Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters. I do not own the rights to super soakers or slinkys either!

Please forgive any and all grammar and spelling errors.

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Sorry guys, I did not get the chance to update sooner. I have been really sick the last week. I spent Friday in the ER it got so bad. I am sorry, to make it up to ya I will get the new chapter posted by Sunday night.

Again reminder:

>Inuyasha's birthday party is Chapter Ten< hint, hint…wink, wink

Time lapse from last chapter roughly three weeks (give or take)…it's the day before Inuyasha's birthday.

Then From Love Until Forever…

Chapter Ten: Tonight

Destiny laid across the expensive carpeting, coloring to her heart's desire. The bright morning sunbeams were quickly changing to a deep golden color indicating the afternoon wasn't far away. Rin lounged lazy on the baby blue love seat; her knees drawn up close to her body but positioned just right so she could comfortably place a small notepad against her thighs and still able to check off her list.

Sango sat on the matching sofa, filing her nails while Kagome rested next to her, unsuccessfully trying to untangle the chaotic mess Destiny had managed to get her precious slinky into. Inuyasha had given the pink, purple and blue spiral toy to his daughter a few days prior and Destiny had not stopped playing with it since, well until she thought it would be fun to wrap it around her little body, hence resulting in the jumble mess in Kagome's hands.

"Catering…done. Decorations…done. Guests…invited, two hundred and fifty to be exact! Minus one crazed bitch." Rin chanted from her spot across from her friends, "Is there any thing else we need for Inuyasha's party tomorrow night?' she asked.

Frustrating getting the best of her, Kagome's hands crazily squeezed and shook the annoying item she had been working on. The damn thing was impossible to get undone

"Here let me try," Sango said, grabbing the object from Kagome as she disregarded her nail file, "I don't think there is anything else we need besides figuring out how to get Inuyasha to show up at the country club ballroom."

"Already have a plan. Oh, if he asks, we all are going out for a small dinner to celebrate his birthday after he…" Rin brought up two fingers from each hand, making quotations marks with them, "checks out something for Sesshoumaru."

"Does he still like ramen?" Kagome asked intermittently, her eyes stared at the coffee table as she wondered about how much he changed over the long years, and how much had she had changed.

"Have you lost your mind? Inuyasha would no sooner give up ramen than he would his search for you." Rin sighed sitting up and placing her tablet on the small table, "Don't worry, girl. He is still the same Inuyasha he was when I met him, when you met him. He hasn't changed aside from a few minor differences…nothing major."

"The differences I know nothing about…" Kagome sourly responded.

Rin smiled at her friend, "Differences, Kag? His sanity is slowly, and painfully starting to abandon him because you're not around. He enjoys falling asleep on the beach. He uses work as a means of escape. He is always wearing two different color socks. And don't ask why because I don't know. He now only eats mustard on his fried fries, instead of ketchup and mayo. But he still is easily temperamental, cocky, loud, sweet, loving, loyal and true friend. His important traits that you fell in love with have not changed. He still loves you with all his heart and his soul. And that is what truly matters anyhow."

Kagome's smile brightened up the room, "Thank you, Rin."

Rin returned the gesture, and leaned back against the cushions, "Your welcome."

The room fell silent; the only sound was the fast brushings of green crayon against an already multicolored picture and the clanging of plastic against plastic from the slinky. Moments later, a tall mischievous man barged into the room, awkwardly trying to carry five loaded super-soakers in his arms.

He happily greeted the females, "Ah, so this is where all my lovely ladies have retreated too. Would any of you wish to join me in a battle?"

Destiny was first to jump up and announce her eager participation; "I do, I do!"

Rin was quick to follow getting up to assisted Miroku. She handed her niece the smallest water gun, then handed her two friends each their own, "You two are playing, right?"

Kagome and Sango exchanged glances before shooting at look at Rin. They both knew the glint in the small woman's eyes, when Rin wanted something she always got it. After a few seconds of silent deliberation, Sango took the two soakers from Rin's hands and handed one to Kagome.

"Why do I have a feeling I am going to regret this," Kagome whimpered, standing with Sango and waiting for Rin to obtain her own gun.

"Great, Okay. Here are the game rules…"Miroku began a lengthy, complicated explanation of the outside game. Rin caught her friends' attention, when she her head nudged towards Miroku.

