E. Bliss: My goodness. It has been years, and quite frankly, it was sure to say this story was placed on hold. However, after such a long time, I'm opening my laptop to continue what I once started. Now, let's try this one more time...

Sesshomaru had never felt guilty by any means. Never felt anything besides his ever growing hunger for power. He had gone through the twenty four rotations focusing on things that would only aid him in gaining said power. Emotional attachment was pathetic, weak, and useless. So, here he was, again, wondering why he couldn't get rid of this guilty feeling he had for speaking and acting the way he did towards the human woman. At what point in time did he start to care, much less feel bad for hearing her cry?

He stood outside of her bedroom entrance as he listened to her continuing her sobs even after Suki had tried, but failed, to soothe Rin. He had overheard their conversation and grew extremely bothered when he learned that her despair truly lay in the well being of the human Erina, and if whether or not Keiji would be angry with her. Who cares if the insolent prince would be angry? And why would she care more about that than her restrictions on leaving? Was she not at all worried about how she had disrespected him very bluntly?

His irritation began to grow again and he figured a walk around the grounds would do him better than standing where he was; at the source of his mixed feelings.

'You must console her.'

'Silence.'

'She will hold this against you if you do nothing.'

'And why would I do such a pathetic thing when she crossed me?'

'Go.'

'No.'

His demon growled as he continued to walk away from Rin. Him? Console her? After her deliberate disrespect? Hn. Lord Sesshomaru consoled no one. He walked out onto the Eastern fields where the garden began to flourish courtesy of the human woman and her loyal servants. His eyes raked over the flowers of various colors, more vibrant now because of the full moon shining it's light brightly down upon them, and wondered if there was anywhere he could go that wouldn't remind him of her?

Memories of the day he saved her from the wolves began to run through his mind and he couldn't help but wonder what would be happening if he would have let her die? At that his inner demon growled again. He decided that that was something he would never allow to happen, and that if he were given a chance to do it again, he would have done the same. He tried to convince himself that it was due to the fact that he hated being indebted to anyone, so he returned the favor...

"Lord... Sesshomaru?"

Said Lord felt like closing his eyes and sighing deeply. Yes, there truly was nowhere he could go in which she would not be.

Sesshomaru turned to look at Rin, her eyes puffy, her nose and cheeks red from her crying.

"I-I'm sorry... I had no idea you would be here... I'll just go back to my room," she said as she tried to hurry in doing so, embarrassed also at her state of being.

"Rin." She halted in her footsteps, a bit wary of what he would say or do.

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru?" she whispered as she looked at him.

"Do you fear me?" Rin's eyes widened at his question. Did she fear him? She had to admit there were moments in time where she wasn't sure if he would end her life, but to be openly fearful of him as others were...

"No..." Sesshomaru's breath hitched. She didn't fear him? At all? This unsettled yet relieved him all at once.

"Don't get me wrong, there are times where I might show fear but I can honestly say that it's mostly for the individual crossing you. I... I get scared when you're gone for long periods of time. Fear isn't something I instinctively feel when you're around as many do. You've never given me reason to feel as such," she explained, watching his face intently. Where was he getting at?

"Hn." Rin looked down to her feet, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, truly confused with the direction the conversation could go.

"I'm sorry," she explained. "I should not have shown you the disrespect that I did earlier. I am conscious and grateful of all the things you do for me, Lord Sesshomaru. Words will never describe my appreciation and I would just like to start with thank you. For everything. Since the beginning."

Sesshomaru watched as Rin had begun to cry again, a small smile upon her lips. How is it that she is beautiful even as she cries? Sesshomaru walked closer to Rin until he stood just inches away. A light blush had begun to spread across her cheeks at the proximity of their closeness. She looked at him through her long eyelashes, glistening with the wetness of her tears. Her lips slightly parted, and a vision of his previous actions flashed through his memory.

"It would be wise of you never to do it again. Or fear will soon be something you feel often upon seeing me."

Rin's eyes widened in shock as she saw him go inside of the Western mansion. Fresh tears began to leak down her cheeks. What had she done? Did Lord Sesshomaru hate her now? Was... was he really that cruel? Who was she kidding... of course he was. Why was she supposed to be any exception to that?

'What have you done?'

'This ceases now.'

Sesshomaru could not have these types of distractions. He would not fall to such lowly extremes. He was the great Lord Sesshomaru. And this was a pitiful situation that ends now.

