Chapter 5

His eyes were omnipresent, almost too meticulous in their ways as the young maiden pranced about in the market. Feeling his golden stare, she turned around slowly, meeting Sesshomaru's cold eyes.

"Ah-Un is already packed with goods. Do not tell me you wish to continue on adding items, Rin," his eyes darting to the packet of fine paper she held in her hands.

"This is for the monk, Miroku, my lord. I thought it would be a good idea to get my friends a few things as well," Rin said as she gave him a sweet smile.

Sesshomaru huffed, but nevertheless, allowed her to get the item.

The pair had arrived at the market hours ago, and had slowly made their way through every booth. Sesshomaru had developed a frigid stance about an hour into their shopping, annoying Rin, knowing it was because of her indecisiveness when she was presented identical items in different colors.

"You know my lord, it would put me at ease if your face wasn't so unwelcoming every time I picked up something," she told him.

Sesshomaru folded his arms as he walked closer to her. "If you're finished, we shall make our way to my associate's. It is crucial that we arrive soon."

Making her way towards Ah-Un, who sat near an empty booth, she placed the item inside one of the pockets his saddle had. Rin then reached into the fold of her kimono, pulling out the list she and Sesshomaru had made several days ago, and began checking off the items they obtained. Again, she could feel his golden eyes boring into her, almost malevolent because he was becoming impatient by the second.

Turning, she spoke. "The only thing I need now is cloth, milord. I could not find any here, unfortunately."

"Asa has plenty," he said, referring to his associate. "Leave Ah-Un here and follow me to the edge of the market."

"Yes, my lord!"

On their way to the market, Rin learned that Asa was the seamstress who created all her beautiful attire. But the woman also held a powerful position in Sesshomaru's life, and he declared it to be imperative that they arrive at Asa's immediately after purchasing the goods.

After a couple of minutes, Sesshomaru stopped in front of a rather small hut. Rin looked about, thinking something would appear out of nowhere, unable to believe that said person lived in such an impoverished hut.

"Wait here. I will summon you shortly," Sesshomaru said, looking down at her. She nodded, and to her surprise, he walked into the hut.

Curiosity won the best of her, and she pressed her ear to the wall, hoping to catch some dialogue.

"Lord Sesshomaru, pleasure to see you so soon," a feminine voice greeted.

"Asa, I have returned with Rin."

"Excellent. Bring her forth," the voice shrilled with excitement, contrasting with the nervousness Rin felt. Though she had never met Asa, it was apparent that Asa knew her.

Sesshomaru called for her, and she took a deep breath, hoping it would ease her, and walked in.

Inside the hut stood a petite woman next to Sesshomaru. Asa blinked her beautiful honey eyes, flashing the young maiden a smile. Rin bowed lowly, realizing at once that Asa was a demon.

Her face was absolutely lovely: she had deep golden eyes, white, bob-cut hair, indigo on her eyelids, red lips, and one stripe of deep indigo on each cheek. Even for her height, she stood tall, donned in an elegant black kimono with the most mesmerizing dragon pattern across the front. Asa, it appeared, had the same taste in kimonos as Sesshomaru as the dragon completely outlined with small adamants. She also had fur draped beautifully on both shoulders, and she lifted a clawed hand to stroke it, showcasing a few indigo stripes at the young maiden in front of her.

Beautiful as she was, Rin knew Asa was another dog demon.

Asa looked over to Sesshomaru, who had made his way over to sit near a tray of cups, drinking tea. "When you told me she was gorgeous, I should have known that was an understatement."

Sesshomaru scowled, evidently annoyed with Asa, but a small blush spread on his cheeks.

Asa then gestured for the young maiden to walk forward and onto a raised platform that sat in the corner of the hut. Rin stood there, feeling a bit awkward from Asa's words, but the female demon gave her toothy grin and pulled out a pink tape, dangling it in front of Rin.

"I have been using another girl's measurements for you, but now that I have you here, it is quite convenient for me to get your exact measurements. Spread your arms, my fair maiden."

As the petite demon worked, Rin took advantage of the position and took a good look of her vicinity. She realized that this Asa's workshop, as there were cones of thread stacked high in a corner, different colors of cloth folded neatly, a large spindle, and a mannequin wearing a lavender kimono.

