Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of the gang.

Later that night, when their guests had been shown their room, Rin had insisted Kagome and InuYasha stay, Sesshomaru watched as Rin prepared for bed. His little brother's words still pounded in his ears. If he asked Rin to become immortal it would be as if he was saying he still could not look passed her being a mere human. On the other hand, if he didn't at least make the offer to her it would appear as if he didn't want her by his side for good. He was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. As Rin closed the windows to the room to ward off the chill in the night air Sesshomaru decided he would have to risk her hurt.

"Rin. Come here."

With her usual gentle smile, Rin came to stand before her lord. She knew something had been troubling him for some time. InuYasha and Kagome's visit only seemed to deepen his worry. It still amazed her, after all these years, Lord Sesshomaru's face had not changed. While she had grown, developed, matured, her lord still looked as he did the day they met. As a full demon, of course, he would appear as he did now long after Rin's hair had turned gray and her body became stooped with age. The thought of Sesshomaru going on long after she was dust made her smile falter. Would he lose the tiny sliver of humanity he had shown in their time together? Would some of her influence on him vanish? Why could he not age with her, die with her? Quickly she took back the foolish and selfish wish. No. The Western Lands needed him more than she.

"You wish to speak with me, my lord?"

"Rin, there are matters of which we must speak. As a human, your life will be far shorter than my own. As a demon, you could live indefinately. I am offering you the chance. Become a demon."

Rin was taken aback. This was not the direction she thought this discussion would take. Become a demon? Give up her humanity? Turn her back on the very thing that made her who she was? So it had all been a lie. He didn't trully approve of her being a human! It still repulsed him. Well of course. It would be near impossible to turn away from centuries of beliefs. Rin's eyes stung for a brief moment as she looked away from her lord. So she was expected to just become a demon? Why should she be the one to change! Rin lifted her eyes to Sesshomaru's.

"Become a human."

"Don't be a fool, Rin. I cannot become a human. I am the ruler of the Western Lands. A position that will never be occupied by a mortal. Would you rather die a mortal's death than be granted a way to live forever? Wasn't that what you onced wished for? When you were but a child you expressed the desire to stay with your lord forever. Has that wish changed?" Sesshomaru demanded, shaken to the core by her wanting him to become a mortal himself.

"You know that wish has not changed and never will change but why must I make the sacrifices in order for it to happen!" Rin fired back, "I lose my humanity but live forever...and what do you surrender to make it possible? Nothing! As childish as it may sound, my lord, that's not fair!"

"This is not about fair or equal, Rin. Apparently you would rather rot in the ground than have your wish granted. Had I not made this offer to you, if you had found out about it some other way, you would still be angered. You should at least consider the offer and be grateful it was made before answering. It will not be made again."

Rin took several steps back, needing to distance herself from both the situation and her lord. This was insane. How could he even ask her to consider such a thing? Become a demon and be with Lord Sesshomaru forever just as she had always wanted...or grow old, be unable to travel with him and Master Jaken and die a miserable death. She remember Jaken telling of the great kingdom Lord Sesshomaru would build and how he would be a part of it. And of how she would never live to see it come to pass. Years ago it had been the wish of a child's heart to be with Lord Sesshomaru forever, that she might never be alone again. Now as a grown woman and as his mate, Rin yearned to be part of his dynasty, to take her place at his side there.

"You must give me time, my lord. What you offer...has much to be considered."

Sesshomaru said nothing. At least she was willing to give the matter some thought and not dismiss it right away. He hoped InuYasha would have this much difficulty should he have this same talk with Kagome. It wasn't very likely. The girl had always made it clear she only wished to remain by his little brother's side, no matter the cost. Sometimes he pondered what made mortal women so undeniably faithful to their demon men. Nothing shook that faith. Sesshomaru studied Rin as she slowly sat on the edge of the great bed, her hands folded in her lap. If she did choose to become a demon, how would it change her? Would she look different, act like a coldhearted demon, would even her very scent change? Would she still be the Rin he had always known?

"Is it so important to you that I become a demon, my lord?" she asked, her voice soft and frightened.

"It matters not to me what you do, Rin. I merely make the offer so you might realize, you do have a choice. Do what you will." Sesshomaru said flatly.

Rin nodded and turned away. It had always been this way. Her lord allowing her to make the choices in regards to the path of her life. All the conflicting pros and cons battled in her mind. She would think on this more tomorrow. Tonight she only wished to sleep and lose herself in a dream where such heavy burdens didn't weigh down on her.

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The following morning it was clear sleep had illuded Rin. The dark circles under her eyes were a testiment to her restlessness. InuYasha glanced at Kagome from the corner of his eye, an eyebrow raised. Surely he jackass of an older brother hadn't brought up the whole become-a-demon conversation last night! The hanyou shook his head. For all his knowledge of being a powerful inuyoukai lord, Sesshomaru could be pretty dense when it came to women. As if knowing his little brother was thinking ill of him, the dog demon stepped into the sunlight courtyard.

