Chapter 6: The Lost

InuKimi let her feet carry her as fast as they could. As soon as she recognized his scent she knew something was wrong. The last time Inuyasha stepped foot in the Westernlands was right before his mother had passed. Why would he be coming now?

She entered a clearing where Inuyasha and Sesshomaru stood. The tension was heavy, as they stared each other down. Inuyasha had his sword extended out in front of him, as he panted for air. The ground in-between them was disturbed from an attack, one that had been deflected by the sword in Sesshomaru's hand.

She had just opened her mouth to say something when she heard Inuyasha speak.

"She's dying." his voice was dangerously low.

InuKimi looked at Sesshomaru in time to see his eyes narrow.

"What are you talking about?" She asked Inuyasha while she kept her eyes on Sesshomaru.

"Rin. She's dying." he yelled at Sesshomaru. All his hatred for his brother was seemingly composed in one sentence. The fury in his eyes could burn holes through Sesshomaru.

However, Inuyasha didn't seem to evoke any reaction from Sesshomaru. It was as if he was completely frozen in front of them, with the same hollow look on his face.

"You can smell it on me, can't you?" Inuyasha prepared his sword by extending it out in front of him. "Her blood."

His eyes focused on his brother, before he launched himself forward in an attack. Sesshomaru blocked the attack with his own sword. The two struggled for power, though Sesshomaru did not show any sign he was straining. In one fluid motion, he forced the sword out of Inuyasha's hand and grabbed him by the throat.

"It's your fault." he gasped under Sesshomaru's grip. "You're the reason she laying there dying." Inuyasha raised his hand with extended claws. "She is dying because of you!" he launched forward, just missing Sesshomaru as he jumped away from Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru said nothing. No one could read the expression upon his face. InuKimi stepped towards him, but as if her movement was some sort of trigger he turned. Within seconds he was gone.

"Sesshomaru." She stared in the direction he went before realizing it was the same direction as the village in which Rin lived. "Is she really dying?"

"Yeah." Inuyasha said as he sheathed his sword.

She felt her heart sink. Not only for the girl or her grandchild but for her own son. InuKimi sighed. "There is nothing that can be done?"

Inuyasha shook his head. "We've tried everything."

"And what is going to happen to Kimi?"

"Feh." He crossed his arms in front of him. "Rin didn't want him to know. Just because she's dying doesn't mean that changes anything."

Sesshomaru entered the village. His sensitive nose picking up on the smell that caused his stomach to twist in the most horrendous way. It was Rin.

"Sesshomaru."

His eyes went to his left. The old woman Kaede hobbled his way. Behind her was his own sister in law, Kagome. The human's swollen belly extended out in front of her, while she held a toddler in her arms. The child's demon ears laid flat to her head and her face was hidden against the Miko's neck. Kagome hugged her protectively, as if to keep her from him. It had never occurred to him that Inuyasha had started to breed.

"I am here to see Rin." He informed them.

"Is that a wise idea?" the old woman continued forward with her hands behind her back.

"Hn. It would be wise if you stayed out of my way." He said as he pressed on.

Nothing was going to stop him from seeing Rin. He knew in his heart her had to see her. To protect her once again, just like he used to. No matter what it took.

Entering her hut was overwhelming. The stench of blood was nearly impossible to tolerate, even for a demon like him. His eyes instantly fell on the girl. Her body drenched in sweat from the fever, he could feel the heat radiate off her at the doorway. He could hear her whimper in pain as her body thrashed under the covers.

"Sesshomaru." she muttered, barely audible.

Cautiously, he knelt down beside her. His jaw tightened. Seeing her like this… He felt everything from anger to fear. But Sesshomaru didn't know how to even begin to process the things he was feeling. It was as if every fiber of his being was trying to move and stay perfectly still at the same time. There was no possible way he could handle these emotions.

So he did what he did best. He hardened his heart. It would be much easier to forget her this way, to just completely let go of her. Sesshomaru took in a sharp breath with the motivation to get up and leave her once more when he heard her quietly groaned in pain. Her eyes slowly opened, and he once again found himself looking into her eyes.

And dawned on him. He had missed her.

"Rin." He said gently.

She chuckled. "I'm going crazy." Rin closed her eyes and smiled.