Asa continued taking measurements, saying numbers to herself, but when she took the measure of Rin's bust, she looked troubled.

"Yes, my lady?" Rin asked worried, noting the demon's sudden stop.

"Have the kimonos been too tight on you here? I've been using a farmer girl's measurements, hoping to meet the same body as you, but here," Asa pointed, "there needs to be more material to preserve your modesty."

"Oh Lady Asa, no worries! It's why I wear a sturdy underrobe under my attire. You, see? I made it myself," Rin gestured.

Though Asa seemed impressed as she pinched the silk between her fingers, she turned her head to the demon lord across the room. "Did you hear that, Lord Sesshomaru? If it wasn't for her creativity, Rin would be giving those village boys an eyeful!"

What!? Rin blushed, darting her eyes to catch the demon lord's expression.

Sesshomaru had narrowed his eyes, giving the female demon a dangerous glare. "This is exactly why I brought her. The last time I saw her, she was a child. Now, Rin is a woman. Fix her kimonos so that she can wear them comfortably."

Asa waved off his angry scowl, and ordered Rin to enter a small, private room in order to change into another kimono. This, she said, was one that she was working on, but would use it to get Rin's exact measurements.

The room appeared to be a storage room, but was clearly a bedroom since a futon laid out by the window. Weapons and ancient scrolls laid around near beautiful pieces of silk. There was also a pair of men's boots set off to the side by some burning incense, and as Rin took off her dark green kimono and changed into the one in hand, she couldn't help but wonder if Asa was married.

She continued to study the room, noticing a large looking glass behind a rack of kimonos. Rin walked to it, her eyes shining when she met her reflection. The kimono was absolutely stunning.

Silky, lilac cloth, adorned with pearly flowers, hmm, perhaps a dark obi would suit it well? she pondered, looking at the details of the flowers. They had pearls right in the center of them, some as big as the ones Rin had in her ears. She determined it was too glamorous for everyday wear, and should Asa gift her the kimono, it would only be meant for an important occasion.

Walking back to the small main room, Rin noticed the dog demons sitting on the floor together, whispering into each other's ears. The creaks on the floor notified them of Rin's presence, and Asa let out a loud gasp, her eyes glistening with admiration.

"You are the epitome of beauty, Rin! My, my! That color is gorgeous on you!" She got closer to the blushing maiden and again pulled out the measuring tape, and pressed it against Rin's bust, waist, and arms. "She reminds me of your father's late wife, Lord Sesshomaru. The classic beauty of her time," Asa said as she worked.

Rin heard a soft "hmm", and glanced towards Sesshomaru's direction. Though Asa was vocal on what she thought of Rin, Sesshomaru seemed to be so taken back that he was temporality speechless.

His mouth was slightly parted, cup of tea midway in air as he stared at the beauty. Rin loved that he was so captivated by her, and she let out a small giggle, breaking his spell.

"Are you okay, my lord?" she asked, still giggling.

Sesshomaru blinked twice, and met with her cinnamon eyes. "You know, Asa, those rumors were about her," he said, eyes still focused on Rin.

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

It had to be what he was referring to.

Asa continued pinning the kimono, and nodded a bit absentmindedly. "I knew it was her they spoke of when I saw her enter," she stood up, and smoothed out a few wrinkles in her black kimono. "Change back into your own kimono and join us for small talk, beautiful."


— — —

Small talk among the dog demons consisted of plotting to murder a plethora of living beings.

Or so Rin assumed as she sat next to Sesshomaru, who even though was the most powerful demon alive, insisted on eliminating a few more troublesome demons. Asa agreed on every decision that he made, and made commentary on the lands where malicious demons resided. This is what he was talking about when he said she was important, she thought to herself as Asa quickly sketched a map, marking it with information.

"This location is where the fire demon's kin resides. Eliminate them at once."

"Hmm, I'll send Jaken and Dan to survey the land beforehand."

"Dan?" asked Rin. She never heard of him before.

"That's my son," Asa said, matter-of-factly.

Ah, ha! She is married!

