Hello again my readers! Here is another chapter and I hope you guys like it. Special Thanks goes to the wonderful helpers, the amazing and orgasmic Solie, Arianna, and Chris! Chris you are such a distraction! Everyone blame Chris and his movie nights for the late chapter!

Sorry readers, this chapter is about two thousand words short of my usual quota but I promise it's worth it! And if it's not, then you can take away my chocolate cake and waffle fries! (Please don't do that)

A Review a Day Makes Keeps My Sanity at Bay (it's a good thing).

~Yuuki

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or his malty crew but I do own this plot and any characters I decide to make up.

P.S. - *!~!~!* = flashback ~!~ = time or scene change 'blah'=thought "blah"=talking

Betrayal's Greatest Romance

~ Third Year of Tama Art University ~

End Fall Semester

Chapter Eight:

First Ring of Hell

"Ms. Kagome Higurashi, would you please take the stand?" The Judge Hellene asked calmly, her aged face held with tight control to show no emotions. Kagome looked at the man beside her, unsure what to really do. Lee Kichida was a well known lawyer, one of the best. Out of his short career, the twenty nine year old had only lost four cases but won over sixty. That may not seem like a lot to the common man, but compared to other's case load, which would average out at two cases a year, young Mr. Kichida was doing quite well. It did help that one of his very first cases was Sesshoumaru's very own divorce, which he won without costing Sesshoumaru anything more than his lawyer fees.

"You will be fine, just be honest." Mr. Kichida whispered to Kagome. He saw how she started to shake slightly as she stood and it would do them no good if she were stuttering on the stand. That alone would make the judge think twice about any decision she decided to give them.

Kagome nodded and looked back at Sesshoumaru and the kids sitting in the back corner before taking her seat on the stand. After taking oath, the prosecution attorney approached her slowly, his eyes trained on the sheet in his hands.

Running a clawed hand through his already slicked back brown hair, the attorney slid the paper in front of her, "Ms. Higurashi, this report states that only a week or so from today, you were in a vicious fight with another woman at your university campus. Is that correct?"

"Yes sir," Kagome whispered more to herself than him.

"I'm sorry Miss, but no one heard you. Please speak up and into the microphone." The attorney sweetly stated, a devious smile plastered on his lips.

Kagome cleared her throat and leaned forward and spoke again, her voice stronger, "Yes sir, it is true I was involved in an altercation with another young lady that goes to my university last week."

"I see," the attorney said, rubbing his chin as if he was really thinking of something to say. He didn't miss how Kagome had changed his carefully picked words to fit more to what the report said. "And as a result to this… altercation, as you say, you received a 25000 yen fine as well as two court dates. One of which was for assault and the other for damages done to one of the staff's motor vehicle. Is that also correct?"

Before Kagome answered, Mr. Kichida spoke up. "Objection, the charges for property damages have been stricken from my client's record and the said staff member is no longer wishing to pursue legal compensation for these damages."

The judge thought for a moment before nodding, "Objection sustained. Mr. Pechora, please restate your question to fit the current situation of the defendant."

Mr. Pechora nodded before turning back to Kagome. "Ma'am, were you or were you not in an altercation last week that resulted in a lawsuit against you for assault and battery?"

Kagome voided all emotions from her expression before answering. "Yes, it is true."

"And do you honestly think that this court will look at this kind of behavior and give you full custody of a child. And said child is a youkai? Your honor, this child," Mr. Pechora sneered, flashing Kagome his fangs, "is unfit to take care of herself let alone another child. She wouldn't know how to care for one of her own race let alone another's."

"Your honor," Mr. Kichida stood again, "What my colleague fails to remember is that my client takes care of human, hanyou, and youkai children on a daily basis. She is head manager of the Lil' Steps Clubhouse daycare, which means she is second to none but the owner. My client is more than equip and prepared to take care of a child on her own."

"She is nothing more than a child!" Mr. Pechora challenged, pointing to Kagome. "She is still in college, only half way through at that. She has nothing set up for this kind of responsibility and if we allow her to take on too much at this time, it could only result in harming the child's development."

Kagome sat quietly, listening to the two lawyers bicker back and forth. She understood what Mr. Pechora was trying to say, even though it was said with more bite than necessary, but even then he was actually trying to help her and Shippo. If she failed in any way, Shippo could be hurt. But what Mr. Pechora failed to realize is that Sesshoumaru was with her to help. And he wouldn't be leaving any time soon.

