By Your Side

Chapter 1 - Promise

A/N: Hello guys! I just finished re-watching the series and gosh, I swear this is the best anime ever. I was never satisfied with the ending so I'd always wanted to write up my own version. And thus, this fic is born! This is intended to be a multi-chapter story, but it can stand alone as a one shot. Do let me know what you guys think!

Disclaimer: Inuyasha is created by Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own nor participate in the creation of this franchise. The cover image is not mine.

By Your Side

-CHAPTER 1 : Promise -

To Sesshomaru, a demon who has treaded the Earth for centuries old, there were not many days he would remember. As a yokai, blessed with near-immortality and seemingly untouched by time, days went by him like the blink of an eye. And he breezed through those days without sparing a second glance. Save a few sentimental moments - such as his father's death, perhaps - hardly anything was worth remembering, anyway. Sesshomaru never bothered counting days...until she came. Ever since Rin came into the picture, she had been exceptions to every rule he had made in his life. Suddenly months mattered. Days mattered. And to Sesshomaru, that fateful day was one of the times he could never forget.

After Naraku's demise, peace returned to Japan, but the atmosphere remained heavy in Edo. Three days after Naraku's disappearance, the Bone Eater's well had resurfaced and shut down completely. That miko, Kagome, had been thrown back into her own time, and Inuyasha returned alone. It had been raining ever since. It came pouring, small at first, but heavier by the hour, as if mirroring Inuyasha's growing grief. Before he knew it, all he could hear was the loud pitter-patter of raindrops falling onto the ground. He stood under a massive oak tree, seeking mild shelter from downpour. His golden eyes were distant as they watched Rin play in the rain, her giggles turning into hearty laughter when Jaken accidentally tripped and landed face-first into a puddle.

'Do consider leaving her here in the village,' the old priestess' words rang clear in his mind, 'she's been away from her own people for too long. I know it's hard, but it's for the best.'

Of course, he'd thought about it way before the old priestess had brought it up. Not only once had Rin been exposed to danger just so Naraku could get to him. She had died – again – when he was training for Meido Zangetsuha. He knew, that as long as Rin was with him, her life would constantly be on the line. And, as the old priestess had mentioned, she needs to be with her people. With the humans, safe in a village. He knew that it was the right decision. He knew...and yet, here he was, lingering on the outer parts of the village, hesitating to make the decision.

Sesshomaru must admit, of all the years he'd lived, this moment was probably his worst act of hesitation yet. Hell, it was beyond ridiculous. It had been three days after he had the "talk" – if he could even call it that – with Kaede, and he STILL couldn't bring himself to leave her. Somewhere along the way, her laughter had been part of his life. Her smiles, her silly songs...everything. Rin took a special place in his heart, as does he, in hers. Prideful as he was, he might not have been thoroughly honest with everyone else, but Sesshomaru knew he couldn't lie at least to himself. That child was dear to him, and he'd accepted that. However, caring for her also meant putting what's best for her on top of his selfish wishes.

The great demon straightened. It had been long enough. He had to do it. Walking slowly to Rin and Jaken, who at the moment was busy running around in a rather one-sided game of tag, Sesshomaru called her name. Rin had trotted over immediately when she heard him, stopping just a few feet in front of his tall figure, a cheerful smile plastered on her lips. Something in him twisted painfully at the thought of that smile disappearing at what he was about to say, but he pushed it away. It was for her safety, and for her safety, he would do anything.