Disclaimer: InuYasha, and all its characters, including the hotness that is Sesshoumaru, all belong to Rumiko Takahashi. At least until I'm older and she's dead and I buy the royalties off whoever inherits them.

Sorry to anyone who got this twice. I messed up the initial post, and had to delete it before anyone saw my shame. Won't happen again, I promise!

FAMILY MATTERS: SOLUTIONS AND REPAIRS

Kagome had never run so fast in her life. But then again, she didn't think she'd ever been so angry in her life. Sesshoumaru was a complete and total moron! Anytime someone even mentioned Rin, he started growling and snarling as if they were going to take her away from him. How could someone normally so calm get so worked up over nothing? He was being completely irrational, and it was so unlike him.

With a final push, Kagome forced herself up the largest hill in the TCP. Then, with a sigh, she began her cool down lap. She was taking her time, knowing that when she got back to the shrine she'd have to deal with one furious hanyou and one annoyed inuyoukai. She knew that she probably shouldn't have run away like she did, but she had been going insane. She needed some time away from everyone in order to sort out her thoughts.

She was just finishing the first quarter of her final lap when she saw a familiar elderly figure with long white hair and one arm sitting on one of the benches overlooking the lake. She frowned as she saw a slight slump in Kin's shoulders, and she started towards her older friend. She had seen never seen Ao without Kin except for once, and Kin never without Ao. It was strange to see him by himself.

She paused just beside the bench and smiled down at Kin. "Is this seat taken?" She asked lightly.

Kin slowly turned his head, and smiled slightly at Kagome. "By all means, please sit."

Kagome made herself at home on the bench while she contemplated how to properly approach this subject. Finally, she decided to try an indirect approach. "Did you know I met your daughter yesterday?" That got Kin's immediate attention. "She seems like a really nice person. She told me about her company in America, and about her mate Orenji and his company. It sounds like you did a really good job with her."

Kin nodded slowly. "She has always been a good child. I have been lucky. She is a credit to me as my child."

Kagome nodded. "I could tell that from the few moments I spent with her. Though I'm not so sure that she enjoyed my company."

Kin raised an eyebrow. "What makes you believe so?"

"It just seemed like she was in a hurry to get away." Kagome answered. "Of course, I could have been misinterpreting things."

Kin sighed, and his one hand raised to rub gently at his temple. "No, you did not." He answered softly. "Ao and Chairo. . . don't get on."

Kagome nodded. "Yeah I got the feeling. I feel so bad for Ao, though. I talked to her after Chairo was gone, and she seemed so sad. I can tell that she really does want to get along with Chairo, and she certainly tried to involve her while she was with us. I don't understand why Chairo wouldn't try just as hard."

Kin tensed. "Perhaps Ao has not tried as hard as she had said." He said through his teeth. "It is possible that Chairo has just gotten tired of trying."

Kagome shook her head. "Kin, I've only known Ao for about a year, and I already know that she can't lie. I've seen her try to hide her feelings, and she was horrible at it. She has too much of an open spirit to be able to deceive anyone." She looked closely at Kin, who was resolutely looking away. "And forgive me for saying so, but if I've been able to tell that after only a year, then I would think you'd know that much better than me."

Kin's hand tightened into a fist at his side. "Even so, Chairo is much the same. She would never lie to me. If she says that Ao is stopping reconciliation, then she must be telling the truth."

"I'm sure she believes she is in the right." Kagome assured him. "But when I was talking to her, it sounded a lot like she was still upset with Ao. To be blunt, she told me that Ao as not her mother. That doesn't really sound like she's trying to make up with Ao." She shrugged. "But then again, it's none of my business, especially since I don't know what set the two of them off. The only thing Ao would tell me is that it was her fault for breaking Chairo's trust, and she couldn't blame Chairo for refusing to reconcile." She took another look at Kin, and tried a more obvious approach. "And to be honest, if you believe only what Chairo says, then you are calling Ao a liar."

