When she got to her apartment she found the press waiting for her. Instead of facing them, she went to Eri's apartment and let herself in. Eri had given her the copy of her key so that she could water Eri's plants when Eri went on business trips. She flopped down on the couch and turned on the television. It immediately turned onto one of the major networks, which was showing the news. It did not take long for a report on her marriage to become the focus of attention.

Rin leaned forward as she listened to them ask women around the city how they felt about Rin's marriage. "I can't understand why she would marry him after what she wrote about him in her column," one bystander said.

Another asked, "What else has she lied about?"

The reporter stood in front of their new condo. "I'm standing outside the couple's home. It was said the Yamamoto was here earlier, but news crews are yet to find her. The Matsuo family is yet to comment about the situation, but they have called a press conference for Sunday afternoon. We will have more on that press conference when it occurs. Now, back to the studio."

"Thanks..." Rin turned off the television before they finished their statement. How was she going to get through this? It had not occurred to her that the press could find out about their marriage. Now she had been caught, and she had pulled her in-laws, most of whom she had not yet met, into this situation.

She lied down on the couch and propped her head up with a pillow. Closing her eyes for what she thought would be only a few minutes turned into hours. Eri shook her awake commenting, "I thought you would hide out here."

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't go anywhere else without them finding me."

"I could always tip them off."

Rin grinned at her saying, "But then you'd have them on your doorstep, and how are you going to get any peace?"

"You know me too well. Does your husband know where you are at?"

"Nope. I hope Helen doesn't either. I can just imagine how ticked off she is right now."

"She hasn't told the press a word. I bet she's waiting for the press conference."

"I'm waiting for the press conference. I don't have a clue what he's going to tell them."

"This is what happens when you lie and deceive. I knew this marriage would be a bad idea."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've heard this once before." She looked down at her hands and shamefully stated, "I'm starting to think you're right." Eri sat down next to Rin and hugged her tightly.

A knock on the door startled the both of them. Eri went to the door and looked through the peephole. "It's Sota." She opened the door and her boyfriend came in dressed in his police officer's uniform. "What's the news?"

"We got the reporters out of Rin's apartment building. The landlord was not too happy about the disturbance they were creating." Rin came into the room to listen to their conversation better. "I will escort her home, and at the request of her husband, she will then be escorted to the Matsuo estate."

"Will you be okay, Rin?" Eri asked her.

"Sota, will you be escorting me?"

"If that is okay with you? I assured them that you would feel more comfortable with me since you've known me for awhile."

Rin grabbed her purse and keys before telling Eri, "Thank you for letting me hide out here. I'll call you when I get there." She started to walk out the door when she turned around and said, "Oh, and I'll pick up my car sometime this weekend." She waved good-bye as she watched Eri and Sota kiss each other good-bye.

Rin put Sota to work packing up boxes while she gathered some of her things she would need for a possible three night stay at the Matsuo estate. She then spent half an hour packing things with Sota, which was not part of the original deal, but Sota didn't mind doing so since he was technically finished with his shift except for escorting her.

Rin then gave up her work and asked to be taken to the Matsuo estate. It was just outside of the southern most suburbs in the middle of no where. As if the traditional Japanese architecture and gardens did not prove that they had money, the estate was spanned a large area of space, and from the front gate they were unable to see most of the house.

The gates were opened and Rin got out of the car to be followed to the front door by Sota. Rin had spotted a few photographers when she had gotten out of the car, and she was surprised that they had not taken any pictures. Perhaps they knew better than to take a picture of her while she was being escorted by a police officer.

A servant answered the door and took Rin's bag and purse. Another servant escorted her to the living room after Sota left, and she found all of them waiting for her. She bowed upon entrance into the room and would not look at any of them because of the shame she felt for getting them involved in this media scandal. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Sesshomaru standing by the fireplace staring out the window. Toga approached her and started introducing her. The first person she met was Kagome, who she immediately recognized. Kagome gushed, "Rin, I was so excited to hear that we're now related! I haven't seen you since high school, but I've read your column every week!"

"Eh, thanks." Rin blushed a little.

"Do you still keep in contact with anyone?"

"Eri is my best friend, but I haven't seen anyone else in years."

"I'm actually surprised that you didn't marry Naraku."

With a hint of anger in her voice she informed Kagome, "I don't want to talk about him." She had not thought of him in years, and she certainly didn't want to think about him again...ever.

"Oh, sorry. Anyway," she said putting a smile on her face, "Welcome to the family!" She led Rin over to a man around their age with long silver hair and amber eyes. "This is my husband, Inuyasha, your brother-in-law, but I'm sure you already knew that."

"Half brother-in-law," both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru corrected.

