"Lord Sesshomaru," Rin cried, lost in the crowd of youkai. Looking around, she found it hard to search when all that was in her line of vision were legs that belonged to family members of Sesshomaru. Looking up, she saw long, white hair and ran towards the familiar sight and hugged his leg.

"I found you! I was getting worried that I wouldn't and I-" Noticing that the small noise of chatting had deceased, Rin looked up to see a familiar face, but not the one she was expecting. It wasn't Sesshomaru, but Rin still recognized the woman. Smiling in reminiscence, Rin looked at the woman. However, the woman looked back as if a wretched creature had crossed her path.

Looking around for what the woman was looking at, Rin observed that all eyes in the massive room were on her. She didn't recognize anyone, but she still smiled warmly to the crowd. Everyone there shared a resemblance to each other. Were they friends of Sesshomaru's mother?

Silence still lingered in the room except for the occasional whisper. Rin didn't mind. After all she was used to it when traveling with Sesshomaru and Jaken. She stood still, unaware of what to do. It was strange how no one else moved a muscle. Even the faces of the crowd stayed in the strange expression. Wait, were they circled around before?

Glancing around, Rin found a figure push through the circle to face her. Sesshomaru! Rin ran over to her protector. She hugged his leg, and beamed up at him. His gaze, however, stayed fixed on his mother. Rin couldn't help but shudder under the cold glare and it made her… uncomfortable. Quickly looking away, the girl noticed that everyone now stared at Sesshomaru. Silence. No movement. Suddenly, a snigger that made Rin tremble sounded from the crowd of youkai. The dark snicker turned into a thundering laughter before long.

Turning her attention to the amused man, Rin jumped at the sight of the youkai. His curly black hair was pulled back into a ponytail that rested on his shoulder. His armor and face slightly resembled Sesshomaru's. Was this man family? Rin glanced up at her guardian to see his reaction. To her surprise, his eyes narrowed as they turned to the man. She felt his hand pull her closer to him like he does when protecting her.

"Oh, this is precious. The great Sesshomaru, followed by a human. A human child none the less. Then again, what would you expect from the son of Inu no Taisho," the man said between chuckles. Sesshomaru seemed to have become agitated.

"Come Rin, we're leaving," he muttered aggressively as he swiftly turned to the door.

"You can't leave now! I was just starting to enjoy myself." The man seemed to love annoying Sesshomaru. Rin looked up attentively at Sesshomaru who grabbed her hand in return.

"Sesshomaru-sama, who is that?" Rin asked. No answer. As Sesshomaru walked her over to the door, she watched as the crowd moved out of the way and switched glances between the giddy man and Sesshomaru. Waiting for him to open the door, Rin turned around to wave goodbye to his mother. Before leaving, she took one last look around the room. Why was everyone acting so, strange? She had never seen anyone act as oddly as those in the room. Even Sesshomaru was acting peculiar. She didn't know what, but there was something off about him. When she heard the door creak open, she waited but was not stirred. Why isn't Sesshomaru moving? Turning to see what was the matter, Rin stood face to face with InuYasha.

"I'm not going in there," InuYasha said, turning away from the old door.

"Oh, come on. How bad can they really be?" Kogame asked. Seeing InuYasha hesitate, Kogame pushed him towards the door. "Open, the, door!" Why does he have to be so stubborn? Creak.

"Finally, you know you really are-" she was stopped as she spun around InuYasha to enter the door. Sesshomaru was standing in front of her, along with Rin who was clinging to his clothing. Glancing at the hanyou, Kogame noticed his gaze was focused on his half-brother. Scanning the surroundings behind the doorway, she observed their family members, all looking like they just saw someone come back from the dead. Shoving InuYasha into the room after Sesshomaru and Rin stepped aside, the awkwardness in the room was overbearing, until:

"So, the great InuYasha has finally arrived! I was wondering when you'd show up. Why is everyone silent? Come Inu no Taisho's favorite child has graced us with his presence! Yet no one moves? Not even he who was given the Tessaiga has anything to say? I'm surprised. Even the soft Sesshomaru had something to say. Oh, and you brought a human as well? Good, I have become attached to the taste of human blood."

"Oh, come off the boy Hirato! He's just kidding you InuYasha," a youkai reassured. His friendly face held a smile that stayed until he realized the two had no idea who was even speaking to them. "Right, how rude of me. I am Saburo, your uncle," he declared as he hugged InuYasha. Kagome could tell InuYasha wasn't amused with the sign of the youkai's affection.

