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Rin walked back into her room to see that the man was still lying there, fast asleep. Rin worried her lower lip slightly, it had been three whole days and he still hadn't woken up. Luckily he still had a pulse or Rin would've thought he'd died right there on her favorite couch. She let out a breath at the dark thought and shook her head to clear her thoughts. It was silly to think that way. But still, surviving getting run over by a horse was a miracle in itself. No one (at least anyone she had ever heard of) had ever survived something like that.

Deciding to check on his vitals one more time, Rin walked over to his side and knelt down next to the beautiful man. She slightly blushed at that, men normally weren't supposed to be beautiful, but there was nothing else Rin could call him that would do his looks justice. Every little feature about him was breathtakingly beautiful. His long silvery hair and those peculiar golden tinted eyes. Also, the markings on his face looked almost like they were put there for a reason. Rin assumed that they were tattoos, the marking too perfectly placed to be birth marks. She traced her index finger along his cheek and noted that those marks were actually ascending from the tip of his cheek. Tattoos didn't do that.

She quickly pulled her hand away and frantically searched his face, as if doing so would answer her questions. It was then that she noted another marking under his silver bangs. She reached out her hand and gently brushed his bangs away to see a blue crescent moon. Unable to stop herself, Rin ran her finger along that marking as well and saw that it felt identical to the ones on his cheeks.

The man turned his head away from her hand and murmured something before falling back to sleep. Rin gave him a grim smile before lightly laughing at herself, even in his sleep he doesn't like looking at me,she thought with a light shake of her head.

Casting one last long glance at the man, Rin stood up and turned to go. She had an auction to get ready for. The horses wouldn't show themselves.

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Sesshomaru slowly opened his eyes and was met with a mixture of color and fuzzy images. After a moment or two his eyes began to focus and he noted that he was looking up at a ceiling. How did I get here? He thought before trying to sit up and cursed when his back cracked painfully and he fell back to his previous position.

Glowering at the ceiling for a moment, he tried to remember what had happened that had put him there. A flash of him jumping in front of a young woman and getting trampled by an enraged horse entered his mind and he held in the need to growl. That's right, it's all that woman's fault, that human woman, he thought in disgust. Why had he helped her in the first place? It wasn't like he'd get anything out of it. What could a poor stable girl do for him? That same horse entered his mind and he remembered that was the reason he had come.

Maybe I can get that horse after all, he thought with an inward smirk, that girl does owe me for saving her life.

Figuring that he'd get nothing done sitting on this couch, he tried to sit up again. This time, he actually managed to sit without anything cracking. It was the standing up and walking that would be the hard part. He braced himself as he quickly pushed off the couch and found that he could stand as well. He was a bit wobbly, but he had managed. Next on his agenda was to get walking. His back gave out a little crack when he took one step forward, but it remained silent as he walked around the room.

Once he was able to get decent control of the lower part of his body, he found the exit and picked up the scent of that woman. She smelled of pine and earth, a very enticing scent for a human. He sneered at the thought and pushed it to the far reaches of his mind. He didn't need complications, he just needed to get in and get out with that horse that was rightfully his. It was just business.

His nose led him to a tiny red, shabby stable. He pushed open the large wooden doors and spotted the human tending to one of the horses in it's stall. Her back was turned to him and he took the moment to size her up. She was relatively small, even by human standards. Possibly just reaching five feet, and compared to his six foot two stature, she was very small. Her long cinnamon colored hair was pulled up in a ponytail and then braided down her back. She wore (from what he could see) a plain white t-shirt and a pair of blue baggy jeans accompanied by light brown cowgirl boots.

The horse she was tending to was tied to the opposite side of the stall and she was presently brushing its coat. Her hand ran along its back while she gently ran the brush along its side. Though he could sense just how relaxing the scene seemed to be, he really needed to be on his way. He stepped forward and strode towards the two. The horse acknowledged him first, and the woman looked towards the horse's face before she stiffened. He saw her gently place the brush on the ground before she turned around to face him.

