Sesshomaru Returns

There was just a hint of the sun appearing in the sky when Sesshomaru picked up his brother's scent. Inuyasha and his friends had traveled far and there had been no sign of Danzaemon at all. How badly had the mixed-breed been hurt? If Sesshomaru found him while he was still wounded – a mere flick of his whip would destroy him but for he what he did to Rin and Danzaemon claiming that now he was powerful – Sesshomaru wanted to fight him when he was whole and if he had to wait a while then so much the better. Sesshomaru landed in the courtyard and the pelt receded to its normal length, dropping Jaken to the cold stone.

"Umph! What? Where are we mi lord?" Jaken rolled over and stood rubbing his eyes.

"Quiet Jaken, Rin is here." Sesshomaru looked around the place seeing that no humans lived there anymore. Plants grew haphazardly and part of the buildings were in ruins. "Come, let us go inside."

Inside Inuyasha stirred in his sleep, Sesshomaru was here. Listening intently, Inuyasha sensed no other presence than his brother and the imp. Propping himself up on an elbow, he waited. The main door slid open there he stood arrogant and proud with the sun glinting off his sliver-white hair. Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru saw that his brother lay with the human woman, Kagome. So they were intimate? He had suspected that she was very important to his brother, he always protected her. Had Inuyasha made her his mate?

Ah-Un lifted one head and blew air from his nostrils. The dragon had spent the night beside Rin and her little hand was resting against his flank as she slept.

"Well there you…Ack!" Jaken stopped talking when Sesshomaru put his fist to the imp's head. Jaken looked up about to question him when those eyes told him to keep his mouth shut.

Miroku woke to the sound of Jaken's cry, hand automatically reaching for his staff. "Inuyasha?" Miroku spoke softly as his eyes blinked in the light coming from the doorway.

"It's okay. Sesshomaru found us." Inuyasha didn't move only looked from Miroku to Sesshomaru. "Still early, get some more sleep."

Miroku looked at the two of them but sensed no danger or anger from the two of them; slowly he put his head down again but kept one hand on his staff.

Sesshomaru stepped fully inside and closed the door. He and Inuyasha stared at one another for a moment longer before Sesshomaru walked over to where Rin and Ah-Un were. Jaken followed silently.

Inuyasha felt weird. Rarely did he spend any time with his brother when they weren't fighting each other or a common foe. Right now both of them were being 'nice' in order to protect Rin and each other. Inuyasha shook his head, it shouldn't be much longer. This situation was only temporary because of Danzaemon. Sesshomaru was chasing after Naraku for almost killing Rin; this Danzaemon was in for Hell on earth when his brother finally caught up to him.

Thoughts of his brother became secondary as Kagome stirred. Inuyasha rubbed a hand over her hip and thigh, she sighed and became still again. Ignoring his brother's watchful eyes, Inuyasha placed a soft kiss behind Kagome's ear and settled down again to get a few more hours of rest.

Sesshomaru hadn't allowed himself to check on Rin while Inuyasha watched. He had instead kept an eye on Miroku and Inuyasha. They both slept beside their women, looking warm and comfortable. Unemotional eyes had watched Inuyasha soothe and kiss the woman. He looked…happy. Had their father looked the same with Inuyasha's mother?

Jaken had sat down next to Ah-Un and rubbed the knot on his head. He looked at the child who was sleeping soundly but remained quiet. Of course he had many questions but apparently this was not time. Curious, he watched Lord Sesshomaru squat down next to Rin.

Rin. She was still pale but she didn't seem to be in any pain. Golden eyes took in her slight form from toes peeking out under the blanket to the dark, silky hair on her head. Rin was alive and healing. Even though Sesshomaru saw she was doing well, he had to touch her. Lightly his hand stroked over her hair then cupped a pudgy cheek. Behind his ribs, his heart melted ever so slightly when she smiled in her sleep and pressed closer to the warmth of his hand. He stayed there touching her for several minutes before rising and walking to a far wall and sat. Leaning against it, Sesshomaru closed his eyes and rested.

"Lord Sesshomaru! You're here!" Rin wanted to jump up and run to him but it still hurt to move and she needed help. "Kagome, please?" The little girl pleaded.

"Of course Rin." Kagome had woken in Inuyasha's arms and to the staring eyes of Sesshomaru. At first she'd been embarrassed but Inuyasha was ignoring him so she decided to do the same.

After checking on Rin, she had begun to prepare a meal. Sango and Miroku woke soon after and Sango was all blushes. She'd had to excuse herself for a little bit and get her bearings. Just minutes ago Rin had woken up and looked around for the man she wanted and this time he was there.

Kagome helped Rin to sit up but even doing that had her breaking out in a sweat and breathing heavily. Kagome didn't say a word because the child desperately wanted to be near Sesshomaru. So intent on letting Rin catch her breath she was startled when Sesshomaru was suddenly in front of her. Mouth open she watched the interplay between demon and child.

Rin was hesitant at first but then she held out her arms to Sesshomaru. A strong arm carefully, gently encircled the child and lifted her to her feet. Rin smiled and cuddled close, one hand curled in his fur and the other rested against his chest.

