" The Year of Eighteen Stars "

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. Except for Takeshi Morikono and Yuko Sahara. I made them out of my own mind. The other two characters Sesshomaru and Rin belong to Rumiko Takahashi. Great woman. thumb's up

. This is my second time doing an Inuyasha FanFic, but now it's on my two favorite characters: Sesshomaru and Rin. Yeah! What a cute couple. . I've wanted to make one of my own for quite some time, so now I am. Kudos for me and all of the people who read this! Sorry, I'm getting way to into this. Anyway, enjoy the read. .

Sesshomaru had left her alone again along with Jaken at his side as always, to go and slay another demon in the area. He had taken a liking to this chore, so she never bothered him about it. Today was her tenth birthday. It was cold outside with a light chill that brushed across her face as she stepped away from the warmth of the fire and into the woods. She was told not to go there, but she decided that wondering around for a while wasn't going to get her in trouble with Master if she was back before he came. So, she walked into the woods and it became colder by the minute. She quickly noticed that the forest was closing in on her and started to feel like she was being watched by someone, or better yet something. She quickly turned around after running away form her fear and quickly started to walk in the direction she thought to be camp. With each step she took the air became breezier and colder. Now it chilled her to the bone and yet she still hadn't found camp. Where was it? She heard a twig snap behind her and turned around to see a medium sized figure before her. She slowly backed up and her feet caught onto her kimono and she began to fall backwards as the figure came closer to her. When she hit the ground she saw the figure right infront of her face. When she opened her eyes; the impact caused her eyes to close, she saw it to be nothing but a young woman around the age of thirty. Although, time had been good to her. Rin noticed that she was beautiful. The woman had Raven colored hair and chocolate colored eyes just like her, but taller and small. Her face was clear and calm and her eyes deep and insightful. When she bent down and held her hand out to Rin her long hair brushed over her shoulder and hung there. One her hands were many bracelets and rings. She was wearing gold dangling objects from her ears. Rin seemed enamored with her and sat there in awe of the lovely women before her.

" I'm sorry that I scared you young child. May I help you up?"

Rin shook her head yes and placed her own hand into the woman's and smiled up at her. She did the same and her smile was beautiful like the rest of her. When Rind stood up and dusted herself off, she noticed that the woman also wore a silken kimono and a wonderful gold necklace. The woman motioned to Rin to follow her and that she did. The woman sat down by a tall tree and told Rin to sit across from her.

" How did you get here young one?"

Rin found it hard to speak because of the woman's beauty, but also knew that it was rude not to answer, so she did.

" I was wanting to take a walk and stretch my legs, so I went into the forest and I got lost and now I can't find my way back. Then I thought someone was following me, so I began to run."

" Your stipulations were right, I was following you."

" When I saw you I got scared and ran, but I think I tripped on my dress and fell."

The lady nodded at Rin's statement.

" What is your name child?"

" Rin."

She found it easier now to talk to her, and some how she felt that this lady wouldn't harm her, so she began to speak more.

" My name is Rin too."

" Really wow! I haven't met anyone else with my name."

Rin felt safe some how with this woman so she began to ramble.

" I belong to Lord Sesshomaru. People think he's mean and evil, but he's nice to me. He saved me!"

The woman smiled at her and Rin giggled out loud.

" I know that he is not evil."

" How?"

" Because I have the power of foresight. I am a fortune teller."

Rin looked at her perplexed, so the woman explained.

" The power of seeing into the future. "

Rin finally understood. Lord had told her about people like this and what seeing into the future meant.

" How did you get it?"

" From another woman like myself. Lost in the world and finally I found someone who cared and she gave me powers."

" Wow! I want to see into the future. Teach me!"

" It is not a power that you can teach, it has to be given."

" Oh."

Rin looked defeated and the woman smiled.

" You came into this forest alone right?"

" Yes mam."

" Well, the only ones who can come into my part of the forest are the ones who have magic or will be given magic when they step in. No one else can come in, it has a sacred barrier to normal people and demons."

When Rin heard that only people who have powers or are going to be chosen to have them her eyes lit up in excitement.

" Wow! I get to have powers!"

" Yes."

" With ones do I get?"

The woman shook her head at Rin and held out her hands.

" You will get my powers."

Rin clapped her hands together and giggled to the woman.

