Chapter 10 ;). Are you ready! I am, because some of you guys have the craziest predictions of what's going to happen next! Lol, but I'm not saying anything =) One must read to learn. What I will say, is that I only write happy endings 3 I must say, I had fun writing this chapter. Anyways, please enjoy!-AF

Chapter 10-

"What?"

Sesshomaru stared at Trist in disbelief, before returning his critical gaze to Kai. Somehow, those suspicious eyes drifted up to Rin again. Said woman nodded slightly, but offered no other explanation.

"Mr. Takahashi, do you know a woman named Kagura?"

A looked of instant realization crossed his smooth features at the mention of Kagura's name. Rin wanted to comfort him, but stood rooted to her spot near the desk. She defiantly didn't want to put Kai in danger. Taking a weary breath, she fell slowly into the seat behind her.

"Yes."

His answer was short and curt, but Rin heard the distress that laced his speech.

"She had procession of Kai until recently. She is being charged with child abuse, among other things, and she won't be getting out of prison anytime soon."

The business man frowned, and crossed his arms neatly across his broad chest.

"Kai?"

This time Rin inched to the edge of her seat excitedly. She couldn't help the giddy feeling she felt whenever the baby was mentioned.

"Your baby, Sess. See?"

She angled Kai upwards so that his entire face was visible. Trist folded her hands, and secretly analyzed Sesshomaru's reaction to the baby. If all did not go well, she would have to take Kai to a home.

At first Sesshomaru remained were he was, but after a few moments of an intense staring contest between him and Kai, he gravitated closer.

"He…looks just like me."

Rin noted his softened voice, and looked at Kai herself.

"I think he's adorable."

Sesshomaru stopped right in front of her, and leaned down so that Kai was inches from his face.

"Adorable?"

Kai wasn't too intrigued by Sesshomaru at first, but as soon as that patterned tie came into reaching proximity, he gave a joyful squeal and latched onto it. Afraid he would respond negatively, Rin gently grabbed one of the baby's little arms.

"No Kai."

Sesshomaru frowned, and waited until Rin coaxed the baby's grip off of his tie. Straitening up, he turned to Trist.

"She lied to me. She told me that the baby wasn't mine."

Trist nodded, and gestured to Kai, who was currently kicking his legs.

"He's about a year and a month. I have a folder for you that has all of his information in it. That is, if you decide to keep him. We can do a paternity test if you'd like."

"No."

Sesshomaru glared at Trist, who looked back at him with a puzzled expression.

"I know he's mine. I can smell it. "

Kai mumbled something in gibberish, and then turned his head to look up at Rin. Rin in turn smiled broadly, and kissed him on his forehead; an action that caused the one year old to giggle excitedly. The exchange did not go unnoticed by Sesshomaru.

"So, Mr. Takahashi, what is your decision? Are you going to keep your son, or give him up?"

A heavy silence fell in the room, and Rin bit her lip. Trist shifted legs nervously. Even Kai sat quietly, as if he understood the seriousness of the decision that lay on the table.

Sesshomaru scoffed, "Of course I'm going to keep him."

V

"Sess?"

Rin studied Sesshomaru, who was so into his laptop that she wouldn't be surprised if he forgot she was there. They sat in one of the building's many conference rooms, only this one was considered small. Only ten seats circled the not-as-long-as-others oval table. They had moved to this room after Trist had left, because Sesshomaru wanted to speak with his father and brother.

So here she was, Kai fast asleep in her lap, and Sesshomaru driving her crazy that the constant click of his keyboard.

"Sess!"

He paused, and shot an agitated look her way.

"Yes Rin?"

She frowned at him, and turned her chair so she was facing him.

"Are you seriously doing work right now?"

He opened his mouth to say something, but it closed back. He knew she was right. She watched him mutter something under his breath as he closed the laptop, and pushed it aside. He stared at the polished table for a long time, until finally he seemed to gather the courage to look at her.

