The world around these two beings ceased to exist at that moment, both being captured by one another's gaze for what felt like an eternity. The illuminance that came from their weapons meeting, the force gave off such electricity that lightning whirled around them.

"Rin?"

A deep baritone voice broke the still moment, bringing both to the realization of their clashed weapons. Rin's breath hitched at the sound of her name escaping through his lips, causing her to react by leaping back a few feet, staring intently at the demon Lord. Her nerves caused her to shake, which was hidden beneath her clothing; her breathing was also now jagged, as she took in the sight of actually being in front of one another, felt like she was in a delirious state. Sesshomaru voiced Rin's name once more, bringing the young beauty back to the reality of her actually standing in front of the very man she has been imagining about in her mind for many years.

This isn't a dream, he is really here! He really did return!

She summoned her double-bladed Shinju to retract back to its tiny form that hid underneath her clothing, while Sesshomaru lowered and returned Bakkasiaga back to its sheath. For the first time in nearly a decade, Rin smiled wider than she has since Sesshomaru left abroad, nodding her head confirming his questioning of it really being her. Golden amber looked deeply into chocolate orbs, when suddenly Rin's eyes grew wide as she dropped to the ground bowing at the feet of the demon Lord. He was confused by her sudden actions.

"Lord Sesshomaru, please forgive me! I truly was unaware it was you, or I would not have attacked you, I swear it on my life!"

Sesshomaru was completely bewildered by the scene he was experiencing, this woman before him is his little Rin. He never cared before about paying attention to the aging process of humans, but grasps now, how quickly they age and die. To a demon, a decade is only just a passing of the wind, but for humans such as Rin, every moment counts.

She was just a child when I left, but now… now she is a full grown woman. I am intrigued by her transformation.

"It is unnecessary for you to apologize. I did not properly announce myself."

Rising her head to meet his gaze once more, she smiles sweetly and nods in agreement, understanding his words. The captivating look in her eyes, accenting her beautiful smile, made his heart pound hard in his chest.

:..Bump Bump.. Bump Bump..:

Why does my heart beat rapidly when she smiles at me?

Rin decided to climb back upon her feet, but before she could make a single move, suddenly noticed a clawed hand held out to assist her, causing her smile to widen even more at Sesshomaru.

:..Bump Bump.. Bump Bump..:

She happily accepted his offer by placing her slender hand in his, helping her to properly stand. Bowing in perfect Aristocratic fashion towards The Lord of the West, showing her respect and appreciation of his kind gesture, which he also noticed that technical detail about full grown Rin.

"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru, you are very kind."

Finally, the two of them stood face to face after a decade of separation, looking into one another's eyes as though they had been strangers before this moment, and this was the first time they were meeting in life; In fact, this is more like the second time they're first meeting. Rin scanned Sesshomaru up and down, absorbing every detail of this gorgeous and magnificent creature.

He looks exactly the same! Same beautiful face with his royal attire and silky long hair. I have missed him so much!

"Hmn."

Was the demon Lord's response, as he gave a slight tilt of his head.

"You have grown."

Rin's thoughts of taking in every detail of this perfect being before her ceased, when it hit her, that while he had not changed in any way to her, she had drastically changed in his eyes.

"Oh! Uh.. yes. It has been a very long time, My Lord. I am nearly twenty-two.."

She is definitely not a child any longer…

The two former companions conversed for a while, becoming reacquainted with one another after such a long separation. Unfortunately, it is impossible to hear everything that has happened in ten years, in one single night. Rin already understood her Lord's quiet nature, so therefore she did most of the talking, and was happy to be open about how her life has changed. While in the middle of speaking about life as the village healer, her travels across the neighboring territories, and the old Priestess' health being a major concern to the young woman, she unwillingly yawns. He could already sense her exhaustion and knew she needed rest.

"Rin."

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"You need to rest."

