Speeding ahead of his younger brother Sesshomaru barely glanced behind him to make sure he was keeping up.

"Sesshomaru. Hey. Don't go so fast." Inuyasha called after him. Affording him that slight glance before staring ahead of him he smirked to himself.

"You are simply too slow." He called back enjoying annoying his brother to no end.

"You're a lot bigger than I am. It's not fair." Inuyasha whined. "I'm gonna tell father." At his words Sesshomaru stopped in his tracks and crossed his arms annoyed straightening himself out. "Heh. I knew that would get you."

Coming up alongside him Sesshomaru looked his brother up and down. He was much younger than he was, still small and precocious that at times could be endearing but mostly just got under his skin. "How much further do we have to go?" Inuyasha asked.

"Some way out still. Father wants us to start patrolling the northern sea border that divides the west and the north." He said.

"Is the water much colder up there?" Inuyasha questioned watching as he wrapped his arms around himself in a mock shiver.

"No. The waters are colder in the arctic south than anywhere else. The northern waters tend to be quite mild this time of year." Sesshomaru said. With Inuyasha seemingly pleased with this information they swam off this time Sesshomaru moving much slower so his brother could keep up.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha lived in the sea and ocean. They were what some may call merfolk, mermen, with their tails that resembled fish and their upper bodies that were somewhat convincingly human at first glance. The two brothers were the sons of Lord Toga who had secured the western seas centuries before and claimed as his own. Alongside Sesshomarus mother, Lady Nishi, they ruled their territory well.

Inuyasha had been born from the Lady Izayoi who had come to them from the defeated southern ocean. Sesshomarus mother had thought it funny to 'gift' the pretty young mermaid to her mate as a joke only to not find it so amusing when she was with child, an error that had not gone unpunished for some time. Over some years Nishi had forgiven them both taking Izayoi as her lady in waiting and assisting in raising Inuyasha, leading Sesshomaru to become his half brothers keeper.

Coming to the section that was marked by a large pillar of rocks indicated they had reached the border. Sesshomaru stopped holding out his hand somewhat to Inuyasha. "We have arrived. Inuyasha, it is imperative that you listen to what I am about to tell you; do not go past the rocks. If we encroach in the northern territory it could be considered an act of war. The northern lord is all too quick to want to take fathers lands from him and I will not be responsible for giving him a reason. Do you understand?"

Nodding his head in all seriousness Inuyasha wore a sober look upon his face. "Very good. Stay behind me."

"Sesshomaru? What are we looking for? Is there a reason why father sent us out here?" Inuyasha asked.

"Not particularly. Anything out of the ordinary that you may see or feel that seems off to you." He said.

"How do I know? I've never done this before." Inuyasha stated.

"You will know if you see it." Sesshomaru said wanting nothing more than to return his brother to his mother and be done with the day and all of the younglings questions.

"Lady Rin." Turning herself away from the floor length mirror she felt her mouth turn down in a frown. "Your father requests that you wear this my lady." Looking over the heavy garment with metal embroidered into the ridiculous rounded skirt she sighed.

"Do I have to?" She asked hopeful her hand maiden would say no.

"Yes my lady. You do." She replied much to Rins chagrin.

"Alright Kyoko." Rin relented raising her arms up. Standing in only her shift she readied herself to be tucked and forced into the dress as Kyoko put her corset around her to begin the task of tightening it. "Oomph."

"Sorry Lady Rin." Kyoko apologized.

"It is not your fault. I hate these awful presentations my father forces me to attend. I understand that he wants to marry me off but I just wish one of these suitors were more…exciting." Rin said.

"Exciting? In what way, my lady?"

"All any of them want to talk about is themselves and their land and their fathers and how bland their lives are. How many children I am to give them…." Sighing the best she could she glanced at Kyoko in her mirror. "All they want me for is to say that they married Lord Osamus daughter and what they get out of it."

"In your position my lady I believe that it is an arrangement that benefits the men more so than the women." Kyoko said. Kyoko was a few years older than Rin coming from the village seeking employment. Rin had taken a liking to her when she was young and she had been given the task of being a nursemaid to her in her younger years.

