Chapter Two: Feelings

Ten long years had passed since Rin had been left in the care of the old Miko Kaede, and almost a month since she had seen her beloved Lord Sesshomaru.

Rin was a young woman now and her hormones were getting restless. She was only a child when Sesshomaru had left her in the human village. He said it was for her safety.

"This is not a punishment" he had consoled her. But she couldn't help but feel like she had, in fact, done something wrong. Even his consistant visits and lavish gifts weren't enough to stop poor Rin's mind from pondering her faults.

She may have only been a mute and battered child when they met. But she wasn't stupid. Rin knew she had to have been a burdon on Sesshomaru.

She was in constant need of care and a watchful eye. She was only human but, she could sense that his feral yokai instincts to protect her never faultered for a second.

Sesshomaru was always watching, even without looking directly at her, she could sense his mental gaze. Sesshomaru was always calm and patient with her but, Rin knew on the inside he was alert and ready to pounce on the first threat that so much as looked at her. She couldn't explain how she knew this, it was just a... Feeling.

Rin had been packing her things for weeks, trunks lined the walls of the little hut she'd called home for the past ten years. She had already made her decision. She knew where she wanted to be and what she wanted for her life. She had decided this years ago.

She understood why Sesshomaru had left her in the villiage. What she couldn't wrap her head around was why he thought she needed to even think about what she wanted. To Rin, there was no need to think about what she wanted, even as a young girl, she already knew.

She wanted to be with her beloved Lord Sesshomaru. Forever. That much she was sure of.

When she was a child she had most definitely admired Sesshomaru, she treasured him. He was golden in her eyes. Flawless, kind, unchanging and unconditional. No one else saw these qualities but, that didn't bother her. If they were too ignorant to know the truth, that was their problem.

Their loss. She'd just keep him all to herself.

She also knew that as long as Sesshomaru existed in her life, nothing could go wrong. Nothing could hurt her, nothing could defeat her.

Even between visits, when she was physically without his pressence, Rin knew there was a connection between them that no amount of distance could ever sever. Sesshomaru would come, he always came for her.

But somehow, in the last year she had been in the village, her feelings for her beloved Lord had changed. It was no longer just a childish adoration for her caregiver.

This feeling was much different, much more... Intense.

She didn't merely miss him anymore, it wasn't just being his companion in travel that she longed for. The thoughts that filled her head now, the feeling she had deep in her gut every time he came to visit. Every time she locked eyes with Sesshomaru's golden honey gaze, her heart flutterd and her knees felt week.

Yes. This feeling was new, and much, much different.

The crackling and poping from the dying fire brought Rin out of her thought filled trance. It was dark and well into the night. She rose gracefully, her movements no longer that of the clumsy little girl she had once been.

The old Miko was asleep now, Rin surveyed Kaede in her noisy slumber for a moment before exiting the hut. she sighed heavily taking in the cool night air. It was much too stuffy inside for her to think, and she needed more fire wood.

It was a quiet night, peacful and still. She looked up at the night sky as she walked towards the woods, a beautifully full and gleaming moon meeting her gaze.

She held her hand's together as she walked to the edge of the forest, wringing her fingers out of stress. "I wonder when he will come for me..." She whispered to herself as she bent down to gather a few logs.

'I wonder what he will think of me... Surely my beloved Lord Sesshomaru couldn't...'

Rin shook her head vigorously, shaking the thoughts away. She scuffed at herself, hurrying along back to the village. Sesshomaru wouldn't be happy with her being out alone at this time of night, it wasn't safe.

The moonlight set a spot light on her, tracing her every move, highlighting her features into even more stunning beauty.

Her long black hair fell behind her back in long flowing sheets that covered her rounding bottom. Her slender yet curved frame wrapped tightly in a lavish pink kimono, (one of the many Sesshomaru had ordered his servants to make for her) painted with red butterflies and emroidered with gold thread. Her pink lips and porcelin white skin seemed to glow beneath the moonlight, she indeed resembled that of a Princess.

She believed secretly, that this was no accident. Lord Sesshomaru wouldn't have left her in a human village of such low standing, for so long, without setting her status higher than the rest of the villagers.