At that moment, Rin recalled the incident with Taro. Her lips itched to relay the story to Sesshomaru, but she bit her tongue. She didn't want to stress him out more than he already was right now. Besides, she was staying at his place, and she doubted Taro was bold enough to actually engage the powerful demon.

"Rin, I have to speak to you about…this."

Adjusting the baby in her lap, Rin cocked her head to the side; a rainfall of curls followed her. Sesshomaru reached out and gently tested the bounce of each curl before caressing her face.

"This? You mean Kai?"

He frowned, and shook his head.

"No. Well, yes. Rin, you don't need to be here."

Everything seemed to slow down for her. Was he sending her away? Did he want to go back to Kagura now that he knew he fathered a son with her? Trying her hardest to keep the hurt from her expression, Rin looked away from his steady gaze.

"You want me to leave?"

She mentally cursed. She had sounded so crushed, little a little kid who was refused a snack. Sesshomaru took one of her hands and intertwined their fingers.

"Rin, look at me."

When she turned back towards him, her eyes were full of unshed tears.

"I'm not saying I want you to leave. I'm saying this," He gestured to Kai, "is not your responsibility. You don't have to stay with me if you don't want to. I'll understand."

Rin blinked, and stared at her boyfriend as if he were crazy.

"Are you kidding me? Do I come off as that shallow? I'm not going to leave you because you found out you have a child, Sess. I don't want to be without you."

She squeezed his hand, and studied his apprehensive expression.

"Rin…"

"I'm staying. So shut up."

His jaw slackened in shock, but it quickly morphed into a small grin. Minding Kai, he seized her chin and brought her face closer to his.

"Who are you talking to, Ms. Kato?"

She only smiled before pressing her lips to his, eager to feel that natural sedative. A moan vibrated her chest when she felt his tongue run along her bottom lip, and she opened her mouth to confront it with her own.

"Ahem."

Whipping her head around, Rin knew her face was quickly turning beat red. Tashio raised an eyebrow as he entered the room with Inuyasha in tow.

"Is this what you meant, Ms. Kato, when you said you and Sesshomaru are compatible?"

Inuyasha shook his head, chuckling.

"Well, that solves the whole marrying thing."

Sesshomaru glared at his father and half-brother as he adjusted his tie.

"That is not what I have called you two in here for…"

"Though we will have to discuss this situation soon, son. It is my understanding that you marked her."

Frowning, Rin let out an aggravated huff.

"Can someone please explain to me why I'm the one that's marked, yet I don't know what the hell it means?"

Everyone remained silent for a moment; Tashio looked at Sesshomaru in surprise. Sesshomaru rubbed his forehead in irritation.

"I will explain that later. Right now, we must talk about the child"

Inuyasha leaned back in his chair, and clicked his pen repeatedly. Rin shot him a look, and he stopped.

"My…son."

On cue, Rin held up Kai so the two men could see him. Tashio did a double take, while Inuyasha jumped up from his seat and pointed at Kai as if he was an alien.

"What the fuck?"

"Inuyasha!"

Rin glared at him, and then cooed a now very awake and crying Kai. Tashio was the first to speak again.

"So Kagura lied about you not being the father."

It was more of a statement than a question, and Sesshomaru merely nodded. Everyone's eyes were on Kai. The one year old took turns looking at all of them in return. When he's eyes landed on Sesshomaru, he smiled excitedly. Rin grinned.

"Yes, look at daddy! You see your daddy?"

Sesshomaru shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and adverted his eyes from his son.

"Yes, she did. Apparently, she's in prison now. She told them that I was the father, and here we are now."

Inuyasha walked around the table to where Rin was sitting, and offered Kai a big grin.

"Hey little fella, I'm Uncle Yasha. Don't you look just like your father!"

Rin laughed when he hoisted Kai up from her lap, and watched as he held him high in the air. Sesshomaru balled his hands into fists.

"Inuyasha be careful!"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, but brought the child down to rest in his arms. He shot a suspicious grin at his brother.

"Aww, already protective, eh Sess?"

Before he could respond, Sesshomaru felt the sudden repetitious blows of his father's hand on his back.

