Chapter 35

(Flashback)

"Sure I can!" She shouted to the monk holding onto her like a bag of rice. "I can survive on my own just fine! I can make it on my own!" The very idea of living with humans made her sick and no one could convince her that it was where she ought to be.

The monk looked down at her exasperated and walked toward the pack of children, obviously intending to deliver her to them. "I've heard enough from you, stubborn little girl."

Rin's eyes flared. "You let me go, mister! Just you wait! Lord Sesshomaru with come for me!" She wiggled and squirmed, filled with rage and determined to get away.

The monk stared, confused. "Lord Sesshomaru, you say?"

"I never want to go back to a village to live with humans!" Humans, in her mind, were evil. More cruel than demons, and she longed to be back in her Lord's company. "Lord Sesshomaru!" She shouted, praying that he had indeed come to find her. "Please help me!"

Suddenly, the monk glanced sideways into the forest and threw something that Rin could not see. Trees exploded in a white flash. Dirt and rubble rained down on all of them, causing her to squint until the earth settled back down. When she looked back up, there standing in the dust was Lord Sesshomaru, tall, handsome and extremely frightening.

Relieved, Rin smiled, ignoring the pain in her sides as the monk gripped her that much tighter. "Lord Sesshomaru, you came!"

"It's the same demon we saw the other day," Another monk offered to his leader as the smoke began to clear.

"Let go!" Rin struggled some more, determined to free herself, while the leader of the monks held on and stared horrified at Sesshomaru. "What have you done? Have you bewitched this young child?"

The sound of Sesshomaru's footsteps gave Rin a sense of relief.

The monks, apparently, did not feel the same. "Master Ongai?"

"Hmm." The leader nodded his head and shifted sideways to face Sesshomaru. "This demon's foul aura must be dealt with!" The other monks charged for Sesshomaru, circling him while the leader turned to the children. "Children, hide in the cave until I tell you to come out," he instructed. All of them took off, but he had failed to release Rin.

"Look out, Lord Sesshomaru!" She warned as she caught sight of the monks sprinting around him. Out of nowhere, the monks took out their prayer beads and collectively shouted, "Demon be gone!" after they had stopped running. Rin watched as several spirit wards were launched at Sesshomaru. "LORD SESSHOMARU!" She shouted as another white light erupted and engulfed the surrounding area. She stretched out her arms, attempting to reach him but the monk held onto her as tightly as he could.

After several agonizing seconds, she heard one of the monks stammer in shock while footsteps indicated that someone was coming closer. "Master, he's still alive!"

"Be brave, men! Immobilize the demon at once!" The leader commanded while he thrust his finger out in Sesshomaru's direction. Rin stared in awe, as the other monks followed orders and attempted, unsuccessfully, to contain the silver haired demon.

Sesshomaru stopped, not because he was trapped, but because he was thoroughly annoyed. The monk's collective powers were obviously strong, but not strong enough to come up against a demon as powerful as him.

"EVIL DEMON, BE GONE!" The leader shouted while spinning his staff and then slamming into the ground. Rin gapped as power snaked through the ground and found its way to Sesshomaru. Although it engulfed him, he was still visible, and he was clearly angry.

Lord Sesshomaru reached for the hilt of his sword and gripped it tightly, growling deep in his throat as he dared the leader to attack him again. After a moment, another burst of power erupted from the staff when the monk commanded it, and Rin saw Sesshomaru's gold eyes darken, poisoned with hatred. Red…she saw red!

"He's exposing his true self!" The monk leader declared, while Rin gazed in wonder.

Overcome with violent tremors, Sesshomaru removed his hand from the hilt of his sword and flexed his claws, attempting to control himself. He did not want to frighten Rin, but he also wanted to destroy the confidence of the monks so determined to destroy him. His power pulsed through his body, causing the muscles in his face to contort and transform. He could feel his fangs lengthening, and his body writhing with rage. In one swift motion, he located the power of the monks spells and used his own to throw it back at them, careful to avoid Rin.

An explosion of apocalyptic proportions destroyed the forest behind him as he hurled his powers forward, causing prayer beads to dissolve and all of the monks to fall to the ground.

