AN: This took me a while longer than I intended, but I didn't expect for it to be this long. I am happy for that though because there is a lot this chapter had to offer. You get clues to Sue's past as well as Sesshomaru's family history, but they are only tiny hints.

You will also get a few good rants about Sesshomaru's thoughts toward his jealousy and his feeling for Rin, but there is only so much stuff to fit into one chapter lol As far as Ami goes there is more to her character but you as the reader can either read "Confusing Choice" or wait till I explain her better as the story progresses, either way it is up to you.

Hope you all enjoy and please R&R!

Disclaimer: I own none of the Inuyasha characters

"Sue, it's getting late," stated the general as the sound of his deep voice brought his niece out of her day dream. Sue brought her head up; startled by the sound of her uncle's voice as she nodded in agreement. "Y-yes Sir," she replied.

The sun had long been forgotten, and was replaced with a white sky allowing the wind to pick up and brought back the atmosphere of autumn followed by the flutter of brown and orange leaves. Sue watched as a few leaves danced in front of her, and as a result of her mind wandering off again her fingers soon found their way into her bangs.

Her fingers tangled into her hair as she twisted and twirled them till it left her hair filled with silly knots, but she hardly even realized it.

"You're doing it again," the general mentioned. Sue jumped at his voice again, and gave him a puzzled look as he sighed from her lack of attention. "Your fingers," he hinted, and as soon as the young woman realized what she was doing she quickly released her hair only to bring her head down to hide her red stained skin.

"You'll end up pulling out all your hair if you keep that up," he teased as to relieve her of her embarrassment. "Nothing more than a bad habit that I need to cease from performing," Sue said as she scrunched her brows together to further prove her point on how she loather her previous actions.

"Nothing to be ashamed of, some people bite their nails while others can't keep still. You messing with your bangs is nothing more than a result of your mind wandering off or nerves racking up a storm."

Sue looked away not wanted to further the conversation of her habit, but as luck would have it her Uncle was not yet ready to end the conversation. "If I remember correctly your mother used to do that as well…"

"Which is precisely why I want to stop this foolish habit!" Sue interrupted; her late father's anger seeping through. The general gave his niece a hard glare pointing out who was able to yell at whom, and Sue picked up on his message as she brought her head down. "My apologizes for my outburst."

With a small node her Uncle brushed her anger off while he drew his horse closer to hers. After the short distance left them a mere few inches apart he layed his palm on his nieces shoulder. "If you ever hope to make your father's wish come true than you have to let go of your mother's past mistake."

"How can I ever forgive that woman…?" Sue whispered as she tensed up at the thought of her mother's betrayal. "Can you easily forgive all those demons that killed your brother?" Sue added, "Because I know I will never forgive them, and as soon as this "Killing Perfection" is destroyed we will finally create the world my father dreamed of."

Sue left the comfort of her uncle's grip, and galloped ahead to lead the army toward the village; her glare of hatred emitting from her black eyes. The general sighed deeply at her scorn, but knew sometimes that is just what made her stronger.

He easily caught up to her and took his spot ahead as he saw Sue's hands twitch. Each time she was losing sight of reality her hands would lean to her head, but she stopped them as soon as she realized what she was doing.

"What's on your mind?" he asked knowing she might stop her twitches if she talked. Black eyes met black eyes as Sue's gaze fell from her uncle's to the pocket satchel strapped on the horse's saddle.

The general looked to the satchel, "Is that picture still in your head?"

"I can't stop thinking about that image. I can't help but feel as though the demon we are searching for and that demon in the painting are connected." Sue's grip on the reigns of her horse tightened. "Do you suppose that Killing Perfection killed that demon in the painting? Did you ever hear the name of that demon general? Maybe they were allies at one time," Sue lost her breath at the end of her sentence as her Uncle's eyes widened at the amount of questions just given to him.

"One question at a time," he chuckled. "No, I do not know the name of that demon only that he was referred to as the general of the West. I do not know if he had any connection to Killing Perfection; perhaps they were allies, but if they were enemies it would only make sense how his demise came to be."

