Sorry for not updating sooner, I've been extremely busy and...my laptop charger is once again broken. I'm super sorry...Unfortunately, I'm unable to afford a new one at this time, so just like before, my updates will likely be spaced out again.

I do not own Inuyasha

"This was a mistake."

His words continued to play over and over again in her mind, and each time she heard them, her chest would tighten, her stomach would drop, and she would have to fight back the tears that threatened to spill over. A week has gone by since that night by the river, only it felt like it happened just the night before. His words hurt, but not as much as the cold expression she'd seen in his eyes. That coldness, had very quickly replaced the raw lust saw and felt prior to Jaken interrupting them. Had the little imp not arrived when he did, it was likely that she wouldn't be a virgin anymore.

Even though she'd been hurt and humiliated, she couldn't deny the fact that she wanted it to happen and if he tried again, she would just as easily melt in his arms. She was the definition of a fool. Her only problem with all of this, she couldn't tell whether or not these feelings were her own, or the feelings of a girl long dead. It was impossible to tell. For now, she was doing her best to avoid any and all contact with Sesshomaru; which was easy, seeing as he was obviously doing the same thing.

"Girl," Jaken's annoying voice tore her from her thoughts. Turning her head ever so slightly, she locked gazes with him. "Instead of sitting there in your own little world, why don't you help me set up camp before Lord Sesshomaru returns."

Rin stares back at him. For a week Sesshomaru hasn't stayed around long enough to even notice they set up camp, much less care that it's been done. He would come, check to make sure she was still around, then leave. Where he went, Rin had no idea, and didn't try to follow him again. Last time, he allowed her to find him, this time though, he wouldn't be so kind. With the memories of the past, she wouldn't get lost as easily as she would have before, still, she didn't have any special abilities. If a demon happened to find her, she wouldn't stand a chance.

Normally, she would have rolled her eyes and argued with him, but since that night a week ago, she's been more cooperative than usual. Well, not so much cooperative, as just didn't have the mental energy to fight and argue. Getting up, she asks him what he needed. After being told to gather firewood and fresh drinking water, she sets off into the surrounding woods. Unlike before, they weren't close to a river, so she would need to hike a bit in order find somewhere she could get clean water. Not that she minded, it allowed her to be alone for a little while.

As she walks, searching for any signs of water, she would occasionally stop to bend down and pick up a piece of twig or stick that she thought would make for decent kindling. Being alone like this, she was able to think without having Jaken's annoying voice in her ear, or over her shoulder.

"This was a mistake."

His words rang in her ear, making her flinch. It was almost like that time back in school, when she almost went all the way with a boy she'd been dating. His humiliating words left her feeling horrible about herself for months, even years, afterwards. She never wanted to be in that position again, and mentally kicked herself for allowing it to go as far as it had with Sesshomaru, a man she barely knew. She let this happen and now she was paying for it.

Her hand clenched tightly around the container she brought for water. No, she wouldn't wallow in humiliation like before. A week was long enough, no longer. She needed to split up from this group and figure things out on her own. Staying this close to Sesshomaru wasn't good for her. If he tried to come on to her again, she knew she would just as quickly fall under his spell. She liked to think she would argue about it, at least few seconds before succumbing. Only it wouldn't go like that. All he had to do was look at her with the same raw lust she saw before in those golden eyes, and she would instantly be his all over again.

"I need to get away.." She whispers to herself.

She thought she was alone, but when she heard a twig snap behind her, she realized she let her guard down. Spinning around, she dropped the water canteen and held out a stick in her other hand. It was skinny and puny, but holding it out like a weapon, made her feel better. Spreading her feet apart, she waited for whatever was out there to make its appearance.

"Relax, Rin." A familiar voice spoke out to her, and soon Kohaku stepped out from the bushes. His smiling face was a pleasant surprise, one she didn't know she needed to see until that moment. "I was traveling in the area when I felt your spirit energy nearby, so I thought I would come make sure you were alrig-" Without warning, Rin drops the stick in her hands and throws herself into the arms of the man she considered her friend.

Kohaku was taken aback, his eyes widening as his sentence was cut short. He was about to ask her what was wrong, when he heard her softly sobbing against his chest, her small body shaking against his. Something had happened to make her like this, and he immediately assumed that Sesshomaru had something to do with it. Any time he found her crying like this, he was the cause. Even though he wanted to say something, to question her about it, he decided doing so right now wasn't a good idea. Instead, he wraps his arms around her and holds her firmly against his chest. Anger blossomed, his arms tightened even more so. That damned demon did nothing but her hurt and he was tired of seeing her crying over someone who cared nothing for the feelings of others. Especially someone who cared for him as much as Rin had and seemingly did now.

Even though he wanted so badly to say something, Kohaku knew that in this moment, she didn't need to be reminded of just how worthless Inuyasha's half-brother was. No, what she needed right now, was someone who truly cared about her, someone who would listen, a shoulder she could cry on.

She needed him to be her friend.

"K-Kohaku...?" She spoke up several minutes later, no longer crying or even sobbing, just standing there wrapped in his embrace.

"Yeah?" He asks, tilting his head down to look at her tear-stained cheeks.

"Will you..." She stopped for a second, seeming to hesitate. "Will you take me with you? I can't stay here with him any longer. I need to get away." When she finally lifted her head and looked up at him, he could see the hurt in her eyes, the unshed tears. "Please, Kohaku, let me travel with you instead."