" But, Rin, there will be a cost."

Rin stopped and looked at the woman curiously.

" You will not be able to tell anyone, until you are eighteen years of age. When you get these powers someone one day will be in danger and with the powers you will receive today, it will depend on if you act fast enough to determine whether or not they will live. "

Rin pondered for a while and then shook her head.

" Do you still want them? Are you sure?"

Rin nodded again and smiled.

" Yes."

" Very well, grab hold of my hands and I shall give you my powers."

Rin placed her hands into the smooth slender palms of the young woman. She smiled to herself at the warmth that she felt there. Rin closed her eyes and then opened them. She found her self in a field of grass and the woman fast approached.

" Now Rin you will receive my powers. You cannot tell anyone until the day you turn eighteen, or you will loose them forever. Do you understand?"

" Yes mam."

" Very well."

Rin felt herself take the woman's hands again and she closed her eyes once again and when she woke up she was back at her campsite. She looked around to look for the woman, but she was gone. She looked down at her hands and found two bands upon her hands the color of blood and as quickly as they came upon her skin they were gone. She must have actually gotten powers. She smiled to herself and heard Sesshomaru's voice echo through the trees surrounding them.

" Go to sleep Rin."

And so she did. Before she felt her eyes close she starred at her hands in wonder.

It was the day before her eighteenth birthday and she hadn't told a soul about her powers. Tomorrow was the judgment day, telling whether or not the woman she met eight years ago had been telling the truth. As she began to dress herself in her bedchambers she remembered that day. And now as she once again for the day became Colonel for Sesshomaru's army of demons she felt somewhat connected to that moment once more. She dawned her armor and thought about the past.

That day when Sesshomaru came back he had conquered the western lands and the next day they moved into this palace. Full of servants and rooms, with stretching corridors and dead ends, she soon got used to it. She was taught by the most knowledgeable people of the time and they taught her more than a woman should know. She had become a colonel in Sesshomaru's army when she was sixteen, when her Master had noticed her watching a fight one-day and asked her to a part of his army. Of course to please him she agreed and had advaced quickly. Since last year she was always to train the people with magic. The army consisted mostly of demons, but today they added two new recruits to the human population. Together that made five. Those two, two other guards and herself. That was all. She opened her door when she was finished dressing and walked down the hall to the double doors that blocked her way to the outside. Even though she was strong for a human female she could never open the huge doors that rested on their rusty hinges in front of her. Once again, like every day, she tried to open them herself. She pushed as hard as she could and then the door easily opened. She took pride in her act until she saw that Sesshomaru had opened the doors the rest of the way for her.

" My best worrier almost equal to that of me, and she cannot open a door."

She starred at him dryly.

" Pardon me my Lord, but I am your equal."

He didn't say a word to him as she walked away and he also said nothing. She had binded her breasts this morning to and put her hair up into a ponytail high atop her head, so that it wouldn't get in her way. Someone came up beside her and handed her a piece of rice paper. It had the names and ages, along with the magic each of the two recruits had. As she walked to the training yard she did not notice Sesshomaru and a guard watching her.

" If you don't mind me saying my Lord, she has grown into quiet a beautiful woman."

Sesshomaru looked at the man wearily and smirked.

" You have work to do, do you not?"

" Yes sir."

He walked away from him and Sesshomaru dismissed the thought out of his mind as he went to the training yard at the other end of the court. She walked up to see two people standing in front of her. One a woman and the other a man. They both looked around her age and she examined each one of them. They were both young and both had dark blue hair. One had green eyes the color of olives and the other; male, had red eyes. She then began to speak.

" You both will receive standard clothing and housing in and around the palace, you will sleep in the barracks with the other soldiers except for you."

She looked at the girl and she looked up too.

" Why? Am I not equal to the others?"

" You are a woman and there for you shall sleep inside the palace. Besides me you are the only woman. You will receive training like everyone else. Although, you will, like I have to bind your breasts and put your hair up like I, especially in battle. You do not want the enemy to know you are not a man. Hopefully they won't get close enough to find out otherwise. Understood?"

" Yes."

" Now go across the court yard to the small building over there and receive your clothing. If you wish to wash before then you may go to the river behind you beyond those trees."

She points behind them and they turn, then identifying the area turn back to look at her.

