Chapter 21: What grow's in the heart...

Authors note: Thank you all who've been reviewing! It means a lot to me (and I am sure Rin would feel touched for your concern) so I will get on with the chapter. Here I go…

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA AND HIS CREW! I do however own the plot… and ideas. You get the drill.

Sesshomaru walked through his castle with the tiny girl limp in his arms. He walked into a room that was white with gold trimming. A window was open as a breeze blew the white curtains around casting the light of the day throughout the room. Sesshomaru gently laid her down and kissed her forehead. He pushed some of her normal length hair back, as he pulled out the polluted Shikon no tama shard he though 'Why did they never just destroy this stupid jewel?' Sesshomaru sighed knowing it was a thought for another time. He sent a servant to get the healers. They all crowded around the girl trying to find the source of the problems as they began to fix it all up.

"Sesshomaru?" a voice said from behind him making him nearly jump. He turned around to see the old woman standing in the doorway.

"You?" he asked as the woman watched them work on the girl. Sesshomaru swallowed before asking, "Who are you?"

"Who am I?" she asked before pulling off her hood revealing an old woman with long gray and white hair.

"Ka…gome?" Sesshomaru asked looking at her. She smiled and nodded, "it's been you all along? But how… and why?"

"The future doesn't always have to be the same Sesshomaru. I learned that as I… well I found away to go back into the past. Originally we seal away the Shikon No Tama destroying it. The younger me can no longer return back to our time. So I found away to find the spot it had been tucked away and went back. I knew that the only way you and Rin could be together again instead of her original death was to give you arms and tell you to go after the son of Naraku. Then I told my younger self not to seal away the jewel but use it. Then I had to hope I could some how help you remember your love for her," The older Kagome said smiling.

"Why did you go through all that?" Sesshomaru asked standing in the doorway watching Rin. Kagome smiled.

"Love… your love for her, and hers for you. Inuyasha's love for me, and my love for him. Inuyasha would have been killed if I hadn't found away to get Rin out of there. I knew a Yuka's main objective would be you, so originally he gets you to become evil… and Rin not knowing it was a spell kills you as you nearly kill her. So once I informed her that she shouldn't kill you… I think it took me saying your name to make up her mind she wasn't going to harm you. Then I knew that he'd kidnap her and so I told you about her kidnapping so you'd chase her down and fight her. There was no doubt you'd win," Kagome smiled as she rubbed Inuyasha's rosary that hung around her neck.

"So… then I suppose that you knew what would happen after that. It was all a stage," Sesshomaru sighed as he looked at Rin's face.

"Not all of it," Kagome said swallowing, "after that I had to hope and pray. I had no idea you'd assume that she had truly chosen Yuka. But your heart knew better… and it was her heart that fought the pollution from that shard. Almost unstoppable… I had not expected for him to use that on her. I am glad things are different now… now that I am not left without my mate. Rin would have been cold, heartless, and lonely. Miroku and Sango too busy to deal with Rin's depression. I would have given birth to Inuyasha's child who then later searches for Yuka with Rin and they destroy Yuka… but my son also dies."

"Wow… how did you manage all this?" Sesshomaru asked looking in at the love of his life.

"A wise girl once said… sometimes life brings more pain then I can bare alone. When hope is gone and I have no strength to stand on my own. But she also said I belong to you. Which meant her heart would fly… only to shatter. I too lost and well… this is a tale for another time," Kagome chuckled knowing she had changed things, "do not fret anymore Lord Sesshomaru. Enjoy the company of the one you love. Enjoy the gift life can bring for you. Enjoy the sun, the rain, the clouds, and the moon… but most of all enjoy it with the one you love because I can no longer help change things. Goodbye Sesshomaru… give my love to Inuyasha."

"Hmmm," Sesshomaru sighed before looking at Rin nervously, "goodbye Kagome."

"It's the first time you haven't snarled at me when you said my name. I can tell my new life may not be as miserable as it was," Kagome smiled before turning around and leaving. Sesshomaru turned his head a moment before turning back to see a vacant spot. Sesshomaru turned to leave a lot to think about. As he looked out the window he saw a young Kagome running and a living Inuyasha chasing her. He hid a smile before walking to the main room where he would discuss ways to keep his family safe. Rin… Inuyasha… and Kagome. Oh and the others too of course.

