Well that's different?
Cold air and silence was all that met Rin this winter morning. Miroku and his family would not be home till spring.
Kaede and Inuyasha would not return until tomorrow evening. And Rin had to send Ah-Un to stay at the demon strong hold with her teachers she could no longer see in the winter to make sure her beloved two headed friend was well taken care of.
The torturous three and the lady Inukimi all agreed that her traveling in such unpredictable weathers could result in her death and that her lessons and training would not start again until spring.
Even though Kohaku was still here Rin truly felt alone. As Kohaku was busy all day helping villagers and fighting demons.
Thankfully with her lords thoughtful gift she was able to keep herself busy. As Rin moved her hands across the small canvas with light strokes and focus she realized she had dedicated the whole small canvas to her old green friend Jaken.
She smiled at the small picture realizing that the canvas was probably larger than the true Jaken and decided to right a small story of Jakens greatness to the side.
After working on it for a few hours Rin made her way to gather some water to clean up first and than more water to make soup. Since she was alone Rin grabbed her dagger Sesshomaru had gifted her just in case.
Rin always hummed to herself her sweet little song when she was alone. It made her feel like any moment and her lord Sesshomaru would return to her.
Rin kneeled into the cold thick blanket of snow and filled her first bucket.
As she set it to the side she could hear the sounds of twigs snapping. Hoping it was just an animal she ignored it, continued humming and filled her next bucket.
Before she could set it down beside her she felt a sharp hit to her shoulder causing her to drop the bucket to the ground spilling the water out.
She grabbed on to the sore pain and seen blood staining her palms. Rin gasped in fear and looked in the direction of where it could have possibly come from.
"Looks like your stupid demon pet isn't around to save you!!" Three boys from the village came out from hiding while holding smooth stones in their hands.
"I don't need saving anymore. Now leave me alone! I don't want to hurt you." Rin ignored their presence and refilled her bucket.
"You hurt us?! HA!" The boy tossed another two stones into her.
"Ow! Knock it off!" Rin yelled in anger as the stones hit her arm and back.
Rin lifted the stone and through it back. Nailing the boy who's proposal she'd refused some time ago in the nose. "Aghh! My nose! Get her!" The boy yelled and the other two ran after to take hold of the young Rin.
Rin fought them off one by one with her dagger. Cutting one boy lightly on his arm while simply scaring the other to backing up. Soon the third one joined and when the other two lunged at her he threw another stone hitting her in the side of her head. One of the large boys grabbed her wrist and wrestled her for the dagger. While the other one grabbed her arm and held it against her back with his other arm around her neck. The bloody nosed boy gave Rin an awfully evil grin. One she had seen before that haunted her in her sleep one that matched that of the bandits that took her family from her one that matched the possessed doctor Suikotsu of the band of seven.
If only I had a longer weapon! I could've used it to knock out these two and keep that jerk away from me!
Rins thoughts were broken when she seen and felt the blade in her hand begin to take new form.
As quickly as the dagger transformed was as quickly as Rin took advantage. As the weapon grew she adjusted it so when it took it's full form it hit the two boys holding her in the gut. Just as they became winded she immediately hit the other boy a variety of times in his back, arms, face and gut. Repeating her actions on the other two who were already on the ground.
"It! Is! Not! Nice! To! Hit! A! LADY!!" Rin said as she hit each boy over and over not as hard as earlier. "Now leave me alone! Or next time I won't go so easy on you!" Rins long staff soon shortened into the small dagger.
She watched and giggled at the three boys begging to be let go and running off. She than turned her attention back to the small dagger.
Thank you lord Sesshomaru. I knew I could always count on you. Rin kissed the hilt of the blade and went back to gathering water.
Rin stood at the boiling pot mixing in some miso soup. When Kohaku walked in to the silent hut.
"Hello Kohaku. Everything go smoothly?" Rin said kindly.
"Yeah I guess? Oh no! Rin!? What happen to you are you ok?!" Kohaku ran to sit Rin down and examine her wounds.
Rin smiled and tried to calm her worried friend. "I am perfectly fine. I already cleaned them up. It was just a small accident. Oh! I found something new out about my dagger wanna see!!" Rin excitedly spoke awaiting Kohakus answer.
"Are you sure? Ugh ok sure..? What did you find out?" Kohaku sat beside the young girl trying to calm his racing heart.
"Watch!" Rin focused on creating a staff again, and than suddenly the small dagger glowed yet again and transformed into a wooden spoon. Rin looked in her hand confused for a moment and than realized she must have been subconsciously thinking about her soup. She giggled and went to mixing in it. "See?! Isn't that amazing? General Buru once told me he could smell our lords fang within the blade. Perhaps it can take many forms just as our lord wears many emotions." Rin giggled handing the wooden spoon to Kohaku.
The young slayer held the now wooden spoon in his hand with amazement. "Wow? I've never seen such a powerful demonic weapon before? I suppose if it was forged of a fang of lord Sesshomaru it would be this powerful like him huh?" Kohaku chuckled slightly trying to keep face as he noticed the human hand looking bruise on her wrist.
"Do you ever miss traveling with Lord Sesshomaru Kohaku?." Rin asked with a warm smile plastered to her face.
"Yeah sometimes I guess.. I mostly miss having you around during travels. Now it's just me and Kirara. She's great company and all.. You just make things more fun." Kohaku said honestly with a slight blush.
Rin smiled and handed him a bowl of soup and sat beside him to eat herself.
"I miss lord Sesshomaru everyday, but I think I miss master Jaken the most. He and I was always playing games or arguing and teasing eachother." Rin gave a small saddened smile.
"You really do miss them don't you? I can tell your not comfortable here. You seemed happier when you moved in with Inuyasha but still not the same. I guess it must be really different. Even though you've been here longer than you traveled with lord Sesshomaru?" Kohaku teased the young Rin with his boyish smile.
Rins eyes widened and soon softened realizing her friend was just teasing. Her giggles were soft and sweet as she lightly elbowed Kohaku in his side. "Stop it you know it's just different. Master Jaken and lord Sesshomaru were the first people to show me any kindness in such a long time. They just have a very special place in my heart is all." Rin smiled and sipped her soup.
"I understand." Kohaku smiled and thought of what villager could have or would want to harm Rin. He'd make sure he spoke with them first thing in the morning. For now though he took the opportunity to enjoy his time with his oldest and prettiest friend.
The two continued drinking their soup in silence. With Rin smiling brightly at the portrait leaning against the wall.