AN: Wow you guys rock! I didn't think my pathetic attempt to capture Rin and Sesshoumaru's love would be so very popular. Thank you very much, and so the fluffyness continues! My chapters seem to be getting longer, nobody minds do they?

Smilez4ever: thank you for the ecstatic review… I'm flattered really…

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"Who will fall first to this intricate lie that has woven itself around us? My dear my love?"

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Jaken arrived back into the small clearing near the stream a few hours later, it had grown dark and several fish rested over his small squat shoulder. Leaning on his staff heavily he walked up near the already roaring fire to see that Rin had a new kimono and smiled secretively. His lord had given it to her while he had gone, that is what Jaken had said would have been best. And so it seemed that his Master had followed his advice for once…

He paused, as he took up the knife, ready to skin and de-bone the long dead fish. Something drifted warmly into the air, something heady and fragrant like a fog it rested around the clearing.

Jaken's smile grew a little wider "Maybe m'lord is finally figuring out what has his half brother so deeply trapped in that priestesses gaze."

There was a tiny peal of laughter that flooded the clearing and could be heard even to the place where Sesshoumaru had gone to take his bath, powerful muscles rippling beneath creamy flesh as he settled into the warm water with a pleasant sigh.

His last bath had been quite some time ago and here was the only place in which he was supremely alone, where he could think. This luxury would be enjoyed to the fullest, he thought, relaxing into a niche in the rocks. Closing his eyes Sesshoumaru let his human eyesight fade and opened his demon powers.

The smells of the forest came rushing into his noise, the sounds of nocturnal creatures skittering about in the dark. His acute hearing picking up the gentle breathing of the sleeping birds in the trees and the soft rustle of the wind. A quarter moon blared its weak rays onto the small pool, illuminating his damp hair and sharp claws. The only imperfection about his godlike form was his missing arm, his delicate skin not even marred where the offending blade had cut.

A faint taste of roasting fish, floated into the air making his eyes open and his stomach growl. It had been almost a month since he had eaten anything proper because of the cold winter, now it was spring and Jaken had caught more then two fish to feed three.

He dove beneath the warm water swimming gracefully around and then to the other side of the bank where his clothes lay neatly folded. Easily he clambered out of the pool and stood.

"Oh Kami!" hands covered a face, the bucket clattering to the ground and rolling down the small incline to the narrower part of the stream.

Rin knew that she hadn't, couldn't seen anything, numbly turning around she made her way back down the hill red and shaking.

When she returned to the clearing still in a fog, Jaken cried angrily "Why didn't you bring the water!"

Secretly knowing what he had told her had worked; Rin had seen his Master.

"I…uh…. I was scared by the c-creatures in the forest" she stammered

Jaken continued to feign fury "Then where is the bucket you silly girl?"

Rin looked around her cheeks had now turned a beet purple color.

"I dropped it near the top of the stream… Oh…"

Sesshoumaru walked into the clearing fully dressed hair wet, his left shoulder plain for he did not bring his fur with him. She didn't look at him but into the fire where the fish now roasted.

Rin looked like an ostrich that only wished to bury its head in the sand, Jaken nearly laughed, vainly trying to hide his wicked smile as a bucket of water rested close to his form.

Ah-un slept peacefully in the corner both sets of eyes closed, Sesshoumaru sat near it and from the pack on it's back withdrew a ivory comb engraved with peonies. Slowly he combed out his hair near the fire, Jaken poked the fish to see if they were done and Rin looked anywhere but in the direction of where Sesshoumaru was sitting.

A few moments later all that was heard was Sesshoumaru's soft humming, golden eyes half closed. Warm rosy lips parted in deep thought, as the fire cackled merrily and Jaken handed each a fish…

By midnight the demon and the mortal slept, Jaken stayed awake having slept a great deal while fishing. He poked at the red embers of the fire as Rin rested on a separate pallet as his Lord. She turned and twisted in her dreams… Mortals were so odd compared to his Master who was so peaceful and still.

Tonight he would sleep near the creek where his staff would wake him if there was any trouble…

The moment that Jaken had left the clearing Rin sat up. She needed to bathe, the smell of Sesshoumaru-sama was everywhere… After seeing him naked, his body dripping wet she was more determined then ever... Clamping down on the powerful mental image that made her lips quiver, standing she slipped over to where he slept and sat down in near his pallet. Watching the soft rise and fall of his chest, he was so very handsome… But then someone that was as handsome as he was couldn't be human…

When had her feelings changed? And what had brought her here instead of out to the creek…

"Sesshoumaru-sama" she whispered biting her lower lip, a moment passed and golden eyes opened staring at her with mild confusion.

"Is something wrong Rin?" he replied evenly not a trace of sleep in his voice.

She hesitated "N-no, nothing"

A powerful hand caught her wrist forcing her back down, she turned and gazed at Sesshoumaru who was looking at her in a bemused fashion, his cold eyes unreadable.

"What did you come here to disturb me for?"

Rin's mind began to furiously click; she didn't want to anger him especially so late in the night. "I was afraid…"

"Afraid?" a single platinum brow rose

"O-of the woman that came to see you today. I've seen her somewhere before, long, long ago."

Sesshoumaru eyed her carefully, sniffing the faint scent of a lie. A little white lie, a little white lie that could not go unpunished…

"Do you think I'm in love with her?" he teased

Rin went from pale to a flaming red "N-no, I don't think she is your type."

Sesshoumaru nearly burst into laughter but held his tongue, a faint flicker of a smile flashing across his sensuous lips for only a moment.

"Who is my type then?" he inquired, releasing her hand and sitting up, patiently waiting.

Rin looked at him, not knowing what to say. She knew whatever that slipped from her lips would be her undoing. Sesshoumaru-sama was planning something for her…

But what?

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Sesshoumaru was evenly staring at her, her dark hair frazzled from her unpleasant sleep. Rin's lips where moving but nothing was coming out, he did so hate to put her on the spot but she was lying. He wanted to hear why she had woken him up…

"Someone who is kinder and more beautiful then her." She replied at last…

Sesshoumaru was surprised at her, having romanced very few human women in his long life he found that for a mortal girl that had lived with him from such a young age. She still could shock him, each day her personality seemed to grow all the more complex…

And it seemed that each day he was turning more and more into a lovesick puppy. Much like his half brother, he added with distaste…

"Like the priestess Kikyo?" he muttered.

Rin looked appalled "No! She is in love with Inuyasha and so is her incarnation Kagome!"

"The demon hunter then?"

"Indeed not!" she answered angrily her cheeks flushing pink with emotion.

Sesshoumaru didn't know why he was playing with her so, he liked to tease mortals usually out of spite.. But this was different.

He leaned forward and kissed her mouth, hearing the sound of a gasp that died in her throat. A quickly as it began Sesshoumaru pulled away…

"Is that what you wanted Rin?" he asked after a moment of pause, letting the tension dissipate into the cool air.

Rin's cheeks were cherry red; lips lightly parted in shock, she trembled like a leaf in an oncoming storm.

"H-hai"

Sesshoumaru grinned and lay back down… "Goodnight Rin"

"Goodnight Sesshoumaru-sama"