Epilogue:

"Mommy! Mommy!" yelled Akemi "Hikaru threw dirt on me again!"

"Hikaru? Did you throw dirt on your sister again?"

"Yes momma," said Hikaru looking down at his feet.

"Apologize to your sister and play fair."

"Yes momma." He runs to Akemi and apologizes. They then begin to run around chasing each other, their laughter filling the air.

Rin stood watching the children play, then glanced over to Sesshomaru. She began to walk over to where he stood. She was wearing a beautifully layered and colored kimono. Her hair was almost the way it was when she was younger, just smoother, straighter, and much longer. Her face more mature than it had been when she was 15. She was now 23.

"They sure do grow up fast," said Rin as she approached Sesshomaru, staring back at the children.

"They do," said Sesshomaru with a little smile. Living with Rin and having children had lightened his heart a bit.

They stared at Akemi and Hikaru. They were both twins. Akemi, 7, had her mother's hair but her father's eyes. One would say she looked just like her mother at that age except for the eyes. Hikaru, 7, had his father's hair and eyes, even the red markings on his cheeks. He too looked just like his father. They both had the crescent moon on their foreheads.

"Lets hope you don't grow quite as fast," said Rin as she laid her hand on her stomach.

Sesshomaru looked over to Rin, who was still talking to her stomach. He put on another smile and went to Rin. He walked up to her and laid his hand on her stomach. "It kicked," he said looking to Rin.

"Of course," smiled Rin, "The father is near."

His hand still on her stomach, he leaned forward, kissing her. He realized that the baby kicks more when he kisses her.

It's amazing, thought Rin, even after being together for eight years and being on our third child, it's amazing how I still get butterflies when he kisses me. She pulls back and stares into his beautiful golden eyes, "Sesshomaru, I love you."

He stared back at her, his eyes soften, like as if they were softly smiling, "Rin, I-" but before he could finish.

"Mommy, daddy we're hungry!" said the twin running up on them.

Rin walked forward to greet them, "Okay, let's head back home and get you guys something to eat, then get you ready for bed."

"YAY!" they both yelled in monotone, running circles around Rin. Sesshomaru leaning against a tree nearby, looking at the scene, his eyes still soft with enlightenment.

They all headed home, Rin and Sesshomaru walking side by side, the twins playing and running ahead. They had an amazing palace, for Rin being pregnant they needed a home to actually stay in. He was the Lord of the Western Lands after all!

Sesshomaru had the servants fix whatever the children wanted, then Rin proceeded to make sure they got their bath. After they both had tucked them in, they went out to walk in the gardens.

The garden was vast and filled with all sorts of rare and common finds. Sesshomaru had it specially built for Rin, he knew just how much she loved those kind of things. The garden seemed to glow, for the moon was full and bright on this night. Aromas from all the flowers filled the still and quiet night.

As they walked past a variety of roses Sesshomaru picked one and handed it to Rin. As Rin smelled the soft pedals of the rose, Sesshomaru steps in front of her, blocking her path. Rin looks up, surprised, holding the rose to her chest.

"Rin, about earlier," he says. He places his hand softly on her cheek, "I love you too."

He stares into her eyes as he says this then immediately kisses her.

The baby boy feeling Rin's excitement begins kicking wildly. Rin feeling this couldn't help but let out a little laugh while they kissed, Sesshomaru too. Sesshomaru took Rin's hand and led her to the koi pond. Rin stood in front of the pond, the moons bright reflection on the surface, Sesshomaru stood behind her and caressed her. Just then a flashback happened in Rin's mind.

A lot has happened, she thought to herself. Training so she could find Sesshomaru, the night they made love, the pregnancy, marriage, and now, she thought looking down at the rose Sesshomaru had given her. Sesshomaru still behind her, his chin lightly on her head, she brought the rose up to smell one last time, I wouldn't have it any other way. Causing tiny light ripples Rin tosses the red rose onto the water, onto the moons reflection.

Scene slowly fades…

THE END