Thank you for your patience, I'm sorry I have been absent, life is too much sometimes. Please enjoy this chapter and give me some feedback if you like. Thank you and love you all!

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When Mazaru said carriage Rin thought it would be just a small wooden one left on the sideroad, but when they reached closer she realized it was at least five of them. She couldn't figure it out why would the need so many.

Her face must've said it all, because when she looked at Mazaru he smiled with excitement.

" I have great news my lady" he stopped. " I reported everything to the Daimyo as soon as I got back. He was very happy with the outcome, we were able to save all the nearby villages " he explained.

" That's amazing, Nobunaga-san. I'm sure the people will be forever grateful for you service!" She smiled politely.

" Arigatou, lady Rin! You are kind as always!" He returned her gesture " But this isn't the news I wanted to share with you. " He took a big breath and continued " He gave me some recovering time which means my services are not needed back in the palace for a while. It could be weeks or even months. It all depends on the council. "

" You deserved it I'm sure " she bowed politely.

Mazaru looked at her gesture, his heart filled with genuine respect for the girl in front of him. She represented everything he needed in a woman, couldn't even look at another since he met her weeks ago. She was desirable. But an uneasy feeling stabbed him in the back, as the face of that Youkai came to his mind. To be honest he didn't even consider the chance that he would be this aristocratic, yet this magnificent. When Rin described the Inuyoukai, he thought she was just exaggerating due to her lack of experience with men. But even Mazaru being a ningen, was able to feel his demonic energy, his presence was so powerful and raw that his instincts were telling him to be cautious and keep his distance from the Lord of the West.

"I hope I did" he added " Anyway, since I am on a so called break, I thought I could spend my time closer to nature. It would do good for my health" he laughed.

" Indeed, it would" she nodded and looked at him curiously.

" And I couldn't think of a better place than this village, it's a huge forest nearby and the air is so much clearer here compared to the crowded palace" he said " So I decided to keep you company a little longer."

" Oh, my!" she gasped but quickly covered her mouth with her hand and blushed in embarrassment " So that's why you brought all those carriages?" her eyes widened in shock.

" In fact, yes" he admitted " But don't worry we won't disturb the villagers lives, we plan to camp outside of the village, by the edge of the forest, and also, we have tents " he winked at her.

" But will you be comfortable living in tents?" Rin looked around but Sesshomaru was long gone.

The edge of the forest was the place she always met the Inuyoukai, but if the troops were going to be camping there he sure would be avoiding the place, he could possibly be avoiding the whole area for that matter. Does that mean that the Youkai won't come to see her until Mazaru leaves? But that could be months… And the thought of not being able to be in her Lord's presence for such a long time again didn't sit right with her.

" Don't worry about us, my Lady, we survived worse. And also, my men would like to roam around, after the war it's nice to just do things without a purpose. It is spiritually satisfying."

She nodded again because she knew the feeling. Being so close and connecting to nature does good for the war-torn souls. She knew this from experience. After the Inuyoukai took her in she slowly was able to heal from all of her childhood traumas.

" Rin!" A cheerful voice was heard from behind them. Kagome waved at the couple standing near the carriages and rushed to see what was going on.

" Kagome! Come here!" Rin felt a huge relief when she saw her friend.

" Lady Kagome!" Mazaru bowed to her.

" Oh, there's no need to be so formal " she said " Just call me Kagome, I won't be offended. "

" If that's what you wish… Kagome." Saying her name out loud without any formalities felt strange for him. After all those years he spent in the palace surrounded by councilmen and other officials he had a hard time relaxing and living simply.

" So what's about all those carriages?" She asked them.

" Nobunaga- san will be staying for a couple of weeks I guess" Rin explained.

" Will you?"

" Hai! And since we are here already, please let me show you something, lady Rin" he said and called one of his men over. " This is Taki, one of my best men, he is like a right hand to me. Taki please meet Lady Rin!" A young man with short black hair and black eyes greeted Rin. He was tall but not as much as Mazaru or Sesshomaru, and also he had a way younger face than them both. " Anytime you want to see me, just let Taki know and he'll fetch me" Mazaru looked at the girl with warmth in his eyes.

