Amber and Gold

Chapter 1: Happy smiles


"Hurry master Jaken!"

"Rin! Wait you stupid girl!!!"

The little green imp scurried after the quick human, his temper flaring yet again.

"RIN!!!"

With a giggle she lept over another bush, its leaves flying this way and that. Jaken simply hollered again, his obvious struggles in keeping up evident in his voice.

Water was heard only a few feet in front of her, its refreshing aroma filling her nose and making her grow more excited. It was rare that her lord gave permission in letting her visit others, so the young woman was going to take full advantage.

Skidding to a stop when reaching the end of the forests tree line, young Rin looked around with a bright smile.

"Kagome!"

When seeing the raven haired priestess from the future in the river, Rin waved a high hand in hello. Kagome looked up, surprised to see her at first yet soon shot back a welcoming smile of her own.

Lifting her kimono up far enough to cross the river without it getting wet, Rin hopped to the other side and made her way quickly to the older woman. Kagome sat hip deep in its calm flow, her hands busy keeping a giggling infant in her lap.

Eight month old Kimi squirmed naked, evidence of her interrupted bath all over. Soap suds clung to the downy white hair of her ears, exactly like her fathers, making an adorable sight as she screamed and gurgled in a welcoming hello to the approaching young woman.

Rin laughed, her eyes bright with recognition of the little child. She'd been there when Kimi had been born, and remembered the event with pride. The old village priestess Kaede had let her help in the delivery, helping the former exterminator Sango coach and assist Kagome through the birth.

Bending down, she smiled gently and touched the rosey cheek of the bubbly baby.

"Hello Kimi! How are you? Oh my, you've grown so much since the last time I've seen you!"

Kagome kept her hands securely around the bouncing baby's torso, making sure she wouldn't go toppling over into the water below.

"Rin, it's nice to see you again! Where is Sesshomaru?"

Kagome looked to her companion with wonder, and knew just as well as everyone else, that Sesshomaru was never one to let his ward wander far.

Rin waved in the direction of the forest yet never took her eyes off Kimi's ears.

"In the woods, he let me come visit."

Reaching out, she touched the small appendages giving a giggle when the baby's ear twitched much like a dogs. Kagome eyed her, yet didn't continue with questioning. Looking down to her daughter, and the source of Rin's laughter she smiled yet went back to the duties of cleaning the little infant.

"Well good, I hope you can stay a while."

"Me too."

After a quick rinse, Kimi was able to crawl onto the grassy bank, her light gold-brown eyes intent on the patterns of Rins kimono. Reaching Rins lap, Kimi went for her 'goal' and grasped a handful of the dark purple material, bringing it to her mouth.

Laughing at her anitc's, Rin picked her up and hugged her close giving her a kiss on the forhead and went back to talking to Kagome.

"How is everyone? How about Inuyasha? Is Sango close to delivering?"

The priestess walked out of the water only blinking in surprise, but soon gave a small smile of understanding. Rin hadn't seen them in at least four months, so it was expected that she didn't know about the current events around these parts.

"Well..." Kagome started, picking up a towel from a large rock nearby. Rin couldn't help but stare at the odd 'swimming suit' she wore, yet didn't say anything. Before Kagome could continue however, a loud voice cut in.

"Oi woman! Who the hell-"

An angry looking hanyou emerged from the brush, his classic and never changing red form stomping into the clearing. When seeing it was Rin, Inuyasha's attitude grew much better.

"Oh, hey." Letting his eyes go to the bundle in Rin's lap, a rare smile came to his face.

Kimi squealed in delight from the scent and sight of her father, her attention going to him right away.

Turning to Kagome as she dried off, he lifted an eyebrow in questioning, yet only received a shrug for an answer. When catching the scent of his brother, the hanyou came quickly, never wanting to put his mate or pup in a situation where they could be in danger.

Standing up, Rin walked over to the tall white haired man, holding an excited Kimi. Little arms were outstretched to him, and a toothless smile followed her invitation. Rin giggled and watched the little ones father, his eyes softening with something most rarley seen. Love.

Taking her from Rin's grasp, Inuyasha held his daughter observing as she put a small fist in her mouth while trying to smile at the same time.

"Oi pup, finally got your bath?"

Kimi giggled and kicked her little feet in an answer, her other hand going for his. Grasping it, she brought that to her mouth as well and suckled on it with hunger. He smiled and lifted a brow saying, "Hungry huh, Kagome..."

"I know, I know. Let me get some clothes on her first, I swear she gets the appitite from you!"

Kagome sighed and went to her mate taking their baby from his arms.

Rin smiled at the scene yet had a look of longing also. Inuyasha saw this and was about to say something when a crash in the water stopped him.

Jaken flopped in the river, his eyes wide and his mouth agape, making all sorts of sounds in protest to getting wet. All eyes shot in his direction, Rin covering her mouth with her hand to keep from busting out in laughter. Kagome was doing the same thing, yet Kimi let everyone know how funny she thought it was. Inuyasha gave a glare at the little toad demon and only smiled because of his daughter's squeals.

Soon joining them from across the water was Sesshomaru, his golden eyes watching the imp with annoyance. When Jaken finally figured out the body of water wasn't deep, he stood embarrassed and crossed his arms glaring at the young woman he'd been chasing after.

Sesshomaru went to the waters edge and skillfully leapt over, his movements as gentle as the streaming water itself. His cool gaze left the sopping wet toad to the others who were in front of him now, Rin taking her eyes away to the ground before her, greeting him with a small 'Sesshomaru-sama'.

It was noticable that something was amiss between the usually exuberant Rin and stoic Sesshomaru, for he only let through a quiet 'Rin' in answer to her 'hello'.

Inuyasha cleared his throat and crossed his arms giving a 'keh' before rudely asking,

"What are you doin' here?"

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Please review and tell me what you think.

Thank you,

Suketchi