Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 3

Guardian

-Ouch!

Kagome sighed.

-Come on, Inuyasha. You have to remain still so I can treat that lip.

He huffed and his ears moved down when she touched his bloodied lip in an attempt to clean it. She looked at him really annoyed.

-You want that wound cleaned or not? I'm not going to kiss bloodied lips, you know.

His eyes sparkled with mischief.

-If I stay still, will I have a reward, Kagome?

She rolled her eyes.

-Is that all you think about, you horny dog?

He grinned, showing his fangs.

-I didn't ask for sex, mate. You are the one thinking dirty. Can't I want only a kiss from ya?

She blushed. He could be awkwardly cute in the most random subjects. She finished cleaning his wound and looked at him satisfied. Tomorrow morning it would be gone like nothing ever happened. They laid back in their futon.

-What did you tell Sesshomaru to deserve a punch like that?

He muttered a "keh" and smiled sadly at Kagome. She frowned and rested her head in his chest, savoring every steady beat of his heart. He caressed her face lovingly.

-He told me he came here because of Rin.

She looked up at him.

-Really? No business, just her?

He sighed.

-I don't know, Kagome…he just said that he was here for her.

Kagome saddened at Inuyasha's tone. He closed his eyes.

-I'm worried. Can't ya feel the tension in the air? Something big is gonna happen.

She closed her eyes too.

-Something for the best, I hope.

*Dream*

-Sesshomaru…

That sweet and so familiar voice kept whispering his name but he couldn't find the source. The same place again. It was late at night and he was near a hot spring. The reflex of the water in the rocks and the moonlight really gave the place beauty. It was surrounded by tall trees. He has been in so many places but he couldn't recall this one. He heard a feminine scream.

*End Dream*

He awoke from his troubled sleep.

It is the third time I have this dream and it always ends like this! What is going on?

He rubbed his eyes and got up. He didn't feel like sleeping anyway. He looked at the village. He felt the need to make sure she was okay. She wouldn't mind, right? Besides she must be already sleeping. He concealed his aura and moved silently towards her hut. He opened her window slowly and there, laid in her futon, was her elegant form sleeping. He soon found himself staring at her slightly parted full lips and he imagined what it would be like to kiss them. He almost slapped himself. What the hell was he thinking? He felt disgusted. As enticing as Rin was now she was still his ward and human! It was just wrong and against everything he believed in. There was a little and extremely irritating voice from the depths of his soul saying.

Isn't what is wrong sometimes the most exciting? We know it better than anyone, don't we? Don't you want to have a little taste?

He narrowed his eyes and shook his head. Oh, he knew what the beast in him was trying to do and he wouldn't allow it ever! With a last concerned glance at her he turned and walked away. He sniffed the air around him scenting some lowly demons. Probably curious about why the great lord of the West was in a human village, no less. He growled his threat and they backed away immediately, not wanting to infuriate him more than he already was. He laid down beneath what seemed to be his favorite tree since he arrived here and touched Bakusaiga seeking some comfort. It was Tenseiga that pulsed to his surprise.

Protect. It whispered in his father's voice and his heart increased its pace.

-That old fool…

He muttered, unsheathing Tenseiga to have a better look. It looked like a formidable blade and it was hard to believe that it couldn't do a single scratch to any living being. Useless he had thought. And it remained useless for his purposes and personal goals.

Yet it still gave me…her.

The big innocent brown eyes, delicate nose, shaped eyebrows, shining brown hair, quivering lips. Her!

He wanted to curse his old man's name for all eternity for giving him her. He felt betrayed and his life violated. It began when they locked eyes for the first time. The only one that clenched his heart when she looked up at him with fear in those eyes. He could already feel the change in him all over again. Ten slow and painful years away with her and he was himself again. A few hours just being surrounded by her presence melted the ice and made him purr like a satisfied cat. He sighed in defeat and shame.

This is the only thing this Sesshomaru will deny you, father.

Tenseiga silenced the steady pulse emanating from it and laid in his hands lifelessly as if scolding him. Sesshomaru smiled bitterly and sheathed it, planning on staying like that for some time.

The servant bent down and peeked through the door. The lord was reading some papers and talking incoherent words to himself as if trying to reassure that everything was alright. She frowned when she noticed that the general was in the room too. She adjusted her hearing and prayed that she wouldn't get caught.

-My lord, the dogs are breaking through our defenses. They will reach the villages and then the palace in a matter of weeks! What shall we do?

Akio groaned and caressed his blond, long hair with a tanned hand. That damned dog, Sesshomaru, wasn't kidding when he claimed death to the Eastern Lands. He regretted not have thought a bit more before breaking his oath. He looked at his general who was trying to hide his distress but failing miserably. He took a deep breath.

-We are not defeated yet! Send reinforcements to the front lines and inform our allies.

The general nodded but some moments passed and he was still standing there. Annoyed, Akio glared at him.

-What are doing still standing there?

The general looked a bit nervous and seemed to hold something behind his back. Akio peeked, suddenly curious and demanded to know what he was hiding.

The general placed a scroll in his lord's desk. Akio quirked an eyebrow but opened it anyway. He started to read it and his interest grew as he continued.

"…there have been rumors of Lord Sesshomaru having a human ward whom he seems to care deeply about. She is completely defenseless but lives in a village guarded by the hanyou, Inuyasha, Lord Sesshomaru's younger half brother. "

A devilish smile graced Akio's soft lips. Oh yes, it looks like the tables are turned.

He looked at his general very pleased. He handed him the scroll back.

-Take it to our allies. Spread the news. I want that human girl in my dungeons by the end of the week.

The general bowed and hurried to fulfill his lord's request. The servant got up quickly and ran, hoping they did not realize she was peeking.

