A/N: A small warning for this chapter: Sesshomaru may be slightly OOC according to the anime/manga, but I believe he is totally in character for this storyline. Keep in mind that he has basically been forced to become more social. Over the years I would like to think that, even though he is still a loner, Fluffy has learned better how to cope with people. Agree or disagree? Any thoughts, comments, or questions? This chapter also has a distinct citrus-flavor. Be warned.

To all who took the time to review: I love you! Again, constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Obligatory Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Audi, Madonna, or anything else referenced in this story, except for the plot itself. My only payment is in the form of reviews, so start paying up, people! :D

"That- that… witch! How dare she criticize me for not being a suit! No offense to your in-laws, Kagome." Rin paced across a small stretch of grass, Kagome sitting a small distance away.

"None taken. That was so rude I can barely wrap my head around it."

Rin picked up a stray pinecone and threw it as hard as she could. "I wish that was her head!" Kagome stayed quiet. "What kind of person tells someone, within minutes of meeting them for the very first time, that their chosen career is crap? And did you see how she was throwing herself at Sesshomaru? That was just sad!"

"From what Inuyasha says, she does it all the time."

"How pathetic can one woman be? I mean, if you tell him and he says no, drop it! Don't become some crazy stalker lady! Weirdo." Rin was so angry she was shaking. "I swear to God, if she says anything even remotely like that to me again, I'm going to punch her in the face!"

Kagome's brow furrowed and she stood, brushing off her pants. "Uh, are you okay? I haven't seen you like this since your neighbor trashed your car."

That had been a bad day. At her last apartment, Rin had just put a hefty down payment on a brand-new Audi convertible. It only had three miles on the gauge when she drove it off the lot and she was in love immediately. She parked it in front of her building and ran into her apartment to grab something –by now, she couldn't even remember what was so important- and when she came out, she saw that her neighbor's teenager had plowed into the sports car with an ugly old pickup. Insurance covered everything, but she saw red for nearly three days.

Rin stopped pacing and pinched the bridge of her nose. It would do no good to get all worked up or else she'd never sleep. "I'll be fine. I just… I need to vent or else I'll fucking explode on her. I'll be good tomorrow, promise."

"I would not recommend exploding, if I were you." The two women turned towards the deep voice and Rin held back a gasp as Sesshomaru approached them. If he was beautiful in the hallway, he was drop-dead gorgeous in the moonlight. Silvery light reflected off of the silver hair, tanned skin, and an untucked white button-down. It was hard to believe he was real, as ethereal as he appeared.

Kagome stepped closer to Rin. "Sesshomaru, what are you doing out here?"

"Walking. Enjoying the moon. I believe Inuyasha is looking for you." He laid on the ground and closed his eyes, basking in the light.

"I don't have to go back; he'll understand if you need me," Kagome said, turning to Rin.

She rolled her eyes, even though she doubted Kagome could see it. "Go. I'll be fine. Thanks for listening."

They hugged, and then Kagome started back to the house. Rin looked down at Sesshomaru, who hadn't moved. His arms were loosely lying on his stomach, one knee pulled up so the foot was flat on the ground. She sat near him, close enough to touch the hair that fanned out towards her but far enough away as to not invade his personal space. "So, why wouldn't you recommend it?"

One golden eye cracked open and looked at her. "She would crush you. Wind sorceresses are rare, but very powerful."

"She's a sorceress? I just thought she was a bitch."

"She is that, too." His head turned towards her and the other eye opened to meet her gaze. "You truly did not know she was not fully human?"

Rin shook her head, feeling stupid. "No. I figured her eyes were contacts or something. I should have known better."

"Hm." He turned back to the sky and closed his eyes.

He isn't all that standoffish, she thought, He came out to talk to me. Even if they didn't end up speaking very much, she could certainly enjoy the view.

Sesshomaru was, without a doubt, one of the finest male specimens Rin had ever laid her eyes on. The shirt lay flat against his stomach, a sliver of tan skin peeking through in between it and a pair of faded jeans that hugged every asset perfectly. His nostrils flared, and she felt a second of shame before coming to her senses. He might be a dog demon, but she didn't think he could smell the proof of her attraction that slightly dampened her panties.

