*I do not own Inuyasha or any affiliated character*

**I planned on this chapter being released for Christmas. But as you have all been so patient with me I decided to give it earlyish. :)**

~*Chapter 16*~

Charging into destiny

Rin was wallowing in sadness. But at least she knew it. And frankly Rin felt like she deserved to wallow just a bit. Nothing in her life was right. In fact everything was mostly wrong from the time that her distant relation abandoned her here. No, she amended, I had a kind innkeeper to watch over me, Miroku as well. But most of her time here had been a long and lonely stretch of years.

Sango was checking over Miroku's injuries and together they were discussing what to do. So far it was decided they were going to leave the valley together, had even invited her along to which Rin had agreed. She wanted to be gone already. The impulse to return to Sesshomaru was strong and she doubted that she could hold out against it for long. The small glimmers of happiness, that didn't involve the innkeeper and Miroku, revolved around Sesshomaru. Almost on habit she smoothed the fabric of her gift from him. She had yet to wear anything else. Telling her companions that it was because this was far warmer than any of her other Kimono. Rin was almost sure they knew she was lying about that.

Rin closed her eyes and could clearly see him. Pale stoic face, his markings, the long shining hair that always seemed to be in perfect order. She could even remember the way he smelled, like rain. But not a gentle spring rainfall. Rin shook her head. No Sesshomaru was like a late summer thunderstorm. The kind that was, while not particularly warm, not really cold either. The kind that thrummed with thunder yet you never saw the lightning just knew it was there, rolling in the deep gray of the rain clouds. She missed him. She wanted to be with him. Perhaps she could talk him out of his plan. She could even tell him that if he could find love for her he could be free. Rin almost smiled at that, but then remembered his cruel words. He called her foolish, said she painted him with her imagination. She didn't really know him at all. Whatever the outcome Rin knew she couldn't remain here much longer before her reasons for staying away were not enough.

She was so lost in her melancholy thoughts that she at first did not notice how Sango stood suddenly. When Miroku sat up sharply she glanced at their concerned faces. "What is..." Rin paused as even she could feel it. The overwhelming aura of a powerful Yokai.

Moments later Sango was running out the door.

"This does not bode well," Miroku mumbled. Outside the sound of yelling began, Sango's voice could be heard over the noise, she was telling everyone to run. There was a huge crash and the sound of a bone chilling howl.

Sango was back in a moment, arms lifting the Monk from his place. "We have to leave NOW." she said.

"What is it?" Both Rin and Miroku said together as Rin hurried to do as she was told.

"We are under Yokai attack," Sango said, strapping her weapons on, "Move it!" She demanded as she moved to help Rin.

Together with Miroku braced between them they shuffled out into the frigid night air. "I thought we were safe?" Rin asked. The aura of yokai pulsed on the air like silent thunder. Rin looked over the chaos of the town, and then to the sky. Rin stared, unbelieving as a huge white dog descended, landing with a loud crash on top of the inn. "No..." she whispered afraid and concerned.

"We have to get everyone clear, into the woods if possible!" Sango said leaving their side to yell instructions to the villagers. Miroku's weight pulled her down but with his staff they were able to shamble a run toward the forest edge.

Trying not to panic Rin hurried Miroku along as every instinct demanded she run. As they enter the cover of the trees she dared a glance behind her. Rin watched in fascinated horror as the dog raked the town to pieces with its huge claws. Where was Sesshomaru? Shouldn't he be here by now, protecting the village from this threat.

The villagers were gathering, huddled under the scant cover of the skeletal winter trees. All eyes watched her approach, but whether they were concerned for Miroku, or their eyes were drawn to her beautiful kimono she didn't know.

She sat the kind Monk on a small rock and turned looking everywhere for a sign of him. "Why isn't he here?" she whispered to herself.

"Who.." Miroku wondered watching her face closely.

"Sesshomaru." Rin was looking all around sure that she would see him burst through the clouds at any moment.

"I am sorry child." Miroku said laying a hand on her arm, his eyebrows drawn down as he struggled with something. "Did you not know he was InuYokai?" Miroku said looking truly upset and as the words sank in, Rin's legs gave out.

"What?" Looking again at the white beast she was able to see the moon mark and stripes clear on his face. "No..."

Sango was at her side, her weapons ready and Rin realized what the older woman would have to do. "No, this can't be happening..." Rin began as Sango, grim faced adjusted her armor. "He can't... You can't!" she begged irrationally even as her fear shook her to the core. Catching the older woman's arm, Rin couldn't even formulate the words. Please don't was on the tip of her tongue but she couldn't say it, could only look helplessly at Sango.

