'There are only three' 'You said four, there are only three children.'

BA! IT WAS A CLUE YOU DONUTS! I'm introducing a new child! *sigh* I would have thought it was obvious!

-(-)-

Pulling at the ends of her hair, Rin looked across the table to the new comer of their family. Lady Naoko Moegi slowly patted her red lips with a napkin, staring at the child sat from her. "What are you staring at Rin?"

"You're so beautiful. I love your hair."

The woman huffed once. "Thank you. Yours is… nice. You know, if you want, I could have Kagome help you with your hair." She smiled and looked down the table to Naimi. "I mean, since you don't have your own."

"Now, Naoko." Taru said coldly, turning to his new wife. "Rin's only twelve. She has no need for a demon yet."

Naoko sighed softly. "I guess so." She turned her head to the side. "Kagome, can I have my drink now please?"

"Yes ma lady." A young female demon squeaked from the side of the room, struggling to life a glass of a strange yellow liquid to the table. Rin blinked at her.

She can't be older than InuYasha! And she's working? Serving a woman nine years older than her!

She lifted her glass and lifted it to her mouth, looking at the woman again. Naoko herself was young. Much younger than her husband. But she was so beautiful. With long light brown hair with soft ringlets that hung loose around her face, deep blue eyes and round flawless sink. She was always dressed simply but it made her even more beautiful.

A prize worthy of our family. That's what Naoko had said when the woman was announced to Taru and Rin for the first time.

She'd been living with the Moegi family for two months now, since the wedding and Rin liked her. They spent most of their days together, studying together and with the young woman helping Rin with her studies and life. Naoko had time for her that her mother never did.

But she was so beautiful.

"Lady Rin?"

Rin blinked away from her mirror in her room and saw the young demon Kagome stood in the doorway. "Kagome?"

"Yes my lady. My Lady asked me to come and offer my help with your hair."

Her smile as wide as she could make it, Rin jumped towards the girl. "Can you make it like hers? Can you make it really curly like hers?"

Kagome smiled and nodded. "I can try. Will you sit down, my lady?"

Rin did as asked, sitting down and allowing the demon to brush her hair and begin to curl it. Yes… I like Naoko and Kagome. She looked into the mirror at the demon's face. "You don't have any marks."

"What do you mean my lady?"

"InuYasha, Sesshomaru and Tashio, even Izayoi… they all have marks… you don't."

Kagome stepped over to her side. "Oh no my lady, I do." She pulled back her sleeve to reveal her wrist. Five long strikes ran over her skin in a deep bright pink colouring. "See?"

"Five? You're fifth generation?"

Kagome nodded. "That's right."

Rin lowered her head as she went back to her hair. So young… and all they know is service? No wonder Sesshomaru often looks so sad.

-(-)-

One afternoon, Rin was sat in the garden, reading in the sunlight, while her hand ran pulled at her now curly hair, pulling one lock until it was tight and letting it bounce back. Kagome had done an amazing job and she felt so pretty now. Just like Naoko.

As one ringlet bounced back, there was a sudden crash and a female scream in the air, shattering the peace. Dropping her book, Rin lifted up her skirt and ran towards the sound. It had come from the kitchen and she ran into the room, designed with the latest and best facilities, but her eyes instantly fell to the woman lying on the floor. "Izayoi!" she gasped, running over and kneeling by her side. The demoness was clearly in pain and there was blood coming from a cut on her forehead. Rin only just noticed the steps lying on their side by the counter top and the tin of flour with its content all over the floor.

Stroking the demoness's face, Rin smiled as comfortingly as she could. "It's going to be alright Izayoi. Shush, try and keep still."

"Izayoi!"

Rin looked up to the window and saw the shocked face of the mate, trapped outside. Rin lifted up her hand and waved him inside, giving him permission to enter. The demon came in quickly and crouched by the demoness's side, lifting her up and holding her close to his chest.

His face told Rin everything and her eyes began to cry. Izayoi was weak. She knew she was. And this fall was too much for her. "Is… is there anything I can do?"

"Please my lady, I… I couldn't…."

Rin reached out and held his hand, feeling him shake. "Please, what can I do?"

His eyes met hers and held them for a moment. "Can… can you find our son?"

Nodding, Rin stood and hurried out of the kitchen into the gardens, running into the main garden, trying to look for the two silver demons. It didn't take long to see the signs of their work. They must be close… "InuYasha! Sesshomaru!"

"Rin?"

She turned and saw Sesshomaru running towards her, InuYasha behind him. "Sesshomaru, its Izayoi. She's fallen! She's hurt!"

InuYasha's shock was visible. "Where is she?"

"In the kitchen. Hurry, you have to go to her."

The younger brother ran off but the older went to her, grabbing her wrist. "Come on." He turned and began running back to the house, taking her back. They entered to kitchen in the back door and Rin saw that Tashio was holding his mate close to his shoulder, leaning over her face while InuYasha wasn't knelt on the other side, holding her hand and crying freely. Sesshomaru stood by her side in the doorway, holding her wrist tightly, his hand trembling slightly.

