DIS: I'm sorry for not being able to update earlier, but ever since I lost cable and the DVD player on my laptop stopped working, I haven't been watching Inuyasha and so I lost a lot of my inspiration. (sigh) But, I won't abandon this fic! I refuse to! (oO) I think ya'll would come after me with guns if I did.

Thanks to Yangu Fuyu, HawkAngel XD, Erika Darkmoon, Satan Junior No Super Hentai ((pouts) But I am a lazy bum! Just look at how long this took!), silentxangel, Sessho's Girl, joellesophya, RedBrick, Kagura134, inufire (XD, you're awesome,) SesshomaruLover427, Living on, hopelessromantic56, Marie Phantom, d2shny, amazongirl.747, lindajrjt (oh, well thank you. I used to read Kagome/Sesshomaru pairings a lot, but now I think she should be with Koga. Yup, yup,) sansho (I get your point, but in the end, I'll probably jump it ahead or have him promise to wait until she's older or something like that. So they'll be together, but I wouldn't have them do anything while she's so young! Thanks for the question, though,) and Tamatama-chan (I had break, so I got some time, lol) for reviewing. Aw, you guys are da bomb! (huggles reviewers) And now for the eighth chapter ya'll have been waitin' for!

X

Chapter Eight

Inuyasha gave a grim look at the rain that was pattering down outside of the café he had been relaxing in. He had strolled to the quiet, comforting café about an hour or so ago. Kagome had told him that while he was out she was going to the post office. Why didn't she just put the freakin' envelope in the mailbox? Well, that was Kagome. She did everything the hard way, it seemed. In any case, he was glad that he had come here by himself. Kagome always liked to chatter to him and, sure, he didn't mind that, but today he needed some time for his thoughts. Thoughts that were unpleasant.

Father, Inuyasha thought sullenly, wanted us to remain neutral towards each other. He knew we hated each other, though. Why he suspected that Sesshomaru would keep giving me and Kagome money is beyond me. What a stupid old man. His lip curled in a silent sneer. And Sesshomaru didn't feel the least bit remorseful – doesn't feel the least bit remorseful. Inuyasha frowned to himself suddenly, turning to the paper that was on the table. He hadn't wanted to touch it after the story he read in it. He didn't usually read this newspaper because it was literally just gossip. The title was The Gossiper, for goodness sake. But that story about his elder half-brother shook him.

Sesshomaru wouldn't give a damn about a human girl, he thought, taking a drink of his coffee (which had so much sugar anyone else would gag on it.) But the statement from the doctor said that he brought in the human girl and threatened to kill him if she died. That somewhat sounds like Sesshomaru. Inuyasha frowned, his whole face crinkling with puzzlement. I just don't get it. Something stirred in the back of his mind, like a stray string blowing in the wind. He tried to get a hold of the thought, but it escaped him. It returned almost immediately, whispering danger to him. Somehow, Inuyasha thought, finishing his coffee and standing up, moving to the cashier to pay for his coffee, I have a bad feeling about this.

X

Jaken frowned, his arms crossed, staring at the closed door. He cursed his employer a thousand times over, irritated. Stay home, stay home, Jaken mimicked in his mind, snorting aloud. Why should I have to stay and watch over the wretch? Honestly! Why does Mr. Inutaisho even bother with the girl? She's just trash.

"Mr. Jaken?" A soft voice queried. Jaken blinked, turning his head to the left to see Rin poking her head out of her room. "What are you doing staring at that door?" He blinked and flushed an angry, mottled red and strode over to her. Ooh, if he had his way, he would slap that girl right across the cheek for making him feel so stupid! But Jaken knew that if Rin mentioned it to Sesshomaru, he wouldn't just lose his job, he'd be good and dead six feet under – maybe not even that lucky. He'd probably just be a pile of dust by the time the youkai was finished with him. "Mr. Jaken, are you okay? You look feverish..." Jaken paused in his depressing thoughts and eyed Rin suspiciously. Her warm eyes were gleaming with concern. She was taller than him, so she had to bend down to meet his gaze. She lifted a hand and brushed her fingers over his forehead. "You don't feel warm."

