Get Bent

I don't own anything Inuyasha

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As Rin ran back to ‘him’ across the secluded field, Kagome couldn’t stop smiling. She didn’t know what she did, but it was good to have a happy Rin back.

“Rin travels with Sesshoumaru-sama,” she said happily.

It took all of Kagome's will power not to pick up and tickle the almond eyed ward of the body she possessed. Instead ‘he’ settled on giving her a small smile from where ‘he’ sat amongst the blooms.

“Rin is loyal and trusts Sesshoumaru-sama.”

‘Sesshoumaru’ glanced behind them. No one was around, and they were well out of earshot. Maybe she could play with Rin for a while without being noticed.

"Rin knows all there is to know about Sesshoumaru-sama."

The child no longer sounded cheerful, and when Kagome turned back to the girl, she saw a small, previously silk-wrapped dagger pointed at ‘his’ neck. “Eep!”

Rin's eyes seemed determined and her stance was shaky, but the hand gripping the weapon shook with conviction. "And YOU are not Sesshoumaru-sama."

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Kagome tried inching away from the threat at ‘his’ throat, but was stopped by the small girl’s shaky, broken voice; contradicting the strength she was trying to immulate.

“Where is Sesshoumaru-sama?”

She met with Rin’s eyes once more and found something she wasn’t expecting; something familiar.

“Where i-is Sesshoumaru-sama!?” The honorific wavered and faded with Rin’s control as she stood steady, but if she was scared, it was not for herself... like how Inuyasha stood against his enemies.

Without regard for herself, she was trying to protect those she cared for most… like Miroku utilizing kazaana even with how dangerous it is to himself.

She was willing to fight for someone she loved, even up against immense power… just as Sango fights for them, and for the brother she wants back.

It was heartwarming, but tragic. In Rin’s eyes was the same look as any other in her group; the weight of someone’s safety on their shoulders. Her eyes told Kagome, “I will not lose someone else”.

It broke Kagome’s heart to see so much fear in someone so young, someone too immature to handle what life was truly like. She was brave and loyal with good intentions, but wavered in her innocence… just like her little Shippo.

And for the first time since being trapped in Sesshoumaru’s body, she felt physical pain as the heart she never thought was there ached for Rin’s happiness, and crushed under the guilt of lying to her.

The soft, calming tone that ‘he’ spoke with surprised both of them. “…Rin-chan.”

Deep, brown eyes instantly cleared back to glistening hope as recognition sunk in, allowing Rin to lose her hold on the small weapon.

It was almost a whisper, but it was no longer scared. “Ka-Kagome-sama?”