A/N: Because, as cute as it is, I don't necessarily think Rin has to wind up marrying Kohaku...

Fishbowl

The worst of winter had ebbed weeks ago and the early spring sunshine that filtered through the trees put Rin a lazy mood as she lulled in the tall grass beneath a tree's full and gnarled branches. A blossom fluttered and skidded to a landing on her head right where a ponytail had once cropped. Reaching up, Rin tugged it from her dark bangs. She twirled the flower this way and that between her fingers for a moment, idly watching the yellow streaks of pollen blend in with the pink. On a whim, she reached for one of the petals.

He loves me...Rin frowned at the words. Time to get real. He likes me... She plucked the petal, followed by another. He likes me not...

Another gusty sigh and she tossed the blossom to the ground. No use getting hopes up. Rin had played this little game with herself a million times over and, no matter how optimistic the prediction, the outcome was always the same. He loved her not. He didn't even like her not. She still plucked and she still blew on dandelions, but to no avail. What did flowers know of people?

Or yokai.

For the first time since she was a little girl, Rin realized that Lord Sesshomaru could be wrong, that you can't always predict how a human will grow and mature no matter how many plans you designed.

And he was very wrong about Kohaku.

A young man now, the demonslayer checked in once every season or so with his family and friends…and Sesshomaru. Rin hadn't been blind to the quiet friendship the two had built over the years. Now that she thought about it, Lord Sesshomaru must have seen Kohaku akin to a blade, something to be trained and honed. Knowing the daiyokai, once his mind set to a goal it would be so.

It had taken Rin a couple more years into young adolescence before she finally came to a conclusion. Lord Sesshomaru probably hopes that I'll marry Kohaku.

And she hadn't minded…at first. The young demonslayer was broad-shouldered with an athletic build, and he still had that shy, boyish smile. For over a year, Rin entertained a crush on him, taking extra pains for make-up, perfume, and wiggling into kimono with five layers, fixing herself just right, whenever Kohaku was around.

Except it never mattered.

On his visits home, Kohaku still greeted her…with the same cordiality he afforded everyone else. He shared little artifacts – demon scales, foreign spices and silks – with her…just like he did Sango and her children.

I'm not special to Kohaku in any way. I'm just part of the village scenery.

She confided in Kagome – going to Sango just felt too awkward. What was Rin supposed to say? "Hey, I've got the hots for your little brother. Promise not to tell"? But now, for all their ill-fated attempts – especially the ginseng fiasco – even Kagome conceded that boys can be terribly clueless and sometimes you just have to wait it out.

Another year was a very long time to "wait it out," especially when Rin saw other girls her age already taking love-interests and some even getting married. Ultimately, she was left to sigh alone at what she considered the most telling prospect that her infatuation was going nowhere: Why is it that whenever I want to spend some time with Kohaku alone he either says he's busy or insists on bringing someone else with us?

He didn't want her. Rin bit down on her lip at the unsavory truth.

But the sooner I come to terms with it, the sooner I can get over him. She groaned, plucking the blossom from her hair. Yet why is it that life with Kohaku seemed so wonderful? To be the bride of a taijiya! It was truly the best of both worlds: human and demon. The adventure of new and exciting travels thrummed in her. A long time ago, when Rin had appealed to Sesshomaru to join him again in his travels the daiyokai had flatly refused.

Refused? He all but ordered me to stay in the village. And here I thought Kaede said I would have a choice in the matter?

But maybe that's why Sesshomaru had hinted at Kohaku in the first place.

Someone he trusted and knew I'd like to share a real life with...But that's not going to happen.

Heaving a sigh for the umpteenth time that afternoon, Rin stretched back in the grass. Her last shred of hope for Kohaku had been ripped to pieces before her just last night when he returned.

And she still replayed the magnificent stories he shared with everyone around the hearth, but the strange girl at his side was the one who filled in all the details this time. And Kohaku's winsome smile was only for her.

Not me. And I'm not going anywhere. Not with Kohaku or myself. I feel like a like a goldfish, still stuck in the same pond, swimming in circles and going nowhere. I'm ready to move on to a lake.

She would always call the village home, but…

And where would I go?

Anywhere.

By myself? You never see females traveling alone.

Be different.

How?

Rin sighed, hopping to her feet and stretching to scrape the sky. It was afternoon now, she could go check the fishing snares and see if there was anything in them. It would give her an alibi if Kagome came looking for her. The priestess would worry for her, like always, and come looking for her…like always. This little village scene was getting redundant. The same people, same story...

Swimming in circles for company.

Tramping off to the nearest brook, Rin would at least have something to occupy herself.

...With a bunch of netted fish.

.

A/N: This fanfic references a "quiet friendship" between Kohaku and Sesshomaru. For more on that I recommend reading "Sensei" (self-promotion...heh, I'm shameless). Reviews always appreciated!