To Tame A Demon

by Faith Hawkins

Rin is 23 years old and still awaiting the return of Sesshomaru. He is already 5 years overdue. When Kaede finally makes her realize a Demon cannot ever truly love, can Rin move on with her life and stop waiting for a Demon to lay claim to her? When Sesshomaru finally does arrive, is he too late to claim the only human he's ever loved?

22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Sesshomaru escorted her through the hall, down to another grand staircase and proceeded to take her around until they reached another set of doors he opened and scanned quickly before he allowed her inside.

Rin looked around was a little discomforted by the sheer opulence and luxury to his room. A large bed dominated the center of the room, with a dark grey fur mantle and a cushioned chest at the foot. A sitting area was off to the side in front of the large fire place and a large bank of windows looked out into the vast garden beyond.

Rin walked over to the large bank of windows and realized that one actually opened and led out onto a balcony. She opened the doors and stepped out into the darkness overlooking the garden. Looking down she could see a vast maze as well as trees, flowers and other type of wildlife she couldn't identify.

Rin felt Sesshomaru step behind her and he lightly gripped her hips, guiding them into the cradle of his thighs. He moved his hands forward so they were laid flat against her lower abdomen, his fingers forming a v. He pressed her closer to his chest and Rin naturally leaned back into his arms. He held her against him for a few silent moments before one of his hands lifted and brushed the hair from the side of her neck. She tilted her head to give him greater access and he rewarded her by trailing his lips down her neck and to her shoulder, leaving fire in their wake.

"I thought your mother lived in the underworld. But looking out I only see open sky."

Rin felt Sesshomaru's smile against her skin before he answered ruefully. "Inukimi is the last thing on my mind right now."

Rin couldn't help her grin. "I'd still like an answer."

"All an illusion. The open sky, the wind on your face…" He answered distractedly as he nibbled at her ear.

"The demon at my back?" Rin added impishly.

"Do I feel like an illusion?"

Before Rin could answer, she gasped as she felt Sesshomaru's free hand inch between her thighs. He urged her legs further apart and his fingers glided over her silken flesh. Rin couldn't help the desperate whimper that escaped her when his fingers scissored the tight bundle of nerves between her legs. Her hands gripped his forearms as shivers raced over her. When his fingers finally penetrated her, her head fell back onto his shoulder and rolled to the side as the heel of his palm kept rotating and tormenting her tight bud.

"You feel like a dream." Sesshomaru whispered against her ear.

Rin moaned as he pushed deeper.

"Keep singing for me." Sesshomaru ordered her huskily and she couldn't help moaning again. Her heavy pants floated out over the garden as she felt her body climbing higher to that elusive peak only he could take her to. She felt his tongue bathe her shoulder a second before she fell apart in his arms. He bit down on her shoulder to hold her still, a dominant trait he seemed to be unaware of as he kept pumping his fingers within her. Her body shuddered involuntarily as tiny explosions consumed her. Unable to take more of the profound pleasure, Rin tried to clamp her thighs together to stop his movement. She felt his growl rumble through his chest and out to her in warning before he simply lifted her without letting go and moved them inside.

Sesshomaru laid her out on the bed and with a flick of his hand they were both instantly nude, their clothes vanishing as if they had never been. She saw his eyes devour her hungrily before he grabbed her upper thighs and pulled her to the edge of the bed. He knelt before her then a low growl rumbled through the room when he buried his face at her core. Still not having fully recovered Rin screamed when she felt his tongue nudge her tightly woven bud. Despite the time he had taken to introduce her to lovemaking those days and nights they had spent together in the cavern, Rin was still shocked by his intensity and her temerity reared its ugly head. She grabbed a fistful of his hair with the intent of pulling him away from her when he lightly bit down in warning before sucking her into his mouth.

Consumed by fire, Rin urged him closer and her fingers tightened in his silver hair. She wasn't sure how long he feasted on her, it could've been minutes or hours when she felt his fingers join in her demise and sink into her depths. He hooked them within her and Rin's screams turned hoarse as she convulsed on the bed, her climax bursting through her as a sheen of sweat dampened her skin.

Sesshomaru finally relented and climbed onto the bed with her, moving between her legs and covering her body with his. He cupped her breasts, playing and tweaking their tips before he took one into his mouth. Rin's hips surged forward instantly and she nearly impaled herself on him but he managed to move back far enough in time.

