A/N: By the way, if you guys haven't heard the cover of Four Seasons (the end theme from the third Inuyasha movie) by Lizz Robinett on YouTube, you need to. Just a shout out to a talent I didn't know until a week ago! It's a beautiful song that to me captures the relationship between Rin and Sesshomaru. You're welcome. :3

Generations

Sesshomaru stood facing the boy, the two of them alone, removed from the village at the demon slayer's request. The Demon Lord felt a great dissonance, his eyes narrowed as he carefully considered the boy's bold declaration.

"I want to marry Rin."

"And you're asking my permission?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Why?"

"Well, Sir, isn't it obvious?"

"Enlighten me."

"Rin respects you above anyone else. She… She thinks of you as her father, and as such, I feel it's only right to speak with you, man to man, about my intentions."

"You are mistaken. I've never had, nor do I desire, any control over her life. You are free to do as you choose."

"Yes, I understand, but… Please, tell me your honest thoughts. I want to know."

His honest thoughts? Honestly, Sesshomaru only wished that time would stop. It was difficult to imagine that little girl of his grown and set to be married. Wasn't it just yesterday that he'd held her up in his arms and swore to never let her go?

He was also fighting a growing disappointment, aware that if Rin returned the boy's feelings, she would never again choose to follow him. She would be bound to this village for the rest of her days. Where was the naïve child that had insisted she would always stay by his side—who had shed tears at the thought of having to be left behind by her Lord?

Sesshomaru recalled the numerous interactions between Rin and Kohaku throughout the years. Even as a child, she'd been inexplicably drawn to him. Sesshomaru supposed that it was because Kohaku had been the first human to accept her. He'd joined their traveling band briefly and had resurfaced with more regularity a few years prior. Sesshomaru could tell that his presence had positively impacted Rin. Kohaku made her smile and laugh, and their innocent, wistful natures seemed to complement one another.

At first, Kohaku had met them while under Naraku's control, and Sesshomaru hadn't trusted the boy as far as he could throw him. But his story had been tragic, and he'd redeemed himself for mistakes that were never really his to begin with. He'd become a loyal friend, a mighty demon slayer, and a strong defender of those he cared for. He was far more competent than the other young men of the village, and Sesshomaru had to admit that he trusted Kohaku with Rin's life.

"As long as Rin is happy, then I do not care which path she chooses. However, as far as I'm concerned, her life means more to me than yours."

"Of course. I understand."

It was her crossroads, the moment she would have to make her choice, and Sesshomaru would live with whatever decision she made. Yes, he wanted her to be happy, but he worried that her happiness was no longer dependent on him. It was unfair to keep her chained to his memory of her as that small, helpless child in need of his protective presence. Yet, the thought of releasing her to a destiny separate from him made Sesshomaru feel uncertain and admittedly resentful.

It was their differing existences that made him possessive of her time and attention. He only had so much time with Rin, and yet so many more centuries to live.

But he could not deny her the happiness she deserved when she came to him, elated by Kohaku's proposal.

"You knew all along," she said with a smile and a shake of her head. "I can't believe he asked for your permission. I'm surprised you gave it."

"I merely told him that it was your choice."

"Still… It means a lot to me that he asked, and that you agreed."

He looked away, feigning disinterest. "What did you tell him?"

He noticed her expression turn to one of sadness from the corner of his eye.

"I… I told him I would have to think it over."

"You did not accept?"

"I want to… But I also want… I mean, I miss traveling with you and Master Jaken. I've been waiting for so long, wanting to come with you, but you never asked…"

"You were waiting…?"

"I just thought maybe I wasn't old enough, or strong enough. I know you want to protect me, but I was hoping I could get stronger so that I could come with you and you wouldn't have to worry so much. But then, Kohaku came back, and… I love him, Lord Sesshomaru."

There were tears in her glassy eyes, and she looked back at him, her expression pleading for a response. She didn't know if she could wait any longer when her heart was torn two ways.

What could he say? The choice was sure to be a difficult one. He didn't want to make it harder.

"Rin. Please know that you are always welcome by my side. So, too, are you welcome to live your life here. It doesn't matter what you choose. As long as you are happy, I will support whatever decision you make."

