It was raining, Sesshomaru noted in distaste. The water disturbed his sense of smell. Rin was running around, apparently trying to catch her death. Jaken was clucking after her in a most annoying fashion, and Ah-Un was napping unhelpfully. It was times like these that Sesshomaru wished he had better companion-choosing skills.

Of course, he didn't, and was therefore stuck with these idiots. Sitting beneath a large tree that hardly shielded him from the downpour, Sesshomaru contemplated the lie he had told to the wolf. The demon really didn't know who he could turn to for Rin; his own childhood instructors were all dead and he didn't trust a random human with his ward. He had many enemies and few friends, and such a situation didn't lend him many favors to call on.

It was a predicament, he thought, but it would be seen through. Rin was just... bad.

For one, the girl outright refused to wear clothing of her own sex. She was of marrying age now, but there wasn't a man that would look her way, unless they were mistaking her for a pretty young boy. She did have quite a mass of fangirls, though. Sesshomaru didn't necessarily mind any of this, but he did think that she could at least act like a proper young lady, if she wouldn't look like one.

Her abuse of Jaken was (although sometimes amusing and almost always for offenses that Sesshomaru himself would punish the imp for) unsettling, to say the least. The lord honestly never thought that Rin would raise a hand- or foot- to anyone.

But most of all, Rin's overall demeanor had changed. When she was still around eight or nine years old, Sesshomaru had left her in the care of the old miko, so that she could learn the way of her own species. When the woman had passed on, though, Rin had changed very suddenly. She had requested to continue on in Sesshomaru's presence, and, like a fool, he had allowed it.

She dressed like a male, had violent tendencies, spoke like a heathen, and was completely withdrawn from people she didn't consider family.

Give it a few more years, Sesshomaru thought, And she'll be sporting demonic markings and her own fang.

When it came down to it, Rin was acting much to much like Sesshomaru himself, and the demon found himself wishing vehemently against this transformation.

Rin had settled down now, tired from running, and glanced over at her lord. Sesshomaru was surprised, but then again not, at the cool expression on her face. He felt a slight pinch of regret and an even slighter swell of pride; the girl was smart, but perhaps she paid more attention than she ought to.

As the rain let up and a familiar, if slightly changed, scent wafted though the tree stand they had taken refuge in, Sesshomaru nearly groaned.

He knew her, but could he trust her?

Kagura blinked in surprise. It had been years since she last saw Sesshomaru. In fact, if Kagura had been counting, she would say five- two years after the death of Naraku (when she had finally healed). She had sought him out, expecting- Gladness? Friendship? Acknowledgement? But it had seemed the demon lord was preoccupied, what with things to conquer and little human girls to dote upon. Really, the inuyokai was whipped. The wind sorceress wondered if anyone had bothered to tell him. Probably not.

Trailing after him was the ever-present toad and faithful pet dragon. There was also some young boy, rather handsome, really, and Oh. Kagura's face fell. That's why.

The young boy poked his head around Sesshomaru and, in quite a serious tone, stated: "That is not your sister."

Kagura felt her eyebrows raise at the boy's assessment, and then they crawled into her hairline when Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.

"You made that assumption on your own, Rin."

Feeling her mouth drop slightly, the crimson-eyed demon stood and pointed at Rin. "That's that snot-nosed little brat that was following you around? What the hell happened?"

Sesshomaru bit down on his tongue to keep from replying, but Rin beat him to it, anyways. "I could ask the same of you, witch." She said coolly.

The inuyokai almost frowned at the sight of Jaken nodding with his beak in the air. All their fighting, just to gang up on people later? Really?

Kagura narrowed her eyes. "What a brat," she said primly. "And an ugly one, too- I thought you were a boy, at first."

Rin stepped out from behind her lord. "I saw the look on your face, you can't fool me. You think I'm sex-"

"Enough."

Both female's heads turned toward Sesshomaru, who looked a little pale. "Don't ever finish that sentence, Rin," He said to his ward. "And, I can see that this is a waste of time. We'll be going now."

Kagura, who had never really felt she was truly sadistic before, called out before she could stop herself. "Wait, Lord Sesshomaru. You obviously came here for a reason. What is it?"

The demon stopped but he didn't turn back around. Rin looked snooty, splitting twin glares of doom between Sesshomaru and Kagura both. Something on Sesshomaru's face must have spooked her, though, because suddenly all the color drained and left her looking gaunt.

"Rin needs a governess," He said monotonously. And then, in a suspiciously gleeful voice, "I believe you'll do quite well."

It had been two days, and Sesshomaru was ready to run himself through. It had seemed like a brilliant idea at the time; pair Rin up with someone as stubborn and willful as herself. But the two butted heads constantly, and it was quickly grating his nerves. Kagura, for her part, had tried at first, but Rin seemed determined to make the wind sorceress (and Sesshomaru, though indirectly) run for the hills. Of course, Kagura wasn't going to budge.

They were so annoying.

"I am not wearing that, its pink."

"You're gonna listen, you little brat."

"I do not stink, witch."

"Just TRY me, wretch!"

"Jealous? I am much better looking."

"Rin! Pay attention!"

"Kagura! Go die!"

It was everything he could do not to just up and leave the bitches. Honestly, what were they even fighting about? Why did they hate each other so much? It was unfounded, unreasonable, and quite stupid. Sort of like my hate of Inuyasha.

Ugh. Too many girls, their girlishness must be contagious.

They were nearing a small, out-of-the-way village. There were not many people here, and those that were had little to no qualms with greater yokai. Everyone just stayed out of each other's way. It was in this tiny village that Sesshomaru had arranged for a small hut to be prepared. Two rooms, for the rest of the season. He had originally planned for three rooms, but an hour into their journey from where he found Kagura to this village, Sesshomaru changed his mind.

He was not staying with them. Instead, Sesshomaru decided he would rent a room while in town, and mysteriously come up missing for several days. His Inner-Mother told him he was being a baby, but he squashed her down and stomped. She would be quiet on this matter.

As the village came into view, Sesshomaru addressed his companions. "That will be enough."

They... didn't listen. Rin let out a particularly loud screech, just as Kagura raised her hand to strike the girl. Jaken squawked.

And I thought that this would be a good idea?

"ENOUGH."

As his moronic companions turned to him, Sesshomaru mentally prepared to give them a verbal beating they wouldn't soon forget. However-

"I can't do this, Sesshomaru."

"I hate her! Why are you doing this to me, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Squawk!"

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Sesshomaru just turned and kept walking to the village. On second thought, he'd just leave them there and run away.

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