Sighing heavily Rin felt boredom for the first time in a while. They had been searching high and low for hours with no luck in finding any southern Inu demons.

"Yang, as much as I hate to say it we need to head back" she stated then Suzaku reached out with one fiery wing and rested it on Rin's shoulder.

"My Lady, I'm sure if we keep our spirits up we will find them" he stated.

Rin nodded to the bird spirit as Yang turned himself around gracefully and they headed back toward their home.

In the blink of an eye a single arrow shot out of the forest and embedded it's self into Yang's shoulder causing him to lose his flight and go plummeting toward the ground.

Thinking on her feet, Rin jumped off the injured animal before he hit the ground.

"Yang, are you okay" she asked and crouched down beside him.

A rustle in the bushes behind her brought Rin to her feet as her eyes shifted over the area.

"Who is out there" Rin questioned and set her hand on the hilt of her sword

Another rustle came and a male demon walked out of the underbrush with his shoulders high and his eyes narrowed on Rin.

"The real question is who are you and why are you on our lands woman" the male demon stated and Rin narrowed her eyes on him.

"I am Rin, Lord of the Southern lands and you will address me as such" Rin stated proudly.

The male demon laughed a sarcastic laugh and crossed his arms.

"You think you are fit to be a lord? You aren't even fit to be a peasant" he said coldly and Rin grew angry.

Pulling her necklace out from her kimono top she showed the man and his eyes grew wide with confusion.

"Here is the proof that I have. Sasume, the lord of the Eastern lands gave me this after I trained for months with her and one of the Southern Inu".

Bowing now with his head low and his fist over his chest, the man stated his words of apology.

"Please forgive me My Lady, I was wrong to say such words".

Rin took a look at him and nodded slightly with her arms now crossed.

"Fine I will forgive this, only because I am in need of people" she said and Suzaku perched on her shoulder, his eyes narrowed on the man as well.

"There are many of us left Lady Rin, we kept hidden in the forest waiting for the right leader" a small girl said as she ran beside Rin with a big bright smile.

Rin smiled a kind smile at the girl as she took in her appearance and then she looked around only to see people appearing around them.

"Oh my" she said and then a man with long black hair and tired eyes stepped out of the crowd.

Walking over to her he bowed the same as the other man and spoke.

"I am a healer My Lady, please let me heal the wound of your friend" he asked in a deep rough voice much like her own father's had sounded.

Rin nodded her approval and the man stood then walked over to Yang and placed his hand on the arrow shaft. The arrow started to glow a blue color as he pulled the arrow out and the flesh mended together seamlessly.

"He is healed".

After walking over to Yang, she touched the spot where the arrow had just been which was now covered in his thick black fur.

"Thank you very much" she said with a smile while looking into the man's eyes.

"I am Haru the healer and this is my son, Ichiru" the healer Haru said and narrowed his eyes at his son.

Looking at the son and back at the father Rin did notice a resemblance between the two. They both had black hair, stone cold blue eyes, and their face shape looked similar.

"I am glad to have met you both" she commented then looked around at the others. "I am in need of assistance".

Haru nodded his head and then spoke.

"There are many warriors among us Lady Rin. We will be glad assist you".

Looking around one last time Rin then made the statement she would stick to.

"Women and Children may stay if they wish and anyone else who wishes to fight, follow me".

A smile graced Rin's pale face as she started heading toward the palace grounds where she would test the strength and ability of those who wished to serve under her.

*Sesshomaru*

Walking silently through the woods Sesshomaru's face was as emotionless as ever, but his mind was different. It was filled with confused questions like "Why" or "How" with no one to answer.

He hated the uncertainty that these questions brought and most of all he hated not knowing the answers to those questions.

He managed to ignore the questions about why she had beaten him so easily despite the fact his honor was smashed into the ground, but the one question that kept bothering him was how Rin had become a demon.

His musings ended when he came upon the outskirts of Sasume's courtyard. He wasn't stupid as to not notice that Rin and Sasume had a connection, so he knew Sasume had to know something.

"Ah Sesshomaru, what a surprise visit" Sasume stated as she walked toward him, her hands folded neatly into the sleeves of her kimono.

He glared at her with his icy cold eyes, but she seemed un effected as she chattered on about never seeing him.

"I have come for information about Rin" he stated and Sasume frowned.

With a disgusted look on her face Sasume rolled her eyes.

"Why would you need to know anything about Rin in the first place" she asked finding it funny that the more she wasted his time, the more irritated he got.

"It is none of your concern why I need to know" Sesshomaru replied wanting to kill her for asking such a question.

That was when something clicked in her mind and she knew just why he wanted to know.

"You're curious aren't you"?

Getting tired of her messing around he dashed forward and grabbed her by the throat slamming her back against a tree.

A devilish smile graced his lips at the surprised look on her face.

"You will tell me without anymore delay" he stated and Sasume narrowed her eyes at him.

Using her claws she sliced at his arm making him let go and she plopped on the ground.

"You don't always get what you want Sesshomaru, not everyone worships the ground you walk on" she made the daring statement as she stood. "If you want answers, Rin should be the one to tell you".

Looking at her stone cold face Sesshomaru knew she wouldn't speak even if he ripped her apart limb from limb, so he turned and headed to the south.

Sighing heavily as she watched Sesshomaru disappear in the shadows Sasume stood and dusted herself off.

"Good luck with this challenge Rin, you'll need it" she mumbled to herself and walked back toward her flower garden.

*Rin*

"Everything looks lovely Haru" Rin stated with surprise written in her voice.

Her eyes gazed around the area that had once been filled with rubble and debris.

A wall now stood proud and tall lined with many guards whose stone cold faces could rival even that of Lord Sesshomaru.

Tall trees stood now where the ones that had fallen and rotted away once were, so she knew that an elemental demon must be among them.

She was happy that her courtyard was now one she could have pride in.

"I thank all of you for the fine work you have done restoring this place to its former glory" she stated as she looked around at all the southern demons. "You may return to your homes for the night, I expect you here at the break of dawn tomorrow. Good night to you all".

Turning around Rin walked passed Haru who bowed his head in respect.

As she was about to enter her home a short "Rin" came from behind her causing her to stop and turn around, only to see Sesshomaru standing there.

"How dare you disrespect Lady Rin like that" one of the men stated and was about to attack until Rin signaled for him to stop.

Her eyes glared at him, almost daring him to say something else or to make any kind of move.

"What do you want" she stated as a frown appeared on her face.

He returned her steady glair for a moment, before finally speaking.

"I need to speak with you, alone".

Thoughts of confusion raced through Rin's mind, but she dismissed them and nodded her head for him to follow.

What am I getting myself into?

Hello readers! Yes, i do realise it has been a while since I have updated and I feel bad. (Otherwise I wouldn't be posting this chapter) It's summer vacation now, so i will try to write more. (Along with juggling work and family of course) Thank you to Kenia, icegirljenni,Liz and bec, anime girl 25.2, and lizzy bug for reviewing. (Come on lets make my shout out list longer people! xD) Also thank you to those who added my story and are reading it right now. I'll update asap, but until then see ya!