Reason 10: The Ring

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, nope, not mine.

Rin trailed behind her bridal party, walking in flip-flops in downtown Tokyo was proving to be difficult, especially while avoiding other people's feet so they didn't step on her newly manicured toes.

"Tell me exactly why we're walking back to the hotel?" Jakotsu whined, his face more made up then all four of the girls combined.

"Because it'd take at least half-an-hour to get back in a car when we could just walk back in 5 minutes," replied Ayame, swinging hands with Kagome.

Jakotsu sighed dramatically, blowing air onto his hands, "You better hope that a fly doesn't get on the wet polish."

"If only one would fly into your mouth," Sango muttered sarcastically, adjusting her sunglasses while they waited for the cue cross the street.

Rin giggled, elbowing Sango when Jakotsu turned to glare back at her. "Hey," Sango gestured to the large building to their left, "That's Sesshomaru's building isn't it?"

Rin's head popped up and grinned as she caught sight of the 40-floor glass building, "Yeah!"

"How's the whole not speaking or seeing him going for you?" Sango asked, looking up to try and spot her own husband's office on the 33rd floor.

Rin blanched, "Not well. I've already talked to him while you guys were getting your hair done."

"Rin!" Kagome swatted her head playfully; "You're not allowed any contact with the groom before your big day!" She held out her hand, giving her a stern look, "Phone."

"I know, I know, bad Rin." Rin grumbled, taking her blackberry from her purse, "Here."

"Thank you. Now, you know we're only doing this to enhance your excitement for your big day."

"I know," Rin began to inch away from the group slowly as they walked past the building. She grinned and made a run for it, darting past the cars to the entrance of the Takahashi Tower.

"She ran for it, didn't she?" Ayame asked, watching their petite friend disappear into the building, "Oh well," She shrugged, not in the least fazed by Rin's behaviour, "At least we tried."

"You guys want to get lunch while Rin goes to have crazy secretary/boss sex with her boy?" asked Jakotsu, envious of Rin's impromptu sexcapade.

"Oh! Let's get pizza, I've been craving pepperoni and grease for a while," Kagome rubbing her belly in anticipation.

"'Gome, you're pregnant, you crave everything."

"True, so does that mean you guys are up to get some ice-cream afterwards too?"

"Ah, Ms. Rin! Come to see the big boss again?" asked the security guard at the front desk, handing Rin a visitor's pass, "Fully clothed I see."

"Yes," Rin blushed, remembering the last time when she had surprise him with a visit in nothing but a trench coat and lingerie. She thanked him and went up Sesshomaru's private elevator to his floor, the fortieth floor.

"Hello Rin!" The elderly receptionist greeted Rin as she walked out of the elevator. "Are you excited for your big day?"

"Oh, very much so. I've even gotten all spiffied up at the salon just down the street," she held up her hands to show off her manicured nails.

"They are very lovely! Do you wish to see Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Yes, if it's possible."

"Oh, it's always possible for you Ms. Rin. Sesshomaru-sama has insisted that you remain his top priority."

"Oh," Rin couldn't help but grin stupidly in response.

"He should be in his office." The woman returned to her computer, canceling the boss's 1 o'clock with Kouga. "And Ms. Rin?"

"Yes?" Rin looked back at the secretary who had a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

"Try to avoid breaking the computer this time, ne?"

Rin blushed hard, "Hai," scurrying to his office. "Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru looked up from his file, "Rin? Come in."

"Hi!" Rin opened the doors, bouncing over to his desk. "Busy?"

"Very, but it's quite dull," he pushed back from his desk, beckoning Rin to sit atop his lap. "I thought I wouldn't be seeing you today."

"Technically, it's not allowed. However, I miss you too much and," she turned to face him, "We've yet to decide the cake. Chef Katsuya needs to know ASAP."

"I see," Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair, regarding Rin's puppy dog eyes, which he was slowly becoming immune to, "I have one more chance to explain my disdain for chocolate, do I not?" Rin nodded. "Very well," he took her left hand in his, playing with the large diamond, "Paris, last year..."

Sesshomaru waited patiently in the sitting room, his long, elegant fingers tapping against his thigh.

"Ah, Mr. Takahashi," a baritone voice filled the room, coming from the hall. "I'm told that you're here to pick out something special, ne?"

"Hn, yes." Sesshomaru stood from the leather couch, buttoning his two-piece jacket, he shook hands with the elderly man, "An, engagement ring."

The mans eyes twinkled with delight, "Oh, how lovely! And tell me about this woman who has captured your heart. Is she as lovely as I am told?"