"Well I see you've made a speedy recovery," she stated perkily, but Sesshomaru merely brushed her off.

"Yes, and now I'd like to gather my horse, and possibly that Russian mare, and get out of here," he answered stoically. The woman blinked at him in surprise before she shook her head.

"I've already told you, she's not for sale," she answered.

"Well, I did risk my life to save yours. Don't you think I deserve a reward for such an act?" Sesshomaru asked back. The woman sent him a glare before crossing her arms across her chest defensively.

"A real man wouldn't ask for anything in return for saving a woman's life," she replied with an arched brow.

"But I see no woman," Sesshomaru answered back levelly and enjoyed the way the girl's eyes bulged out and her mouth worked but no sounds came out.

"How dare you? I am too a woman and I cared for you for three days!" she cried out before waving three of her fingers in his face, "count 'em! Three!" she added angrily.

"You are far too young to be counted as a woman. What are you, fifteen?" he asked back, the pitch of his voice never faltering even as the woman's face grew redder. He normally hated bickering with others, it just wasted valuable time, but bickering with her suddenly seemed kind of...fun.

"I am twenty for your information, and am indeed a woman by the government and the law of...nature!" she fought back, "and if you are really trying to buy my horse off me, your chances are fizzling out mister," she warned in an angered whisper.

"Are they? From what I've gathered, you are in dire need of money," he pointed out, and noted her face darken as she lowered her head. He didn't know why she was in the position she was in, but he neither minded nor cared. The only reason she was important was because she had a rare horse, which would soon be his.

"That horse means the world to me," she bit out suddenly, "and she will always be mine. I don't care if I'm homeless by the end of all this, at least I'll have my best friend," she added while lifting her chin, just daring him to take her on.

He was slightly surprised by the girl's outburst, none had ever opposed him so openly before. All his clients, even the toughest ones, broke over time. It seemed he needed to "break" her a little more before he got what he wanted. Fine, I'll do it, he thought, it'd be worth it in the end.

"Name your price, and don't be shy about calling out numbers, I'm sure I can afford it," Sesshomaru stated matter-of-factly.

"Don't you listen? I already told you no!" the woman cried out before she fisted her hands and let out an angered breath.

"You cannot foolishly hold onto something you can't afford girl. You'll starve! Your horse will starve, and whoever else you live with will starve without-"

"Stop!" the woman screamed before pushing him out of the way and running out of the barn. Sesshomaru gave out a grunt of pain when his back hit a stall door. The part of his back, which he now knew was bruised, pulsed painfully for a moment. Sesshomaru ground his teeth together to keep from growling and his eyes from going red. It seemed he still wasn't fully recovered yet. He watched as the girl ran out of sight and let out a pained breath before turning to follow. Though he could just as easily steal the rare mare, he would never stoop so low. His reputation would suffer from such a scandal, and it had taken far too long to get to where he was now. The girl would come around, sooner or later.

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Rin couldn't believe how mad she was! She had never gotten so riled up before, and from a man no less! Normally she was a shy, embarrassed mess around men, never this hot tempered or rude. She stopped her running to take a deep breath and slowly ran her hands against her arms, trying to stop her frantic shaking. But what he had said was true...she couldn't hold onto her precious Mika forever. Eventually the medical bills and the rent would be too much to handle. She may even have to sell her home to keep her father in medical care. It isn't fair! She thought as she shut her eyes tightly, why can't I have all that money that man had? He waves it around so freely, it's like – she paused when an idea popped in her head.

She opened her eyes as a smile slowly spread across her face, it was genius!

"We'll just see how attached you are to your money," she whispered with a smirk before twirling around and heading back in the direction she had come. After a couple of strides she spotted the city man heading towards her in all his rich glory. His priceless black suit hugged his tall frame flawlessly and his long strides were so smooth that it was almost like he was floating rather than walking. A strangeness that Rin pushed idly away, she needed to stay focused.

