A/N- wow! gosh, i've been meaning to thank everyone for the great reviews. lol. i love you too Hannah. and Tia. anyways, i'm totally okay with anyone who'd like to use this pairing, i'm happy to have been an inspiration. here's the next chappy! enjoy!

Juuroumaru found himself still blushing when he thought of the previous night for the umpteenth time. Could that have really happened? Had he truly just been deemed Sesshoumaru's mate?

He squeaked suddenly when he felt arms encircle him. He shuddered as Sesshoumaru pressed a soft kiss to the small jagged mark on his neck. "Are you ready?" murmured Sesshoumaru in his ear. "Y-yes." He managed to stutter, his mind having gone gloriously blank at the feeling of Sesshoumaru wrapped around him. Sesshoumaru smiled against Juuroumaru's neck.

"And no annihilating the hanyou, hmm?"

"Yes Sess-" he gasped as he felt Sesshoumaru's teeth nibbling on his sensitive ear. He let his head fall back against Sesshoumaru's shoulder, exposing his throat to the wet trail of kisses down his neck. Sesshoumaru grinned. He released Juuroumaru and left the room as if nothing had happened.

Juuroumaru stumbled over to Sesshoumaru's bed, trying to regain his thoughts and calm himself. Why did Sesshoumaru make him feel like that?

That wasn't important now.

All that mattered was preparing for Inuyasha. Since their arrival the previous morning, Inuyasha and his friends had been given the east wing, as far from Juuroumaru as possible so as not to spark a fight. Nonetheless, Inuyasha's initial shock at the sight of Juuroumaru had quickly turned into anger as had Juuroumaru's. Ever since, a palpable tension had hung in the air and Juuroumaru found himself plagued with horrible nightmares that very night. There was no comfort to be found, not even Sesshoumaru snug embrace had kept him safe from the horrors that replayed in his mind.

Juuroumaru shut his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he set his face in an emotionless expression, putting up mental barriers before he was to face Inuyasha… the foul hanyou who had nearly killed him. He was loathe to leave the safe comfort of Sesshoumaru's room, especially if his reason was Inuyasha, a being who should've remained a thing of the past and nothing more. But no, the symbol of his original purpose in life was back to haunt him, to remind him of the puppet he had been. He shuddered inwardly, a dark, cold voice whispering in his mind.

"You could not even kill that pathetic excuse for a hanyou! Pitiful. He should've been easy to dispose of you worthless wretch! And now you will know what happens when you fail…" A sadistic smile burned in the forefront of Juuroumaru's mind. he couldn't keep himself from remembering the excruciating beating he had suffered for failing... momentarily, he was consumed in long buried memories. He automatically touched his cheek, half expecting to feel the sticky, half-congealed blood across the left side of his cheek after Naraku's beating.

No. he would forget all of that. He pushed the memory away of thoughts of a large warm pelt and soft gold eyes. He abandoned the pain, escaping to a warm riverbed and bright green trees. He took a deep breath. Sesshoumaru would be there. It'd be ok.

He straightened his simple white kimono and darted out of the room to catch up with Sesshoumaru. He slowed down when Sesshoumaru back was within seeing distance, suddenly releasing an unknown tension that had built up inside him. the sight of Sesshoumaru's steady for made him feel better. A wicked idea suddenly formed in his mind when Sesshoumaru gave no indication that he had heard Juuroumaru's approach. a small smile curved his lips as he sped up.

His bare feet made little sound as he snuck up on Sesshoumaru. He crept closer, pressing himself against the walls, cloaking himself in shadow. Seeing his opportunity as Sesshoumaru paused around the corner, he jumped out, intent on grabbing Sesshoumaru from behind. However, instead of launching himself at Sesshoumaru's back, he found himself run straight into Sesshoumaru's chest. His current position, that is, pressed up against Sesshoumaru's chest made him frown. It wasn't supposed to happen like that…

Sesshoumaru chuckled. "Going somewhere?" Juuroumaru pouted and pushed Sesshoumaru away grumpily. Sesshoumaru laughed, pushed Juuroumaru's thick lavender locks away from his face before resuming his pace. Juuroumaru grumbled, following Sesshoumaru. However, he hadn't given up just yet. Waiting until Sesshoumaru rounded another corner, he hung back, waiting for Sesshoumaru to come back for him. sure enough, a few moments later, he heard the break in Sesshoumaru's footfalls, before they started coming back in his direction. With a broad grin, he jumped out in front of Sesshoumaru's path. Sesshoumaru chuckled and caught him up in a hug. Juuroumaru happily cuddled into Sesshoumaru's arms, forgetting his uncertainty over the dinner he was about to attend with Inuyasha.

