*Disclaimer - Only in my dreams do I own Inuyasha and it's characters. In reality, they belong to Takahashi Rumiko*


Sequel to "Theft Through Seduction"
"You may deny your fate, but you cannot escape your destiny."


For Rin: Chapter 2 - Her Scent

Sesshoumaru watched as the young girl guided the two-headed beast through the sky with an ease that came only from riding for nine years. Only fifteen years old, Rin knew how to push the beast to his limits and be gentle at the same time. She rode with a confidence and grace that reminded Sesshoumaru of when he was pup just learning to ride. Only he had lacked the smiles and laughs that she now gave so freely. To any other it would seem that she was a bit too silly. But Sesshoumaru knew the girl would not allow herself to be serious if she could not have fun at the same time. It fit her character and this Sesshoumaru would not have it any other way.

It was odd for him to let her mingle and play for so long, but when the girl found an opponent to race, he found himself giving into her eagerness for the challenge. Sesshoumaru could not fault Rin's need to test her abilities. How else would she find out if she were as great as she hoped? If she found she needed to improve, she would not hesitate to work hard and do so. Again, she reminded Sesshoumaru of his younger days. If Rin had been a youkai, she would have some potential to be as great as he.

Rin circled the sky, waving down to Sesshoumaru and Jaken, knowing neither would respond. After a race, she always felt the need to ride out the exiliarating rush she felt from it. Her body was less tense and controlled now and it would only take one false move to send her falling from Ah-Un's back. But she loved the feeling of the wind flowing through her hair as she confined it with a bow when she raced. And the blur of clouds was much more soothing than the blur of trees. It was the perfect way to end the day, she thought, as sun set over her shoulder. And as the day was ending, she knew Sesshoumaru would want to leave soon.

So, she glided Ah-Un down to the riverside for a refreshing drink and slid off his back in a graceful movement before his feet even touched the ground. She merely smiled as the young fox youkai complained about his defeat. Though he was some summers older than Rin, she believed it was his young legs that had caused his defeat. In a few summers, she knew she would not be able to keep up with him. Ah-Un was fast, but could not compare to the speed of a fox. So she was happy with her small victory and praised Ah-Un as he drank, stroking and petting him gently until he was cooled off.

"Rin. We're leaving."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Turning, Rin waved wildly and cheerfully to the fox. "Arigatou, for racing with Rin!" Tugging on Ah-Un's reins, she quickly caught up to Sesshoumaru.

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They walked well into the night, during a time where many youkai came out to hunt. And though Sesshoumaru detested walking amongst the blood thirsty creatures, he made no sign that he intended to stop. They had lost time, Rin believed, when Sesshoumaru let her race. It wasn't often that he gave in to her whims so she decided against mentioning that she was tired. Hopefully they would stop soon and she could give in to sleep.

Until then, Rin had to concentrate on moving as quickly and as quietly as her three youkai companions. She had watched Sesshoumaru earnestly as a child and even now, seeking to pick up any tricks he might have. It was becoming almost second nature for her to move in a way that Rin deemed "Sesshoumaru's Way". Now it was time for her to sharpen and refine what she had learned as a child. But sleepiness made it difficult to move as quietly as she would have liked.

Apparently reaching his desired spot to rest, Sesshoumaru stopped and sat under a large tree. Bushes and large trees surrounded the small clearing, as if providing a small haven from the outside world. Moonlight streaked through the leaves where it could, spotlighting small areas on the ground. It was a very soothing place and Rin knew she would have no trouble sleeping.

Jaken stood off to the side and watched Rin gather sticks for a fire. She was humming again, as if there weren't youkai near by who wouldn't hesitate to gobble her up if they had not sensed a more powerful youkai in her presence. And Jaken had noticed that she had started to smell less like a child and more like woman. It was very close to the scent the flower goddess had used to...he let out a sign of frustration and anger, wishing he could forget about that dreadful woman. But Jaken knew if Rin's scent became anything like that woman's, youkai would come after her despite the threat Sesshoumaru posed. The girl was certainly becoming a nuisance in his opinion.

Bugging him with stupid questions about flowers and butterflies. So carefree and happy.

"Jaken-sama, can you light the fire?"

Always asking him to do such menial tasks as if he were her servant.

"Arigatou, Jaken-sama!"

Jaken quickly swept his glance over Sesshoumaru as he turned his back to his companions. Sesshoumaru would be very displeased if he refused a small request from Rin. But oh how low he felt! Why do you both pick on me!? He twitched at each memory of the horrible treatment he received and when he heard his master's threatening tone, he feared the treatment would never end.

"Jaken. I advise you to resolve whatever issue you are having over there or I shall resolve it for you."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" He quickly cowered under a tree between Rin and Sesshoumaru. Lying against it, he laid back and encouraged sleep to take him away from his madness.

Sesshoumaru stared across the fire, his gaze resting on Rin's already sleeping form. The girl had so much energy even though she constantly wore herself out. While he walked, she skipped or jumped, chasing and catching butterflies, running to catch up with him when she got too distracted by a flower, riding Ah-Un until she was breathless with laughter. He thought that as she grew older, she would tire of those things and take on the calm and cool demeanor that he had. But the girl was so full of life that had not changed since the day she started following him.

Physically, however, Rin was not the same. Sesshoumaru noted that she had grown another foot taller than Jaken. Her legs had stretched out so that special kimonos had to be made to compensate for the added length. It was, Sesshoumaru believed, the result of constant walking, running, and skipping. Her hair now trailed further past her waist and she had long sense rid herself of her awkward placed ponytail. But her hair curled even more at the ends in even more random directions as if the wind had forced them to take that shape as she constantly moved about.

