Disclaimer: Nope don't own Inuyasha. Just Keiji, Jiro, and Ami. :)

"Rin! Rin, come here right this instant!" yelled the small, yellow bug-eyed toad as he scrambled around in search of the missing girl.

'Where could she be now?! Lord Sesshomaru will have my head if something bad happens to her! Oh, that ungrateful child! Well… she's no longer a child, I must say. Yes, it is safe to say that Rin is now a woman. My, how the years have passed her by... Apparently taking and increasing the level of her stubborn attitude as well!' Thought the imp as he let out a frustrated groan.

"RIN!"

A young woman lay calmly on the grass in the small meadow she had found earlier that day. Her hair all but a chocolate wave of silk fanning around her, her expensive looking kimono a white with lavender colored butterflies flying across her chest—the sash holding it closed also a lavender color, accentuating the butterflies wonderfully.

She opened her pale brown eyes and stared at the clouds above her. A smile on her matured, beautiful, oval face was spread widely. She decided it was time to leave, hearing his squabbles over and over again got quite annoying.

As she sat up, her hair cascaded down and she ran a finger over where it stopped right at her hand. It was getting very long. She smiled at that, she had always loved her hair long. She had no clue as to why, maybe it had a lot to do with the fact that her Lord's hair was long as well...

Giving an annoyed huff, she stood to her feet as she heard the toad demon yell her name. It was not that she was afraid of him, just that she knew when it was time to stop messing around. She giggled at that. Ever since she was a child she took it upon herself to give the poor demon a hard time. However, it was not like the annoyance was not reciprocated.

Taking the short walk back to the open field, she giggled once more as she saw the demon turn an angry red when he spotted her.

"Master Jaken, must you always make so much noise? It is not necessary you know," she stated as she walked over to Ah-Un and began to caress the two-headed dragon. His face took a darker shade of red when she finished, and she could not hold back her outright laugh.

"You impudent woman! Have you no respect?!" Jaken screeched. Rin looked at him with a raised perfectly curved eyebrow.

"Woman? That is certainly new," she assessed. Turning back around to give the two-headed dragon her attention once more.

Jaken spluttered over his own words, "w-well I certainly believe th-that you are no longer a child! I-I mean just look at how tall you are now!"

Rin gave a chimed laugh, turning to look down at Jaken, "well, then, Master Jaken, if we are setting heights as the ages then I'd say everyone is much older than you!"

"Why you little—! Along with that growing up of yours, the Gods should have thrown in a lot more maturity, too!" he huffed, turning his back to her. Rin rolled her eyes, giggling at his childish gesture.

"Aw, but what would be the fun in that? Besides, Master Jaken, I believe that no one can see the world as it truly is, except a child."

"HA! Is that your excuse?! Well you're going to have to come up with something better than that! For that is absolutely absurd!"

Rin smiled warmly at her "Master" Jaken. He had always acted like this towards her but she knew that deep down, he really, truly cared. And that's all she needed. For no other family than the one she had now, would do. The powerful aura coming into the clearing snapped her out of her thoughts. The smile that elicited from her lips could only be considered radiant as Jaken had started his squabbling again.

"Lord Sesshomaru! You're back, my Lord! Oh, how wonderful it is to see you once again. Rin is fine I assure you," he turned around to look at her with a glare.

"Bow down you disresp—"

Before he could finish his scolding, Lord Sesshomaru stepped and walked over his small form, burying his face deep into the dirt. Rin did not seem to notice as she continued to look at the demon coming towards her. He stopped in front of her and she was pulled out of her thoughts. Never wavering her big smile, she bowed low before her Lord.

"Welcome back, Lord Sesshomaru."

"Rin...," he grunted in response.

She looked up at him, smile still in place, and then boldly hugged the mighty demon. This had begun to happen for the last few years now and though it bugged the Lord very much in the beginning, he could not say that he really minded now. Or maybe it was the fact that he was used to it, who knew?

He waited patiently as she gave him one last squeeze then released him. When she had first hugged her Lord she knew that she had to be a masochist, why else would she prompt such a dangerous action? However, it surprised her that, not only did he not push her away, but it was the first time he showed any inkling of emotion.

Ever since then, she took up the habit of giving her Lord hugs whenever he returned to her... and Master Jaken. Jaken had been the "against" person with this change of course. Even now Sesshomaru and Rin could hear him begin to splutter and squabble in protest. But just like explained, this had been a normal routine for years..

