Rin looked at her yukata it was torn from her recent traveling with her lord, they had been going to on region and only one. His region the one place that was dangerous for any mortal, mortals did live in this his lands. However the mortals received little to no protection nor help on anything, he had always believed that they were terrible monsters. The humans claimed that demon were the problem in the world, however how many demons caused useless wars? How many demons killed one another for that sake or to take another's love? Demons were civil enough to understand killing uselessly is not smart by any means. In fact it had been nearly two hundred years since he had been to the region, his mother had recently passed which meant now he had to take on the throne.

Sesshomaru had liked his title as Lord of the western lands, however he preferred freedom and not rules. He hated his mother's rules and stupid laws, now he was in control and things would change. Demons were rising in numbers and humans were falling due to their wars causing death among one another, Rin was the only human he tolerated and liked.

He had raised her to the good ripe age of sixteen, now she was ready to have someone else take her. She was more than old enough for a mate he knew this and had even put thought into the matter, he also noticed she needed a yukata immediately. Rin smiled and looked up at him "My lord my I hold your hand?"

Jaken ran up to the young girl "How dare you ask to touch our lord, keep your filthy human hands from him. Rin looked at him with a innocent smile "Jaken I washed my hands not long ago, and I'm not like any humans. They don't like me and I don't like them much either."

"Jaken enough. Rin you may." He couldn't deny that something had been recently different about her she had been happy, and sweet like always but she seemed saddened as well. Jaken sighed and went back to walking behind them, he couldn't ever put the human in her place. If he had his way she wouldn't be around at all. Not that he hated the girl, just that Sesshomaru is happy when near her. He was the last Inu Yokai royal that was untainted by human blood, if him and Rin were to mate he would be tainted and his empire would fall with a half demon as a heir.

Sesshomaru looked at Jaken "You are to set up camp here, we are nearly ten miles from my lands." Rin let go of his hand and went to help the toad only to have her wrist grabbed by her lord "Rin, you are to go to the village with me. You need a new Yukata, I will not have you looking as though your lord does not tend to you."

She smiled at his kindness he never smiled nor did he say anything in a voice showing emotion, but Rin felt like he was speaking kindly to her. Perhaps she was simply wishing so, she didn't know anymore. She had lived with demons so long that was all she knew the last time she spoke to a human was about ten years ago when she was six and it was a demon slayer boy, a priestess, and a monk and his wife. All she said was farewells to them and to the half demon Inuyasha.

"My lord I can go on my own, no need to trouble yourself."

"No, this is a demon village and so I need to a company you." She smiled and nodded seeing him walk down the path that led to the village. She looked over her shoulder and saw Jaken with a small pile of sticks in his arms "Thanks for setting up camp I'll be back soon. Bye Jaken!"

"Insolent wench."

"Stupid toad!"

"Uh why me?" He used a pair of rocks to make sparks and then threw them down and landed on his frog toes "I could use the staff of two heads! Wait roasting meat?! I didn't cook yet!" He looked down and noted his food was on fire he began hoping around and this caused Rin to giggle and she looked up at her lord "Should we leave him on his own? He might burn down the whole place."

"Then he will suffer the same fate."

Rin smiled and hugged his arm "You don't mean that, I know you my lord and you are kind." He looked down at her and sighed he can't have her around much longer and why is she so comfortable around him all the time. Of course he liked her touch, however he knew his role and she a human. Perhaps he could change that? I will leave tonight with her and we will see, I cannot ignore she is everything I wish in a mate. Kind, caring, brave, loving, fun, grace at times, and willing to learn and please.

"Well indeed." He murmured to himself, he felt the warmth leave his arm for a moment and then looked to see a woman with long brown hair to her thighs some in a side pony tail like when she was a child. Her smile lit up his day it was more warm and brighter than the sun in the sky over their heads bringing life to all, all he needed to live was her…

"Here for you." It was probably the ten billionth flower he received from her but he still took it with care and nodded "Hn, Thank you." She smiled and looked at him with a rosy tint to her cheeks "My lord I love it when you smile."

"I do not show such trivial things on my face, Rin." She nodded and watched as he moved the from his hands to her hair placing it in her side half pony tail. Rin smiled and looked down at her feet that had little sandals "I-I… Um you show it through your eyes. But it seems only I can tell, no one else ever comments on it."

He turned to walk down the path her lips so look cute, soft and smooth. She went to follow him a cool breeze blew by and he began to pick up his pace a little 'Her scent was intoxicating, he needed to distance himself a bit.' Rin slowed her strides and looked down at her hands, he could smell her distancing herself "My lord I didn't mean to upset you. I am very sorry. Please accept my apologies." He stopped he was shocked she thought he was angry with her?

"Rin I am not angry, I want to get there quickly. It will be getting dark and having you in a demon village at dark is not good." Rin smiled at her stupidity "Oh I'm sorry my lord, I didn't think of such a thing." She ran up to walk beside him a lot, Sesshomaru looked at her and smiled through his eyes "I want to tell you something."

He looked at her waiting for what she wanted to say only to hear nothing "Oh, sorry for my stupidity It slipped my mind already." He sensed her lying and decided to leave it be although she has spoken about so many things with him why can't she speak to him now? Did she want to leave?

