Hey everyone! I used to be able to check my story stats on safari if I would go to "desktop mode" but now it won't let me do it, and I don't know how to check that on the app either. So I have no clear indication on the audience of my chapters/story, and it makes it hard to write when I don't know if people are reading, or coming back. So please please if you like this story, please favorite or leave a review. Constructive criticism, or ideas on where you'd like the story to go are always welcome. I would appreciate it greatly thank you as always -ImagineRie

Sesshomaru's pov

The morning finally broke, but Rin still slept peacefully curled up in a ball, along with the fur blanket I had Jaken fetch for her in the night. I felt a content peacefulness in my heart that I had never known in all of my centuries of being on this earth. I also knew that I did not for a second deserve to feel this way after all the evil I've done in my life. Somehow though, Rin looked passed many of my faults, and she loved me with unconditional loyalty. She saw good in me, and believed in me.

As I began to venture out of the cave to have Jaken fetch Rin something to eat, I stopped in my tracks due to a familiar scent. The scent was Kohaku's, and In a rarity I was startled. I did not expect him to be bold enough to come and seek me, but I was impressed by his bravery. I saw signs of his bravery when he was just a boy, following me in hopes that I would destroy Naraku. He was helpful when it came to protecting Rin, so I tolerated his presence.

I continued on towards the outside, and when I finally exited the cave I could see him leaned up against a tree while Jaken frantically ran in circles. "You foolish brat you must return to your human village at once! My Lord will see you when he's ready, now shoo before you get us both kil-" Jaken froze mid sentence slowly turning around to face me. "Oh my Lord! I'm so sorry!" Jaken bowed before me. "I will get rid of this pest at once!"

I stared at Jaken with the most menacing look, but inside I was amused by his frantic devotion. "Jaken check on Rin." I commanded.

Jaken leapt in the air. "Yes Lord Sesshomaru right away!" He was gone in an instant leaving me alone with the young demon slayer. Kohaku still stood against the tree, arms crossed, with an expression I could not read. He seemed peaceful, but there was also an anger in his eyes at the same time.

"Kohaku, thank you for saving me a trip." I stated.

He turned his head to look at me, uncrossing his arms. "Sesshomaru." He greeted me. "Yesterday Jaken informed me you'd be coming to visit me, but I already had a feeling I would be seeing you soon before hand." He began to look irritated, which in turn irritated me. "Despite my hopes I knew you wouldn't stay away from her for long." He spat. "I wanted so badly to think that the man I admired as a young kid was who I thought he was, but you're truly nothing but a selfish demon. Why couldn't you couldn't control yourself? You just had to interfere! Why did you interfere!"

Kohaku inched towards me, causing me to instinctively wrap my hand around his neck pushing him up against the tree. "Wrong move." I growled as I squeezed my hand tighter. Just as I was deciding my next move I heard her voice, and I dropped him.

"Sesshomaru! Kohaku!" Rin ran over to us in a panic, once she reached Kohaku she bent down to help him up. "Are you okay Kohaku?" He nodded while holding his neck. Rin turned her attention to me as she stood up, giving me a disappointed glare. "How could you? He was our companion, and he is my friend."

"He was planning to make the first move Rin, I feel no regret and won't be questioned for defending myself in battle." I did not feel regret, and I could only be truthful with her. Rin usually respected this.

Rin rolled her eyes at my response, but turned her anger to Kohaku. "Is this true? What are you even doing here, and why would you try to attack him?"

Kohaku looked away embarrassed. "This is between us two men Rin, please let us continue our conversation."

"Kohaku, do not patronize me, I don't appreciate it." She demanded.

Kohaku looked down at his feet. "I am sorry Rin but this has to be between just me and Sesshomaru, please. I won't cause any trouble this time, I promise."

Rin nodded her head. "Okay, but no trouble from either of you." She looked at me with saddened eyes, and grabbed my hand. Just this simple but public gesture threatened to cause me to break all composure. She would always be such a great weakness for me, but I would gladly risk it all to have her by my side. I kept my unchanged face in a scowl, but averted my eyes to her. "Sesshomaru please do not hurt him." Her request bothered me, and I so badly wanted her to not to care for him. "Sesshomaru he has protected and taken care of me when I was alone in the village, with no one to turn to." She pleaded.

I looked away from her not responding, but she knew I would obey her request. She squeezed my hand, and her and Jaken walked back towards the cave. I waited until they were gone to continue our conversation. Once they were I locked eyes with Kohaku again, "Do you love her?" I questioned.

His cheeks became red, but he nodded. "I love her deeply, and I could protect her Lord Sesshomaru. If you left her to me I could eventually heal her wounded heart and give her a life that you have already told her you do not want."

"Who are you to say what I want, or don't want? That is between Rin and I, and she is no longer a concern of yours. If there is something Rin wants all she has to do is ask, I will give her anything she wants." My voice was calm and steady, but I seemed to upset him further.

"So you changed your mind? How ridiculous Sesshomaru, you and I both know you cannot give her the life an ordinary woman deserves, and she is ordinary in case your forgot. She isn't, nor will she ever be a demon like you."

I felt a snarl in my throat. "Watch it Kohaku, I am only keeping my hands off of you to honor Rin's wishes."

Kohaku half smiled. "You know I admired you in so many ways all those years ago, all I wanted was to be as powerful as you when I was growing up. Eventually as I traveled with you I began to care for Rin, and I stopped admiring you and began questioning why you were putting this young girl in harms way. I convinced myself it was because she had no place to go, and you just wanted to protect her, and while that may be true I now know part of it was selfishness. After you dropped her off to live with Kaede I was happy that you finally did the right thing, and then after years of companionship I fell in love with her. My love for her is greater than any lust for power, and I just want her happiness. I want her to have children and grow old with someone. I want someone to show her love, and affection without holding back. Rin can't have all of these things with you. No matter how powerful you are, you can't change any of it. You can't change that your are not human, or that she is not a demon. You can't love like a human, or even the way Inuyasha can."

I looked away from him and towards the cave Rin and Jaken were in. "Don't underestimate me Kohaku, or compare me to my weakling half brother. I can give her a happy life, one with children too if that is what she desires. At the very least, I know I am the only one who can protect her. If she chose another path though, I would not stop her. It has always been up to her, from the very beginning, I have never force her to be at my side."

Kohaku scoffed. "It wasn't up to her when you rejected and left her was it, I was the one protecting her all of these months. I can protect her just as you can Lord Sesshomaru."

My face scrunched up in anger. "No you can't you fool! I thought you could do a decent job, and I let her go knowing your feelings for her! I believed you'd protect her while I stayed in the background. I have always known of your pathetic crush, so I put faith in you to protect her! I was wrong." I snarled with anger.

Kohaku looked confused. "What are you talking about?"

I again locked eyes with him. "I found Rin yesterday in the forest being assaulted by a villager. She was naked, and he was about to Rape her Kohaku, until I killed him."

Kohaku's eyes widened. "You're lying."

"I would never lie about such a thing." I snapped.

Kohaku's eyes quickly watered. "Who was it, Sesshomaru?"

"Rin informed me his name was Daku." I barley said his name above a whisper.

Kohaku turned his back to me. "I did fail. I knew he was going to be trouble, I just never thought he'd go that far." He said in a solemn tone. "That should have never happened and I'll never forgive myself, but I am not going away so easily because of one mistake. Just like you said, it is her choice in the end, and her choice can always change."

As Kohaku began to walk away I issued one last warning. "Kohaku, should you cross a line with her I will kill you no matter what Rin says. I will not let past friendships stop me." Kohaku kept walking, and I turned around making my way back to Rin.