"I cannot allow him to harm these people Rin, it's my duty to protect them!" Sango face was pinched, worry etched all over. It was no small thing to fight a Demon Lord single handed.

In the distance, Sesshomaru was smashing another home, snarling as he moved. Bits of wood were flung through the air at them. Everyone ducked. Rin flinched but did not move as she watched him. She had not known the true form of his Demon spirit. He was terrifying, yes, but he was also beautiful. Sango would die if she fought him. Or Sesshomaru would die. Or the entire village would die if he wasn't stopped. Rin's mind ran in circles tripping over her fear and her desire to see no one hurt.

This extreme lashing out seemed so... Not him. Why was he suddenly raining terror on the town he was forced to protect? "I don't understand, what happened!" Rin demanded. Not really directed at anyone but when almost every man looked shamefully at their feet Rin knew something was wrong. "Where is Hayate!" she yelled.

The head man was nowhere near her but the miller was helping a man who Rin didn't know. The man was dressed as a monk and Rin pushed her way toward them. "What happened?!" she demanded of the miller.

"He needed to be dealt with. We should not have to live in fear every day!" The miller said, though he lacked conviction, his eyes downcast.

"None of you worthless people knew fear from his hands!" Rin yelled. A woman screamed near by as the roof of the shrine was flung toward them. Everyone ducked hiding behind the stone wall that served as a barrier against his forest.

Rin turned on the miller again but the monk she didn't know stood before her. "Should I assume then that you are the Demons Whore?" The man looked terrible, with scratches and bruises visible everywhere. "you are why he is dead!" The mans voice cracked with pain and he moved to hit Rin. "You brought this on us all. My brother is dead because of you!"

Hayate being dead was no small thing for Rin. That man deserved his fate but even then the pieces didn't fit. "What did he DO!?" She yelled.

"All of this is pointless!" Sango Yelled shoving the man away from Rin. "You and your brother were never safe to begin with. He is cursed to protect the people of this valley and neither of you are from here!"

The monk looked visibly shaken by her words. His face twisted and he opened his mouth only to snap it shut again.

The head man paused in his effort to usher people farther into the woods. "This is all her fault then, he is fallen for her and now we will die because she freed him."

Rin's mind skidded to a stop. "What, no I never. HE never..." But even she had hoped such a thing was true. And she knew how it must look for her to stand, dressed as she was and returned from his home where they sent her to die.

A angry snarl and a howl cracked through the air stopping all discussion. "Run you fools if you wish to live through this night!" Sango commanded and stood her ground staring down any who lingered. "You too Rin, Take Miroku and leave this place. I will meet up with you in two days, if I don't tell my family.."

"I will not leave you, Rin you go." Miroku snorted "And you cant make me leave!" He grinned at her.

"Miroku, please.." Sango began.

Rin's attention was pulled toward the village again as Sesshomaru kept up his destruction. He was running out of things to destroy.

Sango looked down at Rin a sad smile on her face "He must have fallen in love with you, that's why he is able to attack." Rin shook her head, this was all so wrong. "You may live through tonight he wouldn't kill you."

"That cant be it, he is not attacking people!" she protested.

Sango shrugged, "Yet.."

"No, that can't be it..." Rin paused. Looking again at his huge form, he was demolishing the town but that was it. As the moon escaped the clouds, shining down on him like a beacon she noticed the patch of dark against the white of his shoulder. "Look he is wounded, something isn't right please just wait..." Rin turned, intent on going to his side. "I must try and stop him."

Sango held her back , her strong arm pulling against Rin's intended dash. "No you can't he still might kill you!"

"If what you say is true then I alone am safe, Please." Rin pulled against the woman "I have to help him."

"I could be wrong Rin."

He was huge and frightening. His white fur almost glowed in the light of the full moon. He growled and howled as he wrecked havoc on the village.

She had to help him. She glared at the woman holding her arms. "If you are right, then I did this" she cried, this was all her fault. She had decided to go, should have know that something would happen. "Let me try and fix it."

Sango looked at her with pity "It is his nature Rin. Demon-kind are not like us."

Rin turned, he was glaring in their direction, blood red eyes, a snarl from his massive jaw. "Oh no." She whispered.

He was going to charge them!

Rin turned back to the villagers "Run now!" she yelled to them.

