(A/N- With all the lemon out there and controversy, I've decided to write a tasteful fanfiction devoted to our beloved couple, Sesshomaru and Rin and their children. Their characterization has been amazing throughout the whole series and I know that nothing I write will ever compare to the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi. With that being said, I hope you enjoy my take on the plunge these characters have made.)

Chapter 1- That Fateful Day

The times had been relatively peaceful since the days of Naraku. Regardless, there was still the everday dangers of living in a world full of corruption, bias, and violence. Despite the ugliness, existence was not unbearable, not to Rin. From all of her past hardships and turmoil came post-traumatic growth. She had bounced back with resiliency, optimism, and enthusiasm regarding the future.

Rin moved to the edge of the small river. Trees surrounded the banks offering slight shade from the sun above. Her skin was speckled with shadows as she looked around, checking for privacy. Carefully, she knelt down and peered at her reflection in the water with her hands upon her knees. The river babbled quietly. Birds and wildlife sounded in the distance. It was nice to have some time to herself the way she did when traveling with Lord Sesshomaru.

Rin resided with Lady Kaede among the other humans and had for several years now. She enjoyed being in their community and was grateful for the routine. She enjoyed herbal teas, carefully prepared meals, and bathhouses. Never-the-less, there was no luxury that could compare to the value of being with Lord Sesshomaru. He still visited her, often leaving her cloths for kimonos or other practical gifts that could be of use to her.

Still kneeling, she looked up at the sky through the dancing foliage with a smile on her face. She brought her fingers to her mouth, but couldn't follow through with making a noise. He had told her that if she could not speak, she could whistle through her fingers, that distance is no object, that he would come to her immediately no matter how far apart. Staring at herself in the reflection, she put her arm back down at her side, exhaling. She could talk, despite feeling as if there was a knot in her throat. She wasn't nervous at all, but making such a momentous decision filled her with adrenaline. He had spoken with such certainty when discussing matters of trust and time, allowing her to examine her heart at her own pace. Now, she felt more certain than ever.

"Lord Sesshomaru." She said his name aloud and stood with both of her hands clutched against her chest. The trees continued to sway in the breeze as if nothing had changed, but she could feel his distinct presence behind her. Rin turned, seeing him about a foot away. His deadpan countenance appeared pleasant. Out of all their encounters thus far since Rin had taken up residency in a human village, just this once she had been the one to summon him. He waited patiently for her to speak first.

"Lord Sesshomaru, my lifespan may be a fleeting moment compared to yours, but time is no object either. Even if we are far apart, lifetime or distance, know my essence resonates with you," Rin confessed, unwavering. "And our essence, together, will transcend us."

At her last sentence, his lips slightly parted. He then approached her and put a hand on the back of her head, drawing her against his chest, careful of his armor. Then, he whispered something in her ear before taking a step back and parting ways with her.

Back in the village, Rin went about gathering clothes from the lines that at been left out to dry. A permanent smile seemed to be pinned to her face while she hummed, exerting herself until the sun began to fade.

"My word, you seem awfully excited about life today, more than usual!" Lady Kaede commented as Rin set a basket of folded clothing down just inside the door. With the sun going down, Lady Kaede started lighting candles.

"I'm excited, because I get to share my life!" Rin told her, taking her place on her knees before an eating area. A large pot sat above an open fire. Lady Kaede joined her and proceeded to make them bowls of soup.

"Share your life, eh?" the old woman probed for more information, not knowing exactly what she was referring to just yet.

"Motherhood of course!" Rin's eyes sparkled excitedly.

"Does Lord Sesshomaru know about this?!" Lady Kaede nearly shrieked with wide eyes. All she knew of their relationship was that he was extremely protective of her.

"Well, he'll be the father so…" Rin pointed out, still in smiles.

Lady Kaede's face suddenly went straight and she set her bowl down. Rin's face followed suit and she felt as if she had said something wrong. "Is everything okay?" Rin asked.

"You have chosen a very difficult path. I wish you nothing but the best, and will help in whatever way I can, but bringing half-demons into this world…" she trailed off, shaking her head from side to side. She then began to look around the small dwelling as if they were being spied upon. "You mustn't tell anyone else. Should this information fall into the wrong hands, you will be in grave danger."

Rin began to look down at the floor with a distant stare. The severity of the situation began to hit her. Feeling a loss of appetite, she set her bowl down. "Excuse me," she stood up and went to retreat to her room.

"Dear, I didn't mean to upset you. I…" Lady Kaede tried to apologize.

"No, I appreciate your concern. Thank you," Rin responded cordially before disappearing around the corner. Rin laid in her pallet upon the floor, tossing and turning, deep in thought until the sun came up. How could they bring themselves to introduce new life into such a hostile world?

The following day, in a white kimono, Rin approached the edge of the river at high sun to meet Lord Sesshomaru. He stood at the top of a riverbank accompanied by Jaken. "Rin! You sure look marvelous!" Jaken complimented her. "I see you're wearing a kimono made from the cloth I picked… I mean Lord Sesshomaru picked out for you!" his face grew red and he flinched as if he were soon to be punished for his slip up. Instead, Lord Sesshomaru's attention remained transfixed on Rin as if nothing else mattered. He took a step forth, opening his palm. In his grasp was a small purple crystal in the shape of a moon.

"Jaken," he glanced down at him. "Find something useful to do until I return."

"Yes, of course, but where are you doing?" Jaken asked as his master stepped forward without him. "How long will you be gone?"

Sesshomaru approached Rin. He took the crystal and pressed it against her forehead. Jaken watched it emit a bright light until it fused with her flesh, producing a similar mark to Lord Sesshomaru's. His master then placed a hand against Rin's cheek, slightly arching his back so that they were face to face. Rin's hands wrapped around his wrist, covering his demon marks that were also beginning to glow. He then pressed his forehead against hers, staring intently into her eyes. Jaken was nearly blown away by a gust of energy from the transaction.

"Uh, Rin? Lord Sesshomaru?" he sat up on the ground and dusted himself off with confusion. The two had vanished from sight, but still he looked around for them frantically.

When next Rin came to consciousness, it felt as if she were in a dream. Cherry blossom trees filled her vision and petals beneath her were soft to the touch. Behind her, Sesshomaru sat propped up against a tree, watching two koi in a pond. His swords laid on the ground in their sheaths and his armor next to them. Rin had never seen him with his battle gear removed and it made the red designs on his kimonos stand out all that much more. He had even tossed his Mokomoto over his shoulder, so that it was behind him and more out of his way, despite still being attached to his body. "Where are we?" Rin asked, getting up and walking over to him.

"We are in a safe place. A place of our creation, fortified by our unity. Together, only we can come and go as we please," he explained as she sat down beside him.

Rin began to watch the koi circle around each other. Sesshomaru had grown more attentive to her, seeing the tears well in her eyes, and sparkle down her cheeks. It was the word safe that had triggered her.

"The hardest part is knowing that this won't be easy. But I know… I know in my heart we'll do whatever you must to protect…" she took a moment to keep her composure.

After a long silence he answered instead, "Through the right of passage, strength and resilience can be self-actualized, Rin. Still, you have my word." His face conveyed absolute resoluteness. Rin wiped away her tears and smiled partially.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I trust you. I trust us," she emphasized.