Rin groaned in frustration and Sesshomaru chuckled. "You need to relax Rin."

Rin's eyes widened in shock at his words. "You expect me to relax?"

Rin's hands trailed over his back then his chest and she smiled with pure feminine satisfaction when his body tensed and a groan left his lips as her fingernails scratched lightly down his chest. Rin leaned forward and kissed his chest then reached up to his neck with the tip of her tongue. Sesshomaru captured her lips with his and swept his tongue within, dancing along with her own. He rolled to his back and took her with him, sitting her astride his thighs. He allowed her to have her fun and explore his body with her hands, lips and teeth. He rested his hands on her backside and urged her forward to take him within her. She surprised him by leaning down and brushing her pebbled nipples down his chest. He enjoyed the feel of her body on his so much that he barely registered she was lowering herself and crawling lower along his body until he felt her open mouthed kisses on his hip and going lower.

Before he could stop her, he felt her tongue flicker over the tip of him, then swirl around to the sensitive spot underneath that made him nearly bolt upright. Her lips shyly surrounded him and she tentatively gripped the base with both hands. Sesshomaru's claws extended and ripped into the bedding on either side of him as his teeth clenched, desperately trying to maintain a semblance of control.

What Rin lacked in experience she more than made up for with enthusiasm and his growls only spurred her on. When she took him deeper into her mouth he groaned and his hips helplessly thrust upward into her mouth. Rin tightened her fists along his length and traced the beating vein alongside with her tongue . A sharp growl was the only warning Rin had before he flipped her onto her back and thrust himself within her. She let out a loud puff of breath when she felt him bury himself into her and thrust in and out hard and fast.

Rin whimpered and tightened her thighs on him as he pounded into her, his growls permeating the room with her moans and panting breath. They climbed that peak together and when they finally exploded, Rin held him tightly to her chest as he buried his face into her neck. He shuddered against her and Rin soothingly smoothed her hands along his back.

"So…you liked it then?" Rin asked feeling her face heat with embarrassment.

Sesshomaru raised his head to look at her incredulously before he burst into laughter. He fell onto his back by her side and kept laughing uproariously as Rin frowned in offense for a minute before she laughed right along with him. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her, his laughter still echoing around them. Rin giggled and snuggled closer as exhaustion overtook her. She felt him kiss the top of her head as he settled her more comfortably to his side. "Sleep." He ordered.

Rin grinned. No matter what, she doubted Sesshomaru would ever cease to put her safety and comfort above his own. Even if that meant bossing her around and ordering her about.

Rin awoke later and found herself alone in the big chamber. She stretched gingerly, delighted by the soreness in her body, evidence of his possession of her. She sat up and looked around before she remembered Sesshomaru had not just removed her clothing but made them disappear. Rin frowned lightly. There was no way she was walking around naked all day long. She wasn't sure when Sesshomaru would return and she didn't want to lay naked in bed all day, though evidently that had been Sesshomaru's plan when he left her without any clothing.

Rin closed her eyes and sighed, wishing she could just conjure up her kimono as easily as he could make it disappear. She opened her eyes and was about to see if she could find a place to freshen herself up when she saw her kimono lying on top of the covers at the foot of the bed.

Rin paused. She knew it hadn't been there when she first looked around. Figuring Sesshomaru must have suddenly remembered to leave her something to clothe herself with, Rin simply picked it up and wrapped herself in it. Standing, she smoothed out the wrinkles and tried to run her fingers through her hair to give it some semblance of order. She found a large mirror placed on the far wall and she walked over to it and looked at her reflection. Her hair was a mess, and the bite Sesshomaru had left on her shoulder tingled underneath her kimono…but no one could deny the happy glow that shone from her. Her eyes were large and looked as if they held many secrets. Rin blushed. Anyone could take one look at her and know instantly those secrets were learned in Sesshomaru arms.

Rin shrugged off her embarrassment and again tried to disentangle her hair with her fingers. Frustrated, Rin wished she still had the brush Kagome had given her years ago, but it was still sitting on the dresser at Kagome's home.

