A once one-shot, now hopefully turning into a much longer story.

It was sixty years after Rin had first caught sight of the wounded, paralysed Taiyoukai, resting almost lifeless on the forest floor. She had not know why excatly she had attempted to help him, even when he made it clear that it was not possible. Having lost her own family, she guessed that she knew what it felt like to be alone, hurt, without anyone to help you and heal your wounds, on both body and mind. Where was his family? Is he alone ... like me? Why does he not call for help? Is he afraid he will not recieve it?

Even now, as an old woman, she viewed that day as the best day in her life, the turning point. It was by far, the best thing that could possibly happen to her, and she looked back on it as fate. What else could of let her stumble on the one time when the Lord of the Western Lands was not going to kill her on sight? Yet fate was and is also cruel, for the one man she fell in love with was the one who could never love her back.

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Rin had a normal human life for around ten years of her childhood – harsh and cold though the last years may be, it was not counted out of the ordinary. But then, for more then half a century she had followed obediently at the heel of the great Lord Sesshoumaru, giving up any chances of coming to a home, and greeting a husband and children of whom she may call her own. Of settling down in one place, not having to face the hardships and dangers of constantly moving. Of waking up next to loved ones and being assured that today would not be her last.

At first it had been harmless and childish idolization, which grew into an almost shameful crush of a young woman. But when she grew older true love blossomed, yet it was unrequited. He could never love her back. She was after all, only human.

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The snow came spinning down, soft flurries of frozen tears descending from the heavens. It was not a blizzard, yet neither was it considered weak, a soft coating of ice crystal flakes. The ground lay deserted, as humans huddled together in their tiny huts in a pathetic attempt of keeping themselves from freezing. The distant sun was rising, drenching the lands in a vivid yet bitterly cold light. And as one country looked up and were glad to see another morning, different countries were plunged into the darkness of night. A chill wind swept through an honest and simple wooden hut, which contained only one room. And into that room he swept regally, looking as out of place as the sun would in the shadows of night time. Standing outside he could clearly hear the painful rasping breath coming from an old and frail woman, and now his demonic hearing listened to the death laced on her breathing. A few hours maybe, and her soul will of left its prison of flesh and journey upward, rising to realms unknown to even the most powerful demon and the wisest of human monks.

With his face of no emotions, he watched the woman until she finally woke one last time, and opened her large brown eyes, looking weakly at the man looming over her, glad to see him, the last time she will see him.

"Sesshoumaru." She whispered, voice hoarse and strangely quiet, for he was used to it being loud and full of life. Over the years she had used his name in many different meanings, a greeting, a warning, an expression of wordless joy and love. It had meant so much, and now the 'owner' could tell exactly what she wished for.

"Do not worry. I am not leaving." His deep voice replied, softly, royally, lacking emotion yet so sincere and trustworthy that the woman calmed instantly.

"It's been so long." She managed to whisper, voice already going. "Two more months and it will be sixty years, and you are exactly the same as you were then." She was cut short with a coughing fit, and in one smooth movement he was beside her, and for once unsure of what to do, although he never showed it. Never being in this predicament before in his millennium old life, he finally grasped hold oh her hand and brought it up to his chest. He could feel the warmth seep out of it, and only coldness took its place. Rin way dying, and like a huge old tree he stood, proudly above a tiny flower, once the prettiest thing that had burst in a display of life, yet now gone and withered.

As darkness covered her vision, long lost memories resurfaced and played in Rin's mind – her family, smiling, laughing, greeting her at the end of each day. The stoic and seemingly uncaring demon, her lord and protector. Jaken, squawking insults. Her lord again, invincible in her childish eyes, as he rescued her time and time again. Looking back now, she vaguely remembered that almost all of her memories were consisted of him, or at least to do with him. He had always been there in her time of need, and here he was now.

Looking once more into the face that would be her last view, and listening to the voice that would be the last thing she ever heard, she realized just what the Taiyoukai had said.

"I am sorry, and thank you, Rin." His words echoed in her ears, sounding like they had been said from the end of a impossibly long tunnel, and with the last of her ebbing strength she managed a smile, and was no more. A single tear formed in the demon lord's molten eyes, but a split second later was gone, cleaned from existance with a single blink, and never reappeared.

-----

Centuries passed, and Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands did find a demon mate. She was kind, although they never truly loved each other. Together they re-built the lost line of dog taiyoukai, as he saw was his responsibility. He became a mighty lord, and was feared and respected by all, demon or mortal. No one knew of the little girl who had the honour of travelling with him, save Jaken and his half breed brother, and her name passed out of memory. Not even his mate knew about her, although it was true that she knew little on his past. But he, the Lord of the Western Lands, never did forget that one naive human girl, who had such a little impact on his life, yet one whom he could never bring himself to forget.

Well that's the prologue done. Hope you like it, and please review! I live of reviews!