Dreamcatcher's The Play Date by Kagome357

Chapter One

*edited to clarify the status of this story. I received a few messages asking me when I would continue and why was it marked as "complete". Even though I put it in the profile, I realize I didn't clarify it within the story and I apologize for that. This is intended to be a one shot. I'm in the middle of two other serials and I honestly don't have the time to write four full on serials. However, when I finish the other two and if time and desire permits, I may turn this and "Jasmine Tea" into serials.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"That'll be $23.59, miss." The cashier rang up.

Kagome pulled her credit card out and paid for the fish and the 2 pounds of boar meat. Looking around the butcher's shop she saw all varieties of meats including bear, deer, beef, pork, antelope, zebra and fish. There was certainly a variety of meats for everyone, demon and human alike.

Kagome walked out of the meat market and onto busy sidewalk traffic. This wasn't her favorite market but it sold the boar meat that Shippo loved so much and he needed his nutrients. He's growing so fast, Kagome thought lovingly of her son. Soon she made her way to the subway and caught the connecting train that would take her back to her home at the Higurashi Shrine.

She had a car but it was easier going to market on the train during this busy time of the day. She had the day off from the hospital and was rushing home and get things settled before picking Shippo up from school.

It had been a point of contention for the demon community when she adopted Shippo. His parents, co-workers and good friends of hers, were killed in a car accident when he was 5 years old. He lived in a horrible orphanage for a year, depressed and sad, his little fire energy practically dying.

No one in the demon community wanted him. That is, until she stepped forward and rescued him; then the demon community bitched and complained about the interracial adoption, saying he needed to be with his own kind, that a human woman couldn't properly take care of a growing kitsune and that he would become "humanized" and soon more of them would take demon children and make them hate their demon heritage.

The fact that he was adopted by a miko and living at a shrine incensed the demon community even further.

The battle for Shippo waged on for a year as a group calling itself "The Demon Preservation League" filed several lawsuits demanding his handover. Kagome fought the lawsuit with everything she could but with little money, she was losing the battle. Just as she was about to run out of resources, a demon/human advocacy group joined her team.

The Sakura Blossom Group, fronted by the powerful demon attorney Sesshomaru Taisho, countered the lawsuit, showing that the members were prejudiced against humans and only sought to take the kitsune on that principle alone and had no intention of adopting him themselves. The courts decided in Kagome's favor.

Kagome was ecstatic by the ruling but when she went to thank him, his cold and icy demeanor put her off.

"I actually agree with the notion about him being raised in a shrine and I question your parenting abilities, Miss Higurashi, but the boy does not belong where he will wither and die. Hire a demon trainer who can teach him demon ways so that he knows who he is," he told her as he turned his back and walked away from her.

Kagome shuddered at the memory of him. He was icy cold. She couldn't figure out why he had even joined her fight seeing as how he hate humans just as much as the DPL. He wouldn't even speak directly to her; he treated her as though she was a plant or something.

She couldn't afford to hire a demon trainer but she did study up on demon culture so that she could at least cook and care for him. She sent him to an all demon school so he could be around his own kind but they picked on him for having a human mother. She then enrolled him at the Nakamoto School in Kyoto, which had a mixture of demon and human students. It cost a bit more but Kagome felt it was the best thing for him.

Kagome formally adopted him when he was 7. Shippo thrived, absorbing both cultures as he began to blossom and mature. Now 10 years old, he enjoyed soccer, baseball, and candy.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, honey." Kagome told him as he climbed into the back seat with a piece of candy in his mouth. She was 45 minutes late. "Traffic was horrible today."

"It's cool, Mom." Shippo replied happily. "You're not that late."

He looked out the car window and quickly rolled the window down as they slowly drove off. "Hey Rin!" He shouted to a sad faced little girl seated on a bench in front of the school. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

Rin waved to him and then put her head down.

"Who's that?" Kagome asked.

"She's my classmate and she's pretty cool � for a girl. She reminds me of you, Mom." Shippo replied.

"Why is she just sitting there?"

