***Alright I realize some or probably most of you are a little confused after reading this chapter. That was not my intention at all but basically chapters 8,9, and 10 were a dream. At the end of chapter 7 when Rin is reunited with Sesshomaru is the time when she starts to dream. That should help clear things up. I hope I haven't lost anyone completely. If you guys stay with me, I feel I may be onto something. Peace out homies!***

The moon was high in the night sky when Sesshomaru returned to the campsite where Jaken stood keeping watch over Rin. "Is she awake yet, Jaken?"

Jaken shook his head. "No sire. She has only talked in her sleep."

Sesshomaru glanced at Rin. "I'm starting to worry. She's been sleeping for some time now. What did she say? Anything disturbing?"

"Well, Jaken began, She mumbled something about you going with her to the doctor."

Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows. "The doctor?"

Jaken nodded. "Yes, something appears to be wrong with her, and I think I recall hearing her say it might be your fault."

"Interesting. However, it's just a dream. Dreams aren't real." Sesshomaru knelt next to Rin. "Wake up, Rin. You've slept long enough."

Rin didn't wake. Sesshomaru groaned.

Jaken looked up at Sesshomaru. "My Lord, she also spoke of blood and screamed about you leaving her. Poor girl. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's having a nightmare and a long one at that."

Sesshomaru got up and turned his back to Rin. His attention was now focused on the moon, as if mesmerized by its bright light.

"Huh? Lord Sesshomaru? Ahh, Lord Sesshomaru look at this! Rin is crying in her sleep!" Jaken jumped up in the air and pointed at Rin's face where a couple of tears had escaped down her young face.

Sesshomaru walked over to Rin and stared at her. She's crying... "That's enough! Rin, wake up!" Sesshomaru put his hand on Rin's face and she miraculously opened her eyes."

Rin looked at Sesshomaru in a daze. It was almost like she was seeing him for the first time. "Lord Sesshomaru, you're not dead?!"

"No..."

Rin gasped as she studied her hands. "Lord Sesshomaru, can I touch you?"

Sesshomaru gave her a puzzled look. "Of course you can. Why wouldn't..." He stopped talking when Rin reached up to touch his face.

"Rin, are you alright? Why are you acting strange?" He took hold of Rin's hand and pulled it away from his face. "Jaken informed me you were talking in your sleep. I know it was just a dream but tell me, what was causing you to be so upset?"

Rin bit her lip and shook her head. "I don't want to say it," she whispered.

Sesshomaru looked disappointed. "It better not have been about you dying, Rin. You know I don't like to hear you speak of such things."

"You died." Rin blurted out.

Sesshomaru wasn't expecting to hear that. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"I died first though. I was sick with..."

"Rin, stop. I don't wish to hear anymore about death. Forget it. There is no need to tell me what was on your mind while you slept. It wouldn't matter. Dreams are ridiculous anyway."

"Oh." Rin looked around her. She gasped when she realized she had no idea when she had fallen asleep. How much had only been a dream and how much had actually happened? "Um Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"When did I fall asleep? I don't really remember."

Sesshomaru took a moment to think. "Right before Kagura died. I think you fainted from being worried or something."

"Oh wow, gosh. It all felt so real to me. So, does that mean I don't have to stay away from you? It was only in my dream?"

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Rin, I'm not exactly sure what your dream was, but you don't have to worry. I won't ask you to leave. You can stay with me as long as you want. Haven't I told you this before?"

Rin breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, that's good. Hey Lord Sesshomaru, do you have your own house?"

"What?" Sesshomaru shook his head. "Why would I have a house, Rin?"

Rin sighed. "Oh, I guess you wouldn't. It's just in my dream you did."

"Dreams aren't real Rin."

"Yes, I know that. I asked because it felt real to me though or like it could be a premonition or something."

"Don't think about it Rin. It's wise to not dwell on your dreams. They mean nothing."

"Ok. Lord Sesshomaru? I have another question to ask you if I may."

Sesshomaru glanced at Rin, waiting for her to ask.

"What would you say if I told you I love you?"

Sesshomaru looked surprised. Rin had said it with no hesitation. He closed his eyes. "I don't think you want to love me Rin. It wouldn't be a good idea." He opened his eyes. "Why do you want to know that anyway?"

Rin blushed. "Well, you see, I uh...my dream, or my bad dream...made me think about...well you died in my dream...and before I told you...I thought that maybe..." Her voice trailed off.

Sesshomaru eyed her curiously. "Thought what?"

Rin took a deep breath. "That I should tell you I love you." She gulped, feeling embarrassed. "I don't want to miss my chance to say it now...just in case something were to happen to you...or me."

Sesshomaru didn't know what to say. Rin had just said she loved him. She proclaimed it before he did.

Rin felt good. She had said what she thought needed to be said. The only problem was Sesshomaru wasn't saying anything. Rin wasn't going to stress it. She felt relieved knowing he at least knew how she felt.

Sesshomaru faced Rin. His eyes sparkled with mystery. "Rin, do you think I love you back?"

