As Time Passes

By: Jaylonni Love

Chapter 1 - Old Acquaintances

"Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you was beyond my control" - Unknown

Rin and Rei finished packing their bags into the trunk of their car.

"We're ready now," Rin chimed, smiling at her family.

"You girls be careful driving, okay?" Nami said hugging the girls as her almond shaped golden eyes glazed over with un-shed tears.

"We will Aunt Nami," Rei said on the verge of tears herself.

"I'm gonna miss you guys," Akahana said as the salty water spilled from her liquid gold orbs.

Rei stooped down and hugged the little inuyoukai, burying her nose in her soft silky tresses.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Akahana," Rei said letting her go then standing while ruffling her hair.

"You girls be sure to call us when you make it," Sesshomaru said taking a step forward, "And be safe while you're there."

"We will Uncle Sesshomaru," Rei said hugging her uncle.

Rin joined in the hug, upset that she wouldn't be seeing her dad for a while. Sesshomaru let his hands rest on their shoulders as he looked them both in their eyes.

"You've both grown up so fast," he said, a small smile spreading across his face, "I'm proud of the both of you."

Pulling them into one last hug, he let a silent tear fall down his cheek. However, it wasn't a tear of sorrow, but of happiness. When he released the two, they ran over to their car. Stopping one last time before getting into the car and driving off, they waved.

"Goodbye!" Both girls shouted before disappearing behind the tainted windows of the car. As soon as the engine roared to life, they disappeared down the drive and off on to the road. Nami stood holding Akahana in her arms while Sesshomaru held her by her waist.

"It seems like just yesterday that they were both small children," Nami said as she glanced back at her husband.

"It does," he said wrapping his arms around her waist tighter, "it really does but now they're all grown up and off to college. And all we have left is this little one here."

Both of their eyes turned to the little bundle of joy that was now resting in Nami's arms from her crying. Nami placed a soft kiss on her daughter's forehead then nuzzled her cheek.

"Let's go inside," Sesshomaru said as he turned his wife around and began walking to the door of their home.

Sesshomaru laid awake that night looking up at the ceiling as the thunder rolled and lightening flashed as the rain drops slid down the windows. He felt Nami shift by his side and looked over at her. Smiling, he ran a hand through her silky silver tresses. Then the sound of his daughter whimpering in the next room caught his attention. Getting up from the bed, he walked into Akahana's room to see her sitting up in the bed, crying.

"Akahana," his soft voice said gaining his daughters attention.

"Daddy," Akahana sniffled.

In the blink of an eye, Sesshomaru crossed the room and scooped his daughter into his arms. Sitting on the bed with her, he let the little one curl up in his lap.

"What's the matter little one," Sesshomaru asked as he ran his claws through her loose hair.

"I'm afraid," she said as she gripped the sides of his pajama shirt tighter.

"There there," Sesshomaru said, "how about you come and sleep with me and mommy?"

"Okay," she said as she looked up at her father with golden eyes that reminded him so much of Nami.

The warm reassuring smile that he held on his face comforted her and she smiled up at him as well. Nodding, she held on tighter to his pajama shirt as he stood up. Making his way back in his bedroom, he quietly walked over to the bed and laid Akahana down next to Nami. Akahana instantly fell asleep, curling up closer to Nami who opened one eye and took the sleeping child in her arms. Sesshomaru watched them for a moment, a small smile adorned his features until he became drowsy again. Laying beside them, he slowly found himself drifting off to sleep.

Sesshomaru woke to find Akahana laying on his chest, her silver hair tickling the exposed skin. Smiling down at his baby girl, Sesshomaru slowly sat up so not to wake the little angel. Laying her back down on the pillow, he pulled the blankets over her and kissed her forehead lightly. Pulling his house robe over his silk pajamas, he left the room and followed his nose down stairs to the kitchen where Nami was hard at work on breakfast. When she heard him walk in she glanced back and smiled.

"Good morning Sesshomaru love," Nami said smiling back at her husband.

"Good morning Nami," Sesshomaru said pulling her into a backwards hug and resting his head on her shoulder.

"Is Akahana still sleeping," Nami asked glancing back at him then returning her attention to the food in front of her.

"Out cold," Sesshomaru said pressing a light kiss to her cheek then letting her go.

"Hn"

Sesshomaru smiled, she had picked that up from him when they had first started dating. He actually found it quite funny that she had started saying it.

Ebisu - you really have rubbed off on Nami these last 11 years.

Sesshomaru - I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't.

Ebisu - you dog you.

"Sesshomaru dear," Nami said glancing back at him, "would you mind taking Akahana to school today? I have to be at the office early this morning."

"I don't mind," he said sitting down in one of the espresso coloured oak wood dinning room table chairs and crossing his leg over the other.

"Great," Nami said, a smile gracing her features, "thanks love."

