Author Note: I know ya'll love my hiatuses. :P Anywho, hope it was worth the wait. Please please please give me your reviews, love it, hate it. I finally see the ending just need to write it down. :)

Chapter 17

A few hours later Rin awoke on her side with Sesshomaru's long length curved around her.

Oh God, he was in bed with her! How could she look him in the eye after what had happened between them? Rin tried to edge out from under his arm, her only thought to escape, but he immediately felt her withdrawal and tightened his arm around her. Rin felt him lean up on his elbow and bend over to look at her. Unable to help herself, Rin immediately pulled the comforter over her fiercely blushing face and kept her back to him.

She could hear Sesshomaru's soft laugh, which shocked her, as he gently tugged on the sheet she had a death grip on and refused to let go. "Little one…what are you doing?" He asked with amusement.

"Just give me a minute." Rin said more to herself than to him, a little more disconcerted by his amusement than she would like to admit.

Sesshomaru attempted to tug on the sheet again only to be met with renewed resistance. Rin heard him sigh loudly before he made the sheet suddenly disappear from her hands as if it had never been. Rin quickly covered her face with her hands.

"Rin?"

"Shh."

"What?"

"Just shh! Don't talk."

"Will I be allowed to look at you any time soon or am I doomed to only speak to you through your hands."

"Just for the foreseeable future." Rin said, embarrassment gripping her in its vice and refusing to let go.

"Well if that's the case." Sesshomaru tugged Rin until she was lying full on her back, then she felt his hand running down her chest and cupping her breast. Shocked Rin grabbed his hand to stop him and her eyes met his filled with humor. "If you won't let me look at you there are other things I can do in the meantime." He said with a smirk.

Rin swallowed and tried to answer him but she could feel heat crawling up her neck and full across her face again.

Sesshomaru studied her lazily and looked at her exposed breast. "I didn't realize human females could blush all over."

Rin groaned and quickly buried her face into his chest as she clutched her kimono closed. Sesshomaru laughed again and rubbed her back soothingly as he pulled her close. It took a bit but Rin finally relaxed enough under his ministrations to dare peek at him.

Sesshomaru looked down at her expectantly and Rin blurted out. "You're still wearing all your clothes."

"If you prefer me sans clothing I can accommodate you with pleasure." Sesshomaru replied seriously and began to shrug out of his fur mantle. Rin couldn't help the shriek that left her lips as she leapt out of bed quicker than Sesshomaru could snatch her back. She backed away quickly and readjusted her clothing, half expecting him to drag her back. He didn't. Sesshomaru rested his head against his fist as he lay sprawled across the bed with his elbow supporting his upper body.

Rin nervously ran her hand through her hair, pushing it off her forehead in a curiously sexy gesture Sesshomaru had never acknowledged before. What made it even more appealing to him was the gesture had been an innocent one.

Sesshomaru was not a novice when it came to sexual matters. Far from it. Since he had been a boy, many other female demons had thrown themselves at him in the hopes he would make them his concubine. Or for the sheer bragging rights of claiming to have spent if not a full night, then to have lain with the son of the legendary Great Dog Demon Inu no Taisho. Though as a child Sesshomaru had not been nearly as powerful as he was now, just knowing he was The Dog General's full blooded yokai son and not a half breed like Inuyasha, made him extremely sought after by any who thought to use him for their own gains.

Over the centuries Sesshomaru learned how to use his body to gain what he needed, either through manipulation or intimidation. He also learned how to give pleasure and how to take his own. But it was always done with a purpose. Kitsune herself had been very vocal in her want to be claimed as his wife in the hopes he would take his father's lands as was his due despite his clear indication that he had no interest in doing so. She had been the only one he had ever taken to bed more than once and mostly only due to the convenience.

Sesshomaru had never dallied with a human female before, let alone an innocent one such as Rin.

