REVAMPED

Hello Minna-san. This is my first time posting a fic on Heck it's my first time writing an Inu-Yasha fiction. This is Sesshoumaru/Rin by the way (Love this pairing. When she's older of course. ). Hope you enjoy and please review because its encouraging and I want to improve 'kay? Luv ya' lots!!

Disclaimer: I would if I could but I can't so I won't ever own Inu-Yasha or any one of Rumiko Takahashi's magnificent characters or brilliant stories. :sigh:

Note:

nii-chan - an affectionate term for big brother

tou-san – father

Sho-gun – a ruling general of sorts

Youkai – monster/demon

Kami (-Sama) – God/Gods, deities in general

Ties Of Blood

Prologue

Silence.

That was the first thing he noticed as he exited the house, Rin in tow behind him.

The world was made of silence and embellished upon by the inky blackness of night and the shimmer of a thousand and one stars.

It was funny, really, how quiet it was considering the current situation facing the country of Nippon.

The entire mess was enough to make Souta's heart ache and he took a deep, calming breath, closed his eyes. Pretending, if only for a moment, that nothing else existed but the wind, the sky, the stars…and Rin.

Sweet little Rin, who didn't know the ways of the world as of yet – how long would it be before she realized the import of the letter the soldier had brought, a call to arms? How long before she realized that he might not come back?

He shivered and gripped her tiny hand just a little bit tighter, trying to find the words to tell her that her brother - her protector - was going to war. A war, not against humans but against the vicious youkai who plagued mankind - beings with such power and ferocity that mere humans could hardly hope to stand a chance against one, let alone a horde of them. Only the already scarce miko and the occasional priest could fight them in earnest and, perhaps, live to tell the tale.

'And I'm supposed to explain that I'm going to go into battle against them?' A wry smile touched his lips but he was feeling far from humorous. Liquid brown eyes met his and he couldn't bring himself to tear his own away, those innocent depths compelling him more than mere words could.

"Can you count the stars, Rin?" he blurted out at last, surprising them both with the sudden question.

The child blinked and cocked her head in a quizzical expression before turning the intensity of her eyes away from her sibling's and raising them heavenward.

"Umm," she mused before beginning to count, "one, two,…ninety-nine…Ugh. Rin gives up."

His smile was genuine this time and it soon turned into an honest laugh as he ruffled her hair affectionately.

"You're so funny, Rin-chan. But I guess…that's why I enjoy having you for a little sister."

"Umm, nii-chan…"

"Hmm?"

"Rin…Rin is happy to be your little sister too."

His laughter melted back into a smile that somehow reminded her of the sun and was just as reassuring in its warmth. He smoothed a gentle hand through his adopted sibling's hair, fixing the mess he'd made from ruffling it earlier and she leaned into his touch like an eager puppy.

"Thank you, Rin-chan. We are blessed to have you with us."

She smiled up at him and blushed in turn, before a solemn look crossed her young face. Long lashes slid down to hide her expressive eyes and she seemed to muse something over in her tiny head before speaking up again.

"Rin has a secret to tell you, nii-chan."

"Oh?"

"You're…the best onii-chan anyone could have. She loves you very, very much. Souta nii-chan…will be with together with Rin forever after the war…won't he?"

His smile faded at the mention of war and he knelt down next to her to stare her in the eyes once more – perhaps she wasn't as clueless about the meaning for the summons as he'd thought. Leaning forward, he hugged her and hoped that she would realize just how protective he was of her in the comforting gesture.

"Nii-chan,are you okay?"

"Of course…I'm fine," he replied, grateful that she had yet to reach the age where she could have easily detected his lie – Kami knew he wasn't particularly skilled at deception.

Composing himself, he took a deep breath and said gently, "Rin, I know this may seem strange but…I want you to remember this: Blood is unimportant. Though we aren't related by blood, I…I'm your brother no matter what anyone says."

"But..tou-san.."

"It doesn't matter what father says," he tightened his hold on her, "I won't let anyone hurt you. You, my sweet, beautiful sister and the only good one I have left. Even…even if I die and this world ends, I will find a way to protect you."

The child wriggled in his grasp, trying to look up at his shadowed face - the face of the brother who cared for her so very much even though he was her senior by ten years. Something wet landed on her cheek.

"Nii-chan…are you crying?"

"Nonsense, men don't cry. I'm just worried about you because I'll be leaving tomorrow to fight against the youkai. The Sho-gun's army is now strong enough that victory against those demons is assured," that was his second lie and he hated himself for the false sense of hope it gave her.

"How long will you be gone?"

He hesitated before answering. "Only a few months, if things go well," was the reply he settled on to keep her from worrying.

"Rin will wait to welcome you back then, nii-chan."

He released her and turned away quickly, wiping at his eyes and standing up straight.

"Are you really, alright?" her tiny brow was wrinkled in worry.

"You're just a bundle of caring today aren't you?" he said with a little laugh and, even to his own ears, it sounded strained.

"It's really nothing, Rin-chan. Just a bit of dust in my eye," it was his third lie. He checked the position of his sword – he found himself carrying it everywhere these days - settling the blade securely on his left and praying that these untruths wouldn't come back to haunt him.

"Rin," he said quietly, his back turned to the ten-year old girl, "you can't count the stars. But sometimes…I wonder…could you grab a hold of one? And if so…would that star make you happy?"

Rin's childish mind couldn't even begin to understand the complexity of that seemingly simple questiom and so she stared at his back, unsure and unable to answer.

He moved towards their house. "There is one more very important thing I want you to remember, Rin. Blood connects everyone and everything in the world to each other but...it is love that binds us, that keeps us together…that keeps us united," he turned to look at her once more,"Do you understand?"

She nodded even though they both knew that this too was a concept that her young mind couldn't fully grasp…not yet.

He sighed before giving her an affectionate pat on the head, "Maybe when you're older…"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Her brother left for battle the next morning and his parents – along with Rin – gathered together to see him off. They wished him well and expressed their hope to see him soon. And when the rest of the family returned to the house - Rin stayed with her brother for just a few minutes longer. She hugged his leg as hard as she could and whispered, "I'll see you soon."

However, had she known what was in store for her, her beloved brother, and one very important, powerful person…would she have allowed him to leave so easily?