Chapter Summary : Rin is now a seventeen-year-old girl-woman who has been taught by Kaede the art of being a healer and of being a miko. Sesshomaru, meanwhile, has been fighting to keep his lands safe and has discovered how much he terribly misses his human child companion. Coming back to the village to see her once again, he is surprised at how much she has grown over the past 6 years. Tentatively, he asks her to come with him and travel with him again, much like she used to do when she was still a little girl. Will Rin accept or not ?

Title : Only Time

Pairing : Sesshomaru and Rin

Disclaimer : I don't own any Inuyasha characters. This story is purely fanfic. This was inspired after I heard Enya's song called " Only Time ". So here we are.

Setting/Timeline : This happens 6 years after Sesshomaru left an 11 year-old Rin at Kaede Oba-San's village.

ONLY TIME

CHAPTER ONE, PART ONE : " THE LORD OF THE WESTERN LANDS RETURNS "

He stood gazing at the face of the full moon, his handsome youkai features illuminated by the bright luna-light. A southern breeze blew across the valley, whispering with the trees of the Sesshomaru Taisho, caressing his face as he closed his golden eyes, his long, flowing silver hair swaying gently. He could smell her human scent, caught as it was by the wind that carried it, telling him that he was near her village. It was that faint aroma of mortality mingled with the touch of the sun. It made him think of bright meadows and colorful flowers; of vast green fields and rolling plains of endless yellow sunlight.

Such a stark contrast to his own barren soul. A stark contrast to the Hinderlands of his own heart. It was empty inside him, he knew, before she came into his life. But that sunny smile of hers melted even the hardest of hearts. It certainly did so to him. It was like a salvation : It washed away his blood-drenched visage.

Six years had passed since he'd left her at that stinking human village. For the next three years after, he'd visited continuously to make sure of her safety..and to see her. But the last three years, he'd failed to do so. Battles after battles had kept him away. He missed her. Very much so.

Briefly, he wondered – for the millionth time in his entire existence – why he took her in; why he took on the burdensome task of caring for her. He was a demon lord who hated humans to the bone, yet he loved this human girl to distraction, even going so far as battling the Underworld (and curse the gods whoever they may be) to save her life. Then again – for the millionth time in his entire existence – he wondered what kind of relationship he had with the human. Was he a father to her? They certainly never acted that way. At least, he corrected himself, that wasn't how he saw himself with her. Was he an older brother then? Not likely. He'd more than had his share of younger siblings. One hanyou brother and his human wife was enough, no need for another human sister. Guardian? Probably. But their relationship was on much closer terms than that..wasn't it? Uncle? Not. Definitely not. He'd no sooner settle for being Guardian than being Uncle.

It troubled him greatly that he could not understand. Him, Daiyoukai of the Western Lands, Sesshomaru Taisho and god to all you mortals and lesser beings, baffled only by a human child.

And so he stood there, in deep thought – like the great thinking man that he was – and it never occurred to him that maybe in his heart of hearts..just maybe..he already knew the answer.

The next day saw the glorious morning sun shining in its perch on heaven. But two creatures deep in the heart of the forest ignored its golden rays. One was a very wild, black demon dog. The other was dressed in miko robes, her haired pulled to a bun behind her pretty head. Both were staring each other down. A low growl emanated from the demon.

Rin stood very, very still. One wrong move and she was done for. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead and trickled down her brow. She was uncomfortable, but she dared not move. The wild demon dog facing her growled fiercely again and eyed her intently. She knew it would attack the moment she broke eye contact and lost her concentration. It was a very hard thing to do, considering that her heart was thumping its wildest in her chest and that her knees were already shaking so much they were in danger of turning into jelly.

Nevertheless, she persisted. To gain a demon familiar as a human was almost unheard of, amongst demons and humans alike and Kaede Oba-san had taught her long ago that very few humans ever managed this feat. And that all those who ever did all had very powerful spiritual energies. Not that Rin thought she had such powerful ki…but Kaede Oba-san told her that if she tried hard enough, she could do it. Kagome did it, Oba-san said. Rin pointed out that Inuyasha Onii-san was a hanyou and did not count. Besides, he was a lover not a familiar. Oba-san said, True. And they laughed at that.

The memory made Rin smile briefly as she strengthened her concentration and tried her damnedest to make the demon dog a familiar. Concentration and willpower was all that was needed, aside from powerful ki, of course. As if that wasn't hard enough to do.

And why are you doing this Rin?, she asked herself. Because it would please Sesshomaru-sama. If he comes around to visit, I shall show him my accomplishment. This is so childish. I'm not a child anymore.

You can say that again.

I'm not a child anymore.

Ugh – Would he be proud if he finds out that you're risking your life just for this? Feh. Probably not.

Bah, why bother? He hasn't even seen you in the last three years. He probably doesn't care for you anymore.

Why, oh, why do you doubt your lord, Rin? You've been doubting him a lot lately. You never used to do that.

Maybe, Rin thought, maybe it's because people change. I still trust my Lord Sesshomaru very much. But now I understand the huge chasm between us. Youkai and human cannot be together.

May I point out Inuyasha and Kagome?

They're different.

How are they different?

Just. They're different because – Wait, do I really have to explain myself to myself? Seriously?

Aye, that you do.

No, I don't. Why don't you just shut up, inner voice?

Who says I'm your inner voice?

Let's not kid ourselves.

You mean yourself.

Whatever.

You love him. You love that silver-haired man with the fluffy tail.