And Rin was definitely his Princess. She also knew that Sesshomaru's gifts weren't merely for her pleasure either though.

They were a statment of ownership to the human men in the village. Rin's wardrobe alone set her aside from everyone else, and to be honest, she felt a little uncomfortable around others. She was always WAY over-dressed.

But she would never admit this embarresment to Sesshomaru. She would never, in any way, lead him to believe she was ungreatful or displeased with him or his wonderful gifts. Because, deep down, she loved being his little princess, it was the life she'd never dreamed of having.

She was so grateful to have her beloved Lord Sesshomaru in her life, and she would never do anything to make him think otherwise. So, instead, she'd just sigh and deal with the gawking and whispers that would follow anywhere she went. She would never dare tell Sesshomaru things like that either.

She knew he'd be furious if he knew anyone had ever made Rin feel anything other than like the Princess he saw her to be. So, on every visit she greeted him with a smile, and at his usual question "I presume you've faired well, Rin..?" She would exagerate enthusiastically and talk his ear off.

Not a hard feat, seeing as how Sesshomaru had never been one for convorsation, he had always been the listener in their relationship.

"Relationship..?" Rin blurted out, questioning herself.

'Absurd...'

She slowed her pace, well out of the forest now, and she knew she had time to dawdle. The moon caught her eye again, and thoughts consumed her once more.

The moon quickly vanished, morphing into Sesshomru's face staring back at her.

'He couldn't possibly...'

Her hands started to shake and she gripped the logs more tightly.

'Could he possibly? Could my beloved Lord really... Feel the same way?'

"Ridiculous." She said aloud, her tone was louder this time and harsh, as if she were scolding herself. She sighed again, reaching the hut.

::A Few Hours Earlier::

Sesshomaru stood in the garden of his shiro. He was stoic and silent as he stood, staring at the moon. All was quiet, there was no wind nor the sound of rustling bugs. No royal yokai standing guard, no annoying, bossy mother brooding about.

He was completely alone. His face remained emotionless, his features hard as stone. But his insides were squirming, and his brain buzzing with thoughts of his completely unknown future.

He had ten years to contemplate the changes to come, and yet, Sesshomaru still had absolutely no idea what his fate would be. Because, his fate was no longer souly in his capable and rational hands.

His golden eyes glazed over as the moon disappeared and Sesshomaru was transported to another world. He had often been lost in this other realm over the past ten years. But, it seemed to be getting worse. He was having trouble pulling himself back out as of late. He just could not get that silly little girl out of his mind.

His thoughts would surely be the end of him.

'Her scent... Her smile... The sound of her laughter... Her ridiculous obsession with flowers... Her... My Rin... Mine...'

Images of Rin and past events flooded his mind, threatening to undo him completely. Sesshomaru had already lived an exceptionally long life. But he was hardly considered to be old and his mind, his memories, remaind vivid and completely intact.

Every battle, every foe, every single victory. But, Rin stood out the most. She was the most vivid. She was his anchor, holding him in place.

He remembered the day he met that battered, ragidy, little human girl in the woods. The memory of that fateful day rested on Sesshomaru's mind more heavily and more vividly than anything else.

Though, on the outside he was a gleaming, beautiful statue, he was a swirling, sticky, hot mess on the inside, and he was seriously on the verge of losing his shit.

He had never felt this way before, never been so stresssed. He never let anything get passed is iron clad defenses, and certainly was never worried for his own life.

But, now... Even though the night was quiet and there was no sense of appending danger. Not a foe in sight... His entire escence, every fiber of his yokai being was aflame.

He couldn't understand it, or control it, but his body was preparing itself for battle. 'Ridiculous' he kept thinking to himself, but he just couldn't shake it. There was no physical battle to be had, no foe, no fight to the death, no pitiful scum to wipe off his boot. There was nothing but the moon, and.. His thoughts trailed off again...

'And Rin... My Rin...'

It took all the strength he had to close his minds eye and transform.

'Enough of these foolish thoughts... There is business to attend to..'

With that final thought the mighty Inu Daiyokai took to the skies and disappeared behind the clouds. There was a long journey ahead of him, and his Rin would surely be awaiting his return.

