A/N: Just want to say thank you to everyone who has been following this running story and all who have hopped aboard. Much appreciated!

Smoked

Rin paced back and forth on the brook's bank. One way, then the other. She wanted to keep her hands busy, but threading flowers right now just reminded her of funerals and with Kichiruka still out there…Rin squeezed her eyes and shook her head. And resumed pacing.

For his part, Jaken complained about his young ward's stupidity. Really how could she? A demon of all things! It was utterly deplorable, shattering Sesshomaru's efforts to provide the best for such an ungrateful human who had to make the lowliest of selections. It was all her fault. For that matter so were the dropping temperatures and darkening sky. But Rin ignored him. Somewhat. It was her fault. If she had just left Kichiruka in that net, or sent him on his way and not asked for anything, never wished for something more…Didn't Kichiruka still owe her a wish?

Rin lengthened her strides. Kichiruka and Lord Sesshomaru were taking a while. It was nearing nightfall, and while it didn't look like it was going to rain again – a few early evening stars blinked between clouds – the day's malaise lingered still.

Suddenly, the brook slushed with new arrivals. In a single bound, Sesshomaru sprang from the waters. All traces of a smile kicked clean from his visage, narrow eyes glowed in the twilight a deep and angry amber – his face was definitely "all there."

Less gracefully, Kichiruka hauled himself out. He smiled faintly Rin's way, but immediately attended to the dog-demon. Cautiously, he approached Sesshomaru. "Sir, if I may take the water from your…"

"You may take your leave," the daiyokai ordered.

Kichiruka straightened, struck by the curt response.

"Have you gone deaf?" Jaken harrumphed. "Lord Sesshomaru is granting you your life for an offense he would have killed you for but mere hours ago."

"Then I would like to appeal further to Lord Sesshomaru's magnanimity," Kichiruka said firmly, though he wished he didn't have to address the Western Lord's back. "Simply that you please might offer your approbation for—"

"You have a death wish then." Talons clicked on armor.

And Kichiruka didn't have time to reply. Closing the distance at blinding speed, Sesshomaru caught up the water-demon in a singular motion. Kichiruka hacked at the impact of the locking grip on his throat once more.

Rin's hand hovered over the green hilt at her side. Indecision unnerved her. She knew it was wrong, but it wasn't as if Sesshomaru were any more right. The daiyokai had only to twitch his fingers and he could easily tweak the life out of Kichiruka.

"Release him!"

Sesshomaru turned not at Rin's words, but at sound of a blade unsheathed. The same sword he'd given her he knew, without turning to see, was pointed at his back.

"You draw on me?"

Rin looked guiltily at the blade. But at the hiss of Kichiruka's desperate gasp she tightened her hold. She repeated her request. "Let him go."

"Make him leave." Sesshomaru allowed the order to hang in the cold air. "Rin, if you think I am going to offer my approval or give some sort of blessing, it will not come to pass."

"Why?"

A perked ear twitched. He expected her to understand the finality of his decision. Perhaps have to tolerate a bit of the rebellion attributed to her age, maybe a rejection of the idea, but ultimately acceptance. There was no why involved.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Rin said, forcing her voice not to quaver and the sword to stay steady. "You condemn unwarranted abhorrence and yet you harbor so much of your own. Tell me, what's wrong with Kichiruka? Was there any breach in honor? In spite of the day's accident, it looks like he's fully restored your lordship. Most would have exploited such a chance. If you need any further proof of his character, well, there it is for you! What else could possibly matter?"

In the fading daylight, Kichiruka's eyes took on their luminescent green reflection. The boy was yokai. As am I. And the relationship he sought with Rin would make a world of difference. And did it require any less affiliation with humans than Sesshomaru's own? Once marked, never un-inked, the proverb ran. Sesshomaru ground his fangs. He should just kill the prawn and be done with it.

And Rin probably would never forgive him to that extent.

The dog-demon tossed aside the obstacle in his path. Kichiruka's world spun for a second, then winked out of sight as he smacked headfirst into the earth. He was left oblivious to the soft hands that rushed to his side.

"Let's go – Rin, Jaken."

Sesshomaru whirled around, but didn't stride more than five paces when he realized no second light patter of feet echoed his. Without turning, he inclined his head in the opposite direction. "Rin?"

Rising into a firmly planted stance, the young woman lifted her chin in a challenge. "You said I had the choice between the world of humans that of yokai."

This again? Sesshomaru partially turned. "Do not put the words of that old priestess into my mouth."

"Fine, but she said!" Rin continued defiantly.

"She is dead, Rin."

"Then I am independent to make my own choice."

"No," Sesshomaru corrected. "You return to my keep."

"Who is to say?"

"This Sesshomaru wills it." The dog-demon's tone grew soft, dropping to a dangerous register. "If that prawn" – amber eyes flicked toward Kichiruka's motionless form – "does not want to return to the ocean I will dispose of him myself. Your objective is to return to the village until a suitable, human match is found."

His vision clearing, Kichiruka tenderly fingered his neck. If he were stronger – if I weren't some common yokai – he might've clung to consciousness. But perhaps were I human, none of this would be an issue. His eyes squeezed shut; he knew the real answer. It was just as he had told Sesshomaru earlier: I belong to no one. Not even Rin. If he had simply minded his own and understood that some creatures simply didn't have kin, then he wouldn't have taken like a grubby barnacle to this village…and driven a fissure through what family Rin had. Whatever Sesshomaru's prejudices, this was still the first man Rin held in highest regard, whose counsel she sought first, and in whose faith it wasn't Kichiruka's to destroy.

"He's right."

Rin spun around at the rasping words, shocked when Kichiruka cleared his voice and continued, "Go with him, Rin."

Staggering to his feet, the water-demon braced his arms to his sides and bowed deeply to Sesshomaru. "I apologize for – "

"You've done enough."

"…my inadequacies," the young demon finished, and made for the brook.

"Kichiruka, no." Rin latched onto his arm, sobbing into the navy sleeve and soaking it with tears and spittle.

Gently, he lifted her face and wiped away a stray tear. Kichiruka delicately licked his thumb clean of the wet saltiness. "You always did taste like home." Then, without further delay, he gingerly disentangled himself and disappeared into the brook.

.

A/N: Until further notice, Hookedwill now update on a weekly basis. But expect shorter chapters. But between now and next time, I'd like to provide an alternative ending found on a newly uploaded fanfic entitled Catch and Release. Other stories and "deleted scenes" will appear in Catch and Release as well. Thank you for reading!