My dearest readers,

(if there is still anyone out there…)

Hello again!

I'm terribly sorry for this completely out of date update!

My life has been a complete chaos these last few months and when I realized too much time had already been gone!

Just to sum it up, and to show you some form of apology, I've been doing my internship in the last couple of months (since Christmas, to be exact…) - which means 8hours of labor/day + schoolwork! :/

Even though I wanted to update, I had so much schoolwork and papers to attend/ work in that I simply couldn't find the time to do it...
If there's any consolation I already have the next chapters planned although on paper.

It will take me a while to put it all on computer but I'll do it as soon as possible! :D

So today I have really no words to thank you all for your PM and reviews, or your concern over my wellbeing and the direction of this story! Thank you so much – it makes me really humble to have readers such as you guys! :'D

AND we've reached more than 300reviews! :O I was so in shock when I realized that!

THANK YOU!

Now, more than ever, I want to give you guys this story - my story! So I'm not giving up, you can count on that! Thank you for not giving up on me yet... :'D

So, without much more delay, here's chapter 18 after a long hiatus!

This chapter goes especially to Guest who, despite a harsh and also heavy review, made me realize again how much I missed doing this. I'm sorry, my dear Guest (hope you know who you are!), if these chapter doesn't rise to your expectations but I tried my best!

I'm sorry for any mistakes that may appear!

ENJOY!

DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and his characters belong to his rightful owner, the brilliant genius that is Rumiko Takahashi! This story, once again, belongs only to me; Inuyasha's characters belong to me only in my dreams! ;)

CHAPTER 18 - Stating a Claim

As the elevator came up, slowly in his pace, she just couldn't wipe the smile off her face. It was her day off, and despite the countless preparations she still had to take care of, she couldn't believe she would be married in two days.

As soon as she woke up, she realized that she wanted to be a little daring. She took a long bath, dressed to impress her future husband - a form fitting deep green dress, with a high lateral left cut that showed her legs in a bold way and high heels - and decided to pay him a visit. Sesshomaru would never know what hit him she decided, grinning like a Cheshire cat as the elevator reached its destined floor.

As the doors to the elevator opened, she quickly walked inside, searching for his secretary, a pretty woman named Sara, seated behind the desk at the entrance.

"Hello, miss Nagasaki." – the secretary said, smiling. She liked her boss's fiancé who had always been polite and nice to her.

"Hello, Sara. Is he busy, right now?"

"Not that I'm aware of. His last meeting ended a few minutes ago…"

"Okay, I'll go in now… is it too much to ask…?"

"Not a problem. I'll just hold his calls." – Sara said, winking at her.

"Thank you." – Rin said, knocking on his door. She heard him allow her to come in and firmly entered.

Sesshomaru's chair was turned away from the door and he seemed absorbed in his work, so he did not realize she had entered until she started walking in his direction.

Rin could clearly see how he reacted as soon as his eyes landed on her. Smiling almost coyly she neared him, placing her hand on her hip as she stopped. Sesshomaru smirked and turned a little bit away from his desk, in her direction as he waited to see what she would do. And Rin wasted no time – she might be a sweet girl, he thought as she placed her arms around his neck to kiss him, but she could also be quite a vixen.

Slowly building up the tension between them, Sesshomaru's hands ended on her waist to place her on his lap, into a more comfortable position. She happily sighed as she leaned away from his kiss.

"Morning…"

"Morning…" - he said, his hand lightly tracing her sides and making her shiver a little. – "I thought you said you would be resting today…"

"I know I said that… but…"

"What?"

"There's still some things that we need to take care of and we're running off schedule…" - she said as her hands traced his face. Their schedules had been hectic in the last days and they had barely any time to date, with her shifts and his late meetings.

"I don't remember planning anything for today… did we agree on lunch or something?"

"What?" – she said, looking offended but still smiling. – "I'm not allowed to miss you? Or were you expecting anyone else?"

Sesshomaru couldn't help but smirk. Even today, he couldn't imagine what had possessed him into being away from her and his true feelings for so long. He brought her even closer, so much that her chest was being pressed into his, as he laced his arms around her back. She looked at him, her eyes soft but still lustful, making her look positively devilish.