Sango still held her arm "Don't there is nothing you can do, I must try and kill him" The older woman seemed so afraid yet so determined. Sango would be killed!

"No, please let me try and talk to him first."

"Talk to him?" Sango shook her head still holding back Rin by the arm. "Look at him, he cannot see reason, can't be talked to!"

There was no time for this foolishness! In a desperate act Rin bit down on Sango's wrist. With a small cry of shock the older woman let her go. Rin didn't wait and with a mad dash she ran toward Sesshomaru. Behind her Sango and Miroku yelled after her. She ignored them.

Alone Rin ran through the now empty field. Like a beacon of light, she went, dressed in the white and red Kimono he had given her, standing out like him against the darkness of night. She slipped in the snow and mud of the field but managed to stay upright.

He ran too, but not to her; he ran to the villagers, death in his eyes.

"Sesshomaru Don't!" she yelled, as she jumped a low fence.

He heard her, slowed but seemed more agitated by her plea. His movement became more erratic, he bit down on a tree and ripped it from its roots. Snow and dirt showered the ground as he shook it in his anger.

Rin was only one field away now, so close that his breathing was the only sound she could hear. It seemed labored to her, like he couldn't calm down."Sesshomaru please look at me" Rin called to him, hoping he would hear her.

The huge white dog stopped and turned a red glare to her. Rin froze. The valley and everyone in it held their collective breath as she stood alone against him.

Eyes that once looked at her with the gold of the sunrise now seared into her with the redness of blood lust. Her heart threatened to beat free from her chest. Her limbs shook of their own volition. Her eyes stared in wonder at the terror he instilled in all within the small valley. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she heard her logic self, telling her to run, her heart spoke louder. She had to stop him. Something was wrong, even in anger, he never was this wild.

For what seemed like an eternity in itself they looked at each other. Holding out her hand to him she called, "Please Sesshomaru, please hear me."

His eyes glanced her way, but kept shifting back to the people hiding in the tree's. He moved again, but did not advance still bristling, growling at her he paced instead.

He was listening, sort of. Rin could see how hard he was fighting against the urge to attack. She took a step forward. What should she do? Snow started to fall, soft and clean. The small flakes landing on her outstretched arm as she took another step. Then another. He was letting her get close.

His huge jaw snapping the air snarled at her.

"Sesshomaru what is wrong? Why are you so angered?"

He stepped closer to her; she had to crane her neck to look up at his red eyes. "I'm sorry..." She said, was it all her fault, did her leaving make him so angry? "I'm sorry I left you but please stop," His huge eyes were looking behind her, no doubt at Sango who would kill him to protect the villagers. "Please, I don't want you loose you.." She sniffed as the tears began to fall. She wanted to hold him like she had that one night.

His huge leg was the closest thing she could reach, so she wrapped her arms around that. She hugged him fiercely wishing he would stop, that she would stop crying, wishing he would hear her. His chest rumbled as his snarl turned into a growl. He stopped snapping at the air.

"Sesshomaru…Please…I love you."

His growling stopped. She was so close she could hear his heart beating, slowing. She felt the power of his yokai change, felt his transformation, the muscles slide and shift as he changed. She wanted to pass out with relief; she couldn't so she held him tighter. The warmth of his body a stark difference from the frozen night air. "Please come back" she begged, eyes closed against the pain of seeing him like this. Hoping that he would continue until his beast was once again under his control.

Soft fur changed to silk under her fingers. His arm shrank under her grasp. His head was on her shoulder; she felt his jaw change as his face moved back from its demon form. She became aware of his arm around her.

"Rin..." he whispered.

She laughed and cried at the same time, clinging to him and he held her too. "I'm so sorry" she barely whispered, with her nose to his chest she just held onto him. Hoping that he would not push her away.

o0o

The anger was ebbing away, her presence calming him. As he came back from the brink of insanity Sesshomaru first was aware that she was holding his arm, small warm and simply there. This brought on the realization that she had charged out to him in his full demon form complete with unstable sanity!

What kind of human acts so foolishly? "Rin..." he began. Stupid, reckless, oddly brave. He sighed into her hair, breathing deep her scent.

"I'm so sorry." she said.

He snorted. Taking her chin in his claw, careful of her delicate skin, tipped her face up to look at him. Honey brown eyes flecked with green looked at him still shimmering with tears. She only looked relieved, happy even.

He wiped the tears from her face. "You weep for me?" he asked. She nodded swallowing hard, her scent spiked suddenly with worry. "Why?"

