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A lot of you have had your name up in the thank you list for just about every chapter. I want to thank those people for being such loyal readers. Even when I get a little slow with the updating.

I know. I haven't updated in months. All I can tell you is, I started high school this year…and well…it was a big adjustment.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters.

My Pure Love
Chapter 14

Kouga quickly walked down the halls, trying to find the green-eyed beauty that had him fixated with her. Ever since the first day they met Kouga could only think about her. All his thoughts centered on Faith. He could smell her. She was very close now. Finally, he would be able to talk with Faith. This talk would either move the relationship forward or bring it to a standstill. Yes, only a standstill. It wouldn't come to a complete end, Kouga didn't plan on that. If Faith wasn't ready to move forward then he would just give her time. But there was no way he was going to completely let her go. That was not an option, no matter what the circumstance. Kouga scented the air again and quickened his pace. Little did he know; someone was looking for him too.

Faith stared at the dishes and thought about what Angel had told her. She was really happy, but worried all at the same time. It was wonderful news, but it could easily go down hill. Faith inhaled deeply and sighed. The dishes sat there and looked daunting. Different scents filled Faith's nose, but one stuck out. It was the musky scent of trees…and of wolf.
It's Kouga!

Faith raced out of the kitchen and ran through the halls. Her previous negative thoughts were replaced with very happy ones.
Kouga's actually here! If he came back early he must need to talk about something important.
Faith stopped running and really thought about something.
What if the important news is actually bad? What if…he wants to stop courting me?

Faith shook the thoughts away and started running again. She would not think like that. Kouga and she had a good thing going and Faith was confident Kouga wasn't going to end it. The half-demon quickened her pace as Kouga's scent came closer. Before she turned the corner she stopped. Kouga was really close, so if was going to turn the corner too she didn't want to run into him.

Faith calmly walked around the corner and smiled. At the other end of the hallway was Kouga. He too, was standing there with a smile on his face. Faith started running down the hall to meet him. Kouga walked forward a few steps and braced himself for his greeting. When Faith was a few feet away she leaped in the air, knowing Kouga would catch her. After he did he held her close to him and turned around in circles with her in his arms.

"Ah, Kouga! Stop! You're making me dizzy," Faith squealed.
Kouga let Faith's feet touch the ground, but didn't let her go.

"I must say, this is an improvement from the last time I saw you."
Faith's smile faltered slightly. "Kouga, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you. You didn't do anything wrong."
Kouga let Faith all the way down, but kept his arms around her waist. He looked down at her and smiled.

"Don't worry, Faith. I understand."
He bent down and gave her a chaste kiss on the nose. Then he pulled away and rested his hands on her shoulders.

"Faith, there's something we need to talk about."
Faith nodded slowly, waiting for him to continue.

"Faith, since I first met you I knew there was something very special about you. But it wasn't until recently that I realized why you're so special to me."
Faith held her breath as Kouga spoke words she desperately wanted to hear.

"I've never met any woman like you. From your smile to your intelligent mind there's something unique. You make me smile and I know that if I was to spend the rest of my life with you I would never regret it."
Kouga inhaled deeply and stared deeply into Faith's eyes.

"Faith, with all my heart, I love you,"
Faith smiled as tears slid down her face.

"Kouga," she choked out. "I love you too."
Kouga smiled and picked Faith up again, so he could swing her around the room once more. As he did Faith held tight to Kouga. After a minute he set her down and looked down at her face.

"Kouga," she whispered.

"Yes?"

"Do you think that we could start a family together?"

"Of course. I would love to have a little you or me running around."
Faith smiled and hugged Kouga close to her. She listened to his frantic heart beat and whispered, "This is the best day of my life."

(Divider; 5 days later)

It's been five days…

Rin led the horse to the castle gates and looked at the massive castle with a tinge of fear. This was it. She couldn't turn back now. The castle was sitting in front of her and in the castle was a man who held her heart and probably didn't even realize it. Rin inhaled deeply and actually stared to doubt her decision. A few days ago it seemed like a good idea, but now that she was here…it didn't seem so good. Sesshomaru was just inside the walls.