Her tears fell despite her efforts to hold them back, and she threw her arms around him.

"Oh Papa, I don't know what to do."

He held her, one hand on her head as he let her cry out the heartache. Though he'd like her to stay with him forever, it wasn't possible, and he wished only for her contentment. Whatever she chose, Sesshomaru would remain in her life one way or another, of that she could be certain.

The following day, he and Jaken said their goodbyes once more, Rin and Kohaku waving them off without a decision being made. Surely when next he returned, she would have made her choice. Perhaps five minutes had passed before he heard her voice behind him.

"Lord Sesshomaru!"

He paused and looked back over his shoulder. The pair was running toward him, and he didn't miss the bright smile that touched Rin's eyes.

"Lord Sesshomaru, wait!"

"What is it?"

"We've decided…" said Kohaku. "That we would like to travel with you again, Sir. For as long as we can."

Sesshomaru looked to Rin for an explanation.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I love Kohaku, and I want to be with him, but I want to travel with you again while I still can. I'm not weak and helpless anymore. I can help, and so can Kohaku. Please, Papa…"

A compromise, and one he had not expected. To have her at his side once more would be welcomed, and to not have to fear for her mortality would be a great relief. Rin was correct: she was no longer the helpless child she'd once been (no matter how much Sesshomaru missed her that way). And even if some danger presented itself, between himself and Kohaku, Rin could be properly protected.

Should he take that chance? He wondered as he looked into her pleading eyes.

"I can't choose. Not yet. I've liked living in the village, but I miss the adventure, and I miss you and Master Jaken." She took Kohaku's hand. "We want to marry, and maybe one day we'll settle down, but I need a change. I've been patient, waiting for each time you'll return. I'm done waiting."

"You both wish to come with me?"

"Yes, Sir," said Kohaku. "I've always admired your strength, and I can't ignore that part of Rin's heart belongs with you. To ask her to choose would be cruel, and I, too, am restless staying in one place. Besides," he added with a grin. "My sister has too many children, so it gets awfully crowded here!"

Jaken had remained silent until that point. "What do you think, Milord?"

Sesshomaru would have given anything to have his baby girl with him again, but he would have given the sun and moon for her happiness. He met Kohaku's gaze, grateful that the boy gave Rin such consideration.

"You may follow me if you so choose," he said, echoing his pervious words to Rin all those years ago.

Rin gave an excited smile, and Kohaku bowed his head.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Oh Papa," she said, grasping one of Sesshomaru's hands and lifting up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Thank you so, so much!"

After preparing for their upcoming travels with their Lord, Rin and Kohaku waved goodbye to their friends in the village. It felt like old times, the four of them, plus A-Un, and Sesshomaru found he was far more content than he'd been in almost a decade.

It was no easy task to finish cleaning up the Western Lands, but the endeavor was coming along better than he'd expected. With the help of Rin and Kohaku, keeping unruly demons in check had become simpler, especially since they could speak to the human villages on their Lord's behalf. Sesshomaru had no interest in ruling over the humans, but lesser demons often targeted vulnerable villages and caused unnecessary disturbances and conflict. With Rin and Kohaku acting as his envoys, those villages were much more willing to work with the Demon Lord to protect their livelihoods and keep the balance between humans and demons in check.

He would hesitate to call it an alliance, but it was an agreement of sorts, and it aided his reputation. Sesshomaru was not the harbinger of bloodshed that he'd once been. He was far more willing to negotiate with reasonable humans (which excluded the barbarous bandits and criminal nutcases). However, when it came to power-hungry demons, he had no qualms about slaughtering them to prevent further corruption. Even the most wretched of lesser demons, then, learned to think before acting in a discordant manner, for they feared the wrath of the son of the Great Dog Demon.

A few years passed, and in a more peaceful era, Rin's and Kohaku's relationship could flourish. They returned to the village to finally hold a wedding ceremony, which was less than comfortable for Sesshomaru. He'd often made it a point not to overly interact with the other village residents, particularly his half-breed brother and his wife. He tolerated it for Rin's sake, but it took all his willpower not to punch that worthless Inuyasha in the jaw. Thankfully, that human girl was able to control the hot-headed mutt.

