"So, are you and Miroku really going back to your old village?" Rin asked Sango.

"Yes. We're hoping to find some answers regarding long-term affects of demonic poisons."

"Oh. Lord Sesshomaru might know something, as well."

"It is true that Sesshomaru has deadly poison in his claws, but we want to know how to counteract poison's effects over time." Sango merely chuckled at how much faith Rin still had in the demon. He was her hero, and it seemed that nothing and no one could convince the girl otherwise. Sango, for her part, had always thought it best not to try.

"How long will you be gone?"

"It takes two days to get there, we agreed to stay no more than four, and another to days to come home."

"So eight days. The children and I will be fine, don't worry."

"Thank you, Rin."

"It's nothing" Rin shrugged the favor off with a smile.

"What's that you have?"

"Something to give to Lord Sesshomaru when he visits." In her hand, Rin held a bouquet made of medium sized purple flowers, small white ones, and two small, white feathers, all held together by light green thread.

"It seems familiar, somehow."

"Kagura. They reminded me of her. I'm giving them to Lord Sesshomaru because he'll be passing by the field of flowers where she...where we last saw her."

"These are for Kagura?"

"Uh huh" Rin said sadly.

"How do you know Sesshomaru will pass through that field?"

"Oh. He goes through there every year. At the same time, too."

"Why?"

"I'm not really sure. The last time I went with him, he just stood there. I know he still misses her."

"I didn't think they knew each other that well."

"He loved her, I think."

Sango couldn't help it, she stared, her mouth slightly agape. I just can't imagine Sesshomaru loving someone like that. She thought as Rin left. But if what Rin said is true, then he mourns her, and has for over 10 years.

Rin smiled when she finally caught sight of Lord Sesshomaru just outside of the village. "My Lord!" She greeted him the same as she always had, and just as exuberantly.

"Rin. I trust you are well." He didn't phrase it as a question, because he knew the answer. Rin was always perplexingly happy. Besides, Lord Sesshomaru wasn't the sort for questions.

"Yes, my Lord. Oh! I made this." She carefully handed him the bouquet. "For your...trip." Rin worried her lip slightly, concerned she might have offended him, though it soon became clear he was pleased with the idea. He simply looked from the flowers, to her, and back again before giving a nearly imperceptible nod. It would have been impossible for anyone other than herself to read. "Are you leaving already?" She asked him.

"Yes." He stated simply.

'Oh. Goodbye then!" She smiled up at him. He nodded once more before flying off.

Sesshomaru studied the collection of flowers as he landed gracefully. Truly, they were well chosen. They were fitting for Kagura. The purple matched what she wore perfectly, and the white flowers were the same as those that once littered the field where he now stood. The thread just wouldn't do. "You were always meant to be free. Unbound." He said as he untied them, allowing the contents to fall and flow freely as they would. It was then he noticed the feathers, identical to the one's Kagura wore and used. His eyes softened slightly at the thoughtfulness of it all. Finally, he took out his own offering; a single red flower with thorns. He had seen it along the side of a road and thought of Kagura. Her eyes. They were that red. And she was fierce, vicious, ferocious. A warrior. And at times, a thorn in his side. At least, that was what he thought at the time.

Sesshomaru had never believed himself so weak as to care for another, until he met Rin. He would have beheaded anyone who suggested he capable of love, until Kagura. Her death sparked something in him. Now, he felt. He was angry, bitter, filled with hatred over her demise. With Naraku's defeat, she was avenged, and he had assumed those emotions would abate. Instead, he began to mourn, to feel sadness and a sense of longing he didn't know existed. He hated to admit it, but at some point he had fallen in love with the wind sorceress.

(A.N)I know, the story suddenly veered of course, but I was watching the Final Act and was hit with inspiration. So, you all get a short, Sesshomaru special! Don't worry, we'll get back to our regularly scheduled programming soon enough ;). It's just taking me a while to work a few kinks out since the story isn't exactly what I had planned. The "off" village and half-demon children were part of the original concept, but I had to throw Kiwako in there at the last minute. The original didn't have an OC, but another fanfic came out with a premise that was too similar, so it got trashed.