He could smell her in the room. Hell, he smelled her when she was right outside the door. Her scent was full of curiosity and awe when she first opened the door. But now, the smell changed to shock and shyness when she spotted Sesshomaru at his desk, reading the reports that were made while he was away from the castle.

He didn't even look up when he said, "Rin."

It wasn't an angry or questioning tone, more like an unwanted greeting.

"My lord," she said back. She waited a moment before she added, "I'm sorry to disturb you."

He looked up…and what he was about to say was forgotten. She was wearing a silk cloth that defined her nipples, showing just how sensitive they were. Her wet black hair clung to her neck and bare shoulders. She held a bundle of clothes. The kimono she was wearing when he brought her here, no doubt; he could tell from the blood stains in the fabric.

"I was lost and was trying to find my way back to the room I was sleeping in," she said nervously and stood there, waiting for him to speak.

"Come in, Rin," he said without thinking.

Her eyes widened slightly and she hesitated in the doorway, glancing around the room, trying not to look at him.

Sesshomaru, placing the paper he was holding down on the desk said, "Rin."

She looked back at him and must have seen his neutral expression because she took a step into the room.

"Come closer, Rin."

Her eyes widened a fraction more, but she took a couple steps and then stopped. Her expression changed, but her scent held onto shyness as another emotion crept into the scent, one that he couldn't place. Sesshomaru found out, after a year of traveling with her, that Rin could hide her emotions from him if she wanted.

He didn't like that she was doing it right now.

Rin stood there, a few feet from the desk in front of her—in which Lord Sesshomaru sat—and the door behind her. This was the day that Sesshomaru-sama would learn not to tease her as he did last night. This was the day that he would find out how strong she was. This was the day that Sesshomaru will find Rin a changed woman.

Sesshomaru's masked face slipped; most likely showing curiosity at why Rin was standing in the middle of the room, with her hands behind her back, her eyes on the floor and a small smile at her lips.

"Come closer, Rin," he repeated, his tone darkening.

Doing the opposite of what he asked, she took a step back. She looked up at him through her eyelashes. His golden eyes had become sharper, as they rarely did when he lost his temper. Her small smile turned into a heart-melting grin.

"Rin," was said as more of a warning. Rin didn't care. She was done with his toying with her emotions. She was going to get back at him and this was just the beginning.

"My lord?" she asked in an innocent, yet sensual voice.

"Come. Closer. Rin," he growled.

She lifted her head to look at him, her smile shifting to a teasing grin. She was only five feet from the still open door. She could make a dash for it, but she wouldn't make it far. They both knew that. But she had to try anyway. Sesshomaru's eyes slowly filled red. Poor pup wasn't being obeyed. How sad.

She shook her head slowly.

He moved. Rin turned and lifted her foot to run out of the room. She made it to the door, grabbing hold of the handle before he grabbed her by her waist. With her hand on the door knob, she tried to pull from his grasp. But made no progress, only the tightening around her waist showed what she accomplished. He intended on keeping her in his room. But, this made Rin smile instead of panic. The dog demon didn't have much control with her in the same room as him.

She let go of the handle. Sesshomaru pushed the door shut, grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her against the door.

"When I say to come closer," he growled, his face inching toward hers, "that means come closer."

His lips made contact with hers. She wanted to break the kiss, but found herself unable to pull away. The kiss was deep and hungry…and Rin loved it.

Suddenly, Sesshomaru ripped the cloth off of her body and threw it over his shoulder. His eyes glowed with hunger as they took in Rin's matured and perky breast, her slim stomach shaped from all the walking she's done, her delicate legs…and what was between them.

Rin's previous attitude was stripped from her along with the only thing that covered her. The kimono she held in her shaking hands dropped to the ground as she tried to cover herself. Sesshomaru grabbed her hands and put them over her head with his hand holding them there.

His red eyes became sharp as he leaned his face towards her once again. She turned her head to the left before his hungry lips touched hers. This was a small movement that led to a big mistake: her neck was left exposed. Growling, Sesshomaru bit—none too gently—where the neck and shoulder meet.

Rin gasped and tried to push the demon away from her. His response was retracting his teeth and licking the puncture lightly. With his free hand, he slid his nails lightly down the side of her stomach, tracing her curves, wrapped his hand around the back of her knee and pulled it to his hip.

Rin chuckled, feeling comfortable, when she felt his hardened member against her lower stomach. Even a powerful dog demon lord couldn't control what made him 'happy'.

"Excited?" she asked, a smile tugging the corners of her lips. Sesshomaru stopped licking her neck and lifted his head. His eyes said it all. Hunger, passion, desire, lust; they were all clouding up his red, pulsing eyes.

Without responding, Sesshomaru picked her up. Rin, getting used to his sudden movements, instinctively nestled into his mokomoko. He laid her gently on the bed. Standing straight, he stood and gazed at her naked body again.

Rin didn't squirm under his gaze. She merely watched his eyes as they drank in her figure. Once his eyes took in more than enough, Sesshomaru laid his body lightly over hers, fitting between her legs perfectly. His mokomoko tickled her nipples and stomach.

She cocked her head to the side in curiousness and reached out her right hand as if to touch his face. She waited for him to pull away. When he didn't, she reached out and touched the purple stripes on his cheek. His eyes never left hers when he took her arm lightly into his hand. He turned it over and looked down at the scar. He traced it with a finger. She shivered.

Sesshomaru leaned his face to the scar and kissed it, causing Rin's heart to flutter. Rin gave a small smile and put her free hand around his neck. Pulling her to him, Rin put their foreheads together. They both closed their eyes. Sesshomaru breathed in, taking in her scent. He released her arm to put his hand at her neck where he bit her.

Rin felt another excited shiver race through her body. His hand went from her neck down through the valley of her breasts around her waist and onto her back, pulling her body closer to his. Rin opened her eyes as Sesshomaru placed his ear over her left breast, listening to her heart beat.

Absently raising her hand, Rin stroked his hair. Sesshomaru made a sound in the back of his throat. Rin frowned, wondering what made the Lord of the West......purr.

"Just knowing you are alive—knowing that your heart is beating, makes me feel at peace, Rin," he said, as if reading her thoughts…or her scent.

"I'll remain alive only if you wish me to," was her reply.

Sesshomaru stayed where he was for a few moments before turning his head, kissing the top of her breast and, lifting his face to hers, kissed her lips softly. Then, he stood. Not even two seconds later, Rin felt a heavy robe land on top of her bare body.

"Dress yourself. I will see you at dinner tonight," he said.

And with that, he left the room, leaving Rin alone and thinking to herself, 'What just happened?'

A/N: If you're thinking what I'm thinking, I don't know the answer. Why did I stop there? As I said: I don't know, exactly. Well, my end of the deal was held up by updating ASAP...so fulfill your part:

Review!
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-Willow

P.S. The Kikan ti I mentioned in the previous chapter also stops the bleeding part of a womanly cycle, all other side effects of being on your period (PMS and being emotionally sensitive) are still there (well, besides the cramps; the tea can't heal emotional side effects—only physical). Make sense? I hope so. Any questions, ask away! ( ;