I Do Not Own Inuyasha

Chapter 1

Rin contemplated her options carefully, either way she was selling her body but one was not as damaging as the other as she pondered the pros and cons of her situation. True she needed the money, Lord knew those student loans weren't likely to pay themselves magically and she needed a job. Sighing she looked at the paper again, she couldn't believe she was doing this!

But she figured she'd done a lot worse things in her short life…

What the hell, you only live once! Quickly her hand signed the contract before she could over think it and leaned back. The things you were willing to do for your family and money. Getting up she mailed the contract and letter to him, hoping, praying he'd accept a few of her revised terms but doubted she'd be so lucky. Before she could change her mind and do something unbelievably reckless like breaking into the mail box to retrieve her contract Rin walked back to her crummy apartment. Leaning against the door of her crummy little apartment Rin decided not to think about what she had just agreed to do.

Setting up her art station she began to paint quickly, furiously, and frantically so as to lose herself in her thoughts rather than dwell on what she had just agreed too. It was beyond reckless but she didn't exactly have a lot of choices at this moment.

Before she had been fine, life had been good. School, she had thought, was being paid for by her father who apparently was not who the world thought him to be. He up and disappeared on her leaving her with creditors and loan sharks circling and demanding money. She had used up her trust to pay for all the debts, leaving her certifiably broke. Because she refused to drop out of school she had applied for a several scholarships and a few loans to finish school. Graduating top of her class though didn't really help her cause, as it turned out her father was a conman, her name was soiled and she was guilty by association. Not discouraged Rin had become a waitress at the restaurant she currently lived above. It wasn't a bad life, but it certainly wasn't ideal.

As it turned out it could only get worse for her. Apparently her father had had a fling with a maid about eight years back and the poor girl's mother had died. Rin had been shocked three years ago when she had opened the door of her crummy apartment to a five year old girl who was clutching the hand of a social service agent along with a note. Taking in her half-sister wasn't the worst thing, Kagome was actually a very sweet child. The worst part of the arrangement was Rin's already limited funds disappearing to take care of a growing child. Despite her spending dollars and making pennies Rin managed to support Kagome and let the child lead a happy, healthy life even if it meant Rin skipped a few meals here and there. It wasn't like there was any harm in that, was there?

Rin made certain Kagome was at every dance recital, sports event, school function, and birthday party there was to attend. Kagome was flourishing under Rin's care while Rin felt liked she was slowly withering and fading away. Her needs, her wants didn't matter, it was as if her life no longer mattered so long as Kagome was happy, healthy and fed. But even that was turning into a luxury the twenty-five year old was stretching to make work. Being a career waitress didn't have any merits, and it didn't pay enough to make two people live off of it. Still Rin hadn't complained as she had sold her paintings to make ends meet.

It was sheer luck and coincidence she ran into him after all these years. In truth she had been shocked when he had walked into the café, but at the same time she was happy. They hadn't seen each other since childhood, he had been shocked to see her working at the café. He offered her a seat and let her relax for a moment while they caught up, Rin did most the talking as she always had but she had always had a talent for prying information out of him when needed. That night had been no exception. Rin had managed to pry a few tidbits of information out of him: he was married, he was the head of his father's company now since his father had died, and his life was good. Just little things which wouldn't have meant much to anyone unless they knew him. To her they painted a portrait. His marriage wasn't ideal, his father's company holders were irritating him, and his life was normal; it was all about reading between the lines where he was concerned and it was something she had always excelled at.

It had become routine for them to meet up at her work about once a week, he'd have his usual while she had ten minutes off her feet talking about anything and everything. To her it was nice to have a friend again, since about four years ago she didn't have 'friends' most of them had baled on her once it was known her father had been a conman. She never mentioned that to him or her money troubles, she loved talking about Kagome with him since he appeared to listen and to rant about her bad days. She had forgotten how good it was just to have someone to talk to.

It was his wife's proposal though which had just about blown her out of the water when his wife and him walked into her restaurant. Apparently it was obvious she was strapped for cash and they had a proposal for her. She was young, healthy, and strong enough to help them.

Sighing Rin let the paint brush drop numbly from her fingers.

What had she done!? Wanting to scream with her frustration at her decision she walked to her bed, fell on it and screamed into the pillow. Was she an idiot or something!? Or was she still in love with him, Rin was inclined to think the later since she didn't think herself to be an idiot.

