I'm not going anywhere

It had been weeks since Rin accepted her lord's proposal.

Most of her friends were very happy for her. Others were still not speaking to her.

Kohaku had taken off on a demon-slaying mission with Shippo a week ago. No word from either of them...

Inuyasha constantly checked her every morning and every night for Sesshomaru's scent. But at least he spoke to her?

Kagome would go off randomly about what a cute couple she and Sesshomaru would be while also boasting about being sisters.

She often tried to teach the young girl how to put her foot down when it came to Sesshomaru. Not to let him always have his way.

Rin didn't listen too much when this topic came up, though.

Sango and Miroku and their kids hadn't changed too much. Sango was obviously hurt for her brother, but she was still friendly enough with Rin.

The one person she wanted to speak to, the one she wants acknowledgment from, however, hadn't even told her where she would go any longer.

She wouldn't ask for Rins help in anything, nor would she teach Rin any of her old lessons.

She was utterly distant. Today however Rin had, had enough!

She slammed her teacup down abruptly. It splashed a few drops on the table she and Kaede sat to for dinner.

"Lady Kaede! Are you really going to stay mad at me forever!? I'm sorry! But I love lord Sesshomaru, and I wish you would understand that! I know you still want me to marry that samurai so he can take care of the village.-" Rin was cut off.

"Ye thinks this old woman's concern is for thy village security? That child is my job. I have always protected and seen to the growth of thy village. I also harbor no ill will towards thee. My pain stems deeper than he a child could understand." Kaede said, drinking her tea with her eye closed.

"Then help me understand. Why do you hate me?" Rin asked with tears.

If it wasn't for the damn village, why did she want to send her away so badly? Had she indeed been so troublesome?

"Hate?! Ye think I hate thee, child?" Kaede spoke brokenly. "My heart aches because this old woman loves thee. I love thee as if my own. Ye child are the closest this old woman has had to a child of thy own in so many, many years." Kaede spoke with sobs. "And now, just like thy sister, I am losing thee. I am losing thy sweet child." Kaede cried out.

Rin gasped with tears. She covered her hung open mouth and began to cry with the older woman. She hugged her back and held her granny Kaede.

"I will never leave you! You are the only family I have left! I won't ever leave you!" Rin cried into their hug.

"Lord Sesshomaru would not-" Kaede was stopped.

"Lord Sesshomaru would never hurt me, and it would kill me not to see you whenever my heart wanted!" Rin smiled at her old caretaker.

She finally understood. She wasn't trying to send her away. She didn't hate her. She was afraid of losing her. Someone loved her so honestly that they wanted Rin in their life permanently.

Two someones, it would seem? Perhaps even more! Rin smiled, wiping away her tears.

Kaede cupped her face and began to laugh with the young girl. She had missed her sweet Rin.

And now she had no worries that she'd ever miss her again.