Horray for updates ^^ Working on other stories I promise, but I've got midterms and such too in a week so... hopefully!

Enjoy ^^

When Sesshomaru first started living with Rin and Akihiko, there was an air of unease for the first few days, understandable as she was still as touch bitter of the entire situation. After some time, she found it easier to let him in, bringing them closer to what they were before. Now, after his mother's visit, the atmosphere had returned to making them both uncomfortable, despite their almost kiss the night previously.

Rin was sitting over her untouched cup of tea, clearly torn from having her son crumble after what his grandmother had said, when Sesshomaru descended the stairs. He felt responsible for what had happened and now he had wished he had something her could say to ease her.

"Morning," the young woman murmured before he could reach the landing, "how'd you sleep?"

"Terribly," Sesshomaru admitted, "yourself?"

"Just as bad," Rin nodded, "kept thinking about Akihiko."

"As did I," the demon sighed softly, pouring a cup of tea from the pot, "where is he?"

"Still sleeping," she told him, "guess he had a rough night too," her fingers rubbed her eyes as her lips released a groan, "it's going to be hell on his sleep cycle."

"I suppose," Sesshomaru sighed as he took a seat next to her in front of the coffee table, "are you alright?"

"I should have honestly seen it coming," Rin admitted, "so… I'm fine, for the most part."

Any comfort or retort the demon was about to give was a mystery to Rin as the door to Akihiko's room opened quietly, the little boy rubbing his tired eyes as he yawned widely.

"Good morning sleepyhead," his mother smiled sweetly to him, "how'd you sleep?"

"M'kay…" the boy mumbled, his eyes peeking towards his parents on the couch, "morning daddy…"

"Good morning Akihiko," Sesshomaru murmured softly, letting his son climb to sit next to him.

"Want some cereal for breakfast Akihiko?" his mother asked as she stood, her feet moving towards the kitchen with her tea still in hand.

"Yes please," he nodded politely as he followed his mother for her breakfast after only just have gotten on the couch.

Sesshomaru smiled softly at the sight of the two walking slowly towards the kitchen, the usually chatty boy silent as his mother tried to make him smile.

Joining them, the demon watched as Akihiko chewed his food slowly, the boy still lost in the words his mother had told him.

"Hey, Akihiko… wanna try a puzzle later?"

The demon was impressed with the young woman's ability to instantaneously change her son's mood, the boy going from dour to excitement at the mention of the activity. Though, thinking back, she had that ability with him too.

Akihiko's favourite puzzle was, as Sesshomaru found out, a painting of space, different stars and nebulas gathered to form a beautiful picture. The house was silent as all three of them started work on the puzzle, both Sesshomaru and Rin careful to let Akihiko do most of the work.

"Feeling better?" Rin asked her son after a while, her hand running through the back of his hair as he fitted in yet another piece.

"Uh-huh," the boy nodded as he picked up the next puzzle piece, "yeah…"

Sesshomaru watched the boy pluck one piece after the other and fit it in the puzzle, his mood, while seemingly lightened, was still slightly disheartened.

"Rin," the demon started suddenly, "why don't we meet with my father and brother this afternoon?"

"You mean uncle Yasha and grandpa?"

"Of course," Sesshomaru smiled softly to his son, the young woman feeling her heart leap at his warmth, "that is, if your mother wants to as well."

Rin bit her lip, knowing that the demon was only trying to perk up her son, not to mention the need to finally put the issue she had been avoiding to rest.

"Why not," the young mother murmured, "you want to see them, don't you?"

"Yeah!" Akihiko nodded eagerly, "sounds fun!"

"Hopefully," Rin nodded, her eyes flickering to Sesshomaru's, "hopefully."

"So, wait," the young woman started as she stepped into the car, "Akihiko hasn't met Izayoi?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Sesshomaru murmured, "have you, Akihiko?"

"Who's Izayoi?"

"That answer's that question," Rin shrugged as her seatbelt slipped over her torso, finding the image of a car seat in the back of an expensive car oddly amusing.

"I guess you'll find out today," the demon told his son as he pulled the car from the driveway.

Rin hated to admit, but she was a touch nervous about meeting Kagome once more, worried that this encounter might result in another outburst. Her eyes flickered to the demon, his calm demeanour reaching out to her, soothing her anxiety.

She felt her head hang; after she had Akihiko, she promised herself that she would become someone that didn't need another's support, though she broke it more than once after a few sleepless and stressful nights.

"Rin…"

A hand covered hers, his fingers slipping between hers and squeezing, the comfort in his touch making her heart beat just a moment faster. Glancing up to him, the amber met chocolate, the car having stopped at the red light.

