As always, I am not Rumiko Takahashi, I do not own Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale, nor any of the characters within it.

In over five hundred years of existence, Sesshomaru had never been faced with a problem that he couldn't solve, whether through his influence as the Inu Daiyokai, son of the Inu no Taisho, or with his poisonous claws or superior swordsmanship. Always, others yielded to his superiority. It was rare that someone opposed him, and rarer still was allowed to live long after doing so.

Truly, this was an unpleasant and unwelcome experience for him, being faced with the current dilemma. He had promised Rin that he would allow her to make the choice whether she would come with him when he had left her in the village with the miko Kaede, nearly nine years ago. Granted, he had not set out to leave her in the village, but Kaede had insisted. In fact, she had stood up to him and told him bluntly that Rin needed to learn to live among humans before he could expect her to understand the ways of yokai, and that she would not permit Sesshomaru to take Rin from the village until she was an adult. Sesshomaru had been infuriated that this pathetic old miko would dare to tell him that she would not permit him to take his Rin with him, but hadn't allowed it to show on his face. Instead, he had calmly asked Kaede what made her think that he wouldn't simply kill her, and take Rin with him. Kaede had surprised him by telling him, "Because, Sesshomaru, ye know that this truly is what is best for Rin. Were she to simply travel with ye, with no knowledge of what human life is like, she would be like Inuyasha before Kagome, half in one world, and half in another, and comfortable in neither."

Sesshomaru had been blindsided by this. As much as it angered him that Kaede had told him that he would turn Rin into something like his half-brother, he knew that she was right. He had given Rin into Kaede's care, over her tearful protests that she had wanted to stay with him, and she didn't care that she didn't fit in with other humans. In the end, Sesshomaru had been driven to take Rin aside, and tell her that while he would always watch over her, he owed it to her to allow her to grow up in a place where he knew she would be safe when he could not be there, and he needed to establish his empire in the Western Lands. However, he promised her that if it was her choice when she was fully grown, he would allow her to travel with him, and live with him. The young child, who had already been stripped of her family, had looked at him with deep brown eyes that by rights should have been distrustful of his promise, and given him a smile of unconditional trust, dried her tears, and told Sesshomaru that she would stay, and promised him that she would of course join him when she was old enough. He had been unaccountably touched that she would promise him that, and to cover this distressing feeling, had simply told her, in his usual aloof manner, "Rin, there is no need to make such a promise."

That particular conversation had been as alien to him as when Rin had asked him if he would remember her always, should she die. Although then, Sesshomaru had been stunned that she thought she should even have to ask such a question. Sesshomaru, forget Rin? How could he ever forget her? She had been the first human to ever inspire anything but ire, or contempt in him. Forget her?

Over the last nine years, he had made it a point to visit her in the village at least monthly. Frequently, he brought her the gift of a new kimono. He knew she had changed from the small child she had been into a young woman, and had given her kimono that had reflected this, but he had refused to dwell on it and allow it to enter his consciousness that she was no longer his child. It had angered him irrationally that her scent had changed slightly as she matured, but he had grown accustomed to this by now. Truthfully, he had been denying that Rin was anything but his child for quite some time.

However, now that she was eighteen, there was no denying it any longer. This visit, which coincided with the anniversary of her birth, had been disconcerting to Sesshomaru. He presented Rin with a kimono that was the color of spring leaves, scattered with a pattern of cherry blossoms. She thanked him with her usual enthusiasm, and then asked to speak with him in private. Sesshomaru had assumed that she was going to tell him that she planned to stay in the village and perhaps ask if she might marry Sango's brother, who had been foolish enough to approach Sesshomaru the previous year and ask if he would allow this. Sesshomaru had delivered a blistering retort to Kohaku that was couched in a cool rejoinder that perhaps Kohaku had forgotten that while Rin lived in the village where Sango, Miroku, and their five children resided, and had been her childhood friend, she was still the ward of the Inu Daiyokai…and therefore Kohaku, a demon slayer, was beneath Rin.

As far as Sesshomaru had known, Kohaku had not mentioned their conversation to Rin, and he had not pursued the matter further. Sesshomaru had been rather adamant that should the subject come up again, he would have no issue making it clear to both Kohaku and Rin that he would never allow this match to happen. Not that he wanted to have the subject return, given that after the first request that he had denied, his half-brother's wife had given him a piece of her mind over it. Even Sesshomaru had to admit that he would rather battle Naraku again than argue with Kagome where it concerned Rin…especially when she was heavily with child, as she had been the year before. Kagome had castigated Sesshomaru, telling him that Rin had the right to make the decision as to whether or not she would marry Kohaku, and then Kagome told him that she had encouraged Kohaku in his foolish endeavor, filling Sesshomaru with cold fury. Sesshomaru had snapped back that Kagome ought to mind her own business, and Kagome had heatedly replied that since Rin was in Kagome's care, that it most certainly was her business. She had gotten so overwrought in her anger with Sesshomaru that at one point, he had thought she might give birth to his second niece right there outside her home. Fortunately for all concerned, she had not, although surprisingly it had been Inuyasha who had dragged Kagome away, telling her that it wasn't up to her to change Sesshomaru's mind, and besides, Rin was Sesshomaru's kid, so it was Sesshomaru's business, not theirs. Kagome had been so incensed with Inuyasha that she had given the command for him to sit at the top of her lungs, several times.

Sesshomaru indulged in a small, smug upward turn of his mouth at that memory, as he always did when Kagome got the better of his half-brother. Sesshomaru had returned to the village the next month with a kimono not just for Rin, but one for Kagome as well, ostensibly to congratulate her on the birth of Sakura, but in truth because Kagome was one of the few people who was not afraid to stand up to him. She had understood his motivation when he had imperiously pronounced the child as lovely as her mother, just like her four year old sister Izayoi, and much to Inuyasha's annoyance, told his three year old nephew Kichiro that it would serve him well to follow his mother's example when it came to bravery. Kagome had smothered a smile at Inuyasha's scowl and snarled remark that his children were just as brave as he was, and laughed outright when Sesshomaru smugly stated that they were obviously foolhardy, then. He had to admit that Inuyasha and Kagome were raising children worthy of being called the nieces and nephew of the Inu Daiyokai, who possessed Kagome's willingness to fierce defense of those she loved and her fearlessness, and his half-brother's loyalty to his friends and family and unwillingness to back down from a fight, no matter how the odds might be stacked against him.

And truthfully, even if these children were from the union of a human mother and a half-demon father, there was no denying that they had inherited their parents' striking looks. Izayoi had Inuyasha's light amber eyes, but Kagome's silky black hair and ever-present sweet smile. Kichiro looked much like his father, with silver hair and the dog ears that his mother found endearing on his father, and often a defiant expression that mirrored Inuyasha's, but with his mother's deep brown eyes – only Kichiro's usually shone with mischief. Even Sakura, at barely a year old, could not be called anything but a lovely baby – and out of Inuyasha and Kagome's three children, she was the one who looked the most like Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's father, the Inu no Taisho, complete with tiny magenta markings on her rounded baby cheeks, golden eyes, and the pointed human-like ears that Sesshomaru and the Inu no Taisho had shared, the only feature of hers that seemed to come from her human mother or her half-demon father was her rich sable hair. Sakura had managed to wrap her Oji-sama Sesshomaru around her tiny fingers, as her elder sister had - not that he would ever admit it. Sesshomaru even enjoyed the company of his nephew, even if he did have Inuyasha's stubborn nature. Nor would he admit that to anyone, either.

Likely the children that Rin would bear me would be as attractive. Certainly they would have spirit.

