Disclaimers!

To Youkai55: Yeah, I know it's not what everyone expected. I just think Akemi is just tired of exploding on him. She's just waiting for him to get the picture, ya know? And you're right, Rin is definitely something special. Kids say the craziest things, don't they?

To . : I'm glad you enjoyed my little Christmas gift.

To TheRiceBall93: Thanks, luckily, I got better before Christmas. I was able to enjoy the holidays with my family and loved ones. I even got a little surprise I was not expecting on New Years Eve. Maybe I'll write a bonus one-shot chap and you guys can guess what it is. Sadly, I got sick again right after the New Years. Fucking irony.

To Jackiezedkiler: Jesus! Now I feel bad for making ya wait so long… You seem so anxious. And vomit in his very soul? You kill me Jackie, honestly, you do.

Previously

He's back, but I'm not sure on how to react. I mean, I'm pissed off with him, true.

Since he's returned, there's no getting along. It's been fight after fight. Tit for tat, rebuttal after rebuttal. But I also really love him, and I've missed him. I just want a proper apology; I want him to understand what he did. I want him to feel what he made me feel. The deprivation he produced not only in me, but the child we'll have to raise together. Sure, Rin is easily forgiving him but she's a child! Once she's older she'll look back and wonder why.

But no more of that. I'm the maid of honor to many weddings and I gotta get brides down the aisle. I have other things to focus on. It's not all about me. But will talk. We will figure this out later.

The Hunted

Chapter Twenty-Nine
My Rin

"Oh my gosh, Kagome" I groaned out in aggravation. Quit your whining for Christ's sake and get in the god damn dress!"

"Ugh, Akemi, shut up! You're only irritated with me because you're pissed off with Sesshomaru!"

"No…" Eliza drawled out. "She's irritated with you because you're acting like a bitch who's been possessed by a bridezilla."

"Sorry Kagome… but I see it too", Carla murmured.

"Thank you", I sighed out in relief. So I'm not the only one seeing the bitch fest Kag is putting up? Great!

"Oh, fuck all of you! Every single last – okay, I see it now", Kagome mumbled. She placed her hands on her cheeks and groaned. "I'm sorry. I'm just so nervous!"

"Oh my god, what the hell! There is nothing to be nervous about", I reasoned quite harshly. Who gives a fuck, though? I'm tired of this routine. After doing this "Oh, everything will be great!" shit three days in a roll, it starts to get fucking old! "You saw how Carla and Eliza's weddings went, right? They went perfectly fine, not a single thing wrong! So, what in the hell makes you think yours will be fucked up and over?"

"You promise?"

"Um… well, no", I laughed out. "I can't promise everything will be flawless, but I can promise you'll be fine and you'll have a beautiful wedding."

Kagome looked at me and for a moment the room went silent. "That's… that's not good enough…"

"Oh, for fucks sake, I quit!" I spun around and flopped into a seat. The small bouquet that I was holding flew from my grasps. "You are whining over something so… so…"

"So, what?"

"I don't know but I do know you shouldn't worry about anything! You just watched two weddings happen perfectly. These weddings were planned and executed by the same exact people! The only fucking difference between their weddings and yours is that you and Inuyasha are getting married today! So, lighten the fuck up, please! The last thing I wanna hear is "oh what if it doesn't happen correctly". Get the fuck out of here!"

"Geez, Akemi, you're being so insensitive", Kagome mumbled. "I think you need to lighten up. You're taking out your frustrations on me because –

"Because of what, Kags? Because Sesshomaru and I aren't happy right now and we are due to marry tomorrow? Is that it? Yeah, I'm a bit on edge about that but I'm worried about my reception and marriage, and I'm, definitely, not releasing on you! You're just being a bridezilla bitch!"

"Okay", Eliza snapped stepping between us, blocking us from each other's view. "Imma need the both of you to chill!" She sighed out as Carla rubbed her arms uncomfortably. "I think both of you are a little testy. Kagome, you're nervous about your wedding, I get that. But Akemi is right, you're worried about nothing and you keep blaming the fact that you are a bridezilla – you're showing it all too well – on the fact that Akemi is upset. Just because she's confront you on your bitchiness doesn't mean she's using you as a release. You really are being a bitch."

"Agreed", I added.

"You aren't off the fucking hook", Eliza spat. "It's clear you are trying to hold down everything, so you don't ruin Kagome's big day with your problems."

"Thank you."

"I'm not done", she screeched. "Though you are trying you are failing. Every time you respond to Kagome's horrible behavior you respond a little too harsh! So, in turn, you're using Kagome's childish behavior a scapegoat. When she does something you snap on her and say it's only because she's acting like a bitch. I see through both of you bitches."

