Smiling Rin awoke from her slumber, today she was going out with Sesshoumaru, her love,she had suffered another beating luckily for her just a few kicks in the stomach and bites at the top of her legs and arms, they were painful but she had to ignore them, not wanting to let them spoil her night with Sesshoumaru

Her uncle had actually let her go out without an argument for once which was a shock to Rin but in a way she knew she would suffer later on when she got back, for the last few months instead of beating her before she went out on a date he would simply drag her back indoors and give her the punishment he thought she deserved went she returned home, pretending to be the doting uncle as he came outside to greet her, infront of her friends, this made Inuyasha's and Miroku's blood boil, which never went un-noticed by the rest of the gang and they were starting to get suspicious.

Rin was fussing over what to wear that would be suitable and hide her bruises still only Inuyasha and Miroku knew about her uncles brutality and that's how it would stay, she finally decided to wear a black strappy, dress with purple polka dots on them, the dress came to just above her knees and black leggings with black and white converse, pretty but not over doing it she thought to herself as she heard a car horn beep she rushed out the door saying goodbye to her uncle who was following her with his eyes scowling

"hey people" Rin giggled as Sesshoumaru sat in the back with Kagome and Inuyasha and Miroku in front,

"if you sit on Sesshoumaru's lap then we can fit Sango in" Miroku informed looking around at Rin

Rin waited for Sesshoumaru too respond when he put his arms out to her, she beamed and climbed in the car and sat side ways on Sesshoumaru, he wrapped his arm around her, hugging her to his chest as if he hadn't seen her in ages, Kagome cooed when Rin wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him shyly on the cheek.

They stared at each other in the eye as if ready to kiss but Sesshoumaru just rested his head on hers realising driving to Sango's in a car with his best friend, younger brother and his cooing girlfriend staring at them wouldn't be that romantic scene to kiss in

They picked up Sango and headed towards the cinema where they would watch a film and then go for pizza afterwards

When they got inside the cinema Sango and Miroku couldn't stop making out and Kagome started to blush as Inuyasha gave her that look as if to say 'we'll be doing alot of that when watching the film'

Sesshoumaru and Rin were holding hands taking the piss out of a guy staring at her

They decided to watch a romantic comedy seeing as it was a date, they all entered the place with the huge screen and darkness created a romantic atmosphere. They all decided to sit at the back

Sango sat on Miroku's lap as usual when they went to see a film, Inuyasha had his arm around Kagome

And Sesshoumaru was holding Rin's hand in his lap, and a hand on her leg.

"I love you" Miroku whispered to Sango and playing with her hair as a romantic part in the film came

Kagome on the other hand was blushing furiously she still wasn't to the fact that Inuyasha could be affectionate, he had pulled his other arm around her and hugged her, kissing her forehead when this cute little scene came. Rin was almost sobbing at this which amused Sesshoumaru to the point he was almost laughing, he squeezed her hand tighter and smiled at her "Rin" he whispered huskily in her ear so close Rin could feel his breath on her neck, she thought she would tease him "yes" she whispered back without turning to face him. He caught on that she was teasing him and smirked kissing her on the neck which she found sent shivers down her spine this will get her to look at me Sesshoumaru was right Rin turned to look at him, he rested his hand on her cheek caressing it, pulling her face closer to his until their lips met, his lips parted and she slid her tongue into his mouth, he pulled her onto his lap to deepen the kiss, when they broke apart the film was ending, Rin got up to follow the others out when Sesshoumaru grabbed hold of her wrist "what's the matter" Rin looked concerned

"after our date tonight I will be going to the airport to go on a trip for a week" he spoke softly I hate lying to her but I have to find out what she's hiding/

Rin dropped her head and stared at the floor I wish he didn't have to go what if something bad happens to him or what if he doesn't return, I can't loose someone else I love.