Sesshomaru smirked, "Even lovelier. If we could please hurry this up, I've a meeting in less than an hour."

"But of course. Please," the man gestured to his office, "After you." He turned to his secretary, "Bring us some drinks Suki."

"Yes sir."

"So," the man unlocked a cabinet from behind him, "I take it money is not going to be an issue here."

"That would be an assumption," Sesshomaru replied cooly. He took out his wallet from his front pocket, pulling out his platinum credit card, eyeing the man in front of him he set the card on the desk, "Do not make me a poor man Totosai. Nor should you take me as a fool."

"But of course," Totosai snapped his fingers, the secretary coming in with the drinks, took the credit card, "Now," he asked, cupping his face with his palms, "What do you have in mind?"

"Rin," Sesshomaru knocked on the bathroom door, "Are you decent?"

Rin giggled, throwing open the door, "Nope," she said with no shame, wrapping her arms around his tall frame, "Hello boyfriend."

Sesshomaru chuckled, leaning down to bury his face in her hair, "You're not dressed," he murmured, tightening his hold on her nude form.

"Mm," Rin pulled back and began to unbutton his shirt, "I could always wear your shirt," she suggested with a cheeky grin.

"Hn," Sesshomaru placed his large hands over hers, stopping her assault on his clothes, "Unfortunately, we cannot."

Rin pouted, "And why not?" She crossed her arms, thinking of the date, "Is there another event I've forgotten about?"

"No," he sat on their bed, "Dress, we've somewhere to go." he told her, taking out his phone to check his e-mails.

"Is there something particular I should wear?" she asked, weaving through their large walk-in closet.

"Whatever you feel is comfortable."

"Ok," Rin sighed, he was being cryptic. She shrugged, and pulled on a white tank top, a blue skirt and a grey grandfather sweater, "Heels or flats?" she asked, twirling in front of him.

Sesshomaru looked up from his phone, noting her outfit choice, "Heels."

"Yes sir," she giggled as she mock saluted. She scurried back into the closet, this time stepping into a pair of nude three-inch heels. Honestly, Sesshomaru had a far better fashion sense than she. "Are you going to tell me where exactly we are headed?"

"No," he went to his dresser and pulled out a black, silk tie, "Do you trust me Rin?"

Rin's eyes widened as he stepped behind her, holding the black silk loosely over her eyes, "Yes." She grinned foolishly as he tightened the knot, "So are we playing hostage?"

"You'll see soon enough," he told her, scooping her up into his arms, before walking down the stairs to their private elevator, where a limo waited at the entrance to their car lot. He set Rin down on the leather seats, where she moved to untie the black silk before he stopped her, "No, not yet."

"Ok," Rin grasped his arm, "Are you going to tell me where we're going?"

"No."

Rin frowned thoughtfully, leaning against his torso, "Hmm, are we going to a hotel?"

"Not necessarily."

"Ok. A... party?" She clapped her hands at the thought, "Oh, you should have let me dress better if we are."

"Unfortunately, no."

Rin sighed, "Fine, do I have time to nap?" she asked, adjusting the tie, "Because this ambience your tie is creating is amazing."

Sesshomaru laughed, "Yes."

"Good," Rin snuggled up closer, "Night."

Sesshomaru kissed her forehead, "Night."

An hour later Sesshomaru roused Rin from her nap, "Wake up Rin," he murmured into her ear, nuzzling her cheek, "We're almost there."

Rin moaned, "Almost?" She asked with a small yawn, "How much longer?"

Sesshomaru made a face, "13 more hours, roughly."

Rin laughed, "13 more hours? Geez, where are you taking me?"

Sesshomaru was silent, taking her hand to help her out of the limo. "Honestly, the tie was completely unnecessary," he told her, throwing the black silk back into the limo once he removed it from her.

Rin laughed, linking her arm through his, "It was exciting while it lasted," she told him, stretching up to peck his cheek, "Now to the plane I'm presuming?"

"You'd be correct," he replied, allowing her to walk in front of him to his private jet.

"Takahashi-san," the flight attendant bowed as he walked by, he simply nodded in response.

"Can I get you two anything to drink?" she asked, handing them each a pillow and blanket to share.

"Water please," Rin replied, getting herself situated on the large white couch.

"Of course, and for you Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Scotch, on the rocks."

"Yes sir."

"Drinking already?" teased Rin, grabbing the remote from the table, "It's only ten in the morning."

