AN: Took a little longer than I planned but here it is chapter 5 and as you can tell it is the longest chapter yet so it did take me a little while longer I was simply in the mood for a longer chapter. I hope you all enjoy I appreciate all the comments left so far thanks a bunch everyone! Please R&R

Disclaimer: I own none of the Inuyasha characters.

Rin kept the embrace going a little while longer. She would have ended it sooner, but each and every time she had the idea of letting him go she found her arms tighten around his lean muscular frame even more.

Maybe it was because it was cold enough to the point where the wind felt like razors against her icy skin, but with him so close it was as though all that freezing pain suddenly vanished and was replaced with a sunny warm feeling spreading throughout her skin.

It was not only his body heart, but he had been gone a few days longer than what she was used to. Of course she understood he had other duties to attend to so she has not nor would she ever complain. Some men don't come back from journeys for months at a time so she should be lucky he was only gone a few days.

Still though, she had missed him so much.

Just a few days yet to her it felt like a few months. There was even a night when she found herself waking up thinking he was still at war, and everything that had happened was all just a wonderful dream. Although all she had to do was look at her beautiful kimono or pretty lantern, and not to mention the layout of her home before she fell back asleep with a smile on her face.

Then there was the incident with Sue talking ugly about the demon she cared so much for. For that woman to call him so many horrible things, and presumed she knew everything there was to know about him. Did Sue know of the countless times he saved her? Was Sue aware of the many times he had gone out of his way and even put his own safety at risk just to see that his simple human companion was safe?

As far as his past went…Rin would ask one day if curiosity really got to her. Yet she was always taught to never make assumptions by the past actions of another, but instead look at what they have accomplished in the present.

After everything Rin had been through these past few days all she wanted to do was hold him for a few moments; even if he did not hold her back, but she always felt him shift his fur around her shoulder to keep the cold from hitting her. In a strange way she would rather have him do that then embrace her back for it was just as affectionate especially if it was coming from him.

It was a sweet tender moment she had wanted to share with him for the longest time, but like every good moment it had to end sooner or later.

She felt his muscles clench and a small noise in the back of his throat let her know it was time to release him. She held in her sad sigh and untangled her arms until she stood a good foot away from him with her hands clasped together on her lap.

She almost had the feeling that maybe she embraced him too long for his liking, but when she heard a familiar voice down the path she felt a little happier knowing he only wanted her to stop because someone was coming.

"Rin," Kohaku shouted down the dirt road when he spotted his friend standing near a tree. His eyes widened when a white figure entered his line of sight and he automatically knew who it was.

"Lord Sesshomaru…..." he said as he stopped a few feet away. "It's been a long time. I am glad to see you are doing well." The young slayer held his head up high and showed the demon lord a proud smile. Though he and Sesshomaru were never very close Kohaku knew of the protection he received from him.

There will always be a large amount of respect he would give Sesshomaru for everything he did in the past even if Kohaku knew Sesshomaru only brought him along because his company was useful.

Sesshomaru looked back at the young man and already knew it to be Kohaku. He had seen him before but never got a clear look till now. The boy had turned into a tall muscular man. Almost as tall as he was; probably a few inches off. His dark hair was longer, and his face had lost the innocence of a child. His body grew in muscle, and his stance seemed to hold more pride than it did when he was a boy.

There was no response given back, but it was not as though Kohaku was expecting one anyway.

"Rin are you ok?" he asked as he stepped closer to the girl with a blanket in hand. "Here Lady Kaede told me to give this to you. You must be freezing." He stepped closer to wrap the blanket around her.

"Not as cold as I was before" she answered with a blush still covering her rosy cheeks. A red tint spread around Kohaku's face as well. She always looked so cute when she blushed and he only wished he knew why she felt so flustered at the moment. Is it because of me?

"Do you need me to walk you back?"

"No, I'm ok," she answered with a small smile. "I was hoping to accompany Lord Sesshomaru for a little while longer."

"Well you can't stay out here," he interjected "It's only going to get colder and I don't want you to get sick."

Sesshomaru arched his brow at the young man's comment while sensing the obvious worry in his voice. He also noticed Rin's face widen as her blush deepened to the point where she wasn't even cold anymore.

"Kohaku…" she whispered.

He found the embarrassment of the situation overwhelming, and he suddenly backed away as he looked in the opposite direction toward the village.

