"There are no guarantees in life... Wait, that's a lie. I know at least one: Life is unpredictable. Once you think you know what'll happen next, life comes at you from the left and smacks you in the face..." -Inuyasha to Kagome when she had twins

Early the next morning, Rin awoke with a start. She sat up and yawned, then rubbed her eyes. The fire had died off, releasing a waft of smoke in the air. Jaken lay close to her, resting like an infant, his mouth opened wide, with drool falling from his lips. Rin let out a soft chuckle so as not to awaken her friend and smiled.

He was an ugly demon, but loyal to a fault. In fact, he was a constant in her life, just as much as Lord Sesshomaru. Sometimes even more-so, because he would hike with her whenever Lord Sesshomaru had to venture off somewhere. For a brief moment, she reminisced about her past, and recalled the last time they hiked together.

Rin had just turned thirteen and Jaken gave her a surprise visit. He traipsed into Kaede's home and announced his arrival, while Kaede and Rin were helping a boy tend to his wounds. When Rin saw Jaken, she'd jumped for joy and he stammered at the sight of her exuberance. It had only been a month since they last saw one-another, but she was still happy to see him. Rin ran to hug him and he enjoyed her embrace. He had grown accustomed to it, after all these years. Master Jaken was family. Like an uncle. Sometimes she wondered how he would react if she called him that. Just the thought, sent her into a giggle fest. He would surely stutter from the shock!

Rin had asked him why he came, and he said it was because he knew it was her birthday. He later gave her a beautiful red and white kimono. He said it was from Lord Sesshomaru, but boasted that he picked out the color scheme. She was amazed by the outfit and wanted to wear it immediately, but Jaken informed her that now was not the time to wear such a thing, since it was rather big.

"What's it for then?" Rin inquired.

Jaken shrugged. "I know not, for Lord Sesshomaru is often a mesmerizing enigma, meant to be adored, but never understood."

Rin giggled. "You fawn over him more than any girl ever could."

Jaken gasped. "Th-th-that's because Lord Sesshomaru deserves to be p-p-praised at all times!"

"Careful, Jaken," Kaede muttered, next to Rin. "You may stoke the Demon Lord's ego."

Jaken humphed. "I would gladly stoke it if he let me."

Rin eeew'd at Jaken, and he fell into a fit of crimson, until he realized Rin was only teasing. Then he sighed, as if exhausted by her antics. "Rin, your mind is turning fowl. I know it is because you spend too much time with Inuyasha. You must cease this, at once!"

Rin laughed. "Oh, Jaken. He's not so bad once you get to know him."

Jaken humphed. "Lord Sesshomaru will not be pleased to hear you say such a thing."

Rin arched a black brow. "You intend to rat on me?"

"No," he said, with his chin held high. "You will tell him."

Rin's breath hitched. "Wait- what? Is Lord Sesshomaru visiting?"

Jaken sighed. "No, Rin."

She pouted. "Awww. That's okay, I guess. I know he's busy."

"Young lady," Jaken tsked. "You did not let me finish. Lord Sesshomaru is not coming here. We are going to him. Come! He wishes to celebrate your birthday together. It is an honor, so you best get ready quickly. He's a busy demon, you know."

Rin squealed and clapped for joy. "Yay!" she shouted. Then she froze. "I've got nothing to wear."

"He does not care for flare, Rin."

"I know, but-"

"No buts, Missy. Let's go!"

And off they went on a hike together with Ah-Un, in search of Lord Sesshomaru. The afternoon sun hovered high above them, warming the crown of their heads. Jaken spoke non-stop about all the traveling he and Lord Sesshomaru had done. Rin took comfort in it, and asked all kinds of questions. Jaken basked in the glow of her attention. He never got as much from Lord Sesshomaru.

They found their lord soon after this, as he was on a cliff bordering Inuyasha's village. Where he stood, a basket was set, with all of Rin's favorite foods. She blushed furiously when she caught sight of Lord Sesshomaru in all his glory. She hadn't seen him in a month, yet he remained the same. Perfect.

When his gaze met hers, he gave her a nod and said her name. So much emotion threatened to overflow from her, but she managed to smile brightly, and simply say, "I missed you, milord."

For a while, they ate together, almost like a family. Lord Sesshomaru remained quiet, as per usual, but Jaken was ever talkative. So was Rin, for she had much to tell her lord about all that transpired within her village. He was attentive to her every word.