"Oh, and who is this beautiful lady?"

"My name's Kogame. It's a pleasure to meet you, Saburo, "she announced, bowing her head politely. She was shocked to find herself in Saburo's arms.

"There's no need to be so formal with family, dear. Assuming you two are married, anyways. Although, I shouldn't just assume things like that. But then again, I can't imagine why you would tag along if you weren't. Now there are two humans in the family. I guess some, aren't, too happy about that but it's what your father wanted-"

"Wait, two humans?" Sesshomaru interrupted.

"Well, of course. You don't think I'd forget about lil' Rin do you?" Saburo asked, shifting his attention to the child beside him.

"It's nice to see you again, Saburo-san," Rin greeted, bowing in respect.

"Oh, what is it with humans?" Saburo sighed as he picked up the girl. Kogame noticed Rin flinch slightly as she was carried by the man. Sesshomaru also seemed to cringe. As the older youkai began to spin Rin around, Sesshomaru quickly reached over to stop his uncle before Kogame acted first.

"I don't mean any disrespect, but Rin isn't-" she was stopped by Rin's giggles.

"Now, what do you call me?" Saburo asked the child, ignoring Kogame's request.

"Saburo!"

"That's right. I don't want to hear any more of this san business. Do you understand me?" he asked. Watching her nod, the youkai let her down. Taken aback, Kogame watched as Rin skipped back over to her guardian.

"Well, I suppose I have to talk to the others now. What kind of host would I be if I ignored them?" She watched in awe as he walked towards the other guests.

"I like him. He's nice," Rin commented. Rin had never opened up that quickly to anyone before. Could her time with Kaede be working? Kogame glanced over to Sesshomaru and could tell he was thinking the same thing. Was that sorrow in his eyes?

"Is everyone here that strange?" InuYasha questioned, obviously not paying attention to the current situation.

"InuYasha is that really all you can say?" she asked, annoyed with the hanyou's choice of words.

"Rin, let's go," Sesshomaru commanded, pushing Kogame out of his way.

"If he's going so am I," his half-brother stated.

"InuYasha I swear. Just give this a chance."

"I already have, and I hate it."

"Come Rin."

"Wait." The bickering adults stopped and faced the girl. "I was wondering if maybe, we could stay awhile. It's just, everyone here is nice and I want to meet your family. So, can we stay? Just for a little while, please?" What had gotten into Rin to oppose Sesshomaru? His expression was pure shock, but he closed his eyes and let out a shallow sigh.

"Fine, but only for a little while," Sesshomaru muttered. Contempt with his reply, Rin smiled and ran off towards the crowd. "Wait, Rin!" Sesshomaru called as he chased after her.

"Do you think they might be too close?" Kogame asked the hanyou standing by her.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, they can't stay together forever, right?"

"I guess, but-"

"The closer they get, the harder it will be."

"Yeah, but-"

"What are we talking about?" Saburo asked making the two jump in shock. "Allow me to introduce myself I am-"

"Saburo?"

"Why are you so informal with someone you just met? Ha, just messing with you. You should have seen your faces! Wait a second, how do you know my name?" Saburo asked in curiosity.

"You just told us," InuYasha replied with exasperation.

"Oh, I did? You'll have to excuse me, my memory isn't the best. Sometimes it's like I have two separate minds. One remembers some things the other remembers others. But that would be ridiculous, wouldn't it? Two different heads, though I suppose that would be fun to mess people with, right? Oh look at the time; I should see how Hirato is taking all of this."

"I'm taking this entire event quite well, thank you brother," Hirato replied suddenly, scaring the three there. What is it with this family and sneaking up on people?

"Oh I'm glad to hear that." As if waiting for his brother to leave, Hirato glared at him impatiently. But, Saburo did not move. Instead, he watched his guests intently.

"What is that smell? Is something burning?" he asked pretending to sniff the air.

"My rice!" Saburo yelled, running into what looked like a kitchen. Who burns rice?

"I don't smell any-"

"Shut up, mutt," the youkai snapped. Growing irritated, InuYasha replied "I was only trying to-" but was once again interrupted.

