Eat You Up



Summary:

She's fierce, a respected Yakuza member. And yet forced to stay behind, playing nurse for an arrogant inuyoukai? With someone trying to kill her and being suddenly 'imprinted'- Rin doesn't what's worse: forced to love Sesshomaru, or being assassinated.



"—seven billion Yen."

I'd heard this sentence over a hundred times today, mainly behind my back, and in the eyes of astounded people. But large numbers around here meant nothing; whether they were associated with bank accounts or people to be involved. So there was honestly nothing to fret about— unless that large amount was the asking price for your dismembered head. I stiffened as the latest gossip group, passed by my hidden body. There wasn't any real reason to my hiding.. I was just a wee bit overwhelmed with the past forty-eight hours of all conversation directed around me. I started to grind the back of my teeth, my vision shuttering at the vibration. The sickening feeling of my bad habit, made my fingers clench together and my toes curl, until the tendons of my foot ached in pressure.

I could still feel the paper cuts between my small toes, from the last group mission—a month since the Black Blood attack. Their fighting skills were as bad as their yakuza name— along with their attitude of raping teenage girls. With such a pathetic low-life target, only a team of ten was sent in. So why was it, these idiots managed to split us up in a closed-down mall, and counter surprise us the second we got in? Whatever skills they had, was only used during that time. Despite the fact, once I was separately alone, I suddenly found myself sucking in chloroform. But how couldn't I have seen them? Simple.. they were all human. And I had been separated from my team long enough, that my body was no longer finding any youkai auras. Was it simple coincidence, or was this planned? Even after they used a sharp knife between my toes, demanding for our gang's hideout, the rage never subsided once my team rescued me. And no one dared to lay down the law, as I unmercifully turned those bastards into Swiss cheese. My rage wasn't due to my torture, how stupid these people were, nor that I was outrageously outnumbered when the others got split up— it was because, Rin, never got taken down.

None spoke a word after that incident. And none needed an explanation to why I was captured for the first time. One look from my snow white eyes and they all knew why.

A sharp pain cut through my stiff posture, from my wrapped-up shoulder. Damn bullet wound. Unlocking my bones and joints, I jumped stealthily from my crammed space— Just as my lungs stuttered into sudden silence. A pair of large feet was headed towards me. Panic injected into my bloodstream, and I quickly returned to the cubby-hole I was previously folded into. Shifting back into my origami position, I placed a neatly folded blanket in front of my body, camouflage.

The creaky door whipped open, fluttering my hair in the wind that got in-between my blanket front. Softly, knowing the person wouldn't be able to detect it, I breathed through my teeth quietly—yes, it was beyond annoying, the quiet and slow patterned breathing method, but it worked wonders against ears. Despite drawing in air from my mouth, I caught a very familiar woodsy-fruity smell.. My camouflage was suddenly ripped away, which made my eyes bulge slightly in shock. Ignoring the smug grin pointed at me, I gracefully slid out from the hole, landing on the balls of my feet. Sniffling in embarrassment, I stalked out of the linen closet. I kept my vision down, annoyance and disappointment flickering inside me.

"Aw, common." My seeker cooed playfully.

I gritted my teeth together, ignoring the vision and temptation of strangling..

"Rin-an-nin-nin!"

The swishing of his long clothes caught attention to my ears, and I knew if I just could reach—

"GOTCHA!"

I screamed as the other voice gave peels of laughter. In one swift motion, we were both knocked to the floor, my tiny body demolished by a man's heavier frame. Well, sort of a man's.

"I mm-issed woo!" Jakotsu's voice cried baby-like.

A slight smile irked the corners of my mouth, the smallest action, which Jakotsu's glowing eyes caught. Larger than I personally owned up to, his grin glinted happily over me. His lanky arms wrapped around my waist from behind, and they squeezed me eagerly.

"And your smile says you missed me too!" He cheered.

Letting my forehead hit the floor softly, I closed my milky eyes and smiled despite myself. Oh, how I loved Jakotsu's gay ways— He always knew when to cheer me up. I huffed in surprise, when my body was suddenly lifted by the grip around my waist, and into a pair of strong pale arms. Jak's contagious smile glowed down at me, taking away my dark mood completely. Though he appeared fragile, and flawlessly played damsel in distress, Jak was extremely strong. So when his enemies though they had the upper-hand, his heavy punch knocked them into shock— and into a coma.