He would just have to take his chances, what ever happened next, happened, and there was simply nothing more he could do about it. Rin would make the right choice for her, and he would just have to be the great dog yokai he was and deal with it.

::Back at the village::

Rin placed the newly aquired wood into the cold pit and lit it. The old Miko snored from the corner as she rolled over, and Rin started gathering her things for the night and changing. She was ready to sleep. To put these thoughts to rest.

'But with my luck, I'll probably just dream about him instead...' She thought mournfully and sighed again.

"Ugh!" She slammed her futon and blanket down on the floor angrily. She must have been a little too loud because Kaede snorted loudly and grumbled in her sleep.

She threw herself down on her bed, almost childishly, and crossed her arms. The newly lit fire casting shadows acrossed her much annoyed face, twisting her features.

Rin leaned back into her pillow and stared at the dark ceiling above her. She pulled the blanket up to her face, hiding, and was almost immediately taken over by her mind again.

'Maybe I'd be better off entirely if he just didn't come... If he just never set foot in this village again... Maybe... Maybe he'd be better off without me... Not in his life at all...'

Rin's eye's fluttered now, fighting to stay open. A fight in which the outcome was inevitable.

'To never... Never see my beloved Sesshomaru...sama...ever again..'

With that final disturbing thought, she fell into a restless slumber.

The sounds of wolves and bandits filled Rin's head now, heckling and growling. It was pitch black and she couldn't see anything anywhere, she could only hear them, sense them.

Fear and adrenaline took over and she ran instinctively. She couldn't tell which direction she was running, or from which she was being chased but her feet wouldn't stop to let her think. So, onward she ran, into dark nothingness.

She could feel her persuers gainning on her, nipping at her heels. She could hear their hungry bellies eager for her flesh, smell the blood of the villagers and her parents.

She was running so fast, so hard, she couldn't breathe. Suddenly something grabbed her arm, snatching her upward into the darkness. Rin screamed out, this was it, she was going to die again, and never see her beloved Lord ever again.

::Moments before::

Sesshomaru had been sitting on a rock on the outskirts of the human village when his senses alerted him. A single scent of fear sent a surge through his entire body and he ran as a blur to the old Miko's hut.

He had to admit, he had expected something a little more... Suspensful, and would have been annoyed with Rin for getting his inner yokai so riled for nothing. But, the sight of his Rin shaking under her covers and screaming out in terror made his heart wrench all the same.

Sesshoumaru discarded his armor and quickly snatched the girl up into his arms. Too quickly apparently. Rin screamed out and shoved both of her hands into her his firm chest, trying to get away from her captor.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" She squealed, terrified and trembling violently.

Seeing her so afraid sent a sharp pain through his chest, threatening his iron clad defenses. But, Sesshomaru remained composed, simply refusing to let Rin go.

Frozen there on the hut floor, craddling the girl close to his chest as she writhed against him, fighting desperately for freedom. His heart coulnd't take it, he couldn't see her this way.

Sesshoumaru leaned in close to her ear and uttered a single word, a whispered tone barely even audible. "Rin..." The small human girl in his arms immediately fell still and quiet. Sesshomaru's eyes softened, and he fought back a smile. He pulled Rin in closer, resting her head on Mokumoku.

But, that apparently wasn't close enough for her. After a few moments, and almost instinctively, Rin rolled into him, nuzzling his neck, sighing in sleepy satisfaction.

He hadn't expected this, and his eyes widend in shock. At first every muscle in his body tensed, begging to pull away. But, he knew if he did Rin would probably fall back into her nitemares.

So, there he stayed, frozen. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end from the little wasps of hot breath eminating from Rin's nose.

'It... Tickles...' Sesshomaru thought to himself. 'No... Not tickle... It feels...' His eye's widened more still at the thought he refused to finish. He needed to wake her, it was time.

Sesshomaru's usual hard expression took his face once more, as he looked down at his Rin. Her tiny human hands curled up againts his chest, and her flawlessly beautiful face burried into his neck.

'Mine...'

The damn thought refused to leave him be, echoing through his head like a ringing bell. He ignored it the best he could. "Rin." He commanded gently.

