Written for 78tarot on lj. First card, the fool.

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Sesshoumaru watched Jaken chase his young ward through the tall grasses. Rin as a picture of innocence and happiness. The past year she had been following him never once did she complain, even though sometimes at night he heard her cry in her sleep for her parents. Even through all that she had gone through she still remained full of childish energy and optimism.

He couldn't help but think of how much she had changed him. The day he had revived her with Tensaiga had been the beginning of a new journey for him, whether or not he wanted to admit it. Slowly but surely he could feel his icy exterior start to melt and crack away, rin being his ray of sunshine. She was the first reason he had to smile since his mother left him.

At first, he thought the decision to revive her was stupid and rash. He didn't want or need a little human girl around.

Though if she disappeared no he would be totally lost. The little girl was his sunshine, his breath of fresh air.

Everyday she taught him something new, about humans in general, about little girls (like her love of flowers and dolls), even things about himself. It puzzled him. Why would she even follow him; he never encouraged it, he had even tried to drop her off in villages before so she could be with her own kind. Rin would have no part of it.

Sesshoumaru looked at the sky. It was about the time Rin would start to get hungry. "Rin, Jaken, let's go," he called to his companions. He internally grinned at the filthy child running to him, hair standing every which way, with little flowers haphazardly stuck in.

When she finally approached he knelt down and began to carefully pull the flowers from her knotted locks. He lay the handfull of pink flowers on the ground and started to fix her hair. When he was semi-pleased with his work he picked up the discarded flowers and gave them to Rin to hold. "Come, it's time for your evening meal." She gave him a toothy grin and took off ahead of him, running in the direction of home.

"Catch me if you can, Sesshoumaru-sama!" she yelled over her shoulder.

He shrugged. This journey he never wanted to relive: the journey and adventure that is parenthood.