I stood there in shock, hands still hovering in the air, eyes wide upon hearing what the demon lord said. For a second I thought I misheard, but the bumps on Jaken's head was proof of what just happened, and Rin's cheering was enough to snap me out of my startled daze. The little girl was standing up now, hands thrown up in the air above her head.

"Yay! You hear that, Big Sister? You can stay!"

"Y-Yeah…"

That was the last thing I was expecting. I thought he would have some problem with it, or at the very least me hanging around him, but… it wasn't really too different from what happened back in the destroyed castle. He knew right away I was friends with his half-brother and protected me anyway. When he said our deal was done and I asked if I had to back away, he… said I could do what I wanted.

The same thought process seemed to be applying here, too, as Sesshōmaru was basically saying that my presence wasn't a bother to him and that I could stay or leave, and do whatever my heart desired. This supposedly cruel and ruthless demon, who I've been told despised humans, was letting me have full autonomy over what I chose to do, even if it meant I might be sticking around him and his travel party for a while.

It was… baffling, yet… sort of sweet in a way.

Maybe I just had low expectations- or I really am exactly what Sango says and I only ever try to see the good in people. Who knows? Either way, I was looking at the silver-haired demon with wide eyes as Jaken let out indignant and disbelieving shrieks.

"B-B-But m'lord!" The imp struggled to sit up, staff discarded on the ground from when it had hit him, and as Jaken finally managed to pull his face out of the dirt he rubbed one of the many many bumps that had formed on his head. "Why!?"

Sesshōmaru just looked down at him, not an ounce of emotion showing on his face, his thoughts hidden from all of us here. The demon lord then turned away, ignoring the question and sitting down by a nearby tree- propping up a knee and leaving his other leg to drape lazily against the ground, his back leaning against the giant tree's trunk. He closed his eyes, clearly not paying heed to any of Jaken's ramblings.

Ramblings that I was one hundred percent certain were normal.

"-woman's only ever caused us trouble! Making you protect her in the castle, a-and even when we encountered the panther demons! She's not just disrespectful, but ungrateful too!"

Ungrateful? Excuse you, sir, but I've only ever felt gratitude towards that man and all my friends. I had half a mind to add a few more bumps to that rotten imp's head, but it didn't take long for me to realize what else Jaken had said.

Anger put on pause, I blinked- confusion flitting across my pale features. "Wait, what? The… The panther demons?"

That doesn't make any sense.

"S-Sesshōmaru wasn't…" My voice was a bit more raspy at this point, and I had to really push the words out in order to speak. "He wasn't... there for that. Was he?"

Rin, who had squatted down upon sensing the story time that was about to happen, looked just as confused, but probably because she had no idea what we were talking about rather than anything else.

Jaken scoffed at me, crossing his legs and folding his hands into his sleeves. His beady yellow eyes were spiteful as he glared at me, expression one of distaste. "Shows what you know! Of course, what can I expect from a sickly and pathetic human woman like you?"

My fingers twitched, and I found myself contemplating if I should use my remaining lifeforce to strangle the imp for his blatant bigotry towards humans and women.

"But yes, Lord Sesshōmaru was there!" Jaken continued, completely oblivious to the murderous vibes flowing towards him as I stared him down, eyes dark and cold with barely restrained rage. He was lucky I was more curious than vengeful. "My master was the one who freed you from that annoying barrier the panthers had you trapped in! Right as you were about to be sacrificed to the panther king, Lord Sesshōmaru stepped in- using the power of tenseiga to awaken your soul!"

"...Tenseiga? He- huh?" Hold on. "He used tenseiga on me? But I didn't… die."

"No, no, no, you stupid human! Not like that. The sword was calling out to you, and he used it to awaken your sleeping soul! This allowed you to break the barrier and escape! Lord Sesshōmaru saved you using the fang his father passed down to him!"

Rin let out a sound of awe, eyebrows rising high on her forehead. "Wow~ I didn't know Lord Sesshōmaru's sword could do that! That's amazing."

"Isn't it?" Jaken held his chin up high, proud to be speaking and bragging about the demon lord. "It's most likely due to this woman's connection to spirits, but through it Lord Sesshōmaru was able to discover a new side of tenseiga he didn't know before! Although, if you ask me…" The imp sent me another dirty look. "I don't understand why he gives a hoot about you. If not for you, he wouldn't have had to waste so much time saving you and could have killed the panther king faster!"

"I was right!" Rin exclaimed, grinning triumphantly as she clapped her hands together. She looked at me. I blinked. "Lord Sesshōmaru does like you!"