She breathed into his neck, ignoring his comands.

"Rin." He whispered her name again, his voice was velvety and gentle. "Wake now. Your Sesshomaru has waited long enough." He said, urging her with politeness he would never offer any other living creature.

In truth even with Rin, being patient and gentle was vexing to Sesshomaru. The problem was, he didn't have it in him to treat her with any less respect than he himself would expect to recieve.

Human's were fragile creatures, and he cared deeply for his Rin, so he would continue to endure his annoyence, until the end of time, to spare her feelings if he had too.

The end of time?... Would he have that long?... Would he even have one more night with his beloved?...

Rin stirred in his arms, pushing her arms up and around his neck, breathing him in. She opened her eye's slowly, tired and foggy. For a few seconds she didn't know where she was, or what was going on.

She smiled, he smelled so good, he smelt like home. She tightened her grip around him, and pushed her face deeper into his neck as her sleep took over again.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened again as the hairs on his neck mocked him and his heart threatened to beat out of his chest.

Sesshomaru's arm slowly started it's way around Rin's body, as if to meet her embrace. He realized suddenly that now not only was his mind betraying him, but his body was as well. If he sat here like this with the girl any longer... Well, he didn't trust himself.

"Rin." He uttered her name again, his voice firm with annoyance from his own foolish actions. Rin opened her eyes reluctently and reality sunk in way to fast for her tiny human mind. Fully awake this time, she jerked away from him slightly, and his arms flew out instinctively to catch her.

Rin's heart started to race and her face flushed. Sesshoumaru cocked his head curiously to the side as they stared at each other. The girl was breathing heavily, a flood of emotions and thoughts threatening to drown her.

'Oh no! Oh no, oh no! Oh Gods!... What do I do now? He's sure to sense that.. How long has he...? Oh Gods!' Rin tried to untangle herself from him, she needed to get down. She couldn't breathe. But, Sesshoumaru refused to let her go.

He stared down at his beautiful, little human curiously. Pulling her closer the more she tried to free herself.

Shock and frustration mingled with the embaresment and longing she was already trying to hide. Why was he pulling her closer? 'Not that I'm complaining...' Her face flushed crimson as soon as the thought passed her mind.

'Oh Gods... I'm busted, I just know it..' Rin let out a heavy sigh and went limp in his arms. Staring up at her captor, she pouted weakly. Hoping this was one of those rare times that card would work on him.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his honey colored eyes at her pout. Knowing full well what she was doing, this had worked a few times on him when she was a child, and he had to admit, she was good. There was a little mental battle as he faught himself not to give in.

He won. Of course.

"Rin." He said, tightening his grip on her for good measure. She didn't stiffen or fight back though. She simply lay limply in his strong arms, seemingly content as she stared up at him. But she was not content. She had just had a lot of time to practice on him. She could not, however, hide her scent. She mentally sighed as she waited for it.

His features turned from hard curiosity to concern in a matter of seconds. "What is wrong?" The question came out accusingly, though he didn't mean it to. But, her scent through him off. He couldn't pin point it at first. It confused him and, dare he say it, scared him a little.

Rin studdied his expression for a moment. Considering her options carefully. She smiled brightly, "Nothing is wrong, Lord Sesshoumaru! Not now anyway. I was having a bad dream..." She rattled off. "I just wasn't expecting to wake up to you..." She added, looking away from him. Her checks flushing slightly as she did so. Trying desperately to keep her mind clear.

'There it is again... What is that scent...?'

Sesshoumaru stared her down for a moment before finally releasing her. But, she wasn't getting off that easy, this wasn't over.

She stood before him, looking at the floor. Arms folded to her chest.

'Her very full chest..'

His heart fluttered at this thought, trying desperately to avoid looking at her plump breasts.

'Damn you.. Stay on topic..'

His thoughts reverted back to her scent and bizzare behavior. Sesshomaru stood, not quite knowing what to do, or how to react to this knew Rin. Had he done something wrong? Perhaps he should have just let her sleep?

He was confussed and his insides were still squirming and buzzing, but his outer shell reamined still and expressionless.

