Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. Just the characters I make up.

Chapter 1: A Sigh In The Night

As Rin petted Ah-Un she let out a deep sigh.Though it was spring the night held a cold crispness to it, somehow foreshadowing something. She unsaddled Ah-Un and fed him, all the while humming to herself as she worked. At the age of eighteen her body was fully developed with the proper curves, her dark brown hair reaching down to her thighs, and thanks to her Lord her muscles moved with grace and power that most humans couldn't even dream about. Once she got the two-headed dragon to settle down, she headed back over to the camp where Jaken was starting a campfire. When she saw Jaken fussing over the sleeping blankets and a frown came across her face. Not wanting to go near him while he was throwing a fit she turned to the cliffs and sat on the edge, looking up at the lights above. The light of the full moon caressed her face giving her tanned skin an unearthly glow. She looked out onto the vast green hills, rivers, and lakes, all cast into immanent beauty by the moon light. The stars shone with perfect clarity and as stars flew across the sky, Rin made the same wish on each and every one of them. Please, I wish for him to notice me, notice me more that his human pet. More than his ward.

"Rin! Stop daydreaming and get away from the cliffs edge!" The peaceful quiet was pierced by Jaken's' squawk. Though the little toad stood only three foot four, he was Lord Sesshomaru's right hand man, and her superior. She stood up with a another sigh and began walking to the fire.

Last month her lord received a message announcing that it was his turn to hold the Annual Demon Ball. So Rin and Jaken were given the instructions to make their village rounds early this year. Every year Rin goes around Lord Sesshomaru's lands to retrieve taxes. It reassured the humans in the area that their cruel lord kept a human girl as a close vassal. She had many years of very hard training and sword practice and was more than capable to fight off a mob. For the past three years she went on the rounds by herself, but this year was different. Sesshomaru ordered Jaken to accompany her, she guessed that he wanted Jaken to evaluate her on her mannerisms and protocol. Though Rin had out grown Jaken when she turned fourteen, but she understood him well enough now to see that whenever he criticized her it was his way to show her affection.

"Milord ordered me not to talk to you while you worked, but don't think you are getting off because I will criticize you afterwards. Now hurry and get to sleep, we have a long day ahead of us," Jaken gabbed laying down on the pile of leaves that he had made as his makeshift bed. Rin turned onto her side and smiled to herself.

"Goodnight Master Jaken."

The next day as Rin and Jaken walked into town, she heaved a large sigh and held her back straight and head proud. Though most of the people in town liked her, there was always the few that tempted her temper. "Lady Rin! You're here early this year." The village headman walked out of his hut with a smile on his face. Normally the old flirt was annoyingly persistent with her, but the look on his face as Jaken walked beside her told her that on this visit she would not have that problem. The smile was wiped from his face as his beady little black eyes fell onto the little green toad demon, and he gulped loudly. "Master Jaken," the headman bowed his head, "what a surprise for you to join us." Jaken's chest seemed to puff up slightly as he nodded.

"I am sorry headman for my early arrival, but Lord Sesshomaru deemed it necessary under the current circumstances. Our lord will be holding the annual demon ball is seven suns time."

"But my lady we do not have enough yet to pay for all of our lords taxes…"

"Do not worry yourself. Lord Sesshomaru knows this. We will take whatever you can give us now, and we will come back after the ball for the rest. Lord Sesshomaru is expecting perfect behavior while the ball is commencing." She tried to smile at the man but his eyes seemed to be fixed on her bosom today. It was most embarrassing and she hoped dearly that Jaken didn't notice.

"Well, milady I do have good news, there has been an overpopulation of deer and boar this year, so we have started hunting early. May we contribute to the feasts?" Rin smiled.

"That will do nicely. Now if you will excuse me I will need to talk to some of your artisans and merchants."

"May your stay be fruitful milady," he grinned as he bowed respectfully from the waist. Rin bowed slightly with her head, and left the man gazing at her.

(AUTHORS NOTE: Okay I know that was a short chapter but I have been wanting to get something on this website for a while just didn't have the courage to put it on. Now please do me a favor and review, tell me what you like what you hate … and I will update soon. =)