"Want me to show you how much you've been missed, my dearest Rin?"

"I wouldn't mind a little dem…"

Her words were suddenly muffled by his mouth on hers, greedy and hungry. Rin held on to him as if struggling to live, as both lost themselves away in a frenzy of kisses and touches.

The agitated voice of his secretary came to their ears but they weren't quick enough to untangle themselves as the doors to his office burst suddenly open.

"I already told you that you can't…!"

"You are the most inconsiderate, stupid, sneaky imbecile I've ever met!" – Kagura shouted, as she gave three long steps in his direction before abruptly stopping as she took in the scene in front of her. Sara was following her.

"I'm sorry, sir, I tried…"

"It's okay, Sara, I could hear you…" - Sesshomaru said as Rin turned her face away from them, embarrassed. However, as soon as she tried to move away she could feel Sesshomaru's arms tightening round her frame.

"Sessh…" - she started.

"You great son of a bitch!"

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Don't mock me, Sesshomaru! Who do you think I am?" – she shouted. Some of the people in the hall stopped and turned to glance at the scene.

"… You can go now, Sara." – he said in a cautiously dangerous and calm tune.

"Ye… yes!" – she said, as she quickly left the room. She might be human, she thought, but even she knew when not to be within "fire range".

Rin tried to move, to no avail.

"You stay right where you are, miss. We're not finished yet…" - he said, in a voice full of promises that made Rin turn beat red, again.

Kagura started to shout once again:

"How dare you? You think you can just use me and set me aside when you're done or when it's more convenient…?"

"You perfectly well knew what our agreement was."

"Agreement? We were dating! We were in love!" – Rin flinched at Kagura's desperation and words. Sesshomaru sensed it and started to move his hand up and down her back, trying to sooth her.

"Perhaps it might be better if I wait outside…"

"Yeah, let the adults talk, child…" - Kagura started.

"You don't have to step outside, Rin. Whatever I have to say, I can say it with you present. And no, Kagura, we were not dating or in love. We never were and never will be." – he said firmly.

"Well I am!" – she said. – "Don't I mean nothing to you?"

"You're not in love with me, Kagura. You're in love with the idea of loving me, of the power and wealth you can achieve through me."

"How can you forget everything we have been through?! I'll suppose you've also forgotten your anger against humans… or will you tell me that was just an imaginary Sesshomaru, …"

"Enough. That was me, once… people, and even youkai, can change."

"Not you! You would not forget your rage against the humans, the most weakling race of all … you were the one who kept on saying how weak and dispensable they were…"

"That was a long time ago…"

"I can't believe you. I suppose that you didn't even plan to tell me you were getting married in two days!? I have to hear it from your secretary by chance… and now this!" – she said in a acid tune, trying to make Rin uncomfortable, to no avail. Rin already knew that Kagura would try to discredit her or make her rethink her relationship with Sesshomaru, and she wouldn't give up unless she got what she wanted – meaning Sesshomaru.

"You weren't even supposed to know."

"What?"

"Exactly as you heard. You've not been invited so you didn't need to know…"

"So it's true… you're not even going to deny it… you really are going to take a human as your wife?"

"She is not any human. She is my intended mate, so it's only proper that we consume the bond that binds us…" - he said, turning his glaze to hers and smiling slightly. Rin couldn't help but feel proud at his admission and gave him a bright smile and stood a little more straight.

"Rin? Rin is your intended mate?" – Kagura said, skeptically.

"Yes."

Kagura started laughing till tears were in the brim of her eyes. Somehow she was expecting him to start laughing as well, telling her it was all a really bad joke. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru remained in his place, his face unreadable and grave as it had been through all the conversation, with Rin on his lap looking positively infuriated at Kagura – the nerve of that woman!

"You can't be serious…"

"…"

"If you think I'm going to just sit by and watch you marry that…"

"That is exactly what you'll do, Kagura. If you ever try anything or if I ever hear you say anything that might be offensive against Rin…"

"You'll what?!" – she shouted – "You think you're going to do anything to me?"

"It would be wise not to defy me, Kagura. You know very well what could happen. If any harm shall come to Rin…"

"See if I care!" – Kagura shouted, her eyes firmly locked on Sesshomaru, then turning to Rin. – "And you!"