With Kagura. But so is Kitty. I can't let her down. Just because I'm scared of what could happen with Sesshomaru and me doesn't mean I can abandon Kitty.
Rin let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding and led the horse closer to the castle. As she neared it she noticed the castle seemed bigger somehow. She knew realistically it couldn't have grown, but it did seem bigger. And a tad bit scarier.

NO! I can't back out now. I need to go in there. If I don't do it than I'll regret it for the rest of my life.
Rin took another step closer, but then took it back. Despite all the pep talks and confidence she had, Rin hesitated. Going in that castle was going to change her life, no matter what happened, it would change.

The horse behind her neighed. Not even the horse, could deal with Rin's hesitation.
Why am I stalling? I'm going to have to go in anyway. So why am I waiting. I should just go in there and take care of it now. The longer I wait the longer I torture myself. Okay…I'm going in. Sooo…how come I'm not moving?

Rin groaned and walked around in circles outside the gates.
Why is this so difficult? Just go in, Rin! GO!
Rin looked at the castle and again, it looked bigger and scarier. The young girl bit her lip and wished the situation wasn't so difficult. A grunt brought Rin's attention back to the horse. He didn't look too happy to just be standing and waiting. He probably could also sense her stress.

Rin stepped over towards the horse and petted his mane. Again, she was stalling. The horse gave another grunt and Rin rolled her eyes. Even now people were pushing her to see Sesshomaru. It wasn't a bad thing, it was just hard. Rin moved away from the horse and towards the gates again.
Go in. Go in.
She continued to urge herself to go in, but none of it was helping.

I wouldn't be surprised if Angel was watching me and screaming for me to go in. But it's so hard! The last time I saw Sesshomaru-sama we ended up fighting. How can I go in there, tell him my feelings, and expect him to do the same?
Rin plopped down on the ground in a sitting position and groaned again.

"Why is this so difficult?" she asked to no one. "I only have to go through the stupid gates. That's it. So why can't I do it?"
Rin fell back so now she was lying down.
Why is this one task so hard?

(Divider)

Kagura walked through the halls. She was completely bored and there was nothing there for her to do. In the last few days she had made no progress with Sesshomaru. Once again he seemed like the unmovable object. Kagura just couldn't get an inch from him. Rin had. That one girl was able to do something that Kagura had thought was impossible, she had changed him.

Now, Rin was gone and Kagura was here. But she couldn't work the wonders that Rin had. She tried to change him back, but she couldn't. The feelings he had developed were there to stay. Kagura could tell Rin was on his mind. He would always have that far away look in his eyes. And she knew what the look meant. It meant he was trying to figure out what exactly was going on. Kagura didn't know if Sesshomaru had figured out that he was now feeling the common human emotions because of Rin.

No, she couldn't figure out what exactly Sesshomaru had concluded, but she did know he was always thinking about that particular subject. When ever she tried to get his attention on her, she failed. Despite the fact that there was distance between him and her she was the only thing on his mind. Kagura would be standing there, right in front of him, half naked and Sesshomaru just seemed to look past her.

Kagura sighed and leaned against the wall. Lately, she had started to wonder if all of this was really worth it. She had known, coming in that Sesshomaru was a big mystery. But now he was becoming too complicated for her tastes. He let a little human girl turn his world upside down, but when she tried to affect him it was like she didn't even exist.

Way too complicated…
Kagura walked over to a window and the let the wind hit her face. She inhaled the scents of the forest, the flowers and…Rin.
Rin?! What the hell? She can't be here. No. It can't be. Why would Rin be here?

Kagura started walking quickly down the halls, towards the main doors. She had to see for herself. The scent just wasn't enough. Was it really possible for Rin to be there? No. She couldn't. Kagura just couldn't believe it. It was enough that Sesshomaru always thought about, but for her to actually be there?

She would ruin everything. If Rin was really there Kagura would never be able to get Sesshomaru. Wait. Sesshomaru… If Kagura knew she was there then Sesshomaru probably picked up her scent too. His nose was more sensitive than hers. He would have to know.
Shit.

