Disclaimer: I wish I had a dog tag that said InuYasha on it. HEY! There's a product idea! I own that idea...but not InuYasha.

For all those who continue to inspire to keep the dream going...thank you.

The sun had begun its slow decent into the horizon when a camp overlooking a valley was established. Jaken had chosen well. He knew where they were. The borders of the Western Lands, Sesshomaru's territory. From this vantage point the youkai lord would be able to survey a great deal of the land. A fire was quickly started and Ah-Un moved off to inspect the perimeter of the camp, always on guard of its lord and companions. Jaken had settled himself against the base of a tree within hearing distance of his lord, the imp's eyes closed and his chest moving in the steady rhythm of restful breathing.

Rin carefully spread out her blankets, making sure to stay near the glow of the fire. She knew Lord Sesshomaru would not sleep this night. Being back in his lands was both a blessing and a curse. Those who might think to start an uprising in his absence would be ignorant of his return, giving him a decided advantage. But it also meant the threats against Rin increased tenfold. It was no secret that many within the Western Lands resented the young human girl. Seeing her as their lord's weakness and his doom. Yes, it was true, Sesshomaru would protect Rin with his life and hell awaited any who dared to attempt to do her harm. However, even the threat of their lord's displeasure did not deter some.

Sesshomaru watched from his position, overlooking the valley below. The great sweeping hills, covered with the tall green grasses of spring, rippled like silk in the cool evening breeze. There was a dampness in the air that only spring carried. A threat of rain or the promise of dew. The moon's bright rays had begun to cut a swath through the thick clouds of the night. This was Sesshomaru's time, the suffocating silence of nighttime. A star streaked across the darkness, its bright and blazing trail slowly fading. An omen? Perhaps. From the camp Sesshomaru heard Rin making her bedding for the night.

'What will you do with her now? Her allegiance to you is no longer a command. She follows you even now, knowing what dangers await her within your realm. You know your word alone is not enough to keep her safe. Only by keeping her by your side constantly will she be safe.'

When in hell did his bloody conscience become so opinionated? He had no choice but to return to the Western Lands. Matters there required his attention. Naraku was dead and gone, the Band of Seven was once again rotting in their tombs. Perhaps he hoped Rin's continual presence at his side would acclimate others to her being a part of his life. Jaken, on several occasions, had come to Rin's defense. Whether it was done to please his lord or because the imp did care for the girl was anyone's guess. Again Sesshomaru's amber eyes looked to the heavens. So what to do with his young lady. Hold a moment...his lady? Where had that foolish thought come from?

'If only your heart were as big as your pride you might freely admit Rin is just that. She started as your ward, then became your companion and now, free of her debt, there is no reason she could not be your lady.'

Things were not that simple. For centuries now he had railed against his father and his half brother's choices in mates, cursing the human race and despising it for his families downfall. How would it look to his people now if their lord took a human female as his? And yet...had any of his people counselled him? Had any of them been there to simplify a matter, making the choices therein that much easier? No, of course not. They feared him. It was their fear that made them loyal to him. Rin did not fear him. She respected him. She was under no obligation to follow his commands but had done so out of a debt she felt she owed him. It was her influence that had brought changes in him. When her fingers clasped his, for the first time in his life, Sesshomaru knew tranquility. He felt...whole. The emptiness that had consumed and drove him since his father's death was gone. He had begun to understand why his father and half brother had chosen a human female as a mate. No demon's touch could bring peace, could chase away the darklings that drove another demon to destroy.

Sesshomaru felt a presence at his side. The soft scent of wildflowers and a tendril of dark hair wafted in front of him. There it was again. That calm. Rin stood beside him, her gentle hands clasped behind her back as her eyes roamed over the valley below. A gentle smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Something of his lands amused her?

"All of this is yours, Lord Sesshomaru. You could live in opulance and splendor. The dirt of the earth never settling on your feet and yet you choose to venture. Why is that?" she asked softly, slowly turning her head to look up at her lord, "What could possibly be more beautiful than this sight before us?"

"There are some things in this world, Rin, that are worth the travel for. Had I wished to be a pampered lord who grew fat on the wealth of my station, I could have. At first, it was the Tetsusaiga that drew me from the Western Lands. Then it was Naraku's destruction." Sesshomaru replied, glancing down at her, watching her eyes as they studied him intently.

"And what now, my lord? What is it that lures you away from your responsibilities?"

'You, Rin. You lure me away and tempt me and drive me to madness. Away from this land I do not have others scrutinizing me, questioning my actions with their looks of disdain. Anywhere but here I could finally have peace. Here I am lord, wielding all the power and yet I feel I have none. Out in the wilds of the world, I have no power at all and yet you, alone, make me feel invincable. I could give you everything and nothing. I would be damned by my own people if I were to claim you and yet if I do not, your life hangs by a thread.' he thought to himself.

"My lord?"

Her voice broke through his thoughts and Sesshomaru looked away, returning his watchful eye to the valley.

"Nothing lures me away from my responsiblities now, Rin. That is why I have returned here to the Western Lands."

'LIAR!' his conscience snapped.

Rin nodded slowly and glanced once more at the stars. Well what on earth had she expected? Him to make some great declaration of love? Of course the setting was ideal, the moment perfect. Foolish, human, romantic notions. His clasping her hand earlier wasn't a sign. Many times when she was a child they had walked like that. A force of habit, left over from the days of her youth. Silently Rin berated herself. She had to stop. Lord Sesshomaru was a powerful inu-youkai lord and she was a human. Such a pairing had ended in disaster for his family before. The son was not about to commit the sins of the father.

"Get some sleep, Rin. Tomorrow we return to the family seat. Make yourself presentable."