Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 11

Pain

He dressed in dark and hid his features. Even if it was not essential he would do it anyway. He was ashamed to show his face to the one he has fallen so low for.

Soon, he was there. The same clearing. The same moonless night. As he looked into his eyes he believed he was staring at the devil himself. He gritted his teeth and lowered himself slowly, painfully in a bow only a god deserved. He closed his eyes as his nose met the ground.

What has become of my pride?

It was stolen…just like he stole them from him.

-Rise.

He did as he was told. He looked up at those disturbing orange eyes and he was filled with rage and disgust as he spoke.

-What more could you possibly want from me?

The monster smirked.

-Sesshomaru's human ward.

He couldn't help but snarl viciously and without a second thought, swipe his claws at that annoying grinning face! Four deep bleeding gashes adorned the smooth tanned skin and he watched this, satisfied to feel that blood once again in his hands.

He cried out as his hand was caught and broken unmercifully. He was then on his knees gripping his damaged appendage.

His chin was lifted to look at those unbearable eyes once again. He watched as the wound he made healed mockingly and slowly until it was just as perfect as before.

-You will behave like a good dog and do as I command.

He then leaned on the other's pointed ear and whispered.

-We don't want anything happening to them, do we?

He could only shake his head, dazed.

*Dream*

She gasped as skillful hands caressed her body like a sculptor shaping his art. The muscled body behind her was vibrating with virile growls. She shivered as she felt a nip in her ear.

She never felt anything so…beastly as this.

So raw this feeling was. Something brutal yet loving. She wanted to see the face of the one doing this to her. Somewhere in her heart she already knew the answer.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She then turned slowly in his arms until she was facing him. She opened her eyes only to see red ones glowing in the darkness his features were hidden. She couldn't avoid the shiver down her spine as her "mystery lover" claimed in a lustful voice.

-You are mine, only mine.

*End Dream*

Rin groaned as she sat up in her bed. These dreams were becoming more frequent and she was feeling a bit scared of this subconscious obsession. Yet she yearned for them. They made her feel good in this cruelty called reality. Oh, how she wished she could stay forever in that beautiful place near a hot spring with her passionate lover.

She blinked as she realized how ridiculous her thoughts were.

He is nothing but my imagination.

She was sure this was all a consequence of her desire to find love and discover intimacy. She smiled sadly.

To forget, just once, the misery of not being able to embrace the one I truly yearn for.

She covered her eyes with her hands and rubbed them. She sighed as thunder boomed outside the palace's walls. She stood, not feeling like sleeping anymore and covered her sleeping yukata with a thin robe and chose to wander the empty halls until tiredness returned to her.

Why couldn't I be a child forever?

Naomi coughed blood for perhaps the tenth time since she was thrown and chained to this dark cell. Her entire torso was recovering slowly as her bones reattached. She praised and cursed her demonic blood at the same time. She managed to open her eyes and look around the already well memorized damp walls.

How long have I been here?

Hours. Perhaps a day already. She didn't know. What she knew was that she probably had her days counted if she didn't think of a way to show Sesshomaru the truth.

She was startled as her cell's door opened with a loud screech. It gave her goose bumps and the need to scratch the floor.

An almost gentle hand gripped her chin and raised it. She found herself staring at amber.

-M-my, l-l-lord…

He made an "hn" noise and his jaw clenched. The grip on her chin tightened until her numb body found discomfort again.

-You do not deserve this Sesshomaru as your lord, traitor.

She flinched as his face remained remarkably unfeeling and bored.

-N-no! I…didn't b-betray you…t-the true one is s-still out t-there!

Her head was banged into the wall behind her and she literally saw stars. Sesshomaru was still gripping her chin now a bit gentler.

He is mocking me.

He leaned so he was whispering in her ear.

-You will tell this Sesshomaru everything you revealed to the eastern since you joined me and I might give you a swifter death.

She blinked, trying to clear her vision.

-You h-have t-to b-believe m-m-me! I wasn't t-the one w-who b-betrayed y-you!

Once again her head slammed to the hard wall. She felt like she could die from a concussion at any moment.