"Hn, we've 13 hours to spend, confined to a 25 by 6 foot space and I'm not allowed to do more than this," he bent down to take her lips, "To you. If I don't drink, I'll go insane."

Rin whimpered when he pulled away to take a sip of his scotch that the flight attendant handed to him. She looked at her water bottle then back to him and gulped, "On a second thought, I'll have a whisky sour."

Sesshomaru smirked as the flight attendant returned with Rin's drink; at least it was good to know that he wasn't suffering alone. "Cheers."

"Rin," Sesshomaru bent down to once again rouse his petite girlfriend, "Rin, we've arrived."

Rin moaned and turned her head back into the pillow. "No, no, the pink elephant." He raised a brow, she truly did enjoy sleeping, "Rin," he nudged her awake with his pointer finger.

"Sesshomaru," she muttered sarcastically, "I was having such a nice dream." She told him, looking up with mussed hair and puppy dog eyes.

Sesshomaru chuckled, taking her hand to lead her off the plane, "I'm sure you'll find the exterior of this plane even better."

Rin turned back to him as they began to walk out of the plane, "You're not going to blind-fold me again are you?"

Sesshomaru smirked and held his hands over her eyes, "Better?"

Rin laughed, swatting his hands away, "Ok Maru, where are we?" She asked, looking around all she could see were fields and other landing strips.

"Charles de Gaulle."

Rin frowned, "France?"

"Paris." Sesshomaru walked past her, as she stood stiff in shock, "Are you coming Rin?"

"Yes," After the initial shock she scurried up to catch up to him, "We're really in Paris?"

He nodded, pointing up to the name of the terminals and the various signs, "You should have more faith in me."

"I," Rin didn't know what to say, taking his hand as they walked through the crowds of people, "Can I get a baguette? How long are we staying? Why are we here? Oh!" She ran from him to a small shop that was selling coffee, "I wonder what their coffee tastes like," she murmured, sitting down in a seat, reading the menu.

Well, airport coffee, but French coffee nonetheless. "Une café et une café noisette," Sesshomaru told the waitress as she came by to ask for their order.

Rin arched a brow, "Noisette eh? You think I can't handle your black coffee?" She thanked the woman as she brought the espresso to her.

"I know you can't," he retorted, taking a sip of the coffee the woman placed in front of him.

"Oh dear, normally I hate coffee but this is delicious," she murmured, cupping her hands around the glass. "So what are our plans?"

"Hn, we've all day to spend here, though it's only 8:30 so we should get to the hotel. Tomorrow I've a meeting with developers, so you are free to do as you wish. Then we leave tomorrow at midnight, via All Nippon Airways."

Rin grinned with delight, "Well aren't you Mr. Thoughtful for bringing me here." She quickly downed her coffee and nearly dragged Sesshomaru from his seat and to the outside of the terminal. "Did you get a car?"

"Yes," he pulled out a set of keys from his pocket, handing them to a valet at the entrance to the car lot. Rin bounced up and down in anticipation, "I can't believe we're in Paris," she squealed as a black mini cooper pulled up in front of them.

"Humor me," he told her, gesturing for her to drive.

"You want me to drive?" she asked, incredulously, holding the door to the driver's side, "Do you have a death wish?"

He chuckled, sliding into the passenger side. "I have faith in you." He leaned forward to put in their hotel into the GPS. "Drive."

An hour later they arrived at the Hotel de Crillon, where Rin stood in awe of the miraculous building. "This," she pointed to the building, "This isn't our hotel."

"But it is," he was somewhat impressed with her driving skills, plucking the keys from her hands and dumped them into those of the valet, "Nous n'avons pas de bagages."

"Oui monsieur," the man bowed gracefully, "S'il vous plait," he gestured to the door.

Rin looked up at him as they walked into the building, "You speak french?"

"Of course."

Rin snorted, of course he did. She cursed silently in her head as they walked through the lobby, "I feel incredibly underdressed," she told him, watching the beautiful women dressed in fur and jewels sashay through the building, bags in their hands, men at their feet.

"You look fine. Besides," he gestured to one woman in particular who was feeding her pet Chihuahua a piece of fruit, "Would you really enjoy wearing a skin-tight dress and six-inch heels on a 13 hour flight?"

Rin giggled, "Perhaps not. But if we're going to go out, I'd like to change into something more presentable."

"It's already laid out," he told her as they walked to the front desk.

"Ah, Monsieur Takahashi, how was your flight?" Asked the concierge, a balding man dressed dapperly in a black suit and pink tie.

"Tolerable." Sesshomaru pulled out his wallet, handing the man his card, "Have the Fujiya-Mora group arrived?"