Rin rolled herself sideways, finally free. Before she could stand, she heard the monk leader whisper, "I've never seen such terrible power!" as he gazed, stunned at Sesshomaru's devastation. Desperate to get away, she ran for Sesshomaru, who by that point, had lost interest in the monks and was giving his full attention to her. He had returned to his familiar form.

She stopped in front of him, just out of his reach. "Rin," he said evenly.

"Yes?" She answered back, no hint of fear in her.

Sesshomaru glanced up and over to the monks. "Follow me if you so choose." It was not a command. He wanted her to have a choice and KNOW that it was choice. He wanted the monks, so confident in their ways, to know that he had not bewitched this little girl. She had joined him once before because she wanted to be with him. One day, the time would come when that choice would be taken from her, but it was not today.

Rin smiled just as Sesshomaru turned around and began to walk away from the scene. "Yes!" She expressed, glad that she was safe and sound in his company once again. She moved to run after him, but a hand held her in place.

"Don't go!" The monk leader begged. "He is an evil spirit, he is a demon! Not someone a human child should follow!"

Indignant, Rin yanked her hand back and yelled, "Let me go!"She ran in Sesshomaru's direction.

The monk reached out for her. "Come back, girl! Humans and demons live in different worlds!"

Laughing, Rin ignored him continued in a spring after her Lord Sesshomaru. "Wait for me!" She called but paused when she remembered something that Master Jaken had mentioned the night before. 'By the time the Lord's empire is created, you'll be long gone.' Rin thought a moment on his words, and decided that that was not how her life with Sesshomaru was going to be.

Behind her, the monk called to her again. "You know I'm right! Now, let's go back!" It was an offer to join him, to join human society again and forget living with her Lord.

It was something she would not, could not do. She glanced over her shoulder, smiled, giggled and waved goodbye before she resumed her pace to keep up the Sesshomaru.

Later that day, after they had located Jaken in a wide open green field and Rin crouched down in front of some old grave stones, she decided to pry. "Um, I was wondering, Lord Sesshomaru…"

"What is it?" He asked, not looking at her but focusing on Jaken as he wrangled to retrieve Ah-Un.

She looked down at one of the grave stones and traced the name on it with her finger. "If…I died one day, I was wondering, would you…would you always remember me?"

Surprised, Sesshomaru turned sharply to look at her. The thought had appeared in his head before but he had thrust it from his mind, and was resigned on keeping those thoughts from resurfacing. He huffed, glanced back ahead of him and remained stone faced. "Don't say such silly things," he ordered. Immediately following this, Jaken turned up with Ah-Un and they commenced to continue their journey for Naraku.

(End Flashback)

It was a memory Rin often recalled with a smile. Her elation when Sesshomaru had found her was beyond words, which was why she was able to giggle, laugh and follow her demon lord after the fact. She was just a child then, unaware of the world outside of Sesshomaru and Jaken. But the words that the monk had yelled to her always seemed to haunt her in her darkest hours, these days. Now that her own child was gone before he ever had a chance, and two full blooded demons, who were jealous of her and Sesshomaru's relationship, delivered unto her such tragic events and, in the end, won, she found herself numb. Human's and demons live in different worlds! She was beginning to think it was true.

When she awoke the next day, Sesshomaru was no longer in bed with her. Rin had pried open her bleary eyes when the cold associated with her mate's absence became clear. A small portion of her heart ached for him to return to her, but the rest of her clung to madness and refused to get up and search for him. With his absence, Rin shivered. Not from cold, though she was a bit chilled, but from loneliness.

At present, this was the first time she had truly ever been alone with herself. When she had died, she died with her child. When she awoke in Miho's body, she had Miho to keep her strong enough to survive. But when she was returned to her body and brought back to life, her child was resurrected along with her. Rin had not been alone with herself in years and now…she was beginning to feel the pressure.

Her hand roamed over her stomach, not really seeking to feel anything beneath her skin, but just imagining what her child would have looked like if things had turned out differently. She imagined a silver haired, amber eyed infant with a cunning smile and the deep violet crescent moon nestled in the center of his forehead. Sesshomaru's violet streaks would be visible on either side of his son's pale face and tiny arms. With this image, Rin allowed herself a trembling smile. After a stretch in time, that smile disappeared and was replaced by a frown. "I'm so sorry." She whispered to her now empty womb. "Lord Sesshomaru, I'm so sorry."

