Hi, guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been off school this week, so that puts me in the mood for writing. And here's the chapter!

IMPORTANT! This is just in case you don't know what the position of the obi knot means. Prostitutes and concubines would tie their obi at the front for easy access, but any other woman's obi would be tied at the back.

Shark on Land: Inuyasha's father is in love with Izayoi, but he can't make her his mate because Sesshoumaru's mother is still alive (life mates, that sort of thing). That doesn't stop him treating her as though she was his mate, but he can't do anything but that.

Taraah36: you'll find out about the sickness soon enough. There's a hint in this chapter, but all will be revealed in the next (or possibly the next – I haven't decided yet).

Tomoyo: personally, I don't really like Kagome or Kikyo. Kagome whines all the time and Kikyo isn't entirely a good guy. But as far as Inuyasha's relationship goes, I say he should be with Kagome. Because, just so you fully understand this, KIKYO IS DEAD!

#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

Sesshoumaru sat in the meeting, barely listening to the lord of the north attempting to form an alliance with his father. It had been nearly six weeks since Rin had stopped waiting on him, and he felt awful. When he was in his chambers during the day he could smell her crying in her room, and every part of him wanted to go and comfort her. But he knew he had a duty to perform to the western lands, so no matter how much he hated it he had to stay away from her as much as possible. He still made use of her – to completely isolate her was unfeasible – but not as much as before.

"Sesshoumaru."

He missed her so much, especially when he sat in his study working alone. She should have been beside him, ready to get anything he asked for. She should have been with him.

"Sesshoumaru."

The overpowering desire to see her washed through him, and he gripped the tsukue in front of him too tightly, barely noticing when it cracked loudly.

"Sesshoumaru…"

If he didn't see her soon…

"Sesshoumaru!"

His head snapped up, his brain finally registering that his father had been calling him. Three curious faces were staring at him, but he really wasn't in the mood for work at the moment.

With no explanation he got up and abruptly left the study. His mind was dominated by one thought, and that was to get to Rin as quickly as possible.

She looked up in surprise at the suddenness with which he entered her room, but willingly went with him as he grasped her wrist and half-dragged her into his sleeping chamber. He hungrily kissed her while untying her obi.

Three quarters of an hour later, when he was satisfied for the moment, he wrapped an exhausted Rin in his blankets and cuddled close to her. Later, he would regret this; but for now it was a time to savor the moment.

Rin lay as close to him as possible, almost deliriously happy. So sure that she was dreaming, she let a soft murmur escape her. "Sesshoumaru-sama, ai shiteru."

Sesshoumaru's first thought was joy – then his logical mind took action and he stiffened.

She can't love me… this is bad. I don't want to hurt her, but… my duty is to the west. I have to stay distanced from her!

In agony he gripped her now-sleeping body tighter. He could never remember feeling so bad. An unfamiliar sensation stung his eyes, and he opened them to see with blurred vision. Two droplets of water cascaded down his cheeks, and he could see clearly again.

This is… what is feels like… to cry?

He looked down at Rin, sleeping with a smile on her face and holding on to him tightly.

Yes… she's the only one I could ever shed tears for. The only one who captivates me so completely. I… I love her…

Leaning down to rest his head beside hers, he kissed her cheek gently before settling down to sleep.

#~#~#

The blind soul stealer sat in her hollow tree trunk, sipping some cha that had been recently brewed.

"Enter, Misei-sama. Yes, do."

Misei lowered her hand, outstretched in preparation to knock, and entered the tiny home. "It's good to see you again, Ayane-Obaa-chan."

"Is it really? Yes?" Ayane asked, fetching a spare teacup and handing it to her guest before filling it.

"Of course."

"There is a darkness of greed and revenge in your soul this evening, yes there is. I'm sure you came here in the hope of getting something, yes."

"Ayane-Obaa-chan! I would never – ! I came to see you because we haven't spoken in decades! Did you not miss my company?"

"Hmm… true, yes that is."

There was a pause.

"Although," Misei said casually. "There was something I thought I might ask your advice on."