"and before I went I wanted you to know that I deeply care for you" Sesshoumaru lifted her chin to look at him

"I care about you more than you'll ever know" she replied saddened turning and walking back to the others, Sesshoumaru caught her up and grabbed her hand...They were holding hands walking behind Inuyasha and Kagome

"erm Inuyasha" Kagome shyly called him

"yes" He turned to the girl he was dating and looked down on her with loving eyes

"I think I'm falling in love with you" kagome looked away from him embarrassed in case he didn't feel the same, until she felt a hand cup her chin and bring her head around to meet Inuyasha's eyes

"I feel the same about you" he said leaning in and kissing her and then burying his head in her shoulder

"awww look at those two" Sango cooed feeding Miroku a heart sweet

"Sesshoumaru, I will miss you when you go away" Rin sweetly and sadly stated looking up into his eyes

He looked down seeing her sadness this touched him "I will miss you too" he replied pulling her into an intimate embrace as if to comfort her.

They all laughed and Joked at the pizza hut having a good time until Rin's phone went off

BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ, peering at her phone seeing it was flashing UNCLE Rin started to dread what he was going to say or do. She quickly got up leaving the table and answering her phone "Hello...yes Uncle...what. Now?...sorry...yes...ok...be right there!" she shut her phone up putting it away while fighting back tears, she had to leave, what was she going to tell Sesshoumaru, this was their last few hours before he went away and she had no idea how long he was going to be away for, somehow she knew he would be angry at her, she decided to stand outside for a while so she didn't burst into tears when she went back inside. There was a light breeze outside and Rin was enjoying the feeling of the wind on her face.

Rin felt a strong arm emerge around her shoulders " hey Rinny, you okay?" Inuyasha asked

"yes I will be fine but I have to leave" Rin chocked out trying to fight off the tears

"okay, I'll take you...but I warn you Sesshoumaru will be pissed" Inuyasha shot her a serious glance

"I don't blame him" Rin whispered

"hey Rin maybe it's time you told him" Inuyasha said quietly as humanly possible

"No way, he can never know...promise me Inuyasha" Rin started to panic

"ok then Hun" Inuyasha patted her on the back letting her know he would keep the secret and that he was there for her.

Rin and Inuyasha walked back inside

"Sesshoumaru can I have a word" Rin pulled Sesshoumaru aside

"What is it" he asked her somehow knowing what was coming

" well...I'm sorry but I have to go now" Rin bit down on her lip to stop the tears escaping at the thought of a beating from her uncle when she got back and the look on Sesshoumaru's was a really hurt look, he grabbed her arm and walked her out the pizza place, and stood in front of her, looking down on her

"Please tell me you are joking" Sesshoumaru almost spat at her

"well I'm not" Rins voice was icy and pained

"you better tell me what you are hiding now Rin, bloody hell six months of secrets..every time your phone rings you disappear, it's driving me insane" Sesshoumaru's voice was stern and unpleasant

"WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I'M HIDING ANYTHING FROM YOU" Rin bellowed nastily

"DON'T PLAY DUMB WITH ME YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN THE OCCASIONAL PANIC ATTACK, MIROKU AND INUYASHA ACTING STRANGE" he spat, Rin looked up at him with a hurt look,

"just get out my face your annoying enough as it is" Sesshoumaru hadn't meant for that to come out, he didn't mean it, at that point she let the tears come streaming down her face, looking at him in a pained way and running off to Inuyasha's car Sesshoumaru sighed calling after her but she had already disappeared, he kicked the wall in frustration before storming back inside and sitting at the table

"now one of you is going to tell me what is wrong with Rin until you do I am not leaving" Sesshoumaru growled

"but we don't know what it is" Kagome turned panicking slightly, Sesshoumaru growled louder showing his frustration

"she's telling the truth we don't" Sango sighed

"who does" Sesshoumaru's voice irritated

"I do, but I won't tell you" Miroku spoke up truthfully

"why" Sesshoumaru snapped making both girls jump

"because in case you haven't noticed it isn't for me to tell you and another reason is I am respecting Rin's wishes to tell you in her own time as should you, she is you're girlfriend and clearly you are being selfish, getting angry because you don't know when it's obviously a sore subject for her and yet you are the only one who is trying to force it out of her" Miroku lectured

Sesshoumaru sat back in bewilderment realising how selfish he was being I will still go through with my plan but apologize to Rin later

"I have just realised this Miroku" Sesshoumaru said walking out of the restaurant as Inuyasha came in

"what's up with him" Inuyasha pointed at Sesshoumaru

"oh nothing major" Kagome smiled looking at Sango

"ok that's alright then, so Kagome how you fancy trotting off to my place now" Inuyasha invited warmly