Sesshomaru could not resist the child. Rin was his and she needed to be close to him and he to her. He closed his own eyes and ignored his brother and the humans who stared at them with wide eyes and even wider mouths.

"You came back for me, I'm glad." Rin whispered. She pulled back and in the process managed to brush her lips against his cheek. "Is the demon dead?" Her joy receded as she felt pain ripple through her at the movement.

"Not yet. I will kill him." It was a statement and a promise.

"I know." They looked at each other for a moment. "Kagome…"

"Sure." Kagome moved to pick up the little girl but instead, Sesshomaru placed Rin in her arms. Again Kagome was somewhat shocked at how tender he was towards the child. Blinking she took the child out so she could freshen up.

"Lord Sesshomaru, your father would be pleased." It was Myoga who spoke from the safety of Inuyasha's shoulder.

Sesshomaru had turned to retake his seat when the flea spoke up. He looked back over his shoulder. "Oh? Just to what are you referring to?" Sesshomaru's voice indicated he wasn't in the mood for anything the flea had to say.

"Well your attitude towards humans, of course." Myoga went blithely on. "It seems you no longer wish to kill them on sight. In fact, you seem to care deeply, at least for that little one. He always wanted that for you, you know."

Everybody watched silently while Sesshomaru took in the words. "Myoga, I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself or you will be the one I kill on sight." He stared at the flea a moment longer then retook his seat.

"Idiot. Don't provoke him." Inuyasha muttered to the shivering flea.

"Quite right. Heh-heh. Maybe I'll just go outside for a bit." Hopping quickly, the flea disappeared out the open door.

Sango was at a loss. She wanted to talk to Kagome about last night and she wanted to be alone with Miroku but all that seemed impossible right now and then there was Sesshomaru's daunting presence. In the past, whenever he was around, they were always fighting but his silent, watching eyes were a bit unnerving. She was glad when Kagome and Rin returned. She helped finish making breakfast and feeding Rin.

"Umm, would you like some?" Kagome held out a bowl to Sesshomaru.

"No."

"I would!" Jaken jumped up. He'd been silent till now because of the shock of seeing how Lord Sesshomaru had hugged Rin, treated her with respect. He'd never treated him like that! Jaken was shaken and angry so he'd remained silent and hiding behind Ah-Un.

"Sure. Here you go." Kagome oddly enough felt more comfortable with Sesshomaru than the imp but she supposed she'd have to deal with him since they were having a truce of sorts – for now.

Breakfast was a quiet affair and a little strained. Rin soon went back to sleep and Sesshomaru followed by Ah-Un went outside. Miroku, Sango and Shippo each let out relieved sighs.

"How long do you think before Danzaemon makes his next move? I know Sesshomaru won't attack us while Rin is still healing but it's beyond weird to look over and see him sitting there." Miroku got up and looked outside but didn't see Sesshomaru anywhere.

Inuyasha had been sitting with arms crossed and eyes closed; now he opened them and shrugged. "Not long, he's a demon after all and we heal quickly. A day or two, I think." Inuyasha looked at the imp who stared hatefully at him making him growl in his throat. "Why don't you go take a walk? Now. Inuyasha stood and walked over to Jaken, hand raised to hit him.

"Oh! Rabid dog." Jaken muttered and quickly left the room.

"Man! He gets on my nerves."

"Yeah, he's really hostile, even when we don't do anything to him." Shippo piped up from where he was sitting playing with one of his toys. "Inuyasha didn't even hit him or anything. Kagome gave him food." He looked at her. "Can't we make him stay outside?"

Kagome and Sango laughed. "No 'fraid not. Sesshomaru might not like it. We'll just have to ignore him." She looked at Sango. "Miroku, would mind keeping an eye on Rin? Sango maybe we can find some more food outside. Inuyasha said there was a garden, of course it'll be wild but there should be something."

Sango blushed, she knew why Kagome had suggested the hunt for food and she was glad for the excuse. "Yeah, let's go." Kirara jumped up go with the girls and so did Shippo but Inuyasha caught him by the tail.

"I wanna go too! Let go Inuyasha!" Shippo hung in midair kicking his little fox feet.

"Not this time." Inuyasha was being sensitive. He knew Kagome wanted to talk to Sango about last night.

Kagome looked back and smiled at Inuyasha, "Thanks. Sorry Shippo – girl talk, okay?" She let her eyes touch on Miroku who looked embarrassed. "We'll be back in a little while."

"Try and stay out of sight!" Inuyasha called as the women left and he let Shippo fall to the floor.

Shippo popped up and confronted Miroku. "What did you do? There haven't been any women around for you to flirt with! Did you touch her butt again?" Shippo wanted to go outside but now he had to stay inside an be bored.

"I haven't done anything Shippo. Sometimes girls just like time alone to talk." Miroku felt warm under the collar knowing the girls were out there talking about him.

Inuyasha couldn't help himself, "That's not what I heard." When Miroku only looked at him Inuyasha raised a hand to scratch one of his ears. "I heard quite a few things last night." Inuyasha nodded in the direction of baths.

Miroku's eyes widened as he looked from Inuyasha towards the baths and back again. "You heard?" Miroku was shocked then embarrassed but grinned sheepishly.

"Yep, nice and loud, the two of you." The two men suddenly began laughing and Shippo was totally confused.