Kin's fist loosened, and he looked over at Kagome for the first time. "Perhaps you should remain blunt and tell me exactly what it is you want to say."

"I think Chairo is trying to get between you two." Kagome answered. "And it's obviously working. Ao said that she is one of the few things that you two argue about. And to make an even better point, I have never seen you in Tokyo Conservational Park without Ao." She bit her lip, but then shook her head and pressed on. "And to be honest, Chairo is an adult. If you treat her like she is still a child, then she will act like one. And from what I saw, she acts like a spoiled brat."

Kin seemed to flinch, though it was so fast Kagome could have been mistaken. He looked Kagome right in the eyes, as if reading her soul. Then he stood and nodded to her. "You have given me a lot to think about." He told her. "I'm afraid I am not quite sure what to think."

Kagome smiled at him. "At least it's making you think. I'd hate to see the two of you arguing."

Kin shook his head. "Thank you, Kagome."

Kagome stood and bowed. "Anytime." After Kin bowed in return, Kagome took off, continuing her run down the path.

She'd been gone only a few moments when another person took her place on the bench. Rin looked up at Sesshoumaru in concern. "Father? Are you alright?"

Sesshoumaru slowly shook his head. "I believe I should return home."

Rin's eyes narrowed slightly, noticing the slight change in Sesshoumaru's demeanor. She'd only been gone a few minutes. What could have made his voice colder. She shook the thought off and smiled up at Sesshoumaru. "Sounds good. Just give me a minute to-"

"You should continue your run, Chairo." Sesshoumaru interrupted. "Do not allow me to cut you short."

Rin recognized an order when she heard one. Stiffly, she stood and bowed. "If you're sure, Father." Seeing that he wasn't going to change his mind, she continued running. Something was definitely wrong.

Kagome continued running, and to her immense surprise, saw the familiar figure of Ao at one of the fitness parks along the pathway. Kagome slowed to a walk as she approached the fitness park. Ao was on one of the benches, carefully stretching her legs. It seemed that she had caught Ao just before starting her run.

"Ao!" She called as she stopped at the bench. "How surprising to see you here!"

Ao looked up and smiled when she saw Kagome. "Well hello, Kagome. Fancy meeting you here." She straightened from her stretch and enveloped the younger woman into a hug. "How are you?"

"Eh, I'm okay." Kagome answered. She noticed slight bags under Ao's eyes that hadn't been there the last time she saw her elderly friend. Was she not sleeping well? "I was hoping I could ask you for some advice."

"I'm always open for that." Ao answered. "Come sit on the bench. I'm getting a crick in my neck looking up at you."

Kagome sat, setting a mental reminder to ask about the circles under Ao's eyes. "Remember my friend Sesshoumaru?"

Ao nodded. "The inuyoukai who gave you his blood. He seemed like such a nice young man. A shame he and Kin didn't get along."

Kagome smiled slightly. "Well, I'm having a bit of a problem with him."

"Oh?" Ao asked. "You seemed to get on so well the last time I saw you."

"It's like this. He has a ward named Rin. She's really cute, only about nine, ten years old. She follows him around everywhere, and it's obvious he cares for her very much." Kagome started. "Recently, he's been bringing her with him when we go places, which really isn't a problem, since we have a boy around Rin's age in our usual group. But he gets so testy about her. Like the other day, we were camping, and I asked if Rin could come inside the tent where it was warmer. He nearly bit my head off and told me that he took care of his own." She huffed. "He acted like I was trying to kill her!"

Ao smiled softly. "Let me ask you something, Kagome. Is Sesshoumaru normally around a lot of people?"

Kagome thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No, I think our group is the largest number of people he's ever traveled with."

Ao nodded. "And has there ever been a time when he's been around a lot of people before?"

Kagome thought hard. "I had heard that they were in a village once. The people there knew that Sesshoumaru was a demon, and tried to take Rin away from him."