Rin looked about, suddenly eager. "Will I get to meet him, my lady?"

Asa shook her head. "Not today."

"Oh, but surely your husband is around here. I saw his boots!"

There was a pregnant pause.

"He's dead. He was very old." Cold voice, no emotions. Sesshomaru winced a bit.

"I did not know demons died of old- how do demons die, milord?" she asked Sesshomaru.

He scoffed, looking at her a bit confused. "Weak demons are wasted, but great demons are either killed by their heir, a sign of honor, or wilt away when they please."

"Hmm," the young maiden glanced back at Asa, "so your husband wilted, my lady?"

The two demons who sat by her exchanged a funny look, and Asa glanced back at the young maiden. "He died of old age. You see, Rin, he was a human."

Well, that was unexpected.

"My, Lady Asa forgive me for my questions, but I'd love to know more of your husband," Rin's eyes shined bright. She loved knowing that demons and humans could marry, could love one another.

A happy laugh escaped Asa's lips. "Do you wish to hear a love story between a dog and a human?" Her golden eyes shined back, and Rin nodded, excited.

"Two hundred years before the death of the Inu no Taisho, I left the skies. I was a young demon of eight hundred years old back then," she chuckled, "when I began to reside in a human village. It was not an easy thing to do, but because the Inu no Taisho and I had mutual respect for humans, he granted me permission to descend to the ground.

"Back when I lived among the dog demon clan, I was a political strategist, but my passion was working with my hands. I hated war, and longed for the peaceful life that humans had during that time. Thus, when I arrived, I opened a workshop. Initially, my clients were demons, but after a few years, the wealthy villagers would approach me for work as well. I was living in the village for about three years when I met my husband. Our first interaction was a bit funny," Asa smiled at the memory, her eyes in a daze, "because I was working in the back when he barged in, asking for immediate service. He was shouting that he needed to get a kosode tailored as soon as possible. When I had appeared to him, he unsheathed his blade and held it directly in front of me. He was unaware that a demon ran the infamous workshop," Another happy giggle.

Rin set her chin on her hand, leaning forward, encouraging Asa to continue.

"He was arrogant, and threatened to kill me if I did not work fast. I had laughed at his serious expression, but nevertheless, trimmed his robe and dismissed him. My handiwork impressed him, insomuch that he returned often to have work done. I learned that his name was Hiro, and he was an assassin for hire. You see Rin," Asa ran a hand through her short hair, parting it slightly, "hitmen have always been important to powerful clans, but especially back then. Hiro was only sixteen when I met him, already an infamous manslayer.

"I worked for him the most, because he never wore the same outfit twice. Hiro claimed it was bad luck, but I did not care what his excuse was since work was work. Sometimes the work was simple, sometimes the requests were very difficult to create. Hiro loved wearing extravagant attire on the job. In the beginning, our conversations were strictly orders and pricing, but they slowly emerged into small talk about the weather and village life as the months past. Often, he'd return from a job, still bleeding, and I would be so concerned that I would treat him after he placed his next order. But Hiro would laugh everything off, nothing ever bothered him.

"By the time he landed a major job, we were already great friends. Before an inquiry, he would confide in me many secrets, in case he was murdered. Just before he left for his new job, Hiro seemed worried about me. They say assassins have the sixth sense, knowing when something malicious would occur. I clothed him that day before he left. He wore a black hakama and a dazzling black and gray robe with his signature dragon roaring on his back. Hiro was so handsome," Asa blushed, "towering before me, his dark blue eyes bidding me farewell. Surprisingly, he returned a few days later, still concerned for me, and brought forth the skin of the fire rat. He instructed me to make sturdy cloth out of it, and left again to stalk his prey.

"On the night that I completed it, my hut was attacked. Some of my demon clients had taste for human blood, and because I lived in a human village, they plagued the villagers. To get their revenge, the villagers set my hut on fire. I was so afraid," she trembled at the memory, "because though I've organized battles, I have never attacked anyone in my life. I covered myself with the cloth, and to my surprise, it protected me from the fire.

