Disclaimer: I own none of the Inuyasha charcters

In another area, far off from the village, a small tune could be heard from deep within the forest. A yound girl started a fire to prepare some mushrooms she just picked all the while humming a familiar tune to keep her mind busy. "Master Jaken?" she asked, as she eyed her green companion walking back in forth. Him looking as worried as always over their Lord's absence.

"What is it?" he answered, with an almost tired tone to his voice."Where do you think Lord Sesshomaru could of gone?" The question had been on both their minds all day, so Rin knew it was up to her to bring it out. "Silly girl, if I knew the answer do you think I would be this worried," he spat back, oh how some of the ridiculous things that child asked annoyed him so.

He took in a deep sigh, his Lord gave him the simple task of watching out for things just the other morning. Yet, it has already been a whole day and a half and Sesshomaru still hadn't returned. Jaken was about to just sit down and take another depressed sigh when he heard the girl's voice again, this time not directed torward him. "Lord Sesshomaru you've returned," she said happily, which also brought Jaken out of his worried state causing him to run to Sesshomaru's side.

"Where have you been Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken asked as Sesshomaru walked past them both and paused in his steps for a moment. "Jaken, come along there is something I need to discuss with you, Rin..." Sesshomaru didn't look at her he just couldn't at the moment. "You stay here with Au-Un".

He continued onward down the dirt path as he heard a "Yes," come from both of them. He then heard Jaken's footsteps behind him. Sesshomaru didn't want the imp to be there when he escorted Rin to the village. He also knew that because of Jaken's absence it will become but a mere more difficult now.

Rin was bound to ask questions that Sesshomaru would find a challenge to answer. Usually Jaken would find an answer or an excuse to give her. "No," he thought, "It is I that Rin follows...I and I alone will be the one to keep her from following no longer".

Rin watched from behind as her Lord and his vassel left, and she couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to avoid her somehow. "Did I do something wrong?" she thought, though couldn't think of an answer. The thought of upsetting her beloved Lord Sesshomaru made her stomach turn, and though she knew he would never hurt her the anger in his eyes was enough to make her own eyes burn with tears.

She had taveled with Sesshomaru long enough to know what his mood was, and usually when she greeted him she either got a slight glance or was simply ignored when he was in deep thought. She started to worry, and hoped that he was just in very deep thought. She could tell he heard her, it was like he purposly just didn't want to look at her.

She simply ignored the thought, and began to eat her mushrooms while thinking that whatever her Lord was feeling will simply pass. Edleast, that is what she hoped. Though, Rin wasn't the only ones worried over Sesshomaru's slightly different behavior.

"What could Lord Sesshomaru want with me?" Jaken wondered worriedly, his Lord rarely called for just him ever since Rin came along. It was obvious that he didn't want Rin to hear what he had to say, so Jaken concluded that he meant business. "Could he have figured out that I left Rin earlier today to search for him".

Jaken shuddered at the thought. The girl was annoying him, and he simply wanted some time away from her and to hope to find Sesshomaru. Yet it was about to lead to yet again another knock to the head, or a boot to the face for disobeying his master's orders.

Not only that, but for a while now Jaken has put Sesshomaru's name into some rather foul language sentences. With Sesshomaru always leaving him to babysitting Rin Jaken felt more like some nanny then a vassel to the Great Demon Lord. Of course, such sentences would never be said out loud in front of his Lord for the sake of Jaken's life. Though knowing Sesshomaru, he could probably pick it up even if it was hidden in the contents of Jaken's mind.

Suddenly his face collided with the material of Sesshomaru's hakama, and at that moment Jaken felt like he was about to draw his last breath.

He rushed to his knees, and started bowing his head constantly shouting out, "Oh, please forgive me Lord Sesshomaru if Rin hadn't been a bother to me I never would of left her earlier and..."

"Jaken..." Sesshomaru said calmly, much to Jaken's surprise. He didn't let Jaken's annoyance get to him like it normaly would. With everything that had happened, the last thing Sesshomaru needed was more stress to his already sore head.

"My Lord?" Jaken asked slowly, wondering what was on his Master's mind to make him seem more distant then usual. "Starting tomorrow Rin's presence will be located at the human village where Inuyasha dwells," Sesshomaru said, facing torward the distance. He was pretty positive his face was showing no emotion, though he didn't want to take the chance and have Jaken see him.

"Rin?" Jaken thought, he did admit as annoying as she was the girl had grown a little to his own little heart. The news actually left a sad expression on his face. Although, he knew that if it was his master's desicion, then it was the right one. Jaken decided he couldn't agree more if that was the case.