Sue nodded her head agreeing to her uncle's thoughts as she added on to their conversation. "Also, I have been wondering about the demise of the dog demon clan. You mentioned to me that there was a female demon that survived correct?"

The general nodded as he looked on ahead to the forest. "Correct, I heard from my grandfather that aside from the dog general a female also survived the clan's extinction."

"That's it?" asked Sue as her voice filled with curiosity. "No other's survived?"

Her uncle shrugged. "Sue I honestly can say I have no idea. I know for certain the dog general survived, and the female demon may have as well. There are also a lot of stories indicating other members surviving, but they may all just be rumors."

"Other members?" she repeated. "Like what kind of other members."

The general ducked his head from a low branch as she continued the conversation. "Well, I head once of an infant being born. I believe I mentioned it to you before."

"Oh, yeah," Sue said as she did recall her uncle saying something about a child, "The female dog demon's son?"

"I can only presume," he replied. "Not much was said about the infant. I don't even know if it even exists or maybe it died at birth."

"But what if it did exists," Sue mentioned as her thoughts began heading closer and closer in the right direction. "What about the father of the infant?"

"What, you think it was the dog general? Don't make hasty assumptions, I heard the only reason she escaped death was because she was given orders to escape from any confrontation of battle due to her condition. She was already heavy with child; it could have been any male from the clan that met his death in the extinction."

Sue sighed from the logical point and brought her head down. The perfect killer; walking freely around these lands and she did not have not even one lead on him. Sue thought about the image of the dog general as the descriptive information of Killing Perfection scrambled around in her thoughts only to be read out thoroughly in the contents of her mind.

The image of the painting containing the demon with hair as white as snow and Sue also remembered seeing the touch of color added to the pupils as though the painter paid specific attention on the detail of his burning ember eyes.

The main outlook of the demon was a perfect description to the one they were searching for aside from the tone of skin color on the painting being a little tanner than what was described of Killing Perfection, but it was only a paining after all.

"What kind of demon are we searching for?" Sue asked out of the blue. She heard her uncle chuckle at her question, taking it as innocently as it could have been presented. "Why, a powerful one of course."

Sue sighed as she let off an annoyed glare, "Yes, but what kind exactly?"

Once she got into specifics the general's thoughts and face tensed up. Such a question should have been at the top of their answers, but they did not have even that answer.

"Uncle?" repeated Sue when he did not respond the first time. "I…do not know…," he answered while trying his best to avoid eyes contact. As the older adult it was a shame to him that he was unable to answer her question. Their journey had begun 3 years ago, but that was no excuse to be so short on information.

The female warrior could sense the distress coming from him, and out of the desire to not want to bother her uncle with such petty thoughts she decided to give her own conclusion on the matter.

"Uncle…." Sue started off as she rode beside him to get his attention. "What if…what if it was a dog demon we were searching for…?"

The general gave her a look that could best be described as doubtful curiosity.

"I mean it uncle. The look of the demon in the picture matches to well to the description of the demon we are searching for. It may not be the same person, but wouldn't it only make sense for Killing Perfection to be a dog demon as well considering how powerful the dod general was not to mention they have the same hair and eye color."

"I told you the clan is extinct, and some demons tend to look the same."

"I know, but even you said there were rumors of members surviving."

"I am unsure of that Sue, and you know how I hate to trust rumors. I already have a hard time believing in Killing Perfection."

"But what if it isn't a rumor uncle? What if it is a dog demon we are searching for? Perhaps that female that escaped long ago had grown in power and….."

"Now you're talking nonsense," the general interrupted. "I highly doubt a female would gain so much power that would leave even the most terrifying demons trembling."

The general laughed a bit at the thought as Sue just sent him one of her secret dirty glares. To her uncle men were always more superior, and she hoped one day woman would rise up to be seen as equals instead of as second rate.

Sue listened on to her uncle's bitter laugh as he huffed from his little episode, "A female being that strong, next thing I know you're going to tell me that infant may as well….."

The sounds of hooves trotting was suddenly put to a stop as all the laughter breathed out into the air vanished to be replaced with an aura that sent chills down the two warriors arms. Their breath caught in their throats, and each stared at one another with the same thought in mind.

