A/N: Thank you everyone for all the awesome comments! *hearts* A special mention to Asahi for your comment on name calling. Yes! Sesshoumaru and Rin will finally call each other by their first names at the end of this chapter! I think I've held out far too long for them. Not to mention (warning!) that they're going to get lemony in this one.

Characters

Rin Nakamura + Hiroki Nakamura

Sesshomaru/ Inuyasha Oshiro

[Sanzen-san =Mr 3000 is Rin's nickname for Sess]

Kagome Suzuki

Sango/Kohaku Yamamoto

Kagura Kazeko

Naraku Kita

Miroku Ashikaga

/ / /

SESSHOUMARU

Ignoring her had been the toughest thing Sesshoumaru had done in his life. He had intended to give her a right lecture about the dynamics of an open and truthful relationship, but after that small outburst by Hiroki, he didn't think it was fair to put her through further torture.

Although... Sesshoumaru wondered whom exactly he was torturing. Not being able to touch her and comfort her was equally punishing on him, especially when he had found her at his nurse's house looking so crestfallen. To be honest, he would too if his whole life was taken right from underneath him.

Still, Sesshoumaru forced himself to go on his nightly rituals -washing the dishes, doing the laundry, preparing his files for the next day - before leaving her alone in the living room. What he really wanted to do was to put her over his shoulders and discipline her underneath him all night. But for tonight...

Sesshoumaru tried to close his eyes, hoping to shut out his thoughts about her. They however played over and over like a marathon movie run in his head. Should he go out and apologise? Maybe bring a blanket and some extra pillows…

No! He needed to leave her alone. At this rate their relationship would not progress –

His room door suddenly creaked open; soft footsteps coming up to the other side of his bed. Feigning sleep, he kept very still as the unfamiliar weight rested gently on his mattress.

"Too cold?" His voice must have shocked her for she jumped off the bed like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"I don't sleep very well in new places..." she admitted, her face hidden from him. "And Hiroki won't let me sleep with him."

"I heard," he whispered sympathetically. How could he remain angry at her when she was standing so adorably in front of him? Everything from her posture to the way she refused to meet his gaze spoke of how guilty she felt. At least that was what Sesshoumaru wanted to believe.

Swinging his feet off the other side of the bed, he stood up and walked over towards her, drawing her slowly into an embrace. "But Nakamura-san, I cannot guarantee that I'll be able to give you a peaceful night."

Her body froze, likely at the realisation that he slept fully naked and her voice shook slightly as she whispered, "Because you'll snore?"

"No, because of this." His erection made itself known to her as he pressed himself against her thigh. Not giving her a chance to back out now, Sesshoumaru pushed her backwards onto the bed and leaned his weight on top of her.

Grabbing her lush bottom, Sesshoumaru murmured into the crook of her neck. Was she really planning to sleep in her jeans and t-shirt? Such bountiful plump flesh should never be contained or covered up too long. Working his hands on her button and zipper, he rid her of the offending material, tossing it on the floor together with her top and undergarments.

Tilting her chin up, he gazed into her eyes of liquid heat; need and desire echoing in the depths. He felt her fingers reach out to comb through his hair, cradling his head closer to her face. An instant later, she crashed her lips on his, her onslaught soft and unyielding. Sesshoumaru gratefully conceded to the urgency of the kiss, coaxing her tongue into a tangle as he deepened their kiss.

Pulling away from her, Sesshoumaru braced his hands at each side of her head; his body pressed dangerously against hers. She was all curves against his solid muscles, the scent of her arousal ambrosia to his maddening lust.

"I want you, all of you," he whispered, cupping her face in his palm. "Stop running away from me."

Or forgetting me.

She turned her cheek towards the heat of his palm and kissed the tender inner flesh – a promise.

With his hands firm on her butt cheeks, he parted her legs slightly, before running two long fingers down to the folds of her entrance. As he traced the plump flesh, her wetness was like baby oil on his fingers as they rubbed softly over her clitoris; the rough callous edge of his fingers circling the sensitive nub driving her crazy.

"Sensei… please…" she murmured breathlessly. When the pleasure became too much that it racked her body, Sesshoumaru felt her teeth sinking into the curve of his neck; the unexpected bite making him moan, clearly pleased at being marked.