The man spotted her then and his golden eyes narrowed as his quickened his strides until he was a few yards away from her. "I've caught up to you," he stated idly and Rin nodded towards him.

"I've decided to take you up on your offer," Rin answered levelly. One silver brow rose up in surprise before his eyes traveled down her frame suspiciously. She could tell that he didn't believe her.

"What's your price?" he asked.

"Your money, all of it," she answered. His eyes widened in shock before he glared back at her.

"What do you mean, all of it?"

"Simply that, I want all of your money in exchange for my Mika. You said any price," Rin pointed out with a grin and noted the man's unease as he assessed the situation.

"My profits for that horse would never be enough to replenish my fortune if I gave it all to you," he answered and Rin gave him a swift nod.

"And now you understand how I feel about Mika. Though it may not be in a form of money, I feel that I would lose my fortune too if I gave her to you," Rin replied and the man's eyes narrowed before he scuffed at her.

"I don't need your moral lessons girl. Are you go to set a realistic price or are you just toying with me?" he asked back.

"What's your name?" Rin asked and noted the slight look of agitation that crossed over his face.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I want to know what name to put on the restricted notice," Rin teased. His lips pulled up in a sneer, but she enjoyed the slight humor that seemed to glitter in those golden eyes. He found her humor a little funny, a fact that she surprisingly liked.

"Sesshomaru Tashio," he replied and Rin gave him a smile against her better judgment. She was still angry at the man, or Sesshomaru as he was now known as, but she supposed his good looks were getting the better of her.

"What's your name?" he asked back and Rin rose an eyebrow at him.

"Why do you need to know?" she asked.

"Same reason as yours," he answered and Rin couldn't help but laugh at that. Though he was stuck up and arrogant, something about him was oddly...likable. To the degree that she didn't seem able to stay mad at him.

"Rin Mizaki," she replied.

"I still want that horse Ms. Mizaki," Sesshomaru stated stoically and Rin shrugged in reply.

"And I'm still not going to give her to you, Mr. Tashio," she playfully bantered back. His eyes narrowed at her and she was sure he was going to say something nasty, but was stopped when the sound of distressed horses echoed through the clearing.

"My horses!" Rin shrieked as she made a dash for the stable, Sesshomaru hot on her trail. The two ran towards the stable and Rin's eyes widened at the scene that played out before them. A band of men were running through the stable door she had left ajar when she had ran from Sesshomaru earlier. They were each clad in black and looked suspiciously like thieves.

"They're going to steal the Russian mare," Sesshomaru stated and Rin whirled her head around to look at him in shock.

"They're going to steal Mika?" Rin parroted to him, unable to think of anything else to say. He nodded towards her before heading down towards the stable.

"Hey wait! It's too dangerous to go down there!" Rin called out as she outstretched her hand towards Sesshomaru's receding form, "there are too many down there! You'll get killed!" Rin cried out, but Sesshomaru merely ignored her as he continued to walk towards the stable.

Rin held her breath when he disappeared into the building, and waited impatiently on top of the hill for something to happen. She waited in silence for what seemed like hours before she heard the sound of screams and spotted the group of thieves making a run for it. They looked so scared that they were tripping over one another and seemed unable to keep their footing for more than five seconds. Rin watched as Sesshomaru calmly walked to the entrance of the stable and all the thieves' eyes widened before the men darted in different directions.

Rin blinked in surprise as she turned back to Sesshomaru, who was this guy? And what had he done to those men? Intent on getting answers she hurried down the hill to his side. He waited patiently for her to approach, and she gave him a suspicious look as she slowed her pace the closer she got to him.

"What happened in there?" Rin asked, but Sesshomaru merely waved her off.

"It doesn't matter. The threat is gone, and your horses are safe," he answered.

