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Name: Rin
Age: 8
Race: Human
Weapons: Nope
Rin's character is introduced in Episode 35: True Owner of the Great Sword. After InuYasha uses the Kaze no Kizu on Sesshomaru, the Tenseiga saves Sesshomaru by transporting him to a forest glade near Rin's village (some speculate that it wasn't by chance that he was transported to a location where Rin could find him). Wandering in the forest, Rin comes upon the unconscious Sesshomaru; he wakes in a feral state and frightens Rin, but she does not run away. Instead, she comes back later bringing him fish and mushrooms, which Sesshomaru refuses, telling her that her generosity is wasted because he does not eat human food. Later, the villagers catch and beat Rin for taking fish from the preserve for Sesshomaru. The sight of her bruised face as she visits Sesshomaru again elicits some of the first hints of compassion to be displayed by his character; he asks almost hesitantly where she got the bruises, and this brings a beaming smile to Rin's face even as he brusquely retracts the question at her silence.
Later in the episode, Rin discovers an intruder in the old hut where she has been living. This demon is stealing from Rin's meager stores before resuming his flight from Koga and the Wolf Demons he commands; Koga wants the shard of the Shikon no Tama that the demon bears. After killing the demon and retrieving the shard, Koga casually gives his wolves permission to attack the village. Rin sees the slaughter and runs into the forest, searching desperately for Sesshomaru. In her child's mind, she obviously believed that he would protect her based on his casual concern over her bruised face. She cannot find him in time, however, as the wolves are faster than Rin and she trips over a tree root which has erupted from the ground.
Upon finding Jaken after his recuperation (in the manga, Sesshomaru is found by Jaken, but in the anime, it's the other way around), Sesshomaru is about to depart the area when he catches the scent of Rin's blood. Though he has no discernable reason save morbid curiosity, he turns and tracks the scent with Jaken in tow until he finds Rin's mauled and lifeless body. Remembering Rin's smile and stating aloud that he wishes to test his sword again, he uses Tenseiga to resurrect Rin, much to Jaken's total disbelief. After cradling her with his arm for a moment, Sesshomaru stands and walks away, leaving the discombobulated Jaken and a wide-eyed Rin standing on the path. Still mute, Rin falls into step behind Sesshomaru, joining him in his travels.
By the time Rin's character returns in Episode 44: Kaijinbo's Evil Sword, she has completely changed from the mute, somber, wide-eyed girl who came upon Sesshomaru in the glade. Rin is smiling and laughing and chattering as any young girl does, wearing a colorful new kimono and as thoroughly obedient and devoted to Sesshomaru as Jaken. It is obvious that Sesshomaru has in some way provided for Rin and coaxed her from her silence, though how or why he has done so is never elaborated upon. It can be surmised that since Tenseiga compelled Sesshomaru to resurrect Rin (as Sesshomaru stated in his thoughts at the end of Episode 35), he considers her his responsibility and provides her with care and clothing appropriate for someone in his retinue. As a result, the cause of Rin's 'terror silence' is overcome by the presence of a caring protector, even one as aloof as Sesshomaru.
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