Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Mindful Interest

Chapter Three

Confusing Revelation

Out of habit he had stopped at the first whiff off a meadow by a cool stream. After a minor scuffle from the rest of the group, of course with a bit of complaining from Inuyasha, they had all gathered by the sweet smelling blooms.

Rin always seemed happy when she was picking flowers, so he hoped this would cheer her up. Her usually happy demeanour had slipped away during the day. She didn't even sing anymore! Sesshoumaru always took care of what was his, so this was unacceptable.

All of the humans were exhausted and seemed displeased in general today. The sun was the cause he supposed. Secretly he was hoping that the females in the group would insist on taking a bath and convince the males to take one as well. The smell was not something he appreciated.

Being a full blooded demon, it took a lot more than a bit of sunshine to make him sweat. But they needed to do something about their discomfort that ultimately led to his own discomfort.

Just as he had hoped the women gathered their supplies and went to the stream. Inuyasha and Miroku resigned themselves to the fact that they were next without to much of a fuss and a quiet calm settled over the remaining members in the meadow.

Sesshoumaru could not see them, but he could hear them well enough. Rin's laughter was laud and clear. He felt himself relax in an odd way. Tension he didn't even know he had, seemed to melt away and he found himself leaning more firmly against his chosen tree.

Time flew by and the human switched places.

The slayer was half dozing in the shadows of the trees, desperately needing the rest, while the miko was happily chatting with the children playing in the flowers. Shippo had a sneezing fit after Rin shoved a bright yellow flower under his nose, making her giggle merrily. The miko joined in at the kit's disgruntled expression.

"What's the matter, Shippo?", Kagome laughed, "Don't you like getting flowers from a pretty girl"?

Shippo rubbed his nose and grinned, picking up another yellow flower and pressing it up against the miko's nose, "Here's a flower for the pretty girl!", he said playfully with a blushing Rin in the background.

The miko crossed her eyes trying to look at the flower that was literally in her face before taking it from Shippo with a small smile. "Thank you, Shippo", she leaned in a kissed his forehead. He beamed at the attention.

Sesshoumaru looked on with interest as Rin started to weave a crown made of wildflowers for both herself and the miko. Shippo didn't want to wear one but he tried his hands on one of his own, wanting to learn how to. So far he seemed to be creating a monstrosity.

He had always wondered about Rin's fascination with flowers. He had thought it strange how she would find joy from killing off weeds. At one time, just when he started caring for her, he had a theory it was to went off her frustration. Like he did when he went on one of his killing sprees.

But looking on the situation at hand he was wondering if they had some kind of social meaning for the humans. Maybe it was how they showed their status in the group or their favours? Rin always brought him flowers, perhaps it was her way of acknowledging her alpha? But then, why was she giving flowers to the miko instead of him?

"That's so pretty, Rin", the miko said and let the child place the crown on her head, "I feel like a princess now", she said and hugged Rin before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

Rin's giggles seemed brighter than usual, he mused. He watched her rub her cheek in a bashful manner when the miko declared that she would return the favour and make her the prettiest crown she had ever made.

Bemused he watched as the ritual was repeated. The crown, the thank you and the kiss.

"Hn, interesting", he thought when he caught the eyes of the miko. She gave him a hesitant smile before turning her attention back to the children.

Not even five minutes later he saw it again. Monstrous crown, thank you and the kiss.

"Hn"….

Note: Sorry for the absence of updates! I'm a human with many faults. Tardiness is one of many.