"...He definitely doesn't."

"But he does! He's saved you several times now, right? You said once, but this makes it twice! He likes you!" Rin suddenly stood up, rushing over to the demon lord. She knelt down beside him, beaming. Sesshōmaru, having heard her footsteps, opened his eyes and turned his head to look down at her. "You like her, right? Big Sister? I'm right, aren't I?"

Jaken gaped, then jumped onto his feet, squawking. "She's just a nuisance! He doesn't like her, he barely tolerates her!"

This is getting way too out of hand. "G-Guys… let's… leave him alone, okay? He probably just saved me because I was… in the way or whatever. S-So…"

Yeah. Gods, my skull was really starting to throb.

Reaching into my kosode, I pulled out my rescue inhaler- twisting it and inhaling the medicine quickly afterwards as I plopped down onto the ground, wheezing. Rin looked confused, asking what I was doing, and Jaken begrudgingly answered her as I struggled to hold my breath- breaking into several painful coughs afterwards. I pressed a palm to the grassy floor, doing my best to remain conscious.

Blinking several times, waiting for the black spots to vanish from my vision, I thought about what I should do. About everything I had been told. I wanted to thank Sesshōmaru before for saving me and not fighting my friends back at the destroyed castle, but now it sounds like I have something else to thank him for? And somehow tenseiga was involved?

Tenseiga… I brought a hand up to my mouth, eyebrows furrowing as I went deep into thought, eyes suddenly widening as I turned to look at Sesshōmaru himself. His stare was piercing, like he was trying to pinpoint the exact second I would keel over and die, or figure out how I was still living after all this time. Tenseiga was forged from his father's fang, just like tetsusaiga.

I don't really remember anything after breaking out of the barrier I had been trapped in, but I do vaguely recall the time spent within my soul. How I could hear the panicked spirits' voices, and how scared and alone I felt. How caged. I also vaguely recall a warmth, one that grew closer and closer until I could finally break free of the restraints and snap out of it.

I only really remember seeing Inuyasha after escaping, but… that warmth-

It was Sesshōmaru's sword… wasn't it?

"Th-The fang must have, like… some of his father's soul left behind in it or something." I mused aloud, pressing a hand to my head and cringing. Jaken and Rin, and even Sesshōmaru were all looking at me intently, surprised by my comment. "I… remember something trying to wake me up at the time, but I… don't know anything afterwards. That was… That must have been tenseiga."

There was no voice, but the power behind it had been there.

I grimaced, ruffling my hair and slumping over, sighing. "Somehow, I'm not even surprised. It's like… the closer to death I get, the more attuned I am to spirits. Blegh."

"Close to-" Jaken frowned, making a face. He leaned forward, sniffing the air. "How close to death are you now, woman? You reek of death and miasma."

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I joked, wheezing a bit as I sat back up.

For a second, I thought I imagined it- the slightest furrow of Sesshōmaru's brow and the tiniest downturn of his lips- but all I saw when I looked was his amber eyes narrowed and staring right at me. Rin looked greatly alarmed, the girl watching in horror as I struggled to stand up- smacking my knees lightly as I pressed a hand to my chest and coughed into my sleeve.

I flashed them all a grin, aware I must look like a crazy person. "I've got, like… two days left at best? It's almost night now…"

I raised my gaze up to the sky, stumbling back a little. The stars were starting to come out already. Has the sky always been so pretty, or am I only just noticing it now?

I could feel the pain in my chest worsen, my throat tightening and closing up as my eyes began to sting. Blinking a few times, I yanked my gaze away and took a deep and shaky breath, trying to calm down. "Y-You know, assuming I'm not… brutally murdered by then. I came close to it a little while earlier- then I got kidnapped, then inhaled so much miasma I almost died right there. That sucked."

"Wh-What are you talking about?" Rin asked, brown eyes growing misty and panicked. "What… What do you mean you've only got two days left?"

"Hm?" I looked down at her, then felt my expression soften. Though I moved slowly, I made my way over to her, kneeling down and placing a hand gently on her head. My expression was pained, if not bittersweet. "I told you, Rin. I… look like a ghost. I'm that sick."

"B-But…"

I don't know why this is affecting her so much. We just met. Taking another deep breath, I shook my head and actually sat, unable to make my body kneel for so long. Rin was starting to sniffle, fingers digging into her checkered kimono. I had no way of making her feel better, because what I said was the truth. I see no reason to hide from it now.

Not knowing what else to do, I rolled up my sleeves. Her eyes widened at the scars.

