He watched them through the binoculars around the young boy's neck.

"You're…choking…me" He struggled to say as the man tugged at the binoculars.

"Be quiet! I need to see what they're doing." He snapped. "Don't drive too quickly, I don't want them to know we're following them."

He continued to watch their every move. He didn't appreciate the fact that they were so close to one another. Rin resting her head on his shoulder, Sesshomaru pulling her closer...

"What the…?!"

Then, Sesshomaru had kissed Rin's hand and he went ballistic. The man punched the back seat in anger and disgust.

"How dare he get so close to her!" He growled.

Suddenly, Sesshomaru looked back at them.

"Oh, fuck, he spotted us! He's gonna kill me! We gotta stop the car!" The young boy panicked, trying to shield himself from view.

"Damn. How did he know we were following him?! Slow down. Let them go ahead a bit."

The masked driver slowed down and created a good distance between the cars.

"Jaken. There is a black car following us."

He looked into the rearview mirror and his jaw dropped. "W-what should I do?"

Sesshomaru looked down at Rin as she was snug happily on his shoulder. "Nothing. Do not make a scene. Rin is resting."

Sesshomaru looked back again and noticed the car had slowed down. 'Those must be the slayers.'

"Shall I continue to our destination?"

"Of course."

They continued toward their destination and the black car continued to follow them all the way there.

Jaken stopped the car and Sesshomaru looked back to see the car stop a quarter of a mile back.

'This is going to be interesting.'

Rin slowly opened her eyes and looked around but it was too dark to see anything.

"Are we here?" she asked as she strained her eyes to look out the window.

"Yes."

"This is exciting! I can't wait to see where we are."

"Jaken. Back up at full speed."

"What?!" Jaken and Rin shouted out in unison.

"Its alright." He said to Rin as he buckled her seatbelt. "Now, Jaken." He ordered again in a slightly more threatening tone.

Jaken put the car in reverse, faster than the people in the black car could react to.

"Fuck. I have to get out. Rin can't see me like this."

"Hey! Don't leave me here! I'll die!" the young boy whined.

The man picked up his swords and slid out the open window, speeding off in-between some trees.

Jaken stopped the car right in front of theirs.

"Stay here."

Rin looked back at the other car. "Who is that?"

"No one. Don't worry. Stay here with Jaken." He told her. "Jaken. Keep Rin company."

"Of course, sir."

Sesshomaru got out of the car and looked directly into the trees. The man he really wanted to go after was nearly a mile ahead of him.

'Such unusual speed for a human. Although...'

He continued towards the car.

"Shit shit shit! Drive away!" The young boy ordered.

Sesshomaru reached the car and tore the door off.

The young boy screamed at the top of his lungs and Sesshomaru grabbed his neck, cutting off his screams and his airway.

"You again." He said, not sounding surprised at all.

He couldn't speak. The boy merely made gasping and gagging sounds.

He looked over as the masked driver was about to put the car in reverse. He quickly dove his other fist through the car's dashboard.

"You share similar blood with the one that ran away. You must be his sister."

She didn't respond. She slid out the window as her brother did and sped off in the same direction.

Sesshomaru turned his attention back to the boy who was nearly blue when he released his grip on his neck.

The boy caught his breath and inched into the driver's seat away from Sesshomaru.

"Tell me everything you know or I will kill you. I won't allow you to escape unscathed."

"Iono much! I swear! I work at a spy shop in the city. That lady came in and handed me a bag of money and a note from that guy. I don't even know their names! The note said all I had to do was watch and photograph Dr. Rin Asano and her patient. I ain't know it was you till I saw you with her! Please lemme go! I'm only 15!"

"But you do know they are the Slayers don't you? Where did you go to meet them?"

"I was told to be at random spots at certain times, and then I was dragged into a car and blindfolded. I didn't see where they took me! I promise! A-a-all I know is that the rides were really long like we were goin' out of Tokyo."

"What was spoken about at those meetings?"

"The doctor! All the time! Like the guy was in love with her or somethin'. He got really pissed off when I asked if he had a thing with her. Tried to lop my frickin' head off!"

"What did he look like?"

"He had black hair, a-and freckles. And eyes like a demon!"

'It can't be...'

"I never heard his name. Everyone called him 'sir, or boss.'"

"I see."