"Ignorant girl!" Jaken sputtered, startled by her cool, but kind, touch. He took a step away from her, brandishing the Jinto-jo. Also startled, Rin stepped back, her eyes widening as he waved the staff crazily. "I am a youkai! I cannot get feverish." He snorted arrogantly, even though he knew that if he was poisoned or there was a strong, pure priest or priestess near, he would feel very ill indeed. But she needn't know that.

"You're a youkai?" Rin asked, tilting her head, giving him a curious look. "You don't look like a youkai. Mr. Inutaisho is a youkai." She bobbed her head, continuing, "He is tall and beautiful and strong. You are the opposite." Jaken's jaw dropped slightly, stunned at her bluntness.

"What are you saying?" He shrilled, making her chocolate eyes widen again. "That I am short, ugly, and weak?" Rin stared at him for a moment, then smoothed her hands over the soft, white dress that she was wearing. Jaken himself had chosen the dress for her. Sesshomaru, he knew, wouldn't be caught dead buying clothes for his ward. Jaken, however, didn't mind it. Besides, Jaken thought as he eyed Rin, dresses looked better on her than jeans would, he suspected.

"You are short, though, Mr. Jaken," Rin said, tilting her head in a puzzled matter, the tiny ponytail on the top of her head bobbing slightly at the movement of her head. "You know that." He noticed how she didn't say anything about the other descriptions he had screamed at her. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her, but her expression was so earnest that he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for being so rude to her. She hadn't done anything wrong, now had she? Sullenly, Jaken admitted that she hadn't. His problem was that he disliked humans and disliked women even more. Sesshomaru felt the same and even more strongly, but he had allowed this girl in his house, so Jaken supposed he should accept her presence here.

"Humph! Are you quite finished bathing and dressing?" He demanded, narrowing his large, circular eyes. When he glanced at her, he noticed how healthier and prettier she looked compared to a couple days ago. He hadn't seen her while she'd been resting in her room, getting over the sickness. He had followed his employer to her room, but been ordered to stay out in the hall while Sesshomaru entered. Now, as Jaken observed her petite frame, glossy black hair, tender chocolate brown eyes, and slightly tan skin, he reluctantly admitted she was a cute girl. The loose white dress swayed around her young, gentle curves and fit her bright personality nicely. Jaken wondered vaguely how such a charming girl had ended up in the situation she had been in. Irritated with that thought, he glared at Rin, who was completely oblivious to the dark look and what was going through his mind.

"...Mr. Jaken?" He blinked and she repeated herself, "I am finished, so we should probably go downstairs to help with dinner."

"We don't help with dinner, fool!" He ground out. She looked confused. "The servants do that. Mr. Inutaisho is going to be home soon and we are required to greet him when he comes in." Her mouth formed an O as comprehension dawned on her face. "Now, come on, girl."

"Okay, Mr. Jaken." She nodded her head and skipped after him as he hurried down the stairs.

"Mr. Inutaisho, I suppose, will be happy to see you out of bed," he grumbled, glancing at her. She was smiling, trailing close behind him. "You've been in bed for the last four days! What kind of person is sick for that long?" He continued to grumble all the way down the stairs. Rin completely ignored him, gazing around her at the gorgeous Japanese paintings hanging on the walls, the thick, squishy navy carpet, and the polished wooden doors. Rin had never been in a house so beautiful as this one. She had never had the chance.

Rin, so engrossed in her surroundings, slammed into Jaken, who had paused at the top of the stairs. He let out a squawk and flew down the stairs. Rin gasped, pressing her hands to her mouth in horror. She didn't even notice Sesshomaru at the foot of the stairs, watching the scene with a neutral expression. "Oh, no, Mr. Jaken!" She skipped the stairs and skidded to a halt at the foot of the stairs where Jaken's crumpled figure was. "Um...Are you okay?"