"Rin," he sighed as hers generals and militia leaders argued over strategy plans. It was so boring and lame in there. He began to feel slightly suffocated as he stood up leaving the group.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Where are you going?" one of the men said making Sesshomaru looked back at them with curiosity. He just walked out of the room and down to where Rin laid the gentle breeze catching her scent and sending it to his nostrils. He knelt down beside the sleepy girl as he kissed her cheek. He kissed her forehead and down and left a small one on her nose. He took a deep breath as he gently left a tinny kiss on her lips.

"I love you Rin. Rin here I am… praying for forgiveness, and I can see you laying here. Here I go Rin… it's a heavy load. But I hope you can forgive me for all that has happened. I want to make it right… but I've never made anything right before," Sesshomaru said before touching her cheek letting a small tear slip from his emotionless face as it splashed on her nose before he turned to walk. He made his way down the stairs and out into his garden where he surprisingly always felt at peace. He stood under a whooping willow tree as it dangled all around him.

"Sessh…omaru," Rin murmured before slowly sitting up and rubbing her eyes wincing in pain as from the wounds. She looked out the window to see the large garden full of exotic flowers, trees, grass, and that man made grass. But the most beautiful addition to the garden was a handsome youkai lord sitting bellow a tree deep in through. Rin itched her nose feeling something we, 'was I… crying? Hmmmm.' Rin walked out of the room and down to the main entrance. The other smiled as they watched her walk to talk to the one she loved. Rin walked to the garden entrance passing through the small fruit trees that were sprouting pretty pink apple blossoms. She stood six feet from Sesshomaru when he caught her scent on the wind. He turned his head to see her standing there in the breeze.

"Rin," he said softly as Rin stood there unsure of what to do. Rin took a step towards him swallowing as she passed the trees long earth scraping branches that looked like whips. She stopped at the entrance watching him with an intense gaze. It had been so long since they stood in front of each other as their real selves. He walked towards her but she unknowingly took a step backwards making him stop in place, 'she doesn't trust me anymore.'

"Sessh…homaru? I don't know…" Rin said blushing before looking at the ground. He took a step forward slowly. He approached her so elegantly and slowly.

"I know you think I am a monster, I am a monster Rin…" before he could finish she quickly spoke up.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" she said quickly trying to stop her.

"Silence Rin," he said firmly making her tilt her head and looking at the ground. His finger found the bottom of her tiny chin and glided her face towards his. A hand glided over his hand.

"Rin you are the only one who can tame the beast with in me. Although I have done some horrible things and too you said some horrible things… I never stopped loving you. It was my love for you that saved me. You're my calm surrender to the rush of day, your… what I want to live for Rin. So… tell me that you… that we are meant to be. After all we've been through… here we are standing in front of one another. And the biggest test is to answer is… are we meant to be?" Sesshomaru said looking deep into her eyes. For a moment she was speechless. But Sesshomaru was nearly flung back as Rin jolted into his arms with force. He let out a breath holding her close wishing that moment would last forever.

"We wouldn't be here right now if we weren't meant to be together. Is it not enough for you that we got this far my lord?" Rin asked touching his elegant face, "have you changed your mind?"

"You are not so lucky," he smiled tracing her face with his finger. She smiled as she bent up on her tiptoes to reach his lips. He pulled her close as he deepened their kiss knowing his body and heart had been waiting for this moment. She pulled away and looked into his eyes.

"There is no monster here… only the one I love," Rin said making him smile before she grabbed his face pulling it to hers. He laughed at all the excitement running through her as she viciously pulled his face to hers. His hands wrapped around her waist as he kissed down her neck. She gasped smiling as her hand rested on his neck. She tilted her head making it easier for him to make trails of kissed run down her long graceful neck. He lifted his hand up her waist so that it was under her armpit on the side of her boob as his lips gently grazed hers. She laughed as he licked her cheek and then gave her a big kiss. He bent down low to her ear to whisper.

