Flowers were blossoming all around them and the trees waved as the passed by. The air smelt of nostalgia of the spring when Rin was young. Sesshomaru observed the girl and inhaled deeply. He shut his eyes and not long after did he feel a tug on his pants.

"Lord Sesshomaru, Rin is going to catch fish."

He peered down at her small form. She barely met his waist yet there she was wanting to go off to fish alone.

"Take Jaken with you."

"Jaken already left to collect firewood. Rin can catch fish herself."

"Rin - ." Before the words left his mouth, Rin was already running off to the nearby stream.

He tailed her, curious as to how she would accomplish such a task alone. He hid amongst the trees.

Rin had skipped through patches of grass almost as tall as her and finally arrived at the stream. Before stepping out into the clearing, she took in her surroundings and when no threat was found, stepped out of hiding.

Sesshomaru silently praised her.

Rin had noted the flow of the stream and made her way in slowly. She squatted as low to the water as possible clutching the basket.

Sesshomaru watched her closely.

She surveyed the water every few minutes then adjusted her position to where she thought there would be an abundance of fish swimming past.

Minutes flew by and soon Sesshomaru grew impatient. If she had let him finish, he would have offered to accompany her and they would have been cooking the fish right now. He heard Jaken return to camp moments ago and huff at the lack of company that welcomed him back.

Suddenly there was a commotion in the water and then there was Rin who held up the basket triumphantly.

"Now I only need one more fish for Lord Sesshomaru." Rin spoke to herself. She placed the fishes next to the stream and continued her hunting.

Sesshomaru was puzzled. He never ate anything during meal times nor did he voice his desire for fish this morning. He took a step towards her and halted. He stopped himself from being exposed. He made mental note for tonight of chastising her on compromising her safety for him.

Rin kept at it until the sun almost disappeared from sight. Sesshomaru was on edge, scouting the area with his nose every couple of minutes.

"Finally!" Rin exclaimed, raising her prize over her head. As she was proudly marching her way over to land, something had caught her eye. He couldn't see what it was from where he was but he felt her heartbeat quicken. Her movements were now frantic and her eyes kept scanning the water. She was attempting to hop across the stream, kicking up water as she did so. And that's where he saw something move. Not just one creature, but hundreds.

He did not need to think. He was carrying her in a split second. She squealed in surprise.

He sat her against a tree and returned to the water to investigate the threat. His poison whip was out and ready.

"Wait stop, they're only babies!" Rin shouted, running in front of him with her arms out trying to protect the stream.

"Rin what is this nonsense game you are playing. Step out of the way so I can slay these demons-"

"Please they're not demons, they're baby frogs!" She scooped a handful of water to show him.

A mixture of anger and humiliation filled him. He took his leave without looking back at her.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

When she got no response, she continued.

"Are you angry with Rin?"

Silence. He felt her pull on his sleeve.

"Rin is sorry. Rin just wanted to make Lord Sesshomaru happy." She uttered, tears almost spilling from her brown eyes.

"Happy? You think you dying would make me happy?" He shouted.

She flinched back and released his sleeve.

He sighed.

"Rin, what were you thinking? You could have gotten yourself killed hunting alone." He exclaimed. He was eye to eye with her now.

"But Rin didn't. Rin just wanted to help you with dinner tonight." She pleaded.

"Rin does not need to help especially if it is alone." He scolded.

"But Rin had Lord Sesshomaru with her all this time." She grinned.

He shot her a look.

"You are too tall to hide, Lord Sesshomaru." She giggled.

He continued to stare at her.

"Fine. Next time Rin helps with dinner, Lord Sesshomaru will come too?"

"Absolutely."

With that, she retrieved her baskets of fish.

"This big one is your fish!" She explained before putting the basket into his hands.

"Rin, save your energy. I never consume human food. Why did you remain here to catch one for me? "

"Just in case you change your mind, my Lord. I've always gotten you food."

For a brief moment, he remembered her in her youth. The moments leading up to saving her from death. How she put out fish and whatever she could scavenge for him. How he cradled her in his arms and saw her eyes flutter open again.

He felt the corners of his mouth twitch.

He patted her head gently, just like old times.

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