Blood. So much blood. It was nearly unbearable. The final, lasting image of her mother was etched in Rin's memory. Her mother's kimono, torn at the spot between her legs and stained with blood showed Rin the cold hard truth: her mother was dead. At age five, Rin knew not of what to do. She just sat there, holding her mother's limp body, begging Kami to make things better, make her mother alive and smiling once again. Make this scene disappear from Rin's memory. Heal Rin's forever broken heart. But Rin knew that Kami couldn't do anything.

Rin cried until she felt eyes upon her. Lifting her head and eyes, Rin saw a man standing a few yards away; a man that dressed in red and black with eyes like hot lava. His hair was black with red streaks. Rin cocked her head at the man. A smile grew on the man's face, a wicked, evil smile. This was no man, Rin realized. It was a ningen no akuma: human demon. Like Sesshomaru, this man appeared human, but sent off a wave of power that could knock a human down.

Rin met the man's piercing glare with her own, unafraid. This man killed her mother, Rin knew. Why else would he smile like that? He defiled her body and made her scream.

The man suddenly turned and walked away, into the forest, leaving Rin behind in the burning village. Rin's heart hammered in her chest. Her mother was dead. She saw the man who killed her. The man's face would never be forgotten. Rin would forever remember that face.

The face of the man who killed her mother. She will get sweet revenge. He will pay.

Rin woke gasping for breath. The picture of the man's face didn't fade. Rin's heart obviously wanted to be free from the pounding it did against her chest. Rin sat up and rubbed her eyes. It was nearly midday from the brightness streaming in through the window. She hadn't slept for more than an hour or two, she was positive.

Her vision cleared after a few blinks. Looking down at herself, she found someone dressed her in a silk . . . nightgown? Are nightgowns usually sleeveless with only thin straps keeping it on? Do nightgowns usually have a dip between the breasts? Rin was thinking not.

Rin looked back up and gave a small yelp and jump at the sight of Lord Sesshomaru sitting in a chair at the foot of the bed. His head was low and his hands were clasped tightly in his lab.

Rin waited for him to speak, afraid that she had done something wrong. Sesshomaru wore nothing but pants. His chest shone a pale complexion and his hair slid across his skin as he breathed. Rin was mesmerized by the beauty of her lord.

"Rin," he spoke suddenly.

"Yes," Rin responded cautiously.

Sesshomaru breathed in and let his air out heavily. "You have to tell me."

She knew exactly was he was talking about. The dream has haunted her for nights and three times already he has seen her struggle with it in her sleep.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Sesshomaru interrupted her excuse. "Don't lie to me. You are a terrible liar and I can smell it when you speak. Just tell me."

Rin gulped down her words and just looked at the top of Sesshomaru's still bent head. She decided to speak the truth. "I don't think I can."

His head lifted at that. His eyes shined brilliantly golden. The purple of the stripes on his cheek and the crescent moon on his forehead stood out and made Rin admire him more.

"And why not?" he simply asked.

Rin swallowed. "I wouldn't want to put my worries on your mind. I can handle it on my own."

Quicker than the eyes could follow, Sesshomaru was beside her on the bed. His empty chair fell over from the sudden movement. Rin jumped slightly as it hit the floor. She caught Sesshomaru's hard glare and matched it with her own.

"That's a lie, Rin," he said softly. "Tell me about the dream."

Rin shook her head and slowly started to scoot away as Sesshomaru's eyes grew sharp and his body leaned toward hers. After a moment Sesshomaru was suddenly gone from the bedside. Rin gasped and looked around the room. Where'd he go?

"Boo."

Rin jumped at the soft whisper and turned around sharply. Her long hair slapped Sesshomaru's face as she turned, but she didn't bother to apologize. His eyes told her not to speak unless he asked her to. He cocked his head and leaned toward Rin. She started to back up—thinking about what took place just hours ago, but the warning growl stopped her short.

His face slid past her and into the crook of her neck. His breath tickled her sensitive skin, but Rin didn't get the urge to giggle. Rin tilted her head, allowing Sesshomaru to smell her scent and her emotions—she knew he was doing just that by the way his nose took in deep breaths and his mouth slowly released it. Rin knew that she should just stay still, but her hands ached to touch him; ached to hold him in her arms and never let go to the last thing that meant something to her in the world. Instead, she obediently held her arms down.

Without warning—as usual—Sesshomaru bit Rin softly on the meat of her shoulder. Rin winced at the prick of pain, but otherwise remained still. As soon as he bit, he retracted his fangs and licked at the wound. Rin closed her eyes as his tender tongue cleaned her skin.

Pulling back, Sesshomaru looked into her eyes once again. "I can smell your fear, your anger, your hate. I just need to know what causes them. What is it that you are hiding from me?"

He wasn't even two inches away from her lips. Rin tried not to look down at his lips. Her entire being begged to be touched and held, but she resisted the temptation to reach out to him.

Rin looked down at her lap when she spoke again. "I will tell you when I'm ready."

