Author's Note:Hello, this is my first chapter of this story. I would appreciate reviews and commentary, however, please do not write anything that you would not wish to have said back to you. I am open to and welcome constructive critisim as long as it is resonable. Thank you for your time and I hope you enjoy my story. Also I do not own, nor have ever owned the characters to Inuyasha all of which belong to VIZ and R.T.

P.S.: This story is rated M for future chapters. Content includes violence, language, and sexual content. If any of the previously stated subjects bother you then it is recommended that youu proceed no further.

Chapter One

Sessho-maru walked through the forest the breeze stirring his long silver hair…it had been ten years—ten years since he had left her in the care of others. She had been a young child then of only eight, he knew she needed a woman's care and love. And he had other things to take care of…like maintaining the Western Domain that his father had left him. He didn't have time to look after her and give her what she wanted or needed, and he certainly had no intention of entrusting that task to Jaken.

As he neared the edge of the forest the strong scent of humans hit him, along with the smell of a particular half demon. Although his brother's and his relationship was far from loving he did trust and respect his brother in his own way. He trusted him with the care of her after all. Knowing that he would protect her the same way he protected Kagome—with his life. A particular scent of flowers traveled to his nose as he walked along the path…the flowers that she loved. When she was with him she was always picking the silly things and making crowns which Jaken would later have the unfortunate luck to wear, and on occasion he too would find the flowers tucked away into his hair. For some reason this small "prank" never angered him, but rather it made him smile. And as he approached the hut of Kaede he found it hard to remain untouched by the fond memories of her.

As he entered the old woman's hut, he found her sitting by the fire stirring a pot of what appeared to be soup…although he never wanted to admit it he was indebted to her…she agreed to help him and raise the child in his stead, making sure that she was well looked after and provided for. And for that he would be forever grateful.

"Ah Lord Sessho-maru, ye have returned." said Kaede acknowledging him with a nod.

"Yes…" he began, but stopped short looking around for the girl.

Where is she?

"Ah—I see ye are looking for the girl…she is out in the fields with Kagome…picking some flowers with the children I believe."

Sessho-maru's face softened…but then the thoughts of his purpose for returning drifted back to him.

"Kaede-sama, I have returned to ensure her happiness…I realize that she is no longer a child, and there are likely be many suitors who will look to have her hand in marriage…I will not allow her to marry some man who will abuse her, therefore I have come to find her a suitable husband…" sighed Sessho-maru sitting down across from her.

She will be wed to someone who is well-suited and who will lavish affection upon her…

"Have you thought of discussing this with her—after all she is a headstrong girl, and although ye may have the best intentions she may not see it in such a manner."

"I thought you were supposed to break her of that stubbornness…" chuckled Sessho-maru.

"She learned from the best…" stated Kaede cracking a wrinkled grin. "Between ye, Inuyasha, and Kagome, I was defeated all three of ye are so stubborn that there was no hope of success in that area."

Sessho-maru smiled slightly and couldn't help chuckling to himself.

Ah…of course she was…

"Ye should go to her…she will be happy to see ye."

"I will return in a little while then, for there is much to discuss and resolve." said Sessho-maru rising.

What is going to happen if she rejects this?

Sessho-maru left the hut and began walking towards the fields when he spotted Kagome and Inuyasha walking back…arguing as usual. "I said 'NO' Inuyasha!" "What's your problem—why are you acting like such a b—" "INUYASHA SIT BOY!" this of course was followed by a loud thud for which he merely frowned and shook his head. Didn't those two ever tire of fighting? As he moved closer their arguing stopped and they both looked over at him surprised.

"Sessho-maru, how are you?" asked Kagome cheerfully.

"I have been well…"

As if I am ever anything but well…

"Sessho-maru." said Inuyasha giving him a tight nod.

"Inuyasha." said Sessho-maru returning the gesture.

"Where is Rin?" asked Sessho-maru perplexed as to why she was not with them.

"She said she was going to stay for a while, she likes to do that every once in awhile—don't worry the forest is safe so there's nothing to be concerned about, she'll be back in an hour or so." said Kagome.

"I will go to her now…" said Sessho-maru, and without another word he left and began walking off in the opposite direction.

It would be better that they have this conversation away from prying eyes and ears…kami only knew how she was going to react…

Rin walked through the forest, the breeze making the trees whisper as she passed by. She looked around, no one was there. She sighed in relief and slipped her sandals off. As much as she loved Kagome and Inuyasha taking care of her, she appreciated her time alone. Nothing could be more frustrating than when the two of them would start fighting and continue fighting…for hours…She could hear a river nearby, the sound relaxed her and she followed it cheerfully, the moss under her feet was soft and tickled. She couldn't help giggling to herself, as her mind wandered off…back to a time in which she would often run through the forest waiting for him to return. She smiled thinking of how she used to feel so happy then…so complete. Now, even though she was never in want of anything…she felt like she was missing something. She had come to the river and sat down quietly, it had been ten years since she had come to live in the village with the others. He had promised to visit, but he never had…she would come home to find packages of beautiful kimonos or combs but never him…he had been the only family she had had, and she was still hurt—had she done something wrong?

Sessho-maru followed the path of her scent through the forest…memories drifting back to him as he walked.

*Flashback*

He had just returned from the Western Domain, he had been gone for several days and it was late. He could see a dim fire glowing and Jaken asleep with his staff in his arms, but there was no sign of the girl…his heartbeat quickened, where was she? His eyes scanned the campsite frantically when they suddenly came to rest up a small figure curled up on the outskirts of the camp by Ah-and Un. He sighed in relief. A realization coming to him…he was worried about her. She was no longer some experiment to him…he cared about where she was and what happened to her…His dragon pet acknowledge him with a slight whine as he looked back down at the small girl curled up next to it. He shook his head and gently picked her up carrying her back towards the warmth of the campsite. He laid himself down and gently laid her on his fur, making sure she was warm enough. As he looked at the sleeping child by his side a sudden sadness overcame him…she would be gone long before he ever reached the middle of his life—she was human, and that was something he could not forget. She needed to be with her own people, her own species…all he would bring upon her and himself was pain and heartache. She deserved better…she needed to be taken away from the horror and dangers of war…and so she would be…as soon as the right opportunity presented itself…

*End of Flashback*

Sessho-maru heaved a sigh…it had been ten years, and he had not seen her since then, that day when he left her…

Rin frowned at the unpleasant direction her thoughts had taken, obviously Sessho-maru had forgotten about her…why else would he have not returned during these past ten years—she was alone and abandoned…again…she tried to wipe the tears out of her eyes quickly…knowing it was a wasted effort, her tears could not make him return to her…

Sessho-maru suddenly became alarmed, he could smell tears, her tears…was she unhappy? Who had made her unhappy, the thoughts of what he would do to that person raced through his mind. He felt his teeth and nails begin to sharpen. He quickened his pace through the brush only to come to a clearing in which a river flowed through, there by the bank he saw a woman…he smelled the air again—it was her scent, but where was she?

Rin again wiped the tears away from her eyes, when she suddenly sensed a presence behind her. She turned quickly and gasped in shock…