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   Such like, this baby was wrinkly, and quite honestly, boring. Not as happy and excitable as A-Un had been. 

   It might be because he was forced to coo at a bundle he was not interested in or that he was dragged to another's home on a perfect weekend. So he settled on counting the strands of hair on the newborn. Hitting fifty and nowhere close to the end, a realization hit the boy. A-Un were quite intolerable until they were trained. He would have to teach the baby tricks, such as play dead, sit or heel, like A-Un.

  Eventually, the adults placed the baby back into the nursery room, all hushed and on edge. They hovered over the cradle, melting their sanity at a wrinkly offspring. Finally, the adults went back to the main room for coffee and tea. Inuyasha was tasked at quietly- or rather given a very far corner from the nursery to draw his hero sword. Five years old Inuyasha had the artistic skill of a rock. Sesshomaru was prohibited from telling his half-brother that because the first time concluded in nasty bruises and an eon long grounding for both the boys. 

  Under the pretence of washroom, in which he did make sure to thoroughly wash his hands, Sesshomaru entered the nursery filled with wildflowers motifs. He walked with a purpose towards the bundle and found himself staring at this sleeping offspring through the bars. It shifted in its sleep, its mouth moving in contentment. How was he going to train something asleep? Maybe he could start with motion; that was how they taught A-Un, by moving its body to follow commands. Determined, he stuck his hand through the bars and untuck the cloth that bound its arms. Now, he was not quite sure what all the buzz was about new offsprings (read Inuyasha five years ago), but he did know after days of drilling that newborns were fragile. He tested the newborn's capability in arm motion slowly. It was squishy and soft.

  Then with a mind of its own, it took its arm back and, in a swoop, found purchase on his forearm. As Sesshomaru began to pull back his arm, its fist uncurled for a split moment before curling around his finger. It was weirdly warm. And for such a fragile thing, it had an awful lot of strength. He tried pulling and extracting his finger, but it made the wrinkles on the newborn's face curl uglier. So he stayed still, waiting for the time it'll bore and let go.

   Turns out, Inuyasha was faster. Sesshomaru could hear his half-brother run down the hall and abruptly stopped before the nursery. The elder whipped around, careful to not disturb the newborn. 

   "Silence!" Sesshomaru forced the whisper between his teeth faster than Inuyasha could cry out. 

   His half-brother promptly froze with his mouth wide open and swallowed his need to shout. Then he galloped into the room, paper crinkly to the movement. 

   "Keh, is this one of the quiet times?" Inuyasha rounded around the cradle to be on the opposite side. "Look, Maru, I was kind enough to draw you a sword too! It's not a hero sword cause there can only be one," he pressed a violently creased work against the bars— both boys stumbling to the give the cradle gave. The two boys didn't often work together, but it often came with many glares and relatively quick work when they did. They managed to still the cradle as softly as they could and release their held breath when the offspring stopped scrunching its face. It was too much happening for even Sesshomaru to show his disapproval at the name his half-brother used. He was not a child. 

   Then Inuyasha caught sight of the chubby fingers resting on the elder's extremity. Witness the biggest silence of confused shock, the seconds-long open and closing jaws before an accusatory finger pointed at him. 

   "No fair! I wanna touch the baby too!" Inuyasha hissed and reaches in through the bars. Before Inuyasha could plant his grubby hand on the offspring, Sesshomaru snarled. 

   "Wash your hands!" He hissed. Then recognition dawned on his half-wit brother. Their parents' stern lectures gave them about handling offsprings that especially couldn't walk- nor run- nor play catch or tag or hide-and-seek.

   "Oh yeah!" Inuyasha sprinted out of the nursery, not caring for his sword flying in the air or the slight force of rocking the cradle again. Inuyasha came back just as quick, water droplets meeting the wood and rug. He returned to his side of the cradle only to meet another hiss from the eldest.

   "Dry hands! Did you use soap and lather for twenty seconds?" Sesshomaru shoved his handkerchief at his half-brother.

   "Heck yeah!" Then the younger brother threw the handkerchief to fall on the floor, Sesshomaru's nose scrunching in disgust. His half-brother was so uncouth.

   "Gently!" Sesshomaru reminded. Inuyasha sneered in response, he knew what to do, and he definitely gave a goading smirk when the newborn curled its finger around the younger brother's.

   They stood there, unwilling to look at their brother's face and opted to study the tiny face of the newborn. It was indeed better than being forced to face one another.

   "Keh, I don't know why people like babies so much. They're ugly and boring," Inuyasha voiced. One of the few things the two brothers agreed on.

   "I don't see you moving away," Sesshomaru sneered. 

   "Maybe I'm trying to understand why people are boring, like you!" The younger snapped back. "And you were here longer! So you must be ultra boring."

   Before Sesshomaru could retort, the newborn made a sound akin to whining, freezing the two intruders.

   "People are weird for liking babies," Inuyasha remarked in a softer whisper.

   "Delusional," Sesshomaru supplied.

   "Truce?" 

   "... Truce."

   If only for a moment, because the baby moved in a way the boys didn't like. Hands still wrapped around their fingers and mouth widening. The newborn wailed, causing the boys to flinch and lean away. In return for the increase of volume, the offspring's father answered quickly. The father skipped to a stop at the door, Sesshomaru slowly turned to face one of the owners. Technically, they weren't supposed to be there, but no one told them otherwise.

   "We washed our hands with soap!" Inuyasha yelled over the cries. Sesshomaru winced. His half-brother didn't understand. 

   "Oh my god! Boys, stay still!" Taro's outburst scared them into stilling (they will never admit that the jovial Taro scared them). The father took out his phone from his sweater's pocket and took pictures before responding to the wailing newborn. 

   As the newborn was lifted, it slowly peeled its fingers off from the grasp. Newborns were surprisingly hot to the touch, like volcano rocks. The boys watched in fear and fascination as the father went through a ceremonial ritual of feeling the bottom and then smelling it with the release of a relief. It was disgusting- why would they do that?

   "Could one of you grab her mother?" The father kindly inquired. Inuyasha was quick to sprint out, only a moment later to trail the mother back in. "Thankfully, just hungry!" The father greeted the mother with a wide smile.

   "You're still changing the next diaper," she laughed before taking a seat on the rocking chair and receiving the newborn.

   "Wow, Taro, she really has a set of lungs on her. She'll be a talker for sure!" The boys' father commented as he appeared at the door. Then his eyes fell upon his two boys. "Now, what are my two troublemakers doing in the nursery? I thought babies were ugly and boring," he quoted his younger son from the car ride over.

   "They're also soft and warm!" Inuyasha added. The adults shared a quick chuckle.