After a few seconds of silence Jaken spoke, "I see, well edleast now we will no longer have to go out of our way to tend to that girl's silly needs". Sesshomaru looked at his servant from the corner of his eye. "Leaving her will be best for all. And now we can get back to what really matters,"Jaken said, and Sesshomaru suddenly knew how he could make his head feel at ease. "I must say good choice master Sesshomaru, now we can say bye bye to that silly mortal".

~Silence~

As Rin put out the fire, just finishing her meal then noticed her lord returning along with Jaken who held the biggest bruise she had ever seen on his head. Judging by it's color it was fresh. "What happened Master Jaken?" she asked, knowing full well that Jaken probably just didn't keep his mouth shut... as usual.

"None of your business girl, now listen up," he said in a rude tone Rin was all too familiar with. After his head faced the wrath of his Lord's hand, Jaken was informed to say his goodbyes to Rin in a way that didn't reveal what was planned for her.

Since Jaken didn't want to have a repeat of Sesshomaru's rage, he had to think of a proper goodbye. "Your childish, and stubborn, and just plain annoying..." he started out. Suddenly he began to think back to all the times they shared together. The meals, the talks, the bickering, Jaken was pretty sure he would miss that the most, but for whatever reason he did not know why.

This girl had really dug deeper into his heart then he thought. His eyes started burning, and became watery which Rin wasn't too surprised since Jaken whined alot over silly things. Jaken couldn't believe he was crying over this pathetic human, but he brought himself to say something nice if it was the last thing he was ever going to tell her. He matched Rin's confused face with his own serious one, and as soon as she smiled Jaken knew he had her right where he wanted her.

"Rin I have come to enjoy the time that we..."

"And Master Jaken is a whinny old toad," Rin interupted, thinking it was all just a silly game as she started laughing when she saw how much her teasing had affected the imp. Jaken's eyes poppped out, and his mouth went wide. He couldn't believe the girl would ruin the perfect moment he thought he could creat in saying his goodbye.

Jaken began to stomp his feet and point his finger at the girl with a speedy motion, which to his confusion only led her to keep laughing. "Why you insolent child here I am trying to say goodb...," though he never finished his sentence as a voice spoke from down the path.

Sesshomaru was standing near a tree not far off from the scene, as quiet as always. Then he had a feeling Jaken was about to say something he shouldn't, and he had to step in at that moment.

"Rin," Sesshomaru called, hiding his small amusement at the scene before him. He made a note to himself not to allow his goodbye to the girl to end that way. "Come along," he said, as he started walking down the path that led deep into the forest. He motioned for Au-Un to follow him so the girl wouldn't have to walk the whole way. He promised Rin to the priestess tonight, and when it came to certain promises he was a demon of his word.

"My Lord what about Master Jaken?" he didn't answer again, but he did repeat for her to come along. On that note, Rin took it that he must be alright if he was edleast talking to her. Sesshomaru jumped into the air, and took flight to the sky. At that instant, Rin began to panic as she hurried on the dragon's saddle to catch up. She took a quick glance at Jaken, and waved, "See you later Master Jaken, we'll be back." She motioned for Au-Un to go fasterto reach Sesshomaru.

Jaken watched as the pair dissapeared into the sky, and began thinking again to himself as he sat cross legged on the ground with the staff in his folded arms. The image of Rin waving at him played through his mind. Overall, it was a satisfying goodbye.

He closed his eyes, and knew he should be happy now. The girl was gone, no more playing nanny, no more flowers all over his cloths, no more of her silly laughing and constant singing. Now his master's attention, the kind that didn't involve harm to his body, will finally be fully on him for a change.

Things will return to the way they should be. Lord Sesshomaru taking more control of other lands, and Jaken by his side instead of babysitting. Jaken should feel happy that she will be gone and be put into good care, so why wasn't he. "Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken thought aloud. He knew that even though he was taking it hard, the one who was probably suffering most was his Lord.

Even he could see the surprising change in the icy dog demon ever since that human girl came along. Like a small candle to a big block of ice, she could not melt him completely before dying out. Though it obvious that the ice had shrunken some. It would seem someone blew out that candle all too quickly though. Jaken looked up one more time, and thought about the last thing Rin said to him. The only words in his head were, "No Rin, you won't".

After flying around for a while, Sesshomaru was able to pick up the scent of his brother in a certain direction. With that being the case he figured they had traveled far enough by air, and landed in a small grass field. If they walked the rest of the way they should make it to the village by nightfall.

