Shippo grinned and brushed a lock of unruly red hair out of his eyes. The tight black mask, which he had donned before leaving the campsite, was enough of nuisance, he certainly didn't need his wild mane of hair getting in the way. Kagome had been so pleased with it too, telling him 'he looked ever so dashing in it.' He was sure she wouldn't be happy to hear that her little present had been nothing but a annoyance. He smiled though all the same. It did make him feel quite 'dashing', if not a little silly. It helped him relax a little bit to simply laugh at himself.

Shippo pulled himself up the rough rope he had grappled to the high roof top of the castles innermost building and smiled again. It had been easier to sneak in then he had hoped. He had already managed to sneak past two demons at the back entrance to the fortress and another set of patrol guards on his way through the inner gardens towards the rising structure at the center of the palace. Apparently the great demon lord of the west didn't have the best security or kagome's ward against his detection had really worked. Which Shippo had originally snickered at. Kagome wasn't exactly the best miko around, though she had matured since the early days of his childhood.

Shippo started to whistle a little tune he'd often heard kagome sing. It was a haunting melody and helped to pass the time as he continued his ascent up the side of the intimidating castle. It echoed softly off the stones but he didn't fear being heard. If kagome had done her job right, which she seemed to have done, no one would be able to hear or see him as he stole the sacred jewel shards right from underneath the arrogant Sesshomaru's nose.

Flash Back

"Damn it kagome! There is no way he can do this! He barely transformed into his adult form and you think he can…"

"Yes, I do Inuyasha." Kagome cut in and stated as calmly as she could, though it was obvious she was losing her patience with the half demon. He had been arguing for some time now and it was starting to take its toll on her nerves. "In fact I believe he is the only one who can. There is no way Sango or Miroku can do it. Neither of them is powerful enough to fight a demon like Sesshomaru alone."

"And what about me?! You don't think I can beat my own brother?" He asked accusingly, a hurt look coming to the surface from somewhere beneath his anger.

"Of course not." Kagome rolled her eyes and glanced at Shippo, but her eyes had softened as had her tone. "You may be able to fight him but this isn't supposed to be a dual to the death. We're not going to kill him, we're going to get the jewel shards that he has in his possession. I have the feeling you wouldn't be able to…" Kagome paused as she sought to find the right words. " ..to contain yourself if you were presented the opportunity to fight him." Inuyasha turned beat red at this comment and glared at her across the fire.

"I can do it." Shippo's soft statement was followed by silence. "I may be young but I've been fighting since I was a young. I learned from the best." He glanced at Sango and Miroku who were sitting close to each other watching the conversation with looks of mingled interest and humor. His gaze however drew their attention and he continued. "I learned different fighting techniques from a demon hunter and spiritual guidance from a monk." Sango blushed and Miroku gave him a wink knowing he had taught him more than mere spirituality. Shippo grinned, something Kagome was always telling him not to do. Something about all the poor women in the world didn't need to fall in love with him. He often flashed her another grin and ignored her only slightly serious rebuke.

Shippo then turned to Kagome. His smiled softened and he couldn't help but feel a tug at his heart when his eyes rested upon his adopted mother. "I learned to be careful and guard what is most precious from a powerful miko." Kagome smiled in return and whispered 'I love you' across the blazing fire.

Next Shippo turned to the still fuming Inuyasha and his grin returned in full force. " And I learned defiance and courage from a great warrior…" Shippo paused here and let his words drift across the fire to the disgruntled half demon and let them sink in. Inuyasha looked up after a few moments and met Shippo's green eyes with his own golden gaze. The fire within them seemed to dwindle and fade and his lips twitched ever so slightly. Shippo knew he had won the argument and kicked his grin into a full smile.