"They are not scheduled to land until this afternoon sir," The man replied, typing in Sesshomaru's information into the computer.

"Very well, inform me when they arrive."

"But of course sir. And Madam? The flight was good for you?" he asked with a smile as he looked up from his computer.

Rin beamed in response, "Oh, it was amazing! Thank you. I'm just excited to be here. And might I say, your hotel is positively exquisite."

"Merci Madam, you, are just as exquisite," he lifted Rin's hand and pressed a kiss onto it. Rin blushed, "Oh, no, thank you." Sesshomaru raised a brow, how bold.

"Please," The man bowed as he handed Sesshomaru the key to his room, "I 'ave given you la suite Louis XV, which, as you will see off of your balcony, has one of the most beautiful views of Paris, including, the Eiffel Tower. Samuel, s'il vous plait!" He signaled for a bellboy, "Samuel will show you to your room. If there's anything you need, please do not hesitate to call."

"Hn," Sesshomaru wrapped an arm possessively around Rin's waist as they followed the teenage boy to their suite, "I don't like him."

Rin giggled, "Well I did."

"Please," the bellboy held open the elevator for them, "Your suite is on the top floor of the hotel," he informed them as he pressed the button, "And you must use your card to activate the elevator to go there."

"Hn," Sesshomaru stepped out first into their room when they arrived, handing the boy a bill before he left, "So tell me Rin, what do you think?"

Rin blinked in shock, "This," she pointed to the floral carpet of the lounge, then to elegant chairs and the gold encrusted table with a marble top, "This is, not real. This is too pretty to be real." She couldn't help but squeal in delight as she caught sight of their roof top terrace, "Oh my Kami!" She raced to the sliding doors, pressing her nose against the glass, "Isn't the view so pretty?"

"You can go outside," he told her in amusement over her reaction, sliding open the glass.

"Wow," Rin muttered, trailing her fingers over the wrought-iron gates. "Sesshomaru! You can see the Eiffel Tower from here! Oh my gosh, look at all the pretty buildings," she grinned as she felt Sesshomaru wrap his arms around her petite waist, resting his head atop of hers, "We're actually in Paris," she turned around to face him, stroking his cheek.

"I believe that's the fourth time you've mentioned our location," he teased, kissing her on the nape of her neck.

"I love you," she murmured, leaning up, pressing a soft kiss on his lips.

"I know." He leaned his forehead against hers, soaking in the moment. "Hm," Sesshomaru pulled back, taking her hand to lead her into the master bedroom through another set of doors, "We've got the whole day ahead of us," he told her, gesturing to the closet, "I've told the staff to provide you with a couple of outfits, you should find them adequate for our plans."

"And what exactly are our plans?" she asked, cooing over the dresses that were hung in the room, "Is this Chanel?" she asked herself, flipping over the tag of a chic white dress, "I think I've just died and gone to heaven."

"Sesshomaru," she called out, walking back into the bedroom, "You didn't have to do all of this. This," she held up the dress, "This is too much."

"Nonsense," he replied, taking the dress from her he held it up to her form, "Are you displeased with their choices?"

"No! Not at all, I'm just, I don't wear this stuff. I feel like," she looked at the dress in her hands that cost more than her one month rent, "I'm going to ruin it just by putting it on."

"Don't be ridiculous, here," he peeled off Rin's sweater and then helped her out of the white tank top. Rin raised a brow when he finished, shimmying out of the blue skirt herself, "Shall I continue?" she teased, thanking him as he zipped up the white dress for her.

"Trust me Rin, if we weren't limited in our time here, I'd spend the whole day ravishing you on those green, silk, sheets," he murmured before kissing her on her shoulder and heading to the bathroom.

Rin shook her hand at his retreating form. With a laugh of delight she flopped unceremoniously onto the king-sized bed, feeling light-headed and giddy, "I'm in Paris," she muttered to herself, throwing her hands up to hit the mountain of pillows at the head of the king sized bed. "Oh, this is so fancy," she held the pillows in her hands, playing with the fray.

"You're worst than a cat," Sesshomaru noted as he returned to the bedroom, dressed in a crisp white dress shirt and grey slacks.

"And you sir, are mighty handsome," Rin replied as she bounced up from the bed to unbutton the first two buttons on his shirt, "There, much more casual. So," she grabbed a purse from the closet, "What are the plans?"

"The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower for 2:00, the Jardins de Luxembourg afterwards then dinner. Tomorrow, while I have my meeting, you're free to make me a very, very poor man on Champs-Elysees."