" Although, you will want to take a bath afterwards as to you will not be standing long. Leave and inform me when you are ready."

" Yes."

They both spoke at the same time and left. She looked down at her hands and smiled. Maybe it was true. Maybe she did receive those powers. She would find out soon enough. She sat down next to a tree and starred down at her hands once again. Then her eyes closed as she took in the sweet scent of Cherry Blossom trees full with their last bloom before winter set in. She felt someone looming over her and opened her eyes to see her master starring at her.

" Is something wrong Rin?"

" No. I'm fine."

" Then why are you sitting. You have new recruits correct?"

" Yes, they are getting their standard dressings. I only wished to have a minute to myself Lord."

" As you wish."

" No, your quiet fine, Master. In fact could you stay for a while with me?"

" I have duties."

" Yes, but It would greatly be appreciated."

He never could or hardly could say no to her. She was older now and looked radiant. But, he was sure that she didn't notice it. She wasn't into looks and only wore liner of black on her eyes, to keep the sun away. It came to a point at the sides of her mid temple and looked wonderful on her. What was he saying, she was a human! He sat down beside of her and starred off into the distance.

" If you did not want to sit next to me, you should have just left."

He looked over at her as she looked deeply into his eyes.

" I'm fine here Rin."

He watched as her eyes closed and looked ahead as he once again starred at her beauty. He felt a light caress on his arm and noticed that she had let her head slide onto his shoulder and she was asleep. She must have been exhausted, for she had been training the other hordes of demons for the past week non-stop. Her hand rested just above his elbow. He now had another arm. It had taken some time, but it regenerated. He remembered when she would fall asleep on his shoulder when she was little, but now that she was older it meant more than it should. She once said that she felt safest when he was around and now it must be true. He let her lie there as she slept and looked onward.

She woke up in her chambers and all she remembered was falling asleep near the tree next to her lord. She woke up to her curtains pulled back and the rising of the sun over the horizon looming before her. She wasn't able to start the soldiers training yesterday, so today she would start. She looked down at her hands, for today was her eighteenth birthday. She felt tired, but moved on to get dressed. When she was finished she once again looked at her hands and saw the two blood red marks on her hands. The new power she felt going through her body scared her, but then she soon got used to it. She would have to hide her markings until she was ready to tell her lord. It would have to be soon, but when? She walked out of her room and into the study where Sesshomaru usually stayed in the morning hours. He went over battle plans inside of there and it would be a good place to start.

She was correct, he was there and going over battle plans with the Lord of the South, Lord Mikano. Mikano was standing adjacent to Sesshomaru and dressed in full armor and as soon as she came into the room they both turned to look at her. She had heard rumors of the Lord of the South; he was mean and ruthless, but not compared to Sesshomaru on an off day. He looked her up and down as his eyes scoped her entire body. Face, breasts, waist, legs and then back up again. He looked appalled by her, but then she saw the glint in his eyes as he starred at her breasts. She wanted to lunge at him and take that look from his face, but someone else was looking in her direction and to show such disrespect to a guest would be shameful. Also, she liked the way he was looking at her. She wanted him to look at her. She wanted him to love her, but she knew that wasn't possible. He despised humans and she was one of them. Still, she could only hope. She was snapped out of her daydream as a voice not familiar to her spoke. It was in another language, but she had been taught many and knew a lot of this one.

" You would choose a human to lead an army as important as yours? And this is a woman no less. They are good only for the home. You can't possibly think her to be even as half as good in battle as you my lord?"

She heard every word that came from his lips. He was a demon like Sesshomaru. But he wasn't kind to the eyes. He had the ego of a ruler, but not the looks. He was a sight for sore eyes. Rin laughed to herself and a smile came to her face and she heard his deep raspy voice again still speaking in his tongue.

" What is she smirking about?"

She began to speak to him in the same condescending matter that he had done to her and he looked appalled.

" Sir, I am the equal in battle to my Lord Sesshomaru and women are also suited for the battle field as well as men. We might possibly be able to do better than any man here. Except of course for my Lord. There are only two women in the army, but that is enough for us. We can slay any adversary as quickly as you can. Do not speak of things you know nothing about Lord Mikano."

He jaw hit the floor and she was amused by it. She had gotten the reaction that she wanted and saw the hint of amusement in her lord's eyes when she glanced over to see his expression. But the reaction soon changed when the man raised his hand to strike her.