Kagura picked up the pace and raced to the doors. She needed to get there first. If she got there before Sesshomaru picked up on Rin's scent than she could probably fix the problem. She could get rid of Rin and no one would ever know. All she had to do was get Rin to leave. Hopefully, it wouldn't be that hard. Kagura just needed to make a few things up and maybe Rin would be discouraged and leave. But maybe she wouldn't. There was a reason Rin came here. Most likely it was to see Sesshomaru.

Kagura practically flew down the stairs. She would not let Rin in. No matter what it takes. Rin couldn't step foot in the castle. Mostly, Sesshomaru couldn't see her. Because once he did, Kagura's efforts will have all gone to waste.
And I cannot let that happen.

(Divider)

Rin was standing a foot away from the gates, once again. The horse was still waiting behind her, grunting every now and then. Still, moments later, Rin was not able to gather enough courage to go into the castle. It had all seem so simple when she was actually traveling, but now the decision she had made seemed more complicated. Go in, find out why Kagura was there and make sure Kitty was okay. That seemed simple, right?

No. Once she went in she would see Sesshomaru. That's where it got complicated. Their last meeting didn't go well, so what would happen now? Would Sesshomaru hold a grudge against her or would he be happy to see her. And then there was her own reaction as well. Sesshomaru affected Rin in a way she couldn't even contemplate. There was no way she would be able to predict what she would when she laid eyes on him again.

That's what made everything so scary. Rin had an idea of how she would like everything to go, but she knew that it most likely wouldn't happen. No matter what she thought or what was said, Rin wouldn't be able to control everything that happened. Things could go downhill for her and others in just a matter of seconds. But they could also go up. It just depended on what happened, and sadly, Rin wasn't able to tell the future.

Rin sighed and started walking in a large circle. She was honestly was surprised a demon hadn't picked up on her yet. It seemed a little strange that no one was suspicious about the human girl in front of the gates.
A loud bang stopped Rin's pacing. She was familiar with that sound. It was the sound of the main doors hitting the castle walls as someone rushed through them.

So maybe she had spoken too soon. Someone did pick up on her. It just wasn't someone she wanted to see, ever. Kagura ditched the graceful walk she usually had and angrily went to the gates. Her eyes were narrowed, her shoulders hunched, hands balled at her sides, and her feet just stomped on the ground like she wanted to break through it. It was certainly safe to say that Kagura wasn't too pleased to see Rin either. Rin watched as the angry demon stomped her way towards her.

As she did, she braced herself for what ever was to come. She had known from the beginning that Kagura wouldn't welcome her with open arms. What she didn't know was that the first person she would was Kagura and only Kagura. If anything happened, there would be no one here to protect her from Kagura. The training and skill she had gotten in the last three months would be of little help. Kagura was a greater demon than the ones Rin could actually defeat on her own. She had no chance against her.

"Leave, Rin. Leave now," Kagura spoke while she walked. She didn't stop walking until she stood three feet away from Rin. "You need to leave."

"No, Kagura. I need to do something. Besides, what give you the right to tell me to leave?"
Kagura's whole expression changed for a second. It looked like a mix between shock and realization. Then a smile appeared on her face. It was the type of smile that had nothing to do with happiness and clearly said, "I know something you don't know and you aren't going to like it."

"I have every right."

"Really? How so." Rin was getting a little confidence about as she spoke.
That smug smile on her face seemed to intensify. "I am the Lady of the Western Lands."

Rin felt like she had been slapped. She knew, without a mirror, that all color was draining from her face.
She can't be telling the truth. Sesshomaru-sama would never take Kagura as his mate. He just couldn't. Two years ago all he saw her as was as whore. He couldn't just suddenly have deeper feelings for her. There's no way. Just no way.

"I don't believe you, Kagura."

"Really? Well, I'm sorry, girl, but you'll have to. It doesn't matter if you like it or not, Sesshomaru and I are mates."
Rin shook her head. "No, no."

