As each day slowly rolled by, Rin felt her excitement grow. She saw Joji sparingly and from a distance. His figure just a dark outline within the distant fields. If he saw her, he always waved, surely antagonising his father. His father, after all, could be quite the stickler. Everything had to be done in the proper manner, at the proper time, or else it would only serve as a sign of, "humanities growing ineptitude and unruliness". But, Rin didn't care. While she would reside within his father's house, she knew that the old man had a kind heart and a desire for grandchildren.

She wanted this.

Each day, as she went about her menial tasks, she would think about her humble wedding. She would imagine her trousseau that would be given to Joji and his family. She would imagine the dancing in the village as everyone celebrated with them. She would imagine, finally, getting to kiss Joji for the very first time. With each day, her lingering doubts began to fall away, allowing her to revel in the momentous change that was about to happen.

Still, no matter how much you want something to happen, fate has a way of stealing it from you without your permission or gratitude.

Three days before her wedding, three days before her life would change for the better, her future was destroyed.

It was midday and Rin was sitting with Kaede as they worked in companionable silence to create medicine for the growing number of ill children. Kaede's suspicion had been right, a disease was beginning to strike their small village. They both hoped that it would go away soon, that the medicinal herbs that they had collected would be enough to rid the children of the phlegm-spewing cough that ravaged their small bodies. Rin was absorbed in her task as she painstakingly tied each small bag of herbs closed. They had to make sure that there was enough for each patient without depleting their entire stock for winter.

But, when Miroku came shuffling through their door, out of breath and wide-eyed, she knew that something was wrong.

She just never expected what.

"Monk, what are ye doing 'ere?" Kaede's mild shock laced the undertone of her voice. Rin gulped as her eyes flicked between the two. Miroku took a deep breath to calm himself before his steady eyes roamed over to Rin's slim form.

"I have news." He didn't elaborate. He just stood there with his eyes glued onto her, seemingly unable to speak.

"What is it child?" Kaede sat down the mortar that she had been holding, giving the monk her full attention. "Is everything alright with ye brood?"

Miroku quickly wetted his lips and nodded. "Yes, my family is fine. The cough has not reached them yet and Sango is keeping the children away from the village centre."

"Aye, that is a good plan."

The hut fell into an uncomfortable silence as Miroku continued to watch her. She bowed her head so that she wouldn't be starring into his eyes. He looked so forlorn that it chilled her to the bone.

"Spit it out already ya damn monk!" Inuyasha shoved open the door and stomped inside of the hut. He caught his breathe slightly when he looked at Rin, but quickly gritted his teeth and lightly shoved Miroku aside.

"Inuyasha! I did not expect to see ye 'ere."

Inuyasha shot Kaede a nasty glare as his hands curled into fists. A growl rested upon his lips, but he restrained himself, before looking back at Rin.

"There's been an accident. In the field."

Rin's mouth became parched and her heart raced within her chest. Her mind jumped to nasty conclusions, conclusions that she didn't want to even fathom.

But, the look on Inuyasha's eternally somber face told her that she was right.

"Joji is dead."

With those words, her world caved in.

Her jaw fell open and the small bag of herbs that was in her hands burst, sending a fine layer of pungent medicine into the air. Inuyasha wrinkled his nose, but he didn't look away from her.

He was the only one to not look away from her.

The hut froze over with a new kind of terror as sadness pressed in upon them.

"Wha… What kind of accident?" Her words came out croaked, like she was choking on thin air.

Inuyasha shifted and crossed his arms against his chest. "They're not sure. We're about to go and investigate now. All they know for sure is that they found him with a stab wound in his back and a pitchfork close by." Rin gasped and her hands began to shake.

Miroku coughed and began to speak in a soft voice as silent tears began to descend Rin's face. "They are claiming that it was a demon attack, since it happened on the outskirts of the property near the border of the village. But, I don't know what demon would be dumb enough to attack someone in Inuyasha's village." Inuyasha scoffed, but his chest pushed out slightly with pride.

"Aye… I agree. But, 'tis not impossible." Kaede mumbled.

