Rin had spent some time in the care of Lady Tsuki and her staff since she had gotten wounded. It wasn't terribly bad but in her current state she needed all the rest she could get. Sesshomaru and Jaken stayed with her the entire time as well, Sesshomaru almost never leaving her side making sure she was alright. Rin assured him she and his child were fine each time he asked. After her ordeal she had come away with only a barely visible scar on her back but Sesshomaru wished there had been nothing at all. Every time he saw it he was upset but the demon had been dispatched, he could not seek revenge that he already took. When Rin was finally all recuperated she could return to her studies but once she found out that Sesshomaru would soon be embarking on a noble quest to prolong her life she wanted to go with him.

"Please," she begged, "Allow me to once again travel by your side and assist you in some way."

"Rin you can't, not with the way you are now. Even still if you were not I do not want to put you in harm's way."

"But Sesshomaru I will never be in harm's way as long as you are beside me. You would protect me and besides I can also defend myself. Do not assume so little of my skills."

"…It will be a perilous journey throughout all the land and I cannot have you exerting energy like that, given your current state."

"You can argue with me all you like but you can't force me to stay no matter what you do. I will come even if you tell me to sit here, I will follow behind in secret somehow. You cannot stop me, not this time. I love you, Sesshomaru, and I don't want to be without you. Please don't leave me alone again."

Sesshomaru relinquished a heavy sigh then put his hand on her cheek, caressing it lovingly before kissing her as deep as he could manage. His hand traveled to her neck feeling her pulse and within it he could easily find another smaller but still loud one. He released her and studied her face which had her soft brown eyes staring into his, beseeching him. He realized she would not give up in her endeavors and he could do nothing to stand in her way. He too loved her and did not want to be without her but he also wanted her safe. However, it appeared that to her she thought she was safe enough by his side. She had been so ever since she was a child and those were worse times than this, with Naraku and his minions running around as well as savage blood thirsty demons hungry for the jewels power. Now with it and their nemesis gone things had calmed down…perhaps now she would be in less danger than before. He thought leaving her here would keep her out of trouble but look what happened? If he had been a hair late, she'd be dead but if she was with him, he need not worry about where she was or what she was doing. At last after mulling it over for a while he complied with her wishes.

"Alright. You may come with me."

A smile formed on her beautiful face making it even more lovely than before. It was now settled, Rin would come with him, Jaken, and A-Un to travel across the land to find the ningyo who he desperately hoped were real for if they weren't he'd be doomed. He did not want to live in a world without his beloved, he felt he'd lose his mind and his life without her. This was his only chance to achieve the life he wanted to have with her. They packed up supplies for the road and said their goodbyes to Ladyy Tsukiakari in their own ways then they set off into the wilderness once more. There was no turning back now. Since Sesshomaru knew the western woods and that area well he did not explore there but instead started towards the south, a land he knew had large oceans filled with aquatic demons and maybe there he would locate what he was looking for. Rin walked most of the time but it surprised her when her feet would get sore and tired for she had walked eons on them before. She did not have that ability anymore with her swelling stomach full of new life.

During the times where she could not walk A-Un would happily carry her and sometimes use his muzzle to cuddle with her and offer her comfort for he too could sense that she was in a state of unrest given her child growing inside of her. Rin wore a short breezy summery dress in her favored colors to be able to walk around with ease and she went barefoot, though Sesshomaru and Jaken both tried to tell her not to do that. Jaken especially was worrying over her a lot, helping her get off of A-Un, walking beside her, keeping his focus on her, asking her if she was alright at least twenty times, making sure she was fed and drank plenty of water. With Rin's new status as Sesshomaru's mate and her being pregnant he had to pull double duty but thankfully he was not alone in this, Sesshomaru too was fretting over her every second. She was made to eat larger meals than she really wanted to in order to keep up her energy and have the baby be nourished. Rin was used to people waiting on her hand and foot at this point but she did not want to be a bother to anyone especially her friend and lover so she tired to take care of herself before they could even ask. It did nothing, they still made sure of her well-being.

