Disclaimer- I don't own any of the characters.

Rin uncurled from her ball and stretched. But instead of getting up, she snuggled down into the covers. So comfortable, she mumbled. It slowly dawned on her that the covers smelled like men's cologne. In fact, it reminded her of.... Rin's eyes popped open. Sesshomaru. A quick glance around confirmed that she was in his room. In his bed...under his covers. At least this time I'm fully clothed, she thought.

"First my bath and then my bed. Is taking over my things going to become a habit?"

At the sound of Sesshomaru's voice, Rin popped up into a sitting position. He was leaning against the door looking at her.

"No, I don't know what happened. One minute I was drawing you and the next...."

"It doesn't matter." he said interrupting her.

"I'm waking up." she finished. "I can't believe I feel asleep."

"Perhaps you were tired."

"Probably. And the fact that your bed is like one huge comfy pillow didn't help."

"Only the best." he said as he moved closer to the bed.

Rin wondered what he was doing but quickly got her answer when he picked up the drawings she had done.

"I only consented to one."

"You fell asleep. All bets were off." she said.

"They're not bad."

"What?"

"They're...not...bad." he repeated slowly for her.

Actually, Sesshomaru thought they were extremely well done. Of course, he'd never tell her that.

"Thanks, I think. Keep them. They'll be worth a fortune when I'm a world renowned artist."

"In other words, trash them now."

"You wound me." she said pretending to clutch her heart. "As much fun as it would be to start in on you, I can't. I have things to do today."

"I'm not keeping you. In fact, you're the one still in my bed."

Rin looked down and realized that she was indeed still sitting in his bed. She quickly threw off the covers and got out of the bed.

"Sorry about that." she said with an embarrassed grin.

Rin mumbled a quick thank you as she went out the door. She went to her room and headed straight for the shower. She had just stepped under the water when she realized that Sesshomaru had been asleep when she fell asleep. That meant that not only had she slept in his bed, she had slept next to him. Rin could feel herself blushing as she realized that the "pillow" she had been hugging was Sesshomaru. Oh god, she groaned as she remembered how she had snuggled close to him and then wrapped her leg around him. But one thing kept bothering her. Why had he let her stay in his bed? Why didn't he just wake her up and get her to move?

"It's over now. Stop thinking about it." she said to herself. "And as long as he never mentions it, I won't have to die of embarrassment."

After her shower, she got dressed and went into the living room to look for her keys. Sesshomaru was sitting on the couch reading the paper.

"You working from home today?" she asked.

"Yes. Shouldn't you be working?"

"I've declared today a shopping holiday." she said as she spotted her keys. "You want to come."

Sesshomaru gave her a not in this lifetime look and she smirked.

"Didn't think so. See ya."

She waved, grabbed her keys and then left. Rin spent the next few hours shopping. The last stop of the day was her favorite art supply store in the mall. She left the store and was headed toward the elevator when she spotted familiar silver hair sitting at a table in a restaurant. With a smile on her face, she went inside and walked over to him.

"Hey stranger." she said with a small tug of his hair.

Inuyasha was about to let out a few choice curses until he saw who had pulled on his hair.

"Hey Rin. As for being a stranger, you've been one ever since you moved in with Lord Stick up His Ass." he said. "Has he driven you insane yet?"

"Actually, living with him isn't that bad."

Inuyasha looked at her like she had lost her mind.

"Are you sure you're the Rin I know? I never thought I'd hear that coming from you."

"Neither did I. But look at the plus side. Free room, board, I get to paint, there's no Claire there, and I get to annoy the hell out of Sess anytime I want. What's better than that?" she asked with a smile. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Meeting me for lunch."

Rin stiffened at the sound of Kagome's voice. She's like a rash that won't go away, Rin thought.

"Well, I'll just get out of your way." Rin said standing up.

"Don't leave." Kagome said. "Stay and have lunch with us."

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry."

"Then just sit and talk."

What did I ever do to deserve this, Rin thought miserably as she sat down. A waiter came over and took their order.

"I thought you weren't hungry." Inuyasha said when Rin ordered some food.

"You're paying so why not."

They talked about anything and everything until their food came back. Rin was just about to dig in when she noticed Inuyasha and Kagome look at each other and then her. She sat down her fork.

"Is something going on here that I should know about?" she asked looking at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha looked at Kagome.

"Go ahead. Tell her."

