10) Chapter ten: Unknown phobia.

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters.

The body was thrown out of the castle. The vacancy needed to be occupied and the first name that was proposed was that of a human girl. Rin couldn't believe that Hosshimaru proposed her and found even more incredible that all voted in favor of her being the replacement for Hiroto. No one said anything about a mere human taking decisions in a demon's land. Rin still couldn't move about much, but she refused to stay in bed all day and night. She asked for a walking stick and with the help of Moriko she walked where she needed. Still, she had to take her meals and lessons in her room and Ren went everywhere with her. When InuYasha and Kagome came back, Moriko and the miko took turns in watching her sleep. Rin could need to be awoken from a nightmare from time to time, but it was easy to do it and with the pass of time her nightmares diminished, in two weeks time she was having no nightmares at all and her ankle was a few weeks away from returning to normal. Her skin was something else; her cuts had healed but the scars remained. Kagome told her that the deeper ones could never go; they'll take a white color; only if a person touches her they could know it was there. I look like a mummy. Under her clothes, Rin wore bandages in all her cuts, which meant, all her body. Moriko and Kagome were helping her dress. Today, a very important meeting with the leaders of the south was to be held and Hosshimaru had asked Rin to be there. Sesshoumaru opposed at first but Rin reassured him she was all right and that doing something more than lessons and sleeping could help her a lot. It never crossed her mind that he wasn't thinking about her physical health.

"Moriko-chan, you should be with Hayato-kun. He needs you more than I." Moriko had taken over Hayato's treatment on her own. His body was all right, but his mind was quite damaged. He was paranoid, depressed, and felt so guilty he had tried to kill himself two times. No other than Moriko looked after him, all the members of the castle treat him as scum and was only under Rin's orders that no one hurt him. She had to plead with Hosshimaru and Sesshoumaru to let him stay, but she still couldn't go see him, which she thought could help. She wanted to tell him, in person, she didn't believe him guilty, but Moriko told her that seeing her scars could only worsen the situation. The only good thing out of this was that Moriko developed a strong crush for the messenger demon, which helped Rin loads in her job of getting them together.

"Really, Rin-san? I don't like to leave him alone for a very long time…"

"Yes, yes. Go to your boyfriend, he needs you." Rin teased and Moriko stuttered about him not being her boyfriend while leaving the room. Kagome laughed at the blushing girl and decided to do a little tease herself.

"And what about your boyfriend?"

"What boyfriend?" Rin asked nonchalantly.

"You know him. Tall, stoic, long silver hair, doesn't chat much…"

"I don't know who your talking about. First, I've never had a boyfriend. Second, I'm in bed most of the time so I haven't had time to meet such boyfriend."

"Don't play dumb. You know I'm talking about Sesshoumaru."

"He is not my boyfriend."

"Yet."

"…"

"Did you tell him?"

"Of course not!"

"Why?!"

"It could make our relationship awkward and I like the way it is."

"Is that so? So you plan on never telling him?"

"I… yes, I don't know!" Rin sighed. "For now I'm happy with being able to be by his side."

"Rin, listen to me, I understand you. While traveling with InuYasha, I never told him I loved him because of…well…Kikyo. I just asked for him to let me be by his side. But in those three years I was home and never saw him, something change. People teased me because I always turned down the guys that asked me out and my friends tried to convinced me of going on dates, but…I couldn't. After our graduation, they set me up with an old friend from our last school. We sort of went on a date and he told me something that made me realize I just didn't love InuYasha, I was in love with him. And, there's a big difference between the two."

"What did he tell you?"

"He told me, 'you're in love, but unhappy. Is he abroad?' I left him standing there and ran home to the well. When mom saw my face, she understood and just hugged me. And the well opened. Rin, you can love many people and in different ways, but you fall in love with very few people or just one person. In my case, I fell for InuYasha. What about you?"

"I…I don't know. I love him, but how do I know if I'm in love with him?"

"How do you know you love him?"

"I…I can't describe it. I know that my feelings when I was little changed over time and when I first saw him, after so many years, I realized I liked him. And then, while living here, I felt jealous of Hosshimaru-sama, glad when I found out there weren't together, and with all those nightmares I realized he is the most important person for me. When I awoken and found out he was all right, I understood that I love him, for without him I couldn't live properly. It must sounds really cheesy, but it's the truth. I've come to realize that I'm truly myself and my happiest when I'm near him."

