I own nothing. Rumiko Takahashi owns everything that matters.

It was heaven. That was the only word Rin could use to describe the sound she had just heard. Heaven. His laughter was beyond music to her ears. It was Nirvana. It was ecstasy. It was so beautiful, her eyes began to water.

She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffed her nose. As she brushed her hands through her husband's hair, she felt him smile on her lap and let out a soft sigh.

She couldn't believe what just happened. In fact, she could not believe any of this. Her husband, Sesshomaru, the most serious being alive, laughedーand it wasn't filled with malevolence or ill intentions. It was pure. The laughter of a child. The laughter of someone who was...happy.

Oh, God. Rin's eyes filled up again, and, like a river, the water spilled over her eye lids and fell down her cheeks, leaving a trail of light against her skin.

Trickles of liquid glass fell against her husband's ears, making a feint, whispering dripping sound.

Immediately, Sesshomaru froze. She felt him do this. His whole body stiffened, and his smile turned to a flat line. He slowly lifted his hand and wiped away the tear that he had just felt, and brought it to his view so he could examine it. He sniffed it once. Then twice.

His neck snapped as he jerked his head up to look at Rin. The second he saw the crystals glistening in her chocolate brown eyes, he sat up, stood on his knees and stared at her.

Large golden eyes filled with concern and worry peered in to her soul. "What..." He bit his lip. "Why are you crying?" he whispered softly.

Rin tried to clear her eyes from the water, but she couldn't! She'd never heard her husband laugh before, and she had no idea she made him happy. Content, yes. Satisfied, yes. But never happy. No, she never thought he could experience such a tender emotion.

Now...now, she didknow, and a strange feeling entered the pit of her stomach. Something that tasted like resolve and joy, at the same time.

Something inside of her shifted, and she quickly realized what it was: after Sesshomaru returned to his natural form, she would do her utmost to make him not content, not simply satisfiedーbut happy. Euphoric. Joyful. If she could do it with him now, why not when he returned? Yes, she would do it. Why? Because, at that moment, it meant everything to her.

Life. Purpose. Meaning. It brought all these things to her.

She wiped her eyes and smiled brightly. "I'm only crying," she began, "because I am happy."

He tilted his head to the side and frowned. "I had no idea sun-one could cry 'acause they were happy."

Rin nodded her head. "It can happen. I do it a lot."

Sesshomaru's lips formed a small O. "Oh. Well... Thaz allight. I thought you cried 'cause you were sad."

Rin stared at him. "And what if I was sad, Sesshomaru?"

He narrowed his eyes at her and gave her a sharp look. "Areyou sad? Tell me the truth, Rin. Are you sad? 'Cause if you're sad, I want to know why."

He wanted to know why because she was his best friend. His only friend.

Rin wanted to bawl.

"No, Sesshomaru, I'm not-" She paused because she remembered that she was sad. How could she forget that? How dare she? Her husband was a six year old looking child-demonーnotthe adult versionーand he couldn't remember her. Hell, she was practically depressed. The only reason she wasn't moping around was because Sesshomaru needed her to remain strong for him, even though he didn't know this.

He noticed the light leave her eyes and his eyes widened. "Rin's sad!"

She blinked, taken aback by his words.

He pointed at her. "Rin's sad. I can see it in your eyes."

She waved her hands, dismissing his comment. "No," she croaked, "I'm not. Sesshomaru, don't-" she cleared her throat with a cough "-don't worry about me."

"Rin, I has to worry about you. You're my friend. Why don't you want me to be worried about you?" he demanded hotly. His hands balled into fists. "Let me worry!"

Rin's heart burst. "Fine, then. Worry."

He humphed. "Good. Now, tell me why you're sad."

"Sessh, I'm not sad."

He gave her a horrified look and gasped. "You called me Sessh. Why did you call me Sessh? Thaz not my name- you know that!"

"I'm sorry," she rushed out. "I'm sorry. I take it back. I'll just call you Sesshomaru. Is that alright?"

He nodded. "Inuyasha calls me Sessh. He knows I despise it, yet he continues to refer to me as that. That is not my name!"

Rin rolled her eyes. "He knows that's not your name, Sesshomaru. It is just a nick name."

He gave her a blank look. "A nick name? What is that?"

"A shortened version of a person's name, or another name given to someone by a friend or relative as a sign of affection."