Shippo looked over at her. "She's waiting for her driver to come and get her. He's late a lot. I heard he didn't show up for 2 hours the other day."

"That's terrible!" Kagome fumed. "Let's go and offer her a ride."

"Uh Mom I don't think that's a good idea," Shippo said. "Her father is very strict and he'll be angry with her."

Kagome looked over at the sad child. "Nonsense. How could he if it's the fault of his driver? I can't just leave that poor child out there alone like that! What if someone hurts her? I couldn't live with that. Besides, this fall air is chilly. She'll freeze. She's just a little thing."

Kagome turned the car around at the next corner and circled the block. When she came back, the girl was still sitting there. She pulled over to the curb and got out.

"Hey sweetheart," she approached the child. "I'm Kagome Higurashi. Shippo is my son. Would you like us to take you home?"

"No thank you, Miss Higurashi." Rin said nervously. "My father will be angry if I get into a stranger's car and besides, Hiro will be here soon. I hope."

"Nonsense, and it's Kagome," she replied. "It's chilly out and it's been awhile since school let out. I won't leave you here."

"Come on, Rin." Shippo encouraged. "My mom's pretty cool. We'll get you home."

"I know!" Kagome said, pulling her cell phone out. "Call your father and tell him I'm bringing you home."

Rin looked at her apprehensively. It was cold and Hiro was always late. She wanted to go home. "Alright." She said timidly as she stood up to get in the back seat with Shippo and dialed her father's number.

After a brief conversation, she hung up and gave the phone back to Kagome.

"Well, is he okay about it?" Kagome asked.

"No, he's angry but he said he'll talk to you when we get there. I don't know why he didn't demand that I got out. I expected him to do that."

Kagome suppressed a sigh as she drove the girl home with the address she provided.

After 30 minutes, Kagome's car turned down a posh suburban street and pulled up to a huge mansion. She drove to the front door, got out of the car and opened the passenger door and let the kids out. Before they could get to the front door, it swung open and a tall white haired man stepped out.

Kagome gasped. Sesshomaru Taisho??

Rin walked up to him and bowed. "I'm sorry Father," she began, "but it's so cold and Hiro wasn't there yet. Shippo is my friend and his mother..."

"It is fine, Rin." He interrupted her gently. "Go inside and warm up. I will deal with Hiro."

Rin bowed to him and walked into towards the house. "Thank you, Miss Higurashi! Bye Shippo! See you tomorrow!" She breathed as she walked upstairs slowly.

He looked at Kagome. "Are you in the habit of picking up other people's children, Miss Higurashi?" he said icily. "If you are, I suggest you stop before someone gets the wrong impression of you."

Before she could respond, he turned and went back into the house and slammed the door.

Stunned, Kagome stared at the closed door. She marched up to the house and banged on the door and took a step back. Sesshomaru swung the door open.

"What is it?" He bit out.

"Why all the nerve, you jerk! Your child was sitting out the cold all alone and your driver nowhere to be seen! How dare you chastise me for picking her up when he was the one who endangered her! I suggest, MR. TAISHO that you either hire a new driver or show your daughter that you care by picking her up yourself!"

Kagome turned and walked back towards her car. "By the way, Mr. Taisho," she said casually over her shoulder, "do it before someone questions your parenting abilities. Get in the car, Shippo!"

Kagome got in the car and drove off with a stunned Shippo staring at her. She didn't utter a word until they arrived back at the shrine.

"I'm so sorry Shippo," Kagome murmured as she they walked inside the house. "I hadn't meant to get so irate but that demon is infuriating! Who does he think he is??"

"I've never seen him before," Shippo replied. "Rin has been my friend ever since I started school there but he's never driven her. You sure were mad at Mr. Taisho."

"He's a big fat jerk!" Kagome hissed, remembering their first encounter entirely too well. "Oh Shippo, I'll try not to yell like that. Do your homework and I'll see to dinner."

Shippo laughed as he bounced upstairs. "Sure Mom! Cya later!"