Yes, I do. To distraction. So much it actually hurts. Now, shut up. I'm trying to concentrate. With that, she sighed tiredly. Mental note : Stop arguing with yourself. It's exhausting.

Right.

It wasn't until she had settled her thoughts that she realized that the demon dog she faced no longer glared at her. Its glowing red eyes had shifted focus to something behind her. It sniffed the air and whimpered, then it started backing away from her slowly. A resounding, more ferocious growl echoed from behind Rin and the demon dog abruptly fled.

" Eh? ", Rin wondered aloud. The demon ran? Masaka..? She felt like sniffing the air too.

A calm, baritone voice spoke. It was one that she knew all too well. " Rin. What are you doing here? "

That voice! Rin turned around slowly, as if afraid to see who might be standing behind her, and faced the owner of the voice.

She gasped. Her hand going involuntarily to her mouth as she took in his features : the golden eyes, the magenta stripes on either side of his cheeks, and the blue crescent on his forehead. There he stood, in all his youkai glory, her demon sire, her Sesshomaru-sama. He still looked the same as ever. More handsome, though, than she last recalled.

" Sesshomaru..sama..? "

" Rin. ", He answered softly and repeated his question, " What are you doing here? "

" S..Sesshomaru-sama, I..I was..Wait, I don't have to answer that do I? "

And what in the hell made you think that human? Sesshomaru thought and said, " I think you do. I asked you a question, Rin. "

" No, I don't. It's supposed to be secret. " Rin smiled, though it hurt. If he ever finds out..he's more dangerous than that dog and I can't tame this one.

Not that you could tame the other one either.

Great. Big help you are. Inner voices should be supportive of their hosts, you know.

You make me sound like a parasite, Rin-chan. That hurts.

Can you even actually hurt yourself with your own comments?

Who cares? I know I am.

I give up.

" Rin. Tell me : since when do you keep secrets from me? " I've been gone a long time, it seems. This Sesshomaru is deeply disturbed. Like never before. Sesshomaru stared at the blossoming girl-woman in front of him, took in the miko robes and the pretty hairstyle, and the lack of any visible weapon that she might've used to protect herself in the forest, and suppressed a shudder. Had he not scented her and arrived just in time, she would've died.

She really was beautiful. Of course, he had known that she would grow up to be. Her raven-black hair and her sparkling brown eyes were enough to catch attention at first glance. And that little upturned nose that seemed to challenge the whole world. But her innocence..It was her most appealing trait, as well as her smile. And now she's keeping secrets.

Rin licked her lips and swallowed a lump in her throat. The way Sesshomaru-sama was staring her down scared her. He looked deadly. I want to hug him and tell him how much I've missed him. But the way he's looking at me right now makes me feel like crying. She balled her fists and took a deep breath. He must not know.

First things first, answer the damn question.

She replied, " Since three years ago, Lord Sesshomaru. I realized that there are things that women should not tell men at all. And that a woman is allowed to indulge in her secrets. I've learned to keep many secrets. Such as the one you caught me doing. "

" I would rather you told me Rin. " , Sesshomaru said. Where does she get all this nonsense?

" I would rather not Sesshomaru-sama. " , Rin retorted. You'd kill me if you found out. And where was Jaken anyway? She had noticed his glaring absence. If he'd been there, he would've been the one to argue with her, not this fluffy-tailed demon lord. She suppressed a smile as she thought of their noisy bickering a long time ago.

" You've grown up rebellious child. This Sesshomaru finds it disturbing."

" Please refrain from calling me child. "

" You are a child. "

" I am not. "

Sesshomaru sighed and silently cursed. " Yes you are. If you're that rebellious, you're nothing but a child. " He glared at her, and getting the scared reaction that he desired, continued in a monotone, " We will head back to the village, you and I, where you will change from- ", his voice took on a note of disgust, " those silly robes and into something more suitable for a girl your age. For what were all those clothes I bought you if you do not wear them? "

" These are not silly robes, Sesshomaru-sama. I am a miko-in-training. I have learned the art of archery from Kagome Onee-san and the art of spellcasting from Kaede Oba-san. I'm quite capable of taking care of myself already."

Sesshomaru looked at her coldly. " Then what were you doing in the heart of this dangerous forest without a weapon if you're so capable of taking care of yourself? " He turned around and started walking towards where the forest ended and the village lay, ignoring the girl behind him, who was busy working herself up to a righteous anger. He was damned if he listened to anymore nonsense coming from her. His Rin had somehow changed over the years, and he, Sesshomaru Taisho was in a state of bewilderment he dared not show.

" The day does not tarry for us. Follow me and I will return you to the village, human child. It was fortunate that I found you. If not for me, you would've died. " Sesshomaru continued in the same dull, monotone voice. I can swear I've said more than I've ever said in an entire century, he thought. Then he started walking away, confident that his Rin would follow.

" Yes, Sesshomaru-sama." ,Rin answered and quietly followed the retreating figure into the forest.

She felt a slight chill settle in her heart. I've changed. I've changed so much over these past years and I don't know what to do about it. Neither does he. That chasm between us is ever larger. Rin bit her lip and placed a hesitant hand on her lord's back. He stopped, and so did she. Then she placed her head on his back and uttered a subdued apology.

" Gomenasai, Sesshomaru-sama."

Sesshomaru swallowed a lump in his throat. What was he to do? When had she changed so much? He asked himself. This was..chaotic. Rin was a paradox to him now. He was confused and he did not like it. What was he to do?

Slowly, he turned and pulled Rin close to him, and enveloped her in his embrace..and realized that he liked it.

" This Sesshomaru forgives you. "

TO BE CONTINUED...

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