Chapter Two

"Do you honestly think that it's in her best interest?"

"There's going to be demons coming in and out of your home Lord Sesshoumaru. There's already so many rumors going on...."

"Let them believe what they want. Should anyone of them mutter anything about those rumors then they will feel my claws," the demon lord declared.

The little toad gulped before saying, "Yes master. However her safety is an issue. She might be taken advantage of or simply killed. The Lady Astoria has taken a great liking to you and has been known for her jealousy. Should she see Rin she might..."

Sesshoumaru turned to look out his window and tuned out his faithful little servant. Rin had been by his side since she was six years old and really didn't know any other type of life. He didn't know any other type of life without the sweet happy girl by his side. The years before her were a distasteful blur that was better not to be mentioned.

He had spoiled her rotten. Every doll, trinket, kimono; it was hers if she so much as gave it a second glance. He let her run around and play her silly games. Sometimes her innocent eyes and sweet smile could convince him to join in. Her room was decorated with whatever she was interested in. She never knew what it was like to go without.

Though she was spoiled she wasn't a brat like most human children. No Lord Sesshoumaru had been sure she didn't grow up to be like the dirty humans that he despised. He made sure she was given a suitable education. Though finding proper tutors hadn't been easy. He didn't like humans, save Rin, so many of the demons that had educated him ended up teaching his human companion. Jaken had been her principal instructor but he had other duties so others were paid to teach her. There had been problems at first. Some had treated her as they would have treated other humans but they soon learned that in Sesshoumaru's eyes she was a demon princess and would be treated as one. Also he had a problems with teachers never letting her ask questions. Then there had been the one who lashed out at Rin's ever questioning mind, leaving her a long thin scratch across her face.

Seeing that caused the young lord to give the tutor his dismissal from life. She had gone through several tutors but she had been educated. He had made sure she learned nothing less than what a human lord would have learned. Also he made sure she was given the formal education that he himself went through, learning everything one could about demons, including learning about his own family history. Rin also was required to learn how to protect herself against anyone or anything that might attack her.

Yes she knew everything she needed to know in order to marry well but that was a problem for Lord Sesshoumaru. He had never liked the idea of her mating because first of all it meant that she was no longer the little girl he had loved so much. Then he despised the idea of her marrying a human. But of course no high ranking demon would marry her because she was merely a human. Mortal men would probably marry her if they weren't frightened by her past but they weren't worthy of his human princess. No he couldn't stand the thought of his precious girl marrying a man that couldn't stand equal to her in rank, intelligence, and battle.

"Um Master.... are you feeling alright?"

The little imp shook the lord from his thoughts. Poor Jaken. He had served Lord Sesshoumaru since he was a pup and loved him more than his own life. Yet he was sided for the young girl that they discussed. Not that it really mattered anymore. He had learned to adjust and found that Rin wasn't as annoying as she first was. He himself had grown quite fond of her but he would never say so. The toad preferred to tease her and make nasty side remarks whenever his lord wasn't around.

"Tell Rin that I'd like to speak to her immediately. While I am doing this you will go find a suitable human village for her to go to."

Jaken stared for a moment until Sesshoumaru turned his cold glare to him, "Do you have a problem with following orders Jaken?"

"Yes milord! I mean no milord... I mean... I'll fetch Rin this instant Lord Sesshoumaru! Right away your majesty!"

He left the demon lord to stare out his massive window that overlooked his garden. Many a time he had looked out that window watching Rin play and cause Jaken to curse a blue streak. Lately he looked out to see her walk around picking flowers and sighing all the time. He often felt his heart tighten whenever he saw her unhappy. Before he could simply present her with a doll, some type of trinket, or a new kimono as of late and she would smile and run into his arms. Now she would give a small smile and thank him; the sparkle had left her eyes. Things were certainly different as the years continued to pass them by.

"You wanted to see me Lord Sesshoumaru?"

He turned to see Rin standing in her battle outfit with several demons' blood staining it. A small smile flashed on his perfect face when he saw her joyous face. Like him a good kill always brightened her mood.

When she was ten he began to take her out to practice all the skills he demanded she know. At the time several low level demons had been trespassing and killing off all the humans who he collected money from. Rin was a child who laughed at the emotion of fear. So when a particular foolish snake demon attacked her while she prepared to bathe, she killed it without a second thought with a beautiful sword that Sesshoumaru had made for her.

