I went into the wee hours of the night editing this story. I apologize for all the hopeless typographical errors in the original. It must not have been fun reading it like that. (bows in regret)

The title of this chapter is named after one of my favorite Ai Otsuka songs. It has a gentle melody that makes you remember the past and think about a longing love. Golfish and fireworks are the symbols of summer. Summer is often attributed as the time of love blossoming. I thought this would be a fitting end credit roll for this story. I realize that a lot of people were a little dissatisfied with the ending. I read it again recently and I thought, "Hey, I'm pretty sad that it ended there." Would it be too much to add another chapter? This chapter sort of stands alone though and it's uber fluffy. So take it or leave it, I guess.

-Kero

Part Eleven: Kingyo Hanabi (Goldfish Fireworks)

Jaken poured more wine into each of the wine cups making sure to not spill a drop of his master's finest. Little finger foods were laid out on fine dishes atop the flat face of a rock, with a fine linen sheet serving as a tablecloth. Resignedly, he bowed to them both and stepped back into the shadows, knowing that they did not wish to be disturbed. Tonight, the local town was releasing its fireworks for the first day of the summer solstice. And because she wanted to see them, his lord would go to any lengths to make that happen.

Secretly, he was a little happy for the scruffy girl-child now turned fine young lady standing at Sesshomaru-sama's side. After all the grief she had caused him over the years, after all the troubles she had brought to Sesshomaru who uncanny knack for perfectly timing her rescues, she finally achieved what she wanted most. And for his illustrious lord, she had made him happier. Though demons did not have much use for things like kindness, love or happiness, whenever he was with her, Sesshomaru took on a beautiful, softened aura, much akin to the light given off by kami, or the benign gods. Jaken marveled at it whenever he had the chance to see it. It was at times like these that Jaken wondered if she had been right all along.

Demons are born into darkness, but that doesn't mean they have to be evil. Surely there is more meaning to their lives than just killing and overthrow? Can they not also be happy?

The voice of the scruffy girl-child echoed in his thoughts like a sweet, distant melody. Jaken sighed. For better or worse, this is what Sesshomaru-sama had chosen for himself; just as his sire Inu-Taisho had also chosen, and what his half-brother had chosen. Looking at the silhouette of his glorious Sesshomaru-sama, glowing in radiance separate from the light of the moon, standing next to the beautiful Rin with her flowing silken hair adorned with the golden pin his master had just gifted to her, Jaken could feel their happiness and completion. However long it would last, for human life was so very short in their terms, it would be as beautiful and brilliant as the fireworks that would soon light up the sky.

"Sesshomaru-sama," said Rin gently, turning her face away from him to hide her blush. He stood tall by her side, the warmth of his fur stole grazing the side of her hand. "Thank you for taking me here on my birthday. I'm surprised you remembered." She stole a glance toward him and found her looking at her with a gentle gaze. He said nothing and turned his head upward towards the stars. It never ceased to amaze her how beautiful he could be.

He was, however, not very conversational.

"I saw that someone had delivered many gifts to the front gate today. I've never seen such pretty fabrics," she said, continuing the conversation mostly for her own sake.

"They were sent as gifts to you," he said nonchalantly. Rin could not help but see the slight smile that curled upward on his countenance.

"M-me?" she stammered. "Who would--?"

"Some are from the neighboring inu clan."

"Akiko's clan?" she asked. At the mention of her name, his eyes flickered steel for a moment, and then relaxed again.

"An atonement, of sorts, from her father who had just been made aware of what trouble she has caused you."

"Made aware…" she thought aloud.

"I sent a message to him earlier. I have not yet decided if I will leave them be or kill them all. The latter would give me great pleasure." Rin could tell that he was serious. She immediately stepped closer to him and clutched his hand between hers.

"Sesshomaru-sama," she protested, wondering how she could change his mind. Never in all her life had she dared counsel him in anything, and she held herself back now, wondering if she would overstep some boundary.

His eyes were gentle once more as he looked down at her, a slightly amused look on his face and a raised eyebrow at her troubled expression. His hand found its way to her face in a sweet caress as it brushed aside a lock of her hair. Rin blushed at his sudden touch against her skin. For a moment she thought she was going to lose her balance.

"Do you not seek revenge against her?" he asked softly. She shook her head.

"I've already severed one of her arms. What more could I do to her?" she said quietly. "Now that my family's souls are free of the stone, I'm just glad that it's over. She ended up killing the man who killed my childhood, and I'm a little thankful. I'm not sure I would've been happy if I killed him. I've never killed anyone…" The thought of having bloodstained hands frightened her, and for a moment she felt a chill down her spine when she recalled the power of the stone.

His finger brushed over her trembling lower lip. She looked up into his golden eyes and all her fear disappeared in their warmth. Sesshomaru-sama would always be her protector.

"If you wished it, I can spare her life," he said. She nodded once affirmatively and he smiled. An amused smile spread across his lips. Rin marveled at the sight of it. She had never seen him smile like this before and her heart fluttered with happiness. Before she noticed, his hand cupped her chin and pulled her face closer to his.

"So innocent, so kind," he murmured as he bent his head down to kiss her. Her eyes went wide as his lips caressed hers and she suddenly felt as though her knees were giving out on her. Rin closed her eyes to savor the sweet sensation. Her head was a dizzy whirl of emotion and she really wondered if she was going to faint.

Before her legs gave out and she became a crumpled mass of silk on the grassy hill where they were standing, his hand quickly grasped her waist and he pulled her close to him to steady her. She looked up and saw the amusement in his eyes. He would never tire of her reactions during their intimate moments.

To keep herself from blushing furiously, Rin continued their conversation.

"You mentioned that some of the gifts were from the neighboring Inu clan. And the rest?" Rin asked as she found the feeling in her legs again and stood up on her own.

"From your cousin, Jun'ichiro," he said unemotionally, a little disappointed that she was not going to let him continue.

"From Jun?"

"His letter said that it was part of your dowry, as a ceremonial pre-wedding gift to me," answered Sesshomaru simply. He could feel her flush deeply from head to toe and he turned away to hide his amusement from her, lest he make her uncomfortable again.

"J-Jun," she said with a smile and gritted teeth. You moron! Who told you to do that? she thought to herself as she clenched her fists.

"I had sent him a litter earlier as well, indicating that I would be your caretaker and protector henceforth, and that he should rest assured that you would hold the highest honored title by my side," he said calmly. Rin's body went a little weak.

What…did you…?

He looked at her fully now, no part of his countenance untrue. He took a step and leaned down to connect himself to her with another kiss. She closed her eyes and hoped that her legs would remain steady.

Just as their lips touched, the sky was illuminated with the golden sparks of the first fireworks of summer.

Ah, so fluffy…(sniff, sniff). Not too out of character I hope? I love this pair. I wanted to give them the happiest ending I could think of because, yes, her life will be beautiful like a hanabi display, and Sesshomaru will fade away when she dies…yes, that's what I believe. But that's a whole other story.

-K (1/18/09)