The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Daughter

Chapter 158 - The Daughter *A Tiny Sunshine* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Now that everyone was at the palace, Sesshoumaru gathered them all in the sitting room. There were some things that needed to be discussed. Once they were settled, the taiyoukai looked them over one by one while organizing his thoughts. His hand brushed the handle of the basket he brought with him, and he quietly cleared his throat to get their attention. All small talk ceased, each person very curious about what Sesshoumaru had to say.

"I paid another visit to Migotoyami," he started.

"By yourself?" Kagome asked, her worry apparent. "But she's dangerous!"

"Calm yourself," the taiyoukai continued, his heart warmed by her concern for his safety. Even though others might have taken her worry as Kagome doubting his strength, Sesshoumaru knew better. She knew how powerful he was, and she trusted him with her life. She also loved him so much that she feared for his well being anyway.

"Why the hell would you go back there?" Inuyasha demanded.

"To retrieve these," Sesshoumaru replied, moving the basket containing the four jars of potion to where everyone could see it. "It is, of course, a choice each of you will have to make on your own, but I wanted to make sure you had the option."

"What is it?" Rin asked innocently.

The taiyoukai smiled softly at his little girl. "It is a potion that will slow your aging so that you will live as long as this Sesshoumaru. Kagome already drank hers, so she will be with me forever."

"But shouldn't Rin wait until she's older?" the miko inquired.

"I asked that. The potion will slow Rin's aging to match that of a youkai pup. If she chooses to drink, she will age at the same rate as Shippo, as siblings should. The change will be both physical and mental, so she will not have an adult mind trapped in the body of a child."

Kagome smiled and nodded her understanding. "So long as it's safe. The increased healing would be a good thing. So many children die in this time from simple illnesses."

"Indeed, the potion would protect her and keep her with us. Rin, it is up to you if you choose to drink or not. I will not attempt to sway your decision," Sesshoumaru said. The last thing he wanted was to pressure her into making such a huge decision. It really wasn't fair, asking a child to make such an important choice, but it was his only option, because he would not simply order her to change her life in such a permanent way. The last thing he wanted was to lose the light his little girl brought into his world.

Rin looked thoughtful for a moment. She looked around at everyone in the room, her eyes lingering on her Papa, her new mother, and Shippo, her brother and friend. Did she want to grow up quickly, separating her from her family, or did she want to stay with them forever? She had always wished she were an inu so that she would be more like her Lord Sesshoumaru, and while she knew that wasn't possible, this potion would do something close enough so that her Papa wouldn't have to watch her grow old and die.

After a few long minutes, Rin nodded her head. "I'll do it. It won't hurt, will it?"

Kagome shook her head. "No, it doesn't hurt. It will make you go to sleep for a few minutes, and when you wake up, you'll feel exactly like you did before. It does taste horrible, though.”