Oddly, it was Jaken who broke down and cried. "It seems like just yesterday you revived her with the power of the Tenseiga!"

Sesshomaru smacked him with the staff.

"Get a grip, Jaken."

"Aye, Milord…"

They wasted little time before they set off again, making their rounds across the Western Lands. Battles were less frequent, and diplomacy had become the norm rather than the exception. At times, Rin and Kohaku would venture to the surrounding lands to aid other villages and restore order to those regions, but they would always return to their Lord.

It was after one such trip that Sesshomaru became distinctly aware of a change in Rin. He studied her closely, his eyes hardly leaving her but for a short time. She acted no differently than before, however his nose didn't lie. Her scent had been altered, stirring his protective instincts once again.

She noticed him staring at her one evening when Kohaku and Jaken had taken a trip to round up some food, Rin staying behind to start a fire.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Hm?"

"Is…everything okay? You've been acting strangely for days."

He narrowed his eyes. "You haven't told him, have you?"

"What? Who?"

There was a period of silence before he closed his eyes in understanding. "You don't know then."

"Know what?" When he didn't respond, she dropped to her knees beside him. "Papa?"

Sesshomaru looked her in the eyes for a long moment before he dropped his attention to her stomach. Rin's brows furrowed, and she glanced down, wondering if perhaps she'd spilled something on herself or gotten dirty.

"What are you—?"

She stopped short as Sesshomaru slowly lifted a hand and placed it against her belly.

She met his gaze, and he watched the understanding dawn on her face.

"You…You're sure?"

"Your scent is not the same as before."

Rin covered her flushed cheeks with her hands as the panic began to set in. "Oh no, oh no! What am I going to tell Kohaku?"

"Is it now what you wanted?"

"I…" She paused. "Well maybe, but… But not now!" she insisted, nervously fidgeting with a piece of her hair.

He grasped her hand to stop it. "He will not be upset by this news."

"How do you know? He loves his nieces and nephews, but I know they can be too much for him sometimes, and we hadn't really talked about—"

Sesshomaru lightly placed his fingers to her lips to quiet her worried ramblings.

"You trust Kohaku, do you not?"

She nodded.

"Then you should trust that he will understand."

Rin held her Lord's hand to her chest as she fought to hold back the mountain of thoughts and worries that had quickly piled up at the revelation that she was pregnant with Kohaku's child.

When the other two returned, Sesshomaru commanded Jaken to walk with him. Jaken protested, but a glare from the Demon Lord silenced him, and he followed without another word.

Just as Sesshomaru had predicted, Kohaku took the news that he would soon be a father very well. He shared Rin's nervousness, but appeared excited. They continued to travel with Jaken and Sesshomaru for a few more months, but when it became too difficult for Rin to be on the move all the time, they returned to the village so that she could rest and prepare for the baby that was to come.

In the weeks leading up to the baby's expected arrival, Sesshomaru was careful to stay close to the village. An unexpected uprising at the Southern boarder commanded his immediate attention, and he was agitated that he had to leave Rin at such a crucial time. She was much more vulnerable in her current state, and he vowed to deal with the uprising quickly so that he could return to protect her. In the meantime, he had to trust that Kohaku and the others were sufficient. Reason told Sesshomaru that she would be fine, but that reason was not strong enough to ease his irrational fears.

When he was finally able to return, he'd missed the birth of her child by more than a month. He didn't hesitate to go straight to the hut she shared with Kohaku, and when he entered the dwelling, he found the pair inside, Rin rocking their baby in her arms. When she met his gaze, Sesshomaru could see the unbridled happiness in her warm brown eyes.

"Papa," she breathed, having waited patiently for his return.

He stood there, uncertain of his place in that moment and feeling like an intruder despite the welcoming smiles from both Rin and Kohaku. Jaken stood behind him, equally unsure of his role.