Kagome would often travel to her own world through the well and return with many unique and useful treasures. The hairbrush alone had bought Rin's undying gratitude. Before, she had to use sharpened bones or twigs to fix her hair. She wasn't sure what Kagome's brush was made from, all she knew was the bristles helped her with her hair as nothing else could. Rin sighed. She stepped away from the mirror only to jump back when she felt her foot about to step on something. Looking down Rin saw her hair brush lying on the floor. She quickly snatched it up and eyed it carefully. It was definitely the brush Kagome had gifted her.

What was going on?

Rin frowned but decided to not look a gift horse in the mouth and used it to brush out her long raven black hair. After freshening up a bit more and when her hair was silkily soft Rin then wandered out into the hall to look for Sesshomaru.

After a brief search, she found not only Sesshomaru but Inukimi sitting together alone at a long table in an elegantly furnished dining room.

Sesshomaru was the first to sense her and looked to his left towards the door. Spotting her, he stood and walked over to her. He held his hand out to her and she obediently placed her hand in his. He pulled her close and gave her a quick, hard kiss that nearly melted her on the spot. His eyes flared at her hungrily before he tugged her hand and walked her back to where he had been. He pulled the chair out and had her sit next to him on his right as he took his own seat next to Inukimi who sat at the head of the table on his left.

"Welcome Rin. I wasn't sure if Sesshomaru would allow you to join us." Inukimi said in welcome.

"You kidnapped then nearly murdered her only a few hours ago. I thought it prudent to allow my temper to lower to a simmer before having you so close to her again." Sesshomaru said.

Inukimi placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin on top of her interlaced hands. "Think you I could not have simply killed her while you spilled yourself within her? Something you will have to learn my dear son. While in the throes of passion, your enemies can easily dispose of you as well as your human." She cautioned.

Rin bowed her head, infinitely embarrassed his mother not only knew they had been together intimately earlier but that she would comment on it so unabashedly.

"Oh dear I didn't mean to embarrass you. But in the future if you would like more discretion then perhaps you shouldn't scream so loudly when you cum." Inukimi said with a mischievous smile.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and a deep displeasured growl rumbled in his chest.

Ignoring him, Inukimi called out to a servant to serve their meals. Instantly, a full course meal appeared on the table, with various meats, fruits and other edible items. "Sesshomaru asked that I make sure to only provide nutritious food you would enjoy Rin. Excluding of course my favored meats of demon and human I normally enjoy having." Inukimi said.

Rin looked at Inukimi in shock as Sesshomaru glared at her.

"Y-you eat human?" Rin stuttered.

Inukimi laughed lightly. "Child, all demons devour their enemies." Inukimi looked pointedly at Sesshomaru. "Isn't that right son?"

Sesshomaru turned his attention back to his food without answering.

Not wanting to know the answer, Rin turned to her food as well and felt her stomach roll. She didn't trust Inukimi and didn't want to eat anything provided on this table. But she was starving. What she wouldn't give for a freshly poached fish from a river?

Rin's plate was suddenly devoid of all food but a thickly poached fish that had appeared. She jerked back in surprise and Sesshomaru and Inukimi both looked at her plate then at her in amazement.

"Your bond with her has already strengthened to the point she can conjure her desires? Even Izayoi never quite accomplished that until she and your father had been together for a few years." Inukimi said to Sesshomaru impressed.

Sesshomaru continued to stare at Rin and she back at him.

Inukimi's eyes darted between the both of them when her eyes widened in realization, "Sesshomaru…did you not at least know what would happen if you tied yourself to a human?"

"Her life and death would be tied to my own." Sesshomaru said simply without tearing his gaze away from Rin.

"True. But one of the reasons why binding happens so rarely among our kind includes the sharing of powers."

"Humans have no such abilities. I didn't think it would apply." Sesshomaru answered with bewilderment.

"Ah but you have a soul. You in effect, binded your souls together while normally a demon would tie either their lives or powers or both."

"I thought demons didn't have souls." Rin said, shocked to learn Sesshomaru possessed a soul.

"We don't. The only demon I've ever known to possess a soul was Sesshomaru's father. A curse placed on the men in his line I later learned. A deeply guarded secret I myself was unaware of until his father favored Izayoi. And just like you son, he was foolish enough to tie his soul with a humans."

"He did?" Sesshomaru asked with surprise.

"You two were much more alike than you thought." Inukimi nonchalantly continued to eat. "Not only did Izayoi gain his near immortality, she also gained many other things."

"Such as?"

"His abilities for one. Your father also mentioned to me his irrevocable connection to her thoughts and feelings as well as vice versa."

