How will I...we know when the time is right? What needs to happen first? Does Sesshomaru mean he really does have to destroy the stone in order for not only me to be saved from whatever dark force is against me but from us not being able to be together in the end?...

"I'm going to die before you do." Rin blurted out. She didn't mean to say it, but she was only saying what was on both their minds. How could it work? Even if she agreed to accept Sesshomaru's proposal, how could they truly be together forever? It would have to be only temporary.

Sesshomaru was standing in front of Rin who was still on the couch. He frowned slightly and seemed somewhat taken back from Rin's obvious concern. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

"I told you not to talk about such silly things Rin. They are not a concern to me and they shouldn't be a concern to you either. How many times must I tell you this?" Sesshomaru took a deep breath. Perhaps he was wrong to think Rin was right for him. He started to walk away.

Rin swallowed loudly. She knew Sesshomaru was angry. He may not show it on the outside, but she knew on the inside it really bothered him what she said.

"I wish you would just trust me," Sesshomaru said quietly.

Rin could hear the disappointment in his voice and felt bad. It wasn't fair to him. She had upset him again with mistrust. She couldn't keep doing this. Rin quickly and apologetically reached out and gently took hold of Sesshomaru's hand.

Sesshomaru stopped but kept his back to Rin. He wanted to be with Rin, but right now he wasn't sure if she trusted him. It broke his heart that she didn't believe he was going to work everything out for them. He had every intention of following through with saving Rin and finding a way for them to be together forever. It was just going to take extra time due to some unfortunate setbacks.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't fear the worst but..." Rin's eyes clouded up and tears began rolling down her cheeks. She did her best to wipe them away, but like a storm, the tears kept coming. She couldn't keep up. "I can't help it, she sobbed. I know I'm weak. I'm not like you Sesshomaru." She squeezed his hand tighter, as if hoping she could send him waves of emotions of exactly how she was feeling.

Sesshomaru turned around to face Rin. He released his hand from her grip and replaced it with his hand over hers. A look of passion and understanding swept over his face. "But Rin, Sesshomaru began, that is exactly why I love you. I am strong, when you are weak. My heart is hard like stone while your heart is like gold. You could soften the most evil of monsters. Don't you see it Rin?" Sesshomaru paused and stared into her eyes. He drew circles with his sharp nail on the insided of her hand he held.

"You're everything I'm not."

Rin couldn't believe Sesshomaru made himself vulnerable like this with his confession. There was only one thing left for her to do. Without another moment of hesitation, Rin threw herself around Sesshomaru and hugged him as tight as she could. She had never been so emotional before. New tears were forming in her eyes. Her fondness for him was only growing more with the words he just spoke to her. It wasn't long before these tears began falling down her face again. She really needed a tissue.

Why do I have to break down like this? Sesshomaru must think I'm a big baby.

Sesshomaru smiled at Rin's minor breakdown. He reached down and stroked her head and felt her soft hair. It smelled good to him. He waited a couple seconds then pushed her back so he could have a good look at her. The tears on her face brought back memories. Memories he liked and hated at the same time, for it reminded him of the first time he met Rin. She was so cheerful and desired so much to help him even though she couldn't. He frowned as he thought of the bad and the tragedies Rin had to go through. He wanted to give Rin everything. Everything she never had. She deserved that and so much more. Sesshomaru wanted to be the one who could be there for her. Goodness knows, nobody else had ever been there for her.

Through her pain and joy, Rin smiled up at Sesshomaru. She was already feeling better by looking at him and seeing his kind face looking back. He had changed so much and yet, somehow, not at all. How strange, that some just saw a cruel, ruthless monster, while the one thing she saw was the only one she cared for.

Was it possible he was always this way? Maybe, it just took the right person to bring it out.

Sesshomaru took his right hand and very gently wiped Rin's tears from her face. He did the left side of her face first then the right. Once he was done, he kept his hand on her right cheek and didn't move.

Rin kept smiling at him as she looked into Sesshomaru's eyes. He looked so in love and at peace with life right now. It melted Rin's heart. She didn't want this moment to end.

She didn't want them to end...

Rin dismissed her thinking before it could turn negative. "Hey, want to go pick flowers with me? I noticed you have so many outside around your home."

Sesshomaru smiled and took Rin's hand. Together, they walked outside.

When they were outside, Rin excitedly let go of Sesshomaru's hand and raced to gather as many flowers as she could. It wasn't long until she had many different kinds of flowers and in a variety of colors too. She didn't know exactly what prompted Sesshomaru to choose flowers because he didn't seem like a flower guy, but she was glad he did. Who knows, maybe he did it for her and that made Rin happy. She would soon have a beautiful bouquet for Sesshomaru to display in his lovely house. He was going to love it.

Suddenly, a loud noise could be heard from the sky. Sesshomaru who was standing off watching Rin lovingly as she gathered flowers, lowered his eyes as his senses kicked in and a familiar smell revealed who was about to descend upon them.

It was Totosai. He landed and bravely looked at Sesshomaru who gave him a very disapproving look. He held his own and stared back at the great dog demon.

"Totosai." Sesshomaru advanced towards him. You have some nerve showing up here. Do you have any idea what you have done?"

