Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I wish. Le sigh.


Red shone brightly in his vision and he struggled to regain control of his demon.

'Let us mate the girl. She is perfect.'

How absurd. His demon's words only served to anger him further and his hold was already weak. How pathetic.

He could still picture Rin's face as he threw a threat her way and left. What did she think of him now? The idea was to strike fear in her so that maybe she'd stay away from him for a while. He needed time to regain himself. To gather his demon and submit him into remission once again.

This was the control that she was slowly gaining over him. The type of mayhem she was causing within himself. Powerful taiyoukai? He was turning into nothing more than a love-struck pup. A growl ripped from his mouth in frustration. He felt the all too familiar sting at his fingertips that indicated they were aglow with his poison claws. He needed to rid himself of the negative energy coiling around him. Needed to let out this primal anger that refused to back down.

"Lord Sesshomaru! My Lord! Where are you, Lord Sesshomaru?"

The snarls that emanated from the bedroom where Jaken knew his Lord was were feral enough to have him cowering as he slowly approached.

"M-m-my Lord? A-a-are you o-okay?" Jaken's whole body shook with fear. It had been so long in which his Lord had been this angry. He could feel the waves of endangering, powerful aura permeating through his surroundings. It was practically suffocating.

Sesshomaru knew he was walking a very thin line when it came to his control. He nearly begged that his vassal would turn around and leave him be. Jaken's silence nearly had him unraveling in silent relief until he picked up the sound of scuffling feet.

"My-my Lord… if it's n-not too much… something has come up that requires y-your immediate at-t-ention."

His demon rampaged inside of him, his aura now flowing out of him enough to stir the strands of his silver hair around him. He turned blood red eyes to Jaken. The red streaks on his cheeks seemed to form harsh slashes, and his canines seemed to be growing larger and sharper as his breath became heavier.

"What is it?"

Jaken wanted nothing more than to sink into the earth and cease to be. It had been a very long time, indeed, since he'd seen his Lord this succumbed to his demon. He knew that this would not end well. And though he was sure he should not have opened his mouth to speak, should have found some sort of way to handle the situation at hand himself, he found the words reaching his ears.

"The prince of the North… he's coming."

The Western mansion shook as the very raw power of the most powerful taiyoukai was unleashed.


"R-Rin… what are you… what are you saying?"

Rin refused to look at Suki as she processed what she had said herself. Go with the Northern prince? Was she sane? Had the illness from all the rain finally caved in her senses?

But the more she thought about, the more right it sounded. Yes, her Lord had kissed her. He'd given her the one thing she dreamed of experiencing since she'd turned fifteen summers. That, however, still did not change the fact that he was a ruthless killer. Capable of the most horrendous of murders without the bat of an eye. How long would it be until his patience ran out even with her? She had considered herself fortunate enough to be an exemption to his harshness until a few rotations ago. She was human, and eventually that would be enough to be rid of her.

The pain in her chest echoed her thoughts in agreeance. She needed to get out now before it got to where she would never be able to repair the breakage.

Rin looked up to Suki and could see her friend's eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her own eyes watered as she quickly got up and took Suki's hands in her own.

"I need this, Suki… Kami, I don't know where things got so mixed up but… somehow, this has turned into a place where I don't belong. Maybe… maybe it's time I built a future with our own kind. Think about it… where could this have gone? Lord Sesshomaru hates humans… he'd never allow one to share his rule… much less his heart. And what could I become? A human whore? The pain would be too much to bear…," she reasoned. Though it sounded more like she was trying to convince herself, and she knew Suki heard it, too.

"I cannot… I cannot even begin to understand what your heart is feeling or what your thoughts are conjuring… all I can say is that I will be here with you. Through any and everything that is being hurtled your way. You are my best friend, Rin. Practically my sister. Your unhappiness is my undoing and… how could I possibly convince you to stay somewhere where you are no longer thriving in laughter or comfort?" Suki placed a hand on Rin's cheek, wiping away the tear that slid down. Rin moved her hand to rest over Suki's atop her wet cheek, her mouth forming a smile expressing gratitude. What would she do without this girl?

Rin's face frowned in confusion as the ground vibrated beneath their feet. Suki looked around as if she could find the source of the odd occurrence and just as she was going to lead Rin into the hallway, the mansion itself seemed to shake uncontrollably. Rin's jade dragonfly comb fell from where it sat on her small table close to her cot and she hurried to pick it up, cradling it to her chest.

The mansion once again stood still and Suki looked at Rin as realization suddenly dawned upon her. This had only happened once before, the tremble in the earth, the suffocating atmosphere that came only from raw demonical power…

"Rin… L—"

Suki attempted to swallow the knot that gathered in her throat. Rin grabbed Suki's arm as she ran out of the room. She had to get to Keiji. Had to warn him to turn around. She would not – could not – let any harm come to him. Not after what had happened to Erina. Not after she had run away…

"Rin, where are we going?" Suki managed from behind Rin.

"I have to warn him! He needs to know that it isn't safe here."

"But, Rin! At this rate, we won't make it. Lord Sesshomaru is much faster."