"Congratulations son! You know, parenthood is a long and frustrating journey; I hope you're ready! And sweet Rin over here can probably teach you a few things."

Rin blushed, but quickly nodded her head in agreement.

One of Inuyasha's eye brows rose as he untangled his hair from Kai's grip.

"So, how are you taking him home?"

Both Sesshomaru and Rin looked at each other as the reality of that aspect dawned on them. It wasn't like a car seat was kept around just in case a baby popped into their lives.

"I'll go get a seat, I suppose. And afterwards Rin and I can go…pick up the things he needs."

Rin shrugged and accepted the child when Inuyasha offered him back.

"Okay, I'll wait in the lounge for you with Kai then."

Inuyasha and Inutashio took turns wishing Sesshomaru luck and kissing Kai on his forehead before filtering out of the room.

"I'll be back in ten."

Rin smiled and nodded, secretly loving the feeling of Kai clutching on to her while she kissed his daddy. She felt like, mom.

And it didn't feel wrong.

Grabbing her bag and closing the conference door behind them, Rin could not believe the number of stares the three were getting while walking down the hall. Some even dared to stop and gasp. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but Rin knew that Sesshomaru was hearing everything. Yet, he was calm. In the elevator, he finally made the first contact with his son.

He touched his shirt and pulled down the hem. It wasn't the contact Rin was hoping for, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

"Who dressed you anyway?"

Sesshomaru asked his son as if the little boy could reply. Instead, he cocked his head to the side and reached for the elevator buttons.

"Hn."

Rin shook her head and laughed. Distracted, Kai began to clap his hands and laugh too. Sesshomaru watched the scene with a critical look.

"You're going to be a great mother… one day."

Rin tried her hardest not to display the emotions she was having on the inside, because if she did she would have been screaming happily at the top of her lungs until she died. Instead, she ran a hand through her mass of curls.

"You think?"

"Look at how Kai responds to you. He loves you."

Rin looked down at the baby boy, and caressed his head lovingly.

"I think I love him too."

Now it was Sesshomaru's turn to laugh.

"Already?"

The woman grinned and shrugged.

"I know, it must be a Takahashi thing."

Damn. Did she really just say that?

Sesshomaru stared at her for a moment, but before he could say anything the Bing of the elevator sounded, and the doors flew open. Laughing nervously, Rin pushed the man out into the busy lobby with her free hand.

"Okay, go get the car seat. See you in ten."

He threw her a perplexed look over his shoulder, but nevertheless aimed his stride towards the main door.

"And you're going to explain this mark business when you get back too!"

His arm flew up in a common I'm-shrugging-off-what-you-just-said fashion, and in seconds he was gone through the front doors. Now she was left alone to suffer the intense stares and mutterings. Shifting Kai on her hip, Rin started a game of glaring viciously at anyone whose eyes lingered on him too long.

One man had the audacity to halt mid step when he spotted the pair, and he quickly changed his destination to where she was seated. As he moved closer, the scowl on her face melted away. It was the man who had interviewed her, Miroku.

"Why hello there, Ms. Kato. How are you enjoying your new job?"

It was obvious to Rin that he really wanted to ask a question regarding the baby in her lap, because he was staring right at him.

Shaking her head, she sighed.

"I don't know if Sesshomaru would want you to know…"

Miroku's gaze rotated to her, and a skeptical look took hold of his handsome features.

"Sesshomaru just happens to he my best friend, and I his. So, what's this all about?"

Raising an eyebrow, Rin tiled her head to the side.

"This is Kai, Sess's son."

For a moment, Miroku looked so stunned that Rin thought he was going to either bust out laughing or slap her silly. Speaking of slaps…

She softly touched her cheek, and winced. Since Miroku didn't comment on any bruising on her face, she assumed she still had some time until it revealed it's self.

"Wow, Kagura's such a bitch."

Throwing her hands over Kai's ear, Rin glared threateningly at Miroku. The man in turned held up his hands defensively.

"Hey, I've gotta run. But Tell Sess I said congrats okay? And Good luck. Both of you."