"You… see these? I've got… loads more where they came from. I was never a… very healthy person, Rin, but… my body has been put through too much to recover anymore. I'm broken. I'm… sorry, but… that's how it is. I'm not gonna last for much longer. I'm only moving due to sheer will-power at this point."

"But… you can't die!" She said, shoulders tensing up as she glared at me, brown eyes fierce and determined. "Th-There has to be a way! I-I just met you, I don't… I don't want to watch you die!"

"...You won't be watching me die." I promised. "I… don't plan to stay around that long."

"Then how long are you planning on staying?" Jaken grouched, and I sent him a look, unimpressed with his sour attitude.

"Long enough." I sighed, letting my hands fall into my lap. "I'm… staying here long enough to… to keep Rin safe."

"Huh?"

That surprised both Rin and Jaken, and definitely caught Sesshōmaru's attention. Not having the breath to go into details, I hung my head to the side and waved a finger in the air, moving it around in a circular motion. "Let's just say… that there's… an evil spider nearby that likes to… kidnap little girls, and I really don't want that to happen to Rin. She's next on their list, and I'm not… I'm not having it. Not after Otoki."

All this power, and I couldn't even save one little girl and her brother. I'm not repeating that mistake.

"I…" Rin furrowed her brows. "I don't get it. What evil spider?"

"...Evil spider demon." I rephrased. I reached out, placing my hands on her shoulders. I needed her to understand this next part. "It's… a really evil demon, okay? I-I need you to promise that you're… gonna stay… where… where Sesshōmaru can…"

I can't focus. The throbbing in my skull is worse. Pain was exploding in every molecule of my body, killing me from inside out, and I had to stop mid-sentence to catch my breath and recollect my thoughts.

"You have to. You have to stay where… he can protect you. Please, Rin."

Do this one thing.

"Do this… for a dying woman, okay?"

Her bottom lip trembled. Rin, overcome with emotions I still didn't quite understand, hesitated before nodding, sniffling. "O-Okay. I'll… I'll stay with Lord Sesshōmaru. But… what about you?"

I released her, surprised by the question. I thought about it. "I dunno. I got… separated from my friends back at Ayame Village, and… I don't… have the strength or lifespan to get back to them. I'll just stay by you until… the danger passes."

Jaken huffed. "Don't expect me to bury your corpse when you're dead."

Rin choked up upon hearing that, the tears actually welling up into her eyes, and Sesshōmaru fixed the imp with a harsh glare. "Jaken." His voice was fierce and unrelenting, promising the demon pain if he did not start to watch the things he said.

Jaken, realizing he had gone too far, shrunk down and stepped back, bowing his head. "F-Forgive me, my liege! I-I simply meant that you sh-shouldn't have to be burdened with such a trivial thing! She's already caused you so much trouble, and I-"

He was unable to finish speaking, for a shoe had planted itself hard into his mouth and Jaken was slammed backwards into the ground. I flinched, actually feeling a bit bad for the imp upon seeing that, as that was the harshest punishment I've seen inflicted yet. I've seen Sesshōmaru step on him before, but I've never seen him do that. Eugh. Yikes. That was one hell of a leg kick though.

Remind me not to get on his bad side.

Suddenly, Rin's stomach grumbled, bringing the heavy conversation to an end. She brought her hands to her belly, sticking out her bottom lip in a small pout, the girl giving another small sniffle. "I'm hungry…"

She looked at Sesshōmaru, then at Jaken- before finally focusing her conflicted gaze on me.

"What about you…? Do you want something to eat, too?"

"Huh? Oh… um." I blinked. "I guess so?"

I haven't really thought about eating. I brought a hand to my chin, making a face, trying to rack my brain for answers. One second Sango was being proposed to, then the next I was being accused of murder. I wasn't even awake for most of it.

"I think the last time I ate was… hrm. Th-There was that weirdo's castle, and… during the entire time we were at Ayame Village we had been busy hunting down Anastasia, so… how long has it been?"

Rin raised her eyebrows, before bursting out into a bunch of giggles. Though still upset about my impending death, she was trying to lighten the mood. "Sounds to me like you really need something to eat!" She then paused, pressing a finger to her chin. "What should we get…? You're here with us, too, so we should have a big feast! Lots of food should be good for your health, right?"

Oh my gods, she's in serious denial. "I-I'll be fine, Rin."

"No!" She stood up. "While we're here, we should eat lots! We're… near the mountains, right? I know! Why don't we take Ah-Un and hunt down some wild boar? It's so delicious!"

