She moved with purpose, a fire burning within her that had not been there before. The possibility to laying her demons to rest fueled her and pushed her forward as she weaved through the trees and stepped carefully over fallen logs. She took care not to disturb her hair or snag her kimono, but it was difficult to mind her pretty princess self when she was so eager to get to her destination.

Rin could feel a thin sheen of sweat covering her body as she finally neared the ledge and she blinked into the vast space that stretched out before her. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes for a moment to savor the fresh air in her lungs before she pushed it out and opened her eyes. Her feet found the edge and she scooted several inches to the right before she began lowering herself down. Her sandal found the worn ledge and she gripped at the dirt as she shifted to swing herself down onto the ledge.

She had done it so many times that she landed with familiar ease and she remained crouched as she brushed some dirt from her kimono and turned her head. Kohaku watched her curiously with Kirara curled up in his lap. He stroked the feline's ears and glanced down at her as he followed Rin's gaze. He remained silent as she settled herself down on the ground and folded her hands in her lap.

She inhaled slowly and exhaled, her stomach suddenly filled with butterflies. She had done the impossible and spoke boldly to Lord Sesshomaru, certainly she could do the same with Kohaku. But Kohaku was so much less intimidating than the demon lord and unlike Sesshomaru, Kohaku was sensitive and was not afraid of her emotions. It would take more than a few sharp words to scratch the surface of Lord Sesshomaru, but she knew her words would surely cut Kohaku to the bone.

"They're looking for you," Rin said finally, deciding that the silence was too heavy to let it continue on.

"I knew they would be. I just needed some time alone," He said a small sigh passing over his lips. "You look beautiful, Rin," His added words caused a hot blush to creep up her neck and onto her cheeks and she glanced away from him and back down to her hands.

"Thank you," She murmured. Her hands were clammy and she rubbed them against her kimono and ran her tongue across her lips. Her heart was hammering loudly in her chest and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "Are you nervous?"

He was silent for a long moment before she heard him inhaled and speak, "I wasn't. But then I started thinking about everything and then I was nervous. I want to make sure you're happy, Rin. Sometimes I won't be around and I feel like that would make me a bad husband. There's a lot I'll probably miss out on because I'll need to go back and forth from the demon slayer village and here and—" He stopped abruptly and Rin watched him wipe furiously at his eyes. "I just want to be good to you, you deserve it."

She felt a strong tug at her heart and she watched Kirara's ear twitch as Kohaku rubbed behind it absently. She could hear the sincerity in his voice and she knew that what she was about to say was going to hurt them both, but it was necessary.

"Kohaku…" She watched his gaze move to her face. She swallowed hard and tried again, "Kohaku, I think you've grown into a great young man and any woman in the world would be lucky to have you. I'm honored that you wish to marry me, but… I can't… marry you," She paused to let the words register before she continued and launched into her explanation. "I love you, Kohaku, but not in the way a wife should love a husband. My heart is not here in this village. I would make a terrible wife and I only want the best for you. I want you to be happy and I don't want you to worry about me and providing for me. I wouldn't make you happy because I'm not happy."

Silence descended between them and she could feel her hands trembling nervously in her lap. Rin watched as he stared off into the distance, his expression blank. She was anxious for him to respond but she was afraid to hear the words that were sure to come out of his mouth.

"You miss him, don't you? Being with Lord Sesshomaru," She was surprised by how calm his voice sounded and she blinked a few times before nodding, unable to form words. "When he carried you out of the forest that night… part of me knew that you had gone looking for him or else he wouldn't have found you. I thought you were happy here with everyone in the village but maybe I always knew that you weren't," He paused and turned his head to look at her. She watched him intently.

"My life will always be with Lord Sesshomaru. He saved me and he kept me safe even the better part of him didn't want to. He loved me in his own way when no one else in the world would. He made sure I had somewhere to sleep and something to eat. Kohaku, I owe him…everything," She could feel the tears stinging her own eyes as she confessed her love for one man to another. She knew it wasn't fair, but she was tired of trying to lie and trying to hide behind false emotions.

"I never wanted to hurt you, Kohaku," She continued. "I wanted to try my hardest to be happy because I owe you and the others so much too. But I can't pretend anymore. It won't be fair to you and it won't be fair to me. You'll make a fine husband and maybe you'll find a girl in the demon slayer village, someone that can keep up with your way of life. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me," She reached for his hand and while he flinched, he let her take it in hers. "You're a good friend, Kohaku. You've done more for me than what I deserve."

They sat in silence for what felt like an eternity until Kohaku spoke again, shattering the silence. "I wish you all the best, Rin. I could never be mad at you. I'm sorry you had to feel that way for so long. It's actually kind of a relief to hear you say that you aren't ready because maybe… I don't think I was really ready for marriage anyway. Does this mean you're going to be leaving?"