Rin didn't like the sound of that. She already knew that they were getting married. What else could they have to tell her? A knot began forming in the pit of her stomach as she thought of a possible answer.

"Are you pre...."

Rin trailed off and used her hand to indicate a swollen belly. Kagome blushed slightly and shook her head.

"No, I'm not pregnant. We'd like you to be best man."

Inside, Rin began jumping for joy. Kagome wasn't pregnant. Inuyasha would never leave her if she were pregnant. She was so happy that there wasn't a baby on the way that it took a few seconds for what Kagome asked to sink in.

"You want me to be what?"

"Best man." Inuyasha said.

NO!!!! It's bad enough that they're getting married but now they wanted me to be a part of it.
Find a way to weasel your way out of it.

"Won't your parents be upset that a girl would be best man?" Rin said looking at Kagome.

Please let her parents be against it, Rin prayed. She knew that Inuyasha's parents wouldn't care as long as he was happy.

"No, my mom is all for it."

Of course she would be.

"In that case, I'd be happy to." Rin said.

"Thanks Rin. This means a lot to is."

To Rin's surprise, Kagome leaned over and hugged her.

"Y-you're welcome."

Rin started eating again as Kagome started talking about the wedding. Unfortunately she wasn't hungry any more and barely tasted the food but it provided her with something to do. Kill me now, she chanted slowly to herself.

After another excruciating hour, lunch was over. As quick as she could, Rin said her goodbyes and headed home. She went straight to Sesshomaru's office.

"You're brother is a dead man." she said.

She lightly threw her bags on the chair and walked over to his desk. She completely ignored his glare as she sat on the corner.

"Or did you know what he was planning?" she asked without giving him time to answer. "He wants me to best man. Isn't it enough that I got him an engagement present?"

"The better question is why you bothered getting them a present when you hope he doesn't marry her?"

Rin frowned at him but kept quiet. He was right. Why did she buy a present when she hoped the marriage never happened? The sound of someone clearing their throat finally caught Rin's attention. She turned around and saw Veronica standing by the window.

"So glad to be noticed." Veronica said.

"I didn't know you had company." Rin said as she returned her gaze to Sesshomaru.

"We're in the middle of working." he said. "My desk isn't a chair."

Rin took the hint and slide off.

"Did Inuyasha tell you what he was planning?"

"I don't make it a habit to talk to that idiot."

"He's not an idiot." she quickly defended.

"Ooh, this is cute." Veronica suddenly said.

"My brother will appreciate that." Sesshomaru said looking at her.

Not having any idea what they were talking about, Rin once again faced Veronica. Rin felt herself blush because Veronica had went through her bag and was now holding up a black lace bra and panties set. She quickly went over to her.

"That's mine." she said snatching it away and stuffing it back into the bag.

I didn't need to know that, Sesshomaru thought with a groan. Rin and black lace were two things he didn't ever want to think of together. Instead of saying anything else, Rin glared at Veronica, grabbed her bags and left.

"Isn't that cute? She was blushing." Veronica said as she sat down in front of her desk. "Are you sleeping with her?"

As hard as he tried, Sesshomaru couldn't keep the shocked expression off of his face. Where in the hell did that question come from, he wondered Veronica stared at him and began tapping her fingers against her skirt when he didn't answer. He groaned inwardly. She wasn't going to do any work until he answered. If it were anyone else, he would have thrown the out of his house. But as much as he hated to admit it, Veronica was an advertising genius.

"No." he finally answered.

"What is she to you?"

"A nuisance. I want to see the green layout again." Sesshomaru said hoping she'd take the hint that he didn't want to talk about Rin.

Unfortunately she didn't.

"She's a nuisance and yet she's staying with you."

"Just until she finishes the murals."

"Why choose her?" she asked. "I mean you could get professional artists to paint for you."

"Maybe I like her work." he said barely containing his frustration. "What business is it of yours anyway?"

"I like to know everything I can about any potential competition."

"Rin is Rin. That's all you need to know because she doesn't matter. End of discussion." he said.

Veronica was about to say something else, but he stopped her.

"If all you're going to talk about is Rin, then that means we're finished discussing business. And if that's the case, then there's no reason for you to be here."

"You and I have just begun. Those layouts were just to temp you." she said as she took off her jacket. "I've got so much more to show you."