   "Come along, we will give them space-"

   "What are they doing?" Sesshomaru finally spoke.

   "We're feeding her," the mother answered after a beat. They could see the questions in his eyes. Feed her what? The newborn's face was too small to chew on things, and there were no milk cartons to be seen. "Would you like to see how?"

   "Hana, you don't have to force yourself. Come on, boys," Toga ushered his kids to move.

   "I don't mind," Hana reassured. Both boys did not move towards their father.

   "Be nice and good," Toga gave directed looks before leaving.

  Albeit shielded, the boys could tell that the head met the mound on Hana's chest. It was a calm moment until Hana winced.

  "Sometimes, feeding babies disagree about strength control," Hana brushed it off. Then Inuyasha moved his head. Sesshomaru gave a quick glance, caring if his half-brother was about to disturb the process. Inuyasha brought his hands to his chest. The room rumbled with laughter.

  "I don't think you would have to worry about this, Inuyasha," Taro managed between laughter. It was good news to Sesshomaru that he would not have to protect his chest from biting offsprings.

  "Is it because we're different?"

  "Yes, sweetie. Their chest is made of special tissues and fat for females to feed the babies," Hana answered. Inuyasha patted his chest twice and nodded.

  "I have no lumps," then came a wheeze or two. "Will Rin have lumps?" 

  Who was Rin? 

  "I hope she won't have lumps, but yes, when Rin grows older, she'll grow a chest of special tissues and fat."

  "Will Rin feed babies like you are? Did my mom do that?!" A gasp and a turn to Sesshomaru, "Aunty did that to you, too! Every mom did that!"

  "Maybe Rin will one day, maybe she won't. Not every mother does this, so you would have to ask your parents," and a tiny mumble of an apology. Who was Rin? "It'll take a little longer, so if you want, you can go, boys."

  "Like a year?"

  "You don't take a year to eat your dinner, do you, Inuyasha?"

  "No! I'm a fast eater! Mom and Dad told me so, keh."

  "Is that so? Don't forget to enjoy your food too, sweetie."

  "Is that what she is doing?" Hana nodded. "Granny says the best way to eat good food is peacefully and together," Inuyasha nodded, deciding on something. "I'll wait outside, so it won't be too loud, but we'll be together."

  "Thank you, Inuyasha, for your kind thoughts."

  As Inuyasha walked out of the room, he pulled on Sesshomaru to follow. They stood against the wall beside the door, both deep in thoughts. Who was Rin? Taro popped out of the door, calling the boys back in.

  "Welcome back. Thank you for being patient, boys," Hana greeted with a warm smile. "After the baby feeds, you should burp them."

  She showed them the process, and when the offspring burped, Inuyasha clapped for it. 

  "Atta, girl!" He cheered, and then he calmed down. "Humans are weird."

  "Aren't we?" Hana agreed.

  "Who is Rin?" Everyone turned to Sesshomaru. He disliked the attention.

  "This is Rin," Hana motioned with the bundle. "Come closer, sweetie. She won't hurt you," the mother gently pushed. Unwilling to be called a coward, Sesshomaru took swift strides to the offspring. He studied it. It was still wrinkly and ugly. But something was different about this Rin. It gurgled, and Rin's eyes seemingly examined him. 

  "Hi, Rin!" Inuyasha cooed right beside him. Rin cooed back. Her arms moving for something. "For a wrinkly baby, you're pretty okay," A babble back. 

  "She thinks you're pretty cool too," Hana translated.

  "Heck yeah, she obviously knows who's the cool one," his half-brother sniffed with pride.

  "Oh! She likes you two. Look, she's smiling," Hana commented. "I'm delighted that you two boys will be her friend."

  "That's 'cause I'm friends with all the cool kids," that's what he thought. It was what his brother reasoned with. 

  "You are Rin," Sesshomaru stated, breaking the conversation between the mother and his half-brother. "You may call me Sesshomaru."

  "Oh- Oh! Oh! I'm Inuyasha!" Rin gurgled-giggled back with a smile. 

  "Could I trust you, boys, to watch over her while we prepare dinner?"

  "Of course!" he answered to Hana before turning back to Rin. "Did you know, I'm a hero, and I have a hero swor-" he swept the room for his abandoned work. When he spotted it, he dashed for it, trying to show Rin his sword. "So I can defeat bad guys."

  "Would you look at that, Rin!"

  "Inuyasha, Rin has her own sword too!" Taro tapped his half-brother's shoulder. They looked back to find Taro holding a plush of a sword.

  "That's so cool! We can be a team and slay big bad dragons together!"

  "That's right, but right now, Rin is too young to hold a sword, much less know how. May we ask you to teach her?" 

  "Yes!" The two ceremoniously bestowed the plush to Inuyasha. 

  Hana placed Rin on the plump quilt down on the ground before the two adults gave quick reminders of what to do. As well as the assurance that they will respond to any call should anything required their attention. 

  Sesshomaru settled sitting on the ground with his back against a wall, reading his current novel, A Secret Garden, and a clear view of Rin cooing. Inuyasha started by attempting to show how to handle a sword to Rin. Eventually, realizing that she was indeed a little too distracted and at the wrong angle to watch him. Instead, he began working on more hero swords beside her, occasionally waving the plush sword for her to paw at. The two came to learn that while she could make noise independently, she was much happier responding to other noises. They resorted to Inuyasha detailing how he would be a hero and Sesshomaru reading his chapters aloud when his half-brother retreated back to deep planning. 

  "Maru, why are you sitting so far away? Are you scared?" Inuyasha taunted. Once again, unwilling to be called a coward, Sesshomaru took the time to construct an acceptable and comfortable throne closer to Rin. "Keh, weirdo."

  Soon, only Sesshomaru's calm voice was heard. Both Inuyasha and Rin had dozed off after competing for the largest yawn. As he was nearing the last chapter, a wail broke their reverie. Inuyasha bolted out to grab Rin's parents, leaving Sesshomaru trying to figure out how to make her happy again. He even resorted to waving the plush sword that was ignored. His half-brother was halfway apologizing when Taro said the magical words, 'it's nothing bad'.

  "She just needs to change her diaper," then a sadistic grin. "Technically, this is also part of feeding, so we might as well should you how to change her diaper. The two boys were confused as to how diapers connected feeding. 

  They found out the hard way that it was the washroom trip, but she was too tiny to do it herself. Inuyasha was dry heaving in the corner, and Sesshomaru was determined to breathe through his mouth. Taro settled with laughter to talk them through the process and settled Rin back in her cradle.

  "Babies are stinky!" Sesshomaru was inclined to agree, but he didn't know what was worst, baby poop or Inuyasha's gas bombs.

