Later 12 Rin and Harvest Time

Sesshoumaru found himself thinking long and hard about Rin's decision that afternoon; the discovery that she was a Miko was obviously a relief to the girl. The reasons she gave that it would now give her life purpose and honour was the most puzzling thing to him; that along with the identity of the unknown love. Perhaps it was really what he'd heard Kagome called a 'crush', merely infatuation that the inexperienced girl mistook for love.

Probably the monk or even his own brother was the innocent recipient of her affection; after all they were the only two likely candidates unable to return her regard. Although Rin had said that the man was unmarried; besides he could tell her love for Inuyasha was only in a sisterly or motherly way, her gentle influence being good for him. It was a mystery at the moment but one Sesshoumaru would succeed in unravelling; and while he pondered on that issue he did not have to think too deeply of her mortality.

The answer came suddenly to him and he knew he was correct; there was only one person Rin knew and trusted who was both unmarried and not inclined to be so. But in this Sesshoumaru could not help her either, even if he approved of the match which might have been debatable. It had to be the slayer's brother; he might be suitable, the boy had shown remarkable strength and resilience for one who had been a pawn of Naraku.

Kohaku was endeavouring to exorcise his inner demons by learning to be of proper use, one day perhaps he would succeed and maybe then he would be willing to settle down and start a family. The Daiyoukai decided that it would be in Rin's best interests for him to speak with Kaede and make sure that the young girl didn't give up hope of marriage. In Sesshoumaru's eyes it would be foolish, Rin adored children and would make someone a wonderful wife; she was ideally suited for family life and not that of an old maid.

The next day while Rin was otherwise occupied, Sesshoumaru deemed the perfect time as Sango was with Kaede for a chat. He was invited in of course and offered tea which he accepted as he mulled in his mind for the correct way to broach a delicate subject. Firstly he asked how Kohaku was faring; he remembered the boy when he travelled with Sesshoumaru's little pack as a serious child, he was a child no longer but would he be ready to settle down?

Sango thanked the Lord for his regard towards her brother, and yes Kohaku was much improved but not very social. He hadn't mentioned yet that he was ready to stay in one place let alone start a family however. At this point, Sesshoumaru mentioned that his question had to do with Rin and asked for the two women's silence on what he was to say.

Kaede thought she knew where this was going but she didn't interrupt Sesshoumaru nor pre-empt his speech. He was quite adamant that although he didn't mind Rin being trained in her spiritual gifts, in fact he wished it to be so, but he didn't want her to be encouraged to think that she should have to remain a maid. He then confided in them his reasons for thinking that Rin had a preference for Kohaku and she was too young to have that driven out of her.

Sango was utterly silenced at this news and looked across at Kaede and noticed an odd twinkle in the older lady's eyes. Kaede agreed with Sesshoumaru that it probably would not be in Rin's best interest for her to give herself to the celibate life, at least not yet. After insuring once again that the conversation would go no further than either of the two women and certainly not to Miroku, Sesshoumaru left and returned to his Palace. Sango and Kaede felt that they needed another cup of tea to restore them after that peculiar visit. Kaede was shaking her head and smiling to herself while Sango was just bemused.

"He thinks that Rin has tender feelings for Kohaku? I have never seen such, she is always friendly and kind but that is all and he gives nothing away. Yet Rin is the same with all the boys, even those who have an obvious interest in her and she never flirts with anyone. I don't understand where he gets that idea from, I am confused." Sango being confused was nothing and Kaede laughed gently at her;

"Ye are not the only one either Sango who doesn't understand; our Lord Sesshoumaru is also incorrect."

"What do you mean Kaede, are you going to tell him he's wrong about Kohaku?"

"It is not my business to do so; but he is wrong about the maid's desire. It is not thy brother that Rin loves."

"Well who is it then?"

"She hides it well, but it is somewhere it has been all the while; only one person since she was orphaned has ever held the child's heart."

