Rin returned back to work in a couple of weeks on a Wednesday. For the rest of that week she stayed with Sango since she didn't have time to move back in with Sesshomaru since her evenings were still filled with special projects. After the newspaper article and the rumors of marriage problems, Shuichi had thought it best to make her one of the most public faces in the family. Unfortunately that left her little time for her marriage.

But on Saturday she had about enough and packed up her things to take with her back home. The reconstruction was pretty much finished, and the celebration parties were long over. And she pretty much didn't care if people thought she was slacking off at that moment because she had worked harder than anyone besides Sango, who also needed some time off, to help with the reconstruction. If they wanted to lambast her for taking a night off they could because she frankly didn't care anymore.

Sesshomaru was in his study when Shippo came running into the study. He jumped on Sesshomaru's desk and announced, "Aunt Rin's home!" It took all Sesshomaru had to keep from running to find her. "Aren't you going to say 'hi'?"

He looked up at the young fox demon and stated, "Grown ups don't run to see people."

Shippo jumped off the desk and then ran to his father. "Is Uncle Sesshomaru stupid?" he asked Inuyasha, which in turn received a laughing fit from Inuyasha that included him falling to the ground and rolling around on his back. Sesshomaru growled at his brother while Shuichi just rolled his eyes as his sons acted like children while the child acted more like the adult. "He doesn't seem to be happy to see Aunt Rin," Shippo said when Inuyasha had finally regained his composure.

With a huff Sesshomaru got up and walked out of the room to cease the jokes that were to come. As he walked into his room he found her pulling clothes out of her suitcase. She had not noticed him until he was besides her leaning in for a kiss. She had not been used to such affectionate behavior from him so she cautiously kissed him back. When she didn't respond the way that he had hoped for he pulled away from her and walked towards the open balcony doors. Below in the garden there were signs that spring was coming.

Rin knew that he was rather confused as to how to behave around her. He just didn't know how to find a happy medium between not showing affection and suddenly showing affection. "I'm happy to be finally home," she said to him rooted to the spot she was when he kissed her. "I was hoping that if you didn't have too much to do tonight we could spend some time together," she suggested.

He continued staring out at the garden as he informed her, "We were invited to the re-opening of a jazz club downtown. They are inviting only the most influential people."

"Ah." She hated having to go to places like that since they all treated her like she was beneath them. But on the other hand she did enjoy listening to jazz and wanted to get out and have some fun. "That sounds like something we could do tonight."

"I will take you out for dinner before we go to the club," he said to her still in his expressionless voice. "Please be ready to leave at six o'clock." With that said he walked back to the study. Rin looked at the clock and noticed she had five hours to get ready.

At six o'clock Rin was staring at herself in the mirror. She had bought the dress long before the war, so it was probably outdated. As it was, the dress was not from the finest stores in town but came from a typical middle-class fashion district. Still, it flattered her figure and gave her more than enough modesty. To complete the outfit she had Kagome do her hair and make-up. Now she stood in the mirror wondering if Sesshomaru would be pleased with the effort she put into her appearance tonight.

He knocked on the door and called in, "Are you ready?"

She took one more look in the mirror taking in a full view of herself before answering, "Yes."

As he opened the door he got a glimpse of her standing there in her full glory. And while Rin was admiring how dashing he was in his black suit he was also admiring her. He stuttered out, "You look...ravishing." She blushed at his comment and took the arm he offered to her.

All night she kept noticing how he kept staring at her. Of course he always stared at her when she was talking, but he was now looking at her as if he couldn't keep his eyes off of her. He also made sure to be as close to her as possible without smothering her but taking the time to touch her skin just so slightly.

At the club he waited until a slower song before asking her to dance with him. She placed her left arm around his shoulder and her right hand in his pressed up against his heart, which she could feel beating wildly. Her head rested against his shoulder and she closed her eyes imaging that the room was empty except for them. She almost missed when he leaned his cheek down so that it rested on her forehead.

Rin opened her eyes and noticed the jealous eyes of the women staring at her and suddenly she started trembling slightly out of nervousness. He noticed her reaction and started rubbing her back while asking, "Is something wrong?"

"No," she lied but felt guilty about immediately. "Okay, maybe."

"Do you want to stop?" he asked with fear in his voice. This had been the first time he had been able to hold her close for a long period of time besides while she slept. The last thing he wanted to do was let go of her.

"No. I just hate how they..." He looked up out of the top of his eyes at the people around them. Most of the women were interested in the both of them. "They hate me. I can see it in their eyes."

"Who cares about them?"

"I just can't help but wonder every time I see them why it is that you stay with me. Sometimes I wonder if you aren't sticking around because you don't want to be like your father and end up divorced."

He held her closer to him knowing that this was the moment he needed to tell her about his feelings for her. "None of them are you, so I could care less about them. You are the only one I've ever wanted to protect. The only one I've ever felt the ability to open up to. And when you're not by my side I can't wait until I can see you again and know that you are safe and happy." Tears of joy were starting to fall from Rin's eyes. "Only you bring out the best in me."

"And the worst," she laughed through her tears.

"Only the best. I am the worst part of me." He stopped moving and took a deep breath. "Rin, I love you with all of my heart and soul. I hope I can be everything you need in a husband."

Rin's tears came out faster as her joy increased. How long had she waited for those words! And there was no better setting for him to tell them! "I love you too," she whispered to him. He kissed her forehead and held onto her as he started to sway to the music again. He didn't care what was going on around him because all he wanted to do that moment was hold her close to him and feel her in his embrace. She belonged to him, and he would make sure he would do everything in his power to keep her at his side for the rest of their lives.