A human girl? He wants to kidnap an innocent human girl for the sake of war?

She bit her lip. No she could not let this happen.

Shippo was sitting at a considerable distance away from the stoic demon lord who appeared to be asleep. Shippo knew better. He knew that Sesshomaru was wide awake and aware. The little kit had arrived with Miroku, Sango and Kohaku from their trip to the demon slayer's village. He wasn't expecting at all finding Inuyasha's older brother here. He gulped when Sesshomaru's eyes opened and pierced into his eyes with such coldness that would freeze Hell.

-Kitsune.

Shippo gulped but tried to stand his ground.

-Y-yeah?

Sesshomaru raised an elegant eyebrow.

-Why are you staring at this Sesshomaru?

Taking a deep breath and puffing out his chest he bravely replied.

-I was merely wondering the reason why you are here, my lord.

The demon lord hummed his satisfaction with the kitsune's choice of words. Unlike his pathetic half brother, even this young one had better manners.

-It is not of your concern. Go back to your business.

Shippo sighed. He was expecting that answer already. So he turned around and headed to the village.

-Kohaku-kun!

Kohaku blushed violently when lovely Rin launched herself into his arms. Having grown up together resulted in their unbreakable friendship and the inevitable blossoming feelings the young man has for her. He buried his face in her silky hair and inhaled, relishing in her sweet scent.

Kami, how I missed her…

When they found the will to part he was breathing heavily. His scarlet face making him adorable and his eyes shined with pure and raw love.

Rin then hugged Sango and Miroku and chatted with them. She told them how much they were missed and people were happy that they have returned safe and sound. She searched with her eyes when she noted that someone was missing.

-Where is Shippo?

Miroku frowned and looked behind him and Sango. He shrugged at Rin a bit worried.

-Strange, he was right behind us.

Rin felt her heart speed up and thought about all the possibilities of what could have happened. She cringed and hoped for the best.

Just when they were decided to go look for the troublesome kitsune he appeared between some bushes and grinned at Rin when he saw her. He had grown a bit but was still small enough to jump in people's shoulders and laps. He nuzzled Rin's cheek and hugged her.

-I missed you, Rin-chan.

Rin sighed happily and relived. Shippo was such a good friend to her.

And so cute too!

She made a little squealing sound and hugged Shippo tighter. She had missed him also. Between gasps and muffled grunts Shippo bit out.

-Rin-chan…you're…suffocating…me!

She gasped horrified and let him go at once. He fell back and rubbed his butt.

-Geez, thanks…

She giggled and Kohaku smiled lovingly. She was just perfect in his eyes. No woman enticed him more than her. Miroku asked.

-Why did you fall behind, Shippo?

Suddenly the little kitsune stiffened something that didn't go unnoticed by the group and they got closer to him.

-Well, I…saw something strange really.

Miroku and Sango looked at each other confused and raised their eyebrows at Shippo. He smiled weakly.

-Lord Sesshomaru was sitting near a tree not far from here. In fact it was just outside the entrance to the village.

Everybody stood there in silent shock. Everybody, except Rin. She just let out a frustrated sigh. She really didn't want to talk about her unrequited love guarding her or the reasons why he was here. She smiled bitterly still replaying his words and the indifference that never wore off from his expression.

Better move on…who am I kidding? As if he would ever think of me as something else…

-Rin-chan?

Kohaku was worried with the disturbing silence from Rin. Whenever her lord was mentioned she would always grin excitedly and praise him. This was rather unusual. She broke from her stupor when she felt his hand on her shoulder. It was nice. The comforting gesture made her feel that she would always have someone that cared for what she felt and stood for her. She smiled for the demon slayer and removed his hand from her shoulder gently, giving it a pat before letting go. She crouched down and looked into Shippo's eyes.

-Did he say something to you, Shippo?

He nodded.

-Well, at first he asked me why I was staring at him…I replied that I wanted to know the reason why he was here and he just said that it was none of my concern. Knowing him I just let it go.

Rin absorbed all of this calmly and patted Shippo's head with an honest smile.

-Thank you, Shippo. You guys go ahead. I'm sure Inuyasha-kun and Kagome-chan are looking forward to see you again.

They all nodded and went to greet everyone. Kohaku was reluctant to leave Rin alone but complied anyway.

Rin looked at the dense forest and felt the morning breeze caress her cheeks lazily. She closed her eyes and with her human nose she easily caught his masculine and pleasant scent that always brought that feeling of safety like no other. She followed it and found him the way Shippo described.

His eyes were closed and she noticed that he almost looked angelic; an innocent and delicate creature that never stole a soul from this world. But she knew behind all that beauty the monster everyone called him lurked in the depths of his being. Once again he opened his eyes slowly and gazed at her nervous and pathetic form.

-Rin.

She reluctantly met his eyes.

-Lord Sesshomaru…do you…do you want to join us in the village? I know you hate that place but…you hate loneliness too…

He narrowed his eyes.

-This Sesshomaru is not lonely.

She sighed. She felt really stupid now that she got her answer. Looking at her lord, sitting with his arm resting on his raised knee and mokomoko wrapped around him, she remembered those times when she travelled with a demon lord, a squeaking toad and a two headed dragon. She smiled and boldly took a seat next to him. He looked at her in a funny way. A mixture of shock and curiosity in his eyes.

She then did the most unexpected thing. She leaned on his shoulder, getting closer to him. He opened his mouth to object but she cut him off saying in a pleading and desperate tone that made his beast howl.

-This Rin is lonely.

He silently allowed her to touch him and she felt in heaven. That safety and comfort only his presence could provide her engulfed her completely.

Lord Sesshomaru…my guardian is back.