The soft wind blew in his long, silver mane as he sat at the very top of the Goshinboku – his red kimono hung loosely around him. With his strong, lean arm crossed he looked to the well and gave a soft sigh. It had been three years – three long years – since she had vanished before his eyes. And it had been unbearable to be away from her. His chest clenched uncomfortably and he pressed a clawed hand over his heart and rubbed what could only classify as – heartache.

Even though he knew for certain she was gone and away from him, he knew she was safe on the other side. She would be happy there. She would finish that annoying education-thing she called 'school' and get a job, which was unheard of for a woman. He scoffed – she was so very different. And the difference was made him fall in love with her and not her beauty.

Yes, Kagome was beautiful – more than Kikyou had ever been. He had always known that. Kagome's constant, burning fire made her more alive, more his and he missed the meaningless fights they would share around the campfire. He sighed once again and leaped down from his position in the godly tree.

The half-demon walked calmly towards the lip of the well and peered inside the dark – nothing. No Kagome – never. He did not know wether to be happy or sad.

'She's safe. That's all that matters.'

The sun shone brightly, warming his red-cladded body – and he welcomed the feeling.

"There you are, Master InuYasha," came a child's voice behind him. He did not need to turn to know it was her – Rin.

The little brat had been taking up residence in the village of Edo for the past year. He had never known why his bastard, half-brother had placed his beloved child in the care of an old priestess, but he never really cared to ask. Not that Sesshoumaru would ever give up his reasons to a half-demon like him. He did, however, stop by the village to visit the girl – carrying gifts such as kimonos and jewelry. His foul-smelling retainer would accompany him and scold the growing girl before either Sesshoumaru or himself kicked him into a bloody pulp.

InuYasha rarely ever talked to the child, but she would sit beside him during meals and chatter away like Kagome used to, and it soothed him. Rin had idolized the priestess from the future and when Kagome had left the feudal era she had taken her joy and spirit with her – along with the ramen. The half-demon pouted and dug his claws into the well. "Cursed shit," he thought and faced the small girl.

She wore a purple kimono, so much different than the usual orange-checkered kimono she used to adorn when she had traveled with Sesshoumaru. At first InuYasha wondered why his human-hating half-brother kept the child around, but later he learned that Tenseiga had sprung to life and demanded Sesshoumaru save her. He had. Rin did not talk much about her death, but she was truly happy she was alive and well.

The human gave him as smile when he looked at her and her large, brown eyes glittered at him, "Master InuYasha, Master Miroku is looking for you. He said there has been yet another rumor of a village terrorized by demons. He told Rin to go look for you."

Ah, another demon to kill. He had missed the times when he traveled the countryside with the small group – the weirdest group. A half-demon, a human priestess from another time, a perverted monk with a cursed hand, an angry demon-slayer whose goal was to avenge her deceased tribe, a fire-cat and a tiny fox-demon child, honestly – they were the weirdest group of travelers he had ever seen.

InuYasha nodded and placed a large palm on top of the girl's head, mindful of his long, deadly claws. "Thank you, Rin," he replied. Hunching down, he waited for her to get on his back – like he always used to do with Kagome. He missed the feeling of her soft, sun-kissed skin against his hands and how her breath would tickle the side of his cheek as he ran.

He closed his eyes and willed the memory away. Rin jumped onto his strong back, her small hands gripping the fabric of his haori as he stood up to his full height.

"Master InuYasha?" she asked and rested her cheek on his shoulder. He hummed and began to trek slowly towards the village, enjoying the feeling of the sun on his face. "Rin really likes when you carry her on your back. Her brothers used to do the same," she confessed and closed her eyes. "Thank you for being a good brother for Rin."

The half-demon's heart threatened to stop beating as he continued to walk. "You're very welcome, Rin." The girl's manner of speech always had him off edge, but considering the fact that she had traveled with his half-brother for three entire years had to have some sort of affection on the small, human child.

The two of them fell silent as InuYasha carried her back to the village. The farmers were busy in tending their crops as they passed the rice-fields, but never the less they looked up and greeted their protector. InuYasha had served as a great protector for the two years that had passed since Naraku's demise and they had treated him nicer than they had done previously in the past.