Sesshoumaru must have been thinking along the same lines because he stood then and began to approach the small wooden gate that separated the audience and the actual court. Kagome clutched the mokomoko closer to her chest as he ignored the Judge Hellene banging her gavel at him. His black slacks didn't make a sound as he got closer and closer. Kagome almost smiled at how good he looked in his button down blue striped shirt that she had picked out for him, the sleeves rolled up to the elbow and the top two buttons undone to revealing the collar of his white under shirt.

"Sir, returned to your seat or be held in contempt of this court!" She yelled, standing from her seat. Her glasses fell to the tip of her nose and with cheeks flushed red; the judge was just about to call the bailiff.

"Your honor," Sesshoumaru spoke gentle, placing his right hand over his heart and bowing tilting his head down. "I am Sesshoumaru Tashio, General of these lands and I wish to speak on behalf of my mate to be." He didn't move, nor did anyone else.

"Well," Judge Hellene cleared her throat, sitting back down. "General Sesshoumaru, you are a renowned General and Lord of these provinces as is your father. You of all people realized that for someone in your position, lying in court, under oath, would cost you your title and benefits. You are aware of this right General?"

Sesshoumaru nodded, keeping his annoyance from showing. This elderly ningen dared to call him General Tashio. Only the men that served under him were allowed to identify him with such a formal title.

"Then sir," The elderly woman nodded to wear Kagome sat. "Please take the oath and present us proof of your statement."

After taking the oath, Sesshoumaru stood in the middle of the court and held his hands out for Kagome to come to him. Flushing slightly at his boldness, Kagome stood, dusting off the invisible lint that coated her tan pants suit. She made sure her red blouse wasn't too low before fully standing up. Kagome smiled as Sesshoumaru extended his arm out for her as she rounded the side of the old wood banister, the mokomoko snugly draped over her elbow creases. Her small heels clacked and echoed throughout the court room as she took Sesshoumaru's hand.

He held her hand in his, making her turn like a ballerina before taking her in his arms. Extending Kagome's left arm out and pulling down her tan jacket sleeve, Sesshoumaru smiled as his bead and fang bracelet revealed itself. "Your honor, as you can see, Kagome not only wears my family's signature white mokomoko but also has my mating band around her wrist. I intend to make her my mate as I said before."

"I see. Well General – "

"Lord," Sesshoumaru corrected her, having enough of the slip up.

"Excuse me Sir?" Judge Hellene asked, slightly offended.

"Ma'am by military law, you are deemed a civilian. Only those of military rank or high position of authority may address me as General Tashio. And only those I allow may address me with my first name. That being said, you must formally address me as Lord Tashio. Not General Tashio and certainly never General Sesshoumaru, otherwise it would be seen as a military crime against your lord."

Mr. Pechora and Mr. Kichida both almost laughed at the judge's blanched expression. They leaned against the side lines together, watching with small smiles as Sesshoumaru took over their jobs. It's not that they didn't care, it was just that they were both too lazy to give a damn. They were getting paid either way, why not let the older youkai do all the work?

Popping a stick of gum into his mouth, Mr. Pechora chewed silently for a few moments before offering a piece to Mr. Kichida. "Thanks. How is Aunty Sana doing?"

"Alright, still collecting vacuum cleaners." Mr. Kichida answered Mr. Pechora's whispered question.

"And Aunty Tara, how is she? Are you still having her birthday party this weekend?" Mr. Pechora nodded in response.

"Yea, by the way Lee, what did you get her?"

"I got a gift card to the tea house and some money. What about you, Toro?" Mr. Toro Pechora snorted quietly.

"I'm giving her the party, she better be happy with that." Both men began to snicker none too quietly and Judge Hellene banged her gavel, pointing her ring clad hand at them.

"If you two are done gossiping, we have a case to decide on! I would like to get to lunch before my next case!" She yelled, glaring at them until they approached the bench beside Kagome and Sesshoumaru.