Mentally chiding herself, she stretched out next to him. This far from a city all the stars were visible. Suddenly she felt very small in the grand scheme of things. Here they were, two people lying on a chunk of rock flying through space at who-knows-how-many miles an hour, and there were an infinite number of other rocks doing the exact same thing at that exact same moment.

"Sesshomaru?"

"Hm?"

"Do you ever get the feeling that life has no meaning?"

He propped up on his elbows and looked at her. "What do you mean?"

Still staring into the sky, she told him her thoughts of the past few moments. "I mean, if all that is out there," Rin waved an arm, "all those places, possibly full of other beings, all doing this same thing at this same moment, and we'll never know, what is the meaning of it all? Is there one? Or are we just some sort of cosmic dust mote, living and dying in the blink of an eye?"

Silence greeted her questions, not that she expected much else. Sesshomaru, for all that could be said of him, truly seemed to be a man of few words. When she turned to see if he was still there, he was laying on his side facing her, head propped on one hand. "Are you always so philosophical after you threaten to explode?"

Rin couldn't help herself; she burst into laughter at his deadpan tone. The corner of his mouth lifted a fraction and she had the feeling this was his version of laughing along with her. "Sometimes. I have a temper, but I don't blow up often. When I do, though… yeah." She turned toward Sesshomaru, mimicking his position. "Anyway, except for Kagome, were all the others demons?"

"No. Taisho and I are dogs and Inuyasha is hanyou, but you already knew that. Koga and Ayame are wolves. Shippo is kitsune, Kanna is a mirror demon, and Kagura is wind. Everyone else is human."

"Really? I could have sworn Onigumo was." The man that sat across from her at the table had jet black eyes that seemed to absorb the light around him. Terrible scars covered most of his face, making him look like something out of a horror movie. He seemed pleasant enough, despite outer appearances.

He shook his head a fraction. "No. He has some blood in him from several generations back, but nothing we were ever able to prove conclusively."

"Hm," she said, borrowing his response. "So, did she say anything else about me after I left?"

"She was taken to task for her lack of manners. Whether or not she has learned a lesson is not for me to say."

His non-answer was answer enough. Oh, well. She knew she might not get along with everyone here, and Kagome had warned her of it. Even Inuyasha had said something to her, but that was about his half-brother, not Kagura.

Rin flopped back to the ground and Sesshomaru followed suit, several inches closer than he was before. The tips of his hair brushed her arm and she shivered at the sensation. Even though they were lying in the middle of an open field, the darkness felt strangely intimate, the two of them close together underneath the cloudless sky, silver light raining down on them.

Several moments passed before Rin broke the silence. "What's the plan for tomorrow?"

"I assume you mean the scheduled events."

"Yeah. I'm just curious what they are."

His shoulder shifted in an approximation of a shrug. "I don't know. I have nothing to do with this."

"Oh, really? I thought that since you're second-in-charge, you know…"

"No. If it was up to me, I wouldn't be here at all."

Rin sat up, wrapping her arms around her knees. "Why's that?"

"I enjoy being by myself."

"Always?"

"Mm. For several centuries now." Rin's eyes widened. At her silence, Sesshomaru opened his eyes and met her gaze. "Does my age surprise you?"

"Not really. I mean, you're older than I thought, but- oh, I didn't mean- oh…" Burying her face in her arms, Rin laughed nervously. "It doesn't matter what I meant. I think I'm more surprised about someone spending centuries by themselves. Don't you ever get lonely?" A thick chunk of hair fell over her shoulder and when she moved to push it back, she found Sesshomaru toying with the ends of the strands. His eyes met hers and she was shocked to see every year he had claimed shining back at her.

"Sometimes." He stood and stretched before offering a hand to help her up. Rin took it and was pulled almost into his chest again. He inhaled deeply, his eyes never leaving hers. "Come, we should return."

He released her hand and assumed an appropriate distance between them. Rin was dismayed to see the mask of complete and utter indifference slip back into place as they approached the house. He held the door for her as they went inside. Nobody was in the kitchen, for which Rin was grateful. She never could have gotten the courage to do what she did next if there had been.