"Grr..." He growled at her and then jumped to his feet, roaring, "Couldn't you have watched what you were doing?" He smoothed his clothes out, glowering at her. "Honestly! Where was your mind? The Twilight Zone?" Rin's brow creased in puzzlement. He huffed, waving a green hand dismissively as he picked up the Jinto-jo. His eyes moved to the side and he let out a startled yelp. "Mr. Inutaisho!" He cried in surprise.

"Mr. Inutaisho!" Rin greeted in a cheerful tone, quite the opposite of Jaken's. She launched herself forward so she was in front of him. Her mouth spread into a bright grin, her whole face gleaming. "Welcome home! Mr. Jaken told me we had to come and greet you." One of Sesshomaru's brow rose in question as his amber eyes flicked to Jaken, who was shifting nervously.

"Hm. You are doing well?" He queried of Rin, who nodded, still smiling.

"Very well," she corrected. She paused, looking thoughtful, before saying, "I like your house, it's very pretty." He nodded, his expression solemn as always. Sesshomaru quickly raked his eyes over Rin's small, tender body and decided that she looked well enough to be jumping around like she seemed to be doing. He was pleased that, after a few days of regular bathing and eating, her condition had improved such a great deal. As he continued his examination, he noted that he had never seen her as clean and healthy before.

"Mr. Inutaisho," Jaken cautiously began, "I was curious – "

"A story appeared in a paper today," Sesshomaru interrupted. "Are you aware of that, Jaken?" Sesshomaru himself hadn't read the article. He had seen the title of the article, though, where the paper had been lying on his secretary's desk. At first, he had felt beyond furious at someone poking their nose in his personal business and then minor irritation after he recalled his father getting the same publicity. He'd calmed himself well enough and had turned his back on the paper and it's article with the usual grace he possessed. But Jaken was his man of business and Sesshomaru had ordered him to prevent any such articles popping in any paper or magazines. No one except the most wealthy had heard of his and his brother's problems when he took over the company, nor of his refusal to adhere to Thomas Hatton. His personal life was his own. That was simply how he felt.

"Indeed, sir?" Jaken politely answered, totally oblivious. "What – Oh...Oh." His green face turned pale and his throat worked convulsively. "Ah...I never heard of anything, sir. Did something come up that you disliked?"

"You know well enough that I want no articles of my personal life posted in any paper," Sesshomaru coolly responded. Jaken swallowed. Oh, yes, how he knew! When he'd first been made Sesshomaru's man of business, Sesshomaru had thrust the Jinto-jo in his hands, telling him he may be required to dispose of anyone who irritated him. Jaken knew without asking that he, himself, could be placed in that category. And so, when Sesshomaru thereafter explained how he wanted no personal article of him in the papers, Jaken understood what was to happen to both him and the writer if that were to happen. Jaken was diligent at his job and had been very careful to make sure nothing of the sort happened.

"B-but sir..." Jaken sputtered. "I have been here watching the human girl. I couldn't – " Whatever he was going to say next came out in a choke as Sesshomaru's hand shot out and grasped his throat, lifting him off the ground. Jaken gasped, dropping the Jinto-jo, his wide eyes bulging as he attempted to get air in his throat.

"Remember," Sesshomaru quietly said, "that I do not want this to happen again. I want no excuses. If this is to occur again..." He trailed off meaningfully and dropped Jaken, who sucked in deep breaths of air. Sesshomaru glanced at Rin, who was standing by the stairs. He expected her to be trembling or crying with fear. Instead, she merely raised her eyes to his face and smiled at him as though she hadn't seen him almost kill the other youkai. "I expect you to attend dinner with me tonight," he informed her.

"Okay," she responded, still smiling. He nodded slightly and swept out of the hall. Rin approached Jaken, kneeling next to him. "Mr. Inutaisho is mad at you, Mr. Jaken."

