Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any creations of Rumiko Takahashi. This is not written for profit.

Authors notes: One Armed Samurai is the story of a modern Sesshomaru and how he deals with life as a man with one arm.

Chapter 6: Alone in the Dark

Sesshomaru went to physical therapy as usual. His hair remained long, but even that weakness made him seethe. This day had been unusually infuriating. The cafeteria had been louder, training harder, and the other patients more annoying today. The presence of other people was beginning to drive him mad. Was there no peace in this place? His brow dark with these thoughts Sesshomaru gave a curt bow to Nurse Saitou. She made no comment on his surly mood, instead scrunching the edge of his t-shirt sleeve towards his collar.

"Good color. Scars are thinning. Any pain, swelling, tightness?"

Sesshomaru shook his head to the negative. She poked and prodded a moment longer then rolled the sleeve back down. "Okay, other arm."

Sesshomaru extended his right as she led him through some range of motion exercises. "Behind you as far as you can."

Sesshomaru reached back his hand brushing the cool wall. He automatically flicked the hair out of his eyes as he brought his hand forward again.

"You ever think about cutting your hair? It might be more manageable."

Sesshomaru's face went completely blank, but his voice came out practically as a growl.

"I'm working on a solution."

"Oh". Saitou said no more on the subject. Obviously it was a raw nerve. She led him though the rest of the exercises. As she pressed against his clenched fist to test resistance she noticed how long his nails they were getting. Without interrupting the flow of exercise directions- "small circles, change directions, swing to the left"- she found a pair of nail clippers. While she sat on the stool in front of him, this angry adolescent who believed he was already a man, she loosened his fist and began to clip his nails to a more reasonable length. "So what will you do when you're done here?"

"My Father left me all of his shares of Tenseiga. I will be the acting CEO as soon as I leave."

"Are you qualified? No offence- it's just. Have you graduated from high school?"

"I am prepared for the responsibility."

Saitou ignored his stony responses as she filed down the sharp edges the clippers had left. "You arm is doing great- full range of motion, strength is good. I'm going to be giving you more fine motor work. I know your typing had improved immensely, but we should work on more everyday thing- housework and cooking. The basics."

Sesshomaru accepted this with the same impassive mask. There had always been maids and cooks, but that did not mean he should not learn how to do the things they did. Even as Sesshomaru made concessions for his new lifestyle he resented the need to do so.

Sesshomaru closed the door behind him, he florescent lights of the hallway dim. His thoughts remained agitated as he walked towards his room. This new life of his was disappointing. Where were the day when he needed no one, nothing? Where was his peace of mind, secure in his knowledge has his life would be a series of accomplishments and rewards? Now all he had was difficulty and frustration. And the face of a sad girl making him feel guilty- an emotion Sesshomaru was not happy to become acquainted with.

Saitou breathed in the cold air. Winter was coming fast this year. Sometimes this job, these kids…where were her Hallmark moments? Where was her chance to make an impact on a traumatized child? All she had was surly patients and paper work. Saitou sat on the stone bench contemplating the cigarette butts littering the ground. Why had she quit again? Oh, yeah- for her health. She sighed and tilted her head back to the more promising aspect of the sky. Fuyu's dog barked from the south porch. That thing was a monster. Then, on top of the yapping there was another sound. A rustling. The sound of twigs snapping.

"Someone there?"

Saitou turned to the section of woods the sound was coming from. There were grounds keepers and a security team, but neither would be out in the woods this late. The rustling continued, coming closer. "This is private property, please show yourself."

Saitou flipped her phone open ready to call for help and dash inside- but when the braches finally parted is was someone much too short to be threatening.

"Rin? Is that you?"

Rin gave a short bow of acknowledgment and started past the nurse as if nothing were happening.

"Rin! Hang on a minute. Have you been out all day? You missed our signing lesson. Is something wrong?" Saitou crouched down to look the child in the eye. She gripped the frozen hands, concern on her face. "Rin you need to tell someone if something is wrong. You can't keep running into the woods after something makes you upset. It's dangerous out there."

Rin watched the woman. She said nice things, but other nurses had said nice things too. They had all left, and Rin was still here. The people here didn't really matter. The woods made her feel hidden, like no one could see her. She would go there when she needed to. This lady didn't matter. Making another short bow to excuse herself Rin ran inside, kicking off her sneakers inside the door, her small lace-ups lost among the staff's outside shoes.

Saitou watched the girl disappear inside. Rin was smart- she knew the girl read at least 3 languages, plus the sign language. She was ingenious too, creating gadgets and such. There was somebody in there, but the girl was terrified to let herself be close to anyone. 6 years- not one word. Saitou sighed. Why had she stopped smoking?

A/N: Sorry updates have been erratic. Only one more week, 2 paper, and 2 tests to go. I'm hoping to have a lot more for this story soon, but I have to do "real' writing first. Hope this tides everyone over, and you're all still enjoying!