"So... Inuyasha calls me Sessh because it shows that he's affected by me?"

"Um... No."

"Then I don't get it."

Rin scratched her ear. "It's like I call you, um...Sesshy- yes, I call you Sesshy, but it's only because I feel close enough to you to shorten your name and make it into something small and cute- like you."

Sesshomaru's lips twitched, but he couldn't seem to hold in how pleased he was by that statement, so he grinned. "I understand now. Inuyasha calls me Sessh because he thinks we're close- even though we're not." He moved closer to her. "But how about you? Are you going to call me by the Sesshy name? I like it 'cause Rin made it up for me."

She chuckled. "I don't think I'm going to keep that name for you, Sesshomaru."

He frowned. "Why not?"

"Because you won't like it when you're older."

"But I'll get older in years!"

Yes. Right. "Um... I was just using the name as an example."

His eyes darkened. "So you're not close to me?" he muttered brokenly.

Rin groaned. There was no getting by him. He had a reply for everything! "Sesshomaru, I don't think I should give you that nickname. It isn't appropriate." Also, he wouldn't be pleased with the name. Sesshomaru was many things, but cute and small wasn't one of them.

He was handsome and big. In all the right places.

"Give me the nickname, Rin. Please?" he practically begged. "I like it. Lots. I like it a whole lot. Like, like-" he stretched out his hands about a foot apart from each other "-this much."

He was going to kill her after this; she just knew it. He had just begged her, albeit lightly, but that wouldn't matter to Sesshomaru. He never begged anyone for anything. Until today.

"Gods, why me," she groaned, rubbing her hand down her face. "Fine," she told him. "Fine. I give in. I'll call you Sesshy."

"Thank you." He beamed at her. "I like it."

"I know," she grumbled.

"What's wrong? You don't like it?" He drew a sharp breath. "Are you sad again?"

What the heck was wrong with him? Why was he so jumpy? What was in those bat-demons? Ten pounds of sugar?

She rubbed her hands wearily against her eyes. "I'm fine, Sesshomaru-"

"It's Sesshy to you!" Sesshomaru jumped up onto his feet. Rin watched him as he walked away from her with purpose in his movements.

"Where are you going?" she called out to him, her voice echoing atop the hill.

"I'm looking for something," he mumbled. His eyes roamed the grass covered hill, darting from one direction to the next, until he caught sight of a batch of yellow and red flowers that matched exactly with Rin's kimono, a few feet away from them. He quickly ran to the batch and picked up the brightest of the flowers, and stacked them together in a pile. He clutched them in his hands as he returned to Rin, then he flopped himself on the ground and began to toy with them.

"Sessho-"

"It's Sesshy," he muttered.

"Oh, um, Sesshy, what are you doing?"

"Wait and see."

Sesshomaru focused all of his attention on the red rimmed flowers, surrounded by yellow petals. He picked out the best from them; the one that seemed strongest and brightest in the moonlight, and ripped off most of its green stem. Then he sat on his knees, and lifted himself up to meet Rin's gaze. "Do you like this flower?" he asked her.

She nodded slowly. "Yes."

"Good."

Then he raised his hand and gently pushed aside a few strands of Rin's hair, placed them behind her right ear, and then positioned the flower right over it. "There," he said. "I'n done."

"Done with what?"

"I gave you a present. It's a decoration to put on your hair."

Rin blinked repeatedly. She stammered, "You- you gave me a gift?"

"Uh-huh. Yes." He smiled, revealing his sharp white teeth. "Do you like it?"

Words failed her. "I love it," she whispered. "Thank you."

He leaned in to her. "Are you still sad?"

She shook her head. "No." She wasn't sad. Not at that moment. She was so happy she wanted to cry. Again.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru," she said again. She couldn't help it. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts she had ever been given by him, and it warmed her soul. "Thank you."

He frowned as his gaze roamed her features. "Your eyes are dripping again. You're still sad." His lips began to tremble. "Why are you sad?" he quavered. "I tried to make Rin happy and she's sad again. I don't unnerstand. Tell me what I has to do to make you smile."

She grabbed his hand and brought it closer to her. "Oh, Sesshomaru. You have no idea what you have done for me. I'm not sad. I'm happy and thankful for my gift." But most of all, for you. She left that out, feeling that it was too much to say at that precise time.

