The well in the meadow glowed suddenly as an unnatural light filled its void. Inuyasha jumped through and skidded to a stop. The young brunette girl grinned when she spotted him. Yet another new kimono adorned her small frame. She waved at him cheerfully.

"Inuyasha!"

"What's up, Rin?" No matter how many times he'd warned her, the girl still wandered into the woods alone. Kaede would have to keep a better watch on the child. Even without Naraku, there were still monsters and bandits that could get hold of her. Traveling with Sesshomaru for so long had given her an odd sense of danger.

"Sesshomaru-sama brought me a new kimono!" The girl twirled on her feet.

"I see that."

"Look!" Rin swept her hair aside. He leaned closer to examine the little symbol hand-stitched into the quality cotton. When she turned to face him, he noticed the same symbol stitched onto her shoulder.

"The next time someone kidnaps me, they'll know who I am. Sesshomaru-sama said it would protect me." Rin glowed with happiness.

"What's that symbol supposed to mean?"

"Sesshomaru-sama says it's the family crest. A bandit or someone would try to ransom me. It would give him time to find me." Rin recited. "They're less likely to sell someone with a family crest."

"Is that so?" Inuyasha's forehead creased.

"Oh! Here." Rin darted forward. A piece of cloth was tucked into his hand. A square of cloth with the same symbol stitched into the dark fabric. "Sesshomaru-sama says that all of my clothing has to have this symbol or he will kill you. He said to tell you that specifically."

"I'll...I'll make sure Kaede knows." The little cloth felt heavy in his hand. The girl's brilliant smile blinded him. She kept pace with him as he started towards the village. Most of what she said went over his head. The black cloth in his fist weighed on him heavily.

Rin probably told him about the wedding. Sesshomaru knows I'm going to marry Kagome.

"Is Kagome coming to visit today?"

"Not today. Her mother took her to visit with friends."

"Is her mother pretty like Kagome?"

"They look alike."

"Is Kagome a princess?"

"No? Where did you get a stupid idea like that?"

"She's pretty like a princess. She has fancy things. Sango showed me the mirror in your house!" Rin clasped her hands together.

"It's from Kagome's world. Things are cheaper there."

"Is Sesshomaru-sama going to live with you?" The innocent question nearly knocked him down. The idea of Sesshomaru sitting across from him at breakfast. Standing in a field of dead villagers after someone dared ask him a question.

"No!"

Inuyasha sped up. Rin lost the skip in her step as she sped up. The hand on his sleeve slowed him down. They crossed over the last stretch of grass before they merged with the road that led to the village. He nodded absently to the men they passed. They always looked past him to find Kagome but he didn't mind. So long as they didn't form a gang to force them out, they could treat him as they pleased.

Kaede was sitting in her herb patch. The old woman was digging with her little trowel. A ridge of dirt showed her day's work. She smoothed more dirt over the little hole in front of her before adding water. Her gray head lifted as he jumped the little fence. Rin exhaled loudly before pushing the little gate open.

"Inuyasha. Where is ye bride?"

"In her world. Have you seen Sesshomaru?"

"Ye brother stopped by with a gift for Rin. I did not speak to him." Her trowel rested on her knee.

"What does this mean?" Inuyasha showed her the black fabric.

"A crest?"

"It belongs to my lord! He wants all of my clothing to have it." Rin recited. Inuyasha's ears flickered with annoyance. Her near-worship of the cold bastard wore on his nerves. She never seemed bothered by his indifference to everyone but herself.

"Does he?"

"To protect Rin." The girl smiled at him.

"His timing is curious. Ye wedding is soon, Inuyasha?" Kaede's knowing gaze made him scowl. The old woman always acted like she knew him. Just because her body was aged didn't mean she could treat him like her junior.

"That has nothing to do with it!"

"I can change Rin's clothing without this cloth. Keep it." Kaede refused to take it. "I believe it was intended for your wedding kimono. Take the cloth to Kagome's mother and she will make the alterations. It is only proper."

"I don't need his fucking crest!"

"Inuyasha, do not be perverse. I am Rin's guardian and I shall not allow it."

"It's not my lord's crest. It's the family crest." Rin piped up.

"What?"

"My lord explained it to me. He assumed you would not know because you are an imbecile." Rin's adoring smile contradicted her parroted insults. "Rin must know in case your humans are too stupid to know."

"Oi!"

"Inuyasha's wife can't be expected to know because she's a foreigner." Rin shrugged.

"What did you say?"

"Kagome is from a different country. She wears a short kimono that shows her legs!" Rin looked between them. "If Inuyasha insists on marrying a human foreigner, he should not embarrass Sesshomaru-sama."

"That bastard! She's not a foreigner!"

"Thank you, Rin-chan. Go inside and gather your kimono. I shall mend them this evening." The girl bowed before skipping inside. Inuyasha listened in irritation as she opened the chest filled with gifts. Expensive combs and sewing needles. Hair pins and tortoise shells.

"Sesshomaru is providing that girl with a large dowry. A small fortune lies within that chest. Rin will be able to afford whatever life she chooses." Kaede shook her head.

"Speaking of gifts – what do you give a girl's parents? I need something for Kagome's mother and grandfather. It has to be something nice. They rented out an entire inn for the wedding dinner. They're serving beef after the service to all of the guests. They're spending money on little decorated boxes. There's an entire room filled with presents from her family!"

"You've waited this long?"

"No one told me, baba. I need help."

"I am sure Rin would part with something. The items in that chest – "

"I'm not taking any of her castoffs. It has to be from me. Kagome's family is spending a fortune. They've spent money on my clothes and the trip to the mountains. They bought a mountain of paper to send out notices. Kagome's mother has new clothes. Even her kid brother has new clothes."

"Something special, then?" Kaede's eye looked away. She fell quiet.

"Kagome's grandfather collects junk that he calls 'antiques'. None of his sutras hold power. Miroku could probably find something for him."

"And the mother?"

"A great cook. She makes the lunches Kagome brings here. Her husband died when Souta was a baby. She likes to visit little shoppes and art galleries. Books! She reads books." Inuyasha remembered.

"I have an idea but you would have to travel. Is your presence required before the wedding?"

"They're handling the guests and the food and the decorations. I have to be back the night before."

"It might be wise to take Miroku with you. That man could talk a nun out of a convent. Take that cloth to Kagome's mother before you leave the village."

"You'll help me?"

"Only if you take that cloth to Kagome's mother." Kaede's stern expression left no room for discussion. Inuyasha cursed as he turned and fled. The old woman set aside her trowel and eased to her feet. She smiled as she remembered the dark cloth in Inuyasha's hand. The stoic elder brother had given his sibling a fine gift.