A/N: Well, I certainly didn't expect to get that much detained from updating! Can't wait 'til finals (note the sarcasm). On with the show!

Floundering

Miyoko never did become Rin's best friend, but at least matters were settled. Somewhat. As the days passed in uneventful succession, each blurring into the next, more often than she cared to admit, Rin caught herself torn between wishing Kohaku happiness and wondering if there existed Beads of Subjugation for humans.

Fortunately, the well-known taijiya was called in. The job wasn't so far away to pack up and leave for a season as he always did, but it was enough to require Kilala and an overnight stay. And apparently sufficiently intense to require an assistant, Rin enviously observed, feeling greener than Miyoko's kimono, as she pictured the rappa joining Kohaku astride the two-tailed cat. They left early in the morning and, even though she was awake enough to hear Miyoko helping the expert demonslayer strap on his armor – like he needs it! – she didn't bother waving them farewell.

A couple hours later, Rin wandered out through the village commons, walking aimlessly among the huts and chicken coops. Her eyes roaming the dirt and middle ground, Rin never caught sight of Inuyasha until he gruffly called from somewhere above her.

"If you need somethin' to do, we're outta fish again. Didja hear?" Inuyasha drawled from his rooftop perch.

"Mm-hm," Rin hummed distracted, only nodding in the half-demon's general direction.

Raising a bushy brow, Inuyasha noticed Kagome's friend wasn't exactly at a loss for chores or busy work. "They left a while ago, kiddo."

Rin's head snapped up. "I can see that," she snipped.

"Hey, watch it, girl," Inuyasha retorted. "Wasn't me who was pining away for a taken man."

Forcing down the emotion that threatened to clog her throat, Rin gained control of her voice long enough to snap back. "You're so damn insensitive!"

Funny comin' from the girl who hangs around that asshole Sesshomaru, Inuyasha thought, but he bit his tongue on that one. He'd learned the hard way to watch his mouth around his half-brother's ward. When he could help it, anyway. Lacing his fingers behind his neck, he lay back down against the roof's shingles. "I was just tellin' ya you ain't gonna find them around here."

"Well, good riddance," she snorted stubbornly, disregarding Inuyasha's disbelieving keh and heading to the smoke house to grab a fishing basket and cleaning knife.

Idiot. Who does he think he is to make such commentary? Bad enough Rin was still having trouble convincing the most important person: herself.

Cutting through the pomp and pride, Rin wanted to go with them. Well, not exactly with them. She wasn't sure she could stomach the lovebirds and their doe-eyed gazes much longer. But to go wherever they're going. To get a change of scenery. Some adventure!

Then she'd look back at her homely little village and hear Kagome's words echo in her head. And Rin would sigh, wondering what was wrong with herself if she couldn't be content…even if she already knew the answer.

I'm sorry, Kagome, but when you can have the splendor of something fantastic wishing for just plain happiness seems like a waste.

Maybe if she could just go and be happy with Kohaku…

Her hands clapped in front of her face. Over it! I'm over it!

And, her supplies in hand, Rin marched to the local stream, stiff-legged with teeth grit. The extended walk was enough to take some of the edge off of her mood. Then, as she neared the fishing nets again, she remembered with a jolt she had yet to even think of a real wish. Drat, what day was it anyway? Kichiruka had said five days more. Had it already been that long? Rin tried to count back the past evenings, but they all muddled together.

Okay, don't panic. Just think of a wish. Her mind raced and all it arrived with was a simpleton's dream. Well, I've always wanted to be taller, Rin considered. Then whacked her head against the fishing basket, a frustrated growl gurgling between her teeth.

Oh, I don't know! she admitted, finally crumpling to her knees at the bank's grassy edge. Gloom crept up on Rin again, and she remembered the blundering yokai that had lifted her spirits last time. All I really wish right now is that Kichiruka would…

Suddenly a column of water shot straight up in front of her. It's loud, rushing roar startled Rin's pulse right into her throat. The freak cyclone dissipated as something, or someone, spun out of it, and pounced.

"Hey, Rin!" Kichiruka landed in a perfect crouch beside her…then lost his balance and tipped over like an overstuffed sack of rice. He sprawled indecorously on his backside, the conch staff clunking off his head. He paid no mind. "Somethin' wrong? You look kinda pale."

Her heartbeat steadily returning to normal, Rin's melancholy gave way to spiked temper. "Amateratsu above! What was that surprise for? Jerk!" With an infuriated snarl, Rin shoved the perplexed yokai back into the brook. She hoped the water was shallow enough to hurt. She threw the staff after him for good measure.

Annoyingly unfazed, Kichiruka surfaced with his usual perk. Flowing around her moodswing, he proceeded right on course. "Do you have your wish?"

"Oh…uh…" Rin tugged at her collar, trying to brainstorm something. "No," she conceded. Then quickly added, "I've decided to save it."

