Since that night in the woods, Rin and Inuyasha had developed a strange sort of bond. Most of the time, the hanyou would feign indifference toward the girl, grunting or giving her a barely-there nod of the head, to which she returned with a half-smile as she carried on with whatever duties were assigned to her by Kaede. Not even the old miko, though she could sense something was different about their relationship, was completely aware of what the situation was at first.

Of course, when she would send the child into the woods to gather certain herbs or berries for various potions and salves and she would return only hours later with an abundance of the required items, that she became suspicious. In order to test her theory, she sent the girl into the fields to harvest the summer's crops. Rin had left just before sunrise, and by the time Kaede had begun to make their evening meal at midday, she had returned, carrying two very oversized bags of crops that any other girl would have had to make multiple trips for.

When Rin stumbled through the doorway of the hut, the large burlap bag trailing behind her nearly overflowing with vegetables and fruits, Kaede smiled to herself.

"Inuyasha has been helping you," She ventured, taking a sip of herbal tea.

A grumble was heard from above them that sounded like a 'have not.'

Rin blushed shyly, shifting her weight from foot to foot, unsure of what to say.

A slight shuffle was heard outside the doorway, and Inuyasha burst in seconds later, hefting the second large bag as though it were a toy doll. "Keh, hag, just let her go for the day."

"You two have been spending time together," She continued, still looking at her tea. She looked up at them, her good eye all-knowing, it would seem. "Rin comes home after sunset, eats, takes tea, and sleeps soundly. Ye are putting her to work," She continued.

"Inuyasha is training me in self-defense, Kaede-sama."

"Keh, not like Sesshomaru woulda done it," Inuyasha grumbled slightly, causing Kaede to give him a look of both anger and surprise.

"Inuyasha no baka," The old miko huffed, reprimanding the hanyou who's ears flattened against his head in surprise at her words. "That's enough from ye."

Rin shook her head, humming a negative. "Kaede-sama, it's alright," Making eye-contact with her teacher and guardian she nodded that it was alright, Inuyasha's words did not hurt her. "Sesshomaru would never teach me such things," She confirmed. With a smile and a bow to the miko, Rin left the hut. "I'll meet you by the well, Inuyasha."

Once the ebony haired adolescent was gone, Kaede couldn't help but regard the silver haired inu with an incredulous look. "How did ye-"

"It's not my story to tell, Kaede-baba." Inuyasha cut her off. "She knows he won't be back."

"That's not for sure."

"If I know anything about my fuckwadofabrother, it's that he won't return for her willingly."

X X X

Every evening, just after most took their evening meal but before the sky grew dark, Inuyasha would circle the forest, checking for intruders and threats to the village before taking to wherever he would be resting for the night. Usually, he would be just finishing up with Rin, or leaving from Miroku and Sango's hut, grumbling about their ever growing family. In either case, the young woman would follow him, or wait for him at the well, his meeting location for everything – it made him feel safer about not missing Kagome, should she ever return – and accompany him on his rounds.

This happened every night, new moon included. Three springs passed.

Things were different now, however. The young girl hung back from their group, not wishing to intrude. Sango was crying, tears of joy trailing down her face. Rin could have sworn she saw the monk wipe his eyes as well. Inuyasha had gone running for the well around midday, a look in his eyes that could have only meant one thing. Kagome returned with him, and their group was now reunited. Even Kaede had gone to partake in all the commotion, hugging the young woman from the future with a strong grip for one so old.

Rin wordlessly prepared an evening meal of fish, stew and rice, politely declining help from Sango and Kaede who had found her preparing everything over a large outdoor fire just outside the hut she shared with Kaede. With soft words of happiness for them, and a smile that spoke volumes, the young girl told them to return to their returned friend, and celebrate. The meal was nothing to prepare, and the least she could do.

Her own reunion with Kagome was sweet, for Rin had some relations with Sango, watching her children when she and her husband wished to travel to see Kohaku, or had errands to complete, but she had never been very close with the younger miko. This was completely overlooked though, as Kagome approached the younger woman in her hut just before eating and hugged her fiercely. Rin hugged her back, surprised at the action, but nevertheless grateful. She knew that it was a great thing to have the younger miko back, that she had been sorely missed.

"Kagome-chan," Rin said with a smile, still embracing her. "I'm glad you're home."

The woman laughed gently, resting her head on the younger girl's shoulder, only having to bend slightly to be at her level. "Thank you, Rin-chan."

Rin shook her head. "I did nothing," she mumbled.

"No," Kagome reassured gently. "Thank you for looking after Inuyasha for me. He needed your friendship."

"I needed his too," Rin confirmed, releasing the hanyou's obvious mate. "He loves you very much, to miss you so badly," she continued, making Kagome blush with her bluntness.

The two females exited the hut together, arm in arm, earning a curious glance from Inuyasha. They parted, Kagome heading back toward her soon-to-be mate. Rin gave Inuyasha smile and they sat together to eat the meal with all of their friends.

Before long, it was nearly dark. Silently, Rin excused herself from the gathering, returning her utensils and stoneware plate to her hut before returning with a slightly heavier kimono over the cotton yukata she wore in the daytime. A knife was strapped to her thigh just under her robes, and a bow and quiver of arrows were draped over her shoulder.

Inuyasha was still sitting at the fire, hand intertwined with Kagome's. They hadn't been more than a few meters from each other since her return. He made to stand, catching everyone's attention as he disentangled himself from Kagome, who questioned him with a look.

Her bright honey-brown eyes smiled with the soft turn of her lips. "Stay," She murmured, just above a whisper. "I'll go."

Uncharacteristically, the hanyou's eyes softened in a silent thank you, to which Rin nodded gently.

"Goodnight, everyone," Rin regarded them politely, bowing as she moved silently into the forest.

As Kagome regarded her mate with tender eyes, it seemed that they would have much to be caught up on. Part of her always knew there was the possibility of Rin ending up with their pack. As Inuyasha met her gaze with one of his own, she felt her head swim with the knowledge that she was going to get the happy ending she had always wanted.

But then, after tonight, there were things she wished to know.

Her miko skills were rusty.

That didn't mean she needed them to tell there was a weight upon young Rin's soul.