She started to walk off, only to pause. Rin looked back at me, fiddling with her fingers.

"Ah, but… I promised to stay with Lord Sesshōmaru, didn't I? Will you be okay on your own? Why don't you just stay here? We can send Master Jaken to get it!"

"Don't just volunteer me, Rin!" Jaken exclaimed. "Why should I help that woman?"

"Because you're stronger than us." She stated firmly in retaliation. "Besides, Lord Sesshōmaru and I both like Big Sister, so we need to make her healthy! Food fixes lots of things. When your head hurts or you have a tummy ache- food helps!"

It's official; Rin is adorable. Baby girl baby. So precious.

Jaken just gaped. He looked at Sesshōmaru for help, but the demon lord didn't spare him a glance- eyes closed and uncaring. "Just do it, Jaken."

"...Yes, m'lord." Jaken sighed, giving up. He was defeated, and began to whine as he headed over to Ah-Un, grabbing his staff and their reigns and hopping onto the dragon's back. "Mountain boar, was it? Hmph. Boar isn't gonna do anything to help that rotten woman, but m'lord demands it, so I'll go hunt it. Oh, the things I do for him…"

Heh. Serves him right.

Wait, that reminds me. "S-Sesshōmaru!"

Standing nearly took everything I had. My legs trembled and shook, and the throbbing in my skull left me so dizzy I ended up falling back down onto one of my knees. Rin flinched, hurrying over to stand next me. Her hands hovered over my arm, like she was scared touching me would break me, yet still wanting to help somehow. "B-Big Sister…!?"

…I really am a terrible person.

I came here to try and protect Rin, but instead I keep making her, a little child, cry. Pained, I rested a hand on her head, flashing her another smile. Then I pulled away and took a shaky breath, attempting to stand again. I could barely take a step before Rin wrapped her arms around my waist. I looked down at her in surprise, having not expected her to do such a thing. "Y-You don't have to-"

"No!" She buried her face in my stomach. "You'll fall down again!"

"R-Rin-"

"I said, no! I wanna help!"

I resisted the urge to make a face, exasperated and feeling more than a little guilty. My heart ached, feeling the way her tiny hands held me tight, gripping at my kimono to keep me from pushing her away. Seeing her tears as she squeezed her eyes shut tight, I gave in and sighed, defeated. Everything hurt, and I didn't have the strength to argue. I barely even had the oxygen to talk.

Rin…

She raised her head, looking at me with misty brown eyes, and all I could do was return her stare, solemn and apologetic. Rin looked like she was about to say something when…

"Just sit."

…Sesshōmaru's voice rang out. The two of us paused and looked at him, eyes wide, but he just stared. There was no reading his expression, and seeing our faces he turned away, closing his eyes.

"If you wish to die sooner, so be it. But if you wish to speak with me, then hurry over here and sit. You're just wasting your strength."

That's… a good point.

And yet it felt somehow odd, hearing him say such a thing. Like it was unlike him. He was kind to a certain point during our travels together in the destroyed castle, but he never said anything so close to considerate as that.

Maybe… he wasn't just tolerating as much as I thought he was.

…Nah. I'm being ridiculous.

There was no way he cared beyond me just being another human in his way, a human who just so happens to be friends with his younger brother. It was a miracle he's saved me as many times as he has.

Still… it was rather nice of him to say I could sit next to him and talk, all things considered.

Biting down on my lower lip, I blinked away the tears and looked down, struggling to calm myself and catch my breath. My heart was quivering within my chest, several stabs of guilt and regret piercing it as I realized only too late that I would never be able to prove to everyone how much this person has changed compared to when they last met and fought.

I… would never be able to become anything akin to friends with him. I was going to die very soon, and that would be it. I'm never going to see him or anyone else ever again. Hah…

Not even I'm foolish enough to believe Sesshōmaru would go out of his way to revive me, and after what happened with the panther demons I'm not even sure if I want him to. I saw what their master turned out to be like, and I refuse to end up the same way.

So while I do really want to live… I don't want to become a monster in the process either.

Rin's grip around my waist tightened, snapping me out of my thoughts. She moved to stand beside me, keeping hold of me, and I watched as she flashed me a bright smile. "I'll help you walk! So don't worry about falling, okay, Big Sister?"

Gods, she really was too cute.

Ignoring the guilt, I awkwardly rested a hand on her tiny shoulder, having to lean over a bit to compensate for the height difference. She really was trying her best to help me, even though it didn't really do much because of how small she was. I couldn't help the strange nervousness I felt as we approached Sesshōmaru, and when I sat down beside him, butterflies twisted and churned about in my stomach, fluttering uncomfortably. I fiddled with my fingers momentarily before folding my hands together in my lap.