Sitting his plate down in front of him, she left the kitchen and went to wake Akahana. Walking into her bedroom she sat down on the bed and placed her hand on Akahana's side, lightly shaking her to wake her. Akahana looked up at her mother rubbing her eyes then crawled into her lap.

"Good morning little one," Nami cooed running her hands through Akahana's long silver tresses.

"Good morning momma," Akahana said yawning, still rubbing her eyes.

Nami stood then walked out of the room down the stairs to the kitchen where Sesshomaru was drinking his morning coffee and eating.

"Good morning Daddy," Akahana said reaching for him.

"Good morning Akahana," Sesshomaru said taking her into his arms.

Wrapping her arms around her dad's neck, Akahana laid her head on his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head. Nami brought over a plate for Akahana and sat it down then sat down herself with her own food.

After breakfast, Nami went upstairs into her room. Picking up a black Armani pants suit, a white button up, and her black belt, she dressed herself. Brushing her long silver hair up into a bun, she stepped into her black Christian Louboutin Crepe Satin Pumps she picked up her brief case and BlackBerry then left. Running down the stairs and picking up her car keys, she left placing a kiss on both Sesshomaru and Akahana's cheeks.

"Momma's not taking me to school?" Akahana asked looking up at Sesshomaru.

"Not today," Sesshomaru said, "she has to be at the office early."

"Oh," she piped finishing her breakfast then getting down from the table.

She ran upstairs to her bedroom and sat on her bed. Sesshomaru stood soon after and took the dishes to the sink. Washing the plates that were left behind he listened as Akahana sung a little tune upstairs.

Ebisu - She reminds me so much of Rin when she was that age.

Sesshomaru - Yes she does, she's bouncy just like Rin was.

Ebisu - She sure is.

Sesshomaru walked upstairs to Akahana's room and stood by the door for a second watching her as she sat on the edge of the bed swinging her legs back and forth. When she glanced over at him, she smiled.

Ebisu - If that isn't Nami's smile I don't know whose it is.

Sesshomaru smiled back her then walked into the room and picked up her uniform. As he was dressing her, she rambled on about how she hoped her day would be.

"And Ms. Takahama said we're going to colour today." Akahana said holding on to his leg as he put on her shoes. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

"I can't wait to see your picture," he said smiling down at her as he led her to the bathroom.

"I'll show you when you come home." Akahana said smiling up at her dad.

As he was running a comb through her long silver hair, she hummed happily smiling a very toothy grin.

"Wait for me downstairs," Sesshomaru said ushering her to the stairs.

Akahana skipped down the stairs with her backpack in her hands and Sesshomaru walked into his room. Dressing in a pair of grey slacks and a crisp blue button down, Sesshomaru ran his claws through his mid back length hair knocking the knots out as he looked for his shoes. After he was dressed and ready to go, he picked up his brief case and walked downstairs. Akahana stood up from the couch and ran after her dad as they left the house.

Nami was walking through her office building toward her private office when she heard someone calling her name. Turning around, she saw her brother, Huyu, motioning for her to stop. When he was there, he took something out of his folder.

"Looks like those girls you're supposed to publicize for are here waiting," Huyu said handing her a contract. "And you have someone in your office waiting for you. Says he's an old friend of yours."

"Did he leave a name?" Nami said reading over the contract she held in her hands.

"No," Huyu said shaking his head, "he said you would know who he was when you saw him."

"Hn" she said putting the contract in her folder. "Tell the girls to wait another 15 minutes. I'll be there momentarily. I'm going to go take care of this 'old friend' then join you in the conference room."

"Will do sis," Huyu said walking away as Nami made her way to her office.

When she got close, she could see silver hair sitting in one of the chairs in front of her desk. Grasping the handle of the glass door, she walked in and made her way to her desk.

"Hello," Nami said sitting down in her chair folding her hands over each other, "how can I help you?"

"You don't remember me Nami?" the man asked cocking his head to the side. "I'm hurt."

"I'm sorry," Nami said shaking her head.

"Renji Nakamaura." the man named Renji said.

Nami racked her brain then it clicked.

"Oh," she said sitting back in her seat. "How are you Renji?"

"Doing well," he said waving his hand in the air, "more or less, how about you? It's been years since I last saw you."

"I'm doing well," Nami said, a smile gracing her features.

Renji nodded then glanced down at her hand and saw the wedding ring.

"You're married?" he asked, his eyes focused on the large diamond ring that adorned her ring finger.

"Yes," Nami said looking down at her hand, "it's been 10 years now."

"Whose the lucky man," Renji asked, his voice hinting a bit of hurt in it.

"Sesshomaru Takahashi," Nami said picking up the portrait of them that sat on her desk and handed it to him. "That's us."

Renji looked at the picture, eyebrows furrowed.

