Another 5 years later…

The great dog demon of the western lands found himself once again facing one of the most threatening beings in the world: Rin. She was not an ordinary creature. No, Rin used a contradicting mix of innocence and wickedness, which exudes from every pore in her body, to disarm an opponent.

Shooting her a mocking glare from across the yard, he began moving to the right, while she moved to the left, thus both created a circular dance as they acutely tried to assess their next move.

Sesshoumaru's eyes slipped from her face to trail down the rest of her body, taking in every voluptuous curve. Rin's outfit was the exact replica of Sango's taijiya outfit, except it was decked with purple armor instead of pink. The black leather hugged her body like a second skin. Sesshoumaru could not help but notice how many years of strenuous, taijiya training have been good to her.

As his eyes wandered back to her porcelain face, he told himself not to fall into her trap; he eyed the evil glint in her eyes with suspicion.

Suddenly, Rin jumped into the air with a flip and clanged her sword with Sesshoumaru's. The fight had begun again!

A few feet away, Inuyasha and Miroku, the eccentric monk, stood leaning against a tree and watched from the sidelines.

"Her technique has become exceptional." Miroku noted.

Inuyasha grunted. "…but at the price of Sesshoumaru showing his annoying, pretty-boy face here almost three times a week for the past 5 years! It's ridiculous! Why doesn't he just move into the village while he's at it?!" He shuddered at his own suggestion.

"Well, he's really dedicated himself to Rin's training and—"

"Keh! Give me a break!" Inuyasha interrupted. "He won't even let her go on a mission alone. He's either there, in which case he just exterminates the terrorizing demons himself, OR he forbids her to go, which only results in a fight between them…like what's happening right now!"

Miroku let out a laugh. "Remember when we all went to destroy that horrible pig demon and we snuck Rin along with us…"

Inuyasha gave in and chuckled sadistically. "The vein in Sesshoumaru's forehead nearly popped when he found out! Ahhhhhhh...good times!"

Miroku observed the way Sesshoumaru grabbed Rin's arm and pulled her against him. You dog! You know you're enjoying this way too much!

Two seconds later, Rin's sword slipped from her hand, but then she used the most vicious female technique of all: a kick to the groin.

Both Inuyasha and Miroku jerked in surprise and let out an agonized sound. Sesshoumaru's expression became pinched, and he leaned slightly to the side.

Rin gasped and tried to approach him but he put his sword up in defense. Clearly, he was not going to be the one to give up the fight. Rin laughed a bit and picked up her sword again.

"So who's winning?"

Both men jumped as Sango, Miroku's wife, approached them.

"We're not exactly sure yet. They're battling it out physically right now, but the verbal sparring match that will ensue later will be the deciding factor." Miroku answered her as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

Just as he said that, they all saw Rin being pinned to the ground by Sesshoumaru, who looked at her in triumph. Groaning, she pushed against him to stand up, then turned and walked away with her head down and fists clenched at her sides.

Sesshoumaru, with super lightening speed, suddenly stood in front of her blocking her escape. They seemed to be arguing now…or more like, Rin was pointing and gesturing exuberantly while Sesshoumaru silently looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Damn. We can't hear anything…we should get closer." Miroku suggested. The other two nodded in agreement.

Choosing the tree closest to the arguing pair, they noticed the bush next to it moving. Inuyasha spread the leaves apart and revealed a female in miko robes.

"Kagome! What the hell are you doing, woman?" Inuyasha exclaimed.

Kagome did not even spare him a glance. "Shush! Sesshoumaru is finally speaking!"

All of them froze and crouched down near the bush in order to catch the conversation a few feet away from them.

"You are still too young to go off slaying demons on your own." Sesshoumaru said in a haughty tone. His eyes flickered over to the bush, but made no comment. Do those imbeciles honestly think I'm not aware of them? He rolled his eyes inwardly.

Rin sighed in frustration. "The age thing is getting old, Sesshoumaru! I think being 18 years old grants me the right to go out there and actually be a taijiya!"

His eyes narrowed. "Very well. Go out there and be a taijiya…but don't be shocked if I follow you, like I did today."

"You're unbelievable!"

"Thank you."

Clenching her teeth, she glared daggers at him. He simply continued to stare at her. How maddening!

Out of spite, Rin decided to pull out the big guns. Genuine tears filled her eyes as she put her hands on his chest and looked up at him pathetically.

"Why don't you trust me?" She whimpered.

And she says I'm unbelievable, Sesshoumaru thought with disgust. She knows I hate to see her cry!

