A New Friend

Chapter 5

Mia propped herself up on her elbows. "Mm, what it is?" Sesshy stretched his paws out and opened his mouth for a gargantuan yawn.

"Your parents wouldn't mind you having a dog, would they?" Rin asked. She immediately regretted doing so, seeing as Mia's eyes began to water. She patted her back soothingly. "I'm sorry for asking."

Mia held her hand up and pushed Rin's hand away. "It's really quite all right. I just wasn't expecting it. I usually prepare myself before talking about my parents."

"If it wouldn't be so rude of me," Rin bit the bottom of her lip, "what is wrong with your parents?"

Mia shrugged. "It's more like what was wrong with them." She sat up and rubbed her eyes. "They grew terribly sick. Unfortunately, we found out too late. It wasn't like we'd be able to do anything. We don't have the money, see."

Rin nodded sympathetically. She had experience in losing parents and it wasn't an easy thing to get through. Shoot, it wasn't easy to finally get it through your head that they had died. "I believe you should start a family. No one wants to be alone forever," Rin suggested.

"That's easy for you to say," Mia said with a tiny smile. "Not everyone in the village thinks you're a freak."

"They have no reason to think such things. Don't you worry what they tell themselves, them and their bitter hearts. No common decency in this world, I tell ya," Rin stated. "I believe there could be a family right before your very eyes."

Mia's eyes widened and she looked down at Sesshy. "You wouldn't give me him would you? It seems as if you two are friends. I couldn't take that from you. Besides, I'm just a girl. How am I to provide for him?"

Rin tapped her chin in thought. "He's not very hard to feed. He'll eat just about anything." Rin leaned close to Mia's ear and whispered, "Just make sure you stay away form sugar. He gets a little to excited when coming in contact with such substances."

Mia giggled and held Sesshy in her arms. "Still, I would never take such a friend from you away. He's such a delightful creature to be with."

Rin shrugged and made a "psh" sound. "Don't worry about it. I actually have come to circumstances where it is required for me to find him someone else. It just didn't work out," Rin said, peering at Sesshy.

"You're very kind. I don't know if I could ever repay you for such a blessing," Mia said with enthusiasm.

"There's no need for repayment. Just think of it as a gift from me to you." Rin looked out into the distance and saw a toad figure. She squinted her eyes to make sure it was really he. Rin stood up and dusted her skirt off.

"You're leaving already?" Mia asked with a disappointed look.

"I believe I must. But, don't you worry. I might just come and visit one day, you know. Just to make sure Sesshy baby here isn't getting into too much trouble," Rin said laughing. Mia laughed along and stood.

"Well, goodbye then," Mia said holding out her free hand.

Rin grabbed Mia's hand and shook. "Goodbye." She then leaned closer to Sesshy's face. "And you stay out of trouble mister." Sesshy licked her face. A feeling of sadness filled her gut. She would surely miss his licks.

Rin turned to walk away. She looked back and waved. "Don't forget. He needs a lot of attention. Don't ever let him out of your sight! Be gentle with him, he's just a baby!" she yelled.

Rin saw Mia wave back. Rin sighed and held her hands close to her chest. "They grow up so fast." She sniffled and continued to walk. She already missed his warm fuzziness, cuddling next to her when she held him tight. She already missed how he would come to her for protection or simply attention.

Jakken grumbled when Rin neared. "What has taken you so long? We've been waiting for a very long time, stupid girl. Making Lord Sesshomaru wait like that, you must be ashamed."

Jakken stopped nagging when he saw that Rin made no attempt to talk back. She instead hung her head low. He led her back to the clearing where Lord Sesshomaru and he had been waiting.

Rin looked back at her Lord with somberness filling her eyes. "Lord Sesshomaru, I have found the perfect person."

His response was a simple nod. She looked to Jakken and sighed. "The nuisance is out of your hair, Jakken. I'm sorry for the damage he caused," Rin apologized. Jakken nodded too.

"We will continue our traveling," Lord Sesshomaru said, knocking Rin from her depression. She put on a smile and nodded.

"Of course, Lord Sesshomaru." Rin and Jakken followed Lord Sesshomaru through the lush forest, Rin trailing behind.

"Rin, you can't still be gloomy about that dog. It was never meant to be your pet. It's better this way," Jakken said. Rin nodded, already knowing this, but she couldn't help but think of her lovely puppy. He had caused so much trouble and so much fatigue. Sesshy would be happier with Mia. She would give him things that Rin could never and that made her smile more. She was doing the best for Sesshy and she was happy.

Then Rin did the unexpected. She walked to Lord Sesshomaru and hugged his leg, which stopped him dead in his tracks. Jakken's mouth gaped open and hung low.

"Of course I'm not too sad. I've got my own big puppy to take care of right here," Rin laughed, hugging Lord Sesshomaru's leg tighter.

The End.

Ah! I'm sorry for such a short chapter. It's just the ending. Now much to say.

-Edwardd