AN: Yay! new chappie! probably the last one for a while, cuz I need to figure out what the heck I'm gonna do from here. Suggestions are appreciated!!

Bring Me to Life

It had been ten days since she had last seen him, but she didn't try to find him. He always seemed to come to her; she was afraid of what would happen if she broke their ritual. Besides, she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

She need the time to think.

It was raining once again. She sat int eh middle of the river on a large flat rock, keeping her miko senses open to youkai even as her mind remained on Inuyasha and his erratic behavior. It seemed as if something was wrong, but in her own grief-stricken mind she could not think of what it could be.

While his awful treatment of her – considering her his property, of all things – had driven her away, she knew it wouldn't last. She would go back, she knew, if she couldn't find something to keep her away. Pure habit would bring her back to the hanyou if nothing else did. She was loyal to a fault, and right now she could not think of anywhere else to go. She needed the company, even if it was only the knowledge that someone was there with her. She hated being alone, even if now it was the only thing keeping her sanity.

A familiar tingle was felt at the base of her neck, and she smiled despite herself. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you were stalking me."

To her surprise, she heard him chuckle. "I could say the same of you." Sesshoumaru said quietly. "We seem to have a knack for meeting in the rain." He paused for a moment, trying to sort through his onslaught of emotions. It wasn't every day he met someone who could make him feel; until now, Rin had been the only one. What was it about this girl that made even him want to protect her?

He shook the thought from his mind and focused on the reason he had sought the miko out. "Rin is ill." he said simply.

She looked at him then, concern shining in her eyes. "Is it bad?"

"I do not know. This Sesshoumaru has had no dealings with human illnesses."

Kagome nodded and waded back across the river. The water was icy cold and she shivered despite herself. Sesshoumaru frowned slightly, wondering why she was out here anyway, why she wasn't in some sort of shelter. Then again, the girl seemed to have no problems with getting wet.

"I'll help you." she said, knowing that was what he wanted even though he wouldn't say it. "I'm sued to taking care of Souta when he gets sick."

Sesshoumaru nodded and beckoned her to follow him. He was mildly surprised at her willingness to come, but he decided not to question it. He needed her knowledge if he wanted to help Rin, and nothing else mattered at this point.

She followed quietly, keeping on step behind him as he led the way. Her deference to him was disconcerting; this was the woman who had defied him time and time again, standing broken behind him. What had happened that had damaged her so?

They made ti to the cave where Sesshoumaru's small group was sheltered. Rin lay in the center, a thin blanket wrapped around her small form. She was whimpering in pain, and the taiyoukai visibly flinched at the sound. He looked up at Kagome, who was already kneeling beside Rin. She silently checked the girl over as Jaken mad ehi sway to Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," the toad youkai said hesitantly, "do you really believe the miko will be able to help Rin?"

The taiyoukai nodded. "Hai, Jaken." he said quietly. If she can't, I don't know what I'll do. Rin is the only thing that has ever mattered to me.

Kagome looked up at him. "I think she has the flu." she said. "Unless you want to deal with the hanyou to get my bag back, I need to take her to my home. I can help her recover better there."

Sesshoumaru nodded thoughtfully. He had no desire to bring his half-brother's wrath on the fragile miko, not when his ward's health was at stake. "Where is your home?"

"Past the well." Kagome replied. "Or more accurately, through the well. I'm from the future, so I have better medicine there." Sesshoumaru nodded once again; it made sense after all.

"We will leave when the rain lets up." he decided. "But you must tell me more of your home."

Kagome was surprised by the sudden interest. "Are you coming with us?"

"Hai."

"Ano, Sesshoumaru, there si a huge difference between my time and this one."

"Then you must tell me what I need to know." He looked to Rin, determination hardening his eyes. "I will not leave Rin's side until she is well."

------/

AN: Huh. It's longer than I thought. Still, sorry if Sess is out of character, but I've always figured that he does have a soft spot in his heart for Rin. Review please!!