"They could read each other's thoughts and emotions?" Sesshomaru said with shock.

Inukimi looked up and smiled. "Every bond is different. Besides the sharing of powers and lives some gain similar temperaments or talents while others do not. I guess we just won't know what will happen with the both of you until it happens. However I do strongly suggest you train your human how to control her newly gained powers. She should gain access to more of your strengths and gifts as time moves on. If she survives that long."

"What the hell does that mean?" Sesshomaru demanded.

"She's human Sesshomaru." Inukimi said as if speaking to a simpleton. "Her body is not made to house demonic powers. If it doesn't kill her, it will eventually drive her insane."

"Impossible. Izayoi lived alongside my father for many centuries. And never once did I see an ounce of insanity in her."

"I knew of your affection for Izayoi. Your father was aware of it as well. Out of respect for you as well as for her…whenever she would have her bouts of delirium he would tell you she was taken ill and needed rest. In reality, he had to have her chained to her bed for weeks at a time to keep her from hurting herself."

Sesshomaru shook his head in disbelief. "I would've known. He would have told me."

Inukimi's eyes softened marginally. "He adored Izayoi. He couldn't afford your discovery of her many attempts on his life towards the end."

Sesshomaru sat back in shock. "Izayoi attempted to kill him?"

"As I said, she was demented by the end. Your father feared you would take her away if you found out she was a threat to him."

"I would have." Sesshomaru answered honestly.

Inukimi looked at Rin and a gleam of pity filled her eyes. "I know it's selfish of me but I hope you lose your sanity and not your life. At least then we can simply lock you away. If you die then Sesshomaru dies with you."

Rin was frozen. She had no idea how to respond to all the revelations. She could either die or lose her mind. And if she lost her mind she could try to kill Sesshomaru?

Rin felt Sesshomaru's hand cover hers on the table and she looked up at his determined face. "We don't know what may or may not happen. Inukimi said so herself, every bonding is different."

"I-I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to try and hurt you." Rin said fearfully.

Sesshomaru grinned. "I can take care of myself. I can take care of us."

"But what if-"

"If in the far future," Sesshomaru interrupted her, "I could not guarantee our safety…then I would kill you myself."

"And kill yourself in the process! I won't allow this!" Inukimi hissed at him.

"You have no say in the matter." Sesshomaru snapped at Inukimi.

Inukimi glared at him before she turned her glare to Rin. "Damn you. And every other human like you." Inukimi rose and stormed out of the dining room.

Sesshomaru and Rin sat in silence for a bit before he turned to face her. "I will take care of us."

"She's right. You can't die!" Rin whispered raggedly, more horrified by his possible death at her hands then her own loss of sanity.

Sesshomaru framed her face with his hands and covered her lips with his. He kissed her with long, drugging kisses until she opened her mouth, begging for something deeper. His tongue lightly moved along hers as they tangled and danced together. He pulled her closer to him and Rin eagerly climbed onto his lap without breaking their kiss. His hand reached into her kimono, cupping and massaging her breast.

Rin attempted to pull away but Sesshomaru held her firmly against him. "Someone might see." Rin said as she looked around.

Sesshomaru smiled at her temerity. "I guarantee no one will interrupt us."

Rin suddenly heard all the doors leading into the dining room shut and their locks click into place.

"Just like you locked them, someone can use their own powers to unlock them. Or just appear." Rin replied smartly.

Sesshomaru laughed. "If anyone, even Lady Mother, managed to get into this room without my express permission I will be highly impressed." Considering the matter to be done with, Sesshomaru used his knees to pitch Rin against his chest again and kissed her.

Rin moaned into their kiss forgetting all about her objections.

Sesshomaru bared the breast he had been plumping and left a trail of fire as he moved his mouth down her neck to her breast and covered the tip with his mouth.

Rin held his head to her breast and her head fell back, enjoying his ministrations to the fullest. He suddenly stood with her in his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck. When she reached to continue their kiss he moved his head back.

"First lesson Rin. Clear the table." Sesshomaru whispered to her.

Rin frowned in confusion and tried to kiss him again only for him to move his head back once again. "Clear the table Rin." He told her again.

"I-I don't know how." She said breathlessly.

"Just do as you did when you wanted that fish for dinner."

"Which I didn't get to eat." Rin grumbled under her breath.

