The next day, as Rin arrived at work, she received stares from everybody. She looked around nervously, trying to decipher why…Then she saw it. On her desk was an enormous basket of flowers. Roses, daisies, and sunflowers filled it until the mass of flowers was as tall as her. A low whistle sounded behind her.

"He's back, isn't he?"

She turned around to see her best friend, Kagome, leaning against the wall. She was the only person who knew the truth about Yuki. This was a secret she would keep to her grave. Smiling, she plucked a daisy from the pile and placed it behind her ear.

"Yeah. Yuki ran into him at the park yesterday!"

"Does he know?"

"Mhm, he made that fact quite apparent. And you know what's worse?"

"What?"

"The looney asked me to marry him."

Kagome nearly dropped her coffee in shock.

"Mr. I-don't-do-commitments?"

"Yup."

Her friend laughed extremely hard and her phone rang. It was the preschool. Immediately her heart sank. Yuki never got in trouble, he was a good boy. A call usually meant something serious.

"Hello?"

"Miss Honju," The preschool teacher, Kaede, said passively, "A man claiming to be Yuki's father is here demanding we release your child to him. We told him no, but he is very persistent."

"Oh dear god. I'll be right there, thank you."

Rin hung up and turned to the other woman.

" found the preschool. I need to go. Cover for me?"

"Always."

She flashed her a grateful smile before taking off out the door. Speeding all the way to the preschool, she arrived to find Sesshomaru pacing in front of the closed door with near-red eyes. He paused as soon as she came into view. Rin glared up at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to pick up my son so we may spend the day together."

"Without my consent?"

"I shouldn't need to have it. He is my child too."

Rolling her eyes, she knocked gently. Kaede peeked out before opening the door. The old woman looked between them warily.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble. Yuki will be coming home now."

"Aye."

She went back in to retrieve Yuki, guiding him out. He immediately attached himself to his mother's leg. Giggling, she picked him up.

"You're early Momma. Is it a special 'casion?

"Nah, I just missed my pup so much I thought I'd get him early."

Sesshomaru's heart sped a bit at her choice of nickname. Pups are what dog demons such as himself referred to their children as. It made him happy to know that she chose to call him that. But there was one thing that bothered him. Stepping forward, he ran his hand through the child's thick, wild hair. Sure enough, he felt a pair of fuzzy ears. Rin tilted her head in confusion and he raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you hide his ears?"

"So he doesn't get picked on by the other children. His markings make him look like a demon, so they leave him alone."

This was understandable. His half-brother was attacked constantly as a child for being a hanyou. Inuyasha would have a field-day when he discovered what happened. Sighing, he turned toward the door.

"Come."

"You can't just order me around!"

"I am taking you to zoo."

Rin started to object, but Yuki was already at the door. A smirk ghosted upon the demon's lips and she scowled. This was just to make himself look good. God forbid that there be a scandal if one day somebody sees the similarities between he and his illegitimate son. Maybe she should just concede and let him claim his son…not. She would never let that happen to her pup. He would not the subject of paparazzi invasion because this stubborn man decided to be selfish. So what if he was beautiful? Sesshomaru needed to see that the world isn't black and white. She went to get into her car, but a firm hand stopped her.

"What are you doing?"

"I can't just leave my car here."

"True…Jaken!"

A short, ugly green creature waddled up to them. He looked at Rin with extreme distaste.

"Please take Rin's car to her home."

"Yes milord."

"Rin, keys."

She looked at Jaken warily, but handed him the keys. He promptly got in and drove away. They walked to his car and she climbed in the back where Yuki was looking around excitedly. Sesshomaru got in front to drive. Their son watched him like a hawk.

"Momma," he said quietly, "Why is Funny Face taking us to the zoo?"

"That is very rude. His face isn't that funny."

"I can hear you. And you have the same face as I do pup."

"Nuh-uh. You have stripes like a tiger!"

"You will too once you transform the first time."

"No he won't," Rin cut in sternly, "He is a half-demon. Their markings are only temporary."

"Speaking of his race, uncover his ears. Nobody will try to mess with him."

Sighing, she moved his hair away from his ears. It immediately fluffed back over them; Yuki laughed at her failure. She smirked and tickled him mercilessly, pinning him to the seat as he squealed. Sesshomaru watched them through the rearview mirror. It really was enchanting to see his soon-to-be mate and pup playing. Rin was so amazing to him. Her scent, her smile, her laugh- everything pulled him in deeper. And soon he would be able to enjoy those things everyday once she agreed to be his wife. All she needed was persuasion. They arrived at the zoo and got out together. The little boy ran to the ticket booth, much to his father's amusement. Such an excitable child…that would fade with time. He had been a rambunctious pup himself. It was somewhere around his tenth birthday that he slowly became the stoic creature he was today.

He paid for their tickets and walked beside Rin as they headed inside, She had the urge to hold his hand in order to not be as awkward, but resisted it. Instead she focused on chasing their son to the Canine habitat. As usual, he was drawn to the African Painted Dogs. A pup wandered up to the glass and stared at him, yapping. Yuki yapped back in the same manner. His father smirked.

"What?"

"The pup said 'You smell funny. You smell like me, but don't.' and he replied 'That's because I'm only half like you.' Now they are trying to plan an escape."

"He's trying to get the pup out?!"

"No-"

Sesshomaru caught Yuki as he jumped to dive over the glass wall.

"Hey!"

"Sorry. You aren't an animal. You stay here."

"Thank you," Rin sighed in exasperation.

He put him on his shoulders and continued on to the wolves. Both their noses wrinkled in distaste. He started toward the primates with Rin following on his heels. Yuki pointed to various monkeys, asking excessive questions. Luckily, his father knew most of the answers. She watched them interact with a small smile. Maybe this wasn't just for his own convenience. It seemed like he really did enjoy spending time with him. Against her better judgement, she tapped his arm.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering, if it isn't too much trouble, would you mind watching Yuki tonight? I have a meeting with an important client."

"What do I have to do?"

"Just eat dinner with him, watch tv, and give him his bath. If I'm not home by them, please put him to bed."

"I can't cook," he said bluntly.

"You don't have to. I'll have dinner on the stove. You just need to put it on plates for he and you."

"Okay. What time should I be by?"

"Six would be perfect."

He nodded in understanding, turning back to the glass where their son was staring at the gorilla in deep fascination. It stunned him how much they were alike. His plan was right on schedule, which pleased him. The faster everything moved along, the faster he would have both his mate and his son living with him.

And the faster he would have Rin in his bed.

He shook away the perverted thought and suggested they move on. After they finished seeing all the animals twice, he drove them home so Rin could get ready while he prepared himself for the night ahead.