"Should we head back for the castle now?" he whispered softly sending chills down her back. She looked at him and shook her head no. A look of confusion came on his face as she pulled him back under the tree that was more then enough shelter. She untied her kimono letting it fall upon. He smiled and raised his eyebrows before slowly moving the kimono off enough to reveal her shoulders. He left a trail of kisses over her shoulder before pulling off the rest of the kimono and tossing it, "I will stand by you forever."

"And I'll stand by you for ever," she said smiling at him before kissing his lips. He smiled kissing her lips gently.

"You don't know how long I have waited to touch your lips and hold you tight," he said with a devilish grin that sent chills down her spine once more.

"Oh I think I know," Rin said smiling up at him.

"Rin… you should know I never really cared… until I met you," he said his lips tickling her skin as he spoke. She didn't say anything right away, what could she say to that except…

"I love you," Rin said holding his face so that his eyes were melting into hers. He smiled before kissing her. Rin made him fall to his knees whenever she could… and that moment was no exception. He fell to his knees that very second. She gasped as he hugged her tight his head lying on her stomach as he let out a breath he had been holding. She smiled her arms wrapping around his head.

"I'm… scared," he said making Rin's eyes widened. Rin fell to her knees to look into his eyes.

"Did you just… say you're scared? Why?" Rin asked holding his face so he could look into her eyes. She could always tell when he was lying to her by the guilt his eyes would hold.

"I fear that someday you may see something inside me you don't like Rin. I am afraid that something will come and destroy us," Sesshomaru said letting out a breath, "Rin you're my weakness and I think the world knows this now."

"Sesshomaru no one can undo what we are. I told you that we are going to find out together what forever means. Sesshomaru I've seen all of you," she giggled making him glare at her lightness in this matter, "Sesshomaru I love you. You should know I'd always be there for you… no matter what. And that's what I've been trying to tell you since day one."

"But Rin I almost lost you…" he said pausing as she kept smiling at him. How could she smile and shatter his heart all at once? "I said… some things to you I shouldn't have. You should know I never thought of you as selfish. It wasn't me who said those things…"

"Yes it was Sesshomaru," Rin said looking down and fiddling with his hair. She let out a breath, "but it's alright. Though it was you who said it… I know that you didn't know what to do. You were cornered and your only reaction was to hide your fear. It was I who should have been understanding…"

"Rin don't say it was your fault because it wasn't," he said touching her face making her look at him.

"Sesshomaru all of the problems have been my fault. I got you into this mess and so your reaction was my fault," Rin said a tear falling down making him look at her with more guilt then he could bear.

"Rin do you not see?" Sesshomaru asked squinting his eyes positioning himself so he was sitting crisscrossed. While she was on her knees she was still a little shorter then he, "for so long you were running so fast in the wrong direction because of me. You were trying… but as I grew selfish I sent you away. Rin if I hadn't been so selfish by showing up to see how you were you could have lived a normal life. And everyday with me the more I was bringing down… I was dragging you down. But… I don't regret it Rin, not anymore at least. You were craving for shelter and affection that you didn't get because your family had been killed. You were waiting for a hero to ride in and save the day… and then I came along and knew just what to say. And you gave yourself away Rin…"

"I didn't give myself away in the way you think I did. I gave to you of free will Sesshomaru… I was yours from the day I found you. I loved you from the day I laid eyes on you Sesshomaru…" she said before he pushed her hand away from his face.

"I was your destruction Rin," he said not looking in her eyes. Rin couldn't believe him!