"Rin were you going to ask to leave as my ward?"

She looked up at him she didn't want to be his ward anymore, she didn't ever want to leave him no never "No my lord, I wouldn't ever want to leave your side. If I did the only thing I would seek is my death, without you I see no point in living here. Because I –." She cut herself off but putting her hand to her lips and he looked at her speechless, if he disbanded her ever or left her she would want to seek a way to die?!

"Rin."

She instandly began to bow "Oh my lord forgive me. I shouldn't act like a spoiled child wanting remain in you presence if you disbanded me I should take it as your wish. You have kept me, clothed me, protected me and raised me I should not ask for more."

"Finish what you were going to say Rin."

"What I did my lord."

He shook his head and looked at her with a kinder expression not wanting to frighten her into not telling he needed to know why she saw no reason to live without him. He placed his hand on her cheek "Rin, you said without me there is no reason for you to live. You were going to explain now explain. Remember your lord can smell lies."

She blushed at the close contact and the sound of his voice wasn't emotionless and cruel it was warm and calm "My lord… I … I love you!" She looked away when she felt his hand leave her face and return to his side, she fell to her knees on the ground and placed her forehead to the ground kneeling like Jaken often does out of fear. He could smell her tears, her fear, her regret, her shame hitting his nose 'She regrets her feelings? Does she fear me now? Rin…'

"My lord please forgive me! Please I know a lowly being as me should never say such things… but I'm sorry I don't want to insult you with my love my lord forgiv-" Within seconds his beast flared at him telling him to embrace her she is his mate, and he should mark her soon. For now he will let her know her place in his empire, he looked down at her "Stand."

She did with a teary face and he let his front break and smile a small gentle smile "You once asked Jaken where your place was in my empire did you not." She was surprised at his question she had by why did he care not why did it matter?

"Y-Yes."

"Do you wish for a answer?"

"My lord?"

"Do you?"

"Yes." She said bravely sure she no longer had one thanks to her bold announcement.

"As my mate."

"WHAT?!" He looked at her and let his hand caress her cheek and he let his lips crash gently into hers, he closed his eyes and felt Rin stiffen. He knew this was her first kiss she was never out of his sight to talk with a man or woman so this was it, she was tense and then she began to relax and closed her eyes. He was giving her little kisses grabbing on her bottom lip with his teeth, making her gasp. She let her hands roam free in his snow white hair, he growled almost like a purr as she did so.

He used his tongue and licked the bottom of her lips, she parted her lips in a gasp and found that his tongue soon was in her mouth. The wet smart muscle exploring around her mouth, he was so skilled with every move it made her knees grow week and she moaned into his mouth. He used one arm to support her waist and the other hand to hold the back of her head to bring their kiss into a deeper more passionate kiss.

He then looked at her she was blushing and looked so happy and at bliss with the kiss he just gave her "Rin, we have to get to the village soon, so we can't mate right now. However I want to mate before we do get to the palace."

"My I ask why so soon?"

"It is best that way no one can object to it. However Rin there will be those in our empire who might not approve of you as my mate for being born a human. I know how to make you a demon like me, but still some might not approve because you will have been born a human and they will be able to smell that. You will smell like a human, even if you aren't anymore."

"I see."

"Establishing an our empire will have its difficult moments."

"I will be there to help."

"Alright, then let us get you too look like my equal first. That means proper attire."

With that they were off and taking their time to the village, Sesshomaru had been thinking the whole time as his secret mate walking humming beside him. He couldn't help but think, the humans in the empire will frown with at Rin for mating with me and the demons will. In my mother's former land which are now mine, there is little to no peace with the humans and demons. The demons might very well try to kill her and find another like a cousin or someone who they think would be a good mate. Also Jaken has said that the eastern panther demons are wanting to form an alliance through mating, now that won't happen will they attack?

Me and Rin will be the rulers end of it, in three days' time my generals will meet us half way in my lands. Rin grabbed his hand and smiled "It's okay, don't worry about the future right now. Enjoy the present peace we have for now."

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather just leave, being a mortal in the palace might prove to be very dangerous on your life."

"Don't you want me around Sesshomaru, as your mate or was that just a tease?"

"I do not tease often and that was not."

"Then I'm your mate, I'm not afraid of any demon!"

He sighed she had the attitude to be his mate and stand up to any demon that was for sure. Sesshomaru decided to ready her for life at the palace mostly just looking the part, she could act like it and made all who met her like her. But she needed a weapon and to know how to protect herself, but until she knew that then he would protect her.

"Say my lord how can you change my blood?"

"By mating you under the blood moon, and having you drink some of my blood as I mark you then it will be in your system and your blood will change to copy mine. The blood moon is tomorrow night and you and I shall have to make sure, you will only get one chance and I also understand this is to be your first time."

"My lord I thank you for all you have done for me." He turned to look to his side at the human who smiled at him lovingly "I love you, my little Rin." He nodded looking at her as they walked into the village he felt her hold his sleeve and smelt slight fear on her "Rin you are not to worry, nothing shall harm you."