"Apparently his sixth sense was right, and Hiro came to rescue me just before the hut collapsed. I couldn't stop crying that night, and as enraged as Hiro was, he murdered the arsonists before the sun came up. Everything I had was destroyed in the fire, and because Hiro knew no one would challenge him after they saw what he was capable of, he invited me to his home. I lived with him for about four months, but in those four months," she blushed again, "we fell in love."

Rin beamed forward. "Tell me more," she sighed dreamily.

"Haha, well you see, it wasn't intentional. At least, not on my part. But Hiro took care of me very well. He gave me his only futon to sleep on, while he rested on the cold floor beside me. He also went out daily to purchase bundles of cloth for me to work on. He bought me a large spindle as well, all to insure that I was not growing idle in his home. Hiro left everyday in the mornings, and returned tired in the evenings. Naturally, I assumed it was because he was still being hired. After all, he was still coming home with blood on his hands. Two full moons into me living there, he came back from a job, overjoyed, since Hiro accomplished the mission swiftly. It put us in such a happy mood that we celebrated with dance and songs. And well, you see," Asa smiled, "for a few nights before that, there were longing glances and sweet words said back and forth, but nothing that solidified a relationship. That

"That night however, Hiro finally confessed his love for me and kissed me," Asa said, touching her red lips, "and we kissed and kissed until our lips were all bruised up and swollen!" She laughed, touching her hot cheek with a dainty claw.

"That's not when you got married, though," Sesshomaru noted, finally joining in the conversation after staying quiet. Rin studied him, and it appeared that he was also intrigued by the story.

"No," Asa shook her head, "we didn't marry that night. However, we were officially a couple, at least to our knowledge. Couples like us… w-well, we couldn't go out and tell the world of our love," she gave Rin and Sesshomaru a sad smile.

"Besides, Hiro was to marry the heiress of the powerful clan he worked for. His parents had arranged it many years before I knew him. So our love was kept a secret. Two months after our first kiss, he took me back to the spot where my old hut stood. I was shocked to see another hut in its place, a tad bit smaller, but nevertheless, a hut! He apologized for the size, but said that working alone was quite difficult. I was so head over heels, unable to believe that he created me a home with his bare hands.

"I moved in that evening into my home, and to my luck, I already had a few clients come visit me and make requests. That same night, Hiro stopped by to make a special request. He wanted wedding attire, made for both the bride and groom, as soon as possible. I promised I'd have the work done the next day, but he didn't say much to me, rather embarrassed, which was so unlike him, and left quickly. I decided to work on his requests first, and worked all night and early morning. I was rather tired, and went out for a stroll the next day, when I spotted the heiress also strolling about as well. It suddenly came to my mind that the reason Hiro had made me a home and asked me to make wedding attire was because he was getting ready to marry the heiress," Asa shook her head, taking a sip of tea, "I was coming up to conclusions too quickly, you know?"

Rin blushed, tucking her head. "Yes my lady, I do know."

Asa raised a brow, and continued.

"So I returned to my home, and began shredding the attire."

Rin gasped. "Lady Asa, did you really!?"

"Yes, fair maiden, I did! However, I purposely left some parts in contact, so when Hiro came to collect them, I threw the destroyed clothing at him and said, 'You made a damn fool out of me, Hiro! How dare you mock me by making your wedding attire!' and then I said colorful words to him," the female demon giggled. "Hiro stood there stunned, but soon recovered, and began laughing so hard, he had tears coming out of his eyes. I thought he was mocking me, so I demanded that he leave, and to not return to me unless it was a dire situation. That, of course, caught his attention, because I wasn't banishing him like another woman would."

Sesshomaru hmphed, obviously still resentful with Rin.

"But Hiro left, looking a bit hurt after all the laughing, and I went back in my home, heartbroken. I distracted myself that day with copious amounts of work. By twilight, I heard a few horses outside of my hut. Assuming it was a client, I walked into the main room, and to my surprise, it was Hiro once more. The horses outside carried all of his belongings, and he was donned in the tattered clothing, holding the wedding kimono in one hand, and a small bottle of sake in the other."

Rin's eyes glistened with tears, knowing what was next.

