Discalimer: Same as before! :3 :3

Chapter 7

Town meeting

Thanks everyone for having patience with me and my untimely updates! Special thanks to xxemoluverxx for favouriting and azraelknight (love your name btw) and Casey525 for reviewing for following (Thanks for reviewing every chapter! I look forward to more comments!)

I should be posting another chapter this week as repayment for your kindness and patience with me 3 happy reading!

And as always if you guys have any ideas on what to add, delete or how to continue the story I welcome all of your comments and PMs! :D :D :D

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Things could not have gone more wrong. The youkai lord had risen extra early, before sunrise that was only a few hours away, in order to do something he had never done: plan a day of together time for him and Rin… But it seemed that the heavens conspired against him and stole her from his grasp as soon as he was about to steal her away in the middle of the night. Accustomed to taking and getting what he wants the youkai lord had slowly crept into Rin's home, careful to not wake her he slowly crouched into a pouncing position in order to scoop her up bridal style so that she would be easier to carry.

She was nowhere under the sheets of her bed. It was empty, sheets strewn, pillows on the floor, her weapons missing…

The irritated dog demon let out a huff of disappointment. He had planned everything perfectly the night before. He would sneak in, take her gently from the bed, carry her to their secret field of flowers, where he would make his intentions and feeling known to her...

But noooooooooo she had to leave this early to… where did she go?

He began sniffing the air in order to catch the scent…

Strange indeed… it's faint… her scent has almost dissipated… that means she left earlier than I had anticipated… what could be that urgent… hnh

He broke off into a run as he caught a stronger scent, but was very disturbed that it ran towards the village rather than an opened field or the well… She had taken her weapons but he could not hear any clashing in the distance… was he too late…

Finally the source of her scent was found and he did not like the image of what was taking place before his eyes. Hajime, that little wimp was sitting next to her, a little closer that Sesshomaru would have liked him to be, and was definitely moving closer towards her. Inuyasha and his wife, Sango and the monk were all walking towards the town elder and the assembled council. Sesshomaru knew there was trouble brewing his cold calculating and negotiating self took over as he approached the empty spot next to Rin, but he did not miss the signal Inuyasha's wife gave to Rin to let her know that he was there. A little flower of happiness bloomed in him as he realized that Rin was expecting him there, and that maybe she wanted him there too. As he took his place beside her, she looked up at him rewarding him with the biggest smile she had given him since they had met, and moved slightly closer to him. The movement was discreet, but was greatly appreciated on both sides.

The leader of the village, took his seat at the entrance to the town hall, and motioned for everyone to sit so that the meeting would begin. Sesshomaru would have remained standing if it were for not Rin's pleading deathly glares for him to behave.

Impudent girl, how could she think she could control him such despicable actions… MY Lord Sesshomaru would never-

The little kappa lost all train of thought as the scene that unfolded before him made him gawk with hatred at the human who controlled his master. Sesshomaru slowly began descending next to Rin, effectively sitting cross-legged, elegantly stuffing his hands in his sleeves silently daring anyone to question his decision to sit. Jaken melted with the humiliation for his lord, but yet a warm spot bloomed in his chest. Reluctant to admit the truth, the little kappa admired the girl's fearlessness when it came to Sesshomaru, and the fact that he had always treated her as best he knew how, because he did not want her to be hurt nor in pain. He would not admit it, but Rin had been like his daughter, and hated to say it aloud, that she was the perfect match for the Lord of the Western Lands.

Everyone had taken their seats and awaited the meeting to begin, Sesshomaru most keen on learning what had awaken his future mate that early.

A fine trait for a lady of the Western Lands… don't you agree? Sesshomaru's subconscious noted.

"Hnh." At that Rin turned to watch her lord, she heard him utter his characteristic phrase as if he was in conversation.

This is one weeeeeeeiiiiiiiird youkai… that he is…

But you know you love him….

And?

Nothing…

The little chat she had with herself, had her insides smiling with radiant bliss at the fact that she loved him. She had to control herself, otherwise she would burst into song at that very moment or even skip happily to her house, or run in the field of flowers letting the tall grass caress her skin. But she had to keep her head in the meeting, because trouble was brewing and she knew Sesshomaru was not at his fullest power because of the challenge.

The elder began speaking welcoming everybody and apologizing for disturbing their slumber before the sun's rays peaked out from behind the neighboring mountains.