"I suspect that it may have been one of their hired labourers and they are using demons as a tidy coverup. Don't worry, we will figure out the truth."

Rin nodded and turned slightly to stare into the swirling flames of the fire. She had known Joji ever since she had arrived in the village. She had grown up with him. He was one of the first people to not be scared of her, back when her Lord still visited often, and he was one of the first to truly befriend her and teach her the ways of village life. Joji, he had been a dear friend. But, even more than that, he had been her future.

Her eyes wandered over to the carved wooden chest that held her multitude of gifts from her Lord and the small calligraphy set that Sango and Miroku had gifted her. Her trousseau… She guessed she wouldn't be needing it anymore. A new kind of ache swelled up within her gut, rising to the back of her throat. She gulped away the vile taste, but felt it licking her tongue in its eagerness to escape her. Inuyasha crouched down in front of her, the sudden red of his fire-rat breaking her concentration and making her jerk her head backwards. His ears rose slightly and twisted to point at her.

"It will get better." He said matter-of-factly.

She gulped. "It never got better for you." The words escaped her mouth before she could stop them. As soon as they were uttered, she regretted them. Inuyasha flinched and his ears flattened against his skull. His amber eyes looked away from her as he slowly rose from his position and walked to the door. It was only once he was exiting that he spoke to her again.

"True, but Joji wasn't your Kagome."

With that, he walked through the door with Miroku quickly following behind him. Rin's heart was beating out of control. No, she didn't love Joji like Inuyasha had loved Kagome. But, did that make her pain any less important? Any less real?

She hiccuped as tears began to fall, unrestrained, down her reddened cheeks.

"Ka… Kaede…"

"Yes, child?" The old woman scooted closer to her and gently pulled Rin's head down to rest upon her shoulder. Her withered hands reached up and tugged at Rin's ponytail until her long strands fell free from their restraint.

"Joji… My Joji… He's dead." Rin hiccuped as an unearthly moan shot from her lips. The pain in her gut began to swirl as memories of Joji flashed behind her closed eyes.

Of him offering her shaved ice covered in a sticky syrup her first summer in the village…

Of him holding her hand, for the very first time, as he innocently helped her learn how to walk in the awkward wooden shoes that everyone in the village wore. She had always preferred to be barefoot, and hated the idea of wearing anything restraining on her feet. He had taught her a game, made her sing and laugh, and before she knew it she forgot that she was wearing any shoes at all.

Of him, nervously, asking her and Kaede to meet his parents within an official setting so that their betrothal could become officially acknowledged.

"I know, child. I know." With those words, Rin fell into a fit of tears as Kaede held her, muttering soothing phrases by the flicker of the firelight.

Sesshomaru walked slowly through the forest, dismayed at the anger that he felt swirling within his chest. How dare his ward agree to a betrothal without his permission! His frustration seethed inside of him, yet he couldn't fathom its existence.

Why should he care if his lowly human ward had taken a lover?

His mind shot to undesirable places and he gritted his teeth as he forced away the unpleasant images. No. Rin, his pure, angelic, child-like Rin would never take a lover. She was no whore.

Still, the very thought of her upcoming wedding sent his mind into dangerous territory. The more he thought about it, the more his anger grew, and the more frustrated he became at himself for his unreasonable feelings.

Feelings… Pitiful, weak, human emotions. While his father had forced him to learn compassion for humans, he still found feelings to be troublesome things. He didn't like reacting out of anger or sadness. He liked rational things. He liked to think everything through and logically select the best thing to do.

But, right now, he was definitely acting on emotion hidden beneath a somewhat plausible logical decision.

Ah-Un followed him slowly, weighed down by the items that Sesshomaru intended to add to Rin's, undoubtedly small, trousseau. He clenched his teeth again as the word, 'trousseau', infiltrated his mind. The very thought of allowing Rin to marry irritated him. She was his ward. She was only a child!

He knew that his anger was illogical.

Yet, his frustration was palpable.

It would take one more day at this tedious pace to reach the village.

Images of Rin from the last time that he had seen her floated through his mind. She had grown from the year before and she nearly tripped in her haste to hurry towards him. Her large smile was infectious and he felt the corners of his lips twitch. He quickly controlled himself, and remained as impassive as ever as the small girl approached him. Her hair was unrestrained and its dark strands twirled in the brisk wind.

