Hey, all! I recently overhauled this entire story, so if you're curious, you may want to go back and reread the previous chapters. I didn't change anything major though, so you should still be fine proceeding as is.

Enjoy!

Rin was nearly fifteen when Sesshomaru brought her to the Western palace for the first time. She hadn't known where they were going until the forest had broken, and a hundred yards before her on the wide path, the massive gates had stretched up into the sky, the largest she'd ever seen.

She stopped suddenly beside her lord, awed. Jaken ran into the back of her legs, cursing at her for her thoughtlessness.

Sesshomaru took two more long strides before stopping and turning back to survey her expression. Behind him, there was shouting and the loud, metallic groan of a crank being forced to move. The great gate at the entrance began to pull back as soldiers ran along the top of the wall. Rin found she could not speak. The warm summer air pulled her hair over her shoulder as she stared.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she started slowly, "Is this your home?"

His only reply was a silent look, and then he turned and continued down the path. Rin pushed her hair back impatiently and ran after him, kicking off her sandals which Jaken scrambled to collect as he followed on his short legs. She rushed past her lord, running through the gates, laughing and overjoyed that her lord had finally shown her his home.

She spun in the courtyard, eyes turned upward, taking in the large stone walls and blue sky. Guards from the walls stared down at her in wonder, not sure of her presence, but not questioning their lord as he entered moments later.

Rin slowed her spin and lowered her eyes to look at her lord. She smiled at him, about to speak, when a sharp command to her left startled her, and she jerked her head in that direction, searching for the source.

There were soldiers in lines, facing her. They were at attention now, backs straight and eyes forward. There was a man standing before them with his back to Rin. He was a man of medium build and long legs, though not as tall as other demons she'd met. His black hair was held back in a thick braid that was pulled over his shoulder.

He turned a moment later, and she found herself looking into warm green eyes. He wore a white shirt rolled up to his elbows, revealing muscled forearms and large hands. His black pants laid flat against his legs and were tucked into his boots. A crescent moon like her lord's was embroidered over his heart.

He smiled as the Western lord approached, moving forward to meet him. "Lord Sesshomaru," he addressed, bowing deeply when he stopped before his lord. Rin watched him in awe. He wore a sword at his hip, a rolled whip laid over it. "It has been a long time."

Was he some kind of trainer? But he seemed so relaxed, and his face was so kind.

"General Katsuo," Sesshomaru addressed in return when he straightened.

Rin stared hard at his face, trying to understand why her lord needed a general and letting it sink in that no doubt this man was one of her lord's most trusted servants. The man's eyes fell on her, and she stared back at him, unabashed.

"You must be Rin," the general said carefully, examining her as she examined him. "I've heard much about you over the years. It's nice to finally meet you."

Rin, not used to meeting new people since joining her lord, wasn't sure how to respond, and simply blurted out, "I have not heard of you, but it's nice to meet you."

Katsuo raised his eyebrows in surprise at her blunt response, a smile spreading over his face a moment later.

"I see," he said slowly, "I'm not surprised you haven't heard of me. Demon wars are not often spoken of by humans, and our lord is not one for unnecessary words." Sesshomaru looked at him with a blank expression before turning to enter the palace. He had intended for Rin to follow, but she remained where she was, staring up at the general.

"Then how have you heard of me?" she asked. People knew about her?

He looked down at her, eyebrows coming together. "Excuse me?"

"If not Lord Sesshomaru, then who told you about me?"

His face smoothed, and Katsuo chuckled at her eagerness. "Many people like to talk about Lord Sesshomaru's human ward. I've heard much about you from the messengers that have visited our lord over the last several years, and particularly, from your green friend when he would bring news, though his were rather bitter stories."

Jaken, who had just entered the gates, looked up to find Katsuo's eyes on him, and returned the look with a glare, cradling Rin's discarded shoes against his chest.

"Rin."

