Disclaimer: I never have nor ever will own the rights to Inuyasha. I do have the right to waste my life in making these stories and fanatically loving Sesshomaru.

All For Her

"This is outrageous!"

Sesshomaru sighed as the ambassador from the southern region objected to his new tax reform. "Last year, there was a shortage. You will make it up."

The ambassador was, ironically, a weasel demon. His clothing was colored in purple (very expensive as only China traded in such dyes) and symbols of his clan were decorated upon the cloth. "Our people do not have what you are asking for. It is completely unfair! You ask for us to go broke."

Sesshomaru glared at him, "You have plenty."

The demon growled, "How dare you!"

The demon lord gave him the icy look that many had come to fear him for, "Maybe, I should find out if you are right."

The weasel demon gulped. He knew the people he represented did not want that, as the peasants were being poorly mistreated. "No…but-."

"Jaken!" A door opened behind him. "See to it this man's people are inspected."

"Yes, my lord." Jaken closed the door and scurried off. The weasel demon panicked and flew out the door. He met the sword of a bodyguard for that. Sesshomaru didn't even blink.

Another ambassador from the eastern province was at the left wall. He was an old wolf demon with almost samurai wear. "I also must protest. Not about the taxes mind you, we have plenty of money. The peace treaty you signed with those cat demons not so long ago is forcing us to actually trade with those scum. Pardon my abrasive language."

Sesshomaru gave him a hard stare, "Put up with them."

The ambassador gasped, "My lord, surely you realize that-."

"They are not to be harmed." His voice was pure steel.

The ambassador bowed, "As you wish, Lord Sesshomaru. Yet, I feel I must tell you, this will not go over well."

Sesshomaru watched him go. He was about to leave himself when five people flooded into his office.

"My lord, this just came in from Kyoto!"

"Sir, the swords from the training grounds are missing!"

Chaos was all around him. Barely containing his anger, he said, "Be quiet." Everyone fell silent. Sesshomaru sat back down, and kept his perfect composure. "Give me the message…"

Later in the day…

The demon lord was walking around his castle. The blossoms were falling gracefully upon the ground he walked on. None of this did anything to calm him down, take his anger away, or stop the questions in his head.

Why am I here? He took the small path leading to the garden. Why don't I just leave this place? Zatoni has been doing a decent job in these matters. I could travel again, just like before.

When he thought about that though, his heart felt a small stab. But I can't. For some reason, since I've been back, I cannot leave. Why?

"Lord Sesshomaru!"

At first, he thought it was another nuisance coming at him, but when he recognized the smell, his whole body lost the tenseness that had plagued him all day. His heart felt lighter, and his mind eased of worry.

When he turned around, his young charge, Rin, was running up to him with a bouquet in her hands. "I picked these for you." She smiled in that goofy way of hers.

Sesshomaru took the flowers. "Thank you." Then, he realized something very unexpected.

It was all because of her. Here, he could protect her. Here, she could learn to be proper and grow into a woman. Here, in this castle, she was his daughter more then ever.

Then he did something unusual. He placed his hand on her head, giving her hair an affectionate caress. Rin was stunned for a moment, then she grinned so hard her cheeks were sure to pop.