Here's Chapter four everyone.


"How's your new pupil?" Sango's voice echoed from the speaker phone.

Rin was soaking in a nice, hot bath using wildflower scented beads Sango gifted her a few weeks back.

"He's a handful, Sango. But, then again, most teenagers normally are."

Sango laughed. "Human or demon - teenagers are all the same. Honestly, I don't know how you have the patience to deal with them."

Rin sunk lower into the bath so her chin touched the tip of the scented water.

"He's not a bad kid. I'm sure somewhere deep down inside he has a good heart. I can only imagine how hard it must be for him just trying to deal. His father appears to be very strict with some unusually high expectations. I know he only wants the best but at that age, kids need room, you know?"

"Which family is it this time?" Sango asked.

"The Taishos." Rin replied.

The pitch of Sango's voice rose as she said, "You mean the Taishos?"

Rin groaned, "Yeah."

"Rin, you do realize they're predator demons, right?"

"Meh." Rin replied as she played with a random bubble that settled on the edge of the bathtub. "You do realize I'm an ex-demon hunter, Sango. It's not as though I couldn't defend myself if attacked."

"I know. I'm not worried about that. I know you're doing this for the money but just be careful, okay?"

"Hey, I managed to come out alive mentoring a demon wolf cub and a demon fox cub, right? I'm sure I'll be able to manage Shouichiru, as well." Rin replied.

"Just in case you're interested, there happens to be an opening for an ops manager in my firm. Why don't you apply and see what becomes of it?"

Rin just managed not to groan. "There's no way in hell I'm going back to working for the Demon Hunters Association. You know that."

Rin used to be a field agent for the Demon Hunters Association until she was discharged a few years ago. While the idea of demon hunting sounded exciting in the beginning, Rin soon found that it wasn't all she thought it to be. There was too much way too much politics going on inside the DHA, which is why Rin decided to call it quits after her last mission two years back.

"I know but this is an administrative post."

"Even worse! You know as well as I do that administrative personnel are the ones twisting the truth about demon society and culture. Sorry Sango. My answer still remains the same."

She heard Sango's deep intake of breath before she heard a smacking noise. "I totally forgot to tell you...Kohaku is back in town!"

Rin's breath caught in her chest, "Really?"

"Yes, and he was asking about you, you know."

Kohaku was Sango's younger brother. Rin had a short lived romance with him last summer. Though a part of her wished it hadn't been, the other part was glad it was over. They dated on and off for about a month before she gave herself up to him.

Kohaku made her feel the one thing she'd never felt before. Desire. When he had broken up with her before he left for Europe, she was beyond hurt. She wanted to hit him; she wanted to cry; she wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. She could care less about why he was asking about her.

"Let him know that I'm doing just fine."

"He's still single you know. Why don't you give him another chance?"

Give him another chance? As if! She was just another one night stand for him and she'd eventually learned to accept that.

"I'm not really looking for a relationship right now, Sango. Say 'hi' to him for me, okay?"

"You're not still looking for that perfect someone, are you?"

"Nah. I stopped looking for prince charming long ago." Rin replied. When Kohaku left. She mentally added.

"You can't fool me, girly. I know what a dreamer Rin Yamamoto is and she hasn't given up on real love just yet."

Rin laughed dryly before lifting her feet out the bath, onto the bathtub's edge, and wiggling her toes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sango, but I'm serious. I'm not looking for anyone right now."

"Okay. Alright, Ms. Doopey. Geez."

Rin knew Sango was rolling her eyes on the other side of the phone.

"I do have some other news, which should ease some of your worry. Bankotsu sold a guitar today. Yay!" Sango exclaimed happily and Rin jerked out the bathtub, water droplets dripping off her body onto the dry floor.

"Oh my god! That's great! That's like our first guitar in like months." Rin responded, shocked but equally happy. Business had been slow and dreadful at Strings and Such, to the point where Rin and Sango and mutually decided if things didn't pick up, they'll have to close shop.

"Hold onto your panties, sweet heart, because you'll do a backflip after you hear what I have to say next. I got you guys a gig at Velvet Undergroud next weekend."

Rin went silent for a minute and slipped back into her bath.

"That's great." She responded wryly, excitement deflated.

