Characters

Rin Nakamura + Hiroki Nakamura

Sesshomaru/ Inuyasha Oshiro

[Sanzen-san =Mr 3000 is Rin's nickname for Sess]

Kagome Suzuki

Sango/Kohaku Yamamoto

Kagura Kazeko

APRIL

SESSHOUMARU

The week leading up to Monday moved exceedingly slow. Sesshoumaru had expected his reluctant date to come storming into his clinic during the week to try and talk him out of it but he had heard nothing from her, not even a call.

Yes, he was going to admit it. This would be a date.

Ever since that stupid talk with Kagome, the sweet shop owner was all that had been on his mind. She was so unlike the other girls who caught his interest in the past. For starters, she was always reading. Each time he entered her shop, she would greet him cheerfully, tucking aside the book to make sure he didn't see it.

But of course he did.

Unfortunately his knowledge of English didn't extend towards literature but he was sure that Wuthering Heights was not your typical cosmo entertainment material. He'd run it through his search engine of course – each and every one of the books he caught her reading.

Rather petite, she didn't have the long lanky built of his usual supermodel-like girlfriends nor was she fashionable like the city girls he was used to. Nothing about her was remarkable and yet, she had managed to catch his eye somehow.

Perhaps it was the way she smiled so genuinely at him – no agenda behind those curved lips –or perhaps it was the little bribes he had begun to look forward to each time he made his purchase.

But all that came to a standstill the day she walked in with her son in tow.

She had a son. A six year old. That same boy he met outside the candy store weeks ago. Why hadn't he put two and two together then?

Sesshoumaru blamed it on her youthful face. Surely she could not be older than 24 at most? And to have a six year old child at her age, she must have gotten married pretty early.

He had planned to leave his appreciation of the woman to himself from then on and even tried to ask Sango his nurse aid to help him buy the sweets. But a week later, he couldn't help himself but swing by her store one more time.

He promised it was going to be the last time. Little did he know that it would open up a new different view of her in his eyes.

Being a single mum in a small town must have been difficult; the looks, the whispers. His mother had been lucky in a sense since people in the city didn't really care that much; their interactions limited and always casual. But here, everybody knew everybody.

"I don't want to be accused of being a husband stealer."

Though she had spat that out nonchalantly, he still caught the sharp bite of anger at the end of her words. People were often so quick to judge when in reality, he knew how hard it was to raise a child all alone. And he had seen the way she held her son – there was so much love and attention in her words, her touch. Sesshoumaru had none of that growing up. Haha-ue preferred the hands-off approach, leaving him to the care of his myriad of tutors instead.

It then occurred to him at that moment that he had truly inconvenienced Nakamura-san! By asking her out for dinner, he would have sent her looking for someone to watch over Hiroki. How could he be so selfish?

Rifling through his patients' files, Sesshoumaru hurriedly tried to look for Hiroki's folder, knowing that his mother's contact number was on it. If they really couldn't find a suitable babysitter for the night, well…

"Moshi moshi. This is Nakamura household."

"Hi, it's me." The silence on the other line was not encouraging. "Umm, Oshiro-Sensei from the clinic?"

"Is it about Hiroki?" the feminine voice took a sharp spike of fear. "He should be home from school soon but if he is there I'm coming –"

"Iye. Well, no, actually it is about your son. I was wondering if you found someone suitable to watch him for tonight?"

"Tonight? Oh… OH." He heard a slap that sounded like she smacked her forehead. "Forgive me Sensei… I was sure I had dreamt it all up. I… well, I didn't arrange for anything."

Sesshoumaru placed his hands together and looked up at the sky. Thank you Kami-sama for this reminder. "Tell you what. I'll pick up the both of you anyway at 7pm and I'll get someone to watch over him for you." The receiver on the other line sounded like it fell on the floor. "Uh, Nakamura-san?"

"Ah! Sensei, please don't trouble yourself. We could do this another day!"

Sesshoumaru wished she was right in front of him at the moment. He knew without a doubt that she would be shrinking in her seat, like a prey trying to escape a predator's gaze. If he didn't catch her now, she would run away for good.

