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Part Two: A New Beginning

He could hardly believe his eyes. After eight years of searching, here she was, right in front of him. She wasn't an adorable child anymore, though. The cuteness had faded into beauty, no doubt bringing all the pains of womanhood with it. But those eyes, the warm brown orbs her had looked for in every woman he'd met, were just the same. Only now, she gazed at him in surprise, replacing the fear her pursuers had instilled in her.

He had found his Rin again, and he wasn't going to let her go.

OoOoOoO

How many years had it been since she had last seen those eyes? That face? That man? He looked smaller now, though she blamed it on her new height. For the almost a decade past, he had haunted her dreams. She had wondered why he hadn't come for her yet, but now here he was, and she knew he would save her from a life tied to a pompous idiot with a bit of money.

OoOoOoO

Sesshomaru offered her his hand, an unsure smile of relief decorating his lips. Hesitantly, she placed her fingers in his, just as the other humans made their dramatic entrance, tripping exactly where she had. The demon lord didn't wait for her to realize the fast-dropping men and yanked her to her feet and into his arms. She gasped, but she was soon snuggling the way she used to when she was afraid. Sesshomaru rested his head against hers, drawing strength from her generally weak form, and then turned to glaring at the warriors.

They got to their feet quickly, wasting no time on awe or fear. They were instantly on his case about handing their lady back into the kind graces of their lord. Of course, Sesshomaru didn't have the faintest idea as to what they were talking about and gave them an odd look.

"Your lady must be elsewhere, for all I see is a long lost charge."

"You're holding her right now, you idiot!!" yelled one man, pointing to Rin. "The poor thing looks ready to faint because of her fear of you!"

But, of course, the human couldn't have been more wrong. Rin was relieved to be with him again. He'd have smelt it if she was scared. Sesshomaru grunted, then gently pushed Rin towards the direction Jakken and Ah-Un were in. she gave him a confused look.

"Jakken and Ah-Un are down the road a ways. Go to them and see if that dragon still remembers you."

"Jakken?" she smiled. "Yes, of course, my lord!"

Now the warriors looked thoroughly confused. As far as they knew, the demon was a demon; they didn't have fancy status titles, like humans did. But, once again, humans proved to be stupider than anyone gave them credit for.

"Rin, there is no need for titles any longer." He said with a smile.

"Okay!" then she turned and ran down the road. Now that was the Rin he knew!

Sesshomaru followed minutes later, leaving four unrecognizable bodies behind him. Rin was sitting on Ah-Un's back with Jakken giving her a lecture on running away. In passing, Sesshomaru gave the little green man a good whack on the head. He was happy to find Rin jumping up and running after him. But he didn't expect her to jump on him and give him a hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!" she squealed happily. She let go of him, blushing slightly in happy embarrassment. He wondered why she was wearing such a fancy kimono. It was all pale blue and green with all sorts of water plants on it. And the fabric… what had she been up to?

Sesshomaru smiled at her. "You are very welcome."

He was too happy to even remain cold and quiet!

"But you're never allowed to play hide-and-seek again."

She laughed at the new rule. "Yes, never play hide-and-seek!"

Jakken walked up beside his lord, rubbing his now bruised skull. "Rin! Why did you run away?" he asked in annoyance.

"I didn't run away." She sobered instantly, which was very un-Rin-like.

"What do you mean you-"

"It was made very clear when I found her, being hunted down by worthless mortal lords and such." Said Sesshomaru. He knew his Rin would never run away, just like she would never be scared of him.

"I…I was kidnapped by a group of samurai." Rin said quietly, looking at the ground. "It seems you are very famous, Sesshomaru."

"Sesshomaru…? Have you no manners, girl! He cares for us both and has done nothing but look for you-"

"I gave her permission, Jakken. Go and fetch Ah-Un, please." Said Sesshomaru before pulling Rin into another hug. Once Jakken had turned and started mumbling to himself, the demon whispered, "You scared me. Never go missing again!"

it was obvious she was blushing again. She nodded was said, "I don't want to go missing again." She looked up at him with uncertain eyes. "Sesshomaru, the reason they took me is because they thought…they thought…"

"Yes?"

She looked down. "They thought that if you tolerated me, then I must be special."

"You are special." He said, making her look at him again. He had said it the way a grandparent would, but he knew what she meant. "You're a big part of my life, and Jakkens, no matter how he complains about you."

She smiled at him. "You're just saying that!"

"No I'm not!" how was it when things had started out he could barely manage to say a word to her and now was acting like a playful lover?

"Really?"

"Really."

And he proved it by giving her her first, and not her last, kiss.