Lifting his fingers away, he brought them to his lips and licked at the liquid, making sure that she knew where he intended to get more later.

Rin however had other plans. Reaching between them, her hand closed over his erection; her fingers stroking the swollen flesh with excruciating tenderness. "Get on your back," she whispered, pushing against his chest and rolling on top of him. Sesshoumaru hadn't intended to give her the reigns but this slightly seme side of her was something he was curious about.

Not to mention that the view of her moving down between his legs was incredibly sexy as hell. Her eyes were locked on his – the satisfaction of his obedience apparent – as she spread his knees apart, wrapping his entire length between hot, wet lips; her tongue twirling at the sensitive head. With one hand clenching the base of his erection, she moved it up and down in a pumping motion while the other caressed his balls ever so gently.

"Rin, that's… oh my god…" Sesshoumaru pressed a fist into his mouth, hoping his shouts wouldn't wake up the boy sleeping down the corridor. "You've got to stop that baby…" he stifled a moan when she engulfed him in her mouth once more. "Or I would be shooting my load on that pretty face instead."

Not wanting the night to end on that note, he reached forward and pulled her all the way up; positioning her just above his hungry lips. There was no gentleness this time when he held her legs apart, his teeth sinking into the tender inner thigh to mark her, before grazing playfully at the nub between her legs.

It took only one lick and a tentative suck.

"Sesshoumaru!" she screamed. Bucking her hips, she fed him more of her sweet secretions; her fingers fisting in his hair, demanding more of his lascivious tongue that was searing her already hot insides. Sesshoumaru loved the feeling of her essence smeared all across his chin; the liquid gushing out even as his tongue lapped it up greedily.

"No more please…" she whimpered, looking down at him with pleading eyes. "I want you inside…"

"Then help yourself," he murmured against her, watching as the beautiful woman repositioned herself; palms pressed on his chest and her hips rested on top of his waist. For a moment, her face was all red as her eyes purposefully avoided his. Was she embarrassed? "There is no shame in taking what you want from me. Don't you want me too?"

"So much," she whispered, lowering herself slowly to accommodate his girth. There was truly no emotion to describe that first instant grip her soft walls made around his aching erection –Sesshoumaru revelled in it.

Putting his hands over his head, he allowed her to ride him; simply watching as she ground her hips up and down over his rigid member, bringing him closer to the edge. She was so tight in this position, almost clamp-like around him that he knew he couldn't last.

"Look at me… Let me see your beautiful face."

Dark brown eyes met his – the flash of desire evident on her face; her cheeks flushed and her breath ragged. And those lips…so plump and invitingly naked.

He covered them with his own, coaxing them apart to allow his tongue access to her mouth. Deepening the kiss, he roamed his hands up her body, searching for her breasts. Palming them, he massaged the twin mounds until she whimpered against him, pressing her hips all the way down so much so that he could almost feel his tip touching the entrance of her cervix.

Knowing his climax was imminent, Sesshoumaru fumbled for the condoms in his side drawers, cursing as the comfortable heat was withdrawn to allow him to sheath for a second. Urging her hips down once more on him, he allowed her free reign of their bodies; those sensuous hips moving up and down, squeezing him so tight that it left him gasping as he came with violent jerks inside of her.

When her body slumped on top of his in equal satisfaction, Sesshoumaru couldn't help but feel aroused once more. Flipping their bodies so that she was now underneath him, he grinned as he kissed her, watching as her eyes widened at the hardness slowly filling her up from inside once again. "We're not done yet. I believe your punishment is just beginning."

/ / /

Waking up to the smell of eggs and toast left Sesshoumaru in a slight daze. Did he leave his stove on or something? Wrapping a towel around his waist, he sauntered into the kitchen, stretching his hands upwards as he yawned.

"Ohayo Sensei! Did you have a good night?" The chirpy voice of a boy stopped him in his tracks. Right... that's right. He had a good night; a very good night in fact. He had almost thought it was a dream since he had woken up alone in his bed.

"Good morning. I see you're already dressed. What time is it?" Sesshoumaru rubbed his eyes groggily and looked up at his wall clock. Six in the morning. "Is it a school day? Okay let me get dressed. I'll drive you."

Hiroki looked up from his cereal bowl, sporting a milk moustache and a wide grin. "Really?!"