Kagome went into the kitchen and took out the fish and boar she bought earlier. Preparing dinner, she couldn't help to notice how well he looked in his blue suit. "Creep!" She said out loud as she stabbed a piece of the boar's meat.

Shippo was doing his homework when his cell phone rang. "Yo!" He answered.

"Hey Shippo!"

"Oh hey Rin!" Shippo replied. "Was your dad mad at my mom?"

"Sorta, but he was more mad at Hiro," she replied. "Turns out he was seeing his girlfriend and forgetting me and telling Father that traffic was bad so he got fired. Father told me that I should have told him I was being forgotten but he's fine now. I like your mom. She's pretty."

"Yeah, I think she is too. She and your dad know each other," Shippo replied. "I just don't know where."

"Shippo, Father is the lawyer who helped your mom keep you." Rin laughed.

"Really? I didn't know that!" Shippo exclaimed laughing and then suddenly thought of something. "Hey, does your dad have a girlfriend?"

"I don't think so," Rin replied. "I've never seen him with a girlfriend or knew him to have one and he's always at the office working on a case. What about your mom? Does she have a boyfriend?"

"Nope." Shippo said. "She works too hard. I hear her talking to her friends about find Mr. Right or whoever that is, but she never dates."

"I'll bet if I had a mommy, I wouldn't have to worry about being left at school and Father wouldn't have to work so hard," Rin sadly replied.

"Yeah, and if I had a dad, maybe he'll teach me how to play soccer and hunt." Shippo said. "We need to do something."

"What do you have in mind?" Rin asked.

Shippo smirked. "Maybe we could get your dad and my mom together." He thought about it for a moment. "I know! How about a play date?"

"That's a great idea, Shippo!" Rin shouted, and then looked around and whispered, "What should we do?"

"You ask your dad if you can have a play date soon and I'll ask my mom but not with each other. I'll think about the rest of it and let you know at school tomorrow. I gotta go. Bye!"

"Bye Shippo." Rin said, hanging up.

Shippo put his phone down, wondering how they should come up with a way to get the two parents together.

"Shippo!" Kagome yelled from downstairs. "Dinners on!"

Shippo closed his book and raced down the stairs as Kagome set the table. "So my son, how was your day?" Kagome asked him.

"It was great! I scored 2 goals during gym today and I aced my math quiz and my demonic history class is coming along real good. By the way can I have company over for a play date this weekend?"

Kagome almost lost her balance. "Play date?? Since when do you have play dates?"

"Since now," Shippo said. "My buddy wants to see the shrine and play with my Playstation 3 games. So can I, Mom? Please??"

"Shippo, not every demon wants to see a human shrine," Kagome smiled as she brought dinner to the table. "The demon population have issues with you living here as is."

"Please Mom??" Shippo whined.

"Shippo, not now. Let's have dinner first."

"...I'm going to call Sota and tell him about my goals!" Shippo droned out to her over dinner as Kagome thought about things, namely a tall white haired jerk with a great body. "I'm sure he'll be happy and then maybe I can go to school in England like him and play soccer full time!"

"Shippo," Kagome interrupted. "Finish your dinner."

"Sorry Mom." Shippo replied as he ate his boar's meat as dinner continued quietly.

The next morning, Kagome drove Shippo to school. The traffic wasn't so bad and they made it there in good time.

"Mom, I want my friend to come over. I don't have very many friends and human kids don't want to play with me and demon kids don't like me either." Shippo whined.

"Well," Kagome said, looking at Shippo's wide tear filled eyes. "Alright. You can ask your friend to come over."

Shippo cheered as he hugged Kagome and jumped into the car.

"I don't know how I'm going to handle two rambunctious demon boys." Kagome sighed as she waited for him to get out of the car. Shippo looked innocently at Kagome as he bounced out and ran to the building.

"Father," Rin said softly as she and Sesshomaru drove towards school. "May I have a play date soon?"

"No," Sesshomaru replied. "I have two very important cases coming up, one for SBG and another for my firm. I do not have the time to devote to you and a friend. Maybe after everything is finished; then I will consider it."

