Rin woke up to a hand on her hip, shaking her. She raised her head and blinked as she yawned, not surprised to see it was Kagome who had woken her up this morning. She pulled off her blanket and began putting it away with her pillow.
"Good morning, Lady Kagome." Rin said politely as she rose to properly address her. Kagome smiled at the younger woman.
"Good morning Rin. I see you're still staying up late. I wanted to wake you up early so you could help me out with some chores before Sesshomaru arrives." Kagome said, leaving the hut. She paused at lifting the cover.
"That is also a beautiful kimono, you have a good eye, Rin." Kagome teased as she left the hut. Rin smiled after the older woman and glanced over to her clothes. When Kagome ever asked her to help with chores in the morning it usually consisted of laundry and cleaning, sometimes even making sure the perimeter of the village was secure before they were done. She removed her pajamas and placed them beside the chest as she put on her priest clothes to avoid doing any harm to the clothes given to her by Lord Sesshomaru.
She arrived at Kagome's and Inuyasha's home, eager to finish the chores so she could keep an eye out for Sesshomaru's arrival. Inuyasha was sitting outside the hut, resting against its walls, looking like he was taking a nap. Kagome appeared exiting it, carrying a basket of clothes, grinning as she spotted Rin approaching.
"Here, Rin. Why don't you do the laundry and I'll do the cleaning. I know you're eager to see Sesshomaru when he arrives. This should help you finish quicker." Kagome offered. Rin smiled with appreciation, surprised Kagome would be so thoughtful of her desire to see her lord.
"Thank you, Lady Kagome." She said in response to her kindness as she bowed. Kagome nodded with a big smile, handing the basket to the younger woman. After Rin began walking away Kagome went back inside.
°---°----------------------------------------------°---°
Rin threw clothes onto the clothes line, plucking a pin from a basket designated for them, putting them on the clothes to keep them attached to the line. The final one had been placed and Rin stepped back to insure everything was in place and accounted for. When she was satisfied she smiled and went to the empty basket the clothes had been in originally, picking it up and moving it off to the side.
She glanced up at the sun, wondering how close it was to noon. Sesshomaru had yet to arrive, but she knew he would soon. Rin began to retreat to her hut, eager to get changed and wait for her lord.
She ran into the hut with familiar excitement as she began dressing out of her current clothes into the kimono she had picked out last night. It was a generous piece of attire, allowing her the ability to move as she please while looking very beautiful. Rin pulled down her hair from its bun, feeling better with it left down.
She got down on her knees as she lifted up a small bowl. She planned on taking it to the river to properly brush her hair. Grabbing a comb Kagome had given her, she exited her home and took off to the nearby river bank.
Rin dipped the bowl into the water, filling it up with the fresh water of the stream. She moved a safe distance away as she wet her comb and began brushing her hair. It was considerably easy to brush through hair, only having small curls form at the bottom.
After she finished she poured the water back into the stream and put her hair back into its bun, not wanting wet hair to ruin her outfit. As she returned to her hut she was surprised to see Inuyasha there waiting for her.
"Rin, I uh... Wanted to talk to you about Sesshomaru." The half demon said. Rin stopped before him and gave him a curious look.
"What about Lord Sesshomaru, Inuyasha?" Rin asked innocently, not quite able to figure out what this could be about. Inuyasha hesitated as he watched her give him her innocent attention. He sighed.
"Rin, how do you feel about Sesshomaru?" He asked blatantly. Rin blinked in confusion. How did she feel about him?
She saw him somewhat as a father figure, she guessed. He had been very protective of her since her first resurrection, so protective that after her second death he dared not to risk her life anymore on his hunt for Naraku by leaving her with Kaede. Although, as she had grown older, Rin did eventually admit to herself as her naive personality began to fade that she was developing some forms of feelings for the demon.
"What do you mean, Inuyasha?" Rin asked, not quite sure what she should say to him. Inuyasha scoffed with irritation.
"Sesshomaru has been visiting you continuously for 10 years, ever since he first left you to live here. I may not be the smartest guy when it comes to these things, but I know you admire him a lot. I want to know if you have developed anything more than just 'admiration' for him." Inuyasha accused. Rin blushed, making Inuyasha glare at her, although it was more of suspicion than hate. She lowered her head in shame, she knew she would have to face this sooner or later.
It was best if she acted her age and took responsibility for her emotions.
"I suppose you're right, Inuyasha. I.. I fear I have developed stronger feelings for Lord Sesshomaru over time... But I have never acted on them! I am very aware he does not have interest in humans. Me being a human.. there is no reason for me to try and be with him." Rin remarked somewhat sadly. Inuyasha remained silent as he let her disparity of emotions to sink in.
"Well, I am sure Sesshomaru, to whatever extent he can, cares for you as well. I doubt it has anything to do with love and all that crap, but he does care. That’s the only reason he would bother being around this village, or me for that matter, to visit you." Inuyasha said, sounding like he was trying to console her. Rin nodded as she felt tears developing in her eyes, quickly reaching up to wipe them away. He sighed in his usual annoyed sounding way as he began to leave.
"Just be careful if you try to admit to him how you feel. You're like a daughter to me and Kagome, we don't want to watch you and Sesshomaru have a falling out because my brother has his prejudices." Inuyasha said as he left, leaving Rin to deal with a mixture of emotions rolling around in her stomach.