"In the house?" Kagome asked, picking up on what Rin was thinking.

"It's only water, besides if something gets ruined, I will just have it replaced." Rin responded, an evil smile working its way across her lips.

Sango let out a deep laugh, as her head rolled back, "Rin, you are so bad."

"I try to be," she said, aiming her soaker at the unsuspecting Miroku still babbling about boundary lines.

Destiny walked to stand between her mother and aunt. She stared up at the two, wondering what they were talking about, then abandoned any thoughts of asking as she examined to new toy in her hand.

Rin pressed the trigger, letting the high-pressured spray of water to soak its target. When the water ran out, she quickly pumped the handle preparing for a retaliation at any give second. But just as Miroku recovered from the shock and dripping wet from the first attack, he was hit in the chest and head by two additional streams of water. Laughter filled the room emerging from all four females in the room while the male held his hands up in a feeble attempt to slacken blow.

When the water stopped, when he regained his posture, he eyed the three women who stood smiling innocently at him. A suave grin etched across his face and a single short sentence was emitted from his lips, "You three are so dead."

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For an hour and a half, fun and laughter echoed through the great halls of the Tama beachside mansion. Walls were splattered with water, carpets hosted large wet spots, and vases, paintings, chandeliers and clothing were dripping with the clear liquid. Kagome flattened her back against a wall, pushing against it as she moved closer to the edge, her super soaker pointed up ready to strike. The foyer was just around the corner and down the hall. From her position she could hear the front door open, footsteps, and the butler's greeting.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Tama," the deep voice filtered to Kagome ears as she bit her bottom lip. But before her mind could contemplate on which Tama brother came home, Rin snuck up behind her.

"Hey!" she whispered, sniffling a giggle when Kagome jumped about a foot off the ground. Rin held a large white balloon in her hand; her water gun was nowhere in sight, and she had changed into dry clothing. Kagome eyed her suspiciously, looking from her face to the balloon. .

"Don't worry it isn't for you…so to speak," Rin said.

Kagome's eyebrows furrowed together, her finger reached out and poked the rubber ball, "What's in it? And what are you planning to do with it?"

"Pink paint and," Rin said with a smirk, "I don't plan on doing anything with it."

"Then what is it for?"

"A dare."

"A dare?" Kagome asked skeptically.

Rin clucked her tongue off the roof of her mouth, "Yep, Sesshoumaru said he would be home around lunch time. From what it sounds like, he's here. So right before he passes the corner, I dare you smack this balloon in his face."

"What?!" Kagome asked, her eyes bugging from her head, "Have you lost fucking your mind?"

"Yep, a long time ago Kag," she said in between giggles, "I do stuff like this all the time to him. It's no big deal."

"You as well as I know that you're the only person who would get away with a stunt like this and live to tell the tale. He would kill me! What the hell do I get out of it besides my pending doom?"

"My respect," Rin joked, "Naw, I will name my first born after you," her grin only seemed to broaden as she brought her hand to rest on her small but growing belly.

"Deal," Kagome retorted, wondering if she had enough guts to plow Sesshoumaru in the face with a balloon full of paint. She grabbed the squishy ball and snuck closer to the edge of the wall where it turned into the corner. Footsteps finally emerged from foyer and Kagome's apprehension rose to unbelievable heights.

Right as the footsteps sounded the loudest, Kagome jumped out and instantly slammed the rubber object into Sesshou…Inuyasha's face.

Kagome's jaw dropped to the floor, her eyes grew wider, her breaths came out labored, and her mind was consumed into a complete frenzy. She stared at him in shock, his face was covered in pink paint; his eyes were squeezed tightly shut to keep the offending liquid from them, his fists clenched at his sides.

Rin came up abruptly behind Kagome using her body to stop her own motion. Rin's expression quickly joined her friend's upon realizing who received Kagome's attack, "Oh Shit," she half said, half laughed out, "Oh Fucking Shit."

Kagome couldn't find words to speak; astonishment utterly took hold of her being. Cautiously and slowly she reached out with a single finger and stroked Inuyasha down the center of his nose removing the paint with her skin and nail.

"Rin…" Inuyasha warned, startling the pair before him and unaware that Kagome stood in front of him, within reaching distance.

"I guess you aren't Sesshoumaru," Rin cracked out, pressing her forehead to Kagome's shoulder to muffle her laughter, "You really did it this time girl."

