Guess what. I still don't own 'em. darn it. Sorry I haven't updated in so long. My computer got sick, it had some nasty viruses and sadly passed away. but now I is back.

"Rin, go ahead and take Ah 'Un to the stables." Sesshomaru told the young woman as he entered the inn. He was going in first to 'negotiate' with the owner to insure they got good rooms and Rin didn't need to see it.

What qualified as a good room to the youkai lord? Well, since they slept outside most of the time creature comforts were not his main concern. No, with the kinds of people that stayed here he wanted a room on the top floor. High enough that anyone who 'fell' out of the window would break every bone in their body.

He also wanted a door that could be locked. In these cheap old Inns most doors did not. He wanted solid walls with no loose boards. And most important, very creaky floor boards. And may the kami pity any baka who tried to sneak in, 'cause he would not!

He was not afraid for their safety, for who could challenge the great youkai lord? But he had already seen many of these men staring at his little princess with blatant lust in their eyes. He knew these men were cunning and devious, they would tell a pretty young girl what ever it took to lure her out after night fall and then leave her to handle the consequences alone. He would not let that happen to his Rin.

And his daughter wouldn't know any better. She didn't even know where babies came from yet, he had stood by his story that babies come from mid-wives who grow them in magic cabage patches and hand them out to young mothers. A childish story perhaps but what else could he tell her? She wasn't old enough for the truth. He would tell her the truth one day, when she was older.

Of course he didn't know that Rin knew the truth already. At around 8 or 9 she had realized that was a lie and the first chance she got to be alone with Aunt Kagome she had asked her the question of where babies come from.

But she wasn't going to tell her daddy that. Let him think she was still ignorant, he wasn't ready to realize she was growing up. And so she led Ah'Un to the stable while her father made arrangments to ensure she would not age past seven years old.

She pushed open the door of the stable and was met by the strong scent of horses and stale hay. She heard a by now familiar voice. Kenji was humming softly to his self as he brushed the saddle marks out of Hannako's coat.

"Hello Kenji." Rin stated as she walked up behind him with her father's dragon in tow. Kenji turned and smiled at her as he greeted her. They talked for a few minutes. Then there was a long pause as they gazed at each other.

As they stood smiling silently Ah nudged Rin in the back, quite hard actually, she stumbled and fell forward. Two strong arms quickly wrapped around her to stop her fall and instead of finding herself on the muddy floor she found herself pressed against an armoured chest. She stared up into his soft brown eyes and he gazed down at her.

'Un opened the latch on the empty stall and Ah 'Un put it's self up. Then it turned around and Ah closed the door behind it. Both teens were oblivious to the beast's actions as they were lost in each other's eyes. Rin felt her heart flutter in her chest as Kenji closed his eyes and began to tilt his face toward hers. She closed her eyes and waited.

"Kenji, what is taking you so long?" A voice cut in, breaking the spell. They Looked at the door as Taro rounded the corner. He stopped short when he saw the two locked in an embrace.

"What is going on in here?" He asked suspiciously.

"Rin tripped."

"I tripped."

They answered in unison, while stepping away from each other. He gave them a skeptical look. "Son, if you are done grooming Hannako Makoto is waiting for us." Taro stated in a voice bore no argument.

"I'll see you later." He told Rin. Then he picked up his saddle and bridle, (They might dissapear if he left them.) and followed after his father. On their way they passed Sesshomaru who, having finished his 'negotiations', was on his way to help Rin.

"Son, I urge you to be catious. I know she is a pretty youg girl, and very sweet. But don't forget, that youkai has claimed her for his daughter. You are still young and inexperienced and I have grown old. If Sesshomaru decides you are a threat to her honor I could not protect you."

"Father!" Kenji gasped, "You know me better than that, I would never dishonor Rin! You and mother raised me better than that."

"I know son. But Sesshomaru does not. I know you are fond of that girl, but he is very protective of her. Just be careful, do not give him a reason to think ill of you."

They did not see Rin and Sesshomaru again untill supper time. Rin came down the stairs a few minutes before her father and Jaken. A swarm of eager, hungery men immediately descended upon her flexing their muscles and bragging. Several made very lewd remarks, many of which Rin, being still very young and innocent, did not understand. One man noticed the look of innocent confusion on her face and offered to show her what they meant, then reached out and ran his hand suggestively down her thigh, earning a bright red mark across his cheek in the process.

Sesshomaru spotted Rin just intime to see Kenji thrust himself between her and the more aggressive men with his sword drawn. He was about to attack but decided to hold back and see how the young samurai fared. He would intervine if neccesary but was curious about the boy's skill with a sword. He was, after all, a fellow warrior. And so he stayed back in the shadows

Jaken had also seen the men harrassing the princess and started forward with pure murder blazing in his eyes.

"Jaken, wait." Shesshomaru instructed. The imp obeyed immediatly. But oh, how he wanted to get at those crude, boarish, perverts!

"Rin, go sit with my father." Kenji called over his shoulder never taking his eyes off these men. "Speaking of fathers, did you own teach you men nothing? That is no way to address a lady!"

"Whats it to you?" One of them challenged. "Get out of our way boy!"

Rin placed a hand on his shoulder. "Kenji, let's just go."

"I said go sit with my father."

"But..."

"Do as he say's Rin." Makoto demanded, having come to fight beside his brother. "This is nothing for a lady to get caught up in." Before she could protest further a strong hand wrapped gently, but firmly around her arm and Taro guided her away from the unruly group. One young man lunged at Rin and Kenji's father, determined not to let them leave. Kenji blocked him and the song of metal rang though out the spacious room. It was on!

Every head turned to the sound. All eyes watch as the intricate dance of block, dodge, and attack was played out. Kenji and Makoto, out numbered as they were held their ground quite well. Moving with the speed and certainty the only hard training and raw talent combined could produce. The skill of these young samurai was enough even to impress the dog lord.

"Little brother..." Makoto called over the din of clashing metal, "It seems that these men dislike you." He smirked and ducked the wild slash of a poorly wielded blade.

"Gee Makoto, think so?" Kenji blocked a blade with his own one handed and punched the wielder across the face with his other fist.

"Perhaps we should focus less on your swordsmanship and give more thought to improving your interpersonal skills."

"Big brother, I am fairly certain this crowd would not be inclinded to politely talk out our diffrences over tea and rice balls."

Now Sesshomaru really was impressed. Fighting like this against this many enemies they still had the energy to tease one another. He had seen enough. He allowed his youki to rise. His eyes turned red and his stripes and fangs became more prominent and savage looking. He stepped out of the shadows and walked between the two stunned warriors. The opposing warriors and many spectators turned and fled in terror

Makoto just stared in shock and fear, the only thing that stayed his sword was that he recognized Sesshomaru's garments. Kenji stared too but eventually recovered and dropped into a low bow. Sesshomaru watched the terrified men retreat and allowed his youki to fall, his stripes and fangs returning to normal as his eyes returned to their golden yellow color.

Rin trotted up to her father smiling broadly as soon as Taro released his hold on her arm. He had not let go until he was sure the danger had passed. He followed behind the child at a more dignified pace.

Sesshomaru looked at each human in turn. "I saw you protect Rin." Then he did something extremely hard for a youkai of his stature. He inclined his head to them and uttered two words he never in his life thought he'd say to a human. "Thank you."

"your welcome." The humans replied. Kenji bowed low as he said it. He had been raised to respect his elders after all, and Sesshomaru was probably older than his father.

"Will you and your family have dinner with us?" Taro offered politely. Sesshomaru hesitated. To fight with humans, to protect a child, that was onething. To eat with a family of them was another. Then he made the mistake of looking at Rin.