So why did he not feel fulfilled?

"I told you already. You've also heard the rumors. He's ruthless, Keiji," Erina explained as said person sat at the edge of her cot, his eyes looking down at the bandages that covered up the ones which had finally stopped bleeding.

"There has to be more to it. Sesshomaru is a ruthless demon, yes, but he does not meddle with affairs that do not concern him. You must have said something, or... what happened?" Erina sighed.

"I thought he was going to harm Rin, I interfered. I think that is considered meddling in his affairs. And so he did what his violent nature led him to do. I promise you, there is nothing else besides this," she said as she grabbed for his hand. She stared in his eyes willing him to believe her words.

Keiji took one long, last look into Erina's eyes and sighed heavily. He placed his other hand on top of theirs, his expression then turning fierce.

"I have no idea why Rin continues in the company of that bastard, but I promise you my cousin, he will pay for this. I will help Rin see reason, get her away from him as quick as possible, and then I will make him suffer!"

Erina gave Keiji a slight smile, a million thoughts running through her head as she began to stare off. Keiji noticed her distracted gaze and felt guilty.

"Look at me, keeping you up and you need your rest. Well, I'll check on you tomorrow morning. Have a good night's sleep," Keiji said as he kissed Erina on her forehead. Erina smiled tenderly at her cousin and bid him a good night.

"Oh, Keiji... how could I tell you about what I saw? I do not know what Rin's situation is, if she's being forced to be his slave or what exactly... but it certainly looked willing on her part as well. What exactly is happening, Rin? Do you harbor affections for the Lord Sesshomaru? Does... does he feel towards Rin?" Erina whispered in thought, as she placed a hand to her bandaged wound. She was certain she would not tell Keiji what she had seen. She did not want to distress him, Rin seemed like an incredibly sweet, innocent girl. So what was the real story behind what she had seen?

As Erina continued to be troubled by her thoughts, she failed to noticed the person staring at her with menacing eyes.

Yukio watched as Erina battled with her own mind at what she had witnessed and grinned.

'So she's remembered. This is perfect. It will haunt her until she can keep quiet no more. And once Keiji finds out, things will spring into order. Before we know it, Sesshomaru will have set his own trap and when he realizes what has happened it will be too late!'

As Yukio walked away he could not help the evil chuckle that escaped his mouth. His plan with Yachi had failed, which had irritated him to no end, but with this new information he realized that taking down Sesshomaru was seeming to be far easier than he believed. Perfect indeed.

..::{||}::..

Keiji had decided he would pay the Western Lands a visit within the next few twenty four rotations and demand for Rin. He did not know what the reason behind her stay there was, but he did not care. It was more than obvious she was not being treated right, any wrong move would get her killed. So he would take her away from that merciless demon.

"General Tsung." An older gentleman covered in the Northern colored armor saluted Keiji as he called him to attention.

"You will accompany me to the Western Lands when I give the word. Have your men ready, they will travel with us... just in case," Keiji ordered.

"Understood, your majesty," Tsung replied as he wondered what business they possibly had in Lord Sesshomaru's land. Worry slightly clouded the Generals mind, and as he watched the Prince's retreating back he vowed whatever it may be, he would protect him.

'I'm coming for you Rin. Don't worry.' Keiji promised as he made his way to his room. Nothing would keep him from his beloved. He was certain that she was the one and she belonged nowhere but by his side.

Not even Lord Sesshomaru could stand in the way, whatever his reason for that may be.

Rin had spent many rotations in her room, refusing to leave or let anyone in that was not Suki. Her servant had long given up trying to cheer up and console the young girl. It was obvious that whatever had happened in the Eastern fields of the mansion with Lord Sesshomaru had distressed Rin. What exactly occurred, however, the girl refused to say.

"Mo misses you... would you like to go for a ride today? I'd be willing to bet that you both would enjoy that, ne?" Suki said encouragingly as she watched Rin look glumly at herself in the mirror. Rin gave Suki a sad smile.

"No, thank you, Suki. I will ride Mo another time...," she replied in a monotone voice. Suki sighed as Rin went to lay upon her cot yet again, giving her young servant her back.

"Okay... I will be back in a while then with dinner. Please try to eat something," Suki pleaded. Rin simply nodded and Suki let her be as she went off to keep herself busy. She wondered when Rin would stop this depression that had settled upon her and wished she knew what exactly had placed it there.

