Ooo! Quick reviews! Yay! +hands out Sesshy plushies+ ^^ Thank you for

the support! Glad you enjoy. +happy dance+ Also, I made a mistake! Sesshy's

door shouldn't have a "handle". Hehe. It sliiiides. +Hits head+ Gomen.

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"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin exclaimed in shock, scooting back where she sat in the grass as he came to tower above her. He was angry, and she saw it in her lord's eyes. They had narrowed, and become considerably reddened from anger. He didn't allow her to stray so far from the mansion at night, atleast not without more company than Ah and Un. Worst of all, she had been spying on a human village, which though he didn't forbid entirely, she knew he wasn't fond of it.

A gleam of light reflected off of the looking glass she held within her hand, instantly catching his attention. He seized her wrist, pulling her upward so that she was standing as his free hand plucked the device from her grasp. A looking glass..? Had her isolation caused her to be so desperate? "Rin. I never want to find you out here again." He closed his palm around the looking glass as it crumbled in his grasp, letting the pieces of the shattered instrument fall upon the ground and get scattered in the grass. His tone had softened as he released her wrist from his grasp. He was rarely so harsh with her when she was younger, for her age was an excuse for her mistakes. Now however, he expected more of Rin, she was an adult after all whether he cared to notice it or not.

"I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama." Rin bowed her head, letting her raven tresses conceal her face. She placed both hands folded in front of her as she offered him a respectful bow.

"It's late, you are not to wander off on your own. It's dangerous here, especially near villagers. Do you have any idea how they would react to you?"

"Sesshoumaru-sama, I belong to you. Nobody in this region would dare touch me for fear of your wrath."

'You do belong to me, you should have no need of those villagers'. He turned his back to her beginning his pace towards the castle, huffing slightly. "We're going home." Obediently, Rin followed her lord as he led the way. The silence which ensued was lengthy and uncomfortable. Sesshoumaru hadn't once turned about to face her. Had she angered him so much as to cause him to ignore her? It wasn't like she was that close to the village, she still needed a looking glass to make up for the distance between herself and the other humans. She hadn't even left the boundaries of his immediate property. The older she had become, the more restrictions he had placed.

Sesshoumaru himself was lost deep in thought. Why did he care so much if she fraternized with the other humans? She was his ward, but not his mate. 'I, the great Sesshoumaru, jealous over a human girl?' How could the runt orphan he had come to save plague his mind as a woman? He growled a bit beneath his breath, fangs protruding above her lower lip. Jealousy or not, these feelings weren't welcome. He wasn't about to be reduced to his father's level, whether it was Rin or not. He had tried his hardest to suppress any feelings he may have had years ago. It didn't just bother him about how he felt, his actions took their toll on Rin as well. The older she got, the harsher he reprimanded her. Things had changed so much. As if it wasn't bad enough he so harshly rejected her need for love.

He remembered the first time he told her.

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It was a couple years before.. It was night time, in his chambers. He was a light sleeper, and the sound of his door sliding open (though inaudible to most) resounded clearly to him. His back was turned, and he continued to lay in bed as the door was opened just enough to let Rin slip in. It seemed as if she had forgotten exactly how keen his senses were? However, when she was a child creeping into bed at night, he pretended that she didn't disturb him. Perhaps she really thought she had the stealth to slip in undetected? He smirked.

He had grown accustomed to it over the years.  Whenever Rin had nightmares, lonely nights, or just because, she ventured into his room at night at least once a week to sleep. When she was younger he'd acknowledge her presence. Turning to face her, and shooting that mildly questioning glare. She just smiled, or explained her troubles, and fell asleep peacefully under his watch.  However, the older she got, the less attention he paid.

Silently she slipped beneath the feather soft blankets alongside Sesshoumaru, his back turned to her. In those later years, he didn't even bother to turn to her, or say anything. She had grown accustomed to the distance however, and let her master sleep in peace. However, on that night, she violated that line of distance which Sesshoumaru had set. She hugged him. That was something Sesshoumaru wasn't fond of, even when she was a child.

