Chapter 2

All I could do was stare. All the words I had practiced, the speech I had prepared in my head all flew out of my mind. Those eyes were the only thing I could see.

"I asked you a question."

His eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. His amber eyes piercing through me.

"I.. I... I didn't mean..." His low growling cut off anything I was hoping to say. He was getting more angry with me by the way his growling kept increasing.

"I know about the contract between the Taisho and Higurashi families." I blurted out before I could further annoy him.

Everything went silent. Sesshomaru stopped growling and just stared at me through narrowed eyes. His hand still around my throat.

It felt like minutes were passing by when its was only seconds. Until he finally released my neck and started to ease away.

"That is none of your concern." He said as he started to turn around and walk away.

No! I can't just let him leave. I was going to try and convince him, maybe offer him a proposition. Now that he is leaving, my hope is falling and I am desperate to correct the situation!

"Take me instead!" I replied. Even though those weren't the words I was going to use, but I had to stop him from walking away.

His body stops abruptly and slightly turns his head to indicate that I should continue that statement.

"What I mean is the contract doesn't specifically mention who will represent the Higurashi family in the agreement. I would gladly and honorably wish to be the one to represent the Family…Please." I add at the end, he is the one that I need to convince at this point. I just want him to say yes.

He turns around to stare at me and then he lifts one eyebrow. "Why."

I signed; I didn't want to mention the whole situation that was happening with Kagome and Inuyasha, but I guess I have no choice. I would never lie so I lifted my head and look at those golden eyes.

"I love my family, for everything they've given me. And I'm also completely indebted to yours, My Lord, for providing for us and giving us the ability to keep our home. I feel that I have received so much good fortune, but I haven't given any. Now my cousin who I consider a sister, believes that once again it is her duty to sacrifice herself and refuses to listen to reason. Her heart and her soul belong to another, but she is willing to give it all up because she always puts the happiness of other before her own. I want to do this, My Lord; I will honorably accept the expectations needed from me."

I say as I look at him, he still staring at me and does so for almost a minute. Like he is trying to solve a riddle I just told him.

"You say you are doing this for her happiness, and what of yours?"

My eyes widen at his comment. I wasn't expecting him to ask me something like that. I compose my face and stared at him trying to see if there was a hidden meaning in his question, or if he was trying to trick or trap me in some way. What I realize is that he genuinely curious about my answer, he still has that calculated face as he stares at me and awaits my answer.

I answered with a small smile on my face as I think of how happy Inuyasha had been when he realized there was still hope. "I will be happy with simply knowing that with this decision others will be having their plans and wishes secured. The love I have for my family and how fortunate we are in life brings me happiness every single day. By knowing that my sister will finally have something she wishes will bring a smile to my face because I was able to do something in order for her to take it. She will be able to marry Inuyasha without worry about anything. I only hope that if you accept we may at least be able to become friends in the future."

I look at him as I finish, I decided to mention that it was his brother Kagome wanted to marry. Hopefully, if nothing else convinces him, then that little piece of information might. As we stare at one another his lips eventually tip up to the left. So I don't know if he is smirking or is attempting to smile, I couldn't tell if it's a good or a bad sign. Maybe he thinks all I said was crap and is going to insult me! Oh Kami, please! I need to make this happen.

"Since the contract will be fulfilled regardless who is the one to sign from your family, it is your fate you just sealed. I will send someone to completely explain each aspect of the contract to you in the few days."

I suddenly feel this massive pressure has lifted off my shoulders. I can't believe I was actually able to do this, I feel like laughing and crying at the same time. I sigh and close my eyes briefly and look at Sesshomaru.

"I am deeply grateful for your decision, My Lord, I will honor my decision without complaint. Thank you." I almost whisper the last part because I am still in shock.

Lord Sesshomaru just stares at me, then he slowly approaches and leans close to my face, his eyes never leaving mine. I hear him take a couple of sniffs as he tills his nose towards my neck. When he pulls back he continues to stare intensely. The only change I see in his statue pose is that he is gripping his hands into tight fists.

"Rin."

He says as he gives me an abrupt nod and starts to leave. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath through the whole thing. I take a deep breathe and lean back against the wall and watch as Sesshomaru leaves through the balcony doors, then I look up at the moon. I realized, that was the first time he used my name. I start to feel the cold breeze and decide to head back and find Takashi so I can go home. As I think back on how Kagome saw this as a sacrifice for the family, I can't help but feel as if I'm meant to be on this path and that it will bring me happiness.