The boy looked so adorable that Sesshoumaru found himself sliding in next to him and grabbing a plate of toast. "But on one condition. I heard what you said to Okaa-san last night and I think you should apologise."

"Iye." Hiroki scooped up another spoonful of cereals and wagged the metal left and right. "Okaa-san needs to apologise to Sensei first."

Sesshoumaru never thought the boy had a single stubborn bone in his body but apparently, even the kind-tempered Hiroki could hold a grudge. "I've already forgiven her last night. We… talked about it." To be specific, she was on her hands and knees but ah –

"You're too soft on her Sensei! If she doesn't apologise properly, Hiro-chan is scared that Sensei will kick us out… and hate us…"

"Whatever made you think – " Ah, the boy's father. "I promise you Hiroki-chan, your mother has made amends. After all, isn't that why she made such a delicious breakfast?" Biting off the last of his toast, Sesshoumaru stood up and patted the boy's head. "Remember to apologise to her."

Stepping into the bathroom, he almost knocked into Nakamura-san who was just getting out of the shower. Seeing her naked woke him up in more ways than one.

"We did it so much last night!" she struggled against his hold. "And I can't or I'll be late sending Hiroki to school."

Sesshoumaru continued nuzzling against her neck, ignoring her protests. "If I send him to school do I get a quickie in the shower?" Not giving her a chance to answer, Sesshoumaru pushed her back into the bath area, drowning her voice under the torrent of water above them.

When they emerged twenty minutes later, Sesshoumaru was feeling much more alive and well stretched. She on the other hand was grumbling, albeit contentedly, as she showered off the remnants of their early morning tryst.

"Enjoy the apartment; use whatever you want in the fridge. I'll pick Hiroki up from school and come home for lunch?" He tried to make it sound as casual as possible but knowing her, she was already on the defense.

"I don't mean to be a burden Sensei... I'll look for a place immediately and –"

"Just stay here with me Nakamura-san. I know all about the shop and I know you won't find something so soon. So stop being stubborn and start being selfish towards me. Is it so hard to believe that I truly want you and Hiroki here?"

She turned away from him, saying nothing at first. Then with a small nod, she began to smile just a little and whispered, "Thank you."

/ / /

OCTOBER

As was his usual routine now, Sesshoumaru took his lunch hour slightly later so he could stop by Hiroki's school to fetch the boy and have their meal at home. Nakamura-san as it turned out, loved the idea of having their meals together –though she would never admit it of course – and always made sure to give him an extra portion of his favourite bits of mackerel or beef. The small gesture might seem harmless, but to him, it meant everything.

If he dared to suggest, she might even be falling back in love with him as he definitely was with her.

"I see you seem to be taking this whole parent thing really seriously," said Kagome, coming up to him as her class was dismissed. "I'm quite impressed Onii-san!"

Why did she always have to call him that? "It's only temporary. My apartment is too far away for him to cycle to school. Besides… it's on the way."

Kagome rolled her eyes at him before thrusting the young ward into his care. "See you next week Hiroki-kun! Have a great weekend." Sesshoumaru caught the light dusting of red on the boy's cheeks as he waved his teacher goodbye. This was new.

"So, are you ready to go home Hiroki-kun?" The change in his endearment didn't go unnoticed by the boy. But Sesshoumaru supposed it was about time he stopped addressing the boy with such a feminine suffix – especially not after their talk about procreation.

"Ano… is Sensei going to call me that from now on?" Hiroki looked up bashfully at him. "Tomorrow's my birthday! So Suzuki-Sensei said I'm a big boy now so she's not calling me chan…"

Sesshoumaru couldn't help looking guiltily back. He didn't even know! And he didn't even prepare anything special – not even a present. Looking down at his watch, he figured they'd have some time to go shopping for a little treat before heading home. But before he could suggest it to the boy, Hiroki had gone completely still; his hands gripping tightly around Sesshoumaru's wrist.

"Hiroki-kun!" A young man with dark hair and dark eyes –an exact carbon copy of the young boy before him – was waving enthusiastically from the school gates. Sesshoumaru didn't even need to ask to guess who it was.

So they finally meet.

"Hiroki, I'm so glad I made it! I was running late and got so worried that I'd miss you!" He peered down at the boy; ruffling his hair playfully. "Ah and you must be his Sensei. Thank you so much for taking such good care of him."