"Well if it isn't the idiot looking for his village." InuYasha smirked, only too happy to take the offensive while he had the chance.

Sesshomaru cast a cold glare in his brother's direction. He was in no mood to toy with the likes of the halfdemon today. Despite his not requiring rest, Sesshomaru had watched over Rin as she tossed and turned throughout the night. The nightmares of her youth had returned with a vengence. He would always remember her mouth open in a silent scream. When the wolves had attacked and killed her and those in her village, Rin had been incapable of speech. Which is why her screams for help had never reached his keen ears. Even now, standing in the warmth of the sun, Rin shivered in memory.

"If only your skills with Tetsusaiga were as sharp as your wit, little brother. You might actually stand a chance in a battle."

Kagome sighed, rubbing her temples. It was apparent family reunions would not be a part of their future. These two didn't know when to let up. Her eyes flashed a warning to InuYasha as he opened his mouth to fire back. He knew that look. The beads around his neck already felt as if they were growing heavier and forcing him to the ground. The hanyou's jaw quickly clamped shut. No need to start the day off with a mouthful of dirt.

"If you two want to stand around and have a family squabble, that is your choice. Rin and I, however, have more pleasant activities in mind. Considering I've never been here to the Western Lands before I want to do some exploring. If we might borrow Ah-Un for a little while..." Kagome smiled sweetly.

"You don't seriously think you two are just going to be allowed to wander off with only that demon to protect you!" InuYasha objected, seemingly shocked that Kagome would even suggest it.

"Hey, I can still fire a pretty mean bow, InuYasha! Don't make it sound like we are totally helpless!"

"I didn't say you were helpless, sheesh! I was just saying that those two demons could be anywhere and I don't want anything to happen to you! Touchy, aren't we!"

Rin smiled slightly. InuYasha had a strange way of showing Kagome that he cared and that he loved her. Of course, for an unconventional pair, their showings of affection seemed appropriate. Rin suddenly could feel Sesshomaru's eyes on her. He was still awaiting her answer. It was all such a tangle. Kagome's suggestion of them going wandering appealled to her all of a sudden. Maybe she could ask Kagome what her feeling on the matter was and how she might answer such an offer.

"Take Ah-Un and go. I won't do any permanent damage to the halfdemon." Sesshomaru said in the all to familiar non-chalant tone.

"Feh. Like you could do any kind of damage to me at all, Sesshomaru. Lets remember who was the one sent licking his wounds from my Wind Scar, okay?"

As the brothers once more began their verbal game Kagome linked arms with Rin and lead her away. Once close to her friend again, Rin realized something. Kagome was shaking! Shaking and fidgeting as if she were in some great hurry to distance herself from the siblings. Ever the curious one, Rin hurried their pace until they were close to where Ah-Un was kept. This should be far away enough that the brothers would not overhear a word spoken.

"Kagome, are you all right? You seem...anxious. Is something wrong?"

"I am swearing you to absolute secrecy, Rin. I mean it!" Kagome whispered, peering back over her shoulder as if she expected Sesshomaru or InuYasha to magically appear.

"Oh no. I don't like the sound of this. Whenever you have a big secret you want to keep from InuYasha it usually means trouble of some sort!" Rin groaned.

"SHHHHH!" Kagome waved her hands frantically, "Its not going to be trouble of any sort! If anything its the perfect answer, Rin! I've been pouring over ancient scrolls in my time, researching something. I want this to be a surprise, for InuYasha and for Sesshomaru! That is why you have to promise me you won't breathe a word!"

"You want me to keep something from Lord Sesshomaru! Kagome, I can't do that! I've never lied to him in my life!" Rin shook her head as she saddled Ah-Un, "I am a lousy liar!"

"It won't be lying! You just...aren't...going to tell him...something! Totally different! Its only lying if he asks you directly about it and you have to make something else up. See! Completely logical!"

Rin stood on tip toe to peer over Ah-Un's back at her friend.

"You have got to be joking, Kagome. There are three things Lord Sesshomaru can catch the scent of in a heartbeat. Blood, a demon and a lie. And you know InuYasha will go full demon if he were to find out you kept something from him."

"They aren't going to find out anything until its already done. Believe me, they'll be happy about this!"

Rin sighed and slowly shook her head. There was no arguing with her friend. She had her mind set on whatever this big secret was. Once they finished this subject, however, Rin was determined to get Kagome focused on her problem. Taking Ah-Un's reigns in her hand, Rin stepped around to stand before the two headed dragon. Already Kagome was beaming from ear to ear and practically hopping from one foot to the other. This must be something of great importance indeed.

"All right, Kagome. I swear. I won't say a word. Now...what is this big secret surprise you have?"

Kagome's eyes shone as she leaned forward and whispered softly.

"I have found a way for us to live forever!"