Summer seemed to bring in a new world. New leaves upon the trees, new babies roaming the world for the first time, new flowers blooming proudly, and an overall feeling of well-being. Rin had slipped outside the garden door, ran out into the suns rays and smiled big, as she twirled and hummed her way towards the rows of flowers.

"It's been too long" Rin said softly, clasping her hands in front of her chest, walking towards the garden. This was her favorite place.

An eight foot solid, white, Victorian fence protected the castles limits. Flowing against the walls foundation, was a man-made river atop the most precisely placed rocks to form a soft waterfall. Just on the outside of the waters bank, were flowers as far as the eye could see. Anticipating her eighteenth birthday, Sesshomaru had a special florist plant only the best of flowers, in varying colors. Reds, blues, greens, whites, pinks, even oranges mixed with black. When he first had shown it to Rin, she could detect the twinge of nervousness that flowed within his aura, she had no idea what he had been worried about; Rin loved all things. When he had her cover her eyes, follow him with her hand in his, towards the waterfall, her curisoty had been peaked.

Sesshomaru, the prestigious Lord of the Western lands, had put some time aside from his extremely tight schedule, just to plan a garden for her. Since that day, she had felt special to him. Nobody could even get enough time from him, to say hello.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the woman who stood in front of him, growling softly as he listened to what she had to say. Jaken stood, bickering nonsense, at his heels.

"Lord Sesshomaru, you know as well as I, that your kingdom will perish if you are to not create heirs. What are your subjects to do, if Kami forbid, you are to pass?" Lady Anyu spoke, she was a powerful Kitsune youkai.

"Hai. This Sesshomaru knows the importance, over anyone, to have heirs for the throne but this Sesshomaru has no mate and thus, no pups" Sesshomaru stated, Lady Anyu nodded with a small smile.

"I understand. What would your kingdom have succumbed to if it had not been for you? Well, on other note, there is a proposition for you. I am offering to be your Lady and mate" Anyu looked up at him, unsure how he would react to such a thing.

Anyu was a few months shy of Sesshomaru's age. The younger sister to the upcoming king of the Eastern lands, and a stubborn young woman. She had blood as fierce and strong as Sesshomaru's. Both their parents had been best friends and when Anyu's father heard of the powerful Dai-Youkai being laid to rest, the Eastern kingdom mourned like no other.

"What is it that you get out of this?" Sesshomaru asked, taking a seat at the head of the table, motioning for Anyu to follow suit. A servant came out with cups of tea.

"Thank you. I would have the honor of being your Lady, the mother of your pups, and to have the status of the Western lands' Lady as well. That alone would be enough. I grew up with you, Lord Sesshomaru. I will die before I see your land perish. Besides, we have equally strengthened blood." Anyu explained, eyeing him as she sipped her tea slowly. Sesshomaru seemed to mull over the option, sipping his own.

"This Sesshomaru a-"

"Sesshomaru!" Rin came running in, stopping short and covering her mouth.

"Lord Sesshomaru, this Rin is terribly sorry. She did not mean to interrupt. I do hope you can forgive me! I apologize!" Rin fumbled over her words as she bowed low. Sesshomaru watched her and stiffened.

"Rin" Sesshomaru motioned her over once she stood.

"It is not a problem, Rin. What did you need?"

"It is of no importance, my lord. I did not know you were meeting with somebody." Rin spoke lightly, knowing he could very well hear her. Sesshomaru watched her, wanting to move the strands of hair from her face but ignored it.

"This is Landy Anyu, Rin." Sesshomaru introduced, she instantly bowed to her.

"Nice meeting you, Rin" Anyu smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine" Rin responded as she noted the beauty Anyu held. Long silver, almost gray, hair flowed down to her rear; held loosely to the side with a blue ribbon. Her thigh lengthened kimono was sky blue with a black left shoulder, traveling down the sleeve, that had blue flowers designed along it. The kimono seemed to mock her icy blue eyes. Black stars marked the outside of her thighs, calves, and rested just below the corner of her eyes.

"Rin, Anyu is to become the Lady of our lands" Sesshomaru stated, Anyu's eyes brightened as a large smile formed on her face.

