Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Scientific Method

Chapter 22

Sesshomaru-sama returned to the Castle only a few nights ago. It had been a surprise for Rin to see him in the company of Kagome, the miko who traveled with Inuyasha, but she did not complain. It was nice to have someone to talk to -apart from the usual- and in her case, a human, was an odd guest in this residence.

She tried her best to get near Kagome to talk, but Jakuen, Jaken's oldest son, was always in the way to prevent her from reaching her goal. He was more yellow than green and was a few inches shorter than his father. The toad always said to leave the miko alone because she was busy with a task Sesshomaru had given her. Rin knew Kagome was busy, she was currently in a house arrest and they had her talking and writing almost all day. Why? That she didn't know.

At first she decided to act like a lady her age would: she spent the day playing and picking flowers and waiting politely until Kagome was unoccupied. However, so far that hadn't happened yet. The miko was always occupied.

The miko's sad and angry face were Rin's motivation. She had let the matter go, but when she realized Kagome was miserable with where she was and what she was doing the young girl finally dared to interrupt. Jakuen had been livid as he ushered her away but her brown eyes found relief and gratitude in Kagome's. The woman was pleading her for help.

Rin vowed to help her new guest as soon as she could.

The young girl went to find Sesshomaru, but he wasn't in the castle. It was a good and a bad thing at the same time. She had hoped to talk Sesshomaru into letting Kagome play with her, but now that he wasn't here nor was Jaken…Jakuen wouldn't be able to tell on her. He wouldnt dare.

Get Kagome out by any means necessary, that what the best-laid out plan she could make as of now. It was easy and promised fast results. No one would dare raise a hand or voice against her. They were too afraid to. She was Rin. It was funny to think her name caused almost the same fear Sesshomaru's did among the Castle servants.

Rin began to design her plan.

Rin wasn't allowed at the room they had Kagome in, so it was best to wait until dinner was served or until night had fallen. That was the safest place.

They were going to escape to the nearer village, mentally set Rin. Ah-Un will gladly take them for he obeyed Rin most of the time.

Wheels machining in her head Rin listed a few things she needed to do in order for everything to work. After some consideration she walked to Kagome's guest room. She was going to pack Kagome's belongings in a bag, then take it to her room and pack a few of her own things. Then she was going to feed Ah-Un so he would be more inclined to help her later.

Mind firmly organized, she pushed the door of Kagome's room open. She scanned the room and easily noted there weren't too many things. Only Kagome's yellow bag was there, so Rin moved to take it. The bag was heavier than she had thought so, she decided to open it. After a quick glance she decided Kagome had too many books and left most of them by her futon. They wouldn't need books, reasoned Rin, they needed food, clothes, water and weapons. After fixing the bag and organizing the stuff inside to make space for her own, she noticed a small book sitting next to Kagome's futon. Curiously she grabbed it and opened. Fresh scripts were there…and she instantly knew Kagome had written it. She passed the pages until she reached the last one…and then she frowned. It read:

Plans to make Inuyasha fall in love with me:

Stop trying to act, be like Kikyo.

Train and become stronger.

Make him lots of ramen for dinner.

Try some make-up.

Surprise him with a kiss to the lips.

Tell him I love him.

Plans to take my revenge on Sesshomaru:

Not tell him any more information.

Show him no fear.

Tell everyone his XXX is small.

Rin eyes almost bugged out of her eyes as she read the things Kagome had last written. Why did Kagome want to take revenge on Sesshomaru-sama? And, why did she want Inuyasha to fall in love with her? Sesshomaru was more handsome, stronger and a Lord. This just didn't make sense to the eleven-years old. Angry at what was being written Rin fiddle with Kagome's things until she found something that could write. As soon as she did she stroke through the names in the notepad and switched them. Where the name Inuyasha was she wrote Sesshomaru and vice versa.

Still upset with what Kagome thought, but determined to help her anyways, she took the bag and went to her room, and went complete her list of to-do-things before dinner time arrived.

Rin and Kagome had dinner that night. It was silent as usual, but with Jaken's older son watching, they didn't feel like talking or gossiping. Rin had enough of Jakuen's petty prejudices against Kagome, probably a trait inherited by his father.

"Kagome-sama, Rin wants to show you Ah-Un. He's a dragon, but he's very nice and pretty," said Rin in the happiest tone she could muster.

Kagome's stopped eating for a moment and glanced at Rin, then she was going to glance at Jakuen but Rin stopped her.