Sesshomaru was having an extremely difficult time keeping himself from devouring her with his eyes. Centuries of discipline crumbled under his need to touch her. The only reason he was attempting to refrain from doing so was her obvious discomfort with his attention at the moment. He had always known Rin would grow into a beautiful young woman but what surprised him was how much he wanted her. There was really no reason for him to. He would gain nothing by bedding her and she would bring him nothing of value. She garnered him no advantages whatsoever. Most discomfiting of all was Rin wasn't even trying to gain his attention in that way. Females were normally much more blatant in their demands of him. There was never any doubt how easily he could gorge himself with any number of females he could want. And he did in his younger days. But the novelty of sex just for enjoyment had worn thin very quickly. Especially with the calculation he had clearly seen in those female demon's eyes when he would finally succumb to their advances.

Rin's innocence lured him more than any other previous bold invitation from another female ever had. Her honest reaction to his touch was a temptation he doubted he could go for too long without. When her hesitation had finally given away to ecstasy when she writhed in his arms, he had forgone his own pleasure just to enjoy watching her receive hers. Sesshomaru was well aware he had given her her first taste of passion. As he watched Rin begin to pace and ring her hands in agitation Sesshomaru couldn't help smiling. This was a side of Rin he had never witnessed before and he was ridiculously pleased with himself to be the cause of it. He ended up shaking his head at his own behavior. He was acting very out of character but he could not remember a time when he had had more fun. Sesshomaru chuckled to himself. Every wile, lure and temptation had been bestowed on him by willing and scheming females over the centuries. Yet none had affected him as strongly as Rin did. It was humbling to realize just how much power she truly had over him and he was damn lucky there wasn't an ounce of deceit within her. In the end he had been thoroughly seduced by an innocent.

"What are you laughing at?" Rin asked him in shock when she heard his laughter from the bed. Had she ever heard him laugh before?

"I doubt you'd find it as amusing as I do." Sesshomaru replied.

"That's still not answering my question." Rin said with a bit of pique.

"I never intended to answer your question." Sesshomaru said.

Rin opened her mouth only to snap her mouth closed. She had spent her entire life following and serving him. She thought she had known everything there was to know about him but she didn't know him like this. Was he actually teasing her?

"I've never seen you laugh before." Rin said with a bit of awe.

"You've never been quite this amusing before." Sesshomaru replied.

"No I mean I've never even heard you laugh before. I didn't think you laughed." Rin said.

"Would you prefer a scowl?"

"I just…I just need you to be normal. Act normal." Rin demanded.

"And laughter isn't normal?"

"Not for you, no."

"What do you consider normal for me?" Sesshomaru asked curiously.

"Giving orders. Demanding obedience. You do have a dry sense of humor but never laughter."

"Boring." Sesshomaru supplied helpfully.

"Deadly." Rin looked at him and was taken aback by his gentle smile. "And you don't smile." Rin added with a little frown.

"I've never had a reason to smile before."

Rin felt her heart beat faster at his implication that she gave him a reason to smile. Rin covered her heart with her hand. It had been a long time since she had felt that familiar ache in her heart while she was around him. She had gotten used to feeling that strange hollow feeling in his presence but she felt the strange shifting now within her. As if there was some type of barrier shutting her off from her emotions but it was thinning now. Almost to the brink of shattering.

Suddenly terrified Rin took a few steps back. She could feel it all slowly coming back. The loneliness, the fear…the agony of knowing she loved him but that he could never love her back. Rin hadn't realized how much she had come to rely on that emptiness until it was threatened to break. She didn't want to feel the pain again. She couldn't survive it. Not again.

Rin turned and quickly dashed for the door. She had just managed to open it a crack before Sesshomaru slapped his hand above her and shut it firmly. He spun her around and caged her in by raising his other hand to brace on the door on the other side of her head. Rin shrank back into the door and tried to tamp down on her rising hysteria…and her excitement at the heated look in his eyes and the close proximity of his body to hers.

