DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and places are the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi. Any resemblance to any actual events, locales, organizations, or person, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

A/N: It's been awhile. Sorry for that folks. I wanted to type the next chapter to my Hetalia story but it was just not coming to me. Then I wrote a oneshot of Sesshomaru and Kagome called "Forgotten Kiss", once called "A Lost Love". This chapter is mostly a filler as I need time to thing of what I want Asuhi to do about the ceremony. I'm well aware that Inutaisho is not a name but was hoping no one would catch on but alas, it was not meant to be. I would go back to fix the suffix of nii and nee but I'm not motivated enough. As long as it's understood, it's fine by me.

I fixed my laptop so I can start updated regularly again but classes are such a pain when they all gave me homework to do. That and I have classes on the weekends. Who would do such a thing?! I'm approaching midterm week so wish me luck. ^w^

Anyway, enjoy the story~

CHAPTER 25

In all honestly, he wasn't sure how he felt. After the close encounter with his eldest son and his ward, he was feeling rather dumbfounded. Things he thought to be true from years ago no longer held any truth in them anymore. Was that a good thing or bad? Sesshomaru feeling happiness was definitely good. Meeting his second son was also good. Seeing his family expand into such a large pack was probably the best thing to happen to someone who's dead.

Walking down the hallways he acquainted himself with in the past week, he thought he knew where he was headed. He had initially planned to go see Inukimi to speak of the events that had just transpired but he found that he instead had wondered out to the private garden. Looking around, he saw soldiers wandering around, guarded and alert for any trouble. It brought a tiny smile to his handsome face. A little over 200 years ago, this kind of environment would have been ideal when he impregnated his little hime. Back then, it was a hostile nature. Humans against demons, demons against other demons as humans waged war among themselves and yet here he stand in a palace full of humans and demons living side by side in not harmony but contentment. There was the typical curiosity of why the other was there but that's where it ended. He didn't find a single youki or reki on ground that was hostile in anyway.

He was rather proud of Sesshomaru. Not only did he unexpectedly fall in love with a human, but a miko and the shikon miko no less. He imagined that the demon court had a field day when that particular news came out but his son didn't shriek away. No. Instead his son build a place where demons and humans could co-exist. A world where blood means little. He didn't let the court destroy what he desired or kept her away like how the court did him. Sesshomaru didn't cower but bared his fangs. Sesshomaru essentially turned his back on his heritage for a mortal woman.

A mortal woman that saved not only him and Inuyasha, but those she came into contact with. He thought to himself.

He had watched over and over again on Inukimi's mirror the deeds and adventures of his sons but most specifically Kagome's. He wanted to know for sure that the woman who hold the heart on not one but both his sons was the kind of woman that even he would be proud to have by his side. He had only saw a fraction of their time hunting Naraku and he was already in love with his daughter-in-law. He have never meet anyone who was as brave, strong and caring as her. Perhaps if he was still alive and met her first, things may have been different but he shook his head. If that was true, then Izayoi would still be by his side and if he went to Kagome, he would be unfaithful. Like Sesshomaru, he would have found a way to keep the hime with him.

Finding a resting place in the garden, he sat under one of the many withering sakura trees. Looking up, he watched the night sky with it's many shining stars. He was so focus on the sky and assume that no one would see him that he was caught aware when his name was slowly called out. "Inutaisho?"

Not turning his head but shifting his eyes, he looked over to see his eldest son's ward...no, daughter-he corrected himself, staring directly at him.

At first, he thought that she was merely looking in his direction calling out his name, hoping he would appear but when she made no moves to go away, he patted the ground next to him, shoving aside the snow so that she wouldn't be so cold sitting next to him. He watched as she moved to sit by him, using the blanket she had in her hand as a cushion. He watched as she adjusted herself until she was comfortable in her arrangement.

It was silent between the two as they sat under the tree, watching the dark sky. "Is there a reason why you are here?" she asked him. It was rather fitting that she would be as direct in her question as her father.

My reasoning for being here is the same as Inukimi's though I may hold a more... personal attachment than she.

"Then what is her reasoning for you being here?"

Perhaps its the same as everyone else here?

She nodded at his cryptic words. Inukimi must have told her about his little quip for metaphors. Tell me little one, why is it that you can see me? Before, you could not until you focused hard enough but yet you could hear me without any problems...Why is that?

She chuckled at his questions. "You are like father in that regard. You both must know everything." She laughed a little when she saw him tilt his head in confusion. "I cannot give you an answer."

Is it you cannot or won't?

"Perhaps both? I myself am not sure why I can so I cannot tell you why or how I can. What I don't know will remain just that...the unknown." It was quiet among the two again before he spoke up. You are quite the clever girl aren't you?

"That's what my parent's claim as well but I assume that with time come wisdom. I learn what I know because I want to know what I don't know."

She heard him chuckle. Did your parents also say that you would make a very talented prophet? You seem to possess a gift for it.

"Just as you possess a gift for speaking half truths."