"Well when you put it that way…"

End Flash back

Shippo shook his head at the memory of the conversation that had led him to this point. Here he was climbing the castle walls to steal from one of the most powerful demons he knew, trying to steal something that Lord Sesshomaru was very unlikely to let go of easily. Shippo sighed at the difficult task ahead and continued to climb the rope and scale the rough stone wall. He almost felt like a dashing hero going to save the incredible treasure from the terrifying beast. Shippo grinned at the thought. Now all he needed was the damsel in distress…

Rin's POV

Rin restlessly tossed in her bed and finally kicked off the silk sheets tangled about her. Her bed certainly didn't feel very comfortable tonight and she couldn't sleep at all, but then again who could when images of pompous suitors kept parading through her mind. One kept coming back in particular, a fiercely ugly one who had kissed her hand. She could have sworn he licked it but she was too disgusted to truly be paying attention when the third eye on top of his head kept staring at her like that. Although it was highly likely seeing as how the stare itself seemed to scream 'I want to eat you.'

Rin laid a hand on her forehead and closed her eyes. She was hot and frustrated. Even though she had left the balcony window open to let in a cool spring breeze and only worn a short silk night gown she still managed to somehow work herself into a hot and bothered state. She didn't understand why Sesshomaru was trying to marry her off, why the sudden outpouring of strange demons from who knows where. On top of everything he had seemed distant lately, always busy with something or other. Never having the time to chat with her like they used to, or even take meals with her anymore. She distinctly remembered the cold empty dining room that had once been filled with his deep tones and lightly scolding lectures about her most recent escapades. It was really starting to get annoying.

She let an exasperated sigh escape and sat up. Silvery moonlight splashed across the plush rug on her floor and a light breeze finally managed to make its way into her room and to cool her face. Her mind wandered over the faces of the last batch of suitors who had invaded her home this evening. A scowl crossed her face and she attempted to banish the nasty little thoughts that were plaguing her mind. Finally she gave up attempting to find a solution.

What she really needed was a way out of this marriage thing that was apparently at the top of Sesshomaru's list of things to do. What she really wanted however was a handsome prince, one like her nanny's had read to her about when Sesshomaru had deemed her too old to be running around with him out in the wild. Rin allowed herself to imagine what kind of man it would take to really be able to capture her. He would have to be tall, intelligent of course, and he would have to have the most beautiful smile…

Rin sighed and shook her head, a wry smile playing across her lips. "It's not as if some dashing young hero is going to come strolling through my balcony window and say 'Here I am'…"

"Here I am."

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Rin gaped at the tall red headed young demon standing on her balcony silhouetted against the moon. The soft light splayed softly on his hair and allowed her to see him quite clearly. He was dressed in baggy black pants that were stuffed into the tops of his knee high leather boots. His simple vest did little to hide the well toned muscles of his arms and chest.

'It's a dream, just a dream…' she thought to herself as she watched him gracefully descend the three steps to the main floor. His movements were that of a large predator, stealthy and full of a kind of grace that belied a deep undertone of strength and speed. He looked around her room with curiosity and then glanced back at the bed but more importantly back at her. Bright clever green eyes assessed her with apparent fascination.

"I can see why the great lord stooped to pick up such a flower…" He muttered quietly to himself but the words were not lost to her. Rin bristled at his comment but held her tongue. If she hadn't completely lost her mind, which she was questioning, she would have said this young demon had no idea she could hear him, see him, or even knew he was there. It bewildered her but what was there for her to do?

He stepped toward the bed and she stiffened slightly. Rin mentally berated herself and quickly looked over his shoulder and pretended to be thinking. If she was right about his ignorance to the knowledge she possessed then he had to be either incredibly daring to attempt sneaking into her room or just plain stupid. The later of the two seemed far more plausible then the first and it almost made her snicker, which Sesshomaru was always telling her was very unladylike.

The young demon drew nearer till he was mere inches from her face. She could actually feel his warm breath on her skin and it left the flesh of her cheek with a strange tingling sensation.