And as Sesshoumaru had assumed, she smelled of the flowers, one's neither he nor Jaken could name. It was, in the end, rather pleasant, as he never did care for a human's scent. Rin never smelled of sweat or dirt or blood, only flowers. And perhaps Ah-Un as she spent most of her time by his side. And just recently, something else that Sesshoumaru had not noticed before. It smelled almost as sweet as the flowers she constantly collected, yet it was...spicy...as if some strange herbs had been added to the mixture. Still, it was somewhat familiar to him even though he believed he had never tasted such a scent upon the air before.

Rising, only a little bit curious, Sesshoumaru quietly walked around the fire, determined to understand Rin's new scent. He stood above her, waiting for the wind to pick up and stir the scent up to his nose. He inhaled slightly when it did, noticed how it tickled his nostrils and teased the rest of his senses. Strange, it was as if she were going into...

Sesshoumaru's thoughts skidded to a halt as if of their own accord, seemingly appalled to think any further. Rin...in heat? But the child was only fourteen. He had not known that females began going into heat at such a young age. Even now her scent filled his belly with sensual warmth that was as comforting as the feeling of a tasty hot substance making its way throughout the body. Had he a taste for humans, Sesshoumaru knew his blood would be heated with the lust to claim the owner of such a curious scent. Surely there were youkai already lurking about, plotting to take advantage of the situation.

And he had all but welcomed the new scent and the trouble it brought.

This Sesshoumaru would not allow any youkai to be tempted by Rin's dangerously provocative scent. He cast away all thoughts of what trouble it could bring lest he picture a lustful youkai running off with the young woman. She was far to young for anything of that sort. No longer could he drag Rin all over the countryside; she belonged hidden away from the youkai world. He knew of only one place that could offer such a haven.

Sesshoumaru moved across to where Jaken lay and picked him up by his collar. When he squealed from the disturbance of sleep, Sesshoumaru merely tossed him next to Ah-Un. The two-headed beast lifted his head and spared Jaken a small glance before looking up to his master as if asking for some explanation.

"Get up, but do not wake Rin. Jaken, go to my father's castle and tell the gatekeeper Hanabi to prepare for my arrival. Advise him prepare one of the rooms in my quarters for Rin. Ah-Un will lead you there. Go now and quickly."

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By morning her scent was stronger but not in a way that normally would have disgusted Sesshoumaru. It was not at all invading or obvious as it was when other females went in heat, but some how pleasant and still no less attractive as the others. He found it odd that the girl's scent was so different from other females he had come across. If it came from practically living amongst flowers and three youkai, he would not doubt it. But he wished he had not found it so pleasant.

Still, there were more important matters to attend. Sesshoumaru knew nothing of a human females body but had experienced some unpleasanties when his father's second mate was around. He was not so uniformed that he did not understand what a woman's body went through, but he knew he did not have enough knowledge to educate Rin. So he would have to find someone he could trust to teach her what it meant to be a lady.

It was just his luck that he trusted no such person.

He would have to rely on a suggestion from one of his father's servants. So he cast the thought away and in good timing as Rin had finally awaken. He rose immediately and went to stand by the dead fire. He allowed her no time to register that Ah-Un and Jaken were missing and told her they were leaving. Rin made no hesitation and quickly trailed after him as he melted into the forest.

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"Sesshoumaru-sama, where is Jaken-sama and Ah-Un?" The question had been plaguing Rin's mind for quite some time, and though she was not sure he would answer, she asked him anyway.

"You shall know soon enough."

Having no choice but to be satisfied with the answer, Rin walked closely behind Sesshoumaru. He was walking faster than usual today and as they were without their two companions, Rin became a little worried. Her long legs allowed her to match his pace and in her nervousness, she stayed as close to him as possible, pleased that he was not upset when she was practically riding his heels.

Rin's scent swam around Sesshoumaru's body, constantly reminding him to be on guard. The girl had seemingly sensed his worry and had refrained from doing her normal activities. They had passed many large patches of flowers and she did not stop to pick a few. This Sesshoumaru was pleased with Rin, but he was not pleased with the youkai he had sensed coming toward their direction. Annoyance all but seeped from his pores until the he could not take any longer. He stopped abruptly, knowing the youkai was closer than he would have liked, and waiting for it to strike.

"Rin, get back."

The moment she moved, a blur swept past her and knocked her to her feet. It circled around her once and then took off into the sky, preparing for another dive. But despite its speed, Sesshoumaru saw exactly what the creature was. A moth youkai, thirsty for human blood, especially the blood of a woman in heat. Moths were always such troublesome and hideous creatures.

"This Sesshoumaru will use this opportunity as an example of what happens to youkai who cause me trouble."

It raced down again, piercing the air that was now filled with Rin's scream. It managed to capture its prey in its grasp but Sesshoumaru was already moving forward. With one slash of his right hand, his whip separated the claws from the moth's body. Rin fell to the ground and landed roughly, as the moth screeched in pain. And in one quick movement, Sesshoumaru struck the moth with Toukijin, leaving ashes to litter the ground.

Sesshoumaru glanced over where Rin lay silently on the ground. He walked over to her and knelt, wondering where the wound was that spilt the blood he smelt. Upon finding it, he ripped part of her kimono and used it to bandage the bloody mark on her temple. As his cloud lifted him from the ground, he cradled her in his right arm and lifted her to him, allowing her head to rest against his boa.

"Perhaps this Sesshoumaru should learn how to rescue Rin with out giving her bumps and bruises." And as they disappeared into the sky, Sesshoumaru gave in for a brief moment and pressed his nose to Rin's head to inhale her sweet scent.

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Thanks much for the reviews! Hope this chapter is as pleasing as the first. I'll start work on the next chapter and soon you'll find out just how much more Rin and Sesshy's relationship changes once they reach the Western Lands.
-~Rabid Anime Gurl