"love to" She beamed back

"Sango, Miroku just join us when you are ready"

"later" Sango replied nodding

"fancy a walk in our place" Miroku spoke watching Inuyasha and Kagome walk out the pizza place

"ok" Sango was clearly excited


Inuyasha and Kagome snuggled up on the couch not realising that Sesshoumaru hadn't gone on a trip at all but instead got comfy on the roof of their own house, trying eagerly to find out once and for all what was wrong with Rin. He was only doing it because he cared and would go to any length for her

Rin was back at her uncles in her bed listening to the foot steps approaching her bedroom door her heart pace quickened. The foot steps stopped and an evil cackle was heard in the background before her door creaked open revealing her uncle with a bottle of brandy in his hand.

All of sudden she was being thrown out of her bed and pinned up against the wall

"get out" The evil voice of her Uncle Naraku spat in her face

"b-but w-w-w-hy?" Rin wheezed the throw had winded her she caught the look in Uncle Naraku's eyes and knew she was in for it. Punching her to the floor he leaned over her

"you really are useless, can't even remember the anniversary of your parents deaths in a few days" Rin's eyes widened and she blacked out, waking up an hour later on the porch looking around confused

"huh" shivering from the cold and a throbbing pain in her cheeks came, that's when it came to her, she'd had another beating from her uncle and he was really pissed

she heaved herself up from the ground and started trudging off to Inuyasha's house

Sesshoumaru was drifting off on the roof well I know she won't be back tonight so I might aswel sleep

Then his ears pricked up and his eyebrows frowned, "tears, Rin's tears, she's close" Sesshoumaru said to himself. Then he looked on in disbelief nearly losing his balance as he saw the faint figure of his girlfriend come into view, she was staggering and obviously crying. All he wanted to do was jump down from the roof and comfort all her troubles away but he knew he had to keep his cool and stay on the roof because he was now closer to finding out her secret than any other time. He couldn't see the bruise on her cheek because one it was dark and two she was clutching it, but he knew something was there

She rung the door bell, Inuyasha opened the door laughing but his face dropped when he saw Rin's swollen left side of her face and tear stained face "Rin come in...it's okay" Inuyasha hugged his shivering best friend but knew she hated talking about the beatings,

"Rin tell me later" Inuyasha growled and looked up to see kagome who gasped when Rin looked up

"oh Rin sweetie what happened" Kagome ran up her friend hugging her

"your face is swollen really bad" Kagome shrieked and shot Inuyasha a very worried look

"oh this, my uncle Naraku kicked me out and I fell on the way out and hit the side of my face on the side of the side of the step" Rin then started sobbing and they huddled into a group hug.

They were interrupted by a scream and a loud THUMP


"EEK SESSHOUMARU" Sango screamed, he had drifted off and fallen off the roof right before a very shocked Sango and Miroku

"what the fuck are you doing you scared the crap out of us!" Miroku huffed

"well I decided to stay behind, because I was worried about Rin and so I should of been she is here now in tears" Sesshoumaru argued his point

"you mean you were hiding on the roof hoping not to be seen and hear something from Rin" Sango glared angrily

Sesshoumaru looked up feeling eyes on him to see Inuyasha and Kagome and a very angry Rin staring down at him from his brothers bedroom window, he flew up to the window and struggled through it, before hearing a loud slam of the bathroom door.

"Rin" Sesshoumaru bashed on the door

"way to go..big brother surely earned her trust even more now!" Inuyasha sarcastically commented

"Shut it Inuyasha" Sesshoumaru continued bashing on the door

Until Sango appeared catching his hand before it bashed the door again

"you won't get her out that way" Sango gently informed "let her calm down"

"Rin honey, at least talk to one of us through the door if you don't want to come out, yeah" Sango soothed in a motherly voice

"ok" Rin sobbed

"can everyone leave us be for a while" Sesshoumaru asked calmly , without a word everyone went into the kitchen in silence. They all sat around the table

"she must of fallen pretty hard" Kagome looked up curiously "I hope she will be okay" Kagome continued

"want to come and get a breath of fresh air Kagome, it looks like you need it" Sango asked looking concerned