"Oh! Sesshomaru! That is splendid news!" Anyu said happily, running her fingers through the white, bushy, tail that rested upon her lap.

"Rin is very happy for Sesshomaru and Lady Anyu" Rin gave the best smile she could muster up. Sesshomaru surveyed her face but turned from her, unable to read anything; She had learned well from him.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, this Rin must be returning to her duties, if she may be excused. She apologizes for any interruptions she had caused before, thank you for understanding. Goodbye" Rin bowed respectively, turned, and was gone before getting permission. Sesshomaru watched her for a moment, aware of the way she had spoken. She was nervous and upset.

"I understand that you would have rules"

"Yes. This Sesshomaru is not to be disrespected by you, your people, or your family and there are to be no decisions made without me or through me. Is that understood?" Sesshomaru gave a quick list, distracted by Rin.

"No, not at all. I must return to the Eastern lands. Have a celebration of our coming together and to be blessed" Anyu stood, Sesshomaru watched her for a moment before standing himself.

"Yes. Gather your belongings and return the day after 'morrow. We will discuss things thoroughly at that time"

"Again, thank you, Sesshomaru" Anyu said, Sesshomaru visibly stiffened, glaring at her for a second before he composed himself.

"Hn" Sesshomaru turned and left her alone, heading down the hallway and out of view. Rin had not been in the gardens, she wasn't in her room, she wasn't in the bathing chambers. Where was she? Sesshomaru quickened his pace, checking the library, his study, his chambers, and then every other room. Growling loudly, the corners of his eyes stained pink.

'Where is she!? His demon echoed inside of him, he swiftly rushed off towards his study where Jaken sat busily writing out papers.

"Jaken. Where is Rin?" Sesshomaru said before he was even in the room. Jaken jumped and papers went flying everywhere. Grumbling, he looked up at Sesshomaru with an evil expression.

"I do not know m'lord. Are you certain she is not outside?" Jaken asked, Sesshomaru growled at him at his implications.

"She's not out there, Jaken. I looked everywhere."

"That's unlike her. Where had you seen her last?" Jaken hopped off his stool, gathering all the papers he had dropped.

"She was heading towards her chambers, after leaving the dining hall" Sesshomaru was getting agitated with every second.

"M'lord, she must somewhere" Jaken reassured, Sesshomaru growled before he turned around and checked her chambers, again. She laid on her bed with her back to him in a fetal position. He could not smell salt, so she hadn't been crying.

Without a sound he entered in and stood next to her bed.

"Rin"

Rolling over, she was surprised to see him but instantly sat up and ran her hands along her kimono, smoothing it out.

"Lord Sesshomaru" Rin smiled softly, Sesshomaru ran his eyes over her. She had grown up so much since he had taken her in. She was now eighteen. Her legs were long and slender, commenting the thigh length kimono she wore. Her hips had widened out over the years, forming into the perfect figure eight, with her flat stomach, and full, supple breasts; that filled in her kimono. Her lips were full and begging to be kissed. Cheeks, the perfect shade of pink. Her eyes were soft, doe brown, and vibrant with life. Butt length, black, hair that was as soft as silk, flowed down her back.

Dropping her gaze, her cheeks filled with more color as her lips drew back into a smile. He slipped his hand under her chin before he lifted her gaze back up to him.

"What are you thinking?" This took her by surprise, her lips parted but she didn't say anything for a moment.

"I-" Rin started but immediately stopped herself, unable to speak what was on her mind. How does a human, a simple little human, tell a daiyoukai such as Sesshomaru, that she doesn't want him to mate, mark, and impregnate another demon? They don't. Sesshomaru was not one who took being told what to do lightly. Period! Especially by no human. That would infuriate him enough to murder her, in her own bed.

Sesshomaru could see she was struggling inside, thoughts and words fighting over each other, raging within. He exhaled before speaking.

"Rin... tell me!" He demanded.

"This Rin cannot" Rin pulled her face from his palm and walked over to the doors, that led to her balcony, pulling them open and walking out to the rails. She had never walked away from him and that surprised him, he didn't let it consume him as he crossed the room and went out on the balcony. As much as Rin's body changed, her personality had changed just as much around the edges.