"I have not been destroyed! There is nothing wrong with ME! I am who I am and who I am loves you!" Rin yelled pushing him angrily. He smiled up at her making her glare at him more, "Sesshomaru how could you! You're such an… idiot! You saved me! YOU saved me! Whaonjdj…"

Before Rin could finish her words Sesshomaru pulled her to him kissing her with such love. Rin smiled before wrapping her arms around him pushing him over as she lay there on top of him. His hand quickly pulled her already untied kimono off. She helped fiddle with his outfit quickly taking it off. He kissed her neck as he quickly flipped her over. She smiled up at him as he looked down observing her. The sight of her just stole his breath. How? How could she be the one to have destroyed him and rebuilt him? He didn't want to know anymore… he didn't care anymore. All he wanted was to spend every moment with her. He was done asking questions that were no longer important to him. He let out a sigh as he kissed her chin softly. She wrapped her legs around him loving the feel of his skin against hers. How? How did she get him? How did a human girl well not just a human girl wink wink but a girl of not status get such a perfect man? Well… youkai. How could someone so "plain" get a youkai lord perfect in almost every way possible? He gave a small smile at the taste of her skin as he slowly kissed over her neck. He sighed as he traced of the scratches he had left on her chest. Rin could feel the sudden change and knew what he was fretting over. She grabbed his face moving his gaze off of the soon to be scars and into her eyes.

"Don't worry about that," Rin said softly before smiling. He smiled before kissing her soft lips. She could feel him getting ready to enter and she wrapped her arms around his neck feeling his long silky white hair fall across her porcelain skin. She moaned as he entered feeling her legs wrap around him. He smiled as he deepened within her leaving kisses before he'd be too preoccupied with thrusting into her. He could feel her tiny body tremble beneath him. He began to quicken his pace feeling her fingertips press into his shoulders as she squirmed under him with pleasure meeting his beat. He watched her intensely enjoying looking at her almost more then what they were doing and the pleasure he was feeling. She moaned again sending chills down his back and it was that moment he realized… love was something you had to earn. He knew that if he hadn't already earned it then he would find away to earn it. He wanted to be a good man from that moment on. He wanted to be the one when all was said and done lived a good life, loved Rin, and always helped someone in trouble. And on the day they laid him down he wanted everyone to gather and say 'he was a father, brother, friend, and lover. He was a good man.' It was such a strange thought for that Sesshomaru… because never before did he want that. He didn't want that for himself… he wanted it for Rin. So she could say she loved a good man.

Both were breathing heavily when he finally leaked his seed into her. He slumped onto her feeling himself slide around since both were covered in sweat. Rin had probably moaned more then ever which made Sesshomaru all the more pleased. A thousand maybe a million woman loved Sesshomaru youkai and even humans alike. But Rin was the only one for him. She smiled looking up at her youkai as he laid his head on her chest slowly dozing off. It was the first time she ever noticed he was comfortable enough to fall asleep out in the open. When ever they were traveling or out in the open he was always awake watching over things. This time she'd watch over him. She hugged him close smiling to herself. Though he had brought her down quite a bit… he always managed to lift her higher then she had ever been before. He was her everything her whole world. She loved him. AND better yet he loved her. When he finally woke up he saw her fast asleep with a smile. He smiled before quickly dressing himself and then covering her up. He wrapped her up and then lifting her into his arms. Night had already crept up on them and he knew it was probably pretty late for she was shivering. Inuyasha had just walked out of a room to see Rin lying in Sesshomaru's arms most of her legs and her arms bare. All of her middle section had been covered, Sesshomaru tried to not turn red but couldn't resist.

"Made up I see," Inuyasha said sarcastically before walking back. Sesshomaru squinted expecting to get more from Inuyasha then just a little sarcasm. Where was the full-blown sarcasm… perhaps he was a little occupied on his own. He heard Kagome's voice behind the door he had just opened. Sesshomaru smiled knowing he could finally understand his brother and his father. But never did they have a woman like Rin… no one was like Rin. He opened the door with one hand still holding the sleepy girl in his arms. He gently laid her down making her stir a little before he rolled her over. He crawled in next to her watching her sleep. How could something so beautiful… something so amazing wants to be with him? He would ask her when she woke up. It didn't take too long for her to wake up, perhaps an hour or two. And every second of those hours his eyes didn't lift from her face.

"When… did we get in here?" Rin asked sleepily before stretching as his hand lay on her stomach. He looked down at her thinking about how much he had been blessed. Rin smiled up at him as the moonlight fell onto her face through the crack between the curtains.