"yeah sure" Kagome got up to walk with Sango but Inuyasha tightened his grip on her, then kissed her on the lips

"are you okay?" Inuyasha's eyes were looking at her full of concern

"yes I'm just worried about Rin" Kagome sighed then beamed at Inuyasha before walking off with Sango

"Sango, do you think Rin is being abu..." Kagome stopped in her tracks and laughed at herself for even thinking it

"don't worry Kagome, I thought that myself sometimes but then realised it's ridiculous, first- her Uncle Naraku and her are really close and secondly Rin is a fighter, she doesn't let anyone touch her" Sango laughed

"yeah, she's probably still dealing with the death of her parent's, thinking about it, they haven't been gone a year.. That's got to be it, also you remember a year back when Rin nearly killed herself from drinking too much and taking drugs that one night, accidently of course she hadn't meant to take that much, she was just distraught and wanted to forget everything" Kagome drew her legs up to her chest in sorrow for her best friend

"yeah I remember, we found her slumped in a chair at a nightclub, she was in hospital for a whole two weeks" Sango put a comforting arm around Kagome, they were both depressed.


Inuyasha sighed in relief as his sensitive hearing had picked up their conversation, He went white as a ghost when Kagome nearly said it

"they are all to close to finding out" Miroku paused.

"what do we do" Inuyasha finished before he looked at the calendar he realised what was creeping up a few days from now.

"there's not much we can do for the moment" Miroku answered

"I hate seeing her like this, in all our years of friendship with Rin, I have never been this worried at what will happen to her, I worry that we will go to pick her up one day, but her uncle will have gone to far and we will have lost her" Inuyasha replied. Miroku placed a comforting hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and squeezed it lightly


Meanwhile upstairs Sesshoumaru had sat himself against the bathroom door.

"Rin, I'm sorry" Sesshoumaru's voice was soft and apologetic

"why, why did you lie about going away" Rin's voice was a little confused and hurt, she was also sat down against the door on the other side

"I was worried about you Rinny"

"well don't I'm fine" Rin's voice was softer now this relaxed Sesshoumaru slightly

"don't give me that, you were kicked out and turn up here with a bruise on you're face...n yes I'm a demon of course I noticed it before you ask" Sesshoumaru was concerned

"yes well" Rin said opening the door to Sesshoumaru's amazement

He held his arms out to her and she immediately crawled into them, they were sitting on the floor, Sesshoumaru holding her tightly

"anyways, it's not unusual for my uncle and I to have a heated discussion about my parents and it usually ends up like this apart from the bruise is a one off, I tripped on my way out the door and hit my face on the side of the step" Rin looked up at him studying his face to see if he believed her or not

"I'll always be here if you need to talk" Sesshoumaru stroked her hair and hugged her to his chest tighter

"and besides I'm in love with you Rin" Sesshoumaru looked down at her she was hugging him as she looked up tears filling her eyes

"I love you too" Rin sobbed. He kissed her lightly before lifting her off the floor and bringing her downstairs. He bought her to the couch where Inuyasha and Kagome were already sitting, Sango and Miroku were huddled up on two big bean bags

"oh Rin, you happy now" Kagome asked dreamily

"To be honest" Rin sighed looking into Sesshoumaru's eyes as his arms wrapped around her "I'm right where I want to be with everyone I care about round me" Rin wiped a stray tear from her face

Everyone looked at Rin with appreciating eyes, she slowly drifted off in the mans arms who she dearly loved.

"So Sesshoumaru, Miroku looks as if its' just us guys now the girls have fallen asleep" Inuyasha stated amusedly looknig around.

"Don't they look like goddesses though" Miroku said gently touching Sango's face with his hand

"you are a dreamer when it comes to her Miroku" Joked Sesshoumaru making Inuyasha laugh.

Their heads turned when they heard Rin mumble "mum...mum" in her sleep she was frowning Suddenly jerking awake

"Rin, you ok" Sesshoumaru said

"yeah, just a bad dream" She snuggled back down onto him.

"goodnight guys, I'm going to take Rin up to my room, she might be more comfy" Sesshoumaru told them

"okay, goodnight" Inuyasha and Miroku said in unison.

