~*~

It seemed like we stared at each other for minutes without speaking, but it must have been only seconds. I cleared my throat.

"I don't… What are you doing here? How did you even know I was here?!"

Sesshomaru grunted, leaned down and picked me up, gently setting me back down on my feet.

My toes throbbed from the pressure and I winced.

"I think I broke a toe or something."

"Be still, Rin."

Bending to one knee, Sesshomaru gently lifted the injured foot, slowly caressing each toe before placing my foot back to the ground.

"They're bruised, nothing more."

"Thanks Doc."

"We must speak, Rin."

I sighed wearily. " No, I've already heard everything you REALLY meant to say. I'm coming to terms with it. I was foolish and naïve. Please leave, Lord Sesshomaru."

Turning my back on him, I made a hasty attempt toward the kitchen, hoping he would just leave me and my tortured heart alone. Seeing him standing in my safe haven, in all of his power and masculinity, it made my heart ache and burn. I wanted to weep. Didn't he even care that he was hurting me further?

Something soft and luxurious reached out and wrapped itself around my arm. I stopped.

Without even looking down I knew what it was that halted my retreat. His mokomoko. He knew how much I loved that. The touch, the feel of it was tantalizing. Why was he doing this to me?

"Sesshomaru. Please."

I wasn't sure what I was pleading for. Understanding? Solitude? Did it really even matter? Probably not.

Just then, strong arms enveloped my waist, pulling me into Sesshomaru's warm embrace. Hot tears burned my eyes, threatening to track messily down my cheeks. I turned, wrapped my arms around his neck, gently weaving my hands into his long beautiful hair and burying my face in the column of his neck.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I whispered into his sweater. I clung to him, all shred of dignity lost. If this was the last time I held him in my arms, I was going to make the absolute most out of it.

"You know why, Rin." Sesshomaru breathed into my ear. Arms tightening slightly, Sesshomaru continued. "I'm afraid you heard a misleading conversation between my mother and myself. It was nothing more than her teasing me over being in love, and I trying tirelessly to seem unaffected by the sway you've always held over me. I am truly sorry you were caused such unnecessary anguish over something that was merely misconstrued."

"You seemed rather certain on the phone that I was nothing more than a ploy to make you look better."

"Originally you were, and you knew that." He pulled me slightly away, a clawed hand gently moving some of the hair from my face. "If I hadn't had such strong feelings growing inside me for you, I never would have let you near my mokomoko. Nor would I have told you I loved you if I had not. You are everything. Never in these centuries of living has anything affected me as you do. In a few short months you have truly given me everything, and I want only to give you everything. A home, love, loyalty. All the hanyou babies I can wrap my arms around. I love you."

"You… You want children with me? Knowing they're going to be half demons? But what if you don't love them because they're part human?" I practically gasped out. Was this really happening? Sesshomaru truly wanted me?

"I will love them because they are part human. Any child that you bore will always be my greatest achievement because you will be their mother."

Leaning down slowly, Sesshomaru's lips slowly brushed against mine.

"Sesshomaru?" I asked when we finally came up to breathe a short while later.

"Yes?"

"Since I've graciously decided to stay engaged with you," his eyebrows rose, "does this mean I've got to go into work today?"

"Well, since I abandoned my company early this morning without a word of notice, I think perhaps we could just spend the day together. Work can wait."

This time my eyebrows shot up.

"You, intentionally blow off work for an ENTIRE day? Will wonders never cease?"

"I thought you might enjoy a full day of house hunting."

I laughed softly.

"Sesshomaru! Surely you of all people would know that it takes more than just one day to find the house of your dreams. Sheesh!" Jokingly, I gently shoved at his shoulder. "Thank God you're marrying me. I can just see you now, taking the first house you find because the task would be 'too daunting and pointless'." I smirked when all I received in return was a friendly glare.

"As a matter of fact, Rin, I've already diligently been searching for houses throughout the area for us. I was hoping to show you the one I had hoped you would love today, but you were MIA this morning when you should have been seated next to me in the SUV. I didn't think a whole weekend at Sango's would have been this necessary. But I suppose I was mistaken."

My jaw dropped. "Wait, did you know I was here the entire time I was gone?" He couldn't have possibly!

"Of course I did. Kagome refused to tell me at first when I stopped by shortly after you abandoned my penthouse, but I threatened to take Inuyasha's inheritance away unless she gave me the information I required. I wouldn't have really, since it's set up from our father's account. She also informed me that I should leave you alone if I valued my life. So I did, until I realized you had no intention of coming to work this morning."

"You are so unbelievable, Sesshomaru!"

"Do you doubt what I've said?"

"No, I just keep thinking you'll have a shred of decency, but I forget who I'm engaged to." I sighed.

Suddenly he was gripping my shoulders, pressing me gently into the couch. "Rin. You aren't possibly thinking of calling this engagement off?" Unbelievably, desperation seemed to shine through his eyes and straight into his soul. Call it off? Was he kidding?

"Of course not, Sesshomaru!" He breathed out a sigh of relief. "I would never leave you. I know who you are, and how you are. I love all of you, and I wouldn't change that for anything."

Sesshomaru stood up.

"Come, Rin. Let's find our new home."

Standing up, I entwined my fingers with his.

"I love you, Sesshomaru."

He slightly smiled down at me.

"Also, I hope you plan on paying Sango for a new door."

The mighty dog demon snorted politely, and with that, we were off to go house hunting.