(Author's Notes)

Hello everybody! I hope that you guys had a fantastic holiday season! My big news for this update, I became an Aunt last week! XD I've never seen my brother this happy before, ever! I can't wait till she gets older, that way she's aware of the fact that she's spoiled! ^^ Anyways, I'm on a 6 hour road trip from Maryland to North Carolina, so I figured that I'd pass the time and update while I'm on the ride. So, I hope that you enjoy my 'roadwork!' ^^

(Story)

"Don't forget to make a wish first Rin!" Kagome eagerly reminded Rin as she prepared to blow out the candles on her 'cake'. It was December 22nd, Rin's 15th birthday. It was the beginning of winter break for her, and today was a Saturday, which meant that she could sleep in for her special day. She had breakfast with her father, went shopping with Kagome, and her mother took her to the store so that she could pick out what she wanted for her cake. Rin was a sugar freak, and she'd be the first person to admit it, but she was always very cautious about getting a cake. She didn't want to pick out one that would be too sickly sweet for her and her family. So she picked out one other favorite desserts of all time: Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake.

"Can we eat the cheesecake now Mom!" Sota impatiently asked his mother.

"Sota, Rin will get the first price and the first bite. You are going to patiently wait for your turn. Then when it's your birthday, you can have whatever cake you pick as early as you like." Their mother scolded to Sota. He just pouted in frustration, and Rin heaved a small smile of pride and accomplishment.

After everybody had stuffed thief faces in the cheesecake, Rin grabbed her notebook and sat in the living room trying to get some progression on her entry for the Young Authors Contest. She was having a much more difficult time that she thought that she would have with this contest. She would try an idea, not like it, and then finally create something. And when she created something she thought was good, she wanted to make it great for this competition. But, she was so close to finishing an entry that she could just taste it...or maybe it was just the cheesecake. She was about to write an idea down for next entry when she felt the cushion next to her sink. She looked over to find her father tiring next to her.

"Heya kiddo. Mind if I talk to you for a second?" He asked her.

"Sure thing Dad, just let me..." Rin said, quickly writing down a couple words to help her remember her idea for when she got back to the entry later. Once that was finished, she set her notebook down and gave her father her full attention. He then pulled out something out of his pocket. It was the music pamphlet that she received the night at the concert.

"Rin, I know that being presented with an opportunity like this is something very special, and that students your age rarely receive high enough honor to be presented with something like this. However, a whole summer away from home in a University, then going abroad to another country. As a parent, the teacher part of me is very proud, but the father part of me is very concerned about how you'd handle yourself so far away from home." He calmly exclaimed. As he continued talking, Rin her chest get heavy and her heart sink.

Oh no, is he going to say no to the trip? Doesn't he understand that this opportunity may never come again?!

Taiki could see the growing disappointment in his daughter's eyes. However, he kept calm and continued with his conversation.

"So, I called the gentleman who gave you this pamphlet and this is what I've come up with. It turns out that they also accept chaperones for this trip, and are currently looking for a few more. So, I will allow you to go on this trip if your mother tags along as a chaperone." Taiki conclude dinghies speech. Rin immediately went from feeling heavy to light and butterflies in his stomach.

"Oh my God...a-are you serious?" Rin asked her father with a smile. Taiki smiled back, happy that he brought the light back into his daughter's eyes.

"Dead serious. Your mother and I had a talk and she's agreed to this if you've decide to go." He replied. But Rin felt now that she had her father's blessing to go onto the trip that she would pack her bags and leave without a second thought. However, Taiki saw this excitement and quickly took action.

"But, I don't want you to tell me your final decision just yet. You have until the end of February to decide, and you're going to take that much time to really consider this trip. It's more than a vacation: it's a learning experience and there will be a lot of work on this trip. I don't want you to decide based on your blind excitement or that fact that your mother gets to go as well. I want to see in your face that you know what you're getting into before you decide." Taiki said. Rin felt only mild disappointment that she couldn't fill out the form right now. But, she knew that this was out of love and concern from her family, and nodded her head.

"Ok...all the same...thanks Dad." Rin said as she looked up at her father with bright eyes and a smile. Taiki just smiled back and wrapped an arm around her, handing her back the packet with his free hand.

"Happy birthday kiddo...Oh!" He exclaimed, jumping slightly in his seat. Rin jolted up a bit, caught off guard by her father's sudden excitement. However, he quickly calmed down and used his free hand to take one of Rin's.

"And a happy 10 years on our family sweetheart." Taiki said with a warm smile on his face. It took Rin a second to remember. But, she eventually realized that 10 years ago today, her family had officially adopted her and welcomed her once and for all into the family. Rin wasn't sure what to say right now. This was such a milestone moment in her life, and she was so happy she couldn't even saw thank you. All she could do was sit there with a big smile and eyes beginning to water up. However, Taiki didn't need to hear her say anything. He just kissed her hand and then the side of her temple, adding one more special memory to his head.

(Author's notes)

It's been a while since I really wrote anything family cutsie like this. It feels nice. ^^ This conversation about her trip was actually what I pulled out of my own memories when I was invited to join a choir and tour with them in Europe. My dad wouldn't let me go unless my mom tagged along as a chaperone. However, being 16 and the 16 year old that I was...I can't say that I really blame him. ^^' Plus it gave my mom and some nice memories to share together, so it worked out for everybody in the long run.