Suddenly, he closed the distance between him and his precious Rin, and with one clawed finger pulled her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. Rin shivered only slightly at his unexpected touch, but obeyed his wordless command.

His molten honey eyes burned straight through her and she was instantly calm again. "Rin." He said, looking deep into her eyes, so glad to be with her again.

'It's been far too long...'

"Sesshomaru-sama... I'm sorry.. You're just so... Comfy.." Rin blurted out. He ignored this, resting his thumb on her lips ceasing their movements.

She should never have to apologize, he could think of nothing in existance this small human girl...No... Woman. Nothing could this beautiful woman before him ever do to deserve pleading of her Lord. Rin's eye's widened, frozen where she stood letting his eyes pour into her like liqour. She felt weak, dizzy.

Rins small hands clasped over his large clawed one, holding it in place as she nuzzled her face into it. Gods... How I've miss him... Her eyes closed and she sighed in pleasure. This interaction made Sesshoumaru's yokai senses tingle.

'What's she playing at?...'

Sesshomaru watched her silently for a long moment before dropping his hand and walking to the door of the small hut. "Come." Again, with a single silible he commanded her, and she willingly obeyed.

Rin straightened herself, and followed her beloved Lord as quick and gracefully as she could muster, given all of the shocking and random occurances.

Her heart was pounding against her chest, and her pamls were sweating. She hung her head high though, and cought up quickly to walk beside Sesshomaru. She did however, make a point not to look at him and waited for him to speak. She would not make a fool out of herself again. She hoped anyway...

They walked a long while together, through the night forest. Sesshomaru's chest tightened when he sensed Rin by his side as they walked together as equals.

No other would dare.

No. No other would be alowed to walk beside him as his equal. His mind flooded with memories again, even though he knew his Rin well, knew what her actions would be and fully and gladly accepted them. She never ceased to shock him.

He had expected her to walk beside him. 'That's her rightful place. She and she alone has earned it..' He had expected and wanted her to be close to him. She did things like this often, this was nothing new. She was constantly breaching some defense of his, breaking some code of Sesshomaru conduct. Rules that were never reserved for her in the first place but, shocked he reamined.

They had reached a clearing. Sesshomaru stopped walking just before a stream, and Rin stood still next to him. She could stop herself from gazing up at her beloved Lord no longer. She had recovered from previous embarresment and had fully regained her composure now, and was staring adoringly at Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru could sense Rin's gaze, but he directed his eyes upward instead, staring at the moon. Not but a few hours ago he stared at this same moon, from high in the clouds, contemplating furiously this very moment. He stood tall and proud, lost in a gleaming moon, completely intised by Rin's scent. 'Forever...'

His thoughts were foolish.

Instinctively, Rin reached out for her Lord. Her small silky fingers grasped his clawed, battle caloused hand, and she squeezed gently.

The small touch shocked them both out of their trance, and Sesshomaru looked down at the small hand gripping his much larger one. He stared, processing this new sensation.

Of course, Rin had held his hand before, this was not new to him either. Often on their journeys together did the child run up and walk hand in hand with him. But, the feeling he had in his chest this night when her soft warm fingers grasped his..

This feeling was threatening to undo him even more than his own thoughts had been before his arrival. He could feel his gut tightening uncomfortably, and his heart skipped a beat.

Rin was still staring at him, she knew something was wrong, she could sense that much.

'What have I done now..?' She wondered silently.

She knew her Lord very well, she could read his stoic expressionless face like an open book. But this night he had locked her out, and she couldn't break through. Rin blushed now, embaressment flushing her face and she went to drop her hand.

'So stupid...Stupid Rin..'

Sesshomaru sensed Rin's change in mood immediately and his eyes met hers. He closed his hand on hers before she could pull away, and Rin's eyes widened. Never before had her Lord held her hand in return.

She knew she was alowed to touch him, alowed to hold his hand. But he'd always just... Stood there, letting his hand hang loose, just alowing the girl to hold onto him.

Never had he recipricated in such a direct manner. Rin stood there, trying not to let the shock run across her face as he stood there, staring down at her, holding her hand captive.

