(((Dedication: Dedicated to Emily—you're always there when I need you.

Summary: Sesshomaru wants to know why Rin does what she does for him. It doesn't take her long to explain.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. If I did, (insert witty comment here).

Info: nonromantic, Inuyasha one-shot; main characters are Sesshomaru and Rin; very short (less than 1,000 words)

Author Notes: Keep in mind that this is NONROMANTIC.)))

Because

By: Tjix

He looked at her sidelong, impatiently brushing strands of silver hair from his keen golden eyes. Watching her go about her day with simple contentment and joy gave him the closest thing to peace that he'd had for as long as he could remember.

She was so... pure. Her innocence and compassion flowed over into everything that she did. Her touch drew the pain from even the worst of his wounds. Her sweet smile set him reeling and off balance. Her imploring eyes would send him to the end of the world and back for her—although he knew that he would never admit it. Her mere presence was enough to soothe the incessant fire that seethed constantly in his soul.

Sesshomaru leaned back against the tree behind him and allowed his eyes to drift closed. He knew that he would sense a threat—or Jaken, who was out gathering fruit and herbs with Ah-Un—long before it arrived.

He felt Rin moving closer to him and shifted curiously, but did not open his eyes. She was about three feet away when she swooped around behind him.

Something very light settled into his hair. His eyes snapped open and he tilted his head back, looking straight up into Rin's brown eyes.

"A crown for Lord Sesshomaru," she said, a dulcet smile gracing her little face.

Reaching up with one clawed hand, Sesshomaru found a circlet of dewy buttercups resting on his head. He looked at Rin, partially in bewilderment, partially in amusement, and partially in resignation. He pulled the buttercup crown off his head and looked at it.

"Why did you make this?" he asked her.

She smiled, took it from his hands, and placed it delicately back on his head. "Rin likes to make things for Sesshomaru-sama."

Sesshomaru pulled it off again and settled it into Rin's dark hair. Her comment had brought to mind a question he had been meaning to ask her for a long time. He cupped her chin, his claws resting lightly against her cheek.

"I would ask you a question."

Rin's smile faded slightly, her face turning solemn. "Of course, Sesshomaru-sama."

"Why did you help me?"

She blinked at the abrupt question. "...?"

Seeing her confusion, he elaborated, "I am a full-blooded youkai, the enemy of your people. When you first encountered me, I was in my feral state. I would have killed you if I could have. Nevertheless, you did everything in your power to aid my recovery. Why?"

Her smile returned full-force. "Sesshomaru-sama needed Rin."

It was his turn to blink, dumb-struck. His benumbed heart was teeming with emotions that he could not begin to understand. His next question was spoken in a voice barely above a whisper. "I have recovered. That obligation is gone. Why do you remain?"

Her smile gentled. She removed his hand from her chin and wove her fingers into his. He could not help but compare her small, childlike hand against his graceful, elegant one. His claws added half an inch to fingers already long enough to enfold hers without trouble.

There was very little in existence that could inspire fear in Daiyoukai Sesshomaru, but the protective, patriarchal instinct awakened in him by the sight of that small hand frightened him to no end—and what Rin said next daunted him even more, mostly because it was true.

"Sesshomaru-sama still needs his Rin."