Chapter Summary : Rin prepares to leave with her lord and bids her friends farewell.

Title : Only Time

Pairing : Sesshoumaru and Rin

Disclaimer : I do not own any Inuyasha characters. This story is purely fanfic.

Setting/ Timeline : This happens six years after Sesshoumaru left an 11-year-old Rin at Kaede oba-san's village.

ONLY TIME

CHAPTER TWO : " LOOK TO THE SETTING SUN "

It was like a gentle caress – the wind – as it touched his face and parted his hair. It flowed around them like a song; between them, in the small gap between their bodies. A sigh escaped the girl whose chin he held in his claws. She was blushing furiously, her little heart thumping wildly in her bosom. The ningen had averted her eyes from her lord and seemed to stare at an empty space on the grass. Rin..my beautiful human ward who, just this morning, has reminded me that I too, am a man. She does not realize I can smell every emotion she feels..and smell every scent she gives off. And right now she gives off that faint scent of fear and apprehension. It was something she had never displayed before him - because of him. And if she could smell him like he could her..she would smell the same scent emanating from his body..and more strongly. But why? Later, he promised himself, when he had found time to think again, he would try to answer that question. Like he would with all the other questions. I really ought to just kill myself. That is, if Tensiega allows me to.

He rose and gazed pensively down on her still-seated form. I want you by my side Rin, just like before. There will be no hindrances." Rin. "

Rin looked up at her lord. " Hai? " Still reeling from their earlier conversation, she could barely look at him. But look she did. As if I have a choice.I can't believe I just said yes.

Oh yes, you can.

Can't.

Can.

I hate you inner voice.

Hate yourself.

He turned and left. " Let's go. "

The walk back to Kaede oba-san's home seemed like forever. Rin walked ahead of her demon sire, Sesshoumaru followed closely behind. It maddened her to have him behind her like this – a silent...and eerie guardian. Creepy Lord Sesshoumaru, she thought. She stole a glance behind her and took in all her lord's features. Somehow, this part of her still hadn't changed. Though she no longer smiled at him as much as she used to; though she was no longer the naïve little girl she once was; though she already understood the differences between her and her lord; though she could no longer look at him and love him as purely as she once did – she still could not help herself from stealing little peeks at him. She still admired his beauty – that demonic, perfect face that had entranced her since she first met him. It had always been that ferocity – that demonity – that attracted me. I had loved it since the first moment I saw it. I was never one to run away. I never ran away from him. I was never scared of him..until now that is. He gives me chills.

I had always loved him.

She used to wonder , when she was younger and had started living with Kaede oba-san, whatever it was that made her love him at all. Then she had decided that she loved him just for himself. And love him she will for the rest of her life. It is at times like these that I am glad I'm mortal. At least, when I finally die, I can stop loving him. That way the hurt ends.

Your pensive thoughts are quite disturbing, Rin-chan. Have you taken to thinking intelligently then?

If you're still around, inner voice, then there's nothing intelligent about what I'm thinking.

Oh.

Eventually, they came to Kaede oba-san's home. The day was dwindling and Rin could see that evening was fast approaching. The afternoon sun hovered low between the mountain peaks, sending its golden rays one last time to touch the peaceful valley. Rin wanted to wrap her arms around it. It felt so warm.

Her miko mentor stood at the doorway waiting for her. She held a small traveling pack in her hands and a parcel wrapped in paper and tied with what looked curiously like sacred ropes. Sacred ropes?

Rin came to a stop a few steps before Kaede. For a long minute, older miko and younger miko stared at each other. Warmth and understanding reflected in the older woman's eyes, whilst questions and unfathomable wisdom lurked in the younger's.

" I believe a quiet talk alone, is what we need to do Rin-chan. " , Kaede said. She smiled knowingly at her young ward. " Since you are leaving with your lord now. "

Rin started. " Hai. "

Sesshoumaru snorted. " I am not a patient lord. "

Rin gave him an icy stare. " It' just for a short while Sesshoumaru-sama – ", she turned to Kaede, " – right oba-san? "

" I will leave you here if you tarry. ", Sesshoumaru replied. Now let's get the hell out of here.

