Sorry I'm so late! The summer did funny things to me... There's some cute moments in this chapter; it's been so dark lately that I decided we needed a bit of humor. If that's not your cup of tea, don't worry: it won't last for long.

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Stepping into the steaming water, the demon lord eased his weary body in, the hot liquid enveloping him in blissful warmth up to his shoulders. Sighing in the otherwise quiet, Sesshomaru settled back against the wooden bath, allowing his eyes to unfocus as he gazed at the water's calm surface. He wasn't going to deal with anyone until he got his thoughts sorted out and a plan of action was created.

At the moment, there was nothing he could do about Inuyasha and his little outburst. If it really was about being hypocritical, then there was nothing he could do at all (what's done is done, right?), but somehow, he didn't think that was just it. No, it had to be something more. Inuyasha wouldn't have gotten worked up about just that; no doubt that was a part of it, but that was something that his brother would usually just sulk and glower about, not fly into a rage over. There was something else. He'd probably have to sit him down and figure out just what had gotten under the half demon's skin to provoke that little explosion.

Ripples wrinkled the water as Sesshomaru's chest rose and fell with deep, soothing breaths. He sunk down until the water was just below his chin, white hair drifting out around him.

Rin… His heart ached simply recalling the pericing, betrayed look she gave him before running off. As soon as he got out of the bath, he'd have to find Rin. He needed to talk to her. But what would he say? Deny what he had said earlier? Did he mean what he said earlier? He just didn't want Rin to be so upset, right? No, he knew that wasn't it. Perhaps that had been the case at one time, but not anymore. He cared about Rin, more than he ever thought possible. He wanted her to be safe, to be happy; he wanted to be near her. The revelation shook him deeply; he couldn't believe had just thought that. Did that mean love? Could he tell Rin that? That he lov- Gods, he could barely admit it to himself! It couldn't be love… If it was, it would be easier to say, wouldn't it? He wasn't sure; he'd wait on telling Rin until he was certain. For now, he would simply tell her what he did know to be true; he wanted her to be safe and happy, and he wanted her company. Well, that was one problem resolved for the moment…

As for Ochiba… He knew she was angry, but she needed to learn her place. Why did she have to be so headstrong? Compliant women were always more admirable. What had Sama no Kami said on the matter of a wife? 'One should settle on someone wholly dependable, quiet, and steady, as long as there is nothing especially wrong with her.' Ochiba wasn't quiet, she definitely wasn't steady, and the only thing one could depend on her for was smart-ass comments. Her main duty as his wife was obedience; she had no right to object to anything he did! Of course, life was never ideal; he'd just have to put up with her. It's not like he could divorce her; she hadn't fulfilled any of the requirements.

Then, to finish off his list of people problems, there was Jimatsu. Was Hoshikuzu being serious when he suggested that Jimatsu liked him? He could have been joking. No, Jimatsu probably wouldn't have reacted the way he did if there wasn't some truth to the onmyoji's words. Did his friend leave quickly do to embarrassment, or was it from fear of rejection? It seemed plausible that it was both. And, if these feelings were true, what could he do about it? It would probably be best to simply ignore it unless Jimatsu brought it up or tried something. He didn't want to ruin their friendship. He didn't have those sorts of feelings about Jimatsu.

He slipped Jimatsu's haori off and leaned forward, their lips brushing together as Sesshomaru pushed him dow-

Sesshomaru blinked. He did not just start to imagine what it what it would be like to take Jimatsu to bed. He did not! Damn it… But he had known Jimatsu since they were children! He couldn't randomly develop feelings for his friend now! Besides, he already decided that he lov- Damn it! That he wanted to be with Rin.

He suppressed a growl. So much for having one problem resolved; he had just succeeded in making it more personally confusing.

Deciding to get out, he dried off and managed to get dressed; uncomfortable of having the servant see his… disfigurement, he had sent the boy away, leaving himself with no assistance. Dressing done (although his sash was definitely not tied right), he set his mind to finding Rin.

