Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not the characters, not even a blade of grass--nor a single sakura blossom. Hell, I don't even own a Sesshoumaru plushie. All characters are from the inspired mind of R. Takahashi and everything else is my poor attempt.

Prologue: Emotion

Sakura blossoms. They were everywhere—petals fluttering about him and the sweet scent lingering in the air.

He paused, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply.

Rin.

What other scent on earth could compare to his precious flower?

A lone tear made its path down a smooth, cold cheek. The sharp scent of his own tears was a novel one to his sensitive nose. He furrowed his brow, thinned his lips and then growled softly in annoyance.

This Sesshoumaru was above such petty human—emotions. Even the word was tainted with human meaning he thought with disgust.

Soft.

Weak.

Pathetic.

Powerless.

Powerless indeed, for that was the fate of those who succumbed to such a pitiful thing as emotion.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! Why is Sesshoumaru-sama not smiling? Rin thinks Sesshoumaru-sama would look even prettier if he smiled!"

He recalled the once tiny hands that would tug at his hakama—and later as she grew, his haori—to attract his attention.

His lips turned upward in the briefest ghost of a smile at the memories which threatened to assail him.

My little Rin, did you not know that you always held my utmost attention?

A loud thump startled the youkai lord out of his trancelike state and now tearless amber eyes coldly assessed his servant.

The small toad visibly gulped at his lord's glare and quickly regained his former stance. Words were not needed between master and servant. They were both in mourning for the child—and the woman she became—who had brought such light into their lives.

"Jaken-sama! Jaken-sama! Look what I made for you!" Rin would exclaim before proudly bestowing upon the little youkai a crown of wildflowers she had constructed with her still clumsy hands.

The toad shook at the memory of his lord's disapproval when he had rudely refused the child's gift. The low, almost inaudible growl from the demon assuring that thereafter, Jaken would accept Rin's flower wreaths with the courtesy he would afford a hime.

A fond smile graced the toad's features as he recalled the boisterous, and sometimes—more often than not really—troublesome child that had attempted to save his lord's life.

Hmph…as if a tiny ningen child could possibly have anything to offer the great Lord of the Western Lands.

The snort earned the toad another silencing glare from Sesshoumaru, and Jaken gulped again, hurriedly backing away from the fresh grave and his irritated master—and possibly a rather large rock.

Only once he had reached a nominally safe distance did the retainer allow himself to return to his previous thought.

What indeed could a ningen hope to offer the most powerful inuyoukai alive?

Love.

The word whispered gently through the grove of trees Sesshoumaru had chosen to guard his most precious treasure.

Simple, ne?

But what could a demon learn of love anyway?

Translations (to the best of my knowledge):

Hakama: Wide pants which can resemble a skirt; it has a long fold in the back, and five in front—each one is ascribed its own meaning.

Haori: Resembles a shorter version of the kimono and worn as a coat overtop clothing.

Hime: Princess

Ningen: Human—usually used as a derogatory term by Jaken and other demons.

Youkai and Inuyoukai: rolls eyes I think you all know these ones.

A/N: Okay, I know this was a bit short, but it was just the prologue and well, to be honest, you guys now know as much of the plot as I do at this point. I just had some random thoughts running around in my head and they refused to go away until they were written down. On the bright side, I have the epilogue written. Now all I have to do is construct the story.

Oh by the way, this is my very FIRST story. No, not just fanfiction—I really do mean first story. I'm really not a writer, so any reviews, criticism and flames would be welcome—except for those who simply want to say that the pairing is wrong. If that's really all you wanted to say, please add a constructive criticism as well. I'd love you forever.

Really.

So now that my A/N is as long as my prologue I'll shut up.

One last thing. Updates will be sporadic as not only do I not have a viable plot as of yet—life is the equivalent of the plot bunny condom.

Danica