"Rin? What's wrong?" Rin glance at the eight year old who had just walked in to the apartment.

"Nothing," Rin smiled quickly as she stood. "You want a snack?"

"Yeah," Kagome chirped as she took Rin's hand and walked three steps to the kitchen. Even when Kagome was little she had held Rin's hand no matter how close their destination. Rin was slightly certain that Kagome's hand holding had something to do with her mother's death but never really pressed the girl for details or information.

"What do you want? We have cookies, strawberries, or cookies?" Rin joked as she pulled out the 'secret' stash of cookies she bought exclusively for Kagome.

"I'll have two cookies please!" Kagome giggled as Rin pulled out the chocolate chip cookies. Peeking in the jar she wanted to cry, there were only two left and no pay check until next week. She was overdrawn, overdue, and barely hanging on. Perhaps selling her body to him hadn't been the worst decision of her life.

"So how was school?" Rin asked as she poured the last of their milk for Kagome.

"Okay I guess, Sango got detention for slapping Miroku," Kagome explained.

"Again!?" Rin gasped dramatically, Kagome giggled.

"Yeah, but Miroku had it coming, he grabbed her butt!"

"Oh, naughty boy how old is he?"

"Nine," Kagome grinned.

"What are they teaching kids these days?" Rin shook her head in exasperation as she ignored her grumbling stomach.

"He says his hand is cursed, he got detention too."

"Good for him, boy needs to be taught manners. Anything else interesting happen today?" Rin asked as she took the offered half of a cookie.

"Inuyasha said a bad word, his big brother wasn't happy about that since he had to come to the school, I could hear Inuyasha being scolded!" Kagome gasped her wide blue eyes widening even more. "I thought big siblings were supposed to be good," she grumbled, Rin just chuckled.

"Not everyone can be as cool as me," Rin teased.

"True," Kagome agreed solemnly, it was so serious Rin fought back a laugh. The eight year old was serious about the statement for some reason. That and she looked so cute being serious.

"So nothing else happened today?" Rin asked as she bit the last quarter of her half of a cookie.

"No, Kaede liked my painting. Ayame and I ran away from Koga, and Kikyo was mean."

"Too bad, but otherwise it was a pretty good day?" Rin inquired seriously now, she knew a lot about Kagome and paid close attention to her little sister but Kagome was keeping something back from her at the moment.

"Yeah, oh andInuyashakissedme."

"Wha!?" Rin was floored, Kagome burst into a fit of happy giggles.

"Yeah!"

"You have to tell me everything," Rin gasped dramatically as she hugged Kagome messing up her kid sister's hair. "I can't believe my kid sister had her first kiss, oh boy this is exciting!" Rin laughed as she hugged Kagome who was gasping for air.

"You're silly Rin," Kagome informed her once Rin set her sister on the ground.

"You have no idea," Rin chuckled thinking of what she had just sold herself to do. It wasn't as if she tried to be silly but she tried not to take life so seriously, Kagome on the other hand took her life very seriously. Rin found it difficult to be serious about her life when it was so depressing, it was nicer to enjoy the little things in her life.

They chatted some more then Kagome sat down to start her homework. Getting up Rin walked to the kitchen and contemplated what she was going to make Kagome. In the end she settled on an omelet under the guise of 'breakfast-for-dinner' which was what Rin did for celebrations. Quickly shutting the fridge door on the minimal contents of the fridge she closed her eyes and hoped to make ends meet again. After dinner Rin checked over Kagome's homework, as always. Her sister watched TV for an hour then got ready for bed while Rin got ready for work. The eight year old crawled into bed and Rin walked in.

"You know I love you, right kiddo?" Rin asked as she tucked Kagome in.

"Yeah," Kagome agreed looking up at Rin with wide eyes.

"Good, then you know I wouldn't do anything to hurt you right?" Rin continued.

"Yeah," Kagome started to sound nervous.

"Alright, well I might be doing something…crazy but I need you to know I'm doing it for you. I need you to trust me even if I don't talk about it. Okay?" Rin felt like pleading then but held it in as she studied her sister's wide blue eyes.

"You're not going to die are you!?" the child looked stricken then.

"No, nothing like that but I'm about to do something really crazy." Rin informed the girl who relaxed a little.