"You took longer than normal, thought you weren't ever coming back," I began to chatter to him.

Jakotsu laughed, his shimmering-bell voice filling the stairwell.

"I didn't mean to, Rinny, but these illiterate simpleton's were persistent—" He continued, and then his lips paused.

Pushing away my tangled hair, I stared up at him in confusion.

"Never mind. I owe you an apology." He whispered, hugging my body gently. "The one human, who managed to flee, was the one who shot at you. Even though I did manage to rip him apart him after.. I feel atrocious."

My mouth opened into a surprised 'o'. Though one measly bullet-wound was nothing for me, Jakotsu always piled the guilt upon himself. He wanted to protect everyone, at every second; even from dark figures calling out a price for me— a price of seven billion Yen.

"I was the last to know?" I whispered angrily.

"We didn't want you to know, until we found out why." Jak murmured, placing a soothing hand to my cheek. "And we still don't know why, Rinny."

His words made the ball of twisted string in my stomach, angrily tug and cause deeper snags of frustration.. and fear. Jakotsu wasn't just a decoy, bait, he was good at slipping behind the screens and getting information we needed. The guy was youkai, lived for hundred of years, even helped get dirt on Hitler— and he couldn't find out why my head had a target on it? Seven billion Yen— almost ninety-seven billion Canadian— seventy-seventy and so billion American— a staggering sixty billion, six-hundred-thousand and seven, six-hundred and fifty dollars and fifty cents.. for my corpse? And Jak couldn't find out, in a six-month mission, why my life was priced higher than any others! Higher than an American president's or a Japanese gang leader's assassination fee?

The mansion was a scramble of people coming and going, all lines out, phones, and gates were monitored, and I was being trapped inside. Despite shattering a cabinet of dishes, punching Inuyasha in the face, and screaming at InuTashio.. everyone believed I was safer here. But that didn't feel like my only penalty.. Becoming a dog demon's mate was also the highest number on my black list, of 'Things I'd rather rip my guts out, than do.'

"Oh!"

Jakotsu's tormented expression turned into surprise.

"I should probably let you down, since Sesshomaru wouldn't like another guy's scent all over—"

I quickly iron-locked my arms around his thin neck: "InuTashio's son does not own me!" I snarled.

Alarm sparked into his grey eyes.

"Rinny.." He whispered, perfect eyebrows puckering.

"I don't want to talk about it." I said coldly.

Just from my voice, had his lips hardened to a thin line. Jakostu was big on youkai traditions, so much so, that not even modern clothing replaced his colorful kimonos; missions were the only exception. But he was big on protecting me— even from myself.

We managed to successfully descend down the five stories of stairs, and down into the basement area where a lot of people unhinged. If you can imagine a mall, cookie cut with different stores, you can picture the basement floor. I'd never seen a grown man cry over such a large television, or girl-on-girl glare competitions over the one of many spa rooms.

Upon entering the main foyer, our pace was abruptly halted into a rim-rod standstill. If it wasn't for Jak's strong arms, I would've tumbled onto the floor.

"Move!"

My head whipped around, looking for the small callous voice. I must have looked like a cartoon character, with my confused display, because I heard Jak's snort of laughter. I didn't have a second to confirm this, for I felt something hard jab at my toes. Assumedly, since most of the Yakuza members were around today, I was about to give a small hanyou or youkai child a gentle lecture— but settled for a more Jakotsu approach.

"KYAAAA!"

My twisted horrified face, stared down at the thing below me. The thing—youkai— was incredibly small, impish, and covered in thick wrinkly green skin. Like the color of that nasty split pea soup, Izayoi attempted to make once..

"Who are you?" I questioned, a little snobbish.

"Don't speak to me with such low regard, you nasty ningen!" It barked back.

My eyes narrowed, and I lightly nudged the beast with my dangling foot, resulting in a squirming, green, ugly-baby on its back. I wasn't a big fan of babies either— unless it was Kagome's. I didn't mind the toddlers, the pre-teens, and all..

