A Change of Heart


Note: "yokai" literally means specter, but is roughly translated as "demon"


Prologue

It's been ten years since Naraku has been defeated. Everything is slowly returning to normal in Feudal Japan. Kagome and Inuyasha now have two kids, Miroku and Sango have four, Kaede-sama has passed on, and Koga has finally married Ayame. The yokai that once terrorized the villages have gone into hiding and all is at peace. Well, that's how it appearsto be. Inuyasha thinks it's too quite around the old village.

In the mean time, Rin and Jaken still travel with Sesshomaru. On a journey that Sesshomaru is unwilling to discuss, he obtains his long lost arm. Since Rin has gotten older, she has taken a more-than-friendly liking to Sesshomaru. And much to Jaken's dismay, his once cold-hearted lord has become softer. While they travel, Sesshomaru and Rin grow closer than they'd ever imagine. What will become of them? Will they pursue a future or break ties forever?


Chapter 1: Second Glances

As Rin walks through the forest, she feels the wind ripple through her long black hair. She smiles as the sun kisses her face. She loves feeling the sun hit her bare skin. It makes her feel free and alone, which she rarely was anymore. Ever since Naraku's defeat, Sesshomaru has been keeping her even closer to him. She doesn't mind this at all, but sometimes, she'd rather be alone like the "good old days".

She sighs and knows that she cannot return to those days. But that's ok, she tells herself, because I'm closer with Sesshomaru-sama now more than ever. That thought alone has helped her in many circumstances. But she has also begun to notice something: Sesshomaru would give her second glances. Almost like he wasexamining her. Rin isn't sure if she likes this, but she enjoys it nonetheless. Why? Because she loves Sesshomaru and wants to be with him forever. She knows that she cannot live forever, and this thought has come back to haunt her many a time. If Sesshomaru were to ever marry her, he would never die unless he was killed. Rin doesn't want her beloved Sesshomaru-sama to be with anyone else but her! She will not allow it! She won't!

"Rin? Rin, where are you, you troublesome girl?" Jaken calls out.

Rin sighs. "I'm over here, Jaken-san."

Jaken waddles over to Rin and stand in front of her, huffing and puffing like he'd just run up a mountain. Rin crosses her arms and shifts her weight to her right hip. I know that Jaken-san is indebted to Sesshomaru-sama and all, but why does he always have to look after me? I'm an adult now! Rin thinks irritably. She gets annoyed that Sesshomaru doesn't leave her alone when he goes off. He still thinks I'm a child! The thought angers her even more.

"Where the hell were you, Rin?" Jaken asks.

"Just walking. Why is that such a big deal?" Rin replies with much sass.

Jaken sighs. "If Sesshomaru-sama gets back and I don't know where you are, he'll shorten my life by a couple decades!"

"So what? A few decades is nothing for you yokai, right?"

"Well, no. But still!"

" 'But still' my ass!" Rin fumes. "Sesshomaru-sama should trust me enough to know that I can take care of myself!"

"He's just looking out for you, Rin. Despite his previous hatred for you humans, he loves you."

Rin throws her fists up in frustration. "I knowthat, Jaken-san! It's just—"

"Just what?" Sesshomaru asks calmly. "This is what I've come back to?"

Rin turns and smiles widely. She runs to him and hugs her beloved Sesshomaru-sama. He just barely smiles and puts an arm around her. She buries her head into his fluff-covered shoulder and takes in his scent. His clothes are soft and his hair is shinier than usual. As Rin pulls back, she looks into the eyes of her beloved Sesshomaru-sama. They hold each other in a gaze that seems unbreakable. Rin can't help but feel her heart beat faster.

-Later That Day-

Rin bathes in the river as Sesshomaru lays in the sun and naps. The cold water makes Rin feel alive and oddly sexy. The fact that she's comfortable with Sesshomaru being there was surprising, but it was also making her slightly self-conscious. Are my boobs too small? Too big? Is my butt firm enough? Does my hair look ok? All these questions ran through her mind as she swam.

She floats on her back and stares at the blue sky with white fluff-balls, as she has insisted on calling them, float in the air. She loves staring at the sky, whether it be night or day. She loves nature, but mostly flowers. Sesshomaru has given her the nickname "hana no shojo", which translates to "girl of the flower". She likes it when he calls her "my little flower" or just "my flower". She finds it intimate.

"What are you doing now, my flower?" Sesshomaru asks, eyes closed.

Rin's heart beats faster. "Just floating on my back is all."

He grins and says, "Mind if I join you?"

Her face gets hot. "S-sure."

Sesshomaru gets up and takes off all his robes, except for a pair of underwear that look like shorts. Rin stands straight up as he enters the water. His muscular body was looking even sexier when it was wet. He splashes himself a little then stood behind Rin. She feels vulnerable and timid. She covers her chest with her arms and blushes. Sesshomaru senses her fear and calmly puts his arms around her waist and pulls her close. Her wet skin presses against his.

"I love you, my flower." he says softly into her ear.

"I love you too." Rin says quietly.