Where had that come from? Sesshomaru was stunned by the thought that had flown across his mind. Why was he even considering that this would be an option? Sesshomaru put that thought firmly out of his mind, and returned to the present.

He had not expected the turn Rin's thoughts took on this occasion, however. She asked him to walk with her into the forest named for his half-brother. He indulged her, not truly being able to deny her simple request. She had raced ahead, laughing, and stopped to pick the flowers that were growing along the path they walked. As they approached the old goshinboku, Rin had stared up into its branches with a pensive look on her face. Sesshomaru had been taken aback in the instant he looked at her in profile – she was no longer a child. She had metamorphosed into a lovely young woman. Her hair had been allowed to grow, and no longer did she catch the side up into a small ponytail. Instead, she chose to wear it loose, unless she was gathering herbs with Kagome. It streamed over her shoulders and down her back until it nearly reached her slender waist. As much as Sesshomaru didn't want to notice, the rest of her had matured as well. With increasing agitation on their walk, he had noticed the feminine sway of her gently rounded hips, and when she reached her arms up to grasp a low-hanging flowered branch, her full breasts strained against her kimono. However, he simply chose to disregard this, because to notice meant that he would be distressed. Sesshomaru was not willing to be distressed, because that would mean he was more like his half-brother than he wanted to admit.

In the midst of his musings, Rin suddenly came to what she had wanted to speak to him about.

"Lord Sesshomaru, when you left me in the village, you said that when I was grown up, I would be allowed to decide if I wanted to come with you again," Rin began, tentatively.

Sesshomaru regarded her with his usual cool expression. However, he was fighting an internal battle to keep his emotions in check. "Go on, Rin," he said, with a calm tone of voice.

Rin hesitated. This was her Lord Sesshomaru, who she had always trusted implicitly, and loved unconditionally. Never had she feared him, even when he had expressed rare annoyance with her. Why should she hesitate and be afraid now? She took a deep breath, and forged ahead.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I want to leave the village and join you."

"Are you unhappy living here, Rin?" Where was this coming from, this growing feeling of apprehension of having Rin travel with him again? How ridiculous, she was his ward, his child; she had traveled with him before, why should he be apprehensive?

"N-no, my lord! I am happy here! Sango and Kagome have become my sisters, and Lady Kaede has cared for me as if I were her own child." Rin couldn't shake the feeling that she was displeasing Lord Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru had known that Sango and Kagome would care for Rin as their little sister. Truly, both women had become sisters of the heart during their travels and battles, even he could see that. He had known that Sango would take Rin under her care when he had left Rin in the village prior to Kagome's return from the other era. And when Kagome had returned, and married Inuyasha, he had also known that not only would Kagome care for Rin, but his half-brother would also look after Rin's safety. It grated on him that his half-breed brother had taken over what should have been his responsibility, but he was thankful that Inuyasha watched over Rin with his usual full intensity. Not that he would admit it to Inuyasha or Kagome, however. The last sort of indignity he would tolerate would be Inuyasha making his usual brash remarks about how of course he was protecting Rin since Sesshomaru wasn't around to do the job.

"Why do you wish to return to traveling with me, Rin?" His voice betrayed nothing of the battle raging within him; in fact, it was almost as if he were having a meaningless conversation, instead of this one.

Rin looked at Sesshomaru in utter confusion tinged with hurt. "But, my lord, you promised me that it would be my choice when I grew up! Why would you question my desire to return to a life with you, Lord Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru was taken aback at her determination to return to him, as well as her hurt that he would question her motives. Did his child not know that most people disguised their true motivation around him more often than not? Truly, he thought to himself, she has lived around Kagome too long, if she trusted that people always presented their true faces.

At this point, Sesshomaru was wise enough to know this was an argument he would never win. He had given his word to Rin, and he would have to honor it. And really, he didn't want to cause her pain by denying her. Nor did he wish to be separated from her much longer. He was fond of this human child that he had taken on, and he wanted her to be close to him as she had been before.

"Very well, Rin. You may follow me, if that is your choice. Take your leave of the village this evening, and we shall depart in the morning."

Having made his pronouncement, Sesshomaru was surprised that Rin pushed ahead with another question.

"Lord Sesshomaru, will I be allowed to return to the village, and visit with my sisters and Lady Kaede? I would miss them terribly if I never saw them again."

Once again, Sesshomaru was left at a loss for words. How could she possibly think that he would not allow her to return to visit with the women who had become her sisters, or the old miko who had raised her the last nine years? Was he that much of a tyrant in her eyes? With great effort, he managed to muster a reply.

"Yes. You will be allowed to return to the village, but only in my company. I will not allow you to return alone. That is too dangerous for a young girl."

"But, Lord Sesshomaru, I am a woman grown now," Rin protested, "Sango and Kagome have taught me how to fight and protect myself!"

Before Rin knew what had happened, before she even had time to blink, Sesshomaru had her pinned against the old tree, his large hands gripping her shoulders tightly. In an icy tone, he said, "No, Rin. And that is the last word on the subject. You will return in my company. And I will ensure that you are able to visit regularly."

Rin was still stunned by her Sesshomaru pinning her to the tree. She thought that he'd be happy to know that Sango and Kagome had taught her how to defend herself, should the need arise. Not to mention, she was far more physically close to Sesshomaru than she had been in some time. She felt an odd pang deep within her, and was more frightened by that than anything else.

Sesshomaru abruptly released her. What had he been thinking to pin her to that tree? He tried to tell himself that he had been proving a point to her, that she didn't need to go traveling alone, she didn't have the ability to save herself from someone truly determined to hurt her. However, now warring within him was the overwhelming urge to wrap his hand in her hair and kiss her. That instinctive urge that had come over him as he had held her firmly against the tree disturbed him; he had seen her, in that instant, as the stunningly beautiful young woman she had become, and not the charming little girl she had been, and that he fervently wished she still was. He had looked into her sparkling chestnut eyes, and had seen the sprinkling of freckles across her nose, and her full, delicate lips slightly parted. That sight had aroused the primitive desires that he had kept a firm leash on for centuries. And yet, this human girl was threatening to be the undoing of his legendary control.

"Come, Rin. We have much to accomplish in order for you to leave the village."

Sesshomaru turned on the balls of his feet, with his usual predatory grace. Rin pushed herself off the old goshinboku, and followed him, just as she had when she was a small child. She was just happy that he was allowing her to return to him, and decided that she would no longer press the issue of how often she would be allowed to visit Sango, Kagome, Kaede and the rest. After all, he had returned to the village on a very regular basis to visit her, and the frequency of his visits had increased when Inuyasha and Kagome's children had started arriving.

While this turn of events had taken Inuyasha aback, and he grumbled frequently that every time he turned around, his damn brother was in his face, telling him how to raise his children; neither Kagome nor Rin had been surprised in the least. Both Rin and Kagome had known, when Kagome confirmed that she had been expecting Izayoi, when Sesshomaru had commented that her scent had changed, that Sesshomaru had seen this change in a positive light. Inuyasha had growled at Sesshomaru that if he called any child of his a half-breed, Inuyasha would remove his left arm again. Sesshomaru had stunned them all by coolly telling Inuyasha he would expect nothing less, and then turning to face Kagome and saying, "Little sister. Your children will be under my protection as well." When Izayoi had arrived, Sesshomaru had returned to the village for his visit, Kagome had simply placed the baby in his arms, over Inuyasha's vehement protests. Much to everyone's astonishment, Sesshomaru had not immediately refused to hold the child or handed her back, he just stared at her. When Izayoi had opened her amber eyes and looked into Sesshomaru's, both Rin and Kagome had seen the fleeting glance of astonishment and pride cross his face. He looked into the baby's eyes for a moment, and said, "Little sister, your daughter has your beauty. Little brother, strive to be worthy of them," and then gave Izayoi back to her mother. Inuyasha had been completely thunderstruck, so much so that he was actually speechless.