Rin saw Sesshomaru land, and she motioned for Au-Un to do that same. She was still wondering why Jaken had not come along, but at the moment didn't care. It had been a while since she was able to spend some one on one time with her beloved master, a vey long while.

She decided it was best to enjoy it before a certain annoying voice was to ruin her happy time. "You and I will walk from here," he said as he started walking along the ground. She smiled as his boots began leaving prints in the tall grass.

Rin began to follow until the reins she was holding onto brought her to a hault, Au-Un wasn't moving. "Come on Au-Un, we will get left behind," she said. She kept tugging till she heard Sesshomaru tell her to simply leave him. He didn't even bothering to turn around or stop walking. She nodded and faced the dragon, "You stay here we'll be back," she told him. Although, before she left she felt both the noses of the dragon nuzzle up against her in an almost hugging kind of manner.

Sesshomaru looked back on that, so even the dragon knows what was going on. He did nothing as he simply stood their letting them have his own goodbye. Rin was by there side a bit more then Sesshomaru's anyway. Rin hugged each head back as she giggled, "Ok ok il bring you too back some fish, just wait here and eat some grass," and with that she followed after Sesshomaru. Stepping on each one of his grass imbeded footprints, much to his amusement.

He was actually satisfied that the dragon stayed behind, Sesshomaru knew that after this stroll with the girl there was a chance he may not ever get to see her again. Having sime time with her before she left wouldn't hurt. Would it?

If his presence around her was best not permitted when she starts her new life, he knew he had better spend the last few hours with her and make them well memerable. Sesshomaru slowed down some so she could catch up, and she finally made it to his side after enjoying her little game.

He wanted there last few moments together to be memerable for her as well, should she ever forget him in her new life. He didn't want to think about that at the moment though.

He had to finda way to spend the remainder of the day. He gave a small puzzled look, making sure Rin didn't notice. He wanted her to remember this day as well, although a few images of the things she likes to do went through his mind.

Absolutley absurd, he thought. There was no way he was gonna frolick in the flowers with her, or degrade himself by getting his cloths wet and catch fish. He was not some love sick puppie, he would not cuddle or join in on her singing or even have some long conversation about life.

The thought of him doing any of that made his stomach turn, it simply wasn't him. The girl meant something, but he simply wouldn't go that far. Though, other then that he wasn't sure what else the girl liked to do. If he couldn't do that then what way could he make the day one they both would remember, he didn't know. The thought did nothing more then give him a splitting headache, until a familiar voice called to him.

"Look at all the flowers my Lord," she said happily, as he looked into a large field that was covered all in flowers of various sizes, colors, and shapes. Rin ran across the grass, the flowers tickling her feet as she ran out and started picking the most prettiest ones that she could spot.

Sesshomaru stood still to observe the colorful path of red, yellow, pink, white, even some blue flowers. Going down this field won't throw us off course, he thought. He looked to Rin who had a rainbow bouquet in her arms as she started running to him. "Lord Sesshomaru look at all these," she said cheerfully, as she ran to his side.

He began to walk as she came to him and continued walking even as she caught up to him. He did look down at her though, and she presented him her colorful little treasures.

"Aren't they all beautiful, my Lord?" she said, as she looked up at him. He didn't answer her, but that was to be expected, and if Rin hadn't gotten used to his non talkative personality then she never would of followed him for this long.

"Here," she said as she handed him a small white flower. Her cheeks became rosy and her smile widened as he picked it up and examined it for a mere second. She knew he would toss it away which he did not long after she gave it to him, but the fact that he acknowleged it was enough for her.

This walk, Sesshomaru thought. It was enough to bring a smile to her face and he didn't even have to engage in anything humiliating or degratting. The stroll was enough to satisfie the both of them. He listened around, and heard nothing but her humming as she walked happily by his side. No Jaken, no Au-Un, just them.

She occasionally looked up at him, and at which he would look down at her with the beautiful eyes that made her blush slightly. She liked to think that no one else could see it, his true smile. The smile that was held not in his lips, but in his golden eyes. The same eyes he showed her the day she awoke at his castle in the sky, only to find him looking down at her with those same eyes. Along with his velvet hand on the side of her face. She giggled as the memory came back, she would never forget it.

It was mostly quiet aside from Rin's occasional humming, and slight giggles over some amusement he wasn't aware of. While some may find it akward, he actually found the silence to be rather peaceful. Something he rarely ever let himself feel.

Once they made it to the other side of the field he could smell river water, and started heading in that directon case she would have any use for it. They weren't that much farther from the village, and he knew the river would stall a bit of time. "There is a river East of here," he stated calmly, as he looked in that direction. "Good Im going to go take a drink, I'll be quick," she ran torward the sound of water, obviously tired from all the previous running.

