A/N: Well, it took about half an hour of transcribing, but I got the last three chapters uploaded! Thank you all for your patience.
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all related characters property of Takahashi Rumiko. Umishio, Sess-kun and Mr. Watanabe belong to me.
Rin blinked at my declaration, surprise flooding through her. I was ready to kill, my claws aching for blood
and satisfaction. But not hers. Never hers. She was too valuable to me. Her father, on the other hand. The news he had been abusing her for two years before offering her up to me fed my rage. He had pawned her away, lying to my face about her condition. I knew, but curiosity on how the daughter would respond stayed my hand six years ago. That curiosity was foreign to me, but Umi had understood. She had seen the spark that was Rin's spirit. She had known that Rin needed us as much as we would need her. My mate had been gifted with some precognitive abilities. She knew when she was going to die and had made arrangemnts years prior for me to have someone to assist me through the loss. A human girl with a will of iron. Fate is indeed wicked.
"Whatever you wish of me, Sesshomaru-sama," Rin said, breaking me out of my grief. I let go of her hand and she stood at attention.
"You have been a member of my pack for six years now. I have been remiss in my duties to you, which I shall rectify now. Unbutton the three top buttons of your shirt and bare your left shoulder." SHe obeyed instantly, holding the fabric down on her arm. I reached out and made three quick slashes with my claws, the poison carefully controlled. She gasped at the pain and closed her eyes, trembling. I knelt before her and slowly licked the blood away from the stylized 'S' I had carved into her shoulder, just below her collarbone. She swayed and I steadied her with an arm around her waist. AFter a few minutes, I rose and began rummaging in my desk for bandages. Rin stood where I left her, eyes closed and pale, panting heavily. I smirked slightly at her scent; surprise and awe and faint traces of satisfaction. Finding the guaze pads and some tape, I turned back and carefully bandaged her shoulder.
"Button up, Rin," I said softly. She blinked her eyes open, took several deep breaths and obeyed.
"Sir?" SHe asked, her voice softer then normal.
"I have branded you. It is not a mated mark, for you will never be that to me. It does, however, show you as a member of my pack, a beta female; more then a servant, less then a family member. It is all we are allowed with humans that are not mates. I will know when you are in distress, for your blood is now in me. Inuyasha will need to take your blood as well, we will do that tonight. Once the blood-bond is complete, your position is infallible. Anyone who touches you will be punished. If the time comes when you desire a mate, he must pass my approval first. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir. Thank you, sir."
"Umi wanted this done years ago." Rin blinked again, one hand gently cradling her new brand. "I was opposed to the idea. I held your father in contempt, knowing what he was doing to you, and I was waiting for you to betray me. I had no faith in humans, especially human females under their father's thumb. Your courage last night and today has proven your worth." I bowed slightly to my pack-mate. She shook her head.
"I never hoped to rise to this esteem in your eyes. You have given me so much, I will spend the rest of my life serving you gladly." She returned my bow. I smiled and turned back to my desk, toggling the intercom.
"Mr. Watanabe, please report to my office."