One claw hand slipped to remove her grasp around his chest, as she hugged him from behind. It was as if she only realized then how easily he could sense her presence, and that he probably wasn't asleep all along. "Rin." He spoke, not bothering to turn and face her.

"I'm sorry, my lord.. It's just that.. I'm lonely.." Sesshoumaru arched single brow upon this remark.

"There is always somebody to tend to your needs." Was his reply. It was true, Rin could always find a servant, or play with Ah and Un if she were lonely. She wasn't alone in the sense she was literally by herself. That was easily remedied.

Rin sat up, pouting. "Master, that isn't what I mean.."

It was then her distress became a bit clearer to him. She wasn't just lonely, she needed affection. It was something which he had taken special precautions as to not give her. The whole reason for the distance placed between them since she began to 'grow' was so he couldn't be with her. "If you want affection, I cannot give it to you. You are only human."

He recalled the silence after, it was almost as if she was no longer there. He could sense her however, and the air was scented with a bit of salt. Tears? She was crying, silently. As wordlessly as she had come, Rin had slipped away from his bed and out the door. Once again he heard the noise of his door, as it slid closed this time. After she had left, he finally rose from where he lay. A disapproving frown gracing his features as he made his way to the door. Was he going to follow her? No. Reluctantly he decided to call for a servant to take watch of his quarters at night. That would be the last night she could come to his personal quarters to sleep.

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He collected his thoughts as they neared the mansion, clearing his voice as he began to speak. "We will be having guests, I am expecting them tomorrow morning." Guests. Rin pondered. Sesshoumaru often played host for other prominent youkai in his mansion, at which times Rin spent most of her time in her room.  It was mainly a measure for her safety. Many youkai weren't fond of humans, and even though most knew of her, few ever got to meet her. Rin simply nodded, and although Sesshoumaru hadn't seen her response, he knew. Morning was only hours away, so upon reaching the manor Rin was hurried in her pace towards her room. Before she was able to escape towards the stairs, she felt a clawed hand take hold of her bicep. "Never will I catch you anywhere close to the village again. I forbid you any farther than the gardens without Jaken or myself."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama." She quickly averted her gaze as he let his grip slide. Sesshoumaru proceeded to his room as well upon hearing Rin's door slam shut. His guests were rather important demons from the south, who were requesting an alliance of sorts. Why? That was to be discussed upon their arrival. All he knew was the wife of the visiting lord was a human, and that she would be visiting as well. At least, that was how it was planned.

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"Greetings, and welcome to my manor." Sesshoumaru nodded, greeting his visitors. Jaken stood to his right, and his servants were lined up along the left. The morning had finally arrived, along with his guests promptly at daybreak. It was a formal welcome. However, something was amiss. Upon inspection he noted that two demons stood before him, the Lord, and a slightly younger youkai.. Not his wife. A light sniff of the air ensued. It wasn't two youkai, one was a hanyou. As if the scent of feline demons wasn't bad enough.

Lord Yoru was a rather intimidating cat youkai. Of course he stood as if he were human, but his features were more of a cat in nature. He was clothed in colors of midnight blue with obsidian color embroidery, his finest kimono. His face was slightly furred around the nose and mouth, and his nose was more extended than that of a normal man. His fur was perhaps a shade of sandy brown, his hair a hue of gold short and pulled back into a tail. His ears, drawn back and his tail circled about his leg. His chest protruded greatly as he arched his back. It had become his normal standing posture, since it was the only one which allowed him to stay on his feet evenly; since his structure was that of a cat. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru." Sesshoumaru slightly winced at the familiarity the cat demon had taken with him upon formally meeting. Of course, they had spoken over messengers for a long time, but they had never met, and hardly knew each other.