  "Well, shall we have dinner now?" Came the jovial and ill-timed suggestion as Inuyasha turned green and Sesshomaru paled. It was worse because there was a dish of sloppy joe waiting for them. "I... suppose this means pizza for the kids?" Taro tried to remedy the sharp look Hana gave him. It didn't take long for the two boys to get over the diaper incident, especially with pizza. 

  Chewing his pizza, Sesshomaru witnessed... he wasn't quite sure what he witnessed. Still, Inuyasha had curiously asked Izayoi at the table with a slice in each hand if he and Sesshomaru were fed like Rin. Taro bellowed, Hana turned white and immediately apologized. Toga choked in shock, and Izayoi took a long sip of the wine.

  "Yes, Inuyasha, you were," came the graceful response from Izayoi.

   After dessert, Inuyasha was satisfyingly quiet. Now, all the commotion did not cause Sesshomaru to forget his true intentions, to teach Rin tricks. He snuck back into the nursery with the same excuse. Adults were so gullible. He found himself unable to continue with the training since Rin was sleeping away the evening. At least, he thought she was asleep. But she cooed softly and stared at him. 

  "Ah, Sesshomaru, back here again?" Hana caught him wide-eyed as she turned on the lights. "Babies are weird, aren't they? They're a lump of flesh, yet we can't help but watch over them," she stood beside him. "Would you like to hold her?" Hana patiently waited for his answer.

  "I don't know how."

  "I'll teach you-"

  "No fair! Sesshomaru, you can't play with Rin without me!" Inuyasha cried at the door. 

  "Of course not, Inuyasha," Hana called out and motioned for the boy to come in. "Why don't you two get comfortable on the floor, and I'll teach you how to hold a baby this small," Inuyasha was quicker to sit. However, Sesshomaru was close after. Hana scooped out her daughter and sat in front of the boys. "Who would like to go first?"

  "Me!" his half-brother stuck up his hand. 

  "Okay, well, you'll need both your hands."

  "Here again, boys?" Toga interrupted with Izayoi and Taro behind him. "What kind of trouble are you getting into now?"

  "No trouble at all. They've been terrific kids, and now they're learning how to hold Rin," Hana assured.

  "Hmmm, I don't know. That sounds like a big boy task. Maybe Dad will help you?" Toga contemplated. 

  "Sounds like you just want to hold her," Inuyasha accused.

  "Maybe. Will you let me help?"

  "Keh, sure. I'll show you how to do it," their father laughed and sat behind Inuyasha.

  Hana walked the boys through the safety and technique of holding babies to picking up the baby. Sesshomaru has never seen Inuyasha that silent, even if he was half holding Rin with their father. Maybe they should take Rin with them. It'll keep his half-brother quiet. As Sesshomaru waited for his turn, he could see Taro and Izayoi conversing quietly with her phone and his camera out.

  "Keh, Rin, you're heavy," Inuyasha murmured tiredly. At that, they gave Sesshomaru his chance at holding Rin.

  Despite her size, Rin was surprisingly heavy and warm. He tucked her in closer. Her soft coos turning into yawns.

  "Looks like it's time for her to sleep. And your turn too, Sesshomaru," his father gently reminded. He carried the sleeping Inuyasha out.

  "I'll pack your bag, Sesshomaru," Izayoi smiled, giving him a couple more minutes with Rin.

  Eventually, he had to give Rin back to Hana. Yet, as he walked to the front of the house, he couldn't but feel underachieved. He hadn't had the time to teach her tricks because everyone kept interrupting them. In his room, no one would bother him as much. He turned around and walked back to the nursery wordlessly, the adults letting him without question.

  Sesshomaru quietly placed a stool by the cradle to give him the boost to be over the bars. But outside was cold. He searched the drawers for a blanket he could wrap Rin in and scooped her carefully from the cradle. He took the time to support her body, and he walked back out.

  "You got what your for-" Toga started and abruptly stopped. "What is that?" A staredown. "You didn't bring anything that big with you here."

  "It is small."

  "Uh-huh," Toga turned to Hana and Taro, who were leaning against each other and shaking with laughter. Even Izayoi chuckled. "Apparently, I am the only responsible one. Sesshomaru, you cannot take Rin with us. She belongs here."

  "Wait- Wait, before you do anything-" Taro wheezed and stumbled for his camera. "Let me just take this picture- I'll send you it and all the others."

  Sesshomaru frowned straight into the camera with a bundled Rin in his arms. Then Taro gestured to Toga to continue.

  "Give her to Hana," a step back. "You can see her again in two weeks," a look to Hana, who waved him off, "You come here every other week. Give the child back to her parents."

  Toga huffed when his eldest son did not move and handed Inuyasha to Izayoi.

  "Sesshomaru-sweetie, why do you want to take Rin with you?" Hana knelt to him.

  "... Teach."

  "To teach her? Well, don't worry. You will have plenty of time to teach her. However, all the things she needs are here," she watched the logic run in his head. "I will be bringing her to some of our meetings, and you can teach her then. How about that?" Hana exposed her palms and received Rin back. She dropped her head on top of Sesshomaru. "Thank you. Rin is very blessed to have two excellent friends at the start of her life."

  Toga all but dragged his eldest out of the house and into the car with a frustrated huff and an apologetic look to Hana and Taro. 

  "I expected that out of Inuyasha, but you, Sesshomaru? You definitely exceeded my expectations," his father started the car— another sigh when he received no answer and began the drive back.

  "Did you finish your book, Sesshomaru?" Izayoi asked halfway back.

  "No."

  "That's fine. You had a busy day today."

  "Busy alright, can't believe my oldest was almost a child kidnapper!" Toga exclaimed. "How am I supposed to explain that to Kimi?!"

  "Kimi would find it very amusing and slightly slighted because Sesshomaru did not succeed in bringing her his new friend. Now, that does not mean you should try again, Sesshomaru," Izayoi mused. Sesshomaru turned to look out the window in defiance.

  "What is that doing there?" He asked to the largest of the three. The mother in the center opened one of her eyes and broke into a goofy smile.

  "It's a conversation starter," she grinned. 

   Taro answered the door, and Inuyasha ran in, waving his plush sword.

  "Rin! Are you ready to slay the evil-" he stopped. Mostly because Rin wasn't there. Sesshomaru frowned; it was unusual for her to not be there to greet them. 

  "Ah- Sorry, Rin's in her room right now... It's been a tough two weeks for her-"

  "What? Why? Is it because there isn't enough coolness?" Taro gave a weak laugh to Inuyasha.

