She was not at all surprised to find herself waking up alone the following more, nor was she surprised to wake up alone in the mornings that followed. Another week had passed without further interactions and she was beginning to think that she had dreamed it all up to begin with. Her Lord hardly looked at her now and he avoided getting to close for fear that they would accidentally touch.

Her skin still burned from his touch and she found herself running her fingertips across her cheek several times throughout the day. Her thoughts would consume her and she would find herself worlds away, day dreaming of a life she would never be able to have. It would always end with her wondering if things would have been different if she had stayed in the village with Kohaku.

The village they had camped outside was hauntingly similar to Kaede's village and Rin expected to see Kagome or Sango around every corner she turned. She did miss them. It grew lonely spending all her time with nothing but her thoughts to keep her company when Sesshomaru was away. Jaken was terrible company and even when he was around he did nothing but gripe and complain. She humored the imp, but he was a poor choice for conversation.

She gathered what she needed as quickly as possible and left the village. She paused on the outskirts and watched a group of children jump around and shout at one another during their game. A smile spread across her lips as she wished she could be as carefree as they were once more. She supposed she had been once; young, naïve and oblivious to all else. She would have given anything to have been able to join them, but Rin knew that her time had come and it had passed all too quickly.

She liked to think that if she had ever had a child, that she would have been as free spirited as Rin had been. But she had already accepted that becoming a mother was not a joy she would ever be able to experience. She had forfeited all of her rights to parenthood the moment she agreed to spend the rest of her days at Lord Sesshomaru's side. There was no way he would have a child, let alone a child with a human. His hatred of half demons would not let him and Rin knew she would never be able to be a proper mother.

The woman adjusted the pack of vegetables and other necessities on her shoulder as she tried not to pity herself and her loss. She had always known what life would be like and Lord Sesshomaru had never allowed her to believe otherwise.

The children screeched at one another and their laughter rang through the afternoon air. It took everything she had to turn herself away and make the trek back up to the hill where Ah-Un waited patiently for her.

Ah-Un lifted its head and watched her carefully and she smiled as she approached. "At least someone is glad to see me," She said as she settled down beside the demon and placed the pack between her legs. She opened it and rummaged around inside as she went over the mental list of things she had needed in her head. She had gotten everything and she grabbed two apples from the pack.

She offered one to Ah-Un and watched as it sniffed it curiously before both heads picked at the small fruit and Rin chuckled as she rubbed it on the sleeve of her kimono before taking a bite. She juice ran down her chin but she made no effort to wipe it away as she savored the sweet taste. She had been living off of wild boar, fish and berries for so long that she had forgotten the simple pleasures of an apple. She would have to ask Lord Sesshomaru to give her more time to scavenge about for better food.

"Is it good Ah-Un?" The snort that followed her question caused her to laugh. "I take that as a yes. I'm glad you liked it. I'll have to get you more the next time we stop near a village."

Rin fell silent again and rested against Ah-Un, her apple finished and the core tossed to the side. Her eyes closed as she basked in the warm sunlight. The days always seemed longer when he was away and with little to do to keep her occupied, she once again lost herself to her own thoughts.