Tying Rins kimono and fixing her hair she smiled at her.
"There, you're adorable." She declared.
"Thank you Kagome." Rin smiled back softly. "I miss wearing these all of the time. I'm glad that we are participating in the festival."
"This one is very special. Our shrine only celebrates it every ten years with other shrines taking their turn each year. The last time we hosted it here I was ten and didn't really have much interest in any of it." She said.
The last five years since they had arrived in the modern era hadn't been easy but they had adjusted. Kagome finished school and Rin had been enrolled by her mother gladly taking both her and Shippo in.
Shippo and Sota got along well enough becoming brothers while her grandfather asked them endless questions about the era they were from.
Still they waited for any sign that someone they once knew had survived the last five hundred years but there was no sign of anyone.
Kagome had gone to the historical society to see if anyone knew anything about the shrine but there was no documentation on it at all only that it had come in to their possession some fifty years prior.
Tying off her hakamas she tied her hair back taking in her white kimono top and red pants. "Ready?"
"Yes." Rin nodded her head once heading out of the bedroom they shared. Following her out Kagome went to her spot by the sacred tree after she gathered her supplies.
As guests arrived Rin and her mother greeted them showing them around and explaining their history. Her grandfather gave prayers and blessings while Sota and Shippo ran the gift shop.
Kagome made different types of lucky charms for the shrine goers depending on what they wanted. Taking some beads from her basket as the next person approached she glanced up only briefly before resuming her work.
"What is it I can help you with?" She asked tying off the first bead before stringing another.
"I suffer from unrequited love." The deep voice replied. Stopping what she was doing for a moment she took a deep breath.
"Oh? Tell me, what your love was like." She pried. She was hopeful but uncertain at the same time.
"She is thoughtful, intelligent, and a wonderful mother." He replied.
"And beautiful?" Kagome smirked to herself.
"Extremely." He replied a hint of amusement in his voice. Placing her beadwork down she looked up at him and nearly gasped.
"The dream I had where we were both here, you look exactly how you were in my dream." She managed out.
Dressed in a plain black top and pants he had his markings hidden from sight. He wore his hair shorter but still long enough to tie back to cover his ears.
Reaching down to her she grasped his hand tightly to stand. "Hi."
"Hello mate." He said gently.
"Where have you been?" Kagome asked.
"Around." He stated with a smirk.
"That isn't an answer Sesshomaru. Rin and I have been worried sick that you had died and all you can say is that you've been around." She jeered. "I don't like that answer at all."
Letting go of her hand he wrapped his arm around her waist to kiss her lips gently. "Okay. Apology accepted."
"Rin has grown beautifully thanks to you." He said.
"Did she recognize you?"
"No." Shaking his head. Smiling widely she reached behind her to take his hand.
"Oh, she is going to freak out when she realizes you're here." She smiled widely leading him towards the front of the shrine. Waiting until some of the crowd had cleared away Kagome patted his back in encouragement as he stayed put.
"Rin." Sesshomaru said finally. With her back to them she slowly turned and gasped as her eyes went wide and her hands went to her mouth.
"Lord Sesshomaru." She squeaked out before dropping her hands and running towards them. "Lord Sesshomaru! You came!"
Stopping in front of him she fidgeted in her spot with her hands folded tightly in front of her.
"Rin, I trust you are well?" He asked as he would when she was younger. Nodding her head eagerly unable to answer as happy tears fell down her face. "Good."
At that Rin launched herself at him with her arms open wide to wrap around him. Reciprocating the action he held her as she sobbed against him. "I missed you too Rin."
Taking time to catch up Sesshomaru took over paying for Rins school tuition and had attempted to compensate Kagomes family for caring for her but was refuted saying it was their pleasure having fully adopted both Rin and Shippo.
Over the years Sesshomaru had maintained his land and acquired considerable wealth choosing to live quietly in the country side.
Their first trip there Rin was enthralled to see An and Un both grazing in a large pasture behind the stately home running to them and being greeted by her old friends.
As she and Shippo played Kagome and Sesshomaru sat in the sun room watching them out the large windows.
"I am somewhat surprised you haven't asked what became of everyone." Sesshomaru said.
"I have thought about it, many times over these last few years. I know that Sango and Miroku are gone…Inuyasha…maybe…it's hard to think about it." She replied.
"Inuyasha is still alive and continues to be a pain in my side every so often. He is in charge of the shrine." He informed.
"Did you tell him we were here?" Kagome asked curiously.
"He found out you were here for good and told me. I have been struggling with if it were the right thing to do to interfere in your lives, given how different things are and how much time had passed." Kagome brought her attention to him fully.
"All I wanted was this…" Motioning between them she sighed. "You should have come."
"Can you forgive me for my lack of action?" He questioned softly bringing his gaze to hers.
"Of course. I want to move forward and stop looking to the past." She said.
"Same." Holding one another's gaze for a moment longer Kagome stood taking his hand.
"We had a deal and I think it's time to make good on it." Smirking at him his eyes narrowed slightly somewhat as he scanned her from top to bottom and back again.
"I agree." Standing he led her up the stairs to his bedroom.