Kagome woke up to find the sun shining through her little window and smiled at the warmth on her face. The storm, despite being loud, had helped her sleep more deeply and it had been soothing for her to fall asleep to the rain and thunder. She looked down to see Rin curled up next to her. The little girl had gotten frightened during the storm and Kagome had let the girl sleep next to her, seeing the girls fear in her eyes, and being there was no other place to sleep. Kagome looked up to see her husband sleeping against the wall like old times as it was he had given up his place beside her so the little girl could sleep next to her. She quietly slipped out of her bed, careful not to wake Rin, and went outside. She'd let them sleep for a bit longer.
'It's beautiful out here,' she thought to herself. 'Plus the fact it smells like rain.'
"Morning, dear."
She felt two hands wrap around her waist and a chin rested on her shoulder gently.
"Morning, Inuyasha love. Sleep well?"
"Mmhmm, yes I did. Except the fact you snored."
"I do not!"
He laughed at her horrified but still yet amused face before being chased by his wife who playfully tried to hit him. They ran around the cottage several times and down the hill and up for awhile before Kagome had to stop to catch her breath. She sat down on a rock, panting, while Inuyasha snickered.
"Yea," she glared at him. "Go ahead and laugh. I will just get you later."
"Feh, wench."
"Mama!"
She looked up to see Shippo running toward her with all possible speed.
"Shippo!"
She caught him as he leapt into her arms and she hugged him. His hair had gotten a bit longer since she had last seen him and he had grown at least 3 more inches. He was more slender now, but still despite the small changes he still looked the same. He smiled in joy.
"It's good to see you again, Mama! Was Inuyasha mean to you, again?"
Inuyasha snorted and within seconds was holding the small kit in his hand by his tail. Shippo yelled and kicked at Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha, put him down!"
"He should treat me with more respect! He knows we're together now and I don't act the same as a few years ago!"
"INUYASHA!"
"Oi, twerp, wanna see how hard that head of yours is?"
"INUYASHA SIT!"
He slammed into the ground with a rather loud crash, releasing Shippo. The kit just laughed and looked at his "mama" with amusement. Kagome just shook her head. Sometimes Inuyasha could be just so immature.
"He deserved it."
Inuyasha just muttered a few small curses into the dirt before getting up. Kagome picked up her kit and sat him down on her lap.
"Kagome? Inuyasha?"
She turned to see Rin at the doorway of her cottage, rubbing her eyes. Shippo beamed at the sight of the little girl and quickly hurried over to her. Rin grinned when she saw the kit and hugged him.
"Hi, Shippo!"
"Rin! How are you?"
"I'm good, how are you?"
"Tired," she laughed.
Kagome smiled weakly at the little girl and Rin winked back in return. She turned back to the hanyou, who was currently glaring at her and smiled at him. He gave a big grin in return. The two kids ran over to Kagome.
"Mama, can me and Rin go play by the river?"
"Um, I don't know. You haven't had breakfast yet."
"Oi," Inuyasha whispered in her ear. "Let them go play for a bit. We could use the time to spend some time together. We can eat later."
Kagome blushed lightly. She knew what he meant, but the kids didn't seem to hear or notice. She let out a sigh and nodded her consent. The kit and girl squealed happily and took off for the river.
"Hey, I will call you for breakfast! It will be in about an hour, okay kids?"
"Okay Mama!"
"Yes Kagome-chan!"
The two disappeared around a bend in the path. Kagome smirked when Inuyasha turned her around.
"Now," he purred. "How about some time?"
She began to giggle before her lips were claimed by his.
Rin and Shippo raced down the path giggling all the way. The river's roar filled their ears and they sped up once the river came into view.
"Hey Shippo, wanna make a sandcastle?"
"Yeah!"
For most of the hour they built a small sandcastle by the bank of the river. They gathered sticks, snail shells, and small plants to decorate the small castle. They told jokes the whole time and laughed so hard so often nearby villagers would gaze at them strangely.
"It's done!"
"It's awesome!"
Rin looked around and noted they had some more time before Kagome would call them in for breakfast.
"Shippo, lets play a game!"
"Huh? But Kagome will be calling us in shortly."
"But we have some time left! Cmon, it will be fun!"
"Okay," he smirked. "What do you want to play?"
"Hide in go seek! Can I hide first?"
"Sure. 1.. 2.. 3.."
Rin raced off down the bank of the river, being careful to keep quiet. She giggled when she ran into the woods, knowing it was safe. She jumped over small bushes and dodged branches. During her time with Lord Sesshomaru, she had learned how to fend for herself, so she was quite good at things such as this. Suddenly, she stopped dead almost in horror and awe. The grass in front of her was red. Blood. There was no mistaking that color. She looked up and saw the blood stains went up the hill, some areas having almost a small puddle. Rin got curious, so she followed the blood stains up the hill into the forest again. She was quiet, so not to scare the wounded creature. Rin stopped dead when she saw a limp figure under a bush.