"Hey!" Kichiruka protested. When he crossed his arms, Rin noticed dark blotches similar to the ones on his face. But right now, the demon's blazing sapphire eyes demanded attention. "You can't do that!" he barked, pointing the seashelled end of the staff accusingly at her. "Decide right –"

"You never said I couldn't," Rin countered as her mind scrambled for an explanation. "But I did come pretty close." She smiled, just a little. "And then it came to pass."

"Tch! You're not supposed to wish for anything that can take of itself." Kichiruka's tone held more hurt than scorn. "That's what I'm for…"

"Well, I could…um…" Rin fumbled for the right words. It was cruel to keep putting the poor guy out of his way like this. At this moment, more than anything, she wanted to make it up to him somehow.

"Eeep!" Rin panicked at the sight of Kagome trotting her way. Hastily, she slapped the basket over Kichiruka's head, trying to shove him back down into the stream.

Suddenly kissing the water, the demon spluttered around a mouthful of algae. "Hey! What's the big idea?"

"Quick! Disappear!" Rin hissed, the bask in her hands bucking.

"Say what?!"

"I dunno! Just disappear into the water like you always do! C'mon! Hurry!"

Kagome's sunny greeting carried over the last couple of yards to where Rin sat.

"Is that another human I hear? Oh, can I please meet them? I prom–"

"That's a priestess, you dolt," Rin warned. "Do you know what she can do to the likes of you?"

"Um…no? What?"

At her wit's end, Rin leaned in to snarl, "Just scram and we'll talk later. I promise."

Suddenly, the water under her basket gave way and she found herself up to her wrists in the stream with nothing for support beneath.

Phew!

"Good morning!" Kagome beamed. "How's it going?"

"Oh, ah, swimmingly," she hedged.

From where she stood at Rin's side, Kagome surveyed the area, scanning the trees that led to Inuyasha's Forest and the field opposite. "Huh," huffed the miko as she settled down in the grass. "I thought I sensed a demonic aura from over here."

"Nope. None that I've noticed. Are you feeling all right, Miss Kagome?" Rin gushed before she realized how suspicious that might have come out. Great, I sound like Jaken.

But if Kagome noticed she didn't seem to care. "Yeah…I guess," she listlessly agreed, absentmindedly fiddling with the cord atop her gi.

Rin sighed in relief, and nearly choked when the miko suddenly pointed skyward with a cheerful cry. "Ah, that's who it must've been!"

High above, a familiar cloud of yoki shimmered and neared for descent. Kagome waved, Sesshomaru glared, and Rin wished she could melt into the stream, too.

When the daiyokai landed Kagome noticed he was short one little, green retainer. She glanced over at Rin who seemed to watch Sesshomaru with particular intensity today.

With bated breath, Rin watched the dog-demon's nose quiver to take in several quick sniffs just like he did when he was memorizing a new scent, tracking a foe, or on to some poorly veiled deceit.

"Is it the fifth week of spring already?" he asked no one in particular.

"Nearly sixth, Lord Sesshomaru," Kagome answered. "The ocean salmon are due to head upstream any time now."

Sesshomaru didn't care for the woman's butting in and throwing out information, but his curiosity over the salty sea scent abated and he turned to address Rin, all the while pointedly ignoring the miko.

All right, all right, I get the drift. Kagome stood, gathering her quiver and bow. "I'll meet you back home in few!" she called to Rin, giving the two their privacy to catch up. "Goodbye, brother-in-law!"

Annoyance flickering across Sesshomaru's face, Rin took advantage of the distraction. "Walk with me?" she offered unnecessarily, but very eager to get away from the brook.

With a one-shoulder shrug, Sesshomaru ambled along. They had strolled only a few paces toward the woods before he stopped. "Wait."

Rin flinched. This was it. He was suspicious.

Instead, Sesshomaru reached into the folds of his collar and withdrew an ivory-toothed comb. White and smooth in gleamed like a fang in the sunlight. Its perfect arc was only interrupted by the petals of camellia carved into the comb's design and gilt just around the edges, matching the design of golden whorls engraved along the side.

Noticing the quirked brow that silently requested permission, Rin complied and bowed her head forward. Carefully, with a gentleness that was at odds with his clawed hands, Sesshomaru wove the teeth through her hair; twisting, resetting and adjusting it so its carved flower peeked out from the girl's ebony tresses.

These little moments couldn't last forever, he knew, but while it was still in his power he would spare no opportunity. Since his initiation as Lord of the West, Sesshomaru could count the number of times his power had been checked on one hand. A couple of them his own doing, the others by people he'd known personally. And now by a force altogether out of reach. Previously, time had been neither nemesis nor ally to Sesshomaru; of late he regarded it grudgingly as it only curtailed the days he spent with the person dearest to him in this world.

"Done," he announced, securing the comb with a final pat. Rin took it as a cue to smile up at him.

His mouth curled faintly around the corners. Sesshomaru was pleased, even if Rin thought he looked just a little sad.