The memory brought feelings of warmth to Rin as she stretched out her hands to the sky. Suddenly, she winced, moving them down slowly. She was in no pain, but she felt rather stiff. She wiped some leaves out of her hair and fixed it into a pony-tail again, looping one half of her hair with the other. As she did this, she began to frown. Where was everybody?

She looked from left to right and saw no one but Jaken.

When she turned around, she gasped.

Sesshomaru was sitting by the red tree, staring at her, his gaze unflinching. She blushed. His pupils dilated when he saw her stare back at him, and his nostrils flared. She thought the demon was the most beautiful sight she'd ever beheld. There was something other worldly about Sesshomaru's looks. No one could compare. His white hair spilled over his back. The crescent moon on his forehead seemed to literally shine from where she sat.

When she was younger, all she wanted from him was his presence. Now, as a woman, she often found herself wishing for more, like a hug... Or a kiss.

It would do her some good not to think of such things anymore.

Sesshomaru watched Rin. Her gaze was set on his, but she did not move. If not for the soft exhales she released, he would have mistaken her for an erected corpse. Her skin even blanched upon seeing him and his lips threatened to grimace. She had never done such a thing before, always the happiest to be by his side.

He wondered then what she was thinking, for he had no idea what was going through her mind. Unfortunately, that did not come with his powers. A tragedy of sorts, for it would aide him through this trial.

Suddenly, Riu appeared from the edge of the clearing, with Yuki in tow.

Rin turned to look at the couple. She stood up slowly, and Sesshomaru saw her wince, but she continued in the direction of the duo. When she reached them, she smiled down at Yuki—which caused the girl to blush. Sesshomaru saw this and his lips frowned by a fraction. He wanted her to smile at him like that.

Sesshomaru stood and looked over at Jaken who was still sleeping, while Yuki began to ignite a new fire for them. He didn't know who told the half-demon to start a fire since it was pointless. They were about to leave. Or at least, he and Rin were. He took a step forward and ignored the slight pain that shot up his leg. He'd experienced worst. This was nothing.

He quietly approached Rin from behind and noticed when she turned to look at Riu, only to hear her sigh.

What is she thinking?

It annoyed him that he could not read her. Was she still thinking about leaving him? Did she intend to go with Riu and take Yuki with them? He'd be damned if he let that happen. Two strangers with a beautiful woman such as Rin—had she gone mad? She didn't know these people, but she did know Sesshomaru. More than anyone else, she knew him.

"Rin."

She jumped and snapped her attention to him, but failed to look at his eyes. He could see that she focused her gaze somewhere else. His eye brows.

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru?" she said softly, with no sense of eagerness in her voice. It was so out of character, he needed a moment to pause and observe her. She looked perfectly fine. Rin's scars were gone from her completely, as if they never were. Such was the power of his healing tongue. He never felt more grateful for his talents than at this moment, but he wondered why Rin did not see the good in them, for she had yet to thank him.

"Are you well?" he asked.

She nodded, but refused to look at him for some damned reason.

"Rin, look at me." He found it galling that he even had to tell her to do this, when she would give him attention without hesitation since time immemorial.

Rin didn't even budge. Instead, she squared her shoulders and said, "Lord Sesshomaru, I've made my decision."

What was this? What decision needed to be made? He never asked her to decide on anything other than him, and that was years ago.

He waited for her to continue.

"Since I have found compatriots headed toward somewhere I need to be, I wish to travel with them from now on."

Sesshomaru's jaw popped. A muscle ticked. Still, he somehow kept his face impassive and never let his stoic expression alter. "Why?"

"Because…" She swallowed. Now her gaze was on his right cheek. "Because I belong elsewhere."

"That is not a suitable answer."

"I know that," she admitted. "But I feel as though, in this time, I need to be with family."

Sesshomaru was tempted to say, "We are a family. You need nothing else." But he kept his mouth shut, horrified by the fact that such a thought had the audacity to even enter his brain.

He'd rather be damned to hell than admit to anyone how much he needed Rin.

Including himself.

She was a gorgeous creature, yet she had no right to be.

Riu knew Yuki was a demon, or perhaps even half. He could not rightly tell, but she clearly was no mortal. Those disgustingly beautiful eyes felt to him like a fishing rod, reeling him in so that he could find ways to discover the very depths of her soul. He found her both alluring and appalling; such a dichotomy tore him inside, because one moment, he wanted nothing to do with her, and the next, he wanted her right next to him- or perhaps even under.

Outraged by such asinine thoughts, he returned from log hunting, disgruntled and down-right grumpy. Yuki was given the opportunity to go wherever she wanted to find a home, but she chose rather to stay by Riu. In fact, she practically stood right by his hips, as if she wanted to find a way to remain glued there. Was she attracted to him?