"Don't think you are welcome here. You are an everyday reminder of how Inu no Taisho not only betrayed his wife, but his whole family. He has disgraced our family name and all those who bear it. You are a half-breed, a spoiled mutt who was favored by your father only because of the blood of your mother. You have deserved nothing, just like your father before you. You don't know what it's like to work for something. How does it feel to be the favorite? How does it feel to be the important one? You don't care about what is yours! You could care less about the heirlooms you probably possess! EVEN THOUGH HE JUST SAT AROUND, HE GOT EVERYTHING I-"

"Alright everyone, dinner is served!" Saburo called, grabbing InuYasha and Kogame's attention. But as they turned back to the terrifying Hirato, he was nowhere to be seen.

Quiet. That was all that could be observed. Everyone glared at one another, the tension at the table was unmeasurable. Sensing this, Saburo decided to break the silence.

"So, I suppose we should all introduce ourselves to each other. InuKimi you start." Nothing was said. "All right, I will introduce everyone. As you all know, I am Saburo. This is my lovely wife, Masami." He introduced as he put his arm around the woman next to him. Her gaze seemed to be fixed on Kogame and Rin.

"Don't," Masami rejected, pushing his arm off of her shoulder.

"Okay… Next is Hirato, my older brother." His eyes were fixed on Sesshomaru- no, his mother.

"Alright, well next is Kimiko. She is Hirato's-"

"She is my student. She follows me everywhere and- Oh sort of like the child by your side Sesshomaru. Except, she is actually useful and, well, wanted." Everyone turned to Sesshomaru to see what he might do, but before he could speak, Saburo intervened.

"Okay then, beside her are the twins Hiyato and Suzume. They never leave anywhere without the other. And they are terrible at following conversations other than their own." The twins seemed to not be paying attention and had started their own discussion.

"Then, across from me we have InuFurui, my father." The glare Saburo was given hurt, but wasn't uncommon.

"Next to him is InuKimi. I'm sure you're already acquainted-"

"Fortunately, I have not had the privilege to meet these two," InuKimi interrupted, glaring at the two next to her son.

"Well, I have no need to introduce Sesshomaru, as I'm sure everyone here knows him. Now next to him is-"

"-dirt," InuFurui finished, "dirt that should be removed from the table. In fact, it shouldn't be here. I remember this being a family reunion. No human will ever be family of mine. And as far as I'm concerned, all those who even interact with them should be unworthy to sit at this table." Saburo could tell the words hurt Rin; although he was surprised a child like her understood the situation.

"Now, Chichi, don't you think-"

"That goes double for you. I don't need another son of mine a traitor." Saburo cowered at his words but he was desperate to make his company feel as happy as possible.

"Please, don't mind him. He's been through a lot," he whispered as he faced the couple beside him.

"Why are these 'guests' of yours still in my presence?" InuFurui questioned.

"Rin, I think it's time to go," Sesshomaru stated as he took Rin's hand and forced her up.

"But I-"

"Rin, now!" Taken aback by the anger in his nephew's voice, Saburo glanced at the child's sad face as she nodded at his request.

"Good, that's one mistake gone. Now if you don't mind-"

"If she leaves so do I!" InuYasha yelled, pounding his fists on the table.

"Well you are a half-blood aren't you? I don't need to be reminded of my son's mistakes in his life. It's not like anyone wanted you here anyway. We were forced to bring you here, nothing more and nothing less."

"Come on." Kogame grabbed InuYasha's arms and led the growling hanyou towards the door. If they leave, this will all be for nothing.

"Wait!" Everyone's eyes darted to the other side of the room to find Hirato's desperate face reaching out to the departing party.

"You aren't defending them are you?" his father asked sternly.

"Of course not, I mean, we need them, remember? I hate it as much as you do, and I know how you feel, but think of why we called for them in the first place," Hirato reminded, stunned and ashamed by his actions. Everyone now watched InuFurui intently as he stroked his white goatee.

"I suppose you can stay. But don't get too comfortable, no one is accepting you into this family," he warned as he beckoned for the four to return to their seats.

"Great! Well, while they're up, this is Kogame and InuYasha, though I'm sure you all already know InuYasha from stories and everything. Did you hear that-"

"Kogame? The last time I heard, his lover was a human named Kikyou, wanted him to turn into human. And he was going to. What happened? Couldn't go through with it? Did you cling to your youkai blood? I heard you betrayed her. And now, you have another human love. Inu no Taisho was bad enough betraying his youkai wife for a mere human, but to go after two human girls?" What was his point? Saburo took one look at InuYasha and InuKimi's mournful face and knew the answer.

"Alright, well, I think it's time for a little friendly competition," he announced. He was surprised to hear so many groans from the family. Glancing over to his wife, Saburo noted that her face was red and Masami covered her face with her hand. Why was she so embarrassed?