"This is Touga's son is it not?" he asked handing back the picture.

"Yes that's him," Nami said placing it back in it's proper place.

"I'd like to meet him," Renji said smiling at her, "how about you both join me for dinner tonight? There's a great place I know of, it's called Kelly's."

"I don't see why that would be a problem," Nami said, a smile splaying across her lips. "What time?"

"Eight tonight," he said standing up from the desk as she was.

"We'll be there," she said holding her hand out.

Renji took it and shook then left the office. When he had his back turned to her, his smile fell to a deep scowl as he made his way out of the office and out of the building. Nami left her office a few minutes later to go to the conference room and close the deal with the girl group.

Nami showed up promptly at Akahana's school and walked inside as the bell was ringing. Children rushed past her trying to get out as she made her way though them to get to her daughter's classroom. Walking in, she saw Akahana gathering her things then look up at her.

"Mommy!" she squealed running into her awaiting arms after grabbing her backpack.

She kissed her mother's cheek and smiled up at her.

"Did you have a good day," Nami asked smiling at her.

"Yep!" she piped smiling at her.

As Nami was turning to leave, she was stopped by Akahana's teacher calling out to her.

"Hello Mrs. Takahashi," Ms. Takahama said walking toward the demoness, "may I have a word with you for a moment."

"Of course," Nami said putting Akahana down, "wait for me in the hall okay?"

"Okay," Akahana said walking into the hall.

"What is it you wanted to speak to me about," Nami asked turning to Akahana's teacher.

"The principle and I were talking about Akahana's performance in school," she said. "She's shown much progress and is well ahead of the rest of the class at this point. We want to put her in a more advanced class but we can only do that with your or your husband's permission."

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Nami said shooting a glance back at Akahana who was waiting by the door.

"Great," Ms. Takahama said, "we'll let her finish out this week here then get her set up in the advanced class."

"Wonderful," Nami said, "I'll be sure to let my husband know about this. Thank you."

"No thank you," she said waving as Nami disappeared out of the door.

Picking Akahana up in her arms, she walked out to her car and put her in the backseat then strapped her in. Getting into the drivers seat, she started the car and drove off back home.

"Momma," Akahana said gaining her mother's attention.

"Yes love," Nami said looking at her through the rear-view mirror.

"Is Daddy home," she asked raising her eyebrows, "I wanna show him the picture I drawed."

"I'm not sure baby," Nami said, "he may be. We'll see when we get home."

When Nami pulled up in the driveway, she looked and saw Sesshomaru's Mercedes parked in the drive.

"He's home love," Nami announced as she stepped out of the car and went to get Akahana out.

When she sat her down, Akahana ran to the door and disappeared inside the house. Nami smiled at her daughter's eagerness and closed the door locking the car as she walked towards the opened door. When she entered, she heard Akahana explaining the picture to Sesshomaru. Smiling, she shut the door and walked down the long corridor to his office. Standing in the doorway, she folded her arms over her chest and smiled as she watched Sesshomaru sitting with Akahana in his lap while she showed him every detail of the picture.

"You did a great job," Sesshomaru said placing a kiss on Akahana's forehead. "How about we frame this one and hang it up on the wall?"

"I'd like that Daddy," she chimed smiling as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"We'll do that then," he said hugging her back then sitting her on the floor.

With one last kiss on his cheek, Akahana left the office and ran upstairs to her room with the picture in hand. Nami pushed herself off the door frame and walked over to her husband laying her hands on his shoulders and resting her chin on top of his head.

"You're tense," she said bending down to kiss his cheek. "Long day?"

"Very," he said sighing and leaning his head back into her chest.

"How about we relieve that stress tonight?" she whispered in his ear.

"Are you offering," Sesshomaru asked a smile cracking on his lips.

"Mhm," Nami said kissing his cheek, letting her warm breath tickle the skin.

"Hn," he said closing his eyes.

"But that'll have to wait until after dinner," Nami said pressing her cheek to his.

"And what's for dinner," Sesshomaru asked placing one of his hands on hers that rested on his chest.

"We're going out actually," Nami said. "I ran into an old friend today and he invited us to go to Kelly's for dinner."

"Hn," Sesshomaru said nodding, "and what about Akahana?"

"I called Kagome," Nami said. "She doesn't mind keeping her for the night and dropping her off at school in the morning."

"Very well," Sesshomaru said opening his eyes and looking at her.

"I'll be back," she said pressing another kiss to his cheek then disappearing out of the office.

Ebisu - She gets better and better every day.

Sesshomaru - That she does.

Ebisu - And now I'm curious about this old friend of hers.

Sesshomaru - As am I.

A/N: I was supposed to have this out so long ago! I'm so sorry to everyone. And to make up for my late posting, I made this chapter longer than it was originally supposed to be. Hope you all enjoyed.