Rin patted the bedding beside her in a silent request for her Lord to sit. He followed her unspoken invitation, Jaken choosing to stand quietly beside the door. Sesshomaru's eyes didn't leave Rin's until she turned her attention to the babe in her arms. He followed her gaze, unable to shake the feeling that he didn't belong there.

"Her name is Akumaora. It means protected by the demon."

"We chose it together," said Kohaku. "It only seemed fitting."

"Would you like to hold her?" asked Rin.

It was the first time that the Demon Lord felt truly overwhelmed, and he wanted to escape. That dissonance had settled in his chest and in his mind for the first time in years, but it was far stronger than it had ever been. It was true that he'd revived Rin with the power of the Tenseiga. It was also true that the heart of a child had transformed him into something better. However, a baby was something far different. He'd never felt anything for them, and the pure essence of a newborn was unsettling.

But this baby was a part of Rin, and as such, he could not ignore or show it indifference. Reluctantly, he reached for the child, and Rin helped him to hold it properly. It was entirely foreign to him, and he wanted desperately to hand it back and retreat.

That was, until it opened its eyes, so like its mothers, and smiled at him, reaching out with its tiny little hands.

The memory of Rin's infectious smile when they first met returned to him, and Sesshomaru knew instantly that he would not be able abandon the child he now held in his arms. He understood that just as he'd protected Rin, it was now his mission to protect this new little girl. She was his just as much as she belonged to Rin and Kohaku.

"Akumaora," he repeated. His eyes softened as he continued to gaze down at the child, lowering his head to let those small, inquisitive fingers touch his face.

"Have you someone to protect?"

'I do, Father.'

X-X-X

Baby Akumaora was but the first of three children that Rin and Kohaku would sire, and with each one, Sesshomaru became surer of his role through the passage of time. The perfect killer had become the perfect protector, watching over the family even as he continued to act as Lord over the Western Lands. He ruled the region, but his heart never failed to call him home to Rin and her little ones. Those children were a part of Rin, and by extension, a part of himself.

Jaken, too, learned to care for the children, and he acted just the same as he had with Rin—perhaps too grumpy at times, but usually quite content in their presence and as their occasional playmate and sitter.

The children admired Sesshomaru, and were sure to tell him so frequently. Humans were much too easily intrigued, he thought, though their attention didn't bother him in the slightest. They seemed particularly amazed when he would step in to prevent them from being harmed by unseen animals or small demons. One day, they ran into a two-headed snake demon that attempted to bite the little boy Kota, but Sesshomaru leapt in front of him to destroy it with his poison claws.

"Whoa, I thought I was a goner for sure! Thanks, Lord Sesshomaru!"

"My Lord, that was amazing!" said Akumaora, her sister and the youngest child Jin peeking around her in wonder.

"You should be more careful," he chastised them. "What are you doing this far out from the village?

"It was Kota's idea!" said Jin. "He wanted to show us he could slay a demon like father!"

Kota was about to protest, but a hard look from Sesshomaru made him think twice.

"Don't be so foolish. You could have gotten yourself or your sisters injured."

He bowed his head, looking ashamed. "I'm sorry, Lord Sesshomaru. I won't do it again, I promise."

He looked to Akumaora. "You should know better than to follow him."

She ducked her head as well. "Yes, My Lord, you're right…"

"Come. Your mother will worry," he said, leading them back toward the village. Kota quickly recovered from the abrupt scolding and ran ahead, picking up pebbles to see how far he could throw them. Jin and Akumaora chose to walk on either side of the Demon Lord, reaching out to hold his hands as he took them home.

X-X-X

The years swept by in the rushing river of time, and soon those children were old enough to have children of their own. He accepted them quickly beneath the blanket of his protection, and each one took up a special place in his heart. He was heckled for it by other demons—the great Lord Sesshomaru taken down several pegs by mere mortal children—but their opinions mattered not to him. There were few parasites that attempted to target the little ones he'd come to love and protect, but those fools were swiftly felled, sending a message the message that trifling with Sesshomaru's family would end in the offender's immediate demise.

Another two decades passed, and those children had children. With each generation, Sesshomaru's dedication to the family only grew.

