"But Sesshomaru, how is Rin going to get comfortable being your mate in public if she never leaves the estate?" Kagome demanded. As planned, she had arrived shortly after lunch to help Rin pick out an outfit only to be informed by Sesshomaru that Rin wasn't allowed to leave without him.

"She will be attending father's Christmas Party this week; with me." Sesshomaru explained.

"You mean you're going to throw her to the wolves."

He glared at her.

"Sesshomaru, what is going on?" Kagome asked. "This is about introducing Rin to the other wives and mates of the companies you handle. It will give her an easier time when you introduce her to the males."

"My answer is still no." With the danger still at large, he wasn't going to risk Rin.

"Why are you being so difficult?"

Sesshomaru growled as he remembered his beast using the same words. "She is my mate and I will decide…"

"Sesshomaru?"

He turned, looking at Rin standing in the doorway to his study, wringing her hands together as if worried. He strode over to her, looking down at her with concern. She was nervous, looking at the floor. "Rin?"

"I would…um…like to go…with Kagome." She lifted her head, looking up at him. "As your mate, I need to do this; I need to start showing my support of you."

Sesshomaru was pleased she wanted to take up her role as his mate, but she didn't realize how dangerous it could be going out on her own. Kagome had no way of keeping her safe. "Rin…"

"Sango and Ayame can't wait to meet you." Kagome stated, excitedly.

Sesshomaru knew them well, Ayame being a wolf demon herself and married to Koga. While Sango was a trained demon hunter for the police force with her husband, Miroku. But still didn't trust them to know what was going on.

"Please, Sesshomaru." Rin begged. "I won't mess up; Kagome has explained how I'm to act…"

He wasn't worried about that. He was worried that Sara or Kagura would try harming her. Sighing, he walked over to his desk, picking up the phone. "Ah and Un will escort you." He explained, calling for the twin demon.

"Bodyguards?" Kagome asked. "Is something going on, Sesshomaru?"

He ignored her, turning to Rin. "Is this acceptable?"

She smiled, nodding. "Thank you."

Kagome wasn't pleased and was about to say something when Rin grabbed her hand, pulling her from the room. "You said you would help me pick out an outfit."

Sesshomaru couldn't help but smile. In the short time they been together, Rin was starting to pick up on his moods. Soon she would be able to tell the best way of calming him down as well.

Her behavior in the bedroom was still the same guarded manner. However, he enjoyed helping her relax very much. Last night, he joined her in the shower where, after exploring every inch of her body while washing her, he had taken her against the wall, relishing in the feeling of her wrapped around him so completely.

Afterwards, laying they were bed when she had asked if it was possible to get some fresh flowers. She was still unsure what she was allowed to do and he had to, happily, replayed their lesson from that morning. Afterwards, she fell asleep in his arms while he watched her. It was calming with her curled against him and listening to her even breaths.

A knock sounded, bringing him back to the present and the situation at hand. He sat down, calling to the visitor to entered and Ah and Un, his most trustful guards. Normally, a two-headed dragon, they stood before him in their human form of twins.

"Ah, Un, I have a job for you."

"Yes, sir?

"My mate will be attending a small gathering, you escort her; watch her careful and keep her safe. You understand the situation with Naraku and I expect you to make sure nothing happens to her."

"We will be an honor to safeguard the Mistress."

He sighed, wondering if this was a good idea. He was certain they would protect her, but something just nagged at the back of his mind. However, his mate wished to go and he found himself unable to deny her. "I place my mate in your hands."

…}{…

'Maybe Sesshomaru was right.' Rin thought, looking around the room. "I shouldn't have come." Kagome's idea of mix needed to be looked at again. Out of all the females there, Rin could count the humans on one hand while the rest 15 to 20 were demons. And every single one looked as if they wanted to rush her. She was thankful in that moment for her two bodyguards standing behind her. They gave her some sense of safety.

"Kagome?"

"Huh?" The girl asked looking around for someone.

"Why are they staring?"

"Your Sesshomaru mate, Rin." She explained. "I would bet they all want to question you about it."

"Why?"

Kagome turned to her. "You remember me telling you that Sesshomaru dislikes humans? Well, everyone knows that fact and that you're his mate, plus human. You understand?"

"But I thought it was the inner demon's choice?"

"It is, but that doesn't mean they had all thought his inner demon would feel the same as he does. Ah, there they are." She grabbed Rin's hand and pulled her after her as she headed across the room towards two other girls.

Rin could tell right off the bat one was a demon while the other was human.

"Sango, Ayame!" Kagome cheered, greeting her friends. "Rin these are my friends; Sango…" She waved to the dark-haired human woman. "She works in the police department with her husband, Miroku. And this is Ayame…" She gestured towards the demon with bright red hair. "She and her husband, Koga, are wolf demons."

"Koga also works in at the Police department," Ayame added. "I believe he's looking into an attack at your old apartment?"

"Oh yes, I remember him." Rin answered. "He was very pleasant."

"Only because Mr. Taisho was with you then." She giggled. "He wasn't happy when he got the call, having just got the kids laid down."

"Oh…" She looked around, noticing the other females were all looking and whispering. She was starting to feel like a museum piece on display. They wanted to examine inspect, but knew they couldn't touch. Was this how it was always going be as Sesshomaru's mate? She knew being part of the higher class, their lives would under scrutiny every minute, but this seemed different. It was like they were waiting for her to do something; something wrong or embarrassing.

"So this is the little tramp who took Sesshomaru off the market, huh?"

