A/N: Well now, it seems I shall wrap this story up within a few chapters

-Sesshomaru's POV-

It hadn't been but a few months since my father had passed on and here I was, in a war with the Eastern Lands to defend what my father had left behind for me to protect. I let out a small sigh as I stood in my mother's garden while Inuyasha and Rin played off in the distance. As I stood here, doing nothing but collectively think to myself, the men whom faithfully believed in me and served me were out in the battle fields giving their very lives to protect the Western Lands, their home. Soon it would even be time to bring in the Northern Lands for a bit of assistance in battle.

"Father!" Inuyasha called out, snapping me out of my thoughts for a moment and bringing me to his full attention.

I looked down at Inuyasha, Rin standing behind him with a cheerful smile on her face as Inuyasha lifted a hand crafted flower crown up towards me.

"Me and Rin made you a gift so you won't look so sad anymore Father." Inuyasha said as his eyes, those eyes that mirrored our father's very own in color and shape, laced with hopefulness.

I looked over at Rin. She bit down on her lower lip and gave a nod of her head, telling me that I should take and accept the gift Inuyasha had thoughtfully made for me. Inwardly, I sighed and kneeled down to Inuyasha's level and lowered my head a bit for him. Inuyasha smiled happily and let out a small laugh as he placed the crown upon my head.

"I think it is time for your daily training to begin, Inuyasha." I said as I began to stand up straight, proudly sporting Inuyasha's gift on top of my head.

Inuyasha began to cheer and brag about how good he was getting with his new sword that he had gotten from his grandfather. I really think he enjoyed the thought of combat and battle. The blood of a Inu demon indeed ran deep within his veins, it was only natural for him the revel in the thought of combat and blood shed of his enemies. A servant came to escort Inuyasha to his instructor, soon I knew Inuyasha would surpass even his teacher and I myself will have to take over and help Inuyasha master his abilities as a Inu demon prince.

"Master Sesshomaru..." Rin said after Inuyasha was completely out of sight, walking up to stand at my side.

I simply glanced down at my mate, concern clearly placed on her face as she returned my gaze unwaveringly.

"Tell me..." She said softly, only loud enough for me to hear, "Tell me what is upsetting you Master Sesshomaru..."

I shook my head and looked back towards the sky, watching as an eagle flew up ahead, seeming to circle the castle... It was nothing that should concern her or bring her any sort of worries. It was my duty as Lord of the West to protect these lands and not have to worry my Lady over the affairs of war. If my father could do it for hundreds of years, then so shall I without any complaint. It was truly time to grow up, a time of maturity for me.

-Rin's POV-

I gazed up at my Master as he brought his amber gaze above to the heavens, avoiding my concerned looks completely. He didn't want to tell me what was bothering him so deeply, but I did have a small feeling of what it might have been... And it was all my fault. By mere luck, I had found a nice warm and loving family that took me in and cared about me like no other demon household ever had despite my bad reputation of a death bringer. I should have been put to death, became the wolf demon tribe's dinner after that final auction... They thought that no one would ever dare to purchase me due to the reputation I had built up and saw that my only use would be as food for their families that night.

I smiled up absently at my Master, remembering when he had made the only and highest bidding I had ever received for his own death warrant. I thought he would be like any other of my demon owners and I would have to kill him just as quickly as he purchased me... but he proved himself to me without even being aware of it in the slightest. He didn't show it very well, but he was a kind and warm-hearted man... And I of all people in this world didn't even deserve to stand at his side, let alone be called his mate, Lady of the Western Lands... I placed a hand on my tummy as the roller coaster of my emotions began to over whelm me once again... I knew what was going on with me... but I wouldn't tell my Master just yet, I wanted him to be in a better mood than he has been in for the last few weeks.

"Rin..." Master Sesshomaru said softly, drawing my gaze back up towards him , his face void of emotion, but his golden amber orbs screaming his worry.

I shook my head and brang the sleeve of my kimono to my eyes to wipe away these unwanted tears.

Master Sesshomaru's eyes widened at that moment and his attention shifted from me to the training grounds where Inuyasha was taking his lessons.

"Mother..." Master Sesshomaru murmured mostly to himself... Watching as an explosion erupted from the training grounds.

"Inuyasha!" I screamed in terror, and without a single thought on the matter, began to rush to Inuyasha's aid.