She had looked so happy, so innocent, so… perfect.

His Rin, she was pure perfection.

An image of the young girl that he remembered so vividly kissing a blurry human male popped into his head.

His step faltered and his eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Why did his heart feel so heavy? He had avoided seeing Rin for a few years now, he had wanted her to adjust to living with humans, he had wanted her to create a life for herself. So, why did the whole thing just feel so wrong?

But, more importantly, why did he even care?

Rin sat in the hut in a complete fog. The whole word seemed grey to her. She felt numb, frozen in the new reality of her life. Kaede worked silently, moving around the hut and going about her business as quietly as possible. Rin thanked the heavens that none of her patients had gone into labour. She knew that one was due any day, but she was in no state to deal with it. Her whole word felt like it had collapsed. She had been sucked in, devoured by the miedo and forced back into the netherworld.

Today should have been her wedding day.

The whole village was in mourning. Instead of a wedding, Joji's funeral was held. It had been a somber affair where Rin played the part of the mourning fiancé. She stood behind his family and tried not to see the way that Joji's mother cried and his father's shoulders shook.

She felt like her grief didn't belong there, like her feelings were of less importance. After all, they had never even kissed. She didn't even love him. Her grief… It felt like it was uncalled for, unjust, and unreasonable. She felt like she was masquerading as somebody else, as someone who truly loved Joji. She had cared for him, she had truly liked him, she had grown up with him… But, she still felt like a fraud.

The world was passing by in slow motion. She barely even recognized Sango when she sat beside her, holding her hand, as they both stared absently at the fire. Rin's fingers curled into Sango's as she held onto her with all that she had. Sango was like a tether, forcing her back to earth and reality.

"It's going to be okay, Rin. You have to believe that." Sango's. soft voice broke through the fade that surrounded her. She turned to look back at the older woman. She blinked a few times, forcing her mind back to their present.

"I know." Her voice was soft and hoarse from lack of use.

Sango smiled softly. "I know that it hurts. But, you've made it through worse. You are a fighter. You always have been. You are brave, unique, and strong. You have a way about you that is indescribable. What other human child do you know who could tame Sesshomaru's stubborn heart?"

Even though she didn't want to, she felt the corners of her lips twitch up in a soft smile. She leaned her head against Sango's shoulder and breathed out a heavy sigh. "I didn't really tame his heart, ya know."

Sango's thumb rubbed the back of her hand gently. "I think that you did. You softened him. Everyone else can see it, especially Inuyasha."

Rin's soft smile fluttered as she thought back to when she had first met her Lord, when he was injured and lying underneath a large tree. "He always had a kind heart, you just had to look."

Sango scoffed. "You're the only one who thinks that, dear Rin. Few others would agree with you."

"Kagome would have agreed with me." Her words hung there, full of pain and memories.

Sango sighed. "Yea, Kagome would have agreed with you. Towards the end she really thought that Sesshomaru and Inuyasha could even have a brotherly relationship."

Rin's eyebrows rose in mild surprise. "Really? I've always thought that same thing."

Sango squeezed her hand and let go as she slowly stood up. She was just about to say something else when she froze. Her eyes widened only moments before Rin sensed the same disturbance.

No, it couldn't be…

She jolted upwards. Her hands shook as she patted down her mussed, plain, yukata. Her hair hung down her back, lose and unrestrained. In short, she was a complete mess.

But, there was no mistaking it. That aura… That impressive power could belong to none other than her Lord.

She felt like she was going to choke. She gagged, torn between the choking sensation that tore at her throat and the vile puke that she could feel crawling up it. It had been four years… Four long years and he decided to show up now?

Rin quickly tied her hair back and gently slapped her face, bringing a bit of colour back into her pale complexion.

Lord Sesshomaru….

The door opened and, like a dream, he slightly ducked his silver head and walked into the room.

Rin couldn't breathe.