Suddenly he let go and stepped backwards, Tashio lifting his head slightly as well. Rin was about to ask why when her father came into the kitchen, looking over the three males. "What are you doing in here? You're not allowed in the house! Get out!"

"Father, I gave them permission. Izayoi's hurt!"

The man blinked and looked down at the woman. She was in pain, hardly breathing and struggling to live. He twisted his mouth slightly and huffed. "Well… I guess… this one time."

Tashio looked up at him. "My lord… please…" he swallowed, daring himself to speak out. "Can we get her help? There is still a chance. Please."

Osano stared at the man with fire in his eyes. "Be glad I'm not finishing her myself! What use it a worthless demon?! You may take her away and have the rest of the day but I expect you back at work tomorrow."

Rin stared in shock. "Father! We have to help her!" She ran across the kitchen and grabbed his sleeve. "Father please! Please!"

"Rin, you don't understand. She is weak and dying. Now come along, this is no place for you." He grabbed her hand and pulled her away, tears falling down her face as she lost sight of Izayoi.

She was taken to her room and told to stay there until dinner.

Dinner that night wasn't as tasty or beautiful as the ones before and when asked, it was revealed Kagome had been forced to step forward and create it because Izayoi had died from her injuries and the other demons were too distressed to take the duty.

Naini gave a loud sigh. "Ah… at least we still have Kagome to help around the house."

"But she's so young. How can she cope with a full demon's duties?"

"Don't worry dear… we will have to get another." Lady Naini sighed, taking a drink. "Perhaps it is time Rin had her own demon. She's getting old enough now. Perhaps an older demoness… one who could mate with Sesshomaru."

Naoko suddenly coughed. "What? You plan to mate Sesshomaru off so soon? He's hardly fourteen."

Rin frown at the woman. You hardly know him, why are you worried about him?

"Naoko, she would have to take care of the house. I would want to know she would care for the whole house and Rin before insisting on them mating." The lady took a drink. "Yes… perhaps it's a good idea for Rin to have her own demon. I will start looking tomorrow."

Silence fell for a moment and Rin lifted her head. "What's going to happen to Izayoi?"

"The collector is coming tomorrow for her body."

"What?" Rin looked at her father. "Can't she be buried in the grounds? So InuYasha can visit her?"

Taru laughed loudly. "Oh please, why would we allow a demoness to be buried on the grounds? Sister, you are too soft."

"But…"

"Taru is right Rin. It is not proper for a demon body to be buried on the grounds of their master."

"Couldn't you make an acceptation? Even if it's just on the edge of the woods. Somewhere they could go?" She lifted her hand slightly. "I mean, when Sinai died, she was buried on the grounds… and she was a horse! Izayoi was a good person, she dissevers a decent burial."

Osano narrowed his eyes on the young child. "You seem to know a lot about them Rin. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"L-like what father?"

"Do you spend time with them?" He leant forward over his dinner. "Because you know you shouldn't mix with their kind."

"Father, I am only saying that we should at least respect them. They work for us every day… they do everything for us. And yet… we won't allow a loyal servant the respect of a burial?" she looked down at her lap. "I just think she needs it. And that Sesshomaru and InuYasha and Tashio need it too. It will help them find peace."

Her father sat for a moment. "You know them by name?"

Her mother swallowed suddenly. "I can understand you knowing the stable demon's name but… the others?"

"You spend too much time with them Rin."

"Father I…"

"Silence Rin." He stood quickly, walking over and grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the chair. "Come with me. I'm gonna show you something."

Rin gasped and Naoko stood to protest but her husband held her back. Rin was dragged by her father out of the dining room to the stairs, through a small door and down into a cellar. Rin gasped as she was thrown to the floor inside while her father turned on some light. "Look."

Lifting her head, Rin looked over the room. While one wall was covered in old bottles of wine and dried foods, the other had several long shackles lying on the floor, all of them bloody and cold. She stared at it as her father walked over to them. "I use these on those beasts. I have to. They are too dangerous. We have to keep them in line Rin."

"Father, we…"

He stared at her reaching out to her and grabbing her chin. "Listen to me Rin, you will stay away from those male demons. You are not to be near one without human company. Understood?"

"Father…"

"Am I understood?"

Rin stared into his eyes. "Yes father."

"Good." He let go of her chin and turned to the shackles, lifting it in his hand then walking it over to her. "Hold out your arm."

"Father!"

"I am going to teach you how we control those demons. Why they fear us." He grabbed her hand and quickly cuffed her hand. It hung loosely around her wrist, hardly touching her but it was tight enough that she couldn't slip her hand free. Her father stared at her. "I will be back in the morning."

"Father!" Rin cried as he walked away, closing the door and leaving her in a very dull light.

Outside, the man sighed softly, leaning on the door. Then he spotted the young dark haired demoness, staring at her. "Take this as a warning. I am not afraid to punish my daughter… I am certainly not afraid to punish you." His stare hardened. "Now, get out of my sight."