"It is I who should be apologizing to you." A familiar deep voice startled Rin and forced her to sit up. Sesshomaru had returned, dressed in his familiar looking kimono, complete with violet sash and his welcoming fur draped across his shoulder. He moved toward the bed, sat down beside her and welcomed her assault as Rin dove for his chest, wrapping her arms around his upper body and shaking against him.

"My Lord, forgive me!" She begged, clutching the front of his kimono until her knuckles turned white. She was crying again.

Sesshomaru, who had only gone down the hall for a minute to check on Jaken and Ura, was startled by the state of his wife when he had returned. It took several minutes for Rin's tears to run dry, and he was able to speak without fear of his words fading into the darkness of the room. "Rin, there is nothing you have done for me to forgive!" He hooked his hands into her messed up hair and scratched lightly, attempting to sooth. "I am the one to ask for forgiveness. I had wanted to dispose of Aya myself, but was convinced otherwise. It was foolish of me to believe that carrying out her execution would not cause you harm. It is my fault that you have suffered so much in your life. It is my fault…"

It took a while for Rin to pry her face out of his kimono, but when she did, her eyes were glistening. "Is it true…what Kagome said to you last night?"

Sesshomaru froze, startled by her inquiry. He had intended to have Kagome discuss this with Rin when she was ready, but apparently Rin had overheard their conversation the previous evening, despite the fact that he could have sworn that she was asleep when Kagome opened her mouth. "What have you heard?"

"That…I might not be able to conceive again after what happened."

Clenching his eyes closed at having to discuss this now, Sesshomaru nodded. "Rin, I am in no hurry to test that theory. She told me that it was unlikely, but not impossible."

Rin didn't say anything for a time, making Sesshomaru nervous. When she did speak, he was once again stunned. "Did-Did you want him?"

"Yes…but-!" he added when he sensed Rin's tears again. "-not at the expense of your life!" He leaned back to gaze down at her. "I don't care if you never conceive again! I desired you, more than anything, to be my mate in life and I will go to the ends of the earth to keep you by my side." He slid his hand beneath Rin's chin and angled her face up to look him in the eye so that she might see his sincerity. "To be a father is something that I never desired for myself until I learned that you were carrying. I had only a little time to accept that reality when you and our child were ripped out of my life. When I got you back, and learned that our child was still within you, I was amazed that something so fragile could survive what Sakuya had put you and him through. But still, I had only a little time to embrace that. I knew dealing with Aya was going to be stressful for you, but had I known what it was going to do, I would have stopped it in a heartbeat, but I couldn't take the chance for revenge away from you."

Sesshomaru watched as more tears gathered in her eyes. "Rin, that woman is the reason we are here today, together! Yes, our son was lost before we knew him…and yes, I am angry by it, but I know it was not your fault and no matter what you are thinking, I wanted to have a child with you! I still want that for us, but it is not something I will be devastated over if your body is incapable!" Sesshomaru leaned down as near to Rin's face as he could get without touching it. "I searched for your soul for many years, and now that I found it, and was able to get you back, all I care about now is getting to spend the rest of my life loving you!"

Rin's bottom lip trembled as she breathed in deep, trying desperately to contain her relief…her happiness. "Oh-m-my Lord, I w-want t-that too!" Her voice broke several times trying to get her words out, but when she did, nothing more was said as Sesshomaru's lips captured hers.

He cradled her head in his hands and caressed the nape of her neck with his claws as delicately as possible while he forced Rin onto her back. His silver hair created a curtain around them as he breathed her in, overcome by her sweet, familiar taste and resolved to be as gentle as he could. Kagome would have his head if she knew what was going on. He had no intention to mate with her at this moment, but truthfully, his thoughts were filled with the idea of it. Since her return, he had kept her at a distance for the sake of their child, but now…the only thing keeping him from advancing their kiss to other territories, was the knowledge that Rin was still wounded. Internally, her wounds from her resurrection had healed, but she was still bleeding from her miscarriage. Sesshomaru elected to keep himself under control until Rin decided when she felt well enough to accept him again…and Kagome.

