My once loyal reviewers are not reviewing. This makes me sad. And my ego is mad, he's fucking hungry! He says if you don't review he will feed you one by one to Naraku's zombie. We're keeping it locked in the basement until we see how this election goes. So review or else! I know who you are, you left your names on your past reviews.

It should start getting funny again, she is away from Mamasama so doesn't have to behave.

Also I am sorry it's a short chapter after a long wait. We have been so busy at work I have had neither time nor energy to write when I get home. One of our sister companies went down and mine is picking up the slack. I have not had a Saturday off in a month.

Sesshomaru carried Melissa in his arms as they left the palace to resume their travels. Jaken clung to his moko moko but slipped off and fell the last 10 feet. He landed with a hard thump on his butt. The staff, which he dropped as he fell thunked against his head, leaving a knot.

The moment Sesshomaru set her down she threw her arms wide and turned herself around "Freedom!"

"Did you not enjoy living in the palace over winter?"

"Oh! No! I like palace, is very nice! It was very kind of Mother to let me stay there. But I miss forest. Miss being alone. Get tired of so many eyes, so many rules."

"I, too, find it restrictive." Sesshomaru replied as they began walking

It wasn't long until Melissa was back to being her obnoxious, adorable self. First on the agenda was to annoy Jaken. For this she chose to sing her incestous Yankee Doodle song because she knew how much he loved it.

Then she dawdled purposely, falling back behind the men and lied to Jaken that he had a bag on his back. He slapped furiously at his back, unable to see where the mythical bug was supposed to be. She told him she no longer saw it, but a few minutes later she tickled the back of his neck with a long piece of grass, causing him to spazz out. A few minutes later she did it again. She entertained herself for the better part of the day in this way.

When night fell the temperature dropped greatly. She huddled near the warm fire as she ate her dinner and was quick about her business in the bushes. Sesshomaru assumed his true form, turned around, and laid down so that she could curl up against his warm fur. "I missed this." She sighed as he curled himself protectively around her.

"I thought you'd be bringing her along soon." Inuyasha told him a few days later, spotting them as he came out of his house. "Melissa, you can go on in if you want. Sesshomaru, you can't, she's feeding the baby."

"I will seek out Rin while you visit with Kagome." Sesshomaru told her. She kissed him quickly on the cheek and went in. Inuyasha smirked, but said nothing as they turned and began to walk toward the other side of town, where Sesshomaru could smell Rin's scent strongest.

Rin was sitting with Kohaku, who was sweating more than the weather would account for as he eyeballed the half constructed frame of a new house. Kohaku spotted Sesshomaru and jumped to his feet and bowed. Rin also jumped to her feet and jogged up to Sesshomaru with a huge smile on her face.

Sesshomaru greeted Rin then looked over her head to Kohaku. "I take it this structure is to be your home?"

"Yes, my lord." Kohaku replied.

"You got a lot done today." Inuyasha told Kohaku as he looked up at the building.

Sesshomaru walked past him and began to inspect the building. "You have done well. It seems to be sturdy."
"Well, I have had help." Kohaku admitted modestly.

Sesshomaru nodded. "Naturally. So have you spoken with her father?"

"My lord?"

"You have never shown desire or need for a home before. I assume that if you are building a house now it is because you need one to shelter a wife."

Kohaku and Rin exchanged a glance behind his back. Rin gave him an encouraging nod but Kohaku shook his head no. "Not yet. I want to get the house done first."

"A wise decision, I believe. The men here are farmers, not warriors. They have not fought at your side and seen that you have the skill and courage to do your job well. You will need something concrete to prove you can provide a comfortable life for her."

"Yes, my lord." Kohaku mumbled shyly. They talked for a little while longer then Sesshomaru and Rin went for a walk. Inuyasha stayed to help Kohaku with some of the heavy lifting.

"My lord, do you believe Kohaku will be a good husband when he gets married?"

"I do. Rin, you understand that not all women will be comfortable with their husbands spending a lot of time with other women. If his wife is the jealous type he may not be able to maintain such a close friendship with you."

"Rin knows who she is, my lord, I don't have to worry about that."

"Just do not be surprised if the dynamics of your friendship change, Rin."

"I know they will, my lord, but I'm not worried."

"And while we are on the subject, Rin, it is my wish for you to attend my wedding to Melissa this summer."

"You're getting married?" She asked, shocked and dumbfounded for a split second, then her face split into a wide grin "Congratulations! Of course Rin will come! I'm so happy for you!"

"I intend to invite Kohaku as well, but wished to invite you first."

"You just didn't want to invite him in front of Inuyashasama."

"Very perceptive Rin. Melissa intends to invite Kagome and Inuyasha."

They met up with Melissa and Kagome going down to the river giggling like schoolgirls as they chattered in English. Melissa carried Izyoi in her arms and Shippo was riding on her shoulder, holding a rattle with which he was entertaining the baby. Rin ran up to congratulate Melissa and the little group went down to the river together so Kagome could collect watercress for dinner.

After dinner Sesshomaru accepted Kagome's offer to spend the night. He didn't need to sleep tonight and Melissa was having so much fun playing with the baby. After the women and children fell asleep he stepped out for a short walk. A few minutes later Inuyasha joined.

"So, you two are tying the knot? Have you really thought about this?"

"Of course." Sesshomaru replied, irritated that Inuyasha would think he would make such a decision rashly.

"She's going to want kids, Sesshomaru. She's going to want hanyo kids." Inuyasha told him.

"We have discussed the issue of children, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru informed him.

Inuyasha was silent for a moment, then scratched his ear. "I just hope you're both on the same page. You haven't always been real tolerant of hanyo after all. Merissa's good person, and good with kids. It would be cruel to marry her then not let her have a kid."

Sesshomaru looked up to the heavens. Yes, it was very cruel not to let her have children. He still could not understand why the gods were so very cruel toward her.

"Well, I'm going back to bed." Inuyasha stated, having said his piece.