"You insolent whelp! How dare y—"

"Jaken. We're leaving now," Sesshomaru interrupted as he turned to walk away. Rin was already seated atop Ah-Un, and was hovering in the sky.

"What?! W-Wait for me!" Waddling as fast as his stubby legs could carry him, he ran towards them, falling on his face in the process. Rin giggled and before he could get up she took Ah-Un by the reins, directed them down, and snatched the small imp from the ground.

"Master Jaken, you really should be alert more often," she suggested, giggling at his tear filled face.

'Why must everyone be so cruel to me?' He thought sadly, but grunted as Rin tenderly patted his round head.

And that was how she had went about her life. For the past thirteen years, at least. She still remembered the first day she met her Lord. Being the kind hearted girl that she was born as, she had found him terribly injured and stayed by his side to aid him. Though that had been a bit pointless; his hatred for humans was very potent and he sure as hell wanted no assistance from one. Rin smiled at that. How her Lord had changed. She noticed how some of the ice around his heart began to gradually melt. However, this only seemed to be with her—slightly with Jaken.

Her time spent with Lord Sesshomaru and the way she viewed it began to change. He went from her caretaker to her idol; then hero, admirer, secret crush, and finally, to the one in whom she fell in love with.

Rin was not the least bit surprised when she discovered the last particular feeling. He was beautiful, strong, lethal, and in some ways, caring. The perfect man that any woman would want, however, those were not the reasons exactly why she fell for him.

It was kind of odd, though she knew she was human and all, she could not help but to think that maybe it was a mistake. That Kami himself mixed her up somehow and created her human instead of demon. She knew what she was, not that she regretted it or felt sorry for herself, but her own kind seemed almost...mythical to her. It was something beyond comprehending, for Rin had weird ways of thinking or explaining certain things.

So to say that, well, she never really got to spend time with another male to fall in love with. Not that she was rid of that choice, she could always choose to leave. Lord Sesshomaru had made it clear that if she ever decided to go back to human society, she was free to do so whenever. His response had hit home a little too hard but she understood. He was a strong, powerful, respected demon Lord. She was just a human.

Though his words confused and hurt her most of the time, his actions spoke an entirely different story. Had she really been just a lowly human to him he would not have taken to wasting energy on saving her countless of times. Those in which happened frequently now. She knew she was way older now, twenty years of age to be exact, and she knew her body changes and maturity would attract some demons. Even many human males seemed to undress her with lust-filled eyes every time they walked through a village. Rin was older and as such, desirable. Lord Sesshomaru and she both knew that very well.

The Lord on the other hand, could not say he was exactly... comfortable with that fact. He had not known when exactly Rin became the woman she was now. Neither had he known that just the natural course of her aging could affect him like honey affects a bee. It was hardest when she turned thirteen, having been the first time he had experienced all of her lovely scent to its full extent—her having gone into heat.

It had taken most of his self-control to at least go and retrieve a servant to...explain what was going on to Rin. That's where the overwhelming feelings he held started. She was simply a human child traveling with him and covering his vassal with flower crowns. From what time had she matured into a beautiful woman? For instance just that; he had gone along to admitting that Rin was beautiful.

Ask him that several years back and he would have killed you on the spot from which you stood. Your insolence unforgivable...or existence, whatever suited him best.

He risked a glance back at the giggling woman, then turned quickly back around as he felt his own smile coming on. That was another thing that seemed to have irritated him. Before, his face showed or betrayed nothing of what he was feeling. Now simply because she giggled he wanted to smile along with her!

It mattered nothing at all who you were. If you were ever close enough to hear her laugh or were attacked with a smile, you were sure to commit the gesture right along with her. Her bubbly personality affected everyone. A puppeteer with endless faithful puppets.

In a way, he was glad for that. Should he not one day be able to protect her, he was sure she had made powerful enough demon friends or acquaintances who would do just that in his absence.

He was brought out of his thoughts by Rin's voice, it seemed she had been calling his name out repeatedly...

"Lord Sesshomaru?" She sounded worried now.

"Rin...," he addressed. She sighed in relief.

"Well, I was just wondering if Master Jaken and I could stop by the nearby village. It seems that Master Jaken is in need of more time to relax. And I really don't feel like heading back home...," she trailed off. True, the demon Lord was not so cold anymore, but that did not mean she could venture off without making anyone aware. He listened carefully over her words, thought it over, and finally grunted in approval.