"I'm alright," the young woman found herself smiling softly to him, "really."

"Mommy?"

"I'm okay," she reiterated, her head turning to look at her son, "okay?"

"But-"

"What did I tell you," Rin reached to touch his nose, "mommy's job is to worry about you, not the other way around."

"Kay," the boy giggled, Akihiko turning to his father, finding some thought to chat about with his elders for the rest of the car ride, Rin only half-listening as she came to a decision that it might not be such a terrible thing to trust others in her life once more.

Her decision was to be tested as she alighted from the vehicle, her son's hand in hers as they followed the demon to the front door.

The three were welcomed with open arms by Izayoi and InuTaisho and, though they seemed apologetic towards Rin, Izayoi was glancing eagerly towards the little boy who hid behind his mother's legs in shyness.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am about this," Izayoi whispered to Rin, her arms around the younger woman, "really…"

"We're working on it," the young woman murmured, pulling back to stay at arm's length.

"Let me know if there's anything I can do," the elder told her, her eyes relaying her sorrow.

"I will," Rin's body stepped back to put her hand on the back of the eared head, "but, Izayoi, this is Akihiko."

"Well hello there," Izayoi's face morphed from saddened to delighted at the sight of the boy, "I've heard a lot about you Akihiko."

"Hello," the boy mumbled, his face still to his mother's leg though he peeked out up at the elder.

"You don't know who I am, do you?" the elder inferred, laughing softly as he slowly shook his head. "That's okay. I'm Izayoi; I'm InuYasha's mother and your dad's step-mother. Do you understand what that means?"

"It means… that… you married grandpa after daddy was born?" Akihiko asked, his finger to his lips, his ears perked up in curiosity.

"That's right," Izayoi nodded happily, "your grandpa was right, you're a very very smart boy," her head tilted slightly, watching his face contort in confusion, "what is it?"

"So… I'm related to Uncle Yasha… but not you?" the boy mumbled, his mother reaching down to push his finger away from his lips.

"Not by blood no," the elder woman told him with a small sad smile, "but I'd still like to get to know you."

Nodding in response, Akihiko followed his mother and Izayoi towards the kitchen, Sesshomaru left with his father in the front hall.

"I'm glad the two of you are working things out," InuTaisho murmured, "Akihiko looks a lot happier."

"I think he is," Sesshomaru nodded, noting his father's questioning eyes.

"And Rin?"

"She's… she's starting to trust me once again," the demon confessed, "I hope."

"As do I," his father moved towards the kitchen, "care for something to drink?"

"Water will do fine," Sesshomaru murmured as he spied Rin sitting beside her son while Izayoi keenly asked Akihiko about his life.

"How have you been Rin?" InuTaisho asked her, the young woman nodding as she smiled softly.

"Getting better," she admitted, her fingers running through her son's locks, "where are InuYasha and Kagome?"

"They're coming over for a late lunch too," the elder demon seemed apologetic, "I hope that's alright."

"Better to get it over quickly than to suffer in silence," Rin told him, her son's eyes pulling to look up at his grandfather.

Rin found her nature becoming more forgiving as she witnessed how happy Akihiko was talking to his grandfather and Izayoi. Their lunch, consisting of a green and pasta salad to accompany the soup she was making them, was half-ready when Kagome and InuYasha arrived.

At the words 'we're here' Rin felt her muscles tense up, the hand on her shoulder making her relax slightly, Sesshomaru's presence having the same effect it did when they were together.

"H-Hello Rin," Kagome murmured once she had greeted her mother and father-in-law, her body shuffling slightly in discomfort, though it could have had something to do with her slight bump.

"Hello Kagome," Rin nodded, "and hello InuYasha."

"Hey Rin," the half-demon nodded, "and hey Akihiko."

"Hi uncle Yasha!" the boy bounced over happily, "hi Auntie Kagome!"

"Hi Akihiko," Kagome hugged him tightly, "how have you been?"

"Really good!" Akihiko announced, "what about you?"

"I've been well," the young woman told him, "can… can I talk to your mom for a bit?"

"Kay," the boy nodded, his face crossing in curiosity. "Ms. Kagome," Akihiko started innocently, "are you getting fat?"

The entire room seemed to still in silence, Rin feeling humiliated at her son's blatancy, Kagome stunned with her mouth held open and the others staring at the boy in shock.

That is, until InuYasha snorted.

"You JERK!" Kagome screamed, "I KNEW you thought I was fat! You LIED to me!"