Rin clapped her hands in delight, grabbing onto his cheeks for a quick kiss, "You spoil me rotten."

Sesshomaru said nothing and smiled, kissing her once more, "Come Rin, we've a full day ahead of us."

Eight hours later a very tired Rin clung to Sesshomaru's arm, "So hungry," she moaned, resting her head on his forearm.

"Then it is good that we are here then ne?" he stopped in front of a brick building, its ambience screaming elegance and class.

"Oh wow," Rin thanked the maitre-de who held open their door as they walked in, "It's so pretty." The use of synthetic lights in the dining room was minimal, using mainly candlelight, bouquets of roses on each table, and classical music to create a romantic atmosphere.

"Eh bonjour, welcome to Chez Pierre, I hope your day was good?"

"Yes, I've a reservation for two, Takahashi."

"But of course, please follow me," the maitre-de then lead them through the bustling dining room, packed to the brim to a secluded table in the corner.

"Your waiter will be with you shortly. And may I start you off with our signature wine?"

"Hn, that'll be fine."

Rin stared in awe at her surroundings, taking in the breathtaking view of the Seine from where they were sitting; the sky had begun to darken, the sun already lost behind the aging architecture. "Thank you," she started, taking his hand in her own, "This trip is so amazing. Paris is absolutely beautiful."

"Almost as beautiful as you," he replied smoothly, pouring her a glass of wine.

"Aw, look at you being cheesy," she giggled, taking a sip from her glass. "I think I'm rubbing off on you."

Sesshomaru raised a brow, "You're doing more than rubbing off on me."

"Sesshomaru!" Rin blushed deeply at his comment, "You're making me red."

"You're still so shy Rin, even after all we've done; it amuses me." He frowned as his phone began to ring, "Excuse me won't you? It's the hotel."

"Certainly," Rin leaned back into her chair and smiled, kicking off her heels she wiggled her toes, "Freedom," she murmured with a giggle.

"Miss, j'en ai des escargots pour vous," a waiter announced with a bow as he placed a steaming dish in front of her.

"Oh, uhm, merci!" Rin beamed, "Pour les..." what had he called them? Right, "Escargots." She looked over to Sesshomaru who was pacing outside the restaurant, still on the phone. "I'm sure he won't mind if I eat a few without him." She plucked a shell from the pile, the garlic butter and stuffed mushrooms smelling oh so delicious.

Outside, Sesshomaru hung up the phone; the Fujiya-Mora group had arrived at the hotel and would meet him tomorrow morning, 9 am sharp. He stuffed his phone into his pocket, his hand hitting a black velvet box. The ring.

He pulled out the box and looked through the windows to Rin who was busy chowing down her meal. He walked back into the restaurant, waving over the maitre-de as he stood by the front, "Ah, I'd like to surprise Rin with this," he told the man, opening the box to reveal a classically elegant ring with a brilliant canary yellow diamond encircled by a double row of bead-set diamonds.

The man looked up in surprise, "Oh monsieur Takahashi, an engagement ring?"

"Yes."

"Oh but of course! You know we French men love the romance," he nearly shoved Sesshomaru into the kitchen doors, "Chef! Arretez quoi vous faisez! Je veux presente Sesshomaru Takahashi de Tokyo," he announced, catching the attention of the whole kitchen, he winked at Sesshomaru, "He wants to marry that lovely woman sitting in the corner."

"Ah, a proposal. Very well," the chef clapped his hands, "Continue cooking! This is not a low-class restaurant! This is my kitchen, come, you! More sauce! You," he pointed to Sesshomaru, "I will talk to you in my office, hien?"

"Very well," he followed the Frenchman into his small office.

"Now," The chef closed the door, gesturing for Sesshomaru to take a seat, "This woman, you want to marry her, yes?"

"Yes," Sesshomaru answered cautiously.

"So. Show me the ring." Sesshomaru handed over the velvet box, which the Frenchman tossed open carelessly, "Ah, so beautiful. 3 carats? Yes, you have good taste, which is why you come to eat at my restaurant!" The man guffawed, "This woman, she must mean a lot to you, yes?"

"Yes."

"Good. I shall put this ring into our signature Moelleux au Chocolat, which I will then have my waiters serve to you once you are finished with your meal. Good?"

"Fantastic," Sesshomaru shook hands with the chef, "Thank you."

"But of course sir, love, is in the air."

"You are aware that you're eating snails?" Sesshomaru asked as he walked back to the table to where Rin had nearly finished their appetizer.