It was over, just like that. She stared at him for a moment and felt silly for how nervous and worked up she had gotten herself. She had gone into a panic so many times in fear of his reaction and after some silence everything was fine. For a moment she wondered if perhaps he was just putting on a front, but after another moment of waiting nothing else came and Rin decided that he truly had taken it well. She had been terrified of absolutely nothing and she mentally kicked herself for not doing this sooner.

"I think so. Sango and Kagome won't be happy," She frowned and looked down at their intertwined hands. "If Lord Sesshomaru will take me, that is. We sort of… parted on a sour note last time."

"Sango and Kagome will be heartbroken more than anything," Kohaku said with a small nod. "And the children will be upset."

"Will you tell them all goodbye for me? I don't think I could face them. They've been so good to me and I've got nothing to pay them back with," She watched him hopefully.

"I'll tell them," Kohaku said with a nod. "Are you sure this is what you want to do? Just because you don't want to marry me doesn't mean you have to leave," He almost sounded desperate to keep her to stay. Rin gave his hand a squeeze and offered him a small smile.

"I'm sure. I have to. I have to go where my heart is," She told him. She watched him as he studied her for a moment before nodding. "Thank you, Kohaku. Thank you for, everything," Without warning she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. She watched his face flush and she smiled sheepishly as she pulled away.

"I'll miss you, Rin," He admitted with a small sigh.

"I'll miss you too. But I'll be okay. I promise," They fell silent once more, letting it say the rest for them. In that moment they needed no words and they were content just being in one another's company. Rin was at peace with herself for finally doing what she had deemed the impossible. A weight had been lifted from her shoulders and she could breathe again. She smiled for no reason in particular and she had not a single care in the world. She wasn't even concerned about Lord Sesshomaru and whether he would have her again or not. Rin had finally found her courage and she had realized just how much she had missed being honest.

Finally, Kirara stood and stretched before mewing and bounding her way back up the steep cliff side and back up onto the ledge. Kohaku shifted with a groan and finally released Rin's hand as he rubbed at his eyes. "I guess that means it's time to go," Rin nodded, watching as the sun began to dip below the horizon.

"I'm sure they're worried," She added as she scooted forward and turned. Kohaku helped her scramble back up the side and she gripped at the grass as she hoisted herself onto the ledge. Rin pulled herself to her feet and brushed the dirt from the front of her kimono. She straightened to turn and help Kohaku but she fell short.

Her eyes locked on the demon lord and she found herself immobile and rooted to the spot. She felt her blood turn cold and her breath hitch. He said nothing, but he didn't need to as the red flower held loosely in his hand said it all. She heard Kohaku scramble back up onto the ledge behind her and she turned her head slowly to look at him as if needing his permission.

He was in the middle of brushing himself off when he seemed to tune in on the situation and he looked between Rin and Sesshomaru several times before locking eyes with Rin. Slowly, his head moved in a nod. "Go on, Rin."

She swallowed hard and offered him a small and timid smile before nodding her own head once. She looked back to the demon lord and was afraid that he wouldn't still be there, but he still stood as tall and as still as always and she could feel his eyes on her. She took a tentative step forward and he lowered his head ever so slightly. She could feel her heart speeding up as she neared him and she nearly melted into the ground when he raised his hand and offered her the flower.

Rin extended her hand and wrapped her fingers around the stem and locked her gaze on his. "You may follow me if that is what you still wish," He said carefully.

"There isn't anywhere else I would rather be," She said quietly. He released the flower and she clutched it tightly. His eyes flicked to Kohaku and he nodded his head one more time before turning to leave. Rin stared at the flower for the moment and studied the vibrant red petals before she turned and grinned back at Kohaku. She gave him an enthusiastic wave.

"Rin," The sound of her name sent chills rocketing the length of her spine and she sun back around.

"Coming!" A girlish giggled passed over her lips and she clutched the flower to her chest as she bounded after the demon lord. She slipped her hand into his once she caught up to him and ignored his stiffening muscles. After a moment he relaxed and she turned her head to grin at him with another small giggle and for the first time she saw a smile form on his normally expressionless lips.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

He raised an eyebrow as an indication for her to continue on with her question.

"Can I stay with you forever? Even when I'm old and gray?"

He was silent for a long moment as they walked and Rin twirled the flower between her fingers as she waited for him to respond. She had come to accept that he never would respond when she heard him inhale and his hand gave her much smaller one a gentle squeeze.

"Forever is unrealistic," He paused. "But I will have you for as long as you wish to stay."

She shook her head. "Forever," She grinned at his quiet sigh of exasperation, but he said nothing more and he didn't need to. She had already heard all she could ever want to hear from him. He would not throw her into another human village because he wanted her.

"I wish to stay forever because this is where my heart is and I have to follow it no matter where it takes me."