The girls turned, facing a woman who had come up behind Rin. She was beautiful, with long dark hair and dressed to the nines in designer clothes. Rin felt a little underdressed in her simple dress suit and flats.

"Hello, Sara." Kagome greeted sternly.

The woman sniffed, ignoring her. "I don't see what's so special about you." She looked Rin over. "Why his demon would choose you is beyond comprehensible."

"Are you still sore about not being the one?" Kagome asked. "I would have thought you let it go my now."

Rin wasn't sure what was going. Did this woman know Sesshomaru? Did they use to date? How many women were in his past?

"Just because he's taken his mate doesn't mean he's taken." Sara hissed. "I know for a fact that he won't want half demons for pups."

Rin frowned, wondering what she was talking about. She really wished Ah and Un hadn't got on off to fetch her a drink.

"Well, then that still leaves you out." Kagome answered. "You being half demon and all."

"Third quarter would be a better choice than producing with…this thing." She waved at Rin. "Lord Sesshomaru is a man of high honor and half breed mutts will do nothing but hinder his path to power."

Rin already felt the tears stinging at her eyes. Didn't Sesshomaru tell her they were to make pups? Wasn't it her duty to give them to him? She silently took the cup of tea Un handed her as he and his twin returned. She was trying hard not to think about what Sara had said. Deep inside of her, she felt it was wrong, but even Mr. Taisho and Kagome had said how much he detested humans and half-breeds. Would Sesshomaru really want pups from her? He seemed caring enough of her, but so had that man who had taken her off the streets.

"Sara does have a point." A voice came.

Kagome frowned, unnoticing as Rin stiffened. "Go away, Kagura."

"I'm a guest here as well, Mrs. Akuma." Kagura snapped back, standing beside Sara. "I'm allowed to talk to whoever I wish."

"Not if they don't wish to speak to you." Ayame snarled.

Rin turned, almost dropping her tea as she came face to face with the women who use to drag her back to the cell. Everything faded away as the memory of the darkness in the cell surrounded her. The sounds and smells engulfed her as she started shaking; fearing they would come for her again.

"I just thought that she would like to know a little more about Sesshomaru from someone who has been with him." Kagura sneered. "He is a passionate demon after all and a human couldn't possibly handle him. Am I right, Sara?"

Her friends nodded. "Very passionate."

"And like either of you would know?" Kagome snapped. "Why don't you go off and sleep with your step-father." She and her friends were so busy trying to shut the two woman up they never noticed how Rin was starting to hyperventilate, back away from them.

Ah and Un noticed though; reaching out to gain her attention. "My lady?"

She dropped her cup, finally drawing the women's attention.

"Rin?"

"Are you alright?"

She didn't answer, backing up further until she turned and ran from the room.

"Rin!"

Her bodyguards caught her just outside, Ah grabbing her before she could rush into the busy street. She was struggling against him, crying out to be let go. Kagome came running out, worried and confused as to what was happening. Un looked to his twin, silencing understanding what they needed to do before taking off to get the car.

"Rin?"

Ah waved her off, picking up his mistress as Un pulled up in front of him. They had to get her back to the manor. Something was wrong and they had to report to Lord Sesshomaru.

…}{…

Taisho sighed, leaning back in his chair. It had been a good day, most of the contracts for the year had been completed and new ones were coming in for the following the year. Taisho wasn't one to overwork, but he wasn't about to give his son any excuse to come back to work. Though, he has yet to complain about staying away.

The old Demon lord smiled, knowing his son was slowly coming around to Rin. He hoped that with time, his feelings would move past lust that was clearly evident. Rin had been through so much and with the little time he had spent with her, Taisho knew she kept most of it buried deep inside. She was going to need Sesshomaru just as much as he would need her.

However, Taisho was delighted at the thought of finally presenting his new daughter-in-law at the Christmas party. He wondered if Sesshomaru had made sure she had a dress for the occasion. His son was great at business, but he wasn't that great planning things outside the office.

Taisho was about to reach for his phone to call his son and drop a hint when his door was flung open and Koga stumbled in. It took the demon lord only a second to notice how pale the wolf demon was as he leaned heavily on the door.

"Mr.…Taisho…." He fell, blood soaking into the carpet around him.

…}{…

Well, there you go something new to chew on. Rin wanted to take a step forward in being Sesshomaru's mate, but it didn't quite turn out as she had hoped. I doubt Sesshomaru will allow her out again after he hears about it.

And something new, Koga seems to be hurt, wonder what happened to him?

So onto battle…

!Review Corner!

A special thanks:

Karrat

lovely123

Sotam

Leonhart9

Taraah36

Guest (my favorite reviewer):

I hope that was a good thing about my lemon? And you're right, verbal is the first step (Sesshomaru is working on it). Though, being a demon, he can sense when she's upset, happy, or fearful, which will be helpful in the future of this story. He did it for Rin, but an added point for shocking Kagome. (Poor pup, I'm sorry.)

He's Sesshomaru, cold and logical, while his beast is run by instincts. So the two will clash no matter what. Which my life more fun. (smiles)

And thank you, Naraku's plan was pulled out of thin air. I wonder how many people will use it after this?

SparkzTB:

I'm glad to be back finally. And I'm not responsible for your procrastinating. (please read the all legal warnings…lol) As for lessons, I will explain what Kagome taught her, but not in big details.

Jellisa:

Which one?

Usui Takumi Walker:

I enjoy writing as long my readers enjoy it. I write for myself, but what's the point of keeping it to myself?

jj:

Make who suffer?