.. Just the gross baby stuff. Like the spewing up, the vomit-reflect action when smelling a dirty diaper, and their endless crying that made you want to pull out your eyelashes.

"What do you want?" I rephrased, my tone becoming darker.

"To see Lord Sesshomaru, of course! And it's Master Jaken to you, human!"

I wasn't sure if the thing was more offended by my non-respect to his name, or the blunt expression on my face that clearly said, 'are you fucking shitting me?' Sesshomaru, a Lord?

"I assure you, there is no Lord here." I glowered.

If the jerk was a Lord, then I was a Barbie fairy princess.

"I know he's here!" The little demon, Jaken, puffed.

I was going to jump down, stomp around on the beast, when a thick novel was suddenly airborne, bashing into the little monster, and successfully knocking him over again. I could barely muffle my laugh.

"Go have a gay complex with someone else's half brother!" A rude voice barked.

Inuyasha stalked past us in the foyer, muttering angrily under his breath. In his strong arms were large piles of books, mainly with titles that involved pregnancy and infants. Ugh, I shuttered, babies. His voice snapped me out of my mental disgust. It wasn't his foul words that had my eyes wide in shock, but the huge sparkling grin that grew from his taunt lips. Not good. Inuyasha's gold eyes glared wickedly at me, as he shuffled the heavy texts around.

"Kouga's back."

Not good at all..

"You didn't eat his ice cream again, did you?" Jak whispered in mock shock.

"I did no such thing!" I cried indigently.

Even the little green monster raised a questioning ugly brow.

"I shared with Kagome." I lied.

"Keh, he won't do anything to Kagome. But you on the other hand— how long has this vendetta been going on anyway?"

Kouga had previously been infatuated with Kagome, during high school in Tokyo. Due to the obvious fact she was imprinted by someone else, an equally moronic man, he eventually gave up. However, when upon meeting my beautiful seventeen year old self, he was drawn to me— and dearly disappointed him when I beat his ass down. Poor guy still hated my guts for the foot against his face.

Rather than my foot leaving a nasty bruise, I think eating his food was a harsher blow.

But, the guy had it coming—First of all, Kouga had lived for over a hundred years, and he still didn't know how to spell his name in Hiragana! Once I saw his precious little ice cream box in the freezer, covered in permanent black marker, saying something like 'Kga', of course I couldn't resist the urge to beat him back down. Every time he stayed over, no matter how many boxes he put in that fridge, they were in my happy stomach the second he looked away.

I could feel the smug grin lighting up my face. It was a screwed up brother-sister fiasco. We had a love hate relationship, though our fighting only resulted in an equal tie every time.

"He's in the dojo, pacing around." Inuyasha continued, and then he briskly walked away.

"Don't start without me!" He yelled.

I don't think anyone missed a time, when Kouga finally had his foot shoved in his mouth. Now was the best time than any other, since I had more than childish revenge for Kouga in mind. I had to let off some steam from my current situation, as prisoner to the house and some injured kibble-eating pup.

Eagerly squirming out of Jakotsu's embrace, and using the 'ugly baby' as a foot stool, I raced to the dojo. Streaking past Inuyasha (who was yelling something at me), Miroku trying to seduce an angry Sango, and by a few girls hovering above a gossip magazine, I finally hurled myself into the left basement wing. The shoji dojo screens were tightly shut, but I could effortlessly hear Kouga's muttering, and his wolf tail twisting impatiently behind him. A predatorily grin seep over my lips— he was already irascible, purrr-fect.

I mildly mused if I should just stroll in and demand a match, or if I'd enjoy poking the already hot fire. Crouching down to the floor, the way Inuyasha did sometimes, my muscles ached in anticipation.

"I can hear you giggling, Rin!" He barked.

I was doing that out loud?

Pouting a little, I stretched out my hand to the paper screen— until a thinking bulb clicked on in my head. I tipped my head back, my eyes scoring up past the shoji screens and to the ceiling. I had almost forgotten there was an observation deck for the dojo.

"Just a minute, my darling." I sang, while standing tall.