"Ms. Higurashi, on usual cases that mirror yours, with you being so young and unwed, I would not hesitate to take the child back and give the foster parent one year's time to get their act together. But, seeing as you're impending mating, your line of work, and your demeanor throughout this whole process, I am going to take a leap of faith and grant you full custody of one, Shippo Anichi. "

A huge grin spread across Kagome's lips as she clutched Sesshoumaru's arm tightly. She was ready to celebrate when the Judge banged her gavel and pointed it at Kagome. "But, in taking this leap of faith, I will be watching most carefully over this next year! Monthly visits to your home, and surprise visits will be made. A bi-weekly check of both your work establishments shall be made without your acknowledgement, and before you begin to question my motives, know that if you deny this court what it is setting out to do, it will reflect that there is something to hide. Is there something to hide Ms. Higurashi, Lord Tashio?"

Taking an exaggerated breath, Sesshoumaru nodded. He could understand checking in on Kagome and himself every once in a while but to come into his work and hers was uncalled for. He had men to train and she had children to care for. 'We couldn't move on in our courting with someone standing on the side lines taking notes on every move we made,' Sesshoumaru thought, his irritation picking up.

"Your honor, my clients ask that you at least remove the bi-weekly visits from their places of work. As you well know, both of them have very important jobs and to be interrupted during the day or evening for this would surely uncalled for problems." Mr. Kichida explained, stepping up for them both.

"Motion denied."

"Then surely, your honor," Mr. Pechora spoke up, not bothering to hide he was chewing gum by blowing a rather big bubble. "Surely, we can limit down the visits to their place of work in exchange for something more suitable."

"This is not a hotel gentlemen! We are not here to ensure they are comfortable! Now, that being said, Mr. Pechora you do seem to have a point. I'll play your game, so instead of bi-weekly visits there will be three surprise visits to both places of employment over the course of the next year. That is my final decision!" Banging the gavel, Judge Hellene ended the hearing and sent Kagome and Sesshoumaru to the clerk to sign and fill out all the paper work.

Unable to keep the smile from her face any longer, Kagome kicked off her shoes and ran to the back of the court room. Sesshoumaru's lips twitched a little as he saw her intended sprint towards their pups. Shippo was the first to meet her outstretch arms but Rin's tackle was the one to knock them all over. They had a small Kodak moment on the hard wood floor, all of them smiling at their small victory. Sesshomaru picked up Kagome's discarded shoes and slowly made his way over to help his Kagome off the floor.

"You're mine now buddy," He heard her whisper into Shippo's ear before taking Sesshoumaru hand to get up. Shippo grinned and held on to her hand tightly as Rin took her place beside Sesshoumaru. He took his ladies' hands and guided his family out the court room.

Fifteen minutes, two pieces of candy and a load of paper work later, the makeshift family were all buckled in and headed down the road. The dark cloudily sky held impending rain but that did nothing to deter the happy atmosphere in the spacious car. Sesshoumaru was the first to break the silence.

"How does it feel to be a mother," He asked, smiling slightly.

"Like a bubble oh joy in my chest that I want to keep there till I die." Kagome answered, not looking up from the custody papers in her hands. She couldn't believe it, she was a mother. The smile on her face made her cheeks hurt. Her toes curled themselves tightly and tapped on the carpeted car floor. Looking back at Shippo in the back seat playing rock, paper, scissors with Rin, Kagome smiled more. Shippo noticed her gaze and smiled back brightly, waving. Tears almost came to her eyes and Kagome buried her face in mokomoko's soft fur.

She had a son, a beautiful kitsune son who loved her as much as she loved him. She was being courted by a handsome, loving youkai man who had an equally beautiful daughter who she also loved. 'And I was seriously depressed over losing Inuyasha, when I had all this waiting for me…' Kagome thought with a huge grin.

Sesshoumaru watched her from the corner of his eye. She was happy, truly happy. Not that fake bliss that she experienced while with his brother, she was going through all that she wanted and taking any consequences with her head held high.

Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to speak but Kagome's phone ringing interrupted. Answering hesitantly, Kagome raised the old cell phone to her ear. Sesshoumaru kept his eyes on the road, not giving any hint that he could hear the other person on the phone.

"Kagome, its Ayame. Look I know it's your day off but I really need you to come in. There are more kids here than expected and Jinenji's mother is sick. He's with her in the hospital." Ayame explained over the loud noise in the day care.

