Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha…there you frikk'n copyright people…happy now???!!! (haha…just kidding )

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Summary: After she lost her parents during an attack on the village, Rin was kidnapped and forced into slavery in Naraku's castle. But when a curse is laid upon Sesshoumaru, he must seek the rebellious Rin and obtain the only cure to the curse.

In order to do this, he has to free Rin from her captivity. But he later finds out, Rin isn't such a sweetie, and getting that cure isn't such a piece of cake. The only problem now is, he only has thirty nights to convince her before the curse is complete.

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A/N: Yes, yes, I know...why am I starting another story when I've got my hands full trying to update the others…? Well, I was inspired to start this one, so deal with it or get lost!!

Haha…nah, just joking. You know you all mean a lot to me, right? Hee…I was originally planning to name this fic "Prisoner of the Heart", but it sounded a little too corny. So I scratched that plan and named it "Thirty Nights".

Anyways, I hope you all enjoy!!

Much love!!

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Thirty Nights: Chapter One: Escape

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The halls were extremely dark; the only light came from the dimly lit candles on every other wooden pillar. The night was eerily quiet…like always. The only sound you could hear was the soft burning of fire from the candles. If it were any other person, they'd be terrified to their bones by the mere setting of the place, but walking through the hallways in the creepy aura was no problem for Rin. Even if there were no light to guide her, she knew this place like the back of her hand.

Of course, she had lived here since she was a child. That heartless, disgusting, murderous Naraku was the only one who could give her shelter from the cold world. But then again, she'd rather chance the outside dangers than stay here.

Rin sighed. Dreaming of such freedom was impossible. There was no way anyone, especially the women, could escape Naraku's castle, or his barrier. That damned barrier was not only meant to keep intruders out, but to lock the castle's inhabitants in. Except, of course, for Naraku himself.

As a child, Rin's duties were to tend to household chores and gardening on the outward areas of the castle. But when she turned 15, she was moved up to clean the rooms closer to the lord's wing. Now, at the age of 18, she was told Naraku "qualified" her to be one of the women next in line to be his personal servant. And when they said personal, they meant personal.

Rin shuddered at the thought of being one of Naraku's concubines. She refused to be used for that purpose.

Smiling softly to herself, she wondered when she had become so bold…so brash. When she was a child, before her parents had been taken away from her, she used to be so carefree and all smiles. She'd talk non-stop forever and ever. Not a thing in the world could possibly get her down.

But now, after years of living under Naraku's evil eye, her whole persona had changed. She was no longer the carefree, happy, sometime klutzy, child. Now she was defiant, graceful, cold, and outspoken. Not even Naraku could hold down her temper without threatening to kill her. And if even that didn't work, he threatened to deflower her before her time.

'The sick bastard. He thinks he can just control women any way he wants to. If it ever comes down to it Naraku…even if it has to be your moment of weakness…I will kill you.'

"Rin?"

Rin stopped in her tracks and looked up at the sound of her name being called. "Ino."

"Hey…why so quiet?" Ino responded with a smile, halting to a stop beside Rin. "You're not even looking where you're going."

Rin returned the smile. "Sorry. Just thinking."

"Ah. You're always thinking nowadays. C'mon!! Don't be so down." Ino tried.

Rin only looked away. "How can I not be? How is it that you're so cheerful?"

Ino frowned sadly. "Rin…I know it's hard. But if even you, the Queen of Sunshine, don't smile, then it'll be harder for me to even try."

Rin scoffed at the nickname. "You mean, ex-Queen. I no longer have sunshine in my life…except for you, of course."

Ino wrapped an arm around Rin. "Don't you remember?"

Rin turned her head to look Ino in the eye.

"Wasn't it you who told me that frowning constantly will only give me wrinkles? It'll be absolutely horrid for my beautiful face!!"

Yes, that was right, Ino was beautiful. Perhaps the most beautiful woman Rin has ever laid eyes on. "Right. I almost forgot." Rin said, holding up her chin. "But you better start worrying, Ino. Because one day, I might just surpass your beauty."

"Nuh-uh. Sorry to break it to you honey, but no matter how beautiful you get, I'll always win first place." Ino replied teasingly, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Rin glared at her playfully for a few moments. "Trying to bring down the opponent. I see you are already worried."

The two girls laughed as they continued walking to their room.

The smile returned to Ino's face. "See? That's more like it."

When Rin had been taken to live in Naraku's castle, she was thrown into a random servant room. She remembered crying for the loss of her parents. It was then that she discovered that she wasn't alone. It had been Ino's room that Naraku's men had decided to throw her in.

