A.N: Normally i don't write chapters when I'm depressed...Today I'm going to make an exception because this chapter needs to be up. Because we have four chapters plus the epilogue after this one.. So sad it's coming to a close... And today I am not answering to any of my reviews like I normally do.. I'm so sorry guys, but I'm not really in the mood too...I promise I'll answer y'alls reviews for the next chapter...I just...I really want to strangle my older sister for her harlot soul!..Her soul being a gypsy's I could understand, but letting her harlot side has just pissed me off and hurt me...Enough of my sob story and on with Sesshomaru's and Rin's...

Oh and this chapter won't show the court, just the end with the verdict.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its original characters.

Chapter 20: But How?

A woman dressed in her best suit paced in the kitchen. Her long, ebony hair swirled around her with each move she made. The image of what she saw earlier still rushing through her head. The sight she saw was one she never wished to see again!

With a groan, the beauty thrusted herself into a chair. Her step-son really needed to learn how to put something over his doorknob or lock it when him and his soon-to-be fiance decided to make love. It would save her from accidently walking in.

"Are you all right, ma petite?" she heard her husband whisper in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"Yes," she answered tilting her head back and kissing his lips. "You know I love it when you speak French."

Nuzzling the top of her head he smirked. It was easy to see who Sesshomaru and Inuyasha got it from.

"Yes, I know," Inutaisho chuckled out.

Izayoi smiled before standing up. Before she could say any thing more, Sesshomaru and Rin walked into the room hand-in-hand smiling brightly. The older woman visibly paled and turned away in embarrassment. It confused the other three as they stared at her.

"Are you all right, Izzy?" Rin asked worried.

Clearing her throat Izayoi said softly, "Lock the door next time." WIth that she fleed from the room.

Inutaisho took one good look at Sesshomaru and Rin. Rin's face was flushed and she looked redder than a tomato. Sesshomaru on the other hand looked astounded. It didn't take much imagination for Inutaisho to figure out what had happened. He walked in on Inuyasha and a few of his girlfriends in the act. All this caused was Inutaisho to laugh. The sound was deep and baritone, much like Sesshomaru's.

"Well son," he began while patting Sesshomaru's shoulder. "You just scarred your mother." After saying that he followed his wife.

Nothing was said. All was silent in the room. What could be said? It was embarrassing even to think about. Sesshomaru felt caught and Rin. Well Rin just felt embarrassed and something else she couldn't explain. Izayoi had caught them in the act.

"C'mon Rin and Sesshy," they heard Izayoi call out. "We have court today."

With a sigh Rin started walking to the front door. Before she could get even two steps, a hand wrapped around her wrist. Confused by why she turned around to see Sesshomaru getting down on one knee. Her eyes widen as she stared at him. Was he going to ask her? Why would he be asking her now of all times?

"Rin Takemaru, I know now is not the most romantic or even the best of times to ask, but I must. I, Sesshomaru Takahashi, humble ask you this question that will seal our fates together," he stopped for a second reaching into his pocket and producing a small, black velvet box. Slowly, as he began again, he opened it. "Will you marry me, be mother of my children, and stay in my life for how ever long will shall live?"

There nestled in the box was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. The band was sterling silver with a blood diamond in the center. On either side of it were two rare orange diamonds. It wasn't flashy but something simple. He knew how much she loved simple things. The blood diamond wasn't huge but just the right size.

She didn't know what to say, or even how to react. Her words caught in her throat as tears swelled in her eyes while he slipped the ring on her finger. There were no words needed. She just threw herself into his arms and kissed him hard on his lips crying happily. There was no way for her to speak, absolutely no way.

"Oh, Maru," she cried out. "Yes, yes, yes!"

Smiling he spun her around. She said yes! This was the perfect beginning to a horrible day. For now, they would take it as it came.

Court had been long and trying. Naraku's lawyer was cruel and mean. The judge was demanding and mean. It was very, very tiring. Every one was tired. The verdict had been said.

Naraku was charged guilty for abuse, attepted rape, and another sentence they didn't even think about. He was charged guilty for attempted murder. All that said and done, he was going to prison for 30+ years which was more than they normally charged. Still, it made Rin feel safer. Every thing was going smoothly now.

"How do you feel about this verdict, Ms. Takemaru?" a snotty reporter asked out of nowhere as soon as Rin walked out of the courthouse. To say she was shocked was an understatement. That woman needed to get her microphone out of her face. "Is it true that you lied to the police?"

Rin bit her tongue hard seeking the shelter of Sesshomaru's body. He was her strong foundation. He would always be there. She that for a fact. It nearly brought a smile to her face when he basically told the press to fuck off in a nice way without the profanities as he led them the limosine.

