Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 24

Moonlight

Her hands were shaking, barely able to hold the cup of water Kagome had given her in hopes that it would help. The miko was beyond worried and kept trying to have an answer of what had happened out of Rin. The girl only managed to shake her head and gulp down some water.

Rin closed her eyes and took a deep breath; the usual thing she did to calm down. Maybe it wasn't as bad as she thought. Maybe it was a misunderstanding. It took more than fire to kill her lord and that she knew. Many times she saw him gracefully step out of the destructive flames with barely a hair out of place. She was sure she was overreacting.

And since when she had visions?

She was no miko. No demon. Definitely not a fighter although she had to raise a knife towards a wild animal or two. What were wild animals compared to powerful creatures such as her lord?

Maybe she had reached the point of hallucinating?

She was just a human that had been lucky to have crossed paths with her lord on a merciful mood. She didn't feel crazy yet though.

She got up and gave the cup to her friend who sat there dumbfounded and confused as she saw Rin head towards the mirror she had paled before minutes ago. She raised an eyebrow for the young woman seemed to be inspecting said mirror with a strange newfound determination.

I swear that girl has terrible mood swings.

Bummer. The mirror looked like any other she had seen before except the beautiful and elegant carvings in the wood surrounding it but they were just indicating that it was a very expensive mirror. Nothing else.

Maybe she was crazy after all.

Inuyasha sighed tiredly as he watched his mate go.

What now?

She said he should talk to Sesshomaru. The only talking they had ever done were either insults, battle strategy or the sound of steel against steel. He turned his gaze towards the door and sighed once again. This was definitely not going well.

He cautiously opened the door and closed it quietly.

-Sesshomaru?

No answer. He raised his head to look around and felt the urge to face palm. His desk was completely ruined (well there's the answer for that crashing sound) and the large window behind it was stark open (maybe too much) which meant he got out.

He got near the desk and shook his head disapprovingly.

-Looks like the stuck up prick isn't very fond of furniture.

Sniffing the air for the demon lord's fading scent; Inuyasha leapt out of the window and followed it.

Problem was…Sesshomaru didn't seem to want to be followed.

Asshole just had to make it harder for me, huh?

The scent led him to an open clearing and then it was everywhere. He took a deep breath and chanted in his mind as he passed hours searching every direction the scent was.

This is for Kagome and Rin. This is for Kagome and Rin!

The sun was setting beneath the mountains making a beautiful scenery colored with orange and pink hues. He made sure to watch the sunset with Kagome when the opportunity comes.

But for that he had to find that bastard first.

There it was. This one didn't seem to be a confused mess that twirled in every different way. It went in a straight line, no doubt Sesshomaru's intentional direction. He dusted off the dirt from his fire rat and cracked his back since he had spent some time hunched on all fours tracing his ass.

The walk was short and he felt like banging his head on a tree. The demon lord didn't even pass the limits of the forest.

He had to admit, the guy knew how to avoid being found when he didn't want to. And he seemed to have a nice taste for secret spots.

He was standing near a large hot spring surrounded by tall trees and the water looked so pure and clean that it was starting to sparkle that enchanting blue reflection on the smooth rocks as the sun was making way for the moon with every second.

But enough of sightseeing, he returned his attention to the demon that was still as a statue just staring at the water.

Now that Inuyasha thought about it, Sesshomaru was so still it was creepy.

He always had the feeling that his half-brother hid so many dark secrets inside that mind of his. Shivers ran through his spine whenever he looked into the cold amber eyes.

He gulped as he saw Sesshomaru's fingers twitch ever so slightly announcing his acknowledgement that he was there.

I did many evil shit in this hanyou life of mine…

But he was sure nothing could compare to what his much older brother did. Which left him wonder…how could Sesshomaru be so calm about it?

He wasn't a fool to know that demons were different from hanyous and humans. So much different.

When his brother had been his only model for the demon kind he believed that demons weren't ever graced with emotions at all and so didn't realize the gravity of their actions. He had seen his brother kill before. It was swift and unmerciful, almost with childlike innocence. Like he had been raised for this like a farmer's son was taught how to plow the earth.

But then the tales his mother had told him about his father the time she had been alive were like a fresh balm to his burning doubt. He remembered fondly how his ma's eyes would sparkle whenever she told him how much his father had loved the human princess to the point of giving his life for her and their newborn son.

He quickly learned that demons could be as emotionally passionate as humans and hanyous if not more. He knew that Sesshomaru's were bent to burst at the seams someday.

And from the looks of those fingers that were twitching more and more it would seem that that day would come sooner than expected.

-Sesshomaru.

He didn't turn or replied. He just kept staring, buried in his own little world.