Kagome noticed it and turned her head away shyly. She knew these looks way too well and knew what they meant. Noone in the village was questioning Mazaru's intentions towards Rin, the only mystery was what was Rin going to do about them. Although everyone heard that she declined the marriage offer, Mazaru didn't seem the type that gives up easily. Kagome was even rooting for him as he seemed the right type of guy.

" Hai" Rin bowed again.

" So I had the courage to choose after my own likings and I sincerely hope they will not disappoint you " He explained as a small wooden box appeared in this hands followed by a bigger one that was taken down from the carriage by two of his men. " Please, open them!"

Embarrassed at first, but filled with raw curiosity Rin took the smaller box from Mazaru's hand and opened it slowly. Inside of it there was a little makeup set with the most beautiful silver lining. She never used makeup, this was a luxury item she didn't need in the village, and never felt the urge to purchase one from the merchants. She didn't even have a mirror in her hut. She never felt she needed one, she saw her reflection once or twice in the water but never lingered for long. But this particular one was sure a rare item, that was only available for the high ranked ladies only. Rin smiled at him and thanked him for the gift. Mazaru took her to the bigger box and bent over to open the lock. When the inside was revealed Rin saw the beautiful pale pink material and touched it slowly. It was rare chinese silk, as she guessed. Her eyes widened in surprise and glanced at the man next to her.

"It's for you" he announced.

" But this is not suited for the village life" she told him before thinking twice. It was impolite to insult a gift one was presented with, but she just couldn't find the logic behind his actions.

" It is indeed a way more formal kimono than those you are used to wearing but I couldn't help myself, I wanted to see you wear something like this." Mazaru took the dress out of the box and lifted up for the girl to see the peach flower pattern on it.

" It has at least five layers " she said in disbelief .

"Don't you like it? It is the color you are not used to?" He put the kimono back.

" No, no, Nobunaga-san it is beautiful, the color, the pattern, the material are all very nice but I can't accept them" she said it with sadness. How could she accept them? Wouldn't accepting them mean that she would accept his courtship as well?

She looked at Kagome for some help but her friend was speechless too.

" Why can't you? My lady, you shatter my heart, believe me I have no bad intentions behind this gift " Mazaru gave her a hopeless look and took a hold on her hands. " I know I don't have your heart, but I don't intend to give up on you just yet. Let my men take these boxes into your hut, and you'll decide later what you'll do with them. But please wear them once, for me. I want to show you that you were not made for village life, you should be pampered and cared for in my palace. But it is your decision " The samurai lord went with his men to take the presents away and the two girls were left in silence.

"I'm not sure what to say" Rin turned to look at Kagome.

" Do you like him?" She asked.

" Well I don't hate him" she replied " But I can't think of him in a romantic way ."

" No one will force you to do anything Rin, but you must think of yourself for once " the miko said worrying " You reached the marital age and while in my era this wouldn't matter at all, here it does. I'm just trying to look out for you!" she touched her shoulders emphatically.

"I know" her words were filled with sore melancholy. " But I'm not ready to…"

A loud roar echoed through the sky from above the chatting girls and both of them gasped in surprise. Unsure of what that could possibly be making this sound Kagome pushed the younger girl behind herself and took the bow in her hand to defend them. Seconds later a well known two headed dragon appeared flying fast from a big fluffy cloud. On top of this beast a small greenish creature stood with a proud grin on his weird face and a big two-headed staff in his hands.

" Is it… Ah-Un and Jaken?!" Rin's eyes widened in disbelief and her feet took her away to where the dragon landed before she could even begin to process the feeling of seeing them again after so many years passed.

"AH-UN" the fragile girl jumped to hug the dragon as if it were just a fluffy puppy and not a dangerous beast. It definitely painted a weird picture for the villagers but she got used to being the outsider, the demon sympathizer, the animal talker, the flower lady, the one that sang to herself. The strange one.