Rin saw her reflection in the water, then dipped her hands into the cool liquid and brought some up to her lips. After she took a sip she looked back into the water again and gasped in shock. Her Lord was standing right beside her, she hadn't expected him to follow her. His reflection shown crystal clear in the smooth stream. "Sorry if I took long," she said with a smile, for she knew he wouldn't get mad at her for such a reason, it just felt polite to say it.

He walked over to a nearbye tree, and stood there quietly letting her fully quench her thirst. He noticed her bouquet of flowers had been tossed down stream, giving the river a colorful effect all thanks to the girl by the edge of the stream.

Once she was done, she headed over by his side, and noticed that he had sat down against the tree. His position was that of relaxation, one leg bend at the knee holding itself up, the other bent leg laying on the ground. She took her place by his side, and she picked up both her knees and layed her chin on them. They both simply watched as the river stream began to sparkle. The sun began setting over the horizon.

The river, along with the sky, began to turn a shade of pink and purple. Rin took note that it reminded her of her Lord's stripes that adorned his cheeks. She thought to herself how his whole face was like the sky during different times of the day.

She thought that of course, his moon represented night. Then his golden eyes represented the bright bright sun, along with the heat from the red color oy his eyelids. Finally his stripes were the color of a the sky during the sunset. She giggled to herself at her silly observation, and Sesshomaru once again found that he couldn't locate the source for her amusment. Though not that he complained, her laughter was something he enjoyed hearing though he would not admit it.

Sesshomaru knew it wouldn't be too long now, the sun was setting and nightfall was about to come. Just ahead of the river was the forest of his brother, and beyond that the village. He closed his eyes for a second, and took in the girl's scent. He decided to enjoy her company for just a little while longer.

"Lord Sesshomaru where are we going?" she asked suddenly. It was an innocent question, and he realized he should of come up with a good enough answer earlier in the case that she asked. He certainly was given enough time, but she didn't ask him before so he completely let the thought slip. He decided it was best not to answer her, and only held his toungue. She looked at him with a confused look. "Lord Sesshomaru?" she said, making sure he heard her.

"As for right now, no where Rin," he said gently. It wasn't as if he lied, he thought. It was true, for the moment they were not going anywhere. Although, it was a rather unsatisfying answer, and he could tell Rin felt the same way by her quiet replie of, "Oh".

He had to get her mind somewhere else, he thought. Then spoke first for the first time in a while. "Is there anywhere particular you wish to go?" he asked. His question brought her to look at him with a confused look. There was no need for Rin to even think about it, she knew where she wanted to be most. "Nope, I like being right here with you my Lord," she said, a smile forming on her face as she said it, and he saw it all.

There is was again, an ache in his body located right in the chest area. He knew what organ it was that was doing this to him and he didn't like it. To know that the girl wished to be with him, and yet here he was about to send her to be with someone else. He wouldn't blame her if she hated him after this day. If his betrayal to her was so great that she never wanted to even think about him ever again, do nothing more then forget they ever crossed paths.

He led her on to believe that she could always follow if she choose to, but that was no longer the case. Now he was going to send her away, a desicion he made to do. No matter if it was the priestess that brought it up first, he didn't have to agree with the old woman. For the sake of Rin though, he did. He wondered if one day she would ever forgive him, he also wondered if the girl would even stay in the village, or end up running away.

If she did how was he suppose to know. He can't be by her side all the time while she resigns there. He can't even talk to her without being pestered by the priestess on how, "It's best for blah blah blah". He felt his blood start to boil again, but knew he had to callm down for else Rin would think it was directed torward her.

"Wow, look at our shadows my Lord!" she stated in shock. He turned his head slightly to see both their shadows stretch out from their bodies, creating a strange effect from their normal appearance. Rin started to laugh as she began to move hers in a humerous way, as Sessomaru only watched. Sesshomaru looked torward the sky, and saw that the sun was just about out of sight. It was only a matter of time now.

"My Lord look..." Rin said more quietly, and softer then her usual tone. Sesshomaru tuned his head again. "Our shadows have become one Lord Sesshomaru," she said with a smile, as he himself just stared at the dark bloub stretching out from their location. As ridiculou as it looked, Sesshomaru couldn't help but not take his eyes off it.

"I think it looks beautiful," the girl spoke out gently, and she looked up at him again. Sesshomaru looked down at her, and there it was again, that smile. No one has or ever had smiled at him in such a way like she does.