Rin enjoyed her company and her views of the way of the world. She was not afraid to impart those views on Rin so long as Rin knew enough to keep her mouth shut in certain company, meaning everyone besides Kyoko and on occasion her mother.

"Yes. It would seem that way sadly. I look at my parents and see the respect they have for one another but there is no true love between them." She said softly.

"I see. That is what you want then Lady Rin, like in your fairytale stories." Kyoko smirked as she spoke. Nodding Rin smirked back at her in the reflection of the mirror.

"Does that really seem so outlandish to wish for?" Rin asked.

"In your world my lady, yes. Even if you were to find true love you probably would never be allowed to act on it. Unless you meet a dashing man who you can take as consort, if your husband is fine with the arrangement." Kyoko laughed out at the dark blush that burst across Rins face. Finishing up tying the laces of the corset she set to dressing her. "Would you? If given the chance?"

"I…I am not sure." Rin laughed out unable to fully expand her diaphragm in the constricting clothing. Turning back around as Kyoko knelt down securing the skirt into place Rin lifted her arms again to allow her to secure the top by clipping it onto her corset and tying it in the back.

"This really is a lovely outfit your father has procured. You always look so lovely in purple Lady Rin." Kyoko said changing the subject.

"You can have it if you wish." Rin suggested.

"Oh no. This is far too heavy for me to wear. We may have to get a cart to wheel you out in it." She said playfully. Frowning Rin ran her fingers through her hair as the top piece of her garment was attached to her shoulders and her arms were covered by the long tight sleeves.

A loud knock on the door came before it was opened as Rins mother, Lady Homura, entered.

"Your father has received Lord Tomoya and they are expecting us my dear." Her mother said not seeming all too happy to deliver the news.

"I will hurry long Lady Homura." Kyoko said.

"No need. Let the men wait and have their small talk." She dismissed with a wave of her hand.

"Yes my lady."

"Mama, I am so tired of meeting with all of these men." Rin said.

"I know little girl and I apologize but you are sixteen and well at the age to accept gentlemen callers." Her mother replied. "I remember when my father began accepting proposals for me, it was garish. Your father was the least annoying of them all."

"So, do I choose the one who doesn't annoy me as much as the rest?" Rin asked with a small smile as Kyoko brushed out her hair to braid it.

"I hope you can find someone who you share some interests with but, yes." Her mother replied with a small smile. Nodding slightly Rin straightened herself out knowing she had to be on her best behavior.

Greeting their visitor with her mother by her side Rin played her part as the quiet, demure lady she was expected to be. She did not raise her voice, she bowed respectfully to both her father and Lord Tomoya, and only spoke when she was addressed.

"If it would not be to forward of me my lord, I would like very much to walk the cliffside with Lady Rin so we may become acquainted." Lord Tomoya requested.

"I see no harm in that Lord Tomoya." Her father acquiesced. Inwardly Rin groaned not knowing how she would walk so far in such heavy garments but set her resolve to do so. Walking outside of the castle and past the market that was set up they surpassed the village heading towards the cliffs that oversaw the sea. Taking in as deep a breath as she could Rin suddenly felt hot. Normally the salty air that whipped across her face and teased her hair was comforting but now she felt incredibly sick to her stomach.

Her face felt as if she were being choked and she placed a hand to her middle as she huffed slightly not wanting to make it too obvious. As they came to the cliff edge Rin took out her fan and began to give herself some air.

"Lady Rin, are you well?" Lord Tomoya asked.

"Yes." Rin exhaled swallowing hard.

"Thank you for meeting with me my lady." He began. "I know that this meeting was quite unexpected, it was on my part as well."

"Oh?" Rin breathed out focusing on his words and not how her head swam.

"Yes. My father is pushing me to marry. I am already twenty-one years of age and have had no real interest in taking a wife, this has nearly pushed him to the edge of madness I think." Tomoya explained with a coy smirk.

"I do not wish to marry either." Rin confessed immediately feeling another heat come to her face for speaking out of turn. Looking at her with a full-blown smile she felt herself ease and relax instantly.

"Then I make a proposition; since neither one of us chooses to marry why not marry one another?" He offered. Giving a small breathless giggle Rin cocked her brow at him. "I am being serious. We will fulfill our duty, get our parents off our backs and take our time with things."