She kissed him.

It was just a quick peck, a chaste press of lips, but she felt it down to her toes. She then backed up a few paces, smiling inwardly at his expression of disbelief. Both eyebrows were raised, eyes wide, lips parted. "Thank you for sitting with me." He nodded, the mask slipping back into place.

Rin left the kitchen calmly, but nearly ran up the steps to her room. When she was safely behind the closed door, she allowed herself the dopey grin her face was demanding. Her lips tasted faintly of the wine from dinner and she shivered, remembering the subtle way his body had tensed when she put her hands on his chest for balance.

She was still off balance as the evening replayed itself over in her mind's eye. Looking at it objectively, there was more romance in a fumbling middle school relationship, but the undercurrent of sexual tension was undeniable. Rin knew he thought she hadn't noticed him watching her before she stormed off from dinner. Then, under the stars, when he reached out to touch her hair… Oh, I feel like a virgin, touched for the very first time.

Forcing herself out of a Madonna song, Rin's eyes flitted across her laptop. If possible, her already dopey grin got even wider as she threw herself into the desk chair. She knew how to fix her angsty-emo vampire problem.

-x-

Sesshomaru watched Rin leave the kitchen calmly, but heard her burst into a barely contained run as soon as the door closed behind her. Part of him felt like smiling, but he beat that part into submission by sheer force of will. Nobody needed to know that he had any sort of feelings for anyone, let alone a human.

After taking a bottle of water from the fridge he went to the library, always his favorite room in the house. Now, though, he had a specific purpose. He was slightly dismayed to see his father seated in one of the overstuffed chairs, a pair of glasses perched on his nose and a book open. He looked up when Sesshomaru entered and waved him to the opposite seat.

"Son," Taisho started. "What do you think of our guest, Miss Kimura?"

:SMART FUNNY AMAZING SMELLS GOOD WANT WANT WANT NEED NEED MATE MATE MATE—:

SHUT UP!

He forced his inner demon back. There was absolutely no reason for him to give any hint of what he felt for Rin. She would be out of his life in a week, so there was no use in letting anyone know he had a slight infatuation with the girl. The great Lord Sesshomaru would never deign to involve himself with a human. He shrugged with practiced nonchalance. "She seems quite intelligent and well-spoken for a human."

Taisho nodded. "She certainly does. That being said, how is she feeling at the moment?"

"When she left me she was-" Turned on? Turning me on? "-feeling much better. She no longer wanted to kill Kagura."

"Yes, yes. Kagome told me. Kagura and Rin should be separated as much as possible, and I will need you to assist me in this. I'm not overly concerned about Rin acting out, but Kagura… the wind is a fickle mistress."

Sesshomaru nodded. He could not agree more. Kagura was dangerous to whoever was on her bad side. She hadn't hesitated in wheeling and dealing herself up the corporate ladder, but she had finally reached the proverbial glass ceiling. The only possible way she could go any higher would be if she was to –by some miracle- wed either Sesshomaru, who wanted nothing to do with her, or Inuyasha, who was sickeningly happy with his bonded female. Since she already had him in her sights, anything that she believed threatened her pursuit of him would be eliminated with extreme prejudice.

Taisho seemed to know what his son was thinking and agreed completely. "I was considering taking Rin under our protection. I don't know what Kagura has against the little one, but I know she never forgets anyone who she feels has slighted her, whether it is real or perceived."

Deciding to steer the conversation away from the females, Sesshomaru tried to see the cover of the book Taisho was reading. "What are you so engrossed in at this hour?"

"Oh, this?" He held it up so Sesshomaru could read the cover. He mentally cursed. Of course, he couldn't escape speaking of her. "This is one of Miss Kimura's books. Apparently she agreed to sign some for Izzy, but I don't think she realized that her entire catalogue is down here." His father gestured towards a table against one wall. Several stacks of books were piled high; some in hardback, most in paper, but all of them well-used.

One eyebrow raised and Taisho chuckled. "Apparently she wasn't exaggerating when she mentioned her prolific writing. This," he waved the book in his hand, "is one of her non-romance novels. I think the rest are being read as we speak, but I would recommend at least giving one of her books a shot. She really is quite gifted."

