"May I speak with you, Rin?"

Tsukuyomaru called from behind the group of children that sat in front of Rin as she told them a story. The moment his deep voice, softened by his good-nature, interrupted story time the children jumped from the soft grass and rushed themselves at him. Rin pushed herself up the ground brushing grass residue from her behind and in front of her butterfly kimono. She watched with a stifled giggle at how the children wrapped their arms and legs around Tsukuyomaru's legs like little monkeys. His black ballooned hakama squeezed under their pressure.

After a couple weeks, Tsukuyomaru had made a full recovery. Rin was glad, but she could still hear his brokenhearted voice when he called out for his wife. Thinking about him and his loss and seeing how the children crawled up his armor, filled Rin with an emotion she couldn't explain. It wasn't pity. It was admiration. This huge bat general was not hardened by the tragedy of his life. Tsukuyomaru glanced at Rin with pursed lips and mouthed an apology while he patiently wobbled about with the children draped around him. Children instinctively took a liking to him and she couldn't help but think how different he was from Lord Sesshomaru.

"General," they said, "carry us on your wings again!"

Once Tsukuyomaru had managed to peel the excited children off him, he walked side by side with Rin down the moist river bank. The laughter of the children behind them got lost in the roar of the river the farther down they walked.

"I have been so preoccupied after recovering that I didn't get the chance to thank you and apologize properly, Rin." He stopped and turned to her.

Rin fidgeted with a long blade of grass and shook her head, "There is no need to apologize, Tsukuyomaru."

He scratched the small bump of one of his horns with a long nail and stared at the river rushing behind her. He tried to meet her eyes that darted away from his embarrassed. He was sure he had done something to her that night.

"I am afraid that while I was bedridden I may have confused you with someone."

"Shizu," Rin said softly, throwing the hairs that breeze draped over her face back over her shoulder.

For the first time, Rin saw the general's smooth golden skin begin to redden. He winced, "I didn't try to feel your bosom, did I?"

Rin's ears burned as she waved her hands in front of her fervently, "No, not at all."

Your breasts are so big, Shizu. Are you still lactating?

Rin caught him by the wrist, "I am sorry that she was taken away from you." Her eyes glimmered in an understanding only someone who had experienced loss would recognize. "I know how it feels to have your family taken away from you. It's like a piece torn from your heart. A piece you never get back. So, don't apologize for calling out to her." His lips parted, taken aback by her words. "I am just glad that you aren't all alone in this world and still have your daughter." She smiled, "You are both very lucky."

Tsukuyomaru's heart was touched and he couldn't help but admire the delicate roundness of her face, the full of her lips, but most of all the kindness in those deep brown eyes. He wanted to embrace her and take in the scent of her that she hid with her bracelet. She was indeed so beautiful, so kind.

"Thank you, Rin," he said and cupped the hand on his wrist with his. "I mean it." He squeezed her hand, "I would very much like to…"

"Sir, High Lord Sesshomaru is ready." Omoruyi, one of the young bat guards Rin recalled seeing at the medical hut, hovered above them in the air. The force of his black wings pushed Rin's hair haphazardly.

Tsukuyomaru gave Rin's hand another squeeze, "Rin, there is a highland nearby that is a mating ground for fireflies. There are so many of them that no oil lamp is needed."

"Sir," Omoruyi called again this time a bit more urgently, "High Lord Sesshomaru is waiting."

Rin's face brightened in excitement, "That sounds lovely!"

"Yes, it does. I was wondering-"

"General!" Omoruyi landed on the ground beside him retreating his wings and placed him in a chokehold lugging him back, "Excuse us, Miss Rin."

Rin laughed as Tsukuyomaru thrust his body up in the air and released his enormous black wings beside Omoruyi.

"We will talk soon, Rin!" He yelled from the sky. Rin waved back in response.

Rin continued to look up the sky with a hand shielding her eyes to keep the sun from blinding her. She wished she had the chance to see Lord Sesshomaru before he left on business. He had been busy this couple of weeks finishing last minute errands before they left to Castle West. The only time she saw him was at night, but even then, he didn't do much talking. He avoided all conversation about the night he rushed into her hut when the others were sick.

The scent of another on your body, Rin. I won't allow it.

Each night, she was determined to make him talk. She wanted to ask him what he truly wanted from her, but with a gentle kiss to her neck, he silenced her. But not tonight.