"Yes, I noticed it too. You smile a lot, but around him it's as if you're shinning. But, Rin does he…does he, I don't know how to say it…It's sounds weird to say he can love…"

"…I believe he cares for me. No, I know he does. And I'm perfectly happy with that. I can't know what'll happen in the future, but for now I'm more than happy. I'll let him know of my feelings, but now it's not time. And I'm must finish getting ready for the meeting, I don't want to be late."

"Alright, I'll do your hair. But Rin-chan, please, think of this and don't resign to just being near him. If you want something else, fight for it. You deserve more than just a 'I care for you,' alright?"

"Yes, thank you Kagome-chan."

Meanwhile in the meeting room, Daichikutsu and Hosshimaru were going over the subjects to discuss with the leaders of the south. Sesshoumaru had read them once and left the room, typical behavior for him. Rin had studied all about the south in her lessons and in the day before, Daichikutsu explained to her the point of the meeting.

"Hosshimaru, you worry too much. Our alliance with the south is not necessary."

"It's helpful."

"I know, but you've read those notes, that you wrote yourself, over a hundred times. I'm sure you even memorized already. You are charming and I'm sure your looks alone will make Kenshintzu sign every paper you put in front of him." Hosshimuru hid her blush and closed her scrolls.

"Kenshintzu is a lady's man. He likes everything that had breasts. I even saw him flirting with a feminine man, with a rather last chest, in the winter ball he held four years ago."

"That is true, but good looks help even more; and let me tell you, that you look dashing in that kimono, Hosshimaru." This time her blush was quite evident which made Daichikutsu smile.

"Thank you." She whispered and he got closer to her.

"It is I who thank you, for allowing me to see your beautiful face with blush cheeks." Hosshimaru turned her face so they were mere inches apart. He took her chin and with his thumb traced her lips, taking the color she had put on them, the only makeup on her face. "There is no need for that. Your lips are alluring enough without color."

"Daichikutsu…"

At the moment the door was opened, making Hosshimaru jumped in her chair and away of the male. No other than Sesshoumaru was standing at the door with his left eyebrow arced. He had got the scene before the demoness moved from her previous spot. Daichikutsu was an old acquaintance of him; maybe even a friend and Sesshoumaru knew he had a liking for Hosshimaru. He might be intelligent, but he's too slow. The lord sat next to him and ignored his death glare, although internally he was a feeling a tad culpable of interrupting them. After some silence, the door was opened again, but this time it was the priestess who did it. She was holding a gorgeous young lady in a red kimono with a golden flower print, golden obi and black sandals. Her long midnight hair was half up in an intricate bow and the other half was left to fall till her thin waist. Her face showed no makeup. She was a fairy princess taken out of a children's tale.

"Rin! You look so beautiful!"

"An absolute beauty, indeed." Daichikutsu agreed.

"Thank you." Rin said to them while looking at a standing Sesshoumaru. The other two demons looked at him from their seated positions. Both of them smirked. It was a common act for a male demon, to let a certain demoness know he's interested, to stand up when she enters a room, and Sesshoumaru, being a proud demon, never stood up for anyone. "Where should I sit?"

Sesshoumaru was about to point the seat next to him when he realized he was standing. When did I stand up? Immediately he sat and was Hosshimaru who told Rin to sit next to him. She and Daichikutsu went back to talking, while Rin was helped to sit by the priestess.

"Thank you."

"No problem and good luck. Hosshimaru-sama, Takahiro-kun awoke some time ago, so I'll look after him, if it's ok with you…" The demoness thanked her.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, thank you for the kimono. It's very beautiful." Rin had found it in her room that morning with a note in his handwriting that said 'For today.' Sesshoumaru gazed at her smiling face that was a little blushed and regretted his gift. He knew of Kenshintzu likes for women and he was always looking for a new woman to flirt with, precisely why he didn't want Rin here in the first place.

And he did come. After some minutes two servants opened the door and presented the three leaders of the south, Kenshintzu and his two brothers.

Rin was about to stand, but she felt a hand in her elbow, Sesshoumaru's hand. Hosshimaru and Daichikutsu stood and greeted the new comers. She gazed at Sesshoumaru and he looked to her from the corner of his eyes.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, long time no see. How have- My, my and who is this beautiful creature?" A demon with short blond hair and green eyes asked. Rin knew he was Kenshintzu and Hosshimaru had warned her of his flirting. She waited for someone to introduce her, as was customary.

