( *UNPROMPTED SHADOWS. )
//anonymous: do you think if sesshomaru crossed paths with kouga he'd recognize the smell of the wolves that killed rin?
oof -- absolutely my dude. it’s no secret or pass off that sesshomaru has incredible senses. demonic traits visibly enhance this overall but he’s capable of tracking just about anything and everyone by whiff of scent alone unless of course they’re in possession of some extremely formidable aspect that prevents/blocks it. miasma, barriers/etc would generally hinder this but he is a natural born predator; that much remains.
blood for blood -- if it’s for rin sesshomaru would have, at the time ( not taking into account any further character development after said point/post series ) singlehandedly slaughtered anyone who even possessed the same smell he found on rin. absolutely no exceptions.
as per post series/more substantial development, he would likely spare lives for rin’s sake. i am more than welcome to threading this/exploring this scenario @feralfang ( looking at you buddy ) if someone is up for it!