Totosai swallowed nervously. "Now Sesshomaru, I can explain. I actually tried to last time but you left before you gave me the chance to."

Sesshomaru wasn't having it. He shook his head in disgust and continued to stare at Totosai with disappointment. "I don't want to hear your excuses Totosai. You're worthless and you gave me an even more worthless sword."

Totosai's expression changed to show he felt bad for Sesshomaru. "Yes, I know. This is why I have come. I want you to meet by Inuyasha's village. There is something I wish to discuss with the both of you."

"Inuyasha! Sesshomaru spat, what matter would make you want to talk to us both? How can that have anything to do with the worthless swords you gave me!" He looked like he wanted to strangle poor Totosai. Rin, who stood behind Sesshomaru, had stopped picking flowers and quietly watched the conversation unfold before her. She wondered where this was going.

Totosai seemed to struggle with what he was going to say next. He had better choose his words carefully. He knew what Sesshomaru was capable of, and did not want to rile him up any more than he already was. If that was even possible.

"Well?" Sesshomaru didn't take his eyes off Totosai as he awaited his answer. He was not in a good mood anymore.

Totosai scratched his head nervously. "Please Sesshomaru, just listen to me. Meet me in a little bit by Inuyasha's village. There are things we need to talk about." With that, Totosai jumped back on his ox and took off, leaving Sesshomaru with a decision to make.

Would he go?

…

Inuyasha and Kagome were having a picnic up on a hill not too far from their village. It was a sunny day and the two had packed a delicious lunch for them to enjoy alone.

"Gosh, Kagome this food tastes amazing! What's the word you used to call it? I forgot." He wolfed down the lunch Kagome had prepared in a matter of seconds. It was as though he hadn't eaten in days.

"You forgot it again Inuyasha?" Kagome said with a giggle. It was hard for her to be angry at Inuyasha for eating the lunch so fast and evidently missing the whole point of sitting down to eat together. In fact, after watching him devour the food she had left to get from her hometown, she found the whole scene to be quite humorous. She had never seen someone eat as fast as he could. Not even a dog. "It's spaghetti...for the hundredth time."

"Oh come on. I doubt I've asked that many times but hey, it's delicious! It's definitely my new favorite!" Inuyasha dropped the empty box that once contained his lunch. He was oblivious to the fact that somehow he had managed to get sauce all over his face. He squealed as Kagome tried to wipe it off. "Ahh what are you doing?! I was saving that for later! Here, go get more!" He tossed the empty containers to Kagome.

"But you ate it all." Kagome gave him a look.

Inuyasha crossed his arms across his chest defensively. "So, I'm still hungry." He stuck his nose up like he always did when he wanted something.

Kagome groaned. "Ok fine, but it's going to take me a while. I have to go back and make more. It will probably take me an hour or so."

Inuyasha blinked at her. He didn't see the problem in that. "Ok? So what's the problem? Go!"

"Hey! I thought we were going to go for a walk?" Kagome gave him a pleading look in hopes of changing his mind. She really didn't want to go.

Inuyasha shooed her in the direction of the Bone-Eater's Well. "It ain't gonna make itself you know."

Kagome sighed heavily at Inuyasha's persistence. "Fine, but don't get angry if I take too long. I may just get too tired and take a nap while I'm back there."

"What?" Inuyasha flashed her a panicked look. He didn't like it when Kagome took her time whenever she was back in her own time period. "Please hurry! I'm still hungry!"

Kagome stuck her nose up. "You'll get it when you get it Inuyasha. Hmp!" She took off running in the direction of the well before Inuyasha could open his mouth and say something else.

Once Kagome was gone, Inuyasha looked around and instantly became sad. "Awe man. Now what am I going to do without Kagome?" He began to pout. He should have thought this through more carefully. "I guess I can go hunt some demons." He was just about to take off when he heard a familiar sound. The next thing he knew, he was staring at Totosai, who had just landed in front of him.

"Howdy Inuyasha. I thought I might find you here." Totosai hopped off his three-eyed ox.

Inuyasha blinked at him stupidly. "Say old man, what brings you here?

"Hang on." Totosai looked to the sky. Something was approaching them at top speed.

It was Lord Sesshomaru. He landed in the middle of Inuyasha and Totosai.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Oh great. What is this going to be about?"

Sesshomaru ignored his younger brother and focused his attention on Totosai.

Totosai nodded his respect to Sesshomaru. "Good to see you again Sesshomaru. Glad you could make it."

Inuyasha curiosity spiked. He turned to Totosai with questions. "You asked Sesshomaru here? Why? What for?"

Sesshomaru glared at Inuyasha. "Believe me Inuyasha, I am just annoyed as you are."

"Somehow I doubt that," Inuyasha said under his breath.

Sesshomaru paid him no attention. His patience with Totosai, however, was growing thin. "Well, Totosai?"

"Alright, alright, Totosai said as he put up his hands. I called Sesshomaru here to speak to you Inuyasha about an important, pressing matter..." He paused and looked to see how the two brothers were looking being in each other's company.

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru both still looked upset to be near one another without any prior warning.

"Ok, here it goes." Totosai took a much needed deep breath and began again. He looked nervous now.

"How do you two feel about teaming up to destroy this stone that Sesshomaru has?"

To be continued...