"Yup," Rin smiled, "I figured that since we're in France, might as well eat as they do."

"Hn," Sesshomaru grabbed a shell with his fork, "You've hardly left any for me."

"You were taking too long with your phone call," She retorted, "Are they here?"

"Yes, I scheduled a meeting with them in the hotel's conference room for 9. However," he poured her another glass, "No more speak of business. We've only another 20 hours together in Paris."

Rin giggled, "Ok. What do you want to talk about then?"

"Sir, your meals," their conversation was interrupted by the waiter, who placed their meals in front of them, "For the sir, Filet de Beouf aux Morilles, and for the miss, Saumon Sauce Endives, enjoy."

Rin's mouth began to water as she dug into her meal, salmon sauteed with belgium endive, shallots, white wine, lemon and butter, "Oh this is so good," Rin moaned, "Wanna try?"

Sesshomaru opened his mouth, allowing Rin to feed him, "Hn, it's delicious."

Rin giggled as she pulled the fork back to her plate, "Now I need a new fork!" she teased, taking another bite of the fish. Sesshomaru cut his steak, holding a piece up for her to try. "Oh," Rin moaned as she took the bite, "This is so good. I don't think I can go back to eating sushi and ramen now."

He laughed, thinking back to their pantry at home; they both would have to learn to cook eventually, a diet of solely and sushi and ramen was not particularly healthy, unless he got a personal chef...

"Earth to Sesshomaru," cooed Rin "Is everything alright?"

"Hn? Oh," Sesshomaru looked to Rin's empty plate, then to his, "My apologies, I was distracted."

"Work?"

"Nothing in particular actually. Care for some of my steak?"

Rin grinned as he plopped down a sizable amount onto her plate, "You know me too well."

It was twenty minutes later when their dishes were taken from them and the Moelleux au Chocolat was placed before them. Rin's eyes widened as she took in the chocolate masterpiece, "I don't want to eat it," she murmured.

"No?" Sesshomaru began to panic, inside of course, "Do you find the dessert to be unappetizing?"

"No! Nothing like that, it's just so perfect! I don't want to ruin the presentation by eating it."

"Oh," a sense of relief fled through him, "Nonsense, dig in," he waved his hand, urging Rin to eat the dessert.

"You don't want any?" she asked, taking the first bite.

"No, I'm fine. Continue."

"Mm, ok, but you're missing out, this is so good," she took another bite and another, Sesshomaru watching her expectantly. Where's the ring? How deep did they bury it?

"OH MY GOD!" A female voice rang through the restaurant, where she procured a yellow diamond ring from her dessert, squealing with delight, running over to her date who stood shocked, to say the least. "Is this what I think it is? Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! You want me to marry you? Oh, this is so fast though! And this ring!" The large canary diamond sparkled in the candlelight all over the restaurant, particularly to Sesshomaru, who was seething in anger. The ring! Those idiots! "Oh Tony! This ring is so beautiful!"

"Isn't that so cute?" Rin's eyes were glued to the couple, her heart melting as the woman began to get teary eyed, "Oh Maru," she took his hand, "That's so lovely."

Sesshomaru growled, his other hand fisting in anger, fucking french idiots can't do anything right! And that ring! There was no way in hell that that man could afford such a ring! Look at the way he was dressed, in distressed jeans and a black t-shirt! He was nothing short of a hippie. This was supposed to be his moment with Rin! Rin was supposed to be the one getting proposed to!

"Uh," the man, Tony, sat in his seat as his girlfriend began to bounce up and down, "Um," he knelt before the woman, "Wow, shit, this is crazy," he ran his hand through his shaggy blonde hair, "I know, but, I think it's fate talking. Tracy," he started as he took her hand, "I, I know we've been only together for three months but this just feels so right, so, my love, my heart, will you marry me?"

"YES! YES! Oh my gosh, a million times yes!" The restaurant clapped with fever as the couple kissed, the maitre-de having to come over to quiet everyone down.

"Wasn't that amazing?" asked Rin, clutching the white napkin to her heart, "Oh, Paris is really the city of love, ne?"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes, trying to take deep breaths to calm himself down, if I go over to that vile couple and demand the ring back, would that anger Rin? He peeked open one eye to Rin who was still gushing with fever over the newly engaged couple, most definitely yes.

"Did you finish your dessert Rin?"

"Hm?" Rin looked down to the plate, where only crumbs were left, "Oh, yes! It was so delicious! That's what they got too right?" she strained her neck to their table where a half-eaten dessert lay upon the checkered tablecloth, "Too bad there wasn't a ring in here, ne?" she joked.