His amber eyes were piercing her. He hadn't changed, not even a little bit. All of her memories of him came flooding back to her with vivid clarity. Her mouth fell open slightly and she quickly snapped it shut. His eyes wandered toward Sango, assessing her briefly, before immediately flicking back to Rin.

"Rin."

His voice was like butter soaked in honey, deep and strong, yet with an air of familiarity. Instantly, her heart swelled and pounded within her chest. He was so… Beautiful. His silver hair cascaded down around him, making him look even more elegant and regal than he already was. Her body reacted to him automatically. She took a step forward, and then another, until she reached Sango's side, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"My Lord…" She sounded breathless, his title barely a whisper on her lips. His eyebrows rose a nearly imperceptible degree. His mannerisms came rushing back to her. The slight twitches of his lips, the narrowing of his eyes, the way his fingers would curl slightly when he was irritated… She remembered all of the little things about him that you could only learn if you spent a long time by his side.

Silence pressed in around them, making the entire room feel tense.

Sango shifted slightly, effectively drawing his attention. "It's nice to see you, Sesshomaru. It has been a long time." Sesshomaru's gaze landed upon the demon slayer, yet he remained as silent and stoic as ever. Sango huffed and crossed her arms. "It has been four years, what is the occasion?" Her voice was stern and demanding. Rin glanced over at her friend. Protectiveness radiated off of her. Rin's frozen face twitched up in a smile. No matter what, Sango had her back.

Sesshomaru's eyebrow twitched, slightly betraying his irritation. "My ward is getting married. I have come to deliver her trousseau."

The moment of fleeting happiness that had infiltrated Rin's brain at the appearance of her Lord was quickly squashed as his words washed over her. Yes, she was supposed to be married today. Of course, he had only come to give her a trousseau befitting of the station that he had given her.

Of course, he hadn't come because he actually wanted to see her.

Of course, he hadn't come because he'd maybe, just possibly, missed her.

She cringed at her thoughts as her sadness washed over her again. How could she even entertain thoughts of Sesshomaru coming to see her because he missed her, when her fiancé had only died just a few days ago?

She was pitiful.

Rin's head hung low as she forced words passed her lips. "The wedding is no longer happening, my Lord." Her voice was shaky and soft, but she knew that with his excellent hearing that he had heard every word. When he remained silent, she lifted her head slightly only to catch the ending of a fiery glint in his eyes. Before she could even process what she might have seen, it was gone, hidden forever within the shadowy secrets that he kept.

"Canceled?" His voice… How she wished that it didn't melt her insides. How could his mere presence affect her in this way? Why did her heart beat twice as fast and her palms become sweaty? Why did she feel like, just for a moment, that it was hard to catch her breath?

Honestly, could she even say that she knew the demon that stood before her anymore? It had been four long years since she had seen him last and a lot of things had changed for her. Surely, a lot must have happened in his life as well. When she saw him last she was just a child, innocent and naive. Now, she was grown. She had responsibilities. She had a purpose in this village, in this life that he had chosen for her.

Truly, they didn't really know each other anymore.

Sango coughed slightly, drawing Sesshomaru's attention. She shifted to step in front of Rin, earning her the vaguest remnants of a scowl. "Her betrothed, Joji, died a few days ago."

Rin peeked out from behind Sango as silence encircled them once more. He betrayed nothing. He gave no hint at all as to what he felt or thought as the news of her betrothed's death reached his delicate ears. With a disgruntled sigh, she slipped back behind Sango's reassuring form.

"I see."

Two words. Just two lousy words was what he offered. Her slim fingers curled into the palms of her hands. She had always known that he was a man of few words. In fact, she used to think that was an enduring quality. She had been able to talk for hours about her every whim and he had always listened to her stories and songs. But, now that she was grown, she wanted to know what was happening within that head of his. She had barley been around him for more than a few minutes and was already finding his tight-lipped attitude annoying.

She bit the inside of her cheek and forced herself to hold her head up high. She wouldn't hide in front of him. What did she have to be ashamed of? Why did she feel the need to cower behind Sango? She was strong, just like Joji had told her. There was no shame in admitting that she was sad, that she missed her friend who should have been her future. There was no shame in her life. With a determined nod she stepped out from around Sango's back. Sesshomaru's amber eyes followed her every move, quietly evaluating each minute decision that she made. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his fingers twitch.

