A/N: Thanks once again for the review guys! I shall take in consideration of all your suggestions. Thank you sphinx for the criticism, I shall try and make Rin go back to the innocent her . But now that she has a love rival, do expect her to be slightly different than before. Also, I apologize for the late update but school had just started -.- Thanks for the support and remember…Review, review, review!

Chapter Three: A Kiss

"Where do you love more than anywhere on the Earth, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"…The Western Lands. It is my birthplace and where all my memories lie."

"Is it pretty there?"

"Yes, Rin."

"So pretty that you would do anything to protect it, my lord?"

"…Yes, Rin. I would do anything."

Their conversation so long ago had come back now. Rin opened her eyes to stare at the land so beautiful just as her lord had described. The snow was falling gently onto her dark blue kimono and melted while she sat there by the frozen river.

It was morning already; everything that had happened last night was gone but not over. The thought of last night caused Rin to almost instinctively close her eyes in pain. Yes, the night was over but the pain remained. It hurt every time she thought of it. It felt as if needles were stabbing her heart and not letting her breath. It hurt so badly, but what could she do? She wanted to hate that woman named Kira. Hate her and wish her to be killed yet she couldn't… What wrong did the girl have? Perhaps Rin should even thank Kira for saving Sesshoumaru so long ago…

Rin could only blame herself. She had known that Sesshoumaru was a demon for so long and that they would never be together. But she hoped, and wished and believed in those things called "Happily Ever After"…She foolishly believed that Love could conquer all and now it was time she had to pay the price. It was a shock to her how much she hurt and grieved and the fact that so many tears could come just by the thought that she had lost her lord forever. Since when did she sink so deep? When did she actually start to fall without realizing? And now it is too late.

A snowflake fell silently on her lip and melted there as well. Rin licked her lips to feel the icy coldness of the sweet water and slowly opened her eyes to embrace the beauty of Sesshoumaru's garden. She had just found it this morning while she was wandering aimlessly through the halls. The memory made her frown slightly and she hoped dearly that Sesshoumaru couldn't tell what was wrong with her. When he had told her that he was going to mate with Kira, she had been so shocked she wasn't sure what to do. She had heard her voice excuse her to her own room and then endless tears came flowing. He mustn't have guessed what her feelings were though, hopefully. Rin was positive he would laugh at her if he had known.

The garden she had found was beautiful though. From there, the entire Western Lands were in view. Enormous never ending mountains, tall pine trees, silvery white sky that contained a tint of pink since the golden sun was rising…Breathtakingly beautiful could sum it all up, her lord was not joking when he had told her that.

Rin's soft pink lips curled at the sight and she took a deep breath smelling the fresh morning air, "This is where Sesshoumaru-sama grew up…this is his homeland." She murmured to herself and wondered what his childhood was like. Where he played? When did he go when he was alone? How did he spend time? Did he sit here too, by the frozen lake and swim here? Or did he just close his eyes and meditate like Rin liked to do? There were so many things she wanted to know. To understand him better and love him…No, she couldn't. Her eyes darkened slightly as she bit her lip. It was true, she couldn't love him. Not when he was going to take another girl as his mate…

"You're Rin, correct?"

The voice made Rin jump a little and she quickly turned around. She was a bit surprised to find Kira smiling back at her. "Yes, and you are Kira." Rin said softly not sure how to act around her love rival. Her brown eyes looked at the woman and wondered if Sesshoumaru and she had mated yet. Every cell in Rin's body prayed that they hadn't. The thought was unbearable.

"Right, kiddo." Kira said and cheerfully took a seat by Rin. She lifted a delicate finger and twirled a strand of her long black hair around it, "You're Sesshoumaru's ward." Her voice hinted bits of mockery and she turned her head to glance at Rin, "I don't know why he would keep a human girl by his side but I suppose it's because you look like me…"

Her words pierced through Rin's heart and she too realized that what Kira said just might be true. They did look strikingly similar, perhaps Sesshoumaru had used her? A shiver went through her body as she embraced the possible truth. Was that why? He was simply using her? Through the shock and confusion Rin finally found her voice, "Possibly." She said simply and was determined not to let this woman scare her down.