He wiped his eyes and sniffed. "Really?"

"Yes. I love it. It's perfect."

Sesshomaru gave her a bashful look, then lowered his eyes to the ground. "Iz perfect? You really like it?"

"More than anything."

She saw him smile. "I'n glad."

Suddenly, behind her, she heard someone clear their throat. Both Sesshomaru and Rin whirled around to find out who was watching them.

Ikuto stood there, with the light summer breeze moving his green hair in waves against his face. His cheeks tinted red, having interrupted the couple's conversation. "Um, Inuyasha told me to tell you two to come back inside," he said softly. "It's late."

Rin smiled. She was too happy to be annoyed by Ikuto. Or anything else. She turned to Sesshomaru who was watching Ikuto through narrowed eyes. "Let's go inside."

He nodded but he didn't turn to her.

They stood up and began to walk toward Ikuto. Once they caught up to him, he walked with them, by Rin's right side, while Sesshomaru stood by the other.

Ikuto looked up at Rin and blushed. "Miss Rin," he said softly. She turned to him with warm, welcoming eyes.

"Yes, Ikuto?"

"That flower looks very nice on your hair. You look pretty. Like a sunrise when all those colors are painted across the sky."

Rin's cheeks enflamed. How flattering it was to be compared to a sunrise. And how awkward, too. They were children, after-all. "Er, thank you, Ikuto."

Sesshomaru lifted his nose in the air and huffed, "Igot her the flower."

"I see. So the baby has good taste."

"I'n not a baby," Sesshomaru snapped, bristling at his choice of words.

"You are too."

"Are not."

"Are too."

"Are-" Sesshomaru stopped walking and stomped his foot on the ground. "I refuse to play by your stupid games. You do this to annoy me, Ikuto."

"Ah, so he does have brains!" Ikuto affirmed, raising his hands. "I'll be honest, I did not know this was so before."

Rin bit her lips to stop herself from smiling. Ikuto was challenging Sesshomaru. Truly, it was a humorous sight. No one had ever done so before, and to see it happening while Sesshomaru was an adorable child was icing on the cake.

He looked up at Rin with large eyes and tugged at her dress. "Rin, tell him to stop making fun of me."

What would he want her to do if he were an adult in this situation? Hm... Ah! Yes! He would want to fight his own battles. "How about this, Sesshomaru? I want to hear you argue with Ikuto. Use your best insults against him."

"Insults? You wish for me to insult the demon?"

"Yes."

He stared at her for few seconds, giving her an almost pensive look, as if he wondered why she wanted him to do this, until he finally nodded his head and said, "Allight." He looked at Ikuto. "You start."

"What?" he asked not looking a little confused. "You want me to insult you? I don't see any purpose in doing this. I like doing it of my own volition, not because someone told me to."

Sesshomaru tilted his head to the side. "Are you scared, Ikuto? Do you think I will beat you in the game of insults?

"Ha! You make me laugh."

"I know. I heard it, you obnauxious tree."

Ikuto gasped, understanding his mispronunciation of the word "obnoxious". "How dare you! Do not mock my hair!"

Sesshomaru gracefully snorted. "I was not mocking your hair. I was mocking your intelligence. You have the brain capacity of a tree."

Rin gaped, Ikuto's eyes bulged and Sesshomaru gave him a smug look. "What's wrong, Ikuto? Have you nothing to say to me?"

The boy composed himself with a deep breath. He glared daggers at Sesshomaru and slowly grinned.

It was the same evil grin Rin saw three days ago.

She shivered.

"Fine, then, Sessh. You want to play this game? So, too, shall I."

"Hurry up."

"Damn mut," Ikuto muttered under his breath. "I would like to insult you, but I'm afraid you won't comprehend what I may mean for another hundred years."

"You just insulted me."

"I know," he drawled. "That was my point."

"Was that the best you could do?"

"Of course not. I have more to say."

"As I said before, hurry up."

"Don't make me hurtle another ball at you," Ikuto growled.

"What ball? Are you allight? You seem to be delusional," Sesshomaru countered.

"The only delusional person here is you for thinking you can beat me at anything."

"I would love to see you prove your point, Ikuto. I haven't seen you win me in anything, yet."

