Confession

Rin was preparing for the morning she was to leave and head back home to Edo. She had enjoyed the several weeks she had stayed with her best friend Kōtonī and her growing family. In the morning, Sesshomaru would be escorting her home and A-Un would be joining them.

After she was packed, she held her sleeping niece within her arms, all swaddled in her newborn kimono. Satsuki had fallen asleep after being nursed by her mother, who was now making tea. "I'm going to miss you so much, Satsuki. Hopefully the next time I see you, you'll have a little cousin to play with." She ran her long slender pointer finger along the baby's button nose and cheek.

Kōtonī came over and placed a small cup of hot tea next to Rin, "we're all going to miss you. These last few weeks went by too quickly. Do you have everything packed? Do you need more snacks for the road?"

Rin handed over the still sleeping baby girl and picked up her cup of herbal tea, "I'm all packed and no. I have enough to last me the whole trip. You know Lord Sesshomaru is joining me?"

"Yes, did you ask him to join you? Or did he offer to take you?" Kōtonī wondered as she ran her slender fingers along her daughter's cheeks.

"He offered to take me that night after his party. It's gonna be like old times back when I was eight." Rin remembered the good times and the bad times that happened just for almost a year with her lord. From exploring different parts of Japan, to being kidnapped and almost killed multiple times. In the end, everything turned out right and she is still here today, alive and well. "I should be turning in now. I have a long journey before me tomorrow."

"Yes, goodnight, Rin."

"Goodnight Kōtonī."

It was the following morning before the sun rose into the sky. Sesshomaru waited patiently for Rin to get herself ready and gather her belongings to leave. Their journey would take several days to Edo village, where Rin has been living since, she was eight. He's noticed how much she has changed through the last two years from when he last saw her. He could tell that she has matured for her age and is close to a successful future as a seamstress.

A-Un was nestled under a tree, awake and waited patiently for Rin. They missed her so much and the times they spent together when they traveled. They were her protector when their master was away. They missed when she spoiled them with food she found, mostly fruit. Minutes have passed and their heads turned to see Rin trudging towards them. Her face was calm and held a bright smile on her pink lips. When she came to stand before them, she bowed properly as she greeted, "good morning, Lord Sesshomaru and to you A-Un." Rin lifted her head and then was greeted with A-Un nuzzling both sides of her face. It sent a slight giggle through her lips. "I missed you both. I'm happy that we get to travel together again, only if it's just for a few days."

The double headed dragon let out a slight growl when their master came up beside them. "Let's head out. Rin, do you need assistance with getting up on A-Un?"

Rin turned towards her Lord and just smiled at him. "No but thank you for the offer." She bowed at his offering of help. "I think I'm going to walk for the time being," she addressed and strapped her bag to A-Un. Rin loved to walk all the time. She never grew tired of it. She was used to traveling for days at a time to gather fabric to make kimonos.

With her bag strapped down, "I'm ready if you are, my Lord?"

With a nod of his head, "let's be off."

Rin closed her eyes, smiled brightly and whispered, "yes." She grabbed A-Un's reins and followed behind her lord. Since it was still early in the morning, she hummed a familiar tune in her head. The same tune she would sing around the double headed dragon when they were both alone together.

As they were on the road for an hour, Rin realized one other demon wasn't with them. "My Lord, where is Master Jaken?" The green imp was usually a nuisance from their past journey together and would be if he was here with them now.

Sesshomaru kept his gaze forward as he answered, "back at the castle."

"Oh!" Rin knew that he was busy with orders made by her lord.

That same day, they passed a new village and field with more villagers at work. Many of them stopped and looked their way. Rin only stopped and looked for a minute or two, to see young men, about her age, eyeing her way. She could see them blush when they gazed at her beauty. Some had to wash the sweat and dirt from their foreheads and awkwardly waved. This was the first time she had ever paid attention to guys noticing her. It was all new to her that she just stood there and looked their way. Rin knew her lord had stopped in his tracks ahead of her and was looking back towards her.