I wonder if he would have the same pride and affection for children I bore him.

Rin stopped so suddenly when that thought crossed her mind that she stumbled over a stone and nearly fell flat on her face. Where had this come from? Of course Lord Sesshomaru cared for her, she was his child. What made her think that he would want children with her? She knew that he had no mate, but that didn't mean that he would look at her with anything other than care for her as his child. Rin sighed deeply, and continued to walk back towards the village, keeping distance between herself and Sesshomaru in order to collect her thoughts, and prepare to say goodbye to her sisters and her Kaede-sobo.

Back in the village, both Sango and Kagome tried in vain to hold back tears over their little sister leaving them. Sango was far more distraught than Kagome, but then Sango was expecting her seventh child to arrive soon, and her emotions were far closer to the surface. Kagome managed to muster up a watery smile, and told the expectant mother, "But Sango, Rin will be returning to visit us often. We'll make the best of it, and we'll still have our little sister." At this, Sango had lost what shred of composure she had left, and a bewildered Miroku had to take his wife in his arms and stroke her hair while she wept. Inuyasha, knowing that his wife was not far behind Sango, couldn't resist taking the opportunity to tell Miroku that if he'd stop trying to repopulate the village with Sango, she might be able to see that it was Rin's choice and not be succumbing to those stupid tears. Kagome yelled at him to sit, but Inuyasha figured it was worth it just to get her to move away from the edge of tears – he hated to see her shed tears from any kind of pain. Privately, he agreed with Sango and Kagome that he didn't want Rin to leave any more than they did. He'd become fond of the young girl, and truthfully, she reminded him of Kagome with her enthusiasm for life, and sweetness of spirit…and he wasn't so sure that he wanted to leave her in the care of his older brother. But, as he had told Kagome, not only was it Rin's choice, she was Sesshomaru's kid, and really, the decision was Sesshomaru's and not theirs.

Kaede, however, had known this day was coming. After all, for the last nine years, Rin had shared a home with Kaede, and had talked of the day that she would be allowed to return to Lord Sesshomaru constantly. While she treasured the girl's company, Kaede had seen that the time would come when Rin would leave the village and resume her travels with Sesshomaru. Kaede merely hoped she had prepared Rin for a life with a full demon while she had helped her learn to live among humans again.

Sesshomaru sat back and observed the human interactions. On the surface, he appeared completely disinterested in Sango and Kagome's tears, or Inuyasha's obviously conflicting emotions. Underneath the cool exterior, however, he was anything but disinterested. He was amazed at just how much the women had taken his Rin under their tutelage, and how she had bloomed in their care. He knew that Rin's absence would cause Sango and Kagome pain, but surely they knew that he would never allow anything to happen to Rin. Sesshomaru had been surprised that Inuyasha hadn't immediately been at his throat, demanding that Sesshomaru leave Rin in the village, but he knew that as soon as the women were out of earshot, Inuyasha would likely be growling out a threat as to what would happen should Sesshomaru allow Rin to be hurt. Truthfully, Sesshomaru understood that Inuyasha's first instinct was to protect Rin just as he did Kagome and their children, but that understanding only went so far as to slightly assuage his willingness to put claws through Inuyasha's chest again should that half-demon half-brother of his insinuate that he, Sesshomaru, could not protect his Rin. And should Inuyasha push the issue further, Sesshomaru might lose the iron grasp he kept on his temper…and then there would be seven kinds of hell to pay from Kagome should he actually resort to putting claws through Inuyasha's chest. At that thought, Sesshomaru's mouth settled into a grim line. Really, it wasn't worth it to risk Kagome's ire. Just because she wasn't expecting a child this year didn't mean her temper had abated, and that she wouldn't instantly jump to defend her husband and fire a sacred arrow at Sesshomaru.

Kaede eventually ended the teary conversation between Sango, Kagome and Rin by saying, "Child, while we will all miss ye dreadfully, ye will come back and visit often. But the choice is yours, and ye have made it. Sango, Kagome…our Rin will come back to us often. We will simply make the most of her visits with Sesshomaru." Kaede's calm words were what Sango and Kagome needed to hear. Sango and Kagome's children all crowded around Rin, bidding her childishly sweet goodbyes, clinging to her with small, warm hands, and extracting promises from her that when she returned, she would play games with the two boys, and Akira and Kichiro immediately pretended to be disgusted when Rin dropped kisses on their foreheads. The six older girls were not mollified by the promise of games, and instead made Rin agree to play with their dolls with them and take them on an adventure in Inuyasha's forest. Sayuri, little Kagome, Ayumi, Reiko, Sachiko, and Izayoi simply clung tighter to Rin's kimono when she kissed them goodbye. Baby Sakura, unhappy with all the crying her mother and her Sango-oba were doing, and very unhappy that she kept hearing the words "Rin is leaving," chose that moment to register her protest with a loud, "MY RIN!" declared at the top of her little lungs. At that moment, silence descended upon the small home that Rin shared with Kaede. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the baby, who had a deep frown on her small face. Sakura looked at Sesshomaru with distrust, fully prepared to burst into tears as her mother and Sango-oba had, and repeated in a quavering voice with a trembling lower lip, "My Rin!"

Sesshomaru's actions shocked everyone. He rose gracefully, strode over to Kagome and her youngest child and took Sakura in his arms, looked her in the eye, and said, "Sakura, your Rin and your Oji-sama will return to you. For now, she is leaving to begin the next part of her life. She will return to visit you." The small child gazed at her uncle with eyes that shared the same shade of gold as his own, studied his aloof face, and then broke into a dazzling smile of pure adoration for her beloved uncle. She nodded her assent, and Sesshomaru handed the child back to her stunned mother, who could only stare in amazement. Inuyasha finally found his voice, and told his youngest daughter, "Sesshomaru-oji means it." Of course, he accompanied this with a glare to his older brother, which Sesshomaru promptly ignored. "Sesshomaru-oji won't let anything happen to Rin, baby. Daddy will hold him to that." That little barb from Inuyasha resulted in an icy glare being thrown his way by Sesshomaru…which Inuyasha responded to by throwing another heated glare in his older brother's direction.

Sakura is most like the child that Rin would bear me.

At that moment, Sesshomaru abruptly turned and left the party to their own discussion. He could not bear to sit in Kaede's home, surrounded by children, and succumb to such sentimental thoughts. Fool, he thought to himself, why do you persist in thinking about children that Rin would bear you? She's your child, beautiful though she may be, and you've never been one to tolerate a yokai mating with a human. Except, he thought, arguing with himself, he had come to accept Inuyasha as his half-brother, and even have some affection for him – though that was often tempered with a great deal of annoyance at his brash, headstrong brother. And he fully accepted the hanyo's children with Kagome, much to his own astonishment - had even sworn to protect them when she was expecting the first one. And his Rin was tenacious, loyal to those she loved to a fault and had a warm, kind heart for others. But, a child with Rin? A life with Rin? Surely that would not be a possibility. Yes, she was returning to him, and they would resume their travels, but the home he would create for her would be the home any father would want for his treasured child. He would not be exploring any feelings outside that of those any father would have concerning Rin, and that was the end of it, he told himself. Besides, why would he think she would want to be his mate, and bear his children? She knew of his old prejudices concerning Inuyasha, and knowing his half-brother, Inuyasha had likely bitterly filled her in on his experiences growing up with Sesshomaru as a guardian. Surely, she would not want to have a life where she was constantly questioning his devotion to her and her children.

