Common disclaimers on the characters Rin and Sesshomaru, who are intellectual property of the esteemed Takahashi Rumiko-san's InuYasha series. Oh and that I don't own. I'm only a poor college student after all.

Everlasting,

By Winterwing3000

Night had fallen as the sun rested in the western horizon and the moon woke from the east. Bright jewels glittered in a silver river over a dark navy canvas. The cooling breeze swept down from the tall mountain peaks and slithered over the green grassy meadow, bending the foliage softly like a comb. Wildflower grew in abundance, dancing with the grass before stilling. Fireflies shook from their perch and flitted about before settling down once again.

A few large boulders were studded to the earth. Dry branches piled neatly next to them as a modest hearth as made nearby. The embers from a previously lively flame glowed persistently in the night air.

Guarding the small camp, a large steed of two heads and strong scales was down on the ground with its limbs folded underneath. A pair of eyes watched on diligently as the other pair closed in sleep.

A short and less eye-appreciative figure slept at the other side of the fire, arms wrapped protectively around a wooden staff with two carved heads. He snored deeply and rolled over to find a more comfortable position.

Seated against another boulder was an ethereal creature. Unusual body markings, silver hair, and golden eyes marked his heritage. Moonlight washed his person as he stared steadily out into the vast landscape before them.

A few paces away, another laid on the ground with a sleep-assuming pose but her eyes were bright with wakefulness. Dark hair draped across her back and short-nailed fingers curled around soft tufts of green.

Sweet silence hummed in her ears but sleep did not come. Such a glorious sight before her, wasted because of her body's necessity to rest through the night. An unfortunate sigh forced its way past her pink lips and she rolled onto her back to stare at the view above. She could not prevent the second disappointed exhale when she felt the urge grow within her.

"Rin," Sesshomaru addressed her without tearing his gaze. He could sense her restlessness. He told her neutrally, "Sleep."

Rin sat up and faced her savior. She admitted, "I am having difficulty sleeping."

Even without elaborating any further, he knew the reason for her trouble. Despite her inner compulsions, he came to learn that without his permission she would not move even an inch. Contemplatively, his amber eyes roved the space of greenery. He inhaled slightly, testing the air as his senses reached out. While he did so, she watched with childlike apprehension.

A smile blossomed across her fair face when he tipped his head, gesturing her to go ahead.

As she darted off with unbidden joy, he stood up and reseated himself upon the flat slant of the rock he was leaning against. Jakken was roused briefly by her skipping past him but grumbled a bit and returned to his slumber. Ah looked on as Un continued to breath heavily.

How many days and nights it had been since their meeting, the dog demon idly wondered. Her limbs were now willowy and her body was shaped with curves know only to a woman ready to rear children. Seasons folded over one to another and gradually her frame unfolded so that she stood head to shoulder to him. Even though there were changes to her physical appearance, her personality remained as it was—determined, kind, and loyal. For her to return to him even after spending many years mingling in the human village, deep inside, it meant very much.

It calmed his restless travels around the country. He was no longer in a rush to raise an empire from the ground. Instead, he found his time slowly spent seeking out moments like this where his bloodlust for war and power, his desire to conquer and build no longer mattered. He no longer slew meaninglessly unless he was challenged and his journey focused more on spending time leisurely. The only thing he felt was the serenity brought by the simple happiness that he could give her.

Looking into the moon, he saw the shadow his father, the image of his mother, the appearance of his half-brother. And he wondered if this was what they felt. Was it this which enlightened them and allowed them to settle peacefully away from the battles? Away from the politics of the world?

Sesshomaru watched motionlessly as Rin panted from her cantering, hands filled with flowers. Her wind-blown hair, now long and curly at the ends, was glossy in the moonlight. Large doe eyes stared at him with delight in tune with the endearing smile. She skipped lightly over to the camp, not hurting the flowers during her tread, and paused to tuck a flower in Jakken's robe and Ah-Un's bridle. Then she ambled with a little song back to her sleeping place.

Her place. He never had the chance to consider that because it ultimately was her choice. But he remembered the way he released the breathe he held when she decided to journey on with him. It surprised him that he was anxious of her future. Sometimes, during their travels without her, he unconsciously looked back to Ah-Un, expecting her to be seated upon the bridle or scented out rivers so that she may catch her dinner. Only, he would see a shadow of her person. He sometimes envisioned her trotting up to him with a flowery crown or proudly displayed her fresh catch.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" Rin repeated patiently as she suddenly stood before him.

His golden eyes cleared from his thoughts and spotted the hand-woven brooch made of stiff stems and nightly blossoms. He noted that by morning come, they would have wilted and browned. Just as she would eventually. "What is it?"

Brightly, she held out her gift. "Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama."

Sesshomaru reached out to take the flowers and wrapped his long fingers around her pale wrist, exposed from the sleeve of her elegant kimono. Rin, guided by his pull, stepped forward into his space. She smiled up at him as she relished in the comforting warm he radiated, unaware of the other arm moving to circle her waist.

But, the moment was now. She was here, in the now with him.

Sparkling dark hazel eyes widened in surprise but then slid shut as black lashes fanned across her apple-red cheeks. She relished in the tenderness and succumbed to his embrace. His hand plucked the flower brooch from her grasp and set them aside.

And that was all that mattered.

Cupping her cheek, Sesshomaru lifted her head from his shoulder and gently brushed his lips against hers.

NOTES: Rin is a grown adult, and Sesshomaru is as old as ever.

.30 Kisu.
T.H.E. E.N.D.

AN: And that is a wrap! Will I ever start another list of Kisses? Maybe! But it has been quite a journey with this collection. I hope that you enjoyed reading it as much as I had the pleasure of writing each piece. Thank you so much for your continuous support and love. It has gotten me through all 60 themes.

So for now, I bid you adieu! Let's meet up soon when inspiration strikes and demands another Sesshomaru and Rin kiss collection.

This is for the LJ Community, 30 kisses, without the underscore. This is from List Alpha, theme #5 (amok).