Black eyes molded into the black eyes Sue stared at, "Y-You don't think….." She could feel her stomach turning at the sudden thought of that infant; the infant born after the clan's demise.

"It was…never certain….We don't know for sure what…."

"And what if our assumptions are true!" argued Sue.

The general thought hard about what she just said as he didn't even realize the soldiers in the background becoming restless at all the recent holdups.

"The clan was destroyed hundreds of years ago…" he whispered.

"That infant would not be so little anymore," Sue stated as she felt a smirk tug at her lips. "If what we assume is correct, than I believe we just found the kind of demon we are looking for."

Sue's lips formed into a complete smirk; yet another piece added to the puzzle.

The wind became colder the closer the day ended. Usually this was the moment a pretty sunset would shine over the horizon, but the only orange color presented was the troop of leaves deciding to do battle against the harsh wind. To those who see the sun as something to smile about they would feel displeased at the light gray sky shrouding any ounce of sunlight trying to peep through.

The only bright sun color that was seen layed within the cold gaze of the demon lord who, despite his emotionless demeanor, actually found the cool wind pleasing as it ruffled against his silver tresses and allowed his bangs to glide across his crescent moon forehead.

His sun kissed eyes couldn't help but gaze at the simple wood hut that Rin entered not too long ago…as well as that slayer following after her.

Sesshomaru knew he could follow whether or not he was even welcome, but knowing Rin anyone was welcome in her home. He decided against it however, and simple choose to stay outdoors to keep his eyes away from the scene of Rin's happy smile shining on the gift that boy decided to give her.

Sesshomaru was still not sure why but all of a sudden he found that human slayer to be a nuisance again, and this time it had nothing to do with Naraku.

"There," Rin finished as she gazed at her beautiful rose that now lay within a container full of water. "Do you think something else aside from a water container would suffice?" she asked as she looked to Kohaku standing off to her side.

The young man shook his head as he smiled to bring back the smile he so loved to see grace Rin's sunny face. "If you ask me I think it looks very becoming, and matches well with the rest of the room," he explained as he brought his hands out at arm's length to allow Rin a better look of her work as it stood on her low desk table in her shaggy village hut.

A beautiful rose lying within a simple bamboo water container; a sight not seen for such a beautiful flower deserved to be put in a fine vase. Although, considering her lifestyle and living conditions she would have to agree with Kohaku that the apple red rose actually fit nicely to give her hut that "homey" feel.

"You're right, thank you again Kohaku," she said as the whole place seemed to feel warmer when she smiled her sunny smile again. Even if it wasn't directed toward him Kohaku still felt his face heat up. He would definitely have to thank his brother in law for the very helpful advice.

(Flashback Last Night)

"You have to woo her," Miroku stated as one of his children began falling asleep in his lap. "Woo her?" Kohaku knew what the expression meant, but as far as the next step he didn't even know where to begin.

"You know what I mean," Miroku said with his devilish smirk crossing his face as well as a twinkle shining in the corner of his eye. "Get her something that will knock her right off her feet. Presents are a shoo-in with the ladies."

"It this how you won Sango over?" the slayer asked curiously as Miroku chuckled. "Well perhaps not Sango, but back in my younger days before I your sister I was able to attract many ladies by…."

A clearing of the throat dragged Miroku's frightened eyes to stare at Sango's flaming ones indicating his sentence was cut short. "Well… that is not the point right now," he finished as he laughed nervously, "All I'm saying is that it is bound to work."

"But my situation is a bit more... complicated than that," Kohaku contradicted, and by "complicated" he meant it was very challenging and stressful to be up against a demon lord's wealth and status.

Lord Sesshomaru could have anything he so desired, and by that it really mean Rin could have anything she so desired though he could not picture the kind woman asking for anything other than what she really needed.

Kohaku knew he would have to go beyond the box to get something Rin would love as well as something Sesshomaru would not think of bringing her. As far a kimono goes; that was out of the question. Kohaku thought about jewelry, but knew Sesshomaru may have that gift already planned out as well as any kind of combs hair pieces or face powder.

"Listen," Miroku said as his voice hit the highest pitch it could get with his son sleeping in his lap. "Are you just going to give up because you are a bit outnumbered in the ranking department? I thought you cared more for Rin than that."

