Authors note: I'm so excited to see so many reviews! I finally figured out how to change the settings so that ALL reviews will be automatically approved, even for anonymous guests. :D Thank you thank you thank you! I LOVE reviews. It motivates me. If you've read a chapter, leave me a little note saying how it made you feel! It truly helps me.

To me, Sesshomaru is one of those deeply complex characters. The kind of agonized soul that I LOVE to peer into. Maybe sometime I'll delve into his history and whatever pain created the emotionless mask that he employs as a form of self protection. But for now we will continue.

Yes I definitely plan for this to be a long term ongoing story. As long as I can keep myself motivated and inspired enough to continue. As one reviewer said, there is SO much unexplored time with Sesshomaru, Rin and Jaken. So much untapped potential. *happy sigh*

Chapter 4 - Fortune's Smile

Time seemed to pass differently now, with Rin joining their odd traveling band. Formerly, time was an enigma, passing somewhere beyond what Sesshomaru could comprehend. Aging neither affected him or Jaken, so it was superfluous to consider. Even InuYasha, in his very distant disdainful connection to Sesshomaru, did not truly age as humans did. So perhaps, his view on time had been skewed all these ages.

With Rin present, the passage of time was always a constant thought at the back of his mind. Like a shadow, reminding him that not everything in his life was ageless, now. Sesshomaru half expected to turn around and find Rin stooped with grayed hair, yet anytime he spared a glance, she remained largely the same. Though, there was the most infinitesimal evidence that she was growing. Having regular meals helped, instead of looking sunken and sallow, her cheeks grew full and her body grew strong.

The first few days of the trio traveling together, were strained, though Rin didn't seem to notice the tension. Sesshomaru kept himself distant, relegating Rin's daily care to Jaken in a wordless command. Jaken didn't seem terribly thrilled with the idea, but gradually came to accept that the human girl would not be leaving their party any time soon. Once he accepted it, he began teaching Rin things about the world that he deemed important. Perhaps not things that Sesshomaru would have agreed were important, but he occupied a significant portion of her time nonetheless. Things such as "these plants are edible", or "you must always worship Lord Sesshomaru and his great power" and "have I told you about the time that Lord Sesshomaru slaughtered a hundred demons in one stroke?".

As it turned out, Rin had an immensely compassionate heart, which she channeled into many facets of their small circle. One being caring for A-un. She would brush him, pet him, bring him to the sweetest spots for fresh grass and water. Often she picked flowers and made crowns or necklaces for the beast. Perhaps the two headed dragon didn't fully comprehend the actions, but he stood silently with her and allowed her to do whatever she wished.

After a few days of calm wandering, with no specific goal in mind, Sesshomaru finally decided that they were cohesive enough a group for him to venture out of the safely neutral territory they'd been lingering in. The yokai lord had one very stern discussion with Rin, reminding her that she had to obey any commands that he gave in an instant. She agreed with earnest delight, stating that she would obey anything he told her. He had little reason to doubt her, she had obeyed him without question thus far. Except for when he told her not to bring him human food — of course. But he considered that an entirely different, and forgiven, circumstance.

Though the world had been silent around them, Sesshomaru sensed that something significant had occurred since their time in seclusion at the base of the mountain. Intent to discover what he had missed, the yokai led his followers down from the mountainous area, and toward the Musashi Province. The closer they drew to human society, the more intense the feeling became. Something, had changed.

It was a week or more, after Rin had joined their party, that Sesshomaru caught the briefest scent of InuYasha once again. The moon had just presented itself that night, hovering low on the horizon. The great yokai paused, silent, eyes closed as he lifted his nose to the wind. His eyebrows pulled together a fraction, as he assessed the familiar, yet strangely different scent.

"What is it my Lord?" Jaken spoke from somewhere by his left side. "Do you smell something on the wind?" Behind them, Rin was singing softly to herself as she combed her fingers through A-un's thick, dark dragon mane.

"There is a demon ahead." Sesshomaru said finally, ignoring the exaggerated horrified gasp from the imp.

"Surely no demon could compare to the glorious might—"

"It is already dead." Sesshomaru continued, as if not hearing the exorbitant praise. The scent of decay and death were intense. Clearly whatever had happened, the battle was over. The demon had been the loser. "Go locate its remains, Jaken."

"Whaaa—- me?!" The imp clutched his staff, blubbering as if looking for an excuse not to obey.

"Oh come on Master Jaken!" Rin cried, "It will be fun!" Her bare feet padded in the grass as she twirled and danced over to where Jaken and Sesshomaru stood. "I'll bet I can find it before you can!" Her voice was sing song, and she grabbed Jaken's hand, spinning him into a circle with her. He squawked, complaining and calling her silly. Just as suddenly, Rin released his hand and went sprinting through the growing mist. "You can't catch me Master Jaken!"

Sesshomaru watched, internally amused, his face remaining impassive. Rin had quickly learned how to needle Jaken in all the right places. Bringing him down a few pegs with words alone, which never ceased to irritate the imp, especially since she was human. Jaken raced after her, squealing and pleading for her to slow down.

As the duo vanished into the swirling mist, Sesshomaru shifted his attention back to the task at hand. There was a great amount of blood in the air. Half eaten horse remnants remained strewn around the grass. Just beyond where the mist gathered, he saw the shadowy outlines of destroyed buildings, like yawning ghosts. Something happened here. Blood from humans, both old and young. Pools of it everywhere. Just beyond visibility. Walking further, he noted less human blood, and more demon blood. He paused, examining the deep gouges in the grass where the ground was churned, the battle had happened there.

