The sun was disappearing beneath the horizon, marking the end to another day. The sky was filled with gorgeous pink and orange colors. Several villagers stood outside to admire this wondrous act taking place. However, despite this, the forest would be cold again tonight as another day passed without the return of Lord Sesshomaru. Many, including Inuyasha, have already accepted the idea of him never coming back, and that he is indeed gone.
Rin stopped to catch her breath. She was exhausted. She had been out all day searching for her lord, but had no intentions of giving up. She was going to keep looking until she found him.
Where are you Lord Sesshomaru?
Rin asked that question over and over in her head. She knew he wasn't dead. She didn't believe Sesshomaru was capable of dying. He was far from weak no matter what anyone said. Besides, Rin was perhaps the only one he cared about protecting, and needed to stay alive for her.
It was dark now, making Rin aware she was all alone in a spooky forest. She wasn't going to let this daunt her. She kept going, wandering around in the moonlight. Rin continued to call out Lord Sesshomaru's name until her little body gave out, and she collapsed from fatigue. It didn't take long for her to be overtaken by slumber.
...
"Rin, you must get some rest." Sesshomaru gave Rin a concerned look as he strolled over to her. "You are exhausted child."
Rin smiled and nodded. "Yes, It's been a long day. I am so ready for bed now!" She spotted the perfect place and curled up in a ball next to a pine tree. She went straight to sleep.
Sesshomaru took off his fluffy pelt he always carried and put it around Rin. He knew she loved to snuggle with it. She said it was the softest thing she had ever felt! Sesshomaru's face softened. Rin looked adorable with her eyes closed. Her breathing was so quiet. It almost went unnoticed. Rin stirred in her sleep but held on tight to Sesshomaru's fluff.
"I love this girl. She has taught me there are more important things to care about than power. Keeping her safe is the only thing that matters to me."
...
"There you are! Hey Kagome, I found Rin!" Inuyasha's yell cut into Rin's dream. She opened her eyes. Inuyasha waved back at Kagome who was not far behind.
"Is she alright?" Kagome came up and stood by Rin who was rubbing her face.
"Yeah she looks fine to me. Hey Rin what were you thinking running off like that? You could have been killed." Inyasha didn't look pleased.
Rin wasn't happy either. She was disappointed. She realized she had only been dreaming of Lord Sesshomaru. The dream felt so real. Rin glanced around, and saw it was early morning now.
"Come on. Let's go back to the village. You can hang out with Kaede." Inuyasha tugged on Rin's sleeves.
Rin shook her head and pulled away from Inuyasha. "I'm going to go find Jaken." Rin knew Jaken was the only one who would understand why she must not give up on Sesshomaru.
Inuyasha groaned. "What is wrong with that girl? She's wasting her time. Sesshomaru is dead. I'm sure of it."
Kagome put her hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Perhaps not Inuyasha. Rin seems to think he's still alive somewhere. Did you see the look on her face? She has hope she is going to find him." Kagome wouldn't admit it out loud to Inuyasha, but she admired the way Rin was so devoted to finding Sesshomaru. Deep down, Kagome knew she would do the same thing if Inuyasha ever disappeared one day.
Rin was out of Inuyasha and Kagome's sight now. She didn't need them. She could take care of herself. Rin walked faster. Before long, she came across a lake filled with fish. She was starving. She stepped in and caught herself a nice tasty meal. I wonder where Master Jaken is? I kind of wish he was here so I didn't feel so alone without Lord Sesshomaru.
"Rin?! Where have you been? I've looked high and low for you!" Rin jumped, surprised he had shown up right when she was thinking about him.
"I've been looking for Lord Sesshomaru. I know he's alive Jaken." Rin took another bite of fish and handed one to Jaken who took it without hesitation.
Jaken gasped. "Rin! You have white fur on your kimono!"
Rin looked down and recognized it immediately. "Jaken! It's from him! Lord Sesshomaru!"
Jaken's mouth dropped. "Could this mean you were rescued by Lord Sesshomaru that night those wolves came to attack you?"
Rin couldn't take her eyes off her kimono. Her face had lit up after seeing Lord Sesshomaru's fluff on her. "Jaken! It is his fur! I always knew he saved me!" Rin started dancing and twirling around. "See, I told you he was the one!"
Jaken was dancing too. "Oh Lord Sesshomaru! Silly me for thinking you were dead all this time!"
Rin hugged Jaken. "Now all we have to do is wait for him to show up. It should be anytime now."
Jaken sighed. "I should think so. He's been gone long enough."
Rin nodded. "Come on Jaken, let's go for a swim in the lake. I'm starting to feel warm."
"Uh Rin, how many times must I tell you I do not swim?!"
Rin giggled. "Oh right, I almost forgot you nearly drowned last time."
Jaken glared at Rin. "Hush insolent child. Go in already, if you're gonna go." Jaken climbed up on the bank so he could act as a lifeguard. "And no splashing me,'' he added.
Rin stayed in the lake until Jaken called for her to get out about an hour later. "Hurry Rin. I think I hear something coming."
Rin jumped out, frightened. "What do you hear Jaken?"