Smiling widely again, she gave him a quick thank you, steered Ah-Un's reins, and led them to ground. Jaken squawked in protest but on the inside became filled with glee. He too got bored of being cooped up in the mansion and thanked Kami that Rin had human interests. Though he would never admit it aloud, the small demon often enjoyed watching what certain humans did for a living.

Ah-Un landed on the border of the village, farther into the forest. Rin climbed down, Jaken following soon after, and she patted Ah-Un lovingly on their muzzles with a smile. The two dragon heads snorted gently and almost seemed to smile right back at her. Giving them one last loving pat, she turned around to walk towards the small village.

"Okay, Master Jaken. Remember, you have to be nice. Or you'll scare them and Lord Sesshomaru will have to blow it all up again," she instructed.

Last time was absurd. Jaken had gotten angry at one of the villagers, threatening to "end their pathetic lives", and Lord Sesshomaru had to interfere. Though it was not necessary, one female villager took it upon herself to slap Rin, and, well... that village no longer exists. Rin shuddered at the memory. Poor people.

"Huh! That insolent man had no right to talk to me in that manner!" Jaken squawked.

"Master Jaken, he simply asked if you wanted the special herb they made for soft skin," she answered. Rolling her eyes in the process.

"Exactly! Was he implying that my skin was rough?! Some stupid humans just need to learn manners!" Rin laughed lightly.

"But Master Jaken, he hadn't even looked at you. It's what they say every time they see a customer," she explained.

"Excuses! You're just trying to defend them! No matter, they are all dead now," he replied smugly. And she did something that she barely did, considering that to her it was a mean thing to do. Rin looked back at Jaken incredulously and as he approached, stuck her foot in his path, tripping him.

"Master Jaken, that's not nice! They are now in the hands of Kami and you should bid them good wishes not grudges," she scolded.

Jaken spit out the mouthful of dirt he had acquired when his face met with earth. He gave Rin a scorching glare, picking himself up off the ground, but decided not to argue. It was embarrassing enough that she tripped him.

Arriving shortly at the village, they were soon faced with many workers and families bustling around in avtivity. They walked through the small groups, watching with curiosity and fascination at all the items they sold in each individual stand. Rin came upon a small table filled with glittering trinkets and accessories. She stopped and inspected a shiny jade, dragonfly decorated comb. Squealing, she hurried and grabbed Jaken.

"Master Jaken, look! Isn't it beautiful?" Picking up the comb gently while showing it to him. The salesperson was a middle-aged woman, who smiled kindly at Rin when she saw her making a delighted fuss over it.

"Isn't it pretty?" The kind woman asked. Rin snapped her head to the lady— Jaken noticing her attention stolen, he walked away— and she smiled back.

"Oh, yes! It's so beautiful. It must cost a lot," Rin pondered. The woman laughed at Rin's serious expression.

"But it would look so well on such a beautiful young lady as yourself. Besides someone like me can no longer wear such things and look just as magnificent," the woman encouraged.

"It's time it belong to someone again and not sit there gathering dust. It used to be my grandmother's and I had been a little resistant on selling it, but it deserves much better than to just sit around on some old table."

Rin looked at the woman in silent astonishment. Unsure of what to say, she set the comb down and shook her head, confusing the saleswoman.

"I'm sorry. I can't take it. Not only do I not have the money with me, but also, I would feel so bad taking away the only memory you had of your grandmother," Rin denied kindly. The woman giggled at Rin's concerns.

"Oh, child. You are too kind. But, honestly, do you really believe had this been the only memory I had of her I would simply sell it off? Goodness, no. And that about the money... well, go ahead, you can take it," She offered with a smile. Rin started.

"Oh, no, no! I'm sorry I simply cannot do that. It would be too much a—"

"It's okay. Really. Simply seeing you trying to get me to preserve this small item tells me that you will take very good care of it. And I could picture it with no one else of your beauty. It will look wonderful on you." Smiling kindly she proceeded to place the comb back in Rin's hands.

"I-I... well... thank you but... a-are you sure?" Rin asked. Thinking any minute now, the woman would snatch back the comb saying it was a joke. No such thing, the woman continued to smile kindly at her.

"Of course, honey. I just want one thing of you in return," she bargained. Rin stared at her in willingness.

"Anything..."

"Will you tell me your name?" The woman asked. Rin was shocked. She had not expected that to be what she wanted.

"Yes! Yes, of course. My name is Rin."

"Ahh. Rin. What a gorgeous and rare name. Suits you very much," the woman replied with the kind smile that never left her slightly wrinkled face.

"Thank you. Please, will you tell me yours?" Rin asked.

