No excuses, I took a really long break and been busy. I'll try to get back to writing. I had to reread the whole story to regain my footing and continue. Rereading it stirred my emotions and made me hyped up to write again. I suggest that if you have been following this story since it was published 2 years ago, it's best to reread also to avoid confusion.

~Destiny

Chapter 9 – You and Me

Rin woke up to the sounds of birds chirping. She cracked an eye open and was greeted by the sunlight coming from the cavern's entrance. She rubbed her eyes and stretched comfortably. She froze mid-stretch, suddenly remembering what happened the night before. Her head slowly turned, scanning the cave for the haughty demon.

He was nowhere to be found.

Perhaps, he had left? She thought cheerfully, though it brought her a tinge of strange disappointment. After another heated argument the night before, he had left her alone and kept to himself in his corner. Somehow, she managed to fall asleep despite him perturbing her emotions in every way.

Rin stood up and walked outside, squinting her eyes until they adjusted to the light.

The morning after the storm was beautiful. The sky was blue and clear, and it smelled of fresh rain and earth. She could hear the cicadas buzzing and the animals from the nearby forest. Dews hung on the foliage all around.

She saw her borrowed horse grazing grass. And nearby, she felt her heart skip a beat when she saw the topless demon sitting atop of a massive boulder. He seemed to be observing the sky. He looked magnificent and elegant. The sunlight hitting his body gave off an almost ethereal look.

His eyes moved slightly, and now stared at her with his usual indifferent expression.

She couldn't move. Or rather, she did not know what to do. She felt her face heating up. It seemed as if whenever he looks at her, she becomes self-conscious. She clutched her kimono… his kimono, tighter around her. Her eyes widened slightly and she ran back inside the cavern to grab her kimono. Thankfully it had already dried. She quickly changed into her clothing and walked outside towards the said demon who didn't move an inch but followed her movement with his eyes.

She handed him his kimono. "Thank you." She muttered quietly.

Sesshomaru stared at his kimono impassively for a few seconds.

Rin fidgeted. "Sorry, I can wash it first."

The kimono in her hands vanished in an instant. She blinked in confusion until she saw that Sesshomaru was holding it.

"It does not bother me." He slipped into his kimono smoothly as he jumped off the rock. He took the horse's reins and motioned for Rin to mount the horse.

Rin watched him with her large eyes.

"Let's go."

"I do not wish to go with you." Rin planted herself where she stood. Then she shivered when she noticed that the demon Lord's jaw locked tightly together.

"Stop testing my patience, human. I did not come to find you only to let you go. You WILL obey me." By Kami, she will!

She moved forward, terrified by his mood.

She rode the horse in silence as it slowly trotted while Sesshomaru held its reins and walked leisurely. Rin peeked glances at him. He walked very stiffly... As if he was not breathing. Did she really infuriate him that badly? God, what punishments await her?

Regret. For the first time in his life, he felt regret that he had chosen poorly. He should not have worn his kimono because it bothered him mightily. It smelled so strongly of her as she wore it through the night. The fact that it was wrapped around his upper torso and with his enhanced sense of smell, it almost drove him mad. Her scent was inviting all of his being. One breath and he wanted to drag her down from the horse and ravage her just then and there.

He decided to stop breathing to keep himself from doing something rash.

He prided himself in great control of everything, including his emotions and carnal needs. Not only this human woman was testing his patience, she was testing everything in him.

~oOo~

They arrived back in the castle just before sunset. Sesshomaru grabbed Rin's waist and pulled her from the horse as one of the demon guards took it to the stables.

Rin quickly moved away from his touch and staggered back. She hated how his touch always sent her body in a frenzied rush.

In her peripheral vision, she noticed someone standing across the yard. He looked familiar, and he was staring directly at her with a guilty expression on his face.

Her eyes narrowed accusingly at Yashihiro. He visibly cringed and looked away.

"He is my nephew. It was a mistake for him to help you, and he only corrected that mistake." Sesshomaru said, noticing the silent exchange between them.

Rin gritted her teeth. "Obviously. I was a fool to listen to his advice and accept his help. But I was desperate… to get away from you."

Sesshomaru's nostrils flared in annoyance. He grabbed her arm and dragged her inside the castle.

"Fiend! Let me go!"

Not wanting anyone to see Rin's display of her anger (and his reaction to it), he dragged her into his chambers and shut the door behind him.

Rin stepped away from him and crossed her arms.

"I gave you sanctuary in this castle and whatever human necessities you need. You told me that you have nowhere else to go. I have never harmed you and yet, you run from me. Why?" He asked, watching her move far away from him.

"I am your prisoner! And I did not ask for your help! "

Sesshomaru took a deep breath. "What are you afraid of?"

His question took her by surprise. She opened her mouth, but found no words.

He observed her closely, watching as her eyes strayed far away. She seemed to be remembering a memory.

"I don't trust you. You show me kindness, yet you seek to conquer me. You toy with me. It's only a matter of time before you hurt or kill me. You are a demon!" She whispered while fiddling with her fingers in distress.

He stared at her. She truly believes that he will hurt her? She thinks of him that lowly?

"You believe many things about me that is untrue because I am a demon." He walked slowly towards her, and he watched as her expression turned wary.

"You say I will hurt you, but I've never laid a hand on you despite your insults. You think me as a liar, and that I deceive you with my demon magic. You believe I am needlessly cruel." He stood close to her and he lifted her chin and met her conflicted gaze.

His face moved a little closer to hers, and it made her heart skip a beat. His nearness and his smell once again, wreaked havoc in her mind and body. Her lips were slightly parted in surprise.

"You are NOT in any danger. You are under NO spell. There is only you and your biased judgement of me." He could see his effect on her. Hear her heart rate accelerate, notice her breathing become shallow and fast. Her brown eyes were a pool of deep longing beckoning to him. Oh, the human had no idea. She was an open book he could easily read. She was unable to hide her emotions.

She hates him, and yet, she wants him.

Unable to resist any longer, he closed the distance between them and sealed his statement with a kiss. He buried a hand in her hair and wrapped his other arm around her small waist.

His kiss was soft and hypnotic. For a moment it made her forget her doubts and her fear. It clouded her mind, heated her body and provoked her deepest desire. His hand trailed fired, his lips and tongue teased. She was lost in time; she couldn't tell where one kiss ended and another one began.

When he pulled away from her, they were both breathing heavily. She noticed his tawny eyes were dilated. Kami, he's beautiful.

Sesshomaru thought the same as he stared at her swollen lips and slightly disheveled hair. He shook his head and stepped away, guarded. "Stay here."

With that, he left the room in a hurry.

Rin stood in the middle of his room, as she slowly slid to the floor with weakened knees trying to catch her breath. How was she supposed to believe that she was not under any spell? What she feels for him was too strong, too unfamiliar and all too powerful.

Thank you for your continued support!