Sesshoumaru didn't correct him – yet. Though he wasn't wrong in that sense, he was still curious to know what the boy's father wanted from him. Eyeing him warily, Sesshoumaru asked the obvious, "I assume you two are related?"

"Can't you tell? So Hiroki, would you like to take a walk home with me today? It's your birthday tomorrow right? We could go and get you a little present." The man stretched out his hand but Hiroki only hung on tighter to Sesshoumaru.

"I'm sorry Nakamura-san, I don't think Hiroki-kun is feeling too well. Perhaps it's best if I send him home quickly."

The man however wasn't too pleased to hear that. Grabbing Hiroki by the wrist, he pulled the boy forcefully towards him. "I believe you are mistaken Sensei. This boy is my son and I'm taking him home."

Hiroki started to cry and though he wanted to snatch the boy back, Sesshoumaru didn't want him to have the trauma of being pushed back and forth between the adults. "Nakamura-san, please release him. You are not a lawful guardian and I cannot release this child to your custody."

"My name is Yamamoto Kohaku. Stop calling me by that woman's name! And how would you know anything about my guardianship? Are you sleeping with my wife?"

Now this was getting out of hand. Getting to his knees, Sesshoumaru reached out gently to the boy and cupped his cheeks. "Go and wait in the car okay? I'll come for you in a bit." Relief was clear on Hiroki's face as he struggled free and ran towards the parking space. When Sesshoumaru was sure that the boy was out of hearing range; all politeness and pretence evaporated. "I believe the proper term is ex-wife. I'm giving you a chance to leave now or else I'll call the police."

"That fucking slut!" Yamamoto-san spat to the ground. "Netted you so easily did she? Bet you bought into the whole innocent façade of hers." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Women have it so easy. All the need to do is spread their legs and men just come crawling –"

The punch came out of nowhere, knuckles smashing against cheekbones. That had been the last straw with Sesshoumaru. The brawl that ensued was long overdue on his part; both men speaking with their fists, wanting to best the other until they were forcefully separated by the school teachers.

"Sensei! What is the meaning of this?" Sesshoumaru looked up at Kagome from under slowly swelling eyelids. She looked like a cooked sweet potato about to explode. "Fighting in the school compound? In front of children?"

"He was hurting Hiroki! And he tried to kidnap the boy!" Sesshoumaru was sure that on the other side of the room, Yamamoto-san was saying the exact same thing. Funny how neither of them had any legal rights to be with the boy in the first place. "Did you call his mother?"

"Of course I did! Do you think I can allow Hiroki to go home with either of you idiots at this moment?" Kagome sighed as she rubbed her belly. "Honestly, I'd expect this from Inuyasha... but you! You're lucky the principal has decided not to involve the police." Sesshoumaru knew it was largely due to his reputation as the town's doctor.

But he wasn't sure if that was enough to appease the flustered mother running towards them not long after. Her expression was pure horror; those eyes worried and those hands reaching out to hug –

SMACK!

"Oww..." Sesshoumaru rubbed his cheek where she had slapped him. "I'm the victim here!"

"You!" she pointed her finger at him. "Be quiet. Fighting, at your age?! What kind of example are you setting for my son? Suzuki-sensei, where's Hiroki? Is he safe –?"

Kagome gave him a warning look as she led the anxious woman towards the principal's office.

Sesshoumaru hated this. If he had been the boy's legal guardian, none of this would have been an issue. And if truth be told, Sesshoumaru had been slightly hurt that she still didn't seem to think of Hiroki as theirs, rather than just hers.

Couldn't she see that he loved the boy as much as he loved her?

When they emerged with Hiroki in tow, Sesshoumaru need only smile at the boy before witnessing him releasing his mother's hand and running straight into his arms; apologising profusely for causing him so much trouble. Sesshoumaru wondered if the boy knew how much of his mother he truly was. Apart from his physical looks, Hiroki had nothing in common with his biological father.

"Hiroki-kun, get away from that man! He's violent!" Sesshoumaru looked over to where the boy's father was shouting. The mother on the other hand was standing rooted between the two of them; her eyes moving from one man to the other in disbelief.

"That's enough Kohaku. You have no visitation rights so don't act like you care. Please do not come here again or I will file for a restraining order." She turned on her heels, calling out to Hiroki to follow her.