Except there would be no question, would there? Your devotion to Rin and the children she would bear you would be absolute.

That was enough. It was time to silence that voice in his mind. These thoughts were beginning to be most unwelcome. He went back inside Kaede's home, and reminded Rin that she needed to rest; they would have a long day of travel ahead of them, and bid the others good night. Sesshomaru's glance lingered on baby Sakura, who studied him with her golden eyes, and reached for him. Surprising himself and everyone else once more, he took the baby from Kagome's arms once again, and they simply looked at each other for a few moments, golden gazes mirrored. Sakura reached up a tiny hand, and gently patted Sesshomaru's cheek, near the markings similar to her own. "My Oji," she said, and then she laid her head on his shoulder, entwined her tiny fingers in his pelt, and promptly fell asleep. Sesshomaru gently extracted the sleeping child and handed her to Inuyasha, who eyed his older brother with utter disbelief, and said, "What the hell got into you all of a sudden?" Sesshomaru simply ignored the question, and crouched down to gently cup his eldest niece's sweet face and tell her, "Rin will return to you to visit. You have my word." Little Izayoi gave him a sweet smile, that mirrored her mother's, and said with wisdom belying her five years, "I know, Oji-sama. Daddy does, too, he just wants to protect Rin the way he does us." She patted his hand in reassurance. Kichiro, his nephew, stood in the same defensive stance his father usually took, feet apart, arms crossed over his chest, with the same distrustful look that mirrored Inuyasha's. "Do you swear it, Oji-sama? I will come for you if my Rin gets hurt," he growled, sounding just like his father, who was smirking in encouragement of his son. Kagome started to reprimand him for being so presumptuous, but something in Sesshomaru's face stopped her. Sesshomaru bit back a snarled retort, as well as a smile of pure pride that his nephew was a fierce protector of those he considered his, even at four years of age. He eyed the boy gravely. "Kichiro, I swear it. Mind your mother, boy. Oji-sama will reap vengeance on you if you do not. Your mother will tell me if you are behaving in a way that is unworthy of the nephew of the Inu Daiyokai." And with that, he strode out of the house and back to the goshinboku to rest before they continued traveling in the morning.

Sesshomaru passed a restless night underneath the old sacred tree. What in the name of heaven was wrong with him, to have such thoughts? He was no sentimental human, what would possess him to allow his emotions to rule him? While he had to admit that Rin was a lovely young woman, and no longer a child, the idea that he would allow his thoughts to turn in a more base direction was unacceptable to him. He didn't want to think of the day when she might marry someone he considered her equal, although he supposed that day would come sooner rather than later. He certainly didn't want to entertain thoughts of another man taking her innocence and getting her with child, even if that other man would be her husband. Frankly, Sesshomaru didn't think that there would ever be a man worthy of his Rin. And the very thought of Rin bearing another man's child filled him with unreasonable anger.

In Kaede's home, Rin passed an equally sleepless night. What on earth had made her think of bearing children for Lord Sesshomaru? She knew mostly what was involved in bearing children, having been present for the births of Sango and Kagome's babies, and the two women had sat her down and explained how one got with child in the first place, and that while on its face the act of love didn't sound appealing, when you were with the man you loved it was a natural part of your love for each other. Why would she think that Sesshomaru would have those kinds of feelings for her? And why was she even contemplating having those feelings for Sesshomaru? He was her beloved protector, the man who had taken her along with him when she had no one else, who had brought her back from death twice. And he only thought of her as his child. Certainly, Lord Sesshomaru would never see her as anything but his child. Oh, but if only he saw her the way Miroku saw Sango, or Inuyasha saw Kagome! However, she was going to be near her Sesshomaru again. Rin decided that she would put the thought of Sesshomaru as anything but her protector out of her mind, and treasure the opportunity to travel with him once again.

The next morning, Rin bid Kaede farewell, and waited for Sesshomaru. As Sesshomaru had expected, Inuyasha had left his home quietly, so as not to wake Kagome and the children, and made his way to the goshinboku.

"Little brother." As always, Sesshomaru's tone when addressing Inuyasha was supercilious.

"Sesshomaru, I don't know what you think you're doing, but I'm not any happier about Rin taking off with you than Kagome and Sango are." Inuyasha, on the other hand, was irate.

"Little brother, you forget your place," was Sesshomaru's serene comeback.

"You listen to me, Sesshomaru! I have watched that girl for the last nine years. Every day, she talked of nothing more than the day that she would rejoin you. She deserves to have more than a distant guardian. You had better keep her safe, and make sure she has a life of her own. Or else I'll take that left arm of yours again, and use it to beat you to death." Inuyasha gave Sesshomaru an acrimonious glare to accompany his snarled threat.

Sesshomaru merely gave his younger brother a look of disdain. He was not surprised by the heated threats Inuyasha made, nor did he doubt his brother's ability to make good on them. However, he was not going to allow his half-breed brother to threaten him with impunity.

Extending his right arm, Sesshomaru allowed his poisonous claws and his voice to drip venom. "Little brother, should you try it, I will put my claws through your chest again. And this time, I will make sure that Kagome does not interfere, and simply drop you at her feet, bleeding."

Inuyasha snorted derisively. "You're afraid of Kagome's wrath. That's why you'd wait till her back was turned. You should be afraid of her wrath." Inuyasha would be the first person to admit that even he feared his wife's anger when she truly lost her temper. They'd had some vicious fights when she was with child the first time around, that ended not only with Kagome screaming at him to sit multiple times, but then turning her back to him when they had gone to bed for the night, and refusing to speak to him for several days after that. He'd also seen her turn her fury on his older brother, and when she continued to not just argue with Sesshomaru but actually poked him in the chest while delivering a blistering rejoinder, he had been terrified that Sesshomaru would hurt Kagome, and had been floored when Sesshomaru had actually backed down.

Sesshomaru glared at Inuyasha. Trust his half-brother to bring up Kagome's wrath. It was true; he was completely unwilling to risk angering Kagome. She had earned his respect with her bravery and her willingness to tolerate Inuyasha, and even go so far as to love his brother at times when Sesshomaru would consider Inuyasha completely unworthy of such. And even Sesshomaru had to admit that her temper was a frightening sight to behold when Kagome allowed it to go unchecked. He himself had been on the receiving end of a blistering lecture delivered at full volume, complete with fire not usually seen in the eyes of a human, more than once. Worse still was when she was so furious she descended into cold rage, and refused to speak at all. Yes, to be sure, Sesshomaru would rather battle Naraku, or Ryukotsusei, or even Takemaru controlled by Sounga again than face an enraged Kagome, especially when she was being protective. Besides, pushing Kagome into a fury left Sesshomaru feeling oddly guilty afterwards. Avoiding provoking Kagome into rage kept him from experiencing that all-too-human feeling, and he was content to avoid it. However, he still had his pride, and he was not about to allow that barb to go unchecked.

"You should fear the wrath of your wife more than I. Should she hear of your threats, she will use those enchanted beads on you. She will, as she so eloquently puts it, kick your butt, Inuyasha," said Sesshomaru in a fairly self-satisfied tone.

The brothers glared at one another, each knowing the other spoke the truth. Finally, Inuyasha broke the silence. "Yeah, well, she can still kick your butt, and don't you forget it. You take care of Rin, or you won't have me to worry about, Kagome will yell at me to sit to get me out of her way in order to beat you senseless." With that, Inuyasha turned and walked away.

