Chapter 6:
The next day Sesshomaru didn't leave her side, he told her she needed to eat but was informed that she no longer needed as much as humans did.
Rin made no move to get out of his embrace and he made no motion to remove her.
Later on, Rin looked up at him.
"How are Jaken and Au-Un?"
Sesshomaru kept his eyes closed, "They're well to my knowledge."
Rin smiled warmly, "Good. I'm glad."
Slowly Sesshomaru opened his eyes, "To me you've been gone for nine years, it seems nothing compared to 153 years. Even so, many people are waiting for you outside."
Rin looked up at him, "Will you stay with me if I go see them my Lord?"
Her question was innocent but he saw the hint of worry in her eyes that she tried to hide. She thought he'd leave her after he's only just got her back?
Sesshomaru stared down at her fiercely, "I will never leave you again."
Rin's face showed how shocked she was at his words, a faint blush painting her cheeks as she stuttered on.
He kept his eyes on her, "Go see them. I'm sure even Inuyasha has missed you, even though you threw him through a house."
Rin shrieked, "I did what?!"
Sesshomaru instinctively clasped his hand over her mouth and another over his own sensitive ear.
"You also toppled me to the ground." Rin's eyes widened in shock, "Here they come." he finished.
On cue, Inuyasha busted the door to his own house down and instantly had his sword drawn. His wife kept trying to look around him at Rin but when she couldn't see anything, she jumped onto Inuyasha's back to look over his shoulder.
Inuyasha looked wildly between the two moving the sword back between them, "Who hurt who!?"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled into his ears causing Sesshomaru to remove his hand from Rin and cover his other ear with a growl.
Inuyasha responded defensively, "What?! She tossed me out of my own house. Honestly Kagome it's anyone's game!"
Sesshomaru lifted himself and Rin to a standing position, "Stop yelling."
The order was clear and non-negotiable.
Kagome ducked her head down behind Inuyasha shoulder and whisper quickly, "Sorry Big Brother"
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her and turned to Rin rather grumpily.
If Rin had to guess, his stern eyes conveyed a 'Why do you like these people?' in a very aggressive way.
"I will be on the roof," he said coldly. Then before everyone's eyes Sesshomaru dematerialized and then a soft thump was heard above them, it was obvious he was not moving.
Inuyasha looked dumbstruck and sheathed his sword, "What the-Why didn't I know he could do that?"
Kagome went around him and straight for Rin, 'Rin!"
Kagome had her arm locked around Rin's neck and Rin slowly did the same around her waist. Not wanting to hurt her, it had been a long time since Rin used her hands for anything except to fight. Sesshomaru was…sturdy but Kagome was very much human and Rin didn't want to accidentally hurt her.
She saw Inuyasha come up behind her, and smiled softly at her.
"Hi." she said softly.
Inuyasha came and hugged them both and said calmly, "Welcome home Kid."
Rin laughed, "I'm actually older than you Inuyasha."
Inuyasha blinked twice, "Huh?"
Rin wanted to see them but it felt odd being here after being gone for so long. Rin wasn't the same girl from before.
The older woman looked at Rin and gave her a hug, "We've missed you wild one."
"I missed you as well." She replied.
Everyone was gathered around the fire as night time fell. Songo, Miroku, Inuyasha, Kagome, Kaede, and Rin herself. Sesshomaru kept a respectful distance, he reminded Rin of a guard dog but she'd never tell him this. Out of everyone she is remeeting again, he's the one who kept her going. The reason she was able to do all of the things she needed to do to survive. To live another day and finally reunite with him.
Rin knew 153 years was a very long time to be away and she expected everyone to be long gone with the exception of Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and little shippo. She made peace with this a long time ago, but to come back and have only lost nine years was something she'd never imagined.
Rin didn't think she'd ever sit here with them and meet their children or that she'd feel like Kaede was inspecting her under magnifying glass. She was grateful but she felt out of place now, she wasn't that village girl who smiled all the time nor was she the blood thirsty soldier she had to be.
Rin realized she was something in between. Not human and not demon. Not timid as she was here but not as critical as she was in the other realm.
Kagome brought her out of her thoughts with a question, "Rin what happened to you?"
Rin sighed and ran a hand through her gray hair, "It's a long story and I will tell it to you, but I ask that you respect that I will not be disclosing everything to you."
The group as a whole, looked taken back. The little girl who wouldn't ever stop talking and had no secret, asked if they not only were okay with this but respect it. It was very unlike the Rin they know. Songo, one of the most understanding women that Rin knew, also looked at her in confusion.
Kagome's face turned to one hurt, and Inuyasha pulled her closer to him instinctively.
Miroku was the one to break the silence, he had remained quiet throughout most of the evening. Rin noticed this change in his character as well.
Miroku nodded, "I respect your wishes but will you answer our questions?"
Rin nodded gratefully to him, "Within reason yes."
Kaede narrowed her eyes, "Within reason? We are glad you are back girl but we deserve to know-"
Rin cut her off harshly, "I am not a girl Kaede, you'd be wise to remember that. Yes, you do deserve to know what's happened but once again within reason."
Kaede stood abruptly, "I cared for you for years-"
Rin cut her off again, "That you did and I thank you for it but I am no longer under your care. I'm under no one's care nor obligation to answer any question that is out of bounds."
Kaede kept her gaze steady on Rin, something very few dared to do in her 'previous' life.
Kaede saw a woman beyond her years as she spoke.
Kaede sat back down and smiled tensely at her, "You have changed Rin, you are no longer that sweet seventeen year old who helped me in this village. Where did that sweet one go?"
"She's still here." Rin replied.
Inuyasha coughed loudly, "Well now that whatever that was has passed. Can you tell us now?"
She turned towards Inuyasha and smiled gratefully. Kagome looks intrigued, staring at her with what Rin could only assume was admiration. Songo crossed her ankles and just stared at her, like she didn't recognize her anymore. Still there was pride in Songo's eyes at her composed demeanor.
Rin saw she had everyone's intention and began the shortened version of what she told Lord Sesshomaru, while cutting out a good bit of it.
"After I had a fight with Kaede, I left to clear my head and I was taken by…figures wearing black cloaks. I blacked out for the most part but these people assumed I was a demon, they never saw one so they didn't know any better. There is no easy way for me to say this but they experimented on me. I assume you've noticed my hair as well as the color of my blood?" she said, looking around at the group.
Inuyasha was the first to say, "Yeah, I noticed your right hook too."
The woman grimaced, "I'm sorry about that."
Inuyasha laughed, "I got to watch you take Sesshomaru to the ground so let's call it even."
RIn groaned but Inuyasha's grin was contagious, "Yes well it also stopped my aging but my hair still turned gray as the years went by."
Miroku interrupted her, "You act much older than 26."
"I am," she replied.
"How old are you then?" Miroku asked her.
Rin turned to face him with a coy grin, "I thought it was impolite to ask a lady her age."
Miroku returned her grin and in a singing voice chimed in with, "Not if she throws a grown half demon through my house."
"Fair enough, I'll tell you at the end then." she replied.
She continued on, "There were others like me and we went to a camp of sorts, where we were trained to become soldiers. It was difficult…but after years I became one of their Generals. I gained their trust for the most part and I was given more access and information. I observed everything and looked for a way to escape in the end. Now I'm here with you all. Miroku, what month is it?"
"It-it's March next month." He replied, confused by her odd question.
"Well then next month I will be 154 years old," she said calmly.