"It's a person," she breathed.
She approached slowly and when she saw the figure clearly, she inhaled in surprise. It was a demon, or rather, a demoness. She was facedown, so she couldn't see her face. Rin walked up slowly to her but the figure didn't move. Rin nervously touched the demoness, who's skin was about the same temperature as ice. She didn't respond to the child's touch, so Rin carefully rolled her over so she could see her face. The demoness was utterly beautiful, no doubt about that, despite the dirt and blood. A flawless face with light green hair, silver markings, pale peach skin, and a slender but curvy figure.
"Hello?"
No response from the demoness. Rin examined the wounds on her chest and could see they were quite deep. She carefully pressed two fingers to the side of the pale throat and to her surprise she felt a heartbeat. The demoness was alive? But those wounds were so deep and harmful!
"She's still alive!"
She raised her hand over the mouth and with great relief found she was breathing, but faintly. Rin just had to check. She was completely aware she should attend to the wounds, but she had nothing with her! How could she help now?
"Rin! Where are you? It's time for breakfast!"
Rin jumped and looked behind her at Shippo's voice. She knew if he saw the demoness, he might tell someone who might kill her. She looked at the demoness's pale relaxed face.
"I won't tell anyone about you, I promise. I will be back. COMING SHIPPO!"
She quickly pushed the demoness more under the bush and took off to find Shippo before he came here. She ran down to the river and found the blood stains again and to her horror found him staring at them.
"Rin. Blood stains?"
"It was a wounded animal," she lied. "I found it. It's dead."
"Oh, but it smells a bit like a demon."
"It looks like it was killed by a demon."
"Oh," he said again. "Poor creature. What was it?"
"A horse."
He nodded in satisfaction and took her hand.
"Cmon, I'm starved!"
Rin stared off behind her as Shippo dragged her off. She promised herself she'd be back for the demoness. She was slightly surprised at herself. She should be afraid, she knew, but because of Sesshomaru and Inuyasha, although he was only a half demon, she had gotten used to demons and didn't fear them much. She only hoped when the demoness woke up, she'd be nice.
"Rin, Shippo."
She looked up to see Kagome and Inuyasha standing outside the cottage with smiles. She smiled in greeting, knowing she had to act as though nothing had happened.
"Hi."
"How did it go?"
"We built a sandcastle and played hide in go seek."
"Rin found a dead horse, too."
"She what?"
'No Shippo," Rin shouted angrily in her head.
"She found a dead horse in the woods."
"Oh, poor thing."
"Yeah."
Suddenly Rin was relieved he didn't mention the demon who had "killed" the "horse." Kagome and Inuyasha blew it off as though it was nothing and handed them their breakfast. Rin ate silently, savoring the fruit and noodles, before quickly getting up.
"Kagome, can I talk to you?"
Kagome followed her, chewing on a fruit, with a curious expression.
"What is it, Rin?"
"I need a herb but I don't know what it looks like. I think it helps you sleep."
"Having trouble sleeping," Kagome questioned.
"Hai."
"Would you like me to get the herb for you?"
"Yes, that would be great. I may know some herbs, but I didn't know that one."
"I will go get it for you right now. Want to come?"
"I was going to play more with Shippo."
"Okay."
Kagome left with a small basket after she quickly ate her fruit. Rin waited until she was out of sight. Shippo came up behind her.
"Uh, Rin, where is Mama going?"
"To gather herbs."
Without another word, he took off after her. Once the kit disappeared, Rin raced back inside. Inuyasha had left earlier to help a villager with building, so he wouldn't be back for awhile. Rin went through Kagome's herbs quickly. She found one that helps the wounds close quicker, one that relieves pain, and the last that makes sure the wounds don't get infected and helps them heal. She put them under her clothes and grabbed some bandages and a small little metal cup. She raced out of the cottage once she checked she had everything she needed.
She ran down to the river and along its bank, before racing up the hill back to the demoness. She arrived red faced and panting. To her relief, the demoness was still there, but she was still out. She nervously shook the demoness.
"Wake up."
No response yet again. She shook harder.
"Wake up!"
She swore she saw the demoness stir slightly, but didn't wake. Rin shook as hard as she could. She knew this probably wasn't the best thing to do to the demoness right now in her condition, but she couldn't stay out for much longer. She didn't know how long she'd been out either. However long, it might be dangerous now.
"WAKE UP, DEMONESS!"
Nothing. She got afraid that she was dead, so she rested her head on the demoness's chest. She felt the body's breathing lighten slightly and the body shifted. Rin froze and slowly looked up into wide sky blue eyes.