A.N/\/\/\ OMG GUYS! YOU DID IT! ^-^ 2,071 people have at least read the prologue of my story! THAT'S Egging amazing! Can I get a 4000?! Okay guys I know it's been like forever since I've updated… buuut things aren't any better, I've got a couple updates for you guys! :P taking my story even higher up into the charts! You guys are totally allowed to offer ideas about how she's found by Sesshomaru, or if Jinn tells her or not about his theories of who she is? Should he tell Sesshomaru first? ONLY in PM please. I don't want anyone else taking your Ideas and I want the Ideas to be a surprise! And :P Idk if I'm going to get chapter sixteen finished tonight or tomorrow. But I will be working on my story a lot more! I have finally gotten past my writers block, now everything is flowing out of me like poetry! However, me being able to publish regularly is still a problem I'll be at my sisters for the next week and I'm hoping to get as many chapters published as I can. I hope all of you are doing well! Hopefully you love my story as much as I love you guys. Read and Review please! That would be amazing. Anywayyys Chapter 9! Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA.

Sesshomaru's P.O.V

Sesshomaru had been pacing for an hour after the meeting; waiting for any news of Rin, trying to think of where she would go. He couldn't think of anywhere, otherwise he would not still be at his castle. Rin had never told him of any safe place she would run to. Sesshomaru couldn't think of any reason why Rin would leave. They had shared amazing moments just before his mother showed up.

Growling in frustration; he was letting his emotions get in the way of his rule. I have to control myself better otherwise there will be nothing for Rin to come back to. Sighing Sesshomaru took a deep breath. He would get himself in order; then get his work done. He could do nothing about finding Rin until he thought of somewhere she might go.

Sitting down at his desk, Sesshomaru started throwing himself into his work; getting anything and everything done that he could. Calling for a servant Sesshomaru wrote a message on a piece of paper for the guard's captain:

Captain,
I want any news of Rin to be brought to me immediately when it's found.
Lord Sesshomaru-

Folding the piece of paper, Lord Sesshomaru handed it over to the servant. "Make sure that gets to the Captain immediately. Do not delay." The servant all but ran out of the room. Going back to his work Sesshomaru read through the letters he received from his noble families. They were offering dinner at their town; or begging for his advice on some small matter. He didn't know how long he had been working when he heard a soft knock at the door.

Calling for them to come in, he didn't even glance up. "Sesshomaru, why are you in here working when you have three lovely demonesses in your castle with nothing to do? You are being negligent and rude." Glaring up at his mother; Sesshomaru bit back his hateful comment towards the females. "Mother, I have a lot of work that needs to be done. I cannot take time to entertain unwanted females. You brought them here. You entertain them."

Sesshomaru bent his head back down to his work and tried to ignore his mother. "Sesshomaru, I will finish your work here, go on and take time to relax. I am sure one of the girls is free." Growling at her; he stood up and looked down at her. "And what makes you think, that I want anything to do with them? I told you, they will not do as mates."

She laughed at him "Oh? Then who would you choose as your mate dear son? Please tell me."
"I will have Rin as my mate and there is nothing you can do about it mother. Now take your two females and leave."
"Two females? I have brought three Sesshomaru. Certainly you haven't forgotten that?"
"No mother it is you who has forgotten. Sayuri was offered an extended stay; and she accepted."

Her eyes widened "Oh! I had forgotten! That's wonderful news! You and Sayuri, she will make you a wonderful mate!" She smiled at him "I am happy for you Sesshomaru, I shall tell everyone at once!" Sesshomaru's had gripped his mother's throat tightly. Growling into her face he felt his beast take over. His beast speaking through him.

"You may be his Mother, but I am his Demon. You will not spread false words to anyone. It is Rin who is our destined mate, not Sayuri. If you do not understand that then I will surely help you to understand." Smiling cruelly at Lady Yumiko, he could see the fear in her eyes.

When his demon receded back into his mind, Sesshomaru dropped his mother to the floor. "Leave mother, and do not return until you are called upon." His mother sat on the floor breathing deeply "You would let your demon loose on your mother? You would let your demon accept a human as a mate?! You are disgraceful Sesshomaru; and unfit to rule your lands with clouded judgement!" His mother got up off the floor and swept out of the room.

Rin's P.O.V

Dawn came quickly the next morning making Rin yawn. She had slept really lightly to make sure she wasn't attacked by Jinn. Rin had gotten up several times to Jinn's amusement to go outside of the cave and climb the tallest and closest tree. He asked several times why she did this but she wasn't going to tell him she was watching for signs of Sesshomaru or his guards.