Sesshomaru waited until he was sure his brother had made it back to his own home so he wouldn't have to listen to Inuyasha growl more threats, and then made his way to the village. He found Rin waiting for him outside Kaede's home, with her things packed in the battered yellow knapsack Kagome had brought back from her era. She was dressed in a simple kimono of cerulean with a long over skirt of pale peach, and had bound her hair back in the same sort of low ponytail that Sango wore to keep her hair out of the hands of her children. Sesshomaru was riveted by how lovely she was, even dressed as any common village girl. To cover this sudden and uninvited rush of attraction, he bade her take her leave of Kaede. However, Kaede had noticed Sesshomaru's chagrin, and was quite sure she knew it was caused by Rin's appearance. Kaede hoped that she was doing the right thing by letting Rin carry through with leaving the village to join Sesshomaru. She motioned to Sesshomaru, who told Rin to allow him a moment to speak with Kaede privately, and led him out of earshot of the girl.

"Sesshomaru, ye must be sure that this is truly Rin's wish."

This was almost more than Sesshomaru could take.

"Stop interfering, old woman. Rin has made her decision. There is nothing more to discuss." He bit off each word, glad to have an outlet for his frustration.

Kaede merely fixed him with the same stare she used on the children of the village when they were being particularly obstinate. "Sesshomaru, I have spent nine years with this child. While ye have been working towards building an empire, I have been raising the child of my heart. Do not make me regret this."

"Rin will be well. She will return to visit, and you will see for yourself that it is her choice." Sesshomaru gave Kaede his typical contemptuous glare, reserved for human and demon alike that were pushing him to the end of his patience, and the old miko merely remained impassive. With that, Sesshomaru turned on his heel and walked towards Rin.

As she had when she was a child, Rin followed Sesshomaru willingly. Eventually, she dashed ahead of him, singing about following him across the mountains and the fields, picking the wildflowers along their path, as she had when she had first followed Sesshomaru away from the village of her birth. Sesshomaru watched her, and just as he had been when she was a little girl, he was fascinated by her. When he had first encountered her after he had battled Inuyasha intending to steal the Tetsusaiga, he had been astonished that she was not afraid of him. Injured though he had been, he could have ended her life so easily, and she had cared for him. She had even smiled for him after being beaten by the villagers for stealing fish for him. From the beginning, she had trusted him completely. His eyes darkened as the thoughts of the previous day returned to haunt him. How could he think such things about his Rin? While he cared for her, she was his child, and surely the direction his thoughts had taken would cost him her trust.

The day wore on, and Sesshomaru could see that Rin was growing tired. He knew she needed to rest, that her human body would not allow her to continue at the same pace that he kept. In his usual authoritative fashion, Sesshomaru told Rin that they would stop in order for her to rest.

"In the morning, I will call for A-Un. You may ride when you grow weary, Rin. You do not have the strength of a demon; you will not be able to keep up on your own."

"Yes, my lord. I have missed A-Un! We were always on our best behavior when you left us in Master Jaken's care." Her smile at the thought of being reunited with the two-headed dragon lit up her lovely face. How Sesshomaru had missed seeing her brilliant smile daily! It hadn't been the same, these nine years without her by his side. He had been lonely without her.

Sesshomaru nearly gasped aloud as the implication of the last thought slammed into his consciousness. He, Sesshomaru, had been lonely without Rin? Without the company of a little human girl, when he was the Inu Daiyokai? He hoped that his face had not revealed his innermost reflection. He couldn't afford to show weakness, real or perceived, to anyone. Not even to Rin.

"I would expect nothing less, Rin. I am sure that A-Un will be pleased to see you as well." His voice gave away nothing of the disturbing direction his mind had taken.

Rin opened the battered knapsack, and collected her bed roll, and some of the food Kaede had prepared for her journey. Sesshomaru leaned against a nearby tree, and listened to her chatter about how sometimes she and Sango and Kagome's children had been allowed to camp in Inuyasha's forest, always with at least one of the attentive parents close by standing guard. They would fish, she told him, using techniques that Inuyasha had taught them, cooking over a small fire, and they would tell stories that Kagome had told them, scaring themselves silly. Sometimes even Shippo and Kohaku would join them, when Shippo wasn't too busy studying for fox demon exams and Kohaku could bear the noise of his sister's ever-increasing tribe of children, she said. Those times were some of the most fun, because she and Kohaku had been able to form a closer friendship, and Rin treasured that friendship still.

She had been able to have some time to have a normal childhood, he thought to himself. He was grateful that she had been allowed to be a child after being abandoned as one, and then being exposed to the horrors of battle while traveling with him. Her friendship with Kohaku did not sit well with Sesshomaru, however. He had known, almost instantly, that this had been where Kohaku's desire to marry Rin had come from.

You're jealous that this boy has part of Rin's heart.

Sesshomaru gritted his teeth. Damn it all, he was tired of these unwanted thoughts. His patience was growing thin.

"Rin, do you desire marriage?"

Rin stopped short. She was perplexed by Sesshomaru's question, and wondered what direction this was going. "My lord?" she asked, in a tone of what she hoped was polite inquiry.

"Rin. Do you desire marriage?"

She wasn't sure how to answer his question. That was stupid, she chided herself. This was her Sesshomaru, why be apprehensive?

"Well, yes, Lord Sesshomaru. I would like to marry someday. I want to have a home and a family much as my sisters do."

Sesshomaru tried to choose his next words carefully. "Is there a particular husband you have in mind, Rin?"

"I had considered Kohaku. We are very close, and both Inuyasha and Kagome, and Miroku and Sango, started their relationships as friends. It seemed to be a good way to choose a husband."

Sesshomaru was instantly incensed beyond belief. He was hanging on to his temper by mere threads. His next question came through gritted teeth, in a tone that conveyed nothing but contempt.

"Why would you even begin to consider Kohaku worthy of the child of the Inu Daiyokai?"

For once, Rin was beginning to get angry. "Because, Lord Sesshomaru, he is capable of providing for a wife and children and because he loves me. He told me so himself last year, when you refused to allow him to marry me."

Sesshomaru was blindsided. His Rin dared to be angry with him? And why had Kohaku gone behind his back and told Rin that Sesshomaru had refused his proposal? When he caught up to Kohaku, he was going to tear him apart with his claws – after he had delivered a blistering upbraiding to that boy.

He delivered his next remark in even icier tones. "Do you really think that a demon slayer is capable of providing a home for you? He will likely encounter a demon that will end his life, and leave you a widow and your children fatherless."

Now Rin was flushed with uncharacteristic rage. "He loves me. That's a chance I would be willing to take for the man I loved. I have no assurances from any other man that I am cherished and desired," she snapped at him, before she could stop herself.

"That's not true," Sesshomaru snarled in response, before his logic could take control of his emotions.

Rin simply stared at him. What on earth did he mean by that? Her ire disappeared in a flash, replaced by confusion and true fear.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru was already regretting allowing the words to escape him. Enough was enough, he decided. This discussion was over, and should never have been started in the first place.

"Enough, Rin. I grow weary of this argument. Marrying Kohaku is out of the question. I will find you a suitable husband when I think you are ready." With that, he walked away, stalking off into the nearby forest, looking for something to kill to relieve his anger with Rin.

