The sun was high over the horizon, spreading it's warmth across the land. Rin's dark hair blowed carelessly as a breeze swept across the field she was foraging in. The basket she carried was filled with many herbs and berries for Lady Kagome and Lady Kaede. Rin stood up from her position on the ground and gazed at the horizon.

"What a beautiful morning..." She smiled as she let her mind wonder.

It had been over 9 years since she came to the village to live with Lady Kaede and the others. After Naraku was defeated, and the shikon jewel destroyed, Kagome and the others felt it would be best for Rin to live in a village for a while. She had been isolated from other humans for so long, they didn't want it to affect her in the future. Rin eventually agreed to stay and continued her life under the care of Lady Kaede. Lord Sesshomaru came as often as he could to visit, bringing her different gifts on every visit. Mostly kimonos, one of which she happened to be wearing today, it was embroidered with flowers that looked like they were dancing in the wind. Rin felt herself blushing when she felt the soft fabric and started to think of her lord.

A voice echoed across the field, "Good morning, Rin!"

Rin turned to see Kagome walking her way with a basket similar to the one Rin was holding. As Kagome approached she was shocked to see how many herbs Rin had already collected.

"Wow! You are amazing! I was going to come and help you with the foraging today, but I can see that isn't really necessary."

This wasn't a big surprise to Kagome, foraging is something that Rin loves to do, but she thought she could at least help. Rin politely handed Kagome her basket and took the empty one from under Kagome's arm.

"Don't worry about it, I can pick some more and you can take these back. I enjoy this and I would prefer to stay out a bit longer." Rin said with a smile and a giggle.

"No problem. Don't stay out too long though, we still need to prepare for the festivities!" Kagome replied.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Rin replied.

Happy to oblige Rin's request of staying in the field Kagome walked back to the village, giving Rin a quick wave goodbye. Rin waved back and walked farther down the field and began to search the ground for needed herbs. She came across a few, but she was overjoyed when she found a small bush of mixed herbs. She raised her head to see where she was located, as to remember this spot, and realized she had walked quite a distance from the village. She made a note of the location in her head and kneeled down on the ground, making sure that her kimono was tied up and away from the dirt. A soft hum flowed from her lips as she delicately picked the herbs.

"I think that will be enough for now! If I keep picking there won't be any left!" Rin giggled to herself.

Standing up from her position on the ground she dusted herself off and straightened out her kimono. She continued to search the field for more herbs and fill her basket. Her mind wondered once again, thinking of her lord.

Meanwhile, miles from the village, Sesshomaru was perched on a rock overlooking a river. His mind was wondering filled with thoughts he never imagined he would ever be thinking of.

"My lord?" Jaken asked sheepishly. "You look perplexed, may I ask what is on your mind?"

Jaken truly expected to receive a beating or at least a glare for inquiring such a thing, but he couldn't continue to see his lord like this. Although, Sesshomaru didn't even acknowledge Jaken as he continued to stare into the river. Jaken sighed and walked back over to A-Un, who was resting under a tree.

It had been years since he left Rin in the village with Inuyasha and his friends. He never wanted to leave her, but it was the right thing to do. She needed to be around her own kind, for at least some time. It was hard to let her go and it was just as hard for Rin to let go of him. Sesshomaru flashed back to that day...

Rin was so young, still wearing her orange kimono, when she stood there in front of Sesshomaru awaiting his words. He towered over her as always and looked her in the eyes. His eyes showed no emotions, but inside he really didn't want to see her go.

"Rin, I can no longer let you travel with me. You must go with the others to their village and live a human life." Sesshomaru said, keeping his true feelings hidden.

Rin was shocked, her eyes began to fill with tears, and she tried to understand why her lord would leave her.

"Please my Lord, don't leave me behind! I want to be with you! I don't want to go!" Rin couldn't hold back her tears as one ran down her cheek.

"You must." Sesshomaru said softly as he wiped the tear away.

He didn't like seeing her this way, she is still a child, but she needed to be strong.

"Don't cry." Sesshomaru said sternly as Rin sniffled.