" Then so be it. But somehow, I don't think that's a threat. ", Rin told him. She assumed a disdainful expression and pouted. No way.

" Believe me, it is. ", Sesshoumaru growled menacingly. Well, isn't this interesting. She has no qualms when arguing with me. But she shivers at my slightest approach.

This time it was Rin's turn to snort.

Kaede laughed. She patted her sides gleefully, took one look at Rin and Sesshoumaru's both startled and irritated faces, and erupted into howls of more of what could be deemed as inappropriate laughter. Or as the situation would have it – howling.

Was it even possible for an old woman to be able to howl? Sesshoumaru did not think so. And a human at that.

" Oh, ", she said while giggling and wiping the tears that had somehow formed in her eyes, " I have – I have never seen such sparks fly since Kagome and Inuyasha discovered each other. It's a beautiful sight for mine old eyes. "

Rin stared.

Sesshoumaru scowled. She dares compare me with the tick. He flicked an errant strand of hair over his shoulder, as casually as they come, and assumed a more arrogant poise - as if his former wasn't yet arrogant." You may have your minute. ", he said. " But that is all. " Let the old lunatic have her way. He looked at Rin pointedly as if to say ' You better be here when I get back ' and flew into the sky.

Kaede sobered. " Rin, ", she said. " Shall we go? " She held out one wrinkled left hand and motioned for Rin to take it.

They strolled down the village path, leisurely taking their time, while Rin said her goodbyes to the people she passed by. She would be leaving them soon, she told them, and that she would miss them terribly. Somehow, in all her years spent at this small farming town, though she had never made any real friends, she was still beloved by the villagers because she was Lady Kaede's ward. Being a demon's – make it a very powerful and short-tempered demon's – ward helped too.

Lady Kaede spoke, when they were out of earshot of any villagers, " I will miss you terribly my dear. "

" And I you, oba-san. ", Rin replied.

" What were you doing in the forest that took you so long? " Kaede glanced at her Rin. " You must know the consequences of such an action. " She smiled slyly and began making small, suspicious, chuckling noises.
" Eh? What do you mean? " Rin turned on her mentor. " We were just talking. " He was positively seducing me oba-chan, but you needn't know that. And so he got me to say yes.

She was about to say more to convince her mentor but the ridiculous look on Kaede's face stopped her. The old woman's expression was just one word short of another howling. What was it they said about senility? She held her silence instead and let her words sink in.

" That's all you did? ", Kaede asked, smiling. " I am quite surprised. Sesshoumaru-sama is nothing if not an intelligent, all-powerful demon lord. I expected more from him. " She pretended to sigh patiently, while stealing a glance at her ward.

Rin was frowning. Something clearly bothered her.

" What is it child? ". Kaede asked.

" Kaede oba-chan..tell me, am I a fool for saying yes? " Rin looked as if she was about to cry. " I want to stay by his side forever, but that's impossible, isn't it? I'm just a human, aren't I? " She fell to her knees and started sobbing. " I love him so much..I..I..didn't even care. " Her young chest heaved with every breath she took and every sob she made. Tears flowed freely from her chocolate eyes.

Kaede smiled and caressed Rin's face and smoothed the creases from her brow and used the sleeve of her robe to wipe the tears away. Oh, yes. Rin was still so young. But she didn't doubt her young ward's decision. In fact, she applauded it. Lord Sesshoumaru should understand by now, what his relationship to Rin was. He would care for her well.
" To love is not folly Rin-chan. It is just right that you do. No, you are not a fool. "

" I am afraid. "

" It's only natural to be afraid. " Kaede pointed a wizened old finger at the setting sun. " See that over there? " Rin nodded. " That's the horizon, where the setting sun lives. Look to the setting sun. That is the west. Pursue that road, my child. There is where your destiny lies. I'm sure of it. "

" You are? "

Kaede nodded.

