A Taste of Humanity

Disclaimer: Sesshomaru and all characters from Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, not me. This story is for entertainment purposes only; I make no profit from it.

A/N: Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Hunger

Back to the present…

After what seemed like forever, Sesshomaru arrived back at the camp. Jaken rushed to greet him, but stopped suddenly. His large golden eyes suddenly seemed even larger than normal.

"L…L… Lord Ss… Sesshomaru?" he sputtered, "What happened to you milord?" He was about to tell Jaken to be quiet when Rin, carrying a clump of wildflowers, rushed up to him.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" she beamed, "Look at the pretty flowers Rin found!" He glanced down at the smiling girl presenting the flowers to him. He found himself fighting the urge to smile back as he calmly took the gift.

"Thank you Rin," he said quietly. Just then she seemed to realize he looked different, cocking her head to the side quizzically.

"Why do you look different milord?" she asked innocently. He decided the truth was the best way to stop the endless flow of questions that were no doubt going to erupt from the child any moment.

"This Sesshomaru…" he paused, uncertain how to phrase what happened, "will be human for the next seven days, Rin. It may be best if you stay with the miko and my… brother." This news seemed to frighten the imp.

"Human, milord?!?" Jaken screeched, causing Sesshomaru to be silently grateful for his less-sensitive hearing. He decided to ignore the frantically babbling imp

"We are leaving," he said as he strode calmly in the direction of his brother's village.

They arrived at the village without incident, though as he saw a blur of red approaching, he knew the peace wouldn't last. His pathetic half-breed brother was not someone he wished to deal with even under normal circumstances. He was about to turn and leave his charges when his brother shouted.

"What the…?" Inuyasha circled his older brother, his nose sniffing furiously. "Is this some trick Sesshomaru? Why do you smell like a human?" He was about to answer his annoying brother when, as usual, Jaken decided to 'defend' him.

"You impudent half-breed! How dare you talk to the mighty Lord Sesshomaru that way!" Jaken waved his staff in what the imp probably thought was a menacing way, though Sesshomaru thought it was a bit comical.

"Keh," Inuyasha shrugged, "I wasn't talking to you imp." He stared at his brother, "So, what happened?"

"It is none of your concern," he replied, hoping his brother would just leave him alone. "Rin will be staying here for a few days." Turning away, he began to walk away. Inuyasha, however, leapt in front of him before he could go very far.

"Hmph," Inuyasha crossed his arms, "Not so tough anymore, are you?" Annoyed, but hiding it well, Sesshomaru was about to shove his brother aside when his miko showed up.

"Sesshomaru?" Kagome approached with Rin in tow, "Inuyasha, leave your brother alone." When Inuyasha refused to listen, she shouted out a single word, "Sit!" He was never fond of the human female, but he had to admit she had an interesting way of dealing with his brother.

"Can Lord Sesshomaru stay here with Rin?" Rin looked up at Kagome. He knew the miko wouldn't refuse Rin, but he really did not want to be around his annoying half-breed brother any longer than absolutely necessary.

"Rin…" Her soft brown eyes turned to him. "You will be staying here with Ah-Un and Jaken. This Sesshomaru will not stay here with the miko or… him." He took the opportunity to glare at Inuyasha, who had just pulled himself out of the hole he had made in the dirt. He made the mistake of looking back at Rin. Her eyes were moist and full of concern. He turned once more, when he felt a tug on his sleeve.

"Why don't you stay for dinner," the miko quickly removed her hand from his sleeve, "you're welcome to stay the night if you want. I'm sure Rin would appreciate it." Rin nodded enthusiastically. He was all set to refuse, but his stomach decided to pick that precise moment to make a strange growling noise. He had often heard Rin's stomach making similar noises right before she would request to look for food. Sighing silently through his nose, he allowed a giggling Rin to lead him towards one of the huts. Before entering, he noticed Jaken, complaining as usual, took Ah-Un and headed to a quiet patch of grass.

He was quite used to the smell of human food due to Rin, but it had always offended his delicate sense of smell. Now he found himself straining to keep his face from giving any sign his mouth had begun to water at the enticing smell coming from the miko's pot. It was something the miko called 'rahmehn'. She handed him a steaming cup of the strange brew and he discretely mirrored Rin, acting as if he had done this before. He found it extremely hard not to nod as enthusiastically as Rin when the miko offered seconds. It appeared his brother also enjoyed the noodles since he was already on his fifth helping and still guzzling it down. Conversation was mostly Rin and the miko talking about what had occurred since they last saw each other which suited Sesshomaru who was still fascinated by his new opinion of 'human food'.

As he finished his second helping, he noticed Kagome handing Rin a small round object. He was unbelievably curious, but he would not ask about it. It was food it seemed, as Rin popped the item into her mouth and seemed to savor it. Rin seemed to know he was curious, though he was sure he showed no outward signs of it, and turned to him with yet another illuminating smile.

"Rin loves mochi cakes," she declared happily, "would Lord Sesshomaru like to try one?" Her delicate hand held out the strange round 'cake'. He nodded and he popped the treat into his mouth. It was sweet, with some sort of paste inside. 'Delicious,' he thought as Rin silently offered him another. He made a mental note to allow Rin the opportunity to have these cakes more often, especially since she seemed to really enjoy the sweet treats. After exhausting the miko's supply of the tasty treats, he found his armor was getting strangely heavier as the evening progressed. Fighting a strange urge to stretch his jaws, he began to relax and pondered the warmth of the fire, something that as a full-blooded demon he had found unnecessary for his own comfort. He was vaguely aware of Rin climbing into his lap as he leaned against the wall of the hut. 'Strange,' he thought, 'why am I suddenly so… tired?' Rin shifted in his lap, finding it less comfortable without his mokomoko. He wrapped an arm around her to help her settle down. He watched her as she fell asleep, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Soon, his eyes grew heavy. 'I really don't want to stay here with that brother of mine, but…' he looked down at Rin, sound asleep in his lap, 'perhaps one night wouldn't be so bad.' He glanced around the small fire one last time, noticing the miko and his brother were snuggling across from him. The girl appeared to be asleep, but Inuyasha was quietly watching him. Their eyes met and for once the half-breed did not make some insult or foolish remark. Instead, there was a look of understanding.

"Get some sleep already, would ya," Inuyasha huffed quietly. "I'm not gonna do anything to you or Rin." Sesshomaru was about to throw him a retort about how he wasn't so weak as to need sleep when he was caught off guard by his own body. A yawn so large it cracked his jaw decided to ruin the moment. Peeved by his body's lack of control he chose to ignore his brother. He turned his attention to the sounds coming from outside the hut. Even with his limited hearing he caught the sounds of Ah-Un settling down for the night and the distinct snores of Jaken. His eyes were beginning to droop and he decided a small nap wouldn't hurt. As his breathing evened out he did something most full-blooded demons do, or at least admit to do. That night, for the very first time, Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands dreamed.