"Well you know how worried Lady Kaede would get if you were to get sick, and the last thing she needs is to get worried so I just thought it would be better to get you back inside where it's warmer and well….um yeah…."

If he were any less of a serious person Sesshomaru would have rolled his eyes at the slayer's ridiculous excuse. To hear of his concern over Rin and seeing the constant coloring of his cheeks the great demon knew that whatever feelings Kohaku had for Rin they were nowhere near friendship.

What left Sesshomaru wondering now was if Rin's feeling were mutual?

"I understand," Rin reassured as she patted him on the shoulder. "I will return to the village."

Rin began to walk down the path after Kohaku as she motioned for Sesshomaru to follow along.

"Rin what are you doing?" Kohaku whispered, which was pointless considering Sesshomaru's good sense of hearing.

"What do you mean? He can come with us."

"Not with our new guests still in the village."

A small gasp left her mouth as she paused in her steps which led to Sesshomaru stopping right behind her.

"Lord Sesshomaru you can't go in the village!" Rin had almost forgotten about the unexpected guests still lingering around in the village, and who those unexpected guests were after.

He responded with the arch of an elegant brow as he became puzzled as to why the heck he could not go. Rin saw the question through his eyes and began thinking of a way to explain to him the reason why. It wasn't as simple as it sounded. She feared that once he knew he would go and kill every assassin that was after him, and the last thing she wanted to see was bloodshed especially with the villagers so close by to witness it.

Rin knew he could be ruthless when it came to certain things like that, but he was also one to not get into unnecessary fights so maybe he will just let the whole conflict bypass.

"Well you see…" Rin felt a gentle hand rest on her shoulder.

"I'll tell him," Kohaku said.

xxx

A harsh sneeze sprang from the snot covered beak as Jaken shivered from the freezing wind. How the heck his master could enjoy this weather he will never know. "Where did you run off to this time Lord Sesshomaru?" he thought as he walked around with bits of leaves hitting him in the face.

"If all he wanted was to be alone he only needed to say so," he said followed by a mouthful of curses and sneezes. "If I don't find warmth soon I'll become just as sick as any pathetic human, and if that happens I won't be able to follow after Lord Sesshomaru. Then Rin will have to nurse me back to health and that means…"

Jaken could already picture it. Rin shoving a spoonful of vile disgusting medicine down his throat or possible having to listen to her nonstop rambling about her life in the village. The girl may have learned a lot of things during her time away from her demon companions, but the one thing she never learned was to SHUT UP!

"She'll probably keep me in a nice soft bed all day while feeding me hot bowls of soup and….hmmm," he thought. The image of hot stew and a nice warm cozy bed sure did sound pleasant at the moment. Every servant needed their vacation and Jaken felt he was in dire need of one.

The happy thought of it all allowed him to forget about the cold for a few minutes as he began to skip happily toward the village with his eyes closed and his mind set on that hot crackling fire and warm bowl of soup.

If the images in his head had not of set him mind off track he would have never have hit the leg that was standing right in front of him.

"Watch where you're going," the imp scolded as he looked up to the human woman he bumped into. She gave him the dirtiest look Jaken had ever seen; it even looked more deadly than the look his lord gave him. If he didn't know better he would say the woman wanted to kill him.

Sue looked down to the strange imp like demon that stared up at her in fear. The look of fear was soon replaced with a look of disgust.

"Learn to cover up your battle wounds woman," Jaken blurted out referring to the scar on Sue's mouth.

"INSOLENT BEAST!" shouted Sue as she waved her sword in the air.

Jaken's eyes went wide and he scrambled to get away from the attack just as it struck the ground beside him. The little imp forgot all about the cold weather and the hot stew, and only thought about reaching the safety of his master's leg.

"LORD SESSHOMARU!" Jaken shrieked as he ran as fast as his little legs could get him into the bushes.

Sue ran after him, but the chilly air was getting to her as well. "He won't escape me next time…. that disgusting creature," she said as she turned around to head back to her uncle. Before she took another step though, she turned her head and looked into the direction of the bushes.

"Lord…..Sesshomaru?"

xxx

"Lord Sesshomaru?" Kohaku watched as the demon lord walked away from the slayer with his stance obviously showing he wasn't happy about the situation at all.

To be told not to go for the sake of humans. To allow other human so seek his demise and he is to just sit there and allow them to live with those thoughts. It was frustrating to his demon pride, and it was madding to be a powerful lord and not be able kill those who oppose him.

