Pheonix: Ah! You people make me so happy!

vino-chan – Thank you so much! Not all of these original characters are mine, in fact the only one that is FULLY mine is Saramaru. The rest were helped along, and some even fully created, by Clear Waters, or cyclonegal12. But I'm glad you like them, and I will tell her for you. Just because of you I'll reply extra quick!

icygirl2 – Thank you! I rather liked it too, which is the only reason why I put it up. - XD Yes yes, soon soon! If any of you guys want to get a hold of me off of FF my AIM is Pheonixlake145 I don't mind msgs!

Disclaimer: I have scabs from where Sesshoumaru clawed to get away from me… It hurt… And now they have me in this round room and I'm counting the buckles on this weird white coat that makes it really hard to type!

English – I do not own Inuyasha.

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'HELP ME!'

Rin screamed at the top of her lungs as her eyes glazed with pain. Her body jerked and she fell, for the first time noticing her surroundings as her face was shoved into them. Dry dirt entered her mouth and she coughed, leaning up. The monsters were gone, and she shivered, rubbing her arms together.

"Lord Sesshoumaru…" She sighed, knowing he would come for her soon. Taking a closer look now, her earthen colored eyes widened. There were corpses everywhere! Hanging off of trees, sticking from the ground, not to mention the wooden crosses and mounds of dry earth she could see. Bile ran up her throat, and she gagged, trying to keep from throwing up. For a few moments she sat, stunned to silence, when something warm made contact with her hands. Rin looked down, and screamed. Blood was running out of every crevice, every place where hair sprouted was now sprouting crimson blood. Her scream died down as she instantaneously fell into a dead faint.

Sesshoumaru's brilliant golden gaze flashed as Rin screamed 'help me' and squirmed, trying to free herself from Kita's grasp, or so it seemed. Kita fought the tears at seeing her friend in such great mental distress. The sounds of an ending battle were heard, and Saramaru's quick feet, in human form and wrapped in the same fixture as Sesshoumaru's, carried the demoness to Kita. Rin was now muttering something, and the demoness leaned closer in time to hear the ending syllables of Sesshoumaru's name leave the girl's lips. It was obvious now to the outside world that Rin was in great mental disarray.

Saramaru pushed Kita gently out of the way, and the blonde girl snapped out of her daze to rush into Rejime's surprised yet open arms, sniffling as she tried to keep from crying. Saramaru placed her elegant hand on Rin's forehead, and pulled back quickly, her mouth open in a small scream, before Rin's mouth opened to finish the sound.

"Sorry," Saramaru murmured. "It's not good to touch someone while their subconscious is about to cause them physical distress such as that…" She placed her hand on Rin's forehead once more, and muttered, "Her subconscious is asleep…" She delved further, and finally with a disgusted look she pulled her hand away.

"He's trapped her mind in a subconscious hell. I can't reach her right now, she's too far away." She growled with annoyance, and gave Sesshoumaru a sympathetic glance. He reached for Tenseiga, but Saramaru shook her head.
"Think, cousin, how could that possibly help her?" She shook her head again. "It will take me days, and I do not know what will happen to her during that time, but it is our only hope that I can find a spell to cure this… This monstrosity of a curse." She hadn't told them the full extent of the possible damage, but it was only because she was not yet sure. Sesshoumaru said nothing, merely allowed his hand to fall to his side. Inuyasha's ears twitched as he watched Kita, and Kagome grabbed her mate's hand, knowing that he too felt bad for Rin, even though he wasn't about to admit it any time soon.

Miroku also felt bad, because for once his 'cursed' hand was not straying to close to a certain demon-slayer's behind.

"Saramaru." Sesshoumaru's assertive voice rang loud in everyone's head as he gained effectively the attention of his elder cousin.

"You are going to tell me that I need to stay with you and heal your charge at your palace, correct?" Saramaru said, raising a thin eyebrow.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I was." Sesshoumaru said in an almost bored tone, hoping to hide his inner turmoil.