"I agree with everything Eliza is saying. You both need to calm down otherwise you are gonna make this a bad day and the thing you both are trying to prevent will happen because you are doing the wrongs things in trying to prevent it."

"Nicely said, Carls", Eliza mumbled with a nod of approval.

I kind of wanted to scream at them. For some reason they continued to believe that I'm pissy about the crap happening with Sesshomaru. Even though that is part of it, it's not the real reason. It's honestly Kagome's bitching! She's never been this demanding ever. It's honestly getting annoying and on my last damned nerve.

Alas, it's their idea and opinion – though it's wrong – it's a good one. So… whatever.

"Yeah, okay. I'm going to go get Rin. She's with Sesshomaru. She needs to finish getting ready."

"Good idea", Carla said hopping up enthusiastically. "How about you talk things over a little with him too."

"No."

"Yes", Eliza corrected. "Patch a few things up if not all of them. You two are getting married and you're the only ones not excited about it. Explain yourself."

"I don't have time for this. Kagome, do you want me to get Rin here so everything will be on time or talk to Sesshomaru and have Rin late."

"If she's late because of –

"The choice has been made", I said cutting her off. "I don't feel like listening to your threats right now. Not in the mood."

And without another word exchanged I walked out while slamming the door. I don't give a fuck right now. As I walked through the halls I rubbed my temples and groaned.

"Why is this happening to me?"

"What do you mean?"

I froze and spun around. Before me was Sesshomaru and Rin. "What's this?"

"It's obvious that Rin need to be with you. She's in the wedding and she's not ready. I was bringing her to you."

"I was just on my way to get – Hey Rin, where is Timber? You still don't have him?"

"There's a lot happening with his surgery", she mumbled. I frowned at her demeanor. Something wasn't right. Something is off. "I only pray he comes out okay."

"I don't get it", I growled. "The freaking dog only needs a few stitches! What's taking so long? It's not like it didn't happen before!"

"I'll look into it once I get the –

"Don't worry about it", I mumbled. "I'll take Rin myself later." I then looked to her and held out my hand. "C'mon baby… let's get you ready."

"I'd like to speak with you for a moment."

"I don't have time –

"Akemi", Sesshomaru sighed out. "Please."

Please? Did he really just…

I looked him over with a skeptical frown and cleared my throat. Sesshomaru isn't like this. We all remember what happened last time when he started acting out of character. I nearly lost my mind to guilt.

"Rin, let's get you to the room. When you walk in tell them that I'm talking to –

"Got it!" She immediately pepped up and ran to the room with Kagome and the others. I looked at her as if she were crazy and tilted my head. What the hell was that?

"Akemi?"

"Yeah."

"Why are we doing this?"

"We aren't doing anything."

"Yes, we are. You're avoiding me and acting as if I am never here."

"That's because you haven't been."

"Well I am attempting to be now!"

"Good job at that", I groaned as I folded my arms.

"What else is bothering you?"

"Kagome is being a bridezilla bitch right now and she says it's because of me."

"I don't understand."

"Neither do I. Sadly – not really – I have to get back before she bites my head off."

"We can't allow this to continue."

"Then fix it, Sesshomaru."

"How do you expect me to do that when you won't even listen to this one."

"What do you have to say that will patch all of this up? What is it do you think will change my mind about the way you have been acting and making your decisions? What is it?"

"I left because I didn't have the strength to control myself… I wasn't strong enough, Akemi."

With a frown on my face, and mouth slightly open, I stared at him in awe.

"S-Sesshomaru…"

"I know –

"That is complete and utter bullshit."

"Pardon me?"

"You heard me, Sesshomaru. Don't act like you yokai hearing is lacking now of all times."

"Though you believe that to be true, I'll still tell you otherwise. What I say is truthful. I couldn't be controlled. Not by myself, not by Inuyasha, nor my father."

"You don't need to be controlled, Sesshomaru, you just need to release. You hold everything pinned up inside of you! What the hell do you expect to happen?"

I expect you to be understanding and willing to work things through!"

"I am willing and understanding! You just aren't listening, god damn it! If you want to fix things, show me that you have been listening! Prove that you want to be here for me when I need you the most because right now, I'm not sure that you do. Hell, you haven't been for months!" I sighed out and balled my fist at my sides before releasing them. "I don't need a fucking explanation, Sesshomaru. Not anymore. I just need you to promise that you'll be there for me and never let what happened ever happen again. Prove it to me."