Surprisingly, Sesshoumaru held him all the way to the dining hall, ignoring the stares and giggles from countless blushing servants. At the entrance door he stopped, facing Juuroumaru with a stern expression. "Remember, you are not to fight with him. despite how he may provoke you, you will not fight with him, you are still healing, remember that." Juuroumaru bowed his head, his numerous healing injuries seeming to make themselves known just for good measure. "yes Sesshoumaru." Sesshoumaru leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Chin up. You are better than they will ever be." Juuroumaru glowed at the praise, a pride he held as they entered the room to a chorus of gasps and whispers.

There were six of them: Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Kaede(?), and the fox kit. Kyo had seemingly taken a liking to the kit for he flitted around him unnecessarily.

All heads turned when Sesshoumaru made his entrance, his cold eyes sweeping over the group dismissively. He sat at the head of the table, Juuroumaru at his right and Inuyasha at his left. Inuyasha was glaring blatantly at Juuroumaru but Juuroumaru ignored him, fixing his eyes on the spread laid out before him. while Sesshoumaru had refused anything fancy, the servants had decorated the table grandly, having needed an excuse for decoration after so long without. The tablecloth was a rich burgundy, accented with gold lace woven in to look like lattice. The silverware was polished blindingly, finished with gold and every napkin had been shaped into a fancy flower. Wine (sake? Whatever. This fic is so American-ized anyway, it doesn't matter) had been served and goblets never emptied. Sesshoumaru waved his hand at a servant who nodded and promptly signaled for dinner to be served.

Kyo who had been busily chatting with the red haired kit, jumped and rushed off to pretend he was helping serve the extravagant meal, unnecessarily brushing against the kit every time leaned over the table. Little was said throughout the large dinner. Eyes however, spoke rapidly. Juuroumaru would look up every now and then to see eyes darting about, knowing glances, frustrated looks, curious expressions. Juuroumaru generally avoided eyes, focusing instead on the rich meal. The frigidness that hung in the air seemed to melt a little as wine was downed and food eaten.

At last, when a green tinted sorbet was served, the eye's fervent looks had slowed to bland glances and a couple attempts and conversation. It was obvious however that minds were elsewhere and it wasn't long before the group got right down to the point of their visit.

"Sesshoumaru," said Kagome, a slight quiver in her voice. "I'm sure you're wondering why we're here. It concerns the Shikon no tama. Umm… Kaede?" Kaede nodded. she stood slowly, her girth giving her a large presence despite her lack of height. Juuroumaru even looked up, tearing away from his food to watch the elderly miko.

"As you know, Kagome has been in possession of the Shikon no tama ever since the battle." She paused, looking around. "We all know that should the jewel have fallen into Naraku's hands, dark times would have plagued our era. Many contributed in this battle, many suffered losses, many risked everything. As a gratitude to all those who helped to bring Naraku down, one wish will be granted to each of the fighters in the war, that is, those who were on our side." No one doubted why Kaede added the last comment but Inuyasha was the only one tactless enough to glance over at Juuroumaru. She coughed before continuing. "Needless to say that certain wishes cannot be granted- that is using the jewel for evil, however, the Shikon no Tama's power is great enough even to bring back the dead..."

Kagome nodded in agreement. "So what will it be Sesshoumaru? If you wish to think it over, I can give you time, just tell me when-" "Rin." Said Sesshoumaru without any hesitation, never dropping his stoical manner.

"Ex-excuse me?" Kagome was rather confused. (or maybe just dumb? sorry, sorry...)

"Rin." Replied Sesshoumaru again, in the same monotone voice. "I want you to bring Rin back." There were many surprised faces, Inuyasha's among them as he stared up at his brother with wide eyes. Kagome seemed taken aback as well but quickly regained composure.

"done."

a/n- yay! another chapter. ok, i don't know when i'll update again, i've been rather lazy lately but i will eventually.