"Unfortunately, I must insist Nakamura-san. I will see you both at 7pm tonight. See you." He clipped the line before she could protest. Turning his attention to the phone again, he dialed a different number. "Kagome, do you think you and Inuyasha could do me a favour tonight?"

/ / / /

RIN

Her first reaction was to press her head against the wall. It was real, all of it – down to the fact that she had less than five hours to get dressed! What was she to wear? Rin hadn't gone on a date for years; her last one being just before she got pregnant. She didn't even have high heels!

Closing the shop early for the day, she rushed to her cupboards and started pulling out everything that didn't scream 'boring'. Out went her maternity clothes, some of which she still donned on every now and then, then her baggy slacks and shirts, then her 90s printed dresses and finally her plain beige-coloured undergarments.

"I have black panties, black panties, black panties," she chorused, digging through her drawer until she found her one pathetic piece. "Right, we'll forgo the bra and argh!" Reaching to the bottom of her cupboard, she finally found that slinky black dress she had bought two years ago but hadn't the nerve to wear it out. It had been an impulse buy – one she needed desperately because she had a terrible fight with Hiroki's father just before – and then regretted it.

"Oh my god." Rin examined herself in the mirror, embarrassed at the way her hips filled out the tight fitting material. "I can't wear that!" Looking down at her legs, she groaned, lamenting that she hadn't even shaved her legs and that she hadn't a decent pair of shoes.

"Okaa-san? Are you alright?"

Whipping her head back, Rin widened her eyes at the sight of her son at her door. "Did you just arrive home? Welcome home."

"Are we… going somewhere?" asked the boy curiously, crawling over to the pile of clothes she had dumped on the floor. "This dress is very nice on you Okaa-san."

That immediately got her attention. "You don't think I look… fat?"

At her son's vigorous shake of his head, Rin let out a laugh before kneeling down to hug him. "How's school Hiro-chan?"

"We had a surprise test today."

"Oh? What subject?"

"English." Hiroki pouted as he looked up sheepishly at his mother. "Suzuki-sensei asked how come I knew all the answers when everyone else didn't. Everyone was teasing me Kaa-san… and Hiro-chan felt sad."

"Oh my poor baby." Rin pulled him into another hug; her wardrobe concern all forgotten. Whenever her son started referring to himself in the third person, she knew it was a serious matter. "You shouldn't be sad, you should be proud of yourself!"

"I told Suzuki-sensei that Okaa-san and I read together every night. One book in English and one book in Japanese. Then someone called me a nerd. What's a nerd Kaa-san?"

The crestfallen look on his face was too much for Rin to bear. "It's not a bad thing to be called a nerd. Hmm, do you remember Oshiro-Sensei? I'm sure that he was a called a nerd too, especially when he wears his glasses at the clinic and looks really scary. In fact, why don't you ask him tonight if it bothers him at all because I sure don't think so!"

"Sensei is the nicest person ever! I know I'm not supposed to tell you Okaa-san, but sometimes when he comes to the shop he slips me a new toy…"

Rin didn't have the heart to chide him at the moment. Instead she tried her best to prepare her only son for their little apart time that evening. "Well, since you like Sensei so much, he is coming to pick up the both of us later at 7pm. That's why I'm wearing this dress."

Hiroki immediately pushed away from his mother, making a strange face. "Eww… like a date? Where you kiss and stuff? That's gross!"

Rin felt her face going red at her son's lack of tact. There would definitely not be any kissing… or stuff! And this wasn't a date!

"Oshiro-Sensei is only buying me dinner. It is for the trouble I put him through the other night when I was sick and…" Wait, even her logic didn't make sense! "No, I am buying dinner."

"Then why can't I come?" Her son pouted. "But I want to talk to Sensei too!"

"Ah well, that's…" Well, why not? "Tell you what, why don't you ask him yourself later? I'm sure he has no good reason for why you cannot come along!"

Just in case, Rin also dressed her son up slightly, forcing the hyperactive six year old into a nice dress shirt and jeans. She even ordered him to get his new shoes – to which he complied –and then called him in after she was dressed to help him brush his hair.

As soon as he was ready, Hiroki rushed to the front door and sat by the genkan until the doorbell rang. Rin stood a little further behind, watching her little boy size up the competition.

"You're early Sensei!"