"This is Rin, she's a new leader in our table of seven. Rin these are the leaders of the south, Kenshintzu, Kichiroutzu, and Kiyoshitzu."

"Glad to meet you all." Rin politely said.

"Oh, it's my pleasure to meet you Rin. And my brothers are glad to meet you too, but not as much as me, I'm sure." He answered while taking a seat very near her and making Rin, unconsciously, get closer to Sesshoumaru. The act didn't past unnoticed to the demons of the south and they all wonder if the beauty in front of them was the long awaited mate of Sesshoumaru. Kichiroutzu and his twin, Kiyoshitzu, sat next to his elder brother and were the ones to speak first; as always, at the same time and saying the same thing.

"What is the matter to discuss?"

"You know well of our war with the east."

"Yes, and you know we wish not to interfere in war." The twins answered in a monotone to Hosshimaru.

"We aren't asking you to fight in our battles. We ask for an alliance."

"What for, if not fighting?"

"Protection." Daichikutsu answered.

"Can't the great and powerful Sesshoumaru protect his lands?" Kenshintzu asked in a mocking way.

"Aokigahara is divided within the west and the south." Hosshimaru answered before Sesshoumaru could say anything. "We had good reasons to believe that some of the easterners are hiding in the forest."

"If it's on your side it is not of our concern."

"That's the problem, we do not know where in the forest they are hiding and our last battle was held very near our boundaries." Hosshimaru answered.

"Which make us believe they might be in your side as well." Daichikutsu explained.

"There is no place in there to hide large quantities of people."

"We believe they are under a barrier." Rin answered. The twins looked at her and then at their brother who was short from gaping at the young woman. "And we have means of finding the barrier and open it."

"How?"

"That is none of your business." Sesshoumaru spoke for the first time.

"What we asked is that you let us travel through your lands, if necessary, to find this barrier and get rid of the easterners." Hosshimaru explained.

"We could know if there invaders on our lands."

"But dear brothers, you heard Rin; they are under a barrier. We couldn't possibly find them. Let's sign this treaty and get on with something more fun." He said while smiling mischievously at Rin, who got even closer to Sesshoumaru. She had grown up with Miroko, who everyone knew was a lecher, but he never did anything wrong with her, just some strange compliments, but nothing like this man. Her hair stood on end just of being near him. Her knee was touching Sesshoumaru's one and she still felt that he was too close to her. Hosshimaru seeing her chance, let out the scroll and gave it to him to read but the twins snatched it from her hands.

The treaty indeed just asked for collaboration of the south, to let them travel through Aokigahara to find this supposed barrier. They needed only Kenshintzu's consent, asking them was just out of courtesy and they knew it. Their relationship with the west had always been good, while they had had some boundary problems with the east. At the time, the west or more specifically the Inu no Taisho, helped them. The twins gave the scroll to his brother and nod their agreement.

"Ok then, someone has a quill?" Daichikutsu gave him one, the leader of the south signed the treat without even reading it, and turned toward Rin. "So dear Rin, could you show me around. It's been so long since I last visit the castle and there must be many new things."

"I'm sorry, but I broke my ankle and can't walk properly."

"Oh, what a pain. But I'm sure we can talk some more over dinner."

"I'm taking my meals in my bedchambers for the same reason."

"Oh, excellent! I can accompany you there then."

"No, thank you." She answered politely but shortly and a bit cold. Hosshimaru called for servants to guide the brothers to their rooms and to helped Rin to hers. Kenshintzu followed after her until Sesshoumaru called for him.

"I hope this is short. I hav-"

"You are forbidden to speak, touch, or be near Rin."

"My, my, you're very possessive, are you not?"

"Do as I said. I'll know if you don't." With that Sesshoumaru kept walking toward Rin's room, where she was standing looking at the two demons.

Kenshintzu saw as they talked and then the young woman entered the room. Sesshoumaru turned and glared at him. The demon of the south wasn't sure if the two guards on each side of the door were because of him or if it was the girl inside was Sesshoumaru's most precious treasure. Either way I will get to speak to her and even more, if there's something I like is a hard catch and if it's forbidden, even better. The snake demon thought while he walked to where his brothers' scents came from and with a dark smile on his face.

After her usual light meal, Rin washed her mouth and went to sleep. Her encounter with the leader of the south had left her quite tired. She was unnerved by the lecherous look in his eyes and still had goose bumps.