They stopped at every body of water they could find be it small lake or ocean front and made sure to thoroughly investigate before moving on to the next one. Day after day they looked far and wide through the southern region, resting by night. Rin could not help but sleep in sometimes, she tried to get up and be an early bird as she once was but was so tired from her efforts that she had to sleep more. Sesshomaru allowed it and would curl her as close to him as possible, stroking over her hair and face while silently praying to the heavens above that he wasn't on a wild goose chase. The south wasn't as vast as the west but that did not mean it was going to be a quick search before they went and ventured to the east. North would be the very last place Sesshomaru would go, not only because he hated it there for obvious reasons but because all the water was too cold for ningyo to survive in and the likelihood of them being there was even slimmer than it already was.

After the third week Sesshomaru truly felt his searching was in vain. It hadn't been too long of a journey yet but he felt vaguely frustrated by it all that he hadn't found them. He knew going in that it wasn't going to be an easy task because he had traversed the world before and not seen them which meant that they were very illusive creatures, that is if they even existed at all. This could all be for nothing and he could easily not find them. By the time he was done searching every part of the globe his child would be ready to be born into the world, that's how long it would take or possibly even longer and he was not about to let Rin give birth out here in the wilderness nor would he prolong their voyage for that long and make Rin suffer even more than she already was. At some point Rin had gotten so hot and sweaty, for it was much warmer in the south than the windy west, that she had told the group that she was going to bathe in the small pond she found. Sesshomaru offered to watch her or help her and though Rin felt she didn't need it, she took his help this time. Jaken was told to stay behind and guard the area with A-Un.

Rin found the pond and dipped her foot into it to test out the water but when she did she let out a terrible scream and begun to look as if she was being dragged into the water. Sesshomaru acted quickly and infused with panic he went over to her and pulled her away. As he did he noticed a small webbed hand grasping tightly to her legs, so tight with its sharp nails that it was leaving an imprint on her leg. Though it's grip was firm he was more firm and a lot stronger than whoever was attacking her so he was able to dislodge her from the strange being. Rin fell backwards into his arms and chest , scared out of her wits but not too scared as she had faced terrifying demons before. Yet never had she been grabbed out of nowhere like that out of the darkness of water when she let her guard down. If she had just jumped in she might have drowned, she was thankful for being overly cautious. Both Rin and Sesshomaru stared at the spot where she was grabbed until the creature made itself known. A head of black hair bobbed to the surface and then with it a scaly face with two large eyes, almost entirely void of any whites or color, just black. It appeared to be a demon for no human could have survived that deep in the water for so long. It was seemingly analyzing the two before it with some contempt for its victim was stolen.

"Are you a ningyo?" Asked the curious Rin who had sense gotten over her fright. Sesshomaru was too angered to even think rationally enough to ask the question. It had tried to kill Rin or at the very bare minimum scare her and he could not tolerate it even if it was what he was searching for this entire time.

"I am," She answered back in an echoey voice, syrupy and seducing, lulling, captivating, and hauntingly beautiful as was she. She grinned at them showing off rows of razor sharp teeth yet even this did not deter her from being a specimen of beauty. If Rin was a mortal man she would have been lured into the depths of the ocean willingly and died quickly at the hands of this siren. "Please come back into the water, I was only teasing," she purred, lowering her eyelids upon her dark eyes.

"I know that this isn't true, I have read up about your kind and you are very deceitful. You will lie to your victims to get them in closer and it seems to work on unsuspecting children and oblivious lovestruck men but it will not work on me."

She did not like the answer she was given or that the fact that her wiles and charms were not working the way they were supposed to. She sneered at Rin and glowered at her at the same time. She seemed to be entirely focused on Rin at the moment until she realized that there was a man present. Perfect, she thought, men were easily conned by her even some demon men would fall for her trap. She opened her mouth and began to harmonize, her voice sounding eerie yet enchanting. The ningyo was attempting to lure in Sesshomaru but it appeared that no matter how loudly she cried out in song he stood still, unwavering and undisturbed by her melody. It enraged and confused her that nothing she was doing was working on him. He narrowed his eyes at her, very sharply and obviously a little pissed off at what he knew she was trying to do and had already attempted to do. However it appeared that her crooning affected someone within the radius and that someone was Jaken. Jaken came slowly walking toward the pond, in a dreamy daze, eyes glossed over but instead of letting him succumb to a watery death it was Sesshomaru who saved him by tripping him and making him fall over. The ningyo hissed angrily and she was so annoyed that the only person she was able to ensnare was a lowly toad demon that she started to descend back into the pond.