Another thing that he came to learn about Sesshomaru was that when he was focused on thinking about something he shut down the rest of reality. Unless…he was in the middle of a battle and there his thoughts were quick and precise. Deep down in his heart, Inuyasha couldn't hate his brother. He was everything that the hanyou wasn't and even if that irritated him a bit it was also something he admired and respected. Even if not present Sesshomaru was still the only family he had. He had looked up to him for as long as he remembered.

His eyes twinkled with reinforced determination and his voice was strong and certain.

-Sesshomaru.

The demon lord stopped twitching his fingers and slowly turned to face Inuyasha with his usual blank stare.

Oh, how the hanyou knew better.

Sesshomaru's lips curled slightly in an annoyed frown and a faint exasperated sigh escaped him.

Inuyasha growled under his breath.

Yeah, yeah, fuck you too, bastard.

Because the mighty and noble Sesshomaru would never curse in front of any living being.

-What the hell do you want, Inuyasha?

The hanyou blinked in astonishment and checked his pulse to see if he was alive.

Holy shit.

He remembered himself that he been asked a question and sincerely, now that he was here, he didn't know what to say.

His mate just told him to talk to him. So he cleared his throat.

-Nice place you chose, huh?

An elegant eyebrow rose.

Damn…do I really look like him when I do that? I must avoid it lest I look like a prick.

-Spare this Sesshomaru the casualties. I don't have time for small talk.

Well, straight to the point. He wasn't going to argue with that.

The hanyou shifted from foot to foot in discomfort.

-Tsk, alright. I think it's time for you and me to have a…t-t-talk!

What the fuck? Is it so weird that I can't even say it right?

Sesshomaru let his lips melt into an amused smirk.

-Is that so? Have you decided to abandon those caveman manners of yours and enter the wonderful world of civility?

Inuyasha's eyes widened comically. Oh no. He wasn't going to fall for that one. As he saw a certain shift in his brother's jaw he returned the smirk and said calmly.

-Yeah, sure.

The other eyebrow joined the other and Inuyasha's smirk turned into a grin.

The demon lord frowned lightly and his eyes narrowed. He was expecting his brother to release a couple of curses and storm out of his sight mumbling and grunting. Might as well listen to whatever is worth letting an insult go.

He nodded his consent.

-I wanna know what's on your mind…about Rin.

Not aware that Inuyasha knew what was happening between him and Rin, he answered.

-What do you mean, half breed?

Inuyasha sighed tiredly.

-Look, cut the bullshit, I know what is going on.

The demon lord crossed his arms and tried not to growl.

-Privacy is a most cherished thing, Inuyasha.

-Yeah? Sorry to disappoint you but as long as Rin is involved I am too.

They glared at each other for a few moments before Inuyasha's eyes grew pained and saddened, surprising Sesshomaru.

-Just…think very well about it, ok? She…she doesn't deserve to be hurt like this.

Sesshomaru has had quite enough of it. Rin this! Rin that! When the hell would people realize that he mattered too? Inuyasha should know that Rin was the last person he would ever hurt in any way. If he didn't feel anything for her he would end her misery and doubt and say he didn't already.

But he did.

And it irked him, confused him. He wanted her so much yet he avoided her whenever he met her eyes. The lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands was well known for being no coward. And he wasn't. Knowing that she loved him like…like that human princess loved his father made his heart flutter.

His mind was plagued with haunting 'what if?'. Before he could stop himself he voiced the conclusion his mind had gotten.

-It was a mistake to ever meet her.

Inuyasha fumbled with his hands not sure what that had meant but tried to make his brother see reason. If he could do this Rin would be happy which made him and Kagome happy. And his brother would know happiness too. He sighed.

-Maybe it was a mistake.

The demon lord met his eyes once again with certain curiosity. Inuyasha snorted and rubbed the back of his neck.

-Hell…my whole life is made of mistakes. It has been a long and…painful journey but…I'm still here aren't I?

The hanyou boldly approached his brother and gave him a small smile when not even a growl was heard.

-I finally have the mate that I ever dreamed of and one day the kids will pop in too.

He giggled, just imagining his Kagome round with child.

-If you still see Rin as a big mistake I just want you to look at my life and realize that not always mistakes are bad.

He wanted to do a little victory dance when Sesshomaru nodded and seemed deep in thought. He turned around to look at the water again and said quietly.

-This Sesshomaru would like to be alone.

Inuyasha nodded and turned around but his smile grew wider and his secret adoration intensified when he caught a barely audible:

-Thank you…

-Where is my son?

Lady Mother was a bit worried. There had been some commotion in the palace lately and she knew it was because of two certain lovebirds.

The young these days…what were they waiting for?

The fast and panicked pad of small footsteps made her roll her eyes and she gracefully stretched her foot making Jaken and a bigger than himself pile of scroll fall to the floor. He was about to curse whoever dared to trip him when he met familiar golden eyes that made him shudder.