A new feeling soon replaced her embaressment and she mentally groaned. 'Oh no... Crap!' Sesshomaru's keen nose picked it up instantly. Rin could hide nothing from her beloved Lord.

Well, at least not her scent...

His expression did not change, nor did he allow Rin to let go of his hand. But, he was quite sure of a change in her scent now. This new scent.

'Arousal?'

Sesshomaru's insides squirmed aganst his iron defenses, he would be his own demise.

New tactic!

His tone was low and gentle, "I presume you have faired well, Rin?" He asked his usual question, half stalling half wanting to make damn sure she'd been treated like the little Princess she was.

Rin smiled and squeezed his hand again, no longer worried about the change in him. Sesshomaru had that way about him, this ability to completely distract her from anything troublesome.

He was the calming aura in her storm, her becon of light always luring her away from danger and fear. "Of course Sesshomaru-sama. I have been just... Fine.." Rin tried to reasure her Lord, but she trailed off a bit on that last word 'fine', tipping off Sesshomaru's sense's again.

'Is she lying to me now?...' His brow furrowed slightly.

"Rin..." He stared down at her more intimidating now, a hint of a growl in his voice. It was a question, what was she not telling him? Sesshomaru reluctently forced his eyes away from his beloveds and stared back at the village.

'If any of them treated my Rin unkindly in any way...'

Sesshomaru growled again, louder and more dangerously now. Rin understood his wordless accusation and stood quickly on tipped toes to reach up and touch his face. Forcing him to meet her gaze once more.

Sesshomaru's eyes softened and the growling cut off immediately. He was shocked again.

'Her hands are so... Warm... And.. Soft..'

Rin's fingers ran across his stripped cheeks, "No Sesshomaru-sama! I really am fine! It's not... I mean, it's just..." Rin trailed off again and Sesshomaru put his hand gently over hers resting on his check.

Rin looked away from him as Sesshomaru's eyes searched for her gaze. She knew this would upset him. She heard a soft growl rumble up his chest, felt the vibrations in his hand over hers.

'And how she loved this new sensation, this will he suddenly had to touch her back..'

But she didn't care, she couldn't let him see it. She was watching the water now, trying to find anything to distract her. 'An impossible endeavor..good luck with that..' Rin scuffed under her breath.

Sesshomaru couldn't understand this change in his Rin. Had she been with these humans for so long that she couldn't be herself with him anymore? A sharp pain ran through his chest as panic set it.

'Would it always be this way now?'

He felt a distance growing between them, and his heart ached to close it. He had literally been through hell and back for this tiny human woman, he was not about to lose her to a human village.

No. He was not.

"There is much to discuss." He said simply, letting their hands drop and turning his back to her to stare at the moon once more.

He had decided to rip it like a bandage. The rest could wait. But, her new dimeanor had wavered his self confidence. He suddenly found his typically nerves of steal had disapeared.

Sesshoumaru took in a deep ragid breath, he was losing his composure. It didn't help that she was staring up at him again. That familiar look on her face.

Rin forgot her own issues for a moment, concern and curiosity on her face as she stared up at her precious Lord. 'What's his deal tonight?'

'She's trying to figure me out... Oh Gods... Why does she have to know me so well?'

"I have... Intentions." Sesshomaru said, scenting her shock in his words, he knew he needed to get this over with, if she rejected him...

'I need her... I need to know... This petty hesitation is pointless and foolish.'

But, before he could get another word out Rin was standing in front of him again, pulling his face down to meet her eyes, a new determination engulfing her features.

But, those smoldering pools of honey threatened to steal her strength and leave her defenseless yet again. She took in a deep breath and stared, instead at the middle between his eyes. Okay, this might work...

"I have my own intentions. I have made my decision!" Rin blurted this out quickly. "I..." Rin's face blushed "I want to stay with you... Forever." She put enphasis on the 'forever' part, wanting, hoping her beloved Sesshomaru would be able to catch the meaning behind her words without her having to actually say it.

Sesshomaru stood there, heart pounding, staring deep into the eyes of the woman who would surely be the end of him. He could feel his inner yokai clawing to get out. Every animalistic instinct was trying to rip its way out of Sesshomaru, and it was all he could do to just stand there, lost in those beautiful onyx eyes.