He ignored the rush of heat that swelled within his groin and cleared his throat.

Yuki was now sitting by the fire, stoking the logs to create a blaze meant to cook breakfast with. Instead of looking rugged and uncouth, surrounded as she was by dirt, her hair resembled a furnace on its own, and caused her skin to shimmer like moonlight. Her smooth, pale thighs were thickened while she knelt, causing Riu to literally gulp. She must have been a temptress type of demon. Perhaps born from a snake, or even a cat. Cat sounded best. Those yellow-green eyes definitely had a feline air about them.

He realized he was staring at the demoness again, and scowled. Rolling his eyes heavenward, he sat on a log and sighed.

He couldn't wait for the food to be ready. Riu managed to find four wild chickens trudging along the pavement, and decided that they would be good enough for breakfast between the five of them. Yuki said she'd cook, so he let her do her female thing and turned to Rin and Sesshomaru. The couple was practically giving each-other a stand-off, frozen as they were. Except Rin wasn't looking at Sesshomaru. Instead, her gaze was beyond him, toward the red tree. Riu turned to see if anything was there, but the spot was empty.

Looked like the couple was having relationship issues.

Thank God he never had to deal with that.

Lord Sesshomaru remained in place, and his implacable gaze was zeroed in on Rin. She could feel the heat of it on her forehead and had a sudden urge to flee from his presence. Ever since the debacle, that was all that she wanted lately; to be far from him as possible. She could do it, she knew she could, but she had always respected Lord Sesshomaru and his wishes. Even now, she knew her response toward everything stemmed from her desire to always show how much she respected her Lord.

He would not let her go though. At one time, she would have been honored by such a thought. The great Demon Lord of the West appreciated the company of a mere mortal. But things were not so simple anymore, nor could they ever be, considering the fact that she could not look him in the eye without feeling as though she'd erupt in flames.

She could take this no more, and blurted, "I must bathe."

Lord Sesshomaru merely blinked, but gave no response.

"May I at least do that?"

He moved to the side, giving her passage. With a bow, she proceeded to walk toward the demon girl who was now plucking some chickens. Rin's stomach began to growl, and it was only then she realized she hadn't eaten a proper meal in days. Famished beyond imagining, she sat next to the girl. Yuki was her name.

"Good morning, Yuki. May I help?" she asked.

Yuki smiled at Rin, the expression both genuine and friendly. She gave Rin two chickens and together they went to work on the animals. Once done, Yuki skewered all four of them on sticks she constructed resourcefully into an x-shaped pit. When the fire cackled and the meat sizzled indicating their doneness, Yuki gave first dibs to Rin. Then called Riu to come sit by them.

Rin remembered very little about her brothers. What she could recall was that at least one had been a sweet, soft spoken child, who wanted nothing more than to make his struggling family proud. That's why he would often go hunting outside of the village to provide free meals for them. At this moment, he did not appear to be sweet at all. He went to reach for the chicken Yuki offered, but when she smiled at him, his skin literally greyed, and he snatched the stick from her hand. With a grunt, he sat across from Rin and ate without giving Yuki a second glance.

Rin didn't know him well at all, yet she felt comfortable enough with herself to cock her head to the side and ask him if he was okay.

"M'fine," he grumbled, incoherently. "Food's good."

Yuki practically beamed at the poor man, and he grumbled something no person in the world could decipher. Rin immediately knew what was wrong with him and bit her lips to stop herself from smiling.

"Be nice," she warned him.

"I am," he groused. "Don't tell me what to do, Rin. You're not my mother."

True, but she was his sister. She had to tell him sometime, but Rin had no idea when would be a good occasion to do so. It would have to be soon, because she knew he wouldn't let her leave Lord Sesshomaru to be with him. The man was practically on his side. Which reminded her, why hadn't she mentioned that she was his sibling in the first place? She didn't doubt his story, so she reasoned that she said nothing because it wasn't foremost in her mind.

The demon standing behind Riu was.

After their meal, Rin finally went to take her bath. She had asked Yuki whether she knew if there was any place she could clean herself. The girl mentioned that a natural hot spring was close by. Rin hadn't used one of those in months, so she eagerly asked Yuki if they could go for a wash. Yuki blushed, surprised that Rin would ask such a thing, but managed to catch sight of Riu's mouth agape.

He liked the idea.

So off the girls went, leaving the males behind.