The demon lord did not change his expression even once. He just calmly opened his eyes, turning his head to focus his intense golden gaze on me. Sesshōmaru waited patiently for me to speak while Rin happily took off to play with the flowers she had put around the campfire, the little girl giving us some semblance of privacy to converse.

"So, um…" Frick. The pounding in my head was worsening as the anxiety grew, and I coughed into my shoulder, finding it hard to meet his gaze. The last time I really saw him was back in the destroyed castle, and we were hardly this close in proximity. Any times we did talk neither of us were really that focused on each other, too busy trying to maneuver through the debris and the undead. "Y-You were… really there with the… the panther demons, huh?"

No response. He just narrowed his eyes, as if trying to tell me to hurry up and get to the point.

My grip on my hands tightened, even though there was no hiding their shaking. I furrowed my brows, trying to steady my breathing as my frantic, dying heart leapt into my throat. "I-I just- I mean… T-Tōran said they were after you, that you w-would show up, and… I-I was… r-really hoping that… I would… be able to… t-talk to you then, but, uh…"

I cleared my throat, flashing him a shaky smile.

"That obviously… didn't happen. M-My body got a bit too broken during… the time they h-had me… hostage… a-and ever since then… the amount of time I can spend conscious is… really small, but, uh… e-ever since what you did in the destroyed castle, I…"

I could feel the tears well up again and I furiously blinked them away. I needed to stay calm. I can't hurt myself anymore than what I already am because of some stupid emotions. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I focused- hands gripping my fingers so tight my knuckles had turned white. When I had recovered, however slightly, I lifted my head up and flashed Sesshōmaru the brightest, most grateful smile I could muster.

"I just… wanted to thank you." So badly, for so long, I had wanted to say these words. "For… p-protecting me and… for not hurting my friends. I-I know you don't like them, that they… don't like you… but they… they mean everything to me a-and I… I just wanted to say thanks. A-And for… what you did, too, with the panther demons. I-I know it was… probably just because the barrier was in your way, but… still. Thank you. You saved me again."

My heart stuttered, along with my breath, but I held my smile- brown eyes crinkling with genuine warmth as I met his silent golden gaze.

"Thank you… Sesshōmaru."

…Ahem.

"W-Well, that was all I w-wanted to say, so…" I pat my hands on my thighs lightly like they were a pair of drums, then stiffly turned around to face away from him, scooting to lean against the other side of the tree. "Sorry for bothering you. I… I know I'm a nuisance."

He said nothing, though a small hum did escape his throat. I nearly jumped at the sound. Thankfully, I was somehow able to restrain myself from actually doing so and didn't embarrass myself any further. I leaned my head back against the tree, breathing heavily and letting out a long sigh of relief, utterly exhausted.

"I-I'm so glad you're here…"

I had been so scared.

"I thought… I wouldn't be able to tell you that b-before I…"

I couldn't finish. The sob caught in the back of my throat and I squeezed my eyes shut, clenching my jaw. I really had been so worried; all I had wanted was to say just those two little words to him, and yet with the way things had been going I thought I would never get the chance. Perhaps the world has finally taken pity on me, granting me this one small mercy before my death.

Whatever the case… I'm grateful for it.

And I'm… so tired…

"Big Sister…? Big Sister! Big Sister, please wake up!"

"...Huh…?"

"Big Sister!" A pair of hands on my shoulders shook me, forcing me awake, and I groggily opened my eyes to see Rin hovering above me, the little girl looking close to tears. Relief crossed her face when she saw me and she quickly leaned in, throwing her arms around my shoulders. "Don't scare me like that!"

Too tired to figure out what was going on, I weakly pat her back. "S-Sorry…"

She shook her head. Rin then pulled away, forcing a smile as she held her tiny fists up. "Master Jaken is back with the boar! He just got done roasting it! Let's eat!"

"O-Okay…"

"I'll get your piece for you; so you just stay right there!"

She didn't give me much of a choice. Blinking slowly, I was vaguely aware of a fire-roasted boar leg being placed in my hands, and having nothing else to do I took a bite. The meat was a bit tough and it hurt my jaw to chew, but the juices hitting my tongue made me realize just how hungry I truly was.

Rin proceeded to plop down between me and her guardian of a demon lord, happily munching on her own piece, and Sesshōmaru kept silent watch over all of us. Jaken, on the other hand, just moped beside the campfire, grouchily eating his own portion of the meal. I ate slowly, not wanting to wear myself out, but halfway through the leg I noticed something.

