Chapter 1: What Are Your Intentions?

Kaede had just returned from gathering medicinal herbs when she saw the ferns sticking out of the wooden box right outside the entrance.

Always on time, never late, ever.

— ~Many lunar cycles ago (approximately 5 years) —

"How is Rin's adjustment to the village going?"

"Why don't you ask her yourself when she gets back?"

Kaede looked across the room at Sesshomaru, not surprised by the silent response. When the snow melted and seedlings planted, he never fails to show up unannounced at her home, right after Rin departed for lessons with Kagome. As usual, he always asks the same questions with little variation. "Has Rin adjusted to the village?" "Are there any new developments in Rin's stay at the village?"

Kaede takes a sip of her tea.

"Well, let's see. It has been about 5 years since you've left Rin in my care. Initially she had spent more time with Kagome on language lessons. According to Kagome, she has picked up enough words in hiragana, katakana and even some kanji for her "age-group" whatever that means. She has begun transcribing remedies for me which has been beneficial. As you know, she's also already started helping Kagome and I with gathering and preparing basic remedies for villagers.

When Miroku and Inuyasha are away, she also helps Sango with the twins. Recently, Rin has started practicing self-defense moves that Sango taught her…"

Upon the mention of self-defense lessons, Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed.

"Have there been youkai attacks recently? Why wasn't I informed?"

Kaede rolls her eyes.

"Relax. There have not been any youkai in the village. Rin had specifically asked Sango to give her lessons just in case."

Kaede drinks her tea.

"Hm. Continue."

"Right, self-defense lessons. She's also asked me and Kagome about archery lessons but we'll start when the time is ready. In her free time, she's usually nearby in the forests exploring."

"Does she socialize with the other villagers?"

"Slightly more than when she first arrived. She does spend time with two other village children, specifically the Kuchiki and Nakatomi children. Their names are Akari and Haruto. Their families are more tolerant with youkai after Inuyasha saved them so I don't have concerns about them."

"How is her appetite?"

"She's not a picky eater but she particularly enjoys the venison you've sent over the snowy months."

I also particularly enjoy the venison you've sent. Hehe.

"Does she have any other needs?"

"No; the yukatas you've provided are more than sufficient to accommodate her growth. I've observed that she's outgrown the fauna design and has more preference for the floral patterns."

"Noted. Your care has been sufficient; you may continue your care as is."

By the next lunar cycle, there will be a package of newly woven yukatas for Rin.

Apparently receiving all the answers needed, Sesshomaru stood up. As he turns and heads toward the entrance, Kaede stops him.

"Wait."

He stills his movement with his back facing Kaede.

Kaede sips her tea again.

"I do not have all day Kaede."

"Yes, yes. Oh mighty Lord of the Western Lands. I do not know how many lunar cycles I have left in me, inu daiyoukai. I have grown fond of Rin's company and she has been a blessing to support me at my age while your brother and his companions raise their own families. Do you expect her to continue life in the village after my passing? What are your intentions with this child?"

Kaede knew she had not many aches but she also knew she was up there in age. At her age, it would only be a matter of when not if.

"You think I would leave you with Rin if I knew you only had a handful of years left?"

Kaede was slightly taken aback. She knew inu youkai had extraordinary senses, but to know one's health was another story.

One of many mysterious powers of inu daiyoukai. Silly me to think I've seen it all.

"My intentions are not of your concern."

With that, Sesshomaru leaped out of the home and into the skies.

What are my intentions?

— Present —

Sesshomaru, of course, wasn't wrong. Kaede only recently started to develop minor joint pains that were easily manageable.

"Rin, another package was left for you. Would you like to take a look?"

"Thanks Kaede-sama. Leave it there; I will carry it inside. Come inside and eat while the broth is still hot."

Kaede shuffled quickly inside the entrance as she followed the delicious scent of the herbal broth that Rin was stirring in the large pot. At 18 years of age, Rin had picked up many skills beyond the regular villagers such as literacy, self-defense and medicine. For a female in the Sengoku period, Rin had been blessed with these many opportunities extended to her by way of Kaede, Kagome and Sango.

However, Kaede was always grateful for Rin's broths. With the herbal training under Kaede, Rin adopted the herbs into various new broths to support Kaede's aging body. While medicinal broths were not uncommon, it also had delicious aroma and flavor.

Rin passed the bowl of soup to her.

"Here Kaede-sama. Eat and drink this while I grab my box."

Kaede heartily accepted the bowl and peered at the ingredients - a mixture of fungi, roots and green vegetables along with some oxtail bone.

I doubt Sesshomaru would expect Rin to be responsible for extending my lifeline.

As Kaede heartily ate the soup, Rin came back with the lacquered box and set it down. Hidden inside the nondescript wooden storage box at the front, the lacquered box was the only shared space between Rin and Sesshomaru. The lacquered box was a brilliant gold with carved black etchings of various fauna and floral against the backdrop of mountains. Alongside her furisode, or ceremonial kimono, the box was given to Rin as a gift for her coming-of-age ceremony.

At least, that's what Kaede assumed as it was found inside her home a month before the ceremony 3 years ago.

Unfortunately, it was also the beginning of when Sesshomaru had stopped his visits to Rin altogether. While his visits to Rin slowly became infrequent, he did appear in the evenings of the full moon. How Rin knew ahead of time that he was coming, Kaede could never figure out. But when she left, she always left with fresh flowers plucked that day and returned home an hour later empty-handed.

However, after her coming-of-age ceremony, Sesshomaru's visits had stopped. Even his annual check-in with Kaede were no more.

But the gifts never stopped.

Do you expect to forever tie her to this house, this village with your gifts? I may not have as many years as you inu youkai but a fool is a fool, human or demon. You cannot play this game forever.

"Kaede-sama! Look!"

Kaede lifted her eyes to the array of gifts Rin had set on the ground. As per usual, several yukatas, various herbs normally found in western lands, scrolls on medicinal herbs, even combat scrolls were amongst the gifts. As Kaede surveyed the gifts, she saw Rin stare at the emptied box. Kaede knew.

In the middle of the box was a carving of the crescent moon.

What are your intentions Sesshomaru?