Ikuto barked out a laugh. "You've no idea what I can do, Sesshomaru. Trust me, I know. I'm the one who made you-"

"Alright, that's enough," Rin cut in. He was going too far. "I think it's time to sleep now, don't you think?"

"No," the boys said simultaneously, then, once they heard this, they muttered, "Yes."

Rin shook her head. "You boys are too much."

"Too much what?" Sesshomaru grumbled. "It's Ikuto thaz annoying. He should dig a hole in da ground and bury hisself in it."

"The day I dig a hole in the ground will be the day of your funeral!"

"I will never die," Sesshomaru said most adamantly.

"Be careful of such arrogance, my lord, you might get yourself hurt because of it."

"Shut up, butt face."

"No, you shut up, butt!"

"You forgot the face, you fool."

"I didn't forget. The two are the same when it comes to you!"

"Idiot!"

"Dummy!"

"I'd rather be an idiot, than an Ikuto."

Ikuto laughed maniacally. "Mu-hah! That's exactly why you are one!"

Rin could hardly believe what she was witnessing. It was the funniest thing she'd ever seen. The boys were so heated in their argument that she had no doubt that if Ikuto had met Sesshomaru when he was that age, they'd be friends. Why? Because even though they fought a lot, she had never seen Sesshomaru look more alive than when he was doing that.

That was why she threw her head back and laughed aloud. The boys immediately stopped arguing and stared at her, wide-eyed.

"Stop laughing, Rin," Ikuto grumbled, looking insulted.

Sesshomaru grinned. "No, leave her alone. She's pretty when she smiles."

"She's pretty all the time."

Sesshomaru nodded. "Yes."

Ikuto grunted. "At least we can agree on that."

"How can we not? It's a fact."

"Yes."

Rin laughed so hard she began to tear.

The boys stared at each other and, because her mirth was contagious, laughed along with her.


On the fourth day since Sesshomaru had been cursed, Rin and Kagome decided to head off into the village garden to pick up a few herbs and spices for dinner.

This, of course, left Inuyasha to watch over all of the children. Because the day was such a beautiful one where the sky was clear of any clouds, and the air was fresh, mixed with the scents of fully blossomed plants and trees, he decided to head to the back of his hut, with the kids, and leave them to play in his back-yard.

He paid little attention to his children because they knew right from wrong when it came to the yard. Most of his focus was on Sesshomaru and Ikuto who had yet to say one word to each other since Rin had left them. The air wasn't permeated with ire and tension as last night, but the boys ignored each other, nonetheless.

Inuyasha had no idea how Sesshomaru knew the child. Why should he? Was it because of Rin? She did not seem to like the green haired demon; she just tolerated his presenceーwhy was he tagging along with them?

Inuyasha shrugged. It wasn't any of his business, anyway.

Still, he was curious about the demon. Ikuto was different from Sesshomaru. He had a different scent; one that didn't smell too good. It was very sharp and strong, as if he came from a huge flower, and it irked Inuyasha's nose, causing him to wince every time the child came near.

He didn't even know what kind of demon he was. He smelled different, looked different, especially with those eyes. Inuyasha caught them swirling like a violent storm during dinner last night when Sesshomaru had threatened to kill him. He'd never seen anything like that before. Then again, he hadn't ever seen his half brother as a child, either, so that was just as weird as Ikuto.

The boys were both wearing Tomoya's old clothes. Ikuto had on a black kimono, while Sesshomaru had a red one on with a white belt around his waist that tightened the garment enough to fit his small frame.

Tomoya and Nagisa picked up their wooden swords by the side of their hut, and began to play fight. Inuyasha had consented to this long ago, as did Kagome. He wanted his kids to know how to fight in the future. It would help them fight off prejudice demons and humans.

He usually taught them his techniques, but he was feeling particularly lazy on this day, so, instead, he watched them play.

So, too, did Sesshomaru and Ikuto, in rapt wonder.

Nagisa and Tomoya lifted their swords to their faces, turned away from one another and walked three steps away. Once they did this, they quickly spun around. Each took their own stances: Tomoya separated his legs apart from each other, in the same stance that was well known by his father, while Nagisa put one leg behind the other, pushing it back, and leaning against it.

They waited for a few seconds until they both nodded, then they lunged at each other. Tomoya swooshed his sword to the right as he tried to smack his sister's shoulder, but she quickly dodged the attack by jumping backward.

