Disclaimer: I suffer from Rin Envy but I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters.

I am getting some really great feedback here. Thank you all.

Chew Chew, LOL, Yes it was all a dream in Chapt. 3. Cruel but I thought kinda fun too!

It had never really been in Lord Sesshomaru's nature to question himself or his motives for anything he did. It was always so simple. He did what he did because he was on a quest for absolute power. Well...he had been. Then a damnable human girl stumbled across him in the woods, wounded and looking the worse for wear. His experiment with his father's sword had been just that. A simple test to see what the Tenseiga was capable of. The last thing he had expected was for the little human to actually follow after him! Any human with even an ounce of common sense ran from him or at least cowered away. Not Rin.

Now all the things that had seemed to important, the things the drove him on a daily basis, seemed to mean next to nothing. Power? How much more could he possibly need? He was a full blooded inu-youkai, the Lord of the Western Lands, he now carried Toukijin. Toukijin. Once upon a time he had the sword created, believing he would use it to further maintain his grip on his power. More often than not, however, the sword had been used in protecting his mortal companion. What glory was there in that? None. He gained nothing by doing so, accept the increased fear of him from other demons. It also had put a small dent in his supposedly impenatrable armor. It was known. The human girl was his weakness.

So why had he not rid himself of her? Disabuse others of the notion he had a weakness and let the wolf demon have her?

'Because some part of yourself enjoys having a mortal owing you some debt?'

Sesshomaru scowled slightly at his conscience's words. No, that certainly wasn't it. Having a human in his debt didn't exactly sit well with the youkai lord. Then they apparently followed you endlessly, determined to do whatever they must to pay you back!

'All right, if not that, than perhaps it is because you actually enjoy the mortal's company?'

If he could have smote his conscience in that moment, Sesshomaru would have.

'Hmmm, a nerve has been struck there. Look deeper.'

Having Rin as a follower hadn't necessarily hinder him in any serious way. Certainly he and Jaken couldn't travel as far as they would have without her. But she asked for so little in return. If she tired of walking, she climbed up and rode Ah-Un. If she hungered, she would go in search of her own food. She was oftentimes less of a burden than Jaken! And admittedly, she had had a profound effect on her lord that had not gone unnoticed by InuYasha and his friends. Before Rin, Sesshomaru had shown no compassion towards anyone. Not even Jaken. With Rin watching his every move he realized his methods weren't suitable for a young child to be privvy to. Where once he would have killed a lesser demon to get it out of his way, Sesshomaru now simply walked around the troublesome creature.

Lord Sesshomaru glanced over his shoulder slightly, seeing that his young charge walked glumly behind him, Ah-Un's hands hanging limply in her hand. Her hair, dried by the noontime sun now curled and blew in the soft wind. Usually during their travels she would at least hum or sing one of her ridiculous songs she made up as she went along. Even Jaken seemed to sense something was amiss and looked back at Rin. She was keeping up with them...for once. Her eyes never left the grassy path they walked. The silence, however, was most intolerable. Sesshomaru knew of only one way to get a person to speak what was trully in their hearts. Provoke them.

"Do you intend to become mute again, Rin?" he asked in an even voice.

Her head came up quickly, her brown eyes widening in surprise. She had been unaware of her own silence.

"N-no, my lord. I thought perhaps you and Jaken would like a respite from my endless chattering and singing was all."

"You thought correc--"

Sesshomaru snatched the staff from Jaken's grip and pummeled the sqwaking vassil about the head with it before he could finish speaking. Quickly, as if out of instinct, Jaken began begging his lord's pardon and making feeble attempts to cover his head from further punishment.

"Jaken, search ahead for a suitable place for us to make camp."

"Aye, me lord." the vassil bowed, dashing off, glad to be back again in his lord's good graces.

Rin watched Jaken depart and a knot slowly formed in her stomach. She was alone now with her lord. Only a fool would not know what was coming. Her grip on Ah-Un's reigns tightened til the soft leather creaked. Sesshomaru turned slowly, facing his ward and wondering if he trully wished to question her about the morning's events. The breeze stirred again, carrying her scent to him. Wildflowers. She always seemed to smell of them. But now mixed with that scent was a tinge of fear. As he approached her the scent became slightly stronger.

"We have travelled together since you were a child of seven, Rin. You are of an age where most human females would have found mates, had children. Perhaps it is time you consider such things for yourself."

Sesshomaru saw her stiffen and knew he had struck a chord. So his thoughts had been correct. Young Rin was looking to make one place home and start a family of her own. Why did the thought of her with a human male make him physically ill? That foolish dream of hers was nothing. Certainly not something for him to linger on and ponder! What did the slumbering fancies of this girl matter! What was wrong with him! How could a malestrom of emotions be set loose inside him at the idea of her leaving his side? Damn every last human to the pits of hell! No wonder most demons devoured or destroyed them! Best to be rid of them before they could upset the delicate balance in ones life!

"You are free, Rin. Free to go and persue the human life you have been denied by travelling with Jaken and myself. Your debt to me is paid in full." he spoke, the icy smooth tone of his voice not cracking once.

"Y-you say my debt to you is repaid? I owe you nothing now, my lord?" Rin replied, her tone sounding almost relieved.

Did she have to sound so pleased? Why did the tone of her voice lance at his heart? He had thought she might sound at least the tiniest bit regretful that their time together was at an end! Again Sesshomaru cursed himself for being as weak and foolish as his father and his half brother. Mortal women were more deadly than any enemy!

"Yes, Rin. You owe this Sesshomaru nothing. Your life is your own now. To do with as you wish." he nodded stiffly before turning on his heel and once again walking the grassy path.

He heard the familiar tred of Ah-Un's heavy walk. Rin must have told the two headed dragon to go with their lord. Damn her, curse her all to hell. He would not look back. Their parting words were all that had needed to be said. Her life, her wellbeing were all her own concern now, not his. So why did it not feel as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders? Instead he felt crushed beneath the weight of a loss...a loss so great it could only compare to the pain of losing his father.

Sesshomaru had barely walked a few dozen steps when a sound reached his ears. Humming? Since when did Ah-Un hum? Well after years of travelling with Rin it should hardly be surprising the creature picked up some of her traits. Suddenly, at his side, a shadow began to appear. Falling into step beside her lord, was Rin. She walked at his side, as his equal. Free from the debt she felt she had owed him for saving her life, Rin no longer felt she had to walk behind him as a servant. Now she could be free to walk at his side as a friend. As they walked neither said a word. He would glance at her out of the corner of his eye as their hands would brush as they walked. She had chosen. Her fate lay with him. Unconsciously, their fingers entwined. For once the demon inside Sesshomaru was at peace.