"Ok, is his mother ok?" Kagome asked, seriously concerned. She knew the hanyou's mother very well. In fact, it was she and her husband that opened Lil' Steps Clubhouse in the first place. Jinenji had gotten Kagome the job but she proved herself worthy and capable very quickly. After Jinenji's father died, his mother quickly realized she was getting old and it was too much to keep running the day care. Even though she loved her son, she handed most of the responsibility to Kagome, with Jinenji acting as her right hand and making sure the old fashioned place stayed the same without major changes.

"He said he came to check on her this morning and she was having trouble breathing. I don't know any more than that, but you can give him a call. I got two volunteers here to help me but they don't know how to keep everything running in order like you two do. I really need you here!" Ayame begged, her pout coming through the phone.

"She'll be there in four minutes," Sesshoumaru answered for Kagome as he shifted gears and pressed his foot harder on the gas. The car started zipping past cars so fast, Kagome felt her chest being compressed slightly as she held onto the door.

"Ok I heard him. See you then" Ayame quickly hung up the phone. Kagome practically threw the phone back into her small backpack like purse and held on to the door and middle consol. Sesshoumaru smiled at her fright and shifted gears again before laying his hand above her's on the middle consol ever so casually.

"Faster daddy," Rin giggled from the back seat, watching things zoom by the window. Shippo nodded along with her, bouncing in his seat and mocked Sesshoumaru's steering movements.

'I have crazy kids! When they learn to drive, I'll be bailing them out of jail every other day because they like to speed! Good Kami please help me!' Kagome thought, her heart hammering against her rib cage.

Suddenly she was jerked against her seat belt and the car skidded against the pavement before halting to an abrupt stop. It took Kagome a minute to realize they had arrived in the parking lot of the day care. Rin and Shippo cheered and laughed from the back seat, begging to Sesshoumaru to do it again as Kagome turned her head slowly to glare at the silver haired youkai lord.

"You're going to pay for that," Kagome threatened as she pushed the door open and swiftly departed the car. She stood a little too quickly because he knees began to buckle underneath her but thankfully Sesshoumaru was already there to hold her up. She could have smacked his arms away, he was the cause of her disoriented state, but at least he was helping her.

She felt his chest rumble with laughter against her back as she pushed herself up and away from him. Smacking him against the chest like she wanted to, she stomped up to the glass door, and waited for Shippo and Rin to join her.

Sesshoumaru simply leaned against his sleek sports car and watched her, an elegant eye brow raised to match the corner of his lip. Rin came skipping up to her father, unaffected by his driving, to hug him tightly before turning to join Kagome.

Shippo left the car last, hesitantly glancing up at Sesshoumaru. He sure wasn't going to hug the older youkai. That was for girls and babies! Last time he checked, he wasn't either one of those. Scrunching his face a little was his failed attempt to look older as the kitsune held out his tiny paw hand out for Sesshoumaru. The tall youkai looked down at the little youkai besides him and almost was proud of him. He was trying to be a man already. Taking the boy's hand, Sesshoumaru bent over and whispered in his ear. A moment later, he gave Shippo's hand one firm shake before letting go.

Shippo ran to his mother's side as soon as his paw had been released and opened the heavy door. "Ladies always go first, mother." Shippo grinned, winking over at Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru nodded and pushed himself off the hood of his car to get back in.

Kagome almost squealed in delight when Shippo called her 'mother' for the first official time. She knelt down and kissed his little chubby cheek before taking Rin's hand and walking in. They didn't get five steps in before they heard Sesshoumaru's tires shriek across the pavement outside. Kagome would have to talk to him about his speeding problem when he came back.

Right as the door closed behind the three, rain began to pound against the roof. Ayame came bounding around the corner as Shippo and Rin ran back to the play room. "Oh thank Kami you're here Kagome!" Ayame yelled as she took the raven haired girl into her arms and twirled her around.

"I love you Ayame, but this suit is one of two that still actually fit so if you could let me change out of it before you started man-handling me, I would love you for the rest of my life!" Kagome laughed and held on to her friend tightly. Ayame complied with her request and set Kagome back on her own two feet.

The two women headed back towards Kagome's office and stayed in there while Kagome changed into her extra outfit she kept in there for emergencies. The long sleeve green and white shirt fit snugger than she last remembered but the paint splattered overalls still fit her curved body quite nicely. Ayame chattered the whole time, updating her on which kids had come in, which had come in sick, the ones who were misbehaving and lastly how one of the regular "bad boys" had chosen to bite his tongue hard enough to spit blood out on three other little human girls.