If Kagome were to catch them like this…(Let us just assume it wouldn't be pretty).

(Several Weeks Later)

'Come back, girl! Humans and demons live in different worlds!' For some reason, she kept recalling that incident as if it had only just happened.

It was a memory not soon forgotten for the human woman who sat perched on a cushion next to her opened window. Those monks had been astonished by her will to remain at the side of her demon family. Their disgust at her choice, though understandable given their profession, ignited a deep hatred that burned in her heart whenever she recalled their forceful behavior toward her. Sesshomaru clearly demonstrated to them that it was her, and her alone that would decide which life she wanted. Why did other people feel it was their duty to control her life?

Rin rubbed the exhaustion from her eyes as she recalled other memories. Her mind had been deeply affected by her death, and so far, incidents from her past were difficult to access. It was like navigating a labyrinth she had long since forgotten. Being inside of Miho's subconscious wasn't this hard, but Rin supposed it had something to do with the fact that her body was still trying to adjust to life again. She couldn't even play ball with her nephew and brother-in-law, which was occurring right at that moment.

Rin watched the scene below her bedroom window unfold with amusement. Ehren and Inuyasha were busy tossing a toy ball back and forth over Shippou and Jaken's heads. Neither of the two demons in the center of the game of 'keep away' seemed capable of taking possession of the ball, which caused father and son to cackle like hyenas, while the fox and toad demon stamped their feet and hurled insults…some of which floated up to Rin's ears and made her flush crimson in the face with embarrassment. Such hot heads, they are. She couldn't wait to see what happened if one of the guys in the middle finally caught the ball.

Across the grounds, Rin spotted Kagome and Miho beneath a tree with a wicker basket between them. It appeared as though the older Priestess was teaching the younger about different herbs, some medicinal and others to spice foods. The women were located close enough to Rin's window that she could tell what kinds of herbs that had been collected because Kaede had taught her their value long ago. It was a time she longed to return to, if only for a moment to embrace her mentor once more.

Everything has changed, she thought sadly to herself. Rin looked down at a scroll in her lap with sadness. It was a note addressed to her from Kaede before the Priestess had died. Rin had already been dead, her body preserved in oil designed to keep her flesh and bones from decaying with time when the note was written. The old woman must have known I would be returned to my body eventually. When everything in her world crumbled around her, Kagome had given Rin the note as part of her healing. She had already been plastered with healing herbs and teas, forced into bed rest and been all but ignored by her husband while Kagome, Ura and Miho attended to her like she was an invalid. What would it hurt to bring a voice from the past to help Rin get well quicker?

Rin,

Though it pains me to accept that I will never have the chance to hear yee speak again, it warms my heart to know that yee will one day awaken from death and have a chance to live once more. The circumstances of your demise forged a desperation in my soul to seek vengeance with a power that I had only experienced once before with my sister's death. Although nothing ever came of it, I will die knowing that no power on this earth can keep yee prisoner in death so long as Sesshomaru's love for yee is strong and everlasting. Take heed, child, that yee departed this world loved by your friends and family, and must always remember that it was with that love that yee are alive and able to read these words now.

Your transition will not be easy as you accept that some of your loved ones might be gone by the time yee are resurrected, but know that those who have died in your absence once sought to bring yee home and searched until their last days. Their shared love for yee brought brothers and sisters, friends and foes together. And now that yee have returned, find joy in their efforts to bring yee home. Do not dwell on the losses yee will no doubt be forced to discover. Those gone will be with yee in your life, urging that their efforts were not in vain. Live your life for yourself and live it also for them, as they had lived for yee. They would wish nothing more than to see yee free and happy, as that is also my wish.