He followed after her, swooshing his sword this way and that, until she blocked him with her own. They held each other there, gritting their teeth, sweating up a river, until Nagisa decided to bend, whirl and kick her brother's legs, causing him to fall flat on his butt.

"Hey!" he whined looking up at her. Strands of his hair stuck to his cheek because of the sweat that accumulated there. "That wasn't right. You cheated, Nagisa!"

Nagisa looked down at her brother and scoffed. "You only say that because I beat you. Father said we should use all we've got to beat the bad guy."

"Yeah, well, I'm not the bad guy."

"When we fight, you're my enemy."

Tomoya gave her a look of disgust. "What kind of sister are you?"

"The greatest of them all, of course."

"Who says?"

"The only one who matters."

"And who's that?"

"Me."

Inuyasha and his son rolled their eyes, but when he turned to see his half brother's reaction, he caught him staring at the wooden swords as if he wanted to steal them away.

"What's this?" Inuyasha muttered. "Would you two like to join in?" he asked aloud.

The boy's heads snapped when they turned to Inuyasha. Ikuto nodded repeatedly, while Sesshomaru calmly nodded just once.

"I would like to play with Nagisa," Ikuto said, sounding overeager.

Inuyasha arched a brow at the young demon. "Why?"

"Because she's the best fighter," he replied. There was a strange light in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

Inuyasha ignored it. "Are you okay with that, Sessh?" He figured his brother would want to fight only the best.

Sesshomaru nodded.

Inuyasha asked his daughter, "You're fine with that, honey?"

She placed her wooden sword over her shoulder and looked Ikuto up and down. "Yes, I think he's good enough. I'd like to see how fast I can beat him."

Such confidence. How Inuyasha adored that about his little girl...

"Fine. Tomoya, get another pair."

After Tomoya got another pair of wooden swords from the hut, he gave them to the boys. Ikuto then ran to Nagisa and bowed in front of her. She eyed him as if he were insane.

"It is an honor to fight you, Nagisa," Ikuto said almost reverently.

Inuyasha's brows rose high above his bangs. Was the boy trying to flirt with his daughter? Already?

Inuyasha smiled. From the look on his baby girl's face, she didn't seem flattered. Obviously, he had nothing to worry about.

She backed away from him and lifted her sword to her face. "Do you know how to use a sword, Ikuto?"

The boy smiled. "I haven't the slightest."

Nagisa's lips curved slightly. "That's too bad."

"Huh?"

Before he even had a chance to comprehend what was happening, Inuyasha yelled, "Begin!" Nagisa immediately fell into her fighting stance. She eyed Ikuto as he daintily held the sword in the palms of his hands.

"Uh, shouldn't you show me how to fight first?" he told her.

"No. We learn when we fight."

He frowned. "That doesn't sound fair."

"As father says continuously, 'life ain't fair, deal with it.'" Her sword met her face. "Place it in front of you."

The boy followed her command. "Like this?"

She nodded and he felt a strange swell of anticipation fill his gut.

"We will begin slow at first. I will try to strike you at some random place and you will have to block me. Get ready."

Oh, he already was.

"Now!" Nagisa swooshed her sword to Ikuto's right as she endeavored to smack his shoulder with her sword. Ikuto quickly saw this movement, and lifted his sword. He blocked her attack in a flash and then pushed her.

Nagisa fell back in shock for she hadn't expected that, but then she righted herself and fell into another fighting stance. "You said you never did this before, Ikuto."

"I haven't." He smiled. "I guess it's just a natural talent."

Nagisa humphed. She then advanced toward Ikuto, swishing her sword from right to left, up and down, forcing him to retreat and move back.

Ikuto quickly moved to the side, and slapped Nagisa's side with his sword. She grunted and gritted her teeth together, giving Ikuto a look filled with venom.

He found that he liked that look. It meant that she wanted to fight him even more, and he was more than happy to battle this warrior.

He gave her an arrogant smile, which infuriated her, like he hoped it would, and she lunged at him with a roar. Ikuto quickly moved to the side, and blocked her attack.

She began to breathe heavily while he stood calm and composedーwell, as calm as he could be around the beautiful fighter. Her cloud colored hair flailed all over the place, covering her golden eyes, from time to time, dramatically revealing them as if they wished to tease whoever was watching them. They were sharp and alluring for a child of only twelve years, but beautiful and revealing, as they told the story of a girl who would become a beautiful creature in the future.