"Gomen ne Otou-san," whispered Hiroki, bowing slightly to his father before tugging at Sesshoumaru's hand. "But I want Sensei to be my Daddy now. Please don't come back."

Sesshoumaru wished he could go back to recapture the look on both the parents' face. Nakamura-san had gone completely death white while Yamamoto-san had his mouth gaping wide in shock.

"You heard the boy. Stay away from my child," warned Sesshoumaru as he held Hiroki's hand and walked towards his car, never once looking back.

It was only much later at night when he had volunteered to read to the boy that Sesshoumaru dared to ask, "Ne Hiroki-kun, did you really mean what you said earlier?" He felt his cheeks going slightly warm. "Umm you know about me being your Daddy?"

"Hai," the boy replied shyly. "I like Sensei very much…"

Sesshoumaru knew he was defeated. This child had wormed his way into his heart, dragging his mother right along and claiming an unshakable spot in his life.

"I like Hiroki-kun very much too," he admitted. Perhaps it was time to move the relationship with the boy's mother one step up.

But first, he needed to plan for an impromptu birthday party. After all, it wasn't every day that a boy turned seven.

/ / /

RIN

Following the fighting incident at Hiroki's school, Rin now had the duty to fetch and send her son to school every day. Though Sanzen-san still drove them in the morning, Rin had gotten used to taking the train and walking down the small alleys on the way back. It gave her extra time to look for shop spaces available for rent. It was either that or she'd consider transferring Hiroki out to another elementary school closer to their new home.

But that would mean taking a big step forward in her relationship with the Sensei. In just four weeks, she had fallen into the rhythm of the wife, cooking their meals, cleaning the house and even sharing his bed. But the truth was, Rin knew that nothing lasted forever. Not even marriage.

She still hadn't come to terms with the fact that her current lover had been in a fight with her ex-husband. Talk about romantic.

Except they weren't really fighting over her – they fought over her son.

Rin had been livid that evening after Hiroki had gone to sleep; cornering the Sensei and warning him not to drag her son into their complicated situation. The boy didn't need to hear empty promises like Sensei being his father or that they could live with him forever.

"Why can't I be his father?" he had asked calmly, folding the laundry spread out between them. "Hiroki said it himself. I didn't suggest anything to him."

"We're not even married! And look, you need to stop encouraging him to think like that! He'll only get attached to you and –"

"Do you want to get married then?" He didn't even lift his eyes to look at her, continuing to fold his shirts. That only angered her more.

"What, no! That's not my point!"

In the end, Rin had given up with the argument and slept in Hiroki's room. She had been taking refuge in there for the past week now. Covering her face, Rin sighed.

"Rin-chan, alone today?" Rin looked up to see the heavily pregnant homeroom teacher waddling towards her.

"Ah Suzuki-sensei! Hai, Oshiro-Sensei has a staff meeting today. How are you today?"

The teacher rubbed her belly and grimaced. "I feel like a walking oven. Not to mention that the little princess keeps making me pee."

Oh a baby girl! Rin had always wondered what it would be like to have one – not that she regretted having a boy. Hiroki was the most wonderful thing that happened to her.

"When are you due?" asked Rin.

"Any day now. She's pushing the 39th week." Ah, a healthy term then, unlike Hiroki who was slightly premature. "Ne Rin-chan, would you like to come over tonight? Inuyasha is out on a business meeting and I hate being home alone. My in-laws were supposed to come and accompany me but they had a last minute appointment to go to.

The thought of being cooped up with the dog made Rin turn sickly green. "I would love to but you know I'm allergic –"

"Oh! Don't worry, I'll put Daisuke outside for the night and we can go to the second floor living room. He's not allowed in there so there shouldn't be much of his hair lying around."

Rin pursed her lips, considering the offer. She didn't have any friends since moving to Inuyama and with Hiroki quite enamoured by his homeroom teacher and their family dog, she didn't see why not. "I suppose it's okay since tomorrow is a weekend… but you sure the dog will be outside?" At the woman's insistent nod, Rin gave in. "Alright. Want me to bring anything?"

"Oh! Oh! Can you bring dorayaki? I don't know why I've been having such a strange yearning for them lately…"

Rin only smiled at the teacher's craving. "Of course! That's super easy to make. We'll have a feast tonight ne?"