"But-" she began, but he silenced her with an impatient look.

"Don't think I did this for you. I was protecting the Russian mare, that was what those thieves were after," he answered pointedly.

"But why?" she asked.

"I will not allow another to get their hands on that mare. I need her for my own investment. No one else, especially a thief, will bank out on that horse," Sesshomaru answered. Rin wasn't sure if she should feel flattered or worried. Though he had saved Mika and her other horses, he was only doing it to make sure no one else got a hold of Mika. Rin inwardly sighed, would this man ever give up? What was she going to do with him?

"Well if you feel that strongly about it, then you can help me fend off all the others who will try to buy her at today's auction," Rin stated with a big grin. She had to keep that grin in place or else she was sure she'd break down and cry when she noted the look of pure hatred that Sesshomaru sent her way.

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"Five thousand on the Russian mare!" a man cried out.

"She's not for sale," Sesshomaru ground out as he stood guard near the mare's corral.

"But she's rare, and I want her!" the man stated dumbly while sending a glare Sesshomaru's way. It seemed Sesshomaru's words hadn't gotten through his thick skull. He ignored the fact that he had acted in a much similar way. At least he had been civil about it.

"It seems you are out of luck," he answered, turning to face the other direction. The man huffed before hiking up his jeans and walking away.

"You know, you could try and sell some of my other horses," Rin whispered as she passed him, another customer in tow, "Mika is bringing in a lot of customers even though I'm not selling her. Lead the customer to another horse that's for sale," she added.

"I'm not helping you, I'm helping me by keeping her out of everyone else's clutches. I refuse to sell any of your horses," he answered back and Rin rolled her eyes before she sent him a sideways grin.

"Whatever you say," she waved as she led her customer to a baize mare with white hair that was grazing in a separate corral. Sesshomaru lifted his nose in the air as he surveyed her. She seemed so much happier, friendlier in her own element. She talked to the customer with ease and even was able to get a few laughs out of the other woman. She had let her hair down and out of its braid before the auction had even started, and it cascaded down her back in a mass of brown waves.

His attention was pulled from her when he noted a young man making his way for Mika's corral. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at him and crossed his arms over his chest. The young man sized Sesshomaru up for a moment before he quickly turned to the right and headed for another horse's corral.

"Thank you so much Missy! Hope to see you soon!" he heard Rin call and turned to glance back at her. The customer she had been talking with was now boarding up the baize mare in a large silver trailer. So she was able to sell one, Sesshomaru thought, big deal.

About an hour later Rin had been able to sell six horses, and Sesshomaru had to reluctantly take his words back. He approached her as she finished counting the money she had just made.

"I've made enough," he heard her murmur before she turned to look up at him.

"You did a good job protecting Mika. I think your appearance alone scared off most of my customers," Rin laughed, "but I'm afraid I'm still not going to give her to you," she added and Sesshomaru had to stifle in the need to sigh. Just how long was this woman planning on wasting his time?

"Now I have to go meet up with my tax man," Rin stated as she stood up and walked away with a slight bounce in her step,

"Your...tax man?" he asked. He had never heard anyone so happy to meet up with their tax collector before.

"Yup! Wanna come with?" she asked, turning slightly around to send him a hopeful grin.

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Inuyasha sighed as he rubbed his temples. Rin was late, again. Would that girl ever be on time for at least one meeting? He just groaned, realizing that it would probably never happen. Inuyasha sat back in his chair and twirled around once before placing his hands on his desk to stop the motion. Sometimes he questioned why he became a tax collector in the first place. He really hated his job, and hated having to take money from so many people who needed it. People like Rin, he thought as he stared down at his desk with hooded eyes. That poor girl, he never knew how she was able to come up with the massive sum of money he asked for every month.

