The group started to leave, and as they neared the exit a white orb stopped in front of them. In the blink of an eye Sesshomaru appeared before them, looking increasingly irritated. Jaken looked as though he had been trampled by a stampede of wild buffalo, and Rin ran towards Sesshomaru.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" The girl excitedly called, wrapping her arms around his legs. The man reached down, placing a hand on the back of the girl's head as she hugged him. He icily stared at Inuyasha and his group of humans who had come to a halt. Without a word Inuyasha stalked past him, concealing his grief with annoyance. The group slowly followed behind him, and Kagome tried to cheerfully say bye to Rin.
As Sesshomaru started to turn away, Rin clutched his pants.
"Wait! I don't want to leave the nice lady who help me!"
Pondering who she could be speaking of, Sesshomaru gazed down at the girl. Concern had twisted her features, and for the first time he noted that she smelled different. Leaning towards the girl, he discreetly took in the scent. No doubt about it.
"She's over there!" Rin pointed to a fallen pillar on the far side of the cave. The man had seen it earlier, but hadn't paid it any mind. Wavy red hair was piled on the ground beside it and he slowly started towards the woman. Jaken remained silent, probably due to his "punishment" for not protecting Rin. The child ran ahead of him and stared down at the woman who did not move.
"Nazoki-San!" Rin called down to the woman, who listlessly fixed her gaze on the girl. It was as if she wasn't looking at Rin at all. She didn't respond, or bother to focus her eyes, just peered in the girl's general direction. When Sesshomaru stood over her she gazed up at him, still silent.
Sesshomaru stared into the green eyes which had opened in a window of death below him. Rin seemed to like the woman, who had apparently helped her. The smell of hyena hung in the air as well as another animal, and his instincts cringed at the thought of her being one of the hyenas. The woman's smooth features were calm, and dazed. A small whimper escaped her lips, sounding similar that of a dog's whine, and one fang poked past her lips. She returned her gaze to the caved in ceiling, holding almost no emotion whatsoever. Rin peered up at Sesshomaru and tugged his pants.
"Can you help her?" She asked, and he glanced down at the girl.
A crushed body was not something he wanted her to see. She would have to leave for him to do anything for this woman. Turning to the oh-so-silent Jaken, he spoke.
"Take her to the entrance of the cave. This Sesshomaru needs privacy."
Jaken nodded, and grabbed Rin's hand.
"Come on, Rin. You heard him."
The girl glanced at Nazoki once more before obliging. Once the two were out of sight, Sesshomaru lifted the pillar from atop the woman. A low call of pain parted her lips, and he glanced at her. The man grabbed his Tenseiga and unsheathed the blade. He peered at the imps intending to take her soul and quickly sliced through them, as well as the woman.
It didn't take long for her to regain herself. Sesshomaru stared down at her coldly and she sat up, and examined her body. Without a word he started away, but the woman called after him.
"Wait! M'lord... I-"
Turning to face the woman, he stopped. Truthfully he had no interest in this sort of thing. Evidence pointed to one specific type of Youkai. From the fox tattoo on her right shoulder, to the smell in the air; she was undoubtedly a Kitsune. That was not a likable breed of Youkai. The woman pulled her legs under herself, and bowed as low as possible.
"I am greatly in debt to your kindhearted action... Please, allow me to assist you in some way... Be it travels, or battle."
Sesshomaru didn't respond. He had to think about this. She had saved Rin. Apparently risking her life in the process. Though he hated Kitsune, Rin had taken a liking to her. And the fact that the child had smelled of the woman. They had at least hugged, symbolizing that she had probably consoled the girl. Obviously she had done a better job of protecting Rin then Jaken. Which probably would be useful if he had to leave again. After peering at her Sesshomaru turned away.
Nazoki remained bowed until Sesshomaru left the cave. The woman leaned up and watched after him. He hadn't offered a response, or requested anything from her. Frowning in confusion, she shifted into a fox, and followed after him.
The group had started away by the time that the fox caught up with them. Sesshomaru knew it was the woman, and Jaken stared at the animal, frowning in confusion.
"Lord Sesshomaru, that wild animal-"
"It is the woman." The man stated not bothering to look at her again.
Upon hearing the words, surprise flickered across Rin's face.
"Really?" The girl asked, and Sesshomaru offered a slight nod. The fox had been walking behind them, but the girl turned and held her hand out.
"Nazoki-San!" She called, beaming a smile towards the woman. The fox increased it's pace and trotted to her side. Rin started to pet it's fur, looking as if nothing bad had happened at all. Sesshomaru couldn't help but glance at the child every now and again. At least she was having fun.