"Of course!" His cousin said, picking up the limp raven haired girl in her slim but powerful arms. She looked to Sesshoumaru, who looked as if he was ready to kill his cousin if she didn't hand the girl over.

"Can you?" It was the wrong thing for the sorceress to say, and suddenly Sesshoumaru's long arm shot out to the tiny form of Rin. Though the girl had grown into a young woman, Sesshoumaru still towered over her, at least a few feet difference. His arm slid around her, and Saramaru unconsciously helped him fit the girl comfortably into the crook of his neck and his arm.

"Yes, I can." He glared at her pointedly for a moment, then stalked off, knowing the demoness would follow. Saramaru looked to the others, mouthed to them to 'go home', which of course meant here Eastern Palace, and walked after him quickly to catch up with his large stride.

"I could-" She began, but was cut off by Sesshoumaru's curt voice.

"Do it." He ordered, and Saramaru bit her lip, knowing her younger cousin's mental strife. She clicked her claws together for emphasis of her discomfort from his ordering tone, a small gesture to remind him of her elder status, and a blue orb appeared around them. Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth as Saramaru 'put him in his place', knowing that he often was more mature than the demoness, but allowed them to travel at normally death defying speeds to his castle.

As they reached the rather simple castle, the blue orb around them disappeared, and Saramaru opened the door for Sesshoumaru. The taiyoukai stalked in, and quickly made his way to his chambers, motioning Saramaru to follow.

"I want her to recover here." He stated.

"But isn't this YOUR bed, Sesshoumaru?" Saramaru asked curiously.

"Please do not challenge my word, Cousin." Was his only reply as he lay the girl down gently on his bed, pulling the covers up to her pale chin. Immediately Saramaru snapped her fingers, and a scroll appeared. Sesshoumaru sat beside Rin on the bed, his arm resting in his lap as he stared at the girl vigilantly. Saramaru plopped down on the floor, eyes intently fixed upon the scroll.

Part of the scroll was ripped, and Saramaru could tell instantly that it was old. The name of the curse she had pulled up to investigate was blank, suggesting that none had been given, and so she read on.

A deadly curse, this is intended to permanently impair the victim in their subconscious, leaving them vulnerable to mental pain, physical torment induced by a realistic mental signal, and permanent trauma. There has only been one case where the victim was able to be revived, and then the man whom had been revived threw himself into the strong river current, drowning. Little is known about this curse, except that only a sorcerer or sorceress with immense power can cast it effectively.

This made Saramaru feel a bittersweet moment. That was where the scroll ripped, and though it left her lost as to how exactly she would fix the problem, it did make her feel better about the 'immense power' tidbit. She surely had more power than that mediocre sorceress from earlier! She looked to Sesshoumaru, whose golden gaze rested intently on her.

"I should be able to revive her, and keep her from…" She trailed off suddenly, unsure if she really wanted to finish that sentence. But when Sesshoumaru gave her a look that plainly said to go on, she sighed.

"And keep her from goin' crazy." A little bit of slang caught from years traveling and hunting with Inuyasha spilled into her sentence, and she heard Sesshoumaru's growl at the word. He really didn't like improper speech.

"Sorry…" She whispered, looking back down at her scroll and snapped her fingers, the aged, cracked parchment disappearing from her lap instantly.

Rin screamed when she woke up, then her mind was silent a moment. She was in the same field, but at least the blood on her hands was no longer there. She pondered over it for a moment, turning around each hand, inspecting it carefully. It was as if her own blood had disappeared! She shrugged it off, looking around.

"Lord Sesshoumaru still has not come for this Rin…" She said in a scared voice. She always reverted to her child way of speaking when frightened, and this was definitely one of those times. The seeds if doubt now planted, she sighed, silent tears falling from her lashes.

She had always known Sesshoumaru had never liked humans, but did this mean he did not care for her? All those wishes she had placed, the ideals and dreams she had nurtured, dreams of one day… No, she mustn't doubt now! Her lord would come and save her, surely! She whimpered and hugged her knees, curling into a fetal position.

