Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha.
Chapter 1
Rin stroked her hand down the magnificent silk of the new kimono. The pale pink color reminded her of the cherry blossoms in spring. The silver birds bringing to mind the morning larks. Lord Sesshomaru had brought her three kimonos this visit, but the pink one was too long for her when she held it up to her frame.
"Lord Sesshomaru," Rin began. "It's beautiful, but it seems to be a bit large for me."
"Rin," Sesshomaru spoke, slightly shifting his eyes to look at her. "I have some business to attend to. I regret I will miss our next visit. I may be gone for some time."
"I see," Rin said lowering her face to stare at her feet now covered in pink silk. "Then I shall eagerly await your return!" She looked at his face and grinned.
"Be a good girl," Sesshomaru stated as he exited the hut.
By the time Rin made her way to the door, Sesshomaru was already too far away.
"Please don't forget about me," Rin whispered to no one.
That had been five years ago. Rin, now a tall and slender eighteen year old, sat in the hut she had once shared with the priestess Kaede. She stoked the fire as the tea kettle began to boil. Night has descended upon the village mere hours ago, but the young woman felt no urge to sleep. Instead, she made tea to enjoy her own company. Kaede had passed just over a year ago and left the hut to Rin. The old priestess' belongings were divided amongst Rin and Kagome.
Rin sipped her tea listening to the gentle breeze rustling the trees and the crickets singing their nightly song. Spring had come to the village bringing with it the sweet scent of flowers and the warm air of the changing seasons.
The young woman eyed the pink kimono she received from Lord Sesshomaru at the age of thirteen. She was finally tall enough to not trip on the hem of the beautiful silk. Her body had filled out and the garment hugged her curves in ways that had all the men in the village turning their eyes to her. Many men asked for her hand in marriage, but she had turned them all down stating that her heart already belonged to someone else. It hadn't taken long for them to put two and two together. Once they realized Rin was referring to the dog demon, the whispers and side glances began. The women in the village were even more critical. Their hushed voices often made it to Rin's ears. Demeaning words, rumors of indecent acts. But Rin was tough. She never much cared for humans. Though many turned their backs to her when she was around, Rin did manage to have at least one friend in the village who was not InuYasha or Kagome.
Kimiko was a strange girl, an outcast like Rin. The two girls had bonded not long after Sesshomaru left Rin the care of Kaede. Kimiko grew up in the village, but when her parents were taken by fever she was left to fend for herself. During her roughest years, Kimiko resorted to stealing to survive. As a result, the girl was missing three fingers on her right hand as punishment for getting caught.
Rin thought of her friend as she placed her empty tea cup in the bin she used for dirty dishes. Kimiko often met with her for tea and conversation. She may not have understood Rin's fascination with the dog demon, but she didn't shy away from her for it. Rin was grateful for a confidant. Kagome was nice to talk to as well, but Rin felt she was too judgmental at times.
Rin sighed. She would do to the river tomorrow to clean her dishes. For now, she threw sand on the fire to snuff it out. She stretched and exhaled loudly as she exited the hut to check the perimeter one last time for the night. Her eyes always scanned the tree line hoping to see Lord Sesshomaru arriving, but it was the same every night. Darkness and the faint outline of trees under the light of the moon met her eyes. She thought of her life before she was left in Kaede's care. Adventures awaited her every day. She was surrounded by her favorite people, Lord Sesshomaru and Jaken. She had always enjoyed Ah-Un's company as well. Now, life was boring. Wake up, clean the hut, tend to the garden, check in with Kagome, avoid most interactions with the villagers who would never understand her, cook dinner, and go to bed. The same every day. She missed travelling all over the world, never staying in one place too long. She was restless and more alone than ever. Without Lord Sesshomaru the world seemed a lot less colorful.
Rin looked back to the tree line one last time before stepping inside, "I hope you have not forgotten about me, Lord Sesshomaru." Settling onto her sleeping mat, she closed her eyes and tried to drown out any sound she could, but sleep still did not come easily.