"Hai! I was quite looking forward to seeing you. Is your mother ready?" Sanzen-san bent forward slightly, offering his small bouquet of flowers to the little boy. "If she's not, could you help me put these in some water?"

Hiroki accepted the offer but didn't budge from the door. "Sanzen-san Sensei, are you here to steal my Okaa-san from me?"

Rin had to hold back her laughter, suppressing the sound as best as she could. But she was caught. Those amber eyes held hers in a surprisingly challenging stance.

"I wouldn't dream of it Hiro-chan. But if I do ever, I promise I will ask permission from the rightful man of the house. That's you right?" At Hiroki's determined nod, he then frowned. "But who is Sanzen-san? My name is Sesshoumaru."

Rin figured it was now the right time to step in. "Ah, Sensei, please come in. Let me put these flowers in water and we can go. Hiroki, could you help me please?"

Her son's eyes widened at the sound of his full name on her lips. That usually signaled trouble, though of course he wasn't in any tonight.

"So, are we ready to go?" asked the doctor once mother and son emerged from the kitchen. "I've arranged for my brother and sister-in-law to watch over him for tonight. I hope that wouldn't be too much of a problem for you?"

Hiroki looked up at Rin and then at the doctor, shuffling his feet slightly. "Umm… Sensei? Why can't I come along? Okaa-san says that it's not a date…"

"Oh did she?" For a moment, those stern eyes softened as he laughed. "Well, I wouldn't say it's a date either but tonight is rather special. I promise we'll take you for the next one."

Rin almost shrieked. What did he mean by the next one? This was a one-time thing and no way was she going out with him again! And definitely not with Hiroki! Looking down at her son, Rin was hoping the boy would put up a fight and insist on joining them. But instead, her six year old boy had a look she had never seen before on his face.

Moving away from her side, he stood toe to toe with the doctor and looked up earnestly. "Will you be kissing my Okaa-san?"

And without batting an eyelid, the infuriating man said yes.

"That makes me happy," whispered Hiroki, looking down suddenly at his feet. "Okay. But promise you'll return her home to me?"

"Why of course Nakamura-san, I wouldn't dare to do otherwise."

/ / / / /

Rin had been surprised when the babysitter for the night turned out to be Hiroki's homeroom teacher. What a small world indeed. After reassuring her son that he wasn't in any trouble with his teacher and that he could play as much as he wanted, Rin then followed the silent Sensei back to his car.

As they sat side by side, she really came to miss Hiroki's presence, aware that she had been using him as a buffer between them. And now with the boy gone, she didn't really know what to say.

Turning towards him, she was about to ask if they were going to make a move when he suddenly switched off the engine.

"Nakamura-san, I hadn't planned for this, so early in the night but…" His hand reached to the back of her head and pulled her towards him; his lips pressing firmly over hers.

For a moment, her body went into a complete state of shock, her lips moving on motor memory alone as her mind still tried to process the denial that she wished to deliver.

Yet nothing came out – except for a moan. Hers.

His lips urged hers apart slightly, letting his tongue snake in to touch hers. All she could think about right then was the taste of his kiss, the smell, the feel of his hand against her cheek. Had it been this long since she was touched by a man?

"Sensei…stop…" Rin was sure she said that, but then why was she climbing closer towards the source of her distress; her hands wrapping around his neck?

"Do… do you still want dinner?"

She should say yes… but instead, Rin pressed herself harder against the male, kissing him back with a desperation she couldn't understand. "One more kiss," came the breathy plea which quickly turned into a moan when the Sensei kindly obliged.

"Dinner..." He pulled back somewhat reluctantly, gripping her by the shoulders and looking down into her eyes. "We should go."

Rin wished that she could read his expressions a little better for in the dark, all she could sense was his rapidly beating heart and the slight tremble in his hands. Even for a woman who had not dated in a long time, Rin knew the classic signs of lust when she saw it.

The thought made her heart pound even harder.

"Yes, we should," she forced herself to say. Though her body craved for his touch, she knew that progressing any further at this point would only lead to major regret tomorrow morning. "Where are we going Sensei?"

Putting the car into the drive gear, her date then cleared his throat and said, "There is a french restaurant not far from here. I believe it's the only one in town." At the next red light, he turned to face her. "Forgive me for my selfishness. I should have asked you beforehand."