"How crazy is crazy?" Kagome asked.

"Certifiably nuts," Rin confided since she was certain that was an accurate description of what she was about to leap into. Selling her body, gods above when had she become so desperate!? She stroked Kagome's cheek and smiled softly at her sister. "Don't worry, it's not dangerous but it's definitely crazy."

"Is it for money?"

"Yeah," she admitted, the eight year's blue eyes darkened then.

"Are we poor?"

"Yeah," Rin answered shakily. It was true, they were certifiably broke, but they weren't in debt and that was the important thing. Being at zero was a lot less stressful than being below zero.

"Do you need my five dollars?" Kagome asked, Rin smiled at her sister's sweet offer.

"No, that's yours. You keep it, save it," Rin advised as she kissed her sister's brow and tucked her in before locking the window, putting Kagome's walkie-talkie on the nightstand and slipping her own walkie-talkie into her apron pocket then flipping on the portable heater for Kagome. "Call if you need me," she murmured to the eight year old who was falling asleep before locking up the apartment and walking downstairs to work. Taking a deep breath, Rin plastered on her best smile then walked into her job. Her back ached, her feet were killing her and her face was numb but she worked her whole shift from eight o'clock to two in the morning.

"Rin, can you close shop?" she looked over at Myoga, the owner of the restraunt she worked at.

"Yeah," Rin agreed as she continued mopping the floor while Myoga disappeared into the night. Humming to herself she listened to the walkie-talkie for Kagome, it was mostly for if there were intruders or bad dreams but lately it had been because Kagome was lonely at around two or three in the morning and Rin was cleaning up shop. Turning on her battered iPod she played the music as she cleaned up for the opening at six. Finished she was about to close up shop when he appeared in all his silver glory and her heart trembled, carefully Rin set aside her menial task as she opened up the door he was knocking on.

"Yes?" she asked cracking the door ever so slightly to talk to him, gold eyes bore down on her. Sighing she conceded to open the door and let him in, he immediately breezed past her as if he was irritated about something.

"Do you need something, Sesshomaru. I'm locking up and I have to get up at six to get Kagome ready for school," Rin started.

"You're hired." He said firmly, Rin gaped at him as she sat on the counter stool. "Ayaka liked you."

"You mean you want to hire me?" Rin felt like she had been struck by lightning had struck her, a jolt ran down her spine.

"Hn," as always, such an enlightening answer from Sesshomaru.

"Are you certain there's no one more qualified, like a demoness or something?" Rin questioned since this was a serious matter and it was not a topic to take lightly. His gold eyes bore into her as they had when they had been children. It was a look which would have Rin doing a happy dance if he demanded it just to make him happy, but that had been when they were children. Now she was twenty-five, about to do something woefully insane if she agreed and refused to bend under that look. Of all the crazy things she had been willing to do for him this was the first one she had been uncertain about, it was certifiably nuts! Selling her body to him, him of all people and yōkai!

"Ayaka thinks you're the perfect candidate." He said coldly.

"And what about you?" Rin asked cautiously, his golden eyes were curiously blank and hiding something from her. It was a look she had received once a long time ago as a child from him.

"You are an acceptable candidate, here's the appointment time and address." He handed her an envelope before walking out of the restaurant. Rin's shaky fingers pulled open the envelope, it was a good thing she was sitting or else she'd have collapsed at what she had just agreed to do by opening this envelope. But God knew she needed the money and Kagome needed to be taken care of. She could do this, she breathed as she pulled out the sheet of paper, her copy of the contract then the address and time of where she was to be.

Ten o'clock, Dr. Suikotsu at Shikon Hospital, suite 11.

Do Not Be Late.

Rin frowned at Sesshomaru's imposing handwriting as she read the contract over again then sighed. This was a matter to dwell on after she got Kagome at school. Getting up on shaky legs Rin walked up to apartment. Peeking into Kagome's room after locking up again she was relieved to see the child sleeping soundly then she walked to her room. Flopping onto her bed she tried to sleep but was unsuccessful since her mind wouldn't settle with what she had just signed her life away to.

