Chapter 2

A/N: Yeah, that last Ch. mighta been a little depressing. I got kinda sad myself. This part is...better? I like the ending, at least. You're gonna be all, Whaaatttttt?

Also, I just made up a name for Sesshy's mom, because I have never heard her have a name. Maybe I'm mistaken about that. Someone tell me if I am and tell me what it really is. Or, send in a suggestion for her name. The one I came up with is kinda lame. It's just that she looks like one.

Plus, I wanna thank icegirljenni for the suggestion about specifying that this is the Author's Note. Thanks Jenni!

Disclaimer: I don't own nuthin' no how. Just the kinda-original plot. And the name I bestowed upon Sesshy's mother.

End A/N.

A wind blew and Sesshomaru watched as it tossed his mother's long silver hair. He looked at her face and waited for her to say something. He soon found himself becoming impatient with her long silence and thought of repeating his question in a more demanding tone. Or attacking her. But really, he knew deep down that he was just trying to distract himself from the awful fact that his Rin was dead.

Remembering her look of peace as she lay dead, Sesshomaru felt...tears(?) in his eyes. Blinking rapidly and swallowing the lump in his throat, he looked away from his mother's studious expression.

Sesshomaru heard movement and turned to see his mother taking hesistant but purposeful steps towards him. He found he wished for solitude once more, and growled, "Mother, tell me what it is you want, or I am leaving."

She continued making her way to him, with her arms slightly outstretched in a way Sesshomaru had not seen since he was a young child. "Son, do not...I understand you are-in pain, but that is no reason to be impudent."

Sesshomaru growled in response and felt his eyes redden. "Do not threaten me child," Delilah commanded. Her son visibly reigned in his anger, and soon, his face returned to normal.

"And to answer your question, I am here for you. I am your mother, after all, and when the news reached me that your...woman had passed, I came to be of use in whatever way I can." Delilah ignored his raised left eyebrow. "I was on my way to your manor when I caught the smell of you rampaging through the woods like a wild animal. Now, are we going to stand here all night? Or are you going to show me that I didn't completely fail at teaching you manners?"

Her son's only response was to study the woods surrounding them. After a moment, Sesshomaru turned around and began heading to his manor. He became aware his mother's pace was soon even with his own.

Sesshomaru was content with the silence, but it soon came apparent that his mother was not. "How did your mate die?" She heard him mumble something. "Speak up, child. I cannot hear you."

The male demon whirled to face her and said in a menacing, but even, tone, "I said, 'Her name was Rin'. You will say her name, not speak of her as though she were a lowly servant, underserving of any respect."

A muscle in Delilah's jaw twitched, but she refused to lose her temper as well. Best to appear calm, she told herself. She thought of telling him that she was not a servant either and that he would show her respect as well, but decided to let it go. This once. "I apologize, my son. I did not mean to upset you. I was merely trying to make conversation." And see if I can do what I truly came to do, she added silently.

"I-I am...touchy about the subject. I did not mean to jump on you. Anyway, Rin...died because I was not there to protect her. I had business to the East, and left Jaken in charge of her safety. When I returned, Jaken met me as I entered the area and informed that while Rin had been in the fields with some of the nearby human women, a bandit had come out of the woods. Jaken was nearby but was unable to stop the man from riding up to the women and Rin and using his sword to slay them."

Sesshomaru paused, imagining what it must have been like for his Rin. To have seen the sword lowering towards you, knowing it was coming for your blood, but not possessing the agility to move out of the way in time. His breath hitched. It's all your fault, his mind whispered to him.

Realizing his mother was waiting for the rest of the story, he continued talking while they walked. "The other women were instantly dead, but Rin was still alive, albeit barely. Jaken took her to my castle and ordered the servants to tend to her. He sent for the nearest healer, but they were two days' away, at least, and there was not time for that. As soon as I was near, Jaken told me of the situation and I rushed to her side. It was too late. She was nearly dead. And Tenseiga wouldn't work."

"Because you had already saved her once before, when she was but a child, correct?"

"Yes, I did. And you saved her once, when we were in the demonic other dimension and she died while Kohaku, she, and I were there. I brought her to you and you managed to bring her back." Dilila stopped, turned to her son, and saw the almost pleading look in his eyes.

She sighed. "My son, if you remember, I warned you that that was the last time she could be brought back. I told you that I would be unable to help her again."

"Then why have you come if you are going to be of so little use? Why are you here if you can't bring my sou-my mate back to me?" Sesshomaru raged at her. He had felt a flame of hope that maybe she would be able to bring his Rin back, but she had dashed it. At least he had caught himself before he had told her that Rin was his 'soul mate'. He knew how she would scoff at the term.

She turned to face him and gave him a level look. "I said then that I could not. But that is precisely why I am here. I am going to bring Rin back."

A/N: I put emphasis on Rin's name because Delilah (nice name, right?) was kinda proud that she had remembered 'the human's name. Send in mild flames, nice reviews, ideas, etc...

You wanna know something sad? I have such little social life, I wrote 3/4 of this chapter on Friday night. While watching NCIS. With my Dad. *gusty sigh* Whatever. You guys are reading this, so HA!...I'm so lonely.

End A/N.