Chapter 3

Rin took a deep breath and made another step towards the tree. And then another. But as she grew closer to the powerful dog demon, she noticed the confusion and frown his face held. She stopped dead in her tracks, afraid she did something wrong.

Had she arrived too early? Jaken had told Rin about Sesshomaru's specific instructions: she needed to come to their usual meeting spot when the moon was its brightest. The clouds above them had drifted away, letting the full moon light up the night sky. She had arrived exactly at the time she needed to.

And yet, Sesshomaru didn't look pleased.

She tightened her grip on her basket, grateful to have something in hand to fidget with. For two years now, she had imagined a different reaction from her lord. It was true that he was a cold demon, but over the years, Rin had been the only one able to break his shell. Sesshomaru had become affectionate towards her and only her, and always greeted her with a pleasant tone whenever she arrived at the sakura tree. He'd bring presents and spend the evenings with her, and rarely seemed annoyed or angry.

But, here they were, and her expectations were shattered. Had he returned to his cold demeanor?

Rin couldn't stand the silence anymore. It scared her to think that maybe their relationship hadn't changed after all, and after his absence, it would return to the same one they had when she was just a child.

Clearing her throat, she spoke. "Lord Sesshomaru, I've dreamed of this day for years, and now that you stand before me, you say nothing? I've never known you to be a quiet man around me." She laughed nervously, hoping to ease some tension.

And that's when she noticed it. At the sound of her voice, his puzzled expression fell, and he let out a small sigh of relief. His eyes lost their tension and became soft and he began walking towards her. So maybe he wasn't angry?

"So it is you Rin."

Instantly, Rin thought of the demon slayer's words, "Lord Sesshomaru might not recognize you tonight since you are dressed as a true princess!"

Blushing, she replied. "Who else would it be, my lord?"

He snorted, finally standing front of her. Sesshomaru gave her a small smile, and held his hand out to her. She took it, and overwhelmed with happiness, fell into his arms. "Oh my lord, what took you so long to defeat that demon? I've been waiting for you for years," she said, burying her face in his fur.

She expected him to wrap his arms around her like he had hundreds of times before, but instead, Sesshomaru stiffened.

"If it wasn't for your voice, I wouldn't have recognized you. You look…different. Not entirely, actually. But now you're not a child, but a…" He paused in the middle of his observation.

Rin's mind went blank.

"W-Well, I-I, well I hope I look more like a woman now, milord… After all, I'm right in the middle of marrying age and most of the women I know are married with children, isn't that something?" Rin laughed nervously again, and while still embracing him, she pulled back a little to get a good look at his face.

At least nothing had changed about him. Sesshomaru was still the handsome demon she met so many years ago in the forest near her village. She took in the sight of the demonic markings on his cheeks and how the purple crescent was so vibrant against his pale skin. She looked into his golden eyes as he ran stared into hers too.

Who can ever be as handsome as milord?

Sesshomaru tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, snapping her back into reality, and he lowered his hand to place it on the small of her back. He finally touched her, and it gave her relief to lose the uncomfortable tension.

Sesshomaru nodded at her question and lead her under the tree, where they sat down in each other's arms. Rin couldn't help but think how nice it felt to feel his cold hands intertwined with hers. Her heart pounded fervently, almost uncomfortably. It wasn't like her to get nervous around Sesshomaru. In the past, they've frequently leaned onto each other's shoulders, or she would be pulled into his arms, with his chest against her back (as they were now), and they'd talk about mundane topics for hours.

But now, something had changed in him. It wasn't like Sesshomaru to notice her…body. If that was what he was referring to when he stated that I looked different, she thought. She looked down at her bust, where two years, the kimono had been loose.

Now, it was too tight.

Just thinking about it made her dizzy.

After a brief silence, Sesshomaru spoke. "I defeated the fire demon five nights ago. I've been traveling since the battle came to conclusion."

Rin relaxed into his chest. She looked down at their hands and loosened one to trace the demonic markings on his wrists. She felt Sesshomaru shudder lightly.