My murky eyes took in every possible angle of entry. The normal way to the veranda was to open the doors, and take the rickety staircase on the immediate left. But I wanted to be stealthy, and have the best advantage. I wasn't wearing my ashiko's, so that method was out. I didn't have a tanto or a grappling hook on me, to help me climb the forty-foot high wall— scratch that too. The window ledge was too far, so I couldn't even jump if had something to propel off. I gritted my teeth together.

"Let me help you."

I huffed in shock as strong arms circled my calves. Turning slightly, I glimpsed a bit of Jak's rouge silk slip.

"On three." He whispered.

Nodding, I felt his wrist pulse against my bare leg—one. I scrutinized the glass-less wooden window, imaging different techniques of grasping the empty square frame—two. Flexing my fingers, little snaps decoding, I waited for his last heart beat.

Three.

Jakotsu squatted to the bamboo floor briefly, and in a lightening-quick moment he shot back up. His arms released me as I soared up at a forty-five degree angle. I jammed my foot into the small window quickly as gravity took its role, and my nimble fingers clamped around the opening. I shot a swift smile down at my savoir as I climbed through my entrance.

The pot lights from the roof had left half the deck in shade, in my favor. Grinning, refreshed excitement in my blood, I leaned against the wooden wall as I skirted around the balcony. Being extremely alert to the movements below-- Kouga's and the gathering crowd-- I used all my joints as I fluidly over-emphasized my movements. With every movement, large or minimal, I took a small breath. Doing this trained technique would not produce any unneeded muscle tension, and would help me not release a loud gasp if I was startled— giving away my position.

Mentally deciding on a spot to observe from, I crouched down to the floor, my body hidden by the balcony's wooden front. My eyes skimmed the weapon wall to my left, looking for something reflective enough.. Ah, looking into a kama blade, I dimly saw Kouga's figure in the buffed metal. I felt the doors shutter slightly below me, as Inuyasha walked into the kama's mirroring steel.

"I was wondering why your wolf-ass was still standing— Where's Rin?"

I heard Kouga growl slightly in irritation. I also saw him turn towards Inuyasha while doing so, leaving his back exposed. Ah, thank you Inu.

Now.

I crouched even closer to the floor, tightly grabbed the balcony's top railing, and launched myself up and over. I barely managed to see Inuyasha's gloating smirk, as I landed on Kouga's back— feet first. The youkai fell forward in shock, face almost pressing against the tatami mats, if it wasn't for his lightening-quick reflects. His strong arms braced the floor, and for a mere second I wondered if I had accidentally jumped onto him too hard.

"Kouga?"

I immediately regretted my words when he pushed off with his arms, his legs flipping up into the air. I scarcely had enough time to feel his muscles moving in his back, and sprint away from Kouga. He was back on his feet, the second I turned to him from the other side of the dojo.

"Uncalled for." I heard him growl.

I simply shrugged, appearing to be nonchalant. Though on the inside, I was screaming like a hyper five year old.

Koga: zero.

"I'm gonna hurt you bad, Rin."

"Like to see you try, you wimpy wolf."

Inuyasha gave a loud laugh, which echoed a few of the crowd's. Kouga's warning growl became louder, and it echoed through his madly twitching tail.

I barely saw him disappear from my sight.

Oh, shi..

I sprinted to the tall weapon's wall, thousands of different dangerous things glinting down at me. Running up the wall slightly, my jeans angrily repressing against my leg's movements, my fingers snagged a black pudao. Just in time too. I brought the staff above my head, just barely managing to get it up in time, before Kouga's katana hit the oak hilt. Pushing the blade-end closer to him, I swung my body to the side, our blades squealing as my right knee knocked into Kouga's thick head. I dropped to the floor, barely missing Kouga's swinging sword over my head. Almost. A few strands of my hair snowed to the ground.

A little flame sparked inside me.

"I never knew you wanted to be a hair dresser, Kouga!" I laughed madly, somersaulting away, as his blade sunk into a mat where I just was. I saw Jakotsu glare at Kouga, and it fueled my giggling.

