A prison without walls.

A decade had passed since he had resurrected the small framed girl that slumbered next to him. Time had always passed quickly for Sesshoumaru, but he could not believe how easily these past few years had slipped through his fingers. She was no longer the young girl he remembered. No longer did Rin chase Jaken around or burst into fits of laughter for apparently no reason. She was more restrained now; he could timetimes see himself reflected back in her actions. However, as adult as she seemed, she did not always realize the importance of adult behavior.

Sesshoumaru realized he was staring at her, something he allowed himself to do way too often. He quickly turned away and began to circle camp as he contemplated their relationship. ‘So much had changed in such a short time.’ He thought as he walked threw the dark forest. He no longer guarded her when she bathed, for reasons that he did not care to explain to the girl. Sesshoumaru had made a conscious effort to make sure they were never left alone. How could he explain to her why he avoided such things, when he did not understand the feelings they evoked? Perhaps he merely feared them. However, he refused to believe that a small child such as Rin could cause him to fear, but if not fear, then what? Lust? ~LOVE?~ Such a thing was unthinkable for a demon of his stature.

He was brought slowly back into reality when he realized he was headed back into camp again, giving in to his unconscious desire to watch the girl slumber. ‘How can she hold so much power over me?’ he wondered as he returned to camp with a quiet sigh. He sat in front of her staring down at the young woman as she slept on her side. She had grown so much. He knew eventually certain things would have to be addressed. He had put them off entirely too long. They would head towards home, the castle of the western lands, in the morning. Sesshoumaru had planned on addressing such issues when they arrived that afternoon. He knew how she would react. She had made her position quite clear the last time he had told her he did not believe it was “safe” for her to accompany him any longer on their journeys.

It had been the only time he had yielded to the girl. How could he refuse? As she threw herself against her beloved Sesshoumaru-sama, sobbing into his chest, apologizing for anything and everything she had ever done to displease him. He could feel his heart fill with sadness as her salty tears fell so freely from her clenched eyes. In the end, it was his weakness, his unwillingness to continue without her that actually changed his mind. He could not help but feel he had failed her in some way. She was seventeen now and completely unaware of the world that awaited her. “Yes,” he mumbled, “This has been put off far too long.”


****************The next Afternoon**************

They arrived at the castle slightly before noon. Sesshoumaru found his pace quickening as he thought over everything that he needed to say to Rin. Every time it would end the same, with Rin whimpering in his arms. As these thoughts invaded his brain, he would increase his pace, despite Jaken and Rin’s protests as they struggled to keep up.

Sesshoumaru sulked off towards his sleeping chambers as they arrived, speaking with no one. This behavior, at least, was normal for him. No one ever questioned the great lord in his home, and for this he was truly thankful.

He lounged in his favorite chair in the corner of the room resting his chin against his palm as he brooded over how he wanted to explain things to his ward.

‘What if she has questions?’ He pondered with a grimace. ‘Of course she’ll have questions!’ He thought internally and he dropped his head in defeat. “Why is this so difficult?” He groaned as he sunk into the chair.

“What’s so difficult?” A small voice questioned through a partially opened door.

Sesshoumaru stiffened in reply without staring in the young woman’s direction. “You know you’re not supposed to be in my room Rin.” He scolded.

“I’m not!” She gleamed as she entered the room and plopped down on the bed in front of him, crossing hegs.egs. “NOW, I’m in your room.” She grinned.

Sesshoumaru glared at her as she batted her eyelashes innocently at him. She knew he would not harm her and it seemed she enjoyed testing her boundaries. “Rin, what did I just tell you?”

“You scolded me for being in your room,” She began with a fake pout, “and I wasn’t even in your room, so I decided if I’m going to be scolded then there should be a reason.” She finished smiling. “Besides, you looked so sad, so Rin will cheer you up!”

Sesshoumaru sighed in defeat as he stared at the young girl. “Very well, there is something I have been meaning to discuss with you,” he paused, “for quite some time now.” He clenched his jaw into a serious expression. “You’re 17 now Rin and certain things have been put off FAR too long.”

Rin froze as her mind quickly made the association. “OH my god!” She squeaked as she jumped off the bed.

Sesshoumaru eyed her suspiciously as she slowly made her way to the door. “Rin, where are you going?”

“I promised Jaken….flowers.” She mumbled as she opened the door, quickly escaping.

Sesshoumaru stood up as he scolded the young woman. “Rin! I am not through, get back here!”

“I really shouldn’t be in your room.” She answered as she ran down the hall and into her bed chambers, slamming the door behind her.

The demon lord took two steps in her direction and let out a heavy sigh. She wasn’t going to make this easy on him. He lowered his head and sauntered back into his room. “I will perhaps have a talk with her tomorrow.” He groaned and he crawled onto the largeness of his bed, laying on his stomach and resting his chin against his arms. (Yup two..Sorry : P ) He inhaled deeply as he slowly relaxed into the soft covers; Rin’s fading scent working its way into his senses. He lowered his face, nuzzling up against the soft fabric, purring slightly as her scent washed over him.

Sesshoumaru stifled a breath and quickly pulled his face away from the area. He grimaced as he realized the implications of what he had been doing. ‘It’s her fault for being so disobedient.’ He thought as he rolled over onto his back. He grimaced as an evil part of his mind thought up the perfect punishment. He not could control his arousal as he mentally pictured taking the girl against her will. “She does not understand.” He groaned as he took control over his thoughts. Slowly he closed his eyes and drifted into a shallow sleep.

************* ************ **************** ***********************

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes as an unfamiliar scent hit his nose. Something about it called to him, causing him to spring out of bed as he investigated its origin. As the scent grew stronger his body began to hum with a primal force he had long ago discarded. He felt him self wanting for something he could not explain but could not deny.

Sesshoumaru inhaled deeply again as he stood in the hallway of the great castle just outside a door only a few feet from his own. He bit his lip as he lay his forehead quietly against the door frame, panting. ‘Rin’s door.’ He mentally noted as his palm lay flat against the hard surface. He quieted his breathing as his demon ears slowly communicated the goings-on inside.

At first he could only hear Rin’s breathing, heavy and staggered as small moans, obviously muffled, escaped her lips. As he listened more intently, he could make out the sound of her heart beating hard against her chest, while blankets rustled against her movements.

The demon lord groaned softly as he identified the scent that had brought him to his current location. As immature as Rin could be at times was was still a woman, and her body still had certain needs. He was pleased that she at least had realized this much on her own, but concerned that she had not spoke up sooner. She had never asked for time alone when they had traveled together and he would have known by her scent if she had been pleasuring herself in the forest. ‘How did she keep this a secret?’ He pondered as his hand unconsciously reached for the doorknob.

His hand froze as a quick gasp quietly escaped Rin’s lips and her movements stopped. The demon lord quietly pulled himself away from her chamber door and quickly dashed into his own. He mentally berated himself for what he had almost done as he laid back into bed. ‘Rin is far too precious…..I could never……She would never allow….’ His thoughts were a jumble as he tried to understand his own actions. "She does not understand."He groaned again as he finally gave up and drifted back into his shallow sleep.

***********working on next chappy right now!..thanks for great reviews!**********