Kagome glared at Inuyasha before turning to an older woman. "And this is Izayoi."

"It's so wonderful to see that someone was able to melt Sesshomaru heart enough so that he would finally marry," Izayoi commented as she rose to hug Rin.

Rin thought she could hear Sesshomaru growl. "Thank you, I guess."

"Dinner is ready," a servant announced. This relieved Rin for the time being.

They sat down at a long table, Rin sitting across from Inuyasha with Kagome and Izayoi at his sides. "So, Rin, you and Kagome went to high school together?" Inuyasha asked.

"Yes."

Kagome announced, "Most of the Japanese-American students tended to hang out with each other, but Rin and I hardly did anything together. She didn't spend much time with us our last year because she and Naraku were dating quite seriously. Everyone thought they would get married, but here she is, married to Sesshomaru."

"Why are you no longer with this other guy?" Toga asked her.

"I care not to think about that part of my life."

Toga opened his mouth to say something, but Sesshomaru stopped him by saying, "She doesn't have to talk about it until she's ready." Rin smiled at the words, but her smile quickly vanished when she saw Sesshomaru's expressionless face.

"Tell us about yourself," Izayoi requested.

"Uh...I'm twenty-six. I work as a columnist for San Diego Today, but I'm sure you knew that.

They spent the rest of the dinner talking about Rin and Sesshomaru's new home. Rin hoped they would not plan on making too many visits...or any.

What surprised Rin the most was the fact that they had yet to mention the media fiasco that had occurred earlier in the day. She had thought that they would be upset, but instead they were welcoming her into the family.

After dinner they were back in the living room. Kagome disappeared for a few minutes and came back carrying a baby. "Rin, would you like to hold your niece?"

"Half niece," the brothers corrected. Kagome once again glared at Inuyasha.

"Uh, not really," Rin answered honestly. ""I don't feel comfortable around children."

"Nonsense! Everyone loves being around babies," Kagome told her. She moved Rin's arms so that she could place Ayumi in them. Rin's body stiffened as she held the baby. She had always felt uncomfortable around children, always unsure of how to relate to them or to behave around them. Children were entirely different creatures to her since they were not as rational and relied on adults to help so much. "I guess you aren't comfortable with children."

"That's a relief," Inuyasha announced. "We wouldn't want another Sesshomaru in this world."

Sesshomaru was threatening to beat Inuyasha to a pulp, but Toga stopped him. Izayoi and Kagome proceeded to give Inuyasha a tongue lashing. After a couple of minutes Toga released Sesshomaru and approached Rin. Taking the babe from her arms he said, "I'll take her for you." He then whispered to her, "Not every person is meant to have children. It's one more thing you have in common with Sesshomaru." He game Rin a genuine smile, which in turn lead her to smile.

The rest of the night was cut short since Inuyasha and Sesshomaru kept insulting each other. Kagome dragged Inuyasha into the wing of the house that they lived in. Izayoi also excused herself so that the three could talk. Toga ushered his son and daughter-in-law into his study and sat down behind his desk. "I thought it would be best if you knew what we were planning for the press conference." Rin nodded her head, and he continued, "Sesshomaru told me that you wished to throw off the media so that they would not find out about your eloping."

"No, that's not what happened," Rin corrected him. Toga looked at her intently. "I wrote that because that night he greatly upset me, but we quickly worked things out."

"Sesshomaru, is this true?" Toga asked

"It is, but I didn't think that explanation would be believable."

"It's better than angering them by telling them that you were trying to evade them. Since it is the truth, that is what we will tell them. With that, I will retire for the night. Good-night to the both of you." With that, Toga left them alone.

Rin followed Sesshomaru as he walked into a different wing of the house than the rest of his family had traveled. Her bags had been placed in the same room as her husband's overnight suitcase. After locking the door, Sesshomaru grabbed a blanket and a pillow and threw them on the floor. They both prepared for bed and went to sleep, Sesshomaru on the floor and Rin in the bed.

The next morning Rin woke up to find the room empty and the pillow and blanket thrown on the bed besides her. She took a shower and changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Not seeing anyone, she wandered through the hallways and got herself entirely lost until she literally ran into Toga. "A little lost?" he asked her.

"Yeah. Sesshomaru wasn't there when I got up."

"He's probably waiting for us in the kitchen." She followed Toga as he took off in the direction she had just come from. "How did you sleep?"

"Very well. The bed was very comfortable."

"That's good. Sesshomaru always complains about sleeping in that bed, but the few times he stays overnight he always insists on sleeping in there."

"Why's that?"

"Didn't he tell you that it was his old room?"

"Oh. No, he didn't tell me much. He seemed pretty tired last night."