But then, so did his fear. Rin, now in her seventies, had lost her husband, Kohaku having died five years earlier. The reminders of her mortality grew more numerous all the time. Though her eyes were still as bright and kind as ever, her dark hair had turned grey, her skin had become worn and weathered and frail, and her gait had slowed considerably.

She could no longer keep up with the great-grandchildren, and instead was content to sit beneath the shade of an old oak tree in the royal pink and purple robes Sesshomaru had brought for her, butterfly pins of the same colors decorating her long, silver hair.

"Good afternoon, My Lord," she greeted as Sesshomaru came up beside her. "Care to keep an old woman company?"

He did not return her smile, instead looking resentful at the comment.

Rin patted the spot next to her, not allowing his sour mood to bother her. "Please sit with me."

Sesshomaru did as she requested, but he'd hardly said much of anything lately. What could he say? She acted as though her life was not nearing its end, and yet for him, he knew it would come all too soon.

When she placed her hand on his arm, he didn't move. He wasn't even watching the children play, his eyes seeing nothing in front of him as he lost himself in thought not for the first time.

"I know you're worried," came her soft, aged voice. He didn't want to hear whatever she had to say, yet he wanted to hang on to every word knowing that one of them would be her last. "But I'm not going anywhere just yet. I don't want to waste time with sadness."

His shoulders visibly tensed.

"Papa… Please look at me."

He hesitated before shifting his eyes to Rin. He tried to hide the hurt behind a veneer of annoyance, but she saw straight through him.

"Can't we just enjoy the beautiful day?"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose. She was right. He had no desire to rob her of enjoyment during the final chapter of her life.

"Forgive me, Rin."

"There's nothing to forgive. You're here with me now when I need you most."

They spoke no more as they watched Rin's grandchildren cause harmless mischief in the clearing down below them, blissfully unaware of the limited time their great-grandmother had left.

X-X-X

Rin grew frailer all the time, and Sesshomaru became even more hesitant to leave her. He'd worked hard to unite the Western Lands, and he knew that ignoring them for any length of time could disrupt the balance they'd created. However, it mattered little when Rin could barely walk or stand, her hips too crippled and her body too tired. Whatever discord might arise within his domain, he would deal with it later. There would be time to restore order, but he could not replace the time he had left with Rin.

Watching her deteriorate made the Demon Lord feel helpless, an emotion he'd only felt once before when Rin had lost her life in the underworld. Back then, it had been possible to save her from a premature end. There was no reversing the natural death of a mortal whose body could no longer sustain them.

Most of Rin's family was there to care for her as she aged, and much of the time, Sesshomaru took a back seat and allowed them to provide what she needed. Despite his strong inclusion within the family, he again felt like an outsider since he did not share their limited existence. Mortals were far more familiar with the stages of aging and the eventuality of death.

There were times when Rin requested Sesshomaru's presence or assistance specifically, and those instances became more frequent as the days and months went on. Throughout her life, she'd balanced the formality of referring to him as "My Lord" or "Lord Sesshomaru" with her fondness for calling him "Papa." As she became less and less able to care for herself, she dropped the formal language altogether, and he understood that the fragile little girl she was becoming once again needed the comfort of the man she called father.

There were long stretches of days where he would simply sit with her as she rested, and he developed a hyperawareness of her breathing and heart rate. When she would wake, Sesshomaru, her children, and her grandchildren would take turns trying to coax her to eat. She had little appetite, and Sesshomaru realized that it was a sign her body had stopped trying to produce energy sufficient enough to keep her alive.

Jaken often sat with them as well, but he'd learned by now that when it came to Sesshomaru's affection toward Rin, his Lord preferred to think and feel in silence.

There came a point when Sesshomaru never left her side, and since her family knew him well, they never asked if he wanted a break or fresh air. The great-grandchildren would sometimes cling to him for comfort as they did with their parents and grandparents. He didn't mind, as long as he could be with Rin, to see her eyes open each time and thank the Heavens for just one more day.

"Papa," she breathed as they while they were alone one evening. She reached a hand out to him, and he took it without hesitation.

"Yes Rin."

She gave a weak smile, her eyes still shining. "Papa… Can you hold me? Just for a little while?"