"Yes. Now, you can leave now or I can have some of the guards escort you away."
Rin kept shaking her head while she got her horse and started walking towards the woods. She just couldn't wrap her head around that idea. It just didn't seem possible.

Rin was a few yards into the woods before she stopped. She had stepped off the trail and found a small clearing. From there she could see small glimpses of the massive castle. Kagura had told her to leave, but she couldn't leave all the way. First, she had trouble going in, now she was having trouble going away. It seemed wrong to just take Kagura's word and leave.

She had to have been lying. There's no way Sesshomaru-sama would do that. Kagura isn't a respectable woman. She's not even a lady in the slightest bit. How could anyone want to mate with her? Kagura had to be lying. Sesshomaru-sama wouldn't just mate with her. Not after everything that happens. But…but what if…he did. What if Kagura's telling the truth?

Rin felt tears start to form in her eyes. It was just too hard to believe. After everything she went through. After all the mental turmoil and fear of rejection, she was turned away. Turned away before she even got to see the man she longed for. The tears now feel freely down her face.

It's not fair! Not fair! Not fair! Not fair!

This was not how things were supposed to be. She had known from the start Kagura would be there, but this…
This she hadn't seen coming. It was so unexpected. So…

So unlike Sesshomaru-sama.

This made more sense and less at the same time. She had two different situations that could be going on and she wasn't sure where to start in figuring out what to do. The first situation would be that Kagura was telling the truth and Sesshomaru had mated with Kagura. Rin, personally, couldn't come to terms with that. It seemed so unlike Sesshomaru to just go and mate with someone. There was a whole courting procedure among the demons that needed to be followed. Sesshomaru would have honored that tradition, not completely skip it.

Which led her to believe the second situation. Kagura was lying. That situation made much more sense. Kagura had been known for being conniving in the past, why should now be any different? But then there was that one question that ruined the whole scenario. Why was Kagura at the castle? Why would Sesshomaru let her reside in his castle again? What reason did he have for keeping her there? There had to be some reason, but what could it possibly be. And this is where Rin was brought back to the first situation. It was an endless circle with no way out.

Both scenarios brought up too many questions. She needed more answers. Answers about what exactly was taking place in the Western Lands Castle. Rin needed to talk to someone. Someone who would know. But the only people who held answers were in the one place she could not enter.
The castle.

Kagura made it very clear she did not want her there. So what was she going to do? How could she get answers with a demon trying to rip her throat out? Rin needed to get into the castle. She couldn't just leave. No. Not after all the things she went through to get here. The young woman would get her answers. Even is she didn't like what she heard, at least her journey wouldn't have been a complete waste of time.

Rin took a step forward and started biting her lip. She had to go in. No matter what, she needed to get in. There was no turning back. That was the final decision, no going away. What happened while she was gone didn't matter. Well, except for the Kagura just being there thing. That matter, but everything else didn't. Nothing would stop her.

Now, back to her very first problem after arriving here.
Go Rin. Go in!
Yes, Rin was now back to trying to convince herself to go into the castle. Life is a very funny circle.

(Divider)

"I'm the Lady of the Western Lands,"
Angel continued mimicking Kagura in a distasteful, high-pitched voice.

"Bullshit!" Angel screamed to no one.
Kagura just had to walk out there and ruin everything. Angel had noticed Rin hadn't left completely. That was good. That meant there was still so hope. But that also meant that Rin would be very discouraged.

It would be hard for Rin to be able to decide if Kagura was telling the truth or not. There were just too many variables to consider in their situation. Angel wanted to help desperately, but she also didn't. She wanted to let this time be for Rin and Sesshomaru. A time for them to see what they truly felt on their own. So everything would happen in a natural-kind-of way.

It didn't make complete sense, but it made enough that Angel didn't go down to Rin to inform her of the lies that had been told. Rin was smart; she would figure it out on her own. There were no worries about that.

But there was Sesshomaru. Angel was still scared that Sesshomaru hadn't accepted the emotions that he has just recently started to feel. If he didn't, then Rin will most likely be turned away. And that just could not happen. It was would be the biggest mistake of the century.