"You're dead," she growled at him. The bottom of her yellow and green kimono folded up, revealing her pink knees.

Why hadn't he noticed her before? She was so demanding and strong... Like Rin, but tougher. "Oh? And who's going to kill me?"

"I am!"

She lifted her sword and Ikuto lifted his, but instead of coming down at him with a powerful blow, she fell to the floor, whirled around, and kicked both of Ikuto's legs faster than he could contemplate.

Ikuto fell hard on the ground with a loud smack, and grunted. "Ow," he muttered breathlessly, while thinking, Wow.

Nagisa placed her tiny foot on top of his chest, lifted her nose in the air and tickled his neck with her sword. "If we were in battle," she began, "I would've been your last sight."

He grinned without shame. "What a nice way to die."

Nagisa frowned, giving him a confused look, and shook her head. She turned away from him and faced her father. He was clapping over his head, roaring his approvals and love for his daughter.

"Yeah, Nagi! That's my girl! Wooo! Banzai! You showed him!"

She chuckled softly and bowed before him, her brother and Sesshomaru who had been watching the fight.

Sesshomaru stared at her, in awe. His niece was an amazing fighter for her age. Graceful, yet powerful. She was like him, but less calm and more passionate.

How strange it was to have new relatives such as these. Inuyasha, his half brother, was lively and sarcastic, while his niece was proud and strong. His nephew...well, he didn't know the boy that well.

Tomoya slapped Sesshomaru's back. "It's our turn, fluffy."

Sesshomaru gave him a black look. Maybe having nothing to do with the mutt was a good thing. Why did everyone, but the women, in this house wish to tease him? He could not fathom.

"My name," he hissed, "is Sesshomaru."

"I know. It's just like my un-"

"O-Kay, guys!" Inuyasha interrupted out of fear that Tomoya would, in some way, reveal the big secret. He hadn't told his children what had happened to their uncle. They didn't need to know about it. "Let's have you two fight now."

Sesshomaru stared at Inuyasha. "You want me to fight your son?"

Inuyasha laughed. "Well, you're not going to fight me, if that's what you're hoping for. I'd destroy you."

Sesshomaru arched an arrogant brow at him. "Wait till I'm older, brudder. You won't be saying that again."

"I know," he muttered grumpily, recalling all the fights he'd had with Sesshomaru in his youth. Sure, he won a few, but that didn't mean he was any better than him. Every time he fought, he was usually stabbed in the chest, or poisoned, wounding him enough to keep him bedridden for days.

"Do you know how to use a sword, Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru scoffed. "What a foolish question. Why ask that? You should know that once an InuYoukai learns to walk, he is taught to fight."

"Well, I didn't know that."

"Apparently, you know very little about many things, brudder."

A muscle on Inuyasha's brow began to twitch. "Sessh, I am this close to giving you a serious whooping."

"I don't know what a 'whooping' is, half breed, but it sounds ominous." A greenish light began to form at Sesshomaru's fingertips. Inuyasha knew what it was, immediately. "The word reminds me of my whip," his half brother said in a dangerously harsh tone for a six year old. "Do you have a whip, brudder? If not, I would advise you to stop making enthy threats."

"My threat wasn't empty," he snapped. Damn, even as a kid Sesshomaru knew how to defend himself. Was there anything he wasn't good at? "Let's just get this over with, alright? Play fight with my son. I repeat: play fight with him. Don't kill him."

"I would never kill him or Nagisa!" he cried, looking clearly affronted. The light on his hand quickly extinguished.

"Thanks," Inuyasha replied sardonically. "I appreciate that."

Sesshomaru never so much as saved a glance at his niece and nephew. He doubted that his half brother even cared for his kids. In Inuyasha's head, Sesshomaru was cold hearted to anyone but Rin. If his kids were in his way, he'd kill them. Inuyasha was sure of it.

Tomoya tapped Sesshomaru's shoulder. "Do you still want to fight me?"

Sesshomaru gave no reply; he only nodded. Then he tightened his grip against the wooden sword, relishing the rough feel of the practice weapon, and walked to the center of the yard with Tomoya. Tomoya stood in his fighting stance, but Sesshomaru did nothing but watch his nephew's movements.