Sesshoumaru nodded to them and walked upstairs with the sleeping beauty in his arms.

Laying her down on his bed and then snuggling down next to her, he drifted off.

Inuyasha was first to stir the next morning around 8ish, his arm was numb as he pulled it out from under Kagome, It didn't bother him he was happy to have her. He went into the kitchen and put on the kettle.

Miroku got u p a few moments later and joined him in the kitchen.

"We must keep a close eye on Rin tomorrow Inuyasha, I think we should even ask her to sing at the club because we have to work tomorrow night just to keep her mind off things , and her away from her uncle" Miroku's serious face was haunting.

"yes, I wish there was something more we could do" Inuyasha whispered "she doesn't deserve this"

"I know, remember how sweet she was to us for pulling her out of her burning house, moments before the flames hit the gas tank" Miroku proudly stated

"Yeah, bless she would have done anything" Inuyasha smiled

"alright you two boasting over" Sango laughed before walking in with Kagome in toe.

The guys chuckled and Inuyasha got up and made Kagome and Sango a coffee.

Rin awoke with a jolt, she sat up and stared out the window I wish for tomorrow to never come, my uncle will beat me over and over again and I can't face it, they really are gone, my only family Sesshoumaru woke up to find Rin out of his arms and sitting up staring blankly with a painful look in her eye out the window.

"Rinny, what's wrong?" Sesshoumaru asked placing a hand on her shoulder

Rin decided to answer truthfully as possible but she still couldn't bring herself to say the word 'dead','killed' or anything like that so she answered in a different way "tomorrow for me is going to be a very painful day" Rin went rigid and Sesshoumaru looked at her confused wanting more of an answer he could see she was struggling so he pulled her back to lie down with him on the bed in a tight embrace.

Rin sighed "It's a year ago tomorrow, when Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru pulled me out of my burning house, but sadly being to late to save my parents" Rin trembled at the last words

Sesshoumaru looked at her shocked my brother and best friend saved her, I didn't realise she was there when it happened

"my brother and best friend saved you" was all Sesshoumaru could splutter out

"yes, they even went so far as to enter the burning house and find me unconscious on the living room floor from to much smoke inhalation and drag me out" Rin sighed and smiled at the thought that Miroku and Inuyasha cared that much for her

"I'll be keeping an eye on you tomorrow" Sesshoumaru chuckled Rin blushed if only you knew that I nearly died a week after it happened

Rin wrapped her arms around Sesshoumaru's neck and kissed him passionately. When she broke it he growled, he loved the way she tasted

"thanks for listening" Rin whispered softly before charging off downstairs to meet the others in the kitchen

"oh morning" Sango beamed at Rin noticing her chirpiness nodding at Sesshoumaru behind her

"sleep well" Kagome winked

"your eye isn't as swollen" Miroku cheered

Rin reached up to her face and winced a little in pain

Inuyasha grew angry hating that evil Naraku touching Rin Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow at him curiously, Inuyasha noticed and didn't want to jolt his suspiciousness anymore so improvised with the packet he was fiddling with, "damn things way to fiddly for my claws" Inuyasha pouted

Surprised that he fooled everyone.

"I know somewhere where that we can make our place" Inuyasha changed the subject

"you mean like the whole group" Sesshoumaru asked

"yeah, we can hang out there for the day" Inuyasha snorted

Inuyasha glanced at Kagome before putting his arm round her walking her to the car. Sesshoumaru took hold of Rin's hand and Miroku followed suit with Sango.

In the car Inuyasha put on the radio and Avril Lavigne started playing Slipped away

"hey Rin it's your special song" Kagome happily stated "shall we all sing with you"

"ok, this shall be fun" Rin asked looking around for Sango's approval, Sesshoumaru listened in amazement at his girlfriends emotions as they changed during the song

"the day you slipped away" Rin powerfully belted out with Sango and Kagome with her

At the end of the song Sesshoumaru asked Rin what made the song so special to her

"well the day after it happened I was laying in Inuyasha's room when the radio blasted I was so depressed I thought I would never recover but when that song came on Slipped Away I began to sing along and it made me happier somehow and ever since I have a breakdown or panic attack it calms me down" Rin took in a breath and rested her head on Sesshoumaru.

