Hello! I really wanna apologize for how long it took me to update with this new chapter

I've been busy writing new works and getting information on those characters for future fanfics

This chapter takes place as a flashback of Rin's childhood and how she fell for Haru (she is about 10 and Haru is about 9)

Fluff ensues so warning...the feels with hit you hard

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Darkpheonix666

Rin sat on the roof of the temple quietly hidden by the barrier she used to hide her form and Ki. This way she could watch Haru go about his business without being caught. On top of that she could protect herself from any potential threats that other rogue demons may cause to her or the temple.

I mean despite the fact it was her duty to protect and prevent harm befalling the temple and its owners; she still felt like she was a stalker or something despite that not being the case. But that didn't stop her self consciousness and conscience from kicking in every now and again and causing her to question herself.

She did watch him every other day and had lived at the temple all her life. But it's not like she followed him everywhere; she only ever stayed at the temple grounds and never left. She would be lying if she didn't get bored and play pranks on people to keep herself entertained sometimes.

Her grandfather was out having a meeting with the elder Tengu leaving her in charge of the temple. They were having a discussion about the current affairs of human and demon cohabitation. Making sure the demon realm and the human realm remained balanced; that the respect between both species remained intact and their duties were performed diligently and correctly.

However, they were also having a discussion about upcoming festivals and events going on in their village but also in the human world. As demons, they had many celebrations held in their honour or that they loved to attend.

Despite their stereotype for being drunkard and perverted demons; not all Tengu were like this. While there were known people like this in her village; a large portion were not like this. Mainly the kinds of Tengu who lived this life were the teens or slackers who tended to cause more problems and act rebelliously; who had no desire to work.

Many could be very wise and battle orientated; working as guardians or protectors of their village. Involving themselves in paperwork and protecting humans while also keeping their clan safe. They had the welfare and safety of their families and friends on their shoulders at all times which was very stressful indeed.

Making sure they had enough to eat, there were no damages to their village and that sickness remained at a minimal level. That their villagers remained healthy and safe; living a happy life.

On top of that there was the discussion of pairing younger Tengu with their future husbands; some were chosen at adolescence but didn't marry until they were 16. Because of rare attacks or battles; they lost numbers every now and again meaning they had to repopulate in large numbers every now and again.

However, most times they were chosen in their teen years to marry a demon of age whom seemed suitable for them. Arranged marriages were not uncommon in their culture after all. That did not mean though all demons went by such a thing; many waited to find their fated person before marrying. Waiting to find someone they liked before they chose to marry.

Rin was now sat on the temple roof watching the cherry blossoms fall. Though it seemed silly it truly made her happy and content inside. Allowing her to relax from such stressful duties for a while. forget all the stresses of life and simply pass the time by watching something as simple as nature unfurl in front of her eyes.

They looked like snow falling; small pink petals that reminded her of snow gently falling and covering the ground in the winter. But they were less cold and didn't melt when you touched them. Instead they simply laid on the floor eventually fading or drying out but causing their perfume to stain the floor for the following months.

Suddenly out of the corner of her eye she spotted the boy she had been admiring for some time. Since living here with her grandfather she had taken the hobby of spying on him now and again.

Not that she ever did anything to him; she would just admire him from afar and keep him safe from harm. I mean as the granddaughter of the guardian of this temple; it was her duty to keep the shrine owner safe.

Haru was kneeling in front of a golden Buddha statue outside the temple. He was located before the wooden steps and in front of the paved walkway. He was placed on a giant marble podium that was about the same height as a person of 5'7" in height.

As far as she knew the statue had been there for generations; since her grandfather was young, his grandfather, her great grandfather. However she was the first female to take the duty as her family had given birth to males previously.

He was made of gold and was sitting making his usual hand gesture and his other hand placed on his lap. He also had prayer beads around his neck placed there by Haru's grandpa. He was well cleaned and polished and some visitors to the temple sometimes placed flowers around his neck but very rarely.

Haru and his grandfather took great care of the temple and were sure to show nothing but respect to Rin and her grandfather. They even left offerings of food or flowers sometimes to say thank you. One time she had been given the great delight of rice balls and chocolate mochi as an offering for all they had done.

Rin gazed fondly at him as she watched Haru praying before Buddha. He had such a peaceful yet concentrated expression on his face; so, at one with himself. Her eyes became fond as she looked upon the dark-haired male; he had such beautiful eyelashes. So long and slick; fluttering upon his cheeks when he prayed.

Though she didn't see them very often; he had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. They were blue as the ocean and shone like the sun hitting the ocean; every time she saw them she felt herself being drawn to them. Piercing and intense; able to see into her soul stripping her of her barriers.

His hair was the colour of the night sky or as black as the parchment ink her grandfather used. Not that she hated it; she thought his hair colour was far prettier than her magenta locks. His long bangs tumbling in front of his face when he looked down or as thinking; giving him a mysterious look.

Not that she hated her own hair colour of course, far from it in fact; but she had to admit his hair was far prettier than hers was. So, slick and silky; giving him an elegant and powerful look that suited him given he was a future priest.

She felt her cheeks heat as she admired his beauty; for a human, he certainly was a stunning creature. She never grew tired of looking upon him or watching over him from afar. She quite literally watched him all day and it filled her heart with so much content and joy.

"Rin-Chan; I'm back" an elderly voice said kindly. He could sense no danger or problematic demons around meaning she had performed her duties well. For someone so young Rin's demonic Ki was truly powerful.

