(A/N): This is the story I will be working on now, if you don't have any objections. It is of coruse, a Rin and Sesshomaru story. And for those of you who haven't read my stories before, I will explain what the bolded titles in the dashed lines before every scene is.

EXAMPLE: -One Day in the Village-

That is the song from the Inuyasha Soundtrack I listened to while writing the scene. It is crucial that I say this. LISTEN TO IT WHILE YOU READ! I promise you, it is worth it. It really makes everything more... vivid. All you have to do, is go to Youtube, search "Inuyasha OST _" and then the name of the song I indicated. Seriously, do it! :)

Okay, now, for my story "In Love and War"... I have no idea what I'm going to do with it. I think I'm going to leave it up... and wait until I can remember the ideas I had before leaving for my trip to New York.


-One Day in the Village-

"Sister Kagome!" The children squealed, pushing purple daisies into the forever young priestess' pale, youthful face. "Look at the flowers we brought you!"

She smiled, flicking her long dark hair out of her face and kneeled down before their toothless grins. "Thank you, they're beautiful!"

"What, and I don't get any credit?" a familiar husky voice mocked from a little distance away.

Shielding her eyes from the painfully bright morning sun, Kagome noticed the half demon she had loved and married years 9 years ago. She walked over to his tall figure and placed a delicate hand on his hard face. "Did you take these village children out to play, Inuyasha?" Before he could answer, she leaned in to kiss his warm lips. "Thank you."

The little ones squealed with delight at the sight and pushed one another playfully. "Where is Lady Rin?" they asked, blinking large eyes at the couple. "Maybe she's at the river!"

Kagome sighed and shook her head with disapproval. "Rin is probably bathing right now. How about we all wait here for her return?"

Inuyasha shrugged and pushed his arms into the scarlet red sleeves of his kimono. "She's always cleaning herself," he scoffed, watching his wife take the children's hands and walk away.


-Kohaku's Face-

The water enveloped her pale limbs as she slowly crept into the cool waters of the river bank. The morning had been slow; Kagome and Inuyasha were too busy to pay any attention to her anyways. As she rested her head against the sturdy boulder behind her, Rin sighed and brought a wet hand to her dry face.

9 years had passed since the defeat of the despicable demon, Naraku. 9 years had passed since Lady Kaede of the village had insisted on her living amongst humans. 9 years had passed since… since she had seen her Lord Sesshomaru.

At first, he had kept a close eye on her. She knew, even at that young age, that her Lord never strayed too far from the village. Childish gifts were a common thing as well.

But a few months later, when Kaede had passed away, everything changed. Kagome and Inuyasha decided to use the Sacred Jewel's power to grant Kagome immortality, in order to protect the village. And soon, little Rin found herself waiting for her demon Lord.

And he never came.

She lathered the shampoo that Kagome brought back into her own luscious brown hair and shook the memories off. "I'm living in the present now," she reminded herself. "I have a duty here to help my friends."

The soap suds rinsed away with the current and left Rin feeling utterly alone. Today was her 18th birthday after all, and it had appeared that everyone forgot – not that it mattered anyways. All she really wanted was…

"Lady Rin?" A little voice appeared from behind the bushes.

She lowered herself, hiding in the water and waiting to see who was calling her name. It was none other than Takahashi, the single son of Inuyasha and Kagome.

The boy was 8 years of human age, and 14 years in demon age. He resembled both parents in many ways. Being only a quarter demon, he possessed very subtle features. Shiny silver hair grew from his little head, but his eyes were dark and alluring, like his mother's. He didn't have any visible claws, fangs, or ears, and looked more like a lost puppy than the son of a fierce half demon.

"Takahashi? What are you doing here?" Rin asked, relieved.

"Mother and father are looking for you," he squirmed. "The village children too…"

"Tell them I'm coming," she turned around. "Go on."

Well, that's the end of my five minutes of peace for the day.


-Across the Time, Kagome-

Rin, dressed in her usual pink and white kimono, made her way across the hill and to the village. There, she was greeted with an array of little hands and faces. "Lady Rin, Lady Rin! There's a surprise waiting in the priestess' house for you!" They tugged on the wet locks of hair and pulled her towards the hut.

As she moved the bamboo door sheet aside, she saw the usual group of friends she grew up with. Shippo, who was now in his teens, Miroku and Sango with their own little ones, Kagome, Inuyasha, Myoga, and even Koga and Ayame.

"Wow, long time no see," she remarked nervously. "What are you all smiling about?"

"Hey, happy birthday squirt," Koga warmly said, handing her a bouquet of flowers. "18 now, huh?"

"You're an adult, Rin!" Ayame cheered next to her wolf husband.

"And you've grown to be such a beautiful creature," Miroku commented.

"We're all so proud of you," Sango laughed.

"How does it feel to be one of them?" Shippo teased.

An overwhelming feeling took hold of Rin. She stood, amazed that they had all remembered and came to see her. But there was that one person she really wanted to see….

But none of that, she told herself. She felt herself in Kagome's arms and looked up with beady, tearful eyes.

"Rin," Kagome smiled. "There's something I want you to have." From the inside of her robe, she pulled out a glistening pink shard of the Shikon Jewel.

"But isn't that—"

"Yes, it is," She placed the piece into Rin's hand and folded it over the gift. "You're 18 now, and a girl with a truly pure heart. This will protect you, and I know you can keep it safe." Inuyasha handed her a newly crafted sword and shrugged with embarrassment. "And this is a gift from him," Kagome laughed. "He wants you to be safe too."


-On a Trip of Destiny-

As the festivities continued inside their little hut of a home, Rin noticed Inuyasha suddenly stiffen like a cold statue. His ears were erect, and twitching with recognition. His nose sniffed the air and a low growl escaped his throat.

"Dad?" Takahashi asked, raising a brow curiously. "What's wrong?"

Inuyasha's clawed hand found its way to the hilt of the sword he hadn't drawn in years. His grip was so tight, the very knuckles of his hand faded white.

Whatever it was, Rin too felt a strange presence. It was an indescribable, oddly familiar feeling of tension. "Inuyasha…" she breathed, reaching out a hand to ask him the same question his son had.

"I don't sense any evil," Kagome commented. "What do you smell?"

The half demon's eyes glowed with a burning passion to run. And with a sudden jerk of his body, he made his way out o the house and into the gardened front yard of their home.