Rin sniffled.

. " I love him very much. But I know that it's only for as long as I live. I doubt if he even loves me back. " She chuckled softly. " This will never work, will it? "

" Only time will tell, only time will tell… tell me, do you still remember that song Kagome used to sing to you? The one she said was sung by someone from her world? ", Kaede asked.

" Yes, I do. Why? "

" Very good. It was a very beautiful song too. " Kaede took a deep breath and sang :

" Who can say where the road goes?

What the day knows?

Only time.

And who can say if your love grows as your heart chose?

Only time. "

Rin smiled. Kaede oba-san's voice was rickety and old, but she remembered the song well. She joined her and sang with her own sweet voice :

" Who can say why your heart sighs as your love flies?

Only time.
And who can say why your heart cries when your love lies?

Only time.

Who can say when the roads meet that love might be in your heart?
And who can say when the day sleeps if the night keeps all your heart
Night keeps all your heart "

They both stopped and smiled at each other, Rin with reassurance in her heart. Kaede took her ward's hands and squeezed them. " Patience is a virtue my dear. "

" Arigatou, Kaede oba-san. "

" Shall we go back? "

" Yes, please. "

Sesshoumaru scrunched up his nose and frowned at the invading smell of salty tears. Other scents as well. His ward and her mentor were crying and he was..well he wanted nothing to do with that. Even as far as he was from them, flying away from them to give them privacy like the gentleman he was..he could still smell their emotional farewell – and was that singing?

Rin had a beautiful voice..she'd always had one. But to sing during a farewell?

He snorted. Women.

Wait – did he just call himself a gentleman? Oh, yes he did. Kami help him, the world was ending.

He dropped down in the middle of the forest and found himself a good-sized tree. He reached out and touched it. Yes, he could feel the years on it. Almost a century now. But I am still older than you little tree. And right now, this Sesshoumaru feels the need to end something. Shall we end your life? It's pointless anyway.

He raised his hand and cut down the tree with his claws. It fell with a crunch. Good. That was good. At least something was going to keep his claws busy. And if he could find some lesser demons, that was better.

He found another tree.

The walk back was filled with silence. But it was the good kind of silence. A silence filled with understanding and peace. Kaede and Rin smiled at each other. They were happy now, and though Rin's heart was still far from being completely assured of the wisdom of her actions, she was at peace with it. Whatever circumstances brought her she would accept with gentle grace. Talking with Kaede oba-san had somehow helped her troubled state of mind.

And that song. She would always sing it whenever she felt lonely and she would never forget.

" Rin-chan! " A young woman who looked no more than eighteen came running from a field, carrying a little white-haired baby boy in her arms. Behind her trailed two more children, a twin boy and girl, both with the same white hair. Lastly, there followed an annoyed looking white-haired man, crossed-armed and very cross.

Rin smiled gleefully. " Kagome nee-san, Inuyasha nii-san, everyone! " She ran to meet them. " What are you all doing here? " She took the baby from Kagome's arms and snuggled it fondly. The little boy erupted into giggles.

Kagome placed her hands on her hips and huffed. " Well, we came to see you off, of course. "

" See me off? ", Rin asked, puzzled.

" Yeah. Weren't you leaving with Sesshoumaru? Kaede oba-san told us so. "

" Eh? She did? " The old gossip. Rin looked pointedly at her mentor while asking Kagome, " When did she tell you ? "

Kaede looked bashful and Kagome smiled. " An hour ago. "

An hour go. Oba-san sure has a big mouth. But I'm glad for her foresight. " I see. Well, I'm still waiting for my lord. "

" Really? Where is he? "

" Uhm..well..he kind of flew of somewhere while we were saying our goodbyes – he'll be back. "

Inuyasha stomped his feet and harrumphed, and assumed disdain. " I'm sure he will. " He took out his Tessaiga and brandished it in front of them. " But just to make sure, I'll call him so ya'll can go and I can go back to sleeping. "