Though some of the boys called and waved for her to come over and chat, Rin, being very mature for her age, only smiled, waved towards them and went back to facing the road ahead of her, including Lord Sesshomaru. She gave him a reassuring smile and moved forward towards him. When she came up beside him, "shall we continue our journey?"

Onwards down the road, a few miles away from the village, "you did not wish to speak with them, Rin?"

"No, I didn't care to speak with them. They did seem nice and all, but I don't want to waste part of this journey stopping and speaking with others. I did promise Lady Kaede I would be back on a certain day. I don't want her to worry and think the worst has happened to me." Safety was her first priority.

"Would you rather A-Un fly you to Edo?" It would be quicker, and they could be there by dusk.

"Thank you for the offer, but I enjoy walking. I occasionally check the roads for plants Kaede could use for medicine." She always thought of Kaede before herself. "My Lord, if you need to go back to the castle, I'll be okay from here to continue on towards Edo."

Lord Sesshomaru stopped in the middle of the road and turned towards Rin. He didn't like the idea of her journeying the rest of the way herself. "There is no need for me at the castle. I'll still escort you till I know you are safe in the village." He knew if he left Rin to travel alone, a random stranger or bandits could get a hold of her and do what they could and take advantage of her.

"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru. I really do appreciate you taking your time away from your own personal duties to make sure I stay safe." She bowed to him with gratitude. When she lifted her head up, the sun disappeared behind dark and ominous black clouds. Rin stuck her hand out just as a few tiny raindrops dropped within her hand. "I guess we should take shelter before it gets worse."

With a nod from her lord, he pointed back towards the road ahead of them. "There's an abandoned hut up the road and if you would like to get there faster, then I suggest we take A-Un."

"Yes, I think that would be best. I fear lightning may come about soon." She walked over to A-Un's side as he laid down on the ground and grabbed his saddle with both her hands.

Her lord came up beside her and asked, "Do you need assistance, Rin…" she leaped up before he could finish asking.

"Shall we head for shelter, My Lord?" She lightly laughed as the rain came down more.

With another nod from him they all took off towards the abandoned hut.

After they had made shelter inside the old hut, the rain had come down much harder, followed by lightning and thunder. Rin had made a fire in the now cleaned fire pit. "My Lord, how is it you know of this abandoned hut?" She asked as she took a seat. It was well hidden within the forest and near a hot spring right behind the hut.

"I've taken shelter here plenty of times during my travels and long before your life came to be, Rin."

"Wow! It's been in this condition ever since? That's remarkable! I'm glad you suggested taking shelter here. We'll wait the storm out till it passes and continue on afterward." But there was one thing she was in need of and that was to soak her body into the hot spring right near them.

"You are not tired?"

"No, I'm more awake and could travel much longer, but a bath is in order for me." She felt dirty and sweaty.

"We'll leave when you are ready."

"Thank you." To keep the conversation going, "were you shocked to see me at your home the other night?" She never got the chance to ask him and now that they were traveling together, she knew it was the best time to ask now.

Sesshomaru saw that Rin was looking his way. Her question didn't surprise him. He just waited for her to ask him. "I was." His mind went back to that night he saw her serving drinks at his table, instead of celebrating his accomplishments. He knew he had sent out a letter and invited her to join him. "Didn't you read the letter I sent you?"

"Letter, My Lord?" Her eyebrow raised confused at what he meant.

"I sent it two months ago, when I sent Jaken to deliver my gifts to you. It was an invite wrapped on top of the parcel."

Rin's head lowered with disappointment. "I'm sorry, My Lord. When I got your gift you sent me, I didn't see a letter attached." She knew if she had seen the letter, she would have accepted the invite. "Please forgive me." She bowed in disappointment.

She felt her cheek being cupped and her head lifted. All he saw was sadness in her deep brown eyes. "Rin, all is forgiven." Sunlight shined through the small, opened window and he pulled them both to their feet. Her eyes shimmered, with specks of gold in her brown ones. "Don't feel disappointed that you couldn't be a part of the celebration. It came to my conclusion that work has kept you busy."