"Hiro said, 'If I've made a fool out of you, you've made a wreck out of me. Marry me, Asa. Become one with me tonight, tomorrow, forever,'" Asa's voice broke a bit, trying to fight tears.

A few fell from Rin's eyes, and Sesshomaru reached over, drying them with his sleeves. "Continue, Asa," he pleaded.

Clearing her throat, she spoke again. "I quickly changed into the ruined kimono and veil, and after we took the traditional three sips of sake, we pronounced ourselves as husband and wife. It was the best night of my life," she said, dazed by the memory, "and the next day, he took me out to show me off to the world. He was so fearless, that Hiro, not caring what the people thought of us. By the way he held me and kissed me in public, the villagers knew that we were married. But they did not dare to speak against us, fearing that Hiro would slaughter them like he had months ago.

"By the time two springs passed, we had a bouncing baby boy, our precious Dan. Our lives were complete, honestly. Hiro continued working as a manslayer, and I as a seamstress. Occasionally, I would accompany him around the countryside, and that's when I began to make all of his strategies for him. However, don't be fooled; Hiro was the patriarch of our small family, and even if I suggested a brilliant idea, he could, of course, reject it. But he was wonderful to me, and we loved each other endlessly.

"When Dan turned fourteen, he was already a skilled manslayer, just like his father. Being a half demon gave him many advantages over his mortal father, and Hiro decided to end his career. Because he wasn't old, he trained Dan day in and day out, making him a rather fearsome assassin. Soon, Dan left our home to work for the Inu no Taisho. Hiro was incredibly proud of his son, shedding tears of joy that day, and told Dan that he loved him dearly.

"Sadly, human lives are much too short. My husband lived much longer than all the villagers, and yet, not long enough to be here today," she whimpered softly.

"Even when he became blind, Hiro was still so loving and caring, so full of life and happiness. He would joke around with me, saying that my beauty caused his sight to leave, what a funny man my husband was! I would have never imagined that an assassin could be like him, but there he was!" she laughed.

Asa then looked about, happy expression gone.

"When he died, a part of me went with him. I stopped wearing colorful attire, deciding I'd mourn my husband's death for as long as I live. I gifted the cloth of the fire rat to the Inu no Taisho as a way of saying thank you for taking in my half demon son under his tutelage. I've refused to move to another home, knowing that this home, though old, has held many beautiful memories, and made by my husband's hand. I wanted to die that day he passed away, but Hiro made me promise that I would not wilt away with him until I met Dan's firstborn. It's been almost four hundred years now, and that damn Dan is testing my patience…

"But you know," she said, tracing the top of her teacup, "I've always wonder if I were to die, what would become of me? Would I, a demon, join my mortal husband in heaven? Would I, a demon, be granted to see the love of my life one more time?

"While we lived together, many people told us we would never make it," Asa's voice became unsteady, her breaths coming out rough, "but I know, that we made it. We made it until the end. And yet our story is not done yet. Our story has only begun, because you see Rin," tears fell from her golden eyes, "when I die and join my husband, I know that we will be together forever and that no one, no human, no demon, nor death will ever come between us. I know that my husband is waiting for me in heaven and that I will be saved. And on that glorious day, we will live in our everlasting love once more!"

By the time she said the last word, Asa was consumed in sadness. The cool, regal appearance she held before came apart like a dam, overflowed with the depression that she had been trying to hide for years.

Rin launched herself to hold the desolate demon's trembling body, weeping together for the love between a dog demon and a human.


— — —

The journey back home was a rather somber one. It pained Rin to leave Asa, but the female demon had demanded them to depart, wanting to continue working on some requests.

Sesshomaru had been awfully quiet, and Rin thought it was rightfully so after witnessing the scene the women held.

She sniffed, still upset, and stopped after noticing that Sesshomaru had lead them to the sakura tree. He sat, overlooking the river. "You know," he said as she settled beside him, "Asa has never shared her husband's story with anyone before. She must really like you."

"Hmm," Rin wiped a few tears, "I really like her too."

Sesshomaru reached for her hand, rubbing it softly with his claw. "No more tears, Rin," he said softly.

She leaned onto his shoulder, "No more, milord."