   "Perhaps. I'll be appreciative if you two boys could go to her," Inuyasha immediately ran for her room. But Taro had pulled Sesshomaru aside. "If she... if she doesn't want to come out of her room, that's okay. The last two week has been very hard with her because of the boys," Sesshomaru nodded and made his way to her room.

  Boys? Was Taro referring to him and his half-brother? No, that wouldn't make sense. Rin and Inuyasha made up. And last he was aware, he was still Rin's favourite. Sesshomaru found his half-brother standing in front of her door, jiggling the doorknob. It twisted, but he couldn't fully open it.

  "Rin?" Inuyasha called out. "Rin?" No answer. "It's Inuyasha."

  Sesshomaru watched as two heads of unknown boys popped out from another room, staring intently at them with disdain. Sesshomaru matched their ferocity. He didn't know who they were, but he didn't like them. 

  "... Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha tugged on his sleeve. "Who are you glaring at?" His half-brother followed the line of sight and began snarling. "You had to be the one who hurt Rin!"

   Challenged, the two strangers stepped out, closed the door and marched towards them.

   "Keh, who're you?" Inuyasha snuffed. "Bullies? Because everyone knows what I do to them."

   Frankly, only Sesshomaru knew. And that was initiate fight, come out black and blue and snarl like cats whenever one gets too close afterwards. It wasn't pretty. More so disgraceful. But, in this one instance, Sesshomaru might just turn the other way on his judgement. 

   "Sounds like someone thinks he's a hotshot," the elder of the stranger taunted. 

   "Boys? Is someone there?" Hana's voice barely filtered through the portion of the corridor. The intruders blocked Inuyasha's path into the room.

   "You don't belong here," the second one crossed his arms. Inuyasha snarled. 

   "And you do?" His half-brother pulled up his sleeve. 

   "Is someone there?" Hana's voice sounding very much alert.

   "I'm Hana's favourite," Inuyasha spat; there was a visible falter in the oldest intruder's eyes. 

   "Favourite stupid, it must be."

   And like trigger words, it launched Inuyasha at the younger. Sesshomaru watched the elder push Inuyasha away from the younger. Then the younger bounced back and meet Inuyasha's cheek. Utterly disgraceful. 

   "Boys?" Sesshomaru was faintly aware of Hana calling out when elbows and backs met the walls. He will remove the trash that was causing distress to Rin. 

  The next thing he was aware of was that they were no longer able to reach their foe, the cries of a toddler originating not from Rin's room and the pain dulling his left hand. The enemies were separated. Inuyasha sat beside him in the living area, both boys subjected to their parents' stare. Sesshomaru sat up straight, unfaltering to the frowns. Inuyasha turned away in defiance, but his shoulders still sagged. 

  "Are you hurt?" Was the first question that came from Toga. 

  "You should have seen..." one look at his parents stopped Inuyasha from continuing. "... No."

  They waited for Sesshomaru.

  "No," he lied. Sesshomaru couldn't afford to leave right now. Not when there were hostiles so close to Rin, Hana and Taro.

  "You two should know better than to use force. What on Earth prompted you to fight?" Toga inquired disappointingly. 

  "They hurt Rin!" A sigh from Toga. 

  "Why do you think that?"

  "They were mean! Taro said so! And Maru was growling at them!" There was a look of disbelief. Sesshomaru growling? Impossible. He would rather stare them down with the cold from the Arctic. But there was a quick moment of defeat from Toga.

  "Rin needs her friends to be there for her. Not to pick fights," Toga explained. A moment later. "Do you two know why you should apologize to Hana, Taro and Rin?"

  "Because we disturbed their home..."

  "Yes, you did. Sesshomaru?"

  "We know better than to be undisciplined in dealing with our disagreements," he apathetically recited. More from the pain than uncaring- but he really did not care.  

  "I'm not done with you two, but go apologize to them and be with Rin, Inuyasha," Toga ordered. Then he turned to his eldest. "Don't make lying a habit," the eldest did nothing to acknowledge it. A sigh. "I'm taking you to the hospital in five minutes."

  The two boys made their way to apologize, Inuyasha looking at every part of a defeated dog. Taro was first to greet them. The intruders rightfully in the corner, and Hana holding an unknown entity. 

  "Hello, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha," Hana placed the toddler in the pen. "Are you hurt?" Inuyasha shook his head. Sesshomaru holding his gaze at her and turning to the youngest intruder. 

  "We're adopting them-"

  "Are you discarding Rin?" He probably shouldn't have said that. He didn't know why but he was afraid for Rin. Were Hana and Taro the kind to prefer boys over girls? And they're adopting three of them. They would take Rin in and care for her. 

  "No- No, of course not," Hana replied, "Nothing will change how much we love Rin. And if we don't match up to our words, you have every right to scold us," Hana knelt to face them. "Thank you for worrying about Rin."

  "... Why do you need more children?" Inuyasha asked. Rin was all they need. Toddlers need undivided attention, and Hana and Taro could not do that with more children in the house.

  "They... need a new home, and we can give them that. Hopefully, they will feel comfortable to be Rin's brothers," she explained. "And if you could be their friends," his half-brother slowly nodded. Traitor. "We'll take it slow," a beat. "I think Rin would like to see you."

  They turned around before Inuyasha whipped back. "We're sorry! For fighting and disturbing your home..." Sesshomaru glanced back to see a soft smile from Hana and Taro. 

  Much to Sesshomaru's disdain, he was immediately pulled into the car— his father glancing at his eldest son ever so often.

  "I'm happy that you have others that you care for. But violence is not the way. I trusted that you would know what is appropriate. You should have gotten one of us instead of putting you and your brother in danger. You can't protect those you care about by getting hurt. You gave us a scare," Toga started at the red light. "Why did you fight?"

  "... Inuyasha was losing."

  His father regarded him, unbelieving of his answer. "Change is scary," was all he said. The following two hours were sat in silence. His arm was checked and would heal in time. For now, it'll be in a sling to be healed. The ride back was equally silent. 

  When they were let back into Hana and Taro's home, Izayoi let her eldest know that they were in Rin's room. Sesshomaru gave a quiet knock and opened the door. Inuyasha and Rin were curled up on the carpet sleeping. And he felt he had no place in it. He retreated back into the hall, meeting Hana leaving the master bedroom. 

  He recalled that the intruders came from her room. Had she given her room away to the intruders? There were only two rooms in this quaint house. Why have the masters of the home opened their door to strangers?

  "Hi, Sesshomaru," she whispered and gave a small wave. 

  "Hello," he answered just as quietly. 

  "Sit with me," she sat against the wall and patted the spot next to her. Slowly, he followed. "You're hurt."

  "I suppose."

  "Ha," she let out a dying laugh, "I'm sorry that you got hurt. How long till it heals?"