Hearing her lord's call, Rin dipped in an awkward bow immediately. "It was nice to meet you, Master Katsuo, but I must go now," and she ran barefoot after her lord, her kimono hem in her hands and her long black hair billowing out behind her

Katsuo watched her enter the palace, curious of the young woman. Though the rumors had been right about her slight build and innocent face, so were the rumors of her confidence. His demon blood had not bothered her in the least. She'd stood before him without a single ounce of fear.

She had not been what he'd expected at all. Smiling, he turned back to his soldiers, motioning with his hand for them to relax and then dismissing them for the afternoon.

"Rin."

At the sound of her lord's voice, she turned from the window seat where she sat. She wore one of her simple travelling kimonos, still uncomfortable in the expensive clothing he'd bought her. Her new personal servant had strongly protested that morning, insisting that she wear something more appropriate, but in the end, she'd relented, understanding that it would take some time for her to get used to the palace. As she twisted, the drawn up portion of her hair swung around her face.

Her smile was brilliant as she greeted him. "Lord Sesshomaru!"

They were on the second floor of the palace, on the far end near her rooms. At the end of the hallway was a window that overlooked the palace wall, providing a clear view of the forest surrounding it. A seat had been cut into the stone when the building had been built with cushions carefully placed over it. It was the only window seat in the entire palace, and she often wondered if her lord's father had had it created for a particular person.

Since coming to the palace, she'd had little to do. She couldn't read yet, and although she sometimes had lessons during the day, when they were done, she'd be left to wander the halls. Since returning to the palace, Sesshomaru had been often busy, and so she'd taken to watching the palace grounds from the window instead of visiting him. The soldiers would sometimes train below her, and their movements had always captivated her, but more interesting to her was the forest just beyond the wall. It felt strange to her to be so trapped from the natural world when she'd spent more than half of her life travelling in it with her lord.

She stood and went to him. He'd removed his armor and swords but still wore his travelling clothes. When she hugged him, her forehead barely reached his collarbones. He smelled like rich forest soil. He placed a hand on the top of her head.

She drew away quickly to look up at him. "I missed you!"

Although his face remained calm, his eyes smiled down at her. He'd only been away for a week, but it had been the first time he'd left the palace since bringing her there. When he'd left, she'd stood in the opening of the palace gates, hurting that he would not let her come with him.

"I have missed you, too, Rin," he replied. "I've brought something for you."

She looked up at him with wide, excited eyes. "What is it?"

He held out a closed hand, and whenever she reached both of hers up under it, he dropped a handful of seeds into them. Puzzled, she leaned forward, looking over them. There were thirty or so seeds of several different shapes and colors.

"I don't understand, my lord," she said finally, disappointed. She looked up at him. "Am I supposed to eat them?"

She could tell he was amused. "No, Rin," he said evenly. "You plant them."

She flushed. "I know, but—!"

"Come with me."

He turned on his heel before she could respond, and she ran after him a moment later, cradling the seeds in her hands out in front of her as she tried to keep up with his long strides. She'd grown tall for a human, and although she'd been able to keep up with him during their travels as she'd gotten older, it still surprised her sometimes how much faster he could be.

"Where are we going, Lord Sesshomaru?"

He led her past servants who still looked at her strangely. A human had never lived in the palace, and although most stares weren't unkind, sometimes she caught the glances and hushed whispers exchanged whenever she entered a room.

"Be patient, Rin."

Rin puffed out her cheeks behind him, and expecting the display, he looked back over his shoulder to catch it. She let out the air in a puff, instantly deflating her cheeks. He turned his head back. She imagined he had the ghost of smile on his face, and despite her embarrassment, she smiled to herself. It had only been a week, but she'd missed him dearly.

Silently, he led them to the front entrance and down into the yard. She followed all the while, holding her gift out in front of her as he'd given it to her. He continued around the side of the palace, and when she also rounded the corner, she found him standing still before what had once been a garden. It was overgrown with hardy, spiny bushes and tall grasses. The benches and walking stones were overgrown and black with mold where they peaked out.

"I want you to plant these here."

"You want me to be your gardener?" she asked, perplexed from beside him.

