Authors note: I need to emphasize, I'm not tormenting Sesshomaru with visions of Rin as an adult. I'm emphazising that his heart is shifting toward a future with her as an adult, and not focused on her as a child. By default, this shows that he is (in fact) not what these idiots on the internet say that he is. It should be logical, but not everyone thinks logically. Sometimes, you have to follow the canon and spell it out for people very slowly, so they can understand.

Chapter 61 - Together

The moon had risen in the time that it took the yokai lord, to move their little band to the open grassy area by the stream. The sky was mostly clear, showing thousands of swirling milky stars within the heavens. His gold eyes focused on the great expanse of celestial bodies, sparkling in the darkness above. Somewhere behind, Sesshomaru heard rather than saw Rin begin to stir. With his eyes still closed, he heard the faint spike of her heartbeat, blood pumping slightly faster beneath her pale skin. The softed shift of her hair against the lushness of the grass.

"Oh... you're awake." Jaken's voice hovered somewhere near Rin, likely, he was still fussing with that silly ponytail. The yokai noted, that the imp's voice was much softer speaking to Rin now, than he had ever observed it to be before. Briefly, Sesshomaru turned to glance back at the two beings, so small amidst the sea of gently waving grass.

"Oh? Master Jaken, you're all better now." Rin's voice was soft and airy, with that familiar childlike quality. Sesshomaru noted the distinct differences between her voice, and the adult Rin. She bent her knees and slowly sat up, as if testing to see if her body still functioned properly. "Either that or maybe, I died when I fell off the cliff."

"You silly fool. Lord Sesshomaru brought you back here, you didn't die."

Sesshomaru listened in silence. He hadn't shared any of the events leading up to bringing back the sinensel berries, but Jaken certainly had enough brain to deduce that Rin had been introuble, given the state she had been in. Rin listened to Jaken with wide brown eyes, her hand on her chest as if to still her heart. Sesshomaru turned away, his eyes returning to the moon that hovered overhead, still listening.

"Do you mean he saved me?" Rin asked, her voice filled with wonder.

How can she even question, that I wouldn't hear her call? Rin, you know I will always come for you.

"That's right! And you'd better stop causing him so much trouble, young lady."

"I know... I'm sorry." The apology was whispered. Sesshomaru pressed his lips together, irritated that she would apologize. She was the one person who had made right decisions today - not himself or Jaken. Rin threw her arms around the imp, holding him tightly in a very human gesture - a hug. Sesshomaru could hear the tears in her voice. "Master Jaken - I'm so glad you're well again! I was so worried about you!"

This small girl, held more compassion in one finger, than Sesshomaru had experienced in the entirety of his centuries alive. It astounded him, and he struggled to understand it. In the world of demons, compassion only meant you were soft... it would get you killed very quickly. Yet here Rin, was showing him that compassion, was a powerful force. One that drove her to put herself in danger, to save the life of the imp, who had done little but torment and degrade her since she had joined their travel party.

Profoundly not used to affection, Jaken struggled against her grip, squealing as he tried to wriggled out of her arms. "Stop Rin! Get away... shoo!"

"I won't!"

Sesshomaru's eyes lingered on the stars, the squabbling voices behind him fading into the distant background as he lost himself to his innermost thoughts. Why do you keep appearing to me? He silently asked, the mirage of Rin that was to be. This time, there was no answer but the breeze against his face, and the moonlight on his skin. Sakuya-hime... is it you who wishes this vision upon me? You who said I would have beauty in my future... is this what you meant? His thoughts lingered on the goddess of Mount Fuji, who had appeared to him when Rin burned with fever. "You will not be lonely forever." The words rang in his mind. Sesshomaru's eyebrows drew together, as he considered it. Was I lonely? Before Rin?

A sigh escaped his lips, from somewhere deep within. It is not something to ponder now. I cannot deviate from my mission. Destroying Naraku must remain my objective. As long as he lives, Rin will never be safe to live a human life. His thoughts shifted to what Kagome had said. "Head for the ox tiger. Someone sensed Naraku's presence heading that way!" That was northeast of where they now stood. There was not much land to cover, from where they stood now, until the ocean. A few mountains, and some small villages. To the north east, is he?

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin cried, breaking his focus on the sky and internal thoughts.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken echoed, in a soft melty... and odd... falsetto tone.

Turning, the yokai's eyes fell upon the duo, who stood gazing up at him adoringly. He could see the questions brimming in Rin's eyes, she would be asking him about the so-called rescue later, he was certain. For now, they needed to leave. InuYasha certainly had a headstart in his search, Sesshomaru had no intention of permitting the hanyo to be the first to find Naraku.

"We're going." He said simply, shifting his eyes away from them both, he began walking, headed in a distinctly northeastern direction. Behind him, Rin giggled, clearly pleased to be rejoined with their little clan.

To his surprise, Jaken joined in her mirth and began laughing also. "We're all together again my Lord!" The imp exclaimed. "Isn't it wonderful!?"

Sesshomaru didn't respond verbally, but he considered what the imp had said. Yes... it is good for us to be together again.