"Incredible…" He reached a hand out as if to touch her but stopped. Suddenly Rin realized she had been holding her breath and quickly let out a low sigh as if her thoughts were troubling her. She let the corners of her mouth turn down in a small frown and her brows to hitch together. She felt him stiffen and her mind started to race along with her quickening heart beat. Had he figured out that she was aware of his presence? Was he going to kill her?...And what had he meant by incredible…? She shook the thought from her mind. She couldn't be thinking of something like that at a time like this.

The man next to her hadn't moved an inch while she had struggled with her inner thoughts but he was still tensed. If he had figured it out wouldn't he have moved by now? Done something, anything at all? She did her best not to move too much but she couldn't resist taking a peek at him. One quick glance couldn't hurt.

Rin shifted her brown eyes over ever so slightly and almost instantly realized her mistake. He had sharp proud features with a set of well chiseled lips and pointed ears that pocked out of his mass of wild red hair. He had a fierce look on his face that the mask her wore did little to nothing to hid. In fact to be honest she wasn't sure why he was wearing one at all but she suppose it did add to the image. However the look on his face at the moment almost frightened her but at the same time drew her attention completely to him.

He reminded her of one of the characters in her books she read and hid from the watchful eyes of Sesshomaru. The handsome warrior with his hair billowing in the wind looking down at his dainty princess with love in his eyes. She mentally shook herself and laughed at the image. That is until her face appeared beside his. She was startled by the fact that she had allowed her mind to imagine herself with this man. And if she was beside him then when and where else would she be beside him…She blushed as a new image crept into her mind. One of strong arms and red hair mingling with black on silken sheets.

She was sure there would be lean muscle and smooth skin underneath his clothes but she didn't really feel like imaging her hands running over…She almost groaned and shook her head trying to get rid of the scene that was causing a brush of heat to run up her neck and causing her cheeks to tinge pink. Now she was hot for an entirely different reason, one that she didn't particularly approve of. When had she become so…dirty.

Rin had to mentally shake herself when she realized she was still looking at her night time intruder. She hadn't meant to allow her gaze to linger on him for so long. Rin was about to look away when she heard a noise. Footsteps sounded outside her door. She had completely forgotten the night watch that roamed the halls. The thought of a large hulking guard barging into her room penetrated her mind and swept everything out…except for one thing. The young demon.

Rin scrambled for an idea, anything to keep him from being caught. Of course the thought never occurred to her that he was an intruder and should be caught, no of course not. Instead she did what seemed like the most logical thing at the time.

In her moment of panic Rin threw her arms around his head and pulled him onto the bed and unceremoniously dragged him underneath her. She muffled his startled exclamation right as a knock sounded on her door. "My lady?"

She hesitated for a moment and then summoned up a yawn just loud enough to be heard through the door. With her best impression of a person just awakened from sleep she said, "What time is it? Why in heavens name are you waking me in the middle of the night?" She added a tone of annoyance for good measure.

"I thought I heard voices my lady. I just wanted to see if you were alright." The voice was unsure and she knew she had him.

"Yes I'm fine…why, would you hear voices in my room at this time of night? Should I mention this to Sesshomaru?"

There was silence for a moment and then a muffled reply of no and a respectful goodnight. She waited till his footsteps receded and then let out a sigh her chest heaving slightly. She froze when she felt a light shudder. Rin looked down and saw the demon with his eyes closed tightly and his mouth open slightly on her breast.

Her mind went absolutely blank and she just stared at him. His head of fiery red locks brushed against her skin just above the top of her night gown and she could feel the hot wetness of breath on her breast through the thin cloth.

They lay like that for some time so it was a shock when he opened his eyes and looked up at her. A boyish grin spread across his face, flashing strait white teeth and pearly fangs. It did strange things to her, things she didn't care to think about. Not that she was thinking too much at the moment, there were far too many sensations crowding her mind asking for her full attention.

"Thank you fro the rescue but it seems more like you're the hero right now then I…" His words faded into the fragrant night air and she tried to focus on the words and not the deep melodic sound of his voice. That did strange things to her as well, even muffled as it was against her chest. Best not to think of it or what the slight movement of his mouth was doing to her stomach…or were the little flutters of pleasure coming from somewhere lower than that?