"I'm glad you mentioned it. I was going to read this evening, anyway." Sesshomaru seized upon the excuse his father had given him like a lifeline. He had planned on looking for one of her titles when he came in, but this saved him quite a bit of time and embarrassment.

"If you will excuse me, Father, I believe I will retire for the night. It has been a long day."

"Yes, it certainly has been, Sesshomaru. Remember, tomorrow at one o'clock, living room." Sesshomaru nodded and grabbed a random book off the stacks as he left. He was almost to his room when he heard his name float down the hall. Turning toward the sound, he waited, knowing who was about to turn the corner.

"…and then he laid down like he was planning on staying a while."

Inuyasha grunted. "Feh, he probably was just looking for-" The hanyou and his wife stopped short when they saw him calmly waiting for them.

"Inuyasha, Kagome. I trust I provide for interesting conversation."

Kagome had the grace to blush, but Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "I don't know what game you're playing, Fluffy, but if you hurt Rin I swear I'll rip you limb from limb."

Sesshomaru bristled under the impression that he would harm the little female. His demon howled in offense. "Would you care to rephrase that, half-breed?" He could feel heat pulsing behind his eyes and knew they had turned red.

"Whoa, whoa there. Down, boys." Kagome, ever the mediator, stepped between the two of them. Subduing his demon, Sesshomaru felt his face cool and knew the imminent danger had passed. He wouldn't have wanted to destroy part of the house in a fit of pique over something his ignorant half-brother had said.

The hanyou took a bit longer to calm and only managed to do so when his wife whispered something in his ear. Whatever was said so quietly brought a different sort of flush to the man's face and Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.

The two stood facing him and silence descended. Kagome fidgeted uncomfortably, Inuyasha alternated between glaring at Sesshomaru and giving heated looks to his wife, and Sesshomaru waited, one eyebrow raised. Kagome could never stand awkward silences, so she would be the one to break it, probably with some question about the field.

Less than a minute later she spoke, exactly as he predicted. "What did you two talk about?"

"Nothing and everything at the same time. Does she make a habit of contemplating the universe and meaning of life?"

Interestingly, she smiled. "Only when she's upset. If she's still talking like that in the morning I'll be worried, but she should be better by then. She never could hold a grudge."

"She seemed ready to break most of Kagura's bones."

"Rin has a temper, but doesn't rage very often. When she does, it's definitely impressive. It burns out pretty quickly, though, and then she gets all …thinky."

"Thinky? Is that the clinical term?" Kagome smirked at him, but there was no real heat in the look. For someone with a master's degree in psychology, she had an interesting way of putting things.

Inuyasha growled. "Why do you care, Sesshomaru?"

He shrugged with one shoulder. "I would hate to see it come to physical blows. I am the only one, besides father, who can restrain Kagura if it comes to that. Speaking of which, he has a proposition for you regarding your friend."

Kagome looked at him sharply. "What sort of proposition?"

"It is not my place to say anything, especially when there may be other ears about, but if he has not approached you by dinner tomorrow, I will speak of it. Until then," he inclined his head to them, "Kagome, Inuyasha."

Sesshomaru stepped around the couple and continued to his room. He paused before his door, breathing Rin's scent deeply. The rapid click of furious typing came from her room and he had to grit his teeth to force himself in his door instead of hers. Throwing the worn paperback on the bed, Sesshomaru slowly paced the length of the room. Bringing Rin under Inu clan protection would be the best thing for her. No one would dare harm a hair on her head for fear of bringing the wrath of the dogs down on their head. And make no mistake, Sesshomaru would kill anyone who so much as looked at his female the wrong way.

Wait… my female? He shook his head in denial of the thought. No, she was just a friend of his half-brother's wife. Sesshomaru would keep Kagura's claws out of her for the week, then the protection would be in effect and the sorceress wouldn't rouse herself to search the female out. For all of her single-minded focus, Kagura was an inherently lazy creature, only bestirring herself when an opportunity dropped in her lap. Whether or not she orchestrated the opportunity itself was the question.