Clasping her hands tight, Kagome then waved her off as Hiroki came bouncing to her side.

"It seems we're going to Kagome-Sensei's house tonight. She's a bit lonely so we're going to keep her company." The boy's eyes went wide. "But Daisuke will be sitting outside so you cannot play with him all the time."

"If I bring an extra change of clothes can I go play with him?"

Rin couldn't help but laugh at his earnest expression. "We'll see."

/ / / /

"So I left the rice and dishes in the fridge. All you need to do is heat them up –" Rin never got to finish her reminder as her lips were eaten up by the handsome male before her.

"Yes Okaa-san, I'm a big boy. I know how to microwave my food."

He pressed another kiss on her lips – much to the agony of Hiroki who happened to walk into the kitchen at that moment. "Eww! Sensei! Okaa-san!"

"Ah, I think that's your cue to go. You sure you don't want me to drive you? It's quite a distance by train."

Rin batted away his offer for the hundredth time and headed towards the door where her son was already waiting in excitement. She supposed this was as close as getting his own dog so she couldn't blame him for looking forward to the overnight stay.

"Ittekimasu!" Rin called out, waving off as they stepped out of the apartment. To be honest, it had been a while since she and Hiroki did anything together and while she had taken him out for a fancy lunch on his birthday, she knew she wanted to spend more time with him.

"Ne Hiro-chan, shall we go somewhere tomorrow on our way home? We can go to the zoo or to the amusement park –"

"Will Sensei be coming along?" Hiroki mimicked the frown she currently wore on her face. "If he's not coming then I don't want to go."

Since when did her son become this stubborn? Had she been too lenient on him these few months that he had started talking back to her? "Is it wrong for you to spend time with Okaa-san? I thought we were happy just the two of us."

"But Hiro-chan likes it when it's the three of us. It's like we're a family," he whispered that last word timidly but Rin caught it nonetheless.

She really didn't want to get into that whole argument again with him about making Sensei his father, at least not tonight.

Kagome had promised a ladies' night only – well, apart from Hiroki – and so Rin truly wanted to enjoy it. She had even brought nail polish and facial masks so they could pamper themselves after a few episodes of that sappy romance drama she knew both of them loved.

So an hour later when they arrived at Oshiro-Suzuki's house, Rin was really looking forward to a relaxing night. But when the door opened…

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIROKI-KUN!"

Happy, blinking faces were staring at her – three she knew but the others she didn't. The worst part was, the star of the show was in blissful heaven that he completely abandoned her in favour of the mountain of presents being thrust in his face.

An absolute nightmare.

"Rin-chan, gomen-ne!" The heavily pregnant Kagome ushered her in, taking her by the elbow and bringing her into the kitchen. "Let me take those dorayaki from you. Oh no, are you really angry at me?"

Would it be a crime if she said she was on the verge of murdering her? "I… I'm in shock."

"Kagome, why don't you help Hiroki to the dining room?" Rin didn't need to turn to know whose deep voice that was. Somehow, she had a feeling this was all his fault.

"Nakamura –iye. Rin…" Soft hands touched her chin, angling it up towards him. "I didn't mean to trick you but it was a surprise for Hiroki. I know you two couldn't keep a secret from each other." When she remained stubbornly silent, he sighed. "Look at me, please."

She gave him her most defiant look of hatred.

That however didn't deter him one bit. "I could kiss you right now. But then I'd have to keep everyone waiting because I can't stop with just a kiss." He kissed her knuckles instead. "And I think you really wanted to make a good impression don't you?"

Oh he was good. He had known the moment he cornered her in the kitchen that that was what had pissed her off big time. Had she known she was going to meet his entire family, Rin would have dressed nicer, maybe even planned what topics she would say and god knows, even bring something more elegant than dorayaki…

"Why are you doing this?" she whispered finally, looking up teary-eyed at him. "Why are you so kind to Hiroki and me?"

The same hand that he had kissed earlier was brought forward to press on his chest. "Because of this. Don't you get it Rin?"

"Sensei…" she stammered, wanting to hide her blush but he wouldn't allow her.

Pulling her closer by the waist, he held her tight before whispering in her ear. "Sesshoumaru. Call me by my name Rin. From now on." He bit her earlobe playfully. "And especially when I'm inside you."

