A twist in fate Chapter 3 Rin's POV.
Early morning transitioned quickly into mid afternoon. Throughout the day, Rin tried her best to keep herself busy, fearing if she' stopped; the overwhelming feeling that she would be forgotten would consume her whole, instantaneously. However, as soon as everyone awoke, finding something to do was no longer a problem. Especially when participating in taking care of five children that constantly left their poor fathers on their toes, always chasing after one of them, meanwhile leaving the mothers desperately trying to keep the others in place, and entertained without any tears. As Rin helped spoon oatmeal into the newest addition to the group, Akemi, Kagome and Inuyasha's precious year old daughter. Akemi held a stunning mixture of features from her parents, especially her eyes. Kagome's eyes were a dark chocolate, and like his elder brother, Inuyasha's eyes were golden as the sun. When combining the two, Akemi's eyes were a magnificent balance of hazel, and just around the iris held a beautifully gray-green circle. Her hair on the other hand was just as dark as her mothers, but strong and durable as her father's. She was beautiful. Her ears resembled inuyasha's, but much smaller. While feeding her, Rin giggled quietly to herself, reminiscing at the memory of Inuyasha having to chase after her older brother, who deviously managed to take off his nappy and run around the village as his father desperately scampering around trying to catch him. Despite his fury, Kagome and everyone else had a hard time containing their laughter, as did Rin. However, Miroku and Sango's children were a few years older than Kagome's and Inuyasha's two, but that didn't mean they were any less of a handful, especially during mealtimes. However, Rin and the old miko Kaede always managed to have a quiet dinner, with some time before bed for much needed relaxation. Kaede grew much older over the years, but she was still strong headed and stubborn now as she was eight years back, but the one who changed the most was Rin.
Finally as midday calmed, Rin headed back into her shared hut to prepare lunch for herself and Kaede, waiting until after everyone else had been taken care of, it was another time during the day the two could just be spent with each other before nightfall. She absently stirred the contents of the boiling stew that set just above the flames, which licked delicately around the black pot. Rin stared into the boiling mixture as her thoughts claimed her attention. In more ways than one, she'd changed in ways she didn't think she would be able to. Overcoming her grasping fear of wolves was the hardest obstacle she'd ever had to overcome, despite her lacking in physical strength when she first started going through demon-slaying training, among everything else she was trying to swallow down. Not only that but when she first started living with everyone, she wasn't sure if she could feel attached to anyone but her Lord Sesshomaru, he was her savior, and her protector, and from the start it made it much harder to leave him without feeling as if she'd be saying goodbye forever. Though, after recovering from separation anxiety; mentally it seemed she grew less ignorant, and more observant, surveying, rather than speaking first. Though, whenever anyone spoke to her she could hold quite a lengthy conversation, but now it wasn't lacking in intelligence, or maturity. Instead, she was usually the one who left others confused, there were very few women who could read, let alone write their names. However, there was still a few things that stayed with her from her childhood. She loved to collect flowers, giving them to the older maidens who were sick, widowed, or just needed some sort of attention from someone. She did a lot of things for the villagers, it was what made her happy, and at peace with herself, times when she couldn't be with her lord, he was always buzzing in the back of her mind, whether she liked it or not.
Sesshomaru, oh how she loved the golden-hued demon, he may have been quite distant with her both physically and emotionally, but she was the only who had ever been allowed to be close to him. She knew that he loved, and cared for her as a friend rather than Jaken who on a regular basis donned her as a hindrance or inconvenience to their lord. Though, the way Jaken still spoke to her it always made her wonder if Sesshomaru really did want to visit her, or if it was like the little ignorant toad said, " You stupid girl! He's only visiting you to keep his honor from being tarnished by some pathetic human!" though, whenever she thought about the things Jaken said compared to what Sesshomaru said, it always made her doubt the insignificant, hateful little green man. Sesshomaru promised not to abandon her, constantly reassuring her despite how many tears dripped down her cheeks, he promised. Since times have changed, surely he should have realized now she would understand if he chose otherwise; as much as it would kill her on the inside. That was another aspect she grasped too, she became more understanding. As a child she could get away with crying, whining or being a tad pouty when she couldn't get her way, wanting to stay with Sesshomaru even though there were things she had to learn, and realize. Taking care of a child when they had a busy itinerary was quite a hard task to execute. In reality, all Rin really wanted was to have his attention; she didn't really care for any of the suitors in the village. She just wanted her friend, she didn't want any restraints, she didn't need to be forced into marriage and already having babies. She just wanted a life under the stars, to breathe in the scent of flowers without any artificial scents doing it for her. She didn't want to forget who she was by accepting the fate that other maidens did, she wasn't ready to settle down, not when her life just began, and she just wanted to be reunited with her Lord.
