Rin woke as she was shaken roughly from her sleep. She was confused for a moment; what was going on? It wasn't even morning yet! She began to cough as she inhaled smoke that floated around her. Smoke? But looking out the window confirmed the source. To her horror, flames were licking at her windows like fingers seeking out something to grab. The castle was on fire? Suddenly she was snatched from her bed and placed on the floor roughly. She cried out before realizing it was only her mother, who was kneeling in front of her looking horrified. Hoshi grabbed Rin's shoulders. She was armed with her weapons hanging from her belt and at her back.

"Rin, we are under attack! Run with me and don't lose me!"

"Hai, Momma," Rin cried in a panic, immediately awake.

The demoness pulled out her sword from her belt and opening the door, peered out for a moment. Rin could now clearly hear the sounds of battle and the screams of the dying. She shivered in horror. What was happening? Why are we under attack? Hoshiko tore out of the room and like she promised, she ran after the demoness. For long moments there was only the sounds of their rapid footsteps when a creature leaped out of the shadows with a roar. Hoshiko plunged the sword into its chest and blood squirted down her arm from the wound. Rin cried out in horror.

"Keep running, Rin," Hoshi commanded as she chucked the body from the blade.

Rin took off without question. The demoness's footsteps sounded behind her. But her thought was, where is daddy? Where is Sesshomaru? Why isn't he here protecting me and momma? Another creature leaped at her and before she could cry out in alarm, Hoshi was there taking care of the monster. But before Hoshiko could remove the body from her blade Rin was tackled from behind. Rin screamed. The creature's talons found her shoulder and tore it open as the girl screamed in pain. She heard a loud curse from the demoness. The next thing she knew a blade had appeared through the black monster's chest and it fell limply from her. Hoshiko grabbed her hand and heaved her to her feet. Rin clutched her shoulder in pain. She saw several of the dark creatures lurking in the shadows behind her mother. Her gaze snapped to the bright blue eyes of her mother.

"Rin, RUN!"

Rin, clutching her shoulder, ran out of the castle with the demoness tailing her as she brought down the large group of demons behind them. She ignored the cries of the dying demons. There she saw the many corpses of servants and enemies littering the once perfect castle grounds. The grounds were completely torn apart and blood coated the ground like paint. She shed away from the sight. Hoshiko appeared at her shoulder, her sword wet with blood, and the look in her eyes wild.

"Are you okay?"

Rin winced as the demoness grabbed her and looked at the wound with a firm eye. But at the touch, she immediately sensed the difference. She wasn't handling her like she usually did, with a tender hand. This grip was more tight and hard. But the pain and grip was soon forgotten. Rin looked in horror as a large roar sounded through the battlefield like a loud horn in silence just as it tore from the burning garden like a monster from a horrifying dream. It had blood red eyes that glowed with hate and anger as it gazed upon them. Fog surrounded it like a dark gray cloak covering its black scales. It had a wild mane around its head but when she looked closer, it looked like a mane of snakes. She screamed. A creature from a nightmare. A true nightmare, this creature was. Hoshiko shoved her away as the creature screamed in fury, showing a mouth full of huge sharp teeth and slender poisonous fangs. It hissed angrily.

"RUN, RIN! GO!"

Rin didn't hesitate. She just wanted to get away from that monster! Her feet carried her away from it faster than she thought but she turned around just in time to see Hoshiko leap at the black snake her blade gleaming red in the night. The creature howled as the blade bit into its cheek but turned on the demoness snapping at her in fury. Rin heard her mother's pained scream as she fell heavily to the ground and she watched in horror as the creature lunged to finish her off.

"MOMMA," Rin screamed.

Rin woke with a scream as she clutched at her heart. She looked around her in horror but to find she was still in her room and the moon high in the sky. It was silent except for the crickets. She felt her forehead and found herself to be covered in a cold sweat. She trembled. She looked outside to find no flames and there was no smoke filtering in the air.

"It was a dream," she whispered to herself.

It had all been a nightmare. But her heart pounded in her chest like she had seen the scariest thing in her life. She remembered the monster and shuddered. That beast was the most horrible thing she had ever seen. Suddenly feeling very defenseless and afraid, she jumped out of her bed and ran toward the door. She wasn't going to be staying in here tonight!

Hoshiko rolled onto her side gazing at the full moon in the sky. She honestly wasn't feeling too tired. She sighed, rubbing her forehead. So much had happened today. First of all, she had almost kissed Sesshomaru! Again! But for some reason she felt at a loss. She had wanted to kiss him, honestly, and felt sad she had missed another opportunity. She could tell that Sesshomaru had wanted to kill Jaken. Then the flight with Rin and Sesshomaru in the clouds. She wondered how she hadn't felt embarrassed to see the demon lord especially since what had happened earlier that day. And he had nuzzled her! She wondered if Sesshomaru really was who people said he was. He was described as cold, cruel, and quiet. Never spoke his thoughts and kept to himself. What she saw was different. She definitely saw those traits in him but he was kind to her. He respected her. He protected her and was loyal to her. He hid a lot behind his ice cold mask. Hoshi froze as she heard her door creak open.

"Who would be coming in this late at night," she thought in question.

She listened carefully. She heard quiet sobs and nervous breathing with soft footsteps as the person approached her. She immediately smelled the tears. It was Rin. She stayed still and felt the large pad dip as the girl crawled in beside her. The little girl sniffled quietly and shifted to get comfortable. Hoshi remained quiet for another moment before rolling over, wrapping an arm around the child. Rin jumped in surprise.

"Are you alright, sweetheart," Hoshi whispered.

"Did I wake you," Rin gasped in return.

"No. I was already awake. Are you okay?"

Rin bit her lip to avoid crying but the tears came anyway. Without her consent she began to cry to the bafflement of Hoshiko. What was wrong? She rolled over so she was facing the demoness and cried into her neck, hugging her tightly. Hoshi immediately cuddled the child whispering comforting things into the child's ear. She waited until her pup calmed down enough.

"What happened, sweetie?"

"I had a nightmare," Rin hiccupped.

"Tell me about it, it always makes you feel better to tell someone."

"The castle was under attack and on fire," Rin whispered as she cried. "You were protecting me in the dream when a monster attacked us! You died protecting me from the monster!"

Hoshiko was silent at the last part. She died in Rin's nightmare? She pulled the child tightly to her and let Rin cry quietly into her chest. Rin felt her mother run soothing fingers through her hair gently and never had she been more grateful for her mother. She knew how to comfort her. Finally the tears ended and she was able to relax in the comforting embrace.

"This monster," Hoshi finally said. "What was it like?"

"It was a huge black monster. It was like a snake with a mane of snakes around its head. It had blood red eyes that looked at us with anger and hatred. When it screamed it was like a thousand dying people were screaming in pain!"

Hoshi froze at the description. That monster.. she knew what it was. Rin felt the demonesses body still and she looked up with teary eyes.

"Momma?"

"It's okay now," her mother said. "You are safe. I won't let anything happen to you. No monster will ever get you. Go to sleep."

Rin curled up tightly against the demoness and closed her eyes. She knew she was safe in her mother's arms. But as she drifted to sleep she missed the pained and worried expression on Hoshi's face as she stared at a dark corner of the room.

What Rin had described to her was the perfect image of a sea serpent demon.