Sesshoumaru left the shop a few minutes after Rin. He just sat in that small front room listening to the only noise of the elder woman's needles clicking was just a little annoying. The wind whipped through his long hair, since he was walking with the gusts, and sent the locks over his broad shoulders. Sesshoumaru reached into the black backpack he had slung on one shoulder. He pulled out a thin, black hair band to tie back the blowing strands only to find them uncharacteristically mussed.

He turned in the opposite direction, the wind now swooshing them away from his person. Sesshoumaru ran his long fingers through his hair to smooth the small tangles out before closing the band twice around at the base of his neck. Truly it was a bother to tie it back because his hair was so long and difficult to pull it through the band two times. But after years of it, the act became natural.

Today was like the passed few. He'd gone home to change before going to the park, but this time his little one was sitting on the couch. She had been waiting for him. Rin was sitting facing the glass doors that opened to the high and luxurious balcony. Really he didn't like her going out there for fear she'd fall and she respected that by never going too close to the edge. He didn't have acrophobia, but just the thought of the only person that mattered to him…falling to her death…made him sick.

Rin turned when she noticed her parent standing there. She was dressed in black jeans that were faded in the thighs. The pants flared a little over her white tennis shoes with blue lights that activate when she walked. There was also a baby blue daisy-like flowers on the outside of each shoe. Her pale rose shirt was short sleeved that was like a princess style that puffed up around her shoulders. Her key necklace was tied around her neck, but tucked inside her shirt. There was a plain white zip down knitted sweater with a hood. Her light pink knitted mittens sat on top of her jacket. They had a fuzzy sheep lining inside, much like his jacket, and were tied together.

"Sess-san! Rin was waiting so Sess-san and Rin can go to the park together!"

Sesshoumaru allowed the ghost of a smile to cross his features as he nodded his consent. The two had left just after than, but Rin had wanted to bring some plastic tools to play in the sand with. Apparently she and Kohaku, someone he was seeing a lot of lately, were planning on building a sand castle at the park's huge sand box. It was big, bigger than he expected. It was at least ten feet by ten feet and was that way so that the many growing kids of the community could play all at once.

The two walked along together and when they passed Kisei Komichi, Sesshoumaru made sure to hold Rin's hand. The little girl searched the playground with roaming eyes, but her friend was no where to be found. She then told him she remembered a shop on the corner he had been walking towards with those other people. Kohaku's older sister, Sango, the other boy, Shippou, and the other woman…Kagome was it? So, that was their next destination.

Sesshoumaru looked down when he felt sandy hands on his medium blue jeans. He squatted down to her level seeing as Rin's intent was to whisper in his ear. The little girl always tugged on his pant leg when she wanted to tell him something somewhat more private. As he bent down, Sesshoumaru brushed the sand that resided by his knee to the ground.

"Hai, Otome?"

Sesshoumaru's face cracked when a soft squeal escaped her lips followed by her complementary hug that always came after that remark. She loved to be reminded of that fact; the fact that he considered or rather that she was his daughter.

"Come! Come and see our castle!"

Rin wrapped both her small hands around his much larger one leaning backward to insist he pursue after her. Sesshoumaru stood and walked after his girl who walked three or four paces to keep up with his long stride. Rin was actually skipping along at his side adding in a faster jog when she fell behind.

Sesshoumaru's eyes actually widened. The so-called 'castle' was an architecture masterpiece, well for being out of sand that is. There were six turrets, one on each corner and two in the center. All the lines of the walls were clean and parallel. There were even indents were the lines of the stone on the wall were located. Hanging banners rested against the ledges of windows for support. Also there was a draw gate and moat, of course not filled with water, but still present. Inside furniture was even placed around. How could this loose sand…be transformed into something so meticulous and exact?

"Excellent."

Rin froze with her back turned. Her arms hung stiff pushed out at an odd angle from her body, showing her immediate pause in motion easily. Sesshoumaru…compliment? It was practically unheard of and Rin certainly wasn't expecting that. Rin was used to that small smile that she had long ago associated with his pleasure or pride in her, but not something verbal. Rin spun on her heel with her brown eyes wide and sincerely surprised. And she had thought that her father-figure wouldn't be able to shock her so anymore.

"Well…it was mostly Kohaku-kun."

Rin smiled cheekily and Kohaku blushed slightly at her compliment. But he didn't avert his gaze like Sesshoumaru had expected. Instead the young boy looked him in the eye confidently. It was somewhat out of character for the boy.

"But Rin…a lot of the design was based on your inspirations."
"We work well together, don't we, Kohaku-kun?"
"Yea…I suppose so."

Kohaku was beyond nervous. His long-time idol was standing so casually in front of him. How was he to know that, besides Shippou, his only close friend would be Sesshoumaru Takarashi's adoptive daughter? His hands would have been in his pockets to keep them from fidgeting had the two things not been covered in sand.

"Where's the other boy?"
"Oh, Shippou? I don't know, do you Kohaku-kun?"
"Hmm…well he lives in an orphanage on the edge of the city. It's actually only a blocks from here."
"He's not here?" Sesshoumaru questioned.

The boy was nervous from being in his presence, although Rin took no notice of the cause beyond the fact that her new found friend was uncomfortable. Rin smiled as she tried, in her way, to rectify those feelings. Of course, this made both males stiffen at her abnormally feminine action. Rin had picked up Kohaku's sandy hand and proceeded to dust it off. When the hand was clean, she ran circles over the back with her fingers. It was almost seductive and coming from a seven year old, down right strange.

"Rin…"
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Sesshoumaru turned his eyes slowly down to the Kohaku and her linked hands. Her eyes followed his and his assumption was correct. She hadn't even been aware of what she was doing. He knew this for she almost immediately dropped it with a blaring blush staining her apple cheeks.

"Gomen ne."

Kohaku was looking at her and allowed a droop of his head forward to look at her through her feathery light bangs. He smiled a rare grin, one that actually showed his straight teeth. Rin lifted her own and her eyes glittered.

"Its okay, Rin-chan."

Sesshoumaru had never been so ignored. In those few minutes he realized that his little one was drifting away from him. She wouldn't be only his anymore, but surprisingly he really didn't mind, just like he hadn't when she first made friends. Rin deserved this, deserved a normal life one full of happiness. And it all started with making friends and as time passes, possibly close allies she could trust. That is to say he wouldn't be the steel hearted father that he planned to become. She was too young to date, always will be, at least until she was thirty five. But he could tell that this Kohaku would protect her. Sesshoumaru was satisfied with that, but no one would be good enough for his girl in his eyes. Not even him.

Kohaku didn't even notice the absence of a certain someone. All his focus was on the smiling girl in front of him, one of his closest friends. Kohaku took Rin's hand and led her to the swings. She hopped on and he gave her a starting push before getting a running start on his. Kohaku hadn't had an easy childhood starting with his parents' death. But he could tell that Rin didn't either. This they shared in common besides going to the same prestigious school. And being in most of the same classes despite her being a year younger…he smiled again, but this time looked down at his lap so she wouldn't notice. Too bad she did, but her laughter was so contagious. He finally had someone he could talk to. Sure there was Shippou, but girls were always easier for him to open up to. And Rin...was the one.

I think the relationship might be a little too...uh...mature for Kohaku and Rin's age group. I tried to stress it as 'close friends' with a possible future as more, but I'm still not sure. Tell me what you think, possible changes, I'd really appreciate it.

Words to know:
Otome: little girl, daughter