"Did you hear? The Northern prince will be paying Lord Sesshomaru a visit."

"What? I wonder why? We aren't at war, are we?"

"No, not to my knowledge. I heard it was because the prince would like to marry Miss Rin."

"Oh, my! That's very nice, I wonder when they met. What do you think Lord Sesshomaru will do or say?"

"You know he isn't friendly. Quite frankly, I fear for the poor prince..."

Suki overheard the two servants until she could no longer follow them without looking suspicious. Keiji? Coming here? That man sure did have a very dominant death wish. Suki turned to head back to Rin's room, hurrying in order to let her know what she had just heard. As soon as Suki got close, Rin reached out and pulled Suki in roughly.

"Oh! Rin, what's wrong?"

"Suki! Did you hear? Prince Keiji is coming here! Here!" Rin exclaimed, panic present in her expression. How had she known?

"Yes, but how did you know?" Rin pulled Suki in closer, looking around as if to make sure no one was around.

"I heard two of the land guards talking about it. They said they overheard from a village nearby that Prince Keiji has ordered a group of his men to accompany him here. But I have no clue for what. Do you think he is here to discuss matters on his father's behalf?" Suki stared at Rin as she spoke in a hushed voice. Though she had to admit, this very well could have already gotten to their Lord's attention, but she did not want to be the first one to notify him via gossip, so she spoke low as well.

"I'm not sure, I just heard two other servants. I thought maybe you would know. This is insane, Rin. You know how Lord Sesshomaru feels about him. His jealousy will cause him to kill Prince Keiji!" Rin looked briefly worried before a saddened expression settled upon her face and she went to sit at the small tea table located in the center of her room.

"Rin?"

"I don't think Lord Sesshomaru will let emotions like jealousy affect him when it comes to me, Suki. He is the merciless, highly respected and feared, dog demon who rules over the Western Lands. He does not meddle with lowly situations such as this." Suki watched as Rin kept her head bowed, tears spilling onto her kimono, and suddenly she understand. How cruel! Lord Sesshomaru had always been cold hearted, but everyone knew he had a soft spot for Rin. When had that changed?

"Oh, Rin...," Suki whispered as she pulled Rin into an embrace.

"What had I expected? I'm just a lowly human, Suki. He needs to produce an heir, the future ruler of the Western Lands, how could I be worthy of such a title? He hates humans... especially half breeds. Look at how much he loathes Inuyasha, his half brother! Why would it be any different for me? Perhaps he felt indebted because I saved his life... maybe now... maybe now he feels his debt has been paid." Suki ran her hand through Rin's silky hair in a soothing manner, hoping it would help to console her best friend.

"I wish I could tell you that you're wrong, Rin. Unfortunately, I do not know what goes on in our Lord's head. However, I do know that no one can hide true emotion. And the way Lord Sesshomaru expressed his around Prince Keiji looked to be very genuine. No one gets that upset if they are simply trying to pay back a debt. Perhaps you are not to be Lady of the Western Lands, but I know you are not considered a meager human to Lord Sesshomaru. He has done far too much towards and for you to say that is how he sees you." Rin kept her head on Suki's lap as she thought over her words.

Maybe Suki was right, maybe she was not. Was Rin ready to go through the reoccurring pain that was involved in finding out? Could she handle things like his anger, spiteful words, and indifference? And what if it was one-sided? Yes, they had shared a kiss, but if it wasn't for the fact that she could still feel his lips on hers, she would have thought to imagine the entire scenario. What did it mean? Did it mean anything?

And what of Keiji coming to the Western mansion? Why would he put himself in that type of predicament? Surely not for her, no. He had to be coming on behalf of his father for important matters. But don't they have a meeting every twelve cycles to discuss things as such? Perhaps it is an emergency...

"You are free to leave whenever you so desire. You are not forced to stay."

Rin flinched as she remembered Lord Sessomaru's harsh words long ago. However, if Keiji was coming because of her... would she go?

"Suki," Rin said as she sat up.

"Yes?"

Rin closed her eyes and remained silent for a few moments, and just as Suki was about to ask, Rin gave her a determined look. Suki felt a pit of worry begin to pool in her stomach and knew that Rin's next words were not going to be welcoming ones.

"Suki, I... I want to live with Prince Keiji."