Sesshomaru was seething, his eyes tinting red, his canines growing longer and more pronounced, one wrong move from anyone else and he'd snap, I'll kill them all.

"Thank you Maru," Rin murmured, climbing into his lap, kissing his cheek, "This day was perfect," she kissed his nose, "Who knew you were such the romantic?" she asked, kissing him on the lips. The anger was gone by that point, he sighed, kissing her forehead, "Come Rin, I've grown tired of this restaurant."

"Did you really buy all of this stuff?" questioned Sesshomaru as he walked with Rin out the hotel.

Rin grinned back, "You did say I could make you a poor man."

"Mm," he pulled her close, "I'm beginning to regret those words already." He looked behind him to the staff of four bellboys who were lugging bags to their car and smirked, it's a good thing I hired a limo then.

"After you," Sesshomaru held open the door to the limo for her, turning to the bell boys he handed the first a large bill, "You can put the bags in the trunk."

"Oui Monsieur, merci."

"Hn," Sesshomaru slid into the seat beside Rin, the limo driver shutting the door behind him. "Did you enjoy our vacation?" he asked, taking her hand in his.

"Very much," she leaned against him, "Thank you."

"For the millionth time perhaps today Rin, you're welcome."

Rin laughed, tucking her arm through his, "Is it a long drive back to the airport? I do assume that the driver knows where he's going."

"It should only be ten minutes." And it was ten minutes on the dot when the black limo pulled up to Charles de Gaulle, where Sesshomaru and Rin excited the car, their bags to be sent via air courier.

"Security this time, ne?" Rin groused, taking the boarding pass Sesshomaru handed to her.

"Unfortunately yes. Not even I can avoid that slice of hell," he groaned internally as he noted the long line, this is why I fly private. He sighed, shuffling along with the rest of the line like sheep until it was time to begin to remove his shoes and electronics from his body and into those plastic bins.

"Miss," the TSA agent bellowed Rin forward.

"Oh, ok." Rin walked through the arched metal detector, a beeping sound detonating from the top. Rin winced as it did, she looked back to Sesshomaru who shrugged, it was probably just her belt, or so he thought.

Rin frowned as a female TSA agent then held a handhold metal detector over her body, "Spread your arms and legs," she demanded, running the device over Rin's body. The beeping seemed to concentrate immensely on Rin's stomach, "Please lift your shirt." She prodded Rin's stomach, a frown etched onto her skin, "I'm going to have to ask you to come with me."

Rin was alarmed, "Why? Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru walked through the metal detector without a problem, calmly collecting their things, before standing in front of the woman. "Look, my girlfriend obviously doesn't have anything on her, so if you could take your hands off of her and allow us to catch our flight, that'd be most helpful."

The TSA agent glared at him, signaling for another agent to take Sesshomaru into a separate holding room. "This is ridiculous! I've done nothing wrong; remove your filthy hands off of my body. Just, augh!" Sesshomaru slammed his hands down in anger on the table of the small room he was thrown into. He pinched his nose, please god have this be a nightmare. He stood up and watched through the window Rin and the woman walk by, Rin being shoved into another room at the end of the hall.

"Where are you taking me?" Rin asked, taking note of a large machine in the center of the room. She looked warily at the woman, who simply smirked in response, "Please stand in front of the white screen.

Rin scrunched her brows, wincing as a bright light was shone onto her body and then a large flash.

"Alright, let's see what we've got here," the woman rubbed her hands in excitement, waiting for the photo to emerge on the computer screen. Once it did she had to stifle a laugh, "And, holy shit. Gaston, vien ici!"

A burly man waddled over to the woman, chortling as he caught site of the photo. "C'est quoi ca?"

Rin pouted, were they making fun of her body? She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling especially self-conscious. It's not my fault my breasts are so small.

"Let her boy-toy out of jail, yes?" The woman told Gaston, who nodded and left the room to collect Sesshomaru.

"Pretty boy, you're free to go," Gaston announced, holding the door open for Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru glared at the man, "And Rin?"

Gaston smiled wickedly, pointing to the room, "She's there."

Sesshomaru frowned as he entered the room, his eyes immediately landing on the petite figure in front of some sort of contraption, "Rin."

"Sesshomaru!" Rin ran over to him, snuggling into his embrace.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just, I don't really know what's going on."

"You," Sesshomaru snarled to the woman who started the mess, "Are we free to go?"

The woman shook her head, "Non. You must stay here until the metal passes."