"Shall we begin?" Tomoya inquired.

"Yes."

"Very well, then. Go!"

Tomoya advanced, lunging and attacking, but Sesshomaru had always been graceful with his movements, and with each attempted strike, he bounded to the left or right, or stepped away from the attacks.

"You're fast," Tomoya said as he tried to "stab" Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru grunted. "I was born this way."

"I-" Tomoya took a step forward "-wish I was born with that-" Sesshomaru sidestepped his attack "-gift."

"With time I'n sure you'll learn."

Tomoya paused, sticking his hand out to Sesshomaru, and put his sword down. He smiled. "Would it be alright if I asked you to teach me?"

Sesshomaru righted himself. He gave the boy a curt nod. "Yes."

"Well, can you?"

"As long as Rin is near I'll do it."

Tomoya's eyes brightened into a warm, chocolatey hue. "I'd like that, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru stared at the elder child. It seemed as if Tomoya actually wanted to have Sesshomaru, a demon younger than him, teach him the ways of the Inu. Sesshomaru smirked. Apparently, Inuyasha was not a good enough sensei for his son.

"Do you want to continue to battle, or do you want me to teach you now?"

Ikuto stepped forward. "I-"

"Mommmmyyyyy!" Nagisa joyfully cried when her mother appeared at the doorway. Kagome's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright and alive. Rin was by her side, with a small basket filled with plants and vegetables. Her hair was put up in a bun, revealing her milky smooth skin. She smiled along with Kagome at the group and quickly caught sight of Sesshomaru and Tomoya, who were close to one another with their wooden swords. Rin's smile brightened. Was her husband getting to know his niece and nephew by practice fighting with them? How she hoped so.

While in his adult form he had nothing to do with them. Whenever Rin came over to visit Inuyasha and Kagome, he usually stayed behind, waiting patiently for her return.

Ikuto was there, too, sitting right next to where Nagisa had once been standing. Now she was in her mother's arms.

"Hey, mother, guess what?"

Kagome kissed her daughter's cheek. "Uh, let's see. You beat Tomoya again."

"I always beat him, mommy- but that's not it!"

"Well, what is it?"

"I beat Ikuto, too!" she exclaimed triumphantly. "I practically destroyed him!"

"Really?" Rin asked almost in shock. How had she beaten the young demon? He was powerful enough to make a demon into a child, yet he could not beat Nagisa? She wasn't even a half demon. How was this possible?

Nagisa nodded. "Yes, aunt, I beat him 'cause I surprised him."

"Surprised him?"

"Yes."

Rin looked at Ikuto. "She's telling the truth?"

He bit his lip. "Yes. She practically destroyed me. She even said that if we were in battle, I would've been killed, but I was fine with this."

"Eh?"

He stood up to wipe his clothes, then casually approached Rin. "I was fine because she would be the last thing I'd see. I think that would be nice, don't you?"

"Ah. Um... I see." Rin quickly understood what had transpired between the two. Because Nagisa beat Ikuto, he now adored her. It was cute, in a weird, twisted sort of way. The demon liked strong woman. Nagisa would become one. It made sense.

She heard Kagome chuckle beside her and smiled. Obviously, the mother understood what happened, too.

Kagome put her daughter down and hugged her son. Then she went to Inuyasha who was waiting for her with an annoyed look and his arms crossed over his chest. "You took too long, woman."

Kagome kissed his cheek. "I know you missed me."

Inuyasha snorted. "Don't flatter yourself." But he opened his arms and she came into him, and wrapped her arms around his waist while he did the same to her.

Sesshomaru slowly approached Rin and gently tugged at her kimono. She looked down at him, then went on her knees to be at eye level with him. "Hello, Sesshomaru. How was your day?"

"Good," he replied. "I fought with Tomoya for some time, and told him I'd teach him some of my techniques."

Rin's brow shot up to her bangs. "Really?"

"Yes." He moved closer to her. "You were gone too long, Rin."

"D'you miss me?"

"A 'course I missed you."

"How much?"

Sesshomaru's cheeks enflamed. "Lots."

"I was only gone for a few hours."

"It was too long. I didn't like it. Take me with you next time."

"Didn't you like staying with your brother and his children?"

"They are fine, but they are not Rin."