Taking care to not cause her any pain, he gently helped Rin to sit up, moving behind her and taking her into his arms. She kissed his cheek before resting comfortably against his Mokomoko, her fingers lightly grasping his kimono while her head laid at his shoulder. Her blanket still covered her, and he held her protectively against him for the first time in almost seventy years.

"Thank you, Papa," she whispered, drifting off to sleep.

During the weeks that followed, Rin's only request was physical comfort. Jin and Akumaora rarely left their mother's side, holding her hands and stroking her hair, letting her know every day how much they loved her. Just as Rin had been the heart of their strange little band of traveling companions all those years ago, she remained the center of her family unit.

Sometimes Rin would lay her head in Sesshomaru's lap, and he would run his fingers through her hair, and brush his thumbs against her sallow cheeks. It was bittersweet, loving her once more like the child she'd been when they'd first met, but knowing the quality time they now shared signaled the coming eternity he would have to face without her.

Rin began to fade quickly, and Sesshomaru had never seen so much sadness. They tried not to cry in front of her, but he heard them when they went outside for a moment to grieve. Sesshomaru had not shed a single tear, and Rin noticed.

"I don't want you to cry for me, but you don't have to be so strong all the time," she commented. "I know you're hurting."

He couldn't find the words to answer her, so he grasped her hand instead.

"You know I love you, Papa. With all my heart."

"Yes."

She reached out a hand, and he lowered his head so she could touch his face.

"You're just as beautiful as you always were," she said before she gave a regretful frown. "I'm sorry, Papa. I'm so sorry."

"No, Rin. I'm sorry. I promised, but I can't keep you with me."

"I know. Please take care of them. You will, won't you?"

Sesshomaru bent down to press his lips to her forehead in a silent promise.

"I love you, Rin. You are my heart."

As her children returned, they became immediately aware that their mother had begun to take her last breaths. They carefully rushed to her side, placing their hands on her as they whispered their final sentiments through misty eyes. Sesshomaru could not force himself to let her go even as he felt her growing colder and her breathing began to die. He was not prepared for her last breath and the final beat of her heart.

It took all the willpower he could muster to move aside for the rest of her family. His legs felt like lead as he left the hut, stepping out into the darkness of night. Jaken stood just outside the door, but Sesshomaru barely registered the question he asked.

"Yes," he answered before he made himself walk away from the village and into the forest. Jaken did not follow.

The further he walked, the more he cursed the tears that stung his eyes and threatened to betray him. He'd known from the day he'd revived her that she would one day die without the option of bringing her back to life. He had no reason to be so upset by the inevitable.

"You needed to learn two things; the desire to save the life of a loved one taken by death, and the sorrow and fear that accompanies that loss."

The tears rolled down his face despite his efforts to hold them back.

'Rin.'

He couldn't stand this new experience of crying. He'd rather scream, rather fight, rather—

Sesshomaru abandoned his human appearance for his true form, and the howls that rang through the valleys and the forests echoed the pain and desperation that had overwhelmed the Demon Lord's heart.

There was only so much crying to the Heavens he could manage before the emptiness made it impossible to make another sound. He sat by the river, the rushing water mere white noise as he allowed the snapshots from Rin's life to play across his memory.

"If I died one day, I was wondering… Would you… Would you always remember me?"

'Rin. You're the best thing worth remembering.'

Sesshomaru felt a tug on his sleeve, and he glanced down to see the youngest of the great-grandchildren, Yukio. She was only six, and the quietest of the bunch. He could have asked her what she was doing way out there in the middle of the night, but he hadn't the energy to scold her. Not when she seemed to look into his soul with those large, innocent eyes.

Eyes like Rin's.

Wordlessly, Sesshomaru reached for Yukio, and she was content to lay against his chest, providing him with comfort he didn't know he'd ever need. That bittersweet feeling returned, and it felt like he was holding his little girl all over again.

He was grateful for the presence of the child in his arms, as it reminded him that although the loss of Rin was unbearably painful, the pain was worth the lifetime of unconditional love and memories she'd blessed him with. She needn't have worried, because Sesshomaru would remember his little Rin for all eternity.