(Author's Notes)

Ok, remember in the last post I said that there must be an easier way to share links here on fanfiction…well after playing a bit and updating my profile here, to my surprise, I GOT IT TO WORK! I'll share my story about my stupidity with you at the bottom of the page. For now, enjoy. ^^

(Story)

Rin just heaved a heavy sigh and prepared herself to tell this story.

"You're right, I was upset when Kohaku ignored me right before homecoming. But I got really upset when I found out that he was drinking. And then again with your parents, the way they used people like pawns. But it goes back far before this school year." Rin began. She then turned around in her seat and glanced at her sister.

"It goes back to before I met Kagome and my parents." Rin began. Sesshomaru's eyes widened in surprise hearing that. Rin took notice of his surprised reaction.

"Yeah, Kagome and I aren't related. She and my parents are all blood related. I'm adopted." Rin explained. Sesshomaru then turned to look at the comparison between Rin and Kagome.

"You two act and look so much alike…I would never have guessed you weren't blood related." Sesshomaru began. Rin smiled proudly for a moment before her smile disappeared.

"…My biological parents were Isamu and Yuzuki Arai. I don't remember them all that much, just some features on their faces. And some old pictures that are kept in my adoption file. I remember having Isamu having long dark hair for a guy. His ponytail reached at least past his elbows. I remember him letting me play with it. And he had the heartiest and honest laugh! And Yuzuki…" Rin took a moment to gather her memories.

"She had a bright face, always happy and cheerful. I saw a picture of the three of us together. I definitely took after her. She had a nice voice for a woman too. It was low and soft. I remember her singing a lullaby to me every night." Rin exclaimed, a warm expression appearing on her face as she reached back into fond memories…until darker ones came back to haunt her.

"But…one trip to the convenience store and everything changed forever." Rin said, taking a deep breath to continue the story.

"I was about 4 years old when this happened. Yuzuki and Isamu were taking me to the convenience store just to run some errands. It was just any normal trip, trying to have a good time while staying busy. We were living in the heart of the city at the time…a bit closer to crime. A robbery happened that day." Rin began. This immediately brought Sesshomaru's attention span back into full swing.

"I don't remember the actually robbery itself. I remember that moment more like flashes rather than a memory. I remember the noises of gunshots, glass shattering, and the store's alarms going off. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor next to my parents, and they weren't moving." Rin was now clenching onto her knees and looked down on the floor, preparing herself to continue the story.

"My parents told me what happened when I was old enough to understand. Apparently the robbers came into the store looking to steal some alcohol along with the cash register draw. When they entered, they just went crazy and starting shooting everywhere, trying to turn this into one big heist. They…they were willing to risk so many lives for something so meaningless and just…just for the sake of having a good time!" Rin began to exclaim under her breath. Sesshomaru was stunned, hearing a story from her, and seeing her in such a state. Rin just continued the story.

"Even though I don't have very memories of Isamu and Yuzuki, I remember loving them and them loving me tenfold for the short time that we were all together. And in one moment, it was all taken away by a wanna-be gang looking for a good time. Apparently when the robbers came in, Yuzuki grabbed me and turned me away from the robbers, shielding me from them, and Isamu grabbed hold of both of us…both of them shielding me from the gunshots." Rin tried to finish. For a moment, Sesshomaru wasn't sure what to do. He then took notice of Kagome and Inuyasha continuing their small argument in the corner of the room, and decided to try to turn this conversation to a better note.

"…How did you end up meeting Kagome and your family?" He asked. Rin took a deep breath and looked at her sister again.

"Apparently after the robbery, in the middle of such confusion, I ran out of the store. That was the moment that the world stopped spinning and I actually remember things again. I was outside of the store sobbing, not sure what to do. At this point, there was a crowd of people rushing towards me and the store. One of the faces that I remember seeing was Kagome. She my parents were walking just across the street when they heard the gunshots and saw the commotion that happened in the store. When Kagome saw me run out and saw me crying, she immediately came to my side. I remember seeing my parents next. They were talking to the police about taking me back to their home rather than the police station." Rin explained, shooting a look of fondness at her sister as she remembered her kindness. She felt her nose begin to sting and felt water fill up her eyes.