Sesshoumaru watched as, days after Saramaru had announced her confidence in bringing the girl back, Rin let out a silent sob and muttered something. His keen ears picked it up immediately, and he blinked with surprise.

'I'm trying…' He thought, as if he was thought speaking to his cousin, but it obviously did not get through for the girl began to weep silently. Frustration curled into his golden eyes and his fist clenched. He wished he could be the one to save her, he wished he had the magical abilities instead of his cousin so he could save his Rin.

There it was, that thought again. His Rin. What did that mean? Why was it continuously shoving its way into his normally organized head? It sought to haunt him, he decided finally. His own mind had turned the enemy!

'Just likes Rin's has turned hers.' He sighed, ignoring Saramaru's gaze as she heard the exhale of air, and he reached out to grab Rin's hand. The girl had curled into the fetal position, and he pried her from it, careful not to hurt her with his sharp claws as his long fingers curled over her small hand. Saramaru smiled gently at the scene, and took Rin's other hand, ready to begin.

Saramaru began to mutter incoherent words that Sesshoumaru had no hope of understanding, and Rin convulsed slightly after about the fifth word. Saramaru winced at the sight but her muttering did not falter, and her hand began to glow blue as it encircled Rin's. Sesshoumaru's hand tightened slightly and his gaze intensified, as he would NOT close his eyes. He had seen much worse than a young human convulsing!

'So why does it hurt me so to see Rin in such pain?' Stop! He reprimanded his mind instantly. Stop questioning yourself!

Unbeknownst to Sesshoumaru's new found source of confusion Saramaru's spell kept up its quick work, and soon Rin's convulsions became gentler, finally stopping. Saramaru brought her hand away and readied herself for what was supposed to come next.

A horrible scream came from the raven haired teenager as her earthen eyes opened in a flash, and she tried to wrench her hand away from Sesshoumaru's grasp.

"Rin!" Sesshoumaru yelled in mock anger, as it had always worked before, and her scream turned into a pitiful wail as she again tried to wrench herself free.

"Stop this now!" He ordered, and Rin, for once, was still as her shocked, scared eyes fluttered to meet his. Was it…? Was it him?

"L-… Lord S-Sesshoumaru…" She trembled, and much to Saramaru's surprise, the girl launched herself into Sesshoumaru, her body wracked with sobs.

"Rin thought you'd never come for her!" She wailed into his shoulder as his wide eyes blinked. This is when Rin made a revelation, for bad or good unknown. But Lord Sesshoumaru hadn't come for her! He had left Rin to die in that wasteland!

"But…" She pulled herself away now roughly, and stared into his golden eyes with her own shocked, wide ones.

"But he didn't come for Rin, did he?" She asked, tears welling. Sesshoumaru stumbled around for words to find, and finally he said, "Rin-"

"Lord Sesshoumaru didn't come for Rin!" She wailed painfully, stumbling to her feet and straight into Saramaru's strong arms, where the demoness held her still as the girl tried to struggle free.

"He did!" The tall silver haired woman hissed as Rin, in her efforts, hit her stomach.

"Why the hell do you think I'm here! RIN!" She yelled, eyes flashing as she grabbed the girl's wrists, her hands immediately turning blue. Sesshoumaru was on his feet, watching with narrowed golden eyes. Rin seemed immediately calmed, and Saramaru let go, saying softly into the girls ear, "He came for you, Rin, he did all he could. You were locking inside here, see?" She put a finger to Rin's head gently, the tip glowing blue as she rearranged the young girls mind so it would not be clouded by illusions she may have gathered in her time spent in her own mind.

Rin sighed and the light glaze that had been over her eyes disappeared, leaving her vision clear.

"Sesshoumaru-sama came for Rin, by sending Saramaru-sama for Rin, because he couldn't follow her?" She asked curiously.

"Yes, Rin, that is how he came for you." Saramaru nodded her head firmly.

