Moving vans arrived at Rin's newly rented apartment days later. For awhile she had been sending more articles to publications in Sacremento than in San Diego, so moving did not prove as difficult for her. Eri was rather disappointed to hear that she was moving, but she could understand that Rin needed time to think over everything far away. Eri also agreed not to disclose any information to any member of the Matsuo family. Sota was the only one who was allowed to know anything, and he had also been sworn to secrecy.
During that time Rin changed her family name to Matsuo assuming that the Matsuo family would not suspect that she'd go by that name. Her pen name had also changed so as to keep her identity a further secret to her family.
Despite these changes, six months later Sesshomaru ended up at her doorstep. "May I ask what you are doing here?" she inquired as she opened the door.
"My father is dying, and he is requesting your presence."
"Why would he want to see me? I left San Diego six months ago."
"You are still his daughter-in-law, and he thinks of you as his daughter."
She looked him straight in the eyes and informed him, "I will go, but I will only go for him." Sesshomaru nodded in understanding.
On the plane over, Rin noticed that Sesshomaru was watching her out of the corner of his eyes. Finally she got tired of his constant attention and commanded him, "Ask me whatever it is that you desire to ask me."
"Why have you not asked how I knew where you were?"
"Does it matter?"
It seemed like he could sense her curiosity despite her harsh words. "I hired private investigators to watch you." He looked at her intently again before asking, "Why have you not filed for divorce?"
Rin sat there for a few seconds before answering, "I needed the time to think. I acted rather irrationally six months ago because I just automatically assumed what I assumed. I didn't realize that you have just as much of a problem holding back your sexual urges as I have trying not to let my childish fantasies get the best of me." His head cocked slightly. "When a girl is young, she dreams of having a husband that loves her, and I find myself falling into that mindset. That's why I got upset when I found out that you had been with another woman."
She looked into his eyes and could swear that she saw sadness flood them. 'It has to me my imagination," she rationalized. He turned away from her and his attention seemed to focus on the words on the screen of his laptop.
Rin and Sesshomaru were immediately allowed into the study. Kagome rushed to Rin and hugged her, "Welcome back. We've missed you." She let go of Rin and gave her a small shove before angrily scolding Rin, "Don't hide from us. You belong to this family, and we look out for each other."
Izayoi took a gentler approach by giving Rin a light hug and welcoming her back. Izayoi then ushered Kagome and Inuyasha out of the room with her so that Toga could spend time speaking with Rin and Sesshomaru. "Please, sit here," he requested of them gesturing to two chairs placed on the right side of the hospital bed they had specially bought so that he could spend his last days in his home. They both sat down silently. "Rin, are you well?"
"Yes, I am well."
"Why have you not filed for divorce?"
"As I told Sesshomaru, I needed the time to think about my irrational behavior before I left. Sesshomaru may have trouble controlling his sexual urges, but if I had known him better, I would have known that. Instead I got upset because of my lack of control on my childish fantasy that my marriage would work."
"That is not the reason why you still cling to your marriage. You still hope that your marriage will work because you love Sesshomaru." Rin opened her mouth to protest, but Toga continued, "I could tell by the simple fact that you were willing to risk persecution for your scam instead of letting me be disappointed in my son."
Rin sat quietly for seconds thinking about his claim. It was true that she wanted Sesshomaru's happiness before saving her own skin. However, he also tried to take the blame. Did that mean...?
Toga then addressed Sesshomaru, "My son, I know that you love this woman. Lying to her to make her marry you was a rather selfish act, but lately you have demonstrated a growing need to keep her happy and safe: you protected her from Naraku; you were about to break off your relationship with your mistress when you realized that Rin wanted to stay together with you, which then back-fired when Rin called you; you watched over Rin when she visited her parents' grave; and the only really productive thing you've done lately is order your private investigators to track down Rin and then follow her around to keep her safe."
Toga stretched out an arm to take Rin's hand weakly before brushing it past Sesshomaru's hand that rested atop the leg closest to her and then dropping it. Rin watched as Sesshomaru's fingers interlocked with her and then squeeze her hand reassuringly. She looked up at the same time as he, and they stared at each other deeply while Toga said, "In matters of love, the both of you act more like pups than adults." Rin smiled at Sesshomaru and his eyes smiled back. Toga broke the moment when he requested of Rin, "Rin, will you please bring in the rest of our family."
Rin knew that Toga sent her out of the room so that he could have a few minutes to converse with Sesshomaru alone. Slowly she went to the rest of her family and bid them to come with her. Once the whole family was together they shared their fondest memories together. Toga was growing increasingly weaker but more content as his life slipped away. His last words were to his wife pledging his love to her and about how he could see heaven waiting for him. Toga breathed his last breathes and then passed on into the night.
Izayoi threw herself over Toga's body sobbing. Kagome buried her face in Inuyasha's right arm, which she gripped tightly. Inuyasha placed his left hand over Kagome's right hand and tried to hold in the tears that were forming in his eyes. Sesshomaru even seemed ready to cry, but he was so expressionless he could not allow himself to shed any tears. Instead, Rin held his hand to let him know that she was there. This was sad for her also since Toga had loved her like a daughter, he had brought her back to God, and he wanted her to be happy with Sesshomaru.