"I swear that little boy is going to drive me to crazy!" Ayame yelled, pulling at her hair.

"Well, had I been here, Todd's little bottom would be red and swollen to match the blood he spit out. Did you call his parents, as well as the girls'?" Kagome asked. Ayame nodded. Kagome sighed and pinned her hair up. Grabbing the mokomoko and wrapping it around her, she opened the office doors.

"One of the parents already showed up and took her little girl home but the others should be here very soon." Ayame followed her out of the office and into the main entrance just as a two sets of parents walked in from the rain.

"Excuse me ma'am, we were called because there was a problem with our daughter?" The oldest man asked Kagome rather angrily, the other couple nodded in agreement.

"Good luck," Ayame whispered as she took off and left Kagome there with the parents. Kagome smiled and went up to shake hands and lead the concerned parents to the conference room. It was always difficult dealing with upset parents and, in a weird way, she was happy she could relate to them.

~!~

Two hours of trying to calm down angry and irrational parents had drained Kagome of any kind of patience she had built up. Although she understood that they were simply looking out for the well-being of their children, they needed to understand that she was on their side. But then again, it didn't help that Todd's parents had yet to show up.

"Don't give me that look ma'am! How do you expect us to go on with our daily doings without knowing, for sure, that our kids will remain unharmed in your so called day care!" The mother of the youngest girls, Kala, yelled out.

"Ma'am, nothing of this magnitude has ever happened on my watch. You children's safety is my top priority. My own kids stay here and if for one moment I thought this place was unsafe, I wouldn't allow them to leave my side, much less put your children in harm's way. Now, the child that caused all the situation is having his membership here terminated and his parents are being notified as soon as you leave that he will no longer be able to spend his afternoons here." Kagome clarified with the upset parents once more before anything else could be said.

"And furthermore, I myself will be paying for any damage to their clothing. If it needs to be cleaned or replaced, call me immediately and I will make sure that everything is taken care of. Here at Lil' Steps Clubhouse, your child comes first. We value and enjoy your child coming to spend time with us while you do what you need to do to provide for them. I hope you don't let this incident changes your opinion on us. We still look forward to seeing your girls come back tomorrow." Kagome smiled after her small speech and stood, leading the parents to the play room to retrieve their girls.

The families left without saying much, but Kagome knew she probably wouldn't be seeing one of the girls again. Sighing, she took a seat behind the main desk and started to roll her chair closer when she felt something grab her foot. Startled, Kagome rolled back quickly and bent down to see Rin lying under the desk. Rin smiled at her, not saying a word as she kept coloring whatever she was drawing.

Grinning at the little girl, she kept quiet and wheeled her chair in a little to make sure she didn't disturb her but could still work. They both worked silently on their 'paperwork' until the door bell chimed a new arrival.

Expecting Todd's parent's, Kagome looked up and opened her mouth to give the tardy parents a good scolding. That's not who had come in. Instead of the refined, upper class couple, a lone woman stood before her. The woman's bright red eyes bore into Kagome's soul as she stood there. Her dark black hair hung to her lower back, the top pinned up in messy pony tail, with long bangs that clung to her face around her eyes. Her beautiful sharp facial features could cut a razor. The woman wore what looked like an expensive purple button down blouse and manila slacks. She was soaking wet from the rain, almost as if she had walked all the way there from wherever she came from.

"Excuse me ma'am," Kagome started hesitantly. "May I help you?"

Rin still sat quietly under the desk. She took a deep breath, unable to get find the color she was looking for and instantly caught the scent of the woman who just entered. No, she had never met this scent but she knew it very well. Fear shook her body as she peeked under the tiny space between the desk and floor at the woman's shoes. Rin took another deep breath to confirm the scent and shook as she was proven right.

"Silence you filthy human," The woman sneered, venom dripping from her mouth as she fixed Kagome with a cold glare. The woman's body tensed up and so did Kagome's. Discreetly pressing the small red button under her desk that notified the play room that there was danger and that everyone was to go to the safe room behind the playground and call 911, Kagome made sure to keep her eyes on the visitor.

Taking a deep breath, Kagome let her miko energy flow freely through her veins. The familiar power pumped quickly throughout her body and without moments, she was ready to defend herself and her Rin. Kagome stepped from behind the desk, innocently dropping the mokomoko down beside Rin, and stood within a few feet from the deranged woman.