I continued to dance away from Kouga, his shimmering blade mere inches from my t-shirt. I could hear Jakotsu's angry hiss from across the dojo, before the impact even registered to me. A large black-leathered medicine ball had hit my shoulder. Right on my pulsing wound. Pain erupted around the edges of my bandage, and the pudao loosened a bit in my grip. My eyes scoured over my wrapped-up shoulder, seeing no blood penetrate my thin grey t-shirt.

"You insignificant piece of shit!" I seethed, turning my burning eyes onto him. Kouga stood away from me, his infamous grin flashing in the bright lights. "I never knew you as one to take cheap shots!" I continued to castigate.

"Thought you were tough, Rin, since when did you start wearing a skirt?" He laughed, his smile getting larger by the minute. I felt my blood blister— but my reaction after his next comment, was nothing compared to this.

"Or maybe you're getting soft, because you have Sesshoumaru pining after you? A big bad man, to take away your worries and make you actually feel human?"

Flashes of my own hands slicing people's throats, my fingers pulsing angrily against the trigger of my guns, and my blank expression as I did so, raced across my vision like a transparent film-negative roll. Those people weren't humans— twisted beings hell-bent on slaughtering their own families, raping young children in neighborhood parks, gambling away their stolen goods and then hiring a hooker on a dark street to do under-the-table favors, just so the prostitute could afford a meal the next day.

"I AM HUMAN!" I screamed viciously, snapping my figure up from the ground, and launching myself towards him.

I lifted my blade cholericly, and sliced in multiple strikes. Kouga dodged each one, but barely. My sharp blade caught the tip of his pony tail, the next, left a paper-thin cut in his shirt. A flicker of Kouga's horrified eyes sparkled in my vision, "Rin?" He questioned in shock. A dark smile pulled my lips to the sides, "Who else?" I returned, snapping my leg out and shoving it hard against his ribs. The youkai stumbled back, but instantly rolled onto his feet. He launched himself at me, grasping my wrists that held my weapon.

The monster inside me did not like that.

I arched my back, used his chest as a launch-board, and back-flipped out of his iron grip. The same nefarious expression crossed my dry lips, and I threw myself back at him, holding my blade back like a machete. My vision was starting to darken, as my swings got closer to his sweating skin, and I barely took notice of people crossing to room to the youkai's aid. The monster beneath my skin roared at their betrayal.

Something dark, had taken root in my body.

"Someone stop her!"

"-ook at her!"

"-stop!"

"— eyes are red!"

"Rin!"

My heels dug into the mat and I spun angrily, the wooden part of my pudao smacking into hard bodies.

Kill! My head screamed at me. Kill! Kill! KILL!

Power I have never felt before sucked into my body in large douses. My blood began to burn angrily beneath my skin, and my body's movements became sharper, almost lightning quick..

Click.

A cold gun pressed to the nape of my neck— But that wasn't what held my body frozen. My vision had become extremely high-defined..

"SESSHOMARU!"

The word peeled the anger from my skin, and I felt a heavy weight tumble off my shoulders. Hearing hurried feet towards me, I whirled around— but not fast enough. There were a few loud snaps, a vicious word or two, and then the gun that was against my neck, was sliding across the tadami mats. This all happened too fast for human eyes.

THUD!

Stars swirled in my vision as my cracked head pressed against the wooden dojo wall. I hissed through my teeth, pain gnawing sharply against my molars and bruising spine. If I didn't recognize those light amber hues, and silken silver strands clouding my twisting vision, I would've not gone against the angelic appearance. But I did.

My pinned wrists twisted nastily under his clawed grip, my fallen eyes glaring at his loose black yukata. I tried to make my gag-reflexes function at seeing a large sliver of his pale chiseled stomach.

"ENOUGH!"

I ignored him and viciously attempted to tug my arms away from his grasp, firmly keeping my head bowed from his burning eyes. The little voice inside me, was telling me to obey him. Clawed fingers locked around my jaw, and pulled my eyes to meet his. I decided to favor my peripheral vision instead. He wouldn't have that either, so he pressed his tall body against mine. My clear cinnamon eyes snapped up to his red ones in shock and chagrin, and I desperately attempted to feel disgusted. Izayoi was probably enjoying our closeness.

… and I didn't want to be enjoying it either.

