as well as his clothes with her tears and blood. "Shh…" He started lowly, closing his eyes…. Why did this seem familiar?...Why did it seem right?
She stumbled out in front of him her eyes were cold and lifeless she had already lost too much blood. She stepped forward toward him before standing in front of him placing her left hand on her child's back gently petting her to help sooth her. "Lord Sesshoumaru... Thank you for rescuing my child..." Her eyes closed slowly as she struggled moving past him limping before heading behind a few trees falling down unable to keep her up.
Her approach caused lids to part and he eyed Kagome as though she was intruding…It faded however into his usual look. His hand fell at the touch of hers upon his, only to move to hold the child without her hand able to feel his flesh. Once she moved away the dog grabbed the child's clothes, pulling for her to let go but she refuse, wrapping hr fists not only into his clothes, but now his hair too…A gentle sound came forth from him before he lowered to the ground, kneeling. Sesshoumaru waited patiently till the child soothed and was now quieting down… He pulled again, and she released him. The dog set her down upon the ground gently, moving to his full height and soon looking to where Kagome had gone. She couldn't move with them…He knew that much.
" Sesshoumaru-sama! Sesshoumaru-sama!" Oh, lucky her…Jaken was running towards them at the smell of blood and the dog's own unique smell. "Jaken," the imp stopped, seeing the child quickly latch upon his leg as though he were her life line. The dog ignored it, moving on. "Bring Aun-Une, immediately." "Hai!" His retainer left just as quick as he came…The dragon steed would have to bring her back- Sesshoumaru had no desire to help her in such a manor.
The child caught her mother's scent in the air her eyes watering a bit as she crawled over to where her mother laid her head resting against her mother's arm whimpering a bit as her mother petted her head gently trying her best to keep her eyes opened to keep the child from being sad. The dog let the child move as she pleased, knowing well they needed attention for those wounds. A minute hadn't even passed and the beast was brought. It wandered over to Kagome, lying down to make it easier for her to mount its back. Seeing them, Sesshoumaru walked off. "Milord?" "Return to Rin…I will be back shortly..." the imp nodded, moving over to Kagome and her child if there was help needed.
She sat up weakly holding her child with one hand as she climbed onto the dragon steed the child curled against her mother's chest. She placed a hand on the left steeds hand petting him gently then the right. "You are very good protectors... Just like Jaken..." She looked to the small child that still lay covered in her blood and her mother's.
Aun-Une gave a loud groan, moving forth with Jaken leading it back to where Rin was…She was waiting, not quite afraid being alone…She knew they would not return with Sesshoumaru around. At least, that's how she thought of it right now. She was tending to the fire, knowing very well that Kagome and the hanyou would return with wounds. "Ah!" She exclaimed, jumping to her feet and looking about for a time. "Darn it," she started, "it's on Aun-Une's back." The new kimono Kagome had given to her was not ruined, as she had not gotten hurt nor gotten it stained with blood, but her old kimono could be used now. Rin sighed, pulling her tie from her hair to fix it again and at that, spotted Sesshoumaru walking off…Her vision was blocked by a couple of trees and low shrubs but she knew it was him… She smiled. Sesshoumaru was her guardian… He'd always be there to protect her. That's how she felt.
She waited till the dragon steed knelt for her to get down. She slid off slowly resting back against a tree her child still close as she reached over to her priestess shirt ripping pieces from the cloth as she moved the child laying her down as she undressed her to tend to her wounds the small child wiggling around thinking it was a game her mother was playing with her now. Rin moved over to the oni, taking from its back, beneath the saddle, her old kimono. She moved quickly to Kagome and her child, falling to her knees and shredding a long strip of material. "Kagome-san, let me. I'll tend to her." Rin knew what she was doing, which was strange…But if one knew her history, they would know she had to be experienced enough. The humans at her village had beaten her when she did something wrong, and she had lived on her own by choice…She knew how to tend to a child. Jaken began to feed the fire once more, soon looking over to Rin and Kagome. "The hanyou's wounds run deep… Much like your own, woman. Do you expect yourself to live when trying to help her?" It was harsh, but the imp was clear upon the meaning…Let Rin handle her daughter while she helps her daughter while she help her own wounds.
She nodded lightly as she moved wrapping one of her deepest wounds. "My child means more to me then anything else Jaken..." In one way she was saying she cared for her child and wanted what was best, but at the same time he was right about her wounds. She continued to tend to herself some of the wounds she would have to sew together later on. "Rin thank you for helping her."
Time ticked by and after sometime, Sesshoumaru had returned…with quite a lot of "something" in his hand. His eyes turned to Kagome and then her child before he dropped the items and left them where they fell. Rin looked back and her eyes grew big. She rushed over to the items and picked them up one by one… They were plants... herbs perhaps. "Ah, these are perfect milord." She stated, looking over to Jaken. "May I borrow your staff, Jaken –sama?" He groaned out but allowed her and she quickly set to the task of grabbing a wooden bowl that the oni carried upon it and grinding certain herbs together. Rin sighed; content at knowing they had some sort of water container from Kagome's supplies, which Rin had strapped onto the oni as well. She placed a bit into the bowl and resumed smashing the herbs inside till it was completely mixed in together. "This herb is perfect for helping wounds. It keep infections out and help close the injury quicker." She educated silently, more to herself as she approached the child, removing the bandage and carefully placing the mush upon the wounds.
The child let out a weak cry as Kagome moved over holding the child down so she wouldn't try to attack Rin from the sting of the medicine. "You're doing very well Rin... I'll help you learn more things if you want me to..." She closed her eyes halfway peering down at the struggling child until Rin had finished starting on Kagome's wounds she could not reach Kagome moved to where her back was to Rin and the men as she pulled her shirt up enough to revealing old scars and that of the new ones that still bleed from where the wolves had attacked trying to get to the children. Rin touched them gently the wounds must have been quite a few years old. She soon placed the medicine on Kagome's back gently trying her best not to cause her anymore pain then she was already in.