Horror registered into Rin's mind as she took in Suki's words. She was right! They would never get to Keiji in time with simply running, not at their humane speed. Rin stopped suddenly, nearly making Suki crash into her. She looked at Rin with questioning eyes, and immediately worried when she saw the resolution appear in Rin's own pale orbs.

"Ah-Un. They can get us there in time. Quick! We need to be very fast. Keiji won't stand a chance."

"What has happened exactly?"

Rin answered without slowing down their resumed running.

"Lord Sesshomaru has transformed into his demon form."


Keiji had felt the wave of unleashed fury shoot past him. The horses they all rode on whinnied in panic and refused to march forward.

"Prince Keiji… perhaps it is a sign that we should precede no further." Keiji looked at General Tsung and contemplated his logic. It seemed as if the forest itself had run away when the wave passed them by. The wise choice would most likely be to turn around.

'Will you be giving her up then? She is probably waiting for you to rescue her. Waiting for her Prince to finally come and save her… will you leave her to die, Keiji?'

Keiji shook his head, clearing away the remnants of the voice that had recently began to speak into his mind. Perhaps, it was his conscience, but either way, it was right! He would not abandon Rin. Even if it cost him his life.

He grabbed his stallion's reins and ushered him forward.

"Your highness—"

"We keep on. We are not a squadron of cowards. Whatever faces us ahead, we shall face with courage and Kami on our side. For your prince… and your future princess."

Keiji led his stallion into a gallop and he could practically feel the confusion amongst his men. He'd made no public announcement on an engagement, so he was sure they were at a loss; wondering who their so-called future princess could be.

The General brought his own steed alongside Keiji's. They rode in silence before Tsung decided to voice his thoughts.

"Prince Keiji, I was not aware you had acquired an intended."

Keiji smiled, but before he could answer his General, a loud roar resounded in the sky, sending their horses in a frenzy. Some men were even thrown off. Keiji gripped the reins harder and took to calming his horse heavily.

"Keiji!"

He turned towards the western region and saw Rin seated atop a two headed dragon that was racing straight for them.

"Rin?"

"Prince Keiji, please! Stay behind me," General Tsung yelled out. He'd brought his horse to block Keiji's path, a bow ready with an arrow aimed at Rin.

"No! Stand down! She is why we are here!"

The General remained tensed as he heard Keiji. He refused to put down his arrow as Ah-Un came closer and finally stopped in front of him. The girl who'd been handling the beast jumped down, revealing a second girl who looked to be holding the prior one back. The beast stood slightly in front of them as if to protect them from his arrow.

"Keiji, please! You have to listen to me, there's no time," Rin yelled out.

"You will regard his Highness, properly!"

Keiji unmounted his horse and ran to stand in front of Rin. General Tsung hurriedly followed suit, his bow never losing its target. He came to stand directly in front of Keiji, his eyes never losing sight of Rin or Ah-UN.

"Your Highness! Please, get behind me quickly, we have no idea what their intentions are!" The small squad of the General's men surrounded them and Ah-Un growled menacingly as they neared Suki and Rin.

"The beast is looking to strike, your Highness, please!"

"General Tsung, I command you to stand down! These girls and the beast bear me no ill will. Put down your weapon."

The General's eyes widened with shock. How could the Prince be so sure of these unknown women? For all he knew they could be associated with the dangerous aura from before. But had he heard the girl with the pale eyes correctly? She had said there was no time… no time for what?

"Will you disobey a direct order from the Northern Prince, General Tsung?"

Said General seemed to snap back into focus and slowly lowered his bow. His speculative look never strayed from Rin.

"You, there. Girl with pale eyes… you told his Highness there was no time… what exactly were you referring to?"

Rin hurried over to Keiji, ignoring the men around them who had drawn their weapons at her advances. However, before she could open her mouth to heed her warning, before she had the chance to tell him to save himself; as soon as their eyes met and she knew she could not live if any harm came to his being…

A giant white, dog demon burst through the clearing. His razor-sharp fangs tearing through three of Keiji's soldiers. General Tsung yelled out for his men to spread out, asked Keiji to find a safe place to hide, and barged towards Sesshomaru's demon form.

"Rin, run!" Keiji yelled as he drew his sword. He gave her a push towards Suki and Ah-Un before running behind the General.

"Wait! No! You mustn't try and fight! Lord Sesshomaru will kill all of you!"

Suki hurried atop Ah-un and the beast seemed to whine for Rin to mount as well.

"Rin, we have to go! Lord Sesshomaru is running on pure demon instincts! It's far too dangerous!"

"No! I can't leave Keiji!"

Rin ran towards Keiji, ignoring Suki's protests along with her own fear. If Sesshomaru killed Keiji while he'd come here for her… she'd never forgive herself. Or worse… this could cause an all-out war with the North. There was too much at risk, too much to lose… she would not give up!

Keiji's men shot countless of arrows at the great dog demon. His growls sent vibrations through Rin as she drew closer. She looked at the blood spilling from his open wounds and her panic went down a different path.

"They're hurting him. Stop it… stop it!"