Putting his hands on her shoulders, he tried to push her away but she only clung on tighter. God, her body feels amazing.

He shook himself mentally and glared at her, hating his base reaction to her proximity. She just blinked at him in confusion, tears running down her cheeks.

"Do you not want me to be happy? Do you hate me that much?"

Her questions tore at his insides. How dare she say those things to him? Has he not given her everything? Does he not abandon his growing empire on a weekly basis just to see her and make sure she is happy?

At the sight of hurt flashing in his beautiful golden eyes, Rin immediately stopped her crying. Standing on her toes, she pressed her lips against his cheek and murmured, "Please. Have faith in me. You know I'm strong."

Her lips felt like butterfly wings against his skin. With his eyes closed, he placed a hand on her head and tucked it under his chin. Why not just give in to the inevitable? He told himself.

"Alright. On one condition…"

Rin groaned at his constant 'conditions'.

Ignoring her, he continued, "You must take Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, or Kagome with you if I am not here. If I am present, I will accompany you but will not intervene with your battles unless I sense you need me. Does this satisfy you?"

Rin could barely restrain her giddiness. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She let go of him and started twirling around happily.

The tension in his body eased as he watched her childish display of joy. Sesshoumaru knew he had just been manipulated shamelessly, but he decided to let it go. Others would be slain on the spot for attempting to undermine his authority, so why does he allow Rin get away with it constantly? Why does he put up with her unruly behavior?

Rin twirled one last time before turning to smile strikingly at him.

Oh. That's why. Sesshoumaru grew irritated with himself now. The power she has over him truly disturbed him at times, and quite frankly, it is completely unacceptable. He had to put a stop to it somehow.

"Sesshoumaru?" Rin was gathering her things and walking away from the clearing, towards the forest.

"Where are you going?" Sesshoumaru asked bleakly, still upset with thoughts about her.

"I'm going to go bathe in the hot spring nearby," Rin threw the words over her shoulder. "You can come and keep me safe if you'd like…"

Such insolence, Sesshoumaru silently seethed. He sheathed his sword and followed her into the forest. Yes, Rin, I will keep you safe. But who will keep you safe from me?

As Rin and Sesshoumaru disappeared into the forest, the group huddled near the bush stood up slowly and looked at each other.

Miroku broke the silence. "Well, that was interesting."

"…to say the least." Inuyasha muttered.

"Is it just me or do you guys sense the tension between them mounting considerably?" Sango asked.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Everyone looked startled at Kagome. She was staring off dreamily and swaying to the music playing in her head. Inuyasha stepped forward, grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her gently.

"Snap out of it!"

Kagome blinked out of her stupor to respond to Sango's question. "Yes! The sexual tension is as thick as a mushroom cloud! I believe we can tip them over the edge if we work together!"

"Sexual tension?" Inuyasha appeared nauseated. "Are you telling me that Rin is feeling sexual…urges for MY brother and vice versa?"

Kagome sighed patiently. "That's exactly what I'm saying."

Inuyasha shook his head in firm denial. "It's Sesshoumaru we're talking about! You know…the cold-hearted demon assassin who spits at the very idea of mating with a human! And Rin! Sweet, innocent, bundle-of-energy Rin who probably doesn't even know what 'mating' is!"

"I think you underestimate the changes in Sesshoumaru's personality…as well as Rin's carnal knowledge." Miroku added in wisely.

"I agree," said Sango. "Rin is a grown woman. She understands more than you think, Inuyasha. Besides, did you even pay attention to what happened? Sesshoumaru's changed tremendously since we first met him."

Inuyasha grumbled, "Yeah, yeah."

Kagome suddenly squealed in delight. "I have an idea. Come on, Inuyasha, you're going to help me." She ran deeper into the forest, dragging a complaining Inuyasha by the arm.

Minutes later, the half-demon and the miko stood a few feet away from the hot spring and observed the interaction between Rin and Sesshoumaru. Kagome kept whispering to Inuyasha, while he shook his head at her suggestions.

This is stupid…why would Rin waste her time on that icicle anyway, Inuyasha grumbled to himself.

Seconds before he decided to drag Kagome away and end this foolishness, Sesshoumaru did something which made them both lean forward with their mouths hanging open.

Kami, I feel like a hentai! Inuyasha looked away hastily. His eyes caught something though.

"Kagome?" He whispered.

Snapping out of her stunned trance, she turned to him questioningly.

"How about a little game of pissing off Sesshoumaru?"