She was confident Sesshomaru would not find her scent trail. She had taken the scent masking perfume and used it on her as she left the grounds, and on the inside of her secret hallways. Going back inside the cave Rin started packing her bedding. "I was told by Lord Sesshomaru to accompany you on your quest to find out more about the North. Is that agreeable to you? He also asks that you send him updates on the matter as often as you can."

Jinn studied her for a long moment. "It is dangerous on this trip are you sure you can manage? You are a human after all." Rin glared but held her anger back. "I understand why you would think I was not capable of defending myself; but let me remind you, Lord Sesshomaru takes me with him on most of his nightly rounds and to other noble's territories to keep the peace. I have fought beside Lord Sesshomaru for seven years."

Jinn nodded "Of course, forgive me. I did not intend to insult you Rin." He gave her a small apologetic smile then started packing up his things as well. Once everything was packed Rin doused the fire with the water left in her container. "We'll be stopping at the small water stream before we head directly into the north so we can refill our water." Rin didn't bother asking if it was okay, because she watched him finish off his water last night.

They walked close to a mile before they made it to the stream Rin had mentioned. Finding the deepest part of the stream Rin bent down and filled up her container. Stepping aside she let Jinn fill up his as well. "Where would you like to start? The first village on our way or have you already asked around these villages?" Rin watched him while he filled his water skin. "Well, I have already asked questions in the villages around the Royal castle. However I haven't gotten much farther than that. We can start with working our way from the closest village down towards the four corners, then across, then up."

Rin thought about his plan "And what of the villages through the middle?" She was confused as to why he would forget those. Jinn chuckled at her "I've already questioned those. The Norther Castle is directly in the middle of the lands Rin. There is only one village north of the castle, which is a day's travel away from here. The rest of the villages are to the sides and below the castle."

Rin hadn't known the castle was directly in the middle. She was anxious to get farther away from the western border. "Okay then! Let's get started." The farther away they got the better, everyone in the Western lands knew who Rin was; but in the Northern lands Rin didn't have to worry about anyone recognizing her. She started to breathe a little deeper with every step they took away from the west.

Rin and her companion had been walking for three days since the first village. The village they stopped at was a mix of humans and demons and half demons. When they started asking questions no one could give them any answers, so they bought more food and an extra blanket and continued on their way without any issues. Jinn was starting to open up more to Rin, finally starting to trust her. He told her about the village he grew up in, and how his parents were killed and how that one event led to him being the Captain of the personal guard of the Lord and Lady of the North.

Sesshomaru's P.O.V

The past three days had been a slow and painful torture for Sesshomaru. There had been no word of Rin. He had even sent a message to Inuyasha asking if he had seen Rin; and if he hadn't then if he would help look for her. It was completely irritating that he had to ask Inuyasha for help. "Tch." Sesshomaru growled to himself.

Two days past and he finally received a letter back from Inuyasha. They had not seen Rin, but would start searching for her immediately. They sent Sango, the demon slayer's little brother Kohaku to the Northern lands. They sent Sango and her husband Miroku, to the Eastern lands. While Inuyasha and his Miko, Kagome, went to the Southern lands.

Sesshomaru sent nine guards with three letters. Three guards to each search group. The letters were to each of the lords and ladies, asking to allow the groups to search their lands for his Rin. The guards were then to stay and help each group look for Rin. Sesshomaru himself had gone out several times in search of Rin or for any indication of where she was. He returned to his castle with no more than the guards. She had completely vanished.

His demon growled at him You Will Not Give Up On Her!
Sesshomaru growled back Of course I won't! That's ridiculous!However, each time we look we fail. I cannot understand Why she left!
We trained her well… Maybe too well. Sesshomaru sighed in agreeance.
Though I hope she's okay… He felt his demon finally slip away, trying to conceal his doubt and concern; making Sesshomaru smirk halfheartedly.

He needed to find Rin, and soon. Otherwise he would not be able to hold his demon back. Sesshomaru walked the length of his room, fighting with himself on what to do. Trying to think of something or somewhere Rin might do or go. He trained her, he should know what she would do…but nothing came to his mind.

Sighing in frustration Sesshomaru looked out his window, his eyes searching the woods for any flicker of movement. He knew Rin better than anyone. If anyone could figure out where she went it would be him. Although if he knew her so well, why couldn't he figure out why she left? Growling in disgust at himself, Sesshomaru left his room. He could not just sit and wait he needed to do something.

