Rin, who had been told of this child’s return, smiled widely at him. “I know who you are! Kurama mentioned you once, and Father and Sango said you would be coming back! Can you play with me?” As Rin’s words tumbled over each other, Shippo noticed she had not called Sango “Mother”. He decided now was not the time to mention it, however. He giggled and grabbed her hand, bounding off to his room. When he got there he was amazed at how quickly it had become her room. He still did not know who she was, but if she was calling Miroku her father, then she must be here to stay. He was not put out, however, and did not mention to her that he usually slept there. They could share, or he could sleep at Kouga’s house. He was not anyone’s child and spent his time coming and going as he pleased. If she would play with him and share her toys he would be happy to give his room up to her.

Rin, happy to have someone to play with, immediately started throwing questions at the young fox. “So, how old are you? What is your favorite thing to play with? How long have you lived here? How do you know Father and Sango?”

Shippo giggled in delight and answered her questions. While they were talking he began rummaging through her toy box. When he found what he wanted he proudly held up a coloring book and crayons. Rin, who had not yet been to the bottom of the toy box, had no idea what they were. “Come on, I will show you! These are like magic. See?” When he began coloring in the book, the colors of the sticks he was holding transferred itself to the paper, making a pretty picture, bright and beautiful. Rin, deeply intrigued by her new friend and the magic sticks he had, settled down with him, chattering on and on. He asked as many questions as she did, and she answered them all. She had finally made a true friend here!

It took her a moment to compose her thoughts. Then she sighed and turned on her side, facing her mate. “It is Rin. She calls you ‘Father’ yet only calls me by my given name. I want so badly to be her mother, but I am afraid.”

Miroku, who had noticed the lack of a true bond between his mate and their child, only held her hands in his and remained silent. She needed to talk and he would listen.

“When we first said we wanted her I was so excited! Then that night I lie in bed and began to worry. What if she didn’t like us? What if I were a bad mother? I was preparing myself for motherhood because of our own little one, but then I thought I had several more months to plan for. Then Rin came and I was an instant mother. Now I am lost. I don’t know what to do. I want to be her mother! I truly do! But I do not know how to go about doing that.” With those words she turned her face into his neck and began sobbing. Miroku simply held her close, rubbing her back and letting her cry.

When the tears seemed to stop he lifted her face with a single finger and kissed her lips. “Sango, you should take Rin for a walk every day. Get to know her. She has told me, just in the last couple of days, all about her life before coming here. That is how we bonded. We spend time together and we talk.” Indeed, they had spent hours and hours just walking in the woods or the surrounding hills. He had told her stories of his air void and his many adventures as a Protector. She had responded by telling him of her adventures in her old village as well as her time at the castle. As yet she had not opened up about her time with Lord Sesshomaru, the great Dog Demon ruler of the Western Lands, but he knew she would in her own time. “You two have not had time to get to know one another. I must admit, I have been monopolizing her time since she arrived.” He considered this for a few moments while Sango remained silent. “I’ll tell you what. I will make some excuse to go away for a day or two. It has been awhile since I went to visit the farmers in the next village over. Perhaps it is time I went to see them. While I am gone, you will have ample time to chat with Rin. Get to know her on a personal level.”

Sango mulled the idea over in her mind. On one hand she was afraid to be left completely alone with the girl. Sure, she had Shippo, but he would not be much of a buffer. He was always running here and there, full of energy. He had things to do and people to visit. On the other hand, she desperately wanted to get to know her daughter. After a long silence, during which she thought Miroku had fallen asleep, she whispered into the dark “Okay.”

Miroku, just on the edge of sleep, heard her quiet response and cuddled his mate tighter. He smiled to himself as he drifted off.

Sango watched the two of them pace each other in the distance. She knew what he was telling the child. When Rin turned and skipped back home, Sango watched her, feeling slightly ill at ease. This would be it! What if she tried to bond and they didn’t like each other! How would she ever tell her mate that she didn’t want to be this child’s mother? She almost cried out loud at the thought.

Rin, skipping back to Sango with her wolf loping after her, had nothing of the sort in her head. She was glad to have time alone with her new mother. When her father had told of his leaving she had thought the walks would end. Now, however, she knew her mother would go with her! She was excited! She longed for a mother to be close to. She had not known how much she missed it until she had moved in here. When Miroku had begun his walks with her she had thought Sango would join them. When they continued without her she had been a little sad about that. But not anymore! Today would start their getting to know each other! By the time she bounded onto their porch and grabbed Sango’s hand, she was singing to herself.

Sango, surprised by the contact, immediately closed her fingers around the girl’s. She smiled as Rin urged her off the porch and started pulling her towards Miroku’s favorite hill. As they climbed in silence she started thinking how to break the ice. She could think of nothing to say, however. She was so nervous that her tongue remained glued to the roof of her mouth. This was never going to work if she couldn’t even speak!

Rin, perfectly content to remain silent for the time being, simply led her mother to a favorite spot of the monk’s. It was under a large tree overlooking the tiny Village. When they sat down, side by side, catching their breath after the trek up the hill, it was not an uncomfortable feeling. Rin did not let go of her mother’s hand.

For what seemed half the morning the two sat in silence. Rin broke the quiet first. “I am glad you are my mother.” She smiled in happiness at the woman, who was so startled she could barely blink.

“Rin, I… Well, I don’t know what to say.” After several long moments she finally continued, her voice very quiet. “I have been afraid of you. I do not know why. Maybe it is because I was afraid I would make a bad parent. I don’t know.” She shook her head quickly, as if dispelling a fog. “So, anyway, we are here! Let’s make good use of the time. Please, tell me about yourself. Miroku told me some, but I would like to hear it from you.”

Rin began her story with the bandits that slaughtered her other parents. They sat on the hill for the entire day, swapping stories and concerns. For the first time the two of them finally felt connected. By the time evening had come and they began their trek home, the two of them had formed a bond that no one could break.