Chances Not Worth Losing

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Inuyasha.

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The next morning they were woken up by sounds of the guys calling each other not so quietly to come and see the couple lying together on the bed. Sesshomaru growled before letting go of Rin and getting up. There was much to do today, and checking out was just one of the tasks. Everyone took their showers, got ready for the media that would likely be waiting for them downstairs, cleaned the room, and packed their things. The hotel lobby was crawling with reporters, photographers, and TV crews waiting to get an interview with Sesshomaru.

He was happy to oblige their requests as the rest of the group finished checking out and packed their cars. Slowly the campaign workers left until it was only Kathy and Rin left. Kathy was busy paying attention to what Sesshomaru was saying, so Rin stood off to the side waiting patiently. Eventually the staff of a Chicago news program noticed that she was there and free to talk.

They approached her and begged her to give them an interview, but she kept telling them that it was more important that they talk to Sesshomaru. "Why is it that you won't give us an interview?" the reporter asked her.

"Because it is Sesshomaru's victory, not mine. I'm just the woman he's courting."

"But you could be the First Lady of the State soon."

"I'm not quite sure about soon, and I'm not sure if I will be mated to him."

"Did something happen between you and Sesshomaru last night?"

"No! I'm just saying that we haven't really talked about mating, so I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch. You never know what life may bring you."

"Would you like to mate with him?"

"I'm not quite sure at the moment."

"Why not?"

"Well…because I will think about that when the time comes. As I said before, I don't want to count my chicks before they hatch."

Before they could ask her another question, Sesshomaru was rescuing her from the reporter. "I'm sorry, but I have been quite busy talking to everyone else that I didn't get the chance to talk to you," he said holding out his hand to shake the reporter's hand.

She took his hand and he tried to turn the attention to politics; however, the interview quickly turned back into one about his personal relationship. "Will you and Rin now settle down and mate?"

"I wish to refrain from talking about my private life. Could we please stick to politics?" he asked politely. She ended the interview shortly after.

Sesshomaru took Rin to his home, and Rin offered to make him lunch. He took her up on the offer and sat at the table while she fixed them something small. "I never thought I would get rid of her," she admitted to him.

"What exactly did you talk about?"

"She kept asking me if we were ever going to mate. I just told her that I wasn't sure because I don't want to say something and never have it happen."

"Would you ever mate with me?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm waiting for you to ask me." She looked at him longingly over her shoulder to find him staring at the table.

"I need to use the bathroom." He got up and went upstairs to his room. Somewhere in his pockets he had her engagement ring. Finding it, he prepared to go downstairs and finally ask her, but the sound of the door opening and his mother's growl changed that instantly. The ring was shoved back into his pocket as he rushed downstairs to save his Rin. She had her hand wrapped around Rin's neck, and Rin's feet weren't touching the ground anymore. He scooped her in his arms as he took a swipe at his mother. His mother let go allowing him get Rin to safety across the room. "What are you doing here?"

"I saw her little speech last night and her interview this morning. Not trying to steal my son's power, are you?" she asked Rin.

Rin looked at his mother and told her, "I wasn't. I didn't want to do the speech or the interview."

"How dare you flat out lie to me, you human!"

"So what if she is a human?" Sesshomaru asked.

"You are no better than your father. You are blind to this little human's power over you. Can't you see that she's using you?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"You would dare believe a human over your own mother?"

"I would believe her more than I would ever believe you."

"You would allow her to coming between you and I? I am your only mother!"

"And until you care for her, I don't want you in my life!" he fired back at her. She stood there watching him for seconds before storming out, but not before she reminded him that he was a disappointment to her. "Are you okay?" he asked Rin as he turned around to examine her.

"I'm fine, but what about your mother?"

"Let her worry about herself."

Tears started falling down Rin's face. Rin never cried, but she just couldn't hold it in any longer. "Maybe it would be better if I hadn't been in your life. You and your mother would still be talking. I have only made things worse between the two of you."

"They were already bad from the start." He hugged her hoping that would comfort her.

"You could have fixed them, but you can't now."

"No, I can't, but I don't care."

"I do though." Her sobbing grew. "Maybe we shouldn't see each other for awhile. If your relationship gets better, then I'll stay away from you forever."

"Please don't do that. You know that if you tell me that I can't court you anymore, I have to comply with your wishes."

"Yes, I do know. That's why I have to. Sesshomaru, you cannot court me until your mother agrees to us, or until she absolutely decides that she will never talk to you ever again." She took his face in her hands and requested of him, "Please take some time to work things out with your mom."

She put on her coat quickly and took her purse and overnight bag with her. It seemed like a long walk to Sango's even though Sango lived next door. Sango found Rin on her doorstep sobbing violently. "What's wrong, Rin?"

"I just told Sesshomaru he couldn't court me anymore," she managed to say between sobs.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because he and his mother were about to kick each other out of their lives all because of me. I can't allow him to throw away his relationship with his mother because of me."

"But Rin, you look so happy together. Last night on TV you two looked so natural together. And you've said that she will never accept you. Sometimes you have to sacrifice one thing you love for the one you love."

"But it should never be your mother."