"What are you talking about?" Rin asked, "I don't have anything on me! I took off my belt, my earrings and my necklace! I don't have anything else on me!"

The woman pointed to the screen, "Look."

Rin looked to Sesshomaru, grabbing his hand as they looked towards the screen. "Monkey balls," Rin whispered, "Is that?"

"Shit." Sesshomaru cursed at what he saw. There, in Rin's stomach, was the 3 carat canary diamond ring. So, the ring had been in the dessert, yet instead of finding the ring, she had devoured it.

"Is that?" She looked to Sesshomaru who was still in shock, "Shomaru? Is that a ring?"

"Rin, I had planned on asking you to marry me last night, however when that other couple found the ring, I assumed that they instead has received your ring. Apparently," he looked to the screen, it was absurd, "You ate it."

"Oh my god," Rin's cheeks instantly flushed, "You were going to propose to me and I ate the ring?" her lips began to quiver, "I'm such a fat-ass."

"No, Rin," he gathered her into his arms, "I simply underestimated your immense desire for all things chocolate."

"Kami-sama," Rin groaned, "I ruined everything."

"No, not at all," So, this was to be the moment, Sesshomaru knelt in front of her, and the TSA agent, "Rin," he took her hand in his, "My beloved, will you marry me?"

Rin couldn't stop the large grin growing on her face, throwing her arms over his shoulders, "Yes!" She buried herself into his shoulder, kissing him repeatedly, "Even though I ate the ring and made you poor?"

He laughed, "Even though." He put a hand over her stomach, "So we wait in Paris until the ring, leaves your body and then we return to Japan. Easy."

Easy, Sesshomaru scoffed as he took the ring from Rin's hand with a baking glove, walking back to the kitchen cautiously, where he dumped the ring into a pot of boiling water. It took eight hours for the ring to pass through Rin's digestive tract, despite the use of laxatives. He grimaced as he heard Rin run to the toilet, so it seemed that the laxative finally kicked in. Poor Rin. She had insisted that she alone search through her excrements for the ring, even though he insisted on purchasing a new one. She refused, insisting that once the ring had been properly sanitized, she would proudly wear it.

"DING!"

He took the boiled ring out of the pot and then into a cup of peroxide. Bubbles appeared, signifying that it was cleaning it. He heard the toiled flush and Rin walked begrudgingly out of the bathroom, "I feel like shit," she pronounced, flopping onto the sofa, "Literally."

"Hn," He leaned against the marble island, "Taking three laxatives can have that affect on you." He took another sip of his water, furrowing his brows, french water certainly tasted much different; kind of... chalky.

Rin looked up at Sesshomaru, shocked, "I didn't take three." As if on cue, Sesshomaru's stomach growled loudly. Sesshomaru stood erect, "Fuck," he exclaimed, running to the bathroom himself.

He must have mixed their glasses. Hands on his face, Sesshomaru sighed, "Stupid chocolate," he grumbled, sitting on the toilet while Rin watched over the ring. He should have just been cliche and propose to her while they were up on the Eiffel Tower.

"Sesshomaru, are you ok?" She knew how it felt, the explosive diarrhea induced by the falsely marketed fast-acting laxatives; she shuddered at the thought.

A large fart emitted from his bottom, causing Rin to giggle like a schoolgirl. "I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that!" She exclaimed before she returned to the living room, prodding the ring with a spoon.

Sesshomaru glared at the door, "Have I told you recently that I hate chocolate?"

Subconsciously, Rin wiped the ring on the back of her skirt, "So... Hummingbird it is."

"Hn, yes. I suppose that means I win," he retorted, kissing her fully on her red lips.

Rin rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah, you get your cake." She dialed a number on his phone, "Hi, Chef Katsuya! Yes! Yes, thank you. You too. Yes, so about that. We've finally decided. The Hummingbird. Yes, wonderful, thank you so much."

She kissed him once more before she leapt up from his lap, "I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow then. No seeing the bride before the big-day and such," she murmured, "I'll miss you."

"As I will you." He watched Rin leave his office, an odd feeling bubbled in his chest. He had won; proving without a doubt that chocolate was utterly disgusting, hadn't he?

He sighed, thinking back to that look, that face, those brown doe eyes. He picked up the phone, playing with it for a while before he finally decided to press a single button. Re-dial.

Oh la la! And that's that, for now :) Cookies for reviewees!

Reviews appreciated!

xoxo

Paizley

PS: Do check out the hotel and especially that room on the web, it's marvelous!