Rin stilled herself for what might come her way, her glare defiant towards the wind demoness.

"Think you're quite clever, don't you? Don't look as if you're so innocent…"

"I have no idea…"

"SHUT UP!" – bellowed Kagura, making her flinch. There were many doors around the lobby that were now opening, just so that several people could have a better hearing from what was going on inside Sesshomaru's office. – "You're the cause of this!"

"Kagura…" - Sesshomaru said, warning her.

"If only you didn't exist… I wish you were dead! You're the one who took Sesshomaru away from me! You were always envious of our relationship, always wanted to be you who would stand in the spotlight, beside him… your kind are the worst! You pretend to be understanding, you offer a "friendly shoulder" to cry on when the times are worst… and in the end you just jump into bed with them! You're nothing but a freaking whore, who can't get herself a man so ends up stealing them from other women!"

"You're wrong." – Rin said, as calmly as she could. – "There are simply some things that neither you nor I can control. I know I'm not the most perfect choice…"

"You're not even a choice!" – shouted Kagura. – "You're a mere human! You're not fit for him; you'll only be his burden…"

"I won't. I'll do my best not to be."

"You don't have what it takes to make him happy!" – Kagura smirked. – "You'll never be able to truly pleasure him, as he likes the most. And believe me, honey, I DO know what he likes… you just don't have the stamina to match his! I know what he needs, how he needs and…"

"I've never heard him complain once!" – Rin shouted, furious and red as a tomato. By now almost everyone in the office was listening to the conversation outside their offices. While Rin seemed troubled by the course of the conversation, Sesshomaru couldn't keep the smirk of his face, seeming quite proud of her outburst, even going so far as to grasp her waist as if trying to support her better. – "It's true he has quite the stamina but I…"

"You've always complied with my demands, Rin. There hasn't been a single day or night that I haven't felt satisfied… sometimes more than once or twice…" - he said, lowering his voice to a husky and seductive tune near her ear.

Rin couldn't look at him without blushing for she knew he was teasing her and that Kagura could also hear him. She just couldn't stand still and listen to Kagura brag on her future husband's sex life! She took a deep breath and sat straighter in her future husband's lap, looking as regal as she could seem and making him broaden his smirk.

"As you may see, Kagura, we're fine and I would really appreciate that you would leave my husband alone. Your relationship with him has ended and you only have business issues between you. So please, stop making yourself look like a fool…" - Rin said, as she lowered her hand from his neck. In a few seconds she could feel his hand come over and grasp it lightly over her lap.

Kagura seemed to have reached her limit.

"You bitch!" – she shouted as she reached for Rin, who could not believe that the wind sorceress would be so stupid as to try and harm her when she was in Sesshomaru's "range of fire"

Rin did not saw Sesshomaru move; one minute she was sitting on his lap, the other she was sitting on his chair, seeing Sesshomaru trapping Kagura against the wall, by her neck.

"Sesshomaru, no!"

"I warned you, Kagura! If you ever try to lay a hand on Rin…"

"Sesshomaru, stop." – Rin begged him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He seemed to react to her touch and let go of the demoness.

"Be gone, Kagura. I'll deal with you later…"

He stood beside Rin until Kagura disappeared, out the door, making every other employees try to run to their offices without being caught up spying. She stomped away towards the elevator and was still glaring at everyone around her path.

"That was… interesting…" - Rin said, while watching the elevators doors close.

"…" - his hand around hers seemed to grasp even firmer at her comment.

"You're angry at me, aren't you?"

"Why? You did nothing wrong…" - he said, seeming surprised she thought like that.

"I said something so embarrassing back there…"

"You said nothing wrong." – Sesshomaru smirked. – "You merely stated your rightful claim towards your mate…"

Rin couldn't help but turn red at his comment once again.

"It wasn't on purpose… she just… pissed me off…"

Sesshomaru didn't let his chance pass, as he quickly leaned down to kiss her fully on the lips. He didn't even bother with the few gasps he could hear from people outside his office, watching them.

"Let's go for lunch…"

"Are you okay with that? Wouldn't that mess up your work?"