"Of course, child. My name is Ami," she responded. Rin returned the woman's kind smile.

"Ami. I will never forget that. Or you, for your generosity. Thank you so very much," Rin stated, bowing her head slightly.

"Oh! There's no need for that. I'm no royalty, my dear. But thank you, I shall never forget you either," Ami stated truthfully after giggling at Rin's courtesy.

"I regret to inform you that I must take my leave. My friend will go crazy in searching for me soon," Rin explained lamentedly.

"Of course, Rin. Please, may Kami watch over and protect you. Have a good day, and do come back," Ami insisted, already waving.

"Without a doubt. I most definitely will. Again, thank you so very much! Goodbye," Rin said, waving back as she walked away.

Rin looked down at the comb in her hands and couldn't believe that Ami had been so kind as to give it to her. It had been her grandmother's, yet, she gave it to her knowing that she would take care of it. Rin squeezed it with gentle pressure. She would take very good care of it indeed! No matter what, Ami would not regret her actions, Rin promised herself silently while searching for Jaken.

'Now where did Master Jaken run off to?'

He had entered the village for new silk that he was in need of. It was simply another normal trip to the local village, nothing more. Who knew that this would be a very different one indeed?

"Prince Keiji?" A male voice asked. Keiji directed his attention to his guard in response.

"Yes?"

"We are almost there, my liege," the guard informed.

"Very well. Thank you, Jiro," Keiji responded.

It was good to know that they were almost at their destination. Riding on horseback was always fun. However, if you carried on with it for too long, it began to get uncomfortable. A stretch sounded very good.

Arriving shortly into the village, just as he had been told, Keiji dismounted his horse and Jiro took the reins. Tying the horses securely to a tree, Jiro came back to stand at Keiji's side. Keiji looked over at Jiro and grinned.

"Well! Here we are. Jiro you are free to roam. I will come and find you when it is time to depart," Keiji explained. This was a normal routine. Though the guards would be told to strictly remain at Keiji's side at all times, the prince was just not one to argue with.

"Very well, Prince Keiji," Jiro sighed. Sometimes he wished the prince would just let him do his job, but alas, no such thing. He just knew one of these days he would regret it.

"Alright, then! See you around, Jiro," Keiji said as he laughed at his guard's expression. He knew that they wished for him to just cooperate, but he simply did not like being followed around.

Keiji headed straight towards the silk shop. But as always he would look at the many things along the way. He had seen a wonderfully crafted, wooden dragon; many swords, and, of course, wedding essentials. He rolled his eyes as he passed that certain stand by.

His parents had been tormenting him by throwing women after women his way. Speaking the nonsense of "it is time for you to marry and learn and take your place at the throne as future King". Blah, blah, blah. It had all gotten so old, so fast. Yet it was their favorite card to deal.

Keiji sighed. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever really, truly find the woman of his dreams. He winced away from the idea of one day having to marry without love. Marrying some woman who only lusted after his power and fortune was not the way he pictured it. But so far, life was heading in that direction.

As he opened the door to the seamstress's hut, he cleared his mind as he entered inside. It pleased him to find the place empty, it was always a little unsettling when people gave him utter respect for simply being what he was. The only person who did not seem to give in to bending at his every whim was the seamstress herself. That's why he had chosen to only come to her.

"Prince Keiji. Very nice to see you again," the seamstress announced without turning to look at him.

"Likewise, Suzu. Always a pleasure," he replied with a grin. This time she turned to look at him.

"What can I help you with today?" she asked in a bored tone. Keiji chuckled.

"Nothing big, just the same as last week," he shrugged. Suzu sighed while nodding her head.

"You need new hakamas again? How exactly do you ruin them?"

"I would tell you, but... that's my secret for you to never know," he responded with a wink. She rolled her eyes and he laughed.

"Okay, sure. Well you know the deal, come back in two days and they will be ready," she told him, not looking his way again as she began to work on his hakamas.

"Got it. Later Suzu," he replied, exiting her shop. He chuckled as he heard her grumble in response.

Walking around namelessly, his mind wandered back to his parent's harassment in regards to marriage. He just could not come to terms with marrying someone for the sake of carrying on the lineage. Yes, such things were important, but he wanted to do them in honesty. He was not sure what was so hard to understand, but perhaps one day when time came to hand down reign to his own heir, he would possibly have a better idea of how things worked.

Being so wrapped into his thoughts he failed to see the young woman standing still—searching— in which he was heading straight towards...