"I'm officially confused." Sango clipped.

"No. I'm excited about the gig but Velvet Underground was the last place I thought we'd pick." Rin clarified. Only the most notorious thugs from Japan's underworld hung out at Velvet Underground. It was a meeting place for villianous scum and evil men who were on the country's hit list of men to be killed on site.

"Says the demon slayer who was just boasting about defending herself from predator demons. Besides, it's not like this is the first time we've performed for a group of thugs. Remember Kuala Lumpur in 04?"

Rin chuckled remembering how they had been undercover, chasing after a mad scientist who was reported hiding as a janitor in the massive concert hall. Until the program manager confused them with the actual crew and they ended up performing to a group of over 50,000 fans. The entire night had been one wild ride. "So maybe it won't be as bad. I'll let the guys know."

"Now that's the Rin we all know and love!" Sango enthused and Rin simply smiled. Wondering briefly how on earth Sango managed to get them a gig at such a shady establishment but decided she'll ask her later. Once she was done thanking the gods for the small opportunities.


Following day

6:30pm

Rin rang the doorbell of the expansive Taisho mansion. This time a new face greeted her at the door.

"Hello beautiful!" He said cheerfully.

The doggy ears on his head were a dead giveaway to his demonic heritage. They slightly twitched when Rin's eyes settled on them. His appearance was very similar to the elder Mr. Taisho with the same silver hair and muscular build.

"Hello. I'm Rin Yamamoto. I'm here for Shouichiru's music lesson." Rin said.

The ends of his lips lifted in a mischievous smirk and his eyes narrowed slightly before he rubbed his chin. "Sorry, I think you have the wrong house. No one lives here by that name."

Rin skeptically studied the ruggedly handsome demon. "I'm certain this is the right place. I have been coming here for the past week."

Folding his arms across his chest, he leaned against the door frame. Eyes full of playful mischief. "Well, I'm certain that no one lives here by that name. You sure you're not lost?" The arrogant lift of his brow was identical to Sesshomaru but his voice didn't sound crude or threatening. There was a hint of humor in it.

"Listen buddy, I don't know what kind of joke you're pulling but I have other engagements after this lesson so...if could you please move? I'd like to make my way into the music room and get started." Rin crossed her arms across her chest and pursed her lips.

"Lady, like I said, I think you're-"

"Stop harassing my employee, Inuyasha!" A familiar commanding voice called out. Sesshomaru was dressed in his signature black button down shirt and dress pants. He appeared to gliding down the stairs.

Inuyasha turned around with a surprised look on his face, "I didn't know she was here for you, Fluffymaru."

Facing Rin, he flashed a toothy smile. "You his girlfriend?"

Rin blanched. Before she had a chance to reply, Sesshomaru cut in aggressively.

"She is my concern, now move, Inuyasha, before I decided to do it for you."

Inuyasha scowled before facing Sesshomaru with an equally aggressive look. "Take it easy, ice prince. It's not like I'm hitting on your girl or anything."

"That's because you know better." Sesshomaru clipped, narrowing his eyes dangerously.

"That's because I tolerate you for dad's sake. The girl was practically oogling me."

Rin pursed her lips and rolled her eyes to the heavens. "I'm just here for Shou-"

"Ms. Yamamoto, I believe your student is waiting for you." Sesshomaru interjected, while glaring deathly hard at Inuyasha's.

"Thank you!" Rin responded, shaking her head and making her way into the music room on the other side of the hall.


"Good evening, Shouichiru. I'm sorry about being late." Rin said as she hurried into the large room and put her purse away.

Shouichiru raised an eyebrow, "I could hear you talking to the half-breed."

'Half-breed?' Then it hit her. The demon who greeted her must be half demon and half human. But what would a half-breed be doing in the Taisho household?

"Do you know him, Shouichiru?" Rin asked as she placed the piano book on the music rack.

Of course he knew his half-blood uncle. His mother always explained that pure-blood demons were far superior to humans. Human and demon unions were disgraceful because they were slowly wiping the pure-demonic gene from the face of the planet. As a child, Shouichiru didn't see a problem with half-demons but as he grew older, he learned that it was better to be a full-blood demon rather than suffer the shame of being a half-breed.