He huffed and puffed and shouted in his loudest voice, while his children prepared to cover their ears and his wife prepared her own brand of poison for when he finished his business, " Sesshoumaru, you son of your mother who is a female dog and is therefore scientifically called a BITCH..get your ass down here! "

He chuckled. " We're waiting. " He turned to the women and his children, " Ya know, Kagome's world sure has some useful words. She's been teaching me, ya know? "

" Inuyasha – "
Inuyasha turned to see who had spoken and saw with fright that his wife had seemingly taken a gigantic form and now resembled one of the youkai he used to kill. Her face was beet red and smoke seemed to billow from out of her ears. One thought entered Inuyasha's mind and stayed there before his wife uttered the magic words : SHIT. That was stupid.

" Inuyasha – ", Kagome said severely, " OSUWARI ! "

Inuyasha fell on his face with a loud smack and a permanent crater formed in the ground. Rin sighed. There was just no end to Inuyasha nii-san's idiocy. Heaven help them all. Kagome, satisfied with her magic, turned to her children and quietly but sternly told them not to follow their father's example or they too, would receive the same set of prayer beads around their neck and be commanded with the same magic word. The twins nodded vigorously , then glared at their father simultaneously. The baby boy giggled.

Inuyasha could not say a word.

Presently, an ominous aura made itself known to the friendly company. Kagome and Rin gasped. Inuyasha winced. And the others waited anxiously. Rin felt her heart pounding wildly.

Sesshoumaru was coming down from the sky and he made a perfect landing just a few feet away from them. Score one for this Sesshoumaru, he thought. He saw his hanyou half-brother, his human wife..their children..and lastly, Rin, with her mentor, standing quietly behind the group, her wide-eyed gaze on him. He could hear their heartbeats and hers was particularly loud and particularly fast. Interesting.

He stood where he landed and let his gaze travel slowly over the group and settle on Rin. " Rin- ", he said, " Have you finished with your farewells? "
" Uhm, I would like to say goodbye to a few other people if you don't mind it, Sesshoumaru-sama. "
" Hmph.."
" Sesshoumaru, how dare you ignore me? " Inuyasha was presently composing himself from his previous fall from grace and was now eager to get back to challenging his older brother.
" Hmph."
Rin gazed up at her demon lord tentatively.
" Sesshoumaru-sama..I was wanting to say goodbye to Sango nee-san and the others, but they're not here yet. "

" We'll wait. "

"Arigatou, Lord Sesshoumaru. "

Crossroads, when they meet, are always fated and destined. Destiny is a fierce enemy, for she holds the Key to the future, and she does not take kindly to those who rebel against her might. And Destiny had already chosen the path that Rin would take, the same went for Sesshoumaru.

However, sometimes, she lends her Key to those strong enough to make their own path and blaze their own trails; those who would fight for their love and sacrifice even their lives.

Presently, a familiar voice hailed the company and Rin turned to see a very much grown-up Kohaku running towards them. She smiled in greeting and held out her hand. Kohaku took it as he reached them and kissed it.

Sesshoumaru tensed. Who was this young upstart? He smelled familiar.

Rin turned to her lord and introduced Kohaku to him. " Anou, this is Kohaku, Sesshoumaru-sama. "

" Hmph. " Was Sesshoumaru's only reply. So that's who he was. The brat actually had the audacity to kiss his ward's hand in his presence. This Sesshoumaru is not pleased.

Sango and Miroku caught up with them and gave Rin a big hug and said their goodbyes.

Sango said, " Rin-chan, we're going to miss you. "

Rin replied, " And I you, Sango nee-san. "

Kohaku stepped between them, He said, " Especially me Rin-chan. I'm going to miss you terribly. " With that, he kissed her lightly on the cheek and gave her a deep look.

Rin blushed.

Sesshoumaru scowled.

I know what i said..So sorry for the many-month delay..more chapters soon!