"I-I do!" Kohaku argued followed by his hand covering his mouth to try and quiet down his voice. "I do brother, but I feel as though all the ideas have already been taken by you know who."

"Well think harder," Miroku replied as he pointed one finger in the air as if he was teaching the young man a lesson which in a way he was. "Remember money can't buy everything, and it certainly cannot buy love."

"Although it sure does play a major role…." Thought Kohaku as he let the darker side of life begin to get the better of him.

His thoughts broke when he heard his two twin nieces come in through the door with blankets tucked around them like little eggrolls. They walked past their sleeping siblings making their way to their uncle and father.

"Shouldn't you two be asleep," Miroku chided watching his two oldest daughters holding something in their hands. "We will soon father," one of them said before the other one allowed one of her arms to get free from the heavy blanket as she handed Kohaku the gift she concealed underneath.

"For you, Uncle Kohaku," she said as she handed him a simple white flower that looked like it was already on the verge of dying from the cold weather. However, it was still a very sweet gesture, and he smiled a thank you back.

"And one for you father," the other one said as she handed him a withered old flower as well. "For me," Miroku teased as he took it with great care. "Why you shouldn't have," he said as his girl laughed.

"So does this mean we can stay up late?" they asked in unison with their innocent brown eyes turning soft on Miroku. "Not likely," Sango's voice interrupted, "It's getting late so come on now," she ordered softly before mentioning a bed time story.

Their disappointment vanished at the mention of a story, and after they nodded and said their goodnight they followed after their mother.

"Sweet little thing aren't they," Miroku stated before picking up his son to put him to bed as well.

"They sure are," Kohaku added before staring at the dead flower in front of him.

Such a simple little thing was able to pull of such a sweet gesture.

"That's it!" he thought before getting on his feet with an idea sprouting in his head.

(End Flashback)

"Sesshomaru," Ami called out from her spot below the red wooden structure standing beside a stone staircase. "Why don't you come down from there?"

The demon prince lay perched at the very top of the wooden structure with one leg dangling off the side while the other one was bent to support his right arm as his whole upper body leaned against that bent leg. A perfect little spot for him to be within nose and earshot of Rin, but also a place to escape lady talks a lot down below and finding some sort of peace with the cold weather.

"Sesshomaru," Ami shouted only to be ignored by him again, and instead got yet another lecture on how it was "LORD Sesshomaru!" from the green shivering imp behind her.

She almost wanted to chuckle on how even though she was annoyed that he had yet to say even one word to her his silent distant self was only creating an image in her head of a stubborn cat unwilling to come down from a tree.

Or in his case a dog, but by how much he preferred to be in taller places at the moment he may as well act more like a cat; a very feisty cat that would love to scratch her eyes out at the moment she bet.

Ami noticed a glare sent down to her almost as if Sesshomaru picked up on her thoughts and she quickly evaded his gaze to laugh nervously off to the side to try to conceal what she just imagined.

Sesshomaru brushed off Ami's strange look knowing she was thinking something if he could feel his ears burning, and knew if anyone was thinking about him…it certainly wasn't Rin.

He noticed she and Kohaku had yet to come out of the hut, and all he could think about was how happy she was when the young man gave her that rose. Her smile shined with a certain happiness he thought only he was allowed to see, but it seemed now that wasn't the case.

A rose; a beautiful yet simple flower he could have picked by the dozen if he wanted to. He knew where they grew most, and he knew where the ones of different colors grew as well. Is that all it took to make her happy; a simple gift such as a flower?

Or maybe, he thought, was it instead the giver that made her bright smile form on her cheerful face. Was she happy because of her gift, or because Kohaku was the one who gave her the gift.

What does it matter?

He knew the girl was not his property, to demons the mere thought of owning humans was a disgrace and only proved that you must have to have been the weakest of the weak if all you could conquer was human slaves.

However she…is no slave.

She was not a servant, and she was most certainly no slave which is precisely the reason why he decided not to interfere with the other company Rin was receiving. He had no control over her, and knew if she desired to be in the presence of another man he had no right to intervene.