I leaned forward, sending Sesshōmaru a concerned look. Sensing my stare, he opened his eyes and glanced at me. I tensed. "A… Are you not going to eat anything?"

Rin nudged my arm. "Lord Sesshōmaru never eats with us. He doesn't like human food."

I blinked. "It's… boar, though. It's not just human food…" I know at least two demons who would happily devour it given the chance.

"Oooh, that's true!"

I made a face, flashing the demon lord a weird look before turning my attention back to Rin. "What does he eat then?"

Rin opened her mouth, happily ready to tell me, only to pause. She frowned, holding a finger to her chin. "You know… I don't really know. I've never seen him eat anything before, and I gave him lots of fish and plants when I first met him."

Aw, yeah, here we go. This I needed to know. "How did you meet him?"

"Lord Sesshōmaru was- huh?" She stopped right when she was about to explain, seeing the demon lord in question stand up. "Lord Sesshōmaru, where are you going?"

He didn't say.

As the owls and crickets sang their nighttime cries, Sesshōmaru disappeared through the tall grass and into the forest, wandering away from the campsite. I watched as he left, more and more curious about him and what he was all about. He never really spoke, though when he did it was usually fairly curt and to-the-point. He also seemed quite introverted, despite having a habit of surrounding himself with talkative people… at least, that's what it seemed like- if Jaken and Rin's presence was anything to go by.

Hmm.

Well, I'm just happy I got to see him again before the inevitable. So, turning back to Rin, I gave her a soft smile. "You were saying…?"

"Huh? Oh, right! It wasn't too long ago, like maybe a month or two…? I'm not really sure, but I found him all alone in a forest near the village I was in! He was really hurt." Rin took a bite of her boar leg, and furrowing my brows I did the same. I waited for her to continue talking. "Lord Sesshōmaru was covered in blood and his clothes were super torn. I knew he was demon, but… I-I mean, I thought- there was no way he could be scarier than humans, right?"

I froze just before I took another bite. Something about the way she said that set off warning bells in my mind. I looked down at her, silently questioning why she was here if she had a village she could go back to.

"So I gave him water and fish! But he said he didn't like human food, so I brought him some mushrooms and reeds instead. I don't think he ate them, but when I came back they were all gone, so… maybe he did! I'm not really sure. He was starting to look a lot better, though! Um…"

Rin started to grow quiet, brown eyes flickering with something dark and pained. She gripped her boar leg tight.

"I don't… really remember much of what happened after, but… I know it was something bad. I think I got hurt. The next thing I knew, though, Lord Sesshōmaru was there. He must have saved me, and… he let me follow him, so…" The little girl looked up at me, smiling brightly. "Here I am! He gave me this really nice kimono, too, since my old one was really torn and dirty. Isn't he the best? You like him, too, don't you, Big Sister?"

I blinked. "Uh… I-I mean… yeah? Kind of?"

Her eyes sparkled. "I knew it!"

Rin leaned closer to me, her smile so big I was surprised it didn't split her face.

"You should travel with us! Then you can be with Lord Sesshōmaru all the time! I'm sure he'd love to have you join us! He'll protect you, and I'll bring you lots of food, and you'll be super healthy in no time, and then-"

Jaken's grating voice cut her off. "She is not traveling with us!"

"Shut up! Yes, she will!"

Jaken jumped up onto his feet, whirling around to glare at her, the bone of his boar leg abandoned on the ground next to the campfire. "She will not! Lord Sesshōmaru would never allow it!"

Rin stood up this time, boar leg bone held tight in her hand as she fumed and stomped over to him. The two glared at each other, clearly ready to fight. "Yes, he will! Lord Sesshōmaru likes Big Sister! He'll be happy if she stays!"

"Ha! As if he would ever be happy having a half-dead human woman by his side! M'lord doesn't need such troublesome companions! He never even should have let you join us!"

That was the wrong thing to say.

Jaken seemed to have realized it too, judging by the way he flinched upon seeing the way Rin began to tremble, her eyes filling with up with tears as her lips curled back. I set the remains of my boar leg down, frowning deeply and preparing to stand. Hanging her head low, Rin's shoulders scrunched up… and then she dashed forward- shoving Jaken hard to the side as she hit him with her boar leg bone, the little girl running off into the woods.

Oh no.

Wheezing, I pushed myself up onto my feet, forcing my weak body to scramble after her. "R-Rin!" This was not supposed to happen.