"Don't run. Don't ever run from me unless you want me to chase you Rin. I won't be held responsible for my actions when I catch you." Sesshomaru said quietly. "I wouldn't test my instincts here. I can't seem to help myself around you." He admitted under his breath.

"You're always in control." Rin whispered in surprise as she felt him rub his cheek against her temple. She pressed the palms of her hands against the door in an effort to keep them from touching his chest as her fingers ached to do.

"Yet here I am holding on to the thread of control I have left by my teeth." Sesshomaru realized what he was doing even if she did not by rubbing his cheek against her the way he was. He was leaving his scent on her deliberately. Just by traveling with him all these years she had his scent on her person, claiming her as his. But this was more intimate. He had never set out to mark her so possessively but he wasn't kidding when he said he couldn't seem to help himself around her. He stepped forward and pushed her into the door with his body. She was tiny, her face almost buried in his chest now so he simply lowered his hands to her rear and hauled her up so she was eye level with him.

Rin gasped as she automatically widened her knees on either side of his hips to accommodate him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He pressed himself into her and she tried to stifle a groan as she felt his hard flesh against her core. Heat rushed through her when she felt him nibbling on her earlobe. The ear again. He seemed to be fascinated with it and she realized it was a weakness he would definitely exploit every chance he had. And she wouldn't stop him.

She might even encourage him.

Rin dug her fingernails into Sesshomaru's back and reflexively tightened her thighs around him. She closed her eyes and lost herself in the sensations she was feeling. It took her a moment before Sesshomaru's voice penetrated her sensual fog.

"What?" Rin asked.

"Kiss me." Sesshomaru said.

Rin opened her eyes and stared at him in confusion. "Why don't you just kiss me?"

"You said so yourself. I give the orders. You obey."

"I didn't say it quite like that." Rin muttered rebelliously.

Sesshomaru gave her a wicked grin. "Close enough. Obey me."

Rin hesitated. Sesshomaru always kissed her not the other way around. How would she even begin to kiss him?

Rin leaned forward and pressed her lips against his in a quick peck then stopped. When all he did was look at her expectantly Rin tried again. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his but this time she held it. It felt so nice she rubbed her lips back and forth against his.

"Better." Sesshomaru murmured against her lips.

Tentatively Rin kissed him again and again, over a dozen times and slowly moved on to a few open mouthed kisses. Sesshomaru had remained still during all of this, until she shyly sucked on his lower lip. He moaned and tightened his hands on her rear, moving her slightly against him. Thrilled by his response, Rin recalled how he had deepened the kiss with her and decided to do the same. She tilted her head to the side and lightly flicked his lips with her tongue. Sesshomaru immediately responded with his own and Rin felt shivers race down her spine as she felt his tongue slide delicately against hers. Sesshomaru appeared to have forgotten whatever lesson he had been trying to teach her and was just as consumed by the kiss as she was. They held each other tightly and moaned together as their kiss deepened.

Suddenly the door they were leaning on was opened and Sesshomaru quickly jumped back as his eyes met those of his brother's as he poked his head around the door to see what obstruction had blocked him from opening it completely.

Inuyasha's jaw dropped in shock when he took in the scene of Sesshomaru's swollen lips, mussed hair and Rin wrapped tightly around him looking no better.

Rin squirmed in Sesshomaru's arms but he was loathe to let her go.

"Put me down!" Rin hissed in mortification, her face bright red.

"No." Sesshomaru said.

Rin pushed harder against his chest. "Please put me down!" She begged, on the verge of tears.

Sesshomaru reluctantly allowed her feet to touch the floor but when she would've ran he clamped his hand on her wrist and pulled her back to his side.

Rin tried vainly to get him to let go of her wrist but his grip was implacable. Beyond frustrated Rin gave in to an uncharacteristic spurt of anger and kicked him in the shin.