"Why would you say that?" He felt the urge to pull her into him and hold her.

"This fever- it's causing me to imagine you." She laughed again. "I'm even talking with my imagination." Her voice was hoarse, he could tell it had been a long time since she had spoken.

He watched her, "No, Rin. Your imagination has nothing to do with this. I am here."

"Then prove it. Kiss me." Her voice was barely audible.

The request was far easier to fulfill then he had imagine. He leaned down and gently kissed her. Her lips were like fire and rough from the heat. He tasted her once again, it was as if he was feeding a hunger he didn't realize he had had. Reluctantly, he pulled away to find her eyes opened once again staring at him.

"See…" she whispered. "My Sesshomaru would never have done that."

"I believe I just did." he stroked her cheek.

She moved as if she was trying to shake her head. "My imagination did-"

"Rin." he stopped her. "My Rin… I am here."

She shut her eyes, began to shake. It him a second to realize she was crying. "I waited so long for you." she began sobbing harder. "Now I- you have to see me like this."

He laid his forehead on hers to comfort her. "Rin, stop."

On his order, she stifled her crying. When she composed herself, she used her strength to touch his cheek with her finger tips. "Can I change my wish?"

He pulled back, as he raised a brow towards her, "I do not believe you can undo a wish like that, Rin."

She sighed slightly. "Then may I have another?"

Sesshomaru felt the corner of his lip curl up a little. "My Rin," he ran his fingers through her soaked hair, "you can have as many as you'd like."

Rin beamed up at him, "I wish to go to the beach. It's been so long since I was there…" her voice became weaker. She dozed out of consciousness with a heavy sigh.

He pulled away from her, debating her request in his head. Should he not risk moving her and disappointing her again? Or should he fulfill her wish? He reheard her words in his head about how she waited for him. Not wanting to cause her more grief, he ever so carefully picked her up in his arms. He was very glad that he was without his armor, he could hold her close for once.

Upon leaving the hut, he ran into his own brother. They stared each other down, before Inuyasha sighed.

"Anything happens to her and I will kill you." Inuyasha said to him with no hesitation. "I'll even use your favorite sword."

Sesshomaru glanced down at the human in his arms. Without a word, he strode past his half-brother. Inuyasha crossed his arms, a slight grin on his face. Not another word was exchanged as Sesshomaru walked past him.

Sesshomaru held her close as he stepped onto the sand. She slept the whole time never moving, to the point where he felt the need to make sure she was breathing. As the cool breeze rushed against them he felt her stir. He sat down on the sand as she opened her eyes.

She looked at him fairly confused. Rin looked around them taking in the beach. "Sesshomaru?" her voice was weak.

Sesshomaru watched as the last bit of the sun set behind the water. "Yes Rin?"

"I thought it was a dream... You're really here." tears formed in her eyes again.

He pulled her closer to his chest. "I'm really here Rin."

Weakly she threw her arms around his neck. "Please don't leave me again..." she whispered in sobs.

At first he didn't reply. He merely held her in his arms while she cried in front of him. He thought about how he left her. Thinking back he didn't know why he didn't it. No reason seems good enough to abandon her. "Rin." he finally said. "I will never leave you again, but you must promised to never leave me either."

She smiled before nodding.

Ever so gently, he kissed her lips. "I have given you yet another wish," his voice was rather soothing against her mouth, "may I have a wish?"

"I have nothing to offer you." she told him. "But I can try to…"

"I wish for you, my Rin, to be my mate." he laid his forehead against hers.

She whimpered slightly, "You really want me..."

"Yes... That is my wish. I want nothing else in life." he brushed some hair that was matted against her skin away from her face. "I will no longer push you away."

"Then allow me to grant your wish." she whispered as her eyes closed from exhaustion.

He wasted no more time. This was something he should have done two years ago. His hand glided down to her obi loosening it enough to slide her kimono from her shoulder. Gently, he leaned forward and allowed his teeth to sink in to her shoulder. His teeth broke her skin and he instantly tasted her blood. Her eyes shot open at the action. It was a weird painless sensation. She felt warmth and pleasure from his bite. Her body was becoming his in the most honorable way.

Sesshomaru removed his teeth from the wound her created. His tongue lapse at the bite mark to cease its bleeding. "You are now my mate. Lady of my lands. You are my Rin." he said as she drifted to sleep.

