The Sickness

1.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, Rin's tummy hurts," said a small, plaintive voice.

Sesshoumaru's low tone replied, "Perhaps you should not have eaten those unripe berries, then."

They continued walking, Ah-Un's claws thudding on the dirt path.

"Where did Master Jaken go?"

"I sent him to attend my affairs at home."

Rin nodded once, laid across Ah-Un's saddle and tried to ignore the cramping pain twining her stomach into knots. Sesshoumaru noticed the little girl's discomfort. Unconsciously, he slowed his pace to keep a closer eye on her. As long as he knew the girl, she had never been this un-energetic.

"Rin."

She looked up into his beautiful golden eyes. "Yes, my Lord?"

"How long have you had this pain?" and, as an afterthought, he tacked on, "I am...curious."

"Rin's tummy started hurting right after Rin took a bath." The little girl winced. "It didn't hurt a lot so Rin didn't say anything. Rin feels sick now."

Sesshoumaru settled a graceful hand across his Rin's forehead. He then touched his own. Her raised body heat clung to his palm, telling him she did indeed have a fever. Leaning over, he sniffed once, seeking out any infected wounds that may have escaped his notice.

Nothing. She smelled of wildflowers and grass.

"I don't know what ails you, Rin. This does not follow the typical illnesses you humans fall under every year." Sesshoumaru turned his head, his long hair swishing like satin. "Perhaps that odd human wench of the future can help."

The demon lord hated lowering himself to ask for human aid. But he couldn't bear the pain in the Rin's eyes. Something was seriously wrong and he needed to find a cure, fast.

"Ah-Un, stay here and guard Rin."

The dragon nodded both heads.

Sesshoumaru shed his heirloom pelt and wrapped it around Rin's shivering body. It was not an easy task with only one useful hand. "This Sesshoumaru will return soon."

With that, he formed his magical cloud and flew away.

o0o

Every time I say I'm going home, he freaks! Kagome thought to herself as she walked towards the wooden Bone Eater's Well. Her black hair was mussed slightly because of a low branch that almost took her head off in the dark. She heard a swish and looked up. Oh!

There stood Sesshoumaru, the tall, proud, insanely beautiful brother of Inuyasha. The full moon rose at his back to outline his silver hair. He looked deceptively angelic.

Kagome immediately took a defensive posture, her heart thudding in her ears. Something about Sesshoumaru seemed off. He appeared oddly small. That's when she realized he lacked his pelt. It was strange to see two spiked shoulder-guards instead of one.

"What do you want?"

"Your assistance."

She blinked. Did her ears deceive her? "My...assistance? Why?"

Gilded eyes framed in long eyelashes fixed on hers. His voice gained a slight pinch of ice. "Don't ask foolish questions. You will come with me."

Backing up a step, Kagome glared up, "And what if I don't?"

Sesshoumaru's hair flew. In the blink of an eye he was standing directly in front of the human female. "I'll kill you where you stand. But if you assist me, I will let you live."