He could only imagine how strong and efficient she would become as she grew older and honed in her powers. Her parents had truly created a capable and powerful child. He would feel nothing but relief when she eventually took over his role when he would one day pass on into the nirvana.

Rin stiffened in shock at the sudden arrival her wings surrounding her protectively. Given how she had been so lost to watching Haru her body couldn't help but act in such a way; it was basic instinct as a demon to defend herself from danger.

Her grandpa chuckled fondly; at least she was alert and on guard meaning she was still aware of her surroundings. But just what had caught her attention? "I see you are distracted Rin; usually you would have sensed me coming before I would land" he teased affectionately.

He already knew before she told him; he was old indeed but he was by no means naïve. He had only grown wiser with age and knew exactly what lingered in the young Tengu's mind.

She was 10 years old after all; it was normal at her age to show slight interest in someone of the opposite gender. All kids had some form of crush on someone their age at any given point in their childhood; it was a sign of development and growing up.

Rin's cheeks heated the colour of a pomegranate and she averted her gaze becoming quiet. Her grandpa wasn't aware of her crush on Haru as she had kept it to herself. Not that she was ashamed of her love for Haru; but she knew that other people her age would tease her for liking a boy as she had the infamous nature of being a tomboy.

Her grandpa moved closer to Rin's sitting position and caught sight of Haru praying in front of the temple. As he recalled that boy was the grandson of the temple's priest. He smiled fondly a hint of mischief twinkling in his eyes; so, it seemed Rin was rather fond of the boy who would one day take over as the temple's protector.

Every day she would watch him from afar and use her abilities to keep him safe from harm. Making sure that he remained alive or avoided any potential dangers that could cause him to suffer. Without a doubt if anyone touched a hair on that boys head Rin would see to it they would not go unharmed.

It seemed during her stay with him Rin had become very fond of the human boy. Not that he minded; all children developed a crush on someone at her age and he supported it. As her grandpa he only ever wanted what was best for her and would only make sure she grew up to be a decent, moral and wise young demon.

Rin spent all her time training, concentrating her ki via meditation or studying to become the next guardian of the temple. She very rarely did little else and it took over most of her free time. She never played with other kids as they were all back home and tended to isolate herself from others.

To see Rin so interested in a boy to the fact she took a break from her duties was rather cute. It was good to know she was still a girl despite her expectation and duties placed upon her. However, compared to most innocent admirable crushes; Rin was truly taken with this boy to the point he took over most of her thought process as shown when he arrived.

"Do you desire that boy as your mate Rin?" he asked curiously his tone stern. He would be lying if he admitted he wasn't surprised she met her fated person so young. But then again, love was different for everyone; you found your fated person at different ages. But the red string of fate indeed tied these two together as one.

Rin's blush increased causing small puff of steam to erupt from the young girl's head. However, she nodded quietly confirming her grandfather's suspicions. Given he knew her so well she didn't have to speak for him to know his suspicions were indeed correct.

There was just something about Haru; he drew her in like a moth to a flame. He made her heart flutter and cause her to develop butterflies in her stomach whenever she thought about him.

"I…. I do Grandpa; I…. I like him…. I like him very much" she stammered shyly. She had never felt so strongly for a person before; he was all she could think about lately. He was inside her head, her heart and her dreams; invading the very depths of her soul with his presence.

Her grandfather chuckled in amusement and reached out a hand to ruffle Rin's head affectionately. His little granddaughter was growing up so fast already. But he knew Rin; she took everything seriously and was not the type to develop a brief interest in anyone. Her emotions ran deep; wild and passionate like a storm.

He could see it too; the red string connected to their pinkies that connected them as one. As each other's future partners forever binding them as one. The string that connected your hearts as one meaning you were meant for each other.

He then knelt down to look at his granddaughter while also watching over Haru quietly. "If so Rin then you must protect him; mark him as yours and keep him safe. If you do not make sure he is marked by you another female may claim him" he warned.

Given his stunning appearance despite being a child; Haru would indeed cause other girls his age to crush on him. To prevent her fated mate being taken away; Rin would have to chase them off and keep him safe.

Given how one was a powerful Tengu and the other would grow to be a powerful priest; a combination of their genes would not only create a deadly future heir but also some very adorable grand-babies. Though people may tell him otherwise his gut told him that those babies would be nothing but adorable.

He mentally sobbed at the mental image of some cute grand-babies; a girl looking like Haru but having Rin's eyes, or a boy having Rin's hair and Haru's eyes. God he couldn't handle how cute that would be.

Rin panicked at the idea of someone else taking Haru; she couldn't imagine seeing another girl holding his hand or spending time with him. Sure, they had never spoken or never met in person; but she knew everything about Haru. I mean in some term they had grown up around each other due to their duties.

"I…. I will grandpa! B… But I…. I can't…. I mean…. I'm not ready to say it yet" Rin explained shyly. She didn't have the courage to approach Haru yet and tell him she loved him.

Her grandpa sighed heavily and muttered "Young love" under his breath. It truly was a beautiful thing and Rin had fallen hard for this boy. It was confusing and your emotions had no control; causing you to act irrationally. But it was still one of the strongest emotions known to man and demon.

However, he could only hope he lived long enough to see if they ended up together; or at the very least birth him some great grandchildren. I mean he was getting on in years and wanted to see his beloved grandchild have her own family one day.