It was none of his business anyway.

And yet…why?

Why could he not get the image of Rin's smile out of his head? That happy carefree smile that left him feeling things in his heart he never knew even existed in that black hole of his. The thought of someone else seeing that smile; to have him thinking about it over and over again was proof enough that he was not in his usual state of mind right now.

He did not know what he was making such a fuss about; it was not as if Rin didn't smile at anybody else.

Rin's gentle character couldn't even pluck the soft pedals from a fresh spring flower much less refrain herself from shining a cute smile at every creature that walked by her. Her bright personality brought her up to be kind and friendly which allowed a smile to grace her face to anyone despite their outer appearance or demeanor. She smiled at everyone, and everything.

Even me…

Whatever foul feeling that lurked within his mind indicating that Kohaku's gift giving was a bad thing only spreading till it hit his chest area.

He was angry….

He would much rather have seen Rin reject the gift and walk back to him with a smile, and instead the situation was the exact opposite. He wanted for Rin to do something completely out of her character and turn away from a kind gesture, but even he knew he was thinking nonsense.

What or who exactly was he angry with? Was it Rin, was it her actions, or perhaps was it more with the whole situation?

The whole situation became a more convincing answer, and he would rather be angry at that then the girl who had the heart to warm the cold hands of a cold hearted creature like himself while presenting to him all her worry that he felt he did not deserve.

Rin's kind gestures and simple touches; no one else ever bothered to even get close to him, not that he wanted them to, much less shower him with a gentle caress to the cheek or warm embrace in the not so warm weather.

He was either respected feared or hated, and there are even those who found his person too inspiring they felt they were not worthy to be in the presence of one such as him which to Sesshomaru…good riddance.

Rin, however, neither hated not feared him. She always gave him her utmost respect while, without him knowing, if he asked her to do anything she would comply without a second thought.

Sesshomaru was not dense nor was he too foolish to not notice the way the girl acted around him. On the other hand he did not quite comprehend the human heart nor did he really have any desire to.

Rin cared for him though, that much he knew for sure.

And he could not lie to even himself when he admitted in the softest place in his heart that…he cared for her as well.

The words have never and perhaps maybe never will leave his lips; the whole thought just could not click right in his head, but he knew it was true.

Although, his actions spoke out all the words that needed to be said when he would rather her life be out of harm's way even if it meant putting his own life in danger. And if ever a time comes when Rin was hurt he blamed no other but himself.

It was that fact right there that he knew he had developed feeling for the young woman, but the whole concept of fear and sadness was still so fresh to him. He had only scratched the surface of the so called feeling known as "compassion" and it was now only up to him if he wanted to go a little further into the feeling and see where it takes him.

Whether Sesshomaru knew it or not, his new found jealousy was about to take in further onto a bridge of human emotions that demons like him would be ashamed of having. However if Rin was the one waiting for him on the other side of that jumbled bridge than…it just may be worth it to give it to try crossing.

"My Lord don't you think you have been up there long enough?" Jaken asked before a sharp rock knocked him off his feet and tumbling toward the ground.

Ami couldn't help but laugh at the imp's failure while Sesshomaru knew Jaken was only asking for it since the imp disturbed his deep thoughts. With a stubborn "Hmm" he turned his head away and continued to sit where he so pleased, and that was away from everyone else.

Nightfall had blackened the sky to leave the moon shrouded by a misty fog while the cold night spread from village hut to village hut.

"How's Lady Kaede?" Kohaku asked when Rin returned to her room to see a warm bowl of hot strew centered between a smiling Kohaku as well as a hungry looking Ami who sat beside an annoyed looking Jaken.

"She is resting now," Rin replied. "I've had her stay in these past few days to make sure she doesn't get ill like many of the other elderly already have."

"I thought the old priestess was already sick?" Jaken asked which left Rin scowling at him for bringing up that certain piece of information. "She has not been her best these past few weeks, but I guarantee she will get better." At least that is what Rin hoped.

"Soooo your name is Ami right?" Kohaku asked trying to bring up a lighter conversation. Ami's gaze went from the delicious looking stew to the young man who held no comparison to the beautiful creature whom had been ignoring her for the past while to instead rather sit on a red piece of wood outside in the cold.