About the kiss or about the choice of cuisine? Settling for the safer alternative, Rin reassured him that French food was fine. "Of course it cannot be compared to the ones you're used to in Tokyo."

"How did you know I was from Tokyo? Have you been checking up on me?" Rather than being suspicious, he sounded amused.

As if she'd fall into the trap of admitting that!

"Accent." Rin shrugged nonchalantly. "Inutaisho-sensei used to sound like you when he first arrived too. Now we can't tell he's not local anymore."

"So you've lived here all your life?"

The easiest answer would be to say yes. There was no need to share why she left Inuyama and returned six years ago.

"What about you? You're a city boy through and through aren't you? Must be hard adjusting to our quiet life here."

"I think we all have a choice at that." Turning into the driveway of the restaurant, he parked the car before looking straight at her. "But I believe I might have found something to keep me interested in this place for awhile."

Thank god for the dark for Rin couldn't bear to let him see her tomato red face!

Dinner as it went was smooth, with Rin allowing her date to select the dishes for her. All the strange sounding names and her inability to pronounce them would only add to her country bumpkin image. That, she was extremely conscious about.

"You're right about this not being the same as the ones in Tokyo. Perhaps I should have gone for something more local?"

Rin clinked her wine glass with his as she watched his minute expressions. Was she that obvious in her discomfort? Or was he really the mind reading youkai she tried to frighten Hiro-chan with?

"Please do not trouble yourself Sensei. Already I feel terrible having you pay for this meal. I should be the one -"

"You can pay for the next one if you'd like," he mused, a ghost of a smile flitting on his lips. "Although... I also accept payment in sweets, cuddles and kisses. I believe that's your speciality isn't it?"

Rin looked down at her half eaten plate and wondered if a fork was sharp enough to pierce through his hand. "That's... that's..."

"That's perfect?"

Slapping her hands on the table, she glared at him. "There's an age limit to that!" she hissed, trying to bat away at his hand reaching for hers.

"You need to revise your policies Nakamura-san. I am after all a valued customers at your shop."

Rin couldn't take the teasing any longer. Pushing back her seat, she excused herself and ran towards the washroom.

What was this doki-doki feeling? Sensei was just playing with her. That's what all city boys do didn't they? And when they got bored of the game, they'd just pack up and leave.

"I'm not making this same mistake twice." Rin stared at her reflection, willing her reddened face to calm down. At least if not for her, then for Hiroki's sake.

So when she returned to the table, Rin had every intention of telling the doctor to back off; the right words already repeated like a mantra in her head.

That was before she saw the package. "What's this?"

"Take a seat. It's for you Nakamura-san."

A present? Rin picked up the package cautiously, tearing the sides gently. "Is there a reason for – oh!" She pulled out two books and laid them side by side. " Murakami-Sensei's books? No wait. Book."

"I've seen you read a lot of classics. Thought I'd introduce you to a contemporary favourite of mine." He tapped on the book's title. "Have you read this? It's my particular favourite."

"Kafka on the shore? But why do I have an English translated version as well? The Japanese one is good enough Sensei."

At her embarrassed expression, Sanzen-san smiled at her. "The English one is my personal copy. In fact, I do not own a single Japanese book."

What? Now that's a crime! "Then why don't we exchange? I'll keep your copy and you can keep the other one."

"Not possible. They are both yours. A gift to celebrate our friendship." Rin tried not to remind him that he was holding on to her hand so unlike that of a friend. "A month ago, I first stepped into your shop."

Eh? What? Was this like some sort of anniversary?

Trying her best to keep her blush down, Rin stammered a 'thank you' before putting the books into the small bag she carried.

When they finally exited the restaurant a while later, Rin looked at her watch: 9.30pm. They should probably head back if they were to meet her promise to pick her son up by ten. But if Rin was honest with herself, she didn't wish for the night to end that quickly.

When she turned to look at her date, it seemed that he too was thinking the same. "Would you like to go for a small walk?" he asked, offering his hand to her.

Rin didn't know why she nodded -and worst, why she slipped her hand into his -but somehow it felt like the right thing to do at the moment. Though they weren't saying anything, their walk was not filled with empty silence. Every nerve in her body was attuned to his presence. From the slight caress of his thumb over the top of her hand, to his deep breathing and light cologne...

