*Tells herself she will finish what she started and not upload any more...*

Crap.

So... yeah... new story for you guys because my inspiration is at an all time low... thank you writer's block. So. To entertain, here's a story I've had on the computer for a while.

Enjoy ^^

A shot rang out through the snow covered forest, the bullet missing its target and burying itself deep within a tree trunk, silver hair streaming behind the creature as he ran, his breath coming in white clouds as snow was kicked up from his black boots, the bundle wrapped in the red cloth pressed to his chest as he looked around the trees, his body pausing to look around the trees, his feet continuing their run at the scent of the hunters, the sound of their dogs' bark echoing through the woods, his fanged teeth grinding at how inferior they truly were to the demon they hunted. His urge to kill them was sated as his amber eyes glanced down at his father's last true treasure, his hold in it tightening before he tore through the woods, his figure weaving throughout the trees, snow slipping through the cracks as the wind began to pick up, the grey sky darkening as it was covered by the thick clouds.

"Where'd he go?!"

The voice carried, gruff and harsh as he talked to his companions.

"This way!"

"Follow the dogs!"

The demon growled lowly before he looked at his surroundings, at his options. It was apparent that the men were trying to force him out into the open and finish him off, amber eyes trailing around the forest for an out. His head turned to the sound of the approaching footsteps and angry shouts, his mind settling on his only alternative, his feet tearing over the hills and splashing through the small and shallow creek, water splashing around him before he leapt over the fallen logs, his body disappearing into the small opening, the small bundle in his arms pressed into his body as he hid, half of him hating himself for resorting to such a lowly form of self-preservation, the other part of him looking down at the small half-demon curled into his arms.

"Big brother?"

"Shh," the demon murmured, his hands holding his younger brother, "keep quiet InuYasha."

"Kay," the boy whispered, his hands holding onto the fabric of his brother's kimono, his ears against his head in nervousness.

His elder swallowed as his amber eyes darted to the opening, the sound of barking dogs approaching them worrying him as his younger brother practically trembled. Their father had been absent for far too long from the western palace, causing his eldest son to worry and travel up north to where his father's new wife resided with her son, his half-brother. His arrival was met with blood and bodies, the mansion the woman resided in destroyed and ravaged, the demon walking into see the young woman stabbed and slain, her black hair spilt and soaked in her blood, his fury boiling over when he saw his father, his idol, lie with his face to the ground, bullet wounds in his back from the humans he knew had killed him.

His demon blood raged as grief ran through him, his fangs elongating as his eyes turned red, his body shaking in anger before a loud roar escaped his lips, the sound rattling through the trees and hills, his lungs breathing deeply before a bullet flew past his head, his eyes turning to the sight of five hunters approaching him, their hands on their guns while two snarling snapping dogs were held back by a silver chain, the men shouting at each other and joking about his head would be worth far more than the half-demon's. Anger ran through him at the sound of their mockery, his knuckles cracking as he prepared to slaughter them, their words suddenly resonating in his mind.

Their implication suggested that they hadn't yet found his younger brother, that the trail of footprints from his father led to nowhere and that his little brother was still out there, with any luck still alive. His encounter with the human men was swift, none left alive as his feet trailed up the path the first group of men had followed, his own nose to the air as he sniffed, his senses finding the half-demon better than the dog's trained by human hands. The demon rushing to the hiding place of his little brother, his eyes greeted with the sight of a half-demon curled in the snow, his arms around his knees while his fingers had turned a dangerous blue as his toes, his ears against his head while his body had huddled under a few rocks, the boy shivering from the frostbitten air, dark rings under his eyes worrisome.

The second group of hunters were swift to follow the first wave of attack, alighting the mansion ablaze assuming the dog demon was still residing in it, Sesshomaru watching with his little brother curled in his arms wrapped in one of his father's red kimono's, the two brothers beginning their slow travels back to the western lands, the hunters relentless in their pursuit.

Gunshots echoed through the snow covered hills, the two figures trudging through the thick snow stopping to turn to the direction of the sound, the taller of the two feeling worry shiver through her, brown eyes darting to the little girl by her side, the tiny scarf-clad face looking up at her, blue eyes curious.

"What's going on?"

"Someone's shooting," her elder murmured worriedly, the young woman bending down to place her mittens on the suede coat back, "come on, let's get going."

"Why are they shooting?" the girl pressed, her knee-high boots lifted out of the snow only to sink in again, the taller gently pulling the little girl to walk behind her, allowing the older to break trail.

"I don't know," the young woman told her honestly, "they're probably hunting something."

"What?"

"I don't know. There isn't much this season."

"So why're they hunting?"

"I really don't know Kagome," the young woman sighed heavily, "but we don't want to get caught in the middle of it, let's go."

"Cousin Rin?"

"What is it?"

A gloved hand reached for hers, "are we gonna get stuck in the snow?"

"No honey," Rin smiled down at Kagome, their boots marching through the tick snow as her brown eyes glanced overhead, "not if we hurry."

