Author's Note: I apologize for this chapter taking longer than anticipated. I was sick all last week, and I discovered that it is difficult to write well when suffering from a headcold. ^_^'

Chapter 19: Drawn In

In the garden, time passed excruciatingly slow for Rin. The girl hugged her knees tightly and kept stealing glances the tall yōkai lounging only an arms' reach away. He was leaning back on one hand while the other rested casually on a bent knee. His kimono's strange design seemed to fade into the grass, as if he had taken root and was one with the earth beneath him.

Though he appeared relaxed, Katsutoshi had not moved in a long time and his sharp, blue eyes did not waver from a specific spot. When Rin tried to follow his gaze, she could not see anything important about the flowers, bushes, or tree in that area.

Not a word was spoken between them, and the silence weighed heavily on the little girl's heart. A pang of guilt hit her as she dropped her gaze to the young woman lying between her and the yōkai. Tora did not stir or mumur as she slept but lay as still as a statue. With her short black hair spread out around her face and one hand draped across her stomach, she looked so peaceful. That made Rin even more uncomfortable. Katsutoshi said he had not harmed her, but she no longer trusted his friendly smile and gentle words.

The little girl put her chin on her knees and squeezed her legs with her arms. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest. Sesshomaru-sama was coming. Any moment, he would arrive to rescue her, just as he had before. He always came for her. Always.

Sesshomaru-sama...

* * * * *

Outside the barrier, Sesshomaru's rage was barely contained as he slammed his sword down once more. The barrier buckled and sparks showered everywhere, hissing and sizzling as they burned leaves and blades of grass before fizzling out. Master Jaken peered out from behind Ah-Un, worry etched on his face.

Only a few minutes ago, that stupid hanyō had leapt head first into the barrier and vanished into the mysterious garden beyond. Sesshomaru had clearly not expected the half-breed to act so brashly, and he doubled his attack immediately after. The entire area of the forest was overwhelmed by his paralyzing aura, and the barrier was clearly reaching its breaking point.

The daiyōkai gathered his yōki and hammered the barrier one last time. The force sent a shockwave rippling across the surface. The air was filled with the sound of shattering glass as lightning-like bolts fizzled and hissed angrily.

Then the barrier was gone, vanishing instantly from sight but the remnants of the yōki that had held it together lingered in the air. With his katana in hand, Sesshomaru strode through the gate. He was alert and fully prepared for a battle. His quick eyes surveyed the garden and locked on to the three figures near the cottage.

"Sesshomaru-sama!"

Rin's voice betrayed her relief at his arrival, but the daiyōkai barely looked at the little girl. The presence of the yōkai beside her caused his fingers to tighten on his weapon and his eyes to narrow.

"So this is your doing... Katsutoshi."

The blond yōkai gave an all-too-familiar smile that was clearly filled with mischief. "Ah, Sesshomaru. You took your time."

Sesshomaru said nothing, but his venomous look conveyed his feelings clear enough. Katsutoshi feigned a frown. Then he energetically slapped his knees and stood, his embroidered kimono rustling around him like leaves in a gentle summer's breeze. As he straightened, he spread his arms wide, gesturing to the immaculately tended nature around them.

"Welcome to my garden, old friend."

"Katsutoshi..." The daiyōkai's voice contained a fierce warning.

"Relax. I only wish to speak with you." Katsutoshi rubbed the back of his head innocently. He looked down at Rin and the unconscious Tora. "I had no reason to harm either of them. I must admit, when the forests whispered of you traveling with humans, of all creatures, I just had to see it for myself."

"If that was your intention, there was no reason to go to this length. You waste my time," Sesshomaru snapped harshly.

"But that would not have been as much fun."Katsutoshi laughed for a moment and then turned serious. He looked away towards a fluttering butterfly. "Truth be told, it was more convenient to lead you to me then for me to chase after you."

Sesshomaru studied the other carefully but did not sense any malice. Katsutoshi had no intention of fighting. The daiyōkai heaved a sigh and withdrew his powerful yōki. He returned his weapon to its wooden sheath and leveled a repulsive glare at the blond yōkai.

"Your sulking is annoying and childish."

"You were not just defeated by your father for the seventeenth time," Katsutoshi retorted, though his voice was strangely cheerful. "Ah, but this time, I was closer. So much closer. Next time, I will not fail to overcome him."

"Compared to me, you were never any good," Sesshomaru replied with indifference. "Though the barrier is a new technique."

"Yes, I thought you would appreciate that little challenge, though I was surprised when your pet hanyō here managed to burst through so easily. She is a curious creature, isn't she?"

There was something in the way Katsutoshi looked at the sleeping lady samurai that irked Sesshomaru, and his did not bother to hide his irritation.

"Katsutoshi, this grows tedious."

"Ah, yes. There is a reason I brought you here, old friend. Shall we talk privately?"

Rin watched the exchange with wide eyes. One moment the two seemed about to fight, and then they spoke calmly, as if they were friends. Without saying a word or even looking down at her when he passed, Sesshomaru followed the yōkai into the cottage.

As the door closed behind the daiyōkai, Rin could not shake the feeling that something was going to happen and whatever it was, it would change their lives. She did not want their lives to change. She wanted everything to stay just as it was.

Sesshomaru, Tora, Ah-Un, and even Master Jaken... she wanted them to continue traveling together.

They were her family.