A/N: I had too much wring my other sessrin fanfic (The Right Time) that I immediately thought about writing the after mat of Naraku's defeat. This is set 10 years before the right time. Enjoy and please review!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha
The night finally fell on the day they have defeated the human turned demon Naraku. Everyone even the wolves were gathered around the fire in the center of the village that Lady Kaede had prepared to celebrate the newly acquired victory.
Of course, The daiyokai Sesshomaru wanted to walk away the moment they were sure that the threat was no more but Kaede insisted on them staying. It took all of the little girl's charm to make this antagonistic demon lord stay but he still kept his distance. Watching from a distance how the girl he would risk his life for, could still smile at the same person whom threatened her life earlier that day. She really is too pure. He thought to himself.
"Inuyasha, have some soup" Lady Kaede offered
"I'm not hungry" the hanyou replied without looking
"C'mon dog! You know you want it!" the wolf pack alfa teased "if not, I could always have more"
Inuyasha only sighed as he finally took the bowl from the old lady
Sesshomaru closed his eyes as there were nothing that interests him to look at. He instead focused on his surroundings. Scanning every scent and sound on his radius, refusing to let his guard down to avoid having another episode of his precious human companion being abducted.
Rin on the other hand was slowly but surely creeping her way closer and closer to the resting silver haired daiyoukai. He must be very tired. She eyed him and sat next to him still studying every breath-taking detail of his face and lowkey checking if he was wounded somewhere.
"Rin"
Her heart skipped a beat as if being caught trying to do something illegal
"Stop staring at me" he said without opening his eyes
This only made her giggle
"Why are you not eating more? You wanted to stay a little longer to spend time with these humans. If you were not to interact with them, we then best be on our way"
"Lord Sesshomaru, I haven't thanked you yet" she warmly smiled "Lord Sesshomaru always come to Rin's aid whenever needed and for that I am very thankful, m'lord"
He did not respond but it was enough for the little girl to know that he at least heard it from her
"Rin! Have some more!" someone from the crowd called out
The young girl stood up and joyously hopped, skipped and jumped her way closer to the fire. At the sound of Rin leaving, Sesshomaru opened his eyes, following her every little movement
"Here is where she should be" he said to himself. She fits right in and the smile on her face confirms it. She should be feasting with fellow humans, dancing around the fire, laughing like there's no tomorrow. Not travelling with a vicious demon such as himself. He thought of how he should have just left her when he resurrected her for the first time but he instead took her with him. And what good has his selfish decision brought her? Her second death at the expense of his so called greater power? Or having her life on constant danger as his enemies regularly tries to held her captive as to lure him out.
He could not think of a single thing that benefitted the young girl at all.
"Lord Sesshomaru" the old lady Kaede approached seeing how the demon lord was looking at the young girl "I think we have come to an understanding here. The girl needs this."
He finally looked up to face the suggesting human
"Lord Sesshomaru, I mean no disrespect" lady Kaede said afraid that her previous statement may have angered the demon lord "but it is only right to let her live with her kind once again. She is still very young and has yet a lot to learn" she bravely added
"You're right" he finally broke his silence
While the night went on with a bliss for everyone else, both sons of the daiyoukai Tago were still not satisfied
-(*)
Rin's sleepy eyes were greeted with unforgiving rays of sunlight when she slowly opened her them. Where am I? She must have fallen asleep during the celebration. She looked around and finally realized that she was in the old priestess' hut
"Rin, you're awake" Lady Kaede greeted
"Good morning Kaede-sama!" she greeted back but her eyes were still wondering around "Where's Jaken-sama?"
"They left last night"
"What?!" her face grew more worried and immediately run outside
"Master Jaken! Lord Sesshomaru!" the little girl repeatedly called out
"Oi! Would you shut up?"
"Kid! People are trying to sleep here!"