Everyone held their breath, as Sesshoumaru's gasping growls filled the thick air. "No more." He hissed.

I opened my chapped lips to retaliate in some form— but his sharp canines bore at my physical rebuke. Acidic words burned through his perfect teeth. "Do not dare to ever participate in a match again, despite how pathetic each side is. I will not tolerate my mate injured in any way; you are to remain in perfect condition!" He snarled, his teeth baring closer to my face.

The jumbled levers in my head finally snapped together with loud reassurance.

My eyes widened— "No.."

I meant for it be emphatic and opposing, and yet a defeated sob slithered limply from my lips.

I wasn't just being held here because it wasn't safe outside; Sesshomaru had indirectly ordered to make me to stay. Everyone was following his instructions, convincing me to bunk, because he was a family member of the Yakuza. I was his imprinted future-mate, and this realization had tears flooding between my clenched eyelashes. Izayoi had said, that an imprinted pair was deeply connected.. as in, no matter how much he hated me, Sesshomaru would kill himself if I died. This wasn't romantic devotion— this bastard simply didn't care about me. He was selfish, and wanted to live without an Achilles' heel! He didn't even bat an eye, upon deciding to trap me inside the mansion. He'd probably keep me locked in a cage for the rest of my life.

What was left of my heart.. shattered.

"I'm not your!" I started to choke out.

"YOU. ARE. MINE."

I could feel the gush of my tears, flowing freely from my eyes. I could feel the gut-wrenching sob stuck sideways in my throat. I could even feel the pressure of his hard grasp on my hip, his nails piercing my clothes.. but not my skin. He wouldn't physically hurt me. My body would be kept in pristine condition.

I could still feel the bits of my torn heart, some of it on the floor.. In a sudden snap of movement, his arms released me, and pulled my arms above my head. His strong hands gripped angrily at my now criss-crossed wrists. However, this wasn't what had my heart on the floor, beating out a tormented rhythm.

His warm mouth was an inch from my exposed neck, his heavy gusts of breath fanning against my trembling skin. I could feel the shivers race down my body, and settle onto the area where his lips were hovering. My ears picked up his next movement, and it sent my heart doing a strangled lap. Small gasps erupted in numbers around the dojo, so I knew I wasn't imagining it. It felt like someone just picked my heart off the floor, washed it under cold water, and jabbed it back in between my fragile ribs.

Sesshomaru was baring his exposed teeth, at my jugular vein.

He was asking for submission.

And I knew, I knew better.. but my unresponsive body did not. My leg lifted sharply upwards, in between his frame and mine, and straightened out angrily. The action of my heel into his shocked body, as I watched him fall back from me, made his iris's snap back into their original golden form.

I also took note of how that fact, released the strangled sob in my throat.

No, he didn't truly care for me.

His youkai did.


My head felt heavier, as the blood continued to rush to my forehead. I didn't move an inch from my bowed posture. My teeth began to subconsciously grit together. How was I supposed to know, that Sesshomaru's wound was still in the healing process? I blocked out the murmuring voices from outside the room. The clock ticked dully, contrasting against the loud whispers in the hall.

Using the back of my hand, I wiped away the loose hair strands on my forehead. My eyes never left the silent rhythmic fall and rise of his bandaged chest. Frustration flickered in my eyes, and I clenched my teeth harder. How was I supposed to know, that even though the imprinting wasn't complete, we would be connected this deeply? Even InuTashio, who's over six-hundred years old, was stupefied. He had said, unless either his son had seen me before that night, or if I had seen him— there was no logical reason.

After Sesshomaru had lost his temper in turn with me, it wasn't even minutes later; after I had kicked him away from me, he collapsed to a bloody heap on the floor. At first we all thought it was due to his injuries, and his loud objection to being babied and nursed. But when Kagome, best contender with her medical knowledge and ability, had pushed away the top of his bloodied yukata — it wasn't just his deep wounds that were appalling, but the large irritated rashes all over his chest. Youkai's could become sick, fatally injured, even loose a limb.. but they couldn't get skin infections like chicken pox, scars.. or rashes.

The reason why the red marked not only his chest, but his arms, his face, his fingers.. ? I bowed my head deeper, my hands shielding my face.