What kind of a demon was he is he allowed that to happen?

"I think what I said made him mad," Kohaku stated. He only explained the situation and asked that Sesshomaru keep his distance from the village. Kohaku mentioned that if the assassins were to spot him they seemed like the kind of army to attack whether or not the safety of the villagers was on the line.

It was, not only his wish, but also Kaede's that no one was to be killed over the whole thing. The world has suffered enough bloodshed between humans and demons and the last thing needed was more.

Sesshomaru, however, did not see it that way.

He stood on the edge of a cliff looking down toward the village. The cold wind blew some of his hot tempered steam away, but that still did not settle his boiling blood.

"I'll go talk to him," Rin said. She walked his direction and as soon as she was close enough she stood by his side. He did not look directly at her so she could tell he was angry to hear of the new threat. She also knew that by his facial expression he was not going to suppress his desire to fight just because Kohaku mentioned it would not be a good idea.

She wasn't entirely sure what to do or say when he was in this kind of state for he usually went off alone when he was angry.

From the cliff he saw the prey he so desired to kill; each as vulnerable as can be. The army of assassins stood outside the priestess's hut and talked to one another completely unaware that the demon they were seeking was watching them from afar.

"You agree with him?" Sesshomaru asked which caught Rin off guard that he was the first to speak.

She did not know how to answer. To tell him the truth may only make him angry, but to lie to him will only make her feel worse.

"Yes…." She brought her head down to look at the dark green grass covered with brown crispy leaves. She did not hear him respond after that, and felt that she could not leave the conversation ending the way it was.

"I know my lord is more than capable of handling things on his own. I do however worry for the villagers, and…..I have to agree with Kohaku that I would rather there not be any bloodshed if it can easily be avoided….."

Again she got no response, but with his eyes sheltered within his silver bangs that concluded he was still not satisfied with anything.

"But….," she added as extended her right hand to grab hold of his left. Kohaku was too far away to notice, and the length of their sleeves covered their hands from even their own view.

"I will neither object nor stand in the way of any decision you make my lord. All I ask is that you be careful and return safe."

She felt him jerk a little but he did not pull away. She laced their fingers together in hopes that he may calm down and understand where she stood on the whole thing. Even if he did decide to go against everyone's wishes and fight she will accept his decision and wait for his return.

He was a demon, and at times she knew he was going to do things she may never understand. She did disagree, but she would also rather stand by him than risk never seeing him again. In the end what he was doing was not so crazy. He was not killing just for any reason, but those assassins wanted him dead. They were bound to cross paths one day, and if it happened now it won't happen again hopefully.

"Is that your final say?" he asked as her felt her hand wrap around his.

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru." She felt him give her palm a gentle yet noticeable squeeze before he released her completely.

"Hmmm, very well," he said as he began to walk down the path again. Rin turned her head expecting him to fly away or continue walking down the dirt road, but what she saw instead surprised her.

He walked over to a large tree and made a little spot for himself to sit down comfortably.

Rin was the least to say….confused. What was he doing?

"Lord Sesshomaru….," she said as she walked over to him. Once she was a good distance she sat on her knees not minding the cold ground so much. She saw him look to her with all the anger she expected to see completely gone.

"What is it?" he asked without the slightest tint of emotion in his voice as usual.

"Didn't you want to…I thought that maybe you were going go and….uh…?"

"Again, I do not understand broken sentences," he said which left her face red from the embarrassment.

"Weren't you going to take care of…the problem in the village?"

"I will take care of it at another time," he stated simply as he leaned against the tree and looked into the darkening sky.

"Any action I take now that village of yours will only get in my way."

Rin's eyes grew large at his comment. He wasn't going to kill them after all. Well as he said maybe one day he will, but by the sounds of it he seemed to take the village into consideration. It all just came out in a very….Sesshomaru like fashion.

Sesshomaru….

She couldn't help but smile at what he had done. She wanted to thank him, but knew better than to say such a thing. He would not like hearing it, and by his calm face she could tell it was better to just drop the subject.

"What will you do now?" she asked as she inched a little closer to him.

"I'll be fine here," he answered as his gaze went from the sky back to her.

"In this weather?" she asked with concern nearly spilling form her mouth. He arched his brow indicating that was pretty much the plan.

