RIN'S P.O.V

I opened my eyes to a strange place and sat up warily. I was aware of a slight ache in my abdomen, then remembered what had happened before I'd fainted. I looked around, but didn't see any sign of Sesshomaru.

'Kitsana, can you sense him anywhere?'

I asked hopeful, but sighed when I got her answer.

'No, there are too many scents I'm not familiar with to single his out. But I do sense the presence of a miko.'

That confused me, a human in a palace full of demons? That just made no sense.

'Can you lead me to where it is?'

I asked as I swung my legs over the side of the bed.

'Yes, but you should change first. It would seem like your kimono has been ruined.'

Kitsana said and I realized she was right. I sighed and looked around before seeing a light blue and white kimono sitting at the foot of the cot I had been laying on.

'Well, it seems like someone was expecting me to wake up soon.'

I thought as I quickly stripped and changed into the new kimono.

'Okay, let's go Kitsana.'

I said and she nodded before taking over my sense of smell and directing my body to follow the scent of honey and clovers.

I walked down a hall and turned a corner. No one was around so I just continued to follow the scent until I came to a pair of mahogany doors trimmed in gold. I stopped because the scent was strongest inside the room. Then I heard Sesshomaru's voice.

"This Sesshomaru thought you liked my half-breed brother."

He said, he sounded confused. I stopped and listened closely.

"I see you're still referring to yourself in third person."

A voice said, it was female, it was the miko. I leaned up against the door and listened closer. I heard someone sigh and the miko spoke again.

"For the longest time I thought I did, but lately I've realized I only see him as a friend. You are the one I love Sesshomaru, you are the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."

The miko said and I waited for any kind of response from Sesshomaru, but got none. Suddenly footsteps started coming towards the door and I backed up quickly and tried to get down the hall, but I had barely turned around by the time the doors opened to reveal Sesshomaru with an angry expression on his face.

"Wh-You're awake?"

He asked, the angry expression on his face replaced by surprise.

"Obviously."

I said crossing my arms.

"What are you doing here?"

He asked and I sighed.

"I woke up to a strange place and you weren't around, I tried finding your scent, but there were too many scents I didn't know to single yours out, but then my beast found the scent of a miko and I followed and here I am."

I said as I leaned against the wall.

"Sesshomaru? What is it?"

A voice asked from within the room and I looked past Sesshomaru to see a woman about four years older than me with cerulean blue eyes, and midnight black hair flowing about her well developed form down to her waist. She was in a short white and green kimono. She was definitely weird for a miko.

"Oh, who are you?"

The miko asked and I looked her in the eyes.

"You know, if you're going to ask questions like that you should introduce yourself first."

I said and she blushed before walking forward till she was standing next to Sesshomaru.

"I'm sorry. My name is Kagome Higurashi, it's nice to meet you….."

She trailed off and I smiled up at her.

"Rin."

I said and she smiled in return.

"It's nice to meet you Rin."

She said and I nodded.

"Likewise. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt anything."

I said hiding my smile as both Kagome and Sesshomaru blushed.

"What did you hear?"

Sesshomaru asked and I played innocent.

"Nothing, I had just gotten to the door when you opened them."

I said and Sesshomaru glared at me. I knew he could tell I was lying, but I didn't really care. I wanted to talk to him. One, to thank him for saving me, and two, to ask him why.

"Jaken!"

Sesshomaru yelled and a green imp stumbled down the hallway and bowed low at Sesshomaru's feet.

"Yes M'lord?"

The imp asked and Sesshomaru looked from me to him.

"Take Rin to my study, I will be there shortly."

He said looking at me and I nodded. Jaken nodded and quickly started to lead me down the hallway. I smiled at the two before silently following after the imp.

KAGOME'S P.O.V

I could feel the presence of the demon within Rin as she followed Jaken down the hallway. Once they were both gone I turned to look up at Sesshomaru surprised.

"Who was that?"

I asked and he sighed before closing the doors of his room, giving us privacy again.

"She is a fox demon I saved from a crowd of angered villagers who were going to kill her."

He said and I couldn't help but smile at him. He had changed so much from the cold-hearted killer he used to be. He was still a force to be reckoned with, but now he was kinder, more passionate.

"Well that was sweet of you. Think about what I said Sesshy, I'll see you later."

I said as I got up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek, then I left and headed down to the hall back to my bedroom. Once inside Sango and Miroku looked at me curiously and I just shook my head.

"What happened?"

Sango asked coming over to me.

"We got interrupted by a young fox demon."

I said as Shippo jumped into my lap.

"Another fox demon? Who is it mama?"

He asked and I smiled down at him.

"Her name is Rin, but she is actually quite a few years older than you sweetie."

I said and he frowned a little, before his curiosity had him smiling again.

"How old is she mama?"

He asked and I thought a minute about the young black and red haired girl I saw. If I had to guess I'd say around eighteen.

"She looks to be about sixteen."

I said and Shippo nodded before snuggling up to me and closing his eyes. I smiled and picked him up. I laid down on the bed and set him down beside me.

"Well we'll be going to bed now Kagome, come get us if you need anything."

Miroku said as he pulled Sango out of the room.

I looked around and noticed that Inuyasha was nowhere to be seen. Ever since he found out the real reason why I asked to come here he's been avoiding me. I sighed before closing my eyes.

SESSHOMARU'S P.O.V

"What is it that you wanted to seek me out for Rin?"

I asked looking at the young fox who sat across from me. She turned her gaze from outside the window to me.

"I wanted to thank you for saving me."

She said, but I could tell there was more to it than just that.

"But…."

I said and she sighed.

"Why did you save me? I'm a complete stranger to you, why help me?"

She asked and I sighed to myself, I had been trying to find that out myself.

"I suppose it just seemed like the thing to do at the time. I can't stand humans, and humans that think they can attack demons annoy me."

I said honestly and she looked at me confused.

"Then what about the miko, Kagome?"

She asked, I knew she'd ask about her.

"How much of our conversation did you really hear earlier?"

I asked and she sighed.

"I heard her confess to you, then you opened the doors. That's all, I swear."

She said and I nodded when I smelled no lies coming from her. Silence followed and she looked me in the eyes.

"So, how do you feel about her? Kagome I mean?"

She asked and I sighed.

"That's what I thought. You should tell her."

Rin said and I felt a smile tugging at my mouth.

'This child is smart.'

'Yes, but she is still young.'

I silently agreed with my beast. She was young, and from the looks of her village it seems like she is alone in the world.

"Rin, how would you like to stay here?"

I asked and she looked at me in surprise.

"But why? You don't know me. Why would you offer me a place with you?"

She asked and I smiled warmly at her.

"Because, if you go back to that village they will try to kill you again. But if you stay here you will be safe, and I can help train you in swordplay as well as with your beast."

I said and I saw her thinking it over. After a while Rin smiled.

"Sure, why not."