Rin convulsed alongside Lord Sesshomaru more than used to his orgasms that could last minutes. His breath was jagged on her throat as she caressed his sinewy back, her legs wide for him allowing him to fill her with his seed to his heart's content. Her body continued throbbing after her own release. She was aware of how his cock continued to enlarge and spill inside her body. Being with Lord Sesshomaru, in this new way, made her happy. She felt connected with him, but his passion was unmeasurable and at times Rin wasn't sure if she could please Lord Sesshomaru in the way his kind was used too. Lord Sesshomaru had a powerful stamina that awed her and in such a short time, her body had grown used to him entering her from behind. The rough lord that had come to her that night was nowhere in sight. He always took his time preparing her with his tongue and his fingers no matter how aroused he was.

After their lovemaking, Rin laid against his chest basking in his warmth filled with rippling strength. He had one arm folded under his head, the other caressing Rin's shoulders absentmindedly.

"My lord, I want to talk about what happened that night."

She splayed her hand over a hard pec and picked her upper body just enough to look at his face. He stared at the ceiling and said dispassionately, "I thought I made myself clear. I do not wish to discuss matters further."

Rin didn't want to ruin this night, but she wanted to ask him. She wanted to know if it was jealousy that had guided his actions that night. If that was the case, could it be that her lord had feelings just for her? That's impossible. She felt silly at her thoughts because she was scared. Scared of him saying no. Of him rebuffing her cruelly.

I have more pride than to ever lower myself with one such as you

She knew he had said those words long ago in an attempt to push her away, yet she had convinced herself there had to be some truth in his words. It was a like a tiny splinter that she would forget about, but would quickly return and remind her of its presence once again. She couldn't keep the reality of him being a daiyoukai and she a human from tormenting her thoughts. She didn't know what their differences would mean in Castle West. Lord Sesshomaru felt her tense in his arms and he looked down to find apprehension fixed on her face.

"Rin?"

Rin masked any uneasiness by dropping back down against his chest. The thumping of his heart against her ear.

"There is a place nearby here that is filled with fireflies," she conversed idly. "The only way to get there is by flying and I was wondering," She traced the markings on the side of his ribs leisurely and continued, "if we can go there together on a date."

Was this the reason for the uneasiness on her face? Lord Sesshomaru frowned and sat up, shifting Rin until she was sitting between his long legs. The thin covers a tangled mess around his body and hers.

"Date?" he asked confused, not used to the strange word.

"Yes," she said biting down on her lower lip, wondering of his answer.

"I got better things to do than waste my time gazing at insects, Rin. Jaken shall accompany you."

He immediately noticed the way Rin took offense at his words. She looked away and he grabbed her by the chin with his thumb and index finger, forcing her to look at him, "I've angered you. Now tell me what you wish to say, Rin."

His thumb grazed the skin under her bottom lip, the velvety of it brushing his thumb when she spoke, "I want to spend time with you other than the time I spend in your bed. Do you wish to only lay with me, my lord?"

She felt uneasy at letting her thoughts out in the open. She thought she wouldn't mind if Lord Sesshomaru only sought her for this, but the more she had him in this way, the more she wanted from him. Not just his body…but his everything.

Lord Sesshomaru felt conflicted by the emotions on her face and hurt in her voice. Hadn't he showed her what she meant by spending this intimate time with her alone?

"I could satisfy my sexual cravings with demoness trained at the craft," he grabbed her hand, placed her open palm to his chest, "women who are skillful in their touch." His voice was quiet, his eyes piercing her, demanding attention, "Yet," he paused. "Your touch is the only one I crave each day. Not just your person, Rin, but your smile." He ran her hand down the washboard of his stomach and then placed it against his cheek. "Is that a good enough answer for you?"

No. Tell me what you really feel.

Rin opened her mouth to speak but no words came out, but she didn't have to say anything because he continued, "What about you, Rin? Will you surrender to me completely? Will you remain by my side regardless what my duties as the Lord of the West entail?"

Her thoughts immediately screamed yes! But why did it feel like she was about to sign some contract unknown to her? She couldn't bring herself to say the words he wanted to hear and she didn't know why….

A daiyoukai like Lord Sesshomaru will never belong to you

She saw the flash of dread that took away the confidence in those golden eyes at her hesitation. Her bottom lip quivered. Rin wasn't sure why she was hesitating when in the Water Kingdom she had declared to give her all to him...

Lord Sesshomaru laid her back gently by the shoulders, burying his face into her neck, torturing it sweetly. Her favorite spot. She held him down against her, her hands flat against his rigid back. All she could think about was the flickering of emotion in his eyes when he asked her that. He had bared himself to her and she couldn't answer...

Will you surrender to me completely?

What did that mean exactly?

If she said yes, would that mean he would mark her? She was confused and yet part of her was giddy with the realization that Lord Sesshomaru wanted her all to himself. That he wanted her as much as she wanted him, yet she had the sensation that there was something her lord was hiding from her. After all, she knew him better than anyone.

It became clear that both wanted something from each other

Maybe something both could not give in return...

And that fact scared her.