10

Clop, step, clop, step echoes throughout the hut as I exit, the right calf stump bandaged up as well as Kagome could put it. Sesshomaru is holding my shoulders to make sure I don't fall flat on my face, since these supports were really never trusting. I laugh when I see Inuyasha chasing those boys with the Tenseiga raised up high, the boys screaming for their ancestors. Honestly, they deserve it. I'm not sure where Yuri is, but I have to assume she's off with Shippo somewhere. I don't notice my frown until Sesshomaru speaks. "Rin, stop frowning."

I blink and try to put on a smile, but missing my right calf as much as I do is not helping. "Jeez…" I mutter.

He pats my shoulder blade. "It's understandable, Rin."

I bite my lip, not wanting to talk back, but his gaze directed at me is just asking me to do it. "It's not that, Lord Sesshomaru."

"Then what is it?" he asks.

I huff. "Don't you know why this even started? I ran away. I was a coward just like any other human…"

I feel him kiss my temple gently, making me blush and 'WOW' rush through my mind a thousand times. "You were defenseless, so what could've you done?"

"May I remind you that I ran from you, my lord?"

He chuckles lightly, making me stare at him in confusion. What sake has he been drinking? "May I remind you that I'm a demon and you're a human?" I shrug and the support wobbles a bit, making me lurch forward and Sesshomaru to catch my torso. Sure all the air is knocked out of me, but hey, at least I don't go face first. He lifts me up and kisses my temple again. "At least you're alive," he whispers.

I think he didn't want me to hear that, but I did, and it makes me smile. I love Sesshomaru, and I've been hoping to see him again all that time (even though I ran from him [am I stupid or what]), and now I know he loves me (or likes to pull sick jokes) and he's been looking. That makes me happy. I'm human, a coward, defenseless. That…again…makes me happy. Sure I lost a calf, I'm still alive. I just need to brave it…

…for Lord Sesshomaru.

I survived.

That's all that matters.