"As in, not getting me pregnant on our wedding night?" Rin asked clicking her fan shut.

"Only if you want to be. If I may be so bold Lady Rin I would not be opposed to it, as you are very lovely." He said.

"I do not wish to be with a child so soon but I will, as you have suggested, fulfill my duty on our wedding night." She retorted.

"Is that a yes, then?" Tomoya asked. Closing her eyes for a moment Rin exhaled shakily before reopening them.

"Lord Tomoya, it would be my honor to accept you as my husband." Rin said formally.

"Oh, sorry." He said suddenly getting down on his knee. Grinning Rin shook her head slightly.

"You do not have too properly propose." Rin stated.

"No, no. You are a lady of the highest standing and I am being a dolt. Besides, it may be bad luck to start a marriage with a poorly worded proposal." Tomoya replied quickly.

"How many other ladies did you try that on?" Rin questioned curiously.

"Too many to count." He admitted. "Lady Rin, it would be my great honor if you were to be my wife."

"And it would be mine as well." Rin replied. Standing Tomoya gave a brief nod.

"Thank you my lady. Come, we will inform your parents of our engagement." He said offering Rin his arm. Giving a nod of agreement Rin reached forward the act further constricting her breathing that unleashed a barrage of stars to suddenly cloud her vision.

"Can't breathe." She managed out before everything went black.

As Sesshomaru and Inuyasha continued their patrol a sound was heard, a splash that their ears picked up on in the quiet of the surrounding area.

"What was that?" Inuyasha asked alarmed.

"Not sure." Sesshomaru said turning in the direction of the sound. "Follow me." Swimming quickly as Inuyasha tried to keep up he saw on the other side of the border something falling fast down to the seabed. Without thinking he made his way over to see it was a human. A female whom had fallen in and was unconscious. Gripping her by the waist he quickly broke for the surface with Inuyasha yelling at him to not leave him behind.

Coming up he brought the woman's head above the water treading water and kicking his tail to bring her to an outcropping of rocks in more shallow water. Placing her in a safe spot between two of them where she wouldn't drown he looked her over quickly. Ripping at her garment with his claws he easily shredded the top layer before sitting her up in a jerking motion.

The action caused her to come to suddenly as she heaved air into her lungs spitting out water as she did so. Easing her back down Rin automatically began rubbing at her face to clear her eyes. As she opened them the salty water burned her orbs but she made out a figure hovering over her. In her hazy vision she made out golden eyes staring at her intently and white hair that seemed to glow in the sunlight.

"Who are you?" She asked thinking she was dreaming.

"Sesshomaru." He replied his voice a deep baritone immediately putting her at ease.

"Oh. I'm Rin." She replied. Hearing voices suddenly Sesshomaru glanced to the land seeing her people coming to fetch her. Quickly going back into the water Rin sat up fast causing her to become incredibly dizzy.

"Sesshomaru, wait." Rin called out receiving nothing but the gently lapping of the waves against the rocks.

"You said that we aren't supposed to go to the other side of the border." Inuyasha berated as Sesshomaru made his way back to him. "What if we get in trouble?"

"Lets go home." Sesshomaru replied wanting to forget his folly. Why he had felt compelled to save the young woman was beyond him. He had never himself encountered humans before but he had heard of them and knew they couldn't breathe water, surely the female would have died if he hadn't intervened. Deciding that if pressed on the matter that was what he would say they turned in the direction of home.

Coming to their fathers trenches Sesshomaru felt his mind wander to the woman, Rin. Her eyes had been unclear and unfocused but had held him in a way that no other ever had before. Shaking his head of the thoughts he decided that it would be better to simply push the entire incident from his mind.

Entering the underwater grovel that had many tunnels illuminated by the bioluminescent life that clung to the walls they went to their fathers main chamber. Both entering they waited side by side to be acknowledged as Toga discussed a matter with his captain of the guard.

"Ah, there are my sons." He greeted as the captain left. "What news do you bring from the northern border?"

"Sesshomaru saved a human and went over the border when he said not to." Inuyasha said quickly.

