A/N: Hello there! It's been awhile since I've written anything. I don't know how canon the characters will be, but I'm here for fun, I hope you will join me for the journey.
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.
888
Plump snowflakes lazily drifted down from the morning sky, swaying from side to side in the soft wind. It was the first snow of the winter season. Already a thin layer of snow was blanketing the ground, partially covering the grass so that only sporadic tufts of green blades could be seen peeking out.
Rin was kneeling on the ground, the rising sun at her back. Her hands were curled into fists and resting on her thighs. She was facing a small mound of dirt that was crowned by burning incense sticks and at the base was an oblong polished stone with a name etched into it. The altar was for Lady Kaede.
Every so often a stray tear would roll down Rin's cheek before she would brush it away and resume her stiff position. Just a couple of days ago Rin would have been close to inconsolable. But now the sharp pang of loss had dulled to a throbbing sensation, as if a hand was squeezing her heart in a persistent rhythm.
"Rin? You've been out here since early morning. You must be cold." A soft voice came from behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know that the voice belonged to Kohaku. Her closest friend. She could see him clearly in her mind. His head would be tilted, inquiringly and his brows slightly furrowed as he took in her kneeling position.
They were not joined by blood but by common experience. Kohaku and Rin had lived with Lady Kaede for a large portion of their childhood. Kohaku and Lady Kaede's constant presence gave her a semblance of family during her adolescent years. It had been just over a decade since she had started living with them. Now all she had left was Kohaku.
Well, that was certainly a limiting way of viewing things. Kagome, Sango and their nuclear families were still alive and thriving. But they had moved away from the village, preferring to set up a home closer to one of the major towns of another province. And Rin was certain that if she was ever in dire need, Jaken and Lord S - Rin stopped that train of thought immediately. It had been twelve years since Rin had seen him last. His sudden absence was as abrupt as Lady Kaede's death to Rin, but looking back at it Rin shouldn't have been so surprised. They came from different worlds after all.
"I need to watch over Lady Kaede as she passes into the next world." That was Rin's explanation for her constant daily vigil.
A rough threadbare cloak was thrown around Rin's shoulders. Kohaku must have brought it for her. He settled down beside her, assuming a similar kneeling position. After three quick bows, with his head quickly touching the ground, he turned to her and smiled softly. "Then I'll keep you company and we can watch over Lady Kaede's soul together."
888
It had been awhile since Rin had felt this feeling. A quickening of the heart, a flush in the cheeks and butterflies in the stomach - excitement. Not that she was doing anything particularly interesting. In fact, she was folding clothes. It normally would not be worth a thought. But tonight, in the deep darkness of winter, Rin was excited. Excited to move. Excited to leave this village with its bittersweet memories to start anew elsewhere. As soon as the snow began to melt, the pair would be off to greener pastures.
She lifted up a silk kimono to examine it in the flickering candlelight. This was a fine kimono of a rich purple color and across the fabric gold butterflies danced. The last time Rin wore it was almost a decade ago. If she were to put it on now, the kimono probably wouldn't even cover her knees.
It had been so long since that time. There had been countless nights sleeping under star-filled skies and crackling fires. Laughter and merriment and innocence, those were her fading impressions of those days. A small, overzealous imp and a quiet, stoic protector.
There was the sound of sliding paper doors and the shuffling feet on bamboo mats. Kohaku was back from inspecting the horses and their little cargo. He caught her looking at the upraised kimono in her arms, a far off expression written on her face.
"Are you planning on bringing that along? It's a bit small for you don't you think?" Kohaku asked. He hoped she wouldn't take the jest too seriously.
At this, Rin broke into a smile, imagining the ridiculous image. "No, I was just thinking about who I should give these to in the village. They are so finely made, it would be a waste to take them with me." And with that she finished folding the kimono and placed them beside other things to be left behind.