Ayane let out a rich cackle of laughter. "I know you well, yes I do, Misei-sama. Come, tell me of your dilemma, yes do. I know what has happened but I wish to know how you feel, yes I do."

"Will you help me, then?"

"Have I not helped you before? Yes, yes I have. I will do whatever you need, yes I will."

#~#~#

Three weeks passed since Sesshoumaru's sudden need for her, and Rin was trying to figure out his feelings as she walked outside. She was fairly sure that he wanted to be near her, but then why did he isolate himself from her so much? She didn't understand his reasons, and she thought that, although he cared for her, he liked his position as the prince of the west more than her. That hurt.

She bent down to pick flowers, planning to put them in her room. Seeing no one around her, she began humming and unconsciously it evolved into a quiet song.

Sesshoumaru was walking in the gardens when he heard the voice he loved more than anything. It was soft, but his senses could pick it up clearly.

"Yama no naka,

Mori no naka,

Kaze no naka,

Yume no naka,

Sesshoumaru-sama, doko ni iru?"

He couldn't help it; he wanted her so badly. In the last months it was the knowledge that she was unhappy, and not just the separation, that made him ache with emotional distress.

"Watashi wa hitori de machimashou,

Sesshoumaru-sama, omodori wo."

Sesshoumaru was about to make his presence known when she stood up and turned around, ending up facing him. When she saw him she froze and instantly dropped her gaze, bowing her head too late to hide the furious blush spread across her cheeks.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," she murmured faintly.

"Come," he said, walking toward the castle. He led her to his room and then indicated the door to hers. "Do what you want with those flowers quickly."

She entered her room and added the fresh flowers to a vase already there. She would have given them to him, but she didn't want to insult him with needless offerings.

When she turned around to return to him she bumped into his chest, not seeing that he had followed her. She gasped and stepped backward only to be pulled closer to him and into his room.

Sesshoumaru placed both hands on her cheeks and tilted her head up to his, leaning down to kiss her. As his tongue explored the inside of her mouth he felt her hands slide up him and lock around his neck. He moved his arms to encircle her in his tight embrace.

How have I gone for so long without this? Without her?

His hands moved down to her obi, and he mentally cursed when he found it and reality forced him to remember that it was tied at the front rather than the back.

That particular thought caused him to suddenly break away from her and even take a step backward, created a gap between them.

Rin looked curiously at him, silently asking what was wrong.

"It's nothing," he said slowly, staring into her brown eyes before turning away and walking toward the door. "There is something I have to do tonight. You can sleep in here, if you wish, or in your own room."

Exiting the room he closed the shoji and walked quickly through the castle to his father's sleeping chamber. Coming from inside was the strong smell of arousal belonging to Touga and Izayoi, and he felt a pang of guilt at interrupting them. But this was important – not some trivial letter or phobia that could wait.

His father opened the door looking irritated. Sesshoumaru immediately bowed his head in submission.

"Sumimasen, Chichi-ue, but I must speak to you."

"Is it about the lands? Can it wait until morning?"

"Iie."

Touga rubbed his temples. "I'll be in my study in a moment."

"Arigatou, Chichi-ue."

Waiting in his father's he tried to make sense of his scattered thoughts, but with little success. The western lord arrived in a boisterous way, and sat down with none of the usual grace he showed during the day. Sesshoumaru suspected he was slightly drunk, if nothing else.

"Now what is the matter? Because if you smelled of sickness before, now you smell like death."

Yes. Definitely drunk.

"Firstly, Chichi-ue, I must apologize to you for how I have acted concerning your treatment of my mother and… Izayoi." He wasn't actually sure if he had ever said the wench's name before. "I… have fallen in love with Rin," he said quietly.

His father was silent – apparently the sake was not as impairing as he first thought.

"I know this is hypocritical of me, but I truly had no intention of it and did my best to stop my growing attachment."

Touga spoke. "It isn't hypocritical of you, Sesshoumaru," he said in a soft tone. "People change. And… I am glad that you have found someone you can love."

"But a human..?"

"For her to be human or not matters nothing."