"I'm staying here with you," she said as she leaned in closer.

"I will not have you fall ill," he answered back with his elegant brow going down in a sign of disapproval.

She knew he had a point, and she could already feel her nose burning red. Along with it getting darker the wind was picking up even more. She knew it was going to be a cold tonight, and she did not want him to be left alone when he could have been with her in a nice warm hut right about now.

"I don't want to leave you alone like this."

"This whether is nothing I can't handle." Perhaps he should soon explain to her the whole immune to the climate temperatures thing, but for some unknown reason he actually found her concern for him to be very pleasant. If it had been anyone else they would have left him the moment he sat against the tree, but of course if it had been anybody else the last thing he would want is their pity or concern.

"Yes, but…." Rin undid the blanket she had wrapped around her shoulders. "Here take this."

She saw him grab the blanket, but soon felt it on her shoulders again. "It is not necessary."

She almost felt like letting out a sigh of defeat. She almost felt useless, but found it was better not to trouble him with it.

"Can I trust to see you here tomorrow?" he asked when he sensed the disappointment in her gaze. His simple question brightened up her whole world like as though the sun had just appeared from the dark covered sky.

Yes," she said happily. "I'll be here first thing in the morning after all my chores are done. I promise," she finished off her sentence by softly palming his cheek. She could feel the heat from his face increase as it allowed her hands to warm up a little.

He nodded his head with a small noised added from the back of his throat.

"Till tomorrow," she said with a smile.

xxx

"Uncle?" Sue called out as she sipped more of her hot soup the old priestess made. "Didn't you mention once the demon we are seeking was considered a lord around these parts?"

"Just another rumor we can't be too sure of," he answered as he read over his maps and scrolls.

"But you have heard of it right? I mean if he is the most powerful demon than he most certainly should have gained the title of lord right?"

"Yes, but don't press your luck there are plenty of demon lords around the nation, and some even try to pass off as imitators."

"Oh," Sue said as she sipped more of the broth before looking at her uncle again. "Tell me uncle…."

"Hmm?"

"Have you….any idea what the demon's name could possibly be?"

xxx

A few minutes later Kohaku walked with a very quiet Rin down the path leading to the village.

"I don't know how you do it?" he said, breaking the silence.

"Do what?" she asked.

"I don't know how you are able to….communicate with him so well. Even when you were little it was like you and he spoke some secret language."

Kohaku didn't normally like to talk about Rin's relationship with Sesshomaru, but considering she may have just changed the mind of possible the most powerful demon in the nation…..well Kohaku could only envy what the girl could do.

"Oh," Rin said as she laughed a little while her cheeks went red. "Well that it's….I don't find it that hard to talk to him just…..I mean…..Well I guess it's my little secret," she concluded as she brought her finger to her lips in a shushing motion.

"I feel so bad leaving him there while I sleep in a warm bed tonight."

"Demons can handle the weather better than humans can."

Kohaku looked to Rin from the corner of his eyes as she noticed what he said did not calm down her worry. Maybe he could do something to make her feel better. She was always one for hugs so maybe….

He could already picture the image of holding her body close as they shared each other's body heat. He could also picture her thanking him as she would wrap her arms around him and softly breathed into his neck.

Perfect….He thought as he smiled victoriously with his hands fisted in determination.

"Rin," he said as he stopping in front of her. She stopped and gave him a confusing stare.

"Well I just thought of something that might make you feel better."

He saw her smile as she looked to him with those sweet chocolate eyes of hers. "Kohaku…."

This is it!

"Thank you, but I don't think even Lady Kaede's delicious soup will make me feel any better."

….

Kohaku felt his eyes nearly explode out of his head as his mouth went wide while his jaw nearly fell to the ground.

Rin walked passed his nearly ghostly white form and continued down the path to the village. "You better hurry you know how Sango can get when you are home late."

"R-R-Right," he said as he walked behind her with his eyes nearly as wide as they were before.

This girl could possibly be the death of him one day.

Little did the poor fellow know that Rin already shared a warm embrace earlier that day with a certain someone else.

AN: Poor Kohaku XD oh well love will reach him eventually lol that's it for this chapter and as you have read Sue is becoming quite the little investigator so let's just see what happens now. If Jaken had only of kept his big beak shut but o well I love that green toad lol

Hope you enjoyed it and stay alert for the next chapter coming soon! Please leave a comment if you can Till next time!