Dedicated to Rosalind du Coudray

Rin eyed the soldier wearily while she ate her lunch.

"Little Miss, do you wish me to go where you cannot see me?" Ayumu asked the child.

"No." her eyes widened.

"Then why does it bother you if I am around?" he asked cautiously in a softer tone.

"You're Scary." She blurted. She clapped a hand over her mouth and her eyes widen.

"Rin is sorry!"

"No, No, it's okay! See, I'm supposed to be scary. If bad people see me, they get scared and run away. See? I'm here to protect you, Little Lady." Ayumu smiled softly at the child.

"So you have to be scary?" she asked curiously. Some of the sadness in her eyes disappeared.

"Hai, will that stop us from being friends, Little Lady?" he asked seriously. He knew that children didn't like the thought of someone making fun of them. He glanced at the bedroom door where Sesshomaru and kagome sat talking. Shippo was with Miroku to get dressed.

"No….Rin supposes we can be friends. Are you and Sesshomaru-sama friends?" she asked, unconsciously moving closer.

"You could say that. I actually work for Lord Sesshomaru." He replied. The girl took another bite of her food.

"Oh…." She mumbled around her food. Shippo darted out of his bedroom and raced into the kitchen.

"Kagome….be reasonable-"Sesshomaru tried again. Kagome childishly pouted on the bed. Her legs folded in the crisscross applesauce position

"No! You want Ayumu to tail me around because some idiot randomly attacked me. Sesshomaru-sama, please…it was an accident." She pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a ridicules manner that made her seem all the cuter to Sesshomaru.

He groaned in frustration, partially kagome's attitude and partially where his thoughts were leading him.

"Kagome-Chan, The stranger had you in mind. He came in here and confronted your daughter. This Sesshomaru will not allow any of you to be harmed. Do you understand?" he sat on the edge of the bed, one leg pulled up so he could make sure he stayed on the bed with the other leg.

Her eyes widen.

"What Do You Mean He Came In My Daughters Room!" she screeched.

"Kagome! You are hurting this Ssesshomaru's ears. He did not hurt her, This Sesshomaru has already made sure of that. How else did you expect me to know that Kouga was dead?" Sesshomaru asked, flinching at her loud voice. His ears started ringing.

"I'm sorry Sesshomaru-sama but…..OH no no no no no no no….this can't be happening! Why would someone do that!" she cried anxiously.

"Kagome. Do you trust this Sesshomaru to protect you and your children?" Sesshomaru asked, hoping for a positive response like the children had given him.

"Really, why should I trust you? You're practically a stranger to me! I shouldn't be leaving my children's lives in YOUR hands. This is horrible! I have been so irresponsible!" kagome ranted.

'So the miko doesn't trust us, do something! Get the miko back with us!' The beast demanded of him.

"Kagome, if this one had wanted to, this Sesshomaru had plenty of opportunity to harm you. Believe it or not, but this Sesshomaru cares about you and the children. Besides, this one's beast demands to protect you. Do you understand what I'm saying?" he grabbed her hand hoping she would understand.

'Mate…..miko is our mate!' The beast in him raged.

"Sesshomaru…?" kagome asked quietly. Her eyes showed all her confusion and a small spark.

"Kagome…..Mate…." He struggled to suppress the beast. His eyes flickered back and forth from red to amber.

"Sesshomaru! What's happening!" Kagome gasped startled.

"Miko….our mate….mate is frightened! You're scaring her, beast! Let this Sesshomaru have back this one's body!" Sesshomaru argued.

Kagome's eyes were wide open as she realized what was happening.

"Mate?!"

"BAKA!" Sesshomaru growled at his beast. He just knew it was smirking. Now he couldn't hide the facts…..