"Rin sees…"

The girl had fainted from complete exhaustion after those uttered words, and now two days had passed with her peaceful breathing filling Sesshoumaru's entire thoughts. He still sat beside her, still on his bed, and his eyes slowly began to droop. A good week without sleep could do that, even to a demon. Then, a small sigh was heard, and his golden eyes were awake in an instant, taking in Rin's features as she awoke.

Where was she? In… This was Lord Sesshoumaru's room! No, it was too much to hope that… Crashing back to reality she remembered her ordeal, and moaned, grabbing her suddenly aching head. She then noticed the hand, long fingers splayed out, near her head, and her eyes followed up the arm all the way to Sesshoumaru's golden eyes. The demon was leaning on his arm, gazing at her from his turned head.

"Hello, Sesshoumaru, good morning." She smiled softly, remembering that he HAD, in his only possible way, come to get her.

"You did save me." She smiled softly, closing her eyes for a moment.

Slightly uncomfortable, Sesshoumaru nodded his head, and then said, noticing her eyes were closed, "Yes." His voice was tired, and he leaned against the back of the bed, leaning his head back. Rin blinked as a few locks of long, silver hair fell over her face, and she giggled, taking hold of it. It appeared that something had happened, Sesshoumaru decided as he ignored her playing with his hair, for she seemed as if an eight year old once more.

"Rin."

"Yes, milord?"

"What happened?"

Slightly surprised with her lords sudden questioning, Rin dropped the lock of hair she had been twiddling around her finger. Ah, Sesshoumaru thought, it had been a cover up for her inner feelings to act so young again.

"My lord, does it really matter?"

"Yes."

"Well then…" She began slightly hesitantly, and grabbed on to his hair again as if for comfort as she began her tale.

"Rin was running, from monsters. They cut into Rin's skin, making her bleed badly. Then I tripped, like with the wolves… before… I began to cry, and when she raised her eyes, there were dead bodies surrounding Rin! Rin stopped herself from throwing up, then her hands began bleeding! That is when Rin screamed and fainted." Did he want to know the rest?

"Is that all?" Sesshoumaru asked in an even tone.

"Rin remembers doubting that milord would come to save Rin. But Rin should not have doubted." She said finally, after quite a moment of pause. Sesshoumaru listened to her story, then lowered himself onto the bed.

"Milord?" Rin asked unsurely.

"Just go back to bed, Rin." He growled, obviously touchy after such a lack of sleep, and his golden eyes closed. Rin blinked a moment and stifled a yawn before curling up beside him, looking up at the wall as her ear pressed against the side of his chest, hearing the soft heart beat from within. She could tell her lord was sleeping when it slowed, and she smiled happily. How could she have ever doubted her savior? He would never leave her in danger.

Rin awoke to a rather awkward position. Her lord's arm was underneath her, holding her tightly, but not uncomfortably, against his chest, which was gently rising and falling with each sleeping breath he took. His armor had been removed, and his hair fell about them like a curtain, shielding them from the world. Why was her lord holding her so? Had this happened in their sleep? Confused, but definitely not unhappy, Rin snuggled into the crook of his arm, sighing happily.

It was only a few minutes, perhaps half of an hour? That she stayed in his arms, but it felt as if it was a lifetime of comfort and protection. But then, all went into literally discord.

"Milord?" Came the toad servant's voice from down the hall as little feet pattered towards the sliding door.

"Lord Sesshoumaru!" Jaken's voice again, and Rin groaned softly into the side of Sesshoumaru's chest, instantly and mistakenly waking up her lord. He twitched, as apparently she must have touched a sensitive spot when she tried to hide her face in his side, and grimaced.

"Jaken…" He muttered, too quiet for Rin's human ears, and did not have time to sit up before the door opened.

"Lady Saramaru-" Jaken's voice stuttered then stopped as the toad gawked at the scene before him. Had his lord! Was he really seeing what he thought he was seeing!