He winked at her, and before she could question him on what he meant, he floated away into the mass of bodies that littered the lobby. Everyone seemed to know something she didn't, and she was starting to suspect it had to do something with the bite mark on her neck.

She didn't mean to, but when someone touched her shoulder and she whipped her head around, she leveled that person with a nasty look. Sesshomaru frowned, and gestured for her to come with him.

"What's wrong?"

"You're keeping something from me."

Her boyfriend looked away then, and an exasperated look crossed his face. Nether said anything until they reached his sleek car. Rin wanted to laugh when she saw him struggle with getting both the baby and the seat secure, but instead took over and effectively strapped everything in with a straight face.

Sesshomaru mumbled a quick thanks, and they both got into the car. The first few minutes passed by in silence.

"So?"

"Hn?"

"Sesshomaru!"

"Okay."

He glanced over at her before refocusing on the road.

"The mark on your neck is, how can I say this. It's like a claim…"

"A claim? Of what?"

"I was trying to get to that."

"Continue then."

In the back, Kai was nodding off again.

"As you know, I'm a demon by nature. In my culture, we don't get married; we mate with our prospective partners. It's not something males choose, it's more like a…fate controlled matter. So…"

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Rin."

"Sorry."

Sesshomaru signed, and checked his blind spot before changing lanes.

"So when we had sex that night, I started the mating process with you. That's why the mark has yet to heal. It's my claim on you to warn other males to stay away."

Rin's eyes widened and she leaned in closer to the man driving the car.

"What?"

"I said…"

"No, I heard what you said. I mean what as in WHEN THE HELL WAS YOU GOING TO TELL ME?"

Narrowing his eyes, Sesshomaru growled low in his throat.

"Watch your tone, woman. It's not something that is easily explained."

Sitting back in her seat, Rin pouted and crossed her arms. She didn't appreciate Sesshomaru getting all tough-toned on her.

"Sorry."

At first, he didn't respond. But when she attempted to touch the hand what rested on the shift, he gently intertwined their fingers.

"So, does that mean I'm like, made for you?"

She smiled at her cheesy joke, but Sesshomaru didn't take it that way at all. He brought her hand up and kissed it softly. She giggled, and her heart fluttered.

"So what did you mean by 'started the mating process?'"

"I marked you on your shoulder, which is the first mark. To complete the process, I have to do the same to one of your breasts."

Suddenly she was blushing madly. A small smile formed on her boyfriend's face when he noticed.

"Does that hurt?"

"Are you considering it?"

He pulled into a parking spot in the lot of a supermarket, and twisted his keys out of the ignition. The serious gaze he aimed at her made her look away. When she took too long to answer, he was kind enough to forget he asked. Truthfully, she didn't want to comprehend what all of this mating stuff entailed.

"I doubt it, in order for me to use the energy necessary to mate, we'd have to be intensely intimate."

At that statement he flashed her a lecherous grin before getting out of the car. Gasping, Rin quickly got out and jabbed him in his back while he was bent retrieving Kai. If she wasn't so wrapped up in his sexual comment and suggestive smile, she would have realized that he was actually holding his son for the first time.

"Define intensely intimate?"

Her tone was teasing.

"The average sex with a Takahashi. Right, Kai?"

Kai smiled, content with grabbing his father's hair. Rin could have fainted. Instead, she laughed hard.

"Virgin ears! What are you teaching your son so young?"

The two walked briskly to the end of the parking lot, and headed towards the automatic doors of the Wal-Mart. Much to Rin's satisfaction, Sesshomaru was being less and less avoidant in interacting with his son. He studied his fingers briefly, before sliding his palm over the little silver spikes of hair that adorned Kai's head.

"She cut his hair."

Rin peered over at Kai's head, and shrugged.

"Haircuts, they tend to happen."

"She knows how my family is."

Making an O with her mouth, Rin reached up to playfully pull on Sesshomaru's free tresses. The fact that he was being so nit picky with Kai already brought a huge smile to her face.

"He's full demon, right? Won't it grow back in no time?"

