Chapter 2 – To Be Remembered

The Western Palace

"What is the purpose of your visit today Rin?" Sesshoumaru asked, gazing at his ward. She had aged greatly. No longer was she the young girl who played amongst the fields of flowers. Underneath the gentle floral scent that was always around her, he smelled something else. Something he had no wish to put a name to. She had grown to be a good human. Eventually at the ripe age of 20 she had married, and together they raised many village children as she'd never had her own. She had been firm, saying she would never marry until Lord Sesshomaru met a human male he could stand. He had finally conceded if for no other reason then to make her happy. He truly hadn't much cared for the human ... not that he had been bad. If he had, Sesshomaru would not have hesitated to kill the man. He had been ... passable. But he had died years ago. Rin did not look well, he thought absently but was brought back to the present as she slowly and carefully sat in a chair across from him.

Rin chuckled softly. "Always, to the point Lord Sesshomaru." she said in a fond but wistful tone. She turned and looked out at the palace garden, lost in warm memories of picking flowers, and past summers. She shook her head and laughed.

"Remember the time when Jaken fell asleep under that big old tree, the one with the bees in it? And I knocked that hive right on top of him and he was covered in all that honey? Haha, poor Jaken, those bees chased him for miles! It is a shame he is away on court business ... I would have liked to see him one more time." She said calmly. Her eyes were steady on Sesshomaru as she waited.

"What do you speak of girl?" To anyone else the Great Lord Sesshomaru would have sounded just as he always did, emotionless. But she knew. She knew as surely as she knew that her time had come to leave her beloved little family. He feared. He feared her passing. He feared death.

For the first time in 52 years, she called him by name. "Sesshomaru, do you remember the question I asked you long ago?" (1)

He did not respond as he stood and walked to the edge of the garden, his face turned toward the setting sun.

"I see you do." she said softly. "And will you? Will you remember me when I am gone?" She asked, as she walked on unsteady feet to stand behind him, laying a hand wrinkled and spotted with age gently on his shoulder.

He was still. He did not turn to look at her but remained facing the fading light. "The existence of forgetting has never been proved; we only know that some things are not remembered as clearly as we wish to."(2)

She smiled. It was enough.

Rin passed two nights later. None save her knew that the proud taiyoukai stood by her the whole time and mourned the loss of the only being he had ever truly cared for. With her last breath, she whispered for his ears alone, the words that would change the course of his future forever.

"Sesshomaru....the spirits told me...a dream...you must find the wielder of the Red Sword...and help them...no more time... last chance for you both." She closed her eyes before smiling one more time. "Love her." She breathed the last words before slipping to a place that even the mighty lord could not go.


1. Back in the "old days" living to be in your 50's was pretty old. Life spans back then were not like they are today.

2. Quote by Friedrich Niezsche, German Classical Scholar, Philosopher and Cultural Critic, 1844-1900. The portion in italics is not part of the original quote and was added to better fit the meaning I wanted the character to convey.