Their time together would be finite; her life was fleeting, and he was reminded of this every time she laughed, cried, or cheered. Somehow, it was also these things that pushed him to want to protect her more with each passing day. She was what was beautiful in the world—its kindness, its splendor, its love—and he craved her, knowing all too well that their time would be ultimately short-lived.

Sesshomaru watched as Rin lovingly held their infant daughter. The baby's hands were small, but her cry was mighty; the great yōkai found himself marveling at this. She was a mere half-demon yet when he held her, his distaste for people born of a mortal and a demon faded away quickly. He never thought he could love so openly before she came into the world.

The six month old had onyx hair, resembling her mother's. Her ears did not sit perky as Inuyasha's did, but instead they hung low, almost blending in with her slightly wavy hair. Her eyes were golden like her father's and uncle's were, and she was named after the traditional Japanese word for 'everlasting'—Eien. Rin had chosen the name, explaining that although her life may be fleeting in comparison to her dog demon lover's, the child would carry her love for both her and her father within her long after the young mother perished; her love would remain forever with Lord Sesshomaru and their daughter. Being a mother certainly gave her purpose.

"Who knew that you and Sesshomaru would get around to having a baby before Inuyasha and I did?" Kagome giggled, placing a hand on her swollen stomach. Her own child was due anytime, and it definitely showed.

"Yeah, it was a shock to us all. I was sure Sesshomaru would be too stuck-up to ever find someone willing to start a family with him," Inuyasha chimed in, dangling his finger in front of Eien's face in a playful gesture.

The irritated yōkai narrowed his eyes at his younger brother. They were tolerant of each other, but to say that they got along would be a stretch. "Silence."

"I'm sure he was just kidding with you, mi'lord. Don't be so angry; you'll cause Eien to become tense." Rin offered her lover a gentle smile, which calmed him down immediately. The young woman had become pregnant soon after the incident under the Sacred Tree, and as a precaution for the safety of her and the unborn child, the small family had moved back to Kaede's village. There, Eien would not only be well-protected, but she would have her Aunt Kagome, her Uncle Inuyasha, her soon-to-be cousin, and many other people willing to offer her love and support. Rin insisted that it would be important for the little one to create bonds with both humans and demons in a healthy environment, and Sesshomaru rather quickly relented to her reasonable suggestion. To think, however, that he would live in a mortal village for any time at all was still beyond his imagination.

"Rin, I hate to ask, but do you think that you could come with Inuyasha and me to check the progress of the baby? It'll only take a second!" the miko pleaded. Her pregnancy hit a snag towards the beginning, and since then, she underwent frequent checkups by either Rin or Kaede.

"Of course I can! Don't feel like a burden!" the young mother replied, beaming at her friend. "Lord Sesshomaru, can you take Eien for a bit while I go with Lady Kagome and Master Inuyasha? I promise to be back shortly." Sesshomaru gave a nod in confirmation at his lover's request. She gave their daughter a gentle kiss on her forehead before handing her to him and departing the hut with the miko and the half-demon.

The yōkai stared down at his daughter as she gazed up at him, sparkles in her eyes. "Da…Da…" she gurgled, causing her father to raise a questioning eyebrow. "Hm?" he responded.

"Da…Dada!" Eien happily cooed while she reached up and grabbed Sesshomaru's hair. He sat silently for a moment, taking in the event. It was her first word, and for the first time in his life, he could not help but to give a slight smile.

Sesshomaru sat and entertained his child as thoughts ran through his mind. One day, he would have to explain his past to her—how blindly prideful he had been, how many people he effortlessly killed…Everything, but for now, he only wanted to share with her the good things in life, as Rin had informed to him that he should do. "Little one, there are both humans and demons in this world who will hate you solely for what you are—a half-demon. You carry the blood of your mother and me within you, and it will make you strong in both mind and body. You will face difficult trials, and there are many things in this world that are full of uncertainty; however, there is one thing that you will never have to question, not even for a moment." Eien stared up at her father expectantly with wide eyes, as if she could truly comprehend his words. "You will never have to question your mother's love for you, nor my own. Our love is not bound by time; you will be blessed with it forever."

Yes, many aspects of the world were fleeting, including Rin's life; however, the most beautiful and worthwhile things, such as the love between a once cold-hearted demon and an innocent mortal girl, were, well….

Everlasting.