"Despite everything that had happened, they immediately took me in as one of their own. When the robbers were caught, they shielded me from having to go to trial and seeing them again. They protected me and took me in as their own right from the moment they met me. Then, when I turned 5, my Dad surprised me with adoption papers…God that was the happiest day of my life." Rin spoke softly, finally letting the tears come to her eyes.

"I'll always have a place in my heart for Isamu and Yuzuki for loving me when they did, and saving me from some bastards that I'll never be able to forgive. But…" Rin said, quickly wiping her eyes with her hands before continuing.

"Kagome, Mom, and Dad…they are my family. And I couldn't have fallen into better hands that day. I'm so thankful for all the days that I get to spend with them." Rin concluded, tears now free-falling from her eyes as she cried softly.

Sesshomaru wasn't sure what to do at first. Sure his secret may have been about calculation, but Rin's was full of tragedy. And it was one that she kept so well hidden with her bubbly personality and bright smiles. It was amazing how she could tuck away the memories of that day and find the courage to move forward with her life.

Though the tragedy of that day did have a lasting effect on Rin. She couldn't understand why people would grab onto any bit of power they could and use it to destroy anyone who got in their way. She didn't understand why people would take such huge risks for the less than desirable result. She didn't understand how people could easily hurt so many just to have a good time.

Despite all of the questions that Rin had left from that day, she found a new beginning in her adoption into the Higarashi family, and the people she's immersed herself in ever since. She's found a way to grow out of the tragedy and become the person she is today: someone with hopes, dreams, and the promise of a life with dignity. And all of a sudden, in Sesshomaru's eyes, she became one of the strongest people in the world.

Sesshomaru, the story now fully processed, he closed his eyes and heaved a heavy sign. He reached over to his laptop and just shut it closed, shoving it away from him afterwards. He then stood up, and reached out towards Rin, encasing her in his arms.

"Rin…listen to me very carefully. You are intelligent, strong, kind, creative, I could go on. Despite your past, you have grown into someone who is radiant and can shine. I know that the story that you just told me wasn't easy to share, but I see you as someone much stronger for it. I'm not sure anyone can answer the questions that day left for you but I can tell you this." Sesshomaru softly spoke, continuing to keep Rin in his grip.

"You're future is so bright and full of content. No matter where you decide to go from here, you will succeed. And you will always have a circle of people who will be there to support you." Sesshomaru finished. He felt Rin take a deep breath, taking his words in. She knew he was right. She was determined to live with no regrets, and live each day happily; because she knew all too well how that can change in an instant. But, it always felt different having somebody else encourage her with such words, and express dreams for her.

She wiped away the last of her tears and just let her sink into Sesshomaru's warm embrace. All of a sudden, she noticed how warm he was encasing her like this. He was safe and comfortable. After sharing her story, she needed nothing more than to break down for a bit and just be held. She could be weak for a short while, and she was glad that Sesshomaru was the one to catch her when she did. She shifted herself in his arms to look up at him.

"Thank you Sesshomaru." She said with a small smile on her face. Sesshomaru simply leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then returned to embracing her. In the meantime, Kagome and Inuyasha had stopped their fight, and now noticed the two in embrace.

"Ummm…I'm not sure how I feel about that picture right now." Inuyasha explained. Kagome just smiled a bit. She knew Inuyasha looked out for Rin with a fierce sense of loyalty, but anything involving Sesshomaru always felt a bit shady to him. Kagome just brushed off Inuyasha's feeling about the situation.

"Oh stop is Inuyasha. I think those two will do all right. Just look at them, all cozy like." Kagome said before sitting down on the couch, pulling Inuyasha down with her and getting his attention away from the couple.

"But Kagome…it's Rin with Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha whispered harshly.

"I know, and that's why I think it will work out." Kagome said with a beaming smile on her face. She just pulled her phone out of her pocket to text Sango, leaving Inuyasha to ponder about her last statement.

(Author's notes)

Mmmmm-k, now to share why I feel so completely stupid right now. I was updating my profile here on fanfiction (I try to be good about that) and I played with the idea about putting my links on my profile page and LO AND BEHOLD…IT WORKS! I felt so…so…completely stupid after I did that.

So long story short, to find my Facebook profile page and deviantart page, all that you have to do is go to my profile right here on fanfiction, and my links are right there on the page for you to click on, watch, and like. ^^

On a lighter note, I have a couple of good ideas that I'd like to do as artwork to coordinate along with the story. Let me know if you'd be interested at all so see it.