And here it is, the ever present disclaimer I do not own Inuyasha, Kagome, Rin, Sesshoumaru, or anyone other characters I do not say are mine.

It's taken me quite awhile, but I've finally started the sequel to A Hanyou's Legacy and Rin's Quest. I thought summer was supposed to be relaxing and then fall came, which is even worse. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it. I'll start off from Rin's perspective and alternate between her and Kagome's POV.

This story takes place twelve years after the anime/manga. It takes place ten years after AHL and two years after RQ.

Enjoy and please review :D


A Family Affair

Rin's Date

"Sesshoumaru, I'm going down into the village to get medical supplies. I'll be back by dinner." Rin called as she stood up to leave their rough camp.

Sesshoumaru outwardly seemed to ignore Rin's comment, though she knew that he had heard her. It was Jaken who drew himself up to his fullest dismal height and responded.

"We do not need medical supplies Rin. Lord Sesshoumaru can heal by himself." The imp chastised her like she was eight again.

Rin chafed at his condescension. "But can Sesshoumaru defend against youkai illnesses?" She queried acidly. "Besides, it doesn't hurt to be prepared."

Not waiting to hear Jaken's response Rin took off at a quick walk, waving goodbye over her shoulder. Camp was so monotonous; she was bored sick of it. When she had been eight every campsite they set up had been an adventure. Now, at twenty years of age she yearned for a change. What change she didn't know, but some type of change.

Happy to be temporarily free of authority, Rin ran down the hillside like a little girl again. Her long legs carried her faster with each step. By the time she reached the outskirts of the village she was sprinting full out.

Afraid to run into someone Rin slowed her pace. As unlikely as it seemed, Sesshoumaru had drilled manners into her. She walked the streets until she finally found the building she was looking for. Heading inside she saw that there were four people already in the overcrowded single room.

Waiting politely outside until the middle-aged couple inside left, Rin entered the building. Without any delay she picked her way through the supply of herbs. Many people would have been confused by the combination of herbs she picked, but she had lived with youkai long enough to know what herbs they needed opposed to a human.

The elderly man and woman who sat in the corner watched her in amusement when they saw what she picked. When she was done, Rin turned to them. "You have quite a selection. You even have the Nikko Blossom."

"Aye, though few desire it." The old man replied, still smiling.

"Forsooth, only things that need these types of herbs is youkai." The old woman commented off-handedly.

"Well, I dabble." Rin replied obliquely, handing the money to the couple.

They nodded when they saw she had handed them the correct amount. "Thank you for your business."

"Grandmother, I'm back with the herbs you wanted me to get you. It took me a week, but I finally got everything." A much younger voice sounded for just outside the entrance to the building.

A tall, lithe young man entered and immediately caught sight of Rin. "Hello," she nodded politely to him.

"Hello, my name is Souichiro. May I acquire as to your name?" The man nodded, and smiled broadly.

Rin caught the eyes of the elderly couple, who were still smiling. In no hurry to be back at camp, Rin took her time in responding. "My name is Rin. It is a pleasure to meet you, I am just passing through."

"Traveling by yourself? You must let me treat you to dinner." Souichiro glanced at his grandparents who just nodded.

"I am not traveling alone, but my companions will not mind if I do not come back for dinner." Rin smiled back, this would be a unique experience.

At least what I said is half true. Sesshoumaru will not mind if I skip dinner, though Jaken will have a conniption fit. All the more reason to have dinner with Souichiro. Rin laughed inwardly.

"Come on the, lets go!" Souichiro took her hand gently and pulled her through the door.

Rin did not need anymore urging. She followed Souichiro eagerly, taking in all the sights of the village. He chattered on, while she listened intently. "I've always wondered what village life is like."

"Have you never lived in one," Souichiro asked in surprise.

Rin hesitated a moment, before she told him part of her story. "Well you see, my parents died when I was young. The family who took me in often beat me and made me perform chores meant for children far older than I was. So you see, I never was let out of the house, so I don't remember what real village life is like. When I was eight Sess…I left."

