Sanctuary

Her lashes fluttered open to the shine of the morning light cascading her body. She stretched her arms high before slipping out of her bed. Unsurprisingly she found Jaken just fixing breakfast. Sitting comfortably she began to eat. "Wow jaken." Rin stated "This is vary good." she gleamed.

Jaken didn't look to her as he gathered to seat himself across from her. "You have a long day ahead of you." Rin stopped eating as he began, finally he looked to her. "Your not coming along with me." Never had Jaken and Rin separated for long and certainly being Jaken, would most likely come to defend her on any journey. Yet the air around them felt unnatural. "No not this time Rin, I want you to be able to go somewhere on your own. I wont baby-sit you for an eternity girl, your grown up aren't you?" Jaken responded harshly.

"Well yes, I suppose your right." Rin stated half heartedly as she finished her meal. Jaken was the parent that Rin needed to stay in check to learn from to be cared by. And even so a parent had to let go of their child at one point… and so that day had come. "I'll be leaving soon master Jaken." Rin gave a small smile… That aggravating new smile replacing the sun in her life. Rin stood up and ventured back into her room, dressing in a kimono, packing a few necessities she gripped Hyouri her naginata and walked back into the main room Jaken was occupying. "Jaken I must go now…"

"Be careful Rin." Jaken replied as she left. And he waited…

---

"Rin! I am princess Akane, I am so glad to see you will be the one accompanying me to the west." The princess stated grinning elegantly, her long black hair was raised gracefully in a beautiful design highlighting her silk-like skin. Beside Akane, Rin didn't stand out much as a beauty but paid it no heed as Rin bowed gracefully. "It's a pleasure princess Akane."

"I heard stories of the beasts you've defeated and your wonderful beauty." Akane stated kindly. Rin giggled slightly. "Perhaps there just stories Princess."

"I have a good feeling we will be the best of friends Rin-chan" Akane said. "Well then this makes us friends." Rin agreed. Before the lord of the village appeared behind Rin. "Glad to see you have made yourself most confident with my daughter Rin." Rin turned to face the lord but what truly caught her attention was the young man by his side, the demon slyer. In disbelief Rin managed to speak. "Kohaku… it is you!"

Kohaku gave a sheepish grin. "Glad to see your well Rin." Without warning she felt a sudden weight lift off her shoulders, feeling as if her whole world had drastically changed; as if the winter she trapped herself in became a bloom of spring. Rin smiled. As if looking at her with new eyes the feudal lord became instantly enlightened by her smile. Enchanted as always Kohaku grew to miss the smile and the girl whom wore it. And now that she was a women he couldn't help the deep passion for her. Rin wasn't left without a surprise of what kind of man Kohaku grew to be, sweet as he was the adult facade he fit into was more then handsome.

"I had no idea you both had already met." The lord interrupted there thoughts. "Of course we share a… unique past." Kohaku replied. Remembering the years with Naraku… his sister… the days knowing Rin… his entire life. Morbid as it was Kohaku didn't let it show, yet Rin couldn't contain herself her smile grew dim even so she stated calmly "We'll it looks like we are all set to go. Princess?"

Akane nodded stepping into the oxen drawn cart. "Good bye daddy."

"Make me proud Akane." The feudal lord replied as a solider whipped the oxen gently to begin its advance. There were three soldiers as well as Rin and Kohaku that went along this journey, and so they began to set foot.

---

Rin immediately noticed the difference in Kohaku as they walked alongside each other. At first it was more of casual conversations untill it erupted into something more detailed. Laughs presented itself and reminiscent which kept a light note until Kohaku became curious. "Tell me how are both Sesshomaru and Jaken?" Rin glanced to a different direction as she spoke. "Lord Sesshomaru left us long ago… left to go after Naraku." Kohaku immediately became regretful. "I'm sorry to bring up something that would cause you pain…" Rin looked back to him rapidly. "No, no you had no fault you did not know, all I hope for now is that Sesshomaru is safe and banishes Naraku." Kohaku eyed her confusingly. "You haven't heard? Inuyasha has already defeated Naraku years ago…"

Rin felt as if she couldn't breath, Inuyasha, lord Sesshomaru's younger brother had already defeated Naraku? Then why wont lord Sesshomaru come back to her? Was it truly her at fault for his departure. Rin looked to the ground she walked upon it lugubriously. Her bangs hiding the hurt and acceptance… Sesshomaru was gone. And there was nothing she could do to get him back. And now it seemed the one giving her happiness in a brief moment in time was Kohaku, he was become her sanctuary. Kohaku placed a hand on her shoulder "It's alright to cry…"

Rin agreed nodding with a smile. "Maybe when the rain falls…"

---

Hours were consumed surprisingly quickly, it wasn't long until the sun licked the horizon descending into the earth as the moon shun bright. They were able to take rest near a natural hot spring. The women went into the heated water to bath within the steam, as the men kept a watchful eye for the peril that may lay in wake. "Rin-chan may I tell you a secret?" Princess Akane whispered as she soaked her hair. "Of course Princess anything. I promise not to repeat this to no one." Rin stated. Convinced The princess continued "Is an arranged marriage pointless when you have found the man that which you love?"

Rin pondered this for a moment. "Princess your not having second thoughts on reuniting the villages are you?" Akane looked away in embarrassment. "Is love truly that difficult to archive…"

"Princess I have never heard you speak with such passion, is this love truly that great." Rin questioned letting the steam rush against her body. "Please if anything Rin call me Akane… my title is what destroys the relationship in the first place… he only looks to me as the east villages lord's daughter."

"Well… honestly I think that if you love him and you want to be with him I suggest you get him Akane." Akane looked to Rin a light smile on her face. "Rin you more then once have brightened my day."

"I am glad, but if I be so bold who is this mystery man?" Rin asked soaking herself once more. Akane blushed slightly "The demon slayer Kohaku." Rin paused briefly her smile disappearing from her lips. "Oh I see… well Akane." Rin began half-heartedly reappearing a smile. "I will help you, I'll make him fall for you, whatever it takes." Akane grinned thankfully. "Rin! I don't know how to thank you enough!"

Rin looked to Akane happily yet a tick of jealousy was clawing at her she paid no attention as she spoke. "No please just as you being my friend is more then enough."

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thanks :)