And her breasts top the list, Sesshomaru thought as she leaned forward so he could get a quick glimpse down her shirt. She smirked and then leaned back. She then pulled some files out of her briefcase and handed them to him. He looked through them and once again silently acknowledged how good she was at her job. Too bad I don't feel the same way about everything she does, he thought as she crossed and uncrossed her legs to get his attention.

Rin sat on the edge of her bed and quickly blow-dried her hair. The sooner she finished and got dressed, the sooner she could leave. If she had to be in the same apartment as Veronica she was going to scream. Rin already didn't like her but going through her bags was the final straw. Then she had to go and hold them up in front of Sesshomaru. Once she was finished with her hair, she got dressed.

"You don't look so bad Rin." she said to her reflection in the mirror.

She grabbed her coat and went to the kitchen for a quick drink of juice. Rin was about to get a glass when she noticed Veronica standing by the sink already with a glass.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there."

"No, you never seem to notice me." Veronica said. "I was thirsty and Sesshomaru is on the telephone."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me."

"Nice dress. You can't go wrong with plain black. Very classic."

Somehow coming from Veronica it didn't sound like a compliment.

"Thank you." Rin said with a fake smile. "I like simple. You know, sometimes less is more."

"True. But it's so boring."

"Not always. Sometimes something simple turns out to be the most complicated."

"Of course. So you're going on a date?"

"No. Art exhibit."

"How interesting."

Translation: boring, Rin thought. She was beginning to be able to read the snide comments hidden behind the nice ones Veronica said.

"Only to people who understand."

"Can you stay somewhere else tonight?" Veronica suddenly asked. "Or how about I put you up in a hotel tonight."

Rin looked at her like she had gone insane. Before she could respond, Veronica continued.

"I want to be alone with Sesshomaru. Understand?"

Loud and clear, Rin thought as she nodded her head yes. It had always been obvious that Veronica wanted Sesshomaru. Now she wanted Rin gone to get so she could try and get him in bed. Although, Rin couldn't believe that she was bold enough to come right out and say it.

"You have to go after what you want otherwise you'll never get anything." she said. "But something tells me that you're not going to take me up on my offer are you?"

"No. I really need to be here to work on my mural."

"Couldn't it wait?"

"I'm on a deadline. Sesshomaru isn't going to let me stay forever."

Why am I even telling her this? It's none of her business.

"You're jealous." Veronica said interrupting Rin's thoughts.

"What?" Rin asked.

"You're jealous. That's the real reason why you won't stay away." she explained. "I've got what it takes to go after him and get him."

"I couldn't care less about you getting Sesshomaru into bed."

"You want him." Veronica said.

Rin nearly choked on the juice she had just began to drink. She sat down her glass and looked at Veronica like she was insane.

"I don't know where you're coming up with these ideas but I'm not in love with Sesshomaru."

To Rin's surprise, started Veronica laughing.

"I don't recall mentioning anything about loving him. I said you wanted him."

"Well let me clear it up for you. There's nothing going on between me and Sesshomaru. I don't want him and I certainly don't love him." Rin snapped.

She stormed out the kitchen. Sesshomaru came out of his office just as she got to the front door. Rin noticed him and frowned.

"Have fun." she said sarcastically and then left.

What in the world did she mean by that, Sesshomaru wondered. He glanced at Veronica who at that moment came out of the kitchen.

"I made a comment about her dress and she just snapped." Veronica answered before he could ask. "Now, where were we?"

Rin stayed at the party until one o'clock and then left. Despite being around the gorgeous artwork and meeting a lot of interesting people, she wasn't having as great a time as she should have. And for this, she blamed Veronica. Somehow Rin knew that if Veronica hadn't "talked" to her before she left, she would've been able to have a better time at the party. There was just something about her that got under Rin's skin. The only thing she couldn't figure out was why she let Veronica get to her. Everything she said was completely wrong. The elevator finally reached her floor so she got off and walked over to the door. The lights were out in the living room when she walked in. Sesshomaru is probably in his office, she thought. Rin decided to thank him for the ticket again so she headed there. He wasn't in his office which meant he was probably in his bedroom. She went to go to his room but stopped dead in her tracks as a very unsettling question came to mind. What if Veronica had succeeded in seducing him? Was she in Sesshomaru's room with him? Or did they go out to be alone?

Do you care, a voice asked.
Of course not. But he wouldn't sleep with her would he?

