Title When Hearts Were Young

Author landfofthekwt

Rating PG-13

Prompt: 'A heart that loves is always young.' (Greek Proverb)

Word Count 1051

POV Shiori

Warning Deals with Character Deaths

Summary Shiori visits with Rin on her death bed

Shiori could hardly believe that the shriveled old woman clinging to life before her was Rin. The Rin she remembered was the one that took in two strangers the day that Kaede had died.

They had both been eighteen together. Both struggled with the lot that life had given them. Rin had won the man she always loved in Sesshoumaru while Shiori found a new love in Kohaku.

They had lived different lives since then Shiori had become the mother to a new generation of taijiya. Her time had been spent raising the little children while Kohaku took them as soon as they were able swing a sword to learn their craft.

Rin had become a princess. For the first time in many years the children's voices echoed in the hallowed halls of the Western Shiro. Hanyous they might be, but no one dared say a word against them or they would have Sesshoumaru to answer to.

They both thought that their love would last forever. For Rin it had been barely fifty years. Time enough to see her children make her proud. She never doubted that she had made the right decision in pursuing the daiyoukai

Shiori sat down by Rin's bedside. Sesshoumaru was discussing something with Inuyasha. They had agreed to let Shiori have some alone time with Rin. It could not hurt to have someone she had loved like a sister once.

Rin lifted her head and tried to focus her eyes. The person before her was familiar, but someone she had not seen in a long time. She tried to rise, but Shiori caught her and gently lowered her back to the bed.

"Shiori?" Rin asked

"You remembered "

"How could I forget you? You look the same age you did when you and your mother showing up on my doorstep the day Kaede were the first real friend I ever had. "

"Not Kohaku?"

Rin shook her head "I liked Kohaku and kept Lord Sesshoumaru from killing him, but so long as he was with Naraku it was hard to have a relationship with him. All of us including Sango brought back too many bad memories. Did I tell you that when I first met him, he was my jailor?"

Shiori laughed Rin might be old, but she was still the same vibrant person underneath. Her smile could light up a room. Her ire could frighten even Sesshoumaru. Shiori was sure that Rin had kept him in line through the years.

Rin continued " I was sorry to hear about Kohaku. I wanted to go to the funeral, but Lord Sesshoumaru thought I was too ill to travel."

Shiori nodded " Thank for your kindness. I am sure that Kohaku would have appreciated your sentiments. At the end, it was a relief, Kohaku lay in bed for nearly a year. He did not know me or the children" She faltered.

Rin grasped her hands. "It is OK. I am sure Kohaku is in a better place where his memories can no longer haunt him.

Shiori smiled " I would like to think that he was able to put aside all pain and suffering that Narkau put him through. I know he loved me and the children. He was so proud that he revived that taijiya village and prouder still that his children and grandchildren carried on the tradition of all the taijiya that died. I think he finally felt that he had redeemed himself for killing his father and the rest. He died in peace with his family around him."

Rin nodded. " I am glad. All that I wished for was that Kohaku would be happy"

"He was"

Rin sighed " I am sorry that I never got to meet your children or grandchildren. It always seemed that there was never time and now it is too late"

Shiori teared up " It is just as much my fault. I never realized how much work being a mother really was until I married Kohaku."

"Tell me about it. Being a princess was a piece of cake compared to raising Lord Sesshoumaru 's children. Protecting them from youkai who never understood why he would marry a human or father hanyou. Even his mother found his love of humans. She always said that he must have inherited it from his father."

Shiori sighed " I understand the hatred from youkai and humans toward hanyou. At least Kohaku and I were able to shield our children from that hatred growing up by raising them in an isolated community. The location is known only to a few. We had to prepare them gradually for what they would face in the world outside our village."

Rin smiled " Even though I regret that I will not be able to see my children and Lord Sesshoumaru again in this life, I would not change a thing. Not ever girl gets resurrected twice so that she can live with her fairy tale prince in a castle. I have had a good life. Everything I could possibly have wanted."

Rin grew quiet and let go of Shiori's hand. Shiori jumped up, calling for Lord Sesshoumaru. She found him outside the door talking to Inuyasha. Imploring him to hurry, he entered the room. Taking her hand, he shook his head indicating the Rin's soul was still in this world.

"Leave us"

Shiori nodded. Before going she kissed Rin's forehead and whispered that Rin was the best sister a girl could want. She found Inuyasha outside and cried on his shoulder. She thought that she could not cry any more after Kohaku, but she was still attached to humans and it hurt her to see them die so young.

Once they had been young and followed their hearts to marry Lord Sesshoumaru and Kohaku. Rin's heart might still be young, but her body would fail her before the day was out and Lord Sesshoumaru would be left alone just she and Inuyasha already were

Human lives were such brief extinguished they left such an indelible mark on the loved ones they left behind that ensured that they never would be forgotten. Soon Rin would be gone, but Shiori would never forget her.