A/N: I think Sesshomaru is a bit OOC in this chapter :sweat drop: Wow, I'm on my third chapter! This is what happens when you don't have the Internet for a week…

XXX

Kagura was floating around on her feather, looking for new ways to get Sesshomaru to be hers. Soon she looked down to find Rin traveling with Inuyasha and the rest.

She wasn't sure who it was at first, but soon realized that it was Rin and smirked. "Looks like someone has had a little incident with the Spring of Growth. I could use this."

XXX

With some help from Miroku and Sango, and the prior knowledge of the mountain, Inuyasha and Kagome had come to a conclusion that there was no Spring of Youth on the mountain.

So, they all headed back to the place where they had last met with Sesshomaru to return Rin.

Sesshomaru was there, waiting, and as promised, Rin was returned without a scratch.

"Thank you for your assistance. For that I am grateful, and therefore I will not fight you today Inuyasha." Sesshomaru gave him a signature glare. "But next time we meet, I will kill you."

"Likewise." Inuyasha nodded.

"Thank you Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha!" Rin bowed.

"Anytime!" Kagome smiled. "Bye now!"

"Bye!"

The groups parted ways, Inuyasha and Kagome heading back to the well, Miroku and Sango returning to Miroku's home to prepare for the wedding, and Rin going with Sesshomaru and Jaken.

XXX

That evening, Jaken disappeared for a while, leaving Sesshomaru and Rin alone. They were sitting in silence, until Rin broke it.

"Is something the matter, Sesshomaru? You seem… troubled…"

There was a pause before Sesshomaru replied. "Why… Why is it that you have me restless… worrying about you…?"

Rin looked up at Sesshomaru, who was looking at her, his face seeming anguished.

"Why do I care so much… what happens to you?" His hand wandered up to stroke her cheek. "Why do I… love you?"

Sesshomaru pulled Rin into a hug. "Why do I love you so much?" Rin's eyes were wide and tears fell from her face. Finally she managed to say. "But… I love you too…"

Sesshomaru pulled back and looked at her. "What?"

"I love you too!" Rin said. "I don't really understand it… maybe it's because I'm older now… but I really do love you!" She wiped her tears and smiled at him.

Sesshomaru blushed, and smiled for what seemed like the first time. He moved forward as if to kiss her but Rin placed her hand on his lips. "Wait. Promise me something. Promise me you won't kill unless it's necessary."

"But Rin… I…" He paused and then sighed. "Rin…" He lifted her chin and placed a long, lingering kiss on her lips. "I promise."

"L-LORD SESSHOMARU! RIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! SO VULGAR! WITH A HUMAN!" Jaken was standing open-mouthed and sputtering nonsense.

"Jaken." Sesshomaru's face returned to normal and he turned to the imp blabbering frantically in front of him. "Shut up." He threw a rock at him and knocked him out.

He turned back to Rin and grinned mischievously. "Now, where were we? Oh yes." The two of them kissed like it was the only thing that kept them alive.

Oh yes. I am doomed. Just like my father. Just like my brother. I suppose it's in my blood. But either way, it's inevitable. I love that human. I love Rin.

XXX

Kagura watched them from above, a fire burning through her eyes. That BITCH. Her fists clenched. She would have to do something. Now.

Kagura flew down, and the two looked up. She ripped Rin out of his arms.

"SESSHOMARU!"

"RIN!" Sesshomaru stood and drew his sword. "What do you want, Kagura?"

"I want to make a bargain. I know where this Spring of Youth is. Naraku came upon it once. I will tell you the location, and let the girl drink it and be free, on one condition. You will marry me, give Rin in the care of another, and promise to never see her again."

"You fool, you know I could kill you now if I wanted!" Sesshomaru took a position, about to strike.

"Yes, but if you do that, you may never find that spring." When Sesshomaru lowered his sword, Kagura smiled triumphantly.

"I… will never agree to terms such as this." Sesshomaru said stubbornly. "Never."

"Fine then. But I will keep the girl with me for now." Kagura flew away with Rin before Sesshomaru could say anything.

"Damn it…" Sesshomaru said through clenched teeth. He couldn't find his way out of this. He knew this was going to hurt his pride, but he needed help. Rin needed help.

XXX

"Y-You're asking us for help AGAIN?" Inuyasha scowled. "FEH. No way!"

"I don't like asking you for help any more than you like giving it. But this time… I find myself in a situation I can't kill to solve. I don't know what to do…"

Kagome looked sympathetically at Sesshomaru. "I understand."

"KAGOME! Why do you always take HIS side?" Inuyasha asked Kagome before turning on Sesshomaru. "And what's so special about this girl anyway? Since when do you care what happens to humans?"

Kagome nudged Inuyasha and glared muttering under her breath. "Don't be so insensitive!"

Sesshomaru flinched before looking Inuyasha calmly in the eye and asking. "Why do you care what happens to that girl?" He pointed to Kagome.

Inuyasha blinked. "Well that's because I…" the rest of his words became an incoherent mumble.

Kagome looked expectantly at Inuyasha. "That's because what?"

"Because… Because I love you, okay? There. I said it. Happy?" Inuyasha blushed and looked down.

Kagome smiled. "Yes. Very."

Then both of them realized something and jerked their heads towards Sesshomaru.

Inuyasha was the first to speak. "That can't be! You can't—You're not—"

When Sesshomaru looked down and didn't say anything, both of them gaped disbelievingly at him.

Kagome suddenly grinned triumphantly. "I KNEW IT!" She laughed. "Ever since I saw you two hug at the mountain! And while we were there, Rin admitted to me that she loved you! You love her too! You two got together, didn't you?" Sesshomaru drew back as Kagome came upon him, her eyes sparkling girlishly. "DID YOU KISS YET?"

Sesshomaru blushed deep red, last night's events flooding into his head.

Kagome gasped. "YOU DID!"

Inuyasha's jaw dropped. "I don't believe this! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD?"

"That's enough." Sesshomaru finally spoke. "We need to find a way to get Rin and the location of the Spring of Youth at once." And after a short pause he looked down, a painful look in his eyes. "I… need her…" He said quietly so the other two couldn't hear.

"I know!" Kagome piped up suddenly. "Why don't you promise yourself to her, but when it comes time to put on the engagement ring, you put it on her right hand, instead of her left, so that it doesn't really count!"

"Engagement ring?" Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I forgot, you don't have the concept of engagement rings here." Kagome put her finger to her chin in thought, until she smiled. "All the better! If she doesn't know that the ring is supposed to be on your left hand, it'll be easier to fool her. Here." Kagome took a ring she was wearing off her finger and handed it to Sesshomaru. "You can use this one."

Sesshomaru took it and looked at it for a moment. "Fine. This had better work." He said finally.

"Inuyasha and I will watch you to make sure it does."

"WE WILL?"

"YES WE WILL."

Gulp. "Okay…"

Sesshomaru nodded. "I am eternally grateful." He stood and bowed to them.

Once again the couple gaped at him.

"S-Sesshomaru is bowing to us…?" Kagome said uncertainly.

"DAMN IT ALL! TOMORROW THE WORLD IS GOING TO END, AT THE RATE THIS IS GOING!" Inuyasha threw up his hands and stalked off.