"But Father you always have a case," Rin said, "and besides, we would be at my friend's house so you wouldn't have to worry. I don't have very many friends because I live so far. My friend lives near my school. Please Father. I get so lonely out here alone."

"You have Jaken to keep you company," Sesshomaru replied, not really wanting to discuss this now. "He would not mind doing whatever you please."

"Father, Jaken isn't a playmate my age." Rin said sadly.

Sesshomaru looked at Rin through his rear view mirror. She was looking down, her little lip trembling, on the verge of tears. He sighed heavily. She seldom asked him for anything. "Alright Rin, you can have your play date but I will need to meet your friend and her parents first."

"Yes Father and thank you." Rin replied, trying to contain her happiness. She didn't mention that her friend wasn't a "she."

Sesshomaru dropped Rin off at the front of the school and watched her go in before pulling off. Rin walked into the building and was pulled to the side by Shippo.

"So??" Shippo asked anxiously.

"I can't believe it but he said yes!" Rin said triumphantly.

They high-fived each other and walked to class, discussing their insidious plan.

Working through a very hectic clinic day, Kagome was exhausted by the time she pulled up to Shippo's school but he wasn't outside. Bewildered, she pulled over and waited. She noticed a black BMW across from her with tinted windows. She was starting to get worried. She looked her watch. It was 3:15. School let out at 2:50. She wondered if Shippo was in trouble.

She got out of the car and walked towards the school. Just then the black BMW's door opened and Sesshomaru got out. Looking briefly at Kagome, he turned a cold shoulder and walked towards the building.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Taisho." Kagome greeted.

"Hn."

"So," Kagome needled. "That famous breeding of upper level demons is just total bullshit, huh?"

"You would do well to mind your business, Miss Higurashi." Sesshomaru bit out. "You speak of things you know nothing about."

"Apparently I know good breeding and manners when I DON'T see them." Kagome laughed.

Sesshomaru turned to reply but the school door opened and Rin and Shippo came out.

"Mom!" Shippo yelled, bouncing over to Kagome and hugging her tight. Rin walked calmly over to her father and bowed. "Father." She said politely.

"I see my suggestion for a demon trainer went over your head. His manners and respect are lacking and it is a reflection of your person, Miss Higurashi." Sesshomaru smirked. "Perhaps my time was wasted on you, your plight and the kitsune."

"I don't recall asking for your help at all, Mr. Taisho!" Kagome bit out, stung by his words. "It's not like I can afford a trainer. We're not all rich like you. Who do you think you are? Wait, don't answer � you're the great and powerful Sesshomaru Taisho, asshole attorney on the right side of Buddha."

"Uh, Mom..." Shippo interrupted.

"I am someone who knows when a mistake has been made." Sesshomaru countered, angered by Kagome's impudence. "Perhaps I should talk with my group and rectify this situation. The boy is growing up wild, ill-mannered and unmanageable. He will be unfit for demon society at the rate you're raising him. He will be as worthless as a hanyou."

No sooner than he said it, he cringed. He had gone too far.

"Father." Rin chimed in, her eyes wide in shock.

Kagome, stunned, took a deep breath, willing the tears not to fall. "Mr. Taisho, no matter what you think of me as a human, that's your problem and I really don't care," she said in a shaky voice. "Do not insult my child! He didn't deserve the hate he got years ago and he doesn't deserve the hate you spit him now! You dare talk of breeding and manners!"

Sesshomaru looked down at Shippo. The stricken boy was staring at him.

"I apologize, son." Sesshomaru said softly. "Your mother is correct. You do not deserve my anger and I am shamed by my actions. It is not becoming of someone of my person. I hope that you will accept my apology."

Shippo eyed him curiously before slowly accepting the apology and bowed to him.

"Come Rin, let us go home." Sesshomaru said, turning to his daughter. He had humiliated himself and his daughter and wanted to leave. Perhaps he will hire a more reliable driver so he didn't have to come here again.

"Wait Father," Rin said, pulling his hand. "You wanted to meet my friend and his parents. Shippo is my play date and Kago..., uh, Miss Higurashi is his mom. I want to play at his shrine."