Only the girl proved more elusive than he first suspected. She wasn't in her quarters and her serving women stupidly didn't know where she was, forcing Sesshomaru to wander the palace looking for her. After maybe ten minutes of fruitless searching, he mentally kicked himself for not remembering and sniffed the air. She was ningen, which meant that, even with scented kimono, she'd still stand out. His sensitive nose told him that she hadn't been through here in weeks. Deciding that she probably wasn't inside, he went outside; catching wind of her fresh scent, he followed it to an obscure garden, one that was rarely visited anymore. He smiled to himself; Rin did have a knack for finding her personal sanctuary.

Sesshomaru's nose twitched as he found a familiar, but far less welcomed scent; a half second later, he sneezed. Snorting, he glared, searching for the horrid creature responsible for the irritation. He spotted it lurking under a bush and he crept forward, suddenly intent on getting rid of it. The beast glanced up and spotted Sesshomaru; it took off through the under growth and Sesshomaru swore. He'd find it some other time; right now he should be focusing on locating Rin. Ignoring the little monster's annoying smell, he followed Rin's trail deeper into the garden.

Peering over a shrub, he spied her curled up under a plum tree, dried tears staining her face. Silently he walked over and crouched down next to her sleeping form, careful not the step on her kimono, its layers fanned out like wings.

"Rin," he called gently, softly stroking her cheek. The child stirred and he called again, slightly louder.

Her eyes blinked open and focused; seeing Sesshomaru, she sat up quickly apologizing.

"Hush," Sesshomaru stopped her. She fell silent at once, focusing on the ground.

"Why are you so upset?" he questioned softly, although, really, did he need to ask? "I want you to be happy, Rin. Happy and safe, here with me."

She sniffed, tears beginning to fall once more.

"Tell me, why are you crying? Look at me, Rin. Why are you crying? No, look at me."

He took her chin gently and tilted her face up toward his.

"You sounded so angry at me. It sounds like you hate me. Am I that much of a burden to you?" she asked, averting her eyes.

"I don't hate you, Rin," Sesshomaru said, startled. Had he really appeared that angry?

"But you don't love me."

He released her chin, her matter-of-fact tone surprising him. She looked away entirely.

"Rin," he began, unsure of what to say. Tell her what you know is true, he reminded himself. "I care about you very much. I want you to be happy and safe; I want to be with you, spend time with you."

"I never see you anymore. It feels as if you have forgotten Rin!"

The demon caught the third person. When she was younger, Rin only referred to herself, and sometimes others, in the third person, but as she got older she grew out of the habit. However, it never failed to return when she was upset. Yet even through the third person, Sesshomaru could feel the maturity in her voice.

"Rin knows Lord Sesshomaru is busy, but he doesn't see Rin at all. Rin is not summoned either! Rin is left alone, or with that awful demon lady for lessons."

"Awful demon lady?" Sesshomaru repeated, frowning.

The ningen's eyes widen in shock. "Rin is sorry; she didn't mean to insult Lord Sesshomaru's wife."

Like he cared about that. "Why did you call her awful?" he asked, a sense of dread creeping into his heart. When Rin wouldn't meet his eyes or answer, the feeling worsened.

"Rin, what does Ochiba do?"

She shook her head.

"Rin, tell me. Rin!"

"Rin is very clumsy and stupid. She spills tea and doesn't remember her manners, forgets dance steps and shamisen music and brush strokes. Lady Ochiba disciplines Rin when she displeases her."

"How?" Sesshomaru asked quietly.

She shook her head again, but Sesshomaru already knew. Before Rin could react, he snatched the edge of the girl's kimono sleeve and yanked it up past her elbow. She pulled it back down quickly, but Sesshomaru had already confirmed what he feared.

Rin's lower arm, and probably her upper arm as well, were covered in bruises.

Sesshomaru stood up. "Come, we're going to go talk to Ochiba, now."