  "Two months or more," she pulled a frown at that. "Are you angry?"

  "Angry? No. Not at you or the boys. I'm just upset that everyone felt the need to fight. Truthfully, I'm a little more disappointed. But, I suppose that's part of growing up. Hurting, getting hurt and healing. I just hope that it won't be too much that no one can heal," she carefully pulled him in for a loose hug. "It's been a crazy two weeks, probably should have attended our book club, if for a moment of familiarity," she laughed at her irony.

  "... Why are you taking them?"

  "My childhood friend- he can no longer take care of them," a disappointed sigh. "He has abandoned them, and they're hurting right now. I want to give them the chance to heal and not be separated from their brothers. Now's not the time to be divided."

  Sesshomaru stayed silent, digesting what she had said and believed. 

  "I'm sorry."

  "We're sorry," three boys apologized at the same time. Tears filled the eyes of the intruders.

  "Thank you," Hana softly smiled. The other two shuffled towards her and tucked themselves on the other side of her. "We'll get there," she promised. They succumbed to the silence, letting Hana comfort them. 

  "We never had a mama," the oldest let out. "And father... he was mean..." Sesshomaru watched Hana swallowed a realization, the pain of a truth she learnt. "Are you going to be our mama and papa?"

  "We would be honoured," it came out airy- like an unbelieving gasp. "Thank you for giving us a chance."

  Dinner was an uneasy truce between the children. The adults had given the two soon-to-be adopted the choice to eat in their temporary room, but they were determined to eat at the table. Just as aggravating, Rin chose not to speak animatedly, only replying to Sesshomaru and his family. Once Rin was done with her meal, she all but forced Inuyasha and Sesshomaru into her room. 

  "Sho-ru," she pulled his shirt. "What's that?" she pointed at his sling.

  "My wrist is hurt," a gasp from Rin.

  She quickly pulled him into a pile of pillows and blankets. "Rest!" she patted the pillows, gesturing for him to lie down. He complied, and she did her best to tuck him in. Once she was done covering him in the blankets. "Song? Book?"

  "... Book."

  Rin grabbed five books and sat near him. She laid one open on the floor and did her best to deliver the essence of the story. Inuyasha doing his best to help her. But the two of them lacked the patience to do any good. Finally, the toddler's rendition of Snow White came to an end.

  "Yasha, Yasha," she pawed at him.

  "What?"

  "Sho-ru, Yasha's brother! Yasha like brother?" 

  "What?!" Inuyasha balked at her. "I mean- he's... Sesshomaru- he's, you know," he chopped out. "I guess Sesshomaru is... alright," she seemed pleased with his answer. 

  "Sho-ru like Yasha?"

  "..." he should have expected her to ask him next. "I suppose the mutt has his moments."

  "Hey!" but they refused to face one another. Nonetheless, Rin was content with their answers and softly sang them songs until Toga gave them the ten-minute mark.

  In the foyer, Sesshomaru did not understand why his father had his hand firmly on his shoulder, fingers nearly digging into the boy's flesh. Rin was standing close to Taro as the other two boys took Hana's sides.

  "Bye-bye," Rin called out. Inuyasha glanced at Sesshomaru, grumbling about having to leave Rin alone.

  "Rin," Sesshomaru called out. "Inuyasha would like a hug," she perked at that and ran to his half-brother for a glomp. Then she made her way to him and carefully wrapped her arms around him. She pulled back, and Sesshomaru planted one hand on her shoulder. "Come."

  Hana gave a low laugh, Taro turning away in trembles. Toga's fingers digging deeper into Sesshomaru. 

  "Sesshomaru," Toga warned, but Rin had beat him to it.

  "Rin, stay! Rin's brothers stay!" She stepped back and stopped when he did not lift his hand. 

  "Sesshomaru, we'll visit this weekend," Izayoi promised. "For now, they need to rest."

  Sesshomaru slowly peeled his fingers off, not trusting the three new addition to Rin's family. 

  "Bye-bye, Sho-ru," Rin kept waving at the front door until he could no longer see her as they drove away. 

  Sesshomaru was more than prepared to take Rin with them that weekend. They had boxes in the car, enough to carry whatever Rin wanted to bring. It was Hana who let them in this time. Inuyasha running in waving a plush sword.

  "Rin! Are you ready to- "he stopped short again.

  This time, it wasn't because Rin was missing. But because they were greeted by the sight of the toddler clinging onto Rin, mid-feeding the middle child and the eldest of the trio feeding her. Taro taking hundreds of pictures of them. It had only been three days, and the new additions thought they could be that close to her? 

  Sesshomaru flinched when a low guttural sound came from his throat. 

  "Change is scary," Toga said to him as he passed by with the emptying boxes. Sesshomaru promptly snapped upright. At least they were going to take her now, and she won't have to worry about them.

  Instead of greeting them like Inuyasha, Sesshomaru took his seat far from them and opened I Am a Cat. He had read the chapter twice to thoroughly comprehend the words when Rin perched on his lap.

  "Sho-ru," she whined. "Hewwo!"

  "What is it?" He gave her his attention.

  "Pway wit us."

  Begrudgingly, he closed his book and followed her to their brothers.

  They did not take her.

  "Isn't he your brother? Besides, who wouldn't be nervous on their wedding day? I was. And I know you were," Sango answered, looking over to the groom. "Who would have thought senpai would get married. If any of the girls knew, they would cry."

  "You will give Rin your winnings," Sesshomaru addressed to Sango. Although he never mentioned it, he knew that Sango had a bet about whether he would marry with the rest of the club so many years ago. And every year, it kept growing. "Inuyasha, you will collect your winnings and give them to me," Inuyasha had made bets with those who thought they could marry Rin. 

  "Keh. I will have you know, I never doubted! I always voted against them."

  "And you will apologize to Rin."

  "Aren't we supposed to not see the bride cause it's bad luck?" 

  Sesshomaru growled at his half-brother's stupidity. "I am almost amazed at how stupid you turned out to be despite Izayoi and Father."

  "You're just jealous that I'm not emotionally dead like you."

  "Never been to a wedding where the man of honour and the groom fought like cats and dogs," their father spoke from the other side of the door. Sango went to get the door for him, greeting him and pulling Inuyasha out of the room.

  "He was not my first choice, but Rin was insistent."

  "I'm afraid you'll never get rid of us," Toga laughed. "How's everything going? Are you nervous?"

  "I am not."

  "Every man who said that at their wedding definitely is. Hell, I had two, and I was just as nervous both times," Toga chuckled. "I think Rin is more excited than nervous. Your mothers are curbing the nervousness away with all the hovering they're doing. Over two decades of plotting, they finally have the daughters they wanted," Sesshomaru made no acknowledgment.