He turned to look down at her, and she turned in response. They were so close, her outstretched hands almost touched him, and she drew them closer, staring up at him.

"No, but your gift isn't just the seeds. I will have the servants help you clear the garden, and I want you to plant these here."

Not ungrateful for the gift, but still confused, she replied with a simple, "Yes, my lord."

Over the next month, the garden was cleared. The stones were cleaned or replaced, and the salvageable bushes were trimmed back from the path. They brought in plots of soft grass cut from a nearby field and laid them out beneath the large tree that stretched over the single stone bench.

After that, the servants left her to herself, and she soon found herself spending more and more time there, especially when her lord left for extended periods of time. It was a welcomed relief to have something to do, but also, to be outside and feel the cool dirt and grass against her fingers made her feel right again. This is what she'd missed.

When at last, the seeds that Sesshomaru had brought her first broke the surface of the soil, she made it a point to rush out to check their progress every morning. They grew quickly under her care, and when she awoke one day to see that they had bloomed, she could do nothing but silently stare at them in the warmth of the early morning sun.

They were the flowers she'd loved as a child from the Northern region of his territory. There were flowers of deep purple with yellow centers, and ones of rich blue with black running along the crease of the petals. While travelling with her lord, she'd often created crowns out of both. She'd make them in the evenings when they'd stop to rest and wear them upon her head the whole next day. The other seeds grew into bushes with dark, rough leaves and bright, pink flowers that she had often admired as they'd travel on the trails that they often bordered.

When her lord returned next, she greeted him at the gate, the simple purple and blue garland resting on the dark crown of her head, pink flowers tucked into the long braid down her back. He'd smiled then, one of the only true smiles he'd ever shown her.

Alone, Rin sat on the top of the palace roof, legs tucked against her chest as she watched the sun set. The fall air had a slight chill to it now, and it played with the few strands of hair that had escaped her loose bun.

With a sigh, she turned her head to rest it upon her knees, still staring out at the darkening sky.

"You know, the whole palace is looking for you."

The warm voice startled Rin, and she jumped to her feet, raising her hands out in front of her, mind spinning with the minimal fighting skills she'd learned over the years. Her bun slid out behind her, and her hair fell over her shoulders, brushing her neck and flowing down her back.

The general stood next to the hatch in the roof that she'd pulled herself through an hour before. He was too large to fit through the small opening, but somehow, he'd found her anyway.

His arms were crossed over his chest, eyebrows raised in question.

He wasn't wearing his uniform, but instead had on a simple green shirt and black pants. His weapons were gone, and his hair was braided over his shoulder again.

Fear continued to run through her at his sudden appearance. She'd never been alone with the man, and they'd hardly interacted these last months since she'd come to live at the Western palace. Now, as he stood between her and her only escape, she feared his motives. Her mind swam with alternative routes to escape him if it came to it. Lord Sesshomaru was away again patrolling his lands, and she wondered if anyone would come for her if she cried for help.

Sensing her discomfort, and troubled that the fearless Rin was so flustered, Katsuo opened his palms out before him in an attempt to calm her.

"Lady Rin, there is no reason to be alarmed," he offered as he took several steps upward from the hatch, moving higher on the roof to allow her a direct escape route if she so chose it. "I mean you no harm."

He sat then, raising his knees and resting his forearms on them. He grabbed his opposite wrist in one hand in a relaxed posture, watching her.

Rin examined him closely, curious of his strange behavior. Why was he here?

"You know, Lady Karina is furious with you," the general began in a gentler tone, laughter in his voice. "She's been circling the halls looking for you. Nothing will calm her. She keeps demanding to know where you are. May I ask what you did?"

Rin relaxed her stance, looking embarrassed. "I told her that maybe if she didn't force herself to sit in such uncomfortable positions all of the time, she might feel like smiling more. I didn't mean to make her so angry!"

Katsuo tried to give her a serious look, but laughter lingered just beneath as he remembered the teacher's severe face. With Rin's innocent expression turned on him, he couldn't help the smile at the edges of his mouth. "You know, it is not kind to torment your teachers," he tried to scold.