"Jakuen will not stop you. Rin has permission to visit Ah-Un," said Rin confidently, "And Rin will only go if Kagome-sama goes.

Kagome watched and heard Jakuen mutter some things, but failing to hear a denial, she shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head with a clear, "Sure, Rin."

"Climb up, Kagome-sama," prompted Rin atop the dragon saddle. She was holding onto Kagome's yellow back-pack.

Kagome frowned uncertainly, "I don't think this is a good idea," the miko said as she fidgeted where she stood.

Rin smiled wider, "Don't you want to go back to Inuyasha-sama?" asked the young girl knowingly.

Kagome looked up with a start, but still fidgeted, "Sesshomaru will be angry. I don't want him to hurt Inuyasha."

Rin frowned at Kagome's defeated stance, "Do you fear Sesshomaru-sama? Do you agree with him?" asked Rin carefully, "Rin is helping you because Rin thought you were unhappy. If that's not the case, then we can stay. Rin is happy here."

Before Rin could climb down Ah-Un Kagome was quickly climbing up. Rin watched Kagome, her face was scrunched down with worry, but as soon as the older miko sat behind Rin, her face flashed with joy. It was as if a great weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.

"Well, here we go!" sang Rin as she motioned Ah-Un forward.

The trip was not a long one. The village was a few minutes away, but their trip was cut shorter still. Sesshomaru had arrived.

Ah-Un had crawled on the forest floor silently. He dare not move since Sesshomaru had taken his charges, Rin and Kagome, from him.

Both girls were diagonal to each other with Sesshomaru standing between them. At one side, sobbed Kagome and at the other trembled Rin.

"What is the meaning of this?" the taiyoukai asked with a deadly tone. His eyes had a pink hue to them due to his anger. None of the girl answered and so Sesshomaru moved closer to Kagome. He stood in front of her and a low growl escaped him, "I thought you were a smart woman," he hissed angrily.

Kagome's sobs increased and she doubled into herself, hiding her face with her hands, in order to protect her body from his wrath. She was too afraid to say anything.

"Answer me," growled Sesshomaru again, this time kneeling down in front of Kagome, "How dare you make Rin do this? You endangered my ward's life!" After the only thing he earned from her was a frightened scream and an attempt to distance her body from him, he extended his arms and brought her close to him. She was pressed against his chest with one of his arms holding her waist close to him, and his other hand was making her look up at him. "Miko."

"Stop!" cried Rin as she came to her feet and raced towards Sesshomaru. She jumped on his back and held the hand that was putting pressure on Kagome's chin, "Kagome-sama did nothing! Rin made her come! Rin made her come! It was Rin!"

Sesshomaru froze at Rin's light weight atop of him and her little hand over his. The protection Rin was giving this other human far exceeded the normal one she had exhibited before; she was treating this woman as family. So, he released the miko, who instantly fell to the ground sobbing, and softly placed Rin on the ground. Rin looked up with fear, but to her surprise she found clear golden eyes staring down at her.

"Sesshomaru-sama," Rin whispered guiltily with a downfallen face, "Rin is sorry."

"You did this, Rin?" he asked evenly.

"No," whispered Kagome, too scared still to talk louder, "It was my fault Sesshomaru-sama…this was crazy."

"It was Rin's idea," Rin stated firmly.

Rin wasn't expecting the hard slap that hit her cheek or the burning tears that instantly fell down. Her mouth opened in a silent gasp and at that moment, her legs betrayed her and she fell to the floor in a sitting position. Her teary brown eyes looked up at Sesshomaru for some sort of explanation.

"As a member of the leading Western Lands household, you should learn your place," he told her evenly, "My ward will never disobey me nor will she put her life in danger foolishly, for no one." His golden eyes bore onto her until she nodded her head obediently.

Sesshomaru then took her on his arm and nuzzled her head in apology and set her on Ah-Un's saddle. He went to collect the miko and placed her behind Rin. He watched as Kagome quickly hugged Rin close to her chest and began to whisper reassurances on the younger girl ear. Rin's body twitched with the strength of her sobs.

The taiyoukai ignored the sobs, sadness and tears of his ward as he took Ah-Un's reins and began to walk back to the Western Castle.

They've all learned a cruel lesson today. He learned his ward was feeling lonely, to the point where she disobeyed him. He had been too harsh on the miko who had accepted a crazy plan like this in order to escape him. He too learned, the same harsh way as Rin did, that sometimes a father's love could be hard and painful as well.

Love and caring had strange ways sometimes.

TBC

AN: Thanks for the reviews! Long chap! Merry Christmas!