"A slave?"

"If you truly loved her, such a thing wouldn't matter."

"It doesn't to me, but I am asking how you feel about it."

"Yes, there are complications; too many complications to be ignored," Touga said pensively. "It is not the same case as was mine; I already had a full-blood heir when I had to decide. Of course it cost part of the lands when other daiyoukai heard of it, but nothing I wasn't prepared to give." He paused. "Although it is good for you to be with one you love, sometimes it is just not possible. There is no such thing as 'happily ever after' in this world and, as the prince of the west, you must put your lands before yourself. Obviously the best thing for the lands would be for you to give her up – but I know how hard that is to do."

"It is impossible."

"Nothing is impossible, Sesshoumaru. It may feel it, but that is just a weakness telling you to admit defeat."

"You think sending Rin away would make me stronger?" Never had the idea of strength sounded so distasteful.

"If that is what you decide, it would indeed make you stronger to stick by that decision. But you would also be miserable without her."

Yes, I have been miserable these last months being only separated at times. I need her with me at all times. Then I can be happy. But… as a ruler I have no choice but to care for my lands above myself.

"When did you come to the conclusion that you wanted her to be your mate?"

Sesshoumaru spoke slowly and carefully, not making eye contact with his father. "Just now – when I was with her. I was about to untie her obi when I remembered that it was positioned at the front. It was just the awkward position, but then I… realized that I want it to be at the back, like a noblewoman. I want nothing connecting her with the low life of a whore. She is too far above anything like that…"

"Sesshoumaru, I really am glad that you have found someone you can love, but consider the lands. By doing this you are effectively cutting off our bloodline. The lands would go to another daimyo – perhaps even Katsutoshi or Misei and her mate – once you and I are dead. We both know that a hanyou or even two working together could not hold their own against a full-powered daiyoukai like Katsutoshi."

He nodded. "That is true."

"And when you become the lord of the west all will try and overpower you because of your choice. Very few bothered to attack me when Inuyasha was born because I had first sired you. But they will come for you, whose firstborn was a hanyou, perhaps all at once. Even I am not strong enough to defend against such an attack, and although you will surpass me one day that day has yet to come. The lands will just not survive, and you and perhaps her and her child would die in their fall."

Sesshoumaru considered those words and they were quiet for a moment, each lost in thought.

"Do you know what you are going to do?"

Sesshoumaru deliberated carefully. "I do want to take her as my mate. More than anything."

"But?"

"But the lands. That is the only thing stopping me."

Touga sighed. "Think about it carefully, Sesshoumaru. By telling you this I do not wish to dissuade you from mating her; I only wish you to be aware of the consequences. This matter is not to be taken lightly. The fate of the west lies in your hands."

The younger taiyoukai nodded. "I know, Chichi-ue. Thank you for your time." He got up and walked slowly back to his room. Rin was asleep on his futon, holding a large bundle of covers in her hands. He smiled at her peaceful face and knelt down to gently kiss her forehead before going and sitting on the balcony.

When Rin woke up at sunrise she sat up sleepily and looked around. On seeing Sesshoumaru outside she cautiously opened the balcony door, wary of rebuke.

He was sitting cross-legged, facing the gardens, and when she went to look at the front of him she saw his eyes were closed. She couldn't help but stare at him.

"If you wish to say something then speak."

She jumped at his voice. "Iie, it's nothing," she stammered, moving back slightly.

He opened his eyes and looked at her. As usual they were devoid of expression, but something seemed… intensified… in his gaze.

"What are you thinking of?" she asked to break the heavy atmosphere.

"I have an important decision to make."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No." A sharp pain gripped his insides when she rose to leave. "Yes," he said, grasping her hand.

She jumped at the sudden contact, but stopped.

"Stay with me." He pulled her down to a sitting position and placed her between his legs so she was leaning on his chest. Holding her hair away, he planted a small kiss on her neck – where he would make the mark – and took in her scent.

Yes, he would make her his mate. There was never any decision to make. It was decided for him when she first became his slave. It was impossible for him to do anything else.