Kagome and Sesshomaru stared at each other.

"Are you kidding? Shippo, you didn't tell me you wanted Rin to come over!" Kagome nearly yelled at him as he innocently batted his eyes at her.

"Mom can we please?? You promised!" Shippo whined.

"Father, you did say yes as well." Rin said calmly, her wide chocolate eyes brimming with tears.

Sesshomaru shuddered internally. What was he supposed to say now? He insulted the child to his face and if he said no to his daughter, he would look like a heartless jackass.

He turned to Kagome, suppressing the bile that was working its way up his throat. "If you are willing, she can stay with you." He said.

"Uh, sure. No problem," She replied shocked. "We'd be happy to have her over." She had expected him to recoil. She was pretty sure he did internally.

"Good. I will call you later to discuss it." Sesshomaru replied as he took Rin by the hand and led her down the school steps.

They got in the BMW and drove off.

Kagome silently huffed as she drove home. Shippo, smirking, never uttered a word.

Kagome was reading a magazine when the phone rang. She looked over the clock, which read 9:45pm. I wonder who this could be, she thought.

"Hello?"

"Miss Higurashi?" A deep baritone voice spoke. "It's Sesshomaru Taisho."

"Oh, it's you Lord Buddha." Kagome bit out sarcastically. "What pray tell will you deign on your lowly human subjects today?"

Sesshomaru sighed. "I deserved that. It was not fair of me to attack the kitsune. I understand you being protective of him but for his sake and for Rin, you and I must come to an accord since they have decided to become friends."

Kagome, listening to his deep voice, didn't quite understand everything he said. "Uh, yeah. I agree."

"Rin would like to visit on Saturday. Is noon acceptable?" He asked.

"Yes, that's fine. I have the day off so I'll be here to supervise them completely." Kagome replied.

"Good. What will be a good time to pick her up?"

"Well, can she stay for supper?" Kagome asked.

"Yes. I shall pick her up at 7:00." Sesshomaru replied.

"I'll tell Shippo and thank you." Kagome replied before disconnecting.

Kagome got up and went to check on Shippo. He was fast asleep. She smiled, deciding she'll tell him tomorrow morning. She went to her bedroom and changed for bed. As she stood in front of her mirror, she looked at her body. Her small body was accented by larger than average breast, a curvy waist and long legs. She sighed. It was difficult meeting men, particularly human men. At 26, she was raising a demon child and living at home. That didn't exactly scream "sexy babe."

She sighed and went to bed.

Saturday came before Kagome knew it and Shippo was waiting at the front door excited. When he saw Sesshomaru at the top of the steps, he nearly knocked the door down but then thinking the better of it, he slowly walked towards the steps.

Nodding approvingly, Sesshomaru walked towards him holding Rin's hand. She looked around nervously as Shippo walked up to her.

"Greetings Mr. Taisho, Miss Rin." He said as he bowed.

Sesshomaru nodded as Kagome came out to meet them. His spine instantly stiffened. She was wearing a pair of black shorts and a tight tee-shirt. Very not bad, he thought before he snuffed the though out of his head.

"Please forgive my appearance Mr. Taisho," Kagome said, clearly embarrassed. "I was cleaning and lost track of time. Hello Rin!" She greeted the child.

Rin shyly waved as she took her backpack and handed it to a waiting Shippo.

"Let me show you the play room!" He said excitedly as he took Rin by the hand. Rin quickly turned around and said goodbye to Sesshomaru as they walked towards the house.

"I have an all day meeting, Miss Higurashi." Sesshomaru stated, "I shall call you when it's over and I will come and retrieve my daughter."

With that, he turned and left.

Kagome watched him saunter away and walked back to the house and closed the door behind her.

Rin was very quiet and reserved when she came but within an hour, she was running around crazed like Shippo; eating candy, watching DVD's, listening to music, playing video games and having a ball. Both ran all over the shrine grounds, in and out the well house, playing soccer, freeze tag and jumping games. Kagome had to prompt them several times to behave themselves.

"Father never lets me play like this!" She exclaimed happily towards dinner time. "Kagome, can I come back next weekend?"

"It's up to him," Kagome laughed. "We'll see what he has to say. Now put the candy away. Dinner's ready."

Kagome sat the children down to rice, miso soup and raw antelope that she bought fresh early this morning as she prepared her beef domburi. Rin stared at the meat, frowning.

"What's wrong, Rin? Don't you like antelope?" She asked.

"It's raw." She replied.

"Don't you get your nutrients from the raw meat?" Kagome queried.

"Uh mom," Shippo chimed in, "Rin is human."

Human? Kagome thought as she stared at the girl. Rin is human?? Why that son of a Pocky eater! Implying I can't take care of a demon child when he's raising a human! The next time I see him...

"I'm sorry, Rin." Kagome said, taking the bowl. "Let me get you some beef domburi. You'll like that."

After dinner, Kagome took them down the street to a puppet show. Shippo had seen it several times and was bored with it but Rin was enthralled. Walking up the shrine steps afterwards, Kagome couldn't help but notice how tightly Rin held her hand. She softly squeezed her hand in return.

At 7:00 Kagome went to get Rin ready to go but found her asleep on the sofa. Not disturbing her, she placed her things by the door and waited for Sesshomaru.

By 8:00, he hadn't arrived. Kagome tried calling him but got his voice mail. Leaving a message, she couldn't imagine what was taking the irritatingly formal demon so long. She put Shippo to bed and waited for Sesshomaru to arrive.

By 10:00, he was still not there nor had he called. Kagome woke Rin up, bathed her, dressed her in one of her old Hello Kitty tee shirts and put her to sleep in her old bed. She couldn't imagine what happened to him and was starting to get worried.

Kagome had fallen asleep on the couch when a loud knocking at the door awoke her. She looked over at the clock. It was 12:30am. She walked to the door and peeked out the window to see a very irritated Taiyoukai and opened the door.

"Miss Higurashi," Sesshomaru replied. "I apologize. My meeting had gone longer than intended and I couldn't get to the phone to call you. Demon meetings go on until all sides are at an agreement. I hope I have not inconvenienced you or your son. I will take Rin and we will leave."

"It's okay," Kagome replied. "Besides, she's asleep. Let her stay the night. She's very comfortable and I have plenty of room for her."

"But..." he countered.

"No buts, Mr. Taisho." Kagome interrupted. "We don't mind. She was a joy to have. She's very tired so let her sleep in."

Sesshomaru slowly nodded and then quietly looked around. He seems reluctant to leave for some reason, she thought.

"Can I offer you some tea this late?" Kagome said. Sesshomaru nodded and walked into the living room and looked around as Kagome went into the kitchen to quickly brew some water. The home was small but it was clean and modestly decorated. He looked at the pictures on the wall.

"Who are these humans?" He asked.

Kagome, coming back out with the tea, looked at the wall. "That's my brother Sota. He's attending university in England and is on his school's soccer team. That's my mom. She used to live here but her job relocated her to Singapore so she's here every other month or so but hasn't been home in about 4 months. My grandpa and father are both deceased. Of course you know me and Shippo."

They sat down on the sofa and sipped their tea slowly.

"So," Kagome began after an awkward silence. "Rin is human."

"Yes." He replied.

Kagome stared at him. He was so matter-of-fact about it.

"If that's the case," she bit out, feeling her anger rising, "why did you give me such a hard time about Shippo?"

"Because Shippo is a male demon child," he replied placing the tea cup down. "It is difficult if they do not have a male influence in their formative years. He could become wild and unmanageable as he gets older. Were you even aware of what fox demons are capable of before and immediately after you took him in?"

"No," Kagome conceded. "I just saw a child who needed me."

"And there is nothing wrong with that, Miss Higurashi, but understand that his persona can be very dangerous. He needs training and control of the fox fire that grows within him as he matures. The DPL understood the kitsune's potential but they wanted to take him away from you for the wrong reasons."

Kagome could find no fault in his logic. "You're right. He does need a father."