He looked to me with a frown on his. Once his lips parted, giving me the sign that he wanted to speak once more, I turned from him and headed to the door.

"Now if you'll excuse me, my best friend who's acting like hell's greatest hit is getting ready to get married. Seeing as I am maid of honor, I need to go. Try not to interfere with one of the happiest days on earth for your brother, yeah?"

"Akemi, what is taking you – OH! Hey Sesshomaru, I see you took our advice, Akemi."

"Not quite", I mumbled as I passed by Eliza.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Still?" She then slammed the door behind me and left Sesshomaru in the hall alone. "What's happening with two?"

"Yeah", Carla wondered herself. "Are you guys even getting married tomorrow, now? I mean at this rate…"

"It's…" I sighed out as Rin looked to me with curiosity and hope in her eyes. "It's nothing. I told him what I wanted. Hopefully, he'll get the idea."

"And what did you tell him", Kagome asked carefully.

"I told him I wanted proof", I said fiddling with my hands. "Proof that he's here and that he's listening."

They all went silent and dwelled on the idea. Eliza gave a face of approval and nodded. "I can see that. He hasn't exactly been around for you the way you needed him to be. Before he left, he avoided you. He barely even hugged you. I'd say that's good."

"Yeah", I mumbled. "Call me crazy but… don't you guys remember how simple it was to just be in the hunt?"

"Well…" Eliza mumbled. "I wouldn't call it simple, but I understand what you mean."

"It was how we were so naïve on the fact of why we were there in the first place", Kagome added. "There was peace in it. Now we have to deal with so much with the politic of the hunt and everything."

"Yeah", I agreed. "It was so much easier just to kick ass and question later. Now I have a wedding tomorrow, a daughter and a… a coronation." I sighed out and squeezed my eyes shut. "You guys, I'm going to be royalty. Do you know how hard that is going to be for me."

"Is that why you're giving Sesshomaru such a hard time?"

Startled by the question, I jumped and turned to the accuser. "What?"

"Okay, before you grill me for saying it, let me explain", Carla said waving her hands in a hurry. "Yes, we all know Sesshomaru acted like an ass. He got you all hot and bothered, introduced his kid and then left you for only God knows how long! And to put the cherry on the top, he seemed as if he was ignoring you and everything you had to say and your needs. But here's the thing, he was an ass when you met, he's an ass now! WE all know that! A person does change overnight, Akemi. Because you are still scared of what's to come and you have cold feet, I feel that maybe you are taking it out on Sesshomaru."

"It does make sense", Eliza sang. "I mean, he's the one that wronged you last and he's also part of the reason you're here in the first place. He's the perfect target!"

"That's not why –

"Cut the bullshit, Akemi. Yes, it is", Kagome interjected. "That's kind of what I've been saying this entire time. I just couldn't figure out the right way to put it."

Are they right? Have I really been overdoing things because of how I'm scared? Am I one of those chicks? The girl in every story that over complicates things because of her feelings even though the situation isn't even all that serious? I looked away, making eye contact with Rin. She raised a brow in question, casually listening to a conversation she probably didn't understand. Or does she? Rin is such a smart kid, it's hard to keep up with her.

"Do you think this too, Rin?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Of course, you do", I groaned, rolling my eyes. I should have known. "Fine, what do you suggest I do?"

"Finally, she's going to listen", Eliza cheered. "Okay, find him now and have some fun. It's always best when making up!"

"Um… no", I said shaking my head. "How do you even know that?"

"I know… some things, okay?"

"Don't listen to her", Carla said, laughing. "Before the night ends, talk to him. Patch the whole thing over. You know the saying, right? Don't go to be upset! You're getting married tomorrow, there's no way you'll be able to do it then."

"I agree with her. Fix it now before it's too late, okay?"

I sighed and nodded. "Fine, I'll do it your way."

What harm could it do, anyway?

"Ladies is everyone decent?"

We all turned to the sound of Inutaisho's voice and perked up. "Yes, we're good. You can come in."

At that the door opened and he smiled at the sight of Kagome. "You are truly a sight to behold. This makes me very envious of my son. He's a lucky man."

"As long as you know", I said. "Ain't that right, Kags?"

"Completely. Let's get this show on the road, people!"

I chuckled as I saw everyone walk out the room. Kagome was speaking to Inutaisho and Carla and Eliza were both swinging Rin. To think I could be acting so horrible and feeling so down when there is an occasion that's so joyful.

What's wrong with me?

Hearing music fill the halls for the wedding march, I looked up from the floors. There waiting for us were the groomsmen. I met the gaze of Sesshomaru. Before he looked as if he were thinking and contemplating. When he met my gaze, he appeared a bit worried. Seeing this I bit my lower lip.