"There is something well known about inuyoukai, Kagome. They are very protective of what is theirs." Ao told her. "Consider this. As you've said, Sesshoumaru cares a great deal for his ward. Sesshoumaru is not familiar with large groups. Nor is he used to his ward being in large groups. The one time he did allow them into a place with lots of people, they tried to take away someone he cares for. Now he is once again within a large group of people. What do you think his instincts would be telling him?"

Kagome thought, and understanding dawned. "That anyone who expresses an interest in Rin must want to take her away from him."

Ao nodded. "Intellectually, he will know this is not true. But as long as his instincts are hounding at him, he will not feel completely comfortable with those around him. And I can tell you from time with Kin, when an inuyoukai goes against his instincts, it takes a lot of effort."

Kagome nodded. "That makes so much sense!" She grinned and hugged Ao. "This is why I love talking to you. You always know exactly what to say."

Ao chuckled, as if the words amused her. "Yes, I am quite good at that. Experience helps."

Kagome eased back, her face becoming serious. "Speaking of experience, Ao, are you having trouble sleeping?"

Ao immediately looked away. "Oh, just some back trouble, no big de-"

"Ao." Kagome interrupted, taking her friend's hand. "I know you're lying to me." Ao bit her lip, and slowly shook her head. Kagome's eyes narrowed. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the reason I saw Kin a while back on the trail, would it?"

Ao started. "Oh, is that where Kin is?" She asked weakly. "Well, I'd better go see him."

"You're not fooling anyone, Ao." Kagome told her sternly. Ao just shook her head, and Kagome sighed. "Alright, then I'm going to tell you what I told Kin. I think Chairo is trying to get between you two. And it's obviously working. You told me yourself that she is one of the few things that you two argue about. And look at you two! You won't even go see him, even though you know exactly where he is."

"You think I don't know that?" Ao snapped. "I've known that for over five hun-" She stopped herself midsentence, and took a deep breath. "I've known that for a long time. But until Kin himself realizes it, anyone else who points it out will get their head chopped off. He's too stubborn to accept such a paradigm shift if anyone but him thinks of it." She sighed again, the shook her head. "You know, I'm too tired for a run. I think I'm just going to go home."

Kagome felt a twinge of guilt. "Ao, I didn't mean-"

Ao cut her off. "It's alright, Kagome. I know you meant well. It's really not you, it's just the whole situation." She walked over to her coat and purse and pulled them on. "I'll see you some other time, Kagome."

Kagome waved as Ao walked away, the feeling of guilt lingering. At least until she saw Kin following Ao down the path. The guilt melted away as Kin zeroed in on Ao, and she continued her run. Sometimes being a busybody was a great thing.

Kagome sighed as she approached the small Tokyo apartment. Both she and Sesshoumaru had separate places, little hidey-holes that they could escape to whenever they needed some time alone. The rules for their bolt holes were simple.

1. The hiding party was responsible for its care and maintenance.

2. The hiding party has the right to use their escape at any time.

3. The other party may not visit the escape at any time.

4. No communication is to happen between the two parties until the hiding party had returned.

5. Upon the return of the hiding party, both parties will seclude themselves until a mutually excepted solution has been reached.

Kagome hadn't used hers in nearly twenty years, when their youngest child had caused a scandal with the Prime Minister's daughter. She and Sesshoumaru had screamed at each other until she'd finally had enough. She'd left for her hiding place, and stayed for two days. By the time she'd returned, the issue had been solved, and that night had been wonderful as they each apologized.

This time, however, Kagome had stayed here for a week. There were a few people who looked at her strangely, especially after the apartment had been empty for so long. But she just couldn't summon the energy to be annoyed, or to care about much in general. Distantly, she knew she should probably pack up and head back to the complex where she and Sesshoumaru lived with the rest of the family. But every time she thought about it, she'd remember the way he'd yelled, the anger on his face, and what she was absolutely sure must be loathing. . .