The business man paused, before glancing around the aisle they were in. Apparently, he never heard her question.

"What do we need? Formula or something?"

Fighting the laugh that threatened to take her over, Rin coughed subtly into her elbow.

"Sess, Kai is One. He's not a newborn. He eats regular food."

As if understand finally what the adults surrounding him were saying, Kai quickly pointed to a box of cereal.

"food!"

Both Rin and Sesshomaru frowned, and looked at the box together.

"Yes baby, its cereal."

Kai withdrew his finger for a moment to touch his spit covered chin, and he looked up at Rin as if questioning her intelligence.

"Serl?"

Sesshomaru chuckled, and Rin smiled.

"No, C-E-R-E-A-L."

At that, Kai shook his head rapidly, and resumed his pointing at the box.

"No, food!"

Looking at Sesshomaru, Rin gave him a defeated shrug.

"I tried."

Sesshomaru shook his head, an action which Kai mimicked.

"I take my good mother comment back."

Gasping, Rin punch her boss on his muscular arm.

"Jerk!"

They both laughed, but continued to wander through the store to collect the supplies they needed.

V

"Rin?"

….

"Rin!"

"I'm coming! Sheesh."

Walking into the second spare guest room or now Kai's room, Rin spotted Sesshomaru standing near the little toddler bed they had picked out. He was holding Kai extended away from him, with a wrinkle in his nose.

Oh Brother.

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Sesshomaru shot her a look, but nodded his head towards Kai.

"I think he needs his diaper changed."

Rin rolled her eyes, and pointed towards the staked piles of diapers and wipes. In response, her boyfriend stared at her as if she was crazy. She sighed.

"Okay, I'll get the first few, but your going to have to learn how to change his diaper too Sess."

Sesshomaru scoffed, and tucked Kai under one of his arms. The boy laughed, and stretched out his arms and legs as if he were flying.

"Why can't he use the bathroom?"

"Sess, he has to learn to walk before he can be potty trained. I'm going to get you Babies for dummies."

Holding up a finger when he tried to reply, Rin promptly turned around and left the room. Moments later, he could hear the roar of water. When she came back into the room, she held her arms out for Kai. The one year old clutched onto her tightly, and his face twisted as he started crying.

"Aww, I know baby. I'm gonna get you all cleaned up."

Sesshomaru watched her leave again, and sighed in relief. He was safe from changing for at least a few more days. Walking out of the room, he glided smoothly past the living room and into the kitchen. Seeing that Rin had been interrupted while she was washing the dinner dishes, he rolled up his sleeves and started scrubbing.

When he finished and the dished were all lined neatly in the dish rack, he went to go see how Kai's bath was going. Pushing open Rin's cracked door, he made his way through the room, and peeked past the bathroom door.

Rin was sitting in the tub with Kai out in front of her as she washed him gently. A soft smile curved her lips when the child occasionally splashed in the water and laughed. Boldly, Sesshomaru pushed the door open wider and took a seat on the toilet. Rin paid him no mind; her only focus was on the squirming baby in her arms.

Sesshomaru couldn't contain the feeling of happiness that spread through him like wildfire. He finally felt whole. He had a family now; he wasn't sure how it happened or why such good fortune was award to him, but he was grateful. Rin handled Kai as if he was her own, and in a way, Sesshomaru knew that she would always treat him like her own biological child.

Frowning slightly, he thought of the two weeks he had left to mark her a second time. He was confident that he wanted to be with her, but he couldn't say the feeling was mutual. When he had asked her earlier if she was considering letting him mark her once more, she had looked away.

The thought of not having her by his side sent a sudden pain across his chest.

Yes, this was his fate given mate. He was positive of that now. Kai squealed, and attempted to drink the bathwater. Rin quickly pulled him up though, and playfully wiggled a finger in his face as reprimand.

Chuckling as the scene unfolded before him, he knew he would love them for as long as his heart beat.

Well, that's the end of chapter 10! What did you think? I personally think that Kai is super cute! Anyways lol, please review, and until next time! BTW two more chappys, chapter 11 & epilogue =)-AF