It was at this time that she became his personal exterminator. Like Sango she knew how to kill any demon that would dare cross her path but unlike her, the demon lord's human companion wasn't above killing her own kind. Some pitiful men would come too close to her and if she felt annoyed enough, she wouldn't hesitate to run her sword through them.

It seemed fitting though. She like her master possessed beauty beyond anyone's comprehension and like him she could be a cold blooded killer. However Rin usually was never seen as one. His servants still looked at her as she was the same little girl who made things less tense when their lord was at home.

Shaking out of his slight daze he motioned for her to sit in one of the chairs in front of his father's desk. "Were you successful with your hunt?"

A bright smile overtook her face, "Yes Lord Sesshoumaru. I killed several low level demons that were trespassing on your land."

He nodded, "Lady Astoria and her people will be visiting my home again. Many of them wouldn't hesitate to kill you or ravage you. "

A dark scowl replaced the smile as she nearly snarled, "I am quite capable of being around demons."

Sesshoumaru in turn gave her a dark look, "I won't be around to protect you and these are not demons you are use to dealing with."

"Do you wish me to go on a long hunt then my Lord?"

"No, I want you to go to a human village and continue your quest. I take it you have found nothing new."

With a disappointed expression she shook her head, "No, I'm sorry."

He stood and sat down in the chair next to her. "You'll just have to search harder."

"I don't mean to be disobedient Lord Sesshoumaru but I'm not sure how to act around humans and I haven't trusted any since my family was killed. The only other human that I actually felt kindness from was that girl who traveled with your half brother."

Inuyasha had actually came to mind when he thought of places to send her. He had heard that a few years after he had killed Naraku he married the wrench that traveled with him. He had heard and had witnessed first hand the girl's powers. Perhaps she could provide the missing pieces Rin sought for.

"I'll contact my brother and inform him that you will be staying with him."

Rin gave him one of her old smiles. "Perhaps his woman can teach me the things she knows." Before losing her courage she quickly asked, "Will Lady Astoria be staying long?"

A disapproving noise came from him, "From what Jaken tells me, she is looking for a mate."

Her eyes flashed for a moment but she quickly controlled them as she had been taught. She sat up straight, with tense emotions flowing through her. "I see. May I be excused my Lord? I would like to bathe before dinner."

He waved her away. "Rin don't get too comfortable with my brother. Once my obligated politeness is over I intend to tell her that she is no longer welcomed n my home."

Another soft smile rose to her face as she kneeled in front of him. Her small hands rested on one of his knees, "Yes Lord Sesshoumaru."

The two looked at each other for a moment before he realized what they were doing. He gave a slight growl and helped her up. Even after twelve years she still had to strain her neck to look into his eyes. He smoothed down her hair and calmly remarked, "Bathe quickly but throughly. You reek of those disgusting demons. It's almost as foul as a human."

Despite his comments she only smiled and walked quietly out of the room. Once she left Sesshoumaru began a letter to the half demon that stained his blood line. This would be an interesting form of a family reunion and it couldn't have come at a better time. The anniversary of their father's death was drawing closer. It was their father that held them together. He was also the cause of their hatred. Had Father not died when he did and how then he and Inuyasha could have ruled their father's estate together but the old man had died. And for what? For that stupid bitch who could only dissolve in tears whenever Inuyasha clung to him and declared he wanted to be just like Sesshoumaru.

He growled once again. He had done a good job of forgetting about his little brother for the past couple of years but now... Now he kept entering his mind. When Inuyasha was younger and foolish he was sure once he completed the Shikon no Tama he would wish to be full demon, even if he did "love" that other human. Feh, he loved that cold priestess as much as he loved his older brother.

No it was the bitch he had now that he really loved. Sesshoumaru sensed she would be entering his family once the blind pup opened his eyes. He still thought she was annoying but at least she stood by his worthless brother. The other one betrayed him as fast as she could. Had he known it was Naraku who impersonated Inuyasha he wouldn't have felt pride and perhaps he would have stepped in instead of...

Yet another growl escaped him when he though back to those old memories. They were just memories and he Lord Sesshoumaru was above such petty things. Besides he had to take care of Rin at the moment. Once she was safely out of his home he could spurn the bratty lady demon and send for his human.

The more he thought about it he didn't like the idea of leaving his Rin in Inuyasha's care. True he always did protect his bitch quite well but Rin was far more important then that wench. Should anything happen to her he would finally kill him. He wouldn't think twice about it. He would finally let his poison into his little brother's blood like he had threatened to so many times before.

'You better take care of her Inuyasha. Or I'll have your head,' he thought as he continued to write his letter.