"MILORD!" Jaken's surprised, perturbed voice rang loud and clear, as he bowed repeatedly.

"This humble servant did not wish to disturb such a personal moment-"

"Jaken…"

"And he is very sorry for any disturbance to the intercourse-"

"JAKEN…"

"And he will only wish to tell you that-"

"JAKEN!" Sesshoumaru roared finally, sitting up, Rin being pulled up with him. Somehow Sesshoumaru managed to find something throw-able, and he hurled it at Jaken, who squawked and ran out as fast as his stubby legs would carry him. Sesshoumaru growled his displeasure, finally falling back into the pillows and dragging Rin with him.

"Why the hell did I get a TOAD following me around!" His voice was angry but it was in no way loud, as Rin barely heard it. She rearranged herself, her once comfortable position now marred from being pulled up and down again. Jaken's feet could still be heard, and she listened to them disappear.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, you may unhand me." She said, unsure of why he had been holding her in the first place. Her lord must indeed have been tired, because he blinked in surprise and looked at her, as if he had not known he had been dragging her around for the past ten moments.

He murmured something, rubbing the bridge of his nose with the hand he had just released Rin from.

Rin pulled the blankets up over her chin, now realizing how much warmer she had been against Sesshoumaru, and shivered slightly.

"That was odd…" She muttered, looking to the ceiling. There was no reply. She looked over, and again, Sesshoumaru was sleeping. Only a light doze, for his eyes flickered once or twice, but a sleep nonetheless. She looked at the sun, and assumed that they had only been sleeping for a few hours. Just looking at her lord made her feel the symptoms of sleep again, and although she didn't curl up beside him this time, she was near enough to grab some of his hair and twine it around her fingers, now sighing happily.

Two days later, Rin knelt in her spring garden, humming softly to herself. It had been two days since her night with Sesshoumaru, and she had made a full mental recovery, as well as physically, for they found that small cuts had appeared on her arms, where she had originally seen the blood. Jaken had finally given his full message and been enlightened on the reason of Rin's sleeping in Sesshoumaru's bed, the story accented with a few good kicks to the head to get the message through. Sesshoumaru had been very agitated afterwards, hearing that Saramaru had left while they slept, leaving a little painting that she had made with magic for him. He had not let Rin see it, had merely put it inside one of the drawers of his study desk and left her to wonder. Rin smiled softly, and planted her last rose seed. She had plenty of the ruby flowers in her garden, but they were her favorites. Beautiful and dangerous, with their prickly thorns. When she was young, she would catch herself on one, and smelling the blood, Sesshoumaru would run to her aid, getting angry when he found out that it had been flowers that had caused her blood to fall. She laughed and had told him it hadn't hurt that badly, and he had plopped down and watched her the rest of the day, growling when she came too close to the flowers.

Footsteps were heard behind her, soft, and she turned back, raven hair splaying around her hands where they helped her balance.

"Lord Sesshoumaru." She announced her knowledge of his presence as he sat on a bench. He acknowledged her by a mere nod of his head, and watched her closely. She tried to go back to her seeds and soil, her usual pastime, but found it hard with his gaze boring into the back of her neck. Finally she got up and walked back, joining him in the small bench.

"Rin."

"What is it, milord? Does something trouble you?" Rin's light voice was brimming with curiosity as she gazed intently to Sesshoumaru.

"You are to go live in the human village."

Pheonix: A bit shorter than the last one by about 400 words, but I wanted to leave it at an evil cliffy! I know, I know, mean, but it'll leave you wanting more, trust me. Besides, I couldn't wait to get this out! The more updates, the more time it has on the board for people to see it. (Don't even try telling me that you guys look at stuff updated a month ago.)

Saramaru: What if they do?

Pheonix: Then they wont tell me because I told them not to.

Saramaru: well you always tell me not to annoy Inuyasha or Sesshoumaru but that never helps.

Pheonix: I made you, I play you, I'll do what I want! MUAHAHAHAHAHA! R&R!