"I know that, you stupid girl!" He snarled, snatching his Jinto-jo. "And all because I had to watch you and make sure you were safe!" He snorted. "I see no reason why Mr. Inutaisho should bother with a human girl."

Ignoring his jibes, she continued, "You should fix whatever you did before he gets really angry." She smiled then, adding, "Then you can have dinner with us." She left him then, trotting upstairs while Jaken knelt there, stunned. He hadn't thought to fix the problem. With a slight frown, he climbed to his feet and gave the slightest of nods to himself.

I will fix my blunder before dinner is on the table, he promised.

X

"Human girl?" Thomas Hatton murmured to himself, the paper shielding his face. He let out a crude bark of laughter, slapping the paper down. "Oh, this is too perfect." As he gazed down at the paper with a grin, he knew too well who the 'human girl' was. There was no one else than his cute, naïve spy that could worm her way into the youkai's heart. After all, the description the doctor had supplied was the very image of Rin. His lips curled into a sneer and he let out another loud laugh, his mind whirling, his heart jumping to his throat with eagerness.

She'll be able to get all the dirt on Sesshomaru Inutaisho now, he thought with a triumphant smirk. Now all I'll need is to manipulate one of his damning servants. His smirk lessened a bit. He only chooses the most loyal of servants, though. Damn. It's going to be difficult. He shrugged to himself, saying aloud, "It doesn't matter. I can easily just get to Rin when she's alone and out of the house." And she can tell me all the dirty little secrets about that bastard.

"You're mine now, youkai," he murmured, clasping his hands, his lips curling beneath his mustache. "You and Reynolds. And soon, your companies will be mine, too." He chuckled darkly to himself.

X

Jaken sulked in his chair, grinding his teeth slightly. He hated to admit it, but Rin had saved him three days earlier. He'd come back after exterminating the writer of the damned article that had gotten him in trouble and entered the dining room. Sesshomaru was still livid, of course, but Rin had bounced in, cheerfully asking Jaken whether he'd taken care of the "wrong-doer" as she called the writer. Sesshomaru hadn't looked so furious after he'd answered her, "Yes, I did." In fact, his attention was brought off Jaken completely with Rin's pointless chatter. I suppose I owe her, Jaken thought irritably, glancing at Sesshomaru, who was looking through a file that the secretary had slid onto his desk. He was glad to be back at the office, working with his boss. Sesshomaru had ordered him to stay with Rin the few days after she'd gotten better.

Sesshomaru raised his eyes to the door, narrowing them slightly. Jaken gave a puzzled look, then heard the ruckus happening outside. He hesitated, then hopped off the chair, his Jinto-jo in his hands. Jaken heard angry howls and as a familiar smell came to his nostrils, he knew that it was a human – the worst one, for that matter. Thomas Hatton.

The door exploded open and Thomas Hatton stood there, his mustache quivering, his old body straight as a wooden board. Sesshomaru assessed him quietly, calmly clasping his hands and resting his chin on his long, twined fingers. Anyone who hadn't dealt with youkais or Sesshomaru for that matter would believe him to be perfectly calm. Jaken knew better. By the steady darkening of his amber eyes, he knew that his employer was furious.

"So!" Thomas sneered. "Here you are, you damn youkai."

"What is it that you desire, Hatton?" Sesshomaru quietly asked in a steady, regal tone. Thomas's eyes flashed and he swiftly moved forward, slamming his hands on the desk. Sesshomaru regarded him coolly, not the least bit startled. Though his temper was beginning to glisten through his calm façade. Jaken shuddered. If that law against murdering humans resulted in the beheading of the youkai wasn't present, Jaken knew Hatton would be dead the moment he had stepped in this office.