Kagome shook her head as she entered her one bedroom apartment. She was not going to cry again. She was going to go into her apartment, and she was going to call one of her many children. Then she was going to get two tubs of ice cream and get fat eating them while she watched a bunch of movies without even a hint of romance. Maybe a nice gory horror. Of course, then she'd just want to run home to Sesshoumaru and have him protect her. . .

That line of thinking was cut off when she heard a knock at the front door. For a moment, she froze. She never had visitors when she was in her apartment, not even from the people who knew where it was. Maybe the rent didn't go through on time, and the super was wondering what was going on? But then, the super knew to contact her at the mansion. Maybe some kind of door-to-door salesman? She shook her head as she went to the door. If it really was a salesman she saw through the peek hole on the door, she was going to be very annoyed.

Her jaw nearly dropped when she saw a perfectly dressed, anxious looking, beautiful Sesshoumaru standing right outside her door. For a moment, she was frozen. But then she heard him calling her. "Kagome, I know that you are right behind the door. Please let me in."

Kagome scowled. He knew he wasn't supposed to come here, not to her special place! What did he think he was doing? But before she could do anything, he started talking again. "Kagome, please."

His voice was so soft, and so devastatingly sad, that Kagome didn't have it in her to deny him. Slowly, she reached for the chain and pulled it open, then reached down to unlock the door. After taking a deep breath, she took a step back and opened the door. Sesshoumaru's shoulders lost the tenseness she hadn't noticed before, and his eyes were searching as she stood in the doorway. For a full minute, Kagome stood blocking the doorway, carefully assessing Sesshoumaru's appearance. There were small circles under his eyes, and his hair was slightly out of place, though only she would have noticed. His posture looked forcibly relaxed, and there were worry lines etched on his forehead. His hand was twitching slightly, proof that his instincts were hounding him to do something after seeing his mate for the first time in a week. To clinch the entire look together, his lips were thin and tight, a clear indication that he wasn't eating well.

Finally, Kagome took a step back from the doorway. "Come inside." She ordered. "You look hungry."

Sesshoumaru moved forward, but it wasn't to come inside. Instead he went straight to Kagome, wrapping himself around her tightly and burying his nose into her neck. Kagome's eyes softened, and she returned the embrace, reveling in the strong feel of her mate and husband. He wasn't the only one who hated to be away. But seeing as how they both preferred to keep private matters private, she gently extricated herself from the position. "Really, Sesshoumaru, you should come inside and eat. I can tell you haven't been."

Sesshoumaru smiled and nodded, but he grabbed onto Kagome's hand, needing the physical contact. "As you wish, Kagome."

Kagome felt herself falling, but as always with the well, the comforting blue glow negated any fears she might have. Soon the sensation of falling changed to one of floating, and then the blue glow faded until she found herself standing at the bottom of Bone Eater's Well. She looked up to the top and sighed. Would it kill someone to actually put a ladder on this thing for her? It would certainly. . . WHAT IN KAMIS NAME IS THAT!

The last was in response to the black shape that had appeared at the top of the well and was currently plummeting towards her. With a shrill scream, Kagome flung herself to the side, the falling thing missing her by inches. She almost breathed a sigh of relief, until the thing started to grow. It took Kagome only a second to realize that it wasn't growing, but standing up, and a darkened figure was most definitely coming towards her. With another shriek, Kagome felt her powers rising to the surface in response to her fear. With a hopeful prayer to Amaterasu, Kagome thrust her hands out and pushed. To her absolute amazement, the gesture worked as she had hoped. A shot of power, looking a lot like a bolt of lightning, shot from her hands. Unfortunately for her, the thing that was approaching her had the instincts of a beast and the reactions to match it. The movement was almost like –

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked hopefully.

The figure stepped into the light, and Kagome breathed a sigh of relief as Sesshoumaru's silver hair glinted in the sunlight. The look on his face, however, was one of anger. "How dare you attack me, miko!"