Forever... She had used this term many times since she found him. He was well used to hearing this. Sesshomaru knew that it was just the silly wishes of a human child.

But, he had to admit that forever with his Rin did sound appealing. To never live without her, to never be without her laughter, or never be without her beautiful scent?

'And those hands...Her warm, soft touch...'

No one had ever dared touch him in such a manner. Never reached out for his hand. Never cared to console him. No, not even console, no one had ever sensed his feelings like Rin had. Or would have ever been allowed to get away with touching him.

Never and forever were now two very real concepts that Sesshomaru understood very well, deeply and more than Rin would ever know.

Sesshomaru sighed out loud, and pulled her hands away from his face, stepping back a few feet from her. He knew she would take this the wrong way, but he couldn't think, he couldn't breathe, he needed to regain composure.

Being so close to her like this, touching her soft warm flesh.. He was a mess inside. He tried to make his face and voice as emotionless and stoic as possible. But, it was going to be difficult now.

"If that is what you wish, Rin." He was relieved, but the yokai inside him refused to be forced into sumbission. "But, this Sesshomaru... Needs...Something from you in return.." His words rolled off his tounge, silky and poisioness, he had rehursed this many times. But, it seemed easier thought than said now.

Rin stood motionless before him, hands shaking slightly, expression confussed. She was still recovering from the sudden distance he put between them when her brain went into overdrive, trying to process his meaning.

There was a lot to take in all at once. But, one thing was crystal clear to Rin. She would be allowed to stay with her Sesshomaru, forever, if that was what she wished. Of course that's what she wished! Had he actually thought she would choose a human village over him? Absurd.

'What could I possibly have that my Sesshomaru-sama covet's so badly that he actually... Needs..?'

But, of course, she would give him what ever he wanted, when ever he wanted it. She bowed her head to her Lord, "Anything for you my Lord... Anything.."

Sesshomaru struggled with himself, a low growl of annoyance emitted from his chest and he bared his fangs slightly. He closed the distance between them so fast, she didn't even see him coming. He forced her up from her ridiculous bow, glaring down at her and growling louder. Such edequette wasn't necisary while it was just the two of them.

'Is this really how it is to be from now on between us? Such formalities...'

Rin gasped in surprise as her head was jerked upward, her eyes meeting his. His threatening growl vibrating from his hand to her chin. 'Uh-oh..' She thought privately to herself, and smiled sweetly up at her beloved Lord.

"Don't even try that innocent act on me, Rin. It's not going to work this time." Sesshoumaru said, holding his ground, his hand fallling from her chin and his growl subsiding. The glare stuck though, he just couldn't shake it.

'That Lord and Sama shit will have to be addressed... And soon..'

Rin sighed in frustration, glaring back up at him. She put her hands on her hips, angry but not sure where to go from here. Not sure what he wanted from her, not knowing how to please him. She fumed silently at him. Her glare not faltering either. 'You might intimidate other people with that crap, but not me! You chose the wrong girl buddy..'

'Why has he shut me out? I can't read him like this.. I'm making all the wrong social choices and it's completely his fault! He should be pissed at himself.. Not me.'

They stood there for a while, silently glaring at each other. His fangs bared, her hands on her hips. Both so confused by the other's actions.

Sesshoumaru was trying desperately to hold his composure, he was not going to let this tiny human win again. Not tonight.. But, the longer she glared up at him like that... And he knew she wasn't going to break, she rarely faught back like this, but, when she did...

'I guess she learned from the best.'

Sesshoumaru let out a heavy sigh, his compsure lost.

'Fuck.. And this round goes to the tiny human.. Well played, tiny human... Well played..'

She was just too fucking... Beautiful... Especially when she was mad.

'Beautiful?..' Sesshoumaru's heart throbbed and a deep longing overtook him.

Rin continued to glare up at him, growing more and more confused with the situation the longer she did. Many emotions passed Sesshoumaru's features at once, before his heavy sigh of defeat. It worried her but, she wasn't ready to let her guard back down yet. 'He was a jerk for no reason, he gets what he deserves..'

