I don't know if this will become an actual story or multiple one-shots of drabbles. But will see. This is totally going to be different from what I usually write. I'm attempting to write mature Rin.
All credit goes to Rumiko Takahashi. Without her we wouldn't have these amazing characters.
Visiting A Friend
Late one evening Rin sat along a huge lake, hidden within the forest, far from Edo village. She had been traveling for several days. She made the decision to take time for herself and visit another village to see her friend Kōtonī on her own. They had been best friends since she started to live with Kaede.
At fourteen Kōtonī was married to a boy they all grew up with and moved so that he could be a fisherman for work. Now that she was becoming a new mother, Rin wanted to be there when she gave birth. She was excited because they made a promise at a very young age that they would be aunts to each other's children and to be there for the birth. "Just a few more days and I'll be there. Oh! I can't wait to see Kōtonī and Katsumi."
As the night led on, Rin remained fully awake, looking at the beauty of nature in front of her. The water was calm, except for a few fish jumping out and splashing in a few places. A few minutes passed and a few sika doe's and their young fawns came out from the forest to get a late night drink. They were about twenty feet away from where she sat. Some of the deer were dark brown and some others were black, with white spots.
One little fawn took notice of Rin, stuck his nose out to sniff the air and flopped his ears. She in return remained still and smiled at the youngling. He bleated a few meh's her way, almost talking to her. In a hush tone she whispered, "and a good evening to you." A small bit of time passed and the deer headed back within the forest and Rin turned in for the night. Warm and cozy by the campfire.
The following morning Rin was on the road again heading for the sea where her friend lived. It was bright and sunny and there were no clouds in the sky. She thought, "another beautiful day on this journey. I'll walk for a few hours, take a break for lunch and continue on afterward."
The day Rin left everyone insisted that she have someone go with her on this trip. She told them she would be fine, thanked them for their offer and would be back in a few weeks. This would be the longest journey Rin would go on her own. She only ever traveled just to another village several miles down from her home. She seeked for fabric to make kimonos for herself and ones she called family. She loved to sew all types of garments. On this trip she had a gift of little kimonos for the newborn. It was a dream job of hers to sell kimonos and yukatas from newborns to adults.
Rin no longer walked barefoot and wore the typical sandals all girls wore. The only time she went without shoes was to run through open fields. Being sixteen it didn't bother her what people thought of her personality. If she saw an open field and was not busy, she would run through it. The grass tickled her feet, which made her giggle. She would try to catch butterflies during the day and fireflies at night. She loved running through small puddles of water after a big rain storm. It made her feel like a kid again.
Her life growing up in a new village has changed her through the years. She no longer resented humans and grew accustomed to living a normal human life again. Everyone who lived within the village welcomed her with open arms. It made her happy knowing she was being treated with respect. No bandits ever attacked thanks to Inuyasha keeping watch, which made her feel a lot safer.
Even though Rin had made friends with the other boys and girls who lived in Edo, she and Kōtonī were glued to the hip. They would play in the fields, eat their meals by the river and sometimes take small naps under camphor trees.
The only time the girls weren't together was when Lord Sesshomaru made his visits. Rin would tell him all the stories she could about her new life and most were about her best friend. He was glad to see she was happy with her life in Edo. She never once asked him when they could travel again.
Afternoon came, Rin's feet were sore and called to rest in a hot spring. She found one just right off the road and found her favorite fruits of apples and watermelon to snack on.
Rin's life had changed a lot through the years. She made the decision to stay within the village and help those when needed, especially Lady Kaede who she considered as a grandmother. Lady Kaede was growing older and moving slower. So Rin helped her out the most with stuff around the hut, checking on the female villagers who were expecting babies or gathering food to make meals. She did miss traveling with her lord, but her heart called to stay within the village. Lady Kaede was feeling better these days and Rin made the decision to visit her friend. She knew if her granny needed any help, Kagome and the others were there to help.
Rin had grown into a beautiful young woman. Her body was hourglass shaped with attractive curves. Her breasts were full and plump. Raven hair that was once wild and crazy, now flew down her back and ended past her waist. She was tall and legs that went on for miles. They were slim and smooth to the touch. Her skin was peachy white, with rosy cheeks. Her lips were a light pink.
Time and another day had gone by and Rin finally made it to the sea. When her sandals touched the sand, she removed them and then darted to her friend Kōtonī's hut. It wasn't too far from where she was. The hut resides several yards from the shore. Rin was thirty feet away when she saw her best friend outside hanging up laundry. She called out, "Kōtonī."
The soon to be mother turned her head fast to see her best friend Rin now beside her. The girls very carefully hugged one another and tears ran down both their red cheeks. "Rin, you finally made it."
They both pulled back to look at each other and Rin replied, "yes, I'm so happy to see you after all this time. How are you feeling?"
"Never better. This baby is close to being ready." Kōtonī was inches taller than Rin. Same figure and build. Skin tan from the sun with freckles all over. Short dark brown hair and light brown eyes.
"Oh!" She placed a hand to her belly and then placed Rin's hand up against it, "the baby is kicking."
Rin couldn't help but smile, "wow! A feisty baby. Haha, just like you."
"Yep, haha. Come inside, we'll have some tea and catch up." Inside was any normal sized family hut. One huge room that consisted of where a family would eat, sleep and hangout. Kōtonī passed Rin and herself some tea and soon asked, "how are things in Edo?"