Kagome bit her lip, guilt filing her. "I'm sorry." She said, hoping her sincerity would reach him. "I'm so sorry. I didn't have any idea it was you, and I panicked! I mean, how was I supposed to react when you dropped out of nowhere?"

Sesshoumaru paused, seeming to think about her words. Then he slowly nodded. "This Sesshoumaru shall release you of blame." Kagome bit back a retort to that, but she really didn't feel like fighting. This resolution was severely tested when Sesshoumaru made his next comment. "You did not receive this Sesshoumaru's permission to leave."

Kagome took a deep breath, reminding herself that she didn't want to fight with him. "I didn't know I needed permission." Kagome answered honestly. "I figured if you really wanted to know where I was, you could follow my scent to the well."

Sesshoumaru stared at her for a moment, then grabbed her around the waist. Before she could do more than squeak in surprise, Sesshoumaru had leaped, taking them both from the well and landing outside of it. Kagome smiled in gratitude as Sesshoumaru disengaged from her. He stared at her for a moment longer before turning and walking away. Kagome quickly ran after him, falling into step once she'd reached him. "How's everything been since I was gone?" Kagome asked. "No incidents?"

"Everything has been as usual." Sesshoumaru answered levelly.

The way he said it made Kagome suspicious. She looked at him, and caught the slightly smug air around him, and her suspicion grew. "You fought with InuYasha, didn't you?" Sesshoumaru didn't seem to react at all, and Kagome groaned. "And you two were being so good! At least tell me there wasn't any physical. . . well, anything that wasn't easily healed." Sesshoumaru remained silent, and Kagome groaned again. "Kami, he's going to be moaning and groaning and just an all around whiny brat!" She looked sideways at Sesshoumaru. "Unless, of course, you happened to knock him out when you beat up?"

The hopeful note in her voice seemed to break through to him. "The mongrel is wake, and has been tended to."

Kagome sighed and rubbed her temples. Shaking her head, she changed the topic before she went into full lecture mode. "So, how have Rin and Shippou been?"

Sesshoumaru tensed slightly, but this time Kagome was watching for it and noticed it immediately. Ao's words came back to her, and she mentally thought of ways to reassure the daiyoukai. "You know, not for nothing, but I really think that Rin is lucky to have you." This got a surprised look from Sesshoumaru. And by surprised, Kagome meant that a slight furrow appeared on his forehead, his eyes narrowed slightly, his left eye brow rose half a millimeter, and his head turned infinitesimally towards her. Kagome mentally cheered at her success at reading the almost expressionless inuyoukai. "I mean it, really. She's lucky." The surprise turned to disbelief, the only facial changes being the slight downward turn of his eyebrows. Kagome sighed. "Look, you might have noticed when you came with me to my time that I don't have a father. Well, that's not entirely accurate. I do have one. He's just no longer living anymore."

Sesshoumaru nodded to her. "I am sorry for your loss."

Kagome shrugged. "To be honest, I barely even remember him. He died when I was really little, so even the few memories I have of him are fuzzy." She shook her head. "But we're getting away from the point. I mean it when I say that Rin is lucky to have you. Not many girls have someone in their lives that would risk anything to keep them safe and happy. Rin has that with you, and she knows it. And I'd imagine that for someone who lost their parents at such a young age, the security that comes with a guardian like you would feel like heaven. I can understand why she would fight to stay with you."

Kagome left it at that, not entirely sure if her words affected the daiyoukai's thoughts any. But if she kept going, it would probably dissolve into a rant. So she remained silent as they continued to walk. A few moments later, they exited the forest just behind Kaede's hut. Kagome smiled when she saw Rin and Shippou jumping every which way under the watchful eye of Sango. Her adopted sister looked up and grinned at Kagome. Kagome smiled back and waved just as Shippou realized she was back.

"Kagome!"

Said miko laughed and placed her bag down just in time to be tackled by the excited fox kit. She hugged him tightly. "I'm guessing you missed me too, Shippou." She said with a smile. "Want to fill me in on what happened while I was gone?"

