(Sesshomaru) Family Trials

Chapter 1

Everything was over now. Sesshomaru finally ended the life of the disgusting demon Naraku alongside Inuyasha and his companions, and could now move on ruling as lord of the Western Lands, taking the place of his deceased father. He had just finish traveling around his lands, checking all the borders to see if everything was still at peace. There were no problems so far and he was finally heading home to the castle. In his father's place.

Once again the weak demon crept his way into his mind. No matter what he did to keep his mind at bay so that it would not stray to the man, he always failed. The thought of his father leaving his mother for that mortal Izayoi brought him great anger. In doing so it brought him his annoying younger half brother Inuyasha. He no longer loathed the half demon, but that did not mean they got along. Most of the time he and his brother had small battles and arguments but nothing more came of it. Actually, recalling past experiences of the way they treated each other, the way they treated each other now would be considered friendly.
        
His father and mother never got along and that didn't work well in making a happy child hood. They constantly fought and bickered, and sometimes his father even went to the extent of leaving home for a few days, probably to see his human mate. His mother did not want him to turn out like his father so when he reached his teens she would always give him secret speeches on how to behave around other lords and visitors of the palace.

*FLASHBACK*
"Sesshomaru I know this is plenty for you to take in, but your father is a weak man. I do not want you to turn like him. You must be a great lord of the Western Lands. Never show your emotions or feelings to anyone–it will make you weak."

"But mother father told me that my emotions are what make me stronger. He told me the day I find someone to protect is the day I have achieved great strength." He watched as his mother tapped her fingers on her hips, a sure sign of anger and impatience, and then she calmed herself.

"My dear Sesshomaru, trust that your mother knows what is best for you. Never doubt a women's knowledge. Just listen to your mother and you will be the greatest lord there is. You must also take on our enemies, for once you become lord of the Western Lands all our enemies will be passed down to you so you must be strong, and of course you must train hard in battling." she said, looking straight into his eyes and he knew that meant she wanted an answer. "Yes mother."

"One last very important thing Sesshomaru is you must hate the humans. They too will make you weak. You do not need to attack or hurt them, unless they try to cause harm to you, which is not possible, but you must loathe them for they are below you." she continued and he thought about this. Why would he need to hate the humans? Although he was unsure about this he still gave her the answer he knew she wanted. "Yes mother I will hate the humans."
         
"That's my boy." she said, then placed her hand on her heart and then move it to place it over his heart, the closest thing he got to an 'I love you.' He reciprocated it and she stood to leave, leaving him with all her demands to take in. All the demands he must follow.
*END OF FLASHBACK*

He shook his mother from his thoughts and brought himself back to the present. They were almost to the castle now and he had to admit he was somewhat looking forward to returning to the castle life. Thinking of having workers below you to cater to your every needs made him want to pick up the pace and go quickly, but of course he knew better simply for Rin's sake. She was just a mere mortal so couldn't possibly keep up with his demon pace.

He suddenly turned his gaze on the female and was surprised to see her chocolate brown eyes on him. He did not turn away, but just simply blanked curious as to what she was thinking. It had been ten years now since the girl had been traveling with him. He had to admit she had grown into a fine woman, one that was of age to be mated to a fine male.

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Rin quickly turned away when her lord suddenly looked in her direction catching her gazing at him. It was so embarrassing, but what made it more embarrassing was that she felt herself begin to blush having those golden orbs blatantly stare into her eyes. She was curious as to what her lord was thinking. She didn't even notice how long she was staring at him, and in doing so he caught her.

Rin had never seen him show emotion on his face but in those minutes while she was staring at him she actually saw confusion, annoyance, slight happiness, frustration, and other emotions that the strong demon lord would never let show on his features. He had her in a trance and so she couldn't help but stare. She wanted to ask him, but wouldn't dare ask around Master Jaken and was afraid of his reaction to her questioning him.

"Jaken." Lord Sesshomaru called for the imp.

"Yes my lord." The green imp answered with a squeaky voice moving to the lord's feet.

"Go on ahead and tell the servants we are to arrive very soon. Tell them to prepare dinner and our rooms. Take Ah-Un"

"Yes my lord. Right away." The imp quickly took the dragons straps from her and nudged her to move out of the way. "Sorry Master Jaken." she apologized. He hopped on the dragons back and flew forward toward the palace up ahead. She had never been to the palace and was so excited she couldn't help but smile to herself. To think she would finally be in her Master's home.

"Rin." She shot her head up to the lord, his golden eyes staring at her. She quickly caught herself and answered him.

"Yes my lord."

"There is something you wanted to ask me?" Once again her face turned bright red. Was she that obvious that he knew she wanted to talk to him alone? She simply nodded, but stayed quiet. What would she possibly ask, all the words left her mind? She knew her master was not very patient so she decided to ask the first thing that popped into her head.

"Lord Sesshomaru, are you alright?" she asked and waited for him to answer. He lifted a well trimmed eyebrow at her causing her to blush a deeper shade of red. Since he didn't answer she decided to continue. "What I mean is you seem upset today." He looked away from her, returning his gaze straight forward.

"Rin you need not worry about this Sesshomaru." He simply said.

"I know my lord."  she said turning her gaze forward, but she couldn't help it. She cared about him deeply, but she would never admit that to him. The thought of rejection was bad, but the actual thing would be heart breaking. She didn't think she could possibly live anymore if he rejected her. She knew he would too. She was just a mere human and no great demon lord like her Lord Sesshomaru would ever consider falling for a human. So then why did she continuously torture herself so?

"Rin are you happy?" he asked. She looked at him confused. He had asked her this before, so why was he asking her again? There was nowhere else in the world that would make her happy other than by her master's side.

"Yes my lord. May I ask why you ask?"

"To see if you would be more suited with humans." he answered.

"No. I am happy here with you and Master Jaken my lord, nowhere else." she answered trying to hide her fear, and hoping that he wasn't thinking of sending her away. She didn't want to be around humans, she wanted to be with him–only him.

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For some odd reason his heart raced at wondering what her answer would be, and when she said she was happy here with him he calmed. If she wanted to stay here with him he would let her stay as long as she liked. What would be a problem is later finding her a mate.

They had reached the hill to his palace and he heard Rin's slight intake of breath. He smirked, but not one big enough to be noticed. Never show your emotions or feelings. He shook his mother's voice out of his head, but suddenly realized he would have to face her, because she would come nagging him about getting a mate.

He brought his attention back to Rin whose features showed she was still awe struck by the palace. He was surprisingly in a conversational mood today so asked, "What do you think?" She turned toward him her face filled with joy. "Oh my lord it's beautiful. It's all yours?" she asked. He raised an eyebrow at her, "Who else would own it, Jaken?" She laughed at that, and he waved his hand forward for her to continue.

He watched as she happily ran down the hill giggling while she tried to balance herself from falling. Her happiness brought him peace and so did the thought of a soft bed. He was sure he was walking to a home of peace until what he saw ahead of them waiting at the palace gate.

Mother.

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