"All is well. Everyone is healthy and happy. The village is growing. Kagome and Inuyasha finally are expecting their first child. Miroku and Sango are now expecting their sixth," Rin answered.
Kōtonī raised an eyebrow towards Rin. "Are they still shooting for ten babies?"
"Haha, yep. They're always so busy," Rin laughed.
"So anything new about you? Any guy you fall in love with yet?" Kōtonī asked, taking a sip of her tea.
Rin took a sip of her tea before she said, "not yet. I've been so busy helping granny Kaede that I don't notice the men."
"Girl, I was hoping you'd be with a guy by now. We got to keep our promise to be aunts to each other's children."
"I know. I'm still waiting for the right one to come along." By the right guy she hoped they would ask her what she wanted, not what they wanted. Also allow her to make decisions at times.
"I agree, you'll know when the right guy comes around," Kōtonī smiled brightly to Rin. "How's your lord been?"
"Umm...I guess he's doing well. I haven't seen him in two years. Jaken always brings me stuff from him, with a note attached to the parcel," Rin explained. She knew he's been working on building his empire. It was a vision of his for years, even before she existed.
"Really? His home is actually just far east of here. Maybe twenty or so miles down the road. He sometimes comes out here to check on us," she announced.
The news shocked Rin so much she had to ask, "how often does he come out here?"
Kōtonī had to think about that. "Let's see...maybe twice a month. So every other week he comes here. Which should be this week actually. So you might be able to see him again. How exciting, right?"
Rin softly smiled, "yes." To change the subject she asked, "how's Katsumi?"
"He's good. Out working. He'll be home later tonight. Which reminds me, I need to decide what to make tonight for dinner for us three. What are you in the mood for Rin?"
A cool breeze blew through the door, "maybe hot stew. Haha. I'll help you make it."
"Thank you, Rin. Why don't we go out and get some fresh vegetables and some beef?"
The girls took their time to gather the food to make the mixed vegetable and beef stew for their dinner. They even stopped by the shore to see Katsumi bringing in a net full of fish for the villagers. It was just a quick hello before he headed back out on the boat with the other male villagers.
Back inside as the food was prepped and ready to be cooked, Rin remembered the gifts she brought. "Kōtonī, I have a few things for you."
"Rin you didn't have to get me anything," Kōtonī said, shocked.
"Haha, I knew you would say that. It's actually for the baby," Rin said, pulling out a wrapped parcel. "Here you go."
Kōtonī gently took the wrapped clothes from Rin, untied the knot and opened to several colorful printed kimonos. "Wow! Rin, did you make all of these?"
"I did. The one on the bottom is for you after the little one is born."
"You have so much talent. Thank you," they each hugged one another.
Later that night after they all ate dinner Kōtonī went into labor. The contractions and her water broke very quickly. Rin had her lay down on a hay bed and made orders for Katsumi to fetch some fresh clean water to steam. She needed it after the baby was born to clean off. He also made him call for the village elder, so she could have an extra set of hands to help with the delivery. Rin quietly asked, "how are you feeling Kōtonī?"
"I'm in pain, but it will be all worth it in the end. I'm surprised my water broke this quickly. From what we're taught, it could take hours for the baby to come," she said, breathing through the pain.
"Yes, it's quite surprising. Maybe this baby will be early for a whole bunch of stuff. Walking, talking and crawling," Rin laughed.
"Haha, you're right on that. I was the same way. So that means my baby will take after me," she rubbed her belly with gentle strokes.
"So do you have any names picked out?" Rin curiously asked.
"Satsuki if it's a girl. For a boy I was thinking of Kanta," she replied.
"Such lovely names you've picked out. This may sound funny but I already have names picked out if I were to have kids, haha."
"Really Rin? What are they?" Kōtonī asked.
"Well for a girl I have two names that I like, Towa and Setsuna. For a boy Tatsuo," she answered.
"Those are beautiful names. Wouldn't it be crazy if you had twins? I remember you telling me that one of your brothers that was killed was your twin, right?"
"Yes, it would be neat if I had twins. One of each would be lovely to have." Rin allowed a few tears to drop thinking of her late family who she dearly misses.
"Oh, Rin. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."
Rin dried her eyes and gave her best friend a reassuring smile. "It's okay."
When the moon was in the middle of the sky, a healthy baby girl was born. A little Satsuki. Her name was given for being born in the month of May. She had little specks of brown hair and brown eyes just like her mother. "My beautiful little Satsuki. You have a family that loves you and will protect you always," she kissed her little forehead. "Rin, would you like to hold her?"
"I would love to hold my niece." Rin carefully took the baby into arms and gently rocked her back and forth. "Hello my little niece. I am your aunt Rin. You are the most precious little angel I ever saw. You are already spoiled with lots of kimonos and more to come in the future."
Weeks had passed and Rin was growing to love the village she was in. She wasn't ready to return to Edo. She wanted to stay longer. Not only to help Kōtonī around, but to see Lord Sesshomaru. A messenger from his home dropped off flyers that showed he was looking to hire for a party he was hosting. He needed servers to help with serving sake and food. But the biggest one he was looking for was a seamstress. It was one of the things she was great at. "In a few days I'll make my way to his home and ask for the position."
What do you all think of me trying for a mature Rin? What do you think Sesshomaru's reaction will be seeing Rin again after a two year hiatus? Please Review! I love getting them.