"Inuyasha.' Sesshomaru quipped sharply turning his eyes to him.

'What? It happened." Inuyasha retorted.

"You were not supposed to tell anyone." Sesshomaru replied.

"You never said that Sesshomaru." Inuyasha defended.

"Enough." Toga commanded. "Sesshomaru, is this true?"

"Yes father, it is." Sesshomaru reigned in his anger deciding to whip Inuyasha good for it later.

"Explain."

"While we were on patrol it was brought to our attention that a young human female had fallen into the sea unable to save herself. I brought her back to the surface." He informed.

"Did any humans see you?" Toga queiried.

"Only the one I saved but she was barely conscious."

"Tell me Sesshomaru, what compelled you to save a human life?"

"I am…uncertain father." He replied honestly.

"Interesting." Toga said intrigued. "Very well, I am quite certain that if any of the northern merfolk were to have spotted you Lord Hyoga should be grateful to the fact that he won't have any humans scavenging his land looking for one of their own. If anything should come of this I will inform him of this fact. I believe it does go with out saying that it is imperative we keep our existence a secret from those who dwell on the land."

"Father, didn't humans and our kind know of one another once?" Inuyasha questioned. "Mama says that they did."

"Once, yes, but that was a very long time ago and only caused problems for everyone. When we retreated to the oceans we were forgotten, only spoken about in their stories. For the sake of all of our kind and to keep peace we need to keep it that way." Toga said.

"Yes father." Both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha said in unison.

"Good, now, go to your studies boys." He dismissed them. Groaning Inuyasha hung his head as Sesshomaru dutifully did so.

"Lady Rin, are you sure you are alright?" Kyoko asked concerned. As Rin sat in bed with a hot water bottle to warm her under her covers she gave a nod.

"Yes, I am." She said staring out her large window panes at the waters beyond the land. "Kyoko, I saw a man in the water. He saved me I think."

"A man?" Kyoko questioned sitting beside her on the bed. Nodding Rin closed her eyes to think on it.

"He was very handsome with white hair and golden eyes. I think he had markings on his face, stripes on his cheeks and a crescent moon on his forehead." Rin remembered.

"I think you were hallucinating." Kyoko replied honestly.

"No." Rin said shaking her head and opening her eyes. Looking to her hand maiden she held her gaze. "He was real."

"Lady Rin, there was no one else with you. It was fortunate that you ended up caught on the rocks and a miracle that you were not dashed upon them." Kyoko said. "Lord Tomoya tried to catch you when you fell but it all happened so fast all he could do was he run back to the village to get help."

"Then how did my clothes shred?"

"On the rocks. The waves can be quite vicious."

"Wouldn't I have bruises though if I had crashed into the rocks? Cuts?"

"Lady Rin, there are somethings that we cannot answer. I am forever grateful that you are not injured."

"I suppose." Rin relented looking back out at the window.

"And, congratulations are in order on your engagement to Lord Tomoya." Kyoko said taking her hands in hers.

"Thank you Kyoko." Rin replied flatly. "He seems nice."

"Then I am happy for you." Giving a slight nod Rin sighed.

Sesshomaru was not able to study at all for the next few days. His mind was unsettled replaying the events that had occurred. Despite his best efforts to stay focused he found himself thinking back to the human, Rin. He had brought her to the land, sort of, but still wondered if that had been enough. Had he in fact rescued her or had she succumbed to the ocean before her people had arrived?

Deciding the only way to settle his curiosity was to make his way back to the north and see for himself if possible. Stealing quietly through the many tunnels out of the grotto he found himself in the open waters heading in that direction. Looking up towards the surface he knew he had plenty of time to return before it was dawn and that was what he intended to do.

Rin couldn't sleep for more than a few hours at a time since her incident. While plans for her engagement announcement and feast were underway she knew it wasn't the reason for her unease. Walking towards the window she placed her hand against the cool glass staring out at the sea.

"Sesshomaru." She whispered before making her way to her door. Slipping on her robe to cover her sleeping gown she slipped her feet into her house shoes before carefully opening the door. Glancing left and then right she quietly made her way down the halls knowing where to avoid to not get caught by the night guards.