"My dearest apologies for having caused your troubles this morning, but it is with great urgency I have called this meeting. It has come to light that our slayers, Sango and Rin, have brought some disturbing news from the nearby villages they were sent to protect."

At those words Sesshomaru tightened the grip on his swords, his muscles automatically coiling for action to pounce on the victim. There was another reason his body coiled for action, the unknown danger would have to wait as it was news to him that Rin had been outside the village without his knowledge and she had been slaying demons… He made a mental note to make his feelings known after the meeting for now, he would listen patiently awaiting their little meeting after...

"It seems that another demon has appeared, but he is only stealing the children. They disappear in the night and their parents have no memory of them going out as they are asleep. Rin, Sango… it may be better for you to explain."

Both Rin and Sango thanked the elder and began explaining that the demon in question, used the same lure as the one they had encountered years ago, while Rin was a child. No one noticed the dark shadow that crept over her face save for Sesshomaru. He was the one that had went to save her, but the monk had done his job for him. Rin was his responsibility and he let some mere monk rescue her… It had wounded him knowing that neither Jaken nor Ah-Un could have protected her, yet it reinforced the idea that he was the only one that was capable of protecting yet he failed then. No one had known then, not even Sesshomaru, the growing importance she had in his life.

Rin swallowed as Sango continued to give a description of the demon that they dealt with then. Gathering her wits and courage she began to speak.

"We believe that this demon, or another one similar to him, is going to be attacking our village next. Our children are few, but they are our precious ones, we cannot let this demon hurt them. We must be vigilant… and prepared for anything that attacks us. We think this demon works in disguise, but it is very possible that he works in the night. Like the Demon we faced years ago, from reports of other monks that sought to kill it, it uses the flute to lure the children and to possibly, put the parents into a deeper sleep than normal."

"So then why not search everyone's homes to look for evidence?" Hajime suggested, a ridiculous grin covering his face, beaming proudly at his suggestion. As the Leader of the Village's son, he had some weight in these meetings.

"It will not work," Sesshomaru replied, cutting Hajime's ego to pieces with the incredulous gaze that suggested his idea was too daft to be considered. The poor human slithered into a corner and forever kept his gaze down.

"Sesshomaru-sama is right, Hajime. The demon would expect it."

Why is she softening the blow for that little wimp…?

A growl escaped his lips as he contemplated the idea of just ending the poor ningen's life then and there. He did not deserved his Rin's pity, nor anything of hers.

"From tonight we keep watch, we take turns. We set up a patrol border and keep guards posted, we switch positions every half hour and report to each other so we all know what is going on. Even if it is just an owl hooting, the information must be passed on. I will not let this demon take our children…"

Rin concluded the meeting with that last sentence, the crowd dispersing to prepare with the monk and his wife, Inuyasha and his miko wife. Sesshomaru lingered long enough to see the little swine of a human slowing inching towards Rin who was talking to the elder. She had the ability to inspire, and that would make her a fine leader, and lady of the Western Lands, a true equal to him. Her speech at the end motivated him with a new vigor to protect these unknown human children, but for now, before the night's watch began, he had another issue to take care of.

Before Hajime could take another step closer Sesshomaru sped towards her, apologizing to the elder for the rashness in his movement, picking her up, throwing her over his shoulder, he sped away to his secret place, the field of flowers he would stay in his visits while she was growing up.

He plopped her down on a tuft of grass so that she would not get hurt when he did so. She let out a yelp as he did, rubbing her sore derriere staring at him with a murderous gaze that would have normally sent humans running. Only this particular youkai began laughing very loudly causing the nearby birds to flee in fear of their lives. All pain forgotten and anger bubbled away, she stared at the youkai in front of her, in awe… no... Wonder… no… As if he was some sort of creature carved out of the very fabric of magic that filled the beauty of nature itself. This was the first time she had seen him so… happy?

No… it's more than that… she watched every detail carefully as he peeled in delight. The way his eyes crinkled in the corner, the way his lips peeled back in delight, the light in his eyes… the pure joy emanating from his being.

It was truly infectious, his laughter, and slowly she began to smile. She threw herself on the grass and proceeded to join him, the two sounds blending together to create a harmony only nature and those in love would understand. But his next move left her breathless as he pounced on her stealing a kiss from her open lips, angling himself so that she would not escape him. Effectively pinning her against him, he looked at her with the most sober expression, yet there was a hint of playfulness in his golden eyes.