But… the lands. To have a hanyou ruling was impossible; he would be a danger to everyone because of his lack of strength. And although Sesshoumaru would give his life to protect Rin against attacking daiyoukai… if hers was lost also then it would be worthless. He absolutely could not let that happen. She had to live – but if he died then who would protect her?

The pain he had felt only moments ago returned, along with a burning on the small of his back. He did everything he could not to grimace, and Rin noticed nothing as she was not facing him.

#~#~#

Rika had a strange look on her face when she entered Rin's sleeping room that morning carrying a colorful and elaborate kimono and uchikake.

"Rin-chan, Sesshoumaru-sama says you are to wear this today. I'm to stay and help you put it on."

Rin gasped when she saw the kimono. It had eight layers! Eight! She had never even worn three!

Touching the material, she instantly realized that it did not have the crisp feel of new silk. It was very old… how much could it have cost? How much would it be worth now?

"Yes, it is old," Rika said, seeing her expression. "As old as Sesshoumaru-sama himself. His mother had it made to wear just after he was born."

Rin's legs gave out, and she fell on the floor. She was supposed to wear… a kimono belonging to… his mother?

But I'm just a slave! How can he expect me to wear something like this? Something so important and valuable!

It took Rika a full half hour to dress her, mostly because she was uncomfortable with wearing such expensive clothes and kept squirming. When they were finally done, the servant added, "And Sesshoumaru-sama says you are to eat with him and his father today. You had better hurry if you don't want to be late."

Rin nodded uncertainly, going out of her room and making her way through the palace. She stopped outside the dining hall, extremely nervous about being seen wearing the clothes of Inu no Taisho's former mate by him. The servants had all gawked at her when she passed them, and she heard them whispered several comments among themselves about her new obi – which was of course tied at the back. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the hall.

The western lord turned to look at her when she entered. Seeing her clothes, he gave her a comforting smile before glancing at his eldest son. Izayoi looked shocked and confused – but not necessarily displeased. Inuyasha was lost in thought and didn't seem to notice her presence, never mind her clothes.

Rin sat in the space next to Sesshoumaru, nervously glancing at the waiting servants. He didn't say anything to her, but he didn't exactly ignore her either.

The meal was the longest in her life, and she was more than relieved when it was over. Quickly leaving the dining hall she went to her room only to find that it was locked. A passing servant, Asagi, spoke to her.

"Rin-sama, you have now new chambers. I will show you to them; please follow me." Asagi bowed respectfully, as if she was someone important.

Rin… sama? What is happening?

Her new sleeping room was half the size of Sesshoumaru's and painted white, with a connecting wash room that was almost as big as the main chamber. A bookshelf covered an entire wall, more than rivaling her old one, and there was even a small balcony overlooking the gardens, although from a different position to the one in Sesshoumaru's room.

"Sesshoumaru-sama requests that you wait here for him, as he would like to speak with you, Rin-sama," Asagi bowed and left her alone.

Sesshoumaru-sama… requests? But he doesn't have to do that.

Confused beyond all reason, Rin went out onto her new balcony and waited.

#~#~#

It was a quiet night when the slave dealer Iwao shut up shop and went to sleep, drunk with the day's earnings.

Too quiet.

Inside, a daiyoukai was holding her cute nose as she stumbled over the sleeping girls.

"Ugh, Ayane-Obaa-chan, please hurry," Misei begged the air.

"Be patient, Misei-sama, yes do," Ayane chuckled as she entered the room with three girls sleep-walking behind her.

"Please tell me there is no more."

"But there is, yes there is. If you truly want revenge on the girl you must stand the smell a little longer, yes you must."

#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

tsukue – low writing desk

ai shiteru – I love you

cha – tea

sumimasen – excuse me; also used (as in this case) as an apology

Obaa-chan – while this means "grandma" it is also used to address any old female and is more polite and endearing than "babaa" (old hag)

I meant to finish this part differently, but I didn't want to drag it on much longer so there'll be an extra chapter than I originally intended. Please review, and I'll update as soon as I can! Ja!