"Come," he said, continuing their walk.

For a while Rin kept up with Sesshomaru's silent dialogue; following his gaze to a bird, interpreting his amused huff when she got distracted by a particularly colorful beetle, and picking up the odd pinecone when he nodded to it. Running ahead of him a bit, she tossed the last remnant of winter Sesshomaru's way and he deftly caught it with one hand. A slight frown torquing his features, the daiyokai seemed to think it was cheating when she used the woven basin to catch a couple of his throws. Rin giggled. She wasn't sure why or when this pinecone game had started. It was just something they did when they walked.

And as usual, she was the first to break the silence. She chitchatted amicably about the past few days, shifting her load to gesture emphatically now and then. Sesshomaru was just glad to see Rin talking with her usual zest again.

Resilient, Sesshomaru reaffirmed with himself.

Then Rin moved on to a newly worn subject. "And, uh, Kohaku's doing okay, too."

The dog-demon simply nodded, lobbing back the pinecone.

Guess that's a dead line.

For Sesshomaru, interest meant inquiries, and he noticeably didn't respond with the same enthusiasm anymore when the conversation shifted to Kohaku. I don't think he would have mentioned him if I hadn't, Rin realized. Pressing onward and out of the awkward silence, she tried a different topic.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Hm?"

"What would you do if you had one wish?" She blurted the words in a rush, half-hoping he wouldn't understand, that he would just ignore it as silly spouting. She wholly wished just to get it over with.

"Forget about it," he answered simply, then gestured for the pinecone. Tossing halfheartedly, Rin heaved a gusty sigh and he knew that wasn't the response she was expecting to hear. I indulge this girl too much. If Sesshomaru ever provided any further explanation it was Rin's benefit. That was all. "Anything worth obtaining is worth the effort of doing it yourself, Rin. Take it, train it, weld it inseparably to yourself. Do what it takes to own it. Don't waste time on a wish." He watched Rin nod her comprehension. Good.

"So then," she said, coming to a stop Sesshomaru found rather unsettling. "I will not wish for my autonomy any longer. Lord Sesshomaru, I want to travel on my own and I ask only your approbation."

"No." He sidestepped her like a bump in the road and continued their trek.

Rin trotted up to block his path again. "Why?"

Sesshomaru paused, but said no more on the matter.

"You think I'm naïve, is that it? That I'm still such a child. But only because you keep me so!"

Patiently, Sesshomaru tolerated the outburst. They'd been through this before. "Get safe and settled first."

Rin's hands clenched at her sides as she defiantly stood her ground. "But I don't want to depend upon a man for the rest of my life!"

Sesshomaru frowned. This was the influence Inuyasha's woman no doubt. Some ridiculous, futuristic blather.

Thinking fast, Rin rephrased her words. "Don't you want me to be self-sufficient?"

Sesshomaru's mouth closed with an audible click of his teeth. She had him there. He had Rin getting her own food since she was smaller than Tenseiga. The weak perished, especially in these warring times.

Dark brown eyes lit up. "How about a negotiation?"

"Hm?" Sesshomaru cocked his head giving a sharp view of the line of his jaw. He was listening.

"If I can prove that I can take care of myself, that I can hold my own, I get to go wherever I want."

"And how would you prove that?" he challenged. "I can't go rescuing you at every misfortune."

Jutting out her chin, Rin dared to look him in the eye. Rarely was Sesshomaru past the point of reason. "A match will decide to whom I go."

Silver brows rose high enough to disappear under pale bangs. Then Sesshomaru's expression resumed its usual composure, along with some cocksure. His mouth twitched and his eyes glowed in a condescending smirk.

He's laughing at me. Fine. I'll show him. "I mean it." Rin bowed half ways, keeping her eyes trained on Sesshomaru. Amused with her severity, he was nonetheless impressed by her determination. With a slight bow from the shoulders, the daiyokai returned the girl's obsequy.

As usual, their walk ended at the edge of Rin's village a short while later.

Delicately, Sesshomaru reset the comb, then turned to leave. He stopped as a little hand gently squeezed his clawtips.

"Thank you." Rin beamed gratefully up at him. He didn't think it was entirely for the comb either.

On his way once more, the daiyokai gave one of his noncommittal shrugs. Saying "just try" seemed a little too discouraging.

oOo

After Sesshomaru left, Rin detoured around the first couple of the rice paddies before dashing back to the stream. Feeling just a little foolish, she excited patted the waters. "Kichiruka! Hey, if you're still here please come out now."

Steely-gray, spiked hair sprouted from the brook. Then came the rest of the aquatic yokai. He smiled broadly, flashing small, white teeth. "Yes?"

Rin grinned back. "I have my wish!"

.

A/N: And, to give readers a little visual of my OC, here's some concept art of Kichiruka: feral-instinct. deviantart. com/art/Hooked-Kichiruka-163133558 Please remove spaces before use.