"I remember he said that doctor lady's life was in danger. He said it like you were gonna hurt her and he needed to save her. That's why he came back."

"I've decided to let you live to relay a message for me. Tell your 'boss' to stay away from Rin. She does not wish to see him. Also, he will return my mother's brooch."

"So...he DID have a thing with her!"

"Yes. But unfortunately for him, Rin has moved on."

"Do…you have a thing with the doctor lady?" The boy asked curiously.

Sesshomaru gave him a terrifying stare that could've killed him. "Leave, or I will be forced to break your legs and you will crawl home."

"Ain't gotta tell me twice!" The boy sprang out the car and ran down the sidewalk.

Sesshomaru looked around the car for anything helpful but there was no trace of the Slayers at all.

He let out an irritated sigh and returned to his car.

"So that's how I found out I was allergic to antacids...Oh, hi Sesshomaru! You're back!"

"Thank goodness." Jaken said under his breath with an annoyed expression on his face.

"I trust Jaken was excellent company."

"Yes!" Rin confirmed. "I was just telling him stories from my childhood."

"Jaken. I need to speak with you for one moment."

"Right away, sir." Jaken got out of the car and met with Sesshomaru on the sidewalk just a few feet from the car.

Rin watched as they spoke, wondering what was going on. She looked back at the black car and noticed it was empty.

"Who was in the car? Where'd they go?"

Rin was frustrated and overwhelmed with confusion. She wanted to know what was happening. Why did it have to be a secret?

"He sang like a canary. He didn't know enough detail to satisfy me but there is something unsettling about the man in charge of the Slayers."

"What do you mean?"

"He has a connection to Rin. I have suspicions about his identity as her ex-boyfriend, Kohaku."

"Do you think Rin knows?"

"No. I'm almost certain she has no idea what kind of man he truly is. Or how much blood is on his hands, both human and demon."

"So what next?"

"Go see my father. Tell him I may have discovered the identity of my mother's murderer. Watch him carefully. I want to know what his reaction will be."

"Alright. I will take care of that immediately."

"I will contact you to let you know when to return here."

Sesshomaru walked up to the car and opened the door for Rin.

"Come, Rin. Let's not waste any more time."

Rin got out and looked around. On one side of the street was a gate and on the opposite side was a long range of woods.

'I'm so confused...'

"Have a good evening. I will come pick you up later." Jaken said with a bow.

"Bye, Jaken!" Rin said happily as she waved.

Jaken drove off and Rin returned her attention to Sesshomaru.

"So...what's going on? Where do we go now?"

"Right here." He said, pointing to the closed gate.

He walked to the gate and yanked the chains off.

"Hey, hey! Is this legal?!" She asked worriedly.

"Yes. My mother left this park to me."

"Oh."

He opened the creaky gate and pulled Rin inside.

Sesshomaru found the nearby fuse box and turned on the park lights.

Rin's eyes widened with amazement as she saw all the rare flowers around the park. "Oh! I've never seen these before! This is amazing!"

She walked off on her own and began exploring as Sesshomaru followed behind her slowly.

Suddenly, she let out scream. He rushed to her side to see what was the matter.

"W-w-what is that?!" She questioned, pointing a shaky hand at a snapping, toothy plant.

"A Venus flytrap."

"It's huge! What does it eat?"

"Humans."

"What?!" She hid behind him frightfully while looking at the plant-like creature.

Sesshomaru turned to her and grasped her hand. "This time. I was joking."

Rin let out a relieved sigh and gave him a playful nudge. "You really scared me for a second." She said with a giggle.

"I don't know much about these flowers. I know they never die. They aren't ordinary flowers."

"This is so wonderful. Your mother had an exquisite taste in flowers."

They continued down the path deeper into the park. They sat on a bench near a group of Venus flytraps.

"So..." Rin began as she watched them snap at one another. "What was your mother like? When you were younger?"

"She was proud, sarcastic and very obsessed with this park. She always took pride in anything she had, family customs and her demon blood. My mother was very well composed and classy. I respected her for who she was as a demon and as my mother."

"What's your favorite memory of her?"

"The day she started her company. It was a few months after my father left her. She told me she was grateful to Inuyasha's mother for taking my father from her. He was a distraction. A safety net. She was able to focus on her ambitions without him around. That was the day she decided to stop resenting humans. She then handed me the necklace you have on and said 'One day a woman will come into your life and she will change your mind about the one thing you are the most stubborn about. Give this to her.' So I did."