Grr. Why does Sesshomaru-sama have to be so…detached and indifferent?
She knew Sesshomaru wouldn't himself if he was stoical, but sometimes Angel just wished he could lighten up. Everything really all depended on him. It was easy to tell Rin knew what she wanted; she just didn't know how to get it. After a little while Rin would solve that problem. So in her area there was nothing to worry about.

This brings the attention to Sesshomaru. He didn't know what he wanted, or at least that's how it seemed.
And now we'll probably never know with Kagura screwing everything up! Why? Why did Sesshomaru-sama allow that thing to stay in his castle? Did he think it would help something? Well, if he did, he's wrong! Very wrong! She's just making everything worse!

Angel hovered above where Rin sat debating on what to do. Angel just wanted to scream at her that she needed to go in. That she needed to ignore what the stupid bitch said. It didn't matter if Kagura was there. All that mattered was that Rin talked to Sesshomaru. They just needed to talk.

Is that so difficult? Getting two people together to talk? It's not like I'm asking anyone to come up with a miracle. So why is it so much work just to get these two people in the same room?
Angel floated around while grumbling other things. Everything between Sesshomaru and Rin was always so complicated. Why? Why couldn't things just be a little bit simpler? Angel sighed. She didn't know the answer to that and probably never would. Fate was just playing a real sick game with everyone lately.

Angel glanced over at the castle and noticed something. Well, maybe notice wasn't the right word. She felt something. Something coming. Someone. A certain person who may actually help everything she was currently stressing about.
Finally!

(Divider)

Sesshomaru stared ahead at the wall. Something was bothering him. There was something in the air that did not sit right with him. But, for the life in him, he could not pinpoint what the problem was. Slowly, he stood up and walked out of his study. As he walked he came upon a door. When he reached the door he merely stood in front of it.

This was a door that had been untouched for months. One that Sesshomaru had not dared to open since the day he changed everything.
Sesshomaru reached out, as if to open the door, but stopped. This door would open to a room. A room that a special person had resided in for ten years. It was Rin's room.

Sesshomaru took a step backwards and looked away from the door. This wasn't the first time he had stopped in front of the door. It also wasn't the first time he went to open it, but stopped short. When he opened it, he knew what he would see. The room had never changed. And he also knew what he would smell. He would smell that wonderful that scent that only Rin had.

Sesshomaru started walking down the hall again. When he reached the end of it, he stopped. He scented the air and then scented it again. It was her scent, but how? She wasn't there. She was miles and miles away from the castle. Sesshomaru turned and looked towards the door. No, it wasn't coming from there. It had been too long, since she had visited that room.

He turned and started towards the front doors. She was here. The air said it all. Her scent was too strong for her not to be here, or at least not to be nearby. Yes, she had to be there.
Sesshomaru stopped and reflected on his thoughts. Why was he thinking this way? It was almost as if he was…excited. Excited that Rin had come back to him.

No. That could not be possible. The Lord of the Western Lands did not feel such things. Especially for a human girl. Even if that girl was someone who he had watched over for years. A girl he had cared for, worried for, wanted, and lo-

No. It was not possible.
Sesshomaru continued his walk towards the front doors. He reasoned that he was going to check to see if she was there. Not because he wished her to be, but because it was his castle and he had to know what was going on at all times.

He was almost there. It wouldn't be long now. Unnoticed to him, his pace had quickened since he left that particular hallway. Two more turns and then he would walk across the expanse of the main entrance room and he would find himself at the doors. Just another minute and a few more dozen steps.

He turned at the first corner and his pace quickened again. The anticipation was too much. The air was thick with the steady tension. Despite, all thoughts that had gone through his mind, Sesshomaru wanted to get to that door desperately. Yes, he was close now. He was about to turn the second corner, but as he took the step to make that turn something hit his chest and that very thing also let out a loud yelp.

"Lord Sesshomaru!"
Sesshomaru looked down and saw Kagura standing in his path.

