Hey I'm back sorry it took so long I had writer's block and then forgot that I had a chapter ready. I'm figuring it out better now but thankyou all for your patience and reviews and thank hisprincess1189 for this update. This is her cookie.

Sesshomaru was content. He had a beautiful mate who was in need of saving. Saving her would satisfy several of the mating stages as it would require closer contact and allow him to prove his strength against another suitor and a protector. He dared to relax and even hum as he proved he could provide for his future mate by preparing a meal. Sesshomaru's dish was both simple and quick. It would allow him to get back to his mate quickly and easily. He thought of the looks on his family's faces if they discovered his mate was mixed and royalty.

Sesshomaru had never been private or quiet about his prejudice about half breeds and issue was with their weakness and mortality. Why tie yourself to creatures who would be there and gone in the blink of an eye? In addition, the stronger the you were the more that weak loved one would be targeted. But the half-breed he was mated to was not only strong but likely would live as long as he. Sesshomaru was also thrilled about the prospect of fighting. Defending his future mate and her honor appealed to his primal instincts. In older and simpler times Sesshomaru would have had to find an enemy, a strong enemy, and defeat it presenting its head for an offering in order to prove he was worthy of his mate. Though Sesshoumaru was clearly Alpha in nature he might have also had to fight his mate to prove who had the most strength and so the most control. To be able to have a clearly submissive mate and show that he could both provide for and protect, it nearly made Sesshoumaru smile. Of course his smile had been known to make fully grown man cry so he held back so that he wouldn't scare his mate. With a quick efficiency that spoke of years of practice, Sesshomaru grabbed a pan and a some eggs. He turned on the fire and let the pan warm as he grabbed some vegetables, a cutting board, and a sharp knife he placed them lightly on the counter before turning to put oil in the pan and roll it around. He then, with demon speed, chopped the vegetables and put them in the pan to cook as he cracked and beat the eggs. He added the entire thing into the pan and mixed it with a spatula before leaving it to cook as he washed the used dishes. Soon he had two plates with omelets and toast. He set the jam on the side and got a two cups of orange juice. As he walked back up the stairs with the food he thought again of his mate.

Rin was young and afraid. Likely she would instinctively resist his help and advances. However, Sesshomaru wasn't one to take no for an answer. He would wear her down and soon his bed would be one of her favorite places. Just thinking about it made him want to eat her instead of the meal he prepared. He nudged his bedroom door open and was pleasantly surprised to see that Rin was where he'd left her. Shs was adorably small in his shirt and seemed to be deep in thought. It would seem that she was considering his courtship, at least that's what he hoped she was doing. Still, Sesshomaru was rather distracted by the way his shirt dropped off of her should in a way that showcased one of the darker marks he'd left on her. He laid the plates on his dresser and moved behind her. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice as he smoothly slid behind her and grabbed her against himself as he marked her again near her neck. Rin yelped then hissed at the pleasure pain he'd caused her. She started to struggle slightly then settled in with a huff and let him do as he pleased. Sesshomaru, greatly amused, let her go and nuzzled the mark. "You were lost in thought Rrrin. What were you thinking about?"

Rin sighed as she turned to face him, still in his arms because he refused to let her go. She looked down as she fiddled with her fingers. "I've thought about it Sesshomaru and…." The pause was nervous and Rin took a deep breath and continued seeming to steel herself to what she had o say next, "I can't drag you into this!" She still refused to look at him "We've been running for years because I'm not strong enough to protect myself or my father. I can't ask you to bind yourself to me and be constantly looking over your shoulder waiting for some sneak attack every day. I can't ask you to care for me and you wouldn't run with me you're too strong and proud it's not in your nature. And think about it! Any children we do have will be half breeds mixed with who knows what. It is an honor in my village but the outside world, not so much. I'm sorry."

Rin refused to look up after her little speech, Sesshomaru would be furious. He would think that, regardless of what she said, she thought he was too weak to take care of her. That wasn't it though, Rin simply didn't want him or any children they had to live as she had. This time spent at his house was the first time she had been able to relax in years. Usually even her sleep was light and she was ready to move at a moment's notice. She could ask him to go against not one but two enemies who had so many people on their side. She couldn't ask him to fight for her, a girl he barely knew. She couldn't even ask that of her best friends. So since she couldn't burden him her only choice was to leave him. She moved to do just that when she was stopped by the tightening of his arms followed by the feel of his fingers gently lifting her chin. Rin looked up into bright golden eyes that didn't seem angry at all, in fact they seemed tender and gentle even amused.

"I can and will take care of you my Rin. You do not have to be alone and afraid anymore and you do not have to protect me, not by leaving me. Allow this Sesshomaru to prove to you his devotion and strength. It would not be worthy of receiving your mate blessing if it was not difficult and I am glad of the challenge especially if the prize is you."

"But Sesshomaru-sama I-"

"If you reject me I shall do it for the challenge anyway, should you leave, I will follow you. In danger I will protect you and in distress I will comfort you. You will live in fear for only a short time longer and you shall receive your inheritance."

Rin looked into Sesshomaru's eyes and saw how much it meant to him to protect her. How much she meant to him and she wavered in her decision. Maybe…. And in one of the most cliche moments ever to happen in Rin's life Sesshomaru's phone rang.