Her cries fell on deaf ear as the battle waged on. There was nothing but blood lust coursing through Sesshomaru's body. His demon had taken over and he could not say he was not okay with it. His demon had demanded for the Northern Prince's head when he caught his scent in the wind. Not moments later he smelled Rin and his instincts kicked into high gear. No one would touch her. No one would have her, but him.

His eyes locked in on the Northern Prince and he prepared to attack. These humans were nothing but child's play. Oh, they could try and bring him down, but he was the Lord Sesshomaru. Second most powerful dog demon only to his father. No one was getting in his way.

Rin saw the moment Sesshomaru targeted Keiji. Horror set in her veins and she knew she had to hurry and think of something. Without giving a second worry, she began running, making a beeline for Keiji. Though she was a thousand times slower than her Lord, the distance between her and Keiji was not so big. Perhaps she could make it to him before…

"Rin? What are you doing?!" Keiji yelled out to her.

Rin's eyes never strayed from her Lord's powerful form. She could see his strike to kill, his lust for her friend's blood; the focus on his target the only thing in his red, gleaming eyes. Just a bit further, she could see it. The distance from her to Keiji was shorter, she would get there first!

For the first time in his life, Keiji experienced true terror. Not because of the dog demon headed his way, no. He'd seen the moment the Western Lord had pinned him with death. His terror was for the petite woman who was almost to him. Her long, brown hair flowing behind her in long, soft waves. Her eyes shone with bright determination, her lips parted as she took in deep breaths, surely pushing herself to go faster.

Her scent hit him first. He was not sure when she had appeared, so deep he was in his blood thirst. He watched as she ran towards the foolish prince, and that only fueled his anger more. She belonged to only him, he would make sure of that. He jumped over a small formation of the petty human soldiers, and landed just a few feet away from his target. He did a quick search for Rin, spotting her nowhere he pushed on. No one would keep him from this sweet kill. No one would stop him from eliminating the one thing that had dared to lay hands on what was his.

He watched as the Northern Prince met his blood glare with one of fear, and he relished it, thinking it was a result of his impending death. He was so close; he could already taste the warm blood. He opened his jaw to reveal two rows of thick, sharp teeth. Anyone who could escape death by those teeth was either a God or immortal.

And just like that, she appeared before him. Her small arms outstretched as if to barricade Keiji behind her small bodice. Her expression pleading.

"Lord Sesshomaru, please! Stop!"

Sesshomaru jumped up and landed right in front of Rin, his large head looming over where she still stood outstretched before Keiji. He growled ferociously, did this woman have a death wish?

"Please, my Lord… Don't do this… don't kill him," she pleaded. Her heart hammered inside of her chest. She had never been so close to his demon form, much less the muzzle area. She knew he could do away with both at any given moment. She was not sure what was still driving this thought that she would be an exception to his malice. But she had to try… for her friend's sake… for Lord Sesshomaru's lands… her home...

"I'll leave, my Lord. He's here for me… and I… I want to go. I wish to live with my own kind. I… I wish to leave…"

The shock that resonated through Sesshomaru was enough to completely silence his demon. Any anger or intention to kill completely vanished. What had she said?

Everything seemed to stand still. The red from Sesshomaru's eyes began to lighten, his form began to grow smaller, his features more human-like.

Rin refused to gaze into his eyes since she had uttered the last words for fear that he could see the lie in her own. She looked down at the ground, where she could see the tips of his black boots appear as he drew closer. Keiji tensed behind her, but she ignored it as she looked up at Sesshomaru's face.

His beautiful face sent a lance of pain through her heart. She was not sure she would survive this if it was already this difficult.

"So… you have decided?"

Rin closed her eyes in anguish, his replay of the words he'd murmured in the bamboo fields not lost on her. She mustered up courage, knowing that this was her only opportunity. It would be now or never, and she knew she could not stay with her Lord. So, she sucked up any emotion and, swallowing the lump in her throat, opened her eyes again.

"Yes."

Sesshomaru stared at her intently, half a mind to simply grab her and take her back to the Western mansion. But he remembered their talk… how he had always given her a choice. And it looks like she had finally made one. His stone-cold face revealed nothing of the turmoil he felt inside. For that he was glad, and so, he would make sure that he would allow no further weaknesses moving forward.

"Your things will be delivered to you along with the mare. Take the human with you as well, we have no need for her."

He turned around and Rin could practically hear her heart beginning to crack. Why was this so hard? Why was it so painful? How… just how would she survive this, after all?

Rin was not sure when she had put her arms down, but she moved them to hug herself now as she took one step after Sesshomaru.

"Wait!"

Sesshomaru took a few more steps before pausing, observing the Northern Prince's men raise their weapons in preparation for any attack. Useless. Irritation ebbed into his mind. Even after her decision, he still bent to her beck.

"Lord Sesshomaru… can I… can I still visit home?"

Sesshomaru gave her a sidelong glance, weighing his words before deciding he should respond as expected.

"The Western Mansion is no longer your home. Do not return. You will die if you disobey."

And with that, the rest of Rin's heart, shattered into a million pieces.