Ch 6: The Way I Remember

I don't own Inuyasha or Rin's song

"In the mountains in the breeze, in the forest in my dreams, Lord Sesshoumaru where are you? Jaken is serving under you too…I will wait for you, on my own. Please return to me. Waiting all alone."

She ran her finger tips through the water as she hummed a long forgotten tune. Looking into the moonlit reflection of the pool she frowned. Gathering some of her hair, she held it in the side pony tail that she had always worn but let it go with the slump of her shoulders. She wasn't a little girl anymore and she could never return to her past. Fond memories of a momentary childhood with her family played only to be taken away. She had lost her loved ones. But she thought that she had found a new. Looking up into the stars above, she felt anger that was overshadowed by sadness.

'I could never truly read his expression but I thought I saw kindness. I thought I saw someone who could love me. How could I have been so wrong?'

"Rin, he's at a village to the east of here." Sango interrupted Rin's thoughts as she sat in the grass beside her.

"I know. I could feel his presence pass overhead earlier."

"Must you do this?"

She nodded as she turned away from Sango's gaze.

"I don't understand."

"It's not meant to be understood Sango." She stood slowly

"You never told him, did you?"

"Why should I have? I called and begged for him to take me away. He didn't want me around, he never did." She stated sadly.

"Somehow, I believe differently. Kohaku told me about how he came after you two in the Meidou. He let Tenseiga go because he couldn't save you. Kohaku convinced me of what he saw. I don't think he's ever loved anything or anyone, as much as he does you."

Rin searched Sango's eyes looking for any untruth but found none.

"Even so, he's never told me. If he cared for me so much, he shouldn't have left me behind." She began to head toward the east as she heard Sango's words follow her.

"Tell him how you feel. Tell him why you are what you are and you won't have to spare a drop of blood or risk your life."

…. ….

"Lord Sesshoumaru, that field of flowers is so pretty. May we stop so that I may pick some. I promise I won't take long."

"…" though he said nothing he stopped.

"Thank you my lord! Come on Master Jaken!" she beamed as she jumped off of Ah-Un's back and raced toward the field as she pulled Jaken along.

He followed after them making his way into the field. 'Interesting child. She finds joy in such miniscule things.'

"Lord Sesshoumaru, look at all the pretty colors. Wait!" She stopped him before he stepped on one of the flowers.

Looking down, he realized why she had stopped him so suddenly. She picked the rare flower from its spot and held it up to him.

"Here. This one reminds me of you Lord Sesshoumaru. It was the only one that stood out against the rest with blue and gold markings."

"It would be safer if you held onto it for me."

"Ok."

He allowed the slight smirk to slip from his lips as the ruckus of the villagers' screams seemed to keep him from hearing himself think.

The moment he walked into the village, it had been mass chaos. He needn't say anything or kill anyone to get their attention. Rin would be on her way soon enough if she hadn't left already. He had purposefully flown over Edo, though he had promised her that her calling would be unexpected. He couldn't help but give her a moment to think things through.

Rin was the only one he had become close to in all his years and now he was waiting to kill her? It didn't make sense. He cared about her more than he wanted to admit. He risked his life for her. She was the only one who understood him but maybe she didn't. Even so, she was the only one he had trusted. How could she do this?

The first of the morning left him slightly ill as he watched her silhouette approach against the sunrise. She had no reserve, she had left promptly. She took this encounter seriously and so would he.

Leaping down from the top of the hut, he centered himself among the other dwellings.

"Demon, you will not continue to disrupt this village. Your fight is with me."

He noticed the slight quiver in her voice; it wasn't because she was scared, she was upset.

He waited to move toward her, "So be it. But, I want to know that I took your life at your best. I do not wish for regrets."

"Two weeks was more than enough. I assure you that I am at my best and I will have none."

She strengthened at his hesitation. "We will move away from the village. I do not wish to risk anyone's life but yours."

He narrowed his eyes but followed her until they came to a clearing. He watched her ready her stance as she pulled the two daggers from her sash. How could she hope to win? He knew her every move. The soft brown of her eyes became harsh and cold without a hint of feeling. He took in a silent breath as the wind slipped to nothing, setting a deadly background. Cracking his claws, he waited for her to approach. Who would be first to move?

The sound of grass underneath Rin's feet alerted him to the reality of the situation. Striking out with his claws, though meant to be a grab, was cut short.

'A barrier?' Slightly stunned he told himself to move as two daggers came straight down by his face.

"Do not underestimate me! If you wanted to kill me so easily, you should have done so two weeks ago!"

A/N: So the fight begins. Yes, Rin has been practicing!

Chapter 7: Wear and Tear - "Why are you holding back?" (Quote preview :) This is most likely the second to last chapter)