Title 07/10/2011

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"Now are you sure about this Rin?"

Rin smiled once again at Kagome as sweetly as she could. "I am Kagome. After all, I've been waiting for this for over ten years."

Inuyasha huffed from behind her, his arms crossed. "I dunno why you're doing this. You're human. Sesshomaru can't stand humans."

Kagome looked at him. "It's Rin's choice. She wants to go and we all think she's old enough to make her mind up." She looked back at Rin and smiled. "Take care, and come back to see us if anything goes wrong."

With a final nod, Rin picked up her bow and arrows and hurried out of the village to the forest. Even from a distance she could see him, leant up against a tree, looking up at the sky. She slowed down as she approached, looking over him. He was as amazing today as he had been ten years ago during their battle with Naraku. He might not have changed during her time in the human village but she had. She was now 18 years old. Her childhood was far behind her, her hair still long but half tied up in a lazy ponytail. She'd grown up well with Kagome and Inuyasha as well as the missed Kaede; confident, brave and smart. Many said beautiful but she had very little interest.

She walked up to the dog demon and bowed slightly. "Greetings Lord Sesshomaru."

Lord Sesshomaru looked at her, face blank and emotionless as always then turned and walked into the forest without even a word of welcome. Rin didn't mind, she just pulled her pack tighter to her shoulder and followed.

Not far into the forest, she began to hear a familiar moaning and muttering. "Master Jaken!" She called, happy to see the little imp.

The imp turned to face her and for a second showed joy in her appearance but then narrowed his eyes. "Now listen here Rin, you better not cause Lord Sesshomaru any trouble like you did last time."

Rin smiled as she swung her bow off her shoulder, nocked an arrow and fired at the imp's feet, all in less than a second. The Imp staggered backwards and looked as she replaced the bow. "I can look after myself now Jaken. Kagome taught me well."

Sweating, the imp found his feet and looked at her. "Are you trying to kill me you little…"

"Jaken, let's go." Sesshomaru said from the side, his eyes a little wider from Rin's display but they soon returned to their normal empty state.

The two companions nodded and followed behind him. Rin and Jaken talked for a while but the demon ahead kept silent, hardly ever speaking and never about what was being said.

They walked on for a few weeks, nowhere in particular, to no one in particular, just forward and onward. They met a few demons stupid enough to challenge the lord. All of them were dead before they knew what hit them.

A couple of times a group had surrounded them. Rin was once again able to show her new found skill as she dispatched several of them, Sesshomaru finishing the others while Jaken ran around helplessly.

The only time the lord mentioned her archery was when he returned one of her arrows. "You missed this one."

Rin wasn't sure if he meant she'd missed picking it up or if she had missed the target with it but she took it with a smile and they went on their way.

The weeks passed and turned into months. With no real reason to be out in the world, wandering aimlessly soon became boring but no one dared say so. Besides, Rin had waited ten years to be back by the lord's side, she wasn't going to complain about it now.

One afternoon Jaken sniffed the air, the staff of two heads in his arms knocking against the shoulder. Rin looked down at him. "What is it Master Jaken?"

"I just smell a hot spring."

Rin grinned and rolled her shoulder. "I could do with a soak." She looked at Sesshomaru who was still walking on ahead. She ran over to him and looked up from his side. "Lord Sesshomaru… do you think we could stop here for tonight?"

He was silent for a moment. "Do as you wish."

Rin smiled to herself as she fell back slightly. Translation; sure, go ahead. She thought, thinking back to the years before when he'd tell her to do as she wanted but he'd always be close. She asked Jaken where the spring was and headed off in the direction. Sesshomaru stood on the path for a moment then moved to follow her, stopping just inside the trees and leaning on one. "Jaken, stay here." He said, noticing that the Imp was also heading towards the springs.

"Are… are you sure my lord? What if Rin gets in trouble?"

"She is a woman now Jaken." He said, closing his eyes.

Jaken nodded knowingly as he sat by a tree as well. I see… before, Lord Sesshomaru would insist I looked over Rin but now she's old enough to look after herself. He sighed happily. At least that's a weight off my shoulders. He sat for a moment when he heard the sound of displaced water. Then his eyes widened and he looked up at the lord, his eyes still closed. Unless you mean… her body is a woman's. He fought down a blush.

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