"I'm the owner of the office." – Sesshomaru said as he smirked at her. – "You're ready?"

"Yes."

They left the office and walked towards the elevator together, hand in hand, between stares and whispers. Rin couldn't help but notice he seemed quite pleased with all the attention around them.

Rin talked animatedly about her last shift while he listened, as they walked towards the restaurant where they were going to have lunch.

"Are you sure you can leave? I don't want to mess up your work…" - she said, once again.

"My mate went out of her way to take me to lunch. The least I can do is to accept and shower her with affection…"

"Who are you and what have you done to my fiancé?" – she said teasingly.

"Now I'm back to being a fiancé? A few minutes ago I was your husband…" - he teased back, making her blush.

"It just… slipped out…"

"… it's quite alright, dear wife."

As they took their place in the restaurant, Rin's face seemed to turn a little more serious. After they ordered, Sesshomaru's hand shot over the table to gently grab hers.

"What's the matter?"

"I'm still worried about Kagura, though…"

"I won't let her hurt you." – he grabbed hers a little more firmly and she smiled and laced their fingers.

"I know you'd go to great lengths to protect me, but you cant stay with me always. I also have to learn to protect myself."

"You don't trust me."

"Of course I do, don't doubt it for a second." – she said, quickly. – "I trust you, more than anyone in the world. I don't trust her. I know she'll try anything to tear us apart."

"If you trust me as much as you say you do, then she'll have no chances to do it."

They had quite an enjoyable lunch, talking and flirting with each other. Rin seemed to be enjoying herself but Sesshomaru knew her too well.

As they were leaving the restaurant, Sesshomaru grasped her hand in his and the smile she sent his way was absent so he grabbed his cellphone, quickly dialing his office number.

"Sara, cancel all my appointments for this afternoon."

"What? No! Sesshomaru!"

"Thank you, I'll see you tomorrow." – he said as he turned off his phone.

"Why did you do that? Don't you have…?"

"Work? Well even I can take a break to stay with my troubled wife…"

"Troubled?"

"You can't fool me, Rin. You still seem quite troubled and I suspect you have not voiced your true motives yet…"

"It's… well… it's not…"

"If it has anything to do with Kagura, it's important."

"… Let's walk." – she said, lacing her arm trough his and pulling him into the nearest park.

There were other couples waling by, around them, and sitting in other benches. They strolled around the lake, calmly, as Rin tried to organize her thoughts and tried to gain courage to say what was troubling her.

"Do you… I mean, are you sure you want to go forward with this?"

"With this what?"

"Our marriage."

"I thought it was obvious. You're my mate and we want to be together so marriage is the natural step, since I can't stay away from you anymore."

"Yes, but sometimes wanting something doesn't exactly means it the right choice to make…"

"Where are you going with this, Rin? It's a little bit late for these doubts…" - he said, calmly.

"I mean that… I'm not sure if I'm suitable enough to be by your side."

"That is nonsense."

"Sesshomaru…"

"If it's my sexual pleasure you're worried about…" - he started, making some couples turn their heads towards them. Rin screeched and clasped her hand over his mouth, which didn't exactly stopped him to smirk and kiss her palm.

"Don't say it so loudly…"

"So I was right, you are worried about it…"

"Of course I'm worried about it! Who wouldn't be?!"

"It is true that I have an out of normal stamina…" - he said, smirking.

"And an out of normal ego…" - she said, rolling her eyes. - "I'm worried you might get tired of me..."

"However as it happens with everything in this world, that is something that can be trained and perfected." – he said, dismissing her voiced worries, a suddenly mischievous glint in his eyes.

"If you're trying to say that you've had lots of training and different partners, I already knew that."

"That's not what I'm trying to imply…"

"Then what… oh! OH!" – she said turning beat red as Sesshomaru tugged her hand, a hungry look in his eyes and a knowing grin on his face. – "WAIT! Wait! Where are we going?"

"To start training…"

So, did you read it? How was it? I know Sesshomaru seemed a little bit out of character... :)

Can I still pull this off? Should I continue? :D

If you deem me worthy of your reviews, I would pleadge my alliance to the next chapter... ;)

See ya guys next chapter!