I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. Except the ones I make up, but that will be a couple of chapters down the road.

The plot of this story does notfollow the plot of Inuyasha at all. So don't get all bent out of shape when you see what happens.

Chapter 7

Ipomoea Alba- A species of night-blooming morning glories called the Moon Flowers

"Rin, where is that foul woman that was watching you?" Sesshomaru asked.

She spun around with a big smile on her face that quickly dropped into a frown when she seen the woman was not behind her.

"Rin does not know, my Lord. She was right behind Rin a moment ago."

Sesshomaru growled loudly, furious Rin could have been injured while the woman was not watching her.

Suddenly a brown and black veil sheathed Sesshomaru's eyes and tickled his nose. It was silky soft.

He stiffened while Rin giggled. He quickly looked up. Above him, perched on a branch was the woman. She was lying on her back with her head lying to the side. This is what was covering Sesshomaru's face. She was close enough that he could reach up and pull her off the branch had he wanted to. But he didn't. He took a deep breath, taking in the scent of her soft locks. He stiffened a bit at the scent of fresh rain.

It was one of his favorite scents.

"There you are, Lady Kagome!" Rin squealed. They veil was suddenly gone, as was the woman.

He looked over as he heard a soft thud beside him. The woman had rolled over on the branch and landed on her feet.

Rin ran over and hugged the girl's midsection. Kagome gently patted her head.

Kagome looked around. Catching his hard eyes and then moved on.

"Rin."

At hearing her name, the little girl looked up and grinned.

"Yes, Lady Kagome?"

"I must leave now."

Rin's POV

Nooooooo.

"No, Lady Kagome! You can't leave Rin!" Rin had tears in her eyes as she fisted her hands in the older woman's kimono.

"I have to Rin, I do not belong here. This is not my group, and I am not welcome here."

"You are welcomed! Rin promises! Rin, Ah-Un, and even Jaken wants you to stay!"

"Ah… But that matters not, child."

"Why not?" Rin demanded.

"Sesshomaru's decision is the only one that matters."

Lord Sesshomaru!

Rin instantly let go of the woman's Kimono in favor of clutching hold of her Lord's Hakamas.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru, please! Please let Lady Kagome stay!" Rin's bottom lip quivered.

Please, My Lord!

"Yes Mi Lord, please let the human wench stay!" Jaken had come over to grovel at Lord Sesshomaru's feet.

Kagome's POV

Kagome felt her eye twitch in irritation at the name the gami had called her.

She watched as the child begged and the toad whined while kissing his Lord's feet.

Pitiful.

"Enough!" Her voice boomed with authority. It was enough to quiet the child and Jaken and get their undivided attention.

"You will stop reducing yourself so low as to bed at your Lord's feet. I have already told you I will not stay. My decision remains unchanged." Kagome spoke such sureness and with such authority that both the child and the toad bowed to her.

She did not correct them. There was no need.

Sesshomaru's POV

Sesshomaru was surprised at the dominance she emitted.

He was even more surprised at how quickly the others had bowed down to her.

He was most surprised though, when the need to make her submit, to dominate her arose and flooded through his veins like water running through a riverbed.

He had to beat down the desire to sink his fangs into her neck, to take her until she whimpered her submission. He fought back the growl that threatened to break through his teeth.

Damned mating season.

Sesshomaru thought about letting her stay with them. Waking to a meal every morning would be nice. Not only that, but he would also have someone to protect Rin. Even a human would be better than the sniveling toad, Jaken. He could also strengthen his control while she was around.

Hn.

"She will stay."

He looked at the girl while Rin squealed in surprise and delight and while Jaken squawked in approval. Her eyes had narrowed at him.

"Hn." She quickly took to the trees, settling on a high branch.

She said, so quietly that even Sesshomaru had to strain to hear, "You will not use me, Ice Prince. I will stay, but not for your sake. I refuse to be a maid or servant. Anything I do, I will do because I want to. Not because you wish me to." She went quietly, seemingly falling asleep on the branch. But Sesshomaru knew better, though. He seen the way her chest rose and fell in rhythm, but was slightly faster than should be.