Surprised more than hurt, Sesshomaru's grip slackened enough for Rin to snatch her hand back and run through the open doorway. Before Sesshomaru could give chase Inuyasha stepped in his way.

"Whoa! What the hell was that?" Inuyasha sputtered.

"Married with children and I still have to explain?" Sesshomaru said dryly.

Still recovering from his shock Inuyasha ignored the jibe. "That was Rin."

"Yes."

"You and Rin?"

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow as was his habit.

"You and Rin?" Inuyasha paroted in disbelief.

"Will saying that repeatedly really make it easier to accept?" Sesshomaru asked.

"It's just…Rin? When did all this happen?" Inuyasha asked utterly bewildered.

"Nothing had happened. Yet. Your timing leaves much to be desired." Sesshomaru said with a frustrated growl.

"It's unbelievable. You were all over each other!" Inuyasha accused.

"And?"

"She's just a baby. You're old enough to be her greatest grandfather!"

"You're one to talk. Rin's older than Kagome was when you two first met." Sesshomaru pointed out.

Inuyasha flushed at the reminder of his own great age difference with his wife. "You pretty much raised Rin." Inuyasha said, ignoring Sesshomaru's comment. "She should be like a daughter to you. It's like incest."

"She's not my daughter and she's no longer a child." Sesshomaru said simply.

"She's like family to us. You can't toy with her." Inuyasha continued angrily.

"Who says I'm toying with her." Sesshomaru answered quietly.

Inuyasha stopped and stared at his older brother in surprise. "You're a demon. You can't love her." He said matter of factly.

"You love Kagome."

"Of course I love her. But I'm the half breed here remember? My human side loves and cherishes her and the kids. I'll die to keep and protect what is mine."

"So will I." Sesshomaru replied.

Inuyasha stopped for a minute and allowed his brother's words to sink in. "Possession is not the same thing as love."

Sesshomaru shrugged. "She's mine."

Kagome at that moment rushed in to find them both arguing. "I just saw Rin run off into the woods in tears." She said pointedly to Sesshomaru.

"You let her go by herself?" Sesshomaru was about to follow when Kagome stopped him by placing her hand on his chest. "It's all right. I sent Kohaku to keep an eye on her."

Sesshomaru stiffened and Inuyasha laughed. "Wrong thing to say Kagome." Inuyasha chuckled.

"What's going on?" Kagome asked them both.

"I stumbled upon Rin and Sesshomaru trying to climb into each other's skin." Inuyasha said dryly, very similar to Sesshomaru.

"Knock next time." Sesshomaru replied.

"Wait…when you say climbing into each other…" Kagome asked Inuyasha who shrugged before he answered. "I mean on the verge of tearing each other's clothes off."

Kagome turned to look at her brother in law with a concerned frown. "Sesshomaru…you can't do this."

"I don't see how this is either of your concern." Sesshomaru said to both Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Look, as long as she's willing then I'll stay out of it." Inuyasha complied.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome gasped in outrage.

"Rin's an adult Kagome. She can make her own decisions."

"If you feel that way then why were you pestering me earlier?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I was shocked. Excuse the hell out of me for not dealing with it well." Inuyasha snapped.

"Rin's in love with him. If he continues this then he's taking advantage of her and I won't allow it." Kagome said angrily to Inuyasha.

"She's not in love with him." Inuyasha replied in exasperation.

"Yes she is!" Kagome insisted.

"If she was, which she's not, she wouldn't be acting the way she does when she's around him. I've seen it Kagome. Maybe before I would've agreed with you but obviously that was just a crush. Recently she's been very indifferent towards Sesshomaru. Besides, she's young and evidently horny. What's wrong with her getting her rocks off? At least she'll be getting it from Sesshomaru instead of some human idiot who might hurt her." Inuyasha said with his annoying male logic.

"She's only acting like she doesn't love him because I stopped-"

"Stopped what Kagome?" Sesshomaru interrupted her pointedly.