Kagome shot a look over her shoulder not sure if Rin was talking to herself or her. Her eyes instantly found Inuyasha's face again as his hands reached up to wipe away the paint around his eyes so he could see.

"Do I look like Sesshoumaru, Rin?" Inuyasha asked angrily, pressing the sides of his hands hard against his eyes sockets.

"Yes?" she asked sheepishly, alarm taking hold of her when his eyes began fluttering open.

A panic scramble took place to get Kagome out of sight. The unknown female sprinted down the hall and into the first doorways she could find while the remaining woman took a step forward taking her place, ignoring the oddly sudden wave dizziness washing over her.

"I am afraid I have to disagree with you," he said, completely opening his eyes quickly becoming irritated as the drying paint molded to his face.

"Would you forgive me if I said I was sorry?" she asked, but her attention directed towards the sensation of feeling like she was watching her actions not doing them. Her head felt heavier than her eyelids did, she…

Inuyasha was about to make a smart ass remark back at the petite girl, but concern overtook it as Rin's eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she clasped. He was quick to move, catching her before she hit the ground. His strong arms held around her waist and under her knees. Nauseating fear pricked at his insides while he carried her to the closer room.

"Wha…What happened?" Rin asked, coming back to reality dazed and confused.

Inuyasha's face stricken as he laid her on the sofa of the main living area, "You blacked out," his voice was low, his right hand covered her forehead to check her temperature, "Are you okay?"

She tried to sit up a bit another wave of dizziness captured her body, "Yeah, I just think I over exerted myself today that's all. Sango, Miroku, Destiny and I were playing with water guns."

"I am calling the hospital," he retorted, standing from his crouch next to her but a small, cold hand on his wrist stopped any further movements.

"No! Please, I am fine. I just need to rest," she pleaded. If Inuyasha called the doctors then Sesshoumaru would most certainly find out and she did not want to deal with one of his lectures nor his anger for playing around so much, besides she hated hospitals.

Inuyasha snorted, "Bullshit," he snapped but the look in her eyes made him give in, "Fuck, fine I won't call but if happens again I will not hesitate to get you help."

"Thank you," she remarked, smiling when he sat on the floor, next to her upper abdomen, facing the opposite she was lying. His eyes looked far away. Over the years she had learned to read his emotions, which told her almost exactly what he was thinking. His moods tended to intensify around holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. His birthday was tomorrow and for another year he realized he would have to spend it without Kagome.

"What is wrong?" she questioned, her hand reaching out to stroke his cheek and turn his face towards her.

He held her gaze for the length of a minute before dropping his amber orbs to the cushions beneath Rin, "Do you think I will ever find her?"

Rin nodded, "Why do you ask?"

"Because I can't help but fear that she is dead that is why I can't find her," his voice was distance and pained.

Movement across the room at one of the entrances caught Rin's eye. She noticed Kagome standing partially in the doorway, her head resting against the frame while she listened to their conversation. Rin drew her concentration back to the hurting man next to her, "Do you feel in your heart that she is dead?"

"Logic overrides emotion or hope, Rin."

"Do you feel it in your heart, Inuyasha?" she asked this time more sternly, if she didn't get him out of this depression he was sinking into, he would be lost in it for weeks to come, she knew this from experience.

"No…" he whispered, his head hung as if he was ashamed to still believe that his wife was alive, his eyes were hidden behind the shadow of his pink bangs.

"Then she is alive, trust me you would know if your soul mate left this world."

Inuyasha raised his eyes and looked directly at her, "If she is not dead, then explain why I feel her presence all around as if she was here, watching me like a ghost."

Rin sighed, wondering how she would convince him that Kagome was not dead without telling him the reason why he feels her so near. I cannot tell you, Inuyasha. I am so sorry but please have faith, she will comeback to you…just find peace in the fact that she is alive and have patience.

"Never mind. I'm sorry for bringing up my problems, I know you must be tired of them." Inuyasha said half-heartedly.

"It's okay. I am always here for you. You will get Kagome back, I have not a doubt in the world about it," she encouraged.

Inuyasha gave her a crooked smile, "How can you be so sure?"

"Because Inuyasha," she placed his hand over her heart, "I feel it here."