"Oh!" She gasped as she landed on the floor. Keiji stumbled two steps back while trying to regain his balance.

"Oh, my! I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking. Are you alright...?" He trailed off as he looked at her face.

My Kami she was radiant, stunning even! Her hair was in a silk disarray from the fall, her cheeks were flushed from embarrassment, and her eyes were pale brown—bright with concern and confusion. He noticed her frantic look as she seemed to shake her head out of her shock, and hurried to look on the ground for something. He immediately began to look with her.

By his right foot was an exquisite comb. He picked it up gently, afraid that he might break the fragile looking accessory, but he found it to be quite strong. Strong enough not to break at least. He held it out to her, the girl still searching on the ground, and he saw as she looked at his hand in confusion when he brought it closer to her face. She gave out a relieved sigh to back up her alleviated expression, and almost immediately took it from him.

She inspected the comb for any breaks or cracks, relief washing over her when she found none. Of course it would be her to get into an accident right after acquiring the gift. She watched as the young man extended a hand out to her in help. She studied him in awe. His dark hair seemed to shimmer in the sun, his green eyes filled with concern. She took his offered hand, and she could not help but notice how strong he looked. Not as strong as Lord Sesshomaru, not as tall either, but nothing to dismiss. This was no ordinary man, but who he was she had no clue. Reality struck her as she took looked away from his eyes to take in the sight of their joined hands.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have been standing there like that. Are you okay?" she asked in worry. He stared at her, appalled. She was the one that fell yet she was worried if he was alright? What a strange, beautiful woman...

"No, no! I'm perfectly fine. More like, are you alright?" He asked chuckling. She looked at him, confused again, before it clicked that she had been on the ground a few moments ago.

"Oh, yes! I'm fine as well. Thank you for helping me find my comb," she said shyly, wiping away any dirt that was on the surface of her precious gift.

"It was of no problem. After all I owed you that much," he said smiling. She smiled back and his breath caught in his throat. Her smile was dazzling.

"Oh it's okay. I'm so clumsy and it happens frequently that I stopped noticing," she answered giggling. He chuckled with her and made sure to save her laugh to memory.

"Yes, well, I'll have to say this is quite my first time. At least with someone who is as enticing as you," he complimented. She blushed, lighting her face with a pretty pink.

"Well then, I guess that is why they say there is a first for everything no?"

"Yes, I do believe that is correct, Miss...?" he asked, prompting. She had not seemed to catch on.

"Goodness! I'm sorry. Rin, my name is Rin," she replied smiling. Holding out her hand to take his.

"I'm Keiji. Nice to meet you, Rin" he replied. Returning her hand shake gently

"Very nice to meet you, Keiji."

'Very nice indeed.' He thought.

"Rin! Rin, where are you?!"

Rin turned her head in the direction of Jaken's squabbles. She looked back to Keiji with an apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry. I have to go now. But it was nice meeting you! I'm sorry for our crash, but thank you for helping me back up," she stated kindly.

"Well, I do believe leaving a lady on the floor would be ill mannered. However, if it means seeing you again, I don't think I would mind," he expressed boldly. Her cheeks regained their blush, her smile shy.

"You are too kind. Hopefully we can meet again. Goodbye now!" She waved while running off. He waved back, chuckling at her haste. What a girl...

Keiji snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Jiro call out to him. He turned his attention to his guard as he spoke.

"Prince Keiji, Are you ready to leave now?"

"Why, yes, Jiro. You're right on time! Let's go shall we?" He responded merrily. Jiro looked at him in confusion. Did he miss something?

As they walked back to where the horses had been tied, Jiro could practically feel the elated waves in the prince's aura coming off of him in abundance. Just exactly what had occurred? Several moments had passed when Jiro noticed that Keiji still had that love-struck smile on his face. He could not help it anymore, curiosity got the better of him.

"Did something happen, Prince Keiji?"

"Hmm? Oh. Why do you ask that?" Keiji responded, still smiling.

"Oh, nothing important. Just that you look so... euphoric," Jiro explained.

"Ahh, I see. Well, yes, Jiro. You can say I am," Keiji answered.

"May I know why, my liege?"

Keiji smiled even wider, as if it were possible and replied:

"I think, Jiro... I think that... I have finally found my future wife."

: I tried to update as fast as I could. School shopping, laziness, and babysitting got in the way. lol But you see? I told you the chapter would be longer :) Anyways, please be kind and REVIEW? Who knows it'll probably make me update faster ;)