I do not own Inuyasha

The northern winds howled all night bringing colder air behind it. Rin sat in her hut huddled close to the warmth of the fire. 'He will be here soon to take me away' she told herself. Though it had turned cold, no snow had fallen. She wished for the snow to come and never melt so she could be with her lord forever.

She was still thinking of what Kagome had asked her. What did she really want in her life? Is being by her lord's side truly enough? She didn't understand her feelings but she was sure of one thing. As long as he was present in her life, she was content. "Sesshomaru-sama, are you thinking of me as much as I am thinking of you?" she said out loud as she stirred her soup pot, sighing.

"Yes, Rin." an answer called out startling her.

"My Lord, you are here. I'm so glad. But it had not snowed yet. I.." a claw stopped her mid sentence. Her eyes told him all he needed to know. She truly missed him. She bowed lowly, " Thank you for coming for me."

"Hn. Get what you want Rin, we will be leaving soon." Sesshomaru said to Rin and turned to the door. She quickly grabbed a mitt and took the pot over to Kagome. She said her goodbyes and hugged everyone. Outside the hut, two brothers quietly acknowledged one another.

"She's a good kid but be warned she's been going through some human emotional changes so be patient with her. Feh. Teenagers."

"That is none of your concern." Sesshomaru said as he glared at Inuyasha.

"None of my what?! Who do you think watches over her day and night since Kaede's death? The girl won't move in with us and never ask for anything. I've found her on two occasion trying to get firewood in the rain. The girl is independent and won't ask for help. She doesn't want to be a burden. But she is never a burden. She is family. Just be careful with her. You'll break her heart without knowing it. Since you're emotionally challenged and all..." whack! Inuyasha was thrown forty feet away before he realised Sesshomaru had thrown him.

"I do not need your lectures, little brother. She is mine and I will take care of her. Know your place and hold your tongue before I rid you of it." Sesshomaru was about to punch Inuyasha again when a voice calmed his nerves.

"Sesshomaru-sama, I am ready. Inuyasha-sama, thank you for everything, you need not worry. Sesshomaru sama will take good care of me. I'll be back before you know it." Rin said as she leaned forward to give Inuyasha a hug. Inuyasha smirked when he notice Sesshomaru's eye glowing red and demonic aura increasing.

"You better run over there and hug your Ice Lord or he's gonna blow..." making Rin's cheek flushed and her heart racing as she glanced toward Sesshomaru.

His transformation stopped the minute he saw her cheeks glow into the pink hue. My God, she is breathtaking. She walked up to Sesshomaru, smiled and said, "I'm ready My Lord. " With that he swooped her up, wrapped his mokomoko around her and flew back to the western castle.

She ran up the stairs after they landed. "Am I in the same room? Next to your study right?" She said as she ran down the hall making a right, then left, then right. She stopped outside her room and gently pushed the door in. She revel in how warmly it was decorated with silks and mink blankets. She opened her dresser to see beautiful kimonos lined up in an assortment of colors. She started to tear up," Lord Sesshomaru, you're the best!" she said as she jumped up to hug him.

Sesshomaru was observing Rin when he noticed her sudden tears followed by a bright smile and a big hug. That caught him by surprise because since she was getting older, she had not been very expressive with her hugs. It had been two years since she hugged him for no reason at all. He brought his arms around her," So I take it you like it."

Rin's smiles were endless. "Oh yes my Lord. I Love it. I love everything about it. Just like you." Rin gasp. Did she really just say that? Her eyes widen and became fearful. He didn't caught that did he? What , what should she do?

Sesshomaru heard what she said. She loved everything...just like you. She loves me? He smiled inside. For some reason the thought of her loving him did not disgust him. It only made him feel greater than he is. Then he noticed her eyes saddening. "I'm glad you like it. Get some rest, come to my study afterwards if you so choose."

Rin smiled again. 'Whew. That was close' she thought. She was very weary from travel. She laid her head on the pillows and blanket and dreamt of her lord.

Rin missed being by her lord's side. She missed how warm his body would feel even with the distance between them. She missed watching him read the doctrines so intently it soothed her to sleep. Since Kaede's death, she hadn't been able to sleep through the night without waking at least once. She felt so lonely no matter who was around her. But with Lord Sesshomaru, just knowing he was nearby was enough to calm her soul.

Three months flew by without any problems. When Sesshomaru was busy, she would go sit with Inukimi and listen to her tell stories of old. Rin knew her lord had lived a long time but four hundred years was really long compared to her nearly fifteen. Then a thought made her sad. "Inukimi-sama. Has Sesshomaru sama ever been in love before? Does he have a mate?" She bit her lips awaiting the response. She was unaware of a daiyoukai just outside his mother's room with excellent hearing.