-M-my lady! F-f-forgive my clumsiness!

He squeaked with shame when she picked him up by the back of his neck and glared.

-Where is my son, little demon?

The poor kappa's eyes widened impossibly and he gulped.

-I'm s-s-sorry, my lady! I'm af-f-f-raid I don't know where Lord Sesshomaru is!

She dropped him and sniffed the air. She picked up another that interested her more and made her way to it.

-And here I thought you were of any use, little demon.

Jaken allowed himself to glare at her back and rubbed his sure to be sore butt.

My name is Jaken!

She poked at her food with little interest. She couldn't be hungry with what happened.

He was not here again too.

What if he changes his mind? She didn't know if she could bear to be refused now that she had a chance.

-Rin-chan?

She looked up and tried to smile at Kagome but the miko knew better. She stood up and whispered in Rin's ear.

-Inuyasha came back and told me where Sesshomaru is. Why don't you go talk to him?

She then took the young woman's hands in hers and said quietly.

-I know it would ease your heart.

Rin bit her bottom lip nervously.

-I don't know, Kagome-chan. I think he needs some space. What if…

-No what ifs, girl!

-GAAH!

They jumped, startled as Lady Mother magically appeared right behind her. With an almost offended expression on her face, Lady Mother pushed the freaked out Rin in her son's direction.

-I'm tired of you two moping around like tormented souls. It's time for some action!

Rin gulped.

-Huh…m-my lady, with all due respect, a-are you insane?

Lady Mother stopped pushing her and glared at her in a way that made Rin want to find a hole and bury herself.

-No. But I will be if you don't stop being an infuriating coward!

Lady Mother sighed and awkwardly drew Rin into a hug.

-Don't worry. He would never hurt you.

Those words clicked something in Rin's head and with a bewildered look she nodded and ran to find her lord.

-It's about time I get some grandchildren after all.

Kagome couldn't help but giggle.

He breathed in the scents of the night and it calmed him a bit. He would never admit it but Inuyasha had a point in his surprisingly clever words. It was strange to see his brother be the mature one for a change. Maybe he should give it a try.

He was so tired of being alone.

Rin made him feel. When he had tasted her lips or just had her in his arms there was a burst in his chest that relieved him of some imaginative burden, made his heart beat faster and a smile threatening in his lips. It was so simple yet so complicated.

He needed her more than ever.

There was a time that he would have been disgusted with such need. But he just reached the point of welcoming it with open arms and drown in it. This lack of affection in his young but already long life reminded him that, even if a demon, he was a living being and as much as he denied it and suppressed it he too had emotions. With her, he couldn't control it anymore.

That was why when he heard her call his name he turned around, took her in his arms and kissed her with all the passion a demon like him could muster.

She had been startled with the sudden kiss but quickly gave in and wrapped her arms around his neck. Kami, she could taste him for hours and never get tired of it. He was addicting.

She moaned and in her desperation tried to press herself as closer to his warm body as possible. He growled lightly and suckled on her tongue like it was water in a desert.

Perhaps too soon for both of them, they parted breathless. Rin had that flattering blush in her cheeks that made him want to make her his there and now.

Even now, she made him pant like he had just fought a hard battle. He couldn't say anything and buried his face in her neck with a subtle groan.

Rin's eyes fluttered, not believing that this was happening. Was he truly ok with this? Did he feel the same as her?

She slowly closed her eyes and petted his silky hair almost afraid that he would fade away and she would wake up cold and alone once again. He purred in satisfaction and nuzzled her neck damning consequences to hell. She was his and he was hers. He didn't care anymore about anything as long as she would be right here in his arms, safe and sound.

Eyes still closed, hands still petting that beautiful silver hair, she raised her lips to his ear and kissed the lobe. His arms tightened around her and she felt him shiver. With a small gasp, she whispered him in a passionate moan what she always thought right before she woke up.

-My love…

His possessive growl awakened that familiar tingle in her belly and she whimpered with restrained need. It was unexplainable how much she just wanted to feel him…be with him.

He suddenly raised his head from her neck and she saw a playful glint in the eyes that stole her breath away. Without a word, he placed her hand on his shoulder and raised the other just like in a dance. She gasped audibly and her blush intensified when he pressed her even more to his body.

Oh kami…I can feel all of him…

So warm. It made her want to snuggle with him.

But then she remembered that she had seen this dance somewhere and finally understanding she shyly tilted her head to the side baring her neck enticingly. Her lord growled gently and buried his face in her offered neck, inhaling her much awaited scent.

They started to move and Rin couldn't help the giggle that escaped her nor the tears of happiness as they danced in the moonlight.

Author's Note: *squeals* OMG 200 reviews! Thank you ever so much! I hope you guys liked this chapter and how it ended up. I promise next update will be as soon as I can!