He was… Bothered.

Before she could let that thought even somewhat worm its way through her mind, a villager pushed through the door to the hut, nearly ramming into Sesshomaru in the process.

"My wife…" The villager took off his straw hat and crumpled it within his tight grip. He was wide eyed and panicked, so much so that he hardly even noticed that someone unfamiliar was in the hut with them. Rin could already feel her muscles beginning to tense as she prepared herself for what she knew was to come. "She's in labour."

Instantly, Rin's mind cleared of all distractions. "I see."

"I'm… I'm sorry to interrupt you during your grieving…" His words spilled out of him, unchecked and filled with worry.

Rin shook her head and smiled slightly. "Don't worry about it. I'll be right there, okay?"

The man quickly nodded and with one slightly scared glance at Sesshomaru, darted out the door.

"Rin…" Sango reached over and gently grabbed her forearm. Rin forced a larger smile onto her face and shrugged her off.

"Don't worry. I must take care of my patient." She met Sango's worried eyes before quickly grabbing her basket full of the things that she would need for the delivery.

"Patient?"

Rin balanced her basket on her hip and steadily met Sesshomaru's gaze. She sucked in a small breath as she felt her courage swirl up from deep within her.

"You are beautiful… Not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. I don't know a single other woman who can do what you do. I don't know a single other woman who is as brave, cunning, or smart as you are." That's what Joji had said to her. His words were etched into her being now as the memory of his voice soothed the ache in her gut from missing him. Joji was right. She was brave. She was smart. She wouldn't cower, she wouldn't hide, she wouldn't shy away from her duties in the face of her Lord. She would be strong, determined, and as steadfast as always.

"Maybe Jaken did not inform you, my Lord, but I am the village midwife now. I have many women under my care." Her voice was strong now, with no hint of the sadness that still pulsed within her. Now was not the time to be sad, she had a job to do helping a new life enter this world. She looked at him for a moment more, soaking in everything that was him, trying to memorize his scent, the way that his hair fell around his shoulders, the exact shade of purple that graced his cheeks, and the way his eyes appeared to devour her. She tried to remember it all in that one, short moment because she honestly didn't believe that he would be there upon her return. "Goodbye, my Lord."

Before he could say another word she left the hut and determinately strode to help her patient. It wouldn't be until many hours later that the cries of a newborn child pierced the night air.

How could he have forgotten?

Seriously, what was wrong with him?

Jaken had told him that she was a midwife. Jaken had told him that she had fallen into her role within village life, that she had finally fell into the flow of living with humans. Jaken had told him that she was starting to forget, as all humans do, the days of her life with demons. That had pleased him originally, but now…

But, now…

His knuckles cracked and with barely a glance toward the demon slayer, he exited the hut and strode across the small clearing into the thick foliage of the forest. He couldn't understand the feelings that were baying within his chest. Rin… His little Rin… Well, she wasn't so little anymore.

She had filled out in ways that he hadn't expected. Her hips had grown wider and her breasts had swelled to their full potential, evident even beneath her unflattering yukata. He could tell that she had gained toned muscle from her time spent gathering herbs and treating patients. He could see the way that her face had aged. Gone was the baby fat that had once clung to her cheekbones. Now, her jaw line made her face the center of attention, frustratingly drawing his eyes back to it again and again.

It was her eyes, though, that worried him.

Gone was the playful glint that had always remained within their brown depths. Now, they seemed almost hollow. Her cheeks were stained red from the tears that stunk up the small hut. The smell of her sadness bothered him in a way that he couldn't explain.

He walked for a few minutes more before finding Ah-Un. He stroked Ah's head briefly before his hand trailed down its neck to the packages that were strapped to its back. He had brought all of this here for nothing…

He should be frustrated.

Then why did he feel so relieved?

"Ah-Un…" The beast immediately reacted to him, turning to listen intently to its master. "We will be staying longer than intended." With a swipe of his claws the luggage clattered to the forest floor, banging into the ground with a heavy thud. "Rin would like to see you." His words came out uncharacteristically hushed.