" I will teach her to be put in her place!"

Before she could react he was intercepted by Sesshomaru and thrown against the wall.

" She speaks the truth. She is valuable to me in war and is almost my equal, now leave before I decide to take you limb from limb. "

" You are mistaken my lord Sesshoamaru. I am your equal."

He glanced over at her and she decided now was not the time to argue, so she obeyed his action and remained silent. The Lord got to his feet and bowed to Sesshomaru and then left. The while he was walking past her he snickered to himself. He closed the door and Sesshomaru left out a soft sigh. She walked over to him and lightly touched his arm.

" What is wrong my lord?"

" You."

He lifted his head to see her eyes filled with hurt.

" I'm sorry my lord, that I have inconvenienced you with my presence. I will leave you alone."

She began to walk away when she felt an arm reach out to her. She quickly turned around and look straight into her lord's eyes. He studied her eyes and noticed that she did truly feel hurt by his remark. A tear fell down her face as she looked up at him. She went to wipe it away and was stopped by his hand capturing hers.

" I am sorry, but I could not continue to let him berate me like that. My apologies sir."

" Rin you must not speak like that in front of company, understood?"

" But!"

" Rin, you disrespected me in front of another ruler and an ally. After they leave you may say what you wish. Understood?"

" Yes."

She did not like the rule, but accommodated him anyway. He had taken her in since she was little and she had to repay him with her entire life and whatever he desired of her she would do. He looked down at her hands and saw the blood marks.

" Rin did you hurt yourself?"

" No."

He then noticed that when he placed them to his lips to take away the drops of blood, that it wasn't blood at all. He looked down at her hands perplexed.

" They are markings."

" Of what?"

She pulled her hands quickly away from him and turned to wlak away. She made it to the door when he stopped her once again.

" What are they from Rin?"

" Nothing lord."

She knew she had to change the topic and remembered something that would accomplish just that.

" Why did you let me sleep yesterday my lord? I had duties to attend to."

He knew what she was trying to do and decide to let her have her way. He would get his answer soon enough. Why did he oblige her like this? He hated humans, all but her. Why was that? He shook his head to clear those thoughts and to get back to the prominent question.

" You have been training non-stop for a week and you needed some rest, so after you fell asleep I returned you to your quarters. You have duties to attend to the new trainees do you not?"

" Yes my lord. I shall leave you."

She bowed to him and he watched her walk away. She closed the door behind her and then leaned against it. She sighed and then walked outside with the help of a guard to open the door for her, she thanked him and then pressed her new recruits. He stood there for a moment and sighed. Why did she have this effect on him? She had grown to be beautiful. And he trusted her enough to know that he would give his life for hers and that she would do the same for him. He walked over to his window and looked out to see her training the two soldier's that had come yesterday. She was almost his equal, he summarized as he watched her duct a blow thrown by the other young woman. This action continued until late evening until she had successfully knocked both of them to the ground and pointed the sword into their bodies. She helped them back up and they walked away.

" You have done good for your first try, now you may bathe and go to your barracks. I must speak to you alone Yuko."

" Yes mam."

The young man walked away wearily looking back at the two.

" Did you get good sleeping quarters last night Yuko?"

" Yes mam. The lord's palace is very extravagant. It will take me a while to get used to it. There are so many corridors."

" You will get accustomed in no time."

" If you do not mind me asking, how long have you been with our lord?"

" Please, call me Rin. I have been with him since the age of six. He rescued me when a pack of wolves attacked my village."

" As you wish to call me Yuko, miss Rin."

" You may take leave now Yuko."

" Thank you. And thank the lord for my quarters as well."

" Why don't you thank him yourself?"

She looked at Rin like she was crazy. Rin knew that to others he was intimidating, but she liked it when he met new people.

" You must not see how terrifying he is Rin. He is tall and always has a mad look on his face."

" He is not so bad Yuko. You will meet him."

" As you wish."

Rin looked over to his study and saw him looking straight at her she smiled at him and he looked at her with bewilderment. Then she waved her hand in the air and he jumped down for his study. The young Yuko watched as the tall menacing figure came closer to her and then stopped by Rin's side. He bowed to her and se did the same to him.