He shifted under her body and tried to slide out from under her but she gripped his shoulders firmly to keep him from moving. She couldn't have him moving too much, it did odd things to her and somehow she felt the loss of his warmth was…well unacceptable at the time. Better to stick with their current position.

"What are you doing here?" She tried to sound angry and menacing but the effect was lost when she shivered from head to toe as his body brushed against her own. 'No more dirty thoughts, no more dirty thoughts…'

He smirked and she felt it on her skin. And of course that dredged up more unspeakable feelings and thoughts. It was as if he could read those thoughts and he tried to slide away again but she held fast. He looked into her eyes and she felt like he was searching her soul, looking far deeper than he had any right to. Slowly he lifted his head and stretched upwards to whisper in her ear for he was much taller then she had originally realized. Their bodies seemed to match perfectly now that he had moved. Their hips connected beautifully and with her arms wrapped round his shoulders they were in a rather intimate position.

This did not escape her notice. And when his lips brushed her ear she couldn't help but catch her breath. "I'm looking for the sacred jewel shards…"

Rin blinked several times at his willing confession. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He must have seen the turmoil in her eyes because he stared at her with a mild look of confusion. The first man in her bed and all he was looking for were the stupid jewels? The worst part of the whole mess was they were dangling around her neck at that very moment. Sesshomaru had given them to her as a gift for her 19th birthday a month ago before the whole parade of suitors and she had never taken off the silver chain since.

However it struck her as rather odd that a demon this close to her hadn't figured out where they were even at such close range. Perhaps Sesshomaru had placed a charm on the necklace to ward off detection. If he had he had done a very good job. She had seen what the Skikon jewel could do to demons when they were in its presence, never mind the fact that this particular demon was almost laying on them.

Her attention shifted back to the demon pinned beneath her and she attempted to ignore the rapid beating of her heart. It really was the strangest feeling that was coursing through her.

"Excuse me…" Rin's mind was drawn from her own thoughts and she looked up into his glittering green eyes. "I think you should let me go now." She bristled at his arrogant tone and sneered.

"And why would I do that?" She replied hotly.

"Because you're becoming aroused. I can smell it on your skin." And as if to make sure, he leaned his head and gently rubbed her shoulder with his nose inhaling the scent of her skin. The gentle caress made her gasp slightly but she held on tighter.

Ignoring the blush that crept up her neck she threw a retort back at him. "And so what if I am? I'm only human, I'm not some cold hearted demon…That is if you even have a heart."

"Let me go." There was a hint of annoyance in his voice and she liked the fact that she had put him on edge. She smiled wickedly.

"And what exactly are you going to do if I don't? It's not like you can really do anything because I would scream and lord Sesshomaru would come in and kick your ass…"

Rin was quite pleased with her use of profanity. That is until his firm lips pressed against hers in a powerful, silencing kiss. He took full advantage of her lapse of control and pushed into her mouth, his silken tongue invading her fully. Her mind swirled and she put up a feeble resistance, pushing on his shoulders for a moment and then finally giving into the sweep of his hot tongue. She tried to turn her head away but he caught her with his hand, plunging it into her dark hair at the nape of her neck and holding her still. He explored her completely, taking his time and sampling the sweetness of her mouth all the while dancing around her own inexperienced tongue. He finally withdrew leaving her breathless but panting none the less.

"Or else I may have to do something drastic…" The deep timbre of his voice seemed to echo within her mind. She licked her lips and immediately tired to forget the sweet if not demanding caress of his lips but the sensation was permanently burned into her mind. "What are you going to do now? I made my move, are you going to scream as you so kindly warned?"

The thought did cross her mind but she threw it out almost immediately. A devilish thought crept into her mind and a smile crossed her lips. "Actually I have a proposition for you…"

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