Rin began to blush and she attempted to cover her warm cheeks with her hands.

"C-could you do me a favor? I-I mean if you don't mind." She said timidly as she grasped the edge of the bench.

"What is it?"

"Uh...could you change to your true form?"

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her. "What for?"

"Please? Just for a minute." She pleaded.

Sesshomaru thought it over for a moment before he agreed. He wasn't sure what Rin had in mind but he trusted her.

'I remember the first time...when he showed me his true form. He terrified me. I could feel his anger. He could sense my fear. We balanced each other out perfectly. We were a prime example of predator and prey, but I didn't run...and he didn't attack. What will it be like now?'

Sesshomaru changed into his true form before her eyes. Rin watched with her eyes so wide, they began tearing. He grew in size and stood on all fours. Here he was before her. The beast that killed 27 people in cold blood.

'I don't feel like I've been doing anything for him. He's different, sure. But have I made any progress? Have I truly done any work? Have I done more than humor him?'

Rin slowly began to approach Sesshomaru.

'I need to know. I need to know I've truly calmed his spirit.'

Rin approached slightly quicker, until she was only inches away from his nose.

She reached up her hand, just like last time...and stopped just as before. Except this time, she didn't pull away.

There was no intimidating anger, nor was she filled with fear. She finally placed her hand on Sesshomaru and gave him a slow, gentle rub.

She had to admit she was still nervous but relieved she was able to get so close.

'What is this feeling?' She wondered. 'Its like...he's afraid of me. Wait...no. He's just letting me get close to him. He's putting his trust in me.'

Sesshomaru nudged her hand with his nose and Rin began to smile.

She backed away and looked at him. 'A demon. A dog. A man. A demon that understands strength and ruthlessness. A dog that understands loyalty and bonds. A man that understands me. Now I understand.'

She walked up to him again and embraced him. She rubbed her face in his soft fur and smiled. "I understand. I'm so happy. You see me as a woman because I understand you. We understand each other."

Sesshomaru changed back to his true form while she continued to hold him.

He looked down at her with relief in his eyes. Finally, someone who knew how to break down the ice and see what was buried beneath so long ago.

She was able to tame his ferocity with her kindness and open his eyes with her smiles.

"Please forgive me if I'm wrong but...I think I know what you were thinking when you killed those people."

"Go on."

"Your mother. You seem like you loved her more than anything. Even Kagura. You didn't kill because you enjoyed it. You killed because you couldn't rest until you felt like you fully avenged your mother. You're not a monster. You're...passionate."

"Passionate. That is the first time that word was used to describe me."

"That's why we've focused so much on solving your mother's murder. She was the source of your rage. I know you won't rest until you've avenged her death but..." A tear fell from her eye and she turned her head away as a shameful and embarrassing feeling overcame her. "Please remember. I'm always going to be here. So I'd like it if you were here with me."

Sesshomaru's phone began to ring.

"What?...Oh does he?...Alright...We will be waiting."

"Who was that?"

"Jaken. He told me my father has something extremely urgent to tell me. So we will be going to his home."

"That's good! Then I can talk to Kagome since she's there with Inuyasha."

Sesshomaru let out an annoyed sigh. "I have an issue to resolve with that idiot anyway."

"Alright."

"It will take Jaken a while to get here."

"I know. We're pretty far from your father's aren't we?"

He nodded.

"So...who was in that black car? I heard you tell Jaken they were following us."

"When I got to the car, they had escaped. The only one there was the boy that had been spying on us in the diner."

"Really?! Did he tell you anything useful ?"

"No. He hardly knew anything. This group is very cautious with their work."

"Oh." She replied disappointedly. "Well hopefully something will come about."

"Yes. Hopefully."

"Tomorrow we have to go back to the hospital."

"More drug tests?"

"Yes. And my superior wants to conduct some type of psychological tests. I wasn't given any particular details. They called me before we left."

"I see."

"I'm not thrilled about it either. But I'm sure you'll do just fine!" She said with a smile.

"Hmm."

"You're not the man you used to be, you know. Maybe you never were that man."

"That's for you to deduce, Doctor. I still feel no remorse for those I killed."