He took a delicate sniff, surprised to find the lingering scent of humans - live humans. The humans who accompanied InuYasha. It was by the scent of the human girl, that he first smelled it. For a moment, he didn't move, intently assessing the scent before him. It was clearly InuYasha… but it was different.

From just head of him, Sesshomaru heard the jubilant cry of Rin claiming to have won the race. "Hm." Shifting, he turned and walked in the direction of her voice.

"Look at that Master Jaken! It's a slain demon. Just as lord Sesshomaru explained to us!" Her voice was tinged with wonder and excitement.

"Phew." Was the response from the imp, clearly disgusted by the decaying demon's head. "Who on earth could have done this?"

"InuYasha." Sesshomaru spoke as the fog which separated them cleared a path before him.

"L-lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken warbled, bowing as his master approached.

"InuYasha did this. Although I doubt he was able to escape unscathed." He walked up to the severed head, for a moment assessing the intensity of the damage done. It was immense. The demon, whoever it had been, was ripped to shreds. But it was something else that triggered his focus. The scent of the Tetsusaiga, it lingered on the demon's razor sharp teeth. Around the head, almost microscopic fragments of metal were scattered in the churned dirt. Like shavings from cutting wood.

Hope flared his obsession back to life from the dying embers where it had been smoldering since his last battle. There was hope. InuYasha would surely have the Tetsusaiga repaired Totosai would make sure of it — but it would matter little. If he wielded a sword capable of cutting the Tetsusaiga into ribbons. Fortune had finally smiled upon him. There was no hesitation as he reached out and grasped the demon's head by one massive horn, lifting it into the air with ease. Behind him, Rin screamed.

I can smell it on the demons fangs. The scent of Tetsusaiga. So I was right, these fangs broke the sword in half. With a determined satisfaction, suddenly, Sesshomaru knew exactly what must be done. Turning, carrying the head aloft, he began walking away. Rin continued screaming in a melodramatic manner.

"Come with me."

Short sighted as he was, Jaken clearly didn't understand the importance of the find. "We're taking the head with us?"

The yokai ignored him completely, addressing Rin instead. "Enough of that Rin. Stop it."

The screaming instantly ceased. "Yes my Lord!" He heard rather than saw, her spin around as she skipped after him, leaving Jaken yet again trailing behind.

The scent in the wind tells me what transpired here. But one thing baffles me. The scent of InuYashas blood has changed. It is not the smell of a half demon. InuYashas blood has the same scent as my blood. And of our father's.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. But how could that be? InuYasha was born from a human woman. There was no possible way for him to become a full blooded demon, especially now that the shikon no tama had been shattered. Something strange was at work, and Sesshomaru intended to find out what exactly it was.

It was well after sunrise when Sesshomaru finally settled on a location that he felt was relatively safe. He'd led them a significant distance from the destroyed village, to a hidden heavily forested area that had a small stream running through it. "Here." He said finally, pausing to glance behind. Rin sat atop A-un, intently focused on something in her hands. Jaken was waddling ahead of the beast, holding the lead. Placing the severed head on the ground, the lord turned to his companions.

"Rin, you will stay here wirh A-un, until Jaken and I return." Her eyes shifted to meet Sesshomaru's as he spoke. There was no fear in her gaze, only hesitance.

Slowly, she slid out of the dragon's saddle and to the ground. Silently, she moved to stand at his feet, gazing up at him earnestly. "You won't forget to come back for me... will you, Lord Sesshomaru?"

Was that her fear? That he would forget her? How could he forget... the simple pure kindness she had offered him. The only true kindness he had ever been offered, without thought of repayment, or personal gain. The image of her lifeless body laying in the dirt rose once again in his mind. He couldn't finish the thought, and pushed it far away from his consciousness.

Sesshomaru's eyes lifted to Jaken, who was watching, in shockingly silent observation. Startled by his master's gaze, the imp turned away and busied himself with A-Un's bridle. Finally, Sesshomaru's eyes turned back to the girl looking up at him with earnest pleading.

"I will return for you."

Rin's brown eyes searched his, for a heartbeat or two, before a smile broke through. "Then I will wait! As long as it takes." She lifted her hand, offering him something in her palm. Curiosity piqued, he held out his right hand. She placed a flower in his open palm, then with a smile, she skipped back to A-un.

How was it that she always managed to surprise him, in some small way? Looking down, he examined the flower. It was a small sprig from a tree, with a snowy floral bunch of blossoms at the end. The scent was unmistakable - lilac. He'd not even noticed that they'd passed a lilac tree while traveling, but then he'd been consumed thinking of the possibility of defeating Tetsusaiga.

Looking up, he watched for a moment as Rin teased Jaken. The two of them working to remove A-un's saddle. Turning away, he tucked the blossom in the sleeve of his hakimono.

"Come Jaken." Sesshomaru said, as he reached out and took hold of the severed demon's head once more.

"Y-yes my Lord! Wait for me!" Scrambling ensued as the imp ran to catch up.

"I'll be here waiting for you Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin cried as Sesshomaru leapt into the air, Jaken flailed and made senseless crying noises as he clung desperately to the tip of his master's mokomoko flapping in the wind.