Rin grabbed his pants as he tried to walk away. "No! Lady Ochiba said-"

"What?" Sesshomaru demanded, whirling around and glaring at her. "That she'd hit you more if I found out? Don't be foolish, Rin; she only said that to trick you into staying silent in the first place."

Ochiba had been teaching Rin for almost a month, he realized. When had this started?

"How long had she been doing this? Rin! Tell me! If anyone does anything to you, you come to me immediately! Do you understand? Immediately!"

He realized he had been shouting when he saw frightened tears slipped down Rin's cheeks. Crouching down, he placed his hand on her shoulder comfortingly.

"I apologize for yelling at you, Rin," he told her in a soothing voice. "I'm angry that people have hurt and teased you, but I can only protect you if I know what or who to protect you from. If someone is bothering you, I need you to tell me as soon as possible, alright?"

Rin nodded, wiping away tears. As she was recovering, something behind her shoulder moved and Sesshomaru instinctively glanced at it.

That damnable creature! He rose slowly, determined to get it this time.

Rin followed his gaze. "Oh!"

She leapt to her feet and ran to the beast before Sesshomaru could stop her; bending down, she scooped it up in her arms. Turning, she presented it to her lord, who recoiled slightly.

"I found her hiding near a pond, watching the koi. Isn't she cute? His name is Sakanahanta."

Sesshomaru couldn't manage smother a look of loathing, wrinkling his nose in disgust. The kitten looked up at him with wide wary eyes.

"Want to hold her?" Rin asked, stepping forward.

"No," was Sesshomaru's short reply as the thing hissed its displeasure at Sesshomaru's sudden closeness. Every fiber of his being told him to flatten the repulsive creature, now.

"Sakanahanta is my new pet."

"What?" There was no way that horrid animal was going to stay at the palace permanently. Absolutely no way.

"Rin, that mon- That cat is not staying here," he said sternly.

"What?" Rin said, crushed. "Why not?"

Why not; gods, wasn't it obvious? "Rin, what I am?"

"What do you mean?"

"Species."

"A demon."

Sesshomaru held back a scowl. "More specifically than that."

"A do- Oh."

Yes, oh. "And everyone else in this palace, save you and Kagome, have what blood?"

"The same," she muttered, holding her kitten close. "But she won't bother anyone! She's a good kitty!"

That was trying to raid the koi ponds. "Be that as it may, Rin, that cat-"

"Her name is Sakanahanta," Rin insisted stubbornly.

"Fine. Sakanahanta wouldn't last more than two days here; it's not staying," he said, in an end-of-argument-tone.

"But why?" Rin cried, eyes pleading.

Sesshomaru sighed. "Do you want the honest truth?" He received an affirmative and continued. "The Dog Demon people have always been attack by the Cat Demon tribe. Not even sixty years ago my people were at war with the Cats, and more recently less than a decade ago we fought again. My grandfather fought them, Chichiue fought them, I have fought them, and my children will fight them. As a result, no dog demon in their right mind would tolerate the presence of a cat, demon or otherwise. Your Sakanahanta would be killed by a member of the Court, a servant, or anyone living in the city, if it were to be discovered. I'm sorry, but that's simply the way things are."

Rin was silent, staring at her small bundle of fur. "Will you kill Sakanahanta?" she finally whispered.

Sesshomaru choked down a growl. Rin wouldn't dare. "No…"

She met his eyes boldly. "Then I'll make sure she isn't discovered."

"Rin…"

"It'll work," she assured him. "She'll stay in my room; no one can go in there without my or your permission. So as long as you don't give it, she'll stay safe."

The demon lord glared at the girl, who wasn't fazed. Maybe he was losing his touch. He couldn't believe she just set him up like that… A least it shows that she was paying attention in her court studies.

'I guess that means I'm out of my mind,' he mused, as he saw Rin back to her room. Once she and the abominable cat were safely inside, Sesshomaru switched his focus to Ochiba.

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Dun dun dun! Anyways, I have the next chapter already finish so you can expect an update within a week. And for anyone who wanted to know, the name of Rin's cat means 'fish hunter'.