Rin simply stared at his retreating form, trying to figure out what she had done wrong. She had been honest with Sesshomaru, had she not? And what was wrong with Kohaku? He had trusted Kohaku to look out for her when they had traveled together. Why was he not suitable now? She was no great lady, she was a simple village girl, and she knew it. No matter how much Sesshomaru reminded her that she was the child of the Inu Daiyokai, deep down, Rin knew that she was nothing special. She sighed, and decided that sleep would be the best thing for her. Sleep would certainly be better than the tears she was trying valiantly not to shed. She knew that Lord Sesshomaru would not be pleased with her tears.

After stalking through the forest and finding nothing to kill that would soothe his rage, Sesshomaru started walking back to where he had left Rin. He was still stunned that she had dared to be angry with him, and even gone so far as to snap at him. What was the matter with her, to think that the boy would make a good husband for her? Why would she think that he would possibly allow such a match, and hand her over to that boy?

If you had made your feelings clear to her, she would not have even considered Kohaku.

At that thought, his legs gave out from under him, and he found himself sitting on the ground suddenly. His feelings for her? He cared for her. She was his child.

She's not a child any longer. She's a beautiful young woman. And she has your heart.

She was a human. She would not have the longevity he did. And he owed it to her to allow her to live as a human, not as someone who lived half in one world and half in another.

She has chosen to return to you. She wishes to spend her life with you. All you need do is ask her.

That was the moment that Sesshomaru heard a blood-curdling scream coming from the direction of the camp. With his heart in his throat, Sesshomaru flew towards where he had left Rin. Why had he left her alone, even if they had argued? He was her protector, it was his job to look after her, and he had left her alone. If something happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

The camp came into view quickly. He scanned the area, looking for threats. He saw a small form, wrapped in a blanket, lying nearly motionless on the ground. Sesshomaru's heart stopped. Had he failed her yet again? Had he truly lost her this time? Moving fast enough that to a casual observer, it would seem he simply appeared at her side, Sesshomaru made his way to Rin. Reaching her, he held his breath to find out what had made her scream with what had sounded like abject terror, and hopefully to assure himself that she was still alive and unhurt. He could see that she was still breathing, and he could smell no blood.

"Rin! What's wrong? Open your eyes, Rin!"

She opened her eyes. She was still alive. Slowly, Sesshomaru released the breath he had not realized he'd been holding, waiting for her to open her eyes.

Upon seeing Sesshomaru, Rin began to struggle to sit up. "Lord Sesshomaru, I saw – I saw – you were hurt – I couldn't save you," she stumbled over her words, not making any sense. And then she started to weep. "Oh, Lord Sesshomaru, I was so afraid!"

Sesshomaru pulled her to a sitting position with shaking hands. She had obviously been having a nightmare in which she had lost him. Was this what her deepest fear was, losing him in battle? Losing him at all? His Rin lived in fear that he would be lost to her forever? Without thinking, and not caring about the consequences, he pulled her into his arms. Sitting back against the same tree he had been reclining against earlier, he cradled her gently, smoothing her hair away from her face, trying to console her. Just like he had cradled Izayoi shortly after her birth, he held Rin close.

"Rin, all is well. I am still here. It was merely a nightmare." His calm tone was hard won. Sesshomaru was losing his grip on his self-control. His Rin, terrified by the horrors her mind chose to show her in her sleep, horrors that centered on him. It was simply too much to bear.

Slowly, Rin's weeping ceased. Sesshomaru thought she had been soothed back to sleep, and he could tuck her back into her bed roll, and let her sleep. As he started to move to do so, she lifted her head to look at him, and reassure herself that he was still there. She extended a small, trembling hand to his face, and placed it upon his cheek.

At her tender touch, Sesshomaru was nearly undone. "What are you doing, Rin?"

I am reassuring us both that all is well.

She gave him one of her sweet smiles, much like the one she had given him when he had touched her face to ensure she really had been brought back from the underworld with his mother's meido stone. "I was assuring myself that you were really here, my lord." Rin didn't remove her hand; instead, she reached up and brushed his hair away from his face, much as he had done for her. "Every time you left me, when I still lived in the village, I was afraid that I might not see you again, that you might decide not to come back for me. Some nights, I would slip out of Kaede's home and steal away to the old sacred tree, and sit underneath and think about you, hoping you were well, and that you were happy."

Sesshomaru could only gaze into Rin's deep chestnut eyes. She had actually believed that he would not come back for her. And even then, she only wanted him to be well, and happy, even if it was without her. How could this human girl care for him so deeply?

His voice was rough from the rush of emotion that hit him suddenly. "I was always coming back for you, Rin." He placed his hand over hers. "I was always coming back for you."

Rin's heart began to pound. Sesshomaru could feel her pulse quicken. He brought her delicate hand to his lips, and placed a soft kiss on her fingertips. Her breath caught, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Lord Sesshomaru – "

"Rin. How could you doubt I would return for you?"

"My lord, I –"she stopped short. How could she finish that sentence? She longed to tell him the truth - that she loved him as a woman does her man, not as a little girl loved her father. But she was afraid that he would not believe it, or that he would turn away from her and send her back to the village.

I was afraid that I would not be enough for you.

Sesshomaru could see the thoughts fly across Rin's face. Like his sister-in-law, Rin never could hide her feelings very well. Every thought she had was written across her face, and Sesshomaru could see that Rin was trying to find words to express these thoughts. Apprehension began to grow within him. What could she be thinking that she felt she couldn't tell him? And why should he, Sesshomaru, be apprehensive?

Rin took a deep breath. "My lord, I was afraid you would find a mate, and she would not want me to return to you. And you would leave me in the village."

Sesshomaru's mind simply stopped working at her statement.

Had she known how you cared for her, she would not have had that fear.

"Rin...how could you believe that of me? I have no interest in looking for a mate." He was deeply wounded at her blunt statement, and didn't hold back this time.

Rin looked at the man who had been her protector for the last nine years. She had said something that hurt him, and she knew it. "My lord, I – "

"Say my name. Just my name. You have earned that right, Rin."

"Sesshomaru," she whispered quietly.

That was enough to put him at the edge of his control. "Rin, what do you want of me?"

A rosy flush began to spread across Rin's cheeks. "Sesshomaru, I wish to stay with you forever. What do you want of me?"

Her innocent question made his mind reel. What did he want of her?

You want her as your mate.

He had to stifle the growl that rose in his throat as the truth of what his mind had supplied his consciousness with hit him right in the heart. It was true; he did want her as his mate. But telling her this would surely terrify her. His innocent Rin, how could he tell her that he wanted her as his mate, as the woman he would claim with his name and his body?

"Rin, I want – "He stopped, not knowing how to continue.

Abruptly, Rin dropped her eyes, and began to extract herself from his loose embrace. "I understand, my lord. I know that I am not worthy to be the mate of the Inu Daiyokai. I'm a simple village girl. I'm no great lady, as your Lady Mother is, or even that Inuyasha's mother Izayoi was. How could you care for me in that way? I'm your child."

At that, Sesshomaru's control of his temper snapped. He grabbed her wrist, and pulled her back to him.

"Do not test my patience, Rin. I have none left."

The startled girl looked into his eyes, and uttered a cry from the heart. "Do you care for me, Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru vacillated between wanting to shake her, and wanting to kiss her. "Rin, I have long since stopped thinking of you as a child. There is nothing simple or plain about you, you are a beautiful young woman. Your spirit inspired me to save you as a child. Your passion about everything makes me desire you. How could you doubt that I care?"

Rin's pulse spiked again. Sesshomaru leaned forward and kissed her. For Rin, time simply stopped. She had never expected that Sesshomaru would care for her in that way. She was filled with a mixture of ecstasy and fear - ecstasy that Sesshomaru had her in his embrace, and fear that he would suddenly stop, and tell her to go back to sleep.