"Wait," Rin called out, giving the ningyo pause. She turned around, curious but still sour that she could not kill anyone today.

"What do you want, human? Have you not already shamed me enough? Why did my singing not work on that man but did on the other?"

"My lord has a stronger resolve than me it seems," Jaken murmured to himself, taken out of his trance and fully ashamed of his actions.

"I suppose that is enough reason… it might also be that it does not work on a mated male," Rin tried to explain.

"Yes…mated demon males are a lot harder to lure in…," She said more to herself than the others around her, playing with her hair. "If I cannot do anything here then I will move on. You wanted something though…what was it?"

"We have traveled far and near to find your kind to ask you for one of your scales."

"I should have known that is what you wanted but what will you give me in return?" She questioned with interest.

"What do you request of us?"

"Are you willing to give up whatever I ask for no matter how high the cost?"

Rin nodded then turned to Sesshomaru who also seemed to nod. This made the ningyo smirk malevolently with her sharp teeth that could easily shred through even rock. She drilled her fingertips together with malicious intent, something in her eyes seemed evil as well. She thought about what she wanted for only a few minutes before telling them, which revealed how much she wanted it for she was very quick and excited.

"Then what I want is your unborn son for I can tell he will be powerful indeed."

Sesshomaru's pupils went small for a moment but his eyes rounded then his eyebrows lowered showing off how infuriated he was. He drew his trusted sword, fully intended on ending yet another life with it and this time he would not regret his actions. Rin noticed what he was about to do and stepped in front of him with her arms opened wide, daring him to cut through her to get to the ningyo. It was as if she was protecting her even though she dared to ask for the one thing Sesshomaru now realized he was not going to trade, even if it meant Rin's longevity. He was surprised by her actions given what was asked of her and that the creature had tried to kill her mere moments ago.

"Stand aside, Rin."

"I refuse! If you kill her it will just ruin things. Who knows when we will find another? She is worth nothing to us dead, you cannot take the scale from her like that. No of course I do not want to give up our baby but perhaps we can barter for something else."

When Rin turned back to the ningyo she did not see fear in her eyes as she assumed she might, she did not seem to fear for her own life. Instead of that she was focused on that raised blade with admiration and desire, her mouth parted and her eyes even more enlarged.

"I did not realize that I was in the company of royalty. I have heard of the great and powerful Inutaisho and his son, Sesshomaru, but I did not know what they looked like so I did not recognize you. Had I known I would have not tried to end your life or asked for your child. Forgive me." She bowed her head at him as low as she could possibly go with her arms pressed down on the ground.

"Then…you do not want our child?" Rin inquired.

"Of course not but I still require something in return for my scale. I would indeed take something else. I would like that sword, I know its power is immense and I covet all types of treasure. It would make a fine piece to my collection for I am sure I am not able to use it."

Sesshomaru looked at his sword intently, seeing not only his own reflection in it but his father's. This sword had been given to him when he was very young and back then he thought it a burden, that was until he found its purpose in his life and what it really meant. Then of course because of his own maturity and realization the sword gained even more abilities that had helped him many times in battle. This sword was the very reason Rin had followed him onto this adventure called life, this sword could easily bring back someone else to life so it was handy to have in times of great crisis. Without it if something happened, he'd have to hope his mother was in the mood to use the meido stone. He valued and treasured this sword for what it had done for him and what it could still do. Was he really going to give it away when it meant so much?

He studied the sword and then set his sights to Rin who was still standing right in front him. She meant more to him than a piece of metal and if it meant prolonging her life then he would do it, he would part with his sword for though he cherished it he cherished Rin three times as much. He lowered his sword and cupped her face with his empty hand. After just gazing into her eyes, he moved past her and went to the ningyo, offering up a possession that seemed prized but was nothing in comparison to Rin or his child. He valued their lives far more. He would willingly give up anything else and if that meant this then he would do it. The ningyo thanked him graciously, telling him she realized what this meant to him and then she raised her fin and tore off a scale leaving a bleeding wound. She handed it to him then swam off, nearly splashing him in her enthusiasm to get back to her underwater home to place her treasure amongst the pile. Sesshomaru gave Rin the scale and she, without any hesitation or concern, put it in her mouth. Both Jaken and Sesshomaru watched in anticipation at what might happen to her.

