Sesshomaru could tell they were being watched as soon as they arrived at Rin's apartment. It wasn't a demon, he could smell it. This observer was definitely mortal. He decided to wait outside and look around while she ran in to get the necessities for the next few days. Something was definitely looking forward to. An unexpected smile came to his face as he thought about his mate and pup staying for more than a night. He would use this time to show Rin he was willing to try for her. That he wanted to be more than forced mates. Having Yuki around would be of great assistance in this. As the demon rounded the front once more, he spotted the person he was looking for.

Across the street, leaning against a black car, was a young man with shaggy brown hair whom he recognized as Kohaku Taijiya, heir to the Taijiya Security Syndicate. His family was quite old, going all the way back to the feudal era. It was a mystery why he was watching them, however. Making a mental note to ask Miyoga to sniff around late, he went upstairs to check on his mate. She was in her room, packing clothes meticulously into a suitcase. Smirking, he reached around her to pick up a pair of pale orange panties.

"Pack these too. I like them."

"You are quiet presumptuous. Maybe I'll make you suffer without sex for a few days."

"I believe you'll find that much more difficult with your mark, mate."

Emphasizing his point, Sesshomaru placed a kiss directly on her mate mark. A shiver instantly ran through her body as she felt herself grow damp. He patted her head and left before she inflicted her wrath upon him. He sniffed Yuki out in his room. The hanyou was studying his books carefully, trying to figure out which one to bring. Much to his father's surprise, and delight, they were mostly history books.

"You really love the past, don't you?"

"Mhm! Especially the Feudal Era."

"Hm...How would you like to hear a story from that era? A fairy tale of sorts."

"Okay!"

He took a seat on the bed and his son crawled into his lap. Smiling down at him, he began.

"A long time ago, there was a demon who was feared by all who saw him. He killed many demons and humans alike to show his power. But he was very lonely. One day, he was hurt very badly by another demon and had to hide in the woods. A little girl found him and tried to help, but he was too proud to accept. Soon the demon healed on his own enough to where he could leave. But, as he continued on his way, he smelled blood-"

"What kind of blood?"

"Patience. Curious as to where the smell could be coming from, the demon investigated. And there, less than fifty feet from where he had sat, he found the girl's body."

Yuki gasped, tearing up, and he patted his head.

"Remembering her kindness, the demon brought her back from the dead and took her as a companion. And they traveled together for many years until it was time for her to be amongst humans. Then, the day came where she had to make a choice: Stay with her kind or join her beloved demon once more. And...she chose her demon. And they lived happily ever after."

The young hanyou cheered, hugging his dad tightly. A giggle sounded from the doorway and he looked up to find Rin watching. She smiled softly before walking out into the hall. Sesshomaru set his son down so he could follow. They went into the kitchen while Yuki finished packing what he believed he needed.

"That was a good story."

"Thank you very much."

"I must say though, the lonely demon lord sounds awfully familiar..."

He smiled and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"So, what happened to the girl?"

"She grew old and died. We never had any pups because it was still very, very dangerous back then. Especially with a demon like me."

"I thought mates didn't die."

"i never officially mated her. She didn't want to live forever."

"What was her name?"

Sesshomaru hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Her name was...Rin."

This brought a smile to her face. Everyone had a type, some more unusual than others. Apparently his was nice girls named Rin.

"You actually remind me a lot of her. Headstrong, kindhearted, passionate as a warrior, And you look like her too."

"Who knows? Maybe I'm her reincarnation."

Laughing, she pecked him on the lips. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close as he deepened the kiss. Heat flowed throughout her body, starting from her lips and moving down to her core. Her scent reached his nose and a growl of want rumbled through his chest. Little did she know, her scent was nearly identical to his first Rin. It was actually what had first caught his attention when they met. But there was a subtle spice in hers, like that of cinnamon, that drove him wild. Pulling away from her, he brought his face down to her neck and skimmed his nose along the curve before kissing her mark. A gasp escaped her lips as his teeth grazed the sensitive skin.

"Momma! Daddy! I'm ready!"

Sesshomaru jumped away from her, leaning against the adjacent counter as Yuki rushed in with his backpack on. It was filled almost to bursting. Smiling softly, he took it from him. Rin knelt in front of him with a concerned look.

"How do you feel?"

"Don't worry, I'm okay. No changing yet!"

"Good. Let's hope you stay like that until we get back to you father's place."

