"Izayoi, I have a son." Inutashio said finally. Izayoi's eyes widened and for a moment she didn't dare breathe. "A son." She repeated quietly. Neither of them spoke for a few minutes. "I…I understand completely if your feelings change for me and - -." "They don't." Izayoi said abruptly cutting him off. Izayoi took a deep breath before asking two very important questions. "Where is he, and his mother? What's his name?" "His name is Sesshoumaru, he lives with his mothers parents in the northern part of town. I visit him when I can, and he stays with my dad and me a lot. His mother…died, about a year after Sesshoumaru was born. I was in tenth grade and I took a year and a half off of school to take care of Sesshoumaru, so I'm actually three months way from being twenty, not eighteen." "Well, how does Rikyu know you so well then?" "Rikyu hasn't graduated yet because he failed and had to stay back, that's why he's just about the only person at the school who knows me and knows that I have a child." "Oh…" "Izayoi, I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth sooner. If you want me to leave, I will. If you don't want to be with me, I understand now that you know the truth about me."

Izayoi took a moment to digest what he'd just told her. "I…I want to stay with you, and I'm glad that you trust me enough to tell me the truth. I'm sorry to hear about Sesshoumaru's mother. Would it be wrong of me to ask…no, never mind, forget I said anything." "No, please ask me." Izayoi swallowed nervously. "What…what was she like, Sesshoumaru's mother?" "She was very persistent and very determined, she always made sure that she got what she wanted and wasn't afraid to fight to get it. I was in love with her at first; she was very intriguing but after spending close time with her I learned of her devious tendencies, which caused us to drift apart. After we broke up she discovered that she was pregnant so we agreed to remain together for the sake of the baby, and then one-day she went out for a drive and was killed in a head on collision on the highway." "I'm sorry." Izayoi said quietly. Inutashio nodded. Scooting onto her knees Izayoi then asked, "Do you think…I dunno, one time, maybe…I could meet him? Your son, I mean." "Really, you'd want to?" Izayoi nodded. "He's supposed to come and visit me next weekend you could meet him then, if you want." "Sure! Inutashio…" "Yes." "How old is he?" "Three turning four next month." Izayoi smiled and asked, "What's he like?" Inutashio took a moment before answering. "He's…very distant. He loved his mother very much, but sadly the feeling wasn't mutual. She wasn't ready to be a mother, so she took it out on him by ignoring him, never being there and ignoring his needs. He's a very sad, lonely little boy, who doesn't understand why his mother didn't love him." Inutashio replied sadly.

'What can I say? Is there really nothing I can say or do to make him feel better? That poor little boy. Sesshoumaru wasn't loved by his own mother, and so now he's sad, distant and all alone. What can I say to that?' Izayoi thought. Inutashio noticed her distress and said, "Hey, don't look so sad. Sesshoumaru knows that I love him, and when I graduate he's going to come live with me so he doesn't have to be so alone. So don't look so depressed okay?" "Are you really going to make sure that he lives with you?" Izayoi asked. "Yes, why?" "Do you promise that Sesshoumaru's going to live with you after you graduate?" Izayoi demanded. "Yes! Why the urgency to know?" Inutashio questioned. "I- I just don't want your son to be alone any longer than he has to. He's been through a lot." "Hmm…What about you?" Inutashio asked. "What do you mean?" "What are you going to go after you graduate? Are you…still going to be with me?" Inutashio asked staring at his hands that were placed in his lap. "The truth is…I never really thought about it. I never want to leave you side. So yes, I hope to still be with you." Izayoi replied smiling sweetly.

Izayoi leaned forward on her knees and tilted Inutashio's head upwards. "Were you…worried?" She asked gazing into his beautiful golden orbs. He nodded slightly and Izayoi smiled again at how incredibly cute he looked when he was embarrassed. She kissed him lightly to try and help to break the tension; it worked. Inutashio slid his hand up the back of her shirt and traced with his finger along her spine. Izayoi closed the distance between the two by wrapping her legs on top of Inutashio's, basically sitting on top of him. She leaned closer and nibbled on his ear and giggled as she watched him shiver in delight. Izayoi ran her dainty fingers over Inutashio's chest and tried very hard not to wince in pain as his hand ran over the bruises made by 'Rikyu's fan club.' 'Please don't let him notice!' Izayoi's thoughts pleaded. "Izayoi." Inutashio said breaking away from her neck. "What's wrong? Am I hurting you? You seem to be flinching. Are you uncomfortable? If you want me to stop I will, just tell me." Inutashio said apprehensively beginning to move his hands away. "No, no. It's nothing, I'm fine really." Izayoi said bringing him closer by hugging him. "Are you in pain? Please tell me what happened." Inutashio pleaded. "I'm fine." Izayoi said trying to reassure him, but to no avail. He tentatively lifted the corners of her shirt. Izayoi averted her eyes to the wall, but out of the corner of her eye she watched as Inutashio's mouth dropped seeing the black and blue bruises. He ran his hand, very lightly, over her stomach. "Izayoi, what happened to you? Who did this? Tell me." Inutashio begged tilting her head so she was forced to look into those pleading eyes of his. Izayoi stroked the side of his face. "I'm fine now, please don't worry about it." "Izayoi, you're hurt, that worries me and it involves me, please tell me who did this to you." He whispered in her ear. "It was…'them.'" Izayoi said so quietly it was barley audible. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Inutashio asked his breath tickling her ear. "I, I'm not sure. Cause it wouldn't have solved anything if I did." Izayoi whispered back. Inutashio closed his eyes and leaned onto her shoulder. "I don't want you hurt, ever. I'll always do whatever I can to prevent it, ai shite iru kara." Izayoi smiled when she heard those words. She leaned down onto the pillows they both drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.

A/N Oh yeah! Another chapter done and done! so whats gonna happen when the 2 wake up! singing I – am – so – happy! more singing. 2 stories I updated yay yay I feel SO HAPPY! Except 4 the fact that my "father" is a total nutcase & banned me from having friends over 4 oohh the next year or 2. What did I do? I really have no idea, he just finds little small things 2 nit-pick and complain about, he's worse than a hormonal woman :P so my apologies if I don't update quickly after this chapter. Hope u liked! R&R plz! JA!

ai shite iru kara means because I love you. Isn't that SO SWEET! I thought so :P