A breath left Sesshomaru's pale lips once her answer was given. As if not to scare her, Sesshomaru slowly shifted behind Rin. His covered legs lay on either side of her. Gently, Sesshomaru pulled Rin back against him. She allowed herself to be pulled into his arms, thanking Kami that her wish was granted. He held her firmly, but lovingly with a fierce grip around her torso.

Absently, she began to play with his fingers, admiring the way they were shaped. Touching his fingers instantly reminded her of where they were mere hours ago. She smiled.

"Do I smell happiness?" Sesshomaru asked as his nose skimmed the skin on her shoulder.

"No, of course not! I've never been happy in my entire life!" Rin joked. She giggled as Sesshomaru kissed her gently on her jaw. "Well, not nearly as happy as I am right now, with you, my lord."

After a silent moment, Rin tried to turn as much as she could in Sesshomaru's possessive grip. The look she saw on his face was more than enough for her to give him a small peck on the lips. "Now, I believe it's time for lunch."

Rin tried to jump up, but Sesshomaru's hold on her didn't let her move much more than an inch. Trying, and failing, twice more, Rin turned in Sesshomaru's arms. Straddling his waist, she gave him as mean a look she could.

"I said, it's time for lunch," she repeated.

"I know," he said.

"Well, then why do you still hold me?" she asked.

"I have something else to tell you."

Rin placed her hands patiently on her lap. "Okay."

"There's a guest in the castle."

"How long with they stay?"

"He will be here for a few days, nothing more."

Rin frowned. "What made you allow him to stay?"

Sesshomaru cocked his head. "I'm not following your meaning."

Rin narrowed her eyes playfully. "Yes you are. You're a cold-hearted bastard and you know it. Now, why are you allowing a human to stay?"

"He's not human. He's a demon by the name of Dragon. He paid for food and lodging."

Rin nodded.

"And I'm not cold-hearted."

"Just as I'm not a girl."

"Trust me; I've discovered you're a girl hours ago." Sesshomaru's eyes locked with Rin's.

Rin blushed. "I'm hungry."

Slowly, reluctantly, Sesshomaru released Rin. As she stood, Rin turned back toward Sesshomaru, sitting god-like on the bed. His skin glowed and his hair shined. Rin had to mentally tell herself to breathe.

"Care to join me?" she asked.

"I have to work."

"Well, of course!" Rin said as she made her way to the door, allowing her hips to sway teasingly. "You're cold-hearted and in love with your work."

As she reached the door, Rin turned back around to see Sesshomaru still on the bed, watching her. Opening the door, Rin spoke, "I hope you two will be happy together."

Sesshomaru rose from the bed slowly. Rin slipped halfway out the door. "And don't worry about me. I'll find someone else." Rin shrugged. "Someone better."

Sesshomaru flinched and Rin bolted into the hallway. She ran down the length of the hall until she found the next turn into another. Rin's breathing picked up and so did her adrenaline as she dashed past surprised servants and maids. She turned down another hall, away from everyone and down another. After several more turns she was sure he wasn't coming after her. She hadn't heard him running behind her. She hadn't heard his breathing, his voice.

In an almost defeated way, Rin slowed and dropped her head. She leaned against the nearest wall and bent over at the waist to catch her breath.

Suddenly, white hands caught Rin's wrist and brought them and the rest of her body up.

"Boo," said the man she thought wasn't coming after her.

She giggled. "I thought you weren't coming. I thought you had to work."

"I couldn't leave you to think you had power over me."

"And you're the one with the power, right?"

He gave a gruff in agreement. His body pressed against hers and she nearly moaned from the reaction he was getting from her. Rin's thoughts nearly turned into a puddle by the way his face was so close to hers.

"How about we make a deal? If you don't find me before I reach my room, you have no power over me."

"And if I do find you?"

"You have my submission."

Sesshomaru nodded. "Deal."

"But, you must give me a five minute head start."

"One minute."

"Four."

"Three."

"Done," Rin said. She gave him a peck on the cheek. "Good luck."

And with that, Rin ran from Sesshomaru. She giggled part of the way down the halls until she decided she didn't have enough energy, so she smiled instead. The rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins and she nearly cried out with delight, but stopped herself before she gave away her location.

She realized he could follow her scent, so she purposefully ran past places she was already, leading away in various directions. That should hold him for a while. Now all Rin had to do was find her goddamn room. She dashed around corners and down halls. The last hall she turned had sadly led to a dead-end.

Rin turned and began to run back the way she came. But something stopped her dead in her tracks. Something made her instantly back up. Something made her heart skip a beat. Something had turned the corner and trapped her in the hallway, hopeless and scared.

No—not something.

Someone.

Someone dressed in black and white. Someone with dark hair streaked with red, and eyes that burned your skin. Someone Rin only saw a dream.

No—not a dream—a nightmare.

The man standing in front of her was the man who killed her mother.

… … … …

A | N: Gahhhh! I couldn't figure out how to handle this chapter. That's the reason I took so long in updating. I had to get the chapter just right, but I couldn't get the words. Plus, life got in the way and I had to deal with a few things.

There's something worse than clowns and it's called Writers Block.

All right. Lemme know how wonderful or how shitty this chapter was.

Lots of Love!

-Willow