Arching a brow, he looked at her, waiting for her to continue her statement. He rarely speaks of any lie so what could this child be talking about. She must have understood what his gaze meant since she took pity on his poor curiosity. "Your name mi-lord. You spoke only half of the truth in your name."

Eyes wide, he stared astoundingly at her. He hadn't expected her to catch on. In the confusion, he had hoped that she would see through his untruth but he clearly didn't didn't give her enough credit. He and probably many others, namely Sesshomaru. "Your title is that of Inu no Taishō, the great dog demon but I doubt that's your name."

Snickering, he admitted defeat in his head. You are quite right little one though I was hoping you did not see through the small untruth. Indeed, Inu no Taishō is my title. I was given the name Touga at my birth. Now that you know my name, what is yours? I do not wish to call my grandpup "little one" for the rest of her life now do I?

"I was given the name Rin by father."

Really? Why would he give you that name? Did you not possess one of your own?

"I did but I cannot what it was. The last I heard of my name was from the lips of my dying mother as she told me to run from the bandits that had slaughtered my family. When father had asked me what my name was, I could not answer him for I did not know either. He gave me the name 'Rin', claiming it was suitable for a human girl of my nature."

Suitable? How so?

"He said it was a pretty name for a pretty girl."

Unbelievable! He couldn't believe his ears. His once cold-hearted son called a human pretty! The great Sesshomaru called a little human girl pretty...when will wonders cease? Turning completely so that his back was no longer touching the tree, he fully inspected the girl. She was draped in fine silk kimonos. She had two layers to protect her from the cold as little sown cloth covered her hands in a perfect fit. He know it was called mittens from his observation in through the mirror. She had on perhaps three pairs of socks and shoes that were imported from the mainlands. Her wild yet tamed black hair framed around her face beautifully as it came to a stop just above her bottom. She still had that signature ponytail hanging from the side of her head but it wasn't so out there anymore. It was flatter now, almost straight. Her face a heart shape that resembled Kagome's with her big brown eyes and fair skin.

This was the person that planted the first seed of compassion within his son. She was the first to open his heart to the world and he just loved her for it. There was no one more precious that this tiny woman in his presence. So much like Kagome. It would make sense since Sesshomaru loves both women dearly.

Hearing a sneeze from the girl in front of him, he felt guilt. He was dead so he didn't feel the cold harsh air but she was alive...warm and breathing. The winter season took more human lives then demons in a year. Ah, forgive me Rin. I forgot about the winter and it's harsh climate. Come, you should freshen up before you catch a cold. We don't want Sesshomaru attempting to destroy winter itself do we?

That brought on a chuckle from both. Standing up, she brushed off her backside of any snow, lifting the blanket while giving it a few hits before folding it into her arms. They walked side by side as they headed back inside. A comfortable silence was between the two as they headed for the bathhouse. They took a pit stop to her room first, making sure that no one was around just in case they felt his presence and started asking questions. She quickly grabbed the necessities needed and headed for the bathhouse. At first, he was going to wonder around the estate but she insisted that he stay. He would just have his back to the door as she bathe. They sat and talked for an hour, just talking and laughing about anything that came to mind. For Rin, it was nice to confide in someone other than Kagome. She loved her mother but she had to keep secrets from her and that hurts, especially when both parties knew she was keeping them. With Touga, she didn't have to. She unwind and told him nearly everything within reason. Touga already knew Tsuho so it gave her an ally on an otherwise secret plan.

For Touga, speaking to Rin was like speaking his mind. He spoke of things in the past that he didn't tell others. Things he kept bottled up but after being dead for so long, companionship was something he no longer took for granted. He told her some things about how he came into the mortal plain and what his purpose for being brought back though not fully. His body was in decay and ruins since the last shard was within him and a battle took place but he didn't mourn to much. What's gone is gone and he will look forward to the future. Hopefully by then, he would no longer remain a secret. They were laughing at something something Rin had said when Kagome came in.

"Rin honey, you here?"

Startled, both Rin and Touga froze when they heard Kagome's voice. Luckily for them, Touga had thought ahead in hiding his presence in case someone did come by.

Spotting Rin in the water, Kagome sighed in relief. She had wondered around looking for the girl when she asked her for help about the shikon jewel. "Oh! You're bathing! Sorry, I'll come back-"

"No, it's fine. I was just getting out. Can you wait a few minutes for me to dress first?"

"Of course honey. Take your time."

A few minutes later, a freshly cloth Rin stepped out of the bathhouse. Seeing Kagome waiting for her, she bowed lightly. "Sorry for the wait."

"Rin honey, you don't have to bow to me. You're family." Nodding, Kagome and Rin walked down the halls of their home, both Touga and Tsuho on their heel. When they reached the study Inukimi built for the female members of the family as Sesshomaru had one for work, they sat down on the many cushions on one side of the wall, candles lit for light as moonlight shone through the window. With both now situated, Kagome turned to Rin for what she thought would be a long talk. "Okay, now what did you want to know about the jewel?"