  "Milord, the wedding starts in ten minutes, and I can't find your honoured father!" Jaken's shrill voice pitched even higher at failing his master.

  "Sounds like this is my time to leave," Sesshomaru watched his father regard him and smiled. "Change won't be as scary anymore."

  "Rin," he acknowledged. He took his seat, and Rin shuffled closer.

  "Sesshomaru, have you had your first kiss?" He regarded her slowly. He most definitely was not expecting that. Rin always seemed to catch him off guard, and she took his silence to continue. "It's alright. I guess it really is only special because it's your first one," then she turned to Sota. "Right, Sota?" It was his turn to look over the impassive boy with red-tipped ears.

  "Oh, come on! It's not just that that makes it special," cried out Kagome against everyone else's grumbles. "Pish, you boys are way too protective. Be like Sesshomaru, he's calm and understands it's just an event every teenager goes through. But! It doesn't make it not special. So, Rin, Sota, what did you think?"

  "It's kinda weird. But good? Weird good," Rin answered as Sota was left to blink. "It's not bad. It's alright. Yes? I would do it again," Rin laughed. "I'm very happy I got that over with, and from what Sesshomaru told me, it was much better than that time where Inuyasha called me disgusting and made me cry," Inuyasha scrambled at her remark.

  "Hey!"

  "Inuyasha, that's no way to treat anyone!"

  "I was seven!"

  "Flower," Goro planted his hands on her shoulders. "I know you are growing up and learning more about the world- but please! Please stop giving me heart attacks!"

  "That's right. No one is worthy of you," Akihito added as Yusuke rolled his eyes. 

  "Rin, as much as I am surprised and love you very much, please ignore your brothers and live your life," Yusuke spoke over the wails of Akihito.

  "Okay!" Rin grinned. "So, how was everyone's first kiss? Or best kiss? Is that even a thing?" Her brothers and Inuyasha balked at the suggestion.   

  "Well, my first kiss was with a very popular boy in my class. He could make any girl swoon with just a look. We were fifteen, and it was so romantic!" A distant reminiscent sigh. "Awkwardly romantic," Kagome concluded, satisfied. 

  "Wow! What's kissing Inuyasha like? Is it better?"

  "Ri-"

  "Oh, so much better!" Kagome managed to turn Inuyasha red as a tomato. "You know, he does this thin-"

  "She doesn't need to know!" Inuyasha slapped his hand over her mouth. 

  "Well, if you're going to be like that..." she returned it with a stink eye.

  "How about you, Goro?" Rin widened her eyes and wordlessly pleaded with him to answer. He gulped.

  "Flower-"

  "Oh, please! Won't you tell me? I promise not to tell anyone," a defeated sigh.

  "I was fifteen. A club mate gave me chocolate for Valentine and took too much liberty with my lips."

  "Oh. That's not nice."

  "No, it was not."

  "How about your best?" Goro flushed. 

  "Now, let's not worry about that," he leaned away as Inuyasha leaned to tease him. "How about you, Yu?" He quickly diverted attention. Yusuke sighed and paused his game.

  "I'm sorry to disappoint, but I have not had my first kiss yet. Maybe I should get it over with," he returned to his handheld console.

  "No! You should do it when you want to!" Rin reassured.

  "I understand," Yusuke agreed dryly.

  "How about you, Aki?" Akihito pulled a face and scrunched his nose in disgust.

  "People are gross."

  "People are nice!" Rin returned.

  "You're the only one that's nice. No one can be mean to someone as nice as you," Rin threw her arms around her younger brother. Everyone watched her eyes land on Inuyasha. 

  "How about you, Inuyasha?"

  "Yeah, how about you?" Kagome parroted. 

  "Wha- Rin! You can't- Keh. It was with Kikyo. The best, of course, is Kagome!" he added very quickly. "How about Sesshomaru?" 

  Sesshomaru snapped to his half-brother and sorely wished Inuyasha never had a mouth. Everyone stared at him, wanting to hear his answer. He stayed silent, daring anyone to challenge his silence. Graciously, Rin got the clue and turned back to Sota. 

  "I'm very glad that my first kiss is with you!"

  "Yes, of cour-"

  "Rin," Sesshomaru called out, and she faced him. "The garden is in bloom."

  "Oh! Do you think Aunt Izayoi will let me take one home?" she hopped off the couch and ran to the back, leaving her shoes in the foyer. 

  "Keh, you think you're sneaky?" Inuyasha sneered. "Well, we don't need to hear your answer. Not like it'll be anything cool."

  "As embarrassing as this was, shall we set up the movie?" Goro intervened. 

  "Godzilla!" Inuyasha called out.

  "No way! Antman is better," Akihito retorted. 

  "Porco Rosso is the way to go," Yusuke stated without looking away from his game.

  "Spirited Away is good too!" Kagome added.

  "I would say we could do a vote, but we all know how that's going to end up. Shall we let Rin choose?" Goro suggested. He suggested it every time, and they would agree to it because it was the most neutral and least harmful option. "Sesshomaru, do you mind if you could get her back?" 

  He could see the unspoken words that Goro kept back. Without objection, Sesshomaru stood up and made his way to the gardens. He let her awe at the flowers a little longer from his seat on the stone bench. Eventually, enough time passed that it was time to return.

  "Rin."

  "Yes?"

  "... Seventeen. I have yet to experience a kiss that impressed me," and without missing a beat. "Your brother should be done with the system."

  She lit up at his answer and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I wonder what we're going to watch?" She asked as if she didn't know it would be up to her. 

  Rin decided it was time for her to experience the genre of horror. Akihito had taken his seat between Sota and Rin. Kagome and Inuyasha on Sota's side. Rin's older brothers flanking unoccupied sides. Sesshomaru reserved his own armchair in solitude.

  As Goro carried Rin and Yusuke bundled Akihito closer, they couldn't help but wonder how much longer Rin would be in her childhood. It all seemed too short.

  "Excuse me! That's my sister!" Akihito was held back by Goro.

  When he tried to pull back, she pulled him in closer for a few more seconds because releasing him. She laughed and smiled widely. 

  "Happy New Year, Sesshomaru!" 

  "Happy New Year, Rin," he caressed her cheek.

  She turned to her brothers. "Happy New Year!" She jumped to them. 

  The music, the lighting and the crowd gave him a headache. Why his half-brother would choose a club of all places continued to boggle him. He would think of the some three decades of knowing one another would warrant some understanding between the half-brothers. Sesshomaru fought the need to smack the glass of beer from Inuyasha's hand as he chugged it down. The entire party had settled for an awkward silence, some nursing drinks, others downing them or refusing to drink at all.