"Eh?" Rin blinked, looking to the woman for a moment before smiling. "I'm fine," she assured and taking her spot by Kagome comfortably. The blood that had been on Sesshoumaru was completely gone and so was the child's scent...Whether he washed it off or not was strange to have done so in a matter of short time. Either way, it was not on him. He was all but still till time passed, his eyes opening finally. They were half lidded; the same lazy stare as before as they trailed over to Rin, Kagome, and her daughter…. That hanyou…reminded him far too much of Inuyasha at that age. He mentally grinned at the recollections of memories with his brother…What a pathetic fool he had been…He hated to admit it, but he was missing the hanyou already. Who else was he going to quarrel with now! Naraku? Nah, Inuyasha had given him something to laugh about all the time, whether he lost or not.
The two children fell asleep against her she kept her arms around both protectively as she hummed softly petting her small child's head tenderly. "... Lord Sesshoumaru thank you for helping my child..."
Silence met her voice but after sometime, he released a huff of breath, soon after, thinking upon her words. Fingers flexed, stretching before coming to arch dangerously in a claw-like fashion. The simple movement caused them to pop and crack. Bad habits die-hard. "In the past, you've never called me lord Sesshoumaru...Nor Sesshoumaru-sama…Are you that desperate for a guardian that you now speak to me with more respect?" The question was silent, low, but obviously loud enough for her to hear. He glanced to her, holding the usual look of indifference before liding them, leaning back against the tree and breathing a calm breath. "For a mother, you show lack of persistence."
"...Where I came from it wasn't as common to say Lord or Sama in conversations." She looked down to her child. "Since I've been her I've learned a lot more of how to respect others especially the one's I'd work for in villages. As for being persistent I did not want to anger you anymore then I have." She looked up to him slowly smirking a little bit she was still weak, but she kept going.
"That's not it..." He trailed, a near mutter against the whispers of the trees. There was more meaning to what he said then she was getting to. He would leave it at that. Eyes opened, once again, still half lidded and just peering out from beneath him- not so much in a tired manor but in a careless bored one. "Her wounds will heal in a matter of time... Mental wounds however…. That depends on the parent to heal." Something as traumatic as what had happened may stay with the child and he knew this well.
"I will be there for her when she needs me Lord Sesshoumaru." She closed her eyes sadly. "Kouga has tried this before... Before she was born since Inuyasha was out of the picture then he thought he could move in... I thought I had stopped him with a charm, but I guess the charm had finally warn off or someone took it off."
He had nothing to say about that. Simply, to remember the name Kouga was a bit tricky. Ah, yes, he recalled the wolf. A swaggering flea bitten wolf. That demon however, had aided him only once when with Rin…So why was he attacking humans when he had helped Rin? He could only speculate. Tonight was no different from any… It was long and he would not be sleeping this time. Though a light sleeper he was naturally, Sesshoumaru could no confirm that he'd be awake by the time the smell of wolf entered his nose, nor the sounds of their light padding against the forest floor. He'd be awake, to prevent any attack tonight. And even as he remained awake, with Kagome as well, his mind was wandering…trailing off into the past…A safe haven from the present and the thoughts of the troubling future… She slept silently now with both girl's curled against her the child woke a little bit wondering over to Sesshoumaru once more a small bandage over her left eye only allowing one of her golden orbs to show as she moved over to him curling up on his lap her little ears flickering a little bit as she closed her eyes resting on his lap quietly. His breath released less easy but he soon eased, seeing as his growl never came forth and instead, remained a whisper…Of all the troubles Inuyasha could possibly leave him with…A child. Somehow though, he imagined his brother the father figure, and was sure, had his mind not gone to hell, he'd be here instead with the child ad Kagome. That wasn't the reason though…It was just…Children are the purest living creatures upon the planet, no matter demon nor human…Not even the devil himself could deny that. Children were pure, untainted by the problems of life and worries of others…Unbothered by the world around them… And yet, even that wasn't the reason. 'This is what you'd want,' he started, moving his hand to the child's face, the back of his hand pushing away a few strands from her face. '... Father...'
The child let out a low murr at the touch smiling a bit curling up against him more clutching his clothing as a reassurance she would not slip away from him as she rested her little ears were finally settled at the side of her head as she continued to rest she was still cute even though she had a few cuts and bruises she seemed unphased by the events that happened earlier.
His hand pulled away, resting down upon both swords at his side. There was not much to do and even as he felt the familiar smack of fatigue for sleep, he would not slip into the darkness upon this night. Come to think of it, when was the last time he ate anything? He pondered for a moment but could not recall. His body was still not demanding for a meal… Not too much anyway. Perhaps later on this day he'd fetch himself something when they rested again. Hours ticked by too slow for him and by dawn, he was still up, eyes closed…No, he was somewhat up. The demon was aware of the things around him, half in and half out of it but could hear, smell, and feel the child move ever so lightly upon him. And suddenly, he heard something approach from his left and the weight upon his lap was removed, leaving behind a light chill with the lack of body heat. Eyes opened and glanced over to the being…. Rin…. Relieving him of the child. She smiled down to him, holding the hanyou close before moving towards Kagome again.
Kagome pushed herself up weakly as she reached out for the child that was placed in her arms by Rin who was smiling who was ready to play, but new the child would need a few more hours before the child was fully healed. "Rin What do you want for breakfast I brought some fresh fruit with me pick out what you want to snack on."