Authors note:

I've been dealing with some triggers today, so hopefully this chapter is up to par.

Inu-fan 24: I can't even fathom the hatred for this pairing. Firstly, it was verified by Rumiko, and totally canon. Contrary to what some people think, Sesshomaru was never inappropriate with Rin as a child, and he certainly wasn't a groomer. It truly makes me angry. I won't pontificate further.

I think that in the anime, we see the best of Sesshomaru. He must have struggled though, in moments, not being used to considering others feelings. He's learning. 3 He has the best teacher - his soulmate. Even though he doesn't know it.

Chapter 9 - Clouds

The sky moved silently below them, as A-un raced amongst the clouds. There was something about the soundless beauty of flying amidst the clouds, obscured completely from the world below, that eased Sesshomaru's heart. The moon shone brightly before them, highlighting the silvery path of white. There was no noise here, only the soft swish of the wind, and the huff of A-un's breath.

Without looking, Sesshomaru could feel Rin snuggled deep into his mokomoko's warmth, the soft fur enveloping her nearly completely as she slept. Sometime, he would have to show her this sight. She would love to see the moon, seemingly close enough to touch.

Jaken clung to A-un's tail, his cries and pleadings had long since ceased, and he simply held on for dear life.

Though Sesshomaru couldn't explain it, Rin's presence seemed to ease his worried mind. As if she had some spiritual ability to purify darkness, though he was certain she had no such abilities. Casting a glance behind, he eyed her curled in his fur, only the glossy blackness of her hair visible amidst the furry cloud.

Who are you truly, Rin?

Almost, as if in response to his thoughts, he heard his name.

Lord Sesshomaru.

It was the same voice that he had heard before, he was sure of it. Except, this time, he fully realized that the voice was not audible. The voice was in his mind.

Startled, he pulled away from the presence and mentally slammed the door shut to the invasion. Though, it didn't seem evil or malicious, he would never tolerate anyone witnessing his inner thoughts. No one needed to see the darkness that lived within him.

"Hm."

Slapping the reins against A-un's neck, he urged the dragon on. The sooner they arrived in Yakushima, the better. He would sooner be rid of the anxiousness he felt, and any guilt or concern associated with it. Bokuseno would surely put his mind at ease. Perhaps he would even have answers about the recent invasions in his mind.

Behind him, Rin stirred amidst her fur nest. He could feel the movement, and smell the lilac that touched the air, before he heard her speak.

"Lord Sesshomaru?" She said, her voice sleepy.

"I'm here Rin."

There was no answer but a heavy sigh, leading him to believe she may not have been awake in the first place.

Briefly, he wondered what Toga's interactions with Izayoi had been like, when the human princess had been young. If she had been anything as precocious as Rin, Sesshomaru could see the quandary that Toga was in. His brow furrowed as he further ruminated on the train of thought. Was that possibly the reason why Inkimi had been so aggressively hateful toward all humans? Of course, most yokai didn't think humans were worth much — fodder to be consumed or used by the higher race of demons. However, there had been a particular severe iciness of his mother's soul against humans after a certain point in his young adult life.

Briefly a frown marred his face. He didn't want to consider his mother's reaction, if she found out he had taken a human child under his protection. Though she was very uninvolved in his life, mostly due to his choice of no longer acquiescing to her controlling behaviors. Perhaps she would never know of Rin. Human life was short. It was likely Rin would age and pass long before he saw Inkimi again. The thought came with a particular pang in his chest.

Huffing softly and pushing away the entire line of thought — his mother, father and humanity in general. Instead he refocused his eyes on the horizon. Flying overnight will have saved them travelling time. Although, it was still a distance. At least another day or two of travel.

At daybreak, Sesshomaru guided A-un to the ground. At the very back, almost forgotten by his master, Jaken slid to the ground with a groan, hands twitching. Lifting into the air, Sesshomaru lightly floated to the ground himself, his mokomoko slipping away to reveal the sleeping curled up Rin on the saddle. Blinking, she looked up, then burst into a smile.

"Oh! It's morning!" With a gleeful giggle, she slid to the ground and spun in a circle. "Master Jaken! Look how beautiful the mountains are!" Behind them, snow capped mountains loomed tall and powerful. To the other side was a wide open fields of colorful flowers, as far as they eye could see. "Ah! Flowers!" Forgetting the mountains, she raced into the meadow and began plucking flowers.

Jaken wobbled to Sesshomaru's side, eyes dizzy. "Oh I feel so sick." The imp fell forward on his face, eyes still spinning.

A short time later Rin returned with a bouquet of flowers. "Aren't they beautiful Lord Sesshomaru!? There's so many here! I left most of them to continue to grow, but I wanted to bring a few with us."

Though he didn't speak, Sesshomaru's gold eyes softened, as she lifted the bunch of colorful flowers up, proffered to him for inspection.

"What are you doing you silly girl!" Reprimanded Jaken, "the great Lord Sesshomaru has no time for silly things such as flowers!"

Sharply the yokai looked at Jaken, who abruptly wilted, words dying on his beak-like lips. "I-I mean… ummm…." He stepped behind A-un's leg, aware that he would likely get hit.

Sesshomaru turned back to the valley that wound along the base of the mountain and vanished into the distance. "Let us go."

Rin, seemed to hardly have noticed Jaken's rudeness or Sesshomaru's reaction, she was dancing amidst flower blossoms and popping a few edible heads into her mouth. When she was finished, she offered the remaining bouquet to A-un, who swallowed it in one bite.

Jaken followed, grumbling incessantly about silly girls and Lord Sesshomaru's favor.