The demon Lord's sense of smell is nothing less than pristine, he could smell fear coming from Rin, and he did not like it one bit.

"Uh.. uh, I- I am fine, my Lord-"

Please don't leave yet!!

Another yawn escaped from the young woman, she quickly covered her mouth.

"Go, rest. I will return tomorrow."

His words caused Rin to release a breath that she didn't realize she had been holding, when the demon Lord eased her fear about him not going anywhere. Her cheeks became a crimson color, as she locks eye contact with amber spheres, showcasing a gorgeous smile towards the dog demon, once again causing his heart to suddenly beat at a rapid pace.

:..Bump Bump.. Bump Bump..:

"Yes, alright, I will return home then. Good night, my Lord."

She bows once more towards the very man that takes her breath away. The beautiful young woman proceeded in the direction of the steps that leave the Priestess' shrine, and back down to the bottom where her shared hut was. Right as she was almost out of sight, she stops her footing and turns back around facing the Lord of the West.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Hmmm?"

"I… I just wanted to say..Welcome Home, my Lord. It gives me great joy to see you have returned safely. It makes my heart feel extremely happy to see you again.."

Her cheeks reddened as she spoke from her heart, as it was beating rapidly inside her. Bowing once more with equal precision as any born Aristocrat.

"Good night, once again, Lord Sesshomaru. Until tomorrow."

:..Bump Bump.. Bump Bump..:

The Lord of the West sat comfortably against a large Sakura tree in a nearby open field, the wind blowing strongly, causing his long silver hair to dance with the invisible force. His eyes were closed, which would appear to most anyone that he is sleeping, but he is only resting his eyes, taking in the sounds of the night time. He hears the sounds of the crickets and the frogs croaking, but focuses specifically on the sounds of Rin sleeping in her hut, a mile away. In his mind, he replayed his reunion with her from a short time before, over in his mind, but was disrupted in midthought, as he smelled an annoyingly familiar scent. The demon Lord began growling really low.

"What do you want?"

Sesshomaru's eyes opened as he gazed up at the moon perched high in the night sky, then towards his unwanted company.

"I see you have come back here looking for Rin."

The demon Lord sat in silence for a moment, contemplating.

"It is no concern of yours."

"Keh. You would say that, you haven't changed at all."

"If you have no other business InuYasha, go back to your Priestess."

Closing his golden eyes once more and turning his attention back towards Rin's hut where he can hear her sleeping peacefully.

"You know she isn't the same little girl you knew before you left, she is a full grown human now."

An annoyed sigh comes from the demon Lord's nostrils.

"I am aware of that InuYasha. Get to your point then stop pestering me, you half-breed."

"Look, all I am saying is, she has become an extremely skilled warrior with a lot of men who seek her out, determined to make her their wife; she is undeniably beautiful, which I am sure you didn't even notice because she is human. Kaede almost married her off once when she was fourteen, which caused Rin to run away and I was the one who had to bring her back! Good thing I did too, she was almost eaten by a shapeshifter who was out for revenge against you..."

This caught Sesshomaru's attention. His eyelids open, turning his head towards his younger brother, with a very intimidating look in his eyes. InuYasha paid no attention to his brother's evil stare at him, as he continued on with his rambling.

"Keh! Anyway, what I do know is that she IS currently being pursued by someone, because when she returned from her trip, she was accompanied by a bat demon she called 'Tsukuyomaru'. I was in a tree nearby and happened to witness everything. I watched him ask for her to be his wife, stating that he will do whatever it takes to get her to fall in love with him and will return to see her again. He even attempted to kiss her, and she..."

This news angered Sesshomaru for some reason. He suddenly stood from his comfortable position, in the middle of InuYasha's words, and began walking away from his brother and towards the forest.

"...Hey where are you going now, Sesshomaru?? Hey, you bastard, I am talking to you! Ugh!"

The demon Lord began to growl very menacingly as he strode into the forest.

I will dispatch anyone who touches my Rin..