The End [11/12]

[Calla Lily]

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Sesshoumaru bid guests goodbye at the front doors of the palace and gave them his wishes for a safe trip to their homes. Ayame and Kouga gave their clan?s best wishes for the Lord and Kagome gave a cordial farewell to her brother-in-law, if not with a sad look on her features. Rin was also at the front doors and gave each of her friends a hug in return. Kagome whispered in her ear, ?If you need anything, or need to talk to someone for any reason at all, just ask any one of us, okay??

?I will, don?t worry.?

?Be a good girl, Rin. Be good to Lord Sesshoumaru.? And she watched the three of them climb onto the back of Kirara and disappear into the darkness.



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That same evening, when the stars had dropped into the sky and the moon was enshrouded in black clouds of rain, Sesshoumaru left the safety of his library and stood at the door of Rin?s chambers. He knocked.

?Yes?? Her voice was still apprehensive.

?It?s Sesshoumaru, Rin. I wish to speak to you.? The doors swung open easily enough and Rin stood opposite him.

?If it?s about my disobedience earlier this evening, I?m sorry Sesshoumaru. I relied on Jaken too much and I was caught up in helping the others?? she started to blubber out, her face turning a slight shade of cerise.

?Don?t apologize, Rin for it?s partly my fault as well. I just had a rather bad conference with a fellow youkai Lord in the South and Jaken couldn?t leave the palace?? The maiden ushered him inside and he sat down on one of her couches.

?Did he threaten war, Sesshoumaru? Is that why Jaken couldn?t leave?? He merely nodded as a reply.

?I was worried about your safety, Rin, and got carried away. It?s me who should be?? but she put a finger to his lips to hush him, ?there?s nothing else to forgive, it was just a misunderstanding for the both of us.?

?Rin, I want you to leave the palace before the year is over.?



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?But just tell me you love me,
And you are only mine
And our love will go on,
'Til the e-end of time?



?Pardon me?? was all she had to say.

?I want you to leave my palace by December. Kagome and Inuyasha are willing to take you into their village, and the others will accept you there.?

?My Lord, I don?t understand. This is my home, how can I leave?? If this was hard on him, it was thrice as hard for her. Nevertheless, he kept an impassive look on his face.

?Remember when you were young, you asked me why you were different from everyone else who lived here? You?re human Rin, you belong with your kind. You have so much to give to the world, what could you possibly do here?? He watched her stand up to open a window and she breathed in some night air. ?I release you from my hold, Rin.?

?No.?



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?'Til the end of time ...?



?I have made my choice, Sesshoumaru. I will stay here in your castle and forever remain by your side.? A resolute voice escaped her lips and her figure was shadowed by the darkness of the room. This time, no moon shone out the window to relieve the inevitable night.

?Don?t be rash with your words, little girl. You have no reason to stay here.?

?I can help with the trade books, I can?? but her voice died. Was there a reason to stay? The maiden looked at her Lord and they read each other?s eyes. To leave was the sensible thing to do: she could put her knowledge and kindness to better use. She would be in closer contact with her childhood friends from the villages, she had her Lord?s brother to watch over her as well? it was all arranged. It was all done.

But what was it that held her back?

?Sesshoumaru.?

?Yes??

?I? I?? she faltered with her words, let knees giving way as Rin sank down to the floor, hardly believing her own mind.

?I love you.?



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