It seemed there was no affects to it, it was just like eating fish to her with the coppery taste of blood. She did feel a little funny, like strangely hot on the inside but other than that she didn't notice anything different than the usual pregnancy symptoms. Now that she was properly an immortal Sesshomaru felt even more love for her and passion building in his system especially because of the pride he felt having a child inside of her. He needed to be alone with her desperately. It took far too long for them to return home but once they did Sesshomaru was quick to have Rin to himself. It was a little startling to himself that he was that passionate but he stopped questioning what he was doing lately or how he felt. He brushed through her hair with his claws and admired her beauty. He was joyed even though he didn't show it, he was happy that he need not worry about Rin aging anymore. The only thing he would have to fret about was still keeping her safe but he felt even without his sword he could do just that, he did have other swords he was a master swordsman.

Their loving was interrupted by Jaken who had apologized multiple times for doing so but he claimed it was incredibly important. He spoke through stutters and apologies that the emperor of the east was there as well as a representative from the north. Sesshomaru knew now what they were there for without them saying anything and got dressed as fast as possible so he could meet them at the door. When he got there Lord Asahi was waiting there with his arms crossed looking composed but beyond that Sesshomaru could tell he was both concerned and frustrated. Next to him was a pale man with ice blue eyes dressed semi-regally, it was one of the higher ups of the northern kingdom who spoke for Lady Fuyumi when she was not present. Most thought of him as her consort or lover whenever she got bored. Even though she had sought to get Sesshomaru as her mate she often slept around with other people in her kingdom.

"I believe you know what we are here for," he presumed.

Sesshomaru nodded causing Lord Asahi to respond back with, "You are aware there are penalties for what you did?"

"I'm aware."

"Thankfully for you we are going to talk about it first before coming to any drastic decisions," Lord Asahi explained but it did not seem like the northern representative was all too happy with that.

"Don't get cocky about it, justice will be served for Lady Fuyumi's death," he warned with fury in his eyes.

Sesshomaru didn't say anything back to that except he did oblige that he at least tell Rin what was going on. Lord Asahi allowed him to. Sesshomaru made his way to Rin and explained in depth what was happening. She sat there shocked and disturbed at what was told to her.

"Sentenced to death?! But she declared war on YOU, what choice did you have but to fight back?"

"I will state my case there but it is not up to me to decide."

"You mean after all we went through you will just die and leave me all alone?"

"Never," he spoke softly, lifting her chin up. "I will think of something. I won't leave you, I can promise you that much."

"May I come with you?" She asked hopefully but with worry still in her voice.

"Not this time. Only royalty and those of high standing can come."

"But what if they decide to…to…" Rin couldn't say it and began to whimper and cry. He placed his finger tip on her lip, silencing her, then kissed her sweetly and tenderly. He wiped off her little tears, assuring her with just a touch that it will be fine. He could hold his own and after he told them just exactly what happened he was sure they would not do anything.

Rin let him leave shortly after that and started to pray feverishly that nothing bad would happen. Jaken was allowed to come, as he was a higher up servant, but he chose to stay behind to take care of and watch over Rin. Sesshomaru was silently thankful he did that because Rin was in a terrible state right now. Jaken sighed heavily, he too also hoped everything would go alright but assured himself that his lord would not be led to death because Fuyumi had invited her own death in going into battle with him and threatening Rin's life. Jaken pat Rin's back half-heartedly, attempting to make her feel better somehow. Sesshomaru followed behind Asahi and the man next to him all the way to an area where there were chairs and tables in a round circle, a seat was there for each of the four corners and any of their mates except one was missing. Sesshomaru sat down at his seat and awaited his trial.

"Delegates," Lord Asahi announced in a booming voice, "we have gathered here to pass judgement on Lord Sesshomaru. As you all may know recently Lady Fuyumi has been murdered by the lord himself. As we usually do in these cases we will allow the lord to state his case. You have my leave to speak and tell us why you did this act."