"It has. But If I had seen your letter I would still have attended." She would have made a special formal kimono for herself. She knew and had a strong feeling he would have allowed her to make his special haori. She cupped her hand over his. "You are not upset that I served you that night?"

"I never imagined seeing you work for me, Rin." Sesshomaru knew if he had known earlier that day Rin was there, he would have had his staff escort her to him at once. She had a special place in his empire that took great dedication to obtain. Working for him was something he would never allow her to do. "The next time you visit my home, or try to work within my castle, please let my staff know your name as they are well aware of who you are. They will escort you to me at once."

Rin smiled brightly, still holding his hand against hers. "I promise I will next time." She brought his hand to her lips, closed her eyes and kissed his palm. "Though I don't know when I will return to that part of the coast again."

Sesshomaru kept his hand still. He had a feeling it would offend Rin if he were to jerk his hand away. She was quiet, eyes closed, as her lips remained against his palm. He wondered what she was thinking at this time.

After a bit, he watched her pull his hand away, but kept her hand within his. Rin was the only human that ever held his hand or was allowed to be this close up to him. She had a calm nature, with a bit of spunk when she tormented Jaken in her younger years. "I guess I should get my bath really quick." Rin was about to let go of his hand, but Sesshomaru wasn't ready for her leave just yet. "My Lord?"

"Just one minute." Sesshomaru wanted his turn. He closed his eyes, brought the palm of her hand to his own lips and kissed her skin. He wanted to feel her soft skin against his mouth, but part of him wondered if she had ever been kissed before. Then he remembered she said that no guy has caught her eyes yet and that work has kept her very busy.

Sesshomaru slightly opened one of his golden eyes to see that Rin was not alarmed at what he had done. To him it looked like she enjoyed being this close to him. Her chocolate pools sparkled with joyfulness. He wanted to lower his lips down to her wrist but held back the temptations to taste more of her delightful scent. Though seeing her gentle smile, he led her back outside, towards the hot pools.

"Take your time, Rin. I don't sense danger in the area or within a few miles radius." They both stopped by the hot pools surrounded by thick forest. He would stay close by, hidden to give her privacy.

"I will! And thank you again." She was grateful for his protection.

With a quick nod, Lord Sesshomaru went several feet into the woods to give her privacy. She knew she had nothing to fear knowing her Lord was just a few yards behind her. When she checked if the coast was clear, she stripped off everything she wore, and stepped into the hot bath. "Ah, just what I needed." She forgot how wonderful hot springs were. She sank down more into the pool to where the tip of her chin ended. "I won't be here for long. I need to get home tonight, since I have to start my next project tomorrow."

As she rested within her bath, Rin thought of the last few days she spent with her lord. The talks they had about the last few years they haven't seen each other. Though it wasn't many days, she'll cherish that time they spent together during their short travels, and till the time they depart later that evening. "I'll always remember these days." She truly would.

Lord Sesshomaru stayed within yards from where Rin bathed. He hid behind the trees to make sure her privacy was kept hidden from him. He would never bear to see her with nothing on while she washed herself. But he would keep his promise to make sure no one unexpected would come in on her private time. Especially an unexpected man with wandering eyes for lust. He sat under a tree, keeping his ears only on the surrounding area they were in. No one was around, so he knew he could relax for now, but he would keep his guard up.

Lord Sesshomaru knew in just a few hours he and Rin would depart till they would see each other again. He didn't know when that time would be. He knew she had a lot of work ahead with her kimono making, his usual work of running his lands, and making amends with other lords. He knew it would be another few years till they saw each other again. "Would she be married by then?" Came across his mind. "Would a lot happen in two years if we saw each other again?"

His ears went to Rin. The only thing he heard from her was the humming of a song she used to sing. Her voice to him was soothing, almost like a lullaby for a crying child. Even he found himself drawn in and closed his eyes but did not fall asleep. He had not relaxed like this since that day he was injured by his half-brother Inuyasha. It was also that time he and Rin first met. She, a poor peasant girl, with no family, and him searching for ultimate power from his late father's sword that Inuyasha acquired instead of him.