As Shippou ranted on about what had gone on for the past few days, Kagome picked up her bag again and headed towards Kaede's hut. Sango immediately rushed up to take the bag, and Kagome smiled in thanks. They made it inside without much incidence, and in a few moments everyone was seated around Kaede's fire. Kagome released Shippou, and he immediately went over to sit by Rin, who had convinced Sesshoumaru to come inside the hut with her. With a small smile, Kagome went for her yellow bag and began sorting.

"Alright, we have soda for Miroku, chips for InuYasha, lollipops for Shippou, new tea for Kaede, and chocolate for Sango." Each gift was accompanied with a grin and the tossing of the specified item to its new owner. Then Kagome pulled out two more items. "Let's not forget one set of crayons for Rin."

Rin looked up, shock evident on her face. Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome, one eyebrow raised. Kagome held out the large box of crayons, laughing slightly at the young girl's hesitancy. She stood from where she sat in front of the fire and walked over to Rin. She knelt down in front of the younger girl and placed the crayons in her lap. "So that when you go back home, you won't forget us." Kagome told her, gently patting her shoulder. "And I'm sure that Sesshoumaru would love to have your pictures hanging all around his home."

Slowly, Rin grinned at Kagome. "Thank you, Lady Kagome." She whispered.

Kagome smiled back. "Anytime."

Rin was scowling as she entered her father's mansion. Luckily for everyone in the complex, it was her mate, Shippou, who found her first. With all the cunning of a kitsune, he snuck behind her and enveloped her in a hug. "Good afternoon."

Rin felt herself easing into her mate's arms and smiled. "You sound like Father." She teased.

Shippou shivered. "Kami, don't say that around him. He'd probably gut me."

Rin laughed and tried to pull out of Shippou's arms. She found herself kept in place by his iron grip, and she turned to him with a serious expression. "My mother came home today." He warned, putting the slightest bit of pressure on Rin's arms. "She and Sesshoumaru-sama have been secluded in their rooms since he brought her home."

Rin's good humor dropped, though she knew better than to say anything in front of her mate. The vendetta she had against his mother often upset him, understandably so. "Is that right?" She inquired innocently. "Then perhaps I should go and greet her."

Shippou's arms didn't loosen. "I know you hate her, Rin." Shippou said, resigned sorrow in his voice. "But Sesshoumaru-sama makes her happy, and she is the only one who makes Sesshoumaru-sama happy. You could consider that in your plans."

Rin tensed and pushed herself away from her mate. "The lying bitch does not deserve my father!" Rin spat. "She is a manipulative whore that leads him around by his-"

"Rin!"

Rin froze as the voice permeated the air. Slowly, she turned to see Sesshoumaru and Kagome entering the entrance hall. Rin could tell from the way Sesshoumaru's eyes were beginning to bleed that his beast was not far from the surface. Only Kagome's tight hold around his waist from the instinctive circle of Sesshoumaru's arm stopped him from transforming.

Rin swallowed and took a step towards her mate, who carefully watched Sesshoumaru. "Father?" She whispered.

Sesshoumaru answered with a snarl, and took a threatening step forward. Shippou growled in response, pulling Rin behind him as he settled into a protective crouch. Kagome squeezed him tighter, reminding him of her presence. "Sesshoumaru, please." She called to him, reaching up to stroke her cheek. When he still remained tensed for attack, Kagome appealed to his more instinctive nature. "Rin is your daughter. Your daughter is pack. A true alpha would never harm his pack." Using a centuries old trick, she stood on her tip toes and nuzzled under his chin. "Please."

Slowly, the red bled from Sesshoumaru's eyes, and he relaxed slightly. Shippou similarly straightened, but still kept Rin behind him. A few moments later, Sesshoumaru loosened his hold on Kagome. "It is time we had a talk that is five centuries overdue." He announced, his eyes piercing Rin. He turned and walked away, dragging Kagome along with him.

