Lord Sesshomaru walked me back down to the village, neither of us mentioning the embrace we had completely wrapped ourselves in. My cheeks reddened with embarrassment, and I shot a quick glance at my lord who wore nothing but a stoic mask.

I shook my head, despite the fact that our embrace lasted several moments, he showed no sign of uneasiness around me.

I had only ever heard of one instance in the years we had known each other where he had showed any weakness - and that had been when he was unable to revive me in the underworld.

Kohaku had witnessed my lord wrap his arms around me, consumed with apparent grief at the thought of losing me. He had sworn me to secrecy, never to share what I knew about Sesshomaru. However, I could also recall the palpable relief on his face when I opened my eyes - after his mother returned my soul.

That was also the first time he had willingingly touched me, by gently stroking my face.

As we neared the village, I could see the pillars that were arising around the open site for the festival happening in just a few short days. I secretly hoped that the lord was planning to stick around until then, but was still too embarrassed to say anything now. We continued our walk in comfortable silence straight to Kaede's hut.

Despite being of age, I had no hut to call my own. The village elder was certain I would marry soon enough, and didn't want to waste materials on a hut when it may not be occupied for long. It was tradition that wives moved into the huts that their husband's inhabited before the marriage, and not the other way around. However, I had plenty of room with Kaede, she had extra space and I even had an area that was completely my own. We were close to Sango and Miroku, so I would spend time visiting with them when I grew bored sitting around my shared home. Inyuyasha had been insistent that the hut he shared with Kagome be a little further from the village - he wasn't used to living in a human village and needed to stretch his legs more often than not. Even so, I would catch him napping in the trees throughout the day, often Kagome nestled between his legs, the robe of the fire rat draped across them both.

Kaede poked her head out when she heard approaching footsteps, "Lord Sesshomaru, I see you've returned." Kaede was a strong woman, stubborn and valid in her opinion, yet every time she saw Sesshomaru, her body would tense up slightly. She knew the power he possessed, and although she was more than comfortable around Inuyasha…. his older brother was another story.

"Yes, I'm returning Rin home for the evening." His voice was velvety smooth, and I hummed my approval at his words. I understood at this later hour, it wouldn't be appropriate to be seen with him throughout the village.

I caught Kaede's stare, she knew my relationship with the dark lord, and I wasn't sure she always approved of how comfortable I was around him. Since I was of age, if I were out late in the village with a human male, no one would think twice. However, the whole village waited with bated breath the minute Sesshomaru took a step in. That made it likely that if he was spending the night, he would do so outside of the village borders.

"Kaede, I will be inside in a moment, I am going to thank the Lord for walking me home at this hour."

She nodded and disappeared again behind the flap, the sound of cookware being laid out filling the silence between us.

I turned to him, his attention at the door she had just gone into, "Have her know, that with me you will always be safe."

I nodded and met his gaze, "Goodnight, Rin."

I wanted to hug him again, ask him if he would be leaving soon, but the words wouldn't come out. I hoped and prayed he would be here in the morning.

He reached with one clawed finger and turned my face toward his, his gaze piercing - as if he could tell the internal struggle that threatened to boil over behind my eyes. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I resisted the urge to lean into his hand. His finger slid along my jawline for a brief moment before he nodded and took his leave.

I watched his receding form and from the distance saw a bobbing staff running toward his direction, Jaken no doubt.

I sighed and made my way inside, Kaede sitting around the hearth ladling soup into the two empty bowls next to her.

"He's come for ye birthday." It was a matter of fact statement, not a question. He always came around this time.

"Yes, a bit late this year though."

She hummed in agreement, "Child, I know how you care for him."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, this was something I had heard numerous times before, not just from her, but from Inuyasha as well.

"I do, but lady Kaede, please don't confuse my appreciation and loyalty to my lord as any other type of emotion. I owe him so much, and I will always be grateful for what he has done for me."

That was half true, I was grateful, but I was also very confused on how I felt for him. I doubted seriously that he could feel any sort of emotion besides appreciation toward me. I had known him for too long, and he had learned to understand me when I was nothing more than a child.

I wondered briefly if time and age meant anything to him. He was hundreds of years old, yet perpetually locked in the body of a man in his 20's. For him, my younger years could have just been a brief time period in his life and nothing more. I glanced at my reflection in the soup Kaede and I were sharing over the hearth. I was a grown woman now, not the little girl that had picked wildflowers in the meadow and sang silly songs.

Kaede caught my expression, and as if she could read my mind she spoke, "He's noticed how you've grown."

I flushed bright red, trying not to analyze her words, "It has been awhile since his last visit, I am sure I look different each time."

It was an excuse, but I needed to get off the subject. I quickly complemented Kaede on her soup and we continued to eat in silence.

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