I do not own Inuyasha

Leaves were changing as the fall wind scattered the red,yellow and brown towards the ground. Rin smiled at the sight in front of her. Fall was a beautiful time full of color and tranquil. The wind brushed over her small frame causing her to hold on tighter to her outer kimono. The strong breeze reminds her of strong arms that protected her. Her cheeks flushed as memories of her beloved replay in her mind. Of course, she wouldn't tell him he was someone beloved to her.

Next spring will be her fifteenth birthday. Lord Sesshomaru had requested she spend the winters with him in his castle so she would be taken care of. Since Granny Kaede's passing, he had been more protective of her. As if that were ever a possibility. But she smiled thinking back to their last meeting.

"Rin, you shall come to stay with me for the winter. I will be back by the first snow fall for you." Sesshomaru said sternly.

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru. How long may I stay with you this time, my Lord?" She asked. For a moment, she was lost in his gazed.

"Until the snow melts on the sakura." He replied coolly.

Her body had reacted strangely as of late. Her body would warm when she caught a glimpse of him. Her palms get sweaty and her heart would race. At first, she thought she was coming down with a sickness but Kagome quickly explained to her that her body was finally changing and her love for her Lord was as well. Not a bad thing. Just changing. Rin was concern but as long as it was not a bad thing, she would not dwindle in the thought aspect.

Kagome asked Rin if she knew what her heart wanted. What she wanted? She never entertained that thought before. Since he saved her, she did what everyone else wanted. She stayed at the village for Lord Sesshomaru. She was a healer for Granny Kaede. She learned to fight to help Inuyasha protect the village. She lived for everyone else. Never once did she considered what she wanted out of life. But it was simple really. She wanted to be with Lord Sesshomaru forever.

"Rin, are you okay? You're zoning out again." Kagome said with a smirked. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Rin smiled back with her eyes. Love and adoration it's only captor. Kagome already knew what the girl was thinking, or more so whom. She herself had that look not too long ago. She was a little older than Rin now. She was fifteen when she met and fell in love with Inuyasha. The last five years though riddled with hardship, has been worthwhile.

Lord Sesshomaru had just return to his castle after visiting Rin. "Jaken, prepare Rin's room and her provisions for the winter." He said walking to his study.

"But it's still four months away..." a rock to the head stopped Jaken mid-sentence."Right away my Lord." He said as he scattered out on Ah-un.

Sesshomaru was weary. So much to do. His ward had stayed her before but each time she came, there was a slight uproar from her presence. Surely these pions knew better than to piss him off. Most of his servants adored Rin. She was bubbly, caring, softspoken, lovely, kind and honest. Unlike the demons residing in the castle. He found her presence to be calming and anticipated her arrival.

She brought out such emotions in him he knew had not existed for a lone time. Rin. She is a mystery to his heart. And lately, he had realize it's presence more and more. She was not an extraordinary human, but to him, she was all that and more... More what though? His affection for his ward boggled him. No time to waste on unnecessary contemplation.

He called a meeting to inform his mens of her arrival within the next four months, for three months or so. He will grant 'vacation time' for those who wish to take leave at this time.

She is his ward. She will be given the respect as such, human or not. Since his father's time, Sesshomaru had spent the chunk of his life striking fear into all his subjects and the demons within his kingdom. No one dare question his antics. When Rin first came to visit two years ago, he had to remind them who was in charge. Ridiculous really. Why would ANYONE in their right mind challenge him? He ended those confrontations swiftly. Though tempted to end whole court, he didn't because Rin would need some attending too, so he will let them live for now.

He needed, no demanded complete obedience from them. And they will submit. He will not let her feel alone like the first time she visited.

flashback

"This is your room, Rin. Jaken will call you when your meals are ready. You need to rest from out travel. You are not to roam without myself or Jaken. I have matters to attend to but I am only a hallway away if you wish to see me."

"Oh, thank you so much Sesshomaru sama. Rin is happy to be here with you. I'll rest if you wish it so. Will I see you for dinner my lord?" she asked with pleading widen chocolate eyes.

".." Sesshomaru glanced down to her and left. Rin was thrilled. This would be the first time she'd see him eat. 'I wonder what he eats.'

The castle was nice and big and she wanted to explore but that would have to wait. She had two months here and she will have plenty of time for that.

She woke up from her nap and noticed it was dark outside. Worried that she overslept, she quickly get dressed and ran out her chambers. She got lost on her way to the dining hall and ended up standing next to a statue of Izayoi. Just then she heard some lady in waiting talk about a human pet Lord Sesshomaru brought home and was going to kill. ' He hates humans. I wonder of the pet knows that. She will never be anything but a pet to him." She said loud enough for RIn to hear, fully aware of her presence. The two ladies left.

Rin slid to the ground and pulled her knees in closer. 'He hates me. But he saved me so many times...he hates Inuyasha and all the other humans I know...he...does he really want to kill me?' Rin started sobbing. She could only hope that she heard wrong but she couldn't help but wonder if those demon ladies were right. She pushed her face into her lap and cried some more. She felt so lonely. No one wanted her here.

Sesshomaru was reading some doctrine when he notice Rin's scent rushing pass his door. He noted it was getting darker so she might have thought she was late. Silly child. But Jaken was not with her...he wil be punished for this. Just then her scent turn into fear and then sorrow. His pace increased when he smell tears from his beloved ward. The sight of her sitting on the ground holding her knees and crying is one he never wants to see, especially in his own castle.

"Rin," Sesshomaru said softly, more concern than commanding," Why are you crying? You do not seem hurt."

SHe looked up to him with big eyes full of sorrow and hurt. "My lord, do you...do you hate me? Do you wish for my death? Because...they said it was so.." She sobbed her words out.

Sesshomaru was beyond enraged. Who dared say such things in his castle? " Rin, heed me." He said as his claw wiped away tear after tear pouring over her cheeks," I have Never wanted you in danger for me. And regardless of what is true in the past of my discern, human or demon, you are now my ward. My Rin." Regretting instantly the emotion he allowed to leave his lips.

Rin's eyes widen instantly with adoration. She jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her head on his shoulder. One phrase and all her pain was forgotten. My Rin. She couldn't hide her smile as she whispered," Thank you my Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshomaru lips slowly curve up. His arms came underneath her knees as he carried her bridal style to the dining hall.

The rest of her visit was better though she never revealed who had said such things. He wanted to remedy the situation but she wanted to leave it alone and he abide to her wishes.

end of flashback

'Rin, you will not suffer like that again, I will make sure of it' he told himself. He found his thoughts were constantly concerning a small human. Rin. He is happy when she is, and he is calm when she is laughing and singing. Only Rin could make him 'feel' so much. So much that his mother slipped into his study undetected.

"My, my Sesshomaru. What has caused you to be so deep in thought that an assassin could have gotten away with murder?" She sarcastically said. "I've been entertaining rumors of a pitiful human coming to spend the winter here. Is it really necessary for her to be here? "

"Mother. Your concerns are unwarranted. She is my ward and it is her privilege to stay her at the castle. Besides, I have taken care of those who would cause her concern."

"Your ward? It that all she is to you? You know as well as I, we are creatures of dominance and not companionship. If she were here, she would be isolated among human and demon alike. Is that really what you want for her? I have grown to enjoy her presence. She brings a calmness I have yet to decipher and I do not want to change that in any way. I will return when the girl is here. We both know she would be lonely with you to entertain her. Your conversation skills are so abundant. The child is grown now. I can hardly wait." She said walking towards the window.

"She is none of your concern.." but his mother was already gone in a ball of energy. He really did not need her meddling in his affairs. This was going to be a long winter for all of them.