A/N: Between exams and a multitude of other obstacles, I know it's been a while since I last updated, so I thank you all for your patience. Here's new story "Lucky Dog" and there's been a chapter added to "Damsel of Distress."

Lucky Dog

Jaken hated puppies. Hated the way they whimpered, despised their wanton hunger, loathed their servile habits.

And, above all else, the simpering snotballs made a mockery of his master's great demon form.

Occasionally, Jaken wondered if his liege was aware how lucky he was not to be a puppy.

Just look at him – majestic, stately, completely aware and in control of himself. Lord Sesshomaru is the epitome of – "AWK!"

He coughed the last as what may have very well been a wrecking ball crashed into him.

Rin's brown eyes glimmered as she waved her Holy Grail of daisies before little yokai's face. "Lookit! Smell, smell, smell, smell!"

Jaken gasped – a mixture of sudden terror and the crushing weight on his stomach. He raggedly drew breath. "GET OFF OF ME!!"

Rin giggled as if Jaken's stern command was the joke of the century.

"Did I scare you? Sorry, but you must smell these flowers, Master Jaken! They're wonderful! Oh, look! They're just 'bout as yellow as your eyes! Isn't that neat?"

This girl's yapping never ceases! She just comes bounding out of nowhere like a –

Sesshomaru loomed over his lackey.

"I didn't mean it! I swear Lord Sesshomaru, I meant nothing by it!" Jaken quickly prostrated himself, beak buried deep in Mother Terra.

A puzzled Rin knelt beside him. "Lord Sesshomaru just said we were moving on. Master Jaken?"

"I heard him!" Jaken shot up in time to see Sesshomaru disappear over the next slope. "Of course, I would have been right behind him if it weren't for you. You're such a useless nuisance."

The child's rebuttal was a smile. "You don't do much either, Master Jaken."

"I wield the Staff of Heads!" he huffed indignantly.

"And I'm cute," Rin added, grin widening.

A stream of inarticulate garbles from Jaken later and they were in step with Sesshomaru again.

Still glaring daggers at Rin, Jaken attempted to return to his mollifying inner musings.

Ah, see? Nothing like an immature pup. He's perfection incarnate, poised and efficient. How such beauty exists is miraculous.

Shouldering his fur, Sesshomaru glanced back to catch the little toad-imp scratch his greasy head with one grimy claw. The dog-demon winced and adjusted his line of vision to a more comely sight.

Jaken, that you are useful is to be most fortunate.