Before Jaken could answer. A ghostlike woman appeared. She had on a purple kimono and her hair was pulled back in a bun. She had red eyes. Rin stared at her. She looks familiar.
The strange woman stopped when she saw Jaken and Rin. She glanced around them to see if there were any others about. She gave Rin a disapproving look before continuing on her way.
"What do you suppose that was about Jaken? Do you think she was looking for someone?"
Jaken squinted his eyes at Rin. "How should I know? I've never seen her before. Who cares anyway?"
Rin grew nervous. "I don't know Jaken. She kind of looked like..."
"Yes? Like who Rin?"
Rin bit her lip. "Oh nevermind. It's not important."
Jaken frowned at her. "Silly girl."
Rin looked embarrassed. She ran past Jaken, almost knocking him over.
"Watch it girl!" He held on tightly to his staff. "You don't want to go knocking over the great Master Jaken!" He chuckled at his own praise.
Rin found a patch of flowers and sat down in the middle of them. She thought about that woman she had seen. She looked just like Kagura. Rin shuddered at the thought. She often wondered if there had been any romantic feelings between Kagura and Lord Sesshomaru. No, he can't love her. She's dead. Rin picked up a flower and put it behind her ears. Besides, even if she was still alive, I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru...
"Rin?"
Rin jumped and dropped the flower she was holding. She turned towards the voice. Lord Sesshomaru was standing a few feet away. Rin blinked at him. She wasn't sure if he was real.
"Are you alright Rin? Say something."
"Lord Sesshomaru? Is that really you?" Tears formed in Rin's eyes.
Sesshomaru nodded. "Of course it's me Rin."
"Oh Lord Sesshomaru! I just knew you're weren't dead!" Rin ran to him. Shesshomaru opened his arms as Rin flung her body around him.
"Dead?" Sesshomaru drew Rin back so he could look her straight in the eyes. "What on earth would make you think I was dead Rin?"
Rin started to cry. "You just left Lord Sesshomaru! You didn't come back, and people started to say you were dead. I didn't want to believe them, but..." She couldn't finish. Tears were streaming down her face.
Lord Sesshomaru put his hands on Rin's face and gently wiped away her tears.
"Rin, I will never leave you. I will always be right here to protect you."
"Oh Lord Sesshomaru! I was almost killed by wolves again. I was so scared. I remember calling out to you but you never came. Yet, I survived somehow. Did you protect me against them Lord Sesshomaru?"
Sesshomaru reached into Rin's pocket. He pulled out a small stone. "This saved you Rin. It's similar to my mother's Meido Stone. Before I left, I put it in your pocket." He held in his hand a purple crescent-shaped stone.
Rin took it and looked at it closely. She glanced up at Sesshomaru's forehead. "It looks just like what you have on your forehead."
"Exactly. I left that with you to protect you against any foul creature."
"Oh, but how did it protect me?"
Sesshomaru looked away for a second. "It creates a protective boundary around whoever is holding it. When those wolves tried to attack you, they soon found out they were attacking a shield. A shield impossible of being penetrated. The only downside is in exchange for protecting you, the stone puts you into a coma that lasts anywhere from a few hours to several months."
"What about your fur Lord Sesshomaru? I found your fur on me." Rin stared at Sesshomaru, anxiously awaiting his answer.
"The fur came out of the stone so the wolves could smell my scent on you and cower from it. It served as double protection." Sesshomaru stepped closer to Rin.
"Rin."
Rin looked up. "Yes?"
Sesshomaru picked Rin up and held her close. "I wanted to make sure nothing harmed you while I was away. If something happened to you Rin, my life wouldn't be worth living."
Rin's body shook. "Do you really mean that Lord Sesshomaru?" She buried her face in his hair.
"I do."
Rin was quiet after that. She was at peace now. Sesshomaru was back where he belonged. He was back with Rin.
The silence was short-lived.
"Lord Sesshomaru! You have returned! I am so thankful to see you are still alive! Wherever did you go for so long?"
Sesshomaru gave Jaken an annoyed look. He would have picked up a rock to throw at Jaken if he wasn't holding Rin. He didn't particularly like it when Jaken showed little faith in his ability to stay alive.
"I sensed my mother was not feeling well. She has a castle in the sky, and I went to go see her." Sesshomaru paused so he could kiss Rin's head and smell her soft skin. "I stayed with her until she was well again."
Jaken applauded. "I see my lord. Well done. I'm sure your mother is very proud of you for that."
Sesshomaru gave Jaken a look. "She is my mother Jaken. I wasn't about to sit around and do nothing once I sensed she had fallen ill."
Jaken blushed. "Yes, of course my lord. You must do what you must."
Sesshomaru didn't say anything to that. Rin's stomach could be heard growling during the silence.
"Jaken. Go fetch Rin something to eat."
Jaken groaned. "Must I leave your presence already?! Why, Lord Sesshomaru you just came back!"
"Go Jaken. Hurry up. Don't keep Rin waiting."
"Yes my lord. Right away."
Once Jaken was gone, Rin began to feel troubled about something.
"Um, Lord Sesshomaru? May I ask you something?"
Sesshomaru looked down at Rin.
"What is it?"
"Did you love Kagura?"
To be continued...