Rin trailed off towards the end of her short story. She refused to divulge Sesshoumaru's name or the fact that he was a youkai.

"You mean you left by yourself?" Souichiro asked incredulously.

Rin shifted from one foot to another uncomfortably. They had stopped in front of a small restaurant and the silence between the two of them outside, made her yearn for the hustle inside. Finally, Souichiro sensed that she was not going to answer and he beckoned for her to follow him.

Rin literally could not remember the last time she had eaten at a restaurant, or if she ever had. Sesshoumaru and Jaken were naturally not welcome in human based establishments, so she had never gone with them. Her 'family' obviously had never taken her, and she could hardly remember her parents.

Happily conversation resumed between the two of them. Souichiro shared more about his life. He had lost his parents and younger siblings to a fire. Then his grandparents had taken him in and apprenticed him.

He seems completely content with his life. In fact, everyone I've met seems content with their lives, so why aren't I content with mine?

Her thoughts were cut off by the arrival of the food. It smelled delicious and she dug in. "Mmm, this is so much better than camp food."

She continued eating, but then glanced up to see what Souichiro was doing. He had eaten some of his food, but she caught him staring at her. "Is something wrong?" She asked innocently.

He started, but then nodded. "You truly don't get it, do you?"

Rin shook her head in confusion. "What?"

"You're gorgeous. Every man in this restaurant is staring at you. Have your companions never even hinted at your beauty?" Souichiro's voice had a note of awe in it.

Rin's eyes widened in surprise, "Well, no. I've always though I was kind of pretty, but never beautiful."

Souichiro didn't know what to say to that. He finally settled on a compliment. "I am incredibly lucky to be here with you tonight, thank you."

Rin felt herself smiling, but she did not blush. "It has been a great honor for me as well."

Shortly after, Souichiro paid for the food and Rin followed him outside. They headed towards the river which flowed on the edge of town. The stopped on the bridge and Souichiro put his hand gently on her shoulder; she had to force herself not to flinch.

What is wrong with me? Souichiro's a great guy, so why can't I like him like he likes me. Rin would have growled in frustration if it wouldn't have disturbed Souichiro.

She glanced toward him and met his eyes. His face steadily moved closer. His lips brushed hers and then he deepened the kiss. Rin was startled, she had been kissed before, but the whole situation had left her hurting for months afterwards. Truthfully, she still hadn't gotten over it.

The incident had been a couple of years back, when Sesshoumaru had been on the verge of death. Rin had been able to make the cure for the illness, but it had left him delirious. While he was still in that state they had kissed passionately. Then, suddenly the side-effect wore off and Sesshoumaru shunned her. The memory filled her with pain and she broke off the kiss.

"Rin…" Souichiro whispered, sounding hurt. He touched her hand gently.

Unexpectedly, what felt like a metal talon clutched her shoulder. A cold shiver ran through her entire body and she drew her had away from Souichiro's. "Sess…Sesshoumaru," she stuttered.

His voice chilled Rin to the core. "I believe it is time for us to return to camp."

Souichiro snapped out of his state of stupor and shouted at Sesshoumaru indignantly. "How dare you treat Rin as though she's a child! She has the right to decide what she does, and who are you to say no."

The youkai lord stood silhouetted by the full moon and Souichiro finally realized what he was. Sesshoumaru's voice was so low and deadly, Souichiro stopped mid-protest. "Do not interfere."

Not saying anything else, Sesshoumaru strode away from the bridge. Even as tall as she was for a woman, Rin nearly had to run to keep up. Not that she wanted to be near Sesshoumaru at that point.

Somehow I have disappointed Sesshoumaru. I'm not even sure what I did. All I know is I feel like my heart's about to break because I let him down. A single brave tear cascaded down Rin's cheek.


Well, that's the first chapter, hope you enjoyed it.