A wrinkled hand clasped over Rin's as she stirred mindlessly, deep in thought as she always seemed to be, it was Kaede who placed her hand over hers, trying to settle the anxious thoughts that battled about in her brain, tugging at her heartstrings. God knows she needed some assurance, after all these years, after all the small visitations he had with her; did he still care just as much? Just as much as she cared about him? Or was it like what Jaken said: 'to keep his pride from being tarnished by a lowly human'? On the other hand, she didn't want to leave Kaede in a position where she'd be all to herself, taking care of chores and meals that Rin usually took care of. She was far too old for such foolish things now, and abandoning a woman who could hardly defend herself let alone shuffle along outside, and in the peripheral vision of others it would make it seem as if she were abandoning her to get away from being an obedient house wife to become a wild child, or to go with him because they all assumed by her lacking of being married, that she loved him.
"Child, ye not need to worry, ye lord will come for the." She reassured gently, patting the girl's hand before releasing it, giving an a wrinkled grin, the corners of her eyes crinkling slightly.
As she came to, Rin quickly realized then that Kaede wasn't just trying to calm her, but all the worry, anxiousness and fear dissipated from her mind, and the uplifting sense of happiness and glee flourished within, making her features glow into a beaming into a grin as she looked into her eyes. But as soon as it came, it quickly left. "Kaede, are you going to be alright alone..? I mean I know that you have Inuyasha and Kagome, but I don't want you to feel like you have to let me go… I can stay." Rin said quietly, suggesting a half smile.
"Heaven's no child! ye need not to worry, I've been around for many years, I can manage on my own, or receive help from the other villagers, besides it'll keep Inuyasha from being lazy." Cackled the elderly woman, despite her worries, Rin chimed in, however it was a rather quiet and short few giggles.
"But is ye trying to find an excuse for ye not to go? " Kaede asked, taking the spoon from Rin as she dished a bowl of stew into two bowls, one for each of them. Her eyes never left Rin's face as she dumped the rich mixture into them, and she placed it a few inches away from her knees.
Meanwhile… Jaken made his way down the fairly large hill and hesitantly passed other villagers as they passed him, quickly waddling along trying to avoid the awkward stares and bitter glares from people as he scurried along the dirt path pulling the large two-headed demon along with him. He feared the possibilities of running into the monk, or worse yet Inuyasha. But as he reached the small hut, he could hear as Rin, and the old woman talking to each other over lunch.
Rin sighed, looking away from the old miko's face and towards the floor, she returned her gaze with a small smile appearing on her face. "No, I'm just afraid that I'll miss everyone, and I'm not sure how often I'll be able to come and visit, if I'll be able to. I just don't want you, or anyone else feeling as if I'm running away. I really do wish to be with him again, even Master Jaken. I miss them, especially A-un. They were the first family I had after my own, and they'll always be that way, despite how much Jaken hates me, we took care of each other when our Lord Sesshomaru was away taking care of his business affairs. Besides, I'm the only one who can fully treat the two headed beast to what they deserve, and to be honest I really don't want to settle down, the men are a little creepy." Rin said, giggling in unison with her caretaker.
Before knocking, Jaken felt rather touched by her words. He was used to being treated so badly by Sesshomaru, but despite his bad behavior towards the young girl, he would have never expected her to feel this way about him, especially after what he said about her this morning. Either way, she was still an insufferable human! And he refused to sway his opinion by kind words!
He built up the courage, and knocked on the door. "Rin! It's time to leave; Lord Sesshomaru is here to pick you up!" squawked the little demon, impatiently banging on the side of the hut again.
Nearly jumping out of her skin, she snapped her head back to look towards the door, she could see the little imp tapping his foot impatiently on the ground, clutching onto his staff as he waited. Sighing, she looked back into the older woman's eyes, searching for the answer, to go or to stay. Sighing, she stood, and gave her a long, warm hug. "I'll miss you the most, Kaede. " Rin whispered thickly, tears threatening to trickle down her rosy cheeks. She smiled slightly, though the pain in her heart gripped her like a vice, she was definitely sad to leave the old miko, Kaede raised her as if she were one of her own, but this was the path she'd chosen, as hard as it was to leave, it called to her, literally.