Sesshomaru gently laid her down on his bed. Not too long ago he had opted to take her to the Western Palace as opposed to keeping her on the cold beach. He pulled the covers over his mate, knowing she needed rest.

"Milord, you sent for me?" he heard someone call out behind him.

Slowly, Sesshomaru stood up. He had called for the doctor before coming to his chamber. Sesshomaru's father had trusted the demon to tend after Izayoi, now he was the only person Sesshomaru trusted with Rin. "Hideo, your lady is ill. I expect you to tend to her."

Hideo glanced to Rin, fairly confused.

Sesshomaru turned to face the old demon. "And Hideo, if she dies it'll be your life."

Hideo knew Sesshomaru's threat wasn't something to take lightly. "She'll be in good hands my lord." he bowed.

He wasted no time aiding Rin. Sesshomaru watched over him as he tended to her. As time pressed on, Hideo became aware of the situation, he knew of the outcome.

He arose to his feet, "Milord," he addresses Sesshomaru, "with your permission I would like to retrieve a few remedies from my chambers."

With his eyes fixed on Rin, Sesshomaru nodded, "Make haste, Hideo."

Respectfully, the doctor bowed before leaving the room. As he entered his own chamber he called for the aid of his daughter, who he had been training. Together they collected the herbs that he concluded might help the girl.

"Hideo." He heard a voice call for him.

"Lady InuKimi." He bowed toward her.

"Tell me, how is she?"

He sighed, unsure of what to say.

"Doctor, the longer you stand there the longer you waste her time." She told him.

"There is nothing I can do. All my medicine and experience, none of it can save the human. All I can do is soothe her suffering, maybe buy more time." He swallowed hard, unsure of how the Lady would react.

"She will die?"

"I'm afraid so. If it was anything physical I could save her, but this is all spiritual, Milady. It's like her soul is trying to leave and her body is failing to aid it's escape."

InuKimi sighed, "Do all you can Doctor."

He nodded, then stopped her from leaving by adding. "Milady, he said he'd kill be if she dies. Who is she to make him say such a desperate thing?"

She gave a sad smile. "She is the only person Sesshomaru has ever loved." InuKimi watched for Hideo's reaction.

"If that is true, then I should accept my death now."

Hideo sighed. Knowing the next step he must take, he reached forward and touched his daughter's shoulder. She was desperately trying to lower the girl's temperature with cool wet rags. "Go on home."

She frantically shook her head, fear for her father forced tears in her eyes.

Leaning forward he whispered to her. "I'm ordering you to do this. There is else you can do."

Before she could protest, he pulled her to her feet. Reluctantly, she walked to the door, before leaving she bowed towards Sesshomaru. For once he took his eyes from Rin.

"Why is the girl leaving, Hideo?" Sesshomaru's voice was dangerously low.

Hideo took a moment to choose his words carefully. "My time here is done." He swallowed hard. "I am sorry, my lord, but she is fading fast. I thought it better that her time be left spent with you as opposed to me."

The demon lord let his eyes fall back to the girl. "Why is she dying?"

Hideo knew her soul was meant to depart from this world a long time ago. He also knew Sesshomaru possessed the sword that brought the dead back to life. He could only conclude this was why Rin was dying. And there was nothing he could do, nothing could save her. As a doctor, Hideo knew that certain things should not be said when a loved one is dying. "Because I lack the skills to help her, my Lord. I am fully responsible."

"Then leave." Sesshomaru rose up to his feet, his eyes shifted to Rin, while Hideo hastily departed.

He knelt down beside her before carefully pulling her into his arms, cradling her to his chest. Sesshomaru could feel the warmth radiate off of her like an uncontrollable fire. She gasped in pain has he brushed her wet hair off her forehead, causing him to quickly pull his hand back.

"Rin?" He whispered.

In due time her eyes lightly open. He looked into her eyes, all he could see was pain. She was slipping away faster than he could process this.

"Sesshomaru-" her voice was weaker than before. "Wh- What are you doing here?"

He gently looked at her. "Taking care of you."

Her brows borrowed together in confusion. "What…"

"Do you not remember?" he stroked her hair. "I came to you and took you to the beach. Made you my mate."