"It was just funny!" the elder tried to defend, "it wasn't like the kid meant to be mean!"

"But you AGREE with him!" tears bloomed in the deep blue eyes, "you JERK!"

InuYasha seemed stunned as his wife turned on her heels and moved towards the living room, Rin moving towards her son.

"Akihiko!" Rin chastised, "that was very rude!"

"I was just asking!" the boy defended, "I didn't mean to make her sad! I'm sorry!"

"You need to apologise to Kagome not to me," his mother told him, "now, please!" her brown eyes looked up to InuYasha, "I'm sorry-"

"My fault," the half-demon admitted, "thought what Akihiko said was funny!"

"Come on Akihiko," Rin murmured, "let's go find Kagome."

"I didn't mean too-"

"Then tell her that," the young woman told him as she guided him towards the living room, Kagome sitting on the couch, her chest shuddering as he calmed herself. "Kagome," Rin started, "Akihiko has something to tell you."

The tears in her eyes were wiped away and she seemed as though she hadn't cried at all.

"I-I'm really really really really sorry," Akihiko mumbled, "I didn't mean to be mean!"

"It's alright Akihiko," Kagome turned to smile at him, "you didn't exactly know that I was pregnant, and I wasn't really mad at you. InuYasha was the one that laughed!"

"Are… are you mad at him!?"

"A little," the woman admitted, "mean, he laughed-"

Kagome's face was stunned, prompting Rin to look at the boy in front of her legs, the fat tears pricking his eyes as he appeared to want to cry.

"A-Are you and Uncle Yasha g-gonna-like my-my mommy and d-daddy-"

"Oh! No, no Akihiko!"

He was in his mother's arms in an instant, Rin picking him up and sitting on the other end of the couch, Akihiko in her lap and her lips to his hair.

"Mommies and Daddies fight sometimes," his mother explained quietly, "it doesn't mean they're going to break apart."

"B-But you and daddy-"

"We fought too," Rin murmured, "but we're working together through this, yeah?"

"Y-Yeah…" Akihiko nodded.

"I'm not really all that mad," Kagome interrupted, "you see… I'm pregnant Akihiko, I'm gonna have a baby. So… I'm going to gain weight and I'm going to be emotional sometimes too."

"A baby?" the boy asked, his eyes looking over her.

"Yeah," the young woman smiled, "see, it's growing right now, but it'll keep growing and growing and then one day you'll get to meet him or her."

"Yeah?" the eared head tilted, his eyes turning to look up at his mother, "was I like that?"

"We all were, once upon a time," Rin murmured, "but yes, you were like that."

"Cool…"

"Rin…"

Brown eyes turned from her child to meet Kagome's, her lower lip quivering as she reached to clasp the other's hand.

"I'm so sorry," the pregnant woman announced, "I'm so so sorry! I never meant to do this to you again!"

"Kagome-"

"I-I thought you had told him," Kagome admitted quietly, "and when I found out you didn't, he had already met his father and then things just spiralled out of control and went crazier and crazier and I wanted desperately to tell you but I couldn't and-"

"Kagome, breathe," Rin told her, "I…" she glanced to her son, "yes… I'm still a little mad and distrusting after what you did but… but it's not good for me or Akihiko if I stay mad at you forever."

"Y-Yeah?" the other nodded, "but…" she glanced to her stomach, "I-I might need more help from you-"

"I get it," Rin nodded, her fingers to her temples, "and… since there are no more secrets… I hope…"

"No, no more," Kagome put her hand over her heart, "I swear! And-And when I first came to you I swear I didn't-I didn't want to betray you but things just… things just," she sniffled, "I'm sorry…"

Rin looked over at her friend, knowing her sorrow and guilt was genuine, the pregnant woman looking as though she had returned to the verge of tears.

"Akihiko," amber eyes looked up to his mother, "can you go play with daddy and grandpa? Kagome and I are gonna talk about adult stuff."

Nodding in agreement, the boy hopped off her lap, moving towards the others in the kitchen.

"Kagome," the young woman started, "why… why didn't you get in contact with me?"

Blue eyes stared at the her, the lower lip quivering as she swallowed thickly.

"I… you probably know about the Private eye Sesshomaru hired," Kagome sucked in a deep breath, "and-and I didn't believe it so-so I went to where he told me you were and I saw you and him and you looked happy," tears slipped down her cheeks, "I thought you had moved on… without us…"

"As I told Sesshomaru, that was my cousin," Rin murmured, "apparently, it was a bad time for him to visit."

"O-Oh-"

"But… why didn't you ask me?"