"o, I get it now" Sesshoumaru smiled thinking he had finally found out the reason.

Inuyasha parked the car a little way from a forest and they all piled out the car. Rin poked Sesshoumaru and ran off giggling as Sesshoumaru chased her through the forest. Kagome had jumped on Inuyasha's back and he had raced in front of Sesshoumaru and Rin at demon speed. Miroku and Sango were behind now laughing at the childish pairs. Rin had collapsed on the floor tired and Sesshoumaru lay beside her

"such a weakling" He joked she punched him in the arm playfully. But she got up quick enough when she heard Kagome's question to Inuyasha racing over before he could answer

"so why does Rin have such severe panic attacks" Kagome looked at Inuyasha seriously,

He chuckled uneasily when all of a sudden he heard footsteps and "aaaaaahhhhhh" Rin screeched charging at him rugby tackling him to the floor "never tell" Rin whispered

"your it" Rin cried poking her tongue out at him

"oh really" Inuyasha replied throwing her gently off of him and tagging Kagome before him and Rin ran away in Sesshoumaru's direction being chased by Kagome,

"hey, Kagome is it" Inuyasha shouted back at his brother. Sesshoumaru got up and ran after Rin and Inuyasha. Rin stopped in amazement as they entered a clearing

"wow it's so beautiful" Rin cried looking around her as she caught sight of all the flowers around the place and the patch of grass in the middle. She ran into the middle of the grass and stood on a tree stump. Sesshoumaru stood beside her hugging her round the waist.

Miroku and Sango appeared making Kagome jump everyone laughing at her, Inuyasha set down a picnic blanket and they all sat on it discussing which game to play.

"I say hide and Seek" Sango cried.

"oh please can we" Rin looked at the guys.

They all agreed

"I vote Rin to catch us first" Miroku teased

"ok but only if I can count to 100" Rin winked

"half that" Sesshoumaru cocked an eye at her.

"ok, anything for you babes" Rin smirked at Sesshoumaru kissing him quick

At that second Rin started counting, everyone rushed off to hide, Inuyasha climbed up a tree with Kagome, Sesshoumaru hid behind a tree and Miroku and Sango laid down in the long grass

"45...46...47" Rin continued

"we are ready you can stop counting now" Inuyasha boomed from his nearby tree

"ok, ok but you do realise I am closer to finding you now" Rin shouted back "I can follow your voice

"smart girl" Sesshoumaru called

"hey don't confuse me" She cried running off in the sound in which Inuyasha's voice came from

Rin searched around the place, tripping over Miroku's foot, she found them first.

Sango mouthed "up a tree" at Rin using a finger to gesture up.

Rin climbed the nearby tree and looked around steadily and carefully finally catching a glimpse of Inuyasha's silver hair. "hey dude" Rin screamed while losing her grip, snagging her t-shirt to reveal a huge hand shaped bruise round her arm, she was falling, Miroku spun Sango round so she wouldn't see her bruise.

She fell Inuyasha caught her covering her bruise inches from the floor "that was a close one" She gulped looking down at her bruise.

"yep" Inuyasha set her down and let her run off towards Sesshoumaru well to find him anyway

"you can come out now Sesshoumaru, you win" Inuyasha bellowed.

They played the game until around three o clock and then all went back to the picnic blanket

They all then decided to play another game, 'blind folded tag'

Sango was blind folded and they all ran away from her.

"Sango, over here" Giggled Kagome a few steps in front of her.

"no over here" Rin cried a few steps behind her

Sango finally caught Inuyasha off guard and he was blind folded

He caught Sesshoumaru straight away because of his scent "hey no fair" Sesshoumaru punched his little brother on the arm

It was starting to get dark about half past seven when the game finally came to a halt.

They all sat around in a circle chattering about tomorrows activities and everyone was beginning to notice how quiet Rin had become

"hey Rin are you okay" Kagome cooed from Inuyasha's arms

"oh yeah I'm fine thanks guys" Rin said and Sesshoumaru squeezed her arm in a comforting manner

"you are not alone" he whispered but before she could even look up at him

BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ her phone was going off. She got up and walked into the trees to answer, knowing it would be her uncle Naraku, everyone watched her walk into the darkness.