Sesshomaru broke the kiss, and put his finger underneath Rin's chin to turn her face up to his. "Rin, I care for you very deeply. Do you have the same feelings for me?"

Rin felt her heart stop. "Sesshomaru…how could you doubt that I do?" It was her turn to be wounded deeply by his words, just as hers had been like an arrow to his heart.

"Let me hear you say it, Rin."

She looked at him, her rich brown eyes shining with unshed tears. "Sesshomaru, I love you. I love you as a woman loves her man, not as a child loves her father."

Her admission left Sesshomaru shaken. She loved him. She loved him with a woman's heart. With that simple confession of love for him, Sesshomaru's self control vanished like morning frost. Pausing to remove his armor and swords so as not to hurt her, he pulled Rin back into his embrace. He tugged at the ribbon tying her hair back, loosening the sheaf of sweet-smelling silk. With one arm around her waist, he cupped her face gently with the other hand. He leaned in, murmuring, "My Rin, you are so beautiful," and kissed her again. This time, he indulged in the fantasy of wrapping his hand in her silken hair while he tasted her full lips. He nipped her bottom lip gently between his teeth, and when she gasped in shocked pleasure, he deepened the kiss, and indulged in tasting her.

The taste of Rin was heady and exquisite. She was deliciously sweet, with a hint of spice. Sesshomaru's head reeled with the combination of Rin's sweet taste, and her exquisite scent surrounding him. He wanted to touch and taste all of her.

This time, Rin broke the kiss. "Sesshomaru," she whispered, barely able to get the words out, "what do you want of me?" She leaned her head against his chest, so that if he said that he merely wanted to have her for the night, she would not have to see him say it. Even if that were the case, she knew that she would follow Sesshomaru into Hell itself should he beckon.

The Inu Daiyokai deliberately slowed his slightly ragged breathing, so he could make her understand what he truly wanted, and use the right words. "Rin, I will tell you what I do not want." As Rin went still in his arms, dreading his response, he nibbled her earlobe. Nuzzling her ear, he purred, "I do not wish to find you a husband."

Confusion poured off Rin in waves. "You…you…what?" she stammered, unsure of the direction that Sesshomaru's thoughts were taking.

Her response made Sesshomaru realize that he would have to rephrase his statement, so as to ease her insecurity. He tipped her head up so she would look at him. "Rin, I do not wish to find you a husband. I want you as my mate." At that, Rin's eyes widened in shock.

"You do?"

"Yes."

Rin was left speechless. As the silence grew, Sesshomaru was left to try to understand why his Rin was being so uncharacteristically quiet. Finally, he asked, "And Rin, what is it that you wish?"

Rin took Sesshomaru's hand in both of hers. "Sesshomaru, I wish to be your mate, if that is what you desire. I love you."

"Do you understand what that means, Rin? You will be mine, forever. I will claim you with my name and my body. You will be the esteemed wife of the Inu Daiyokai, and you will allow me to take care of you." Sesshomaru waited to see what her response would be, and it made him conspicuously nervous.

He saw the rosy blush return to her lovely face, as well as the shadow of worry. "My sisters have explained to me what is involved when it comes to being a man's wife. And I have seen the results of the act of love – Sango will have another baby in a few more weeks. But, Sesshomaru…what about children? I have seen your disdain for Inuyasha, the result of your demon father and his human mother. Would you treat any children I might bear you with such?"

He knew that it was his own fault that she asked those questions. And it was true; he had not been a very good older brother to Inuyasha. He'd tried to kill Inuyasha on more than one occasion once his half-brother had been old enough to defend himself, and he'd only consented to be Inuyasha's guardian because their father had made him swear to it. However, Sesshomaru also had to admit that he had grown closer to his half-demon half-brother in the last nine years. Even if Inuyasha's headstrong, impetuous nature still offended Sesshomaru's cool demeanor.

This time, Sesshomaru took Rin's hands in his. "Rin, my devotion to you and any children you would bear me is absolute. It is more important to me to have you as my mate than to remain mired in the prejudice of the past. I have learned much in the last nine years."

He waited. Rin let what he had said sink in, and then gave him one of her effervescent smiles, overflowing with enthusiasm and love. "Sesshomaru, I would be honored to be your mate, and to bear your children." She leaned forward, and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

Sesshomaru took this opportunity to pull her closer once again. He was going to let nothing stand in the way of his claiming Rin as his own. The primitive urges he had kept a leash on for centuries were coming to the forefront, and he was going to channel them into pleasing her, and marking her as his. Once again, he nipped her lower lip, and was rewarded with a gasp, and when her lips parted, he tasted her again. Following his lead, Rin let her tongue explore Sesshomaru, tasting his lips, and running the tip of her tongue against his fangs.

While Sesshomaru allowed her to explore his mouth, he occupied his hands elsewhere. He wrapped his left hand in that soft, silky hair, and used the pads of his fingers to stroke her scalp. Just using his lips on hers had aroused him, and he was feeling the pull to taste more than just her lips. He pulled away slightly, and started to gently nip her earlobe and nuzzle her neck. He was given the satisfaction of hearing her whisper his name, and feeling her hands come up and into his own fine silver hair. When Sesshomaru fastened his teeth at the point where her neck and shoulder met, Rin arched against him, and knotted her fingers in his hair.

Sesshomaru allowed himself a wicked smile of pure lust. Moving back to her ear, he rumbled, "Rin, allow me to undress you." It wasn't a question.

At his authoritative tone, Rin looked at Sesshomaru, startled. "Sesshomaru, I-"

"Rin." Sesshomaru turned his golden eyes on her, gave her a gentle kiss, and said, "I wish to see you. All of you." He began to unfasten her long over skirt, so he could untie her obi. Rin sat in his lap, hands shaking, aching to kiss Sesshomaru the way he had her.

Once Rin's obi was untied, Sesshomaru gently eased her kimono off her shoulders. He could feel her heart fluttering like a trapped butterfly as he ran fingers over the satin skin of her shoulders and arms as he eased her kimono off her. When she reached out her hands, he helped her to remove his kimono, and bid her to explore as she wished. He knew she was innocent, and he had no intention of terrifying her. She placed one petite hand over his heart, and let it sit there for a moment. She then leaned forward, and placed a tentative kiss on his jaw line. When she heard his sharp intake of breath, she moved to begin kissing his neck as he had hers. When she nipped him with her teeth, it took every ounce of self-control he had not to strip himself fully naked and drive into her. But he knew that he had to let her lead the pace.

Rin rested her head against Sesshomaru's shoulder, and began to run her hands down his chest toward the flat plane of his stomach. When her fingers lightly brushed his skin, he burned for more. She moved her head and looked up at him questioningly.

Sesshomaru took his kimono and hers and spread them on the grass. He gently laid her back, and gazed at her. She was so beautiful, his Rin. Her fair skin seemed to glow in the deep night. Her breasts were full and rounded, with delicate pink tips. He lowered his head to one, and breathed in her scent as he fastened his lips around a nipple. As he tasted and sucked, she gasped for air as waves of pure sensation washed over her. As Sesshomaru covered her breasts with kisses, and sucked and nipped to his heart's content, Rin's scent began to change as her arousal increased.

Rin's arousal scent hit Sesshomaru like a blow to the chest. Her normal exquisite scent now mingled with a deeper honeyed aroma. The heady fragrance of his Rin seemed to wrap itself around him much as his pelt did when he flew. Sesshomaru laid his head on her breast and breathed her scent in deeply, taking a moment to gather his thoughts and ensure that he could rein in his desire long enough to make her ready for him.