"I know. I understand that. But you should at least make up with Inuyasha. He was on my back every step of the way asking about you."

"I will consider it."

"Great!"

A silence fell upon them. It was awkward and unusual. The two of them always had something to discuss, even though Rin did most of the talking.

What was this nervous feeling? Why were they both feeling it?

Rin twiddled her thumbs and Sesshomaru was tapping his foot. He didn't like the uneasy feeling. It was frustrating.

Every time he would look over at Rin, the way her made-up face was glistening in the moonlight, he could feel his nerves tightening up. What was she doing to him?

He turned his head to look at the moon, wondering if it was alright to feel the way he felt about Rin. When he turned back to her, she was staring directly at him.

"What is it?"

She gave him a sweet smile. "Let's look around some more." She said as she grabbed his hand and led him off.

"Let's go this way." She said pointing to her left. She squeezed his hand tightly, with no intention of letting go.

Sesshomaru was laughing in his head at the way Rin's hand hardly wrapped around his. He took her fingers between his own to ease her fear that he was going to slip out of her clutch.

Rin loved the way his fingers clasped her hand, nearly touching her wrist. She felt so safe, so secure, and so happy.

It didn't feel like she was holding hands with the man she took on as her patient. He was someone else. A man only she knew.

She crouched down beside a black rose. It had such a beauty to it. Rin had a knack for finding the light in darkness.

"Do you enjoy this place Rin?"

"Yes I do!"

"You may have it then. I don't care for flowers the way you do."

"Really? You have no idea how happy this makes me!" She said excitedly as she grabbed his hand again.

They spent time walking around and exploring. Rin would talk about the flowers and Sesshomaru would listen and pretend he was interested.

Because that's what you do when you care for someone.

"My feet are getting tired." She groaned as she slipped her heels off. She slipped on a pair of flats she had in her bag.

Sesshomaru picked up Rin's shoes and let them dangle on his fingers. Her feet were so tiny. Just knowing that fact made a disturbingly warm feeling worm into his heart. He felt so foolish fawning over small things.

He grasped her hand again without even realizing. It felt so natural for them.

Rin squeezed his hand tightly, like she was trying to transmit the pained, conflicting and constricting strain in her heart.

He squeezed her hand in return, giving her the same melting feeling.

'Is it really alright? For me to feel the way I feel about him?'

She looked at the way their fingers were intertwined without so much as a millimeter of space in-between. 'Well. These feelings are mine and mine alone. No one can come and police me about what is in my heart. My love belongs to me.'

Rin decided to close the space between their bodies and walk right next to him, their arms connecting as one and their footsteps matching rhythmically. 'I'll continue to feel it until the feelings subside like the symptoms of an illness.'

Sesshomaru looked down at her and noticed the smile on her face. She wasn't hiding her feelings, nor was she pursuing him any further. 'Is this what she wants?'

"This place." She began. "While you say I can have it, would it be alright if we came here...together?"

Sesshomaru nodded. "That's fine with me."

Rin let out a relieved sigh. 'The atmosphere of this place. It's like being sucked into a fairy tale novel. Nothing outside of this place exists. There is nothing here but happy feelings. The traces of pain, regret, guilt and confusion trail away at the gate. I finally feel free.'

"This can be a special place. Our special place." She said quietly, knowing he could hear her, but hoping he didn't.

"Alright."

'I can't love him in the way I truly want to. This is as far as I can go. These are the ways I will show my feelings. This is how I will love him. I will continue to shine my rays of kindness his way, and he will be the ice under the sun. Together we will make rain. We will nurture this garden and it will continue to grow, just as my love will grow too.'

Rin began to feel sad as she thought about how Sesshomaru would never want to be with her. She started to wonder what would happen after he found out about the Slayers and got his mother's brooch back. She wondered if she would be all alone again.

A honk outside disrupted her thoughts.

"That's Jaken. Let's go." The second he let go of her hand and began to walk ahead, she knew.

She knew things between them could never go any further. The way he slipped out of her fingers confirmed it.

Everything that happened tonight had to be a secret. As long as he was willing to hold her hand in that place again, she decided she would not be sad.

As long as she could love him in their secret garden.

Happy New Year everyone! This is my first fic update of the year because you guys are the best readers!

-high five for all my SessRin shippers- (please review! I'll update quickly if I get lots of reviews!)

xoxo

-VQ