Seasons Challenge by Nikki Kiraga

The Caretaker (Winter)

Title: The Caretaker
Author: Nikki Kiraga
Prompt: Seasons Challenge - Winter
Genre: General
AU/CU: Canon Universe
Rating: PG
Warnings: None, really, just a couple of minor swear words.
Word Count: 521
A/N: I'm not sure if I want to make this a series or not. Stay tuned.
Summary: Rin gets a new caretaker.

---

She shivered. It was so, so cold.

Whimpering softly, she tried to pull herself into a ball, cursing Inuyasha to hell and back for leaving her behind in this winter weather.

She quickly discovered that winters in Feudal Japan were not enjoyable. Food supply was low, water was nearly impossible to get because of the frozen lakes, and most of all, there was no heater!

She groaned when an animal ran on top of the cave she hid in, and all of the snow came crashing down in front of the cave mouth. Great, now she would have to dig herself out.

"Stupid Inuyasha," she grumbled.

--

Sesshoumaru sighed, ignoring the chattering of little Rin's teeth, and Jaken's shrieking at her to be stronger than what she was. Ah-Un would keep her warm, and shut Jaken up occasionally.

This blizzard was one of the worst he had seen in a long time. He hoped it would be over soon, Rin was getting sick. Perhaps he could talk to his brother's miko... she seemed to like Rin, and vice versa. She also seemed like a good caretaker.

He stopped as he watched a panther demon run off the top of a cave and bolt off to where it was a little warmer. He looked over at the snowed-in cave, and sniffed a little. Through the smell of fire, snow, and more water than he cared for, he smelled her. Hm. Speak of the miko.

He walked over. He decided that he would leave Rin with her until the snow was gone. He figured that 3 humans could keep her warmer and healthier than a few demons. He swept the snow aside, and slowly strode into the cave.

Kagome raised her head, and gasped when she saw Sesshoumaru. She had long ago decided he wasn't a threat, although his presence was still intimidating. "Errr... Sesshoumaru!"

He nodded his head in response. "Miko, Rin is growing ill. I want you to take care of her until spring. Do not allow her to be harmed." His eyes narrowed just slightly in promise of something deadly.

He heard a small "gulp" come from Kagome's throat, and she nodded. "Of course, we'd love to have Rin. We'll take good care of her, don't you worry!" She grinned, despite her own shoulders being hunched over from the cold.

"Hn." He turned, walked toward Ah-Un, and lifted the bundled up Rin from the dragon's back. He then carried her into the cave, and sat her down beside Kagome.

Rin blinked, and understood her master's actions. He didn't do much with words, so she had to decode what he was doing. "So I guess I'm staying with you, Lady Kagome?" she asked with a grin. Her adult teeth were coming in, so the grin was almost toothless, having two of her front teeth gone.

Kagome smiled, and nodded. She rested her hand on Rin's head, then looked at Sesshoumaru as he strode out of the cave. "See you in a month," she called to his back.

"Oh boy," she thought, "this is going to be the death of us all."