Sesshoumaru shot his glance over to the Lord's companion as he was introduced. "This is my son, Tsukiyo." So he is a hanyou. He was rather young, and a lot more human in appearance. He was clothed in a midnight blue hakama, and black sandals. His chest was bare, and lazily slung over his shoulders was his matching haori. Sesshoumaru slightly arched a brow at his informal style. The boy wore a smirk with confidence, as did the look in his eyes, which were almost as dark as his attire. His features were human, his skin was a bronze hue from his days out in the sun. His hair was jagged raven, and messily fell over his face and shoulders. Tsukiyo's ears almost disappearing into his dark hair, and his tail playfully swinging.

"An honor to meet you, Sesshoumaru-sama." He offered a smile towards Sesshoumaru, with that feline fanged grin. Sesshoumaru could tell from his look he was probably one to cause discord, and immediately worried. How he wished that Yoru's wife had accompanied him, rather than his son. The two were scheduled to stay until the next morning. In which time they would discuss the alliance. Sesshoumaru simply bowed to the younger of his guests and lead them indoors.

~

Rin was in her room, waiting for when Sesshoumaru would tell her the guests have left. Was he embarrassed of her? Maybe. Though he told her it was in her best interest. She sat upon the balcony, staring down at the gardens below with a sigh. Sesshoumaru-sama.. Am I anything to you? Where is the affection you once offered me? Even if you could never love me, let me love.. Atleast give me the little joys you allowed me as a child.

~

"Please, take a seat Yoru." Sesshoumaru motioned to him as they entered his study. "You as well, Tsukiyo." The old lord took the offer, whilst Tsukiyo chose to stand by his father's side proudly. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed a bit at this. "I thought your wife was going to accompany you?"

"She has fallen ill, it is not serious but does not permit her to travel. Tsukiyo insisted he accompany me in her place." Yoru adjusted himself in the lavishly decorated chair. Sesshoumaru only nodded, and let Yoru continue. "There is a faction of youkai mobilizing. They are no imminent threat at the moment, however there are a few of their insiders trying to get into my territory. I am suspicious of all my servants and prominent youkai in my region.. However, I do not know their leader."

"So, you need my assistance for some random rebel youkai?"

"More so than that, Sesshoumaru. I came here to warn you."

"Warn me?" Sesshoumaru's tone became a bit sour on that note. Who was this.. Cat and his hanyou son think they were? Warning the great Sesshoumaru? He growled inwardly, though he kept his tone formal. "I assure you, a group of rogue youkai does not scare me."

"Some formidable youkai are within their ranks. I hear you are very skilled, but even the most powerful of demons have their limits." Yoru bit on his bottom lip a bit in saying so. Yes, he was well aware of his limit. He feared the faction was getting too close to him. He also feared Sesshoumaru's reaction. He himself would not appreciate a guest hinting he may be weak in any way. "They believe assassinations of prominent youkai will.. Further their power. Their goal, I do not know. They seem like nothing more than a reckless gang. I am sure they would go after a youkai as feared as you to prove their power."

"—Sesshoumaru-sama, if I may." Tsukiyo interrupted. "My father digresses. The purpose of this alliance would hopefully intimidate this.. 'Faction'.. And if they were to take action against any youkai within the alliance, the other would step up. This is, if you too worry about a gang of youkai as much as my father does."

Direct, isn't he? Sesshoumaru had not taken a liking to the boy. Nervously his father stood. "They are no reckless gang! Their infiltration of my lands has been weeks of work.. However, I guess he has summed up most of my message. Please, think about what I have said. We have had a very long trip, I hope you do not mind that I am weary."

"Of course not." Sesshoumaru also stood, leading the two down the hall and to their sleeping quarters. The three were silent. Yoru's room was first, and he entered with little more than a polite nod before he retired. Tsukiyo proved a bit difficult as he paused before entering his room.

"You smell of a human. I guess the rumors are true?" He smirked, not turning about to see a disapproving glare form upon Sesshoumaru's pallid visage. "However, you smell unmated.. Intriguing."

