A/N: I don't own Inuyasha. 2 to go! :)

Sesshomaru POV

Rin was okay throughout the store, so after checking out we walked over to get in line to see the representative of the Old Christmas Spirit. Lucky for me, it was a short line and I recognized the person in front of us.

"Miroku?" The monk turned around.

"Hey, Sesshomaru." For a second I wondered what he was doing here, he was a Shinto monk, then I saw three boys standing by him. They all had to be at least Rin's age, give or take a year.

"I haven't been away from your house that long."

At first he gave me a confused look so I pointed at the boys that had all their focus on what to tell St. Nick. "Oh." He lowered his voice. "Sango found out a few weeks ago she couldn't have kids. So last week we went to an orphanage and adopted them." Then pointing to each one he introduced them as Shippo, Souta, and Kohaku.

"So you're the reason Father and Izayoi have gone to that orphanage today." He seemed surprised.

"You sure they're going to the same one?"

I nodded. "Why do you seem so worried? You know I've been nicer to humans lately. If it's a human I'll be fine with it."

"That's just it. The only one left there was an inuyoukai teenage girl. If what I've studied is correct…" He didn't finish the sentence. To today's people it seemed somewhat barbaric what youkai traditions were kept. Even some youkai agreed on some of the laws and decided to omit them. However some stayed, and if they do adopt this girl I'll have to check the laws to see if that one was omitted or not.

"Next!" One of the dressed up elves called from behind the camera.

"Hey want to have them all get one together? Sango really wants a picture with Rin in it."

"Yeah, sure."

We got them to easily go to ask the Spirit their Christmas wishes. The boys had chosen to ask for the same thing, which was for a 'Kagome-chan' to have a family for Christmas. However, when it came time to take the picture Rin wouldn't look at the camera or smile.

"Rin, why are you not smiling?"

"I want Daddy to be in the picture." She started using the puppy dog eyes that I swear Father taught her how to do and Miroku melted.

"Okay, sweetie." He started to push me towards the children and old man.

"Miroku, if I'm stuck in this picture, you are too." I grabbed his shoulder and we stood behind the chair and smiled. The person behind the camera stood up straight with a grin on his face.

"Kanna, can you get one each of the hats? This is too good to pass up." I now recognized the cameraman as Hokudoshi, the storeowner.

"Absolutely." Kanna had the same grin. She turned and then handed me a Santa hat and Miroku an elf hat.

`'`'`

Driving home I saw Inuyasha, in his car with his friends. So that was where he'd been all day. Father and Izayoi would both have cows (multiple for each) if they knew he was hanging out with the Northern Prince. I refused to acknowledge Naraku as the Northern Lord for multiple reasons.

1. He was only given the title because his father had died.

2. He was a hanyou with a sister that was full youkai. Granted she did disappear, but has never been declared dead. There have also been rumors that she is hiding in the West.

3. He had zero experience. In war or otherwise.

4. He wasn't even the late Northern Lord's son.

It has been said multiple times to me that if you three reasons to support an argument you can always win. I had four.

Pulling into the garage I saw that Father and Izayoi had indeed adopted the girl. Father said something about talking to Inuyasha and me. Alone.

"Rin, can you take these in with Grandma?" I handed her the bag that held the cookie mix and pictures.

"Yep." Rin got out of the car and called out for Izayoi. The inu-girl turned around first smiling at Rin.

She's beautiful.

Wait a second! You haven't been around in ages!?

My beast silenced at the sudden change in her eyes. There was a hatred that ran deep from betrayal. Luckily for both her and my beast, it was pointed at Naraku. She seemed to about let her inner beast out, but Father beat her to it.