Sesshomaru studied the faces of the small children playing around the large room. As uncomfortable as he was around kids, he knew that this was a necessary discomfort. The Taisho Group senior board members were bemoaning the bad press the company received after Sakura Children's home had been shut down. They were afraid that it could translate to lower earnings in the future. So much so they had arranged this little outing for him, hiring photographers to snap pictures of him kissing babies, or whatever it was they wanted him to do.

Asuka Takata was young and enthusiastic about her job to say the least. She clapped her hands rhythmically and the children stopped what they were doing to repeat her. "Children, I want you to welcome Taisho-sama. He is a very important man, and he has come to visit with you today." she explained in the simplest terms.

"Yes Asuka-san. Good morning Taisho-sama!" all of them greeted in unison before returning to their previous activities.

Asuka turned and looked at him expectantly. "We are so grateful that you are here checking in on the children. Although their move from Sakura was unexpected, they are doing quite well here. In fact, because of the recent news coverage we have had several adoption inquiries, and plan on holding an adoption fair in the near future. " she enthused.

"Are these all of the children from the Sakura Children's home?" He asked, watching as the girls and boys worked together to build a castle out of large foam blocks.

"We were only able to take the little ones, I'm afraid. We don't house any children older than eight here at this house."

"I see."

A soft tug at his leg caught his attention. A small girl, no older than three stood there staring at him with big brown eyes. Her brown hair was pulled up in a half ponytail on top of her head and secured with a green bow that matched her overalls. She didn't smile, but held up a teddy bear toward him.

"Well, this is a surprise. Little Rin seems to have taken a liking to you." Askua smiled at the little girl. Rin continued to hold the toy up to him, giving it a quick shake of emphasis. Sesshomaru took the hint and accepted it from her, studying it. The bear had seen better days. It's brown fur was matted and worn, and one of it's eyes had been replaced with a red button.

"Hello." he said, feeling more awkward than a man of his stature had any business feeling. She was only a toddler after all. He took a seat in one of the chairs lined up against the wall behind him. Rin just stared at him, dark eyes studying keenly.

"Rin doesn't talk sir." Asuka explained, then lifted her hand to cover her mouth before adding, "She's not the brightest child."

Sesshomaru grimaced slightly at the remark. The look in the girl's eyes as she studied him made him think perhaps she was far sharper than the staff here gave her credit for. "Rin dear, it looks like the other boys and girls are playing house together. Why don't you run along and join them?"

Rin looked dejectedly over at the other children. "It's alright. How about I take you over?" Asuka offered, extending her hand. The little girl studied it cautiously for a moment, then grabbed it and allowed herself to be steered away. She turned and waved at the taiyokai and surprisingly, he found himself waving back. He quickly handed her bear back with a curt nod. Rin's smile grew as she tucked it under her free arm.

He watched as the woman brought the girl over to join the other children. She gave Rin a gentle push forward, prodding her to join the others. Rin was quite a bit smaller and younger than her peers. The other children stared at her with an air of unwelcomeness, but begrudgingly agreed to let Rin join in their game. No sooner however, had Asukua turned to join Sesshomaru, than they promptly ignored Rin's presence. She stood there outside of their fort for a moment holding her bear under her arm. He could almost see the little wheels spinning in her head before she trotted over and climbed up into his lap.

Sesshomaru froze, unsure of what to do. He had little to no experience with children, let alone small ones. "It looks like you've made a new friend." Asuka chuckled. "Rin, sweetheart, wouldn't you have more fun playing with the other children?" She asked. Rin shook her head and laid her head against his shoulder, snuggling herself into him. "Would if be too much trouble if she tagged along while I gave you the tour of the facility?"

The taiyokai lifted Rin from his lap and set her on the floor beside him. She promptly wrapped her little hand around his finger, and he felt his chest tighten slightly, almost as if she had taken ahold of his heart as well. Preposterous of course. Children in general held no such power of him, he was immune to their charms, but he supposed there wasn't any harm in letting the girl join them.