  "As much as this would be a... banging place to party with friends, don't you think you may have chosen poorly for your brother?" Yusuke finally voiced dryly.

  "Half-brother, Keh," Inuyasha corrected. "When else would Sesshomaru ever step foot in a club, if not for his bachelor party?" 

  "You are under the impression that I would desire this experience. It seems you do not understand me as much as you pretend to."

  "Do you hear the bastard? He's practically begging for this. I could have chosen a strip club or something."

  "Yes, because that would be so much better," Sesshomaru growled. 

  "No need to get your knickers in a twist. This is the only place that would give us privacy!"

  "We're in the open surrounded by college students. The amount of privacy could probably fit in your pocket," Goro sarcastically pointed out. The pounding was getting to them.

  "This is part of the plan. This is ask-Sesshomaru-anything-and-have-him-answer-honestly!"

  "It usually works better when they're drunk. I've never seen Sesshomaru drunk," Akihito complained.

  "There's a first for everything," Miroku sang, already holding his third cup. He had his arm around Sota's neck. The poor boy trying to not suffocate and most likely wondering why he couldn't join Kohaku and Shippo in Rin's bachelorette party.

  "Well, come on! Ask away! Wait, I'll start first," Inuyasha rallied, despite the unimpressed response. "So, Maru, how does it feel to marry someone you've known all their life? Isn't it creepy? Not that I don't ship it. But that's kinda creepy."

  Sesshomaru scowled. Not even three drinks and his half-brother had lost all sense of decency.

  "Plus, you're like a whole ten years older than Rin!"

  "Are you do-"

  "Who proposed? Probably Rin, right? She's the smooth one. Have you ever seen her make a move? She's as smooth as, as... as ice cream- unlike this jackass. Did you know what he did for white day? Let me spell it out for you. N-O-O-T-I-N-G. She obviously made the first move. Don't know what she sees in this jerk," Inuyasha competing with the music and with every word, winning.

  Unable to say anything to the drunk of a half-brother, Sesshomaru received a glass from Goro. "You'll need this to get through tonight," Goro sympathetically resigned. Sesshomaru could not believe Goro would betray him.

  "I can't believe my jackass of a half-brother is getting married. I guess I beat you to that, heh," Inuyasha continued. "How many times have you tried kidnapping Rin, only to fail? And now you're getting married to her. You sure know how to do it. In any other world, you would be arrested five times over and in jail," another glass done. "So, who wanted the wedding more, you or her? When did you start to like her?" he took another swig. "Keh, have you ever kissed her? Or are you waiting for your wedding night?" He jeered. One more word from him, and Rin will lose her stupid man of honour. "Are you nervous? Isn't this like your first big relationship?" A gasp. "Are you a vi-"

  Sesshomaru grabbed Inuyasha's jaw and growled. "Are you done?"

  "Hey! You dropped my drink!" Inuyasha exclaimed. "Can't you treat me as nicely as you treat Rin?"

  "Be quiet," Sesshomaru groused and gripped harder.

  "Wats de diffrence between me and ween?" Inuyasha still managed to let out despite the clutch.

  "She's quieter," and the groom-to-be ignored the looks they all gave him.

  "Okay, okay. I give!" the elder half-brother released his hold. "No need to be a jerk about this all. Your favourite half-brother did all this for you."

  "I am not aware of such declaration."

  "Keh, Rin would treat me so much better."

  Sesshomaru growled, taking his jacket and turning to Inuyasha one last time. "We're already married."

  "What?!-"

   The only one who managed to follow him was Sota. The boy- well, Sesshomaru supposed he was no longer a boy. Sota followed him to the car silently. In the passenger seat at the red light, he finally spoke. 

  "Are you really married?" Sesshomaru delegated to not answer. It was his only enjoyment of the night.

  "Father," Setsuna greeted at the dining table as he placed the glasses. She had returned from her music extracurricular. 

   His youngest took her seat after helping Rin bring out the bowls. Towa was quick to sit beside her sister after Rin, the two sharing a look and the eldest elbowing the younger. Towa losing to the stubbornness of Setsuna.

  "What is it?" Sesshomaru called out, clearly catching on their need to ask him something.

  "Um. Pa- Father... Did you- didyouelopewithmama?" Towa rushed out. "UncleInuyashasaidyoudidand-"

  "Whatever nonsense Inuysahsa put in your head, you can forget," Sesshomaru interrupted.

  "Oh, so you didn't elope?" There was an exhale of relief of not getting into trouble for asking. 

  "But, we did?" Rin corrected.

  "What?!" the twins cried out. Setsuna shooting up from her seat and all not catching the slight tension in their father's reaction. 

  "You girls have the exact same reaction as everyone else!" Rin laughed. 

    "Do you have any plans for your birthday?" She swung her legs to the breeze. 

    "Feign shock when you drag me to Inuyasha's home," she smiled widely at his dry answer.

    "Oh, thank you! But, one day, we'll surprise you. Count on it!" She turned to him. "Have you thought of anything you want for your birthday present?"

    "I don't wish for anything," well, maybe for silence from a particular mutt. But we all know how that will never happen. And... 

    "But it's not every day you turn thirty! It's special, like when your twenty or forty or a hundred-"

    "What do you wish for, for your birthday?"

    "That's months from now! It's much too early to decide on anything," she huffed. "A-and it's different from wanting something and receiving a thoughtful gift!" She was pouting, embarrassed because she did think of something she wanted and didn't want to be caught with that. 

    "Rin, anything you desire, you can have whenever you wish," he reassured her in a low voice so close to her. She met his eyes under the veil of dark lashes.

    "... Anything?" She asked timidly.

    "Anything."

    "Even now?" It came out endearingly bashful. Hope gnawed at him. 

    "Even now."

    "Well..." she began, tugging at the ends of her hair and her eyes flickered away. "I..." her fingers twirling with the tips. "Are you sure?"

    "Yes," he let out like a breath—anticipation growing far faster than he could reign it in. But patience is a virtue, and he would wait a thousand years for her.

    "You won't make fun of me?" She pulled on her bangs to cover her eyes. Any more, and she would be pulling out her hair. He reached to engulf her hands. They were warm and cold. Maybe it was his hands that were warm. The tips of his ears were.

    "Never," he rasped out. He promised himself that he would give her anything she wanted. 

    "I've... You won't tell anybody?" Her voice getting lower and lower, her face getting closer and closer to compensate for the volume.

    "Not unless you want me to," he whispered and brushed a lock behind her ear. His palm resting there.

    "Okay- I'll tell you," she finally looked back at him. 

    "You do not need to be afraid," She nodded ever so slightly at his reassurance.