The hot water was a balm to her soul, and she reveled at the edge of the pool, moaning without fear. Yuki did the same, and the women were able to find a sense of tranquility; one they had no idea they needed until this moment.

"This is amazing," Rin said, as she sunk herself deeper into the waters.

Yuki chuckled. Her skin was flushed, and her eyes practically glowed. Rin suspicioned that if Riu saw her now, he'd act like a certain lecherous Monk.

"We can't stay here too long," she told Rin with a grin. "Lest we faint."

Rin sighed. "If only we could bask in the sweetness of this moment forever."

"If only."

"Alas, nothing good ever lasts."

Yuki sent her a sad look, but Rin failed to see it, for her eyes were shut entirely. "Life isn't always bad," she whispered.

"I'm amazed that you could even say such a thing," Rin replied, recalling what the woman had gone through with those vicious men. She couldn't even muster up the gumption to ask what they had done to her. What horrors they enacted.

Yuki was thankful for this, because she did not wish to remember. Living in the now was simply paramount. She decided then to change the trajectory of this conversation and asked Rin questions about her life.

"What's your story?" she asked.

Rin finally opened her eyes, and sat up. She lapeled the water over her skin with a wave. The undulations covered her cleavage with soft strokes.

"It's pretty long. I doubt you'll be interested."

"How can the story of a young woman be longer than that of a half demon?"

Rin's eyes widened. "I knew you were a half breed. What kind of demon are you?"

Yuki bit the bottom of her lip, uncertainty in her gaze. "So you're okay with me being part demon?"

Rin pshawed. "I've spent the majority of my life with demons, and at least two half breeds. To me, it's normal."

Yuki smiled again and Rin wondered how a girl with such a murky past, could be so positive. But then, she had once been the type, hadn't she? Kagome used to say that Rin was one of the happiest girls she had ever met, with a smile practically plastered on her lips.

Now, all she felt was misery, topped with some anxiety.

Rin's whole demeanor immediately darkened, and Yuki took note of it instantly.

"My mother was a human, and my dad was a chameleon," she rushed out in an attempt to wipe the pain from her face.

It turned out to be a success, because humor swam in Rin's eyes and a smile tugged at her lips. She refrained from showing it, but the twinkle of mirth was apparent.

"I'm trying to picture the two of them together," she said. "But it's not looking very good to me, Yuki."

Yuki threw her head back and barked out a laugh. "People say that to me a lot. But the truth is, my father did not look like an animal. He was able to put on a human guise, like Lord Sesshomaru."

Rin cocked her head to the side. "So does that mean you can transform into things too?"

Yuki blushed. "Kind of," she muttered.

Curious now, Rin leaned in. "Can you show me?"

"It's kind of embarrassing."

"Why?"

"Because I can't really change into an animal or anything like that. I just..." Yuki paused to scratch the back of her ear. "I uh... I can kind of change genders."

Rin narrowed her eyes. "You're not joking, are you?"

"Nope."

Rin scrunched her lips and kept her eyes narrowed to tiny slits. "Think you can show me?"

Yuki gave her an odd look. "Won't that scare you?"

"Madam, I have been to the Under World. I assure you, very little can scare me."

With a shrug, Yuki's body started to morph. Her hair remained at length, but her breasts soon began to cave in and flatten. A well defined jaw-line emerged, while a groan escaped her lips. Rin gulped, yet her gaze remained centered in, now on the changing form of Yuki's shoulders. They broadened and became muscular. Rin knew more occurred below the surface, but she kept herself from looking down. When she finally finished with her transformation, she, or rather, he, sent Rin a crooked smile and shrugged. "Ta-da."

Rin's mouth fell and she was left agape.

Yuki chuckled, her voice now raspy and deep. "So what do you think?"

Rin gulped. "I have come to the realization that this was a bad idea."

"Oh God. I knew this would frighten you! I'm so sorry!"

Rin waved her hands. "No. I'm not frightened. It's just... This isn't, erm..." A blush stained her cheeks. Never in all of her life had she shared a bath with a man, and she never thought it would happen with anyone except him (as unrealistic as it seemed). Also, Lord Sesshomaru was obviously the most beautiful creature she ever beheld, but Yuki was definitely a close second.

"I don't think the men will find this situation to be at all pertinent. Just imagine if they came here."

"Oh! No worries. You're completely right." In an instant, Yuki reverted to her female self. "Better?"

"Better."

"It tends to freak people out often, so I try not to do it."

"Try?"

"Sometimes he pops up."