"No offense brother, but no one came here for 'friendly' competition. You know the reason everyone is here. I'm sure the only reason he came here was to-"

"I was forced to come here," InuYasha muttered, glaring at Kogame.

"I said he, not it. Besides, I'm certain you don't even know why you were called here, do you? I'm sure that old flea told you nothing," Hirato continued.

"Go easy on the lad. It's not his fault he never met his father," Saburo replied. Everyone went silent, either with fury or sorrow. Sesshomaru was now sitting beside his mother with the look of an injured dog. The human girl beside him looked like she was contemplating on, something. But, was she?

"Sesshomaru-sama, what happened to your father?" she asked, looking up at her guardian in anticipation. Sesshomaru's face dropped. Everyone went white.

"Now is not the time Rin," Sesshomaru replied, remaining unexpectedly calm.

"Go ahead and tell her. Tell her how he abandoned you and InuKimi. In his last hours, he chose to leave. He made his choice; he made it long before that mutt was born. He knew he was going to die. He knew, yet he left. He left without a good-bye. Even after death, he made sure to make life a living Hell for all of us, except that bastard sitting across from me: especially for your precious Sesshomaru. And for what? To save a pathetic human, like you," Hirato rambled, once again standing from where he sat.

"I don't mean to be disrespectful, but he can't be all bad right?" Everyone snapped their heads to the little girl. "I mean he sacrificed himself to save someone right? I know he left and sacrificed your happiness as well. And sure he was mean to Sesshomaru-sama and favored InuYasha-sama, but he did it for a reason, right?"

"Rin," Sesshomaru warned under his breath.

"You're just a human. I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"But, I think you're the one who doesn't understand."

"Rin, stop," Sesshomaru repeated slightly louder than before. However, Rin seemed to pay no attention to his advice.

"I think you all have been so blinded by hatred, you don't understand how he felt. He loved the human woman, so much he was willing to die for her. I have seen many who also make great sacrifices, and hurt the ones they loved, but they have no regrets," the little girl explained.

"Rin," Sesshomaru ordered harshly. Rin, however, was eager to defend the great Inu no Taisho.

"It doesn't mean they love those they hurt any less."

"Rin, enough!" Sesshomaru yelled in fury. Taken aback, Rin immediately shut her mouth and slouched back. Even if this girl was a little irrational, she was wiser than most at the table. Saburo could tell Sesshomaru was a bit embarrassed, but it seemed like he was protecting more than just his reputation. He looked around for everyone's reactions. Saburo heard Kogame whisper something to the hanyou next to her, who was obviously uncomfortable. Probably agreeing with Rin, or commenting on her maturity, or even recklessness. Hirato's smirk was apparent on his pale face.

"Sesshomaru, please, sit down," InuKimi instructed serenely. His sneer disappeared in an instant. "There is no need for that." InuKimi looked as if she had found a little peace with Rin's words. But why? Saburo knew she hated what he had done. Did she find a justification for what he did? Unfortunately, Hirato figured it out first.

"She's right Sesshomaru. Sit yourself down before she tries to justify the birth of that mutt."

"What is he talking about?"

"It's nothing, Rin. Why don't you go fetch some water," Sesshomaru assured. Nodding her head, the girl skipped outside of the room.

"You can't protect her forever. She's going to find out soon enough. Then let's see her defend what he did," Saburo replied, his smirk returning.

"She has nothing to do with this. I want her left out of it," Sesshomaru ordered.

"If you want her left out, you shouldn't have brought her."

"Are you threatening me?" Sesshomaru asked darkly, quickly standing up to face him. Hirato's eyes narrowed and his smile expanded until the points of his teeth were visible.

"Hirato, that's enough." Saburo was speechless to find the voice of his father stopping his first son.

"But father-"

"No. I don't care how much I hate Inu no Taisho's actions. He was still my son, and I don't need to remind you that he earned the title fair and square. He may have made some stupid mistakes, but I have had enough of you criticizing him. He has served the punishment of his slip-up. I won't deny that he deserves to be critiqued once and a while, but he was still the only son I had that actually had a future until he ruined it for a human."

"Father, please don't say such hard things. Look how much you hurt him," Saburo replied, sympathizing for the pain in his brother's eyes.

"I could care less how either of you feel. The only one I cared for was Inu no Taisho. The only feelings I have towards you two is disappointment, and hatred."