"What is so hard to tell me?" Rin noted that he seemed unusually persistent on the matter. Without turning around, to face him, she spoke.

"This Rin doesn't want Lord Sesshomaru to mate..." Rin started but cut herself off, she felt so embarassed at confessing this. She covered her face with her hands and felt the salt sting the corners of her eyes. The scent of the salt burning his nose.

Rin was the only one who made him feel like his walls could collapse around him, feel like he could be whole for once in his life, could make him feel anything. Deep within he felt scared that she could give him feelings. He couldn't have anybody that let others know he had a weakness. Weakness.

"Rin... don't cry" Sesshomaru growled softly, a purr in his ear, as he nuzzled her neck. Rin was surprised but didn't fight it as she burrowed her face into his chest. Against his better judgment, Sesshomaru planted his lips on her neck and felt her shiver, having to fight his inner demon from going farther.

'Mate! Take her!' Sesshomaru growled more, holding him at bay. Rin looked up at him, she was the only one who could ever read his eyes, and she saw something. Lust, need, and passion? As she pondered it, Sesshomaru slipped his hand into her hair, leaned down, and kissed her softly; unsure whether he should even be doing this.

Rin loosened in his arms as her entire system fell into shock, sliding her hands into his hair and kissing him with raw passion. Sesshomaru growled deeply and pulled her tightly to him as he bit her lip, begging for entrance.

He needed to taste her.

Rin gasped at the feeling of the tingling that traveled down her chest, down her stomach, and pooled within areas she had never felt before. Taking opportunity of the moment, Sesshomaru slipped his tongue in to her mouth and swirled it around hers, rubbing and massaging as he took in her taste. Strong lemon mixed with a hint of tea. He grinned inwardly as she fought him for dominance. Sesshomaru was losing the battle to his demon very quickly, with every time she tightened her grip within his hair and sucked on his tongue. He felt his demon tugging at the edges and rising farther, screaming and howling just beneath his skin.

When Sesshomaru broke the kiss, staring down at her, he zoned out. Unaware he had even stopped the kiss as the edges of his eyes bled red. Rin smirked as she took in the sight of him losing his battle with his demon, she knew he just needed a little pushing and he would lose entirely. Taking his arm, she led him into the room, closed the door and curtains, and pushed him down onto her bed with swift movements. She didn't know why this was happening, how it was, or any of it. None of it had made any sense to her. How she was on top of Lord Sesshomaru, or why he was kissing her. She didn't know how she mustered up enough courage to be sitting on top of him, kissing him, as he lost complete control to his demon. Rin fell deep into thought, as her body took control of the situation and trailed kisses along his neck. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru's demon completely snapped the hold that was on him and broke free, noticing the distant look upon her face, flipped them over. He was going to have fun.

The demon reached up, slipping his hand beneath her kimono and taking a handful of her breast, squeezing it and pulling her back to reality. Hearing her moan made him growl and move his hand, trailing kisses from her jawline to her neck and shoulder. Rin moved and writhed beneath him at the feeling of the continuous tingling traveling through his body, arching up towards him, trying to get him to move farther. The demon grinned within. When he felt her hips move up and touch his southern region, he growled in pleasure and bit down, huffing, and licked her cleavage.

He needed her.

The demon moved to the left, leaving a teasingly soft kiss on the side of her breast. Arching her back farther, Rin nearly broke beneath him and begged for him to go on but she kept her composure and bit her lip. Smelling her arousel highten and hearing her breath hitch, he growled against her skin, untying her kimono and letting it loosen around her. Sesshomaru slid his claw down the opening of the kimono and watched as she wiggled at the tip of his claw, taking in the sight of her bare skin; feeling his breathing stop as his eyes fell onto the special place between her legs, the one spot he wanted to be more than anywhere else.