Swallowing she tried to be reasonable with herself but couldn't since her heart was pounding away. Of all the stupid, idiotic things! She stared at her ceiling as she drifted in and out of consciousness. Her alarm buzzed causing her to jump out of her bed in shock. Groaning she hopped into the shower, hopped out, got dressed in tattered jeans and a purpled shirt with gold butterflies then went to wake up Kagome who snapped and snarled at Rin. Finally frustrated Rin scooped up her younger sister, sat her in the shower then flipped the water on cold, Kagome screamed as she leapt out of the shower. At least she was awake, Rin thought grumpily walking back to the kitchen to pull out Coco Puffs for Kagome who was showering at the moment.

Once Kagome ate breakfast Rin tugged on her sweatshirt, offered Kagome her coat and they both walked out into the cold windy, city streets. Kagome took her hand, Rin was glad she had bought Kagome the gloves and mittens at the beginning of fall, it was freezing out! Rin's teeth were locked as they walked to Kagome's school. A limo pulled up infront of the school then. A little boy, around Kagome's age with white hair and dog ears hopped out, if the silver hair and golden eyes were difficult to miss then his red outfit was impossible to miss. Kagome released Rin's hand as she ran to the boy.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome hugged the boy, Rin leaned against the school wall seeking some shelter from the wind while Kagome greeted the boy.

"Kagome, ger-off!" he choked out, Kagome dragged him up to her then.

"Rin, this is Inuyasha, Inuyasha this is my big sister Rin!" Kagome introduced them.

"Aren't you cold?" he blurted out, Rin laughed as she fought off another shiver.

"No," Rin grinned at him, the boy stared up at her with wide amber eyes.

"Really?" the boy persisted.

"Yep, I don't feel the cold anymore," she admitted, she felt the wind instead.

"Inuyasha!" Rin, Kagome and Inuyasha all looked up at one irritated silver man. Rin's eyes widened, then she quickly walked off without saying her goodbyes.

"What do you think you're doing?" she heard Sesshomaru demand.

"I was talking to Kagome's older sister!"

"There's no one over there, come here and get your bag," Sesshomaru ordered. Rin knew the kids hadn't noticed her departure if even the mighty Sesshomaru had missed her exit as she hurried down the alley. Teeth chattering all the way. So much for a stealthy exit, she thought as she cut across a street towards the restaurant. The wind wiped her hair around her as she tried to walked quickly, and carefully towards her apartment again. Call her a coward but until it was ten o'clock and she couldn't avoid it anymore, she wanted to avoid Sesshomaru and Ayaka at all costs.

Walking into her chilly apartment she sighed then sunk to the floor. Gods was she such a pathetic person! How had she stooped this low? Never in her life had she stooped this low! And she had stooped pretty low, even going so far as to sell blood to pay for rent so she could pay for food with her paycheck. Closing her eyes she fought back her tears, her stomach growled again. It was reminding her why she was doing this. Kagome had to be fed, she needed some food today or else she might collapse, and they needed to make it to the next pay check. They couldn't. Rin felt like crying then as she sat against the door. Oh well, she decided, suck it up and live with the decisions you make. This decision was one to help out a friend and to save her and her sister from starvation; which for her wasn't out of the realm of possibilities.

Sitting up she looked at the clock and decided she had better get walking or else she'd be late for the preliminary examination. This was important. Getting up she tugged her sweatshirt a little tighter around her though it wasn't much help since it was getting to be pretty threadbare. But it'd have to do until she had enough money for a new one. Thank goodness Sesshomaru would pay her well, she was certain she'd be needing a new wardrobe sooner or later with this job she was taking on. Gritting her teeth against the cold she hurried through the busy streets, briefly ducking into a department store to warm up for a moment.

Hurrying into the hospital Rin asked for directions to Dr. Suikotsu's office then strolled down the warm hallways. Rin hadn't really been able to afford her heating bill so she had bought a little portable heater for Kagome's room. It left Rin enjoying the warmth of her showers, the blow drier and public buildings. At this moment she couldn't care more or less about her appointment as she meandered through the hospital.

"Rin!" her eyes snapped onto a beautiful woman with silver hair and brilliant blue eyes. Her smile made Rin's heart constrict with pain but Rin plastered a smile in return.

"Hi," Rin greeted as she avoided looking at Sesshomaru.

