Chapter XVI

Saturday couldn't have come sooner for Rin and Kazumi. Rin because she'll finally be able to take a break from being a parent for a couple of hours, and Kazumi because she'll finally be able to spend some time with her Papa. So in the hours leading up to Sesshomaru's arrival, Rin began getting everything that Kazumi could probably need for the night and more.

So it came as no surprise when she couldn't close Kazumi's overnight bag, and with a resigned sigh, Rin began unloading and repacking the bag. She was halfway through when Kazumi came barging into the room with a squeal right before slamming to a stop with her mother's back.

With a quiet laugh, Rin turned around and gathered her little bundle of joy in her arms before asking, "What's gotten you so excited?" with a smile splitting her face.

"Papa comin'!" she exclaims.

With a smile still gracing her face, Rin replies with, "Yes he is," as she stands up from where she was sitting on the floor and twirls for a moment, earning a great laugh out of her little joy in life.

"And do you know what else is going to happen?" Rin asks as she walks out of Kazumi's room and starts to the kitchen to make them both a quick snack.

With a shake of her head, Kazumi eagerly awaits her mother's answer.

"Well," Rin starts as she carefully set her on top of the counter top so that she's looking her straight into her golden coloured eyes. "Mommy is going to go to 'Ome's for a while, while you get to hang out with your Papa."

"Mommy come back?"

"Hai!" Rin says as if she'll be affronted with anything besides that. "When you wake up, Mommy will be right there."

"Kazumi sleep at Papa?"

"Momentarily, yes."

"Mom-tear-lee?" Kazumi says as she tries out the big word her Mommy just said.

"Momentarily," Rin gently corrects. "It means for a short while."

"Kazumi not stayin' wis Papa?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you stay here with Mommy."

"Why Papa?"

"Why is your Papa not living here?"

"Hai!"

"Because he has his own house."

"Why?"

"Because he…uh, has things he needs to do there."

"Why?"

"Uh, because that's his job."

For a great moment, Kazumi is silent pondering this answer and when she nods to herself in understanding, Rin couldn't have been more relieved than to not be answering a one year old's questions. So, with a strained smile on her face now, Rin takes Kazumi off the countertop and sets her on the floor. With a gentle shove and a soft "go play", Rin sets out to prepare a quick snack for them to eat.

Taking some of the leftovers from yesterday's meal, she quickly reheated some and made a new side dish for Kazumi, before bringing it to the living room where she could hear Kazumi playing. Lying the food down on top of the coffee table in the middle of the room, Rin mentioned to Kazumi that the food was ready and watched as she tore into it with a vigor while still playing her game. With an eye on her daughter at all times, Rin started eating her own lunch, it came as no surprise to her however, when her mind began to wonder from the present and into the distant future.

Slowly she began shifting through her wardrobe in her head and seeing which outfit went with the night planned for her. She settled on a little black number she had in the back of her closet that was just perfect and something she hadn't worn in over a year. 'Hopefully it still fits,' thought Rin just as she heard the elevator stop on her floor. Looking at the clock on her TV and seeing that it was still too early for anyone to be over, she had a moment to ponder who it was before the knocking on the door altered both her and her daughter that they had a guest.

Just as Rin was about to stand up to answer the door, she felt a rush of wind blow her hair in front of her, blocking her vision. Just as she was wondering where that came from she heard the sound of the lock turning.

"Ah! Kazu-chan you can't just open the door the door like that!" Rin exclaimed as she rushed towards the entrance.

"Why?" she heard Kazumi ask.

"Because we don't know who it is," she explained as she rounded the corner and came within sight of the door.

"Just Papa!" shouted Kazumi from the arms of her father's.

"I can see that," replied Rin with a tilt of the head in Kazumi's direction before addressing Sesshomaru. "You're early."

The only answer she received to her statement was a raised brow and a tilt of the head to be let in. Stepping to the side, Rin allowed Sesshomaru to pass her and enter her semi disorganized apartment with Kazumi before following close behind him after closing the door. Quickening her steps so that she was walking in front of the two, Rin pointed to the living room before disappearing around the corner and into Kazumi's room.

Quickly putting the last of Kazumi's things in her bag as well as a list of instructions on how to warm up Kazumi's milk as well as additional instructions on how to care for her, Rin exited out of the room with bag in hand. Walking down the small hallway that lead to the living room and kitchen, Rin took a peek into the living room and saw that Kazumi was enthusiastically showing her father all of her toys, barely taking a pause for breath before she continued on with her story. Giggling behind her hand, Rin turned left to walk into the kitchen where she gathered the last of Kazumi's things and put it into her bag.

With everything gathered, Rin exited the kitchen and placed the bag near the door before joining Kazumi and Sesshomaru in the living room. For the next few hours the small family spent it playing and enjoying each other's company before they said their goodbyes and see you later.

Thanks for reviewing!

Don't forget to review/comment/criticize!