Chapter 1

For our own good

Rin walked by, followed by Jaken who wanted to recover what she had taken from him. Sesshoumaru understood the change right away. Rin's smell, usually sweet and slightly spicy, had taken a different turn. Rin was not a genderless child anymore, her body would soon turn into that of a woman. The odor became more pungent, and there was a touch of honey added to it. Sesshoumaru sighed. The moment he feared had happened. Since that day he came back from hell with her lifeless body in his arms, he knew he would have to let her go soon. The thought brought a bitter taste to his mouth. But tonight, already, he would inform her of his decision.

-xxxxx-

Night was falling, the sky was colored and the trees were purple. The moon was already high and it gave an intense glow around. Sesshoumaru had stopped near an abandoned house.

- Jaken.
- Sesshoumaru-sama?
- Pack Ah-Un with Rin's belongings. We leave tomorrow.
- Of course, Sesshoumaru-sama.

Jaken left right away, casting a glance behind him. Would Sesshoumaru-sama quit Rin? He knew that since the second death of the little one, Sesshoumaru-sama felt responsible. This time, Rin could have been lost for good. Jaken was grieved because he appreciated her, but he had also perceived his master's other feelings. Fear of losing her, the surprise of feeling such an emotion, the anger for letting her die, the guilt of taking her with him, and something softer, something very rare when it came to Sesshoumaru-sama . Attachment? Tenderness? Jaken did not really know. But from that time, Sesshoumaru-sama had realized that the girl was important to him. More than he thought.

Jaken nodded and mumbled while he was walking towards Ah-Un. Yes, definitely, Rin's life and happiness were essential to Sesshoumaru-sama. He had known that for a long time. But it must have been a shock to his master. He was not used to being related to someone. Jaken feared that Sesshoumaru-sama could live without Jaken. Perhaps he would never think about him again! But to live without Rin? The girl had brought a touch of joy in their lives. She was exhilarating, honest, innocent. Yes, even to Jaken, Rin was essential. What would Sesshoumaru-sama become without Rin? And what about the girl? He went his way and soon lost sight of his master...

- Rin.

Rin ran towards Sesshoumaru.

- Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama? What s happening, Sesshoumaru-sama?
- Tomorrow we will see Inuyasha.
- The brother of Sesshoumaru-sama? Why?
- You will now live in his village.

Rin was silent and tears came quickly to her eyes.

- I hope you will behave well.
- Se... Ssesshoumaru-sama no longer wants Rin? Is it... Is that Rin did something wrong?

Sesshoumaru looked at her. She was crying and she already looked at him with such sadness.

- No, Rin. You did nothing wrong.

Rin's tears did not relent. She looked desperate.

- But Rin wants to stay with Sesshoumaru-sama. Rin wants to stay with you always!

Her cry reached Sesshoumaru as an arrow would have. But his expression didn't budge.

- I know Rin. But there it is. Remember to be wise when you're with them.

The girl ran to him and hugged him.

- Sesshoumaru-sama... Sesshoumaru-sama...

Sesshoumaru, uncharacteristically, stroked her hair with a tender gesture. He knew that this decision would hurt her. But he could not let her hang with them indefinitely. Especially now that she would become a woman soon. How could he answer her questions then? She had to be returned to the human world. Even if he did not like his brother, he knew that he and his companions would take care of Rin, as she was human too. And they could make her live a normal life, a life that would not always threaten her existence.

And then there was also the concern of this smell. The smell of Rin as a child was already so pure and precious to him. Now it became more intense, more attractive, Sesshoumaru was afraid of losing control, to threaten her too. It was better that she lives with humans, that she finds friends like her and then... and then a husband, to protect her. This was not his task.

At the mere thought of a man taking her in his arms and making her his, Sesshoumaru clenched his fingers. He could not bear to see it. When Rin would have found someone, he never wanted to see her again. He did not want to know when she would have children. He did not want to see her die. She would die one day, but he would not know. For him, she would still be this smiling child who had never been afraid of him. She would always be the only woman worthy of him, the only one that had managed to touch his heart.

Rin looked up at him. The moon shone on her white skin and tears increased the brightness of her eyes. Surrounded by her smell, grabbed by the magnetism of her black eyes, Sesshoumaru did not move when he guessed the intentions of the girl. She approached him, closed her eyes and kissed him. Sesshoumaru was not surprised by the carelessness of Rin. But he was by the strange emotion that overwhelmed him. A mixture of victory, intense joy, a broth of tenderness, a fierce desire to protect her, Sesshoumaru had never felt anything like that. It was crazy!, he realized. The danger was not for her, the danger was for him if she stayed by his side. The danger of keeping her to himself, the danger of completely make her his own, the danger of dying in pain when she would die for the third time.

The caress of Rin's lips lasted for long. The salty taste of her tears mingled with the smell of her skin. Sesshoumaru took advantage of those moments, as he knew them to be the last. As Rin walked away, she said:

- I will wait for Sesshoumaru-sama in the village. Because I love Sesshoumaru-sama. I will be good, but I will wait forever. I'll wait for you to come and get me.

Sesshoumaru said nothing. His arms twined around the girl. The silence became deeper as Rin went to sleep, feeling safe, close to her loved one, at least for tonight. Sesshoumaru never closed his eyes. He remembered Rin's words. She loved him, she would wait, she wanted to stay with him. How could he believe the words of a human? And yet, Rin had never disappointed him. Rin was special. Rin was for him.

No. Rin would be best with a family. She would grow away from his morose character, away from dangers. It was for her own good. For his too. He could turn back to normal life, without the worry of having to protect her at all time. He would be free. It was better that way. Yes, he was sure. And Sesshoumaru was never wrong.