The little girl nodded as she followed her cousin, thick fat flakes beginning to fall as they approached the forest where their cabin lay, the wind picking up as the wooden door creaked open and was slammed shut, the little girl shivering before she slipped off her fur-lined coat, Rin placing the hood on the hook beside her own, boots, mitts and muffler all lined up on the table beside the door, Kagome bouncing over to the wooden table, her backpack placed on the top as she pulled out the contents, meat and vegetables spilling out while Rin did the same, her delicate hands placing their shopping in the respective cupboards and the perishables exposed to the cooler in their pantry, the woman shivering as she shut the heavy door, her lithe form ascending the steps back to where her cousin sat.

"Rin," Kagome asked, her little feet bouncing on the wooden floor, "what're we gonna do for dinner,"

"Dunno," the young woman told her, her knees hitting the wood as she began stacking logs in the grate in their stone fireplace, the warm orange glow lighting up the room and warming the two girls, the gate closing over it, "what do you want?"

"Hmm," the finger touched her lip as the little girl thought, a bright smile spreading across her face, "beef stew!"

"Aright then," Rin smiled, "beef stew it is!"

The young woman rose as her little cousin bounced around her legs, her eyes looking out at the snow covered hills, the sound of shot echoing though her mind, the thick snow beginning to fall sideways with the wind, the bitterness and bite of the cold prevalent even through the glass, Rin thankful that she and Kagome managed to make it in on time.

True to Rin's prediction, the snow storm had become fierce by nightfall, the wind churning the flakes every which way around the demon and his younger brother, long white hair whipping around his face and body, his hands clutching the robe around his brother's body to his chest, his head bowed as he lifted one leg after the other out of the thick snow, his own body shivering in the cold weather.

The dogs had been as pathetic as he assumed, a simple snarl from his lips chasing them away with their tails between their legs, whimpers escaping their lips as they retreated to their master's heels, the humans infuriated by their cowardice. The dog demon left the confines of the tree trunks only when night had fallen, his little brother still pressed to his chest as his feet tore towards the open fields, the blizzard concealing his tracks to any potential followers, the wind stronger and crueler than he had imagined or was used too.

"Big brother Sesshomaru?"

The tiny voice brought his narrowed eyes down towards the boy, his little brother seemingly trying to turn his head away from the whipping snow and wind, an attempt unsuccessful with the direction of the flakes, his own eyes squeezed tight.

"I-I'm cold," the child whimpered, his tiny body shivering in the demon's arms, the hold on him tightening.

"I know," Sesshomaru admitted, "I am too. Just hold on a little longer, I'll find us a place to rest."

InuYasha said nothing but whimpered quietly, slight sobs slipping from his lips as he snuggled closer to his brother.

"I'm sorry InuYasha," the demon whispered softly, "I know you've been freezing for the two days we been walking and longer with… our father's death," his hand covered the ears and the white hair, "but I'll find you warmth tonight, I promise."

"K-Kay..."

Sesshomaru looked upwards to the hill that he could barely see in the thickness, his amber eyes searching around for some cover for both him and his little brother, his feet forced to move on in the snow, his little brother curled into him, the demon trying to keep the half-demon warm, the hand on his hair had felt the child's forehead, the fever worrisome.

The crunch of snow caused his body on full alert, the demon turning to the sound, his body defensive and protecting while the figure backed away at his ferocity, a hand held up in an attempt to defend itself against him, the body showing no sign of an intending attack. The demon's eyes narrowed as his fangs barred at the intruder, his bother carefully concealed while the two stared at each other, the other's face concealed within a hood and muffler, the outside a tough suede for the weather while the inside appeared to be fur-lined, the length slipping down to the person's shins which was covered by a pair of long boots, the same material and colour of the coat.

Slowly, the figure raised a mitten towards him, the arm made in a gesture so as to follow them, the person appearing nonthreatening nor a hunter, no gun on their back and no sword by their hip; any dagger hidden under the thick coat would be impossible to retrieve in time to assassinate him or his little brother before the demon could kill them. Cautiously, the demon pulled his feet out of the snow towards the beckoning figure, the back of the brown jacket turned to him as it led them through a new thicket of trees, the body weaving towards the base of a mountain, Sesshomaru noticing a small cabin blending perfectly into the dark rocks of the landscape, the figure slipping to the side of it, light spilling from the open door as it slipped inside the demon following behind them, his body relaxing as warmth spread over his body and the wind ceased pushing on his form.

Boots clomped along the wood form as the figure removed the jacket and muffler from its body, long midnight tresses spilling from hood, the mittens revealing delicate hands as her jacket was slipped off, her slim form revealed to the firelight and to the widening and tried amber eyes, her body turning to him with nervousness on her face, her brown eyes wide and innocent, expressive to every emotion.

"What are you doing?"

The harsh question that slipped from the demon's lips caused the young woman to flinch slightly, her throat swallowing her nervousness.

"The storm is going to continue for about three days," she spoke softly, her voice like a snowbird's song, her fear practically rolling off her in waves, "I-I was walking through the trees for the last bits of kindling when I saw you and-"

"You make a habit of helping demons?" Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as he breathed heavier then he intended, unaware of how much of a toll the storm had taken on him.