With much love for yee and your safe return,

Kaede

Rin grumbled to herself as the words of Kaede's letter stewed in her mind. How can I live for myself, or anyone else for that matter, when everyone who is alive with me now is keeping me a prisoner in my own home? Rin has been kept in her room, in her bed for weeks, while two Priestesses and a female dog demon hovered over her like flies to a picnic. Yes, she had suffered massive blood loss from her resurrection, that was a given. Her miscarriage only caused her to bleed for a few days, which acted more like a heavier than normal monthly cycle, than anything else. Rin wasn't too damaged by the later since the amount of time she had to accept her pregnancy was minimal at best. For a time, the pain she felt at the loss of her child was more emotional than physical. Guilt. Guilt was such an ugly feeling, and she knew that her losing her son was anything but her fault, though she couldn't help but feel guilty.

It didn't help that Sesshomaru had distanced himself from her presence. To Rin, it felt like he was avoiding her, which he most definitely was since she hadn't seen him for longer than ten minutes a day to check on her health progression. None of the women in charge of her well being minded this little fact. It was better if she healed in solitude. Rest was key, but damn it if Rin wasn't tired of being tired…and she missed her mate.

"I would be stronger now if certain people would just stop treating me like an infant." Rin spoke aloud to no one, and no one heard. The hallways were void of activity in the castle. Sesshomaru was probably somewhere outside with his armies discussing battle strategies, while Ura commenced to domineering over the castle's staff to tighten security. If Rin knew anything, brother and sister would face the gods just to keep her unavailable to potential murderers. "They're so busy with keeping me alive that they haven't given me the chance to live."

Slamming her fists down against her legs in frustration, Rin elected to do something about her captivity. It was time she got up and took charge of herself for once. Determined, she stood up fast, sending Kaede's letter to the ground and made her way over to her bedroom door. Instant fatigue made her drop to her knees with a dull THUMP. "Damn it!" Rin swore as she made to get back up. That particular feeling has plagued her since her miscarriage, and ever since, just standing caused dizziness…which in turn caused annoyance.

Rin jumped to her feet in defiance and stumbled her way to the door, just barely making it before she felt vertigo trying to tug her back down again. With a quick break to settle her balance, she threw open the door and strolled into the hallway. With no one around to witness, she carried herself along the freshly lacquered oak walls for a few moments before she adjusted to being upright. Weakness was to be expected with her condition, but this was ridiculous. The only reason she was unable to fully function on her own was because Kagome lorded over her every chance she took to regain her independence. Sesshomaru was no help either as he was strangely absent whenever the Priestess was near, which was almost always. Some husband I have when he can't even step in on my behalf.

Her ideal destination was to find her way outside into the garden where she first met Ura. Oddly enough, that was one of the few places in her home that had not been replaced, and when she actually reached it, Rin discovered a familiar two-headed dragon demon lounging peacefully next to the fish pond. The sun was half setting, meaning it was late afternoon when she found Ah-Un. With a smile, she carefully walked herself over to them and reached out to stroke behind two sets of ears.

Ah-Un's eyes peeked up lazily to learn who was there and happily nudged their heads into Rin's hands. A soft round of dragon purrs made Rin giggle. "I'm so glad to be home."

"My Lady?"

Rin didn't have time to be startled. Ah-Un was already at her defense, having leapt to their feet and somehow managed to step in front of her, shielding Rin from whomever it was that had found her. My Lord has taught you well, Ah-Un, Rin thought with amazement while she advanced her attention to a rather scantily clad male demon.

Her first assumption was to believe that this stranger was a threat. She had been through so much already that trying to ascertain that this unfamiliar demon was actually someone that she had seen before was next to impossible."Declare yourself, or I shall give my companions full leave to attack." Yes, Rin knew that she was being slightly rude, but any unfamiliar being, demon or human, posed a potential threat to her wellbeing.

This new stranger possessed such fare skin that Rin would have believed him if he declared that he was just released from a block of ice. Was it just her imagination, or was this demon's skin shimmering? Even his hair, which was long and grayish blue with a touch of silver, glittered in the afternoon sun. The more Rin looked at him, the more familiar he became, though she was still unable to place it. The most embarrassing thing about this whole situation was that for some reason, she couldn't stop picturing him naked, which is also funny because he was fully clothed in what looked like seaweed and algae swim trucks.