" Hello my Lord. I insist that you meet one of the new recruits, lady Yuko. She is my friend now and I expect you to act nice around her."

" Do not tell me who to like."

Then he saw how scared the girl was and softened his tone and matter of stance.

" Lord I just wanted to thank you for my wonderful quarters. I am grateful to you."

He inclined his head and she spoke again.

" May I leave now lord? I must get my sleep before tomorrow before training."

" You may leave."

She bowed to him and then quickly walked away.

" She told me that she was afraid of you my lord. So, I wanted you to meet her, but I fear I have only made it worse for her."

Rin laughed and Sesshomaru glanced at her. What a wonderful laugh. It could light up a room. Why was he thinking that way? He watched as she began to breath heavily and as he chest went up and down she wiped away drops of sweat.

" I must leave you my lord, I must bathe before I go into the palace."

He watched her walk away and then he himself walked back to his palace. Right before he opened the doors he remembered that he had to speak to her again. So, he walked to the river where she always bathed after training. She had her own bathing spot hidden by many trees and shrubs, so as no one could disturb her. There were huge rocks that blocked part of the river on once side. Once you got over those two rocks you could see who was bathing. No one knew about this place and wasn't aloud to go there except for him. He knew about it only because he had told her about it and no one else. He knew what he wanted to ask her was important and it couldn't wait, but he wanted to go for another reason too.

She was undressing and found herself in the luke warm waters, for some reason they changed to the opposite of the season. When it was warm and hot the water would be cool. And when it was windy and cold; like today, the water was a bit warm. She dropped her garments on the dry crisp grass as she slid on toe into the water.

" Why do I not adjust so well to changing temperatures?" she told herself.

She felt someone was watching, but she didn't hear or see any figures.

" Probably my imagination."

She pulled her foot back and looked around for anyone that she thought could be near. She looked down at herself and she had goosebumps.

" It's not like anyone's watching. Acting little when no one is around can't cause much harm."

So, she did. Reverting to when she was a child in the river she would always get in with a splash. Then, as she looked around on last time for danger she dived in. Holding her breath as she hit the water. The water slid over her body and hair like silk. The water was clear and warm. She loved the feel of it.

He watched as she dove in. He shouldn't be watching, but he was and when he heard her talking to herself he smiled. Something that he hadn't done in quite some time and she had brought it out of him. Although, no one was there to see it, he knew what he had done.

She decided after a while of swimming that it was time to go back. She didn't want to, but she did anyway. She swam up to the surface and broke. The water parted as drops ran down her back and legs. She smoothed back her long hair with her hands and she walked lightly to shore, as he watched her daintily pick up her clothes and begin to put on another kimono. It was pink and nothing looked bad on her body. He legs were long and slinder; yet at the same time curvy. Her hair was mid length down her back and dark black. She had chocolate eyes and a perfect face. Her waist was slim and she had small hips, but they complimented the rest of her. Her breasts were small, but they went well with her small frame and devoured him. He was a man no doubt, but he liked her personality as well. It was free forming. She would act like a child, and then a serious as anyone else when it was needed. She had a wonderful smile and laugh. She was beautiful and didn't even know it. She would make a man happy one day. He was a demon and not Inuyasha. When he came from his thoughts he saw that she was gone and he also, slowly walked to his palace.

She walked into her bedchambers and began to take off her kimono and found that there was a new one on the bed waiting for her. She picked it up and held it to her body. It was beautiful. She looked down at a piece of paper on the bed that had one name on it. Sesshomaru. Why would he do this for her? This was way to expensive to be wasted on her. She looked over at the table adjacent to her and grabbed from the bowl of fruit, a handful of grapes. She was hungry, but it could wait until she talked to him about this gift. She wanted to put it on to see what she would look like, and so she did. It was a royal blue, with gold thread around all of its edges. The fabric felt like silk. It was! This was way to much to spend on her, so she was so upset that she didn't remember to take it off before she quickly walked down the dark corridors. It was nighttime. She had taken her time in getting home from her bath and when she had finished it was reaching night fall anyway, so she took it all in strides. She had known everything about what happenings before, during, and after the mating process, so she prepared herself for what she might see. Although, she had never seen nor heard anyone go into his quarters at night. She had learned all of this from her maid when she was 12 years of age. She told her about everything, her monthly and birthing, along with sex. She was prepared if need be. She was doubtful though. She slowly opened the door without knocking and saw him as he was standing next to his open door that pointed to the west watching the last rays of sun die. He turned as the sound of tiny footsteps took his hearing. He turned to see the Raven- haired Rin looking down at the floor as if in shame. She was wearing the blue kimono he had given her as a present. It was from the mainland of China and he thought it would be a good gift and by the look on her face, she didn't like it. She lifted up her head and looked into his eyes.