Ami was almost reluctant to leave him, but the night was chilly and the smell of hot stew drew her into the hut as well as Jaken who was just happy not to have been turned into a frozen ice sculpture.

"My name is none of your concern," Ami replied back as she stuck her nose high in the air. Kohaku felt his sweat drop, a few second into knowing her and already he did not like her. A simple child…that is all she was no matter if she seemed more in her teenage years.

She was younger than Rin so it would only make sense to have a young adolescent teen acting like they owned everything and everyone.

Rin laughed nervously realizing the conversation were not the happiest, but at that moment she only had one thing on her mind.

"Say, where's Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Outside," Jaken answered with a grumpy tone escaping his beak. "I've told him to come inside, but he won't listen," Ami added.

"Lord Sesshomaru would never enter the contents of some human home. It is utterly distasteful!" Jaken whined.

"But you're here," Ami replied. "That is beside the point!" the imp complained against the girl's smart tongue.

While the two were at it again Rin took it as her chance to escape the hut through the door while Kohaku tried to calm down the fighting duo.

Once Rin felt the cold wind hit her back she knew she was outside, and as an outcome of the cold weather hitting her she blew warm air into her palms. Her eyes scanned the surrounding of the village. Even though it was dark she was still able to see a few things, and she saw just about everything there was to see at night except for Sesshomaru.

She sighed deeply, and then felt her spirits lift when she decided to check the red post she found him sitting on every once in a while. Her head looked up in hope and…he was not there either.

Yet again she sighed as she felt her eyebrows move upward in an obvious display of her disappointment. He was gone…

She turned on her heels to head back inside while she suddenly felt the need to stop and let out the sting of tears that threatened to fall.

"What's wrong with me?" she thought as she brought her hand up to her eyes. She felt water beginning to form in the corners, and she quickly whipped them clean. She knew it was silly of her to cry, but..."Why?" she thought.

Why did he not tell her he was leaving? She would not have objected to it at all, but she knew he did not have to tell her. He always told her however, so why did he just leave now….especially when she was hoping to spend a little more time with him.

Rin even noticed Kohaku may have taken some of that time away, but how could she be mean to him after he went out of his way to give her a gift. Kohaku was hardly even considered part of her worries though.

Sue, a woman who intended to take Sesshomaru from her to see to it that he was killed. Ami, a young teen who seemed that she wanted to take Sesshomaru from her to simply have him all to herself. Two different females that left Rin feeling two different kinds of ways, but ever since they came into the picture Rin found that she had yet to spend a full day with her lord, and when he visited that is all she ever wanted.

Just to be with him; get closer to him.

She did not want him to leave after the short amount of time she got to spend with him. She was hoping to take a nice stroll with him in the forest and point out to him all the leaves she was able to identify since she was a child. Or maybe, if luck may have it, they could have spent some time in her hut. She knew it was not fit for someone like him, but if she could share just one cup of tea with him she would be happy for thh rest of the season.

"Lord Sesshom…" Rin felt tears beginning to rise again.

Rin walked the rest of the way till she was a few steps from the door until a loud "You!" hit her ears. Rin jumped at the shout and turned her head to see the last person she wanted to see that night.

"You lied to me!" the voice shouted out as the figure made its way from the shadows of the village. Hair as dark as the shadows flowed past eyes that held just as much black scorn as the woman's heart did.

"S-Sue Lee," Rin stuttered as she backed up against her hut.

Now what was she suppose to do?

AN: Oh Rin, what will you do now? Sesshomaru where did you run off to?

Ok so I know the Christmas season has started, but I do not want to start another story before finishing this one so I am thinking about a good 2 more chapters and then I will bring out Sesshomaru and Rin's first winter together which I smell a whole lot of fluff lol

First thing is first though, and that is settling down this drama so stay alert to see what happens next and seeing if Sesshomaru ever returns and if he has to end up fighting the whole demon assassin army. Wouldn't that make Rin happy?

Anyway thanks a bunch for reading I hope you enjoyed and please leave a comment if you like I would appreciate it! Till next time!