'Wait... Sigh of defeat?..' Now she really was worried. Her features softened but, her hands remaind firmly glued to her hips. Her full, plump breasts protruding outward as she stood there staring at him.

Sesshoumaru tried to ignore her breasts but, they reminded him of the fact that she was of mating age and that their relationship could... Would... Hopefully.. Change soon..

He ached to emrace his beloved tiny human. But, he refused to act upon these desires.. For now...

He stood stoic and proud again, as he slowly regained his normal restraint. Simply staring her down. He needed to make completely sure Rin was fully aware and fully willing and accepting of his wishes.

The rest of this foolish nonsense could wait. There would be plenty of time to discuss and argue and glare about trivial matters down the road.

The time had come, finally. Years spent with only a few agonizingly short visists a month, and now, his Rin and forever were standing before him, and he could only stand there, frozen, like an idiot. "I...This Sesshomaru..."

'Gahh!...Damn fool...'

For the first time in his life, Sesshomaru struggled with his words, he actually feared this human woman. Feared her rejection. It was maddening. "There are things... I... This Sesshomaru needs..." He growled inwardly at himself, he wanted to rip his own throat out.

'FOOL!'

Suddenly it hit her. Like a sit command from InuYasha's Miko, it hit her. Her guard finally dropped and her hands fell to her sides. Sesshoumaru wasn't paying attention though, he was too lost in his psycho babble. All the color drained from Rin's face. She understood. She caught his meaning, and she fully recipricated it.

'Thank the Gods I know him so well..' She thought to herself and her body started to move on it's own.

His fangs were bared and his brow furrowed. Failing miserablly to speak like the strong, confident male Inu Daiyokai he was. "I.. Uh...This.." Another growl-

Rin closed the distance between them quickly, reaching up on tipped toes once more and pulling his face down to hers. Cutting him off mid growl.

Impulse took over and her lips crashed into his. All formality and reservation lost now, she kissed her beloved Lord deeply, no longer worried about his rejections.

Sesshomaru's heart stopped altogether, his eyes widened as he allowed this tiny, human woman to control his body. Letting her small, strengthless hands pull his head toward hers.

When her small, warm mouth touched his lips he lost control, all thoughts gone, all worries disipated, even the forest and the moon seemed to disapear. He was lost. Defeated. Fading in and out.

He could no longer control the yokai inside him, Rin had completely unleashed him, and it felt so good. He had no control over his own body apparently either, his hands seemed to act on their own accord as they instinctively reached for her.

Sesshoumaru's fingers gently ran themselves up her curved hips and around her back, and his hands pulled her forcefully into him. Greedilly stealing the embrace he'd so longed for. Her plump breasts pressed tightly against his firm chest.

He was really glad now that he'd left his armor back at Kaede's hut. Because, the feeling of Rin's body up against his like this sent a feral sensation of pleasure through him. A low growl rumbled up his chest, vibrating between their touching lips.

It was then that he realized, for the first time this night, that Rin was only wearing her YUKATA. The thought of her bare skin beneath this thin layer of fabric sent a jolt through his entire body and he let out another growl of pleasure.

'She's practically naked, throwing herself at me...' His eyes closed and he kissed her back, rough and hungrily. That scent filled his nose again, making him dizzy. It was her arousal... Arousal..for me?

The sudden realization that his forever was in fact unfolding right in front of him, without even the slightest respect of slowing down to let him catch up, was enough to bring Sesshomaru to his knees. He hadn't thought about what he would do if she had recipcicated his...

'Feelings.'

Hadn't planned on or even considered how he would react or behave if she had chosen him over her human village. He had only prepared himself for the worst case scenario. Mentally and physically prepared himself for a battle to the death, alert and ready to take on the most fearsome foe.

'But this...'

Sesshomaru melted into his seductress, powerless against her strengthless human advances. Rin taking full advantage of his submission to her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him yet closer and deeper into her kiss, her small hot tounge playing against his. The taste of her mouth filling his, rattling his inner yokai again.

Sesshomaru was lost in passion, everything was hot and the world seemed to be tipped sideways and he couldn't think. Only feel. He pulled Rin off her feet and into his arms and Mokumoku wrapped itself around her, pulling her in close.