"It's getting cold. Let's head back to the car," he suggested after awhile. "Your phone is ringing too. I believe you're being summoned home."

True to his word, she saw an unknown number on her phone and picked it up. "Moshi... ah Hiro-chan. Yes I'm coming over to pick you up now... eh? Yes it went very well." She pressed the receiver closer to her ear in a bid to prevent her son's embarrassing questions from being overheard. "That's enough Hiroki Nakamura. You pack your bags right now."

"He asked you about the kiss?" Sanzen-san laughed as she stashed the phone in her bag; ears gone beetroot red. "I'm guessing that's the part where you told him off."

Rin seethed in silence all the way until they arrived to pick Hiroki up. The boy greeted them with half his face covered by a large white heap of fur.

"Okaa-san! Look! Suzuki-sensei said I could come over any time and play with Daisuke!" He tried to pass the puppy into her arms, much to his mother's dismay. It wasn't that she didn't like dogs, it's just that she was...

Achoo! Achoo!

Allergic.

"Oh dear, I think we'd better get you two home," intervened Sanzen-san, picking up Hiroki's bag and dusting as much hair as he could from the boy's shirt. "Hiroki-chan, is it okay if you sit alone at the back? Your mother is going to keep –"

Achoo!

"Sneezing." Sanzen-san gave her an apologetic look before turning his attention to their babysitter. "Arigatou Kagome for agreeing so last minute. Tell that baka brother of mine, I said hi too."

They exchanged a few more words but Rin couldn't hear a word over her constant sneezes; her ears going slightly deaf as well. She was finally glad when Sanzen-san ushered her back to his car, insisting that she sat at the front seat.

"Hiroki-chan still has some hair on him. You don't want a full fledged sinusitis to develop do you?"

Taking his offered handkerchief, she parked herself next to the driver's seat and sneezed all the way home.

"Okaa-san, will you be okay?" Hiroki tried to hug her but Sanzen-san got in between them, kneeling before the boy who was on the verge of tears. " Sensei, it's my fault right? Hiro-chan made Kaa-san sick!"

"Oh no sweetie that's not – Achoo! Achoo!" Rin gave up and leaned against the door entrance, watching the doctor lead her son inside, most likely towards the bath following the sounds of running water soon after.

Grateful for the respite, Rin dashed into the kitchen and rummaged for her allergy medication, downing two tablets with a quick chug of water. Pressing her palms down on the counter top, Rin stayed that way until the urge to sneeze again subsided.

Hearing the playful shouts and splashing still going on, Rin then put the kettle on; scooping milk powder into her son's favourite mug and waiting for the familiar whistle to signal that the water was boiling.

She was halfway pouring the hot water into the mug when she sensed the doctor from behind her. "I'll do it," he offered, taking the spoon and kettle from her hands. "I've drawn a new bath and cleared all the hair. The warm water will help."

Rin noted the damp on the front of his dress shirt and all over his well-dressed pants. From the looks of it, Hiroki had a bit of his usual struggle getting out of the bath. Now she really owed him one.

Sighing, Rin peeled off her dress and stepped into the hot water; a soft moan of pleasure escaping her lips as the warm water calmed her senses. Dunking her head underwater, she blew out bubbles until she could feel the stabbing in her chest, before gasping up for breath.

"Are you trying to kill yourself!?" The accusation sent her jolting to the edge of the tub, her eyes widening at the sight of the doctor in her bathroom.

"That's just my way of clearing my nose!" Rin dragged her towel into the tub and wrapped the now soaked cloth around her body. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to inform you that your son's fast asleep. But then I saw your head floating in the water!" He took a precarious step closer. "I'm coming in."

She didn't misheard him this time. "What! No, get out!" But the long limbed male simply stepped in fully dressed, his legs coming up at each side of her body. Trapped between his body and the edge of the tub, Rin grudgingly wrapped the towel tighter around her and simply waited...

"I'll wash your back for you," he announced a second before the cool slippery liquid touched her skin. Not having much of a choice now, Rin allowed him to scrub her upper back; the silence almost unbearable between them. It was only a while later when his hands rested by her waist that he spoke, "Nakamura-san, will you lower your towel for me?"

