A ferocious glower was plastered on Rin's face the whole day, and it had everyone in a slight uneasiness. They could feel Rin's dislike seeping from her pores and engulfing the air around them. But no one had expected just how far her detest could take her.
"Rin," Sango had asked after preparing a fish breakfast, "You hungry?"
But the girl had strongly refused, mumbling something about poison.
Sango had tried again a little while later, asking Rin is she'd like her to do her hair; which, Rin quickly replied no and rolled in the dirt just to messy her hair even further.
Sango had even volunteered to play hide and seek with the girl, but when Sango had to search for Rin, she was looking everywhere in the forest for her. By the time she was so tired she gave up, she found Rin sleeping next to Jaken.
The Taijiya was becoming quickly exasperated, never knew that trying to please an eight year old girl would be so hard. She suddenly missed Shippo, who was always so quick to cheer up.
Rin's delicate fingers rubbed into Kirara's fur, scratching behind her ears and giggling.
"It seems she takes to Kirara well." She muttered, slumping to her knees.
Sesshomaru appeared from behind a couple oak trees, Ah-Un's leash grasped in his hands.
"Woman," he acknowledged Sango, "I need you to give them water."
A skeptical look crossed Sango's frail features, already so tired from trying to entertain the little girl. When she had agreed to take this baby-sitting job, she didn't know what a task it would be. She'd much rather be facing demons than keep care of this wild child.
"I'll do it my lord!" Rin volunteered, grinning as she dashed over to Ah-Un.
"Thank you Rin, but I want the slayer to do it."
Both of their gazes cast over to Sango, who slouched even more, wanting to just rest.
"Get up you petty woman!" Jaken demanded, smacking Sango with his Staff of Two Heads.
Rin giggled hysterically, glad she wasn't hit by the stick this time. Sango, on the other hand, was annoyed, thrashing Jaken along his fat green head.
"I'm sorry milady." He apologized a fleshy lump swelling.
"I bet you are!"
Sango snorted, then rose to her feet and snatched the reigns from The Lord of The Western Lands.
Kirara rose to her feet and followed, purring softly behind her mistress. Rin watched in awe after Kirara, then quickly followed.
"Here kitty!" she called, laughing again.
Sango looked back behind her. For a little girl who wasn't so easily opened, she did laugh a lot.
Kirara stopped, turning to face Rin and jumping into the little girl's arms. Both had a look of great content as they followed the raven-haired demon slayer to the lake.
Sango released Ah-Un's binds, letting them dip their two snouts into the water to drink. The water looked cool and crystal clear, and the sound was almost relaxing.
She dusted her kimono then sat by the water's edge, letting the liquid run coolly over her toes.
She propped herself on her elbows, leaning back so she could peak through the lush green trees to the sky. A humid, summer day, almost perfect, there wasn't a better time to take a dip. But for now, Sango was grateful to just rest by the water's edge. She would need her energy.
"BANZAI!" came a mischievous cry, and heavy splash filled Sango's nostrils.
She coughed hysterically, spitting out water and wiping it from her eyes. She glared out into the water to see Rin laughing maliciously, naked in the lake. She had obviously dived in like that on purpose.
Sango coughed more, looking over to her side. A soaked Kirara looked over at her with shaggy fur covering her large eyes as she mewed. Sango grinned, pulling off her kimono as well and jumping into the water.
"Wahoo!" she laughed as she landed into the water, the waves sweeping up Rin in their current.
"AAAH!" Rin screamed, but a look of delight sparkled in her eyes as the water dunked her under.
Sango swam through the water, looking for Rin. She spotted her waving under the water. She waved back, and then watched Rin head back to the surface. She joined her.
Both were doubled over in hysterics, dripping wet and loving it. The water didn't seem so cold in this wonderful heat, and Sango was absolutely right. There wasn't a better time to swim.
Sango dived underwater, heading to Rin's kicking legs and yanking her under. Rin let out a sharp gasp, as she was pulled underwater, staring straight into Sango's chocolate eyes as bubbles rose to the surface. The little girl pushed her playfully, swimming away from her. The two girls' heads broke surface.
"You'll never catch me!" Rin bubbled, already stroking away from Sango.
"You wanna bet?"
The tajiya moved her slim body gracefully under the water, moving quickly but not enough to catch Rin. She wanted to give the girl a fighting chance; after all, she would catch her if she actually tried.