Suddenly, a barrier erected itself around Rin and she knew it was Kagome setting out to protect her. Clutching her father's mokomoko, her took the small silver cell phone from her shirt pocket and dialed the only number in the phonebook and set it on the floor so the receiver could hear all that was going on.

Half a ring later, the call was answered.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" Kagome asked, her eyed trained on every breath the woman before her took. She moved to pass Kagome but Kagome quickly blocked her.

"I'm here for my daughter! Now move!" The woman shouted. For a moment, Kagome thought she might have been a mom to one of the girls from earlier but she remembered that Ayame said the parents had come early to take the girl home.

"Who is your daughter?" Kagome cautiously stepped towards the woman, trying to see if she could calm her down. The move was not welcomed and the woman struck out her deadly claws to snatch across Kagome's chest.

"Her name is Rin, you little whore! I know you're sleeping with my husband but I won't let you take my daughter too! Now move," The woman yelled again, pouncing on to Kagome to tear her apart.

A howl echoed through the darkened skies and throughout the room just before the phone went dead.

~!~

Sesshoumaru sat in his office, the blinds slightly closed to make the already dark room dimmer. Despite the rain, the day had started out just as planned. He couldn't keep the grin from his lips as he remembered picking up Kagome and Shippo early this morning, her worriment wafting off of her like a flood. She had been so worried about the hearing that she couldn't control her body's tremors.

Taking her small feet into his lap and rubbing them while he drove calmed her down enough to stop shaking, even though every few seconds she would comment about his need for both hands to be on the wheel. He ignored her of course but it still pleased him that she worried for his safety, even in such a small way.

Staring out the window at the new recruits on their daily run in the rain brought up some oddly found memories of his father training him. Even though he was his son, his father did not go easy on him, not by a hair. If anything, he worked him harder, punished him with more severity than the others and above all, made sure that every aspect of his work was nothing below absolutely perfect. If he shot a target and it wasn't dead centered, he would spend the next hours, or sometimes days, until it was. Then once he got it deadly accurate, his father would keep him out making sure he could repeat every time without mistakes.

It was hard work, but it made him the man he was today. Everything he did, Sesshoumaru made sure to do it once and do it right, otherwise what was the point in doing it at all. Sesshoumaru actually thought it funny that the old dog he called father had handed down his lands to him. He was so honored when he first heard the news. It was always expected that he take over after his father became too old but what he didn't expect was for it to be a political front.

Yes, Sesshoumaru's title as Lord of the Western Provinces was all a political trick. All he really did was sign the necessary paperwork, go on monthly patrols to make sure "his" land was secured, and attend any social event he was suppose to with a piece of eye candy draped over his arm. In the dark though, his father ran everything. Not once did the old man actually retire like he said he would. He went on vacations, yes, but the old general just worked from home now instead of coming into the office every day.

Thinking of the old dog got him thinking of the mutt. 'Inuyasha,' Sesshoumaru thought bitterly. The little runt and his mother had stolen away everything from him. His mother and father were perfectly happy until Inuyasha's mother had come to work for them as his home school teacher. It was a troubling time for the family, true enough, and everyone was quite vulnerable. Sesshoumaru's mother had just given birth to twin girls, Kaila and Lilia, but the Kami's saw it fit to take them before their first birthday. The deaths were sudden and heartbreaking for the small family of three. His mother sought refuge in him while his father sought it between the thighs of Ms. Izayoi Mashita. Grant it, the couple's marriage had been arranged but still Sesshoumaru's mother did in fact love his father greatly. And to Izayoi's defense, she had not known who Sesshoumaru's father was until she was requested to have a meeting about Sesshoumaru's grades; seven and a half months after the affair had started.

Their small family fell apart. His mother refused to look at his father and left to live in their town home in the city. When Toga discovered Izayoi's pregnancy, he married her. It was only after Inuyasha was born did their love really blossom and Toga finally mated her. But during the whole ordeal, Sesshomaru was left in his room to watch it all pass by him like falling autumn leaves.

Toga, realizing his mistake too late, tried to reconnect with the son he forgot about. It never worked. If anything, all his attempts of father-son bounding only fueled the trains carrying them further apart. That didn't really bother Sesshoumaru. True he wanted his father's attention back but they were never truly close to begin with.