As soon as they were within the shelter of the back seat he pulled her into his lap. His arms wrapped around her waist as both of their parents slid in. He just wanted to hold her. In all honesty he sensed she needed his comfort. It was just something that he knew.

Rosa stroked Rin's hair proudly. "I am so proud of you, little flower."

Ichimaru nodded his head once in agreement before looking out the window. Rin didn't know what was wrong with her father any more. He had been ignoring her since he fainted at the hospital four weeks ago. She thought he was ashamed of her. It broke her heart to think of such a thing.

"Rin," Inutaisho said softly as he grabbed one of her hands. "Let's all go out to eat. We have a lot to discuss."

"Yes," Rin agreed her stomach growling to show it approval. She blushed.

Every one, except Ichimaru, laughed. Ichimaru's face hardened as he glared out the window. His anger was high and Rosa knew it.

"I'm sorry, Taisho, but Ichimaru and I have things we must attend to," she said regretfully.

Rin stared at her mother in shock. "Mama."

"We have things to do, Rin," Ichimaru said coolly not even looking at her. The way he spoke to her sent a knife right through her heart.

"Papa, please," plead the teenager. "I have news I wanted to tell you."

For the first time in a month Ichimaru looked at his daughter. Really looked her. Her face seemed to glow with radiance and happiness. She was healthy looking. Her stomach was even starting to bulge some showing that there was something there. His little flower was pregnant and he couldn't deal with it.

"Daddy," she whimpered crawling out of Sesshomaru's lap and moving to sit next to the man who had taken her in as a child. "Daddy, please. You are one of the most important person in my life." Her hazel eyes swelled with unshed tears. "And I really want you to go. I've missed you and Mama and Sho so much."

With a defeated sigh he pulled her into his arms. His little girl needed him. Wanted him to be with her. The least he could do was go out to eat with her boyfriend and his parents. He owed her that much for ignoring her.

"All right," he whispered into her hair cradling her in his arms. "We'll go."

Smiling, Rin kissed her father's cheek and snuggled into his chest like she did after she started speaking. Ichimaru always seemed to want to hold her. That was one of his favorite things to do if it wasn't playing the cello while she sung. It was their father-daughter thing that he hoped would never end.

"So off to eat we go," Rosa said cheerfully watching her two bond more. Izayoi and her both snapped pictures on their cell phones giggling gleefully as the whispered in a corner of the limosine. These were perfect to torture the big bad man who seemed to always have a soft spot for his little girl.

Ichimaru looked at his wife and said, "I will break your phone if you send that to my mother."

Both older females looked at each other and laughed. This was just priceless. Seeing Sesshomaru act the same way was absolutely adorable. Seeing Ichimaru was a whole different story. He never showed affection to any one, but Rosa, in such a fashion in front of others. So Rosa, naturally, couldn't resist. This was one of the few times she saw them like this.

"Oops," she gasped out in fake regret. "It sent before I could stop it."

The man just glared at his wife coldly which made her laugh harder. Rosa knew her husband would never do such a thing. After all, he melted every time his blue eyes met her brown hazel ones. It always happened. Seemed like it was true when people said daughters go for men exactly like their fathers. Rosa's mother went to a cold man, Rosa went to a cold man, and now Rin went to a cold man. But when these cold men loved, they loved with all they had. He knew this for a fact.

"Mama," Rin pouted as she stuck out her bottom lip. "Grandmother is now going to think I'm a baby."

"Which grandmother?" Rosa asked curiously.

Furrowing her eyebrows she answered, "Dad's mom, who else?"

Now it was known through the Takemaru family, and now the Takahashi, that when Rosa whistled something she was hiding something. The Takahashis and Ichimaru were all ready in on what it was. They had all set it up for Rin in advance and it had taken a lot of time and research. And now, Rin's suprise was waiting for her.

"Look, we are here," Inutaisho said gruffly instantly getting out of limo and helping his wife as soon as the door opened. All the other males followed suit and led their ladies to the front. It was a short walk from the entrance to their private table at the back of the resturant. It was also quick so none of the Takemarus got to look around.

Sesshomaru looked at his parents knowing they had only a few minutes for Rin and him to make their big announcement. A few minutes was all they needed. This suprise was Rin's early wedding gift from all of them, mainly from her parents who believed he wouldn't propose until after high school. Well, Ichimaru knew it was going to happen really soon because he asked for Rin's hand. Still, it was something they all hoped she would love.

Sesshomaru waited patiently until the waiter placed down several glasses of water to start them off with. Clearing his throat, he gently grabbed Rin's left hand kissing below the engagment that Inutaisho caught sight of.

