Authors note – Disclaimer... I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters! So thanks for your reviews again people x so yeah, a bit of a fluffy, sexy, moment for them two... now let's get these people moving !

Chapter 10 – Mate bonds

Sesshomaru had left in the morning before dawn, he had little sleep, but he was happy to let this aggravate him more for when he met his prisoner, face to face; he would find out exactly who he was and who his master is. He will destroy anyone who was foolish enough to think that they could touch what was his and get away with it. 'They are fools if they think they can over throw me with such a cowardice act,' he thought to himself, a near smirk almost gracing his lips. He had already told Jaken to have Rin up and ready for noon if this talk took longer than expected. He passed several guards as he walked down the narrow, cold and stony stairway, the air becoming thicker the further he went down, it was stifling and he hoped that this beast was in the most discomfort, but that will be nothing compared to what he will do to him... He would live up to his name of being a cold and cruel Lord, he would show this being first hand at what he was capable of, and his master. He wandered down further until he came to the end of the stairway and found his way through a maze of cells and soldiers; he stopped outside one cell to look at the being chained up to the wall with several guard surrounding him. His red hair seemed dampened by the hot air and his eyes were half closed showing scared looking eye's, this being was but a pawn in his masters plan, an expendable fool used only to test his willingness to protect the girl. ''Who sent you'' Sesshomaru demanded, the man merely shifted slightly on his slouched down position and looked around his hands, shackled and bleeding, rats scurried around him and grime leeks through the walls to pool around him in odd coloured poodles. ''Continue to ignore me and you will be rewarded with a slow death.''

''I only answer to my master.'' The man responded.

''You are but a pawn in your masters plan, to test my willingness to protect the girl, he has left you now to die and suffer at my hands, but I will not kill you yet. You may become useful to me. You will not go unpunished however.'' Sesshomaru spoke with authority and the man began to lose a little of his pride with his every word. ''Your name boy.'' To Sesshomaru, this man was still a child in comparison to him.

''Roka. My name is Roka. I had no wish to harm the girl Lord Sesshomaru, I cannot go into detail, but if I did not then there would be consequences.'' The man answered. Sesshomaru nodded in reply.

''Do not make excuses, your actions are your own and you will pay for them in time. I do not care for your personal affairs. I have more important things to tend to rather than waste my time with a sorry excuse of a demon such as you.'' Sesshomaru stated coldly and walked away, he heard Roka sigh and heard his shackles jingle together as he shifted positions. 'I will see what this master of his truly intends to do with his new information about myself and Rin...' he wandered as he walked back up the stony steps. He passed several maids on the way back to his chamber and heard Jaken screeching demands at some of the new, younger maids; his thought was only to get back to Rin. They needed to set off by noon, he planned to make a visit to the North but he refused to leave Rin here without his protection. He gently pushed open the door and panicked slightly when he saw the bed made and the room empty, yet he noticed the doors to the balcony where open slightly and sighed quietly in relief; as he walked out onto the balcony Rin was the first thing he saw, dressed in dark red travelling attire with her long raven hair tied into a high pony tail. She turned suddenly as she felt eyes watching her and bowed swiftly, ''Pardon my Lord, I overheard you telling Jaken to get me ready for noon as we will be leaving shortly, I could not get back to sleep so I am ready early. May I ask where we shall be going?''

Sesshomaru hid a sly smirk, he had taught Rin well on how to be sneaky being around demons so often, ''North, to see who your pursuer is. You will travel with me, Jaken and Ah-un but you are not to leave my sight at any time.''

Rin did a small bow and smiled brightly as she answered, 'yes milord.' Sesshomaru nodded in recognition as he noted Rin already had a small bad prepared for her journey. He had already decided that no more intimate affairs would occur between them until it was safe for Rin; he was not sure how far he was willing to go intimately with Rin, he did care for her deeply, but to love her... and allow her to become Lady of the West and carry his heir... he was not yet decided. For now he would focus on the task at hand.

Rin watched as her Lord's eyes appeared to look through her, she kept her smile directed at him even though he probably hadn't noticed... 'I wonder what he is thinking about..' she wondered to herself. Rin herself was feeling unnerved after the events of the previous night, she knew that demon had meant to rape her and knew what had transpired between herself and her Lord had to be kept secret. She loved him... she had known this for a while... but did not know how where she stood in her Lord's eyes; however, she was happy to have had at least one night with her Lord... she blushed. Kagome had taught her about sexual relationships between a man and a woman and she should only allow a man she loves to touch her in her most intimate places... but she truly lover her Lord... she turned another shade of pink at these thoughts.

Sesshomaru came out of his vacant stare and noticed Rin blushing, he had not discussed the previous night with her and did not intend to do so, ''Take your travelling equipment downstairs and have breakfast, be sure to be ready to leave by noon,'' he said this in his usual stoic fashion and left the room quite quickly and left Rin with her thoughts.

The morning went swiftly and Rin had, had a good size breakfast and was waiting by Jaken and Ah-un outside by the front gate for her Lord to arrive, she had thought all morning of her relationship with her Lord and decided to act neutral towards him, as she always had on their travels. Sesshomaru had descended down his palace steps with his usual grace and walked beside his small travelling group; he kept his stare straight ahead of him, towards the gates as he spoke, ''we are leaving immediately to go North and i will speak to the Lord there.'' This was all he said as he walked ahead of the group and Jaken stopped his grovelling to rush to catch up.

''Yes milord! He screeched loudly, ''don't dawdle Rin!'' Rin merely nodded and climbed upon Ah-un as they walked several paces behind their Lord, she began to finger the necklace which her Lord had given her not long ago. She had tears in her eyes wondering why her Lord was acting colder towards her , more so then when she was a child... perhaps regret is in his heart... she withheld her tears, but the great Lord could still smell them as he felt his chest constrict a little knowing he was the cause, but it was for her own good at the moment.

-Back in Lord Sesshomaru's dungeon –

Roka sat with his arm wrapped securely around his legs, he wept and begged forgiveness from whatever God was listening to him, ''Please Kami forgive me... I only did what I did so my mate will not die from I broken heart if my master was to kill me... but now she may do so anyway one Lord Sesshomaru has finished with me...'' He thought of his pregnant mate that he left behind to deal with his master's request; he saw the pain in her heart through her eyes. But he had no choice. Refuse his master and he would die and take his mate and unborn pup with him, or have a chance at life again if he were to do this mission. Demons mated for life, if one died, the other would soon follow due to grief... he was stuck. He should never have asked for his masters helped all those years ago... and now he will pay dearly.