The Guardian by Ichigo2491

Chapter 2

Rin curled in the dust outside Kohaku's hut, crying for her lost and wasted love. Kohaku's heart twisted with pain for Rin's sake, and jealousy for his own. Uncertain, the boy approached, laying a cautious hand on Rin's back. She shrugged him off, yelling "Don't touch me!"

Kohaku drew back in shock. Rin had never spoken to him sharply before. She ignored him, mindful of only her own grief. At a loss, and wondering whether he had made the right decision, Kohaku went to gather the fallen load of firewood. He completed his chores with a heavy heart. When he returned at twilight to the spot where Rin was, she was lying on her side in the dirt, no longer crying, but not smiling.

Wordlessly Kohaku helped her to her feet. She did not resist his touch this time, but allowed him to lift her in his arms and carry her indoors. He laid her down gently on his simple pallet, and tucked the thin blanket in around her. He himself curled up on the bare floor. Rin was going to need time to get over her feelings about Sesshomaru's abandonment. Kohaku understand that, and was willing to give her as much time as she needed.

And if she can't forget him? Kohaku cast that thought aside, but still it was a long time before he fell asleep.

The next morning Rin would not rise. She feigned sleep all day, and refused food, and Kohaku began to be afraid for her health. He finally managed to convince her to take a few morsels. Still, two weeks passed before Rin would even speak to him.

Kohaku was on the verge of insanity. Rin didn't cry anymore, but neither did she look at him. He could not help but feel guilty, as though he was the one who had left her. He had assisted, in a way. He could have refused to be a party to Sesshomaru's plan to get rid of her. But then he argued with himself, saying that Rin had nowhere else to go and she was better off with him anyway.

Rin finally came to accept Sesshomaru's betrayal. Somewhere deep in her heart she had always known that he would deny his true feelings for her, if any, and that she would one day have to leave him. But still she had hoped that she might be able to change his mind… that she might be able to make him love her…

It was useless now. She knew well that she would never see Sesshomaru's face again, and that since Kohaku loved her and she was making him miserable, she might as well make the best of things.

Rin rose from Kohaku's pallet, feeling rather ashamed that he had been sleeping without cushion or blanket these past days, and went outside to take stock of her surroundings. The hut was small, but it was clean and in good repair. But it was the outdoors that impressed her. She had always been a child of nature, spending much of her time outside with plants and animals. Sesshomaru had always approved, in fact, she thought he felt the same way…

Sesshomaru…

Rin gritted her teeth. She would not think of him! Not now, not ever. She could not, or she would fly into a thousand pieces. Instead, she breathed in the crisp autumn air. The leaves were beginning to turn and the sight was a cheery one, reminding her that no matter what else changed, some things would always stay the same.

The hut was situated out of sight of the rest of the village, hidden by a stand of trees. No doubt Kohaku liked his privacy, but grew too lonely to cut himself off from other people entirely. There was a babbling brook nearby, and a pool close by that was shaded by trees and had just the right amount of privacy for bathing. And even better, there was a whole field of wildflowers within shouting distance of the house.

Rin spent the rest of the day in the field, lying among the slowly dying blossoms, and listening to the birdsong. She felt more at peace than she had for days. The sound of the birds, and the wind in the trees and flower stalks, and the brook laughing nearby, were so soothing that she fell asleep there.

She woke to the sound of frantic shouts… someone calling her name over and over… fear and anxiety in the voice. "Rin! Rin, where are you?"

She sat up, startled to find that it was nearly dark. "I'm here, Kohaku," she called back, recognizing the voice. It was not long before she heard a crashing in the brush, and Kohaku leaped out of nowhere and landed on his knees by her side.

She was safe. Kohaku was relieved, and pulled her into his arms before he could think about it. "I'm so glad you're alright, Rin. I was out hunting all day and when I came back, the villagers warned me of a demon bear being sighted not far from here. When I couldn't find you I was so afraid that you'd been…" it was only then that Kohaku realized he'd been crushing Rin against his chest, and he blushed as he released her. He started to pull away completely, but Rin took his hand and stopped him.

"You really do care about me, don't you Kohaku?" she whispered as she traced patterns on his hand with her thin fingers.

"Well…" Kohaku swallowed hard, embarrassed by the effect that her touch had on him. "You may as well know, Rin. I've loved you for as long as I can remember. You've always been so kind and understanding to me… and I'd do anything to return the favor…"

Rin said nothing at all, but leaned forward and touched her lips with his. Kohaku was stunned for a moment, but then surrendered to the force of his emotion, taking Rin's tender face in his hands and returning her kiss with all he had. When they broke apart, he continued to hold her in his arms.

"Let's go," Rin murmured, pulling back and standing up. She grabbed Kohaku's hands and hoisted him to his feet.

"Go where?" he replied, afraid he sounded stupid.

"To bed," Rin replied.

They were married the very next day, and Kohaku was overjoyed, in his shy, tentative way. Rin seemed happy too, but she was still so quiet. She displayed none of the rambunctious energy that she had possessed before. And in the midst of Kohaku's happiness that Rin was finally his, there was a seed of doubt that grew and slowly ate away at his heart. Did she really love him?