Regardless, Sesshomaru appointed himself Rin's bodyguard for the week. He had no doubt the hanyou would ridicule him mercilessly if he found out, so Sesshomaru vowed to conduct the entire affair as privately as possible.

:IF ANY OTHER MALE LAYS A FINGER ON HER WE WILL RIP IT OFF:

Very true.

As much as he and his demon had disagreed today they were both in accord when it came to that, albeit for different reasons. It was obvious what his demon wanted, and he wasn't going to get it. Sesshomaru had to maintain iron control in the field to keep from mounting and marking her right then. Even at that, he couldn't help reaching out and feeling the silken strands of her hair.

:MAAAATE:

SHUT UP!

What was it about this girl that put him on edge? Nothing had riled the demon like this in over a hundred years. Back then it was someone trying to wrest the Western Lands from the Inu clan. He would expect the dog to rear its head if its territory was threatened, but this girl wasn't his property by any means. He may be a demon, but he wasn't an animal, dammit.

:MINE:

Apparently, the demon had claimed her already. If his stupid instincts wouldn't quit shouting, he was going to end up with a migraine. The teamwork exercises father had planned were already bound to be intolerable, with a headache he would end up killing something. Reminder: If you have a headache, order Jaken to stay away.

Sesshomaru couldn't help but wonder if Rin would participate in any of these activities. It would be better for her if she stayed away from anything that might involve Kagura, but he had a feeling she would try to be a part of it all. Maybe he could work something out with his father that would allow either he, Inuyasha, or Kagome to be partnered with her at all times.

:NOOOOOOOO:

He winced as the dog howled in rage. Sesshomaru could feel his eyes burn and turn red, his fingers tense and claws emerge, his mouth open as fangs grew. If he looked in the mirror he knew he would see the hidden moon and stripe demon markings on his skin emerge, writhing and growing bigger. With a concentrated effort, he fought to regain control of his instincts.

Several long moments later, drenched in sweat, Sesshomaru was satisfied he had beaten his dog once more. He was his own master, and not even his instincts would take that from him. Shedding clothes as he walked to the shower, he cursed his nature that made every day a battle for control. Stepping under the hot spray was cathartic. Steam billowed around him, fogging the mirrors and seeming to remove him from the material world. He closed his eyes and reveled in the rhythmic tattoo of water streaming across his back. Turning, he allowed the water to stream over his face and wash away the last evidence of his struggle in the bedroom. Stray droplets clung to his lips as he backed out of the direct stream, reminding him of the girl who had kissed them earlier. She had to stand on her tiptoes to reach his mouth, and even then he found himself bending slightly so she could reach.

Her hands on his chest had lit a fire in him, one that was raging now. She had looked so lost out there in the field, looking up at the stars and contemplating the meaning of life. When her hair brushed his hand, his fingers were stroking the ends before he had made a conscious decision to do it. And her laugh, a sweeter sound he had never heard. He hadn't been making a joke, but her laughter infected him, making him smile. So little these days brought him any joy.

Seemingly on its own, one hand rubbed his chest where she had touched him and slowly worked its way down to the proof of his excitement. He knew his demon needed this, so he decided to be gracious and let it play. When the hand wrapped around his shaft and stroked, his hips bucked forward and a small sound escaped him. Allowing his eyes to close and his head to fall forward, Sesshomaru pictured Rin.

Her eyes were slightly red from angry tears that had fallen before he arrived. She held her arms out to him and he embraced her, pressing her small body into his. He stood up, lifting her off the ground as he kissed her, the sweet scent that was uniquely Rin invading his head and taking root. She threw her head back and laughed as he swung her in a circle.

Her legs wrapped around his hips, her center pressing intimately against the part that needed it the most. When her lips met his again he devoured her, licking and sucking and nibbling until she whimpered for more. Leaning down, he softly placed her on the ground and lowered himself over her. His deft hands worked a minor miracle and stripped her of the tight jeans she wore.

He touched his forehead to hers as he lined up with her opening. Their eyes met as he thrust in and-

With a strangled moan, Sesshomaru's eyes flew open as he spent his seed against the wall of the shower. His entire body vibrated with the force of his release and his demon stretched, almost purring in sated bliss.

There. Satisfied?

:NEVER: