*Ahem* ... AAHHHHHHHHH!

Super stressed out right now thanks to an exam, a debate, a poster presentation, a problem set, and a pre and post lab... all of which I gotta get done by tomorrow... :(

Enough about me, on with the story ^^

Shocked amber eyes stared at the paper for the millionth time in the hour, his long body lounging on his couch as he held the document out in the air, his breathing noticeable and deep as he remembered how to. His arm fell limp beside him with the paper his mind continually spinning as he wrestled with his feelings.

Positive.

The match had come back as positive, that the individuals were indeed father and son. It wasn't as though Sesshomaru had expected differently; Kagome would have most certainly asked Rin and she would never go this far for a prank, even with his brother pulling the strings. It still, however, came to him as one hell of a shock, the news finally sinking in that he had a child, a son, with the woman he loved more than anything, a woman he treated to be fragile yet broke in an instant.

Part of him was simply overwhelmed with utter joy; he and Rin had a son, an intelligent and happy boy, a child clever enough to seek his own father out at the tender age of four and sought everything else with and innocent curiosity. The other part of him, however, was wracked with grief and guilt, grief that he had abandoned his love and his child in the first few months of his budding life. His throat thickened as he thought about everything he missed in his five years from Rin, her pregnancy and the baby's birth, missed being able to hold his baby boy in his arms and coddle him, missed watching him take his first few steps, first words, missed the pudgy little arms reaching for him with a beaming smile.

His chest expanded as he inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself from his thoughts, his arm covering his eyes as he took deep breaths, his amber eyes peeking out back to the piece of paper once more, his fingertips tracing the results from the hospital, his heart full at the thought that the little boy was truly his. The phone ringing startled the demon out of his thoughts, his hands reaching for the black device.

"Sesshomaru speaking."

"Hey Sesshomaru," his half-brother's voice rang through the phone, "how-how are you?"

"I'm well thank you," the demon sighed, "I take it you're calling about the results?"

"Kinda," the younger sounded uncomfortable, "Kagome got word that you got them back… so, what's the verdict?"

"Well," the paper was held to his eyes once more, "you're forgiven."

"Really!?" Sesshomaru could practically hear the younger bounce on the other end of the line, "oh that is great Sesshomaru, that's awesome!"

"I guess," even the demon couldn't conceal his grin, his brother's enthusiasm seeping into him.

"That's going to be the best news that kid's gonna hear!" InuYasha exclaimed, the demon mildly confused before his brother pressed on, "see, Kagome managed to convince Rin for a girl's night so I'm left with taking care of my little nephew."

"Yeah?" Sesshomaru sat up, suddenly interested in his brother's words, "wh-when?"

"This Saturday," the half-demon practically laughed, "come round before seven."

The demon grinned as he bade his brother goodbye and shut off the phone, his head hitting the pillow propped up on the couch's armrest, the smile on his face immoveable as he thought about the coming Saturday.

"Akihiko!" Rin's voice rang out through the house, "Kagome and InuYasha are here!"

The pattering of feet and shutting of his door left a smile on his mother's face at how excited the little boy was about hanging out with his uncle, even though he did not know who InuYasha was to him.

"Are you ready?" the young woman asked to the little boy who came to stand by her legs, his yellow backpack over his shoulders as he looked up at his mother with a radiant smile, his head nodding vigorously.

"Uh-huh!" Akihiko beamed, "I'm all ready!"

"You two have a great time!" Kagome beamed at them as she and her nephew switched places, her knees bending down to hug the little boy, InuYasha smiling down at the child, nodding to Rin before the two of them ducked out, but not before Rin kissed him on his forehead and cheeks, Akihiko hugging his mother tightly. "Now," the young woman clapped her hands once her husband and nephew had taken off for her home, "where do you hide the wine?"

"Away from the pregnant woman," Rin teased, smiling at the thought of a night to herself and a friend with a bowl of popcorn and a collection of chick flicks for the first time in five years. It wasn't as though she didn't lover her son, she would do anything for the boy, but it was a nice change to have time for herself.

"You seem really excited," InuYasha commented as he pulled into his driveway, a smile on his face as the practically bouncing boy looked around with eager interest, the elder half-demon smirking at the thought that the kid might be the reason his suspension would be shot to hell the next morning.

"It's lots of fun to meet another half-demon," the boy grinned as his uncle killed the engine, the elder reaching in to unbuckle his seatbelt, "I don't get to meet a lot."

"That just makes us extra special," the amber eyes winked at him, his fingers to his lips, "but don't tell anyone I said that, they'll get jealous."

The boy giggled as he mimicked InuYasha, his finger to his lips before he was lifted to the paved driveway, his backpack handed to him before he turned and took to the front door, InuYasha following him with the car locking behind him.

"Oh! I forgot to mention," InuYasha announced as they slipped inside, "there's someone else here to meet you."

Confused amber eyes turned from his uncle to look at the approaching footsteps, his face in slight shock as Sesshomaru stepped around from the kitchen, a soft smile on his lips as he greeted the other two.

"Hello again Akihiko," the demon murmured, "it's nice to see you again."

"Um… yeah," the boy mumbled, looking from Sesshomaru to InuYasha, the other half-demon grinning at him, "wh-what's going on…"

"Do you remember when I swabbed your cheek for that test?" Sesshomaru asked gently, Akihiko's attention now turned to him with a timid nod, long fingers gently reaching to pull out the piece of paper that he received three days ago, "well, the results came back recently."

"A-And… what did it say?" the boy asked nervously, his hands wringing the yellow straps of his backpack.

Sesshomaru's smile seemed to soften even more, resembling his ease with Rin.

"It said that yes, you are my son."

The nervousness dissipated from the little boy almost instantaneously, his grin beaming as he practically pelted towards Sesshomaru, his outstretched arms hugging the demon's legs. Surprised, the demon felt his own smile falter for a moment before it fell easily back into place, his hand gently placed on the child's crown of white hair.

"Really?" the boy practically giggled, small tears of joy blooming in his eyes, "really?"

"Really," Sesshomaru told him softly, "I'm sorry if I worried or made you doubt yourself."

"S'okay," Akihiko bleated a small laugh, "I have a daddy," he giggled, "I have a daddy."

"So," InuYasha interrupted the two of them, "anyone want something to drink? We have nothing but healthy juice since Kagome found out she's pregnant."

"How's that sound?" the demon father murmured to his son, the joyful amber eyes looking up at him with tears in their corners.

"Can I still ask you stuff?"

Sesshomaru smiled for the first time in what felt like an eternity, his eyes a melted honey-coloured that only Rin had ever seen.

"All night if you want," the demon murmured softly as he and his son took to the kitchen, his boy holding onto his pant leg, the other fist wiping away his tears of utter joy.

"Um…" the boy mumbled, looking bashful for a moment as he stopped walking, a thought striking him, "what-what can I call you?"

"What do you mean?" Sesshomaru asked as he looked down at his son.

"I mean… you call your dad 'father' so… is that what you want me to call you?"

"I call my dad father because… it suits me," the demon explained softly, a smile on his lips, "but… I'm fine with you calling me daddy."

"R-Really?" Akihiko suddenly brightened up, "you-you want me to call you… daddy?"

"Only if you want to," Sesshomaru smiled wider at the now beaming boy.

"Okay then," his bright amber eyes looked up at his father, "thank you… daddy."

The demon felt his heart lighten at the name and the blush on his son's cheeks, the beaming grin still on the boy's face as he prepared for a night with him and his son doing nothing but talking about their lives, something he was looking incredibly forward too.

Laughter bubbled from the couch as the two women sat around a bowl of popcorn and held glasses of soda, Rin refusing to drink while Kagome didn't claiming it unfair for her old friend.

"So, how come you don't do this with Sango or Ayame?" Rin asked as she slipped a few pieces of popcorn into her mouth, Kagome swallowing her drink.

"I do," Kagome confessed, "but… it's hard sometimes… neither one of them have had a kids so they don't know what I'm going through and you and I," she paused, swallowing thickly before she continued, "we just… we had a sort of special connection because of… those two."

"Yeah," the other young mother smiled softly, "I guess…"

"Oh Rin!" brown eyes went wide as Kagome all but launched herself into Rin's form, her arms around the slim young woman, tears slipping down her cheeks, "Rin, I'm so so so sorry for what I've done."

"Kagome-"

"Please, if-if it's the last thing I do on this earth I'll earn your forgiveness," Kagome cried, the hands touching her shoulders startling her for a moment, tearful blue eyes looking up at the brown ones, her own on the verge of crying.

"Hormones are a bitch, aren't they?" Rin asked softly, a small laugh slipping from her lips, Kagome's mimicking hers, the pregnant woman sitting up slowly.

"A bit, yes," she conceded, sniffling slightly.

"It's all a roller coaster from here," Rin told her smiling softly, "and… it's been a bit of a rocky start I'll admit that, but we're working on this… piece by piece."

"Y-Yeah?"

"Yeah," the young woman nodded as she slowly stood from her seat on the couch, "now… can I clean up this popcorn?"

Blue eyes went wide at the realization that, in her moment of hormonal crying bout, she had unintentionally knocked over their bowl of popcorn.

"Oh, Jeez! Rin I am so-"

"Don't worry about it," Rin smiled as her hand brushed the white remnants into the metal bowl, her friend helping her.

"On the plus side, at least morning sickness is done and over with."

The snort of disbelief from Rin was enough to make Kagome look up at her with worried eyes.

"Don't tell me-"

"My doctor warned me that some women get sick in the late stages of pregnancy," Rin told her as the white flakes were dusted into the container, "and though I didn't, getting any form of flu or cold is a living nightmare since you can't have any medicine."

