Thank you for being supportive with the reviews. I greatly appreciate it.

Sorry for leaving you at a cliffhanger but now on with the story!

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Screams from a frightened young girl…they were suddenly hushed. No longer did fear overcome her. She had no worries, no pain, nothing more to be scared of. She was in a state of shock, her only feeling was relief.

She remained on the ground where the demon had jumped out at her. It had bared it's now long fangs. Prepared to strike and devour her in one sly swoop. However this overly confident, newly powered creature never got the chance. As has it's plans to get the shard sooner been thwarted so had this one to have the girl for a snack. It struck down to retrieve her.

Her cries came to a halt as the monster's own took place.

For in a split second the beast had been overwhelmed by a fast moving opponent. Almost as if a mere streak had taken the mighty worm down. A single slice across it's stomach and the creature wailed. Blood dripped from it's giant body as the shard it had been seeking simply slid out with its other entrails.

It got a glimpse of what had just happened then darkness shaded it's eyes. It fell lifelessly to the ground with a large thundering crash. Then only the wind left the girl and her tears.

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"You stupid animal! Making us get lost! How dare you?! Lord Sesshomaru could have come and left again and we'd be all alone!" The mini demon lectured the dragon as he kept pulling it back to their campground. After being lost for almost four hours they had finally turned back.

It was sort of Ah-Un's fault. After the toad awoke it again, it charged him deep into the woods. They then scuttled around until admitting to being lost. After which, they finally found the route homeward.

"You're lucky I'm so kind. Otherwise I'd have…" He stopped when seeing the dead worm's body laying halfway into the camp and half in the brush.

"R-Rin?!" He panicked and ran towards the lifeless pest.

"Don't worry Rin! I'll get you out!" He poked at the slit in the stomach.

"I'm right here Master Jaken."

He looked to see her peeking out from behind a tree.

A huge sigh escaped him then his angry face took place.

"You little fool! I thought you were swallowed!" He came closer to her.

She eyed the horrible, foul smelling thing then stepped into their makeshift home.

She trembled terribly as she gripped something in her hand tighter and tighter. It was almost as if her life depended on holding a death grip to the object.

The toad suspected something was horribly wrong. As much as he hated to admit it, he was a bit worried about the human.

"What's that?" He pointed to her closed fist.

Her eyes stayed glued to the ground.

"Rin?" He grabbed her hand and pried it open.

She gasped and resisted but the strong creature won.

Spread out, her palm revealed a cherry blossom bud. It's petals torn and withered. Inside the bud lay the small jewel fragment. It glowed an eerie purple. The demon knew the shikon glowed so marvelously when it was tainted by hatred or pain. The girl must have been mentally injured from the powerful demon's attack.

"Rin?" He took the piece from her.

She looked to him and fell to her knees. Her weak arms wrapping around him as she cried.

He patted her back gently and sighed. This place wasn't right for humans. It was barely suitable for any living thing. It was dangerous, scary, cold and could be a very lonely place. Clearly she'd been hiding her fear and worries for so long that it finally exploded. Behind her always perky self may have been a darker side. No one would suspect.

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Rin had finally fallen asleep. She rested against the dragon as it served as a protector. It remained wide awake but acted asleep. Incase anymore problems tried to rise the beast would attack with all it's might.

The smaller guardian was awake as well. However he was examining the dead worm. It had a very clean cut across it's belly. Whoever had done the job must have been very skilled. It was obvious that Rin couldn't have done this. She had no experience or weapons. Plus her sensitive nature wouldn't allow any harm to come to another living thing. Perhaps it was a sickle's blade. A demon slayers blade.

There is a young boy traveling with InuYasha. And that girl is his sister. But why would he save Rin? He can't have feelings for her.

The foolish toad was to blind to see what was right in front of him. Human love was an unexplored territory but surely he must be smart enough to figure out the simple explanation. Kohaku cared for Rin. A great deal. He would protect her with his life. It made perfect sense that he's save her and leave because of shyness. He was a skilled hunter, he knew how to slay a demon. It added up but not to Jaken. He was stuck on why the kid would do such a thing.

"Perhaps….A sword did it…." He contemplated to himself.

"Jaken?"

He jumped and spun to see his powerful lord standing before him. His cold eyes looking down upon him as if he'd only left him yesterday. The toad nearly cried with joy.

"Lord Sesshomaru! You've returned at last! How marvelous! I've been waiting my lord!" He jumped up and down.

The dog ignored his cheers and turned his attention to the carcass behind his follower. The stench had been clear for over a mile away. His sensitive nose cringed from the odor.

He drew his mighty Tokijin and with one flawless swoop the attack carried the foul beast away. Almost immediately the smell left, no doubt from the smaller hungry creatures that had discovered the worm. They began eating it's flesh and relieving the odor from the area.

He placed the sword back and turned. His footsteps were followed by his imp. They traveled closer into the middle of the campsite. The red embers took place again. The fire burnt out.

"Jaken." His deep voice alerted the toad.

"Oh yes lord!" He relit the embers with his staff.

The dog glanced to the sleeping girl and to the dragon guarding her. He noticed a bright pink leaf peeking out from her loose grip. The light scent of a cherry blossom filled his nose. He slid his eyes back in front of him and began walking back into the forest.

"Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken wondered.

As usual he ignored him and continued walking. The toad figured he'd be back since he was ordered to relight their fire.

He's so tense. Perhaps deep in thought?…He's heading to the field where Rin plays.

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