Waking up from her sleep, Ino looked over at the crying human girl. Standing up in the darkness, she walked over to Rin, and without exchanging words, the older girl had scooped Rin into her arms and softly rocked her to sleep.

Since then, Ino and Rin had become the best of friends. And because Ino was older, it made her act the part of an older sister. Rin could never thank Kami enough for bringing Ino into her life. Ino was the only oasis in this world of chaos. After her parents died, Rin thought that there was no longer any reason to live. It was Ino who saved her from that.

Throughout the years, they had always looked after the other. Unfortunately, Rin was one of the only few humans that resided there. In fact, she was the only female human there.

Sometimes, when the other female demons teased and taunted Rin, Ino would always step up. Of course, Ino was also a demon, a dog demon to be precise, but that never altered the way she felt about Rin. Rin was, and always will be, her younger sister…demon or not.

Reaching the comforts of their tiny room, Rin slid the door to the side, and headed over to her futon. After changing to a sleeping kimono, she settled herself into her sheets. She then looked over at Ino, who was currently brushing her long white hair in front of the vanity, like she did every night. "Hey, Ino?"

"Hn?"

"I can't sleep."

Ino turned to smile at the younger girl. Walking over to Rin's side, she knelt down and pulled the sheets further up her body. "And what would you like to hear tonight?" Ino asked, already knowing that Rin wanted to listen to a story.

Although Rin was already eighteen, there was so much she learned through Ino's stories. And more importantly, it somehow kept her sanity under control, knowing that there still were simple moments like bed time stories in this crazy world. Because of that, she never got tired of listening to them.

Rin thought about it for a moment. "Hmm…what haven't you told me about yet?"

Ino cocked her head to the side. "I thought I've told you everything…" she said, fiddling with her necklace. Realizing what she was playing with, Ino looked down at the object and smiled. "Come to think of it, I haven't. Rin, did I tell you the story behind this necklace?"

Rin looked at the beautiful crystal hanging around Ino's neck. Rin shook her head. She didn't even know it had a story behind it.

(Okay, this part is very important to the rest of the story.)

"Alright." Ino propped herself and crossed her legs. She then started telling the legend in a tell-tale voice.

"Long ago, during the Golden Age of the Dog Demon tribe, there was a great leader, a great king, named Daiyounin. During his reign, our tribe was abundant in everything, and we ruled all the plains of the West. But when our ruler fell into a trap set by a dark miko, our tribe was cursed."

"Cursed?" Rin asked.

Ino nodded and continued. "Our tribe was cursed to either die…or become human…forever. The dog demon clan would be completely wiped out from the world. But our leader wouldn't have it. He wouldn't let his people pay for his mistake. Sacrificing his life, he did his best to rid us of this curse."

Ino stopped, with a faraway look in her eyes. Rin prodded her to continue. "And so?"

Snapping out of her trance, Ino continued. "The curse would not---could not---be lifted. The best Lord Daiyounin could do was bargain. He lifted the curse from everyone else, but he couldn't reset the curse on his bloodline. And so, the tale is that in every seventh generation, a bloodline descendant will become a half-demon."

Rin looked at her with questions in her eyes. "What? I don't understand."

"In every seventh generation, there will be a descendant of Daiyounin who will become a half-demon, and if the worst happens, maybe even a human." Ino rephrased. "Regardless if he is already a full fledge demon, at a certain age, he will be affected by the curse."

"How sad…" Rin said. She then scrunched her eyebrows. "…wait, what does any of that have to do with the necklace?"

Ino put a hand over the necklace. "This necklace is called Kiori. Kiori was given to my ancestors. They were always the right hand servants of the King. And of course, as the right hand men, they were to always protect the royal bloodline, even if it cost them their lives. Kiori was passed down from generation to generation, until finally, it ended up with me. So basically, I'm holding generations of power in my hands."

Rin looked at the necklace in awe.

"The purpose of this necklace was to hold the incredible power for the descendant that became a half-demon. When that descendant gains its power, he or she will become a full demon again."

"How do you know when it's time?" Rin asked.

"Remember, the curse happens during every seventh generation. If I'm correct, I'm the seventh guardian since the last time it's been used." Ino gave a soft laugh. "Funny thing, though, is that the necklace carriers are always women."

Rin looked at her skeptically. "Why women?"

Ino laughed again. "That, Rin, I will tell you in another tale. Right now, you must get to bed. It's already late and we've still got to wake up by dawn."

