"..." talking

'...' thinking

AN: Ahh sorry for the delay. The smut had me stumped and I'm still embarrassed with how it turned out. Please don't hate. Almost done! Also, if Sesshomaru comes across as a little OOC - I'm sorry. But.. it works for the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha


Chapter Eleven


Watching Rin sleep, Sesshomaru's beast purred contentedly with the fact that he had claimed his mate. As he brushed a piece of her hair off her face, he suddenly felt agitated when his beast mentioned the word 'mate'. Leaving the bed, he silently made his way outside. Alone, he rubbed a hand over his face, allowing his agitation to show through. Looking up at the sky, he tried to sort his shifting thoughts.

He didn't deny that he was in accord with his beast in regards to having Rin as a mate. He just didn't know how to overcome certain complications that he didn't think about when he had sent Rin to Kagome's time. She had a life here and he had already uprooted her from a life she knew once before. He didn't know if she would be willing to give up her life in this time for him. He grumbled to himself, it wasn't like him to be so indecisive and he didn't like it.

A quiet cough from behind him had him spinning to the offensive. In a blink of an eye, he had Kagome by her throat against the side of her house. Realizing who it is, Sesshomaru dropped her. Rubbing her neck, coughing, she sheepishly apologized. "Sorry Sesshomaru, I thought you heard me coming. Didn't mean to startle you."

Sesshomaru's cold mask was back in place, hiding the flustered state he had been in moments ago. Kagome stood beside him, looking up at the sky as he had moments before. She sighed, before saying, "I won't presume to know what you're going through, but just know this. If you break Rin's heart again, I will purify you. She would do anything for you. Anything you ask of her. She loves you completely. Keep that in mind when you make your decision on how to move forward." Kagome looked at the stoic demon out of the corner of her eye. He made no acknowledgment to her speech, but she was satisfied that she had done her duty as priestess and friend. "Good night Sesshomaru."

Turning around, she left the tall demon to his thoughts.

Rin stretched languorously, smiling to herself. She couldn't believe how her night had ended up. She had never imagined that her wildest dreams would actually come true. She rolled over, frowning slightly when she realized that she was alone in the bed. Sitting up, she looked around the room. Tamping down the sudden doubts that assailed her, she got up and got dressed. A quiet knock on her door was her only warning before Frankie rushed into her room.

"So!?" Frankie whisper-yelled. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "I want the whole story. All the dirty details. Especially the dirty details. Who was that guy last night? He was hot. How do you know him? No wonder you never were fully invested in Will. Does he have a brother who looks like him? I think I could give relationships a try for someone like him!" Frankie fanned herself, while wiggling her eyebrows at Rin.

Rin giggled at the exaggerated expressions of her best friend. She obviously couldn't tell Frankie the whole story, even though she'd probably take it all in stride. Rin's doubts got pushed aside as she told Frankie how she'd met Sesshomaru and how she hadn't seen him in almost 9 years but had always been in love with him. She blushed while telling Frankie how her night had gone, especially when Frankie's squealing reached a pitch that only dogs could hear.

"Damn girl! I can't believe you have been holding out on me." Frankie sighed. As much as she didn't like the idea of relationships, she was a bit of a romantic for other people. Rin finding her true love was just too perfect. "What's the matter?" she said, noticing the shadow cross Rin's face.

"I don't know… he wasn't here when I woke up this morning. I don't know how to face him! What if it was just spur of the moment? I know that I've always loved him, but I have no idea how he feels about me" Rin mumbled, not making eye contact with Frankie.

"PSH! That's complete bullshit, and you know it. The way he was holding you last night at the club and the way he reacted towards Will? Girl, he is in love with you too. I'd bet my favourite shoes on it. If he doesn't admit it, he's an idiot and I'll say that straight to his face too." Rin giggled at the thought of Frankie facing down the formidable dog demon. "I think we just need to go find him and you can both have a little talk before meeting up with everyone. Stay here and I'll go find him for you ok?"

Frankie was up and out the door before Rin could say anything to stop her. Shaking her head at the impetuousness of her best friend, she started rehearsing what she was going to say to Sesshomaru.

Frankie, unfortunately for Rin, did not possess a subtle bone in her body. Like a bloodhound, she hunted down Sesshomaru ready to take him by force if he wasn't willing to talk to Rin. She finally found him out by the old well, and stalked up to him.