"My, my aren't we the nosy one? Why is it you asked? Would you like to meet her?" Inukimi said knowing Rin's response and getting Sesshomaru angry.

Tears started to fall the instant she heard 'meet her'. Why would she be upset? Her lord deserves to be loved. Even if it's not from a lowly human. She ...she should be happy for him. She couldn't hold her anguish so she quickly excused herself to leave."I'm not feeling too well, Inukimi-sama. I wish to be excused."

"Dear child. He had eyes for none other than you." She said rectifying the situation. She felt Sesshomaru's aura nearly explode when Rin started to cry. " Besides, he is still young in youkai years so no need to settle just yet. Unless someone persuades him..." she winked at Rin. Her face blushed hard as she turned away,"I don't know what your mean, my Lady."

Inukimi lifted Rin's chin up and wiped her tears," For one who is known to hate humans, he keeps you by his side, he protects your life, he rids his court of those offending you, he goes out of his way to accommodate your human needs. If that is not enough proof of your status, I don't know what is. Smile child. You are the reason my son has a purpose other than conquest. For that, you have my gratitude. Besides, I enjoy seeing him squirm outside my room." She said breaking out in laughter.

Rin eyes grew as Inukimi nodded at her. She ran to the door and opened it to see Sesshomaru right out. "My Lord."

"Mother, Rin is done here. I'd appreciate it if you would not toy with her like that. Let's go." He commanded as he took her hand and walked away.

It had been a full day since she had seen him. Inukimi-sama came to say good-bye and shot her a good luck wink making her blush hard again. 'My lady is such a jokester' she said smiling to herself. She was confused. She knew she was special to her lord but she didn't know where she fit in. She wasn't a servant but she was not a lady of the court by any means. Then a thought implanted by Inukimi started to bloom, 'Perhaps I can be his mate.' Rin shook her head but the thoughts of belonging to Sesshomaru did not go away.

In fact, she longed for that moment. She imagined how he would hold her in his arms and confess his love. She laughed to herself,' yeah right. Him confess?' But it was a wonderful day-dream. So wonderful her laughter was heard from his study.

She was distracting him. Her cries, her laughter, her presence. He could not help but be drawn to her. She had such power over him. What mother said was true. She was the reason he no longer was in search of power. He realized all the power he wanted was to protect her. His little human. But she was not just any human. She was his Rin.

His mother pointed out his overprotective attitude and care for his ward. "It seems as though she is your mate and not just your ward the way you attend to her every whim, my boy. "

But why did this upset him? Was he to follow in father's footsteps? Was he in .. With Rin? It can't be. Emotions are weak and useless. But, when she smiles, somehow all the struggles in life would melt away and her songs would keep him at ease. She was his muse. She was his light in the dark and she was his. His Rin. Yes. It was an epiphany that had taken 5 years to realize. He wanted her back by his side and for as long as time would allow.

"Mother, what would you do if I do not deny that accusation?" He wanted to see first hand the outcome of his decision. Eyes glowed in red reflected her answer. He knew that his father had fought up to the day he died to protect Inuyasha's mother from humans and demons alike. Is that what he wanted Rin to go through? And more so, did she want to be with him in that way?

"I see that your decision has been made. I do not care for it however, I will stand by you, my son. But know this, opposition is fierce and it will get harder for the child. Your have been warned." Inumiki turned and left her son, it seems as though history would soon repeat itself.

Her laughter brought him out of his contemplation. 'I will have to tell her, but only after the court is settle and her safety is assured.' Just then he noticed the snow melting on the branches of the sakura tree.

After her birthday, Sesshomaru brought Rin back to Inuyasha's village. He told her he would have to settle things at his court. He knew it would hurt to stay away but it had to be done. "It will take me at least a year to straighten those demons out. Until then, I will not visit."

He smelt her tears instantly.

Rin knew her lord had many duties, none of which was to see her. As much as it hurt, she knew it was for the better.

" Will you come back for me?" She needed to know he still wanted her in his life.

His arms came down around her, his head on her head, as he took in her scent. "Always. You have my word. Once everything is back in order, you will be where you belong. By my side."

Happy tears streamed down her cheeks onto Sesshomaru's kimono. He paid it no mind. She will know soon enough.

"I will be waiting for your return, My Lord."

She watched as her saviour, her Sesshomaru flew towards the western skies. Yes, she will wait until he returns to his rightful place. By her side.