"Sesshoumaru; she loves Sesshoumaru in the way a woman has desires for a man?"

"Aye, and of course he is oblivious; he knows the girl loves him, but he has not seen the change from the child's to the woman's love in her. She has realised of course that her love is likely to be unrequited."

"Poor Rin, is there nothing we can do?"

"Nay Sango, we do not get involved. It is early days yet and Rin has let him know something of her feelings; he will think further on it. Our only business is to keep the girl occupied and happy at the moment, should she become saddened or ill…then perhaps a judicious word, but the time is not now. We would only do more harm; men can be very stubborn, as I'm sure ye know."

"It seems so sad that for so long she had no interaction with anyone other than him; she only knew the care of Sesshoumaru."

"Ye feel that she would feel differently had she been brought up in our village?"

"She would at least know there was difference between human feelings and that cold youkai. It is a shame her love is not for Kohaku, he at least would let her know he loved her. "

"I fear thy profession clouds your judgement at the moment Sango; we all know that Rin was badly treated when she was orphaned, and by those very human men. Sesshoumaru gave her life again and she has followed him since. Ye have seen children abandoned and lacking in love, they do not thrive well even if they survive. Our own Inuyasha was one such damaged boy and yet the same one who rejected his young brother, gave shelter and love to the abandoned little girl."

"Love; I know he cared for her of course."

"Ye doubt he loves her; I do not and she has always loved and been devoted to him. She sees beneath the surface and he allows her to do so. Ye must have seen how Inuyasha too has become more secure now Sesshoumaru acknowledges his right to live and gives him affection?"

"I had not credited Sesshoumaru with any change in Inuyasha; I thought Kagome and the pups, even Miroku and me had done so."

"Of course, ye all have over the years; but these old eyes of mine see a bit further perhaps, Inuyasha has always craved his brother's acceptance and it was the only part of his soul no one else could fill. Now the child is complete and his aura far more calm."

"Well, I still feel sorry for Rin if she does truly love that cold fish; although he is certainly beautiful."

"You think Rin is that shallow as to go for someone's looks?"

"No, of course not; I just don't understand."

Sango couldn't see past Sesshoumaru's outward demeanour and perhaps she never would, but Kaede knew that the youkai's heart burned deeply in his chest just the same, and if not more than other males. His father's reputation spoke of a passionate and great being that was still spoken of in youkai and human circles, Inuyasha was very similar and so, albeit deeply hidden, was Sesshoumaru.

Kaede only hoped he would come to see that Rin's love for him had changed for himself; not that she could change the Daiyoukai's opinion of mating a human. But he might be more understanding of his ward's feelings and take care around her. Kaede felt that the last thing Rin would want to do was look after Sesshoumaru's children by another woman, and yet she would do so if he requested, purely out of her love for him.

For the next few weeks, Sesshoumaru only managed to visit the village once for the afternoon; he had a lot of pressing engagements and audiences to give, the West needed his input and many sought his judgements. That wasn't to say however that he didn't know what was happening with Rin and Inuyasha; the guards were still under orders to keep their Lord informed. That afternoon however had been a source of great amusement for all, as it was the one that the children of the village, human or hanyou discovered that Jaken was fun to play with.

It began with Kinsa finding that Jaken was fun to practice his stalking on. But as he wasn't very good at this yet, he soon found that some of his little friends had formed a crocodile behind him. This was added to as the slightly older children joined in, and soon the unsuspecting Jaken was conducting his own train as he walked pompously with the staff of two heads. He thought that he was checking the security, but in reality he was leading the youngsters.

Eventually he caught on that somehow he had become the source of amusement instead of deep respect of the villagers and turned round to notice the wide eyed and smiling faces of the mixed group of children. At first he was mortified and his arms and legs seemed to cartwheel as he shooed them all away, but that of course was nothing for the children and pups. They let him leave on his own but soon were back to following him at a distance, and they found great merriment when he turned round and rushed at them, scattering them.