"So you did keep your promise, my lord." A smile crept on her lips. "But why did it take so long?"

"He kept hiding when he found out I was coming and concealed his scent well enough for about a year."

"And how long was the battle, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Five days," he replied nonchalantly. Rin looked up at to catch his smirk. "Do not trouble yourself with the details. It's useless, as that demon was. Besides," Sesshomaru took Rin's free hand back into his, "I've returned for good."

"Ah! I'm so glad, milord! I have much to share with you! Are we to resume our monthly meetings? Or maybe… eh, share more meetings? Seeing as how you've defeated the demon you were searching for," Rin desperately hoped for a yes as Sesshomaru shifted his eyes away. He seemed to be contemplating his response.

"Alright, Rin. Our meetings will occur every four days now. Don't keep me waiting." Rin squealed with glee while Sesshomaru gave her hand a quick squeeze. "What is it that you have in the basket?"

Rin blushed, ashamed she had forgotten to present the kosode to him. She reached for it, and turned around to kneel in front of him as she gave it to him.

"I made you a kosode, milord. It's a bit simple and made to wear underneath your usual attire, but I used my finest silk as the material and the rubies you gave me on my fourteenth birthday to line the folds. I pray you will be most please, Lord Sesshomaru." Her face continued to redden as Sesshomaru examined the kosode.

"It is very well done, Rin," she recognized it as his way of saying thank you and smiled brightly at him. There was pride in his eyes, evidently from Rin's flawless handiwork.

Wanting to tell Sesshomaru everything, Rin began their usual conversation on village life, this time filling him in on everything that occurred during his two-year absence.


As the night continued, and their conversation deepened, they absentmindedly fell back into each other. Sometime while he spoke, Rin had placed her head on Sesshomaru's lap. He seemed not to be bothered, and she fiddled with his yellow obi as he told her about unworthy demons he'd wasted, about the places he'd seen, and things he heard. "I heard something about you six months ago."

Rin was suddenly alert, knowing exactly what it was about. The young lord.

"Did you?" she asked innocently.

"Some young human male asked you to marry him. And you rejected him. Why is it?"

Rin continued messing with the obi. "He's not the first to ask, but you told me not to make any rash decisions while you were gone, milord. Also, you said you'd make my marriage arrangements once the time arrived."

"Obedient as ever, I see," he smiled softly, "Would you like to marry now, Rin? You are of age. And eh, a woman now as well."

She looked up at him shyly, heart pounding. Sesshomaru gave her a curious look.

Do I? The fact was Rin was one of the last girls to marry in the village. Many of the girls she befriended were betrothed or married, some with little children already tugging their kimonos. Though she declined every offer that was presented to her, she longed for a husband.

During the winter, Sayo, a close friend, married a poor farmer in the village. It had shocked Rin so much, that one day, she pulled her away from their sewing circle and lead her outside. "Sayo! You come from a decent home! You cannot be serious in marrying the farmer," Rin said frowning.

"I am, Lady Rin. And one day, when you fall in love, you'll know why I didn't choose wealth, lands, or power." And with that, they went back to the sewing circle. Rin questioned her own shallowness as the months passed by. She knew her friend was happy and that she didn't need anything to make her happy but that farmer. Whenever Rin would ask about him, Sayo only spoke loving words of her husband.

Sayo and her husband had a true bond that no one could break. It was everything Rin desired. But as the men sought her, Rin couldn't find any potential in them.

"Will you seek someone for me, my lord?" she asked.

Sesshomaru sighed. "Only if you wish."

"I don't wish to speak of marriage any longer, milord. Please, return to your story about Ah-Un's new saddle. I am most curious," she lied.

Sesshomaru began speaking again much to Rin's relief. However, she couldn't focus on a word he said. Perhaps soon, he would choose a husband for her to marry. If her future husband was from another village, she would have to leave everyone behind: Kaede, the twins and Komori, Miroku and Sango, Inuyasha and Kagome, Hisashi and Aiko, even Shippo and Kohaku, though they visited infrequently nowadays.