    "I... I've been wanting that cake..." she confessed bashfully. Sesshomaru swallowed his sigh and nodded. He removed his hands from her. "You won't call me a pig like Aki?"

    "Never," there was no quiver in his answer, that, he was thankful for— no audible disappointment. 

    She took his hands and threw their interlocked hands into the air in cheer. Sesshomaru was pulled by Rin to the cake shop they passed.

    "Sesshomaru!" Rin called out. 

    He immediately stood up and held his hand out. Her smile was faintly outlined by the moonlight. It suited her so well and almost felt ethereal. Her warm hand brought him back to reality. He pulled her towards him, careful to catch her and steady so she wouldn't hurt herself. 

    "What are you doing?" She asked and pulled her cardigan tighter.

    "... Stargazing," but he saw more stars within her eyes than the night sky.

    "Oh, sorry to bother you then. I can le-"

    "Would you care to join me?" 

    "Of course!" She beamed, and it didn't feel like nightfall anymore. "Shall we sit?" 

    He guided her to his previous location, unwilling to let her hand go. Before he sat down, he undid the front of his jacket and pulled her into his space, allowing the coat to engulf her with his warmth.

    They sat in silence, admiring the starry night sky. His thumb misbehaving on her hand. She has yet to pull away, and something grew brighter in him than the moon. But he thought that too soon, and she removed her hand. He could see that she was playing with her fingers, no longer looking at the stars. Rin did not feel comfortable with him. Sesshomaru began to extract himself from her, but she spoke faster than his reluctance to move.

    "Have you ever played, never-have-I-ever?" He froze.

    "I.. have not. I have heard of it from Inuyasha and his friends."

    "They're your friends too. Sango would be so sad to hear that," she murmured. "So you have never played? Would you like to play?" She still hasn't looked at him, which given their position, would be challenging, but it was as if she was nervous about facing him. He never wanted her to feel uncomfortable with him.

    "... Do you wish to play it with me?"

    "Yes," that was all he needed to hear. 

    "How does one play?" He gently inquired.

    "Well, you have to get comfortable. Sitting is usually comfortable..." He followed her instruction. "We keep tally with our fingers," she swooped the top of his hand to expose his palm to the world. Her hand half the size, and it felt much more potent than his. "We take turns saying something you have never done, and if the other person has, they fold a finger. The first to fold four has to... never mind that. I can start!" he waited for her. "Never have I ever.... tried to kidnap a baby."

    Begrudgingly, he folded his first finger. Twenty-some years and they still won't let it go.

    "Never have I ever... asked Inuyasha to kiss me," he pulled a face as he said that. But if she was going to start off like that. The way she huffed and folded her finger into his palm distracted him from the stars. 

    "Never have I ever failed to kidnap a toddler."

    He stilled. She couldn't have meant that- no, she was too young to remember that-

    "Mama said you tried to take me into your family when Goro, Yu, and Aki first came," he let his breath go. It wasn't that. Thank everything. 

    "Is that not a repeat of the first one?"

    "A baby and a toddler are two different things," she reasoned.

    "I see," he folded his second finger slowly, still recovering from the moment before.

    "Your turn."

    "Never have I ever... gotten sick because I ate something expired that Inuyasha gave me."

    "I feel targeted," she covered his second finger. 

    "As do I."

    "Never have I ever won a tournament," he never lost a tournament during his school days. Still, he never recalled her participating in one either.

    "Never have I ever dump a bucket of water on the babysitter."

    "What? But I never had a babysitter- Oh. You mean you."

    "Indeed. I learnt my lesson to never trust you and Inuyasha together."

    "You're just jealous that we have all the fun," she argued and folded her third finger. "Never have I ever broke my arm," he folded his third finger. 

    "Never have I ever kissed someone else to just get my first kiss over with."

    "I feel very targeted," she folded her last finger. "You win, Sesshomaru."

    He couldn't help but feel that he didn't win. Not when his pinky finger stood out for the rest of the night like some forgotten promise. 

Inuyasha -

That bastard actually got someone to be his better half; who knew? Kek. He was pretty sure his older brother came with neon warnings stuck to his forehead. Sesshomaru was trouble from the start, and now poor, poor Rin (bless his best friend) was the one to deal with it. But she made everyone want to be a better self, so Inuyasha shouldn't be worrying so much, right? Geh, good for him, he supposed.

Izayoi -

Kimi was one of her closest friends. Although Sesshomaru was not of her blood, Izayoi considered him one of her sons and hoped he liked her in some form or another. She could never ask him to call her mom or mother, but she would like to think that he hadn't pushed her away meant something. So when she didn't imagine his attachment to Rin, she couldn't help but gush. Sesshomaru never acted so curiously towards infant Inuyasha; Rin clearly had some power to affect her eldest. How delightful!

Togo -

When his eldest acted rather uncharacteristically, he knew that their lives would be even more intertwined. Honestly, he probably lost a good five years off of that fiasco. But the two were a good match, he grounded her, and she showed him life. It was a little worrisome before Rin. So brooding and apathetic. So, so cold. Sesshomaru always worried him so much, but Togo could finally ease his shoulder with Rin around to whip his eldest into shape. Togo failed his son in that aspect as a father, so the only he could do is his best for the growing family.

Kimi -

"Daughter of Hana, you may address me as Mother Kimi," was the very first sentence Kimi said to the year-old Rin. 

Sesshomaru was a beautiful child, which was a given due to his parentage. Togo had nothing else, if not his appearance. Honestly, it surprised her that her newborn looked so elegant, unlike all the other wrinkled sacs. But she never expected any less from her offspring.

Then Inuyasha came, and she supposed he was a better-looking child than the average. Izayoi was a graceful woman, and with a pretty face from Togo, she figured Inuyasha would attract some attention. If Inuyasha was a warm kind of beauty, Sesshomaru was the opposite. He had inherited the moon from her. So cold and distant, but ever beautiful.

Rin, however, was very different. The baby was cute. And she never used that word. Even more damming, Kimi dared say that the girl was downright adorable with giggly grins and extra happy hugs. It only took a second for Kimi to realize precisely why her only son made the unexpected attempt to kidnap the child. There was no way she was going to let something so... so... happy get away.

Of course, it wouldn't do for her to lift a hand. So she'll let Izayoi and Sesshomaru do the work. It would be a shame if her son could not captivate her attention after all that intervention. Izayoi would agree with her opinion.

Lo and behold, her son accomplished to seduce the happy ball of smiles. How? Well, she couldn't fathom it, but sometimes you just take victories. And it was all without needing her to intervene. If he needed her help, he would be no son of hers. They were of elegance and capable of doing whatever they pleased.