What had him freeze his heart in a steel cage was his mother's negligence. After the affair had been caught by the news and their personal and private business spread across the country in a storm of lies and hateful rumors, Saura Tashio cut herself off from the family who she said turned their backs on them. For years, Sesshoumaru would visit his mother and spend time with her in the western plains, away from prying eyes. It was through those secret visits and vacations that their relationship rebuilt.

His father knew all along about these trips but said nothing. He covertly encouraged it. The retired general had never meant for the affair to turn his family to shambles and regretted it every day. Toga was extremely happy with Izayoi and wouldn't give her or their son up for the world, but that didn't mean he didn't still hold love for his first mate. They hadn't seen each other, much less spoken to one another, since she walked out of his life. He truly missed her and their happiness but he was grateful he had his beautiful Izayoi to fill the missing gap.

Sighing, Sesshoumaru looked at a picture; his favorite picture. It was placed in a small silver frame in front of a picture of his hand holding Rin's two days after she was born. It stayed the at the corner of his desk and not once had it been moved since he placed it there. He even had black and white, sepia, and color splash copies made to go around his and his father's home. Whenever things got too rough or he just wanted to stop thinking, he stared at this picture and was reminded everything would be ok, one way or another.

It was the picture Izayoi had taken of his first time holding Rin in his arms. He never thought the human his father married would ever be worth anything but after this picture, his mind was changed. He remembered that day and everything that happened after and before that precious moment was stilled on film forever.

Sesshoumaru stared at himself behind the glass, his eyes wide and childlike with surprise and shock. He remembered himself thinking 'I have a beautiful baby girl…' He had been so scared to hold her, like she was the thinnest blown glass figure. As soon as the nurse had secured his baby girl in his arms, she started to whimper. Holding her up to his face and nuzzling her gently, Rin began to calm down. He thought of her name then. Rin, his mother's middle name, that's what he would name the little goddess falling asleep in his arms. It was the happiest moment of his long life and Sesshoumaru felt the tears coming to his eyes. It was then that Izayoi snuck up behind him and snapped the picture he would come to love just as much as he did his daughter right as he looked up at her. His first instinct was to disarm her, punish her for trying to do anything to his pup without his permission. But she quickly showed him the picture and seeing himself frozen in time in a moment he would never forget, he couldn't help but stand and hug his step mother.

Sesshoumaru whispered a quick "thank you" before releasing his father's wife. He asked her to make as many copies, in all different styles and sizes, so that he could keep it always in his daily doings. She complied and within a week he had over twenty five different sets of that picture.

Sesshoumaru frowned as he thought of the first time Rin opened her doe-like eyes for the first time. It was supposed to be a happy moment but it gave him nightmares, even to this day.

Izayoi had been coming three times a week to help him get use to the schedule of a child since he refused to be one of those parents who had a nanny raise their child. The only one to raise his Rin would be him and his mate. Rin was fast asleep on Sesshoumaru's bed while Sesshoumaru sat a few feet away, working on paperwork that had built up since his time away from work to spend with Rin. Izayoi took over the kitchen pre-making bottles setting up Rin's multiple diaper bags so Sesshoumaru could have everything ready for whatever need he needed to take Rin.

It was just a regular day.

And like any other regular day, after two and half hours of nap time, Rin began to whimper from her slumber. Getting up, Sesshoumaru made his way to his pup. A huge grin broke across his features as he neared the bed and saw Rin trying to open her eyes for the first time. Rushing to his pup's side, he scooped her in his arms and watched in an utter trance as her eyes slowly blinked away the sleep and grease like liquid that kept her sure-to-be beautiful orbs shut from the harmful light until she was ready to see the world that Sesshoumaru would show and protect her from.

When she started to fall back asleep in his arms, Sesshoumaru was disappointed but continued watching her chubby features closely. Suddenly her eyes sprang open and stared right into his.

His heart stopped. Sesshoumaru yelped like the sun itself had licked across his hands, just about dropping Rin back against his soft mattress. He retreated to the wall quickly, staring in horror at the wailing infant on his bed that squirmed around in fright. Izayoi came running in, taking Rin into her arms without looking and asked what was wrong but Sesshoumaru said nothing. Flashes of the past flew by his eyes and for the life of him he couldn't calm down.