Sesshomaru stood there and watched as she tried to hold back her tears for his sake.

Sesshomaru never forgot about Rin, as proof by his visits. She was always in his thoughts, but in the past couple years his feelings for her have changed. She wasn't that little girl anymore and has grown in so many ways. Rin was becoming as smart as she was beautiful. These were no thoughts Sesshomaru cared to have, but he couldn't control these feelings. He hid them, that was all he could do, but they were still there.

"Jaken, what do you know of love?"

Jaken was confused, did those words really come from his lord? He replied nonetheless, "The only love I know, my Lord, is my love for you and your almighty power."

"Hmph...useless." Sesshomaru proclaimed as he jumped off the rock he was on. "We are leaving."

"Oh! Where to, My Lord?" Jaken replied.

Sesshomaru did not reply to Jaken, to Rin, but thought to himself. It had been too long, he had to see her again. He had to tell her, these feelings can't be overlooked. This was something he had never done before and he was unsure of how to do it.

Rin was helping Kagome to separate the collected herbs into groups. The two had become quite close over the years. Rin viewed Kagome as an older sister and loved the time they shared together. Rin felt she could share anything with her.

"Kagome, when did you know you loved Inuyasha?"

Kagome looked up from the herbs in disbelief, this wasn't like any question Rin had asked before. She took a moment to think about it.

"Well there wasn't really a moment, it happened over time." Kagome gave the best answer she could think of.

"Oh...why do you love Inuyasha?" Rin replied.

Kagome blushed and laughed a little, "There are many reasons. He is strong, kind, passionate, and he cares more than he let's people believe. Why are you so curious about this kind of stuff?"

Rin blushed and started working on separating the herbs faster. "No real reason, I was just curious."

Just as Kagome was about to call Rin out on her lie a young boy came running through the door. He was no more than five years with short black hair with black dog ears and golden eyes. He flung himself into Kagome's arms.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

"Hello Haru! Where is your father?" She asked as he gave the boy a kiss on the cheek.

"Right here." Said a familiar voice.

Inuyasha walked through the door of the hut, carrying a young girl no more than 3 years old on his shoulders. She had silver hair and golden eyes like her father, but ears like a human. He picked her up and placed her on the ground next to Kagome.

"Hey, Rin..." Said Inuyasha "...and hello to you too." He smiled as he kissed Kagome's forehead.

Rin stared on in envy as Inuyasha sat by Kagome and begun play with their youngest, Akiko. The young girl squealed as he tickled her belly. Rin smiled as her thoughts ran wild of a future she knew would only exsist in her dreams. A future with a man who was always out of reach, her Lord Sesshomaru.

"Rin? Rin!?"

Rin snapped out of her daydream to Kagome snapping her fingers. She looked up to see Kagome and Inuyasha looking at her with worry and confusion on their faces.

"Rin, what has got into you?" Kagome asked.

"N-nothing, I just need some fresh air." Rin rose to her feet and ran from the hut.

"Was is me?" Inuyasha asked.

"No, but there is someone on her mind." Kagome replied.

Inuyasha looked at her with a confused expression. She smiled a laugh, "Don't worry about it, Inuyasha."

Rin ran from the hut and stopped when she reached the edge of the village. She looked up at the clear, blue sky and sighed. Her thoughts had been filled with images of her lord. Her feelings for him were different now. Although she still admired him for his grace and strength she couldn't help but feel a longing for him. A feeling she never had before, but she knew that she had to hide them. She felt her lord would never love her the way she loved him. He cared for Rin, and she knew that, but he would never confess feelings of love to her. Would he? Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice she hadn't heard in a long time.

"Hey Rin!" Yelled Kohaku as he descended from the air while riding Kirara. "Long time, no see!"

He jumped from Kirara's back and picked her up after she transformed. He was in his demon slayer outfit and was so much older now. This was a rare visit, he normally only came around once a year. Twice at the most.

"You are one to talk, Kohaku. You never visit us!" Rin smiled.

They gave each other a quick hug and Rin snatched Kirara up. Kirara purred as Rin scratched behind her ears.

