Through the well and back again

Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha...

Author's note: Thanks a bunch for all the follows and favorites as well. :)

Chapter 5:

He didn't show up again that night. There was no possible way Rin could go back to sleep and so, she had stayed up the rest of the night and well into the morning. She rubbed sleepily at her eyes, wondering where he had gone. It was almost time for her to go back to the other side with Kagome and she hadn't accomplished a thing, it was so maddening! Her books were scattered all over the grass and it seemed to her like she had already read them several times but the only problem was, nothing was sinking in for some reason.

The birds chirped and the sun was high in the sky and the sky itself was a stunning blue. Thoughts like this almost helped her relax just enough to concentrate. Almost. Ah-un never left her side and for that, she was grateful. It made her feel like she was still being watched over, when she was so busy trying to work on her stuff and like her lord had never left. 'Even though he has left. I wonder... will he come back to me or does he plan to stay away forever?' This thought made her heart feel heavy and almost made her wish she had changed her mind and stopped going over to the other side. It made her wish that she didn't have the human weaknesses that she did. Why couldn't she be more like her lord? Strong and steady.

Everything about him was strong. The way he walked, even the way he talked and she admired him for it greatly. Heck, even the way he cared for others, even though he was always trying not to show it, she knew it was true. All the while, thinking about these things helped make her realize something else... she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him but, in order to do that, she needed to get through this. Rin didn't know why but, something about this new mission she had seemed so important, like she couldn't go on with herself if she didn't go through with this. She knew that it was going to be difficult and there would be many, many tears but at the same time, she wanted to learn. She wanted to learn about something other than fighting and what medicinal herbs would heal wounds. Yes, she liked helping people and she loved so much traveling with her lord but... she wanted to expand her mind and learn even more. She wanted to learn how to write and read... If she couldn't convince him to come with her, Rin now knew that she could do it without him. If it was possible, in the end of it all, maybe she could come back to him and continue traveling with him but if not, she would just have to move on. She wasn't a little girl anymore, she was growing into a full woman.

Inspired by these thoughts, Rin began packing her books back into her bag, somewhat hastily but the faster she got packed, the faster she could try finding Kagome and get back to school. She got up on Ah-un and began making her way to her new found friend, feeling determined. She knew she didn't need to leave a note of any sort because her lord would just follow her scent if he truly wanted to find her. It didn't take long for her to find Kagome and her friends. Everyone was sitting around a comfy looking camp fire roasting fish. Kirara, as Kagome had called the demon cat, was transformed and curled up behind Sango, fast asleep. Inuyasha and Miroku were deep in conversation and Shippo was enjoying more of Kagome's ninja snacks. Rin smiled when she saw Kohaku, finally reunited with his sister after the long battle with Naraku was fought and won.

Kagome stood up when Rin and Ah-un landed, already greeting her with a warm, welcoming smile. She felt awkward still, because now everyone was staring at her, waiting for some kind o explanation as to why she was even here. Clearing her throat, she looked right at Kagome. "I've made my decision. I want to keep going to school with you, Kagome. If that's still okay with you, that is."

If possible, the other girls expression became even brighter. 'I take that as a yes.' Rin thought, happily to herself. She had to stifle a gasp of surprise when the other girl ran up to her and embraced her in a tight hug of joy. "Rin, this is wonderful! I'm so excited! What about Sesshoumaru? Isn't he coming with us?"

Rin felt her smile fade instantly at the question, even though she had known all along that it had been coming. She shook her head. "I'm afraid not."

"Of course he isn't. He always was a stubborn bastard." Inuyasha said, the contempt was clear in his voice.

Rin decided that silence was the best thing, when it came to Inuyasha. No matter how much he claimed otherwise, he was so much like her lord, no matter what either of them said, actually, she knew that it was true.

Suddenly, though, the awkward silence that had managed to make it's way into the clearing was broken by Inuyasha first. "Ow! What in the hell?!" Rin blinked, noticing that he was rubbing the back of his head, glaring in the direction of the trees. Her own mouth fell open in shock when she realized who it was.

Lord Sesshoumaru... and a rock was laying next to Inuyasha's leg, looking as innocent as ever, like it had never been thrown in the first place. Rin's heart began to beat frantically inside her chest and she rested her hand over it, wishing that it would help stop it and calm it down again. 'Nothing about this night has been calm.' She reminded herself. Her lord was glaring at Inuyasha with so much loathing it worried her. Was he here to try and kill him again? 'It would be all my fault.' She thought, sadly.

What happened next though, was strange. "Be quiet, Inuyasha. I need to speak with Rin and you will let me without fuss."

There was another pause before Rin took a step forward, giving her friend a reassuring smile, wondering what all of this was about. She walked passed Inuyasha and even pass her lord, knowing that he would follow her to where it was more private for them. Yes, she was nervous but also felt strangely calm about the whole situation. She didn't feel like what he had to talk to her about was going to be bad.

Finally, she turned around and faced him. "What do you wish to speak to me about, my lord?" She made every muscle in her body relax, trying to appear calm as well.

"I see you are determined to do this, no matter what I say. " It wasn't a question but still, she nodded.

"Then I am going with you." Everything around her went silent. Did he just say what she thought he did? After everything, all the guessing and heartache, he was really going with her? She just gaped at him for several long minutes, unsure of what to say. All in one small sentence, he was able to make her feel lighter than she had in days. It was like something being lifted from her shoulders and, finally she allowed herself to grin at him.

"Thank you, lord Sesshoumaru. I promise, you won't regret this!"

He inclined his head, letting her know that he agreed before turning around, but not yet walking away completely. "I shall wait for you by the well. I do not wish to stay in the same place as the half breed for long." And, just like that he was gone again leaving her standing there with a huge grin of delight on her face.

'Thank you, Lord Sesshoumaru.' She thought, quietly to herself. She tilted her head upwards to the skies, watching the stars and thinking about how lucky she was.

Author's note: At first, I was going to add on a second part to this chapter but I'm actually not sure how I feel about it and how it turned out yet so, before I add anything else, what do you guys think? Reviews are always welcome and definitely appreciated. :) Please and thank you!