"My Lady." The stranger bowed deep at the waist, giving Rin a direct view of his well toned neck and shoulders. "Forgive my sudden intrusion. That was careless of me." His voice was kind. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Tamotsu of the Wet Lands."

There must have been a block on her mind because Rin knew and recognized the name as one that she should know, but didn't understand why. "What is it that you want?" To make it clear that she was no easy target, Ah-Un glared while they each released a small stream of flames.

Tamotsu stepped back with hands raised in defense. "My Lady, I am here in search of a human woman that I encountered a few weeks ago. Her name, if I remember correctly, is Miho."

Confused, Rin pondered how this demon had managed to encounter such a formidable woman like Miho. "Miho?"

Tamotsu believed that Rin's reply was more said to herself than to him since she had averted her gaze to focus on a spot near his bare feet. "My Lady, I must confess that I am unsure if I am speaking to the correct person. You are Lady Rin, are you not?"

"No, you addressed me correctly." Rin returned her full attention to this new demon and half smiled in apology. "Yes, I am Rin, though I am confused as to how you know Miho, as well as how you came to the conclusion that I was me." She made a gesture with her left hand, forcing the two-headed dragon demon to calm and stand down.

Tamotsu admired the subtle gesture, clearly impressed that a human woman wielded such authority effortlessly. "My Lady, although it may seem that you are alone out here, you really are not."

Rin's smile turned cold. "I beg your pardon?"

"Lord Sesshomaru has posted armed guards all over the grounds to keep you safe."

"I would have been notified of that, if it were true!" She argued.

Tamotsu quirked a brow. "I imagine that you were unaware because it is better to keep you ignorant of many things while you recover. Also, one of the guards informed me that you were out here and could tell me where I might find-."

Rin glanced around her garden, searching for proof while she questioned him. "Miho?"

Tamotsu nodded. "She appeared to me in the outskirts of my lake. Apparently, she had been extremely ill. At the time, she was accompanied by your Lord Sesshomaru. The recollection of your death and attachment to Miho was extensively aired and I encouraged them to travel through my underwater caverns to ensure that she and you be saved in time."

"I had been suppressed by that same illness when you must have met them." Rin sighed. "She and I were able to communicate with each other through her mind, and every now and then, her soul gave into the illness and I was able to resurface. She and I lost the connection for a while after that."

Tamotsu nodded. "From what I gathered, you nearly killed her."

"Unintentional, I assure you." Rin shrugged her shoulders and glanced back at Ah-Un, giving them a brief, encouraging nod to stand down completely while the situation at hand became less threatening. But try as they might, Ah-Un refused to let their guard down while their Mistress engaged in conversation with a complete stranger. "My soul attached itself to hers when she was born. While she matured, I stayed dormant until our souls merged for the briefest of moments during which time I became aware of our situation and…escaped her mind. Once I escaped, it set off a timer rigged to blow at our greatest moments of weakness. I am very much the reason that Miho was ill."

Tamotsu watched Ah-Un out of the corner of his eyes, acutely aware that he was being scrutinized with eagle like precision. "I came to see her today in order to check up on her recovery, as well as yours, my Lady. Did either of you suffer in your return to your original form?"

Rin couldn't speak for Miho, as she was no longer connected to her, but in testament to herself, she indulged his curiosity with a brief recollection. "I cannot speak for her, but I encountered an eternity of darkness upon my removal from Miho's body." She chuckled a little to herself. "My soul somehow managed to suspend itself above my preserved remains, and Miho learned really quickly to harness her Priestess powers in order to spot my dangling life about to float away into oblivion. Without her, I would most assuredly have remained in death."

Tamotsu pried further. "I don't wish to approach such a touchy subject when I have only just met you, but news has reached far beyond these walls that you suffered a much more tragic return than you just now stated."

Forming fists in irritation, Rin flinched as her finger nails dug into her palms while she tried not to let this stranger light a fuse under her already frazzled emotions. Clenching her jaw to prevent herself from barking at him to vacate her property, she instead adopted reason and spoke to him through her teeth. "Is that so? What have you heard?"

"You survived because of a newly awakened Priestess," The demon lord began, somewhat cautiously. "Not only did she succeed in bringing you back, but she also managed to breathe a new start into your child."

