Dedicated to , I got worried last time you reviewed because your name wasn't in blue and I was like uh oh!

It had been a week since Sesshomaru had met his scattered company of guards. Even though the event that shadowed them had been terrible and terrifying, the week was wonderful. The children ate more and lost some of the skinniness on them and kagome's arm was healing very well thanks to her miko powers. She was currently resting in her room while Sesshomaru had the children with him.

It was five in the afternoon and he figured the children should be getting tired soon enough.

Boy, was he wrong.

"Sesshomaru-sama! Can we go riding now!?" Rin begged. She had a fistful of his sleeve in her small chubby hands and was looking up at him with those beautiful eyes. Sesshomaru sighed.

Shippo was trying to act calm and hide his excitement about riding. He remembered Inuyasha going through that stage also… hiding his feelings behind a cold façade. Only Sesshomaru had kept his up.

"Alright, this Sesshomaru supposes. But we won't ride for long. And you must listen to everything this one tells you. Understood?" he consented. Rin immediately started pouncing up and down. Shippo couldn't keep the wide grin off his face.

"Hai, Sesshomaru-sama! YAY!" Rin yelled happily. Sesshomaru was pleased that her eyes did not hold the same terror and sadness that they had held when she found out that the father she had almost forgotten was dead.

Sesshomaru felt the corners of his mouth turn upwards as he led the excited children to the stables.

"Saddle three horses. Make sure the children have the gentlest of horses." Sesshomaru instructed the grooms.

"Hai, my lord!" they bowed and ran off to bring out the horses.

"Sango." He called out. Rin's nurse stepped forward with a small bow.

"Fetch Rin a set of trousers. She cannot ride in a skirt and this Sesshomaru has no wish to teach her side saddle today." Sesshomaru waved the woman off. Sango shook her head and ran off to find the trousers.

A lady wearing a pair of trousers?! Scandals at best. Thank goodness Rin is only a small child, ne?

Rin's smile lite up the stables as she skipped around looking in each stall. Shippo stood close to Sesshomaru, leaning slightly on him. Sesshomaru unconsciously slipped his hand on the kitsun's shoulder, holding him closer.

Two ponies and a mare was led out to them, fully groomed and tacked. The children's eyes widened in excitement. Shippo broke away from him and cautiously moved closer to the dark brown pony.

"Hold on. Let's go over some ground rules. First off, you will always wear helmets when riding horses. Understand?" the children nodded excitedly. Thankfully Sesshomaru spotted Miroku walking towards them with two helmets.

"Second, do not dart about your horse. You could scare it and it will kick you. You may not get on your horse until this Sesshomaru or a groom checks the tack over to make sure it's safe for you." The children were getting impatient he noted.

"Do not wander off when we ride, understand? That's very important." Sesshomaru strode over to the first pony and checked the girth. He tightened it then beckoned Shippo over to him just as Sango reappeared with Rin's trousers. The girl raced off to the stable bathrooms to change quickly into the outfit.

Sesshomaru motioned for Shippo to climb up into the saddle and the boy did so immediately. Sesshomaru had his hands ready to catch the boy if he was not able to get in the saddle. He was pleased to watch the boy swing his leg like a pro over the horse's rump and fit it in the stirrups.

"Good job, pup." Sesshomaru said. Then paused. Had he just called Shippo his pup? No it could not be that. Why would he ever call Shippo his own pup….although he was growing attached to the child?

Just then Rin tore out of the tack room and flew over to Sesshomaru. Shippo's pony gave a start and backed up with a whinny.

"Rin! Halt!" Sesshomaru commanded. Shippo thought quickly and backed his horse away and turned its head to face away from the excited girl. He stopped his horse and looked to Sesshomaru for approval.

"Shippo. This Sesshomaru thought you had never rode a horse before?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I haven't…Miroku-san told me what to do before. He told me a lot about horses! Did I do that okay?" Shippo asked. He chewed on his lip, a habit picked up from his mother.

"Stop chewing on your lip. Yes you did very well. Just wait there though while Rin gets on her horse. And you forgot your helmet, Shippo." Sesshomaru handed Shippo the helmet and held the reigns as the boy slipped his helmet on.

He nodded satisfied that the helmet was on properly before turning his attention to Rin. He looked down at the child who smiled brightly at him with her arms stretched up to him.

A off white button blouse tucked into her trousers and a pair of cowhide boots. Her black hair pulled back in two piggy tails. She was adorable. Ssesshomaru's heart melted slowly with each of her smiles. He knelt and gently placed her helmet on her head and carefully buckled it. He tapped the top before lifting her and setting her on her horse.

"Are you sure you can handle the horse on your own, Rin?" he asked concerned that she would fall and get hurt.

"Yes!" she enthusiastically giggled.

"This Sesshomaru wants you both to circle the corral and prove to this one you can do it before we go on a trail ride." He ordered. Shippo nodded and started off.

"Um…how does Rin get the horse to go?" Rin asked sweetly after a moment.

Sesshomaru actually laughed, forgetting about the grooms and Sango and Miroku.

Hope you guys remember that I start the next chapter as soon as I get one review. so here you go!