"Kagura," he acknowledged.
Kagura's startled expression quickly changed to one of lustful want.

"Tell me," she purred. "Where are you going, in such a hurry?"

"The front gates," he answered in his usual apathetic voice.
Kagura's eyes widened just a fraction. She knew what that meant. She knew that Sesshomaru had picked out the girl's scent. This couldn't happen. No, she wouldn't let it happen.

"Oh. Why? There's nothing going on out there. In fact, I just came from there myself. I thought there was something out there, but as it turns out there wasn't. Nothing. Absolutely nothing was out there."
Sesshomaru gave Kagura a skeptical look. She was too nervous for him to be able to tell if she was lying or not. So, what did she have to be nervous about?
Kagura tilted her head to the side and realized Sesshomaru didn't believe her story. She took a step closer, put one hand on his chest, and tilted her head up.

"Come on, Sesshomaru-sama. There's nothing out there. And if there is it's nothing important. Tell me, what are you so worried about?"
Sesshomaru couldn't honestly answer her question. And to go ahead outside would show that he cared for the human girl. That would be a sign of weakness, not only to Kagura, but to all the Lords. And weakness was not allowed.

Sesshomaru glared at Kagura before taking a step back and turning around. If Rin was really out there he would find out later. It didn't have to be now.

Kagura watched as Sesshomaru retreated back to his study.
That was too close. And despite all that I know he still doesn't believe me. He and Rin cannot get together. If they do then I'll never have the chance to be Lady of the Western Lands.

(Divider)

Kouga walked out of the castle, completely happy. He would be back after five sunsets. In five sunsets his pack and his home would be ready to take Faith in as their own. Faith would be his…forever. He probably could have had her sooner, but for he had spent the last five days at the castle. He had been making future plans with Faith and he also had a few things he had needed to take care of with Sesshomaru. Faith was his servant after all.

As Kouga walked through the gates he started thinking of all the things that would change now. Of all the things that would get better. Faith would be his; his mate.

For a very long time now, he had wanted a mate. A woman that he could call his and keep all to himself. Someone he could hold close at night and whisper his deepest thoughts to. Someone who he would start a family with. A woman who would care and love. And after all this time he had found her.

Kouga was past the gates and making his way towards the woods. He was so caught up in his own thoughts; he almost didn't notice the soft voice speaking aloud to no one in particular. Kouga stopped and listened. The voice seemed familiar. Slowly, he walked towards the source. As he did, his sensitive ears could now hear the actual words being spoken.

"Just go in. Go in and talk to him. It's not that hard. Just. Go. In!"
Kouga pushed a few branches away and there she was.

"Rin," he whispered.
Rin's head snapped to her right where she had heard him talk.

"Kouga?"
Kouga stepped out and gave Rin a smile.

"I was wondering if I would ever see again. After you ran away I wasn't sure how long you would last on your own."
Rin blushed and looked away. "Yeah. Sorry about that."

"Hey, don't be sorry. I'm actually glad everything happened the way it did. If I had never found you I wouldn't be making Faith my mate in a matter of days."
Rin's attention returned back to him. "Faith? You're making Faith your mate?"
Kouga gave a brilliant smile. "Sure am."
Rin smiled. "That's great. I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you, Rin."
Rin nodded and another thought occurred to her.

"Has…anyone else mated or plan on it since we've last seen each other?"
Kouga scratched his head. "Uhh…I don't think so. Why?"

"Well, I heard that…Kagura and Sesshomaru-sama had mated."
Kouga's eyes widened. "Who told you that? Uum, I don't think that's happened. At least not that I'm aware of. Last I heard, Kagura was just staying at the castle, but lately it's been said that Sesshomaru is getting sick of her so he's going to throw her out."

Rin nodded and smiled. That was all she needed to hear. "Thank you, Kouga-sama. And if you don't mind me asking, how is Sesshomaru-sama?"
Kouga grinned at Rin's curiosity. He had an idea as to where this was going. "He's okay I guess. But to be honest he's been…well…moody."

"Moody?"

