Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Inuyasha - everything belongs to Rumiko Takahasi et al.

A/N: Some people asked after last chapter why I used shard number 34, if the comm was called 30shards - this made me chuckle as well; they have a few 'extras' if some of the 30 aren't inspiring enough. I saw 'Child', thought Rin, and this thirty-chapter monster was born. xD Still won't measure up to 'Two Colour Palette' on the planned chapter total, but still; you know what I mean. ^.~ Thanks to all who gave me feedback on the first instalment - you have no idea how much that helps me to keep inspired and keep writing. So, hugs to you all! And I hope you enjoy this one (and its repercussions) as much as the first. :) Un-beta'd again, so typos? Point 'em out!

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2. of laughter

The next time she sees Rin, the weather is beautiful. They've stopped by a lake for lunch, and the water is mill-pond still - amazingly clear. Kagome itches to dig out her bathing suit, buried somewhere at the bottom of her pack. Eventually she gives in to temptation, and manages to shimmy out from behind a tree without being spotted by the perverted monk. Or the closet-perverted hanyou.

The sun is warm and wonderful, and she hums as she swims in the shallows. Inuyasha is slurping ramen with Shippou, Miroku and Sango taking advantage of the bento boxes made by Mama. The group feels like they are at peace. And that gives her the opportunity for a little exploration. Peering around the corner of an interesting group of rocks, her curious side compels her to go and investigate. She can see a path, curling back to their makeshift camp from the forest.

'If anything goes wrong, I can just walk back. It's fine.'

Course set, a quick swim to the bank to grab her towel and tell the others is all it takes to be ready. She cuts through the water, savouring the cool slide along her warm skin. After a few minutes of sedate swimming, Kagome finds herself in a hidden beach-like cove - secluded, shaded.

And occupied.

"Kagome-onee-chan!!"

The bright voice greets her from the sloping bank. Rin waves enthusiastically. Taking a moment to look surprised, she covertly searches for Sesshoumaru - but there is no sign of the Western Lord. Just a squat green toad, propped up against a dragon-like beast, snoring in the sun. Loudly.

Kagome judges that her life is in little danger from the toad or the sleeping dragon, and offers a wide smile and a return wave.

"Hello, Rin-chan! It's a beautiful day today, isn't it? Wonderful for swimming!"

Her eyes are wide, but that doesn't stop Rin from smiling her gap-toothed smile.

"The sun makes the flowers open - Rin was picking them this morning, but then Sesshoumaru-sama told us that we had to stop here. So now, Jaken-sama is sleeping, and Rin wants to paddle!"

Even her petulance is good-humoured, and Kagome draws closer until she is sitting comfortably in the shallows, untying the thin towel from its place covering her head. An idea strikes. She grins cheekily.

"Well, do you know what's much more fun than paddling?"

Rin tilts her head, hair sticking out comically from its side ponytail.

"What?"

"Water fights!"

She flicks some droplets into Rin's face, and the girl squeals, running in the shallow water.

"Rin will put up a good fight, Kagome-onee-chan! You won't win!"

And battle commences, the two of them laughing and drenching each other with lake water. At least, until Jaken sputters awake when a well-placed barrage hits him in the face.

"Rin! You insufferable child-"

He is mid-rant when he notices her presence. The toad stiffens in outrage and swings his staff to face her.

"YOU! You're Inuyasha's wench!! What are you doing, trespassing on Sesshoumaru-sama's camp without permission!? You should be struck down for this, and I am certain that our Lord will let me end your pathetic human life with my Staff of Two Heads! Sesshoumaru-sama cannot waste his time dealing with the likes of you, and I-"

Rin glances up at her, shrugs, and soaks Jaken with more water. He squawks - loudly - for a few minutes. Kagome almost decides to go and help him, but before she can get out of the lake, he decides to start chasing them across the beach. Rin views it as an extension of the game, and so they play on.

She takes care to avoid the staff, though. Just in case.

Their laughter attracts attention. Sesshoumaru materialises from the trees as the sun begins its descent. They don't notice him, but when he sees her bathing suit, his eyes widen imperceptibly.

Jaken sees him first.

"Gah! Sesshoumaru-sama, please, this wench just appeared from the lake! I, your faithful servant, tried my utmost to make her leave the camp, but she refused! I have been fighting with her for hours and hours, trying to smite her with-"

"Jaken."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!"

"Find Rin something to dry her kimono."

Kagome overcomes her mortified silence.

"Erm... she can use my towel, if that would be any help..."

Sesshoumaru watches her as she would expect him to look at a piece of dirt on the floor. But she thinks she can see something else there, gleaming behind the amber. Murderous intent? Probably.

"Miko. You will lend Rin this... towel."

Her modern upbringing makes her bristle at his lofty term of address, but she complies anyway, snatching the towel from where she abandoned it on a nearby rock. Ignoring the watching Western Lord, she wades over to Rin and starts drying her off, rubbing her hair and clothes carefully.

"Kagome-onee-chan, that tickles!"

The girl's giggling makes her smile, and she ruffles her hair affectionately.

"But it's better to be dry, right, Rin-chan?"

She half-addresses this to Sesshoumaru, glancing over at him. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't answer. Wrapping her towel around herself, she sketches a bow.

"I apologise for intruding. Our group is camped further along the lake - I took a swim, and found Rin sitting here-"

"And Rin wanted to see Kagome-onee-chan again!"

He looks over at the girl, and then back to her. Is she imagining speculation in the rise of his brow?

"... and I can just walk back around, so... I'll leave you to your peace."

She finishes lamely, and is about to turn when his voice stops her.

"Miko."

"Yes?"

"You will return tomorrow."

A muffled choke from Jaken covers her own strangled noise.

"...excuse me?"

He looks at her, imperiously. He clearly doesn't want to repeat himself.

"Tomorrow. You will return to this place, and watch over Rin."

Hundreds of reasons for not being able to come back wash across her brain, but none of them seem to apply beneath that hard, uncompromising gaze.

"Ah... yes, Sesshoumaru-sama. But-"

"You will arrive in appropriate attire."

She flushes, embarrassed at being confronted with Sesshoumaru in a bathing suit of all things, and all her arguments slide away. He moves to face the lake - conversation over - but the curl of his lip shows his superior feelings as clearly as a flashing neon sign.

Rin, grin nearly splitting her cheeks, runs over to give her a hug. She returns it absently, trailing a hand over her hair before turning towards the trees and the path back around the bank.

"See you tomorrow, Kagome-onee-chan!"

Kagome waves good-bye, but it is half-hearted. She is preoccupied, thinking about what she can possibly tell Inuyasha to convince him not to leave in the morning. Disobeying a direct order from Sesshoumaru is definitely not an option, especially if she wants to keep her head firmly attached to the rest of her body. Which would be nice. And rather beneficial to her health. And state of mind. And general well-being.

'Oh god. What have I got myself into?'

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Written for Shard 27, 'laughter', at LJ Comm 30shards. All I have to say, is this: Good luck, Kagome! ^^ Thanks for reading, and all feedback is appreciated.