"A couple of hours ago," he said looking down at her. She smiled before rolling over onto her stomach hugging the arm he had resting under her head, "Rin…"

"Yes Sesshomaru," she said her eyes closing as a small smile rested on her lips. Sesshomaru laid his head on one of the many pillows as he watched her peaceful face.

"Why… being so beautiful, loving, caring, and amazing want someone something with so much blood on his hands?" Sesshomaru said his face plain making Rin burrow her eyebrows before realizing that was a serious question. She grabbed the hand that lay on her stomach and kissed it.

"Because these hands are full of blood from those who wanted to harm us, to harm me and Jaken. It doesn't matter how much blood these hands have shed because when they touch me… they touch me with such softness I could never not love them," Rin said looking in his eyes and before he could say what she knew he'd say she spoke up, "no matter what they've done… it doesn't change who the person who wields them. Sesshomaru there isn't anyone who can take away my heart, and there isn't any man who can take my hand and steal me away. I love you…"

"Thank you," he said softly closing his eyes a moment repeating her soft, kind, and honest words, "these arms will never hold another Rin. These eyes… are blind to any other. These lips no other girl will ever kiss. And Rin this heart it will always feel like this. Rin nothing could stop me loving you, nothing could ever tell me not to. You were sent to me to make my dreams come true. I will never stop loving you. You gave me love strong enough to calm my heart Rin…"

"Sess…homaru," Rin said looking into his eyes unsure whether she was really hearing those words, "Sesshomaru I love you."

"I know," he said pulling her close to his chest, "you're my heart Rin. And your what it beats for. But Rin I don't know if I can ever be a hero… but I will be there for you. If I don't love you like your deserve… if I don't stop every tear your crying, and if I don't make your life a heaven on this earth I will die trying."

"Thank you Sesshomaru," she said a tear rolling down her face, "to think someone like me would ever get someone as wonderful as you…"

"Don't say that," he said quickly cutting her off, "don't ever act as if it is you who should be lucky to have me. It is this Sesshomaru who should feel so lucky. You've changed me into a completely different youkai Rin. And I want to spend everyday with you remembering that."

"Sesshomaru!" Rin said leaping into his arm making him laugh a laugh she hadn't heard. A laugh of complete and total happiness.

"Rin in a world of pretenders I am your defender that's always how it's been… so Rin count on me. When life isn't fair and there is no one there I will be. Rin for you will do anything, and promise me you'll always love me," Sesshomaru said knowing her love was what he craved and needed.

"Sesshomaru… you're the only one I ever will or could love. Every dream comes true because of you… and every time I look at you I see heaven, I see an angel lying next to me. You holding me… you opened my eyes to heaven," Rin said smiling at him as she rested her head on his strong chest.

"Rin… you're the only angel in this room, "he laughed making her smile. He was happy. He knew it and she could feel it, "Rin the sun in the sky on the sunniest day is so blindingly bright, but it doesn't compare. And I am lost in time as I watch you my mate, the one I love… shine brighter then anything."

"Your such a sweet talker," she giggled resting her face on her chin so she could look at him, "you should know by now that you don't need your fancy words to get your way with me."

"No… but it makes you smile. I love to see you smile," he said touching her face gently, "you might not think it but I've had my moments. I use to wonder if anyone would care if I died… if they'd notice. My normal thoughts was 'why would I care?' but really I always secretly wanted to say that someone would miss me when I was gone. But now I couldn't care less if anyone knew, if anyone missed me, if anyone even knew I had existed… as long as I died knowing I made you happy. As long as I became a man worthy of your love."

"You are…" Rin said lifting herself up looking at him seriously before he touched her face and cut her off.

"No Rin I am not… but I will be," he said swallowing feeling her gently move so she could lay on him again. He wrapped his arms around her feeling as if she was being wrapped in heaven itself. Rin woke up before the moon had left the sky and got up throwing something on real fast. She yawned feeling the cold ground against her feet as she walked out of the room down the stairs. She grabbed something to drink before looking out the sliding door. It was open as a breeze was blowing the curtains around as if to get her attention. Rin walked out of the kitchen onto the cold grassy ground as a light mist covered the ground. Rin was spooked when someone came up behind her. The old woman who had told her not to kill Sesshomaru had appeared making Rin smile in content.