-You are repeating yourself.

She took a deep breath.

-J-j-just…hear m-me out.

Sesshomaru frowned as he still couldn't sense any deception in her aura.

Is she telling me the truth? But then…who?

-This Sesshomaru hears you.

She gulped.

-I-it is obvious t-there is a spy in t-the palace. B-but it's not me!

-Who then?

She gritted her teeth when another wave of pain from her torso washed her.

-T-that I d-do not know…but my loyalty is t-to you and n-no one else!

He narrowed his eyes and let out a frustrated growl. She could still be lying. What if she was manipulating her aura? Some demons could master it. Hell, he did it most of the time.

He gripped her blond hair and raised her head. She cried out in pain. It felt like her head was being ripped from her neck!

-Look at me.

She opened her eyes and gave him a pleading look.

-You better not be lying to this Sesshomaru.

He then smirked.

-You will remain here until there is proof of your innocence.

The last thing she saw was a hard fist and darkness.

He tossed and turned but it was useless. He couldn't sleep. The thought of her kept him awake.

I wonder how she is…Is she safe?

Of course she was safe. She was with Sesshomaru. There was no need to worry.

Kami, he wanted to see her. To see her beautiful smile, her big brown eyes, her sweetness. He missed her so much.

He was so worried when he heard about the attack on the village.

He narrowed his eyes as he rose from his futon. He dressed in his demon slayer's outfit and grabbed his fearful weapon.

I will see her…I will stand by her side and no one is going to stop me!

-Rin?

It was a peaceful morning. The palace's garden was a good change from the tense environment inside. She looked at Sesshomaru who was sitting beside her, leaning in a majestic tree.

-Yes, my lord?

He read his thoughts over and over and tried not to sound very concerned.

-Are you happy here?

Her eyes widened at the unexpected question. She looked down and played absentmindedly with her toes as she thought.

I am here for my safety as well as the western lands' safety. My happiness doesn't mean anything.

-The answer to that question is irrelevant. I know why I am here and I know my place.

She heard a fierce growl and before she registered what was happening she was pinned to the soft grass with Sesshomaru's large body covering hers. She blushed hard when she could practically feel his muscles twitching beneath his clothing's soft silk.

Oh kami…

Sesshomaru gazed calmly into Rin's eyes not aware of the girl's inner struggle. He couldn't believe Rin just said that abomination. He gripped her wrists and placed them beside the sides of her head as he adjusted his long legs between hers. He narrowed his eyes at her.

-Who are you and what have you done to Rin?

Rin blinked trying to figure out if what just came from her stoic lord's soft lips was a joke. Her lips trembled and she snorted indelicately, trying to stifle her laugh…

…to no avail.

She soon was laughing openly and when she opened her eyes only to look at his confusion as he tried to regain his composure it just made her laugh harder.

Sesshomaru never felt so amused. Here this woman was laughing at what appeared to be him and she looked so…cheerful. It made him want to smile. Not a scary smile…just a smile. Her laugh was contagious and he knew that no matter how many bad things happened Rin's light would never fade.

He tensed as he followed her lip's movements and he felt…enticed. His heart was beating faster. No one has ever stirred so much emotions that personally he had begun to think he didn't have. Once again, he imagined what it would be like to press his own lips to hers and taste her. She would be sweet, he decided. His heart was pounding like it would be his first kiss even though his first one was accidental but he was never bothered by it. But…with this woman…this human woman he felt like an inexperienced teenager. He realized she wasn't laughing anymore and she was gazing at him with half lidded eyes. He felt himself shudder with desire.

This is so wrong…

…yet so inevitable.

He released her wrists and cupped her face. He let himself slip control just this once. He leaned down and managed to brush her lips wit his briefly before hearing a voice he knew too well.

-Sesshomaru!

He quickly stood up and gazed at her coldly as he sighed inwardly.

-Mother.

Author's Note: This week sucked and I'm exhausted but it was worth it! I managed to write this chapter nonetheless! It is still a bit smaller than usual but…oh well. Hope you liked it!