Sesshomaru laughed. "Just clear the table."

Rin glanced back at the full table and closed her eyes wishing everything was gone. She felt Sesshomaru's hands kneading her backside and she turned to glare at him. "I can't concentrate when you do that!"

Sesshomaru grinned boyishly before pinching her bottom. "Discipline."

Rin turned to look at the table as her arousal spiked and closed her eyes again, focusing and demanding with all her heart that damn table cleared of all items and food. Rin opened her eyes and the table was spotless. She turned back to Sesshomaru with a brilliant smile. "I did it!"

Sesshomaru sat Rin on the table and gave her the kiss she had been begging for. His fingers threaded into her hair and he pulled it, forcing her head back farther so he could deepen the kiss. Rin pushed at the white fur mantle he wore and tore at his clothes trying to get to the skin underneath. He wouldn't cooperate with her. He just kept kissing her. She needed him to move back a bit so she could rip his clothes off. She was desperate for him. When he wouldn't give her the space she needed Rin growled low in her throat, shocking him and suddenly they were both as nude as Rin needed them to be.

"Good girl." Sesshomaru groaned in approval as he nipped at her lips and moved closer between her widespread thighs. He pushed her back until her back touched the cool surface of the table. Without warning he thrust himself within her and Rin cried out in pleasure. The coolness of the table at her back and the heat between their bodies was driving Rin higher and higher as he pumped furiously within her. His hand grabbed her ankles and he forced her legs together and pressed them against his chest.

Rin gasped feeling him deeper than he had ever been before. Sesshomaru shifted her so her legs were now resting on the surface of the table and she still faced him. The new position rotated him within her and he didn't stop thrusting. She felt his hand land on her exposed cheek below her hip in a light heated slap. Rin cried out again, shocked she enjoyed the stinging sensation. Stars exploded behind Rin's eyes when she felt that stinging slap hit her derriere again.

Sesshomaru's hands gripped her hips as he rode her through her orgasm until his own shout of completion filled the room. He collapsed on top of her, careful to not drop all his weight onto her slight frame.

Sesshomaru's silver hair fell around them like a shield and Rin couldn't help but play with the ends. "I love you Sesshomaru." Rin whispered to him.

Sesshomaru raised his head to look at her and smiled so tenderly at her she wanted to cry with happiness. He leaned forward and kissed her with such yearning she knew though he hadn't said the words he must love her.

"Fourth lesson Rin-"

"Fourth? What happened to the second and third?" Rin interrupted him playfully.

"The first was clearing the table. Second was removing our clothing."

"And the third?"

"The third…" Sesshomaru gazed deeply into her eyes and Rin felt her heart beat faster in anticipation. "The third lesson was mine to learn."

Before Rin could question that cryptic remark he lifted her into his arms. "Fourth lesson we'll learn upstairs together."

Rin couldn't help the happy giggle that escaped her when he flashed them from the dining room back to his bedroom with just a thought.

Hours later, leaving Sesshomaru sleeping comfortably in their bed, Rin carefully crept from their room and made her way back downstairs. She passed the dining room and followed the path to the outside gardens. It was still dark out but the sun would rise in a few hours. If it was even really a sun they had. Illusions one and all Sesshomaru had told her. The underworld offered many of the comforts the surface did, or at the least made you think it did.

Rin stepped out into the gardens and walked towards the huge hedge maze. Before she could step through, Inukimi suddenly appeared before her, making Rin jump back in surprise.

"Why do you search for me human?" Inukimi demanded suspiciously.

Rin swallowed audibly before replying. "How did you know I was looking for you?"

Inukimi grinned. "Nothing happens in this world I'm unaware of. This hell belongs to me."

Rin bit her lip and took another step back from her.

Inukimi laughed. "By your nervousness I assume Sesshomaru is unaware of your late night adventures. So little human, what do you want?"

Rin licked her dry lower lip and gathered her courage. "Sesshomaru can't die."

"I know. And since your life is tied to his I can't very well kill you as was my original plan. So what can we do little human? Because you will either die or go insane."

The banked frustration in Inukimi's eyes faded away and a deep sigh of weariness left her lips. "He resembles his father very much. Too much I fear. Though Inu Taisho was able to keep Izayoi chained when she entered her bouts, it did take its toll on him. He could hardly bare to see her that way but he allowed no one to take care of her except for himself. Sesshomaru is far more besotted with you then his father was with Izayoi. I doubt Sesshomaru would tolerate having you restrained as protective as he's proven to be of you. But unless he has you chained down you will more than likely just end up killing yourself or attacking him. If you attack him, he'll attempt to not hurt you while he defends himself, but with your newly found powers you might succeed in killing him and follow close on his heels since the idiot tied you together. So either way I lose my son. Unless of course you have any ideas you wanted to share?" Inukimi said sarcastically.

"Do you?" Rin asked her, holding her gaze.

Inukimi paused. "What makes you think I have any ideas?"

Rin shrugged. "I know Sesshomaru. Whenever a situation arises with only two options he always makes a third. I'm counting on you being the same. So what's your third option?"

"Sesshomaru would never approve of my third option which is why I didn't discuss it."

"But you were going to attempt it anyway right?" Rin asked astutely.

Inukimi said nothing and Rin threw caution to the wind. "I want to help."

Inukimi looked at Rin closely. "You really do love him don't you?"

"I can't breathe without him." Rin said honestly.

"You are not the mate I would've wished for him. Nor the mate he deserves."

Rin bowed her head. "I know that. He's taken care of me nearly my whole life. But this time I need to take care of him for once."

"You surprise me human. I stand here and I tell you you are a poor mate for my son and you agree? Have you no pride?"

Rin glared at Inukimi. "Pride? We're talking about saving his life. If the only way to do that required me to kneel before you and beg I would do it gladly and with no reservations. Pride is not a luxury I can afford right now. If that makes me weak in your world then I accept that. Tell me what we need to do to save him. If you can't then I'll find someone who can."

"Any demon you approached would kill you if they didn't torture you first." Inukimi said with an eye roll.

"I don't think so. I saw what happened when those demons touched me. Sesshomaru did something to me to make sure no one would touch me with the intent to harm." Rin said confidently.

"I touched you easily." Inukimi reminded her.

Rin studied her for a minute before nodding her head in conclusion. "You did. But I don't think you ever had any intention of killing me."

Inukimi raised one eyebrow, very reminiscent to Sesshomaru's long ingrained habit. "Don't fool yourself human. I would have killed you as easily as you step on an ant and think nothing of it."

Rin shook her head. "No. You're lying. If you had wanted me dead you would've done so immediately. Instead you toyed with me. You needed to lure Sesshomaru here and I was the best bait you had. You wouldn't have killed me and risk causing a rift between the two of you greater than what was already there."

Inukimi's brows rose to her hairline and she couldn't help but feel respect grow in her chest for this little spitfire her son claimed for his own. "Perhaps."

"You and Sesshomaru have told me over and over again a demon is incapable of love. But Sesshomaru has a soul. He can love me, he just doesn't know how."

"And you think to teach him?" Inukimi snorted.

Rin raised her chin in defiance. "And why not?"

Inukimi couldn't help her grin. "Why ever indeed?"

"Inu Taisho loved Izayoi. He-"

"Inu Taisho was weak and a fool!" Inukimi snapped. "Izayoi was unworthy of him!"

Rin stared dumbfounded hearing the jealousy in Inukimi's voice. "You were in love with Inu Taisho."

Inukimi remained silent.

"You were in love with him. How is that possible?" Rin asked.

Inukimi lowered her eyes for a moment before looking back at Rin solemnly. "His father loved me. And for the longest time I saw it as a weakness I could use to my advantage. I manipulated him whenever the mood struck. I toyed with him for the joy of knowing I could easily wrap him around my finger. The most powerful demon the world had ever known was mine to do with as I wished."

Rin stayed silent, surprised by her words.

"I treated him very poorly." After a long pause Inukimi seemed to gather herself before she continued, "When I became pregnant with Sesshomaru Inu Taisho was so pleased. He wanted me to share in his happiness but I only saw Sesshomaru as a way to cement my position at his side. Unbeknownst to Inu Taisho, because Sesshomaru had a soul….I shared it with him for the duration of my pregnancy."

Inukimi took a deep breath. "I felt love then. Love for my mate and love for my child. Unfortunately, I had already spent so many centuries manipulating and ridiculing Inu Taisho for his love for me…that when I finally told him how I felt for him, he didn't believe me. He thought it was another scheme. I suffered greatly then."

Feeling her deep pain, Rin immediately placed her hand on Inukimi's arm in support. Inukimi looked at Rin and was surprised by the amount of warmth she felt flowing into her body from Rin. Inukimi doubted she was even aware of the comfort she was pouring into her through her hand. "After Sesshomaru was born, I expected those feelings to dissipate but they did not. I theorized because I had shared Sesshomaru's soul for a time…perhaps a piece of it stayed with me. I tried desperately to show Inu Taisho how much I truly did care for him, that I wanted to bond with him but the damage had already been done. He didn't trust me. Then he met Izayoi. And she made him very happy."

Rin squeezed Inukimi's arm and she patted her hand gently. "I wanted Sesshomaru to be strong. I pushed him, perhaps harder than I needed to but I didn't want his soul to make him weak. I only shared his soul for the pregnancy but in that time I felt it had weakened me." Inukimi looked at Rin and smiled. "I don't want my son to die. I've already lost his father. But I am happy to see him so dearly loved that you are willing to listen to the third option. One you will not like."

"Tell me anyway." Rin encouraged.

Inukimi turned away from her and stepped into the large hedge maze. .

Rin slowly followed behind her.

"We really only have one answer if we want to save his life." Inukimi said.

"And that is?"

"Kitsune."

Rin stopped midstride. "What?"

Inukimi turned back towards Rin. "Kitsune is the only demon besides myself that was powerful enough to hope to hold Sesshomaru's power within her body."

"But Kitsune is dead. Her body was destroyed." Rin said.

"Ah yes, dismembered if I remember correctly. But her spirit lives on."

"I don't understand what that has to do with Sesshomaru?"

"Simple. Kitsune stole your essence into her body. It was the only way she could fool Sesshomaru and convince him she was you. But in order to do that she had to give you a bit of herself. Her spirit lives within you Rin. Dormant for now…but I can change that."

Rin frowned. "You mean bringing her back to life?"

"In a sense. I would draw her spirit forward and she would take over your body."

Frightened, Rin stepped back from her. "My body is still human. That's the problem, not who's controlling it."

Inukimi rolled her eyes. "Stop jumping to conclusions child. Sesshomaru would never allow her to keep your body. And he would eventually find out it was my power that gave her that avenue. So no, she won't stay in control. We're pulling her spirit forward to trick her."

Confused Rin looked at Inukimi. "I don't understand."

"Of course you don't. You're only human." Inukimi mocked. "I cannot force a human body with a human spirit to become a demon. But I can force a human body to have enough strength to hold demonic powers-"

"If it has a demonic spirit." Rin finished for her. "Is that possible?"

"I've never had a reason to attempt it before but it does seem likely. It all really depends on you."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning I don't know how badly Kitsune wants to live. Or how strong your own spirit is. These are the risks involved. If Kitsune's spirit is stronger than yours, she can retain control of your body and hence be nearly reborn. Unless you can push her out there's not much I can do to stop her from consuming you."

"And if my spirit isn't strong enough?" Rin asked.

"Your spirit dies."

"But my soul is tied to Sesshomaru's. If I die he dies."

"Yes dear, your soul. Your soul would be absorbed by Kitsune's spirit. Your soul would then be hers."

"Then she would be the one who's tied to Sesshomaru?"

"Exactly. Now normally this type of thing wouldn't work unless the spirit was willing. But since all she's ever wanted in life was to be bonded with Sesshomaru, I'm sure she'll be more than willing to help."

Rin bit her lip. "So in any of these scenarios…I die."

Inukimi looked upon Rin a little sadly. "In one you both die. Another you both live but you without your sanity. The third gives you a chance at life and guarantees Sesshomaru's as well."

Rin nodded. "A chance." Rin said hollowly.

"It's our best option. If you were to go insane…Sesshomaru would slowly die with you. You're only here for a few more hours at best. Sesshomaru won't let me within a mile of you once you leave. This ritual takes time to prepare. If we're going to save my son, I need your answer now."

Rin looked at Inukimi forlornly. "Can I at least see him one more time in case I don't make it?"

"He'll know. There's no way he won't sense your soul weeping if you go to him now." Inukimi said feeling the amount of sorrow emanating from the tiny human female and moved by it despite herself.

Rin bowed her head. "I don't want to lose him."

"Then your choice has been made. Let's begin."