Imprinted couples felt each others feelings, internal and exterior. Only angry emotions physically appeared on the skin, in either angry red welts or rashes. Sesshomaru, who at the time, was bed ridden; felt my appalling hysterical horror, depression, and undeniable anger— he left his room, in search of these emotions. He instinctively sought me out, full intention of calming me.

I sighed deeply through my mouth, black strands of my hair sticking to my wet lips.

I still couldn't believe that I had become so angry with Kouga, that I drained Sesshomaru's youkai strength from him— because we were connected deeply enough, I could borrow his stamina when I needed it the most. And obviously, doing such a thing would be a great advantage. But it left with your partner weak, and the other, enraged beyond calming with reason.

I had only stopped, because Sesshomaru had found me..

Lord Sesshomaru, ugh.

Yes, he had serious issues, his problems with the murky past, disgust in Izayoi so much— that he hated all humans, females, the Yakuza. My heart clenched painfully. How were you supposed to care for someone, when they hated everything that you were? Sesshomaru's problems weren't new; they had been festering inside him, ever since his mother left the Yakuza. These issues were under two hundred years of solid rock. I didn't have that kind of tenacity.

The clock turned again, I finally came to a weak conclusion, which had my little internal voice screaming at me. My body, my soul, it yearned for this odd being. However, I, had no intention of replying to the internal hunger. You couldn't force someone to change, unless they willingly agreed. He and I.. were just too different. Sure, being human meant you were weak, mortal (despite the fact I could be immortal, if Sesshomaru claimed me), and drowning in scales of emotions. But I loved being human. I enjoyed being a woman, being powerful in my own right, being proud of my curvaceous body—Even though the monthly Mother Nature attacks could go to hell. And the Yakuza? This organization, was much more than a mob.. it was my home. They were my family, took care of me, always there no matter what hour, despite any price tag. The small price I had to pay was attacking the bad guys and saving the semi innocent.

"There's nothing wrong with us," I whispered.

A soft knock tapped against the door, I didn't bother to take my eyes off the sleeping figure.

"I'll take the next shift, Rin. Get some sleep; you look like you need it."

I shrugged off Jakotsu's hand, and turned from the room. My pale hand lingered briefly on the door knob, as furious arguments sifted through my head. I managed to beat back a few unnerving desires and statements. No, I wasn't watching over Sesshomaru, because we were apparently imprinted, or felt the need to repay for my outburst at him. I felt no such things. I, Rin, was protecting the Takahashi family, even if the one I was watching over was a complete infernal asshole.

No, I was just doing my job, as a Yakuza member.

"Rin."

I had made it down a flight of stairs that took me to the main foyer— Which was now blanketed in packed suitcases, bursting backpacks, and large black weapon cases. InuTashio stood in the large sea, his face tired with everything but exhaustion.

My eyes widened as I took in the equipment.

"What's going on?" I choked.

The man paused, rubbing his temple slightly.

"We are all leaving in order to do a thorough sweep of information, since we've had a hit of intriguing material from America come in play, from one of our stationed resources. Since there are also many people in Osaka, Sesshomaru and Jaken in the house, we've decided it will be safe enough to leave you here— So we can personally check out sites."

"Kagome is going as well?" I spat, "Even through she's due any day?"

He sighed, "Inuyasha isn't.. enthusiastic about it, but she's assures him she'll back out and return home when the slightest danger surfaces."

I tried desperately from something to make someone stay behind with me; I didn't want to be alone with him!

"Bu.. But S—" I gritted my teeth as I tried to speak him name, "What about Sesshomaru's wounds? What if his condition worsens? I don't have as much youkai medical knowledge as Kagome-san or Sango."

"My son is fine; his wounds are healing up nicely. He should be able to leave his bed in a few days."

In a few days? I felt ice sear up through my bones.

"Rin, he will not harm you again."

"But he hates me, as I hate him." I whispered through clenched teeth.

"Sesshomaru is.. more 'composed' normally. You just took him by surprise the first day."

"The dojo?" I reminded.