Rin shook her head to get those thoughts out of her head. She really didn't want to know the answers. She quickly wrote a note thanking him, stuck it to his office door and went to her room. As fast as she could, Rin took off her dress and changed into her nightclothes. Just as she climbed in the bed, a flash of lightening lit up the sky. A thunderstorm. What a perfect ending to a perfect day, she thought sarcastically as she closed her eyes.

Rin turned over on her back and sighed deeply. It was useless. The thunderstorm raging outside was preventing her from getting any sleep. She walked out into the living room and was shocked to see Sesshomaru standing by the window.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked.

"Powers out. My laptop finally went dead."

"Where's Veronica?"

"She left earlier."

"Oh."

Rin went and stood next to him so she could watch the lightening streak across the sky.

"Did you get the note I left on your door?"

"There wasn't any note."

Rin looked at him in confusion. She distinctly remembered putting the note on his door.

"Doesn't matter. It was just thanking you for the ticket."

"You don't have to keep thanking me."

"Well I really appreciated it."

Rin happened to look over at Sesshomaru as another flash of lightening lit up the sky. Even though he was standing in front of the window, he had his eyes closed. How weird, she thought. Still, Rin didn't take her eyes off him. He must've felt her staring because he opened his eyes and slowly turned to look at her. Rin gasped. He's gorgeous, she thought unwillingly. She could now understand why Veronica wanted him so badly. Sesshomaru was tall, well built, intelligent and handsome. Throw in his unusual colored eyes and beautiful silver hair and you've got a very sexy, highly desirable man. Who wouldn't want him?

"Rin, you spaced out." Sesshomaru said breaking into her thoughts.

"Sorry."

"You've been acting weird lately."

"I've been feeling weird lately." she answered honestly.

"What has my idiot brother done now?"

"For once it's not about him."

Sesshomaru thought she was going to explain but she didn't. Instead she ran her hand through her hair and sighed deeply. Surprisingly Rin then grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer so she could kiss him. She was shocked when Sesshomaru kissed her back. Lots of feelings rushed through her at that moment. Shock, regret, longing, excitement, fear. But most of all she felt happy and alive. Sesshomaru suddenly pushed her away.

"I think you've kissed the wrong brother."

"No, I don't think so."

Sesshomaru looked at her like she had gone insane. She stared at him for a few seconds and then shook her head.

"I don't think so." she said repeated. "I was wrong. I love you."

Rin jerked up in bed. Thank god it was just a dream, she thought.

But that doesn't mean the feelings weren't true, a voice warned.

Her immediate reaction was to deny it but stopped herself. That would be pointless especially when every part of her was screaming to her that it was true. Everything was beginning to make sense. The weirdness she felt when ever she was around Sesshomaru lately, the absence of hate directed at Kagome, and the growing hostility she felt towards Veronica. Bottom line was she loved Sesshomaru. Somewhere along the way she had fallen for him. Or maybe, she thought, I've always liked him and never paid it much attention. The very thought of loving Sesshomaru terrified Rin so much that she did the only thing she could think of. She screamed.

Reiji Harushima Dai- Sorry about the name. I actually named her Veronica because I like the name. If I ever have kids that's what I'm naming my daughter. And no, I don't find the poem annoying. I like it.
babegalanime- thanks. Here's more.
New Fan- Thanks. I'm glad you like it. I'm working on the next part now.
icyangelbmw- I'm writing :D I'm just slow. But I will finish this fic even if it kills me.
Naoko2- I'm glad you liked the chapter name. As you see, she's finally realized that she loves Sess. There's a slight mention about him seeing the drawings. But that's it. Honestly, I just needed a reason for her to fall asleep in his bed. :D
immortalbreeze04- Thanks. I didn't have one planned, but a catfight would be interesting. MEOW! I'll see what I can do. Turn Sess's beautiful hair pink. hehe another interesting idea.
Hioga-chan- thank you.
KitKat07- Thanks. That was a good idea about the date. I didn't even think about doing it. Hmm, maybe in the next chapter I'll have Sess think about the date. :D I love his hair too. Everyone should bow down to his hair.
aphrodite24goddess- thanks :D
suicide-greeting- :) here's the update. more soon.
MintlovesSR- thank you for reading. Hoped you liked the new chapter.
anhimals- as you can see Rin finally let her self admit that she loves Sess. :) I can't enjoy the sun. I hate summer. I'm live in the South so that means bugs, snakes coming out, and HEAT. I'm a winter girl.
shushimi- thanks. Here's more.