Rin shook her head. "That happened?"

Sesshomaru laid his forehead against hers, "You're weak now, but you recover you'll remember."

She took in a deep breath, "I won't get better, will I?"

"Of course you will, Rin." He couldn't look her in the eyes, he kept them shut not wanting her to know the truth.

"Sesshomaru." she lightly touched his cheek causing him to pull back from her. As her thumb traced under his eye he opened them. "I know what death feels like. And I know you are lying."

He swallowed hard, "No. You are not dying, Rin. You promised me. You promised you would never leave me. So you can't die."

Rin faintly laughed. "How childish you sound."

She closed her eyes, her breathing began to slow. His heart skipped as he lightly shook her. Her eyes opened to look back at him. Without hesitation he leaned down and kissed her. He felt her smile.

"I wish I had more time with you. You mean so much to me…" she said against his lips.

"Rin, do not talk like that."

"But it's true-" she trailed off again.

"I'm here now and we have the rest of our lives." He tried his best to summon a smiled for her. He thought perhaps it would please her.

"You're smiling, my lord." She laughed timidly. "I used to dream of your smile- but I think I prefer you grumpy. You're charming when you're grumpy."

His right brow rose up, after he let the smile drop.

After some time, she looked away from him weakly, "I'm so sorry-" Rin kept apologizing and muttering words he just couldn't understand.

"Rin, why are you sorry?" He tried to keep her attention.

She shook her head, muttering again. He took in a deep breath as he tried to focus on her words. Finally, he came to understand one word.

"Promise." it was week but he heard her clearly.

"Promise what Rin?"

"Promise-" he took in a deep breath, "take care of her-"

His eye brows pressed together. "Of who?"

"Kimi…" she whispered.

He swallowed hard, he hadn't realized her relationship with his mother was important to her. "Of course."

She smiled and used up her energy to lay her head on his shoulder. "I think it goes without saying how I feel about you Sesshomaru."

He hugged her close to his chest. "I know." Sesshomaru lightly petted her hair. Unsure of how to tell her what her felt, but in truth it was simple. "I love you, Rin."

Her grip on him tighten, he could hear her sobbing quietly against his shirt. "I love you too…" Rin began murmuring incoherently again.

Sesshomaru held her to his chest as close as he could. Her sobs faded. Then softly her breathing became less noticeable. But all he did was hold her.

As the sun began to poke under the door, he decided to wake her. "Another day, finished Rin. You're closer to a recovery." He waited for her answer, but received no reply. "Did you hear me, Rin?"

His jaw tightened as he looked down at her. She looked peaceful, with stained trails of tears under her eyes. He placed his hand on her cheek, her cool skin made his take in a sharp breath.

"Rin?" his jaw clenched together.

She was gone.

Now you see Rin never possessed any skills. She was not smart with herbs or medicine. Never once was she ever able to bring forth any spiritual powers. Her skills in combat lacked the grace and discipline need to be a great warrior. She couldn't even hold a tune when she tried to sing. Yet this skill less girl was able to completely brake the most powerful demon lord in all of Asia.

The first time Rin died, Sesshomaru felt curiosity and pity over the child. The second time she died, he felt anger and guilt, perhaps even sadness. And now third and final time Rin will leave this world Sesshomaru was at a loss for an emotion. His heart was broken in half. His spirit was smashed to pieces. And his mind was completely shattered.

The moment he realized Rin's soul left the confines of her body the mighty demon lost his composure. For the first time in Sesshomaru's life he shed tears. They fell from his eyes as he held her lifeless body tightly in his arms. He cried to himself, stroking her cheek while begging to her to come back to him.

Sesshomaru lost every ounce of who he was the moment Rin died. He will never be the same, for this time she would not return.

-A Note From Roz-

*Sobs hysterically* I'm so sorry for killing her. It was the plan from day one, then after seeing all ya'lls reviews I had a hard time going through with it. I tried changing, it but it felt wrong. So, I wrote what was meant to happen. There is one more chapter. So I hope you guy don't hate me to much ._.

Oh, I decided not to mention Hideo in the next chapter. Rather Sesshy kills him or not will be up to how you interpret it. I actually did that so next chapter can focus on more important issues.

Please review.

LLAP

Roz