" This is to expensive to waist on me. Why have you wasted such money on a petty human girl?"

She was not angry at the kimono as he had thought, but at him.

" Money is not wasted on you Rin. Do you not like it?"

What was he talking about?! It was a gorgeous gown and he thought that it should be on her instead of someone more fitting!

" It's wonderful, but it shouldn't be wasted on me! It's to expensive to be on me. I am not acceptable by any means to wear this. Someone more suited, like a princess or something should wear it. I am neither."

She bowed her head again at the last statement. And her eyes filled with tears. She began to think to herself.

" Why can't he love me? It's what I've wished since I was young. Just wanting to be with him forever. He's always looked at me as a child and never a woman, plus he hates humans and that is what I am. He can never love me, so why can't I accept it?"

He watched as one tear after another hit the wooden floor. Their sounds could be heard from miles away by him. For some strange reason he didn't like to see her cry. She was nothing like her friend Yuko, she was neither afraid nor scared to talk to him. She even corrected him and yelled at him sometimes, but he didn't care. She was the only one who could talk freely around him unless given permission, which was hardly ever.

She tried to wipe the tears from her eyes, but they kept coming. She had held this feeling of loneliness for so long that now, it couldn't be stopped. Sesshomaru closed the sliding door and she was still unfazed. She heard his footsteps come closer until she saw his shadow on the floor directly acrossed from her.

" Stop crying Rin."

" I'm sorry my lord."

She tried to wipe her tears away as she looked up at him and though she tried to make herself stop, something kept those tears coming.

" I'm sorry. I can't seem to stop they are flowing on their own it seems."

" And why is that?"

She looked up at him again and he hugged her. She loved this feeling but knew that it wouldn't last for long.

He inhaled her scent of flowers and earth. Her small frame so close to his large one made him feel that somehow it was supposed to be that way. He had never felt this way before about a woman, let alone a human. She put her arms around his back and sobbed into his garments. Luckily he wasn't wearing his armor or this wouldn't have happened. He then placed one hand on her head and pulled it back to look at her tear stained face.

" Why are you crying Rin?"

" Because, I told you this is wasted on me my lord. I don't deserve this wonderful kimono and this place to live in. And I defiantly don't deserve or had ever deserved to be saved by you."

" Who says that it wasn't supposed to be like this? You are the only human in the entire palace that I can stand to be around and I like to be around you."

That statement shocked her and her eyes narrowed in joy. Maybe?

" Really?"

" Yes. You are staying here for as long as you wish Rin. "

" Master?"

" There is no need for you to call me that anymore. You can call me Sesshomaru if you like."

" Yes, Sesshomaru."

It sounded so much better to both of them.

" Would you like to know now, where I have gotten my marks?"

He looked deeply into her eyes and smirked.

" Yes. Now would be nice."

They separated form the embrace and she took a seat on the edge of his bed. The sheets where of the softest silk, and pillows adorned the top of the bed. He took a place beside of her and she looked at him wearily.

" When I was the age of ten, and you were again with Jaken, I walked into the forest you had told me not to go into. But, I had to stretch my legs and so I went. When I went into it I soon got lost. Then I felt that someone was following me. "

She then told the rest of the story without any interruptions from Sesshomaru, he was a great listener. After she was done he asked only one question.

" So, do you have the powers she said you would be endowed with?"

" That I am not sure of, today is my eighteenth birthday, I just didn't take the time to see. But, with the marks on my hands I would predict so. I had them for a few hours after I had received them, so I suspect that now they are permanent. "

She looked down at her hands that now rested in her lap. The blood marks were there and she watched as his hand slid into hers. She was amazed by his kind actions. She turned her head to look at him.

" Rin, I have always tried to protect you and now you are a fierce worrier in my army. I look upon you now as a woman and see great beauty. I did not waist my money, for I have more than I need. You must soon settle down with someone Rin."

