It had been seven and a half long years since the vindictive beast known as Naraku, had been defeated; not by the hands of Miroku, Inuyasha, or by the hand of his older half-brother Sesshomaru. Instead, he destroyed himself by his conniving acts of selfishness and the sick twisted desire of owning Kikyo's heart; which left him falling into his own never-ending pit of darkness, and pain. After that fateful day, life soon settled for the group of friends, except for Kagome, and Inuyasha. However, they were soon reunited, and wed a few years later. During that time, Miroku and Sango had three beautiful children, which included a set of twins. Meanwhile Rin was left under the care of the old priestess Kaede by Sesshomaru's wishes. He made it clear that he wasn't abandoning her; and he proved that by stopping every so often and bringing her gifts, and visiting her as much as he could with his slightly busy schedule with Jaken. Usually when Sesshomaru brought her a gift, it entailed a beautifully embroidered kimono made from the finest silk around; he also brought her other things females typically enjoyed. He trusted her with Kaede because he knew she had many things to learn while growing into an adult, a woman. He knew that there were certain things that he couldn't teach her, he wouldn't teach her. It would be inappropriate and far too awkward for them both. Besides, as a child she was too naïve, and she needed to learn how dangerous it was to live outside of a village, she'd always had Jaken or himself to take care of he, and now those were not an option anymore. She gained Inuyasha, but everyone understood that Rin needed to be self-sufficient. Especially if she was going to be travelling with her lord once again, if that was what she chose; besides being self-sufficient she desperately needed to know how to interact with humans, and it wouldn't hurt to learn the many medicinal herbs to take care of herself or the humans around her in case of an emergency. Regardless, she also had to learn how to fight demons, and the fears when facing them on her own and the understanding how serious the matter of fighting them was. If she did decide to travel with him once again, she needed to know how to hunt for her own food. Although, if she stayed in the village, she would have to learn to participate if demons attacked, but over the years she was still determined to be with Sesshomaru once again.
Two summers ago, Sesshomaru told her on one of his visits that she still had the choice if she wanted to serve under him again, or continue to stay in the village after her eighteenth birthday, when Rin and everyone else knew that she was fully prepared and ready to be exposed to the dangers of being a nomad. Sesshomaru knew when she was fully educated about the world and its many troubles, he wouldn't mind her being at his side once again, that is if she chose to be with Sesshomaru, and his occasional absence. Rin would no longer be under the protection of the good monk, Kagome, Sango or even Inuyasha. Instead, she would only have A-un, and possibly Jaken if Sesshomaru didn't need his assistance. Though, if she chose to stay in the village she had everyone that would protect her, and she could take care of their children while they took care of the demons that went to attack them.
After his visit, she was left thinking about both sides and Inuyasha despite his vast disliking of his elder half brother, he too participated in the group's efforts to teach her, and she had until the end of spring two years later to choose to be with Sesshomaru, or to stay in the village and settle down like the others.
Less than two years later, she was sure about her choice. She chose Sesshomaru; and he would always be the one she chose. She may have bonded and grew to love everyone in the small group, and most of the villages too but In her mind, Sesshomaru was her best friend, despite the many months they were apart and limited time she got to spend with him; she would always chose to serve under him. Rin knew very well that he hated humans, and their pathetic weaknesses that left him a bitter aftertaste. Though, his ailments never pushed her away, because she knew that he allowed her to be the exception of that moral, letting her be close enough to be his friend, and faithful servant. Before, and after her second death, he grew to have a compassionate, empathetic heart, even if his heart only held eyes of sympathy towards her, and Inuyasha's friends. While making the decision, she gave what everyone told her great consideration, but whenever her master came to visit her, she was left in a bitter-sweet taste of nostalgia. She loved, respected and honored the friendship she had with Sesshomaru, and she felt that it was her duty to serve him after bringing her back from the dead twice; as much as she loved everyone in the village, she would rather die by Sesshomaru's side than to live a boring life of raising children, and being just some house wife. Rin desired adventure; she simply couldn't wait to sleep under the stars once again, staying warm by the fire, and free to roam even hours after the sun had set.
Her desires were a little non-traditional, but through the years she grew; nothing ever changed her opinion. Not the humans who hated Sesshomaru, not Inuyasha's behavior, and certainly not her fear of the unknown.
The years that she spent in the small, welcoming village would never be forgotten. It had been both a hardship, and a blessing. Her strenuous work to learn how to fight demons increased after being completely sure on her choice, Which Rin learned from Inuyasha and the others. However, with the helpful assistance of Kaede and Jinenji, she also learned about the types and the cures of medicinal herbs that would help demons in case Jaken ever needed her assistance again. But to help keep track of the information and herbs, Kagome helped her create her own journal to document and leaving emergency samples of herbs in small wooden cases held by string in case she was ever too far away from them. She kept herself organized by drawing on the sides of what the plant looked like, and on the opposite side what the use was for, and where their typical locations were.
Soon, it was her eighteenth birthday, and she knew that Sesshomaru would be coming soon to pick her up, but Rin knew he would still ask her the very question that drove her through vigorous learning, and training. She told her friends that she would be going, and as heart-breaking it was to leave, she knew that this was what she truly wanted, and everyone supported her; even Inuyasha.
For her birthday, she received many helpful gifts, which included: medicinal herbs, and a cooking pot from Kaede, and Jinenji; poison mask, and sewing kit from Sango, charms and spiritual beaded bracelets from Miroku, and information about them. Kagome gave her the tools to learn how to string her own bow, and make her own arrows to shoot down any game or demons; meanwhile Inuyasha spared her from his bitterness towards his brother, and accepted her choice without any spiteful remarks, but also letting her know that she would always have a home to come back to if she realized it wasn't what she wanted, but he knew otherwise. However, it was a descent way of expressing his feelings, without having to say the words, or express them in a physical way. When it came to expressing emotion other than irritation; he was just as stoic faced as his brother.
A few days had passed since then; she spent months preparing for this long, ever-lasting journey. She learned how to sew up her own pack which Kagome called a "back-pack" in her world, which could easily be attached to A-un's harness later on. Knowing all too well of the cold nights spent under the stars, Rin prepared a sleeping bag in case of cool, winter nights when the fire wouldn't keep her warm enough, and bottles to hold water for long trips when the resource wasn't available.
Rin started to grow impatient and began to feel apprehensive which caused her to fidget slightly, running her fingers through sections of her hair, and tapping her leg every so often, she didn't like to wait. She was a little worried that he'd forget about her, and move on with his life- Though Rin knew better, he would never break his promise to her, and her doubts were due to her over-excitement to be with her Lord again, and a lot had changed since then, mentally and physically.
Rin overcame her fears of wolves, and communication boundaries with other humans; she learned not to annoy people by asking so many questions at one time. Physically, she grew taller, and stronger; she also gained a womanly physique that she definitely didn't have before, and the abilities to fully fend for herself and protect the people she loved around her grew. Though, despite the new changes, she was still the young, light spirited, flower-picking girl at heart. She knew that soon he would arrive, coming to pick her up to see for himself that she was fully ready to be at his side, but also know that she was still very much the same girl he left so many years ago.