"I did not say 'father' Miss Higurashi." Sesshomaru smirked.

"No, you didn't," she smiled, amused at the light tone in his voice. "But maybe a father is what he really needs."

"Perhaps." He replied.

"How did you come to adopt Rin?" She asked him gently.

Sesshomaru took a sip of tea. "I found her as an infant along the side of the road, discarded like trash. I took her to a hospital but no one claimed her so they took her to an orphanage. I found out about it and retrieved her and decided I would search for a suitable home for her. Before I realized it, three years had passed and I had grown rather fond of her so I adopted her."

"She's so sweet and adorable." Kagome said forcing the tears down. "I don't know how anyone could abandon her."

"Perhaps she needs a mother." Sesshomaru said huskily.

Kagome turned red as she looked at him. Damn him and that voice. They continued to talk until late. Kagome felt her lids grow heavy. I'll just rest them for a second, she thought.

Kagome felt warm, as though she was wrapped up in her favorite comforter on a cold winter's night. She snuggled into it, not wanting to wake up. It was soothing, nurturing, and strangely arousing.

She heard a distant voice. "Uh...Mom?"

"Not now, Shippo. Wake me up later." She whined.

"Mom?" Shippo called out again.

"Please Shippo, fix your own breakfast this morning."

"Father?" A softer voice called out.

Father?? Kagome slowly peeked out of her right eye. She saw Shippo stand there staring at her. Had she fallen asleep on the couch? Who's that next to him?

It's Rin.

Rin? Why is she still here? Didn't her father...

SESSHOMARU!

Kagome jerked her eyes wide open. During the night, she and Sesshomaru had fallen asleep. On the couch. In each other's arms. She was fully awake now and aghast to find herself wrapped tightly in his arms against his warm massive chest. He slowly opened his eyes and looked down at her, his amber eyes sleepy and hypnotic.

She knew she should get up; with the kids standing there, this was horribly improper.

Shippo grabbed Rin's hand and ran upstairs.

Kagome tried to pull herself from his arms. Trouble is, he didn't seem to want to let her go.

"Good morning, Miss Higurashi." He replied lazily.

"I think we're well past the formal stage." Kagome replied, embarrassed. "Uh, you can let me go now."

"Hn." He slowly released her and she pulled away. Kagome felt instantly cold.

"Uh, can I at least offer you breakfast?" Kagome said more huskily than she should have.

"No, I will take Rin and leave. Thank you...for your hospitality." Sesshomaru replied, standing up.

They stood there staring at each other, neither talking nor willing to step away.

Rin and Shippo watched from the stairs.

Rin started to speak but Shippo shushed her and crept back upstairs. They went into his room and closed the door.

"Why did you do that?" Rin asked.

"Because your dad can hear real good." Shippo replied. "Do you think this will work?"

"I don't know," Rin said. "I think he likes your mom."

"I think they like each other. Maybe we'll get to be brother and sister soon!"

The two kids giggled and came downstairs.

Sesshomaru turned towards the two. "Rin, get your things. We must leave."

Rin grabbed her things as she and Sesshomaru walked to the front door. "I'm ready, Father. Can Shippo come to our home for a play date next weekend?"

Sesshomaru looked at Kagome. "That is up to Miss Higurashi."

"Uh, I don't mind and I'm sure Shippo would love it." Kagome replied.

Sesshomaru walked back to Kagome and ran his thumb over her bottom lip. "Perhaps you will stay as well and make a 'family day' of it and allow me to return the hospitality," he murmured.

Kagome blushed under his touch. No mistaking the arousal there.

Sesshomaru and Rin left the house and walked down the shrine steps, Sesshomaru looking over his shoulder at Kagome. She stood there in the doorway, watching him.

"Mom, I think he likes you." Shippo laughed as he turned back and skipped to the kitchen to make his breakfast.

"Yeah, perhaps." Kagome said.

Maybe I'll have a play date of my own...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I apologize for the confusion but again, when I finish my other stories and if I find the time, I'll go from there.

Thanks for reading.