"By relation he's my uncle but by birth he's an abomination." Shouichiru replied, not because he thought of his uncle as anything less than family but he was curious to see Rin's reaction.

Rin narrowed her eyes. Why would Shouichiru feel so negatively towards him? "Why would you call him that?"

Shouichiru tilted his head, "Obviously, you know nothing about demon culture? He's a half-breed not pure-blood demon like me or father. His very existence is an stain to our race."

This didn't sit well with Rin at all. Having lost her biological family and her adoptive parents, she knew the value of family and how blessed anyone should be to have a family, "He may be a half-breed but he's still your uncle. He's family."

"Family not by choice, of course. He stains the family name."

'Vile. Shameful.'

Rin tried not to show how much Shouichiru's words hurt her. Instead she kept her gaze on the piano and propped the lid of the piano, "If anything, I think he's more evolved than a pure-blood demon like you."

Shouichiru shut his eyes and turned his head in the opposite direction. A mild feeling of regret washed over him when he realized he shouldn't have provoked Rin. Every time he provoked someone, who he felt was inferior to him, his beast would stir and it would end badly.

Even speaking with his friends was difficult at times. He could never truly be completely open with them because he would end up doing something stupid like pick a fight or hurt them. There was too much pain in words, "What the fuck are you trying to say?"

"You said that half-breeds are abominations. Well, a half-breed can only be born by the combination of pure-blood demon and a pure-blood human. You cannot deny the same blood that runs through your veins also runs through your uncle's veins. If anything, he's a more evolved form of your kind because he carries two genes and not one."

She dare say she knows about pure-blood demons? Show her where she belongs.

"You know nothing of our kind." Shouichiru sneered.

"That's not entirely true. I've worked with demons and half-demons and given music lessons to younger demons, as well. I'm not saying I'm a demon expert but I learn something new every day."

Shouichiru shot her an angered look, "So, do you think our kind is a curse?"

"Absolutely not." Rin replied seriously.

Shouichiru humphed, "I believe your entire species is a curse."

"Well, then, I'd say you're completely ignorant." Rin raised an eyebrow and sat on the piano bench.

Shouichiru gritted his teeth, "You better watch your mouth."

"You better learn some manners before I knock them into you." Rin replied, "You can't expect to hold a conversation with someone if you can't stomach what they're going to say."

Now she was lecturing him. Shouichiru's demonic aura was building up and it was desperately asking for blood. For a brief moment, Shouichiru closed his eyes because he was distracted from all rational thought. It was better to grace Rin with a period of silence.

"You may start by playing Under the Sea today." Rin said.

While Shouichiru outwardly remained quiet and obediently played over four children's songs over the course of about half an hour, there was a battle of wills going on in his head. It took all of his strength to keep himself calm, while all he wanted to do was transform and release his building fury.

After the fourth song, Rin asked, "Why don't you compile a list of songs you like so we can play those instead?"

She received no reply. 'Children's songs it is then.' She thought.

A few minutes later, Shouichiru stopped playing.

"Are you okay with the fact that your kind is a curse?"

Rin sighed, "First, I didn't agree to what you said about my race being a curse. But if you're looking for my opinion, here's what I believe. Everyone on this planet is different. Regardless of species, we all have our own opinions and unique outlook on life and what our priorities are. The way I see it, this type of diversity and a mix of different culture makes society vibrant and exciting.

I never judge or act negatively just because someone is physically different from me. When that happens societies find themselves in a state of conflict and war. You can't simply call a species a curse with no justifiable reason because then you are certainly ignorant."

Shouichiru stopped playing. Rin's logic angered him and he was becoming restless.

"How dare you call me ignorant!"

Rin shook her head, "It's normal to be afraid of differences. Especially when someone looks different or lives a different lifestyle but instead of giving in to fear, you should learn about those differences and them so that you can remove your fear and live positively..."

He knew somewhere deep inside that his music instructor made some sense but his growing rage was far harder to ignore.

It took a moment for Rin to face Shouichiru. Her calm face suddenly turned concerned as the red lining his retina alerted her and she asked, "Are you alright?"