Practically tiptoeing she was soon outside running towards the shore.

Sesshomaru made certain there was no one on the border to give him any issues before crossing over to rise to the surface. Breaking above the calm he swam to the rocks where he had left Rin finding the space empty, which made sense since it had been some days that her body would be gone.

"Sesshomaru." He heard called out to him from the shoreline.

It was Rin.

She waved exuberantly at him causing his breath to hitch slightly.

"Rin." He called back his voice travelling over the water.

"Come closer." She beckoned. Hesitantly he did as she shed her robe and slippers hitching up her gown to wade into the water herself. Going to her waist he met he there planting his hands on the silty ground still partially submerged. "I knew you were real. My hand maiden is the only person I have told about you but she says I was hallucinating, that you are just a fairy tale."

"You told someone else about me?" Sesshomaru said feeling uneasy.

"Only Kyoko but, as I said, she doesn't believe me." Rin replied.

"I see. Rin, I implore you not to tell anyone else of my existence. My people prefer their anonymity." He requested.

"Of course. I understand." She nodded quickly. "I have to ask, what are you?"

"I am, what you would refer to as a merman." He said simply.

"Oh, I have read stories about your kind. I am a human."

"I am aware. Now you tell me something, how did you end up in the water?"

"I passed out. I was standing on the ledge and with the clothing I had on it made me faint. I hadn't realized just how close to the edge I was." Rin explained. "Thank you for saving me."

"You are welcome Rin."

"Do you live around here?"

"I hail from the western ocean. My father is a lord that controls that particular section." Sesshomaru replied.

"Oh." Rin flustered. "Forgive me Lord Sesshomaru for my slight in not giving you the proper respect you deserve."

"No need. You can simply call me Sesshomaru." Watching as Rin shook her head and she pursed her lips he couldn't help the small smirk that graced his own. "Do as you please then."

"Thank you, my lord I will address you properly going forward." She smiled as she spoke with her eyes sparking in the moonlight with honesty and sincerity.

"May I ask you something else?" Sesshomaru questioned softly.

"Yes." Nodding her head Rin encouraged him to do so.

"Do all human females wear such heavy cloth?"

"No. My father bought me that to meet with a potential suitor. It was awful, I could not draw my breath properly and I believe that is what caused me to faint. My father is a lord also here on the land, Lord Osamu of the Keiken province here in the north." She informed.

"Then forgive my slight Lady Rin in not addressing you properly." Sesshomaru said similarly to how she had said it to him. Smiling and letting out a soft giggle he held his breath to listen to the sound.

"All is forgiven Lord Sesshomaru. I do not mind being called Rin. To be honest I have never really felt like a lady even though I have been one my entire life." Rin admitted. "Is that odd?"

"No. I understand how you feel."

"Do you?" Rin asked, her eyes going a bit wider at his words. Nodding his head once Rin smiled widely. "I am so glad that you are here but why did you return my lord? Did something call your attention away from the western ocean?"

"I came to quell my curiosity."

"Curiosity?"

"About you."

"Oh. What about me?" Rin blushed slightly swallowing down her embarrassment.

"I left you so suddenly so as not to be spotted that I was uncertain if you were alive."

"So, you came here to make sure I was alright?" Receiving silence from Sesshomaru she searched his golden orbs that seemed to glow in the nightlight she felt a warmth spread through her she had never felt before. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru, for coming to see me. I have been thinking of you as well, as I said before. I came down here in hopes you would be here. I am glad that we were able to connect in a better circumstance."

"As am I." Sesshomaru agreed. Looking at the night sky at the stars that flooded the heavens Rin gave a small sigh.

"I should be getting back home before I am missed." Rin said sadly. Bringing her gaze back to his she seemed nervous somewhat as she began to speak. "Lord Sesshomaru, will you come back to visit with me sometime?"

"Yes." Sesshomaru answered not missing a beat and forgetting any potential consequence that may befall him. "I will return when the moon enters its new phase, Lady Rin."

"I look forward to our next meeting then my lord. Until then." Rin bid farewell bowing to him slightly in respect with him doing the same with a nod of his head. Turning, she glanced over her shoulder watching as he backed up before retreating under the water and disappearing.