I really have been a bit too head strong, haven't I?

Everyone began moving and I grabbed Sesshomaru's hand. He looked down at our joint hands, almost startled.

"I'm sorry", I mumbled looking at our hands too. Noticing how his large hand engulfed mine and how it made me feel, I frowned. I swallowed hard and met his eyes.

"What for?"

"For being so hard on you. We'll talk, okay? I'll listen if you promise you'll listen too. It's time we fix this. It can't go on forever, especially with what is happening this week."

He took a deep sigh of relief and smirked at me. "I agree."

"But for now, let's finish this weeding."

He gave a swift nod and I cleared my throat and placed a large smile on my face.

Once I thought about it, I realized this might actually be the first time everyone sees Sesshomaru and I together. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I do know it caused me to grab his hand tighter.

We began to walk out, arm in arm. My heart dropped, and I became nervous. Why am I nervous? I did this twice already!

"This is actually happening…"

"You're doing fine."

"I hope you're right."

"I told you that you were doing fine."

I sighed out as I sat at the table reserved for us at the party. He grabbed my hand under the table and I cleared my throat.

"I guess you were right. But I wasn't sure. You could have been telling me that to get on my good side."

"In truth, I was."

I jumped and spun on him. "You're such an ass, you know that?"

"You won't cease in reminding me."

Festivities were playing out as we sat and ate at the reception. Kagome and Inuyasha were out and about enjoying their wedding. People were laughing and having a good time. Rin was tossing flowers at all the happy couples. Everything seems fine.

So why am I still feeling like something is wrong?

"Would it be safe to ask if we could have our talk now?"

Oh… that's why.

"Sure, let's go."

He stood and took my hand, leading the way. We walked down many halls, the voices and music growing quieter until the point of not hearing it at all.

"Where are we going?"

"To the gardens."

"Oh right, of course", I said with a nod.

He looked back at me, a hint of annoyance shined in his amber eyes. A subtle 'hn' gave away to the air between us. Already annoyed with my sarcasm? I haven't even got started yet!

He pushed open the doors leading to what I thought were the gardens. Instead, it was the room in which we've been sizing the dresses.

"So, you're lying now?"

"If I were to tell you the truth there'd be no surprise."

"Surprise?"

He smirked deviously and moved to a rack and grabbed a hanger. "Does this strike you as familiar?"

"Wha…" My body froze over and I frowned. "Sesshomaru… where did you get that?"

"A long time ago there was this girl at the airport retrieving her bag. She was so hell bent on getting it she didn't think twice about the results of getting hurt all because her bag held –

"Squiggles, my stuffed octopus…"

"So stubborn, she didn't want to give me her name but was adamant about getting mine."

"That was you?"

"I'm not finished", he said holding up a finger. "Years after that I saw that same girl reading in the woods at the age of seven." He placed the hanger on a single hook so that I could see everything on it. "That girl had quite the mouth on her."

"What if I told you that you are my soul mate, Akemi?"

Tears burned the back of my eyes as I stared him down. "So, what does that mean? You've been stalking me my entire life? I'm not very shocked seeing as how I got here, but that still doesn't explain why you have my mother's wedding dress."

"I was aware of your parents passing. I wanted to know of everything that happened in your life day by day. Seeing as I couldn't continue to make the visits I use to, I had someone watching over you."

"And?"

"When I learned your parents passed I wanted to visit the place you called home. So, I went. I saw the dress your mother wore when she married in an album. Then I saw the dress. Seeing it's beauty I thought you'd looked lovely in it on the day we would wed."

"So, you stole it? Do you know how hard I looked for that dress? Do you know how horrible I felt? I thought I lost it! I was going to take them with me, everything! That's why they were out on the dining room table in the first place!"

"I am sorry", Sesshomaru said. "I was young and foolish and acting selfishly. I knew you'd want to wear it when you married. I wanted to make sure that you wore it when you married me."

"It's as gorgeous as I remembered", I gasped out as I ran my fingers over the lace. "Though I hate you for stealing it all those years ago, I thank you for bringing it now."

"I know this one has not been here for you recently. I have this tendency to act out of selfishness –

"You got that damn right, hoe."

Sesshomaru stared at me with a look of confusion before blinking. Clearing his throat, he completely ignored it and continued. "This one isn't used to thinking and living by the needs of others."

"Well, don't you think you need to get use to it, Mr. Future King", I said with a roll of my eyes.

"Akemi, allow me to finish without your childish inputs, please!"

Okay I deserved that. "Fine… go on."