She wasn't supposed to run away! If she runs away, she'll get caught; she'll be grabbed by Kagura and then taken to the castle. She can't go there, she won't survive in there, she'll be killed. I came here to warn her, to protect her, to make sure this exact scenario didn't happen; I can't let another child be killed. I have to find her. I have to help her.

Even if it hurts.

Even if I can't breathe.

Even if I can't move anymore.

I have to save her.

Staggering sideways, I rested my hands against the nearby trees to keep myself steady, vision blurring and filling with dark spots as I felt my lungs stutter and wheeze. They were trying so hard to keep me alive, pushing themselves to the brink.

I have to… find Rin… but where is she? Sweat beaded down the sides of my face and continued to move forward, legs as heavy as lead.

"R… Rin!"

Suddenly, I could hear sniffles. I spun on my heel, stumbling in the direction the sound was coming from, and before long I found her. She was hiding in a watermelon field, crouched low with her hands over her head. Though everything hurt and my chest burned like molten lava, I made my way over to her and nearly collapsed, falling to my knees and resting a hand on her back.

My body wanted nothing more than for me to just give up completely, but there was no way in hell I was going to leave Rin here to cry alone and get abducted.

"H-Hey, it's… it's okay. Y-You know… Jaken isn't… well…" I coughed painfully into my free arm, recoiling in mild alarm when I saw a few splashes of crimson dots decorating my otherwise pristine white sleeve. I could taste iron on my tongue. Swallowing thickly, I decided not to think about it, instead focusing on Rin who had moved to cry into my chest, her tiny arms wrapped around my waist.

"I-I hate him! Master Jaken's always so mean! Wh-Why does he always have to s-say stuff like that!?"

Yeah, it's official. I'm going to pelt Jaken like a football if I ever get the chance.

Carefully, I began to run my fingers through her hair. My voice, though raspy, was soft. "B-Because he's a jerk… that d-doesn't have a heart."

"Hmph!"

"Personally, I think Jaken didn't… get enough hugs growing up."

That seemed to cheer her up, for she let out a tiny snort. Her grip tightened, then loosened. Rin pulled away, sniffling as she rubbed at her face. "He really didn't. I hope Lord Sesshōmaru steps on him later."

"I mean… I'm p-pretty sure he will if you… tell him what… what Jaken said."

Rin nodded firmly, holding her fists up with a newfound determination. "Y-Yeah! I'll do just that! Master Jaken won't know what hit him! Lord Sesshōmaru likes having me around, and I know he'll love having you with us, too! Master Jaken is stupid, so he doesn't know what he's talking about. Right?"

She looked up at me, hopeful… yet still a bit doubtful because of what was said to her. I closed my eyes, smiling through the pain. "Of course. N-Now, why don't we head back to camp, okay?"

"Okay…" Rin sighed, pouting as she started to stand. She fiddled with her fingers, looking sheepish. "I'm… sorry for running away like that. I just- he made me so mad and…"

"It's fine." I ruffled her hair. She brightened. "Let's just… head back."

She nodded, only to look around us with big eyes. "W-Wait! I'm gonna go grab us a melon first; they'll make a really yummy dessert! They might make you feel better, too! Now, let's see… which one…" Rin hummed to herself, wandering around the field with a finger to her chin in thought. I stood there, mildly exasperated by her behavior, wanting nothing more than to get her back to the campsite as fast as possible. "Oh, they all look so delicious! Which one do you think I should choose, Big Sister?"

I have no idea.

Exhausted, I plopped down on the ground, leaning against a particularly thick melon and waiting for her to be done. I forgot just how unpredictable children can be- and how stubborn. Shippō is always so well-behaved around me, and I spent so many days asleep in Kaede's village that I haven't been able to play with any of the kids there, it completely slipped my mind.

Rin squatted down in the field, poking at a dark watermelon. "Maybe we should grab two or three…"

"Riiiiin~! Where are you!?"

The little girl made a face at the sound of Jaken's voice, and we both turned to see him approaching, Ah-Un's reins in his grasp. He jumped when he saw us, then scowled, rushing over as the two-headed dragon followed. Jaken waved his staff at us, glaring.

"You absolutely foolish child! Just what do you think Lord Sesshōmaru would do to me if something happened to you!? You should know better by now not to run off like that, Rin!"

She hmph'd at him, turning her head away. "Like you care!"

"Why you-!"

Rin ignored the imp, instead breaking off a piece of melon and tasting it. Her eyes lit up. "Oh, this one is sweet! Wanna try, Big Sister?"