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xOxO

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Sesshoumaru huffed as he clutched at his chest. "Bokuseno..." he growled angrily. He had traveled a long way just to talk to the old demon tree, and of course, he had to push down a lot of pride just to come here and ask him what was going on.

"Hello there, young pup. And what honor do I have for you to bestow me with your presence?"

Sesshoumaru growled again. "I'm not here to play games, Bokuseno. You'd better have the answers to my questions."

Bokuseno laughed. This only served to anger the Taiyoukai even more. "Well, well. What is it then, child?"

"What the HELL is going on with me?! Lately, I've felt like my blood, like the demon inside me, has been ebbing away. And these…these preposterous dreams of this Sesshoumaru becoming a ridiculous half breed…and sometimes, even a despicable human, keep invading my mind whenever I sleep." Sesshoumaru clutched at his chest again.

"Not only that, but there are pains that attack my body. And there are times…times when my scent changes. During those times, I smell…like a half-breed. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!!"

The demon lord's eyes flashed from gold to red and back as he glared intently at the demon tree. Bokuseno kept quiet for a few moments, his thoughts running around to find an answer. Finally, he spoke up, breaking the silence. "Young pup, do you know the story of Kiori?"

Sesshoumaru growled at this. "Don't you dare bring that up. I am not the seventh generation, Bokuseno!!"

Bokuseno sighed. "Think back, boy…you are smart. Think back on all the great lords before you."

Sesshoumaru's face contorted in anger. His eyes became fully red at the thought of being ordered what to do. But nonetheless, he breathed in and out calmly, thinking back to his family tree.

"The last to use Kiori was Taiyounin, four times great-grandson of Daiyounin. That was seven generations ago." Bokuseno offered.

"And how sure are you of this?!" Sesshoumaru asked angrily.

"Ino was born just a century ago. She is the seventh prophesized guardian. And Inuyasha is already a half-breed. That means you, pup, are the appointed cursed descendant."

Sesshoumaru turned around from the tree, trying to keep his anger in check and not slice the tree into firewood.

"You have until the next new moon, Sesshoumaru. You must seek Ino and find Kiori. If you don't get to her by then…then you surely know what'll happen."

"Where can I find her?" Sesshoumaru asked more calmly.

"I know where she resides…yet I do not know where she is."

"Stop with the riddles, Bokuseno. Have I not said that I have no time for games? Or must I make it more clear to you?" Sesshoumaru hissed, lifting a hand and cracking his knuckles.

"Calm down. I am not playing a game, child."

Sesshoumaru looked over his shoulder to the tree, quirking an eyebrow. "Do explain. For I have no clue as to what you're talking about."

"There are those that know about what's going on in the world that come here and gossip with me. A particular acquaintance, or more like a friend, is also a friend of Ino. He has told me that she was kidnapped ten years ago by a half-breed."

Sesshoumaru looked at the tree with interest. "Half-breed, you say? It shall be an easy task, should it not?"

"Don't get too cocky, pup. This is no ordinary half-breed, he may be even stronger than you. Find him, and you'll find Ino. Find Ino, and you'll find Kiori."

"Who is this half-breed?"

"Naraku."

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xOxO

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"I will save you. Don't worry…and never doubt my promise."

"But my lord, I don't know how much longer I can handle staying here…" Rin replied as she looked up at a shining light.

"Trust me, love. I'll be here for you soon." With that, the light began to fade.

Rin panicked and got to her feet. "No, wait!" She sprinted towards the fading light. "Please, don't leave me!!"

"I will come for you soon. Trust me…"

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"Rin!!"

Rin jolted awake. She was breathing hard as Ino looked over her. "Rin, are you alright?"

"Ino?"

"Oh thank God…you were screaming in your sleep."

Rin got up into an upright position as she looked at Ino with half-sleepy eyes. "What? What was I saying?"

"First, you were only mumbling. Then you started yelling for someone to wait. What were you dreaming about?"

Rin thought about it for a moment. "I…I, uh…it's nothing." She finally said. Rin felt bad about lying to Ino, but she didn't want the older girl to worry. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing. Just a bad dream."

Ino was slightly unconvinced. But then again, Rin had never told a lie, neither was she the type of person to do so. "Alright, c'mon. We have to get up anyways. Dawn is here and Lord Naraku will get angry if we start our assignments late again."

Rin complied and got up. She folded up her futon before gathering her items for a bath. Following Ino out the door, they walked to the southern wing of the castle.

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xOxO

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After taking a cold shower, Rin changed into her usual, tattered work kimono. She told Ino goodbye and set off to do her daily work. Grabbing the cleaning supplies from the storage room first, Rin headed to the lord's northern wing.

