Rin was not breathing, and the Tenseiga would not save her soul again. What stopped me from doing so? Why was the Tenseiga refusing its master? I returned from the underworld with the stilled Rin and the human boy.

"You are back." Mother noted.

I did not look at her, but kept my eyes on the little girl in my arms.

"So you have revived her with the Tenseiga already. Once a life has already been prolonged by Tenseiga, it will not have the same effect twice." She explained.

I could feel rage boiling under my stoic mask. Rin died again because I could not protect her. I, to my shame, was not strong enough. My grip tightened out of frustration, anger, and to my surprise, sorrow.

"You are no God, Sesshomaru. Though the sword at your waist has the power to bring life back to the dead, you are not invincible. Do not forget this lesson." The woman said as she approached me.

Using the same stone that brought out the hell hound, he returned Rin's soul. The little girl's eyes opened once more, and the color began to return to her cheeks as her heart started to beat again. I put her back on the ground, allowing her to walk. The child looked around before speaking.

"Lord Sesshomaru, where are Kazumi-san and Master Jaken?"

I turned to my mother for the answer to that question. I knew that Jaken was climbing the steps to where we were, but my young woman was still unaccounted for.

"She is asleep." She answered. "The child is troubled, emotionally and physically. That is to be expected from her kind, however."

"I am taking her."

"Doing so will do nothing but pressure her even more. It would be better for her to stay with me."

I knew what she was doing all too well. She planned on taking the only person I want. She wanted to teach and change her. I would not let Mother have her way. This woman is my woman, and I will not allow any other person to care for her, whether it is her mother or mine, I would not let her go. Ignoring her call, I descended into her palace and followed my mate-to-be's scent. I eventually found her in a room, sleeping in bed. She seemed to be at peace. I allowed her to sleep in my arms. My beast growled with satisfaction now that she was in my sight. That growl became fiercer when she clenched onto me.

"Sesshomaru, I know what is best!" Mother called out.

I couldn't prevent my beast from showing, revealing that she had irritated me. She had already overstepped her boundary. I would have no more of her advice.

"You have no say in this." I informed her before descending the stairs. Rin followed in close suit along with the other human and Jaken.

"Lord Sesshomaru, is Kazumi-san okay?" my ward after the s castle was behind us.

"She is fine."

"That's good."

"The wench kicked me down the stairs!" Jaken cried, only to be silenced by my growl.

As we walked farther, I began to think on my mother's words. As much as I hate it, what she spoke was true. Things were becoming more and more dangerous. Keeping her and Rin by my side is no longer the safest option. Simply looking at the recent events is enough to prove this, yet I do not want them to be far from me. The final battle is nigh, and I cannot take them into it.

When I woke up, my head was on Sesshomaru's chest and the sun had already set. How long had I been asleep? I rubbed my eyes and sat up, knowing that Sesshomaru was watching me do so.

"What did I miss?" I asked him as I yawned silently.

He was silent for a moment before he spoke to me slowly. "You and Rin will stay in a village as I fight Naraku."

I was confused for a moment before I remembered. I knew he would leave Rin and I behind eventually. I guess the time was now. I sighed and put my head against his arm.

"It's time for the final battle, isn't it?" I asked.

I took his silence as a yes. This was it, our final day before the battle that would end the series. I enjoyed the silence while I still could. I faced Sesshomaru and traced the crescent moon on his forehead.

"Be safe out there, okay?"

I found myself being kissed passionately after I said that. I couldn't stop the tears from coming down my eyes. This may be the last time our lips embrace each other. I didn't want to part from him, and for a moment, my resolve weakened. I wanted to give him everything I had. We lay on the ground with him on top. He was so fierce, that I couldn't control myself. My body trembled at his touch and scent. He was overpowering me, and I did nothing about it. I made no resistance against him as he pressed himself upon me. I wanted to believe that if we solidified our relationship now, we would never be torn apart. I was so close to letting him take me, but the sound of Rin waking up stopped us. The little girl woke up to Sesshomaru embracing me. I didn't want to leave his side, but it was now apparent that I never had a choice in the beginning.

A/N: Okay, I'll admit it. The ending of this chapter made me go like 'Really? No! Who cares about fate? We don't need it!' But it's okay 'cause I know how this ends, and you all are either going to love it, or hate it… more than likely love it.
Thanks for reading this! Seeing the number of views go up really makes me happy. Sometimes I squeal. And guess what! Less than 200 views from 30,000! Can you believe this FF is like less than a year old? I love you guys sooooooo much! OMG! I'm like, super happy! You guys give my life a lot more meaning. Maybe I should become an author... Idk.