Kagome froze and her eyes widened when she looked at Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru's eyes studied her carefully before he asked again. "What did you do Kagome?"

"I didn't-"

"I warned you to not interfere. Don't lie to me." Sesshomaru said quietly.

Kagome looked towards Inuyasha for support but he glared at her along with his brother. Kagome swallowed audibly. "She was in so much pain Sesshomaru. She was miserable and I couldn't stand it."

"What did you do?" Sesshomaru snapped at her angrily.

Kagome flinched and though Inuyasha was still upset himself he stepped closer to her for support.

Kagome lowered her eyes before she continued. "I helped her."

The silence that followed her statement dragged on for so long Kagome couldn't help but look up at Sesshomaru. She nearly fainted from fear when she saw the barely sheathed fury in his eyes.

"How?" Sesshomaru growled.

"The connection between you was unnatural. Rin was nearly hysterical with her need to be by your side. I sensed the tiny tethers between you. I placed a barrier between you to help her cope and over time it was meant to sever the connection completely."

"Kagome!" Inuyasha stared at his wife in shock. He couldn't believe she had done that.

"You didn't see her. You don't know how she suffered. I was only trying to help her." Kagome nearly pleaded with them to understand, the guilt from her choice weighing her down.

"We nearly lost Rin." Sesshomaru said. "After Kitsune's attack I discovered Rin's soul was trapped between dimensions. She was fading in and out of our world. She became weaker by the second. If she couldn't make a firm connection with either world she would have died. I made the decision to bind us together and solidify her connection to this plane."

Kagome stared at Sesshomaru in shock. "Binded?"

"You will remove the barrier you placed immediately. If it succeeded in breaking our connection as you would have liked, you could have easily condemned Rin or both of us to death."

"I don't understand." Kagome said.

"We are bound Kagome. Our souls are intertwined. Should one die the other would be sure to follow.

"I-I didn't know." Kagome said, horrified by what her meddling could have done.

"Don't interfere again." Sesshomaru walked past them both and left the house through the front door.

Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome and held her close as she trembled from what she had nearly done. "I could've killed them both."

"But you didn't. That's what matters." Inuyasha said comfortingly.

"I can't believe he bound them together." Kagome said.

"I can't believe he did either." Inuyasha said.

"What does that mean? I mean how will that affect them?" Kagome asked.

Inuyasha shrugged. "Who knows? Demons rarely do so with each other unless mated. But even then, demons are selfish by nature and refuse to share their powers."

"Share their powers?" Kagome asked.

"The few instances I know of a successful bonding like that, the two demons lives were tied and they acquired the other's powers. So in effect they become very powerful. But like I said its very rare. Most refuse to do so, no demon gives dominion of their lives to another so easily. And Rin is only human. Her body can't hold demonic powers like that so I doubt that would be their case anyway."

"Sesshomaru has lived for centuries. Does that mean now Rin is going to live as long as he does?"

"Or he will live only as long as she does. A normal human span of years."

"Oh my God. We have to tell Sesshomaru!" Kagome cried anxiously.

"Believe me he already knows the risks involved."

"Then…I would say that he loves her but love comes from the soul. Demons have no souls. It's impossible for them to love."

Inuyasha sighed and wrapped his arms tightly around Kagome.

Kagome felt his warmth seeping into her and she snuggled closer when her eyes suddenly popped open as she remembered Sesshomaru's words. "He said their souls were intertwined." Kagome said.

Inuyasha stilled. "Demon's do not possess souls. He must've meant he bound them as demons do. Through power and life force."

"That's not what he said. He said he bound their souls Inuyasha."

Inuyasha scoffed. "The only demons who have souls in this family are myself and Kichirou, and that's only because of our human halves."

"Are you sure?" Kagome persisted. Inuyasha's silence spoke volumes.

Kagome frowned. Could Sesshomaru actually have a soul?