"I know how you are, goddamn you," Thomas hissed, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Manipulating John Reynolds around your finger, making him dance in the palm of your hand...Oh, yes, I know how you are. After all, you're a youkai. What they do best is twist humans the way they want them." He let out a brittle laugh. "Before you youkais came, life was glorious. Not like how it changed when your kind came." Sesshomaru didn't move, nor did he speak. He just stared coldly at the human before him, his irritation and blood lust clear on his pale, aristocratic face. Thomas Hatton finally drew back, sneering. "Not to mention you going after young women. I always wondered why you weren't married."

"Get out," Jaken hastily snarled, seeing how quickly Sesshomaru's face changed to a black mask of rage, how his eyes darkened to a close shade of crimson. "Get out or die." Jaken raised his Jinto-jo warningly and Thomas snorted before swinging around and storming out of the room. Jaken slammed the door closed after him and flinched as he glanced over his shoulder at his employer. Sesshomaru let out a slight growl, returning to his file. Jaken suspected that Thomas Hatton wouldn't have gotten out alive if he'd not been here to get him out. If he hadn't added that comment on Rin, then he would have. Jaken guessed that if Hatton had only said that one thing, Sesshomaru's reaction would have been similar, just quicker. Mr. Inutaisho seems to care very dearly for that human girl, Jaken noted with a bit discomfort. I just don't understand why he should...

X

For the past four days, Rin had greeted Sesshomaru and joined him in the drawing room where she would talk with him until she was weary. He only allowed this because her conversation didn't irritated him like everyone else's did. She had settled into this habit easily enough (just as she had slipped into her new home,) so she was surprised when Sesshomaru informed her, a bit harshly, that he wanted to be alone tonight. He swept past her to the drawing room, snapping the door shut. Rin hesitated, unsure of whether she should disrupt him or not. He had never been angry with her and she didn't want him to be (even though she knew he would be when he discovered what she was.)

"Mr. Inutaisho?" Rin cautiously queried, poking her head in the drawing room. When he gave no response, she stepped in and closed the door behind her, sending him a concerned look. "What is wrong?" He flicked a look to her, but still said nothing. Rin sighed inwardly and sat on the couch across from him. He continued to be mute, before looking at her with a narrow-eyed look. She blinked.

"You are trustful," he cautiously said, "so I will explain to you why I wanted no companionship tonight." She inwardly moaned. Trustful? She was anything but that! "As I have told you, I inherited this company from my father. One of his business associates, Thomas Hatton, has come to me, asking for finances. I refused, as well as John Reynolds. The other major companies have agreed. I suspect, with his access to their finances, that he intends to bring them down." He paused, glaring at Rin for a moment, as though debating with himself whether or not to continue. Apparently deciding to, he continued, "He may be able to bring Reynolds and I down once he has all the money needed. He has set out a spy, but it's not yet been seen by Reynolds or myself. He came to me today and made quite a scene and said some things that have irritated me."

"And...and do you know if this spy has passed any information to Mr. Hatton?" Rin asked a bit breathlessly, her heart thundering in her ears. She could feel her world crumbling beneath her as Sesshomaru ignored her question, instead peering at her with his amber gaze.

"Rin." She knew it was a question even though he hadn't stated it so.

"I'm fine, just...startled. I never thought such things happened to wealthy people." She swallowed. "I'll...leave now." Without waiting for his assent, she spun around and rushed from the room. She had seen the suspicious look entering his eyes and didn't want him to look at her any longer, not when guilt and shame was washing over her so heavily. How had she not known that Hatton was so evil? She had seen those smug looks, hadn't she? Those dark gleams in his eyes? How had she not known?

I could have caused harm on Mr. Inutaisho! She thought as she slumped on her bed. She buried her face in the pillow as tears leaked out from beneath her eyelids. I could have hurt him badly – and he's the one that's been so kind to me! What should I do now? What can I do now?

X

DIS: Ta-da! J'ai finit! I have finished! Well, now that Rin knows the truth, what will she do? Please leave a review on your way out telling me whether you liked it. I'll try and get the next chapter up as soon as I can. Ciao!