She kissed his moon and his tail wagged frantically. After all the bags were gathered, they headed back out to the car. The demon could still smell that Kohaku was near, but couldn't spot him. Then he heard the familiar "twang" of an arrow being shot. He was faster ,though, and caught it before it could reach the intended target. Which just so happened to be Yuki. Growling, he put all the bags in the trunk and got his pup inside before anything else could happen. Rin looked frightened, but still got in the car. Without putting his seatbelt on, Sesshomaru hopped in and took off like a bat out of hell.

"Slow down! We're going 70 in a 35!" she screeched.

He glanced in the mirror and saw that they were being followed by a black car. A snarl ripped from his chest as he took a turn onto the highway. His eyes slowly tinted red as he remained entirely focused on his mission. Cars honked and Rin continued to beg him to slow, but it was drowned out by the voice in his head. Keep pup safe, Keep mate safe. His primal side chanted over and over. When he looked in the mirror again, the car was gone and he relaxed. One delicate hand on his thigh startled him out of his rage, bringing his attention partially to his mate.

"Sesshomaru, what's going on? You went full hunter."

"Someone tried to attack us back at your apartment. And just now we were being followed."

"By who?"

"I'm not quite sure. But I think it may have been Kohaku Taijiya."

"Of the security company?"

"Yes," he took a moment to turn the car around, "I saw him watching us outside and smelled him on the arrow."

"Do you know why or who he's after."

He shook his head and glanced solemnly in the mirror at Yuki, who was currently buried in a book. Rin whimpered in fear.

"No. Not him."

"That's who the arrow was aiming for."

"Oh god. You have to stop him!"

"I will, mate. Nobody will hurt our pup."

She nodded trustingly and held one of his hands. He squeezed hers gently, running his thumb over her knuckles. They managed to reach the apartment before dark. Unfortunately, Kohaku's car was waiting for them in the parking lot. Signaling for her to stay put, he got out and walked over to it. Kohaku got out with a stoic expression. It took every bit of energy not to kill him there. Wouldn't want another war of demons and hunters…yet.

"Why are you trying to kill my son?" he growled menacingly.

"He is merely an obstacle in reaching my true goal. As are you."

"And what may that be?"

"You're a smart man, Mr. Taisho. Or is it Lord Sesshomaru? What do you that child have in common?"

"Stay away from my Rin."

"Your Rin? You are quite mistaken. You see, Ms. Honju is betrothed to me."

"Since when?"

"Since her birth. Her parents arranged for my marriage to her when we were infants. I am willing to compromise, however."

"And how is that?"

"If you leave with the child, nobody has to die. "

"Did you ever think about how that would affect Rin?"

"She will survive," the hunter smirked, "I will help her forget you and start our own family."

After glaring into the man's eyes for a moment, he smiled. Then he started to laugh. Not a dark chuckle, but a full on guffaw. Kohaku's face turned red with rage at the disrespect. He went to reach inside the car, but found his arm held by a clawed hand. The demon's eyes glinted dangerously in the twilight.

"You really are a selfish child. Rin is more than a simple prize to me. She is my mate. And even a young hunter like you must know what that means."

"Don't touch me," he pulled his arm away, "And this isn't over. She will be mine."

"Good luck child. Now, leave before I lose my patience."

Throwing him on last glare, the younger man left. Sesshomaru felt a small tug on his pants and glanced down to see a black mop of hair. Smiling, he picked Yuki up to look him over. He looked just like his mother. It actually made him happy to see him like that. It was as if he had become more pure than he already was. Running a reassuring hand through his son's hair, he walked over to where Rin was watching with apprehension.

"It's okay now, mate. Nobody will hurt us. I promise."

She relaxed and wrapped her arms around him. They stood like that for a few minutes. Yuki held close to his father's chest while his mother held his other side. It was almost like a portrait. An owl hooted in a nearby tree, reminding them of their current position. Releasing them both, he grabbed their bags from the car and headed upstairs. Once they were completely settled, it was time to decide on the night's activities. He brushed his son's hair while they all discussed what they wanted to do.

"I saw a movie on Netflix about a Viking who fights dragons and monsters! I didn't watch it though."

"That could be fun. Can we order pizza? I'm starving."

"As am I. How about we order pizza, then watch the movie while we eat?"

"That sounds perfect."

With everybody in agreement, Sesshomaru called for their food and cuddled with his mate on the couch. The y were soon joined by a loving currently-human-hanyou. And, for the first time in his life, the demon lord felt the joy of being part of a true family.

Sorry for the long wait and weak ending. I was having a lot of trouble figuring out how to close this one.