She did not want anyone but him. She had to tell him, it was now or never. She wasn't about to spend her life with someone that she didn't love.

" Can't you see that I love you!? I want you and no other! Please don't send me for someone else! I don't want anyone except for you. I don't care if you can't accept my love for you, because I am a human! Don't make me leave you Sesshomaru please!"

He watched as she shouted her protest. Her tears came heavily now and she waited for a reaction from him.

" Rin, I.."

" Please, I love you Lord Sesshomaru! Don't make me leave!"

He watched again as she begged him.

" I'm not sending you away Rin. I only wish to protect you. "

She looked into his eyes and also saw his pain for the first time. He hugged her once more and she lifted her head back to look into his eyes for what she thought would be the last time. He placed his hands on either side of her face and looked down into her brown eyes and saw more tears brimming the surface. He wiped away the ones flowing down her cheeks and bent down. When his lips reached hers, it was like it was supposed to be this way forever. He wanted to love her for the first time. She had followed him around for so long and had become such an important treasure. He finally faced the facts. He didn't want to love her; a human woman, but he did. He thought this emotion to be purely human, but not now. As he broke the kiss he watched her eyes slowly open. As he looked back into her eyes, he saw no more of the tears that were coming before. He kissed her again and this time she kissed him back. It felt like she had waited so long for this moment.

" Please Sesshomaru, don't make me leave."

" I'm not."

She smiled at him as her head slowly hit the silken cloth that lay behind her on his bed.

She fell asleep in his arms against his muscled chest and breaths of hot air began and receded against his skin with every breath of air she inhaled. She was a quiet sleeper, not once did she rustle in his arms as he held her. The scent of there lovemaking hung in the air until breezes flew in. The night was quiet. He had hurt her, but she was a virgin and he had known that. That pain had to come sometime and he was glad that it wasn't someone else telling her to not cry. She had though, even going as far as to tell him to get off. But, it soon past and she loved it as much as he did. The whole time he felt a new feeling. He didn't know what it was, and he didn't really care. He would sleep in for the first time in his life tomorrow, if only to help her get through the mornings next pain. She might not be able to conduct duties for the next few days so, her prepared in his mind what each would have to do in order to fill in for her. She wouldn't like it, but if need be he would order her to stay in his chambers. He fell asleep thinking about his next decision.

Early that morning he got up and as she is asleep he has the maid come in and as he holds her off of the bed the maid changes the sheets and puts down fresh ones. He thanks her and lies Rin back atop the bed. Her hair feathered across the pillows and her perfect body lying ravaged on his sheets and he liked that look on her. She opened her eyes only for a few minutes and then her eye lids became heavy and she fell asleep once more to the soft touch of his lips on her forehead. He laid back in bed with her as she again curled up next to him to find the warmth from the cold chills flowing up her spin. He opened his arms to her and she eventually found them. He enclosed them around her and in her dreams she sighed. He did, however sleep in. He got up around the afternoon and was told that the soldiers had already been taken care of. When he was finally dressed he looked back at his bed and saw her covered by the silken covers that matched her skin tone so well. She was wearing his kisses on her body and they were clear today. She also wore the covers starting just below her navel and nothing was covering her soft breasts as her hair traced from the below and down part of her arms but, not touching the rest of her body. Her arms were laid inches from her body and he could see the blood markings on her hands, almost identical to where his were positioned, except they were the color of blood instead of pink. He was a Great War lord, but now he looked over at what he had done to her and smirked to himself. The maid came in a few seconds later, but did not say a word as she placed a bowl of fruit for the lady in his bed. Then, she gave him the news of his duties needing to be tended to and so, he left her there to lie down for as long as she wanted. He gave her duties to another and went on with his. By mid-afternoon the rumors were abroad that they had mated. Now everyone was in an up roar. Unless their lord was around.

She awoke to the light of the fast passing day and began to sit up but was stopped by pain. She had been told about this pain and knew where it was form and how long it would last. Only two to three days. Depending on how long her body would take to heal. She didn't like staying in the bed, and soon Yuko came in. She quickly covered herself.

" Our lord said for me to tell you to stay in bed. And you shouldn't argue, he demands it."

Rin looked at her friend angrily.