Seeing her hold the piece out of me, I reluctantly reached out to take it.

Unfortunately, it was at that moment a large gust of wind picked up around us. Though in a terrible state of being, I had encountered it enough times to know exactly where this gust of wind came from, and I could feel my heart and all hope sink heavily down into the pit of my stomach as I turned to see a familiar dark-haired demoness land not too far away from us. Kagura smirked, snapping her fan shut as she stood up straight, and she fixated her gaze on me. Her gaze then turned to Rin, who remained completely still, the remaining in her arms.

"Sesshōmaru can be so careless," Kagura mused, "taking his eyes off of his ward."

"You!" Jaken exclaimed, pointing at the wind sorceress accusingly. "What do you want!?"

"Hmph. You'll see." Kagura flicked her fan open and threw her arm out to the side, sending Jaken and his staff flying back towards the forest. "You did quite the job, gaining the little girl's trust so fast, Anastasia. I'm impressed."

"Wh-What is… What's going on?" Rin held the melon tight, taking a fearful step backwards. She looked at me, then at Kagura. "Are… Are you the evil demon that wanted to kidnap me?"

"Oh?" Kagura raised a brow, intrigued by her words, and I cringed. My mask was gone, too. She turned to look at me. "Anastasia, did you…"

She trailed off. Realization dawned and her red eyes flashed, and I shakily forced myself to stand up. Red flames licked my fingertips as I moved to stand in front of Rin, and Kagura began to laugh. It was a chilling laugh, piercing deep into my bones and leaving me to suppress a shiver. The demoness held her fan to her lips, amusement painted across her beautiful features.

"You played Naraku for a fool! And I'm ashamed to say I fell for your little act, too…"

Damn it. I had hoped I had more time than this.

"Well, then, Irene; let's say we end this dance here, hm? I still need to pay you back for last time." She tossed her arm out to the side, and the flames began to dance along my arms. I could hear the leaves rustle as Rin took a terrified step back from behind me. "I'll kill two birds with one stone, and bring you both to the castle! Dance of Blades!"

No!

Too weak to fight and unable to try and come up with a way to defend against her attack, all I could do was throw my arms around Rin, holding her close to shield her small frame and turning my back to the demoness. Unfathomable pain flooded my being as Kagura's blades of wind tore through my flesh, splattering my blood across the green watermelon field. I could hear Rin cry my name, the little girl hugging the watermelon tight as I gripped her close, and in my effort to remain conscious I had ground my teeth together- jaw clenched so tight it threatened to lock.

The world was spinning and fading all at once, my body burning as hot as could be, yet freezing all the same. I felt so nauseous. But… I can't… give in just yet. I have to… protect her. I have… to protect Rin. I promised myself I would save her.

I can't lose her like I lost Otoki.

Choking back the tears, I whirled around with the last remnants of my strength- throwing my right hand out towards Kagura and unleashing the fiercest blast of flame I could muster. But… when met against the wind, the sorceress more than prepared for my attack this time around… the flames dispersed, and Rin and I were sent flying. Ah-Uh was roaring, yet could do nothing with their muzzles still covered, and by the time Rin and I had both hit the ground… the world had faded to black, for I had already fallen into unconsciousness.

As it turns out… in the end…

I was incapable of saving even a single child.

Notes:

Phew, this was one was a wait, huh. Sorry. I'm still mentally/emotionally recovering from the nightmare that Trashahime. I'm finally able to bring myself to rewatch the og anime, and by epsiode five already OG Sess has set himself apart from his disgusting imposter. Four times- FOUR TIMES in his introductory episode, The Aristocratic Assassin, Sesshomaru, he smiled! They were evil smiles, yeah, but they were still smiles, and he smiled several times too in the episode afterwards when they're inside Inupapa's grave fighting over tetsusaiga. So. PHEW.

I mean, I was anxious the entire time I watched because I was so scared my comfort anime had been completely ruined for me, but like. OG Sesshomaru did nothing wrong. He has a personality. He is the protector of kiddos. And he is a petty ass bitch. It's Shitrise who did him dirty in the what-if spin off pedo fanfic of a show.

ANWAY! Rant aside...

Hopefully you guys enjoyed this chapter! We finally got that sweet sweet long awaited "thank you" that's Irene's been wanting to say to Lord Sesshomaru, lol. And Kagura finally gets to pay Irene back for that burn she gave her so many chapters ago. As always, thanks for reading and have a wonderful day/night wherever you are! Let me know what you think in the comments. 💕