Rin tried to open her mouth and say something—possibly something courageous and meaningful—but all that came out was a terrified squeak. She had to check herself before she made the mistake of taking a step back. Her body pulsed with fear and her mind raced with the images of her mother lying on the ground, dirtied. Rin's fist clenched tightly, but that was the only sign of anger she outwardly showed.

The man in front of her looked at her with interest. His head tilted sideways as he took in her matured features. Please don't say you remember me. Please just walk away so I can kill you another day.

"Have we met before, child?"

Rin tried once again to open her mouth, but no sound came—not even the betraying squeak. Her eyes pricked with tears that wanted to spill, but she swallowed around the lump in her throat and tried her best to look fearless. She shouldn't have tried to lead Sesshomaru the wrong way. Now, he'll never find her in time before the bastard tried to kill her.

The man took a step toward Rin. Rin reacted by taking a step back. He took another more testing step. Rin threw a killer glare at him, but took a step back, not wanting him to touch her. But he's going to, Rin. This is a dead-end hallway. You'll never be able to get out without passing by him. Rin's mind race with alternate escape routes, but the hallway had no windows. She'll have to fight, she decided. Rin gave her fists a final squeeze as the man took another step forward.

A blur of white, then the sharp lines of back muscle, the man was blocked from Rin's sight. Rin instinctively leaned against Sesshomaru's back, taking in the warmth he provided. She felt a tiny rumbled echo through his body.

"Dragon, this is my mate. I will ask you not to frighten her," Sesshomaru said with a tone that was anything but asking. It was more like a warning with a serious threat behind it. Rin felt safe, warm, lov—no! Not that word, please.

"Of course, my friend. I didn't mean to scare the delicate human. I'm terribly sorry, my Lady," that was the second time she heard his rumbling soprano tone. She didn't want to hear it again. Rin closed her eyes and took in Sesshomaru's scent. His back went rigid—he could smell her scent, no doubt. She was all over very scared of the man with black and red hair. In the blackness of her eyelids, she could see his face on that terrible day when her mother died and her world crashed into hell. He was the cause of her being alone in the world—of her dying slowly each day.

But, then she met her Lord Sesshomaru, who took her in and saved her numerous times. She never felt alone after he came into her life. And right now, she felt safer than before—safe from her worst nightmare enemy.

"I will take my leave now. I will see you at dinner, then?" Dragon said. Shut up! Don't speak!

She felt Sesshomaru give a sharp nod and heard retreating footsteps. She sighed with relief and relaxed her body. Rin snaked her arms around Sesshomaru's waist gently.

"Thank you," she whispered.

His hand gently brushed Rin's bare arms. "If I ask again . . .?"

"When the time is right," she answered. Slowly she released her lord. "I'm going to go see what they are cooking in the kitchen. I'll speak to you later, after you are done working."

Before she took another step, Lord Sesshomaru took Rin's wrist. "My work can wait."

Those four simple words made Rin smile brighter than the sun. Standing on her tiptoes, Rin gave Sesshomaru a kiss. After she pulled away, she took his hand and started down the hallway. Once they reach the end, she looked left and right.

"Uhm, maybe you should lead the way," she said.

Sesshomaru pulled her to the right and brought her close to his body, his arm slithering behind her and hooking to her left hip.

Rin leaned into him, replaying the scene between the two demons. Her brow furrowed and she spoke to her lord. "Sesshomaru, what did you mean when you said I was your mate?"

"I meant exactly what I said, Rin."

"Quite obviously, but what is a mate?"

Sesshomaru took a breath. "Wait for lunch then I'll explain."

Rin sighed but remained quiet as he led her down halls and past curious servants and maids. Rin had to smile when their wandering eyes came upon her in surprise. Yes, I am being held possessively by your Lord Sesshomaru. Get over the shock already.

Once they reached the dining hall, Rin couldn't help but giggle at the sight of the table and the chair in which she had tried to play with Sesshomaru.

"I would advise you not to do that again, Rin," said the demon. "I will not let you go so easily."

Rin's heart skipped a beat at the last words. He wouldn't let her go. Good. Rin brought up an eyebrow and decided to try and get over the previous dramatic scene with Dragon and get a reaction from Sesshomaru. As innocently as she could, Rin detached herself from Lord Sesshomaru and sat in the large chair at the head of the table. She ran a hand smoothly over the golden arm and got comfortable as possible on the cushion underneath her.

She glanced up at her lord, who watched her curiously. "This is really quite cozy. I see why you love to sit in it." She flashed him a smile. "Now, what's for lunch?"

"Rin."

"Hmm?" Rin traced over the delicate patterns of the carved chair. Beautiful was hardly enough to describe the intricate shapes.

"Do you remember our deal?"

Rin nodded. "I said its terms, so of course I do."