"Go away will you?" the people of the village were not amused with her loud calls
When she finally gave up, she sat on the floor in the middle of the street. Hugging both her knees and bowing her head down. Tears flew freely from her eyes. How could this be? she thought to herself. They left her? Was it because she fell asleep when she's not supposed to?
"There you are" the old lady said while catching her breath
"Lady Kaede, did Lord Sesshomaru finally got tired of Rin? Does Lord Sesshomaru hate Rin because Rin could not defend herself?" the little girl muttered between sobs
"Oh… child" the old priestess' heart ached for the girl "I am certain that Lord Sesshomaru does not hate Rin. He only wants you safe as they are on a very dangerous mission"
"Really? A mission?" her face finally lit up "So I can expect them to be back any minute now?"
"Well, this particular mission is not of an easy task and might take longer than usual"
"He usually leaves me Ah-Un or master Jaken for company" her eyes begun to tear up again
"He might have needed both their help"
"I see… then Rin will patiently wait for their return" the little girl stood up with a smile on her face as if she was not crying a minute ago
"Kaede" Inuyasha approached
"Good morning Inuyasha-sama!" Rin greeted
The half-demon only smiled at her but then turned his attention back to the old lady
"Rin, go to Sango-chan will ye? I've heard they were preparing breakfast"
"Okay!" the little girl run off
"What is it, Inuyasha?"
"So he finally left her, huh?"
"It was just the matter of time. It was to happen sooner or later"
"But did ye have to lie to her, tho? We both know that bastard would not came back for her"
"Did you really come to me to question Sesshomaru's decision? Or yours?"
-(*)
A couple of days have passed and Rin started to question again as to why her companions were not back yet but she still gets the same answer every time. So she decided to entertain herself as she believes that time would pass by a little faster if is to keep herself preoccupied by playing with the other kids in the village or spending time with Kohaku
-(*)
She was helping Lade Kaede gather some special herbs from the forest one day when she spotted Silver hair from the corner of her eyes. Her heart wanted to jump out of her chest in joy. They were finally back!
The little girl run towards the figure without thinking twice but when she finally was close enough, she realized that it was just Inuyasha
"Still waiting for Sesshomaru, I see" he smelled her running towards him so he stopped to meet her eyes "he's not coming back, ye know"
Her mouth fell open as her hopes were crushed by this half-demon and her tears racing out from her eyes
"Drop it, girl" he saw her eyes getting teary "you and I both know that that's just how he is" he tried to make her feel better to no avail
And with that the little girl run away crying deep into the forest but Inuyasha could only sigh knowing that it was his fault. He hasn't really been on a bright mood since being separated with that priestess Kagome. This only made his judgement more cloudy than before and that is why he is not bothered by hurting somebody else's feelings.
The child run and run until her feet can no longer carry her. She then finally let her tiny body rest against a tree, still crying and asking herself why
After moments of staying like that, she finally came up with a bright idea. What if Rin got into trouble? Then Lord Sesshomaru would probably show and save Rin. Then Rin would finally see Lord Sesshomaru again and ask him to bring Rin with him again. Yes that's right! I'm positive he'd show
Determined to come across danger, she walked further and further away from the village. Not realizing that it had already been dark. She stopped, looked around and realize that this might not be a good idea after all as she was lost with no assurance or signs that someone was looking for her.
So she turned around and tried to walk back the way she came from until she saw clearing in the horizon. A cliff was near by and that is why there were no trees near to block the her sight of the moon. She ever so carefully came closer admiring it's beauty and how it reminds her of the mark Lord Sesshomaru has. Breath-taking
-(*)
Deep in her thoughts, she just stared into the moon up until she was interrupted by some rattling in the bushes. She gasp in fear but also hoped that it was just the old lady Kaede or Inuyasha that finally found her. Rin stood up, readying herself to flee just in case it was a threat that was lurking in the bushes.
