AN: I want to thank everyone who has reviewed, it means a lot to me to know that someone likes what I write.

The chapters are getting harder to write, this one was a struggle.

**Updated/Fixed: 23/06/21**

oOo

The next few days with their new companion were quite… interesting, Jaken considered as he glanced towards the river where Rin had taken Haru to fish.

The girl had tried to teach him how to catch a fish with his bare hands for the past few hours, but the boy kept failing. Every time he grabbed one they would struggle frantically until they either got away or slapped him in the face, which resulted in a fit of giggles coming from the girl and a look of mock disgruntlement on the boy's face.

It was clear that it was a show for the girl's enjoyment. Most of it at least. Jaken huffed as a rather large fish gave the young man a harsh slap sending him backwards to the water, butt first.

Huffing, Jaken turned away from them. So far the boy hasn't given them any problem, which he was thankful for. In fact, he thought as he watched them play on the water, Haru made sure to keep an eye on the girl and was adamant of letting her wander off on her own, thus keeping her out of any trouble. That surely made his life easier at least. He was surprised to see that he even had good manners apparently instilled by a caretaker… if we ignore the mouthing off.

Jaken, though, was still unsure of having him around. The boy's sight had seemed to improve these past few days to a point where he barely needed to cover his eyes anymore and whenever you saw him, the green eyes were always attentive to his surroundings, seemingly absorbing everything he could see.

Though there was some tension between Haru and his Lord, they both had seemed to coincide on a silent companionship of sorts.

He just expected that it wouldn't blow on their faces, he prayed as he glanced at the pouch next to Haru's clothing on the shore of the river.

-o-

"Sir! I-" Haru called as he followed the Lord, "Teach me how to fight!" He announced making him stop. Not seeing any signs of – he continued, "You said I was weak and you were right." The boy paused as he clenched his hands into fists, "If I can't protect myself… I won't be able to protect Rin. I have to learn to fend for myself- I refuse to be treated like a child who needs to be coddled and I will not be a burden to anyone."

The Lord merely gazed at him before he continued walking away.

Staring after him, Haru grumbled in dismay before he sighed when he heard Rin calling for him.

-o-

Later that day when he was cooking with Rin next to him, Haru was surprised when the Lord approached them and dropped a package on his lap. Curiously opening it, he stared at the contents before he looked at Sesshoumaru questioningly. Inside the package were three small knives along with a pair of black Tekkou.

"You shall start with the knives. Jaken will teach you." "If he isn't capable, this Sesshoumaru will do it." He spoke before he walked away without letting the boy speak.

-o-

"Now apart from being the babysitter, I am a teacher…" Jaken sighed heavily.

oOo

Haru quickly found out that he quite enjoyed the travels, especially now that he was capable of seeing. He could stare at the smallest blade of grass and find it fascinating, being it from the color or the shape. Rin only seemed to bring out his sense of curiosity even more, much to the dismay of a certain imp; he chuckled lightly at the thought.

Annoying Jaken was entertaining and it was always interesting seeing the shade of purple that he turned, though he made sure to keep his cheek at bay when near Lord Sesshoumaru. He wouldn't want to get on the Lord's bad side and risk being apart from the girl.

As the days passed by, though, he began to feel consumed by anxiety as he felt it creeping underneath his skin. At first he had thought that it was the uneasiness of trying to adapt to being close to two demons but instead of subsiding it only seemed to increase.

"The moon is changing. Should we continue travelling at night?" Jaken inquired as the sun started to set.

"What happens with the moon?" Haru asked curiously.

"You don't know? The New Moon affects the half-breeds."

With a sense of apprehension about it all and giving a side-glance to make sure to keep Rin close by, he asked, "How so?"

"You really don't know anything, isn't it?"

"Just answer me!" He yelled shocking Rin with his outburst and hastily apologized.

"Well… with the diminishing of the moon, half-demons lose their abilities, making them mere mortals."

At his words, Haru released a breath he didn't know he was holding. "A-ah, that was it. Sure we should- we should continue. Rin let's-" The boy stammered as he tried to walk past them to avoid any questions when the Lord suddenly announced, "No." while staring at the boy daring him to protest. "We will rest here."

And so they decided to prepare for the bonfire.

While Haru and Rin went to look for some branches to keep the fire burning to last for the night, Jaken quietly stared at his master from time to time in question.

Ignoring the imp's gaze on him, Sesshoumaru glanced at the moonless sky, narrowing his eyes as he stared deep in thought.

And then an alarmed scream was heard.

"Lord Sesshoumaru! Rin can't find Haru!"

oOo

AN: And another cliffhanger~

Of course I would take advantage of an actual New Moon to write this.

I think it's pretty obvious so far but I'll state it anyways, this is a slow-burn. So don't expect them to just 'stare into each other's eyes and immediately fall in love' lol (don't get me wrong I love reading these)

I'm also trying my best to keep everyone on character. Hope I'm succeeding