It wasn't that nakedness bothered her, or the fact that someone had offered to wash her back for her. In the communal baths, it happened all the time. But this was different.

Asking her to be naked, to lower her barriers was expecting a lot; especially since he had made no move to undress. This unequal position was not the best start for this -whatever it was -between them. How far was she willing to trust this man? Someone who not once but twice now helped to put her baby to sleep without raising a single complaint?

"Alright." The towel was allowed to float between her legs before being scooped up and tossed to the floor. As soon as his hands touched her lower back, Rin stiffened; every muscle in her body wary and cautious of the smooth fingertips running down her body.

"Too rough?" he asked, pausing the wash cloth halfway down her back.

Rin shook her head but couldn't help wondering how many times he'd asked that question; how many women's backs he had washed in his life; how many he had bullied to get his way into their homes and into their hearts.

As if reading her mind, he leaned forward to press a gentle kiss at the base of her neck. "I do not make a habit of doing this for just anyone. This is the first time I'm in a tub fully dressed with a woman I am attracted to."

"But you're only washing my back." The unspoken question hung between them.

"Yes."

Rin let out a groan which had nothing to do with the pleasure of having his hands on her skin. This man was the most infuriating male she had ever met! Why did he have to be so straight forward and honest about everything?

"Would you like to stay the night?" She had a spare futon somewhere… "You can take my room and I'll sleep with Hiroki."

His hands stopped moving. "That's a very kind offer Nakamura-san." His arms moved to wrap around her body; his chin resting on her shoulder. "But I will pass this time. Ask me again when you'd like to share your futon with me."

And with that, he released her and got out of the tub, dripping water as he stood in her bathroom. Rin would have offered him a change of clothes if not for the fact that she had none in his size. Instead, she gestured to the bath towels in the cupboard behind him and watched with a vague pseudo disinterest as he peeled off his wet clothes one layer at a time.

A truly erotic scene was unfurling before her eyes and Rin could do nothing more but stare at the magnificent expanse of shoulders, down to the well sculpted abdominal muscles and lower…

Call her prudish if you wish but Rin immediately squeezed her eyes shut.

"I have a spare change of clothes in my car, so don't worry about it." Rin opened her eyes just in time to catch a view of him with one towel wrapped around his waist and the other draped over his shoulders. "I can't afford to fall sick now can I? Or else, who's going to take care of you?"

And that, was the last time she saw him. At least until next Monday.

/ / / /

MAY

SESSHOUMARU

He had skipped his usual Monday sweets shop routine the following week; only to appear on the Thursday of Kodomo no Hi festival. Sesshoumaru recalled a time when May 5th was specifically for boys, with girls having their own special day in March. Nowadays, this boys' festival was celebrated as children's day and for the unlucky few who fell ill on this date, Sesshoumaru figured they deserved a little extra than his usual cheap sweets.

Even before her shop opened at 8am, Sesshoumaru was already standing outside making a mental list of the things he wanted to buy – the shop layout already imprinted in his mind.

"Sensei! Oh I didn't expect to see you today!" cried Rin as the shutters lifted to reveal his peering face in front of hers.

He of course took the opportunity to steal a surprised kiss from the lovely shop keeper. "Ohayo. Bet you thought I wouldn't be coming this week didn't you?" He didn't think it was possible for an adult to be this cute when she blushed but Nakamura-san was truly a gem.

"I suppose you came at a perfect time," she replied in between her morning set up. "Hiro-chan and I have been making these origami helmets for fun -he's having a samurai phase right now -so I thought I'd give them out to the children. Why don't you take half?"

"And these kashiwa-mochi?" He pointed to the pile of oak-leaf wrapped sticky rice cakes.

"They're for the children," said Rin as she slid up behind him. "But I suppose I could make an exception."

This was why he loved this shop. Every now and again, she'd have a basket of something homemade begging to be demolished. It was no wonder children flocked to her shop like bees to honey. And soon, he too was drawn to the gentle humming flower behind the cash register.

"This isn't your usual buys," she commented when he dumped a load of toys onto her counter. "No sweets today?"

"I figured it must suck to be ill today so I'm giving whoever comes in a little extra as a treat." At her surprised look, he laughed as he handed her the bill for 3000yen. "Hiroki-chan is not at school today is he?"