"Where is my sister?" Asked Kohaku.

"Not sure, but I'm certain she is around somewhere. Have you come for the twins' birthday party?"

Kohaku's face went white as his jaw dropped. Rin and Kirara stared at him, "I-I forgot..." Kohaku's voice trembled.

"Hmmm, well good thing I said something."

Kohaku nodded and snapped out of his state when he heard a familiar voice. Rin and Kohaku turned to see Sango walking up to them.

"Kohaku, is that you?"

Kirara jumped from Rin's arms and over to Sango's embrace. Rin frowned, but understood how long it had been since they had seen each other. Sango wrapped her arms around Kohaku.

"I will never get tired of this. I have missed you so much." Sango said softly to her brother.

"I missed you too, sis." He too wrapped his arms around Sango as the two shared the embrace for a few seconds.

"Now you can help with the festivities!" Sango exclaimed as she dragged the man away toward the village.

"Help me Rin!" Kohaku yelled out.

"No way! I've done my part!" Rin yelled back and laugh as Kohaku allowed Sango to drag him.

Rin smiled and watched the two disappear, but her smiled faded and she turned back to the horizon. She just couldn't keep up the smile as her heart felt empty. It became harder and harder to live in the village when she longed to be on the road. Rin could feel her face get hot and her eyes began to tear up.

"Hello there Rin!"

Rin quickly wiped her tears away as she saw Miroku walking up to the village, a basket in each arm.

"Hello Miroku! Is that for tonight?"

"Sure is. Rin is something wrong? You look as though you were crying." The monk asked with concern in his voice.

Rin shook her head, "I'm fine, I just got something in my eye."

Miroku did not believe her, but decided not to push it. "Ok, but if you need to talk, I'm here for you."

Rin nodded as Miroku headed toward the village. She sighed once more, "I need to get my head on straight. I won't be able to fool anyone for much longer. Although, what would I tell them?"

Rin looked at the horizon once more, hoping for her lord's return. She wanted to see him more than anything, even if he never returned the love she had for him. Seeing him was the only thing that brought her happiness anymore.

Sesshomaru walked down the trail to Rin's village, still miles away. This gave him time to think over the words he wished to convey to Rin. What do I say? He had been in deep thought trying to come up with the right words. This was not his strong point, but he had to do it. He couldn't, no he wouldn't, hold back these feelings anymore. Rin meant the world to him and he had to find a way to tell her.

Jaken followed closely behind with A-Un's raines in hand. He was worried about his lord and he knew what was on his lord's mind. Rin, Jaken thought, this has to be about Rin, nothing else could cloud my lord's mind other than that. Jaken knew this was the case and also knew that if he told his lord to forget about Rin, he would get a swift blow to the head.

Rin made her way back to the village, doing her best to keep her feelings in check. She could see everyone setting up for the birthday party. Ever since Kagome came back she was very determined to have these for everyone. Since there were many people in the village, they had a party once a month to celebrate everyone who was born during that month. Sango and Miroku's twins shared this party with a few other people as well. However, the villagers would normally focus on the children during this event. The parties weren't anything fancy, but it put such a big smile on everyone's face.

Rin watched as Inuyasha, Miroku, Kohaku, and few other villagers set up. This year the twins asked for fireworks and Miroku had a hard time saying no to the girls. They were certainly his weak point, but he didn't care. As she watched over a voice came from behind.

"Hey Rin?"

She turned to see Kagome walking up to her with a look of worry and curiousity.

"Rin, I must ask, what has been on your mind? You haven't been yourself lately."

Rin didn't know how to reply, this was a topic that made her stomach fill with butterflies. How could she even begin to convey these feelings when she herself didn't understand them completely.

"It's Sesshomaru, isn't it?" Kagome asked with a smile.

Rin looked at her in shock as her face turned red, "Is it that obvious?"

Kagome shook her head, "To me it is, but I an expert at reading people." She winked at Rin.

"You miss him, don't you?"