"Then you will remember that I found you before you returned to your room. Now, I need not ask for your submission, but merely expect it."

"You're hinting for me to get out of the chair?"

He just stared at her. She understood she just didn't like to be bossed around.

"Well, Sesshomaru, I believe that the . . . encounter with Dragon," the name was dragged out of her mouth, "counts as an exception. We will have to reestablish the deal some other time. For now, I am merely someone who is brave enough to defy you. So, if you please." Rin motioned for him to sit in the chair next to her. "I'd like to eat lunch before we settle the matter."

Rin sounded like she knew what she was doing, but inside, she was unsure as a new born pup. She didn't know what the demon would do. Would he literally throw her from the chair, or would he just sit next to her? The latter was high doubtful, but Rin could only hope.

Sesshomaru was silent for a few moments. Before Rin could count to ten, he pulled the chair she sat on out and held out his hand. "Come with me."

"Uh, where are we going?" Rin asked, hoping with all her being that it would be back to his room.

"Come with me," he repeated.

Reluctantly, Rin took his hand. He led her out of the dining hall, pausing to speak to the servants standing outside the door. Rin couldn't hear a word when he whispered sharply into their ears. They rushed away and Sesshomaru continued to lead her down unknown hallways and past other servants, who threw themselves down in an awkwardly low bow. Some muttered "my lord" and "my lady". Rin swallowed the urge to correct them as they said it. She just nodded deeply to them, feeling out of place in her silk nightgown. Sesshomaru couldn't have dressed her in more appropriate attire? No, of course not!

Finally, the halls began to seem familiar. He stopped in front of a pair of wooden doors. Pushing them open, he led Rin in and closed them behind him. It was Rin's room, the one she stayed in the night before last. Chi was nowhere to be seen, but a mug of steaming tea was on her desk. Rin picked up the note by the side, a flash of déjà vu hitting her hard.

Rin-sama,

You will need this to keep up your strength. And don't worry; I will find you eventually.

Love, Chi

Rin smiled. She had a female friend within the palace walls. She sensed Sesshomaru still in the room and immediately crumpled the note and threw it into the desk drawer. She sipped at the hot tea. The smell of lavender filled her nostrils, but the tea tasted of honeysuckle. Rin sighed. Delicious.

She turned to see Sesshomaru busy looking through her wardrobe. Rin giggled at the sight of her partially naked lord sorting through her kimonos, making faces at the ones he didn't like. He finally settled on one just after Rin finished her tea. He laid it in on the bed and stood, expectantly in front of Rin. Rin look back at him just the same, waiting for him to leave the room for her to change.

He didn't move and Rin crossed her arms. "This is about the time you act like a gentleman and leave a girl to ready herself for the day."

Sesshomaru took the few steps toward Rin. "Lift your arms."

Rin's understanding hit her like a hit to the gut. "And if I don't?"

"See what will happen," he answered with amusement in his eyes.

Rin puffed out a breath of frustrated air and lifted her arms hesitantly. He slowly reached for the hem of her gown and pulled it up, exposing all of her naked body. The sunlight from the window hit her back with sudden warmth. Rin watched as Sesshomaru's eyes took in the maturity of her hips and breasts for the third or fourth time in two days. Rin waited patiently as he took his time in gathering the light green kimono he chose from her wardrobe. It was simple, but still elegant. It was short and cut off around mid thigh. Rin held out her arms as Sesshomaru slowly wrapped it onto her, stealing small brushes against her hardened nipples.

He took his time tying the kimono, watching her eyes the entire time. Once Rin was dressed, she dropped her arms. They stared at each other for a few moments before Sesshomaru held out his hand. Rin took it and he led her back out into the maze of halls. They finally arrived at the stables. Rin frowned.

"Why are we here?" she asked. Suddenly a familiar sound came from one of the stalls. Rin released Sesshomaru's hand and approached the stall. Inside was none other than her friend.

"Ah-Un!" she cried. Hurriedly she opened the stall door and petted the two headed demon. She laughed out loud when one of the heads tickled her chin. What a cat-like gesture.

"Come Ah-Un," came the commanding voice of Lord Sesshomaru. Ah-Un glanced at Rin, but did what they were told.

Rin followed them out and curiously turned to look at Sesshomaru. "Where are we going?"

"Ride Ah-Un, they know where to go," was all he said. With that he left.

Rin crossed her arms and frowned. What was up with him just leaving her to pick at his words and figure out what's going to happen next? It was driving her crazy. Rin sighed and climbed on top of the two headed demon, anxious to see where it would take her.

Men: they dodge around a girl's feelings and toy with them, making girls like me insane. Why? What's their big secret? What makes a guy feel anything besides power and possessiveness? So many questions.

And they say women are complicated.

. . . .

A|N: Review!