Toga didn't comment as he opened the door to the kitchen. "Good morning, Sesshomaru," he greeted his son, who in turn bowed his head in recognition.

Rin also greeted him, "Good morning, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru looked up from his paper to stare at her a few seconds. He lowered his eyes to the paper before saying, "My secretary is moving everything out of your apartment as we speak."

"He didn't have to do that, especially on his day off."

"That's his job."

"I am perfectly capable of moving my things out."

"You will not have any time. You have to go to the spa with Izayoi and Kagome and then shopping."

"And why's that?"

"We have a press conference tomorrow."

Rin pounded her fist on the counter startling Toga, who had been watching the scene rather concerned. "Excuse me, I think that I hear Izayoi calling me." He left in a hurry pretending not to be running from the scene.

"How dare you speak to me that way!"

He remained calm as he spoke to her, "You will look presentable tomorrow."

"Look, I realize that I'm not exactly beautiful, but I'm willing to get all spiffed up for special occasions. All you need to do was ask me if I wouldn't mind going."

"What is wrong with my approach?"

"Let me see, you only ordered me to do something as if I was some servant of yours right in front of your father. I don't hear him ordering Izayoi around, so don't give me any crap about how he does the same thing."

"I will talk to you however I see fit."

"When you married me you promised me that we would have an equal marriage. I don't recall having an equal marriage constituting your lording over me. Next time you want me to do something, ask me first."

She stormed out of the kitchen and found all of them waiting outside the door trying to appear as if they were just now on their way to the kitchen. Toga went into the kitchen, and the remaining three were complimenting her for her display in the kitchen. "It's about time someone set him straight," Inuyasha commented.

Kagome hit upside the head before telling Rin, "I can now understand why it is that he chose you as his wife. You're the only one who can command respect from him."

"I don't know about that," Rin told them truthfully.

"Well, it's probably better if we get going now. Can you find your way to Sesshomaru's bedroom?"

"No."

They led her through the hallways so she could change into nicer clothes and get her shoes and purse. The three women got into Izayoi's car and sped off to the spa, which closed just for them. Kagome and Izayoi spent most of the time recalling their memories of Sesshomaru with Izayoi doing most of the talking. Rin truthfully didn't do much listening, and for awhile she did sleep through their talking.

After spending half of the day at the spa they went shopping. Rin's in-laws picked out the perfect business suit for her with a pinstripe suit coat, matching short skirt, and a slightly ruffled silk shirt.

They returned home just in time for dinner. Sesshomaru did not join them for dinner since he was still at work. Toga had asked the women how their day was, and while Izayoi and Kagome recalled everything, Inuyasha kept complaining about all of their talking. To Rin, this seemed like a dream since even having a crazy family was better than not having one at all.

After being directed back to her room, Rin shut and locked the door. As she climbed into bed she heard a knock on the door. When she opened the door she found Sesshomaru standing in the hallway. He brushed past her as he entered the room leaving Rin to lock the door behind him. He threw a blanket and pillow on the floor with some force before getting ready for bed. Rin lay on her side watching him as he lied on his back on his makeshift bed. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in front of your family, but when I entered into this agreement I certainly didn't give you permission to treat me like that, especially in front of other people."

She watched him wanting to see if he would even look at her. "You are the one who got us into this mess."

"I resent that! I wrote that to please you, and at the time I certainly didn't think you'd ask me to marry you."

"You could have said 'no'."

"I could have, but how many women would have gone through with your scam for little to no gain on their part?" He did not answer, so Rin continued, "And how was I supposed to say 'no' when you told me that Toga was going to write you out of his life while he's dying?" She turned off the light and turned onto her other side.

After awhile she heard him say, "No one has ever stood up to me besides my father."

"Everyone needs to be corrected at some time. I don't hate you, but please don't treat me like that again." He didn't say anything by the time she fell asleep.

The next morning she woke up again to an empty room. After taking a shower she got herself ready for the press conference. It would not be until three, but she wanted to be ready for whenever they decided to leave. She found Sesshomaru sitting at Toga's desk and on the phone. He looked her over and then returned his gaze to the desk. Rin sat down on the couch and watched him as he talked. 'He is quite handsome, but the fact that he's emotionally unattached would turn away any woman. No wonder why I wrote that comment! Now Eri's the only other person who knows why I wrote what I wrote in my column about him, and she's going to be disappointed that I will not be telling the whole truth today.'

Sesshomaru hung up the phone and addressed her, "Rin, you need to be coached for this afternoon." He proceeded to tell her how to act and what to say.

She thankfully caught on quickly because she was able to do exactly as told during the press conference. The press was not too thrilled with her explanation, nor was Helen, but they accepted it.