Sesshomaru stood up from his seat and began explaining from the beginning what had happened, not sparing any detail. It was the most he had ever spoken in one sitting. Everyone around him listened attentively, nodding here and there at what he was saying. The only one who didn't seem impressed or swayed in any sort of way was the representative of the north whose name was Hyo. As soon as Sesshomaru was done with his speech he sat down but Hyo was not done with him.

"That's ridiculous," He exclaimed. "None of this makes any sense. Why would Lady Fuyumi care so much that she would start a war over something so small? So you denied her, that was your mistake but I highly doubt that she would draw this out in a battle."

"Perhaps then you did not know Lady Fuyumi as well as you thought," Lord Asahi proposed, "She was a hostile woman who would attack any of those who opposed her in any way. I could see her doing this very clearly."

"How dare you tell me that! I knew her very well and to me she would never do this especially with him of all people."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Calmly questioned a female voice off to the side and out of sight. Everyone turned to see who had spoken only to find that it was Lady Tsukiakari who had heard of what was going on through her connections and flew down as soon as she could manage.

"Your ladyship!" Everyone but Sesshomaru shouted out in shock at seeing her there so suddenly. Like the husband she had she could stop everyone in their tracks just by walking into the room and maybe she was better at that than he was. She cat her eyes across the group before her settling her eyes upon Hyo and judging him coldly. It made him gulp hard. He may have had very little respect for Sesshomaru, mostly due to spite or jealousy because Fuyumi wanted him so badly and Hyo felt he was not good enough. He did, however, have the upmost respect for Lady Tsuki and her departed husband as did everyone. He immediately went to bowing to her but that did not stop her glaring. She was upset at not only what he had just said but that he was trying in vain to send her son off to an early grave. She would not stand for it.

"I see I was not invited," she coolly stated, still keeping her focus on Hyo. "As expected of you all. You always seem to forget I exist until I am here in your very faces, then you all cower before me."

"My lady forgive us, on my honor as a lord and member of this court I did not mean to leave you out. It was only that I thought you did not want to come," Asahi tried to clarify, staying in bowing position.

"Not come to something that involves my son's life? What kind of a mother do you take me for? I know I come off as cold and heartless but I do care for my child," She admitted humbly, giving Sesshomaru a fond look that he had rarely seen on her face. Perhaps in some way Rin had softened her too.

"Apologies again your ladyship. You may of course join us."

Withing seconds a chair was given to her and she was sat next to her son. "Continue your argument," she said to Hyo in a stern commanding voice.

He swallowed hard, sweat rolling down his forehead. Now all the sudden he was cowardly in front of this woman and what she would do if he continued his train of thought. "I…I think I have said enough."

"Don't swallow your tongue now. You had no problems speaking your mind before I came. What's the matter now? Your bravery has left you it seems. You were implying that my son was below that of the now deceased Lady Fuyumi. In what way?"

"I did not mean it that way what I meant to say was… he was not…"

"Speak up."

"I mean to say that he was not…worthy of her…"

"Is that so? And do you think you were? Is that what this is all about, petty jealousy? I know very well how you cared for that woman and instead of facing the facts presented to you, facts I can corroborate for I was attacked as well, you turn from that in order to try and seek vengeance for her death by riding the world of the one person who had her favor."

In the face of those harsh truthful words Hyo's entire character shifted and he became more submissive because he could now no longer talk back or yell as he had previously done. If he did he would be seen as a rude person who was openly accepting demise at her hands. He hung his head in shame and sighed heavily. He need not speak words; his actions spoke loudly.

"I thought so. Ladies and lords of the court I believe we have our verdict. My son is not guilty of anything besides protecting himself and his mate. There is nothing more to do or to say."

Everyone around the small group whispered to each other, coming to a conclusion when Lord Asahi finally agreed that there was nothing more they could do but let Sesshomaru go freely. After all he had said nothing could be done, he was in the right. Sesshomaru was glad to be going home a free man but most importantly he was happy to be returning to an anxious Rin who would be awaiting him with open arms. Indeed when he returned she came rushing out of the palace and like she had done the very first time they had met after three years she clambered recklessly into his arms, crying onto his chest. He soothed her in the best way he knew how, telling her that everything was going to be alright now. Their troubles were finally over but their life together was just beginning.