Sesshomaru opened up his eyes and held bakusaiga before him. He had the power that he longed for many years deep inside him, and now he longed for a lovely female companion to be by his side for years and years to come. Someone to give him a family of his own to cherish and protect. Someone to curl up beside at night and watch her as she sleeps. That special someone was out there waiting for him.

Sesshomaru reclosed his eyes and rested his head against the bark of the tree. He took in the sounds surrounding him again. Especially near Rin. He could hear her rise from her bath as droplets of water fell from her body. He knew that she had finished with her bath, remained where he sat so her privacy was still kept from his golden eyes, and closed them again listening to her hum.

Sitting there, he felt a presence of someone that has been deceased for years. "Sesshomaru, my son."

Sesshomaru had opened his eyes to find his father before him. It had been only a few years since the last time he saw his spirit. That was during the battle of then revived samurai leader Takemaru of Setsuna. It was at that time and defeat of his father's old sword So'unga, that his spirit appeared before them all, remarking how proud he was of his sons.

"Father." He greeted him.

"My son, do you have someone to protect?" He had heard these words before, and his answer was always the same. He had no one to protect.

"No, there is no one worth protecting…" Except… He had turned his head to the side, and once again listened to Rin singing. Since that day he had left his castle that night without telling anyone, he had kept watching over her, and making sure no harm would come her way during their short travels again. But soon their travels would come to an end, and they have to depart for some time. He didn't know how long that would be. Then he began to remember the conversation's they've had and now seeing it, he realized she was so mature for her age, well mannered, selfless, and wanted to protect.

"My son?" He turned back to find his father's spirit on his knees in front of him, "do you have someone you want to protect?" He heard again.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes, breathed a few times and admitted, "I have someone to protect."

"My Lord?" Sesshomaru heard her call his name. But was so focused that he didn't hear her come back from the hot spring. When he opened his eyes, his father's spirit was gone. When he turned to look up, she knelt down in her white yukata, still dripping of water. "Who do you wish to protect?"

Before Sesshomaru answered, he brought both of them to their feet, and cupped the side of Rin's face. Her face was soft to his touch. Her eyes gleamed when he looked into her chocolate pools. "You, Rin. I want to protect you."

Hearing his thoughtful comment, all she did was smile, "you always have protected me, My Lord." She followed with a sweet laugh from her lips, placed her hand over his, and kissed his thumb. "You're protecting me now, by keeping watch when I was bathing."

Rin didn't understand what he meant. So instead of explaining, Sesshomaru leaned in so that their lips were inches from each other. He could feel Rin freeze at that moment. He hoped she would understand what he meant by protect, and allowed his lips to match with hers, gently and softly. His hand remained on his face, while arm slithered behind her back to hold the other side of her waist. He didn't know if she would accept or reject his kiss, but to his surprise, Rin fell into their kissing and felt her arms wrap around his neck, under his hair.

When their kissing came to an end, Sesshomaru kept hold of her within his hold, though he wasn't the one to show this type of affection, he wanted to carry her scent on him, and his on her. "Sesshomaru, what happens from here?" This was the first time she had called him without his title.

"Whatever your heart tells you." He hopes she will return with him.

"I want to be with you again, but my work, and family…" She had so much to deal with, and she knew Kaede would allow her to make her own choices. "I've come so far in life, but I've also been seeking for a new one too. One that lets me seek new adventures, travel and show the craftsmanship of my kimonos I've created, and settle down with a family of my own." Being a mother was something she always wanted to be. She knew what her heart wanted. "If I accept this protection you offer, will you promise me those I seek?"

Sesshomaru pulled both her hands together, put them between their chest, leaned in and kissed her forehead and whispered, "my promise will be kept."

Saivlis: I hope to have their ceremony within the next chapter.

Mechine: You're welcome. Are you excited they'll be traveling more?