The dragon gratefully accepted the closeness of his old friend until the small gnome-like creature jumped off of his saddle and began walking towards her.

" Oh, Kami-sama Jaken, I missed you so much!" She took him in her arms and started spinning them around laughing in utmost happiness.

" Rin, you insolent child! Put me down in this moment! How dare you act so ill mannered?! Have you learned nothing in these years?! Won't you start acting like a lady already?!"

" Hai, hai Jaken, look, I've put you down. Gomene!" she giggled as the toad demon walked two feet away from her. " What brings you here? Is Sesshomaru-sama with you?

" You stupid brat, you think that the mighty Sesshomaru-sama would let me know every step he takes?!" He shouted angrily.

" Why are you here then? Do you need something from me? Or you just came to visit me?" She jumped in excitement.

" No, I do not need anything from you! Sesshomaru-sama sent me, if you must know everything!" The imp muttered as he started circling around the young woman, looking her up and down.

" Did he?! But why though?" She asked deep in her thoughts.

"You have grown a lot in a very short time" the little demon said somewhat disappointed" Never paid too much attention towards ningen lifespan so this change is a surprise even for me "

" I'm still young Jaken, only 17 years old this year" she told him a bit confused.

"Hm…" Jaken nodded and glanced up at her face. She most definitely wasn't a child anymore. She was a grown woman, and a very appealing one for a ningen. " But you are still too skinny, did you forget how to hunt for yourself?"

" No, I do hunt for myself whenever I want to, and I eat properly I promise you, but why are you analyzing me this much? It's still me, Jaken, your friend" she crouched down to look straight in his eyes. She smiled, and the imp rolled his eyes. She then giggled. Like old times, she thought. "But why did Sesshoumaru-sama sent you,Jaken?"

" To look after you, of course!" He yelled because he started to feel irritated by the many questions.

" To look after me? But why so sudden?! I have been good for long, what have changed?"

" Why do I have to repeat myself?! He doesn't let me know everything he thinks! Now, just tell me what are those men doing walking in and out of your hut?! " he pointed the staff in her face interrogating. " Don't you know how improper is to let them step inside a maiden's home?! You really don't think about how much you're going to disappoint Sesshomaru-sama?! " when the girl only gaped at him, he continued "Nevermind, I'll take care of it!"

The small demon rushed to the building yelling and threatening every man with his mighty staff before Rin could even answer the questions. This somehow made her feel nostalgic and she started giggling again now leaned against the dragon, slowly petting him, watching as Jaken chased away Mazaru's soldiers from the hut.

Couple of days later when the night came Rin and Jaken were sitting across the small campfire just outside the village like old times, enjoying the nature's sounds and the cracking fire when Kagome and InuYasha joined them for Rin's utmost happiness.

" I thought you were a better guard dog than this, hanyou " Jaken said it abruptly. For a moment there was an absolute silence and even the crickets could be easily heard. But in the matter of a second InuYasha rose up and caught the toad demon from his brownish clothes holding him up in the air.

" What did you just say, toad?!" He yelled. Kagome quickly jumped to her feet and began pulling on InuYasha's arms telling him to stop.

" Put me down!" Jaken said and knocked on the hanyou's head with the staff to make him release the grip.

" WHAT THE HELL?!" InuYasha yelled again touching the bruise forming on the top of his head, in between the ears.

" Jaken, why did you do that to InuYasha?" Rin gasped in disbelief.

" He should know it! If he doesn't he is even more stupid than I thought!" He replied with crossed arms from behind the safety of the fire.

" What are you talking about, you little bastard?"

" You let strange man on your territory!" He stated with fury. " Is this how you obey Sesshomaru-sama's orders ?"

" That idiot twat doesn't order me around!" InuYasha scoffed at the demon and crossed his arms mirroring the toad.

" You were supposed to keep an eye on Rin"

" And I did! Nothing bad happened to her! If that moron has a problem with me, he can come and tell me in the face, he doesn't have to send his servant , that coward piece of sh.."