" I'll tell you what he needs, a good kick!"

" Lady Rin."

" What? I can say whatever I want."

" As you say."

She looked at Rin for a moment and then shook her head.

" So, you did mate with our lord?"

" Yes."

" Well, the rumors are true then."

" Rumors? "

" Yes, they started this morning. I'm sorry about it."

" It's not like you started it, but if I could get you training again."

" The day is almost over, we shall start tomorrow, plus we have already been trained by our lord this morning, do not worry. He taught us a lot, but not as much as I get from you Lady Rin."

" Thank you. I feel weary."

" I will leave you now. Get well."

" Yuko, I'm not dying or sick."

" I know, but you will have a surprise tonight."

Before Rin could ask what it was about she moved out of the door and closed it behind her. Rin laid her head back down on her pillow and groaned out loud. The pain came back again as she moved to her other side facing the sliding door overlooking the battlefield. She wanted to see the sunset, but she couldn't get out of bed. She felt weak. So, she fell asleep on his side of the warm bed that still held his scent.

When he came back in and undressed except for his white underlying clothes he noticed that the covers only uncovered her breasts this time and she was lying in her back with her hair fanned out. He walked over to the side of the bed and rolled his thumb gently down her lips and then kissed her lightly. She moved under him and he broke it off. She opened her eyes and saw him starring down at her.

" You frightened me Sesshomaru."

" As well I should."

She smiled up at him and began to stretch under the covers. She noticed that her breasts were exposed and quickly covered them with his sheets. She noticed the red marks on her stomach and breasts as she pulled them up to her neck and then pulled them back down. His kisses were all over her body. She began to blush and he noticed.

" This is not the time to be shy Rin, I have seen every inch of you."

She didn't reply, but just covered herself back up and yawned.

" Should I go back to my chambers now?"

" No."

" Why not?"

" Because you will sleep next to me from now on."

" But I like where I am. In my own room. "

" Your things will be moved into here soon enough."

" Why must you do this Sesshomaru."

" Because now you are mine and I shall take no other to bed with me."

She began to blush and felt the hotness come to her cheeks as she spoke again.

" As you wish. Although, I will not like it. And tomorrow I will go back to my duties."

" Unless you do not feel well, then I will take over."

She grimaces at him and tries to sit up, but the pain comes again, although not as bad as before, but still enough to inconvenience her. He sees this and begins to worry.

" Are you in pain?"

" Only a little."

Before she can speak he leans down and hugs her tight and the pain she had felt soon goes away. He whispers into her ear as she sits there in his arms.

" I'm sorry, I will wait to mate with you again until you are no longer paining."

It was the first time he had said he was sorry to anyone, and that first person was her. A tear came to each eye and she suppressed them.

" It's all right, it doesn't even hurt that much."

She gets placed back down on the bed and looks at her hands.

" I think I do have powers, these haven't gone away."

He looks down to see the marks are still there.

" Tomorrow, if you are feeling well enough, we shall see if you do have powers when you train the new soldiers. You and Yuko have become friends have you not?"

" Yes, she is my first friend since I have been here."

" That is good that I picked the right person to see you today."

She nodded her head and watched him get into her side of the bed.

" I'm sorry that I took your place, I was cold and this spot was so warm."

He didn't answer her. Although, he told her that it wasn't an inconvenience to him with his eyes, but it was. He wasn't about to upset her now. He always felt vulnerable with his back towards the door. But, he would be able to protect her no matter what. He wouldn't let anyone touch her in the way he had done the night before, except for him. He looked down and saw that she was asleep. And enclosed her in his arms. That night he felt different, not at all different than before he met her, just emotionally. He only showed this human girl his emotions, so no factor of being different to anyone else effected him. How could a human make him show emotion? It baffled him, but he soon let it go. Nothing had changed except his feelings for her and he was still told to be a mean demon, even after acknowledging his feelings for her. Why one soldier even called him a barbarian, but he didn't want to be known as anything else.

She did not feel any different in the next few weeks. She had began again in the training of the new soldiers, except for the morning a few weeks after she had made love to Sesshomaru and her stuff was in his room that the gut wrenches started in the mornings.

. So, how did you like it? Guess why she is puking? Hugh? I know I know! Oh! Pick Me! You will have to wait until chapter two to find out. See ya' next time! .