Disclaimer: Do I really have to say it?

Only when she was back within the safety of her room did Rin break down and start to tremble. Her hands shook so badly she was unable to remove the fashionable kimono. Thankfully she was near her bed when her knees finally gave way and she fell onto the mattress with a shakey dry sob. Pressing her quaking fingertips to her lips, Rin stared out through the open partisian to the sprawling gardens. She would never seek her lord's destruction! How dare that...that woman say such a thing!

Rin's fearful trembling soon became the tremors of outrage and her chin became set at a stubborn angle. What did it matter what Juri thought of her and her reasons for being here? She had every right to be here! She wasn't the guest here, Juri was! Jumping to her feet, Rin soon began to pace as she thought. The demoness was clever. Diabolicly so. Jaken had said Juri and Lord Sesshomaru had an intimate past. Rin's jaw clenched for a moment before she shook her head clear. No, now was not the time to let jealousy cloud her thoughts. Her place in Lord Sesshomaru's life was secure, even before they had mated. She wasn't going up against this woman to take her place.

Lost in her thoughts Rin never noticed the sound of approaching footsteps. Without warning the door of her room swung open violently, slamming against the wall with an explosive bang. Rin's brown eyes widened slowly as she saw the form of her lord outlined in the doorway. The lamps in the hallway cast him in a silhouette, only his eyes, now a glowing blood red were visible. Immediately she dove to her feet, backing away til she found herself in a corner. She had never seen Lord Sesshomaru so furious before.

"L-Lord Sesshomaru?" she whimpered, hoping to be able to plead her case before he could speak.

Swallowing hard Rin watched in silent fear as he stepped into the room, the door slamming shut behind him. A gust a wind rushed through the room, extinguishing the lamps within the room, casting them into darkness. The burning glow of his eyes followed her every move. If only he would speak! Say something, reprimand her, curse her, anything! Rin opened her mouth to speak again but no sound came. To her horror she saw the familiar green glow at his fingertips. No...no, he wouldn't. Lord Sesshomaru would never use his poisoned claws on her! What was wrong? Why was he acting like this? Had Juri turned him against her after he had sent her here! There was no other explanation. Rin pressed herself deeper into the corner, sliding down the wall and covering her head as she had done as a child. She could hear the deadly snarl and the sharp whistle of the wind as Lord Sesshomaru's hand decended on her.

"Lord Sesshomaru, don't hurt Rin! Please!"

From within the room came the sound of fine satin rending apart and then a soft thud. In the darkness of the hall came a light and cold laugh. Things could not have gone better.

Jaken waited an hour before going to Rin's room. He had to make certain that kimono was properly cared for. As much as it would have cost Lord Sesshomaru had he known about it! Over and over he knocked on Rin's door with the end of his staff. Surely the girl couldn't be asleep already! Jaken pushed open the door a crack and saw the room shrouded in darkness. He scowled and closed the door once again. He would have to wait and gather the kimono tomorrow. For now he would see to Lord Sesshomaru...or see the bottom of Lord Sesshomaru's boot, depending on his temperment after Rin and Juri's exchange.

He had remained outside the chamber door, listening to the heated exchanges between the demon lords, Lord Sesshomaru and Juri. Things had quickly gone from bad to worse. Some now were asking if perhaps the human girl didn't hold greater value to Lord Sesshomaru than they had previously thought. After all, who kept a simple ward in such fine clothing? Juri, eager to turn the tide against Rin once again, fed their misgivings. Lord Sesshomaru refused to be placed under further scrutiny and stated plainly that Rin was a topic now closed to them. A bellow of outrage from the ogre demon lord sent Jaken scurrying from the door.

As Jaken approached Lord Sesshomaru's private chambers, he froze. Rin never slept in the dark. The girl hated the dark. Something was wrong. Quickly, the imp scrambled back to Rin's room, squawking and shouting her name. Why wasn't she answering? She wasn't a heavy sleeper due to their travels which required them to awaken and be moving at a moments notice. Panting from the run, Jaken threw open Rin's door and blasted the nearest lamp with his staff.

"Rin! Rin, answer me! This is no time for games! Answer me at once!" the imp demanded, panic coloring his voice as he moved about and lit as many lamps as he could find.

Horror hit the vassil like a bucket of icy cold water. Crumpled in a far corner of the room, her black hair covering her face and a fine splash of crimson blood on the wall behind her, was Rin. Jaken knew those marks. Only one hand could make such deep and slicing wounds. How could this be? What could have enraged his lord so greatly that he would strike down Rin? What madness had possessed Lord Sesshomaru? Slowly Jaken made his way to the fallen girl's side, her name coming out in a piteous squeak. Juri must have succeeded. She had done what Jaken thought was impossible and set Lord Sesshomaru upon Rin, he had slaughtered his human ward!

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