Rin smiled at him, sensing his light mood. "I know. I don't mean to, but I'm bored in her lessons. What use do I have for an instrument anyway? I want to be outside. I want to travel. An instrument is heavy and would only bring attention to us if I were to play it," she trailed off, embarrassed, "especially as I play now."

Katsuo smiled at her sadly. "Human women in high families are expected to play instruments and entertain. Lord Sesshomaru wants you to marry a highborn man. That's why he keeps bringing in teachers to teach you."

Letting out a disgruntled sound, Rin walked over to him with her arms crossed, thinking. Her steps were sure despite the severe tilt of the roof. She plopped down hard next to him.

"I don't want to get married," she said confidently after a moment of silence. "I just want to stay with Lord Sesshomaru."

Katsuo gave her a sideways look. "You don't want to return to your own kind?"

Rin shook her head, looking sad. "Humans are cruel."

It was simple statement, but Katsuo could hear from her tone that there was depth to her opinion. He didn't press.

"So, you'd like to travel instead?"

"Yes," Rin breathed. "There's too much to see to be stuck inside all day. With Lord Sesshomaru, I have seen so much."

"What's your favorite?"

She was silent for a moment. "The mountains to the North," she finally replied. Looking off into the distance as she recalled their massive size. "They are larger than anything I've ever seen."

"My captain is from there," Katsuo offered.

Rin looked at him sharply. "He's a wolf demon?"

Something in her tone made him proceed carefully. "Yes, he's from the Northern tribe. His name is Noda."

She was silent, pulling her legs to her chest. "Oh," was all she offered in response, and the general, realizing the sensitivity of the subject, changed the subject.

"I also like to travel. With the army, I've been able to travel a lot. I've seen parts of every land."

"You've fought against every land?" Rin asked, twisting to look at him. Her expression was a mix of horror and amazement. "Does Lord Sesshomaru really start so many wars?"

Her innocence made him smile. She asked whatever she wished, and it was refreshing in a place where everyone was so formal, too afraid to fall out of favor with their temperamental lord.

"No, not at all. Most of the battles I've led lately have been against groups in the West itself. They've been rogue demon groups or lower lords trying to expand their lands," he explained. "When I visit other lands, it's normally to meet with the other lords and their military officers. They are normally friendly visits. Whenever Lord Sesshomaru is gone, I represent the West in his stead."

"So you and Lord Sesshomaru are close friends?"

Katsuo smiled at her again. "I guess you could say that. We've known each other for a long time."

"Did you know his father?"

Katsuo looked surprised, but responded, "What do you know of his father?"

Rin looked embarrassed for a moment. "Only what I overheard Master InuYasha say when I was a child. Lord Sesshomaru has never said anything about him to me, but I know he was powerful and respected and that he loved a human."

"Yes, he loved Izayoi, and she bore him InuYasha. It doesn't surprise me that Lord Sesshomaru doesn't talk about him." He sighed, then continued, "And yes, I knew him. I was a captain of his."

"A captain? He was the general?"

"He was. He led his own army, which is a tradition of the West," his voice was amused but quickly dipped into a sadder tone. "But after he died, Lord Sesshomaru did not return to the palace for many years. During that time, I did my best to keep everything in order, but without a proper title, it was difficult. We sent messengers to him to ask him home, but he refused all of them. I guess at some point, he grew tired of it, and he showed up just long enough to appoint me general, and then he was gone again for years. He was better about responding to my messengers then, but he still refused to come take my place. The next time he returned was many years later, and he brought you with him. "

"Why didn't he come back before then?" Rin had her arms wrapped tightly around her legs again, chin resting in the dip between her knees.

Katsuo was silent for a moment, perhaps wondering if he was saying too much. Finally, he responded in a low tone, speaking slowly, "I think he was angry. He was angry at his father for loving a human and throwing his life away for it. I think the palace reminded him too much of that."

"Is it uncommon?"

The general frowned, looking at her quickly. "Uncommon?"

