After washing the large beast, A-Un, giving his brown scales a well earned shine to them, Rin and Jaken returned him to his saddle and reins before joining Sesshomaru at his tree. For hours Rin and Jaken talked as Sesshomaru watched on, it was mostly Rin talking and Jaken pointing out flaws in her logic.
Soon the sun had settled at the horizon, letting the group know it was time for Rin to return to the village. Sesshomaru rose from his seat, beckoning Rin and Jaken to follow. The imp demon ran to retrieve A-Un as he followed after his lord and the human girl.
"Tell me, Rin, where are you sleeping in the village?" He asked, continuing to keep his gaze forward as they traversed the forest. The girl looked up at him.
"I have been staying with Kagome and Inuyasha. Sometimes I stay with Kaede too..." She said, her voice dying off. She wanted to admit she hardly ever slept, having a harder time falling asleep lately. Sesshomaru glanced at her as she looked away to trap herself in her own thoughts.
"Do you feel safe in this human village?" Sesshomaru persisted, trying to dig out whatever was on her mind. Rin looked back up at him. She hesitated in answering, her voice only coming to life when Jaken scolded her for not answering Lord Sesshomaru's question when he asked it.
"I..." She paused to gain her courage, "I do feel safe, but I don't.. I don't like being around all of these other humans. The presence of the villagers keeps me awake at night..." The little girl finally admitted, casting her gaze away from Sesshomaru in shame. He had brought her to this village in order to protect her, but instead of being grateful for the sentiment she was frightened throughout each night. Sesshomaru looked away from her.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I really am glad you visit me. It makes me feel better and less scared. I wish you would take me from this village, but I know it is for my own good like you said." Rin continued, small tears starting to develop in her eyes as she continued to look away from him. Sesshomaru stopped as he heard her begin to whimper.
"Stop crying you ungrateful child!" Jaken piped in from behind, causing Sesshomaru to swat him on the head. The imp demon retreated behind a confused A-Un as he whispered apologies. Sesshomaru looked away from his charge and the mount, glancing to Rin who was trying to wipe away her tears.
"Rin." Sesshomaru said, forcing the girl to look up at him as she fought back her emotions. His golden eyes pierced hers with their usual coldness, but strangely Rin continued to only feel comfort flood from them even if they displayed no such desire in making her feel better. She sniffled as she looked up at him, uncertain what he was going to say to her.
"You are too young to leave the village. I will not risk your life again. I brought you here to be better protected and to be around other humans. When your older, I may consider changing this decision. But, for now, you will live here where I see fit." Sesshomaru said. It gave Rin a mixture if emotions. He would not be letting her leave anytime soon, but the promise of allowing her to leave eventually was a much more pleasing idea.
"Do you understand then why I will keep you here?" Sesshomaru asked. Rin nodded, still sad about her predicament of not being with Sesshomaru or Jaken anymore. But, the simple thought of the duo visiting her and maybe taking her somewhere else brought a large spark of happiness in her heart.
"I am sorry, Lord Sesshomaru. Thank you for caring for me." She said as she revoked the last of her tears and finished her sniffling. Sesshomaru allowed her a few extra moments to recover before continuing to walk back to the village. She said nothing else after that, only wishing Sesshomaru, Jaken, and A-Un a safe journey before they left.
She made her way to Kagome and Inuyasha's hut. She could tell Inuyasha wasn't home yet, but Kagome greeted her warmly with a hug.
"How was it?" Kagome asked, pulling away but holding Rin by the shoulders to better address her. Rin smiled as she answered.
"It was a lot of fun. Lord Sesshomaru took me to the river. He helped me collect some stones I liked. Oh, and me and Master Jaken washed A-Un too!" Rin said, unfolding her kimono from her belt to show Kagome all the stones she brought home. The woman smiled at her.
"That sounds like you had a lot of fun! Here, let's find something to put those in." Kagome offered, moving away from Rin to search around the small house for a bowl to put the pebbles in. Kagome eventually found a large bowl to put the stones in, much to Rin's glee. She placed them by her sleeping bag, something Kagome managed to have kept from her journey with her friends.
After being given dinner Rin retreated to the sleeping bag, a wide smile on her face. She wondered what her dreams held for her. Sadly she would not fall asleep for a few hours.
Every sound in the night drew her to hide herself further within the bag, her eyes tightly shut as she continued to wish for her fear to dissipate. Whenever she did open her hickory eyes it was always toward the doorway or to Kagome, fearful that she heard someone walking around just outside it. At one point in the night she thought she saw a foot outside and screamed, causing Kagome to shoot up from her place in fright.
Kagome rubbed her eyes as she turned to Rin. The girl was nearly in tears as she pointed to the doorway.
"Lady Kagome, I saw a foot!" She said through her clenched teeth. Kagome glanced to the doorway, rising from her spot and grabbing her bow to go investigate.
"Stay here, Rin." She said as she stepped passed the cover. The worst scenario would be it was just a villager walked passed the house, but Rin was still fearful of the villagers due to her past. She was surprised to hear Kagome's laugh coming from outside.
She rose from her sleeping bag when she heard Kagome call for her. The child peeked sheepishly through the cracks of the straw covering. She was surprised to see Inuyasha outside with Kagome.
"See, Rin? It was only Inuyasha." Kagome confirmed as they began walking into the house. Rin backed away and returned to her sleeping bag as the couple entered.
"You really startled me with that scream, Rin." Inuyasha commented. Kagome chuckled.
"She isn't used to living here yet, give her a break." Kagome hushed him, not giving him a chance to start complaining. She turned to Rin as Inuyasha huffed and laid down.
"Try to get some sleep, Rin. Don't worry, me and Inuyasha will keep any strangers from getting in." She promised to the black haired girl. Rin nodded weakly, shrinking away under the covers.