Starting at the first room on the second level, she went down on her knees and started scrubbing the floor. Rin hummed softly to herself. She would have sang, but at this time and age, she just couldn't find the heart to.

Pausing to wipe the sweat off her brow, she remembered her old village, and the way her mom used to sing while working on the fields. Her mother and father were ordinary village folk, and as long as she had them, she didn't care if they were poor, or if life was hard. She was always happy, no matter what, to have her loved ones around her.

She remembered her mother's smiles and her father's jokes. At the thought of it, Rin almost cried. Shaking her head, Rin bent down again and continued her work. It was then that she heard voices and footsteps from outside.

Rin knew she shouldn't be eavesdropping, but her curiosity got the best of her. Crawling ever so slowly and quietly to the door, she stopped by the corner and slid it open a peek. There, she saw Naraku and his right hand man coming her way. Slipping the door shut again, she turned around and stealthily crawled back to the middle of the room where her supplies were left unattended.

To her dismay, the two figures stopped just outside the door of the room she was in. She could tell from the outline of their shadows.

Naraku turned to look at the other man. "So, who is next and when?"

"Ino, sir, two nights from now."

Rin's eyes widened at her friend's name being mentioned. Ino was next? Next for what? Stilling all her movements so that she could hear better, Rin sat up and looked towards the door.

"Ino, hmm? She will definitely serve her purpose well."

"Oh, she will. And if I may say so, she is rather beautiful, my lord."

Rin knew that if any other man were to say that about Naraku's line of women, they would have been punished. But hence, this was his right hand man, so of course, all he got was a nod from his master.

"And after Ino?" Naraku asked again.

Rin could hear the man ruffle through the scroll.

"Oh, here she is…Rin."

There was silence for a few moments. "Rin?"

"Yes, the, uh, human girl. She'll follow after you tire of Ino."

"Hn. Very well."

And with that, the two figures walked away. As their footsteps faded, Rin released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Did Naraku realize that she was in that room? Did he ask the man those questions just to spite her because he knew she was listening? Or was it pure coincidence that she happened to be at the right place at the right time?

'More like the wrong place at the wrong time…'

A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead…and it wasn't from her labor. It was from her fear…her worst fear…and now, the time has come.

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xOxO

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"Ino! INO!!" Rin yelled as she entered their room. During the whole day while she was doing her chores, all that Rin was able to think about were Naraku's dreadful words.

Ino turned her head from the vanity to Rin. "What is it? What's wrong?!"

Rin struggled to catch her breath. "Come, sit down." Ino urged.

Rin shook her head. "No…no, I'm fine." Looking up, she straightened her composure. "Ino…I overheard…Naraku."

Ino released Rin and walked over to close the door. She then walked back to Rin. "What about the lord?"

Rin was the only one in the entire castle who refused to call him "lord," unless, of course, she was threatened to do so. "You're to be his next, Ino, you're next! And in two nights from now, you'll be sent to his bed chambers."

Ino only looked at her with an unreadable expression for a moment. Turning around, she walked over to their vanity and crunched down. Opening a small compartment, she pulled out a tiny traveling bag. "Rin, I'm going to leave this place…and I'm taking you with me."

Rin was elated...but… "Ino…" crunching next to Ino, Rin took her hands in hers. "…I'm so thankful you're in my life, you know that right?" Ino nodded her head. Rin continued. "And I'm so thankful that you'd take me with you, but…"

"But what, Rin? It's our chance to escape."

"I know, but what I was about to say was, how are we going to get pass that barrier? And besides that, how are we going to get off the palace grounds without setting off the traps? Let alone, get pass the guards?"

Ino smiled and brought up her hand. She tapped her nose. "Have you forgotten? I am a demon."

"The guards are demons too, Ino. Besides, have you forgotten, that I am not?"

"That's why you've got me."

Rin thought about it for a moment, before looking away. "I'll only slow you down."

Ino frowned at Rin. "Rin…I'm not leaving this place without you. You either have to come with me, or I'll die at the hands of Naraku."

Rin's eyes widened again. Ino actually said Naraku…without the title. She thought about it for a long moment. "Alright. But promise me you'll go at your own speed and let me try and pull my own weight."

"Deal." Ino said.

"When shall we go?"

"Tomorrow night, when he leaves to meet the Eastern Lord, we'll escape."

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A/N: So how was the first chapter? Boring? Short? Don't worry…the action will start soon…

Until the next chapter, "Knight in Shining Armor"

Island Honey