Three gigantic one eyed demons with horns on their foreheads run to the frightened girl. She naturally tried to run for it but the demons just laughed and easily caught up to her
"Lord Sesshomaru!" by instinct she called out
The biggest one of the three lifted her up to his eye level. Seeing how terrifying these demons truly were, she began to regret her decisions
She's coming to the realization that Lord Sesshomaru is not coming. He's probably somewhere far away. Oblivious to the fact that this ward of his has made a very stupid decision.
Rin imagined the demon lord saying how ridiculous it is that he always has to go out of his way to save her, as if it was his duty. Rin imagined him turning his back on her, seeing how pathetically fragile humans are and she surely is not an exception. Rin imagined him smiling out of relief that he is now free of this burden.
The little girl tightly closed her eyes waiting to meet his end. Acceptance of the fact that she was dying right there was creeping in but being the optimistic girl that she is, still sees that there was a bright side to this after all. At least I will finally be able to join my parents and brothers in the afterlife.
She felt her body being thrown, probably directed into the mouth of the ugly beast. She anticipated to be chewed alive but it was yet to come. When she finally had the courage to open her eyes, she realized that she was falling.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" she didn't know why she still called out his name
Just as she began to close her eyes once again in fear, a ball of light swiftly caught her and brought her back to safety
"Rin" a familiar voice called
I'm dead
"You are out of harm's way" the voice reassured her
She slowly opened her eyes to see the bodies of the three dead demons lying around then when her eyes finally came upon the kneeling figure that had saved her life, her heart skipped a beat
"Lord Sesshomaru!" she jumped up from his arms. Tears of joy flowing from her eyes as apprehended that this great dog demon came back for her
The little girl threw her body into his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck. The demon lord of course caught her without any difficulty and carefully maneuverer her so she would not hurt herself from his armor.
"Lord Sesshomaru! You came back!"
"What were you thinking?" his face were showing signs of being worried. Conveniently enough, there were nobody else there to see
"I… Rin just wanted to see you again" the little girl defended
He sighed letting her go and composing himself
"I'm sorry if you are angry with Rin" she sat next to him
"I am not angry" he replied looking at the moon
"Then why did you leave Rin behind?" she look down on her feet
"This Sesshomaru only wished to keep Rin safe" this made the little girl face him so he turned to meet her brown eyes. "I, Sesshomaru wants to protect you at all cost… even from myself"
"What are you talking about, Lord Sesshomaru?"
He let out a small laugh that made Rin's head tilt
"Understand that this does not change anything. You are to stay in the human village and learn their way of living"
Her mouth opened to protest but before she could, he quickly added
"But I am to visit you"
She smiled confirming that she is satisfied with the compensation he had given her. The daiyoukai turned to the direction of the moon once again
"You see that?" Rin looked at the same direction "every time the moon looks like that, you can expect my presence till the right time to make a decision for yourself"
Not long after his last words, the human girl heard something approaching them. Again from the same direction where the demons came from which made her stood up but seeing that the demon lord was still sitting with his back turned to the trees was a sign enough for her that she has nothing to be worried about.
"What the hell were ye thinking?!" a pissed hanyou appeared shouting "You're lucky I easily found fluffly here to help look for ye!"
"I'm sorry Inuyasha-sama" the girl could only bow her head in response
Inuyasha sigh "I'm the one who should be apologize" he was scratching his head "I shouldn't have let my frustration out on ye"
"It is alright, Inuyasha-sama"
"Let's get ye back to the village, shall we? Kaede is very worried" the half-demon began to walk back to the forest
"I will walk you back to the village but you should promise me that you would never do something like that ever again" Sesshomaru said standing up to follow his brother into the woods
"As long as you also promise me that you'll visit me regularly" Rin rushed to his side
"You have my word"
A/N: What do you think? I actually can imagine a kid making that kind of a decision in real life which makes it more believable. I would love to read what you think. So a review would really be nice. Anyway, Please check out the right time as well!