But to Sango's surprise the child was faster in the water than she was on land, moving throughout the lake with the grace of a coy fish. If Sango didn't know any better, she would have actually tried to catch the young one, just to see if she could even get close to her.
Minutes of bliss turned into hours of ecstasy as the two swam without worries. Sango had even forgotten about Miroku, but she knew that would only last so long.
Finally, Rin crawled out of the water, plunging into the grass. Her breaths were heavy and fast, but she had a grin on her face that told Sango she had enjoyed herself.
The demon slayer lifted her shapely body from the water as well, placing back on her colorful kimono. Rin watched in innocent curiosity.
"Sango?" Rin whispered shyly, and the woman's brown eyes cast down to her, "Will I look like that someday?"
Sango blushed slightly, tying the sash on her kimono. She bent down and lifted Rin's kimono from the ground, and held it out to her.
"Maybe." She answered, not really sure what the girl would look like.
Maybe like Kagome. They did have an odd resemblance.
A sharp pang hit Sango as she recalled the miko reincarnation, one of the truest friends she had ever had, left behind as well. She couldn't imagine going on without Kagome.
Rin pulled the little dress over her head and Sango helped her tie the sash with deft movements. The little girl smiled at her, squeezing her wet hair.
"Sango, you think you can do my hair like yours?"
The older female nodded, a lump in her throat too big to actually talk.
Rin scooped up Kirara, who had fallen asleep peacefully beside the water's edge, and Sango grasped Ah-Un's reigns once more.
Kagome…When they returned to camp, a fire was blazing and some type of meat was roasting on a stick. The Taijiya didn't have the heart to ask what it was, but after all that exercise she had worked up an appetite.
"Where were you?" Jaken cried, making sure he wasn't within Sango's reach.
She tied a ribbon around her long black hair. Sesshomaru's amber eyes flickered from her to Rin.
"Jaken. Can't you see how wet they are? They obviously went out for a swim."
Sango's eyes flashed over to Sesshomaru.
"How decisive of you." She complimented sardonically.
Rin ignored them both and grabbed a cooking stick and bit into the hot meat savagely. Embarrassment filled Sango as she watched the child eat like she had never had a meal before.
"Rin, slow down." She warned, taking a seat beside her.
The girl smiled at her and nodded, slowing her pace but still taking large bites. Sango sighed. Her work was cut out for her.
Later that night, they had all fallen asleep by the light of the dying fire; all that was, except Sango. Built-up tears streamed down her cheeks as she cuddled into a large Kirara. Her mind couldn't escape from the thoughts of Miroku, and how he had betrayed her heart so easily.
How could he lay up with another woman? How could he be so lecherous? She raised a finger to wipe away a tear welding in her soggy brown eyes. She knew exactly why.
Miroku didn't have much time left; the wind tunnel was surely killing him. And with no sights of Naraku, he had to have an heir to continue his mission. But Miroku had none, and though he asked Sango, she had immediately refused, but always getting angered when he asked another woman.
How could she be selfish enough to deny Miroku of his needs? He had told her so many times that he cared about her, yet she refused to tell him her feelings.
What was she doing here with this heartless murderer? She would've been better to have just stayed with Inuyasha and the others.
Poor Shippo, he was probably distraught. The little kitsune was like a nephew to her, and it hurt her to leave him like that.
But she knew no one was as upset as Miroku, who cared the most about her. But it was his fault she was here in the first place. Or was it? After all, Miroku could now be happy. Shouldn't she have just been happy for him?
Her eyes studied the sleeping figure of Rin. That girl had to be the only thing she focused on. Something to distract her so her emotions wouldn't hurt so much…
The sleeping figure of Rin stirred and then her head lifted. Sango quickly shut her eyes, puffy and red from crying.
The little girl crept over to the Taijiya, snuggling in beside her and falling back to sleep. Sango sighed, enjoying the child's comfort. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard.
Sesshomaru's narrowed amber eyes watched as Rin lurked over to the demon slayer.
'Humans.' He thought.
A/N: That's it for now. Hope you enjoyed that chapter. And I promise to take it slow. . With the relationship I mean. Anyway, I'll try and update soon. Ok? But only on one condition... You must review! So go now, REVIEW! Oh, and thx for reviews for chapter 2 from: Samantha (WOOT! Schmexy Sesshy, Moon!) Helltanz98, Nightfall2525, sakuryn, macy, peligro, KekeKikyosDaughter, and Jill1209! Arigatou gozaimasu! .