*I do not own Inuyasha. It and any characters that may appear in it belong solely to Rumiko Takahashi. Please don't sue me.*

Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, could feel a pair of brown eyes staring intently at him. They had, in fact, been eyeing him for quite some time but he had decided to ignore them. Until now.

"Rin," he admonished and slowly opened his eyes to reveal their amber color.

The young fifteen year-old human girl felt as if his stare reached the very core of her thoughts so she quickly looked away, "Sorry."

She hadn't meant to stare at him for so long but considering her feelings for him it was to be expected. She couldn't help herself when it came to him. She loved everything about him. She loved the way his silver hair floated with the wind. The way he held himself up with such pride and dignity. She loved the blue crescent moon that centered his forehead and how his boyish hair outlined its shape. She loved the two magenta stripes that contoured his face and the single ones that lay on top of his eyelids. She loved the way his armor and white with red kimono fit him so snuggly that it hinted at his lean-built body, the way that the sash tied around his waist defined his stance, and how all of his attire gave him an air of elegance. She loved the fluffy part of him that always rested on his right shoulder and recalled how many times as a little girl it had kept her warm when it had been too cold at night. She loved...she loved him.

Rin knew that if she shared her feelings with anyone they would say that she was still too young to understand such a complex emotion like love. But she knew better than that, it wasn't because she was too young-after all Kagome herself had fallen in love with Inuyasha at the same age as her-but because she had fallen in love with Lord Sesshomaru.

But they didn't know him the way that she did. She knew that he was kind and gentle; that he wasn't cold hearted like many people assumed, but rather, his demon pride prevented him from appearing weak before others. So much so that he had made a habit of masking his emotions behind an expressionless countenance. She also knew that he cared for her, he had to, otherwise he wouldn't have saved and protected her as much he did. So, how wasn't she supposed to fall in love with him? He cared for her and in an extremely subtle way-so subtle that those that couldn't understand him wouldn't even see it-made sure that she was happy.

Rin stood from the spot she had taken next to him and moved to pick some flowers nearby. She sighed. It hurt, loving him and knowing that he would never love her in the same way. He was a demon and she was a human, to Lord Sesshomaru that made a huge difference. And even if by some miracle he happened to return her feelings his demon pride would never allow him to act on them. Not to mention their huge age gap. Still, being allowed to be with him and stand this close to him was enough for her. She was as close as anyone could get to him and honestly, she really couldn't ask for more. Although he was often gone on business (whatever that entailed) he never stayed away too long and visited her often. She couldn't wait until she turned eighteen and was free to travel with him, Jaken, and Ah-Uhn again. After that moment she was determined to never leave his side again. After all, she meant it when she said that she would be with him forever.

Little did Rin know that this encounter would be the last before Sesshomaru's three-year-long planned absence. He had some business to attend to and it was a long way away, it was urgent, and he had to get it over with even if it meant that he had to be seperated from Rin longer than usual. He wasn't exactly happy at the thought of leaving Rin for so long, but it wasn't like he could take her with him. The journey was just too dangerous and he couldn't afford to be unnecessarily distracted by her. So she would have to stay and that was final. He side glanced at Rin, deciding at that moment that he would tell her of his plans when she was done picking her flowers. She might be sad but she would be fine, because his Rin was no typical easily swayed human. His Rin was strong and filled with loyalty and courage. She would wait for him until he came back and that worked just fine.

Upon returning his gaze to the trees that outlined the meadow they were in, he noticed that they swayed in tune with the breeze. The flowers scattered about the grass made beautiful patterns of violet, blue, yellow, orange, red and rose hues. Looking up, rose and orange shades overpowered the sky with the setting sun. Fewer clouds hovered and stars struggled to take their place. He needed to leave soon, it was time.

Rin finished picking her flowers, stood, and once again took her place next to Sesshomaru's side. They always sat at the center of the meadow where conveniently there was a huge rock. Everytime that they came here it was always the same, he would sit against the rock and she would sit next to him where she could have a clear view of him. A smile spread across Rin's face that reflected the warmth she felt in her heart, she would never get enough of this. Her and him, alone, together...She began to create a flower crown never faltering in her secret smile.

"Rin."

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama?"

"I will be gone for some time."

She froze, the warmth in heart with it. She always hated this part, the part when he had to leave. A lump began to form in her throat but she continued to smile brightly up at him.

"How long will you be away this time Lord Sesshomaru?" she didn't really expect an answer.

He stared at her still smiling face and returned his eyes to the sky. He didn't owe her any explanations but he supposed he could answer her since they wouldn't be meeting for a long time.

"Three years at the least."

Rin's eyes faltered in pain for a bit. It was a good thing that he hadn't been looking at her. This would be the longest he stayed away from her, it made her heart break and race at the same time. However, she had no say in his actions so all she did was pick up the rest of her flowers and stand before him. She nodded, never removing that single smile that she reserved solely for him. He looked at her solidly and then stood to walk half way between the forest and the meadow.

"Jaken!"

A moment later the little toad demon appeared from between the trees with Ah-Uhn tagging along. For a small demon he walked amazingly fast towards Lord Sesshomaru. Jaken knew of his Lord's plans which was why he had decided to wait for them to finish their conversation in the trees, he thought Rin would appreciate the time alone given the fact that they wouldn't be seeing each other for a long time.

"Yes, my lord?"

"We're leaving."

"Yes, my lord."

Rin stood next to Jaken after leaving something in Ah-Uhn's saddle. She didn't hesitate to stare directly at Lord Sesshomaru this time. She wanted to have her fill of him for as long as she could before he left her. He looked at her for about five seconds then turned to leave.

"Rin, you behave while we're gone," she heard Jaken say just before he ran after Lord Sesshomaru who was already a good distance away. "WAIT! Sesshomaru-sama!"

Rin waved at their fading figures which became darker with the night sky. When they were a safe distance away she let herself fall to her knees no longer resisting the tears that had fought to fall from her eyes. She cried like she had never let herself cry before. She would miss him, she would miss him terribly.

Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, side glanced to something that caught his attention from within a pocket on Ah-Uhn's saddle. They were the flowers that Rin had picked earlier. Foolish. At that same instant he caught the scent of her tears. He closed his eyes and walked determinedly.