"Anyway." Kira said with a shrug as she cheerfully hugged Rin, "Now that I'm back, I should thank you for taking care of my dear mate. You are welcome anytime in our palace and maybe you can even be my nanny for Sesshoumaru and I's children." The dark haired girl quickly stood up and waved at Rin while starting to head towards the palace with a smirk on her face. She had spoken as if Sesshoumaru had already mated with her which was far from true. Kira was smart though, she had already guessed that Sesshoumaru had special feelings for this dumb human and had decided to teach that girl a lesson. Rin was definitely interfering with her plans.

The color drained from Rin's face as she listened to Kira talk. Surely they didn't already…no…it was only one night. Was Sesshoumaru that eager to be rid of Rin and into another woman's arms? She bit her lip while she watched Kira start to walk away and knew that she had to ask the question that will perhaps haunt her forever if she didn't ask. Yet if she did ask, the answer would most likely destroy her. Taking a sharp breath, she called after Kira, "Kira, did you and Sesshoumaru…"

It was no use, the alluring fox demon was already gone and out of sight. Kira had been so impatient to go away because she knew that she needed to do her next step fast and swiftly. Not time should be wasted with this annoying human on her tail, everything was getting risky. She must mate with the lord of the Western Lands. When Kira wanted something…she would get it no matter what.

Sesshoumaru groaned while he woke up to the empty room. The sun was already shining bright, birds were singing, everything seemed normal…yet Sesshoumaru knew something was missing. It was her scent. Rin's scent. His golden eyes glanced at the floor for a second and sighed at the memory of last night. It had killed him to tell Rin his plans. Mate with Kira, leave his land at peace and leave Rin all by herself…It had bothered him once he said it and he wasn't sure why. Groaning once more, Sesshoumaru started to get up. He got dressed fairly quickly and pushed open his huge bedroom door to head for the garden. He had loved the garden as a child…fresh, clean and decorated with beautiful flowers.

While heading there, he carefully sniffed the air for any scent of Kira. Last night, she had insisted that they mate immediately yet he refused. He saw no rush and honestly felt nothing for the fox demon. They were friends, he liked her…but could it be love? Somehow he doubted it. They will mate though, according to his plan. However, they should at least wait for awhile. There were way too many things on his mind for the moment. Most of them which involved…

"Rin?" Sesshoumaru blinked as he saw the girl sit by the frozen lake like a perfect angel that had landed. The white snow contrasted beautifully with her long silky black hair and he found himself staring.

Surprised, Rin twirled around and found her lord looking at her. The way he looked at her made her face blush a strawberry pink color and she looked away in embarrassment. "Good morning, Sesshoumaru-sama?" She whispered when she finally had the courage to look at him again.

"You're up early." He stated softly while swiftly walking up to her and took a deep breath to smell the sweet scent of her flesh. It was sweet and divine, too intoxicating. He had noted this about her scent a long time ago. It seemed as if she had a natural effect on the opposite gender. No wonder ever since the day she turned 16, her admirers were endless. Sesshoumaru himself had been extra careful not to let himself get too close to Rin. It would've been easier to just let her marry off somebody else and let it be done with but he could never bring himself to do that.

And now, during the mating season…Sesshoumaru could feel the need surging through his blood. How come he didn't feel this way when he was with Kira last night? He didn't bother to give the thought a second look since he was distracted when Rin opened up her pink full lips as if to say something. Sesshoumaru's golden eyes were fixed on her angelic face and he couldn't help it. His head naturally descended and touched hers resulting into a perfect kiss.

The sensation was wondrous and he let out a small groan wanting more. Instinctively, he reached out to press her closer to him. The sound of Rin letting out a small moan snapped him back to reality though. He muttered a low curse while quickly pushing her away from him.

"Rin." Sesshoumaru gulped and clutched his fists feeling angry at himself. Never had he ever lost so much control. What was wrong with him? How could he kiss the girl that had been with him since forever? How could he kiss Rin and hurt her? And most important of all…how could he kiss a human? His brow furrowed at the thought and he muttered another low curse. "I apologize, it's the season. I would've done that to anybody. Stay away from me." He whispered and gave Rin a long stare before walking away. His words were hurtful and he knew it. It sort of even hurt him to say it yet he had too. The situation was getting out of hand. So many problems to deal with and yet another one to add to the list. Could it be that he was falling in love with Rin? A human? Sesshoumaru groaned as his bright gold eyes flashed with anger. It was impossible. He heard laughter as he strolled along the empty palace halls, it seemed as if his father was laughing at him from his graves.

"Never, will I let that happen." Sesshoumaru declared. No, he wouldn't ever fall in love with a human like his father. He was going to make sure of that.