Rin's Pov

Sesshomaru and I have been spending all of our days together, it's been an entire month that I've been gone from the village. On most evenings we walk amongst the stars until I become too tired to keep going. I had so many questions at first about what he and Jaken had been up to since I've been with Kaede, and of course Sesshomaru had little to say. I didn't mind that he was quiet though, I was just happy to be in his presence again.

After 30 days spent together again Sesshomaru took me deep into the forest one night, far away from Jaken.

Sesshomaru stood quiet as he gazed at the river. "My Lord, what's wrong?" I worriedly asked.

"Rin, would you sit with me for a moment?" I smiled and nodded, as we both sat down. This was unlike him, so I felt great anticipation wondering what he was going to say. "Rin you have to go back to your village for a little while."

My lips parted in shock, and my fingers dug into the grass in anger. "My Lord how could you do this to me, how could you betray me." I stood up ready to run away from him, and from this anger I felt. I only made it a few steps before running into his chest. "Lord Sesshomaru let me go!" I yelled.

He grabbed my hands, lacing his cold fingers between mine. "Rin please sit back down with me, it is not what you think." I stared at him with fire in my eyes not moving an inch until he told me what was going on. The corner of his mouth twitched, and I could tell he wanted to smile. "Very well Rin, we can stand. Something important has come about, and I can't bring you nor Jaken with me. It will only take a week, and it will give you some time to grab items you left behind."

My cheeks became red with embarrassment. "I'm sorry for lashing out my Lord, please forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive. Tomorrow Jaken will escort you back."

"Lord Sesshomaru, I don't need anything from my hut you know, I hope that's not the real reason you're sending me back. I am fine living off of the forest, and I can hand wash the clothes I have on."

Shesshomaru frowned, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear. "When you were young I didn't think much of the way we were living, I assumed you were happy and that was what mattered, but now I can't help but wonder if you don't need more."

"What do you mean, more what?" I awkwardly inquired.

"I know you enjoy the stars, and the sound of birds chirping in the morning, but you are a woman now and I know there are things that you need that can't be found in the forest. A place to bathe in privacy, kimono's, a bed, a roof, or even a mirror to do your hair."

I chucked removing my hands from his. "Lord Sesshomaru, maybe you don't know me that well, because I certainly am not crying over the lack of a mirror."

He kept his same blank expression, while looking down at the floor. "Please do not laugh Rin, I am very serious. Maybe not a mirror specifically, but living like this can't be easy for you as it was when you were young. It is because I know you, that I say these things."

I scrunched my nose in confusion. "Okay, well what is it you're trying to say, and what does it have to do with why you're sending me back for a week? Would you like me to grab a mirror while I'm there?" I dryly joked.

"Nothing I suppose I was just curious to how you were handling being away from the human village. We will talk more in a week."

Shesshomaru barley said another word the rest of the night, but he did carry me up into the tree's to sleep with him. This was something he didn't often do, usually he would wonder off to sleep alone so I was grateful to be in his arms tonight. His fur made for a good pillow, and his body kept me warmer than any fire could. He sat up against the tree to sleep, and I curled up in a ball laying my head against his chest until I drifted off to sleep.

Once morning broke I woke up back on the ground, with Sesshomaru long gone. I already felt so empty and I hadn't even made it back to the village yet, but at least I had Master Jaken with me. He and I began traveling back in the direction of my hut without him saying a word.

"Jaken what's going on? Lord Sesshomaru was quite vague last night, are you sure everything is alright?" Jaken walked beside me seeming so small, I guess that's to be expected since I have grown so much since I was a child.

"Insolent girl, Lord Sesshomaru's perfectly capable of taking care of himself! Unlike you who has to be babysat! If it weren't for you I'd be by my Lords side! Now let's quicken the pace I'd like to fetch dinner before sunset."

It brought me great comfort that Jaken was behaving the same towards me, even after me being attacked. It showed me that he still respects me, and doesn't look at me as fragile or weak. "Yes master Jaken, I'd like to have a nice dinner as well. I've had a bit of trouble getting used to finding food in the forest again, don't tell Lord Sesshomaru, so it will be nice to go to the market." I said with enthusiasm.

The rest of the walk was quiet and slow but we finally arrived to my hut, and once inside I immediately began packing things into a basket for myself to take with me once Sesshomaru came back for us. I put many kimonos, blankets, and eating utensils inside. When I was done I looked over and Jaken was already fast asleep. I was going to wake him so that we could go to the market like he wanted, but for some reason Kohaku crossed my mind. It occurred to me that once Jaken was awake I would have no time to say a proper goodbye to Kohaku. I quickly exited my hut feeling guilty knowing that Lord Sesshomaru didn't want me near him, but I was unable to stop myself. I just wanted to see that he was okay, and explain to him why I had to leave.

Once I was outside of the hut I began walking, but I quickly stopped in my tracks, Kohaku was already waiting for me. He stood in front of the trees with the wind blowing his bangs out of his eyes. He looked so much more mature than I remembered, but his face had a softness to it at the same time that I hadn't noticed before.

"Kohaku." I whispered. He smiled widely walking towards me without saying a word. "Kohaku I'm sorry." I shamefully apologized.

He finally stood before me, still smiling. "Rin I am so happy you're okay. I was very worried."

I frowned. "Please tell the truth, you must be so angry with me because I left so abruptly." He put his head down, but still had a half smile on his face.