"School's closed for today," she replied, packing his items in a bag. As she handed it over, it came as a surprise when she extended a hand to catch his. "Ano Sensei? Will you be free this afternoon?"

He had intended to close the clinic by lunchtime and head home to read but Sesshoumaru had a feeling that Nakamura-san had a much better idea. "If it includes sweets, cuddles and kisses I'm in."

That blush. He'd never tire of it.

"Hiro-chan and I are flying carp kites in the evening and I'm wondering if you'd like –"

"I'd love to."

/ / / / /

As it turned out, Hiroki-chan was an excellent kite flyer and Sesshoumaru was terrible at it. After his kite got stuck in the tree for the third time, he gave up and sulked on the picnic mat beside the boy's mother.

"Want a mochi?" She offered with a laugh. "You can even have two if it makes you feel better."

"Ha ha." He took two nonetheless. "But I hope this doesn't in any way cloud your view of my manliness."

"Oh I wouldn't dream of it Sensei." Sesshoumaru watched as she bit into her own mochi; her eyes only on her son. If the boy wasn't a third of his height and still wearing spongebob squarepants pajamas to sleep, Sesshoumaru might be the type to get jealous. After all, he was officially the only male allowed to sleep with the beautiful woman currently next to him.

"Nakamura-san, if you don't mind me asking, Hiroki's father... he's?" Out of the picture? Still in love with you? A serial killer in prison? "You don't have to answer me if you don't want to. I'm just asking out of professional curiosity."

The ice in her eyes extinguished whatever laughter she had seconds ago. "Are you saying I'm not capable of being a mother and a father to my son?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying. It's just that, at some point he's going to get teased for it. Middle school, high school..." Sesshoumaru placed a hand over hers. "I'm telling you this because I know what it's like."

Her expression softened a little. "And how is this a professional question?"

"Hiroki's going to be seeing me a lot until he's 18. So in a way, I'll be responsible for his health. I don't want to be the one who tells you that your son is being bullied at school."

He could tell that she was processing his words carefully but before she could respond, the boy in question came squealing into view; plopping down on his mother's lap with the kite draped over him like a blanket.

After being fussed over and fed with some mochi, the boy scooted closer to him. "Ne, Sanzen-san Sensei, will you be joining us for dinner? Okaa-san always makes special Omurice for children's day. But we never finish it by ourselves right Okaa-san?

Dinner it seemed wasn't on his mother's agenda for their guest but after a round of pouts and out of this world promises, she finally relented.

"Wow, if someone promised to wash all the dishes for a month, even I'd be tempted to give in," mused Sesshoumaru at her resigned sigh.

"It's nothing special really," she whispered apologetically. "Just your regular chicken rice wrapped with omelette but served with barbecue sauce..."

Sesshoumaru had been hooked on her homemade stuff even before this offer of dinner so he wasn't going to refuse such a once in a lifetime chance.

"I think that sounds perfect. And does Okaa-san think it's ok if we grab some soda to accompany this awesome meal?" suggested Sesshoumaru, winking at Hiroki.

"Well... just one. And only because it's children's day!" she yelled after him as her son dashed towards the convenience store at the end of the park. Turning towards him, she half frowned and half laughed. "You're going to spoil him at this rate. Don't think I don't know about those extra toys and sweets you've been slipping him..."

"Guilty as charged." Sesshoumaru leaned back on the grass and laughed – a good, hearty one that sent his stomach curling afterwards. When was the last time he laughed that hard? Sitting up, he caught her offered arm and pulled himself to his feet.

It was all this woman's doing.

"Nakamura-san?" When she tilted her head up, he took the chance to kiss her. A soft fleeting kiss; a reminder for more to come. "So is this like a date?"

"You wish!" Hands covered her mouth as she brisk walked all the way to the convenience store, leaving him to his chuckles.

Sesshoumaru didn't think it was possible, but maybe, just maybe this move to Inuyama was meant to be; an unexpected stroke of fate.

/ / / / /

A/N: Aww all the scenes with Hiro-chan and the two adults was so kawaii! I kept smiling to myself silly imagining all their faces. Did you? Man I'm full of warm fuzzy feelings now.