"Would you hurry up you insolent girl?! Lord Sesshomaru is waiting! You'd better have all of your belongings packed so A-un can carry them! we're going to his lands and he'd like to talk to you first so hurry it up girl!" Jaken squawked again, She stood quickly, removing her arms from around the elderly woman, wiping away all traces of her tears as she gathered her belongings quickly. she felt bad for being so excited to leave, but it hurt her not being able to take care of the elder woman. Though, knowing her and her stubbornness she'd be just fine, it was just Rin grew so used to helping her throughout the years it was hard to picture she'd be fine on her own, but out of the group she was the worry-wart of them all. Before stepping outside to greet Jaken, she quickly embraced the woman again, holding her tightly as a few more tears escaped. "I'll miss you, and I'll write as much as I can. If you ever need anything, please send Inuyasha and I'll come right away." She assured, haphazardly changing out of her robes into something a little more suitable, something newer. She chose an elegantly white with perfectly embroidered dark blue flowers along the bottom of the kimono, to the ends of the sleeves, while decorating her mid-drift with more eloquently designed flowers, and for a splash of color, she tied a pastel blue obi around her waist, with much help from Kaede. She'd already given everyone her goodbyes, and ifs he were to do it again, surely shed far more tears, which was not something she wanted to put Lord Sesshomaru through, he was just as unnerved with her tears as Inuyasha was with Kagome's.
"Rin! Hurry up you intolerable girl" Jaken squawked again, this time he seemed a little angrier than usual.
She pulled a small present out of her pocket as she stepped out of the hut, pulling the mat aside as she did so, "I'm so sorry Master Jaken, honestly I am. " She said softly, smiling ever so slightly. "But I hope this makes up for it, It's smoked salamander, you're favorite snack." She bit her lower lip as she held it out to him; she wrapped it in a piece of cloth to keep things out of it, and to make it seem a little nicer.
But before Jaken could say anything, she heard a rumble from one of the two headed demons just behind them, a bright grin washed over her face as she quickly clutched the two into a warm hug, this time happy tears escaping her eyes, it'd been years since she'd seen them, and in some ways they returned her hug, nuzzling their scaled faces against her face, and shoulder, but their heads went from nestling into her to sniffing curiously at her pockets before lapping at her hands, clearly they knew something was for them too, hopefully.
Giggling, Rin patted each of them before delving into her pockets, grabbing a small snack for both of them to eat. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you both either." She said softly, stroking the neck of one, she looked around trying to scout out Lord Sesshomaru, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Is he here?" she asked Jaken, a little fear and sadness creeping into her voice.
"Yes you silly girl! You would have known that if you hurried, He's waiting in the clearing; he wants to talk to you. But he's leaving me to load it onto A-un, and you had better make sure Inuyasha knows if he comes anywhere near me I'll burn him."
Rin nodded, giggling slightly. She knew despite his irritation, he was a lot kinder to her, he still called her names, but for some reason whether it be her false hope, he seemed happy that she was back.
"It's good to see you again, Master Jaken. I missed you." She said honestly, giggling. She watched as the blood in his body enflame his face, creating a vibrant red throughout his cheeks.
"Don't talk like that! And go before he gets impatient and leaves! You can see A-un in a few minutes, now would you go before he has my head?!" He snapped, turning away from her, stumbling into Kaede's hut.
Before Jaken had the chance to bark at her again, she stepped towards the hill, staring towards the place where he usually met her, their flower covered escape, when they could be alone. Exhaling sharply, she changed her worried and hunched posture into something more elegant, where she was tall, and confident. She wasn't tall in the sense of height, but confidence in herself she had. She'd overcome many things that most traditional women wouldn't bother with, all for a man, but it wasn't even for romance, but friendship and sleeping under the stars once again. She felt her heart begin to race as she slowly started to grasp the sense of reality that he was here, here for her.
As she reached the beautifully pale demon, who was still rather large and tall in comparison, she smiled brightly. She had the urge to hug him wash through her, but she ignored it, he was also touchy with physical contact, unless it involved violence. He always loved to spar with his younger brother, despite how much the two couldn't seem to get along.
Silence wasn't usually her reaction, though she wasn't quite sure what to say, but something would suffice. "It's great to see you again, my lord. I'm hoping you're well?" she asked awkwardly, formal conversations weren't quite her forte, but she could still manage to come across polite, without offending him as she used to in the past. She blushed slightly, she adverted her eyes away from Sesshomaru for a brief moment before speaking again. "I'm hoping that you're going to say that I can stay, and be with you once again?" she asked softly, biting on her lower lip as she waited for his answer. A small smile appearing on her face as she waited, her heart continued to race, surely she knew he could hear it.