"InuYasha!" Rin stood by the fire with endless anger in her eyes. " And Jaken! You two stop it now!" She ordered without hesitation " I don't need anyone to keep an eye on me anymore, I am a grown up! And InuYasha did nothing wrong, I told him to bring Mazaru in, he was heavily injured, no need to curse eachother over this!"

" It's not the injury I'm talking about " the imp replied " It's that he is lurking around a little too much."

"What do you mean ?" She asked but never got an answer for that.

" Oh , I see! " InuYasha laughed with irony, and stood up somewhat calmly. " Tell to that lord of yours, it's time for him to keep an eye on Rin, and he's gonna be the one who has to deal with the intruder, for all I know, this is His "territory" we are talking about" Him and the toad shared some very deep glances, like there was something unsaid secret in the air the two of them knew about. " C'mon Kagome, let's leave, I already can smell him getting closer" and with that the young couple left the others behind.

" What was all that Jaken?" Rin turned to the imp demanding.

" Nothing! Why do you think you need to know everything?!" He grunted and turned away from her questioning eyes.

The imp wasn't entirely calm, even he could hear the camping soldiers by the edge of the forest, Sesshomaru-sama's sensitive ears will be tortured by that loud noise. And of course he was going to be the one getting punished for his lord's annoyance. The little demon knew his lord didn't like strangers approaching Rin, he never said it himself, but Jaken could read him even better than he would like to admit it. If this so-called Mazaru would bother his time with Rin anymore we won't be living a long life, that's for sure.

Couple of silent minutes later a tall figure appeared from the darkness, and Rin jumped up with the biggest smile she could possibly give him.

" Sesshomaru-sama" she bowed admirably and glanced at his ambers. The Youkai was always low key impressed by the girl's devotion, but this time his eyes were noticeably warm when he met her big brown orbs. " I'm so glad you are back this soon" she followed him around the fire far from Jaken who was already very busy with Ah-UN's saddle, to a nearby tree, where he sat down, leaning back almost like a tradition.

"Hm" he answered, and so Rin started talking about literally everything.

The cracking fire painted a beautiful orange glow on her creamy skin and eyes, she looked like the most exquisite woman he ever saw, and yes he saw many demonesses back in the days when his mother was absolutely maniac about finding him a mate. But Rin was different from everyone. She wasn't too provocative like the others, she was naturally pleasant to look at, she was fragile and innocent, and most importantly she was loyal to Him. But at what cost? Would she be this devoted forever? Would she never feel the need to fall in love with someone from her own kind and decide to leave His side? He tried imagining a life when she could not come to greet him and spend hours in his presence anymore because she was busy with her children, and her husband. That thought made him feel uncomfortable, Rin was His companion, she belonged to Him, her priority must always be Him… But if she was to get married and start a family her loyalty would not belong to Him anymore. Even he knew, family came first.

However, he strongly felt he would want to enjoy her company for the rest of her life… which won't be too long, he thought to himself.

He closed his eyes, concentrated on they way her words rolled on her tongue, she had a soft, calm voice.

He managed to listen in peace, until her tone wasn't the only thing he heard. His sharp ears picked up the sound of the soldiers, drinking, eating, laughing, burping, pissing, joking. He could hear everything, and since he picked it up, it took him a great deal trying to shut it out.

"We are leaving" he stood up. She was surprised at first, but didn't question him.

The Youkai started leaving, and Rin barely had the time to wake up the snoring Jaken before she ran to follow her lord's path.

When she recognized her own hut in the distance, she gave Sesshomaru a curious look again.

" It's not safe outside" he spoke, going even further into the village.

"Thank you for always taking care of me" she said when they reached her door. She tried to give him her most grateful smile, and proceeded to enter the building.

"Noone will bother you" he announced, and did something brand new. He jumped on her roof and sat down to guard. He became like a living statue and didn't look at her anymore.

She smiled again, this time only to herself. Sesshomaru was indeed a lot like an Inu. He was very protective and it made her heart flutter when she realized it must've been very uncomfortable for him to stay in the village, but he did it anyway so he could guard her home while she slept.

She never knew someone as devoted as him.

She loved him for this even more.