Ah-Un nearly groaned in relief as the heavy bags fell from his back. With just a gentle flick of his wrist, Ah-Un wandered across the clearing to graze.

Rin's face came floating back to him, like a dream or a nightmare except he couldn't decide which. Her beauty and her sadness showed up in equal measure to taunt his excellent memory. She was defiantly no longer a child…

Rin…

Her scent was like lilies after rain. Just by being around her for a few moments he longed for that scent. It didn't make any sense. It wasn't logical… He ground his heels into the soft dirt as he spun and gave in to his primal urges. He walked with purpose back to the edge of the village. He finally found her in a small hut outside of the village center. He was so close that he could smell the scent birth and hear the voices from within. Rin's voice was soothing and calm. It never wavered in its strength. The edges of a smile floated upon his lips as he stayed within the forest's concealing border.

Rin…

"What are you doing here, bastard?"

Sesshomaru almost scoffed at his brother's tone. He tilted his head just enough to see him. "We both know who the bastard here is."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. One of his disturbing ears tilted towards the hut that Rin was currently within. His cheeks looked shallow, his eyes were sunken in, and his hair lacked its usual luster. Without wanting to, Sesshomaru couldn't help but marvel at the state of his brother's disarray.

"You're here for Rin then, I see."

Sesshomaru turned his gaze away from him. "No."

"Sure… That must be why you're keeping watch on her right now then… Because you're not here for her."

Sesshomaru gritted his teeth. "You look terrible, did that deplorable dead priestess come back and steal your soul while I was away?"

"Why you!"

He knew what Inuyasha would do. He spun and caught the weak punch that was aimed at him. Amber clashed with amber and he found himself even more disturb by the distinct lack of energy from Inuyasha. "Weak." One word. That was all it took for Inuyasha to drop his fighting stance and slink back to lean against a tree.

"I know."

His solemn words hung there between them. Not knowing what to say, and not actually wanting to help, Sesshomaru pushed aside the small part of himself that cared and turned his attention back to the hut. Night was beginning to fall and the soon-to-be mom's breathing became incessant and heavy.

Would he too, one day, have pups?

His eyes narrowed to a dangerous degree as he obliterated that thought. He would sire pups when the time was appropriate and most advantageous for his kingdom. He would do his duty, and no more. He gritted his teeth as unwanted images fluttered through his brain.

Pups…

Being a father…

Was that something he even wanted?

"You came to take her back, didn't you?" Inuyasha's voice was soft and hushed. It was so uncharacteristic of him that it made the hairs on the back of Sesshomaru's neck stand on end. He turned to face his brother, but didn't respond. Inuyasha simply closed his eyes for one long minute and released a heavy sigh before opening them again. There was a hint of life back in their amber depths as he spoke. "I don't know what you want with Rin. I know what Kagome always thought…" For a second, he trailed off, consumed by the torment of his own everlasting pain. Sesshomaru nearly cringed. How could someone love another to that degree? How could someone's life utterly depend on the happy existence of another's?

He would never understand.

Inuyasha lowered his arms, resting a palm on Tessaiga's hilt. "She was supposed to marry Joji today. Instead, he was probably murdered by a greedy farmhand." He huffed and Sesshomaru's hand automatically shifted to rest upon Bakusaiga. He could feel its power nearly humming beneath his fingertips, longing for a fight. "If you take her… Well, I guess I should say if you can even persuade her to go with you…"

Sesshomaru's eyebrows furrowed ever-so-slightly. "And why wouldn't she?"

The corners of Inuyasha's lips vainly fought to pull up into a smile. "Because she has a life here now. She has purpose. And… She wants a family. If she goes with you, that will never happen. You live in a palace filled with demons. If you take away her chance to have babies, she will hate you forever, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru's breath caught in his throat, but he didn't let his discontent show. Before he had the chance to respond or even, truly, gather his thoughts, a cry broke out into the night. The child had been born. Inuyasha's ears twitched in the direction of the cry. "Can you hear that, Sesshomaru? Can you hear the sound of Rin's heart right now as she hands that baby over to its mother?"