Shippou and Rin followed after them, and the four ended up in Sesshoumaru's study. Sesshoumaru pointed to the two seats in front of his desk, and the younger mates sat as the older ones took their seats behind Sesshoumaru's desk. Kagome sat contentedly in Sesshoumaru's lap, not only because he was more comfortable than any chair and his instincts demanded he keep Kagome close, but also as a deterrent to any fights that might occur.

"We will settle this now, Rin." Sesshoumaru ordered.

"I don't see that there is anything to settle, Father." Rin answered, Shippou's grip on her hand the only thing keeping her from bolting. "Kagome and I will never get along."

"We did, once." Kagome whispered softly.

Rin's eyes flashed. "Five hundred years ago. As I recall, that was also when that peace ended."

Shippou squeezed Rin's hand gently, a reminder of the thin ice they both stood on. Sesshoumaru growled quietly. "My mate has done nothing but apologize since that incident. She has never once broken your trust since then, and has done everything in her power to ensure that you would stay safe and happy."

"And that is supposed to erase what she's done?" Rin shouted. "Five thousand years couldn't undo what she's done, or even begin to make up for it!"

Sesshoumaru started to rise, but Kagome hampered his movements. One glare from her stopped him from moving. She stood and walked around the desk, ignoring Sesshoumaru's growls. She stopped in front of Rin, and waited until the younger woman stood.

"You hate me." Kagome said simply. "I know that. I understand it. I don't expect it to change." She pointed behind her to Sesshoumaru. "But the man you claim as father loves me, and has for five hundred years. For some strange reason that even I can't comprehend, he happens to like being around me. Don't you think that after all he's done for you, you could help him have his happiness?"

"What do you think I'm doing?" Rin snapped. "Getting rid of you is the only way for anyone to be truly happy!"

"No, that is how you feel." Kagome answered, her voice still calm and monotone. "But the reality is that the only thing that brings him grief is the contention between his mate and his daughter."

Rin glared. "Don't you think I've thought of that? But it is a moot point, because I will never accept you."

"I don't expect you to." Kagome said. "All I'm asking is that for the sake of my mate, your father, and my son, your mate, that when we are in the same room we can act. . . civilly."

The mention of Shippou brought her up short, and Kagome bit back the more acerbic comments that came to mind. For all her faults, Rin really did love Shippou. Finally, Rin sighed. "You will never be my mother."

"I know."

"You will never be my friend."

"I know."

"You will never be my family."

"I know."

Rin stared at Kagome a moment longer, then slowly nodded. "I'm tired." She announced. "Tomorrow we can have breakfast as a family."

Kagome smiled and nodded. "I'd like that."

Sesshoumaru looked like he was about to say something, but Kagome shook her head. Reluctantly, Sesshoumaru watched Rin and Shippou leave, after Shippou gave Kagome a quick hug. "She still does not believe you are worthy of this Sesshoumaru." He commented lightly.

Kagome laughed and came around to kiss her mate. "If I actually cared what she believed about us, we wouldn't be mated."

Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome closer, deepening the kiss with familiar ease. True, the truce was fragile, and the farthest from ideal he could imagine. But they would be civil to one another. And he supposed that was a start.

Author's Rant

Obsessive_Goddess: Well, after reading this story, I'd have to say you haven't done too bad of a job here, HW.

Horse Wolves: [glare] Not like I had much of a choice. How could you abandon me like that? Don't you love me?

Obsessive_Goddess: It's not my fault, I swear! My consultant sent me a Lord of the Rings fic, and well. . . I got distracted.

Horse Wolves: And that's not your fault, how?

Obsessive_Goddess: I'm sorry!

Sesshoumaru: You know, we don't mind.

Kagome: Yeah. Why don't you go on another adventure again?

InuYasha: Send us a post card!

Horse Wolves: . . . I think they want us to go.

Obsessive_Goddess: Well, there's only one thing to do.

Horse Wolves: Finish the story.

Obsessive_Goddess: You read my mind.

End of Author's Rant