Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters and some of this is OOC, sorry.

A/N: phew What a looooong week! And I'll end it off by writting a bit more fic for all my people reading this. Apparently the more I write, the more people who review. I'm really happy with the reviews I'm getting, so thanks a lot guys and I hope you enjoy the next part of the story!

"Lady Kikyo." Sesshomaru said in his soft-yet-deadly voice.

"Lord Sesshomaru." Kikyo returned in like, "Sit." With a sharp glance, he did as he was told, something amazing in itself seeing as he was a Demon Prince.

"What is this payment?" He demanded after a brief, tense silence. She smirked in a way that you might think you were imagining it as it was so slight.

"Well, you see..."

A few hours later, Sesshomaru was sitting next to Rin. He was deep in thought about the conversation he had had with the mysterious woman. She'd given him a choice and not an easy one at that.

'Serve me or the girl will die.' Were the simple words that were burning into his skull. Making him seem even more distant than ever.

"Mi'lord?" Rin asked timidly, which wasn't normaly for the generally forward and bright young girl.

"Yes, Rin?" He asked, his voice had softened ever so slightly. Anyone but Rin wouldn't have even noticed.

"Is something troubling you, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Yes." His short reply came.

"About me?"

"Yes." That caursed the girl to turn a shade paler.

"Will I die?" She whispered.

"No." His voice was strong and definate. He had made his choice...he wouldn't let her die again. "No...go to sleep, Rin." He repeated and she nodded, falling asleep within minutes.

Seconds later, Kikyo was there next to him. "So...you are willing to do anything for her." He simply nodded, "How interesting." That escaping smirk reappeared on her lips fleetingly. "You agree to the payment?"

"Yes."

"Good." And in less than a second, a lovely set of prayer beads were around his neck. "Lay down."

The beads reaccted to the simple command and forced his large, strong body to flatten to the floor. As he glared up at her, a snarl escaped his lips.

"I was so certain that you'd prevent those at the least." She mused to herself, "Afterall, your half-breed brother has similar ones tied by my own incarnation." He quickly raised himself as the spell faded.

"Bitch." He snarled.

"Now, it that really how you want to speak to your mistress?" She glanced at the still motionless Rin. Apparently not even a spell forcing her Lord to hit the ground could awake her after he told her to sleep.

"Forgive me." Though his eyes held a deep hatred for the preistess sitting only inches from him.

"Good, now we're getting somewhere."

"I'm sorry, but Lady Kikyo made me promise to be back by dark." Sango said as she looked at the lowering sun.

"Let me help." Miroku said, standing up quickly to help her stand.

"Thank-you." This time, Sango didn't fight his help and soon they were back at the hut she was staying at. "Miroku?"

"Yes?" He asked immediatly.

"Would you..." She blushed darkly, "er, stay?"

"Sure, I can sit outside while you sleep." He said in a very innocent, and un-like himself way.

"No, I mean...inside?" The monk looked at her with eveident surprise in his eyes.

"Ah...sure..."

"I-I-well, see, I'm still not comfortable sleeping with Sesshomaru around," Sango quickly lied. She just wanted to keep the monk around a bit longer.

"That's understandable," Miroku assured her. "He gave his word, yes, but he's still an incredibly cunning demon." He held the cloth covering the doorway out of the way so Sango could enter.

Sango crossed to her futon but sat cross-legged on it instead of laying down.

Miroku raised a questioning brow.

"I'm not tired yet so why lay down?" Came the heated reply. "You're not here to fantazine, monk."

Miroku held up his hands in a defensive motion, "I didn't mean anything like that!" He nearly shrieked, "I swear!"

Sango ducked her head to hide a smile at his antics, "I know. You were just being too much of a mother hen," Sango explained. "It was very unsettling."

Miroku blushed and flashed a lopsided smile at Sango. "Sorry. I was just worried about you." He sat down next to Sango's futon. "Forgive me?" he asked playfully.

"I don't know;I'll have to think about it," she bantered back.

Miroku leaned over to kiss Sango but she pointedly looked to the other side of the hut. Miroku followed her gaze and saw Rin watching them with interest dispite her sickness. Miroku setteled for simply hugging Sango which she allowed, despit blushing from Rin's intent gaze.

Miroku sat back and silence enveloped the hut. Miroku felt someone watching him and looked up to find Rin gazing at him. She smiled slightly at him and nodded towards Sango and rolled over.

Miroku shook his head at the girl's antics and looked down at his hands. He snuck a glance at Sango, only to find she was sneaking a glance at him. They both laughed softly.

"You two are sickening." Sesshomaru snarled as he entered the hut.

"Pleasant as always, Sesshomaru," Miroku commented. The dog Demon glared but did not deign to respond.

"I think Rin's feeling a little better," Sango offered kindly.

"She'd better after the price I have paid for her cure." Sesshomaru growled but looked softly at the girl.

Sango smiled kindly at the demon Lord, knowing that he would never admit how much he cared for the child. As she was trying to be nice she noticed the prayer beads partially hidden around his neck. She started in surprise despite herself.

"Yes, I have been collared like that mutt of a half-breed brother of mind," Sesshomaru practically spat the word 'collared'.

"I--what?" Sango asked as Miroku exclaimed, "How did that happen!"

Sesshomaru growled low in his throat and sighed, the only sign that he was 'defeated'; he still looked every bith the proud Lord that he was, "Lady Kikyo's conditions for healing the girl," He replied shortly.

Miroku and Sango marvelled at each other but neither said anything more about it, both sensing that Sesshomaru could be pushed no further.

"Mi'lord?" Rin stirred on her futon, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing you should have to worry about." His voice was just intense enough to make the girl realize that she shouldn't ask. "rest. She turned over and slept easily.

A/N: Okay, I know it's really short and that it's got a lot of OOC, but it happens in fanfics, sorry!