"I hate you." He growled and lunged on her. When Rin was on her back, she planted her foot on Shouichiru's torso and pushed him off her. Shouichiru tumbled and landed on all fours. He growled. His demonic aura was fully released now and he was partially transformed.

Rin quickly got off her back and sat on her haunches. Never breaking eye to eye contact with Shouichiru she slowly got up and walked towards him.

He narrowed his eyes and tried to slash her with a claw but missed.

"Leave me." He hissed.

"Shouichiru, I need you to calm down. I know it's hard but you must try."


Why?

Why had it bothered him so much when Inuyasha had said Rin was 'cute'? Why had he felt as though his blood had been set on fire when Inu-baka had claimed Rin had been 'oogling' him? Rin was one human. There were plenty of women to choose from when it came to a simple need and yet when it came to the mater of Rin, something deep within him stirred. An indescribable feeling that calmed his beast and yet he was too afraid to accept it.

His single concern with the girl was to make sure she didn't get out of hand and attacked his son. He had to bear witness to the 'teaching methods' that his father so wholeeartedly believed in.

Shifting his thoughts to his son, Sesshomaru observed the duo from his laptop. Even Sesshomaru admitted that Rin had good control over her emotions and remained calm while speaking with his son.

"...remove your fear..."

It hit him then. The sudden surge in Shouichiru's demonic energy. He appeared angry and a bright red aura was emanating from his body. Shouichiru lunged towards Rin; it was then that Sesshomaru all but flew downstairs into the music room.

When he entered the room, he saw Rin standing and talking to Shouichiru. Her hand was raised to him and she was beginning to bend down on her knees...to crawl to him perhaps?


Rin noticed a silver blur in her peripheral vision and raised a hand at Sesshomaru. She hoped the demon lord took that as a sign not to intervene. Bending on her knees, she began to crawl towards her student.

"Shouichiru, we have to return to our music lesson. Come on, take my hand."

Slowly her hand reached for him with her palm facing upward. Shouichiru slapped the hand away.

"Get away." He growled.

"I'm not going anywhere. Not until you're okay."

For a moment, Shouichiru's face calmed down, even though his body continued to release large amounts of demonic energy, and he whimpered.

'Perhaps we're getting somewhere.' Rin tried not to appear too excited; if she did she may confuse Shouichiru and the last thing she needed was a confused demon. She reached for his face.

"Accept your powers." She whispered.

Without warning, Shouichiru's face contorted with anger and he jumped on Rin, sending both of them crashing into the wall on the other side of the room.


kira: Sessh is already watching each lesson from his laptop. Remember he hooked up a camera to the music room? Do you mean you want him to physically be there at a lesson?

Miya: ty!

neko-chan: yeah, you're right, maybe too many time stamps may be confusing. I'll try to hold off on them.

reader: ty!

xInu: ty!

Taraah: as if any other woman could satisfy Sesshy-sama! Ridiculous I tell you! But I had to add that bit since he wants Rin but he doesn't but he does and then he doesn't. LOL. Isn't it fun to play around with Fluffy-sama?

anonymous, Jolie and Divine Rose: Ah, thank you all for the enthusiasm you have shown in your feedback. Although I do hate to disappoint but *takes deep breath* here goes nothing! The main reason why I didn't keep Rin a virgin is to prove that love and sex are not the same thing. Yes, she was young and lost her virginity to some guy who made her feel good physically but he clearly wasn't in love with her and she felt even worse knowing she made a mistake where all she really wanted was to be loved. Deep down inside isn't that what everyone really needs? Love?

wow: First may I say LOL calling my writing amateur. I know my writing has tons of flaws in it which is why I sought out a beta to begin with and am hoping this time around the story turns out well. As for giving up and not completing the story, that's hardly my intention. If you read my profile page, you will notice that the whole reason I decided to redo my story is because I reached a brick wall with the story line and thanks to all the encouraging feedback I got from my readers for ML I, all I wanted to do was fix up the climax and complete my story.

As for why this version appears under developed, let me just say, it's only the third chapter! The story is still being revised. While I can certainly understand that, as reader, you didn't appreciate ignoring ML I but I couldn't disagree more that I never wanted to finish it. I certainly do and will be completing it through this version.

~tkplover~