I wasn't planning on publishing another story, but then I realized how OOC my last one was, so I figured that this once can't be that bad. Actually, my best friend, klutz82, encouraged me to publish this. She's an awesome author; much better than I am. I highly encourage you to read her things.

Anyway, here is my second story. I don't mind comments, but if you just want to flame me it's pointless to do so since I'm already critical enough about my own writing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters.

"Rin, if you wish to keep your column, I would recommend that you start dating seriously and eventually marry. No one wants to listen to a single woman give relationship advice," her boss informed her.

"I didn't want to write a love advice column in the first place. You've promised me for years that you would give me a serious column."

"There's nothing open and you've known that since you started."

The memory of that conversation still stung Rin even though it was a week ago. She was staring at her computer monitor, fingers resting lightly on the keyboard. 'Helen may think she can order me around, but I'll make her sorry for pushing me into this.' Rin began typing again with a sly grin on her face.

Days later Rin was called into Helen's office. As soon as she opened the door Helen screamed at her, "What in the hell is this?" She threw the latest magazine issue on her desk. "A contest?"

"You said that I need to start dating, so I thought that I would have a contest where the winner goes on a date with me." Helen glared at her. "It's simple, really. Family members nominate their unmarried males, and the 100th nomination gets to be my lucky date. I've already gotten twenty calls this morning. And you should be happy because if that guy and I hit it off, I'll be able to write about it in my column."

"How did you get this past me?"

"You really should pay your editors better." Rin gave a big, fake smile and walked away.

In only two days they found their winner. "I don't like this contest of yours," her friend, Eri, commented. "What if this guy is some sort of psycho?"

"I won't be alone with him. Don't worry about me. Look," she said holding up the letter. "He wants to be single also."

Eri took the letter from Rin's hands and frowned. "I highly doubt he'll go on this date."

"He will if he hopes to not have his name smeared all over my column for not honoring this obligation. Besides, I can offer to write in my column that he's not date-worthy." She took the letter from Eri's hands, sat down at her kitchen table, and dialed up the number given to her.

"Taiyoukai Corporation, Sesshomaru Matsuo's office," his secretary answered.

"Hi, this is Rin Yamamoto with San Diego Today."

"Oh my goodness!" the secretary yelled into the receiver. "The Rin Yamamoto? I love your column!"

Rin gently replied, "Uh...thanks. May I please schedule a time to speak with Mr. Matsuo?"

"I can have him call you back tomorrow around this time...wait, he just got off the phone. May I ask what this is about?"

"He's the winner of my contest."

"Oh, wow! Good luck with him. You're better off picking number 101."

"Thanks, but I will keep my word."

"One moment please," she said putting Rin on hold.

Rin put it on speaker phone as she chatted with Eri and waited. "I really don't want to go on this date."

"Then why are you even doing this?" a deep voice on her phone asked.

"Uh...hi. Sesshomaru Matsuo?"

"Yes."

"I take it that your secretary explained everything."

"She did. I find it interesting that you would try to convince me to go along with a contest you don't agree with."

Rin leaned forward in her chair. "Look, I have to do this for my job, which I am only doing in hopes that one day I can get a better column."

"And why should I take pity on you?"

"You shouldn't. I can make you a deal though."

"I'm listening."

"You go on a date with me, and I won't tell my readers about how much of a scum you are for not agreeing, but I'll tell them that you aren't worth the time."

"If you say that, I won't be able to pick up women."

Rin cringed. "How about I say that you are a great guy but aren't marriage material?"

"That's better. What else do you have to offer?"

"It'll make your father happy."

There was silence on the other end except for the sound of him shifting in his leather chair. "What do you mean by that?" he asked with a voice hinting of rage.

"He is the one who nominated you."

"When should I pick you up?" he inquired after a minute of silence.

"You won't. I'll meet you at the Skyline at seven o'clock on Tuesday."

"Fine."

She hung up without saying 'good-bye'. "Now that that's over only the worst part is yet to come."

"I don't know who to be sorry for, him or you."

"Be sorry for him. I'm well protected."

The dreaded night came too quickly for Rin. She arrived 10 minutes early and was seated immediately. After waiting 20 minutes she called Eri. "Shouldn't you be talking with your date?" Eri asked.

"He's late. If he thinks he can skip out on me he's got another thing coming. Oh my gosh! There is a really handsome Japanese-American man that walked in. He's got silver hair, amber eyes, a beautiful face, and he looks fit, and he's heading my direction." The man was brought to the table by the host. As he sat down she told Eri, "My date's here. I'll call you tomorrow after I get my column turned in."

"Be careful."

"I will. Bye." She flipped her phone closed and explained, "My best friend."

"I didn't place you as someone who has any friends." As he spoke his face and voice remained expressionless, but his eyes showed his amusement with the statement.

"I'm sure there are more people who want to be around me than friends your money could buy."

He sat back and stared at her before stating, "Your column would suggest that you are a nice person."

"I was...once, but I've learned not to trust most people. What's your excuse?"

"I've always been this way." The waitress took their orders showing much interest to Sesshomaru. Rin was disgusted by the woman's fawning.

Once the waitress had left Rin continued, "Money does make one cynical."

"It is easy for someone poor to say that."

"Jealous that I'm poor? Have you convinced yourself that being rich has made you think that you're happy when you're not?"

"I find you to be presumptuous."

"I find you to be extremely and unnecessarily high flatulent."

He started chuckling. "You have quite a mouth on you."

"Good." A waiter brought their food to their table and left. "Why did your father really nominate you?"

"Forward, aren't you?" She stared at him through narrowed eyes. "He put it in his will that I have to be married in order to receive my inheritance."

"Interesting. So he is trying to get you married off before he dies? What about that is so hard to deal with besides the fact that you are a pompous ass and no woman in her right mind would marry you?"

This time he glared at her. "I will not marry a woman who only wants my money."

"Understandable." For the rest of the meal neither said a word. After Rin paid the check he walked her out to her car. "I will keep my end of the deal." He nodded. "Night." She climbed into her car before he could answer.

"As part of my contest, I went on a date with the 100th nominee. After a date with Sesshomaru Matsuo, I have determined that continuing a relationship with him would be pointless."