A/N: It took me so much time for me to write this chapter. There's no dialogue in this chapter because I wanted to incorporate Sesshomaru's POV without the unnecessary dialogue. We get to see part of his mindset and a bit of his life so far without Rin. I want to thank all my readers and reviewers. You have given me so much inspiration and love. After this, I will start writing my other SesshRin story, "The Chibis". "The Chibis" is my personal favorite due to my love of humor and chibis. I am so excited to make another chapter of it.

Chapter 21

Sesshomaru wanted to see her. He wanted to see her smile again. But most of all, he wanted her in his arms. No matter how much he travels, he could never rid the painful ache in his soul. Even though he felt nothing, the thought of her filled his already tightened heart into disarray. He already knows he deserves to suffer for what he had done, and he would endure it for Rin. And even though he deserved it, he still continued to yearn for Rin's warmth.

It had been a few months since he started traveling. He had become a bounty hunter halfway through his travels for living expenses as well as a way to vent out his frustrations. He succeeded quite well in the business. The only downfall were the meetings he had to attend as a licensed bounty hunter. Sesshomaru was a no-nonsense man, and most of the people there were rather too lively for his tastes. There was always someone who always wanted to compete with him from the number of bounties turned in to whoever was first to get a certain high bounty. Of course, Sesshomaru was always somehow pulled into the competition and won in the end. If anything, he was one of the most highest paid bounty hunter there was. Nobody in the business knew he was once the prince of the Western Lands. Nobody actually cared, which relieved Sesshomaru. Being reminded of his life as a prince only caused him suffering. He no longer longed to surpass his father. He no longer wanted to be the king. None of that mattered after Rin's death.

Now, he is merely traveling, having enough money for a few more months. Jaken, as always, rode his horse beside him. Jaken seemed to be the only person Sesshomaru tolerated to an extent. Of course, Jaken was punished here and there for his insistent chattering. Sesshomaru knew, though, it was a way to comfort him, to make him realize he is still alive, and to pull him away from his memories when it got too painful for him.

Not a day goes by without him thinking about Rin. He still held onto the hair pin he had given her in secret for it to only to be returned to him. It was also his final gift to her. It was his reminder of his mistakes and loss, just like the book, The Prince's Beloved Nightingale.

The sun had already started setting before they finally found a small village. As they entered, Sesshomaru noticed how empty it was as if something was amiss. Sesshomaru held up a hand for Jaken to stop and stay. Sesshomaru got off his horse and tied it against a nearby tree before walking further into the village. Sesshomaru felt a bad omen until he heard cries, a cry of a girl. Immediately, he ran to the sound and saw a despicable scene. Four men were kicking a defenseless little girl. The men did not even look like civilians, more like bandits. Sesshomaru would usually turned a blind eye to things like this, but he had changed ever since Rin's death. He had imagined it being Rin treated this way that he found himself involved in protecting the victims.

Unlike previous victims, this one in particular reminded him of when Rin was bullied by the noble young men from his young years. He had remembered the scene, Rin lying on the ground in a fetal position while the boys used her as a stress relief by kicking her while laughing as they did so. That particular day, he had remembered all he saw was red. He almost lost all control, but he only had to enter the scene for it to stop. The day after that those boys since then had to grovel for food and money in the streets.

Sesshomaru intervened before the little girl was injured any further. The four bandits stared in shock at the daring stranger to interrupt their fun. Sesshomaru saw how they started to pull out their weapons, but he was one step ahead of them. Without any remorse, he thrusted his sword into the first bandit closest to him, who fell and died instantly. The other three were in such a shock at the quick movements Sesshomaru made that they were too slow to try to do anything and before they realized it, the second bandit was killed with his head rolled down to the ground. His quick movements and precision did not give the last two the chance to even take a hit. Down went the last two before they could do damage. It was a bloody mess, but Sesshomaru was used to bloodshed. There was no time for sympathy for the enemy when there is someone to protect.

He looked down to the girl, and he noticed she wore rags, clothes of the poor. He had a flashback of Rin, the fragile young girl the first time he met her. He looked down to her; and before he knew it, he carried her in his arms. He heard her whimper, and he knew that he needed to save her. She reminded him of Rin, and it was enough reason to save her. Maybe, in this way, he could atone for not saving his Rin. Maybe, in this way, Rin would be proud of him.