Kagome gasped then scampered away.

-(-)-

For the last few hours, Rin had been stuck in the cellar, chained and alone, scared and crying when she heard a sound of scratching on the door. She gasped and sat up off the wall, looking around in the dim light. "W-who's there?"

There was no reply but the scratching grew louder until the door slowly opened inwards. There was no light from outside but the light from the lamp in the cellar cast a cold glow across a figure. "Rin?"

She gasped at the voice. "Sesshomaru!" As he came closer, her eyes adjusted and she saw the outline of his face. "What are you doing here?"

"Kagome told me everything." He reached out held her wrist over the shackle. "He really did…" he sighed loudly, running his fingers over the cold metal. "It's not too tight is it?"

"It itches but… not too much."

He nodded and sat next to her. "Come here." He held his arm out, inviting her to sit beside him and put his arm around her shoulder, keeping her tight and comforting her. "You shouldn't have done it Rin. You shouldn't have stood up for us. We're not worth it."

Rin leant into him then looked at her wrist. "Does… does father do this to you?"

He swallowed and closed his hand around her shoulder.

"Sesshomaru?"

"Not in a very long time. But then, I haven't disobeyed him in a long time."

"So he does? He… he chains you up down here?"

"Yes. Normally by both hands… and legs… and tighter than yours."

"Why? Why does he do this?"

"Because it's his right. My father… he told me that once, a very long time ago, demons like us had… these incredible powers. We could change our appearance… master flight and all sorts of other gifts. But… that was a very long time ago."

"What happened?"

"Humans. Humans learnt how to control us. To bind our powers away from us."

"Why?"

"Demons are strong… we can do things humans can't. And we hardly get ill. We're basically the perfect servants."

Rin lowered her head into him and sighed. "Sesshomaru."

"Rin… after tonight… I can no longer be your friend."

"What? Why?"

He sighed, closing his eyes to keep away from her. "It's too dangerous. For you as much as me."

"But… we're careful. It's a game remember."

"Rin, this isn't a game." He rubbed her shoulder softly. "Your twelve years old. This isn't a game anymore. You shouldn't be seen with a demon like me."

"But you're my friend." Her arms wrapped tighter around his chest.

"And you're mine. But when you were young… we could get away with it. Events like Faar… and running off to hide with me… there is no excuse now. You're too old. You won't get away with it."

"But I can still be your friend!"

"No, you can't. Even if you try, I swear… I will keep away from you. For your own good."

"Sesshomaru…"

He held her even tighter and tried not to dig his claws into her skin. "Try and sleep."

Rin sighed and leant into him a little more. No matter what Sesshomaru, I'll always keep you as my friend. Her eyes closed and she smiled. He smells really nice. I will never let him go. We'll be friends forever and ever… and… ever. She sighed into him and settled down, sleep taking over.

"Rin?"

Rin stirred a little at the voice.

"Rin? Rin dear wake up."

Lifting herself off the floor, Rin rubbed her eyes and found her hand free of the chain and her father knelt by her side, tears welling in his eyes. She blinked at him. "Father?"

In a quick movement, he reached out and grabbed her, pulling her into his shoulder and holding her tight. "I'm sorry my dear. I really am. But… it was the only way. I had to show you."

"Father…"

"Do you see now? This is the reason demons follow our orders. They fear us. And we have to maintain that fear. They are stronger than us but we hold their fear." He sighed softly and pressed into her neck. "I didn't want to hurt you but it was the only way."

She knelt in her father's arms and felt him tremble slightly. It really had hurt him to punish her. But he still would do the same to Sesshomaru… or Taisho or even poor little Kagome or InuYasha.

"Come on now Rin, your mother plans on getting for your own personal demon." He sighed, standing away from her and holding out his hand. "Maybe that will help you understand the boundaries."

Trying to hold in her disgust, Rin stood, hugged him again and walked out of the cellar with him. once changed and free of her duties, she went to the stable alone. Sesshomaru was there, brushing one of the horses down with a cold tired look on his face. She smiled and went over to him. "Sesshomaru!"

"My lady."

She froze where she was, just a few steps away from him. "My lady? Sesshomaru you…"

"Is there something I can do for you my lady?"

"I wanted to see you."

"Although I appreciate your interest… you shouldn't be here."

"But…"

"Leave." His eyes turned to her, sharp and deadly. "Leave at once."

She stared at him, tears filling her eyes. "Sesshomaru… I… I don't care what you say! I will always be your friend!" She stared at him for a moment longer then turned and ran away.

A/N: GOD DAM SESSHOMARU! RIN WANTS TO BE YOUR FRIEND! YOU CAN'T TURN HER AWAY LIKE THAT! OH GOD DAM IT! HOW COULD HE?!

AND HER FATHER! CHAINING HER UP JUST BECAUSE SHE SPOKE THE TRUTH?! OH MAN….

Taraah36 please, give me some motivation!