"Rin requires not much attention. All she asks for is to be cared for. Now that you are here, things are changing. I only ask that you give me time to adapt."

"Then what was the point of telling me all of this?"

"I wanted you to know, despite the recent events, I have always been there. I'm not going to stop now."

I dropped my hand from the dress and gave him my full attention. "I believe I owe you an apology too."

"Is that so?"

Oh, God… I can practically hear the smug in his voice. I starred at his smiling face. I am so ready to punch him in it, but I won't. "Look, smartass, don't get a big fucking head. Just shut up and let me speak!" He chuckled as I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, I may have been a little, teensy bit hard on you. Things are changing for me too and I couldn't deal with the stress of it all. Well… at least not alone. Even though the girls are dealing with it too in their own way, I kind of have it a bit worse. Carla and Eliza aren't royalty. Although Kagome is, she's not next in line for the throne! And to make matters worse, I have to deal with your bitch of a mother!"

"Ah", he nodded. "I understand."

"You do?"

"Yes, I do. These things call for support. When you needed me most, I wasn't there for you. It'd only make sense for you to take out all frustrations on me. I'm the cause of half of them."

"Not entirely though."

"It doesn't matter." He grabbed my hand an pulled me close. "I should have been there for you. The only person I was thinking about was myself. This one was only partaking in the feelings of his own. I did not think for a moment on whether I'd hurt you or Rin." Well that's a fucking nice thought! But… at least he is man enough to admit it. I gotta give him that… "I just knew that I needed to get away to think on my own."

"You didn't think for a second that maybe I could help. That maybe if you would have came to me that we could have talked and worked it out together."

"I am not sure if you understand", he said frowning. "You are the reason I needed time to think. Being around you… it was difficult to keep my thoughts clear." His hand came up to my chin as he stared at my lips. "Any time I laid my eyes on you, Akemi, all I could do was imagine…"

I frowned and grabbed his hand. "Imagine what?" My heart began to practice an awkward pattern in my chest. As his molten gold gaze roamed over my face, it'd knock hard twice… then pause. Knock hard twice and then pause! It almost hurt. "Sesshomaru answer me!"

"All I wanted to do… was exactly what I did in that bathroom. But I knew you weren't ready. We weren't ready. My running away proved that much. And the time I stayed away, only proved it further."

"That you're a giant man child", I questioned with an arched brow.

He chuckled. "If that's all your little brain can calculate then precisely."

I clicked my tongue and pulled away. I had no idea we were pressed so closely together.

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

"Hn", he said before pulling me back in. Our lips crashed together, and my lungs collapsed in on their selves. His tongue dived into my mouth when it opened out of shock. Before I could even realize what was happening, he gained control and took initiative.

He growled out as I pulled at his tux in a way of asking for more. He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. I heard things crash to the floor and I was placed on a table. How'd was get here?

"Even now", he breathed out, "it's a struggle to keep sanity."

"Shut up", I said. "Stop talking, you're ruining it!"

Before we could continue there was a banging on the door. Both Sesshomaru and I turned to it in sync.

"Lord Sesshomaru, Lady Akemi, are you there? We hav a problem!"

"What could be so bad", I questioned as we both looked to each other.

Sesshomaru frowned as hi left me on the table to answer the door. I slid off and fixed y appearance as he answered the door. Seeing the guards' faces a dark feeling began to drop in my stomach.

Something is terribly wrong.

"What is the meaning of this", Sesshomaru questioned, not very happy.

"It's Rin, sir…. She has gone missing."

My eyes widened in fear as the dark feeling in my stomach exploded in pain. Dropping to the floor, I screamed.

I held my stomach as a dreadful memory came to mind.

"Akemi, you're making a big mistake", Kimi said with a frown and a shake of her head. "Just you know, Ms. Genesis, I know exactly how to get what I want. You might not be all too willing now, but just you wait. I'll have you in the palm of my hands, begging."

She has my Rin. The bitch will die.

Dear My Lovely Readers,

Look, don't question it. I've been busy. I kinda have a life now and just know that I may have forgotten. For that, I'm sorry. But I'm trying now. I was reminded though things have changed in my life, my passion for writing should remain the same. So, I will try to update as often as I can.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you wait. I love you guys. I appreciate your patience. Just bear with me, because a lot has happened. I lost family; I've lost my mind and I may have lost myself. But I'm back now, and I'm really trying. Don't get too excited though. I'm not saying the next chapter will be up in the next week. It might even take a month! Just know that I am writing it and it will be out. I must finish this story some time, right?

Love truly and immensely,

Your forever InuAkemi