Sesshomaru felt rooted to the ground. Indeed, he could hear the way that Rin's heart had sped up as she brought the newborn safely into this dangerous world. He had heard her shallow gasp as she wiped amniotic fluid from its eyes, nose, and ears. He had even smelled the way that her scent had changed, ever-so-slightly, into a more heated, heavier aroma.

Still, he pushed these thoughts aside.

"If you take her, just promise me one thing."

Sesshomaru turned to look at his brother once more, but he didn't respond. A strange feeling akin to fear was creeping up in the back of his throat and he didn't know why. He hated not knowing why.

"I've kept her safe all this time that she has been here. If you take her, keep her safe, Sesshomaru. I'll never forgive you if you get her killed." With those words, Inuyasha quickly darted away back into the darkness of his forest.

Sesshomaru's hand tightened around Bakusaiga, feeling its power entwined with his own. He scoffed. "As if I'd ever get her killed." He took in one last, deep breath of her heated aroma, cherishing it and locking it away within the depths of his memory, before he spun on his heel and headed back to where Ah-Un waited.

Just as she had expected, her Lord was not at the hut upon her return. She sat down with a heavy heart and immediately laid out her futon and pulled the thick cover over herself. All she wanted to do was sleep by the firelight. She turned on her side to watch the flickering flame as memories from the delivery washed over her in a gentle flow. The moment that she had cradled the baby's head, gently but firmly, as it came into this world… The moment that she cleaned it and blessed its arrival before giving it to the parents…

Rin ached.

She ached with her loss. She ached with her guilt. She ached with her longing.

She felt like she was betraying Joji's memory because she felt pain at the loss of the future that they would have had together. She felt like her future had been ripped from her. She was getting old now by normal village standards and so many people still thought that she was odd, or even feared her because of her link to Lord Sesshomaru… She doubted that anyone would propose to her again.

Rin grieved because she felt like she had lost her one and only chance to become a mother, to have a family, to have the life that she had always dreamed of.

Images of silver-haired babies once again fluttered into her mind, but she quickly shoved the ludicrous thought aside. Her Lord hadn't even stayed in the village for more than an hour. He was, surely, long gone by now.

Her eyelids fluttered shut as silent tears slowly dripped down her reddened cheeks. Her Lord… He had been more than what she had remembered. He was, simply, spectacular. She giggled slightly as she imagined his face if she had ever dared to say that out loud to him. One of his eyebrows would twitch, just slightly, and his knuckles would crack as he flexed his fingers. In short, his reaction would have been adorably priceless.

For the first time since the news of Joji's death had reached her, Rin felt a moment of peace wash over her, allowing her to happily fade into sleep.

Sesshomaru stood a little ways behind Rin's hut. He didn't want to get too close, he didn't want her to know that he was watching her. Not yet, at least… Her breathing was soft and even, signaling that she had fallen asleep. He didn't understand his need to be close to her. He hadn't felt this need in the last four years, so why was he feeling it now?

Was she simply much more intriguing now?

This Rin perplexed him. She hadn't reacted to him in the way that he had become accustomed to during her childhood. Now, she was reserved, even daring to hide behind the demon slayer. He didn't understand this Rin. Gone were the whims of childhood fancy. This Rin… She was a stranger to him.

Then why did he feel this way?

Bakusaiga hummed along at his side, equally confused. His hand automatically shifted to its hilt, feeling its power. He ached with the need for battle, to flex his muscles and feel his strength swirl around him in a powerful wave of poisonous energy. It had been so long since he had any semblance of a fight…

With the vaguest hint of a grin, he disappeared deep within the forest, his poison whip trailing from his claws, as he slashed away every weakling in his path.

Still, as he cut down his pitifully weak foes, only two questions ravaged his mind.

Would Rin not come with him?

And, more importantly, did he even want her too?

~ Author's Note ~

I'm so sorry! I never take this long to post updates, I just had a severe case of writer's block. I know where I want this story to go, but sometimes I find the beginning to be the hardest part.

What did you think of this chapter?

Sorry if the plot is moving along a bit slow, it will pick up eventually.

Thank you for reading! Please, review.

~ FeudalAi