"Really?" Kagome groaned as her friend giggled.

"Lots of tea with honey, chicken noodle soup, and plenty of rest," the young mother informed her as she stood to dispose of the spoiled food.

"Guess InuYasha's gonna be my little man servant for a while-" Kagome stopped herself mid-sentence as she noticed her friend stiffening at the words, "and I'm an insensitive idiot for saying that."

"It's okay," Rin told her softly, "really, it's fine."

"A-Are you sure?" the young woman pressed, "are you sure you're fine… with everything that happened-"

"Can we go back to you groveling for forgiveness?" her friend asked, "it's a much easier topic to deal with."

"Since when did you take the easy route?"

"Since talking about Sesshomaru hurts," Rin murmured softly as she gathered their glasses and slipped them into the sink, "I'm still enormously bitter about it."

"As expected," Kagome pressed, her heart hammering as she nervously pressed on, "but… your feelings for Sesshomaru… they can't be all hate and sorrow."

Rin felt her throat tighten as she struggled to find the words, knowing the truth was something she herself had trouble understanding.

"I… I," she swallowed thickly, "even after what he's done, a part of me still loves him… I mean, he was my life for two years before he chose to leave me and he gave me Akihiko. If nothing else that boy deserves a father more than anyone."

"But…"

"But after what his father did, Sesshomaru doesn't deserve to have my son as his child."

"But it is his child-"

"Only by blood," Rin told her friend firmly, "since we weren't married, I don't see how that entitles him to my son."

Kagome nodded solemnly as she willed herself not to flinch at the hidden anger in her friend's voice; anger, and a hint of sorrow.

"I have no explanations or half-decent reason why he left you," Kagome whispered softly, "but… I think, I know, that he still loves you… and he would love his child as he does you… you know that."

"What if history repeats itself?" Rin asked quietly, "what if he leaves me and my son for a second time? This time when Akihiko can remember him? It'll only destroy my child… I can't bear to see him struggle with a word, let alone the damage it'll do to him knowing that his father, the man he admires without even knowing him, didn't want him."

Kagome remained quiet as she stood against the doorframe, her heart racked with guilt as Rin's words ran through her mind. She could understand her friend's worries and concerns, but Rin hadn't seen her child with his father, hadn't seen how Sesshomaru softened almost instantaneously at the sight of his little boy.

"What if he didn't?"

A knock on the wooden door interrupted Rin from replying, the two sets of eyes turning to look towards the front door before Rin answered it, a smiling InuYasha greeting her with her small son in his arms, the eared head resting on the half-demon's shoulder.

"How about an exchange?" InuYasha grinned, "one four-year-old half demon for a pregnant woman."

"Sounds good to me," Rin smiled as she took her little boy in her arms, the yellow backpack taken in her hands as Kagome slipped on her coat, the buttons fastened before the young woman stepped up to her old friend.

"Thanks for tonight," Kagome smiled as she awkwardly hugged Rin, the little boy adjusting so the action could be returned.

"Let's do it again sometime," the young mother said honestly, as the couple slipped outside the door, waves exchanged before the white door shut softly behind them.

"Mommy?"

"Hello sweetie," Rin smiled kindly, "did I wake you up?"

"Wasn't really asleep," the boy mumbled as he was transported to his bedroom for his pyjamas and bed.

"Well, then you should get to bed," his mother told him softly as he was lain on his bed, the soft cotton pyjamas were taken out for his bedtime, "did you enjoy tonight?"

"Uh-huh," Akihiko yawned, "I had a really good time."

"Yeah?" Rin pressed as the shirt was replaced with the cotton top, "what did you talk about?"

"Lots of stuff," the boy said ambiguously, worry in his mother's heart that InuYasha might have mentioned his father.

"Well, I'm glad you had fun," his mother murmured as she kissed his forehead, "do you want to see them again?"

"Yes please," Akihiko smiled up at her, "but can we do something tomorrow?"

"We haven't done anything in a while, have we?" Rin asked as the little boy was tucked in, "so how about tomorrow we go to the park, just you and me?"

"Can I play on the jungle gym?"

"For as long as you want," the young woman smiled before she turned to the laundry hamper, the clothes slipped in as she turned back to her son, a soft smile playing on her lips as she saw his amber eyes shut, his breaths steady and even with his rising chest.

"Goodnight goofball," Rin teased as she kissed his forehead gently, her boy groaning for a minute before a small smile appeared on his lips, his hair lightly stroked before his mother silently left him to his dreams, her own filled with the same silver haired demon that had slipped into Akihiko's, each of them seeing the little boy held by the strong arms while his mother stood close to the two of them, her heart full for the first time in forever.

So I might not get much updated in April from the exam season (woo) so I'm sorry about that... also, I have a lack of creativity right now (I'm sorry :() so we'll see what happens

Reviews if you would be so kind my lovely readers ^^