Rin's heart clenched as if someone grabbed at it. Her throat constricted as she stared at her husband through misty eyes. How she wished those words were real. "I understand," she muttered raspily. "Thank you."

He leaned in to her, staring at her eyes. "Your eyes look like a tree in the rain." He frowned. "What happened? What did I say?"

Rin sniffed. "Nothing. You said nothing wrong."

His head tilted to the side. "You're like me. We cry too much. We has to get stronger." He gasped. "Let's do it together!"

"Uh, Sessh-"

"It's a good idea, I think. We can make each other stronger, so we can...er, smile like Kagome! She never cries."

Rin snorted. He had no idea.

Sesshomaru continued. "We'll be together forever so why don't we learn things together? I like this. Don't-" He grimaced when he caught sight of Kagome and Inuyasha hugging and kissing again.

He didn't like seeing that. For some odd reason, it repulsed him.

"Why are they always doing that?" he growled.

Rin blinked at his surly tone. Her gaze found what he was staring at and she sighed. "Sesshy, why don't you leave them be?"

"I would if they stopped being 'scusting. Why do they always do that?"

"They love each other, Sesshomaru." Not that he even knew what that meant. He never said the words to her. She half doubted if he even could feel that way.

The other half believed in it with a passionate intensity that stood with the thought that if he could be happy, maybe he could also love.

Sesshomaru gave her a confused look. "What's that?"

She knew it. "Love is..." How to say it so that a child could understand it... "Um, it's when someone cares a lot about another person. They want to be with themーalways, and they like to be in their arms. Sometimes they wait while their lover is away, impatiently, because they want to be with them so badly. That's love, I suppose."

"Really?"

Rin nodded and Sesshomaru began to mull that statement over and over again in his head, comparing it to himself and his bestest friend in the world.

He cared about Rin more than he'd ever cared about anyone. She was his friend, his confidante, and his savior. She was also the only person who'd ever accepted him as he was, without hesitation. And for that he absolutely adored her. But did that mean he loved her? Maybe. He didn't really know. It was all too complicated for his young mind to understand.

The only thing he did know without question was that he liked Rin's hugs, and he liked her smile. But most of all, he liked her.

He grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight. "Can I tell you sun-thing, Rin?"

"Hm? Yes."

"Are you glad that we met each other?"

She smiled. "Euphoric. I'm happy we met, Sesshy. Why?"

"I'n just curious. But I want you to know, I'n happy, too," he replied in a shy whisper. "Euphoric... just like you."

Rin stared at Sesshomaru, and he stared at her, and something strange happened as she peered in to his gaze and saw the same eyes that never changed, focusing solely on her.

How she wished he was an adult. She wanted him so badly, and she couldn't have him.

What a depressing thought.


Ikuto could hardly stand to watch the two lovers and the way they were consuming one another with their gazes. It was repulsive. Why wasn't Rin disgusted by the fact that her husband was a child? She didn't hide her discomfort much. Did she love him that much?

If so, Ikuto had never seen such ardent emotions toward a demon before. Inuyasha didn't count. He was a half demon. Sesshomaru was pure to the bone. And he was notwhat Ikuto thought all demons were: cold and evil. He was more than that. Or at least, he had been more.

When Ikuto had met him, he seemed like a cold, heartless demon. As a child, he was less cold and more active, and fiery. He silently wondered what changed that side of him. Could it have been time and the exposure of evil throughout his life that affected him so drastically? Probably. Ikuto wasn't that curious about him.

A small, tiny, microscopic bit of guilt began to surface in his heart, as he came to understand that he had taken Sesshomaru away from Rin, even if it was only for a week. She obviously loved the demon no matter what happened to him.

Too bad he couldn't reverse the spell.

He chuckled softly. Who was he trying to fool? He was enjoying every minute of his time with Rin and her family. He didn't really have one. Mother had little concern for him, and father...well, he knew nothing about his father, so that was moot.

He turned away from Sesshomaru and Rin, and faced Inuyasha's daughter. She was with her brother, talking animatedly with him about something, but Ikuto couldn't make out what she was sayingーso he focused on her hair. And then he focused on her bright eyes; the eyes that resembled the sun in the morning, or the heated tip of a flame.

And he realized that, even though he'd hurt Rin by making her husband a weak, naive child, he didn't want this week to end.

Because he didn't want to be alone ever again.