Rin stood on the deck looking out over the grassy area to the tree line. Izumi had taken the children to the back with Hikari to spend time with Mizuchi and Emis children.

Glancing at Jin as he stood at the front she could see how melancholy he was without Nen.

She could understand that, she had gone years missing Sesshomaru and patiently awaiting his visits sometimes months at a time.

"Don't worry Jin. Only a few more days and Nen will be back." She assured.

"I know." He half smirked. "It doesn't make the time in between any easier though."

"No but I am certain that when he returns you can make up the lost time to him." Rin smiled as she spoke. Laughing softly Jin nodded his head.

"I intend to." He replied. Moving her gaze back towards the woods she saw her own mate emerge. Waving excitedly she cupped her hands fo her mouth.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" She called out knowing there was no need to yell for him, he could hear her even if she whispered for him. Nearly jumping off of the deck she ran towards him meeting him halfway.

"Rin." His features softened as he took in her happy smile.

"My lord, may we go to the valley of flowers? If not today it is fine but sometime before the summer is over." She requested.

"All you need is to ask Rin, if that is what you wish." He said.

"It is. Just us." She nodded eagerly. Offering his hand to her she took it as he led her to the spot where the trees bloomed with soft pink and purple blossoms.

The ground was blanketed by them as most had fallen to the ground but they still fell from the branches making it seem as if it were raining the delicate petals.

Rin reached out her free hand catching some in her palm before letting them fall to the ground.

"This is such a special place." She said softly. "Thank you for bringing me back here my lord." Turning to him she saw him looking at her with love and admiration she felt her face blush slightly.

Letting go of his hand she felt as if she were not a mother or a lady to a lord but a little girl as she let out a happy shout and ran down the slopping hill to the center of the trees. Turning in circles until she was dizzy she fell on her back laughing.

Moving her arms and legs together she made an outline around her as Sesshomaru sat beside her to join her. Turning onto her stomach she picked up some of the petals finding some with stems.

"Do you remember the day after we were first together and I made you a flower bracelet?" Rin asked as she twisted the stems together.

"Yes." He answered watching her.

"It's a shame that the flowers do not last long. I wish you could have kept it for forever. Nothing is forever though and the flowers wither so quickly." She said.

"I suppose you will have to make me another." Seshomaru replied.

"Why have you always let me decorate you with flowers? Looking back now when I was young it seems like such a silly, embarrassing thing; putting flowers in your hair and making you wear them." Rin laughed out.

"No." He said as she sat up taking his hand to place in her lap as she adjusted the length of the bracelet to fit him. "I didn't understand it when you were small. Now I see it as a sign of appreciation and love."

Smiling Rin nodded her head once. "It was all I had to offer you I suppose. Even now I feel as if it is one of the only things I have to offer you."

"You really don't see how much you have done for me, do you?" Sesshomaru asked.

Rin gave a small shrug. "All of my strength and every shred of resolve I have, you gave me."

"You have always been strong and courageous my lord, for as long as I have known you." Rin replied.

"I had strength, yes, and I have never backed away from an enemy but I was seeking power for the wrong reasons. My existence was empty and sad."

Sesshomaru watched as Rin finished her work resting both of her hands over his. "Until I met you."

Taking a deep breath he held it for a moment before exhaling. "Everything I am and ever will be is because of you. No one ever looked to me or cared for me the way you do."

"Lord Sesshomaru, I feel the same way." Rin said softly placing her hand in his. Entwining their fingers together she closed her eyes allowing a few small tears to fall down her cheeks.

Brushing them away with his thumb Rin reopened her eyes and hummed contently. "My lord has said such sweet things to me. I promise from this day forward I will not question my worth to you."

Leaning forward he rested his head against her forehead and nuzzled her nose with his. Rin edged closer to him to sit in his lap wrapping her arm around his neck and lacing her fingers through his hair.

"You are priceless and precious, my Rin." He whispered out. "What am I ever going to do without you?"

"I used to worry about you, what would happen when I am gone but I don't anymore. Izumi will be with you."

"She will travel with you through time and I know that you will take care of her and she will take care of you." Rin replied swallowing hard.

"If I were to find a way for you to live alongside me for centuries, would you?" Sesshomaru ventured.

"A part of being human is knowing we have a limited number of years. It makes us who we are."

"I fear that my life would no longer be meaningful and I would become stuck like I have seen happen to you in your past and the others." Rin said. "I am just a moment in your life but it is special."

Wrapping his free arm around her waist he pulled her closer to him placing his lips gently against hers.