"I didn't… know you were a demon until I saw you-"

"And you still helped?"

Determined dark brown eyes met his amber ones, her petite body standing tall.

"Of course."

Sesshomaru was taken aback by her statement, his eyebrows raised slightly before the bundle in his arms moved, his eyes looking towards his younger brother, the head snuggling against his chest as the boy drew painful breaths from the air, his face flushing with his fever.

"What do you have there?"

The demon drew away, his back pressing against the door as his shoulders were turned towards the young woman, her hand outstretched to the two of them.

"I mean you know harm," she told them kindly, "I let you into my house knowing you were a demon, I just want to know I can trust you."

"You let me into your house without trusting me?" Sesshomaru accused, "you are a foolish woman."

"I want to trust everyone," Rin murmured, "but I know I can't; it doesn't mean I can't try."

The demon simply glared at her, knowing that he shouldn't be so accusing of the young woman that had generously opened her house to the two of them from the nipping cold, experience having taught him otherwise. Slowly, he pushed off from the wall the red rope removed from his slightly panting younger brother, the brown eyes widened at the sight of the sickly boy.

"I-I have a guest bedroom," the young woman stammered, her body leading them down the hall, the demon following with his brother still in his arms, a wooden door opening to a room with a double bed fitted with a large quilt, the room dark with the wooden shutters closed over the windows and an empty fireplace, the stone area chilled without a fire in the fireplace. "Here," she told him nervously, her hands wringing as the demon stepped into the room, "g-give me a moment."

Sesshomaru heard her feet patter along the wooden floor, the sound of wood moving around before she retreated back to the room where the demon was slipping his younger brother under the covers, his amber eyes watching as her arms were laden with wood, three logs stacked in the place before she lit the kindling, the orange glow beginning to warm the room.

"Those should make the room warm for the night," she told him standing, "if it get too hot, use the water to extinguish it or just let it die."

"Right," he murmured as he looked over at his brother, the half-demon looking pained as he drew in air, his brother's hand on his forehead, the boy breaking out into a clammy sweat.

"Is he your son?"

"Brother," Sesshomaru corrected softly, "he's my half-brother."

"I see," Rin nodded before looking back over the boy in worry, "is he alright?"

"He's been out in the cold weather for far too long, even for a half-demon," he confessed, "he was nearly suffering from hypothermia when I found him and since I couldn't get to someplace warm, he's only gotten worse."

"Do-Do you want some medication for him?"

"If you have any-"

"Give me a minute," she called to him as she slipped silently out of the room, the demon's sensitive ears detecting the sound of a rustling though a bag, the young woman returning with a brown bottle in her hands, a silver spoon in the other, a dark liquid spilling onto the spoon. "This liquid is extremely bitter," Rin told him, "but it'll help."

"Give it to me first."

Confused chocolate eyes turned to him, the demon looking back intensively.

"I will not have you poison my little brother," he told her, "let me taste what you give him."

"Alright," she sighed softly, her delicate hand under the spoon before she handed the medicine to him, the demon's tongue tasting the bitter liquid, his face grimacing in disgust.

"Fine," he murmured, his hands taking the spoon from her, "I'll give this to him."

Rin nodded as she respectively backed from the two of them, her hands in front of her slim legs.

"I'll leave the bottle with you," the young woman told him, "don't give him much more than another spoonful though."

"Right," the demon nodded, "I understand."

"I'm uh-I'm just down the hall if you need anything," she informed him softly, her hand on the doorknob, "have a good night."

Sesshomaru turned to his little brother, the spoonful gently slipped passed through the boy's lips, the child grimacing and coughing at the taste, his shivering body curling into a small ball.

"Do you… do you need anything to eat or drink?"

"No, we'll be fine," the demon told her, his own body feeling exhaustion sinking in, his feet carrying him to the other side of the bed, his amber eyes turning to her, "but… thank you… for your hospitality Ms.…"

"Rin," she told him, "you can just call me Rin."

"Well… thank you, Ms. Rin," he nodded once, "you may call me Sesshomaru," his eyes flickered to his little brother, "and he is InuYasha."

"Then good night, Sesshomaru and InuYasha," Rin smiled, "but I should warn you, my younger cousin is here with us and she doesn't know about you yet. Just be cautious when you're up in the morning."

"Thank you for the advice."

The young woman nodded as she slipped out of the room, the heavy wooden door shutting behind her while the demon slowly settled under the covers, his little brother curling up beside him, Sesshomaru's arm moving over the little body, his eyelids growing heavy as his head hit the pillow, his thoughts revolving around the curious young woman with skin almost as pale as snow and yet appeared so soft it looked as though the chill hadn't touched it, her smile warm enough to melt the ice surrounding them. The most curious thing about her was her kindness, allowing a complete stranger and a demon at that into her cabin where she resided alone with her young cousin; sleep settled in quickly for the demon his mind ignoring the oddities about her as he succumbed to a longed for warmth after two days of nothing but traveling, his little brother appearing to feel the same.

Reviews?