Poor Jaken had found his calling at last, he kept the children out of their parents' hair for many hours and because he only ever came with Lord Sesshoumaru, the novelty didn't look as if it would soon wear off. Rin was the one to soothe his ruffled feathers though, and stop his feelings from getting hurt. She told him how invaluable it was for them all when he kept the children occupied and he could use his fountain of knowledge to teach them.

When viewed in that light Jaken could only puff up and agree that the youth would indeed benefit from his vast wisdom. It worked well, and over the following years Jaken refined his role; he could be amusing sometimes and would clown about if he wished, and soon he was a common sight with his parade of small followers as they marched or danced somewhere, in his company. Often they would stop and group around him when he found something of interest; whether plant or animal there was always something that he could expound upon.

Even Sesshoumaru found the sight amusing and had no concerns that his little vassal was under any form of duress. Often it was Jaken who wondered and asked Sesshoumaru when they would be returning to the village if a significant amount of time had passed; the small imp now missed the children in the same way he had done Rin.

During the weeks away from the village, Sesshoumaru had done a lot of thinking about Rin; and every time he thought of her as someone's husband, namely Kohaku's, he felt a strange dissatisfaction and heartache. It didn't matter to him that once free of the evil hanyou's influence, the boy had been remarkably trustworthy when it came to protecting Rin; all he could see was the cruel and deadly scythe that he had once held above her trusting heart.

But he knew too that Rin saw the good in people; in that way she was very similar to Kagome. The girl had protected the boy at Mount Hakurei as he had tried to protect her and Sesshoumaru couldn't deny that Rin had been correct to do so. He certainly knew that she had seen the good in her Lord for all these years even when it was most deeply hidden.

Sesshoumaru tried to get as much of his work done and out of the way so that he could go to the village for a few days. He had promised to attend the harvest ingathering and the end of harvest festival where the villagers would hold a fete for all. It was not so much that he was unable to contain himself at the thought of the village party, but there had been some poorer youkai families who had moved into the surrounding area and they had offered to help in return for a portion of the food.

This was the first time in Kaede's lifetime that such collaboration had even been contemplated but the two or three families had been heartened by the seeming peace of the village where all the inhabitants seemed to accept each other. It had encouraged the fathers to risk asking for the favour; they were small and indistinct youkai packs without much power, but they were physically strong and had several half grown children who could also help harvest.

Inuyasha was initially suspicious of them but he saw the children for himself and remembered hunger and being refused even the right to scavenge in the refuse. These youkai could help and be helped and should be offered the chance; after all, he and Sesshoumaru were easily up to dealing with them if they should prove treacherous. Sesshoumaru had also agreed as he sensed no threat or dishonesty, the youkai were not unknown to him as a species, he had several working in the West for him already.

But where there was an abundance of food, trouble might not be far away; bandits often raided after the harvests and many villages were pillaged for their crops to provide the bandits with winter stores for their hideouts in the mountains. This was especially a danger where the harvest promised to be as good as this year's one; the summer had been hot, but the hedgerows were also showing rich bounty in nuts and fruit which foretold a hard winter to come.

There was a lot of hard work to do and everyone pitched in, the stronger ones worked the fields and the older ones provided food and drink so that no one flagged. Mostly the days passed with good humour and everyone was too tired to start any serious fights, and so the villager's stores swelled. As each store house was filled, Kagome sealed it along with Miroku's ofuda and gave it her blessing. Each family hut also had a full store bin and racks with herbs and fruits drying for preserving.

Inuyasha's Forest had been raided by teams of children with baskets for nuts and berries; there was plenty for them while leaving the higher branches and the very lowest ones for animals and birds. It did not take long with everyone's help and within the week, the fields were left for the gleaners and preparations were made for the feast. Inuyasha had provided several wild boar and deer and the atmosphere was very happy.