Rin nodded, "Of course, how could I not? He has always been there for me. I miss him more than anything and just can't take it anymore. I want to see him and yet all I can do is wait and hope he returns. I'm sorry...I'm babbling again."

Kagome shook her head, "Not at all, you are expressing your true feelings. That is nothing to be sorry about."

Rin smiled and nodded, "I suppose so."

Just then a shadow loomed over the two of them, Kagome turned around a smiled,

"Hello Shippo. Glad you could join us."

Rin could see the giant pink ball that Shippo used as a means of travel. It then disappeared in a cloud of smoke, revealing the fox demon.

"Oh come on! How do you always know it's me?"

"Do you forgot that I have the ability to sense demons? Yours is a presence I'm very familiar with."

Shippo pouted, but it quickly turned to a smile when he leaped into Kagome's open arms.

"We missed you, how is your training going?" Kagome asked.

"Great! I truly am one of the strongest fox demons! The all look up to me ya know! "

Shippo jumped back, trying to flex his arms, and gave them a big grin. Just then a hand grabbed Shippo' head, pulling him off the ground.

"Is that so? You don't look that strong to me." Inuyasha stated.

"Let go of me!" Exclaimed Shippo as he tried to wrangle free with no success. "FOX MAGIC!"

Suddenly, a small rock in Shippo' hand turned in a boulder and landed on top of Inuyasha. This allowed Shippo to be set free and he ran off laughing at his trick. Inuyasha picked up the boulder and threw it away with ease. In landed on the ground, returning to its small size. The half demon ran after the fox demon with an angry look on his face.

"Get back here you pipsqueak!"

Kagome and Rin laughed together as they watched the two fight like brothers would. Rin couldn't hold back her smile,

"That is what I like to see! Now if you want to talk some more, I'm always here you. You are family and that will never change." Kagome said with a smile as she went off to help with the final touches.

Rin smiled and thought to herself, my family. This was something that that Kagome always said to Rin. These people had accepted her as their own many years ago and although she did have an empty spot in her heart. She knew that her family would always be there to help her with any problem.

Sesshomaru was very close to the village now and he could smell all the people and food they were cooking. He could also smell her, it was unmistakable. He stopped and stared down toward the village from the hill he was on. He wondered if he should go through with his plan. Should he really tell Rin how he feels? Would she return his feelings? Or would he make a fool of himself?

"My Lord, why have we stop? Is it not

our intention to see Rin?" Asked Jaken.

"Jaken, go on ahead. I will stay back for now." Sesshomaru replied as he leaned up against a tree.

"Yes, my Lord."

Jaken pulled on the raines of A-Un and continued down the path towards the village. He looked back at his lord with worry in his eyes.

"My Lord..." Jaken whispered as he walked on ahead.

The village was alive with the voices of the villagers as they enjoyed the festivities. People were playing games and eating the delicious food prepared for the party. The sun was starting to lower in the sky, it would be nightfall soon and the fireworks would begin.

Rin watched as all the children played a game of hide and go seek. She stood on the sidelines this time, her mind too preoccupied to play games. He looked up toward the sky, dreaming of her lord. However, she was snapped out of her dream by Inuyasha's voice,

"Hey Rin, you have visitors."

He walked up next her, a riceball in hand, and pointed towards something. She could see in the distance A-Un and Master Jaken, but Sesshomaru was no with them.

"He may not be with them, but he is around, I can smell him."

Inuyasha took a bite of his food and walked off, leaving Rin to herself. She smiled and ran to her old friends.

"A-Un! Master Jaken! It is so good to see you!"

She picked up Jaken and gave him a big hug, despite his protesting.

"Let go of me, Rin!"

She dropped him and turned her attention to A-Un. They were overjoyed to see her, rubbing their heads against her making all kinds of noises.

"It's good to see you!"

She wrapped her arms around their necks and held on tight. She let go after a few seconds and turned to Jaken, A-Un still rubbing against her.

"Where is Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin asked, worry in her voice.

"He stayed behind for a little while, he will be here soon." Jake said reassuringly.