Surprise. That's the only thing he felt in that moment. Never, in all his life, did he think Rin would want to leave Sesshomaru's company. It's all she ever talked about when she was alive. How badly she wanted to leave the village and be by his side again. Only, this wasn't the same girl as before, was it? This girl looked like Rin, sounded like her, but at the end of the day, the girl he knew was long dead. Still, he wouldn't just leave her behind when she wanted nothing more than to get away. With a soft sigh, he nods his head. "Alright Rin, I'll take you with me."

She smiled then, and used the back of her hand to wipe away any remaining tears. "Thank you so much. We need to hurry though, he's likely to come back to make sure I'm still within the camp. He doesn't stick around, but he does return periodically to check in on me."

"Right," Taking her hand, Kohaku turns in the direction in which he came. "Let's get out of here then, Kirara isn't far from here. Don't worry Rin, I won't make you go back to that bastard."

As she walked behind him, letting him lead the way, Rin considered telling him that she had all of her past memories back, that she remembered everything. Only, she hesitated. Right now, she needed to focus on putting as much distance between herself and Sesshomaru as possible. He wouldn't be far behind when he realized she wasn't back yet and when he goes looking for her, he would smell not just her scent, but Kohaku's as well. Instantly, he would know that she left with him. It would make him furious. Better to wait until later when they were a good distance away, then she would tell him everything, the return of her memories, and even the "mistake" she made the other night.

Come nightfall, Sesshomaru returned to the place where he left Rin and Jaken to make camp, while he left to try and pick up any clues as to the demon who brought Rin through time and planned to use her against him. Except, the moment he set foot on the ground, he immediately knew that Rin was no longer there; despite a cowering Jaken, begging his forgiveness.

"How long has she been gone?" He turns away from the imp, trying to catch the direction Rin had gone.

"Several hours, M'Lord. I sent her out to gather firewood and fresh water, and she hasn't returned since." Jaken explains quickly, slowly moving towards him. "I..I went out to look for her, but I found no signs of her. Please, I beg your forgiveness!"

"Be quiet." Sesshomaru snaps. Faintly, he could make out Rin's scent. With Jaken following closely at his heels, Sesshomaru follows Rin's trail, or what was left of it. If he had been gone any longer, he wouldn't have been able to pick it up at all. She'd gone into the forest, stopping every so often, likely to pick up anything she found to be suitable firewood. Moving on a little more, the scent became just a little stronger, as if she spent a little more time here than anywhere else. Only...she hadn't been alone.

The scent was all too familiar.

His hands curled at his sides, claws digging into the palms of his hands. The coppery scent of blood filled his nostrils, telling him that his hands were curled tight enough for his claws draw blood. Any pain he may have felt, didn't come, his anger clouding everything else.

She was with him.

Willingly, Rin left with Kohaku. The whirlwind of emotions that revelation brought, was unlike anything he's ever felt before. Anger; no rage. Jealousy and possessiveness. Betrayal. She be betrayed him in that moment. Leaving with a man who she knew had strong feelings towards her. Kohaku wouldn't have hesitated to take her either. He wondered, did she ask him to take her with him, or did he somehow convince her to leave his side? Did he whisper something in her ear about him that would make her want to leave?

None of it matter. He would track them down, and he would take her back; by force if necessary. Rin was his and his alone.

"This was a mistake."

Just as he was readying himself to take to the skies, the words he spoke to her the night he nearly made her fully his, stopped him. He knew that she'd been oddly quiet and drawn in, keeping to herself and only leaving when something was asked of her; obeying without any argument. He'd grown to know her enough, to know that was out of character for her. Had his words made a bigger impact on her than he first suspected? Maybe she willingly left with the boy because of him and the things he said to her. Was he the reason she's been acting unlike herself this past week?

A growl rumbles up from his chest, his lips peeling back in a snarl, revealing his sharpened fangs.

It didn't matter whether it was his fault or not. She was under his protection. He would be the one to find a way to get her away from this place. He didn't care one way or the other, Rin would return to his side kicking and screaming if need be.

In a rush, Sesshomaru leaps into the air, easily clearing the trees and taking to the skies. The scent was fading and it would be even more difficult to track from the air. He knew that the cat demon traveled at Kohaku's side and could fly, just as he could. With the wind blowing more strongly this high up, finding and tracking any scents would be next to impossible for any demon. He wasn't just any demon though, he was the son of the great dog demon, Inu no Taisho. By morning, he would find them and Rin will return with him, no matter what.

Why Rin, why?! ;o; Why did you have to run away from Sesshomaru, and with Kohaku no less?! You foolish, foolish girl. *shakes head.* Well, this should be interesting, I wonder how it will turn out. Do you think our boy Sesshomaru will really take Rin back kicking and screaming? Maybe Kohaku and Sess will fight for her? Winner takes Rin. How do you think she will react to THAT?

I want to apologize once more for my update being so spaced out. I can write on my phone, but it's really slow going and much prefer using my laptop, because I can get a chapter out in a night, rather than several nights. I will make sure to reread through it at some point tomorrow and work on correcting any mistakes.

Please remember to send in those reviews. o Don't hold on me because I took so long. ;~; I promise to try harder next time!

Until then~