This is just a short one-shot focused on Rin and Sesshoumaru. I'm a huge Sesshoumaru and Rin fan! Please review and I welcome any constructive criticism. Well, read and enjoy!

Otousan - father

I Can Be Your Otousan

Sleep was fighting to take him. Sleep… a rarity, an inconvenient necessity, one of the many things he despised himself for. Sleep was for the mortals—the weak. This Sesshoumaru was above sleep…he must be. Why would the weak and the strong need the same? No, he couldn't be the same as weak, pitiful human girls…

"Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Human girls who required comfort, time, food, shelter. None of which he could give. Not that it mattered. Not that she mattered.

"Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Sesshoumaru turned, with his mask of indifference firmly in place. "Rin" He regarded her coldly, cruelly with a gaze devised to be perfected devoid of any caring or love. It was a glare that could lower an enemy to his knees. But, she didn't flinch. His Rin had never been afraid of him; she was always so certain he would always be there. How can you be so sure I wont hurt you? How do you see through my façade? Will you understand someday, what I am? Will you then leave me

It didn't matter; This Sesshoumaru-sama did not care either way. Rin was nothing but a nuisance.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, Rin is scared. Rin had a nightmare." Her eyes pleaded with him, but he seemed unmoved.

"Go back to sleep Rin." Her eyes fell and she shuffled her feet, but didn't make a move towards her room. A long silence followed and Rin's agitation grew. She started at every creak or whisper and she stared into the dark corners of his room with panicked eyes.

She radiated fear, and it enraged him. She should never be afraid! Nothing will ever harm her, for this Sesshoumaru protects her! He realized what he just thought. Dammit. Why did he care? Humans had caused him nothing but pain. Why was Rin different?

Rin saw the slight change in him as his eyes softened. She smiled and took a small chance. "It's okay Sesshoumaru-sama. Rin isn't afraid when Sesshoumaru-sama is with her. Rin will just sleep in here. The Sleep Demons can't get to Rin now." She started climbing into his bed, ignoring when he immediately tensed.

"Wait…Rin." Sesshoumaru's eyes widened and he stiffened, thoroughly flustered. This filthy human girl was…snuggling him! Her little arms wrapped around him and she buried her head into his chest. Sesshoumaru couldn't smell even a trace of her fear remaining and felt a small twinge of pride and also of pain. How long had it been since she had been given comfort? She was holding him as if he was her lifeline, like if she let go she would be engulfed and swept away by demons full of evil and hate.

But Rin, I am one of those demons. He wanted to shake her, push her away, save her from himself. He longed to yell at her; tell her she could never be happy with him. She needed a father, not an arrogant demon lord. Why do I care? I shouldn't care. But This Sesshoumaru can't lie to himself any longer; I care for this human. But, Rin can never know. I can only hurt her.

The small girl shifted, balancing on the brink of awareness. "Otousan…"

Sesshoumaru gazed on Rin with confusion, then smiled for the first time in many years. He watched over his ward until her breathing steadied and she settled into a deep sleep. Only then did he let himself lightly brush her hair out her face. Snuggling? It's nice. He enfolded her sleeping form in his arms. Tomorrow, I will once again be your emotionless Sesshoumaru-sama. But tonight, I can be your Otousan… just for tonight.