Hi everyone! Firstly I thank my first reviewers for inspiring me to update at jet speed! I hope I've made a quick update as I promised… plzzz read and review :- )))

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Rin was thrilled to see Lord Sesshomaru again. His voice was as deep and he looked as magnificent as always. He changed neither physically nor mentally, although his personality has undergone a change gradually over the years. His amber eyes, voice, body language and his behavior have become softer and gentler towards and ONLY towards RIN! She really missed him, even though she got used to being away from him. Few months have passed after his previous visit. Only during the interim period did she meet the Prince. She suddenly blushed at the thought of the man. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes in suspicion, not knowing what is going on in his ward's mind. He knows, she's all grown up. Blushing occasionally is a natural trait of every woman. It is nothing to be bothered about. But it is RIN who is concerned here. So Sesshomaru was undoubtedly bothered.

"Rin". That was all the stoic demon said to convey his message: "why are you not answering my question? Why are you blushing? What are you thinking about?"

The ward clearly understood all three questions. She did get used to her lord, to understand that much.

"M-Milord! I am doing very well! Lady Kaede is taking good care of me, as always. Kagome and Sango have always been my best companions…"

best companions, huh…? The demon lord mused. A slight pain in his chest. Disappointment. To know that he was not the 'best companion'. But he tried to convince himself that it made sense. She has been with these women for years, they are of the same gender as Rin; they were all very kind and supportive to Rin; the age difference is not too significant; naturally, Rin got very close to them. But…. Would that mean she'll choose to stay with humans and not with…. me?

A larger pain in the chest. His attempt to ease his sense of disappointment has only resulted the opposite.

But Sesshomaru is not one to give up that easy. So what if she chooses to stay with humans? She deserves to live a life she desires. Yes! That thought made sense to Sesshomaru although the pain in chest only grew and he HATED IT!

"um…. Lord Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru looked at the confused look Rin had and realized that he had not been following her conversation while he was pondering.

He gave her a look of acknowledgment and said " Rin?".

Rin interpreted the look of acknowledgment = "I'm sorry, I did not follow what you said" and " Rin?" = "please repeat what you had just said".

Both were walking towards Kaede's hut while Rin continued "As I was saying, during the past few months, I was busying myself in preparing a medicine out of those herbs….". Sesshomaru listened, but aware that she was talking of everything other than of the reason why she was blushing.

Upon reaching the entrance to the hut Sesshomaru presented her one of his finest gifts.

Rin stopped her speech, and gasped. It was another beautiful kimono rivaling the previous kimono which he got her, the one she was wearing at that time. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru! It is stunning! THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH!". Rin never hesitated to express her joy when Sesshomaru gifts her. Because, she always knew that she'd be the only being on earth, heaven and hell put together, who'll ever be gifted by the current Lord of the West. And naturally, he'll expect her to explode with delight, whenever he does.

The demon lord pleased with his ward's joy, nodded his acknowledgement.

Rin understood that nod as well. Interpretation: No need to thank so much, Rin. You are my ward. Besides, who else will get things like these for you?

Rin smiled her trademark smile. It pleased the demon even more and he was gazing at how pretty she looks when she smiles. Hn! She's always pretty, whether smiling or not. She's MY ward. She's always my 'little' Rin. But she has grown so much that the adjective no longer suits her. So what? She's always 'my' Rin. Besides, There are now other adjectives, which may suit her like 'good-looking', 'striking', 'attractive'….. Hn! What am I thinking?! I recall the only time I had used such adjectives when I was doing my lessons, in boyhood….. I'm proud of my girl…. My Rin! Sesshomaru's thought flows were streaming along a different direction at such a speed that he could not control himself.

Rin could reasonably read the feeling of satisfaction that the stoic face of her lord is emitting. She was willfully returning his steady gaze which he very rarely made with her.

Load sound of horse hooves broke the couple from their stance. The horse stopped few feet away in front of them, and a man dismounted it. He was tall, extremely handsome, well-built, royalty very apparent from his face as well as clothes. The man's eyes were fixed on Rin. The young woman blushed but managed to make a warm, welcoming smile. The man's eyes were admiring Rin, none can doubt the fact.

So, he is the reason for my ward's blushing. Sesshomaru felt strange inside, but just couldn't tell what or why?

"Lady Rin…" the man began and then bowed; he had a soft but majestic voice.

"OH! Prince Seiko" an embarrassed Rin exclaimed, bowing in return and inwardly cursing herself for not making the noble gesture before he did.

"For you", he held out his hand, and handed over a bouquet of Rin's favourite flowers and a carved wodden case, possessing the logo of the Royal Family.

"T-Thank you so much! These are my favorites" and she glanced at the wodden case, "W-What is this?" Rin asked a foolish question which she should not have asked.

Rin. Sesshomaru, concerned about her stammering and fumbling. After all, she was his ward.

"You may open it and see, Mi-lady!" the prince assured her.

Rin nodded her agreement and opened. The very next moment, her face was dazzling! Which was because, the precious stones of the royal necklace reflected against the morning sun and enlightened Rin's facial features!

This time, Rin's gasp was too audible and her shock too apparent, even to the prince's horse.

"W-Why?... I… I…" Rin stammered again.

Rin. Sesshomaru pitied Rin for her poor reaction. If she has an admirer and she is being gifted by him, she should react better than this.

The man chuckled, "A token of my affection to you, my Rin".

'my Rin'?... 'MY RIN'?! When did she become yours?! RIN! You have a lot to explain! Or are you deliberately hiding things from me?! Sesshomaru tried hard to suppress his shock and disappointment.

That's about it guys… will update the next chapter soon…. Please read and review!