All his life he grew up to see happiness as weakness and nothing brings out the that emotion more then a smile. He would admit his lips have formed that pathetic curve before, but it was always the result of something divious.

Why did he desire for this young girl here to never lose that so called weakness. If it was so weak, then why did he never want to forget it. Why did he spend a good half the day with her, just to do nothing but see it. Knowing that he was the one who caused it, and it was directed to him alone.

Sesshomau haulted his thoughts from going any further, this was't right. He was a demon, and he will not allow himself to think such weak minded things. He had to rid of them all, and once Rin and him parted way things would go back to the way they should be. For all he knew maybe the girl actually desired to be amongst her own kind again. Maybe once she gets a taste of it again, she would be glad she escaped the quiet life accompaning a ruthless monster such as himself.

"Well, it was beautiful while it lasted," came the voice that broke his thoughts. He looked to their combined shadows, but saw nothing more then dark ground. His head looked up at the sky and realized night had come, and it was time.

He looked at the ground, then looked to Rin. She looked at him again, and instead of a big smile she gave him a small sweet one . Her eyes shining brightly with unshead tears. Inside he could see so much adoration, so much trust. So many things he could feel this girl give him, and all he could do was give her the eyes she loved so much. The true smile she wanted to see.

Weak minded thoughts or not, he didn't care at the moment. Sesshomaru knew that like their shadows, Rin and him had somehow connected more that day. It wasn't the first time the two had time together. Rin would be the only one in Sesshomaru's presence after he rescued her from serious danger. Yet the last time he could remember them actually sharing a moment together was back when they first met.

That day wasn't a day that could easily be forgotten. He is reminded constantly of there meeting, whenever Rin would smile at him. The girl for sure made him feel peaceful at times, and perhaps even happy. If even such a feeling existed inside his dark soul. His thoughts faded, and he looked to the forest of Inuyasha. It did not matter anymore, he thought.

Night had already come, and their shadows were gone. It was over, as was any further connection the pair would have with each other.

Sesshomaru got up from the ground, and began walking down the river. Deciding not to let the girl see his face no longer, he didn't want to see her face if she was sad. Especially not when he could do nothing about it. He hated the feeling of being useless, almost as much as the feeling of defeat.

He hid his eyes under his bangs, and kept walking until he soon heard Rin's voice again. "Lord Sesshomaru look," she said in a happty tone. He tuned to see her source of happiness, and his eyes met to behold none other then their shadowns once again forming into a great big blob. It was even bigger then the one before, and he quickly looked up at the sky. He hadn't even realized the moon had been out that night, with all his thoughts focused on the forest he completely missed the white light in the dark sky.

He closed his eyes for a mere moment, and he found a small smirk wanting to form. Even now, he thought. They were still connected, even after the time has come for her to be seperated from him, they are still one.

A Lord to his ward, a companion to a companion, a demon to a human. No matter how it was put they will always be connected no matter how Rin's feelings toward his change after this day. He would make sure it stayed that way. That their connection be mend together by a chain created from the strongest adament, so as never to be broken. Then his mind had another thought.

Of course it would be hard to keep such a bondage with little communication. He looked again to the path, and kept walking along as Rin hurried to catch up. She ended up getting slightly ahead of him.

Even if she ended up not hating him, they will definintly drift apart bit by bit the lesser they see each other.

He wasn't sure how that lack of communication could ever be fixed. He would not jeopardize Kaede's agreement for him not to see her. An agreement he himself gave in to, and he knew deep down that the more the girl saw him the harder it would be for the both of them to get on with there lifes.

Although, if Rin could not see him that didn't necessarily mean he could not see her. He wasn't going against anything if he was ale to see her without his presence being known. And who knows, perhaps Rin would sneak away at times just to see him.

Though, he had to be realistic. She was still a child, an obedient one at that. He doudt Rin will be able to defille the old woman's orders and go see him. He had a feeling that she would be not do anything that led her to trouble, she was just to young to understand and make her own desicions.

"My Lord look, my shadow is as big as yours see." He really didn't want to take a look at another one of her childish observations, but gave in anyway. What he saw when he turned was the answer to his problem.

"She will grow...," he thought. He looked at the child a few steps in front of him. Then at the shadow figure that indeed matched the height of his. "And grow soon," he finally concluded, with his mind finally becoming at ease. He walked past the girl and into the forest, thinking that it may take a few years, but he wished to see how his theory ended.

"Wait for me," he heard back. He smiled to himself, he will wait, just to see if maybe... one day...

His mind trailed off.

"Come Rin".