Inuyasha in the inner-demon within

Chika meet Rin

"Hi Rin. My name is Chika." She smiled warmly at the young girl. "What are you doing out here all by yourself? Shouldn't you be at home?" Her voice was soft and laced with concern.

"Rin is not alone. Master Jaken is with me. We are looking for Lord Sesshoumaru." Chika could not believe her ears! This girl was looking for the demon lord. Confusion quickly took precedence in her features as she continued to look down on the little girl. 'Why would she be looking for Sesshoumaru?' She mentally asked herself.

"Sesshoumaru, huh? I am sure that he will be along shortly. Why don't you come with us back to the village Rin? You can have dinner with us." She smiled and held her hand out to the child. Rin slipped her hand into Chika's without the slightest hesitation. "Rin, this is Sango and Kagome. They are my friends." The child smiled at them, receiving smiles in return. They began walking toward the village again; passing an unconscious Jaken lying at the foot of the tree he had slammed into. He was not even spared a second glance.

Sesshoumaru, Kouga, Shippo, and Inuyasha, who was carrying a nearly unconscious Miroku, were heading back toward the village. The wind shifted suddenly, bringing the scents of the three women to them. There were two new scents with them, though. That of another human and a demon. Sesshoumaru suddenly stopped, sniffing the air intently. Surely his sense of smell couldn't be deceiving him. The scent was distinctly Rin's. That of the demon was Jaken, his retainer. There was no mistaking those scents anywhere. Without a word of parting or explanation to his companions, he sped away from them in the direction of the village.

"What's his problem?" Shippo wondered aloud as they watched Sesshoumaru disappear into the forest toward the village. Kouga shrugged and Inuyasha just looked confused. Shippo crossed his arms and snorted, glancing once again in the direction Sesshoumaru had vanished. "Maybe we should catch up to him, in case there is danger." Kouga and Inuyasha exchanged glances and took off after Sesshoumaru, leaving Shippo behind.

"Hey! Wait up!" Shippo whined as he started out after them. "I'm just a kid! Don't leave me!"

The girls were at the edge of the village when Sesshoumaru caught up with them. He hung back a bit to observe them unnoticed. As he watched, Rin suddenly stumbled over a rather large stone in the middle of the path. Chika immediately dropped to her knees beside the child, checking her for any injuries and consoling her.

'Why is she helping Rin? Most people just push her aside, especially when they find out that she is in my care. I must admit, the woman is quite an enigma.' Sesshoumaru thought to himself. Turning his attention back to the females, he saw Chika pick Rin up and begin carrying her. He had now decided to confront them. He sped around them in a wide arch, reappearing a short distance in front of them. Crossing his arms in front of him, he stood in the middle of the path and waited to be noticed. The girls were talking amongst themselves, mostly about the day's events and what Kaede would be serving for dinner, when they stopped just in front of Sesshoumaru.

"Lord Sesshoumaru!" Rin screamed joyfully as she saw him. "Rin has a new friend! Her name is Chika and we are going to go have dinner!" She waved her arms wildly in her excitement, causing Chika to have to reposition the child on her hip to keep from dropping her. Chika's gaze was steady on Sesshoumaru, reminding him of a female at the ready to defend her pup. He merely nodded at Rin's excited chatter, no emotions at all showing on his calm visage. Kagome and Sango went around Sesshoumaru, still rather uncertain whether or not they trusted him yet. Chika kept her distance as she passed him, putting herself between Rin and Sesshoumaru. As he watched her walk towards Kaede's hut, he allowed a very small and very rare smile to grace his lips. 'Rin must feel very comfortable with her' he thought. The child was resting her head on Chika's shoulder with her little arms wrapped around her neck.

"Hey! What was the big idea, running off from us back there?" Shippo's voice broke through Sesshoumaru's thoughts. He turned his face once again devoid of emotion.

"I do not need to explain myself to you, pup. It is best that you remember that." His eyes were cold as they stared at Shippo.

"Well, you two can stand here and argue all you want. I am going to go and have dinner. Hopefully we are having ramen." Inuyasha strode past them, dumping Miroku to the ground with a loud thud in the process.

"All he ever thinks about is food", Shippo said. "Oh, and jewel shards." He shook his head and followed Inuyasha.

"I had better get there first so that I can be sure of a seat next to my woman." Kouga remarked, and then nudged Miroku with his foot. "Come on, monk. I can't believe you were beaten by a woman." Sparing a look of disgust at Miroku, he sprinted off toward Kaede's.

Miroku slowly stood and began stumbling down the path all the while mumbling about beautiful women and painful emotions.

"What have I gotten myself into?" Sesshoumaru softly asked himself as he strolled casually behind Miroku and into the village.