But most importantly, it meant she would have to stop seeing Sesshomaru, and that she couldn't do. She loved him dearly, forever thankful for his generosity and protection.

Rin closed her eyes, not wanting to have some accidental tears form. I'll never leave Lord Sesshomaru. Never.


"Rin… Rin… Rin."

Her eyes shot open as a deep voice called her, strong arms shaking her a bit. She noticed Sesshomaru's golden stare first, before looking up at the sky. It had turned slightly lighter in color, signifying the inevitable return of the sun in a couple of minutes.

"I didn't want to wake you, but I have some duties to perform." Ugh. She had fallen asleep sometime during their conservation.

"Will you walk me over to the hut, my lord?" Sesshomaru nodded, but instead of helping her up to her feet, he picked her bridal style, and began walking away from the clearance.

"U-Um, what are you doing, Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin asked, bewildered. He'd never done anything like it before.

"Taking you home, foolish girl," he answered while walking, finally approaching the homes by the bridge.

Well, obviously, she had wanted to say, but the hold on her back stopped her. It felt so wonderful to be in his arms like this. She looked up, hoping to find some expression on his face. She hadn't noticed it before in the darkness, but now that there was light, Sesshomaru looked tired. Very tired.

Rin didn't want to ask if it was from his travels or from the fight, knowing he'd give her a vague answer, but she wanted to offer him a place to sleep.

"Lord Sesshomaru, would you like to spend the night?"

He paused, now in front of Kaede's hut. Rin gulped.

"And why would I do that?" his golden eyes glaring at her.

"Oh! Ha, I was only suggesting my lord. You look so tired, and I worry is all."

He frowned at her, setting her down on her feet. "I'll be on my way now, Rin. Go inside. Return to the sakura tree midday in four days. Don't keep me waiting."

She held her empty basket in hand, chewing her lip, determined to make him stay a tad bit longer. "Some rest would do you well, milord. Please, stay."

"I do not heed to humans."

Rin pouted, but suddenly noticed the mirth in his eyes. Perhaps he was messing with her. "I could lay out the extra futon for you, milord. The hut is small and cozy, but so wonderful during these hours. You could rest for a few before leaving, and it'll make me rest easy if I know you're okay an-"

"Fine. I'll stay," Sesshomaru huffed and pushed Rin into the hut. Her basket slipped from her hands and she quickly turned around, angry at the fact that they almost woke up Kaede with the noise. His eyes didn't meet hers, and following his stare, she noticed really how small the hut was. Kaede and Rin's hut had towers of boxes everywhere, all of them containing the gifts Sesshomaru gave her. She looked down a little embarrassed over the mess.

"I'll be back in four days, Rin. Sleep. There is no space for me here."

Rin sighed, defeated. "Okay, Lord Sesshomaru."

They walked back outside, Rin crossing her arms, bitterly.

"Rin?" Sesshomaru cocked his brow, and Rin nodded towards him, silently asking him to continue. "I heard something else about you." Rin held her breath, unsure if she wanted to know. Oh kami, what could it be this time?

"There's been talk amongst humans and demons alike about the princess that resides in this village. After tonight, there's no mistake it's you they speak of."

Rin felt the familiar burn of anxiety and embarrassment on her cheeks. "Oh? What do they say, my lord?"

"They say she's the most beautiful woman any man could lay his eyes on."

Rin's heart stopped.

When she finally recovered, she looked around for her protector, but he was already gone.

Rin couldn't stop thinking about his words as she walked back inside the hut and changed into her sleeping kosode.

They say she's the most beautiful woman any man could lay his eyes on.

She twisted and turned all about her futon, praying it wasn't her mind that imagined those words.


.oOo.

AN: Looks like Sesshomaru has revealed something to our beloved Rin! Thank you guys so much for supporting my story. You guys are freaking awesome. Hope you enjoy this chapter. There will be more romance coming up, I promise!