"Well, maybe that's not the right word, but something like that. He's grumpier than usual and he tends to lock himself up in that study of his more often. At least, that's what I've heard. I haven't actually talked to him myself."

Rin nodded and wondered if he missed her. If he wanted to see her like she wanted to see him. Did he regret letting her go? Did he ever wish he could go back and time and keep her with him? Or was he happy with his decision? Was he happy with the way things were?

"Rin? Why did you come back to the Western Lands? Back to the castle?"
Rin blushed. "I just wanted…I- I just wanted to see if everyone was okay. I haven't seen any of them in a very long time."
Kouga nodded. "Anything else?"

"There are…a few emotional things I wanted to work out," she whispered.

"Well, can I offer a few words of advice? I'm not an expert or anything, but just go in there and tell how you feel. You'll feel much better. I know you're probably very unsure of what's going to happen, but you have to trust your feelings. You need to follow your heart. Even if everything doesn't work out the way you want it to, you'll be happy you did it the way you wanted. You'll be happy that you told him how you feel. That you were honest with him and honest with yourself."

Rin smiled at Kouga. "Thank you, Kouga-sama. You don't know how much that means to me."

Kouga put his hand behind his hand and laughed. "Yeah well, you're like Faith's other sister so I guess I should treat you like a sister too. Speaking of which, I need to get going. I have a lot to do before I bring Faith to her new home. See you around, kid."

"Bye."

Rin watched as Kouga left and thought about his parting words. She had to trust herself and just go ahead and do what she needed to do. It sounded easy, but it wasn't.

Apparently, Kouga forgot that you need a lot of courage to do something like this.
Rin took her horse's reins and led him out of the woods. They were once again standing right outside the gates. And as they stood there Rin realized the fear she had felt was gone. She was still a little nervous, but she wasn't scared. No, she was happy. Happier than she had been in days. After all this time she would finally be able to tell Sesshomaru how she felt. Finally be able to know if he felt the same way.

Rin understood that that could turn out to be bad. Maybe he didn't feel the same way, but it would be better to find out than to spend her life wondering. Those were Mika's exact words. It was better to find out then to always wonder, and that was the truth.

The horse beside Rin neighed and gave her a little push forward with his nose. Rin looked behind her smiled. Even the horse knew that Rin needed to go inside. Slowly, she stepped to the gates. One side was closed in place, while the other half was swung backwards so people could go in and out. Rin went to the closed half and wrapped her small hand around one bar.

She remembered the first time she had seen these gates. It had been one year after Sesshomaru had found her. She had been eight years old and the one thing she recalled was how amazed she had been. After Sesshomaru had found her she knew he must have been very important, but she had never imagined he had his own castle.

All those years ago the castle had seemed so big and had made Sesshomaru seem more powerful. Now, the castle just seemed like another part of Rin's life, but back then it had been something special.

It had looked so big and beautiful to Rin. Nothing could compare. Rin had always thought of Sesshomaru as a really important and special person, but for some reason the castle changed all that. It made him seem more than all that.

Then, after arriving, she had been informed that she would be living there with him. The young girl had felt like a princess living in a fairytale.
And he always made sure I was treated as such. Sesshomaru-sama always treated me like a princess. A very spoiled princess. Even when the other lords disapproved of me being there I was still special. He never stopped spoiling me.

Sesshomaru had cared. He always had. Rin knew that and she also appreciated it. There had never been a day where she hadn't. Sesshomaru never had to take her in and give her home. He never had to give her food. He never had to give her a chance to live a good life. A life away from the constant abuse of villagers. He never had to do any of it, but he did.

Rin knew he cared and it was time that she made sure he knew that had never gone unnoticed. It was time to let him know she was thankful for everything he did.

It was time to let him know she loved him.

(Divider)

A/N: One more chapter to go! And there's a possibility of an epilogue that will follow.
I'm going to try to have this story done before January. So I have a little more than a month to work with. And I probably should because I have all the details of the next chapter all planned out.

So. For my reviews. I would like to see that number change to a 152.
Thanks for reading!