He scoffed – typical humans.

InuYasha passed the old priestess, Lady Kaede's hut, and continued towards the hut positioned next to it – Sango's and Miroku's hut. Inside he could hear the gurgling of toddlers and he rolled his eyes. Those tiny monsters always went for his ears – his extremely sensitive ears. "Kagome loved to rub my ears," he thought sadly. Upon entering the hut it fell silent, both Miroku and Sango looked up from their positions on the floor. Miroku spoke up first.

"Rin, you found him," he smiled as InuYasha sat her down. She nodded. "Well, perhaps you could go and help Sango with the children?" Rin beamed and nodded furiously as she walked over to Sango.

"Tracing you down is like looking for a lost dog, InuYasha," the monk commented, grinning.

"Shut up, monk," InuYasha shot back. A bowl flew through the air and hit the half-demon in his face before it clattered to the wooden floor. "What was that for, Sango?!"

"Do not speak such foul language in front of my children, InuYasha. You know better than that," she crossed her arms and glared at him – daring him to fire back. He referred from doing so. Instead he sat down, crossing his arms and legs – the Tetsusaiga was pulled from its resting place on his hip and fell into his arms.

"So, a new assignment?" the half-demon asked. Miroku nodded, "However, it would seem that this is a village further away from here than the last. It might take a few days to get there." InuYasha opened his mouth to answer when two twin-girls attacked his ears from behind – pulling them with all their tiny hands could handle. Feeling the tears form in his eyes, InuYasha quickly removed the brats and held them up to their father who took hold of them with a laugh.

"You sure do not care for children, my friend. One would think you might plan to have a couple of children yourself with the beautiful Lady Kagome," he smiled. InuYasha blushed and glared angrily at the floor. Miroku noticed, "InuYasha, my friend, Lady Kagome must miss you, too. She loved you dearly."

The dog-ears on top of the half-demon's head flattened against his silver mane. "I know, monk. I miss her, that's all."

"But Master InuYasha, maybe Lady Kagome will come back to you one day?" Rin spoke up as she played with Sango and Miroku's third child – the youngest. "Lord Sesshoumaru once told Rin that if she is waiting long enough, she would have whatever she desires." She smiled to the two men who looked stunned at her.

"Sesshoumaru says something else than 'die'?" Miroku's mouth was slightly opened. Rin gave him a weird look and resumed playing with the toddler. "Regardless, if Sesshoumaru speaks or not – he might be right, my friend. Lady Kagome found her way to us once and she might come to us again."

"You're wrong, monk," InuYasha said harshly. "Kagome had a task when she came here – a job to do. Her fate was to return with the Shikon no Tama, destroy it and leave. She left." He whispered the last part.

Miroku let his hand fall upon his friend's shoulder, "Yes, but she made an error while she was here. She befriended us and helped us shape ourselves into the ones we are today. She freed you from your seal, she gave Shippou a home, she presented Sango with a sister and she killed Naraku – thus removing my curse." He looked at his right hand where the wind tunnel once hand been placed.

Kirara and Shippou entered the hut and looked at InuYasha. "You know, InuYasha, trying to find you is like finding a lost –"

"Shut up, Shippou," InuYasha said and luckily avoided the incoming vase that flew his way – no doubt from Sango.

"When are you men leaving?" Sango voiced as she rested her back against the wooden wall. "It is becoming late and you are losing daylight."

InuYasha got up and placed his sword back in the sash across his hips before he left the hut in silence. "It would seem we are leaving now," Miroku said and walked over to his wife, kissing her good-bye. He grabbed his staff that rested lazily by the door and followed after the half-demon, hoping their trip would be less than silent.

Inside the hut Rin sighed. Tonight would be the night her Lord would bring her yet another gift. "What is the matter, Rin?"

The child shrugged, "Rin misses being with Lord Sesshoumaru in his castle."

"I see," the older woman said and smiled sadly. She knew for a fact that the child looked upon the demon Lord as her own father and if Sango knew anything it was that family was extremely important. "I am sure Lord Sesshoumaru misses you, too, Rin." The girl nodded and smiled. The sun was setting in over the horizon – she would not have to wait any longer.