"Yeah," she sat up straighter, raising her chin from her knees, but she did not look at him. "For a demon to love a human? Is it really so uncommon?"

Katsuo chose his words carefully. "A mating between a demon and a human is strongly discouraged in demon culture, especially when the demon is so powerful."

"Then why did his father do it?"

"Love Izayoi?"

"Yeah."

"He'd mated a demoness, Lord Sesshomaru's mother, but there was no love there. She did not even allow him to mark her after their mating ceremony."

"Mark her?"

For a moment, the general looked embarrassed. He ran a hand over his mouth. "You can think of it as marriage. Although they were together, and she bore him a son, they were never officially married. She was recognized as the Lady of the West, don't misunderstand, but she never allowed him to mark her."

"Did he mark," she paused, trying out the name, "Izayoi?"

Katsuo let out a sad breath. "No, he wanted to, but he didn't want her to be cast out by her own kind. A mark from a demon would do that. He never intended to have a child with her. At least," he amended, "not at the time.

"For days after he found out, the general was an uncontrollable mix of anxiety and excitement. Lord Sesshomaru's mother left him when she found out, and Lord Sesshomaru argued with him and left as well, but the Inu no Taishō held firm. He loved her, and now that it was out in the open, he had no more reason to hide it.

"After that, he set out to kill every rival demon he thought would do either of his children harm. He knew his enemies would target his young, half-blooded son, and with Lord Sesshomaru challenging every demon he came across in his anger, he wanted to make sure they remained safe.

"Izayoi went into labor during such a battle, and the general could sense it. He rushed his battle with the dragon Ryūkotsusei to return to her but was terribly injured in the process. In the end, he didn't have the strength to defeat Ryūkotsusei and had to seal him away instead.

"When he finally reached Izayoi, the jealous human samurai Takemaru had the palace guards ready for him. The general managed to defeat them and save Izayoi and his infant son InuYasha, but he died battling Takemaru when the burning building collapsed on top of them. He'd been too weak to escape, and he died in the flames."

Rin was silent for a long time, and Katsuo looked down at the roof between his raised knees, remembering the general.

"Is that why Lord Sesshomaru hates humans?" she finally asked, her voice very small.

"I think he's always had a strong dislike for humans. He was always more like his mother in that way," Katsuo replied. He spoke slowly, thinking as he did so. "But I think it grew to hatred after his father destroyed his reputation and died trying to protect one."

There was a pause, and then, as though realizing his mistake, he twisted to look at Rin. Her gold-brown eyes were distant and sad.

"Please don't misunderstand, Rin," he began in a rush, expecting she might cry from her expression. "He isn't like that anymore. He cares for you. You must know that. I think you've changed him. He's not been so cold now that he's returned with you."

"I know," she said firmly, surprising him. Her eyes were full of tears, and after a moment, they spilled down her cheeks silently, but her face remained strong. "I'm just sad for him to have lost his father like that."

The general stared at her, dumbstruck, again surprised by this little human girl who had won the heart of his cold master.

"You called for me, Lord Sesshomaru?"

It was the end of spring, and Rin had been in her garden, tending to her hundreds of flowers. Only minutes before, her hands had been covered in rich soil, but luckily, Mai had had the forethought to bring her a water basin.

She had passed General Katsuo on her way to the dining hall. He'd looked bothered and distant coming down the hallway, and when she'd greeted him, instead of his usual warmth, he'd offered a smile that was quick and forced, like an afterthought. When he normally would have paused to exchange a few words, he pressed past her, heading to the palace entrance. His hand rubbed at his face which was rough with growth. His whip clicked over his sword, in time with the tapping of his boots.

When Rin entered the dining hall, Sesshomaru stood by the head of the long table in the center of the room. He had his back to her, fingers lingering over the wood. He wore his armor, which she hadn't seen him wear while in the palace for several months. That morning, he had returned from the East, but he hadn't sought her out, and they hadn't crossed paths.

He turned to look at her without responding. For a moment, he said nothing as he looked at her. She'd pulled her long hair in a high tail, as she often did while in the garden, and she wore a light summer kimono of pink, orange, and red with hints of brilliant green. He'd returned with it recently after a patrol. It was made from a demon fabric that he'd found by the Southern border.