Rin somehow found the ability to chuckle. It came without warning, and startled her to silence. Though it was done with a quickness, and lasted briefly, it brought a triumphant gleam to Yuki's gaze. "You see?" she crowed. "Life isn't always-"

Yuki was cut off when they heard a twig snap from behind. The two whirled around suddenly, fear striking their very cores.

At present, Sesshomaru sat in front of the red tree while he waited for Rin to emerge from her bath. He was none too pleased with the fact that she was bathing with a complete stranger, but not much could be done at this point. For the first time in the history of their relationship, Rin chose not to obey his orders. He could only assume her new streak of stubbornness stemmed from what transpired two days ago. It was no matter. She would return to her more accommodating persona soon enough.

Any thoughts of uncertainty were crushed within moments of their emergence. He simply could not fathom Rin changing, no matter what. He knew the woman since she was naught but a child. She had a sense of bravery and honor few could rival. He could recall countless moments of courage with the girl. When she was merely eight years of age, she scoured the forests of Japan in search of an antidote for a poison Jaken had the misfortune of taking in. She meandered through areas with malevolent creatures most humans would run from. But on she went, in the hopes of saving her friend.

She'd also experienced moments of terror during the trials of Naraku. And even while dying in the very bowels of hell, nothing could dissuade the girl from remaining strong and indomitable. Such a person deserved veneration of the highest order, and she received that times ten with Jaken, Ah-Un and Sesshomaru. She knew this. Surely.

With this in mind, Sesshomaru was able to convince himself that this new trial would pass, like all the others. After she was able to think more clearly, everything would return to normal. Of this, he had no doubt.

Sesshomaru lifted his head and watched Riu as he paced back and forth. The man was biting his thumb and there was a slight touch of red on his cheeks. His skin was wet with sweat and his face was somber. For a fleeting moment, Sesshomaru wondered what was wrong with the mortal. But again, it was only for a moment. The curiosity died, so he stood up and wiped his pants.

Riu saw him and his frown deepened. "Where are you going, Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru didn't bother answering because it wasn't any of Riu's business. He wasn't going anywhere; he just needed to stand up. He was feeling restless and he knew it was because of Rin. She was taking too long, and he detested remaining in one spot for more than a day.

Sesshomaru saw Riu take a step toward him, but the man thought better of it and turned away to begin his pacing once more.

That was when Sesshomaru heard Rin scream. And he ran.

Riu stopped pacing and followed after Sesshomaru. The demon was quick and agile. Riu almost lost him, but he caught up soon enough. They wizzed through thick greenery, the sun bathing down on them in rays of gold. At the edge, where the women bathed, Sesshomaru suddenly stopped and remained fixated, with his legs braced apart.

He growled at something in front of him. Riu looked over the demon's shoulder and saw a strikingly handsome, silver haired demon, with eyes like the rising sun, hued with a hint of red from autumn's leaves.

Sesshomaru glared at it with eyes like blood. The demon was standing in front of the women, attempting to quiet them. He had not meant to scare them, he said. It was because of a damned tree branch that they even knew he was there- as if that made the situation any better. Riu saw Rin cover her breasts with her arms, and then turned to Yuki.

The woman was positively radiant in her nakedness, shimmering like diamonds, it seemed, with wetness. Riu would have faltered had he not already found his place behind Sesshomaru.

"I did not mean to frighten you," he heard the demon say. His tone was sincere, and had he stood before Riu, he was sure the demon's face was flushed from embarrassment. "I promise, I'm being honest. I was just worried when I saw-"

Yuki crossed her arms over her surprisingly voluptuous breasts and arched a brow. She did not seem the least bit frightened by the demon, and Riu found himself quelling a swell of pride. "You know, remaining here is simply making the situation worst."

"Yeah, I know," he laughed, glancing at the two. "So much for first impressions."

Yuki noticed Riu and Sesshomaru standing behind the demon. She gave Riu a small, sheepish smile, showcasing that they were fine. No harm had been done.

Riu's temper flared. He saw red while his cheeks were inflamed, and moved ahead of Sesshomaru. He braced his feet apart, barking, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

The demon whirled around with a yelp. Good. He should be frightened.

Riu took a step forward, but Sesshomaru blocked his path.

"Damn you, Sesshomaru," Riu bit out. "Why do you always-"

Sesshomaru sent him a contemptuous glance and Riu froze. If that look wasn't terrifying, he didn't know what was. Because, right then, Sesshomaru was incensed.

And he looked like he wanted to kill.

Author's note: The next chapter will be coming soon. I just need to add a few tweaks to it. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it as much as I.