Rin's mind had gone blank. She couldn't focus on any single sensation. Her entire body was alight with desire, nerve endings tingling at Sesshomaru's touch and kiss. She was reeling from the arousal, only to look up and see Sesshomaru brushing her hair out of her face.

"My Rin, I would like you to touch me."

She pulled herself up on her elbows, and turned towards him. "Sesshomaru, show me how."

Sesshomaru leaned back, pulling her with him so she was sitting up. Taking her hands in his, he guided it down to his obi. "Rin, untie my obi." With trembling fingers, Rin complied. Sesshomaru helped her to finish undressing him, and encircling her hand with his, guided it to his manhood.

Rin felt velvety skin over what seemed to be steel. She ran her hand down his length, tentatively at first, and when Sesshomaru leaned into her touch, more fervor. She followed his lead, gripping and stroking, and venturing to brush the pad of her thumb against the tip of him. Rin's efforts were rewarded by a light groan of pleasure from Sesshomaru, uttered as he closed his brilliant eyes in order to feel more of what she was doing to him. He was dying for more, and yet he knew that if he didn't stop her soon, her touch would send him over the edge.

Moving her soft hands away, Sesshomaru gently laid her back on their kimono, and began stroking the outer edges of her womanhood. As he explored the soft petals, wet with evidence of her arousal, Rin arched her hips into his touch instinctively. When Sesshomaru found the tender bud nestled in her female folds, he began to stroke it with the pad of his thumb, watching the touch send widening rings of pleasure through her body. He watched her eyes close, and her eyelids flutter as he relentlessly drove her to the edge of climax. He slipped a finger into her inviting heat, and her eyes opened suddenly, as Rin gasped his name. When he slid another finger inside to join the first in stroking her, she started to close her eyes again as pleasure began to overtake her.

"Rin, open your eyes. I want you to see me as I take you over the edge." Sesshomaru's authoritative voice was rough with his own desire for her.

Rin opened her eyes at his command. Sesshomaru mercilessly caressed her feminine pearl, while stroking her sheath with his fingers. He kept his eyes focused on hers, and watched as her eyes widened, and she cried out, grasping the kimono underneath her in her fists and writhing as she reached the pinnacle of her pleasure. As she tightened around his fingers, Sesshomaru watched the flush of desire wash over her body and felt his own need grow exponentially. He wanted to drive himself deep within her and thrust until they both could no longer hold back, but he wanted to be sure she was ready to take him within herself.

As the shocks of the first climax wore down, Sesshomaru gazed into Rin's eyes and lowered his head to her belly. As Rin watched, fascinated, he began to trail kisses down her belly, never taking his eyes off hers. When he reached the soft curls above her sex, he gripped her thighs with his hands, and then dipped his head down to taste her. As the tip of his tongue swirled over the tender bud within her feminine flesh, he felt a new rush of heat as a wave of pleasure overtook her. He slid his fingers back into her, stroking again, and feasted on the sweetness of Rin. The taste of her, aroused, slick, and hot drove him single-mindedly. Her arousal tasted spiced and honeyed, and her scent had taken on a slight hint of smoke, like that of incense. Combined, they spurred Sesshomaru on to tease her and drive her into abandon. Relentlessly, mercilessly, he plundered the feminine core of her with his fingers while he flicked her pearl with his tongue. This time, when he felt her tighten around his fingers, she arched her back and cried out his name.

Sesshomaru could hold on to his control no longer. He immediately covered her body with his, and positioned himself at the opening of her core. "Rin, you are ready, are you not?"

Rin looked at Sesshomaru. She could see that he was battling to keep control so as not to hurt her. "Sesshomaru, I know there will be pain. But it will not last, and I am ready for you. Make me yours."

That was all the invitation Sesshomaru needed. In one swift motion, he drove the full length of himself inside her, breaking through her innocence. She cried out in sudden pain, and he immediately stilled. Fighting to keep his desires in check, he waited. Beneath him, Rin panted as the pain started to dissolve and turn into pleasure. "Sesshomaru, please…."

Slowly, he began to move within her. As his desire increased, so did her ardor. She rocked her hips against his own, making him gasp at the sensation of her sheath gripping him as she moved. Sesshomaru changed their position, pulling them up so she was wrapped around him as he seated himself against the tree once more. Pulling her close, he urged her on, leaning her back slightly so he could once again caress and kiss her breasts as she rocked into him. She wrapped her legs around him, and her arms were around him as well, her fingernails digging into his back as they moved together. Sesshomaru marveled at the way their shared desire had turned into a dance, as he led her to new heights.

Rin could no longer think, only feel. She could feel the length of Sesshomaru inside her, moving with her. When her hips rocked at a faster pace, he matched her ardor stroke for stroke. Her body filled with intoxicating euphoria as Sesshomaru continued to drive her mercilessly towards the crest of desire.

Sesshomaru's mind emptied of all but pleasuring Rin. He could feel her intense heat, and the incredible sensation of her feminine sheath gripping him tightly as he drove them both to completion. He wanted nothing more than to feel his Rin give over to the waves of her climax, and finally give in to his own.

He could feel her become awash in arousal, and tighten around him. Rin arched her back, and clung to him tightly as she cried out his name as she reached her peak. Sesshomaru could no longer hold back. Wrapping her tightly in his arms, he thrust into her again, unable to do more than roar her name as the feeling overtook them both, and he allowed himself to find release in her body.

When Sesshomaru came back to his senses, Rin's head was leaning against his chest as the aftershocks of pleasure coursed through her. Tipping her head up to meet his, he gave her a gentle kiss, and then leaned down and fastened his teeth to her shoulder. Just as he was sure that there was nothing left in her, this ancient act of claiming her as his own had her arching against him yet again, and crying out his name again. Her whole body shuddered as pain mixed with pleasure.

Finally, she stopped trembling. Sesshomaru laid her down on their kimono, and propped himself up on one elbow so he could gaze at her. The flush of desire had not left her yet, and a soft sheen of sweat coated her delicate skin. He could see the mark on her shoulder where he had claimed her as his, and it filled him with a powerful, primal sense of satisfaction. She was truly his. Her eyes were slightly unfocused, and her breathing still somewhat ragged with exertion. Gently, he brushed her lips with his.

When Rin's eyes cleared, she could see nothing but her Sesshomaru above her, gazing at her with love and devotion. The look on his face moved her very soul – never had she seen it before. She reached up and touched his face, stroking his cheek with her lithe fingers. Sesshomaru's eyes closed, and he breathed in the scent of their lovemaking. When he opened his eyes again, she was studying him closely.

"Rin, you are my beloved. I would have no one else but you as my mate. You are mine," he said softly, almost purring the words at her.

Tears unchecked slipped from her lovely eyes. "Oh, Sesshomaru…my Sesshomaru. I love you."

Moving to cradle her against him again, he covered them both with his pelt and her blanket. He brushed the tears that had touched him deeply by their expression of love for him away gently, and began to stroke her hair. She wove her fingers in his hair, and laid her head on his chest. Listening to his heart beat in time with hers, and his restful breathing, Rin fell asleep. Sesshomaru simply held her close, understanding finally just how deep his need to protect her really was. Now, he understood his father's final words to him.

"Sesshomaru – have you someone to protect?"

Yes, Father. I have someone to protect. You would have adored her as your treasured daughter-in-law. Rin is mine. No matter what happens, she is mine. And she has made me hers, as well.