"Every one," he began catching every one's attention. "We have an announcement."

When every one stayed silent Rin continued. "Early this afternoon, before we left for court, Sesshomaru asked an important question."

At that both teens looked at each other smiling. Sesshomaru finished saying, "Rin has agreed to become my wife."

Silence. That's all there was. Just complete and total silence. It was extremely nerve wracking. There should have been some sign or word. It was all expected so it shouldn't have been a suprise. Rin's pregnancy bounced the date up by several months. Not that it mattered in the least. It just helped boost Sesshomaru's courage by ten-fold.

Very slowly. Excruicating slow. Ichimaru set down his water. His icy blue eyes stayed glued on the couple across the table from him. No one moved. No one so much as breathed until Ichimaru's face slowly broke out into a wide grin.

"What took you so long, boy?"

Sesshomaru chuckled, which shocked his father, and said, "Had a hard time find the perfect ring for her. This one was the one only I believed she would like."

"Like?" Rosa questioned.

"More like love," giggled out Rin. "It's perfect and not to flashy."

All three female bursted out laughing. They all knew how other woman preferred big flashy diamond rings. So they chatted away across the table about it. Rin's hand stayed near Sesshomaru's mouth since he was relucant to release it. He seemed to not want to let her left hand out of his sight. Rin believed it was because he couldn't believe it. She could barely believe it himself.

One of the waiters came up. Immediately he went over to Inutaisho and whispered something in his ear. This caught Rin's attention. It made her curiousity rise. What would a waiter be whispering to Taisho? She just watched as he listened carefully then dismissed the boy giving him a nice tip. How sweet.

"Rin, I am sorry but we must blind-fold you now, dearest," Izayoi whispered placing her hand over Rin's from across the table.

"Wha-" before she could finish Sesshomaru had already covered her eyes with a piece of cloth. "This is not funny."

The silver-haired boy leaned in close breathing against her ear as he whispered. "We don't want to spoil it for you, my love."

With a sigh she just leaned back in her chair. She wasn't sure how long she waited. It felt like an eternity. All she could hear was people moving. People whispering quietly so she wouldn't hear. It was so very frustrating! After a while she felt an old hand over hers and a voice she recognized instantly. That sweet old voice she hadn't heard since she was seven. As soon as the blind-fold was removed Rin's head snapped to the side to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

"Hello, Ai," the older woman whispered with a smile.

"Kae-sama" Rin gasped out tears filling her eyes as she hugged the old woman tightly. It was unbelieveable. Rin had figured her dead. Her birth parents had told her she died. But she was here. She was alive. Her long white hair still as she remembered it. Her pale hazel eyes with those silver stars still the same. "Oh, Kae-sama."

"Shh, shh. It's all right, Ai," Kae cooed out stroking Rin's hair lovingly. It had been nearly ten years since she had laid her eyes on her granddaughter since her own daughter disowned her as her mother. Since then Rin had been under the impression she had passed away in the hospital. Her poor Ai had been taken away from the one person who truly cared for her back then. Now she had her in her arms.

"I thought you died," stammered out the crying teen. Why were her emotions so out of whack? Gregori said the overwhelming emotions wouldn't come for another eight weeks. Guess he was wrong.

Kae soothingly stroked Rin's hair whispering to her in their own tongue, the language they made up when she was a child. The words soothed and comforted her, even though she was rusty, helping her control her emotions enough. Rin's hands cradled her grandmother's face still in shock she was really there. Her gaze turned to her other two families.

"This is the best present I could ever receive, along with this baby and all of you," she whispered gratefully. "But how?"

Inutaisho's and Ichimaru's smiles turned mischievous and sinister. Both men looked at each other before the reunited two.

His voice dark, Inutaisho said, "Oh, I have many connections. It wasn't easy. Your biological parents wanted to make sure she was never found.

Izayoi's face was grim and her voice angry. "Where she was is somewhere she can tell you. Let's just enjoy dinner."

With that all seven of them fell into regular conversation. Rin's hand never left Kae's. It felt like if she released it then she would disappear and leave Rin alone. This woman had practically raised her and cared for her. Now she had her back and she didn't want to lose her again. Not now, not ever. Since she was back, Rin would do every thing in her power to keep her by her side. Even if she had to travel to the far ends of the earth, she would never let her beloved grandmother go.

Kae's fingers stroked the necklace, which was wrapped as a bracelet, and its pendant that hung around Rin's wrist lovingly. The one thing she could ever give Rin. The necklace her beloved had given her and wished Rin to have before he passed away the day she was born. It's sentimental value was worth more than any thing and it seemed Rin kept it. Now they would all be together again. Nothing would ever seperate them, not even death.