A smile tugged at his lips as he thought of the happy-go-lucky woman that was Rin. She was one of his closest and dearest friends. When he had heard of her father's heart disease, and the constant problems he faced just surviving, he had wanted to help her out so badly. He had wanted to lower her taxes, or help pay for half. But the prideful girl would have none of that and rejected his offer every time.

"It'll be fine Inuyasha, I'll get the money! I promise!" a distant Rin exclaimed. The memory tugged at Inuyasha's brain that he couldn't help but let out a choked laugh. There she went again, getting him all choked up. He turned his head away and his golden orbs landed on the picture on his desk. The woman there caused Inuyasha's lips to quirk up in a smile before it became an all knowing smirk. Kagome always had a way about her that got him smiling like a fool.

The picture in question was of her on one of their vacations together with their friends. She had on a short pink summer dress and a bright yellow sun hat. She was smiling sheepishly at the camera as she tried desperately to keep the hat on her head as the wind blew at her dress and long raven locks.

Inuyasha was just about to completely relax when a hectic knock sounded at his door.

"Come in," he called and Rin raced inside and nearly jumped on the leather chair across from Inuyasha's desk as she stared determinedly at him. He laughed lightly at her antics before sparing a glance at the clock on the wall.

"You're twenty minutes late Rin," he pointed out and Rin bowed her head several times and repeatedly apologized. Before long Inuyasha let out another laugh and told her it was fine.

"I have the money Inuyasha, another month's rent paid in full!" she stated and Inuyasha grabbed for the envelope she presented to him. He was just about to start counting the bills when another walked into his office. He recognized him instantly and couldn't believe that his older brother was there.

"What are you doing here Sesshomaru?" he couldn't help but ask.

"I'm with her," Sesshomaru answered as he inclined his head towards Rin.

"You know each other?" Rin asked curiously as she glanced between the two men.

"Yeah. He's my older brother," Inuyasha replied, "since when do you travel around these parts Sesshomaru, and with Rin no less?'

"Hey what's that supposed to mean?" Rin asked in outrage.

"I'm here for her Russian mare," Sesshomaru answered.

"So you're after it too, huh? I should have known. It sounds like something you'd do," Inuyasha scuffed.

"Once she sells it to me I'll be on my way," Sesshomaru replied and Inuyasha rolled his eyes before glancing at Rin.

"Fat chance. Rin is as stubborn as they come, and she loves that horse," he stated and smiled when he saw Sesshomaru roll his eyes in return. Inuyasha glanced between the two and wondered what fates had put them together. In all his wildest dreams he wouldn't have even considered the two ever crossing paths. He supposed if they had any chemistry at all, he'd be happy for his older prick of a brother.

Deciding to keep his thoughts to himself, he started counting the bills in Rin's envelope. After he flipped past the last bill he sent Rin a smile.

"Yup, all ten thousand is there. Great work Rin. I'll see you next month for the next ten thousand," he stated and Rin nodded before standing up.

"Hopefully I'll see you sooner than that. I think Kagome was talking to me about brunch soon," Rin winked at him and Inuyasha smiled and nodded towards her. Inuyasha turned to his brother and noted that he was watching Rin as she walked past him. He couldn't tell what he was thinking by his expression, but capturing his brother's attention was a hard thing to do. Rin definitely seemed to have captivated the anti-social businessman. He was curious how their relationship would pan out later.

"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha called out to his brother just as he was about to leave with Rin. Sesshomaru paused in the doorway before turning to send his brother an impatient sideways glance.

"Are you really only in this to get that Russian mare?" he asked.

"My motives are none of your business brother," Sesshomaru answered.

"Sesshomaru," he warned darkly, "Rin means a lot to me and my wife. If you ever hurt her, I swear I'll - " Inuyasha began, but Sesshomaru interrupted him with a growl.

"I do not intend on hurting her Inuyasha. She's merely in the way. Once she sells her mare to me I'll be out of her life forever," Sesshomaru replied before taking his leave and making sure to roughly close Inuyasha's office door on the way out.

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