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I went for a new perspective. Tell me if you like it :D

Chapter Four:

The sun baked sweat and grime on my face as I trudged along with Kohaku. I was hauling a bale of hay- my punishment signed by the villagers who were again upset that they had to go look for the me. It was a hot, sweltering day. Even the cows were too sweaty to move. My hands were slippery with sweat and beads of perspiration trickled down my cheek. I didn't even want to know what I looked like right now; my haori was plastered to my back and my hair to my face.

Lady Kaede had treated my wounds as soon as I had gotten back from my escapade and given me a few days of rest. My shoulder was stiff, but I couldn't blame it on my already-healed wounds anymore. As soon as I was ready to work, the villagers had swooped down on Kohaku and I and demanded that we make up the work they missed when they had to search for us. Those jerks- They were currently sitting in the shade, drinking sake and playing cards, every now and then throwing a bored look at us. Lazy bastards. I should have enjoyed those "rest" days.

We grumbled our way past the group of children, who were scuffling in the grass and screaming like crows. They stopped and took the chance to make monkey-faces at us. Yeah, that looks real flattering on you guys, morons. If I wasn't busy being crushed by my huge load of hay, I would have bashed the brains out of those devils. And beaten up Shippo, who was sitting beside them smugly and showing off his new fox demon tricks.

I snorted at the irony. Mitsuko, whose name meant "child of the light", was busy punching her sister, Mitsuki. Either Sango didn't know what light was, or she had just been delirious when naming the brat. I winced when Mitsuki managed to sink her teeth into her assaulter's arm. Her name meant "Beautiful moon". If the beautiful moon had been present during Mitsuki's naming, the moon would have withered away in shame.

Kohaku paused and stared at me. "Rin, give me your load."

He was already carrying a load bigger than mine. And he was sweating as well, though not as much as me. I wouldn't let the villagers have the pride in seeing me give up on this torture. Heck no. If those lazy boars wanted the satisfaction of seeing us give up and snivel at their smelly feet for forgiveness, they would have to come out right and say it. I shook my head, "No way, Kohaku. Two people work fast than one. Plus I was hoping we could get this over with so we can go"-

Kohaku gave me a bewildered look. "You're seriously not planning to run off again? After what happened last time?"

"Well, last time wasn't a complete disaster." I snapped, and then shut up, finally understanding how stupid that comment made me sound. Not a disaster huh? Then I don't know what a disaster it. "But we can always just help Lady Kaede extinguish more demons, there seems to be an endless supply of those losers."

He shook his head and said no more. As if- As if he was disappointed in my naiveté. Not you too.

For some odd reason, I felt the need to defend myself. "It's not like I'm weak! Stop treating me like a wimp!" The defensiveness suddenly turned to frustration and I threw down my hay. "I'm stronger than all of those other girls in the village, and they can run off whenever they want!"

He continued staring and I groaned, realizing that I had just put on one heck of a show. Hastily, I picked up the hay.

"Let's go, Kohaku."

He continued gaping. What are you staring at? It's not like I grew an extra nose. I made a mental note to myself about asking Kagome how she got the necklace. The one that caused Inuyasha endless amount of pain. Yes, I chuckled evilly. That one.

"Come on, you idiot!" I tried to throw my bale of hay at him.

Sesshomaru paced around his office. He sat down. Then, he got up and paced around some more.

Insolent beasts. He sat down. Insolent beasts. He tossed his fur behind his shoulder and impatiently grabbed a scroll and pen.

Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, is requesting your presence on the new moon. We will discuss important matters then.

He paused.

If Lady Chitose wishes my presence, she may come as well.

He paused again. To refrain from shredding the paper.

Please respond by sending a servant to bring the news to my retainer, Jaken.

Lord of the Western Lands.

He carefully pricked blood on his index finger with his claws and pressed it to the parchment, leaving the mark of the Lord.

"Jaken."

The foot-and-a-half tall demon waddled into his master's study, eager yet cautious. His master didn't seem to stay in a good mood after discussing or hearing news of the Lord of the Northern Land's requests. "Y-yes? Milord?"

"Take this letter to the Northern Lands." Jaken fumbled to catch to elegantly tied roll of parchment and hastily made his leave.

"Take this letter to Inuyasha's village."

Jaken stopped still in his tracks. "M-milord?"

He smartly shut up when his lord threw another perfectly-aimed letter at his head.

Sesshomaru watched through his narrowed eyes as his retainer left his room. Troublesome imp. He turned to his desk and looked at the calendar.

It was a gift from Rin.

The calendar was not like most, it had been made to last a decade. Most of the useless pages he had already torn out accordingly and tossed away, not thinking twice. It was not until just now that he realized that there was only one lonely page left. He did not want to tear it out of the binding, for it was all that he had left of Rin.

So?

This question made him freeze mid-stride. Damn.

He picked up the calendar that he had thrown down on the floor for his servants to clean up. "So what?"

He tore out the last page. It ripped with a gut-wrenching tear. Sesshomaru tossed the now-useless calendar aside. The cover was decorated with a hand-sewn pattern of lilacs. Hmph.

Sesshomaru tucked Baksuaiga safely in his sash and swiftly swept out of the room. A visit to the village sounded nice.

How long had it been since he had seen Rin? It felt like only a week ago.

Sesshomaru picked up the calendar, thoughtfully. Maybe she'll be pleased to see this. After all, she had spent months with the embroidery.

He hid it in his haori. It was cold against his chest.

Sesshomaru checked to see if there was anything that he had forgotten. Tenseiga was already with Baksuaiga.

He took a few tentative steps to the door.

That's when the shock of realization hit him.

Damn!

How long has it been since I've seen Rin?

The empty calendar reminded him that it had been a decade.

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