'No, it can't be' Sesshoumaru thought as he tried not to regurgitate his last meal. 'Not my pup. Please Kami, do not be this cruel! Not my Rin.'

They were red. Vibrant red eyes that matched the blood that ran through her small body. Red, just like her mother's. Her mother, the woman who sought out to kill her before she had a chance to take her first breath. The vile woman who drank herself to a stupor just to make a point, Rin had her eyes.

Izayoi kept calling to him but he couldn't bring himself to look into his daughter's eyes. If she had her mother's eyes, what else did she inherit from the contemptible woman? Would his precious pup slowly lose her mind and let the rotten blood that flowed through her veins take over, turning her into a wild creature without moments of leniency?

Questions ricocheted around his mind, slowly driving him mad. He begged his eye to see differently, but they refused his request. Was this punishment for the lives he had taken to win the wars? Punishment for his blood soaked hands holding someone so pure and innocent without deserving it?

Thankfully, the day passed slowly and by the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Sesshoumaru held his baby girl again. He promised himself, made a blood oath to his baby girl that no matter what happened, he would be there to hold her to the very end. If her mother's genes kicked in and unraveled her mind until it was nothing more than confetti, or if her human blood swept her away from him with old age, he would be there. The Kami's smiled on him throughout that first month of Sesshoumaru's time with Rin. Her eyes slowly dulled to a muddy brown then illuminated to a citrusy yellow.

Since then, nothing about Rin had alarmed him of her mother's nature. Sure, Rin was a wildly odd and happy child but, he would rather have that than what she could have been. The Kami's truly blessed him.

He thought about Rin's mother. What a sorry mistake that had been. It started out good, like all horribly tragic strings of events do. But over time, very slowly, she started to morph. The beautiful woman he loved changed before his eyes into the deranged creature. Like the caged song bird, she wept for freedom. Everything soon was consumed with her desire to get away, like the whole world was her prison instead of her salvation. When she became pregnant, all hell broke loose. That's when it all happened. That horrible night that had forever branded itself in Sesshoumaru pupils. The night –

A shiver ran through his body as he was filled with fear and confusion. It was his mokomoko transmitting Kagome's feelings. Who or what was scaring her enough to shake?

His phone rang.

Looking down at the caller ID that lit the room in a dull hue glow, Sesshoumaru froze. Rin was calling from the cell phone he had gotten her in case of emergencies. She had yet to use it.

Until now.

Answering his phone quickly, Sesshoumaru leaned against his desk. He didn't speak. He didn't move. He didn't breathe. He just listened.

Static from the rain inferred with the calls reception, making everything hard to hear and decipher. Rin was breathing into the phone roughly, trying to stay quiet. His body still shook from Kagome's fear. He could hear a muffled conversation.

"May… help you?" It was Kagome. Who was she talking to? Snarls met his ears and he couldn't make out what the person said through the static. Alarmed, Sesshoumaru stayed on the phone while he grabbed his keys and started sprinting across the practice field. He could run faster than his car could travel at top speed.

Another tremor of Kagome's emotions racked through his bones. Curiosity and determination came through before her emotions completely cut off. She either stopped touching the mokomoko or something really bad had happened. Rin's fear hit his body so hard he almost collapses. She had his mokomoko and whoever was there was scaring her so mad she had called him. The phone's static broke up long enough to allow a bit of the conversation to come through.

"Who is your daughter?" Kagome again. The person came for a child. Rin was close enough to hear everything. Rin whimpered slightly into the phone. Sesshoumaru gripped the electronic so hard it almost broke.

'Hold on baby girl. Daddy is coming.' Sesshoumaru thought, pushing himself as hard as he could as he ran through the rain towards the day care. The scene around him blurred but he couldn't seem to go fast enough. He had to be there now.

Suddenly, the phone cleared up. He heard everything perfectly.

"Her name is Rin, you little whore! I know you're sleeping with my husband but I won't let you take my daughter too! Now move."

Sesshoumaru saw red. The phone forgotten, his body began to morph itself into his true form. Bones cracked and grew, reshaping themselves rapidly without him having to stop. He howled into the grey sky and Sesshoumaru let his beast free to rampage through the city. Three names repeated themselves through his mind like a bad song on the radio.

Rin.

Kagome.

Kagura.

MUAHAHAHA, I dont know ._. Until next time, I love you all and leave a review!

-Yuuki