Asuka led them outside. "We were able to update the playground with the help of Taisho Group's generous donation." she gushed, enthusiastically detailing the new features and how much the children loved them. Rin tugged him away toward the bottom of the slide. He stood there as she let go, climbed up to the top of the slide and held her arms open. He considered her for a moment, then nodded, holding his own hands open. Rin smiled and nodded then, and pushed herself off, riding to bottom where he caught her and promptly set her back on her feet. The little girl smiled up at him and pointed at the delicate pink flowers that were blooming in the beds across the way. She ran over and plucked one ever so gently from it's stem and handed it to him. He heard the camera shutters click as he accepted Rin's gift.

Yes, from a PR perspective this was an outstanding success; the press would eat up the images of him spending his time with a little orphaned girl. The thought of using this child as a PR stunt brought a bitter taste to his mouth.

00

Sesshomaru groaned inwardly, cursing himself for letting his heart be stolen by the little girl. Somehow he had convinced himself that adopting her was a good idea. Perhaps watching Inuyasha embrace fatherhood had rubbed off on him somehow. That was as good of an explanation as he had anyway. Rin now stood clutching his hand as they watched his staff bring in box after box of furniture and toys he had ordered for her new bedroom.

"My Lord! My Lord!." Jaken squeaked as he ran in from down the hall. "I have news-" he stopped mid sentence, suddenly noticing the little girl clutching Sesshomaru's hand. "What in the world is that?"

"Obviously it's a child." Sesshomaru answered cooly as he lifeted Rin from the floor, heading down the hall toward his study.

"Yes, but why is she here?" Jaken balked, eyeing Rin with derision as he scrambled to keep up with Sesshomaru.

"This is Rin. I have adopted her." Sesshomaru answered nonchalantly. "Has there been any news from my brother?"

"None as of yet, my Lord. I do expect we will hear something soon. There is one pressing matter to bring to your attention." Jaken prattled on, following through the large doors into the study. "Asami Higurashi left a message. She wishes to speak with you as soon as you are able. She says it's a matter of urgency. Also, the monthly council dinner is coming up later this week. I believe Lord Mikage is hosting. And lastly I have the contract for acquisition of the small tech firm we met with a few weeks back. They have accepted the offer, but added a few caveats that require your approval."

Sesshomaru sat Rin on the floor as he took a seat at his desk. She clutched her bear close as she stood on her toes, watching closely as he pulled a pen from the drawer and opened the file sat before him. He quickly read over the changes, nodding his approval then absently signed it, and moved on to the next page. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Rin's chubby hand slowly reach into the drawer and blindly fish around. He paused, dark brow quirked as he watched her snatch a pen from the drawer. She pulled the cap off of the pen, and stood up on tip toes, her little nose barely reaching the desktop as she tried to scribble on the paper. He grinned slightly and pulled her into his lap.

"Jaken." he barked as he pulled a pile of blank papers from a drawer and tapped it. Rin smiled, scribbled again, then looked up at Sesshomaru. He nooded, and patted her head approvingly. Rin's smile widened, and she continued scribbling happily on her own paper. Content that his new charge would be kept busy for the time being, he continued with his own paperwork.

"Yes my lord?"

"We'll be needing some more blank paper and pens." He frowned slightly as he watched Rin's pen skip over the edge of the page and mark the polished wood underneath. "Make that crayons." he amended, sliding Rin's paper over, centering it safely under her pen.

"Crayons, pah. What am I, the little brat's nurse maid? Spoiled...Snot nosed. " Jaken muttered under his breath as he turned to leave. The taiyokai felt his temper rise. He would not take any insult toward Rin kindly, even from his most loyal employee.

"And Jaken" Sesshomaru added, cutting an icy glare. If Jaken was going to bitch about being a maid, then he was going to get treated like one.

"Y-yes my Lord?" he blanched.

"Bring some milk and cookies while you're at it." He didn't miss Jaken's look of utter shock. That would teach the little toad to mouth off again.