A/N: And now for the last of my horrible puns...

Fin

Sesshomaru watched as lanterns were crafted and garlands strung in anticipation of coming festivities. Rin's wedding had already passed a couple of months ago. Sesshomaru had been one of only a handful to attend. It wasn't as if he had neglected to warn her. But Rin shrugged off the small turnout – "Like there are so many people that live here anyway," she remarked. Sesshomaru's rebuttal was only a careless shrug.

Sesshomaru harrumphed. This coming ceremony he observed was more important anyway. In three days the Obon Festival would commence. Sesshomaru cared nothing for human celebrations. But he knew someone who did. And she wasn't here to commemorate her eighteenth year. The tenth summer since Sesshomaru had met her.

The dog-demon paced on the hillock that overlooked Rin's village. It was late morning. Rin was always here early. But she doesn't live in this village anymore, Sesshomaru reminded himself. The distance traveled might be greater. Then she would have been here by midmorning. She probably wasn't coming. But she could just be late. Sesshomaru would never say that he didn't know where Rin was at any given moment. She need only call – either by the sword he'd given her or the seashell Kichiruka had crafted – and he'd be there in a heartbeat. As a dog-demon, Sesshomaru could easily track down anyone if he so desired.

He reached under his collar and studied the smooth, white conical shell that fit right between his thumb and forefinger. He could get in contact with Rin right away if he wanted. But Sesshomaru hadn't used the device beyond its trial run, and he didn't feel like pestering.

Sesshomaru's ego saved him from actually believing that Rin had forgotten about him. But just because he didn't believe it did not exclude doubt from creeping into his mind. His nose shifted through the wind, not for the first time that morning. Where are you?

His ears pricked up at the sound of rustling grass, his nose searching for an accompanying scent.

"Sorry I'm late!" Rin waved. She bounded up just in time to see Sesshomaru spin around and catch the unguarded expression. He looked a little worried. "How is everything?"

"Same as always." He added, "And you?"

"It goes well." She beamed up at Sesshomaru.

Even though the Obon wouldn't be for a couple days more, she already wore her brightest yukata. Sesshomaru wasn't sure how he could have missed her. Even the slightly briny smell didn't keep her from being identified as Rin.

"Kich' says hi."

"Kichiruka is not here?"

"He's catching up with Inuyasha." Sesshomaru scowled somewhat and Rin smiled. She gave his hand a little squeeze. "Kich' knows that this is one of those special times between you and me."

"Huh." Rin's grin shone with its usual sparkle. And Sesshomaru was assured he wasn't bereft of anything. "I had intended something for you both." Reaching into his sleeve, Sesshomaru retrieved a fan. It wasn't the simple, flat fans he had always presented to Rin every year. This one had a lacquered frame and a bright red tassel. In one sharp motion, he snapped his wrist and sprang the fan open. On one side was the commissioned design – cascading waves and dolphins bobbing it the surf. He passed it to Rin, who gratefully received it with both hands.

"Turn it over," he said.

Rin's smile sprouted a couple molars more. On the opposite side, in Sesshomaru's flourished script that flared at the fringes the fan read simply: Best Wishes.

The End

Author's Closing Note: Warning - this is long. Hooked was inspired by the same idea that begins this whole story: Because I don't necessarily believe Rin will marry Kohaku. Don't get me wrong, the two are cute together, but I can't help but wonder, "What if Rin fell for another guy in town?" Doubtless, he'd have to measure up to Sesshomaru's standards: strong, intelligent, of decent status, and protective. Kohaku fits the bill, but what if his girl isn't Rin? (I was also considering, "What if he were gay?", but the plotline got pretty complicated after that and I wanted to focus more on Rin. And Sesshomaru had enough headtrips to go through.) After all, Kohaku does take off at the end of the story, so it's anyone's guess if he comes back with another woman or is wow'd by a more mature Rin upon return. We don't know. We do know that Sesshomaru's tolerance, while it has grown some, is still rather thin in terms of hybrids. So, what if Rin fell in love with a demon? And maybe one who isn't quite what the Western Lord expects: goofy, forgetful, semi-weak, and of questionable status. It's fanfic fodder all the way.

The whole story itself goes against expectations. Besides that Kohaku doesn't marry Rin, Rin herself doesn't grow into the tall, leggy babe we see in (still very lovely) fanart; nor is Kichiruka the most handsome (or even most coordinated) demon. But that's all right. It matters little when you're hooked.

As for the fish themes…I'm really not too sure how that got thrown in the mix other than I figured this story would be told during my summer break and I wanted an appropriate motif for the bulk of it (I went fishing once when I was six and was bored to death half the time – Biggie didn't last long outside the water, either). So maybe that's also how Kichiruka wound up being a water demon.

I didn't realize it at first, but at a second glance I think that Kichiruka was probably inspired by a fuzzy, stuffed dolphin I got from Goodwill when I was three. He's been restitched about four times over now, but his pretty blue eyes get me every time. Willie (the stuffed animal) isn't spotted, though. I chose a spotted dolphin for Kichiruka's subspecies mostly because I think spots are a little more funny-looking than the pretty stripes and swirls we see on other demons in the series. And, considering Kohaku, Rin probably has a thing for freckles.

The original characters featured in Hooked aren't necessarily based on any one person I know. Mostly, I ran with pieces of personalities and warped shaped them as the situations in the story developed. I'm delighted that you enjoyed them all (or at least got to stick your tongue at at the ones you didn't!). I may post a couple more comics just for the heck of it on my Deviant Art profile for the next month. ...Because we all love Ichikawa. :)

I had a lot of fun writing this story over the past year and a half. Whether you've followed this story since Day 1 or just dropped in and got hooked, I thank you for coming aboard, giving your encouragement, sharing your sentiments, letting me know how you liked the story. Thank you for your time and kind consideration.

~ Silent Scribe