Just so ya'll know and don't get the wrong idea from the last chapter, I don't hate Kikyo. The only one I hate is Naraku, which is why I continue to kill him (or beat him up) in almost every one of my fanfictions. Oh, and now you'll find out what InuYasha was too stupid, lazy, and sleepy to look into. Prepare!

Fourth Disclaimer: If I owned InuYasha, Kikyo would be a zombie and InuYasha would want to avoid her for his own sake.

Early morning activity awoke InuYasha. He opened his eyes, yawning. Kagome was still asleep, regaining the strength lost on the barrier. She was so beautiful when she was asleep. InuYasha smiled, but something was bothering him.

And then it hit him. Damn, I should've gone over then, he grumbled inwardly. Well, no putting it off now. He got up, trying not to…too late, she was already sitting up, wondering what was going on. "I'll be right back," he told her. "Something happened with Rin last night, and I'm gonna find out what."

Kagome nodded sleepily. "I hope she's okay." She wasn't as confident as she sounded. In fact, she was terrified. Rin was a good girl, she didn't deserve to die, especially not because of a backhanded trick of Naraku's.

InuYasha went outside and found Kaede just leaving her hut. "What happened over here during the night?" he asked carefully.

Kaede smiled at him. "The girl's fever broke. She will make a complete recovery."

Relief flooded over him, and he was surprised to find out how worried he'd actually been. Imagine how happy Sesshomaru felt. (A/N: An interesting thought, huh?) He ducked inside, barely able to contain the grin that threatened to spread across his face. Sesshomaru looked up, much more in control that he had been the day before.

"So the kid's gonna be okay?" he asked.

"Yes. Rin has a strong spirit. I never should have doubted her recovery." A flicker of shame passed across his features, but InuYasha chose to ignore it. There'd be plenty of time to start trouble later.

"You shouldn't listen to much of what Kikyo says. She's manipulative as hell. Worse than Naraku sometimes. Could get under anybody's skin." He sat down by the door, glancing at Rin sleeping peacefully in his brother's lap. It still surprised him that Sesshomaru would act so lovingly toward a human, but things do change.

"You should know all about Kikyo," Sesshomaru smirked.

InuYasha looked away. "Yeah, I do," he said quietly. He stood up and left, pausing at the door long enough to say, "I'm glad she's going to live."

Outside, caromed was waiting for him. "We may have a problem," she said.

"What is it?"

"Ungai and his apprentices are here." (A/N: For those of you who don't know about Ungai, he's a powerful demon slaying monk. When Rin was kidnapped by a demon, he tried to take her back to the village with the other children who he'd rescued, and then tried to kill Sesshomaru when he came for Rin. Let's just say the monks were lucky to be allowed to live…)

"What? Those monks better not hang around long."

Kagome led him over to where the demon slaying monks were gathered, speaking with several of the villagers. Miroku, Sango and Shippo were already there.

Ungai was speaking. "We heard rumor of a battle between demons here several days ago."

"There was a battle," InuYasha said. But not exactly between demons."

Ungai turned his attention to the half-demon. "I was not expecting to see you again," he said.

"Well, I wasn't expecting to see you again either."

"What business do you have here?"

"I live here," he growled. "And you might want to leave."

The monk raised an eyebrow. Everyone around them had grown silent, watching the exchange warily. "I will leave once I am certain there are no demons around which may threaten the village."

InuYasha was fed up with him already. He opened his mouth to speak, but Shippo beat him to it. "InuYasha's here to protect everyone, so you don't have to worry about anything. Besides, he killed Naraku, so everything's fine!"

"Naraku…I have heard of him. It is said he is a fearsome demon. You killed him?" Ungai didn't sound convinced.

"I had help," InuYasha said. "You've got your information now."

The monk was about to reply when he caught sight of something behind InuYasha. His gaze instantly hardened, and naturally, everyone present turned to see what made him so angry.

Sesshomaru was approaching them. It was the first time he had left the hut since his arrival with Rin, and the villagers were still fearful of him. Several of them backed away nervously. "Relax, you idiots," InuYasha muttered, annoyed. "Sesshomaru's not out to kill anyone."

"You know that demon?" Ungai asked suspiciously.

"Yeah, he's my brother." Kagome was taken aback. Never had InuYasha openly told someone he didn't like that he was related to Sesshomaru. Something had definitely changed between them over these past few days.

Sesshomaru gave Ungai only a moment's consideration. Then he turned to Kagome. "We will be leaving as soon as Rin awakes."

XxXxXxX

Rin opened her eyes slowly, looking around in confusion. She was alone in a small hut. Noise filtered in from outside. Fear filled her. Where exactly was she, and how had she gotten here? She vaguely remembered Lord Sesshomaru being with her, but her mind was still a haze.

He wouldn't have left me here, she thought, panicked. Would he?

As quickly as she could in her weakened state, Rin stood up and left the hut. If she really had been left here, she would run away and find Lord Sesshomaru. No one could ever make her stay in a village with humans. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching her, and that's when she spotted him.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" she cried, running to him. He turned and looked at her, his features softening for a brief moment. Then he turned back to the monk he was speaking with. Rin ran to his side and smiled up at him.

Then she saw the monk. She clearly remembered that day, when he'd tried to keep her away from Lord Sesshomaru. It had been terrifying, but she had known she would be rescued.

"You willingly stay with humans?" Ungai asked incredulously.

Sesshomaru patted Rin on the head, the first time he had openly shown his affection for her. "Only for her." He began to walk away. "Come Rin, we must find Jaken and Ah-Un."

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru!" She followed him happily out of the village.

"Rin, wait just a second!" Kagome caught up to her and handed her something wrapped in a cloth. "You'll need to eat to build up your strength," she said, smiling.

"Thank you, Lady Kagome." Rin accepted the bundle and ran after Sesshomaru.

"Why does she go with him?" Ungai asked.

"He's saved her life, more than once," Miroku answered, speaking for the first time. "She loves him like he was her father."

"And he loves her in return," Kagome whispered.

"If you can't understand that, then you shouldn't be questioning their companionship," Sango said.

Shaking his head, Ungai also left the village, his apprentices following him.

. . . .

Jaken was sitting on the ground next to Ah-Un, lost in troubled thoughts. "Lord Sesshomaru has been gone for a while," he said thoughtfully. "I hope nothing bad has happened."

Just then, Ah-Un grunted. Jaken looked up, and immediately leapt to his feet. "Lord Sesshomaru, you've returned!"

Indeed, Sesshomaru was just cresting the hill. Rin came into view a moment later. "Rin! You're okay!"

"Master Jaken!" she cried, running over to him. She practically tackled him in a joyful hug.

"Y-yes, I'm glad to see you, too, Rin," he gasped. "You had us quite worried when you fell ill."

She sobered up immediately, looking at the ground uncomfortably. "Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Yes, Rin?"

"I'm sorry for disobeying you. Can you forgive me?" Her voice quavered a little, and she shuffled her feet.

Sesshomaru knelt down in front of her. "I already have, Rin," he said softly. She looked up into his eyes and broke out in a huge grin.

"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru!" she cried, hugging his neck. She knew it was okay now. Everything was okay now.

Awww…isn't that cute! And I bet you thought I was going to let her die. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I could never do that to Rin. But now everyone knows Sesshomaru has a good heart, even if he is cruel at times. So, tell me what you think! Yes, I know this chapter was a little awkward…I don't like Ungai very much. sniff, sniff He tried to take Rin away from Sesshomaru! Please, review and I'll post another story, okay?