Thanks for the reviews. Sorry about the repeat if you read it.

~AM~

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~BURDEN?~

"There's a demon approaching! Fast!" yelled a guard.

"Get Inuyasha! And Kagome, Sango and Miroku!" yelled another.

Sesshomaru shielded Rin as he ran through the wooden gates and darts and throwing implements that were headed towards him. At the mentioning of his half-brother, he stretched his legs faster. Warriors were sent after him but were to slow. They separated to capture him or corner him. He didn't want to get into a fight right at the moment, not when there was a dying girl in his arms. The girl who held his heart with her bare hands. A warrior appeared in front of him, pushed a cart of fruit to block his way but he simply pounced over it. Another rolled a barrel a water but he dodged that too. There was too many interupptions so he hopped onto the roof of a hut. He jumped from rooftop to rooftop, the mortals eyes unable to follow. The only thing they caught was his silver hair. A little zap and he was gone from their reaches. His legs began to tire but Sesshomaru didn't give up on the girl he protected. Speeding up more, he ran with the wind whipping through each strand of hair. Rin was breathing shallower and her face was rigid with pain. Her hands were clutching onto his robe so tightly that the dog demon bean to worry about her crumbled hand. She whimpered and dug her face into his clothing. Sesshomaru grimaced and continued to search for Kaedes hut.

A pillar of smoke rose from the village, visible to the four warriors eyes. Kagome the priestess, Inuyasha the half-demon, Sango the demon slayer and Miroku the monk with the Wind Tunnel.

"Another ordinary demon Inuyasha?" asked Kagome, bending down to pick up her weapons.

"No. It's Sesshomaru. But I picked up another scent. Like a injured human. A girl." he answered seriously.

Kagome dropped her bow and arrows, shocked. "A girl?!" she exclaimed. Inuyasha only nodded. Sango stood up, boomerang slung over one shoulder while her other hand rested on her hip.

"It's unusual for Sesshomaru to be travelling with a ningen, let alone holding one." she said, her brown hair blowing eastward while her eyes scanned the area below her. Mroku rested his chin on his right hand, staring off into the distance.

"Maybe he came to ask for Kaedes assistance to help heal the girl. That would be considerable." Miroku said positively. Inuyasha snorted with disgust written across his face.

"He loathes your kind Miroku." Inuyasha reminded his comrade.

"But what if your broth-" Kagome started.

"Half-brother." he corrected/ interrupted.

"Half-brother had a change of heart? Not all demons can control their emotions towards another." Kagome continued. Inuyasha cosidered then complained, "Can we just go?!"

"Hold up Inuyasha. If you charge at your brother, I'll dearly let Kagome sit you. We have to hear him out first. Okay?" Sango warned. Inuyasha grumbled but then agreed. They were off.

Sesshomaru was starting to pant. He still couldn't find the old women and Rin was holding onto her life boat. The sound of the air being peirced brought Sesshomaru back to his senses. A sacred arrow just missed his thigh. He turned to the archer. A snarl ripped through his mouth. Kagome stood there dumbfounded, obviosly shocked as she saw Sesshomaru holding and protecting a human girl. Inuyasha jumped in front of Kagome, the tetsusaiga (sp?) in front of him. Sesshomaru moved back a step, only to find Miroku and Sango positioned behind him.

"Why are you here Sesshomaru?" asked Sango soothingly, even though she could see the reason enough. Sesshomaru turned to give a glance then put his eyes back on Inuyasha.

"To heal Rin with Kaedes assistance." he answered cautiously.

"Keh, You're the one who injured her! Why do you want to bring her back?!"Inuyasha yelled. Rin tried to shift but couldn't.

"Inuyasha! SIT!" KAgome ordered. Thump.

"Please. Let us escort you to her then Sesshomaru." Miroku offered. Sesshomaru followed, still alert in case they attack.
Kagome stayed behind to discipline Inuyasha more, unknown to Sesshomaru that he has to obey her commands. Inuyasha glanced up at her, slight fear in his eyes. Sango chuckled.

"Oh My! Put her down here. Quick!" ordered Kaede as she rushed to the kitchen. Sesshomaru placed Rin on the soft mat gently and then settled himself next to her. Kaede came rushing back with a bowl full of herbs to put on Rins skin. As she examined her body, her face crinkled in worry and shock.
"Crumbled hand, cracked rib and a snapped leg bone. Oh dear. . ." she murmered. Sesshomaru was nervous.
"Would she be alright?" he asked. Kaede looked at the demon and nodded.

"It will take at least a week for the wounds to heal." she informed and Sesshomaru sighed with relief. "Why didn't you heal her with the tetsusiga(sp?)"

Sesshomaru turned his head. Kaede then understood. If he did, Rin would think that he had healed her to beat her up more. The full-fledged demon didn't want Rin to afraid of him so he though it was more prudent to seek assistance. Kaede asked kindly if he would like some tea except he only answered, "I don't drink tea."

Sesshomarus P.O.V

It was dark and everyone was asleep. Except for me. I thought of ways to apologize to Rin and right now, I have a list full in my mind. My eyes shifted towards Rin, her head tossing side to side, probaly having a nightmare about me. I sighed and got up, kneeled over Rin and whispered into her ear,

"It's okay Rin. Don't be afraid." Rin stopped tossing and relaxed beneath me. Bnnding down, I nuzzled my head in the crook of her neck. I placed my arm around her waist and the other at the back of her head. After lifting her up into a sitting position, I moved some hair and placed my lips on the back of her neck. I let my fangs grow longer then peirced her gently with them. She flinched but did not wake. I licked the blood from her wound to reveal the cresent shape there. A mark . . .

~AM~

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~BURDEN~

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Crystalhearted Girl