Casting a Line

One wish, three days. One wish, three days. Three days for one wish…

Padding down the dirt road back home, Rin reflected over her options. If she wished for wealth, she could share it with everyone else in the village. But then I would have to wish for everlasting wealth…and what would happen when I want to leave? She shuddered at the thought of living her entire life grounded, having only some childhood memories of the mysteries beyond the woods. Before she died last autumn, Lady Kaede had wished Rin "a full life," rich and promising and…happy.

And I agreed I'd have one, but how do I do it?

Rin considered it further. She could always wish for a longer life, for immortality even, and have enough time to seek her fulfillment. But longevity? Eh, so what? Lord Sesshomaru had shown there were other ways to age and if being around that long meant she would lose her pleasure in the everyday events Rin didn't want any part of it. Eternal youth, interesting as it was, didn't seem that appealing when there was so much else to wish for!

Like Kohaku…

Shifting the fishing basket to her other hip, Rin's pace slowed to a pensive shuffle. It just didn't seem right to make someone love you. I want Kohaku to love me willingly…

"Hey there, Rin!"

Kohaku? Rin started, nearly dropping her load. "Oh, hello…ah…" The young woman before her was just a year or two older, but had eyes that sparkled like a six-year-old waking up to sunrise. Her dark bangs and long ponytail curled inwardly, a style Kagome remarked as being like "a perm." Such a memorable style and face…and Rin was drawing a blank.

"Miyoko," the girl kindly supplied.

"Yeah, um, right," Rin faltered. "You're traveling with Kohaku."

A blush crept up Miyoko's throat and she smiled shyly. "Mm-hmm."

"Yes, I remember." As if I could forget, she thought sourly. Maybe I could just wish to get rid of you…Rin shook off the thought, appalled at her selfishness. Sort of.

"You need any help?" A pair of outstretched arms offered to take the basket off Rin's hands. "I could carry it the rest of the—"

"No," Rin interjected. "I've got it."

"Mm-k," Miyoko hummed, falling into step with Rin. "Mind if I tag along? I just got back from perusing what everyone here calls Inuyasha's Forest."

"Suit yourself." For once, Rin didn't feel like talking. But if Miyoko knew what the Silent Treatment meant, she gave no inclination. She comfortably matched Rin's strides and talked animatedly about everyone she'd met, regularly asking Rin to fill in the names. Then she moved on to Kohaku. How sweet he was, how protective, how sincere, how that one time when they were traveling he offered to carry her.

Kohaku this, Kohaku that…as if she knew him! Rin fumed. Out of the corner of her eye, Rin studied her rival. She was taller, but not noticeably; Miyoko was still very much on the short end. Her jet-black hair was tied up in a colorful ribbon, but her clothes were plain and simple. She wore a solid green yukata that faded around the sleeves and her obi was a harmonious gold. Flowing and functional, her attire didn't draw attention or denote any special occupation like a demonslayer or priestess. She wondered if this girl even knew how to fight. Rin congratulated herself for at least learning the basics of swordmanship with Lady Sango, even if she harbored a slight suspicion that Lord Sesshomaru had encouraged this.

What does Kohaku see in her? What does she have that I don't?

A simple pendant around Miyoko's neck caught the sunlight and Rin followed it down to her nicely-endowed bust.

Okay, so she's a little more…mature. But Kohaku's not a pig like that, is he?

The chime of metal on metal interrupted Miyoko's monologue. "Good afternoon, ladies," Miroku called from a good distance, on his way out to a new exorcism appointment.

Rin sighed. Then again, considering who Kohaku's brother-in-law is…Between the lechory and the larceny, it was dubious at best if Master Miroku was a good influence for any developing youth. Rin wondered if Sango knew who was corrupting her little brother.

"Are you sure you don't need any help, Rin?" Again Miyoko held out her arms to take the basket. "I could take it the rest of the way to the smoking shack if you're too tired."

Rin straightened immediately. "Nope!" She tried to sound friendly, but her "I told you I've got it!" nearly came out as a shout.

"All right, then!" Miyoko's hands flew up defensively. "All yours!" Backing off, Miyoko still gave an easy smile. "I'll, uh, catch up with you later, then. See ya!"

Left alone, Rin regretted her ugly attitude. Bu still couldn't help glaring after the other girl's swinging backside. Before Rin could recall herself, the fishing basket was slipping from numbed fingers.

"Hey! Easy!"

Rin's arms sagged gratefully as the burden lightened.

"I got it!" Kohaku poked his head around from the other side.

"Hi, Kohaku," Rin chirped, finding a smile in spite of herself.

"Oh…Rin," he said, his own grin losing a few molars.

What's up with that pause? Rin scowled at the taijiya's back as he completed the last leg to the smoking house. Automatically, she followed him. "Disappointed that I'm not Miyoko?"

"No." The reply was a little too hasty. Setting down the basket, he started plucking out the fish, beheading them and moving them to a grill for later smoking. "I just heard her voice so I assumed she was here."

The honesty in that tone pulled a soft and dreary sigh from Rin. She set to helping him lay out the fish, working in newly acquired silence.

"It's good to be back you know," the demonslayer said suddenly. "I've really missed you and everyone else."

Rin tried to smile, but the generalization stung more than anything.

I'm getting the friends speech…fantastic. Rin cleaved the head off of one trout with more force than necessary.

"But there's some stuff, I can't always tell my sister or even Lord Sesshomaru who probably wouldn't talk to anyone else anyway." Kohaku offered Rin his best smile and, like a sucker, she could feel herself hooked on it over again. "There are just only some things you can share with your best friend." He nudged her gently in the side and Rin felt like she'd just be stabbed in the heart.

And yet…I can't wish for anything else. "Thanks." She managed to mirror his expression enough that her grin didn't wilt around the edges. I wish I could tell him the same thing. She took comfort in the fact that Lord Sesshomaru would drop by tomorrow. He hadn't promised but the fact that he said he would was good enough. Estranged as he was to his own emotions, Rin figured he would at least provide a level head in her own conflicting heart.

Straightened, she beamed back at Kohaku. "So what adventures do you want to share?"

.

A/N: At long last I'm done with final exams (at least for another ten weeks). Hopefully "Hooked" will update on a weekly basis now. Thank you, readers, for your patience and interest. As always, reviews are most welcome.