Sesshomaru felt the girl approaching him, and had to remind himself to not lash out at her. He did not approve of how the girl had addressed him last night, but understood that she was from a time he didn't understand either. And, looking at her now, realized she wasn't even Japanese.

"Hey you, tall-dark-and-handsome, we need to talk,"

'Tall dark and what?' "Girl, this Sesshomaru does not need to talk to you about anything."

"Excuse me? Girl? My name is Frankie, thanks. And yes, we do. I need to know what your intentions are with Rin. She's my best friend and I will not let you hurt her in anyway. You are, honestly, too damn good-looking for words, but good looking does not always make good relationship material." She smirked at this part, "Trust me, I would know."

Sesshomaru, if he were a lesser demon, would have rolled his eyes at this point. He also had to think that he might be losing his touch. To be reprimanded in almost exactly the same way by 2 mere mortal women? Unheard of. He scoffed. "Do not presume that this Sesshomaru is like the scum Rin had been seeing before. This Sesshomaru answers to no one but himself."

Frankie bristled at his tone. 'God, he's so… domineering. Way to controlling for my tastes, regardless of how hot he is.' "Look, I told Rin I would find you and tell you to go talk to her. But if you're going to break her heart, then I'm going to have to…" She trailed off as the tall man was suddenly no longer in front of her. 'Well… that's strange…'

Rin paced back and forth in her bedroom, half-heartedly packing her suitcases. She was technically returning to Canada for another year of school she was hoping that she wouldn't have to go back. She sighed. She knew better than to hope that Sesshomaru would take her back to the Feudal Era.

She turned around and slammed into a warm wall. She looked up and blushed when she made eye contact with Sesshomaru. He stared at her intently. 'Why is he just staring at me? Why won't he say anything?'She fidgeted awkwardly.

Sesshomaru could sense Rin's discomfort. He had given his decision a lot of thought, and knew that while Rin was his mate, he couldn't deny that one of Kagome's best attributes was her knowledge she had learned in the future. Rin staying in the future to get the most education would be in her (and Sesshomaru's) best interest.

"Sit, Rin. This Sesshomaru has made a decision." Rin despaired at his formal tone. She sighed, slumped in resignation as she did what he bade her. Sesshomaru stood in front of her, his discomfort only showing in the slight weight shift from foot to foot. "Rin," he started, "this Sesshomaru would like to discuss your future. You have 4 more years of school left and this Sesshomaru is expecting you to finish them."

Rin couldn't help the tears that started to form. He didn't want her. No matter what Frankie had said, he didn't love her. Why else would he keep her in this time?

She started when he suddenly knelt in front of her, grasping her chin to look her in the face. "Why do you cry? This Sesshomaru was not finished." She felt the slightest flicker of hope in take hold in her chest. "In 4 years, you will be fully educated and I will be able to take you as a mate." For the first time, Sesshomaru felt a bit of doubt in his decision. He looked in her eyes, and saw that she wasn't crying from sadness anymore.

"Are you certain, Sesshomaru-sama? Your mate?" She was in shock. She could barely believe it. Seeing the confirmation in his eyes, she let out a cry of happiness. Throwing her arms around him, she pressed her face into the crook of his neck.

Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her, and nipped at her neck. His beast rumbled his approval of her acceptance. "You should finish packing, and I will stay until you leave for school."

Frankie chattered away to Kagome, allowing Rin and Sesshomaru to have a quiet moment to say good bye. Rin was sad that it would be another 4 years until she would see him again, but understood his reasoning. While Frankie kept the others in the group occupied, Rin smiled shyly before reaching up to give Sesshomaru a kiss. He was surprised at her boldness, but didn't hesitate to deepen the kiss. Rin sighed into him, and when they broke apart she couldn't help but giggle. It turned into a full laugh when she caught sight of his quirked brow. "I never thought I'd see you in future, human clothing. I will never forget how good you look in them." She grinned up at him.

As the boarding call for their flight rang out, she gave another quick kiss to Sesshomaru before walking towards Frankie. Frankie eyed Rin slyly before grabbing her bag. Rin and Frankie waved to Kagome and the others as they boarded the plane to Canada.

'It's only 4 more years,' Rin thought, with one last glance at Sesshomaru.