Rin glared, hard. "Did you seek me out simply to remind me of my loss? If so…get out."

"No, no, no!" Tamotsu rubbed his forehead in frustration. "It was nothing more than a confirmation of the past. I meant no disrespect."

"You failed in your meaning." She waved a hand toward Ah-Un, causing the dragon demons to rise from the ground, breathing fire as they noticed Rin's discomfort. "I have grown tired of you, Lord Tamotsu. If you want Miho, you will find her with my family on the other side of the castle."

"Guards are posted everywhere, so if you are planning to attack anyone here, you have been warned."

A deep and powerful voice filled the garden with a deadly promise. Sesshomaru stepped out from a darkened doorway, clad in his usual white and silver armor. From Rin's perspective, she could see her husband's hand wrapped loosely around the hilt of his sword. The blade, however, was still sheathed, meaning that Sesshomaru had a little more trust to give than he made everyone around him believe.

Tamotsu took one look at the demon lord and bowed deep in respect of Sesshomaru's power. "Consider that warning taken, Lord Sesshomaru."

"Did you think I would allow anyone near my wife without my knowing about it?" Sesshomaru almost floated to where Rin and Ah-Un were standing, he moved so swiftly. He came to a stop right in front of Tamotsu, keeping Rin only slightly behind him.

Tamotsu righted himself with a smile and nod toward Rin. "Indeed I did, Lord Sesshomaru. I knew you were hiding there this whole time." He noticed Rin's annoyance at the realization. "My Lady, after what happened to you decades ago, and considering how hard it was to bring you back to this world, did you really think he was going to let you wander around without protection?"

Rin rolled her shoulders back and stood tall, beyond pissed off at this point. Her blood boiled hotter than water in a clay pot for morning tea. "You know what?" She swallowed her bitterness and replaced it with a terrifying smile. "I'm tired of the secrets. I'm tired of being reminded of my past and I am tired of being reminded of my human nature." Without thought or regard to her actions, she caught Sesshomaru off guard and shoved him off balance to the left, stepped in front of Tamotsu and punched him square in the nose, sending the water demon backward onto his half naked backside. She added more to the shock of the situation by rearing her right leg back and swung it forward, causing her foot to collide with his chest and forcing Tamotsu onto his back. "I may be human. I may be fragile, and I may be young despite the age of my body, but I am here! I am alive! And I am no longer a child. I am human, a woman, mate to Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands and I am so much stronger than any of you in spirit that I could live a thousand years and still come out on top!"

"What's going on?"

"Rin! What's happened?"

"Is everything alright? I smelled blood!"

Many voices at once spilled into the garden and belonged to Kagome, Inuyasha and Ura. Miho and Kasumi trailed behind, while Shippou appeared exiting another doorway to get to them. Anyone with a weapon had them drawn, but everyone dropped their jaw to the ground at the sight of Rin with her fist in the air facing a fallen Tamotsu while Sesshomaru sat on his behind staring up at Rin with a mix of astonishment and mild annoyance.

Author's Note: It has been a long time since I have released a new chapter. The reason for this long delay includes a long list of family issues, health and a lack of drive to write. A lot of you have expressed concerns that I might have abandoned this story, which is completely untrue. I am truly sorry for keeping a lot of you in the dark, but my circumstances changed when several family members became ill and have since passed away over the last few months. Also, an uncle of mine, I recently learned, has terminal liver cancer and it has thrown my whole family into a depression that has been difficult to navigate out of. But he is doing well and is seeking a new and better treatment to help him live just a little longer.

On another note, I have been working on chapter 35 since August, have rewritten it at least 5 times and decided that it will not be the final chapter as I had originally planned. Instead, I will start working on this story's ending as soon as possible and I hope to release it before or on my 27th birthday on the 22nd of this month as my birthday present to all of you who have followed this series since the very beginning.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to message me, but I cannot guarantee that I will respond right away. Shit happens, guys. Everyone deals with things in their own way.

Happy New Year, guys.

Olivia AR

PS- Opening flashback was a scene from the anime. Anyone care to guess which episode? Go on, have a guess! No cheating!