Deciding to investigate how bad the situation was with Nen for herself Rin went to the back of the main house where everyone else dwelled.
Seeing Kino exit Chiases hut Rin greeted her.
"Hello Kino. Your hair looks beautiful!" Rin gushed at the intricate small braids that she had tied back to hang in a ponytail.
"Thank you but the admiration should go to Chiase. I could never do anything like this." Pointing to her head she smirked.
"Neither can I. I have no patience for it." Rin said smiling back.
"Same." Nodding her head in agreement she placed her hand to the hilt of her sword. "Well, I'm off. Be well flower."
"Hold on Kino. I have a question for you. If I were to give you something in return is there an item you could possibly retrieve for me?" Rin asked the idea suddenly coming to mind.
"Anything."
"A dirudo." Rin said causing Kino to blink at her a few times before laughing out. "What?"
"Alright, okay, under one condition." Kino propositioned.
"Let me guess, you use it on me?" Rin asked innocently more than happy to play into her flirtatious games.
"You're catching on to me." Kino laughed out again almost doubling over. "Or at least let me watch you use it on yourself."
"I could watch you use it on yourself." Rin continued laughing herself.
"No, no. I don't like that sort of thing. I'm sure I can acquire that at the post. Don't worry about any compensation."
"I don't want to get something without giving in return." Rin replied her smile turning down a bit.
"You just keep being your sweet self and we will call it even. Okay flower?" Kino said with a wink.
"Alright Kino but if you think of anything let me know." Rin acquiesced.
"Sure." Waving her off Rin watched as she walked away shaking her head in amusement. Taking a breath she straightened herself out walking to Nen and Jin's hut.
Knocking she waited patiently until the door cracked open.
"Hello Nen." Rin greeted in a soft friendly tone.
"Hello Rin." He replied opening the door a bit more.
"I was wondering if you would like me to nurse Umi. I know you both are doing a wonderful job but I believe that she should still know a mothers touch." Rin said not entirely lying to get inside.
"Alright. She is due to be fed soon." Nen said letting her in. The wooden shutters were open allowing a nice breeze through as well as sunlight while the hearth kept out the chill.
Waiting until Nen picked his daughter up to hand to her she sat down with her in her lap. "Hello little one. I have missed you." Opening up her kimono she picked up the infant as she quickly found her breast taking long drains of milk.
Cradling her she glanced up seeing Nen appear as if he were leaving. "If you are not too uncomfortable Nen, I'd like it if you stayed."
"I'm not." He replied curtly crossing his arms as he sat across from her. "As long as you are not with my being here."
"Not at all." Rin said shaking her head. "It wasn't until recently that I realized how much you, Jiro, and I have in common concerning our early years."
"How so?" Nen asked not sounding very interested but being cordial.
"I was orphaned when I was very small. My parents and brothers were killed by bandits. I think my older brothers were litter mates but I was so young I can't be certain." Rin said.
"I…wasn't aware of that. My condolences." Nen did reply sincerely.
"No need, it was a long time ago now. I barely remember them or what happened just the fact that I had them and it did. At one point I did but in time the worst memories of it I have forgotten. What happened afterwards though…I will never forget." Glancing down at Umi as she stared up at her contently she smiled lovingly at her.
"I was taken in by a village, I don't know if it was the same one we lived in or not. I was provided with an old hut and that was all. No one took me in, no one cared at all. They said I was unfeeling and unmoved by what had happened because I didn't cry. So, the other humans named me Rin and ignored me."
"They didn't help you? Your own people?" Nen queried. Rin looked back at him and shook her head.
"No. I had to steal food and supplies to try to survive. When I was caught they beat me, the men beat me. I was mute because no one would listen so why bother speaking? I was alone and cold and hungry and sad. Those feelings, they were almost like another person with me all of the time."
"I understand all too well." Nen sighed out. "How did you go from there to here?"
"I found Lord Sesshomaru injured in the forest one day. I tried to help him but he kept turning me away. He asked me why I had bruises and I felt this happiness that I didn't even know existed anymore. Soon after the village was attacked by wolves. I ran to him but he was gone and when he found me I was dead."
"He used his fathers sword to revive you then."
"Yes. From what I understand he had it with him for centuries but it was the first time he used it for it's intended purpose, to restore my life. He let me follow him and I have been ever since."
"Nen, if you are no longer happy here then I want you to know that you can leave. Follow whatever it is you need to." Rin said.
Closing his eyes he sighed.
"I have my duty here as well as my mate and pup."
"You have a duty to yourself. Sometimes we have to leave and go away from what we know in order to find ourselves."
"Then what? Go south?"
"It would be a start but only if you want too." Rin responded. "Whatever you decide we will support you and always welcome you back if you wish to return."
"You make it sound so easy." Nen nearly scoffed out.
"Sometimes it is." Rin shrugged. "Just remember that if Jin and Umi don't go with you that time passes much more quickly for humans than it does for demons. If you spend many years away when you return Jin will be an old man and Umi may be a grandmother."
"I will remember." Nen agreed in thought. "Thank you Rin for telling me of your past and your understanding of all of this."
"You are most welcome Nen." Rin said as Umi began to fall asleep in her arms.