"B-Because…" the pregnant young woman swallowed, "because… what if you really didn't want to see me… I-I didn't think I could handle that…"

"Kagome-"

"Lunch is ready!" Izayoi announced from the kitchen, both young women turning look towards the voice.

"Kagome, look," Rin started, "I get that… that everything's a little messed up but… but-"

"If you never want to talk to me or even see me again, I'd understand-"

"But," the young woman's hands touched her shoulders, "Akihiko wants a family… wants to be happy… I want him to be happy," she swallowed, "and he likes having an Uncle and an Aunt… and I enjoyed having you back in my life, liked having my best friend back…"

"So…"

"So don't screw this up."

"You mean?"

"I mean last chance," Rin murmured, "don't make me regret it."

After assuring her friend that she wouldn't, Kagome moved quickly to the kitchen, the other in tow, both their stomachs rumbling in anticipation for Izayoi's meal. Settled between the elder woman and her son, Rin was impressed that her boy ate everything on his plate with minimal mess, Izayoi more so.

"Oh Rin, he's positively precious," the elder gushed, clearly impressed with the little boy.

"You never said I was precious," InuYasha grumbled, Kagome shooting him death glares, the two clearly haven't reconciled.

"You weren't," his mother informed him curtly, her attention turned back to the boy, "Akihiko, would you like some cake?"

"Yes please!" the eared head nodded eagerly, the elder smiling while Rin stood with her and her son's dishes.

"Oh Rin don't-"

"It's no trouble," the young woman assured her, the dishes slipped to the countertop as Izayoi followed her.

"We haven't talked much," the elder murmured, "how are you?"

"Well, thank you," Rin nodded, "getting better, like I said."

"Well, Akihiko seems like such a sweet boy," Izayoi nodded, "you should be so proud."

"I am," the younger admitted.

"He seems to love Sesshomaru too," she continued, "he looks like he idolizes him."

"Well he would," Rin swallowed, "waited four years to have a dad and then… the perfect one comes into his life."

Dark eyes watched her body movements, her mind collecting her thoughts.

"Do you really think that?"

Chocolate orbs glanced to the elder, her shoulders sagging as she sighed.

"He's Akihiko's father," the young woman explained, "I… I always thought he'd make a good parent…"

Both women remained in silence, the dishes fitted into the sink and the silverware clattering to piles.

"Why don't we take Akihiko for a night?" Izayoi started, seemingly out of nowhere, "and… maybe you two could go out on a date or something?"

Rin tensed at the words, surprised slightly as her throat swallowing thickly.

"I… I don't know," Rin confessed, "not about letting Akihiko staying with you I mean, but-"

"Right… I understand," the elder pressed on, "but… it might be good… for you two to, you know."

"It-It would," the young woman agreed, her eyes glancing up to the demon that joined the two of them in the kitchen, Akihiko following his father's footsteps closely.

"Daddy wouldn't let me help," the boy pouted, Rin giggling quietly.

"Probably didn't want you to break anything," she lowered to his eye level, "Izayoi's getting your cake for you now, why don't you wait at the table?"

"You can carry the spoons," Izayoi told him happily, Akihiko eager to help, leaving his mother and father in the kitchen alone for a moment before he returned.

"Mommy… I wanna ask you something…"

"What is it?"

Akihiko shuffled almost uncomfortably.

"Um… are you… are you gonna get pregnant like Ms. Kagome?"

Both Sesshomaru and Rin seemed slightly stunned at his words, the young woman swallowed thickly.

"I-I don't know," she told her son honestly, "why? Would you like a little brother or sister?" Rin asked softly.

"Brother," the boy informed him smartly, his nose wrinkling slightly, "girls are yucky."

"That's not very nice," Rin told him giggling, her finger pinching his nose, her son's response to giggle as he moved towards the table, stopping only to hug his father's legs. "I take it you overheard us," the young woman turned her attention to Sesshomaru.

"Occupational hazard," he murmured, his body straightened as hers did.

"So?"

Sesshomaru seemed surprised at her question, her chocolate eyes holding no accusatory glare.

"There is an event next Friday night," the demon started, "a ball," he inhaled deeply, "I would be more than honoured if you were to accompany me."

"A ball," Rin started slowly, "like old times…"

"Sort of, yes," his amber eyes searched hers, "so? What say you?"

Rin felt her thoughts run through her head, her heart hammering in her chest. She was ready to have Sesshomaru in her son's life, and perhaps in hers, but she was still a little unsure about being thrust back into the life of high society after all she had been through.

"A-Alright," the young woman whispered, "I'll go with you."

Oo... so? What do you guys think? Reviews Please!