"He felt you emotions haywire, so as long as you keep them in check, he will not check on you. Though I wish.." I sent him a look, which he was oblivious to. "Rin, you are like a daughter to me, even before the imprinting occurred. I wish you would try to at least be near Sesshomaru, more than a few minutes each day. And not park yourself dutifully over his hospital bed, but because you want to be near him."

"I will never volunteer to want him, sir."

"Rin.."

I ignored his softer tone, and turned away from him. "See you in a few weeks." I hissed. Briskly I departed the conversation, and began my decent to the basement dojo.

The household was empty in an hour.

Every metal shard the dummy across the room received, I pictured the model giving a grimace of pain. After a while of throwing shuriken, poison darts, and launching spears, sweat beaded my brow, and glued my clothes to my skin. When I picked up the back wall's last hanging weapon, I turned the naginata blade towards the feeble manikin, and launched myself forward. I curled myself around the doll in a flash-movement pace, and brought my blade around, swinging it like a katana. I had full intention of beheading the manikin, until my face twirled to meet the face-less head.

The pole tumbled from my hands.

Gasping slightly, I blinked my wide eyes furiously, as the alarming vision of a blue crescent moon and maroon youkai stripes, washed away from the white life-sized doll. Ice speared through my limbs, and I sat benumbed cross-legged on the floor. My heart beat was throbbing so roughly, I could feel the heavy patterned pulse in my toes.

After a few uncounted minutes, when I finally stood again, I shoved away the naginata weapon away from me.

Bzzt. Bzzt.

My dark eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, feeling my thigh vibrate from my cell phone in my pocket. Fishing out my plastic contraption, my eyes dilated at the familiar glowing name. Hastily pressing the little green phone button, I tugged the telephone to my unpierced ear.

"Asami?"

"-in- el-wareho-ow!"

The contrasting static had me pressing the phone tightly to my head, alarm sparking into my heart.

"Asami! I can't hear you!"

"Save-club o-help-RIN-HEL-ME!"

Click.

I gyrated on the spot. The little toad youkai, Jaken, stood outside the shoji doors. If I wasn't in this sudden predicament, I would've felt awe from the waves of worry coming from the green blob. The dead line from the phone, beeped softly in my fallen arm. The doors slid open slightly.

"Rin-sama?"

Cheeky bastard had to respect me now, knowing who I was imprinted to. But even that knowledge, didn't cause any amusement to my spiking anguish. I looked away from his large hazel eyes, frowning with fake exasperation. "What is it?" I sighed, subtly putting a twinge of irritation in my words. I had to play this out like a mission, if this was going to work out.

I ignored the penetrating gaze on my face. I should leave no evidence behind— even emotional. Closing my eyes briefly, happy colorful memories floating over my mind, peace coated my distressed adrenaline.

"Jaken?" I called again.

I heard the small patter of his feet, slowly taking two steps forward. "Lord Sesshomaru." My grounded emotions twitched at the 'Lord' part. "Has sent me to inquire you."

I snorted, "Inquire?"

"He had felt discomfort from you."

"Of course I'm going to feel discomfort!" I snapped, my eyes narrowing at the tadami floor. "Who would be comfortable with being forced to stay with a selfish, incompetent, heinous, iniquitous, barbarian who calls himself a Lord! I will not serve, obey, or submit to any man or youkai as their mate!"

I turned from the toad demon, my heart pulsing loudly in my veins. I had to calm down. Way to play it cool, Rin. My mind drawled.

"Will Rin-sama please accompany me to his Lord's room?"

I could hear his teeth grinding against each other— he didn't like my little outburst.

No evidence, Rin.

"I am fine," I spoke. "Tell him, I am just stretching out my muscles, since I'm being cooped up in this place. If I'm sweating, I'm obviously going to have adrenaline. There's nothing to worry about."

Emotional prying bastard.

"I will tell him when the Lord awakes."

My breath hitched.

Asami.

But Jaken was gone by the time the tiny noise made itself known. I eyed the private dojo changing rooms across the room, well knowing there was empty duffel bags and dojo practice clothing in the cupboards.

I was gone before Sesshomaru awoke.


a/n:It'll give me inspiration to write sooner, knowing people actually enjoy my writing. Like I said, I won't continue the story, if I feel no one really cares..

Please review~

Ja, ne.