"Why did you leave the village to go hunting demons? Was it not enough that they come looking for trouble in the village? Why did you not inform me of your little trips outside? Hmmm? Am I not that significant a part in your life Rin?"

He continued to gaze evenly at her, his eyes fixed on hers, above her, never leaving it as he lowered his voice to barely a whisper, but yet it still had the deadly tone she was accustomed to hearing.

"Because it is my job. I knew you would act like this, all protective so I kept quiet. And you do have a big part to play in my life, but you are not the whole life."

The last words stung as he knew it was the truth, but he refused to believe it.

"I am everything to you, and you will accept that"

"I don't deny it Sesshomaru, but listen to me well. Just as you have the Western Lands to take care of, I have these villages to take care of. Not everyone is fortunate to have someone like you being their protector."

With that she mustered all her strength and pushed as hard as she can, so that she can escape him. Managing to achieve her goal, she put some distance to sober herself so that she can tell him how she truly felt.

"You have your responsibilities and I have mine. That does not make you any less significant. Aren't you proud of me that I can stand on my own in battle and not be a burden to you? Can you not see that even though I may never have pure demon blood running in my veins, I can at least not be the cause for you to worry and or be distracted? I can stand my own ground and defend myself without causing you hurt or pain, or worry."

"Rin, I never thought of you as a burden or a duty. You are mine to protect and the only pain I would feel concerning you is if you were lost to me or taken from me again."

The finality of the words sank in as she realized that though the words were not many, their meaning was worth more than any flattery or flirty comment a guy had thrown at her. Mustering her strength he marched over to where he was standing, tiptoed so that she could reach his chin. She grabbed fistfuls of fabric to steady herself and to bring him closer to whisper; "must you always have the last say?"

She pulled him lower and planted a kiss directly on his lips gazing steadily at him, watching his eye grow darker and darker till their color changed entirely to little red circles with green dots in the middle. He snaked his arms around her, pinning her to his body, and lifting her off the ground so that she was his height. He sped towards a tree, never breaking eye contact with her. He rested her on the trunk and slowly began to kiss her lips with a fierce passion that melted her insides. He made his way to her neck and slowly grazed her with a fang, then running his tongue lightly over it to heal the wound. She grabbed a fist of fabric, and shivered as he continued to work his way towards her shoulder, slowly pulling the fabric lower and lower. He gently allowed her to straddle his leg that supported her weight as his hands roamed her sides coming to where the exposed flesh on her chest heaved begging for his touch. Using his nails on his right hand, though like a normal human's, he traced patterns on her skin where the kimono opened in front of him, while he kissed the right side of her shoulder using the left hand to pull back the kimono further exposing the skin on her back. He angled his head so that he had full access to the exposed skin that bared the promise of a sweet surrender. He gently kissed her exposed skin form where the kimono covered to the base of her throat, lightly flicking his tongue over the column of her neck, then slowly making his way across her color bone where he settled for grazing her lightly with his fangs, earning a slow moan that built into a frantic whimper that made the glowing embers spark into little flames.

A cold wind blew over them, making them shiver but the heat that radiated from them slowly began to burn hotter.

"We… should..stop… before.. the heaven's strike you…. with lightning…" Rin whispered in an attempt to ward off her seducer.

"Let them."

Hating to push him away, but she had to. He reluctantly accepted the move, but respected her decision knowing that there will be plenty time for these moments after...

She slid down the tree trunk and sat at the base, on the roots, her hair trailing in the wind. She gathered her kimono to the front in a fistful of fabric to cover what may be exposed, but her shoulders were still left bare, allowing the wind to graze her hyper-sensitive skin. To Sesshomaru she looked divine, a goddess sent for him only. He burned the image in his mind then and there. Later when he returned to the palace, he would have the painting made with this image of her. Only for his eyes to see.

"Sesshomaru, we must get back. The first watch is starting, and I have to tell you about the next part of the competition," she said.

Admitting this was the most practical thing to do, he complied and waited for her to arrange her clothes, but not sorry he got to taste her divinity. He carried her towards the village where she would fulfill her duty as a part of the village guard, he helping her out and awaiting his next task.

One more step to having her as his.