"I thought I would lose you." she mumbled.

With a small shake of his head, he leaned in so close to her face that their noses almost bumped. "It was I who lost you Rin." he stated.

A simple truth, one he would never let happen again. And after so long not being able to do what suited him he closed the distance between them and kissed her.

Her small plump lips pressed against his, soft giving and sweet. So this is what a kiss is. He thought silently to himself, he would be sure to kiss her often in the future.

For just one moment time stopped for the both of them as Sesshomaru let her inside of his walls and admitted that he loved this silly little human who was so brave, forgiving, understanding and perfect.

He pulled away from their kiss, running his hand through her dark hair he smiled "Stay with me Rin?" He was rewarded with a smile as bright as the sun.

The moment broke as a sharp pain flared deep inside of his body. "Whats wrong?" she asked, supporting him as his knees gave out.

Sesshomaru couldn't speak, the pain was too much, like...like daggers of holy magic.

And then he remembered that day, so long ago it was almost forgotten.

"Your curse is your own." The words echoed in his mind. Before the power was like daggers entering his soul, now it felt like someone was pulling them out, burning with a white hot power.

"Your fate sealed by your own hand." The pain was gone, almost as suddenly as it came. Now around him a bubble of purity stung, sparking along the edge of his yokai.

"Your undoing will be that of your own pride." The circle of holy power popped like a bubble leaving him feeling oddly light.

Sesshomaru took a deep breath, the feeling of repression was gone. He flexed his claws. He pushed out with his Yokai, felt with deep satisfaction that there was no longer an "edge" to stop his aura.

"Sesshomaru what is it? are you all right?" She sounded so concerned.

"For the first time in a long time, yes I am." And then he took her into his arms, holding her close as he basked in the relief of freedom. "It is gone. I am free."

Rin's jaw dropped and her eyes watered again but there was no sadness in them. In fact she looked somewhere between thrilled and oddly arrogant.

"What?" Sesshomaru demanded.

And then she laughed, shaking with mirth she threw her arms around his neck and pulled his face close "You love me Sesshomaru." She stated and before he could answer, though he didn't really know what he was going to say, she kissed him. Their first kiss was gentle, the kind that asked what the other person felt. With this kiss Rin seemed determined to let him know how desperately she wanted him and Sesshomaru happily returned the passion and desire.

Sesshomaru then felt the humans as they cautiously approached. He felt the monk's holy power closest. Knew the Demon slayer was with him. He wondered vaguely if he would need to fight anyone tonight. He didn't want to he was sick of this place and all it meant. He was in fact on the verge of taking to the sky with Rin in his arms when a loud thump accompanied by a yell of "Milord!" announced that Jaken had returned with Ah-Un. Oddly he wasn't even mad at the Imp for returning.

Rin broke their kiss and Sesshomaru glanced up and saw that the two headed dragon stood between them and the approaching crowd. He could kill each and every one of these humans. If he was smart he would do it just to prove how strong he was again.

That was when Rin left his arms and hurried over to the monk and the Demon slayer. She was talking quickly. Promising, he noted, that he was "safe" and "wouldn't hurt anyone" to that Sesshomaru shrugged. He really didn't feel like killing tonight.

Sesshomaru wanted to leave. He walked to the dragon, stood at their side scratching Un's scaled neck and waited for Rin to come back. When she did, the Monk looked concerned still but didn't say anything.

"Rin." Sesshomaru said as she stood before him again. A small doubt nagged at his mind that she would not want to stay with him but he pushed it aside and asked anyway. "I am leaving this place."

Rin nodded and climbed onto Ah-Un's back. "And I will always follow you."

Sesshomaru couldn't stop the small smile that came from her words as he climbed up to sit behind her. Rin leaned into him and together they too to the sky.

As they passed what was once the edge of his cage Sesshomaru pulled Rin closer and closed his eyes in contentment. The future that once looked bleak and dull now glowed with promise.

*End*

**This ending was what started this story. I wrote it years ago and simply needed to start somewhere and work my way toward this happy moment. I write backwards often. I will have a scene play out in perfect detail in my mind. I will only need a story to fit around it. And that, my kind followers, is why I suffer from writer block. I know how most of my tales end I just have to start and find my way to it. I hope that this story has been worth the time you spent reading it. I hope I made you smile, sigh, and maybe even cry a little with my little fanfic. Thank you all who have read this and stayed with me till the end.**