"I don't like him either. His aura reeks of malice." Ren said to her.

"I know, even I could feel it. Do you like to hear a bed time story?"

"Can you sing today please?" Ren lay on his futon and Rin sat on hers. After some thinking she came up with a good lullaby that had Ren asleep in minutes. She lay back and fell asleep quickly as well.

Before going to sleep, Rin locked the door and closed the windows but that didn't stop the snake demon from getting in her room. He slithered through, but didn't expect a young boy to attack him.

"Ren! What is it?!"

"Look what I got, Rin." He said, holding a huge snake from its head with both his hands.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" In seconds her bedroom door was thrown down and her room was full of people. "Get it away! Get it away!" Rin moved away from the snake and the boy until she hit something cold and scaly, she turned and let out another scream.

"Ren! Drop it! InuYasha do something! It's enormous! Kill it!" Kagome yelled at a gaping InuYasha. Aiko was standing next to her mother, touching the tail of the snake and laughing; realizing this Kagome let out a screech and pick up her daughter. "INUYASHA! KILL IT!" He was about to cut in in half, when Hosshimaru yelled.

"Waaaiiit! It's Kenshintzu! He's a snake demon!"

"What the hell is he doing in Rin's room?!" InuYasha yelled on top of Rin's screams. "Shut up, Rin! I'll be deaf if you don't shut your fucking mouth!"

"InuYasha! Sit!"

"Ouuuuu! Whyyyyy!"

"What is all the noise?" Sesshoumaru's mother asked from the door. Sesshoumaru ignored everyone and went to the still screaming Rin.

"Stop screaming. It's just a piece vermin."

"I hate snakes!" She yelled.

"No need to yell." Rin turned her gaze from the snake that was now in InuYasha's hands to looked at Sesshoumaru who had an annoyed look on his face.

"Sorry."

"There's no need to apologize, Rin-chan. You have a phobia of snakes. It is call Ophidiophobia. You can't control it, I've told you." Kagome explained.

"Yes, yes. Please just get it out of my room." InuYasha dragged the thing out and dropped it on the ground, stopping it from getting away with his foot.

"What are you doing with our brother?" The twins asked.

"He was inside of Rin's room, can you tell me what was he doing there?" Hosshimaru asked with anger in her voice.

"We apologize deeply for our brother and hope this doesn't change our situation. He didn't hurt her, did he?" They asked.

"Yes! He did! He was planning to hurt her! I woke up because felt malice enter the room and it was slithering upon her futon. I stopped him before he got near her." Ren explained. "And Rin hates snakes, it scared her. That's hurt enough for me! Kill it." He said to InuYasha, surprising both his parents. The snake hissed and took his human form.

"There's no need to be so rash, little boy."

"I am no little boy and stay away from Rin."

"You brat! I'm the lord of the south!"

"Such vermin a lord?" Kenshintzu moved to grab the boy, but Sesshoumaru moved faster and grabbed him by the neck. "He's right, such vermin shouldn't be lord of anything."

"Let me go! Brothers, do something!"

"We agree with the lord of the west."

"Y you s scum! Y You w want my place!" He said panting.

"But we ask that you let us handle this in our lands, we'll be leaving immediately."

Sesshoumaru looked at the face of the demon who was turning bluer by the second and let go of him. "You are not allowed within my lands anymore. If I ever see you, I'll kill you."

"Thank you for allowing us to-"

Punch!

"Ouuuu! I thought you were going to let me go!"

"I never said I wouldn't hit you." He hit him another ten times and could have go on if he wasn't stop.

"Sesshoumaru! Please, that's enough! He just scared me after all."

"Like Ren said, that's enough. And he was going to do something worse than just scare you." He punched him again and was stopped again by Rin. She took his arm before he could strike again.

"I'm all right. He isn't worth it. And he's unconscious." Sesshoumaru dropped the demon and the other two dragged him toward the castle's exit, without apologizing again first.

Rin grabbed Sesshoumaru's hand with her right and hugged Ren with her left arm. "Thank you for protecting and defending me."

"You may hate snakes but I hate people that hurt Rin." Ren said hugging her hard, Rin giggled and felt her hand being squeezed. She looked up at Sesshoumaru and smiled, she got the message. 'Me too.'

A/N: Hello! This chapter was also a bit longer than normal. I don't know why it keeps happening, but I don't think you mind much :)

Thank for the reviews and wait for next chapter because the real journey begins!

Xoxo, Pritxka.