And they stayed there, enjoying the sunset in silence, hands interlocking.


— — —

"Milord, please return soon…"

"Hmm…"

Though their actions had been repeated countless of times, this time, they seemed more intimate, as they held each other.

The pair stood in front of Rin's home, stalling, and it seemed as neither of them wanted to leave either's company.

"Let me ask you a question, my lord," Rin buried her face into his fur, a bit embarrassed.

"Ask."

"Why are you watching me? The village is very peaceful, milord," her cheeks burned from being so bold.

"Ah. You see, I also have the sixth sense."

Rin playful slapped his arm. "Lord Sesshomaru, really now?" she said in mock annoyance.

He loosened his grip, running a hand through his hair. "At least, something like that."

"Is that malicious presence Taro, milord?"

At the sound of his name, Sesshomaru stiffed, and looked down at the young maiden in his arm. "That one exactly," he said, a touch of anger surfacing.

Rin felt a little worried, as she loved her great friend Taro, but perhaps, Sesshomaru knew more than she did, so she let it go.

Eventually, the demon lord lost his petty anger, and bid her farewell, promising to return according to schedule. Rin walked into the hut, discovering that the items they bought earlier were already inside. She looked through them, hoping to find the comb she bought for Kaede. There was a little bag hidden among the larger items, and she reached for it, searching through the contents. Immediately, she found the beautiful red comb and clutched it close to her chest, happy to gift her beloved priestess a lovely present. She reached in the bag again, this time looking for a plush toy she bought for Hisashi.

Instead, her fingers grazed against a small, cool surface. She pulled it out, and to her surprise, it was a very small sake container. Rin did not recall buying this, as she was not a drinker. She continued staring at it, with all the intensity in the world.

Could it be…?

"Could it be that my lord… that he wants to…" Rin held her hand against her heart, pounding so hard it could fly out at any minute.

She opened it, wanting to empty out the contents, but it seemed as if the bottle had always been empty.

"Oh. Silly me."

It could be the empty bottle of a drunkard who had misplaced it by Ah-Un in the market. She knew someone had to be looking for it and she shook her head, placing it back into the bag.

The fact was, however, that the bottle was new. There were no cracks, no foul odor on it, no remnants of sake on it.

Or maybe… Rin smiled to herself.

It could be a sign for a new love story between a dog and a human.


.oOo.

AN: Hey y'all! Thanks again to all of you who read this story, favorite it, follow it, review it... means the world to me!

I'd like to clarify a few things about my fic, because of few of you have messaged me with questions!

1) Sesshomaru's personality: At the beginning of the original Inuyasha series, we see that Sesshomaru is rather cold, heartless, apathetic, of course. This changes when he meets Rin. Now, he holds another life other than his own to high regards. He cares for her, something that though he doesn't want to admit out loud, but we can all see it. Later in The Final Act, Rin's second death almost brings him to tears. He's heartbroken, but when she is revived, he is undeniably happy. In the final episode, three years after Naraku's death, he is shown bringing "another gift" to Rin. I mention these things because we see that he has changed. Though he is not like Inuyasha or Miroku, his heart has been noticeably changed, all thanks to Rin. So, when I began writing this fic, I envisioned a different Sesshomaru. If Rin could have changed his heart of stone in one year, then what could she do in eight (where my story takes place)?

This is a vision I had for the fic, because after searching far and wide in the fanfic world, I couldn't find a story that portrayed SessRin the way I wanted, so I made my own. I can't imagine Sesshomaru remaining so cold and hostile to Rin. Maybe to Inuyasha, but not to the apple of his eye. Personally, I envisioned that three things happened after The Final Act:

1. Miroku became a faithful husband and father, now that he finally has the life he wanted. (YES!)

2. Inuyasha and Kagome got married and had children. (YAYAYAY!)

3. Sesshomaru starts letting his guard down, enough so that he falls in love with the beautiful Rin. (*blush*)

This is of course, my personal view on the series. Totally okay if you guys disagree, but heads up, this is the direction I'm taking this fic in.

Also

2) Updating will be varied because I'm heading back to college soon, and ya'll know how difficult nursing school is...

Again, thank you for the love and support!