She often wondered how it looked when he purchased kimonos and trinkets for her. The merchants probably assumed he was buying them for a lover, which she imagined only spurred outrageous and humorous rumors, especially given his status and reserved nature.

"The East has declared war on the West," Sesshomaru began after a moment, his voice steady. "We will leave as soon as the army is ready."

Since she'd come to the palace, there had never been a war. She wasn't even sure what a demon war entailed.

"Am I going with you?"

"No, you will stay here."

Rin felt her whole body go cold. Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach. "How long will you be gone?"

"It's uncertain now."

Although her lord still patrolled his borders as he'd done with her as a child, he did not stay away for long stretches of time anymore. At longest, he would be gone for two weeks. Human wars could last years. She couldn't imagine how long demon wars might last.

"Will you…visit?" She knew it was a selfish question, but the thought of not seeing him for years caused the backs of her eyes to burn.

He stared at her for a moment, his eyes moving over her face. They were a rich gold color, and she caught the way they softened.

"Rin."

But before he could say more, she ran towards him, throwing her arms around his armored chest. She pressed her cheek into the fur that draped over his shoulder. His arm came up to wrap around her waist, drawing her closer. His hold was firm and steady, and she relaxed into him.

"I will watch the palace while you are gone, my lord."

She would miss him, but she would find the strength in knowing that no matter how long he was gone, he would come back. No one was more powerful, and no challenge would ever prevent him from returning for her. He always came back. No matter what, he always had.

They left two days later, and for five years, Rin did not see him or receive a single letter.

When Sesshomaru reached the Western palace with Rin, it was still night. He landed in the middle of the front courtyard, already walking again. The palace guards, sensing his approach, had been ready for him, and when he appeared, they greeted him in a series of bows. The new general, Shinsai, stood near the front door. He bowed as his lord reached him.

Without pausing in his step, Sesshomaru said, "The East is under attack by rebels. Be ready to leave by morning."

"Yes, my lord."

Rin began to stir then, grabbing for the fabric over his shoulder as she assessed her surroundings. Even as an adult, he still made her feel so small and protected. She leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his arms around her back and knees. His armor was hard against her, but not uncomfortable.

"Lord Sesshomaru, are we at the Western palace?"

"Yes," came the cool response, though not unkind.

"I never thought I would be here again."

It was a simple statement, and Sesshomaru did not respond, continuing to carry her towards her room. When he reached it, the door was already open, and he stepped in, locating her bed and kneeling next to it gracefully. He balanced her for a moment on his bent knee as he threw back the blankets and laid her out on the cushioning. As he pulled the covers back up over her and went to rise, her hand shot out to catch his hand.

"Wait."

The Western lord continued to his feet, freeing his hand, but he did not go.

Rin sat up, the blankets falling to her waist. She looked up at him with wide honey-brown eyes. Her long, dark hair was a mess from the wind and fell over her shoulders in tangles. Her cotton robes were in disarray, too open at the neck, but still held tight by the belt around her thin waist.

He stared at her, his expression smooth. He looked as put together as always. She smiled softly.

"Thank you for saving me."

"Do not thank me for such things."

She couldn't help as her smile grew. This was the lord she remembered. He'd said this often when he'd had to save her as a child.

He turned to go, but as he reached the door, Rin called out to him again. He stopped in the open doorway, listening. She fiddled with her necklace, staring down at in between her fingers as she bit her lip, wondering how to say what she'd thought about for hours in the mountain cave.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I'm sorry for what happened before the ceremony," she started. She paused, looking up to focus on his back. He was stone-still. She looked down again. "I was too bold. I will never do anything like that again. Please, you don't need to avoid me anymore."

He left the room then without looking at her. As he closed the door behind him, he offered nothing but a soft goodnight, leaving her alone again, the charm cradled between her fingers.

The next chapter will begin with Katsuo. It just made sense to cut the chapter here.