"Yes I am quite angry Rin, but not with you. You're not at fault for this."

I knew he was referring to Lord Sesshomaru, but for the moment I didn't want to fight with Kohaku about him, just in case I wouldn't see him for awhile, so I ignored it. "I didn't leave to hurt you I hope you know that, I miss you and I wish we had had the chance to have one last fishing adventure." I giggled remembering our crazy fishing trips, with tears in my eyes. Suddenly he pulled me in, wrapping his arms around me. "Kohaku what are you doing, you're shaking." I yelped.

"Rin those memories fishing, working the fields, or goofing around when we had work to do are the best times in my life. You've been gone a whole month, and it's been so empty here. You left like a leaf in the wind, quietly and with no warning. I wake up every day wishing for your return, and now that you're back I have to convince you to stay here where you belong. If you leave again I don't think I can take it."

I gently pulled away from him wishing I could take away the look of pain in his eyes. "Kohaku I cannot let him go, there is nothing in the world that can change my feelings for him, please don't make me choose."

"How long do I have, until you are supposed to leave again?" He murmured.

"Master Jaken and I will be here for a week exactly."

Kohaku smiled. "Of course he sent the frog with you." I rolled my eyes at his jab at Jaken. "So I have a week to change your mind, that's all I need."

"Kohaku I will not change my mind." I spoke with seriousness, but he seemed to ignore me.

"Where is Sesshomaru anyways, I want to say I'm surprised he took off without you so quickly, but I'm not. This is typical of him."

I scrunched my nose in anger unable to hold my tongue this time. "You know what if you're gonna be such a jerk maybe I'm not so sorry after all. You know he didn't do anything to you Kohaku, I don't get why you're being so hateful. If you're angry be angry with me, this is my choice!"

Kohaku rolled his eyes throwing his hands up in the air. "Please Rin he's been manipulating you for years, he doesn't care about anyone, not more than he cares for himself at least. This is a prime example! He's left you again after only a month, he's dropped you back off right where left you the first time to go do who knows what. It's really pathetic you can't see that I would never do that to you!"

I scoffed. "Wouldn't do what, manipulate me? Like you're doing right now?" His eyes widened in surprise. "Yes Kohaku that's what you're doing, trying to manipulate me into doing what you want so that you'll get what you want. What about me and what I want?"

Kohaku raised his voice while backing away from me. "Tell me do you even know where he went, I bet not." My body tensed up, and I felt angry because he was right, Lord Sesshomaru still didn't trust me enough to tell me where he was going. "It's quite interesting that you could accuse me of manipulating you, since I'm the person who's been here by your side through everything! It's about you Rin, it's always been about you and your happiness for me! It still is, but he's blinded you so much it's ridiculous! He's already poisoned your mind against me. He truly is an evil demon."

Before I could shout back at him, Master Jaken stood between us. "You idiot boy! Leave at once or face the wrath of my my two headed staff! Lord Sesshomaru has given me clear instruction to keep you away, and I will not fail my Lord!"

I ran in front of Jaken defending Kohaku. "Master Jaken I am in control of who I speak with, and I am fine. Kohaku was just leaving anyways." I turned around to apologize about Jaken, but Kohaku was already long gone leaving me regretting the far turn our encounter took.

Jaken pulled on my kimono, and I looked down at him. "What is it Master Jaken?"

"Rin may I speak frank with you, in a way I never have." Jaken asked.

"I don't want to hear a lecture Jaken, but I'm sure you will say what you must no matter what so go on." I nodded fir him to continue, wondering what he could possibly have to say to me. Jaken usually didn't get involved in these matters.

"You are not a child anymore Rin, though I still think of you as the young girl I met many years ago. I've not said a word about the change in your relationship with Lord Sesshomaru, because you have grown, and I wouldn't dare question his choices. Yet I must now, because I am confused about your relationship with this boy."

My cheeks became red. "Master Jaken what are you insinuating."

"I'm insinuating nothing. Al I am saying is Lord Sesshomaru has never let anyone become close to him, not even myself and I am his longest companion, but from the moment he revived you all those years ago, I knew something was changed within him. The three of us traveled together for a long time, and even after you came here to this village we still had many fun visits together. In all the time I never doubted that you were as loyal to our Lord as I, but today you are choosing to ignore his wishes, and associate with Kohaku."

My eyes watered and my throat felt like it was going to close. "Master Jaken I am loyal to Lord Sesshomaru how could you stand here and question me this way?"

"Because you are still the little girl I met all those years ago, at least in my eyes, and I don't want you to get hurt. You cannot have both, Lord Sesshomaru's pride alone would never allow it."

I wiped a tear from my cheek. "Stupid Master Jaken I only love Lord Sesshomaru."

"Then you must come to terms with the fact that to be with him will mean that you won't be here anymore, Lord Sesshomaru resides in the western lands. You know of his future empire, and his way of life so you know that he will never reside here. The whole reason he left you in this village was so that you could choose the life that suited you best. If you have truly chosen our Lord, you must tell that boy and say goodbye once and for all."

Part of me understood what Master Jaken was trying to say, but the other part of me wondered if this is what Kohaku was trying to say about Lord Sesshomaru putting himself before me. When Kohaku spoke of me craving children, and a normal life maybe this is what he meant. Even if life with Lord Sesshomaru will be harder than I first thought, it's still the only choice. Any choice that leaves me without him isn't optional. I have faith in him.