"I would never mate with a human." A single fang protruded over his bottom lip as he replied, golden eyes narrowing a bit at the feline hanyou. "You smell like a hanyou, so understand your place." With that he turned about, and made his way back down the hall and towards his room. Insolent hanyou. He growled beneath his breath. Their chances of an alliance were slim to none. Why should he care of a weak youkai lord and his foolish hanyou son were in danger? If he need to, he could defend his manor on his own. The boy had said himself, they were just some gang of youkai. Angrily, he retreated to his room. He was in no mood to speak to anybody at the moment, even Rin.

Unfortunately for Sesshoumaru, somebody else was interested in talking.. Specifically to Rin. The situation between herself and Sesshoumaru was something of interest to him.. Besides that fact, he heard she was rather attractive. What type of girl could enchant such a demon, and yet not be fit to be his mate? Tsukiyo grinned as he stepped out onto the balcony, hopping down to land crouched on the ground below. After picking up the scent on Sesshoumaru, he should eventually be able to pick up onto the girl's location. Luckily for him, her scent was on the wind from sitting on her balcony.

Rin was now laying on her bed, facing up towards the ceiling. She failed to notice her unexpected visitor until he was almost standing above her peering down. Surprised, she uttered a cry, but had it muffled softly by his palm. "Shhh. I'm not here to hurt you or anything. My dad is here on business with your lord." Hearing this, she calmed down slightly causing him to draw back his hand and take a seat next to her. His tail was slithering about in excitement. So this is the girl. "Soo.. I'm Tsukiyo, and you are?"

She was silent for a moment, before her hesitant reply. Sesshoumaru wouldn't be happy about this if he found out. She sat up, tucking her legs to the side as she hesitantly answered. "Rin."

"Why weren't you outside to greet us, Rin?"

She blushed a bit at his question. "Sesshoumaru-sama prefers I stay in his room. Most youkai aren't too fond of humans."

"Well, we are." He vaunted a fanged grin. "Not in a bad way. My mother is a human." He shrugged. It was an odd situation for Rin. Most demons wouldn't admit their heritage as a hanyou, he was either bold or foolish. Rin just chuckled a bit at his brash nature. Perhaps he was seeking out trouble by disturbing Sesshoumaru's Rin?

"So, are you his mate?" Tsukiyo leant forward, sniffing at Rin, which triggered a shocked and curious look. He didn't smell a sign that they had mated, on either Sesshoumaru or Rin. He was simply inquiring to find out perhaps a reason why. He was a cat after all, curiosity was in his nature. Reluctantly he drew back from his inspection of her. What a sweet scent.

Rin hesitated for a moment. This was an awkward situation. "My master cannot mate with a human."

Tsukiyo shot her a questioning look, his ebony color tail raising up and catching her attention as it swung about. "Then.. Why does he keep you here? There must be a reason."

"My life belongs to him. He saved me as a child, I've been with him ever since."

"I'd imagine nobody closer to Sesshoumaru than yourself. Too bad he doesn't notice you."  He flashed a haughty grin, and offered a wink in the girls direction. "You are quite lovely." Rin's face turned a bit red at this, blushing. She wasn't used to encounters with her lord's guests, let alone having them flirt with her. She couldn't deny the fact Tsukiyo was pretty attractive himself, but the last thing Sesshoumaru would allow is her to get close to him.

"Speaking of Sesshoumaru-sama.. I don't think he'll take kindly to you entering my chambers. I'm afraid you must leave.." Rin stood up, taking a deeply respectful bow. "It was nice meeting you, Tsukiyo-sama."

Tsukiyo grinned as he rose to his feet, dusting his attire lightly and offering her a slight bow. "Pleasure is all mine." Quickly he leant forward and licked lightly at her cheek, causing her blush to deepen into a crimson tint. "I look forward to seeing you again." Rin raised her palm to her cheek, speechless as she watched him stealthily dash towards the balcony, and disappear over the ledge. Her heart was racing for several moments after.

This feeling..

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Waah. =3