Kagome of course chose that moment to walk into the kitchen, causing Rin to go completely red from head to toe. Pushing the infuriating male before her, she stormed out and straight into the dining area. That Sesshoumaru! Did he think he was so clever arranging this whole party, saying he loved her, calling her by her first name…

"Okaa-san! Come here! I want you to blow the candles with me." Rin looked up and saw her son standing on a chair in front of a massive cake that had seven candles on it. "And Sensei too!" he shouted.

When the candles were fully blown, pictures taken, cake cut and eaten; Rin had to admit that it had been a long time since she saw her son this happy. Before he had only her and apart from her grandmother, Hiroki didn't have people he could really count as family but maybe, just maybe things might change for the better...

"Rin-chan?" Rin turned at the sound of an elegant feminine voice. "Ah, I hope it's okay for me to call you that. I'm Izayoi, Sesshoumaru's stepmother. It's such a pleasure to meet you."

Rin took the gold laden hands in her bare ones and almost felt embarrassed to be held by what felt like near royalty. Izayoi-san was indeed a beautiful woman and when she introduced her to her son Inuyasha, Rin had to wonder if some kamisama above was smiling on this family when he created these perfect beings.

"Overwhelming eh?" Rin turned to a smiling Kagome as the two watched Hiroki opening his presents with the other adults. "But don't worry. It gets better. Izayoi completely loves you already, I can tell. Not to mention that now she's going to have two grand – " Kagome let out a long wail as she staggered backwards, gripping Rin's arm desperately for support. "It's... my water just broke..."

The events that unfurled next was a flurry of movements and chaotic orders shouted back and forth between the labouring mother and her equally frazzled husband.

"Would you like to come with us Rin-chan?" Thinking it was Sesshoumaru, Rin was prepared to refuse but at the sight of the eldest Oshiro, she went completely meek.

"Ah Inutaisho-sensei! I wouldn't want to impose!"

"Nonsense! Your son is in the car already." As Rin was shoved between Hiroki and Sesshoumaru, she now had no doubt where the latter got his annoying smooth talking genes from. Why was it when she came up against an Oshiro, she could never win an argument? Not to mention getting herself into situations completely out of her comfort zone!

For Hiroki however, the entire night was one big adventure. He was allowed for the first time to stay up past his bedtime and he even got to take Daisuke for a walk later that night when Izayoi-san and Oshiro-Sensei offered to take him back home first. Kagome had been in labour for about five hours by then and according to her obstetrician, she might still be long before the baby was ready to come out.

"You know, we don't have to be here. Inuyasha is here and Kagome's family are on their way," said Sesshoumaru .

"Iye, it's fine. I want to be here for her when the baby comes." Rin knew what it was like to be alone in the delivery ward and if her presence could be just that one more body providing some comfort, she wouldn't mind staying for as long as possible.

When she turned to look at him, Sesshoumaru's expression had hardened somewhat but his voice was gentle when he spoke. "Thank you Rin for today... I'm happy you met my family." Taking her hand in his, he suddenly turned to her with a serious look on his face. "Ano... I know this is a little late to ask, but when's your birthday?"

Rin couldn't help but laugh. "It's in January. And yours?"

"Mine too! On the 16th," he smiled, pulling her closer into a hug "No wonder I'm so insanely attracted to you. But I promise no birthday surprises. I hate them."

"Sesshoumaru," Rin tested the name on her lips. What ever was she going to do with him? He was the most exasperating man she had ever met and yet he had opened his heart and his home to her; showering her with patience, kindness and love. Was this man even for real?

"Yes Rin?"

How should she put this? Her cheeks were no doubt tinted red as she looked up at him. "It scares the hell out of me..." she forced herself to hold those beautiful amber eyes in her gaze. "But I think I'm in love with you too."

For once, the male before her was lost for words. His only reply was to fold her into his arms, whispering her name over and over again. And in that moment, Rin knew that everything that happened up till this point was so their paths could cross; that maybe she was given another chance at love and happiness.

/ / /

A/N: I'm not very good with fluffy stuff though I try! So hopefully that satisfies everyone who were so looking forward to a confession! It's about time too. Four more months to go in the storyline (hopefully I make it in time by valentine's day) so maybe a chapter or two more. If you have a scene you want me to write about, I'm all ears! Till then, hope you've enjoyed reading and keep those reviews coming!