He went towards Rin's garden. When he arrived he was surprised to see Sayuri sitting where Rin would sit and draw. Thinking of Rin made him wince. He missed her. Walking up to Sayuri; watching her because she had yet to notice him. "Couldn't sleep?" his voice had startled her. "Oh! Lord Sesshomaru, I did not hear you." She stood and bowed. Sesshomaru nodded and waited for her answer. "No, I can't sleep. I was just about to ask you to meet with me." He growled at her "I have already told you I do not want a mate other than Rin."

He watched her face turn red with embarrassment "No! That's not what I meant! I know you'll not have any other than Rin. What I wanted to talk about is Rin." Her words mad him freeze; when Sesshomaru spoke his voice was deathly calm. "What about Rin?" The demoness flinched at his words and looked away. "I know why she left…but please, I had no part in this plan. Please listen before you react."

Rin's P.O.V

The second village Rin and Jinn had stopped at, proved to be a challenge. Kohaku and three of Lord Sesshomaru's guards were walking around asking questions. Rin pulled Jinn behind a house and peaked around "What are you doing Rin?" She sighed "Sesshomaru's men are over there and so is Kohaku." Jinn frowned in confusion "Who's Kohaku? And why are you hiding from your own men?" She glanced over at Jinn before watching Kohaku again "because we need to avoid them at all costs."

When Jinn asked why, Rin stumbled for an answer. "Well, because Lord Sesshomaru has provided us with a cover, No one knows he sent me to meet with you. According to the west "I ran away." He can't have people thinking he's investigating the North on his own. So he's going to "search" for me." Jinn stared at her and thought for a long time, trying to figure out if she was lying or not. She went back through what she said and made sure nothing sounded too hasty.

When he finally nodded Rin sighed in relief. "Actually that's pretty smart… I wouldn't have thought of that. When I next write him I'll be sure to say thank you." Rin grimaced at his words "No, you can't mention me or the plan. Write as if you never met me. Just in case one; other than Sesshomaru reads your letter." When Jinn hesitated Rin thought for sure he was going to accuse her of lying; but she would stick with her story, no way was she going to tell him that she actually ran away.

"Why go through all the pain of this?" Rin turned and looked at him and sighed as if she were exasperated "If Lord Sesshomaru was discovered investigating the Northern disappearance then the council would become increasingly mad at him and demand answers Lord Sesshomaru does not have yet. He is waiting for the right time and after he has gathered any and all information he can before presenting it to the council. Will you keep this a secret?" Jinn watched her for a moment, then smiled and nodded "Of course Lady Rin. I'll keep this a secret."

Rin took another breath to continue her argument until what he said registered in her mind. Looking at him she narrowed her eyes trying to figure out his last statement. She wondered about his smile too. "Thank you…" During their conversation Rin had maneuvered them farther away from Kohaku and Lord Sesshomaru's men. Word of her leaving must have gotten to Lady Kagome and Master Inuyasha. "As for whom Kohaku is, it's a sibling of one of Master Inuyasha's friends; and a really close friend of mine, so
he would notice me in an instant."

Asking questions about the Royal family was rather easy. The North loved the Royal family and was devastated by their loss. They had ruled with a firm and caring hand. Taxes were lower than other lands and each year the Lord and Lady walked the lands and took account of what needed to be fixed and what needed to be added. New schools or new places for the sick to be tended to. They had been very thorough.

Rin was surprised that the demons in the villages reacted nicely towards her. Most demons really hated humans, but so far the last two villages were kind to her. Still, Rin let Jinn ask all the questions, for he knew what to look for. Rin was just trying to stay hidden from Lord Sesshomaru. When he was done asking his questions around the village, they went back to their camp.

Rin was sitting at their camp, staring at the fire. She missed Lord Sesshomaru. This was the first time she had traveled without him… Sighing to herself she wondered about Kohaku. Why was he looking? Why was Lord Sesshomaru looking? He has his new mate; he doesn't need me. Frowning at herself, Rin shook her head clearing her mind of Lord Sesshomaru. Rin focused on the strange occurrence the other night. What would make her smell like a half demon? Magic? Rin hadn't been around a witch since she was little.

Rin looked over at Jinn to ask his opinion but he seemed to be sleeping. I guess I'm keeping watch first. She smiled to herself. Rin had come to like the demon; even if he was a wolf. Rin shivered at the memory of being chased. A twig snapping behind Jinn made Rin grab her sword. Another twig snapped behind her. Slowly, Rin picked up a pebble and tossed it at Jinn. His eyes flew open, while his hand went to his sword. Once Jinn was awake, Rin stood up drawing her sword. "We know you're out there. Show your faces cowards."