"It is good to see you smile," the old woman said making Rin look at her with curiosity, "I have a feeling things will be fine for awhile now. Rin… it is Kagome."

"Kagome?" Rin asked before she pulled her hood off revealing Inuyasha's rosary around her neck, "but… what happened to you?"

"No it is me from the future, I came back to prevent horrible things that would happen in the future. Here," Kagome said handing Rin a book.

"Why does it say I wrote it?" Rin asked looking at it flipping through the pages and finding a marked page. She gasped reading it, "but… how?"

"It is a story for another time Rin. But I have come to tell you that everything is alright now. That I since great things ahead in your future… as well mine. But Rin you should rewrite this story here in the future. Rewrite it about what Grows in the heart, and the power of love," Kagome said before turning and leaving an in-shock Rin. The old Kagome crawled into the bone eaters well returning to the time she had come from. Kagome sighed as she walked back to her house before a little kid came running out.

"Grandma!" two little kids came running out hanging onto their grandma's legs. She looked down in shock before a boy with dog like ears walked out with a pretty human girl. Inuyasha leaned against the doorframe with those familiar god ears, but he had long silver hair as he watched his woman.

"Where have you been woman!" Inuyasha said before Kagome began crying running and hugging Inuyasha. He smiled wondering why she was hugging him as if she hadn't seen him for forty or fifty years. He laid his head on hers as he held her close… his Kagome.

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Rin walked back with a smile on her face. She was thinking about what the old woman had said, but as she reached the castle tears flew from her eyes clinging to her long eyelashes as she sat in a chair. She felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her before turning her around.

"Why are you crying?" Sesshomaru asked looking at her glassy eyes. She wiped her eyes before setting down the book.

"I…" Rin couldn't say anything. How could she tell him that their original future was one of his death by her hands. Sesshomaru saw the book and sighed knowing.

"You were going to do it because you had to Rin," he said making her look up at him in shock. He knew? He went down onto one knee before gently touching the mark on her neck, "but this changed it. Our love changed that. When I think back on all those times, I am glad because I was blessed to get to have you in my life. When I look back, I can always see your face because you were always right there for me Rin."

"Sesshomaru… you showed me how it feels to have the sky within my reach. You gave me so much strength. I owe so much to you Sesshomaru… you were always right there for me also. In my dreams I always see you soaring across the sky to my rescue… because I always saw in you my light, my strength and… thank you for all the ways you were right there for me," Rin said tears still falling.

"Rin there will always be a place for you with me for all of my life so you do not need to cry. That future is in the past, and now we have a new one in front of us. Let this one be the one we write our selves," Sesshomaru said touching her face and kissing. She smiled and shook her head yes as he wiped a lonely tear from her eyes.

Rin and Sesshomaru from that day on never stopped loving each other, and some days it was happily ever after and some days it was a struggle. Sesshomaru being a lord had many problems to deal with, and Rin too was called on every once in awhile by her sister. But Rin gave her sister the power to take care of their people. But as life goes many threatened their safety and happiness, but still together they tried there hardest to stay above water. Love was all they needed to defeat any obstacles the world threw at them in their long lives together. But that… is a story for another time.

Authors note: Well what did you all think? I am thinking about either doing a sequel or perhaps… a whole different story with these two. I am not sure yet. But you guys should encourage me for the one you want to see the most! A sequel or a whole new story… that will clearly be different! So all of those who haven't review now is your chance to speak up and let me know whether I am not doing to bad with this kind of writing or whether I should stick with "Lord of the Rings" stuff wink I guess I am just trying out a little here and a little there! I am actually sort of sad to end it here… I think there was a lot I could have done… but didn't get around to doing. Now I am just dragging on because the minute I stop it means the end… wow... 116 pages... THANK YOU ALL IT MEANS SO MUCH YOU'VE BEEN READING. ESPECIALLY FOR THE REVIEWS!