ABOUT FACE
When Sesshomaru first left Rin in Kaede's care, it was done so that the girl could be properly taught about all things 'human'. Rin was not an Inu pup. And while it was very tempting to raise her as one, in the end it was not practical in the least. Rin needed to know how her human body functioned. She needed to know what to do should she become ill or when she was finally able to bear children.
In short, along with the normal lessons of reading, writing, defense and music, Rin was in need of learning the 'basics' of her own humanity. Sesshomaru felt no discomfort in allowing her these 'lessons' in Inuyasha's village because, no matter what may be put upon her to be learned, she would never learn fear. She would always be above that particular lesson.
FLASH BACK
The quiet of one fine afternoon was broken by the hysterical screaming of a bunch of women that had been frightened by a mischievous raccoon youkai as they were washing clothes at a near by river bank.
In predictable fashion, the men folk made a big "to do" of the matter. They carried spears and torches to drive the low level demon away from the village when Rin had caught up with the group. She casually sauntered past all of them rolling her eyes and "tsking" rather condescendingly.
Rin remembered one man ordering her to step back for her own safety to which she scoffed. "Don't tell me that you all are so fearful of such a low youkai as this!"
Rolling her eyes, Rin went unafraid, in the general direction of the demon in question. "All this fuss over a raccoon demon!" she muttered loud enough for all to hear.
"Go then!" shouted one man, "If we are fortunate, the beast will eat you and there will be no need for a burial!"
Rin had always suspected that these villagers did not care much for her, but it still hurt to actually hear it. With a 'put upon' sigh, she approached a small thatch of bushes that was meant as a hiding place for the demon, and folded her arms as she thumped her foot against the dirt in irritation.
"Ponpo is that you? Come here this instant!" Slowly the bushes parted as the modestly clad youkai emerged.
"Come to me now Ponpo!" Rin ordered, her irritation with the situation apparent. The Raccoon obeyed immediately, and scrambled falling to his knees bowing before the girl.
"What is the meaning of this intrusion?"
Every human present was awestruck as this 'demon' actually trembled in fear before the girl. "I meant no harm my lady! I was just hungry and I sought a quick meal of some fish and produce from the basket of yonder women."
The women had intended to have lunch after they had finished their washing. The temptation of their basket of food proved itself to be too great a temptation for the demon.
"I see." Rin said sharply. She then turned to the group. "Give me two of your fish and a few plums please." she said to the women that were now huddled around their men.
One did as she was instructed and wrapped the bit of food in a small ragged cloth handing it to Rin.
Rin in turn then offered the bundle to the raccoon before her.
"This should tide you over long enough for you to leave this region and find something more substantial to eat." she said.
The raccoon lifted his face from the ground and accepted the parcel happily. "Thank you Lady!" he whispered. Rin smiled warmly before giving a comforting scratch behind the raccoon's ear. "Now let's give these humans a bit of a show eh?" she said just loud enough for youkai ears to hear. Rin then stepped back and put her hands on her hips.
"Now go and do not return here. If I had not been around these people may have killed you!" she said with authority. The small youkai then rose and bowed one final time. "Thank you for your graciousness my lady!" he declared loud enough for all to hear, and, with a puff of smoke, he was gone in an instant.
Rin then turned an annoyed glance to the gathered crowd before her. "Problem solved." she said with a huff.
By the time that Inuyasha returned home that evening with Kagome, the story of the day had been altered considerably much to Rin's amusement.
The villagers could not have possibly known that the majority of Rin's clothing had been made by youkai. And, to some degree, she carried Lord Sesshomaru's scent. There were many demons who knew exactly who Rin was. No low level demon in his right mind would ever cross the ward of The Lord of the West.
END FLASH BACK
While Sesshomaru's visits were fairly regular, it never ceased to amaze the tai youkai how much Rin's appearances changed with each visit. 'Plump' areas began to find angles and 'round' areas began to fill out even more. Under the combined tutelage of Kaede and Kagome, Rin was slowly becoming a fine young lady - at least by human standards.
For a long time, it was never difficult for Sesshomaru to continue to view Rin as a child, that is until she began her monthly cycles. Sooner than he would care to admit, she would be of an age to have a mate and bear children. At some point, Sesshomaru would have to let Rin get on with her life.
Unfortunately, the mere thought of another male putting his hands on his Rin, was enough to bring Sesshomaru's fangs to bear and his blood to boil.
He didn't want to let her go, but he could not find any truly substantial reason to have her stay with him. He would spend hours… no, days arguing with himself about it.
His responsibilities as a lord were finally catching up with him. He was soon to "officially" become The Lord of The Western Lands. But to do so, would require his producing a pure Inu youkai heir.
That meant that his mate had to be a demoness of acceptable rank and power. Love was never a factor in this equation. And make no mistake, despite his best efforts not to, Sesshomaru did love Rin - deeply. But he also had an empire to rule. Responsibilities to meet.
How he hated it.
While he would never openly admit it, it was times like this that he truly envied his brother Inuyasha.
While not a 'lord' per se, he did have a rather impressive expanse of land that was under his protection. His 'subjects' did do as he commanded of them, and his lands on the whole prospered. But more important, Inuyasha had his love… his human mate.
Lucky Inuyasha.
For all of his 'hanyou' inferiority, he had the life that Sesshomaru longed for.
He was able to have the woman that loved him without artifice. He would be free to love his children and rear them as he saw fit, And, He answered only to those that he felt worthy of his time to begin with. Sesshomaru did not have nearly so much good fortune.
His life was slated to be painfully predictable. He would sire an heir with a woman who could give a damn about him, rule over lands with humans and demons that could give a damn about him, and listen to his mother who barely gave a damn about him - especially if he was not doing what she wanted at the time.
He often wondered if it all was even worth it. With all of the power that he stood to possess, he stood to be quite miserable. Even if he were able to, he would not allow his Rin to bear witness to this misery. At least one of them deserved a chance at happiness.
After much soul searching, Sesshomaru had decided that this would be his last time visiting Rin. Although it pained him more than he was ready to admit, a break had to be made. For both of their sakes.