There had been no real trouble, Sesshoumaru had seen off one team of opportunists by depriving a couple of the leaders of their heads; the rest had turned tail and gone, not liking His Lordship's glowing red eyes nor those they could see all around them in the darkness. The older youths of the youkai families had gone with Sesshoumaru to aid him; parasites of any sort were detestable creatures to all.

The next day from the end of harvest gathering was a declared holiday and the village was bedecked with streamers and flags with the stalls set out for a market. As the weather was still warm, the river was in demand and full of people of all ages messing about in it. But there was already a cool nip in the air as evening approached and all welcomed the large bonfire as dusk settled. That was the time for the musicians and dancing and the coloured lanterns in the trees and bushes were lit.

Sesshoumaru stood and observed as Inuyasha and Kagome danced the evening away, she had regained her figure since having her last child and the little girl was now old enough to leave in the care of the elder people. These mainly felt they didn't want to dance too much and had offered to watch over the youngsters as they played.

The Daiyoukai watched his brother until someone else caught his eye; Rin whirled by him as she was twirled by some boy or other, her hair streaming in a river of waves behind her and her face alight with exercise and laughter. It was strange at first, the girl with ribbons in her hair looked vaguely like the child he had cherished and yet at the same time not. Where was the side bunch of hair pulled up and tied that she had worn since he'd known her, when had she got so tall and willowy?

Sesshoumaru recognised the kimono as one he had given her, but this was the first time he'd seen it on her. Rin was obviously happy and enjoying herself, as the evening progressed she danced with lots of the village youth and also had several with Kohaku who was also relishing the experience of normal carefree recreation. But the more Rin happily danced with others and merely waved to Sesshoumaru and sometimes Jaken, the stranger Sesshoumaru felt inside. His little Rin was growing up and away from him; he had always seen her as the tiny child with flowers in her hands and now here she was obviously a full grown woman even if she were still a young one.

Suddenly he was angry, she did not belong to anyone but him, no male had asked permission from him to take her away and none of these boys was going to do so either; none were worthy of his Rin. Having come to that decision, Sesshoumaru sought out Inuyasha who was already on his way to meet his brother having felt the spike in his aura. But the elder brother's words mystified Inuyasha; a warning to protect the girl from the advances of any suitors?

Well if that is what his brother wanted, then Inuyasha had no problems with it; he didn't really want Rin whisked away from the village either and he knew that she wasn't looking at anyone as a potential husband, no matter how much she was enjoying the dancing. All the time Rin danced Sesshoumaru watched her, his eyes hard and glittering in the firelight occasionally glowing with an eerie red glow as he thought long and hard.

But everything came to an ugly head barely a month later; Sesshoumaru had come back to the village as a surprise, wanting to go for an evening stroll with Rin and she had not been at Kaede's hut. This was not uncommon, she was probably with Kagome and Inuyasha and so he started to walk in the direction of the well when he heard Rin's voice and her distinctive giggles coming from the edge of the Forest.

Rin was with someone in the forest, Sesshoumaru could hear male undertones as she laughed and he heard the end of a sentence spoken in her clear voice '…you are very easy to love.' It was the final straw and incensed, he moved with such speed as to be a blur; his eyes had reddened and his claws and fangs lengthened. Barely pulling his stroke, he knocked the village boy flying into a tree trunk clawing him as he did so, knowing he heard the boy's ribs crack coupled with the snap and agony of a broken leg as he fell to the ground.

Rin stood aghast as she stared at her Lord, she was not scared; her heart told her not to be afraid and that she understood these actions somewhere deep inside her. But that didn't stop her from being angry; however before she could do or say something, Sesshoumaru snarled at her and growled out in a loud thundering voice for his brother.

"Inuyasha, you worthless hanyou; where are you? I keep you alive so you can guard Rin and this is how I am repaid? Show yourself." Two things happened in the aftermath of his roar, Sesshoumaru started to calm down rapidly and was unsure of why he'd lost his control; and the boy at the bottom of the tree groaned and whimpered, before looking with heartbroken violet eyes at the silver youkai and passing out from pain.

TBC