Rin watched him as her cheeks blazed pink and her chest heaved, sliding her hand into his hair and gripping tightly, unconciously pushing the top of his head, so he could move farther. The demon laughed against her skin. Continuing to tease her with the lightest of kisses. He kept his slow pace, wanting to experience everything delicately. He wanted to memorize her scent, her taste, the sound of her moaning, the way she moved beneath him, and the way she felt as he entered her. He wanted it all. As he laid one last soft kiss just beneath her belly button, he glanced up at her flushed face as he slid his middle finger up inside of her. She gasped and pulled her hips away. Grinning at her reaction, Sesshomaru started moving his finger around inside of her. Listening to her moans made him go faster, reaching back behind her and squeezing her rump, as he flicked his tongue at her clit. Rin arched her back high as she stopped biting her lip and let out a loud moan. She had never experienced anything like this before and it felt wonderful. She didn't think it could get any better than the feelings that were going through her at the moment, and she wanted more. She needed more.

Reaching her hand down, she tangled her fingers into his hair and pushed his face down, squeezing his head between her thighs as she bent her legs. Sesshomaru growled into her, slipping another finger into her, increasing his speed as he sucked at the sensitive nub, and bending his fingers as he rubbed away at the sweetest spot inside of her. Rin felt a sensation pooling inside of her gut, tightening and causing her to loose her breath, as she bit her lip again and threw her head back. She couldn't figure out how to make the feeling go away but she felt it decreasing as he slowed his pace down.

"No... faster!" Rin breathed out, it was barely above a whisper, she could hardly speak. This pleased Sesshomaru greatly and he had to fight not to take her at that very moment, but regardless he obeyed. Increasing his pace significantly, Rin moaned loudly as she tightened around his fingers and felt a wave of peace and pleasure go from her head to her toes. She dropped her body down to the bed and heaved as she caught her breath. Sesshomaru removed his fingers from her, sucking on them as he crawled back up to her, licking along her neck and nipping at her jawline. Rin giggled softly, turning her head and kissing him softly, feeling spent. Unaware that things that only begun. Sesshomaru moved between her legs, bending them up and positioning his hardened member at her entrance. She watched him curiously as he moved about above her, feeling the head of his penis enter her as she once again lost her breath. Realizing what was going on, she reached up and gripped his back, pulling him down to her, so she could bite onto his shoulder. Sesshomaru snapped the demon's control and took his body back over. He slipped his arms around her and slowly started thrusting his hips, moving himself deeper and deeper within her. Rin gripped his back tighter, moving her face into the crook of his neck and bit down harder, as the pain started subsiding and it was replaced by pleasure.

Hearing her starting to moan, pleased him and he started increasing his pace, moving his arms out from beneath her and gripping her hips, his claws lightly digging into her. Rin's moans started to get louder and louder, clawing down his back as the pleasure overwhelmed her entire body and she wanted to feel all of him. She slipped her legs around him and squeezed him, continuing her clawing, and biting along his shoulder and neck. Sesshomaru growled with pleasure, groaning her name before he sucked her nipple into his mouth and sucking hard, flicking his tongue at mound and moving his mouth down, leaving small nips along the flesh. Rin breathed harder, whispering into his neck that she was getting closer again. Sesshomaru's eyes bled red but he fought his demon harder than ever; he would not be losing this moment to his demon for anything.

Sesshomaru quickened his hips, thrusting deep and hard inside of her, surprised she could handle his entire length. Sesshomaru bit down onto her neck, moaning loudly as he felt his climax build within his hips. Rin arched her hips towards him, rocking hers into his, trying to get herself off. The feeling was tighter than the first one. Sesshomaru left a trail of hot kisses up to her mouth and kissed her deeply, before breaking it and thrusting hard, moaning her name loudly as he came hard inside of her. He could feel her tighten hard around him, screaming his name as she came hard around him, holding her breath as it finished and she was once again covered in a wave of pleasure. Sesshomaru breathed hard, nuzzling her neck as he gently and slowly, moved his hips in a circle before pulling slowly out of her. Rin smiled big, reaching a hand up and gently running the backs of her fingers across his cheeks as he laid his body down on hers, kissing her firmly.

"I love you" Rin said so lightly, he had to burrow his brow and wonder if he had even heard her correctly. She loved him?

Sesshomaru rolled off of her, smiling inwardly as he stared at her face before pulling her into his chest, nuzzling the top of her head before reaching down and covering both of their naked bodies with her blanket.