Chapter Four

Everything seemed to freeze at that exact moment. Rin, still huddling for protection under the log, didn't know to move away from the path of the attack. The jewel shards gave off a pure light as if reacting to her fear. Sesshoumarus heart nearly stopped though he refused to show it.

His dragon strike tore through the ground as Sesshoumaru started sprinting towards her. It was obvious to anyone that he wouldn't make it in time, or just the timing to get blown to pieces with her. But he still ran for her anyways. The glowing thunder finally clashed with the wood splintering it to pieces. Sesshoumaru reached his hand out. He could feel the burn of his own attack……

He'd saved her many times from demons and bandits. She seemed to have a knack for getting into trouble like that. She was only a human girl. He had thought that once she grew older, somehow, she'd be able to care for herself maybe in a village or just by traveling. But for now, she was with him, and he allowed her to remain with him as long as she wanted. And she'd die an old age or after she leaves him by some unfortunate accident which will be out of his reach. But he ever thought it'll be his attack at kills her.

Sesshoumaru fell through the log. Bits of wood smashed as he landed. He looked behind him. A large pile of burnt ash was all that remained. Is she really gone? He asked himself as if searching inside himself for the answer. The wind blew down answering his question. A peek of a red kimono billowed out. Sesshoumaru sighed in relief.

Inuyasha bursted out from under the pile of ash. He coughed rubbed the dirt from his eyes. In one hand, he held the sheath of Tetsaiga, in the other; he held a bundle of something wrapped in his kimono. I must be crazy, he thought to himself. That was the dumbest thing I've every done in my entire life. He wheezed and slipped Tetsaiga and sheath back into his belt.

Rin fell out from under the cloth of the fire rat. She was full of scraps and bruises, but she was alive, still holding the bottle of jewel shards. Sesshoumaru saw his business there was done. He turned and walked away called over his shoulder, "Come Rin."

Rin gladly jumped from under Inuyashas kimono to follow him but Inuyasha grabbed her again, "Just hold on a second. She still has something that belongs to me."

Rin didn't answer and shook her head. Sesshoumaru spoke for her instead, "Take your hands off her."

"Excuse me! You wouldn't have said that a few minutes ago when your own attack almost killed her."

Sesshoumaru hesitated before saying his show of gratitude, "I am grateful you saved her, however I never asked you to do so, since it was your decision. Let her go."

"I didn't save her for you!" Inuyasha snapped, "I didn't it for the jewel shards. This little brat stole them from us. If she'll hand them over, I'll gladly let you two go off to your own business!"

Sesshoumaru looked down at Rin asking the question that didn't need to be said. Rin rubbed the tiny bottle, "I only wanted to help. Master Jaken said that-that I wouldn't be around to help you with your empire, so-so…."

"Rin enough," Sesshoumaru turned away, "As if I, Lord Sesshoumaru, would stoop so low as to use something as pitiful as this to make me stronger. I will build my empire on my own strength." He continued to walk away.

Rin looked after him, "Lord Sesshoumaru," she dropped the little bottle and chased after her Lord.