Rin sighed. "I would hope so, but I don't know if you do. You have never said it to me."

Sesshomaru looked hurt for a second, but then his expression turned serious again. "Rin, I don't think I have to tell you I love you."

Rin stared down at her feet. "Oh, ok." She felt ashamed and turned her head so Sesshomaru couldn't see her disappointment.

"You should already know I do."

Rin's mouth dropped. "You do?"

"Rin, really? Why would you think I don't? I have never wanted anything bad to happen to you and the last time you died...I wanted to die too. I felt life wouldn't be the same without you in it anymore. Doesn't that count for being the same thing as love? Do I really have to say it?"

"Oh, I guess I felt you only loved me if you said it. That's what I was waiting for."

Sesshomaru grinned. "You would have been waiting forever."

Rin giggled and smiled. "So, now what?"

Sesshomaru thought. "Rin, I know your dream was troubling, but do your best to not think about it. I'm serious. I'm not sure why your mind allowed you to dream such a long and vivid dream, but it really means nothing. None of that happened. I don't want you to feel haunted by it, you understand?"

Rin nodded as she thought back to the dream. It was really weird I dreamed Sesshomaru having a house, me being allergic to him, getting cancer at the end and right before I woke up, Lord Sesshomaru and I both died. Oh gosh, I hope I never have a dream like that again.

Sesshomaru put his hand on Rin's shoulders. "Rin, I'll be right back. I got you something and now would be a good time to give it to you."

Rin blinked. "A gift? Lord Sesshomaru, having you with me is enough of a gift and more than I could ask for."

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well talk to your sister while I'm gone."

"Huh?" Rin blinked again. What sister?

"Friend." Sesshomaru corrected himself. With that, he disappeared from view.

Rin stared after him, dumbfounded.

"Rin! Hey! What are you doing?" Kagome came running up. She greeted Rin with a hug. She laughed when she saw Rin's face. "You look like you just saw a ghost!"

"What, no, sorry I was just, um, er it's nothing." Rin turned pink.

"You want to come with me back to my home? I have a big test I need to study for. I thought maybe you and I could have some girl time, since we are usually pretty busy with our men here."

Rin's eyes lit up eagerly. "I'd love to!"

"Yay! Let's go! Quickly, before Inuyasha comes and begs for me to stay!" Kagome started running in the direction of the well.

"Right behind you!" She caught up to Kagome and together the two ran off. Rin had forgotten all about Sesshomaru's gift and waiting for him to return.

"Dammit Kagome! Where do you think you're going?!" Inuyasha came speeding up. He arrived just as Rin and Kagome jumped into the well. "Ahh, come back!"

"Inuyasha you sound like such a fool, yelling like that. Grow up will you." Sesshomaru had dropped in front of his younger brother and gave him a loathing look.

Inuyasha glared at him. "Shut up Sesshomaru! I'm tired of you always laying into me about what I do! It's none of your damn business!"

"Inuyasha, listen to yourself. You are pathetic."

"Oh yeah! Say it to my sword!" Inuyasha angrily drew his sword and swung it hard at Sesshomaru. "Wind Scar!"

"Ha." Sesshomaru cracked his knuckles. He pulled out his whip and flung it at Inuyasha's sword, knocking it from his hands. It flew across the dirt and landed several yards away.

"You jerk! How dare you!" Inuyasha glared at Sesshomaru. "You know, you're really starting to piss me the fuck off! What's your problem?! Huh?!"

"My problem is you and how worthless you are. That should go without saying but since you're an idiot I guess you can't grasp that concept, can you?"

Inuyasha snarled. "Why you! I'm gonna kill you!" He moved quickly to grab his sword. When he did, he tried his attack on Sesshomaaru again. "Wind Scar!"

Sesshomaru dodged the attack, but right behind where Sesshomaru had been standing was where the well was.

Inuyasha's attack went straight to the well and destroyed it.

"Dammit Sesshomaru! Why did you move! Now look what you did! The well is gone! You idiot!"

Sesshomaru came back down to the ground. "I destroyed it? Who was the one who used the attack, genius?"

Inuyasha rubbed his face in disbelief. "Kagome is on the other side! If the well is gone, then she won't be able to come back!"

Sesshomaru snorted. "Well, maybe you should take this as a sign that the two of you aren't supposed to be together."

Inuyasha glared at him. "How typical for you to say something like that! I can't expect you to understand! Kagome is my world and I can't live without her!"

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.

"Hey you should be upset too! Rin went with Kagome! They are both stuck there!"

A look of panic crossed Sesshomaru's face. "What?!"

"Yeah, I thought you knew. That's why I don't understand why you dodged my attack! Didn't the thought occur to you that maybe, just maybe, it would destroy the fucking well?!"

"Rin!" Sesshomaru dropped a small round box he had been holding.

Inuyasha gasped. It was a jewelry box. "What's in that?"

Sesshomaru's hair blew gently in the wind. He didn't answer.

"Sesshomaru! What's in the box?!"

"A ring. It's a promise for Rin."

To be continued......