"Rin," Sesshomaru greeted coldly as they walked into the doctor's office. Dr. Suikostu was very polite to Rin as he explained the procedure she'd be undergoing. Rin quietly listened as it was explained she'd be undergoing traditional surrogacy, artificial insemination (yay?). All they had talked about was how she'd be willingly selling her body to carry Sesshomaru's pup or pups as the doctor had explained and they wouldn't be hers. Ayaka had been excited, she wanted the babies so badly but couldn't. Honestly shock had Rin tuning everyone out.

"Excuse me for one moment," Rin gasped in the middle of Dr. Suikotsu's explanation, as she fought to remain calm, knowing she was failing miserably as she bolted out of the office, down the hallway and straight for the janitor's closet. Locking herself in she tried to breath. Gods she really was insane, or desperate, or falling to pieces. She was really going to do this, was she crazy!? Nope, her mind filled in, just broke and half starving and barely staying afloat. Sliding to the floor Rin tried to reason with herself on the mess she had just gotten herself into.

There was a knock on the door, she knew who it was without answering. This was how he had found her in elementary school, Rin remembered that. She also remembered he had a nasty habit of breaking down very sturdy doors when they weren't unlocked for him. Knowing fifteen years wasn't likely to have changed him she flipped the lock and scooted out of the door way. He entered then sat in front of the door after having flipped the lock. Both sat in silence while Rin digested the information she had just been given. Half of the kid would be hers, half would be Sesshomaru's but in the end the pup would belong to Ayaka and Sesshomaru, not her. It was a lot to digest for her, but as she sat there in silence she knew this was for the best.

"I thought you didn't want hanyous." Rin finally voiced, his amber eyes looked at her.

"Not my decision," he shrugged, Rin scowled at him.

"Oh don't tell me the mighty Lord Sesshomaru doesn't have options, you're world is filled with options and possibilities! You want a life of no options I'll give you mine, I'll live in the big fancy home with the family and despise the mortal world while you work dead end jobs, spend dollars and make pennies and starve yourself so you can feed your younger sibling. "Yes, Sesshomaru, I see your life is filled with no options." He merely tilted his head to the side, Rin's stomach growled and she let her head fall back against the wall. "You have no idea how hard life can really be and the infuriating part is you think you do just because you've never gotten along with your father or mother."

"Rin."

"No! I doubt the last fifteen years have improved your relationships with your family members. You don't get to tell me you have no options, you don't get to think that with everything you have that you're too ungrateful to appreciate because I'd give everything I have and then some to have a shot at the options you have." She heaved a sigh as she fought back the tears at just admitting her deepest feelings. It wasn't something she was proud of, it wasn't something she liked knowing about herself and it was so irritatingly petty it hurt her. Kagome's face filled her head, Rin sighed then looked Sesshomaru in the eye.

"I'll do this, but when this is over I never want to see you, the pups or Ayaka ever again." She said firmly, knowing that if she wasn't firm on this she'd plead to be in his life so as to see them. "I want a clean break, and a fresh start for me and Kagome."

"Alright," he agreed then she stood to leave the closet.

Running into Rin after years of not knowing where she was or how she was had been a relief to him. But it had hurt him to see how far down she had fallen in the world, he remembered the news about her father and then he couldn't find her. Now as he watched her walk into the doctor's office again he wondered just what Ayaka had gotten them into. No matter how he looked at this he was hurting his best friend, and Rin was his best friend, but Ayaka wasn't giving up her figure for a few heirs. It didn't help that Sesshomaru wasn't interested in Ayaka and hadn't touched her in their three years of marriage, the woman disgusted him. But it had been an arranged marriage, they had both known they were to marry the other since they had been small pups. Much to Sesshomaru's displeasure. He hated the bitch with a fiery passion, Ayaka was a genuine nightmare in his mind.

But until she had dragged Rin into this little scheme of hers he hadn't thought her malicious, just spoiled and bratty. Now though…now he wanted nothing more than to kill Ayaka, the bitch was making Rin suffer. Sesshomaru didn't let anyone let Rin suffer as he walked back into the doctor's office. Glancing at Rin he wondered if there was any way to talk her out of this, to just create a job for her at his company so she wouldn't have to suffer but the determined look in her eye warned him she wouldn't be swayed from her decision. He glanced at Ayaka who had a smug, superior smirk on her red lips, just what was the bitch's game? Sesshomaru hadn't figured out the purpose in this game of Ayaka's.