"Good, if you want to, we have food and games going on in the village. It's the twins birthday. We will even have fireworks after the sun goes down."

Jaken's eyes lit up at the chance to eat some real food and rushed off to the village. Rin laughed and took A-Un's raines and led them towards the area where the horses were. They both started drinking the water in the trough. She left them and went back to the edge of the village, she looked on and made her decision. If he wasn't far behind than she would go to him. She would convey to him how she felt, no matter the outcome. She walked on, the village to her back and the setting sun in front.

Sesshomaru stood there looking up at the sky, his mind wondering what he would say. This was not an easy task, he was so use to expressing his feelings through fighting. Never has he confessed such feelings for anyone and it was a so...new. This wasn't a battle, he couldn't fight Rin, and he had to come up with words.

A breeze blew pass Sesshomaru and it carried an intoxicating smell. It was Rin and she was heading this way. He couldn't see her, but he knew she was coming. I can feel her...her scent, why does it put me into such an unfamiliar state? He wasn't ready, but he couldn't hide from her, he was no coward and he never showed fear. He stood in the path awaiting her arrival.

Rin walked up the path away from village, she knew if she followed it that it would lead her to him. How do know this? It's like I can sense him. She come to an incline and as she reached the top she saw him. She paused and look on at him in awe. His grace and sophistication where just a prominent as ever. He turned his head and with golden eyes stared right into her's. She felt herself blush, but did not break eye contact. Her heart was beating so fast and she knew he would be aware of this. She smiled, holding back her fear, and ran towards him. She flung herself onto him, wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face.

This action took Sesshomaru by surprise. It was normal for her to hug him, but this one was different. He could feel her heart beating faster than ever. She was trembling as he wrapped his arms around her waist, returning the affection. Rin pulled her head away and stared at him, they were so close. Her eyes shined so bright in the light of the setting sun. Sesshomaru could not help but be captivated by them, he had to take this opportunity. Though just when he was about to tell her, she began to speak.

"My Lord, please allow me to speak for a moment, I promise I will not take long."

As much as she wanted to stay in his embrace, she pulled away and put just a couple feet of space between them. He too did not want her to leave his arms, but he would listen to what Rin had to say. Then, he would tell her how he truly felt. Rin looked up at her lord, her stomach filled with butterflies as she mustered up the courage to tell him. This was it, now or never, her chance was now.

"My lord, for some time now my happiness has shifted. I am no longer content on staying in this village. I have been longing for something that I can not find here. My heart is telling me to grasp happiness and I now understand that the hole in my heart is from your absence."

She paused and looked down, hiding her eyes, which was good for Sesshomaru. His eyes widened in shock, is she? Rin continued,

"I can no longer hide these feelings!"

She raised her head quickly, tears flying from her eyes,

"I love you, my Lord! I love you with all my heart and soul and I wish to be by your side again! I can never grasp happiness without you in my life!"

Sesshomaru could not hide his surprise, she beat him to the punch. She said it first, her words were perfection and he couldn't have said it better. Rin looked down again as her lord remained silent.

"I understand if you don't feel the same, but I couldn't go on without you know-"

She was interrupted by Sesshomaru's hand raising her chin, his thumb rested on her bottom lip. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body. Using the hand under her chin he pulled her lips into his. Rin closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself deep into the kiss. Just then, a firework shot up into the sky as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Sesshomaru thought, if she uses her words then I will use my actions. They pulled away from the kiss and looked deep into each other's eyes. Rin smiled with her lips as well as her eyes and placed her hand on his cheek. Another firework lit up the sky,

"Oh Sesshomaru..."

This was the first time she did not use his title. Sesshomaru did not care as he kept his arm around her waist, ran his hand up her cheek and through her soft hair. He placed his hand on the back of her head, her hair intertwined in his fingers.

"I love you too." Was all he said

That was enough for Rin, this was all she needed, her heart finally felt whole again. Sesshomaru felt her warmth against his body and could feel a change in his heart. He finally had the love of the woman who warmed his heart and broke through the wall he had built around it. The fireworks continued to light up the sky as the two shared another kiss.

The End