He stared at their conjoined hands for a long time, and his expression softened. Rin knew he had found some tranquility, at least for the time being. She let go of his hand and sat up, taking a chance glance at Kagome who still observed them with large watery eyes.

"After you get off work tomorrow, Sesshoumaru wishes for you to met us at the Royal Oaks Country Club, he wants your approval about the facilities in regards to the Tama Corporation Anniversary weekend next month. From there we will go dinner in celebration of your birthday. Sessy is taking us to that restaurant across town the one with the formal dress code."

Inuyasha rolled his neck, "Alright, but let my birthday end with dinner. I don't want anything special other than a small quiet dinner with my family and friends."

"Okay," Rin responded, masking the large smile that begged to be expressed. He was going to kill her.

He glanced down at his watch, "Shit, I have to get cleaned up. I promised Kikyou I would take her to the airport today. She is leaving for two weeks to oversee an important photo shoot for her magazine."

Rin rolled her eyes remembering the fight they had about the bitch a couple of weeks ago. It was one thing to start dating again, after all, the man could not be expected to remain alone forever, but it was another thing to start dating Kikyou: Kagome's rival and Naraku's daughter. It was a disgrace to his wife and his family to have any relationship with that pampered piece of trash.

"I know your opinions about Kikyou very well, Rin. So don't start, I am not going to get into a fight with you again about her," he barked out, standing and straitening out his suit.

"Did I say anything, Inuyasha?"

"No, but you were thinking it…its all the same."

"Whatever," Rin shot back, folding her arms across her chest, "If your too hard headed, single-minded, ignorant and brainless to see Kikyou for what she really is, then your downfall will be no one's fault but your own."

Inuyasha tightened his jaw, "People change"

"And not always for the better either."

"Rin, what gives you the right to say anything about her? You don't even know her." He felt his anger increasingly rise as he defended his friend to his sister.

"I don't have to know her to see what kind of person she is. Have you forgotten what kind of pain she put Kagome through in high school all because she couldn't keep her filthy hands off you? Has she pulled the wool over your eyes so much that you fail to remember what the Shikon's have done to Kagura and Kanna, to our family, to your wife? You didn't see the scowl on her face when you told her you still loved Kagome."

"Kikyou had nothing to do with Kagome's abduction!"

"Like hell she didn't," Rin stood up, "She hated Kagome so much that she forbid you to ever speak to her. Do you honestly think she would have given up so easily after losing you to her enemy? Are you really that shallow, Inuyasha?" she sneered at him when his angry eyes refused to look at her, "I suppose, Kikyou told you she had nothing to do with Kagome disappearance and since she such a wonderful, perfect person you automatically believed her. She is deceiving bitch who wants to dig her claws into you and posses the only person that was ever denied to her. Everything about Kikyou is fake, Inuyasha, her caring personality is only a mask to hide the fact that she is just like her father. "

Rin knew at that instance she had said too much and had pushed one too many of his buttons for one day but she would not take back her words, his naivety towards Kikyou pissed her off till no end. In his eyes, what the hell was Kikyou…a goddamn saint?

"You know," his cold stare chilled her bones, "I am not asking you to accept her, or to like her. Just simply respect my decisions. I told you I did not want to fight about this again."

Rin sat back down feeling dizzy again and cursed herself for getting worked up, "I am sorry, I understand that your lonely and that you need a close friend outside your normal circle of family and friends, but does it have to be her?"

"For now…yes."

Rin reluctantly accepted, "Okay, just understand that I believe you are wronging us all by associating with her, however, I cannot stop you…I can yell and scream, but…just don't be stupid, because if I ever find out your relationship with her goes beyond platonic…I will hunt you down like a dog and your death but be very, very painful."

Inuyasha chuckled, letting go of his resentment and diminishing the tension in the air, "I agree to your terms, lady Rin."

"Good, now go get cleaned up before you are permanently stained pink."

He touched his fingers to the dry paint still covering his face, hair and suit. He had forgotten about it, "Don't go thinking you got out of that stunt so easily. Paybacks are a bitch."

"You're telling me," Rin laughed, "now go."

A playful humanistic growl rumbled in his chest as he passed Rin, placing a light kiss on the top of her hair and leaving the room the way he came in. She propped her legs on the table, greeting Kagome when she came out of her hiding place to sit next to her.

"He really is losing his sanity isn't he?" She asked, staring blankly at Rin's pink colored toenails. He has to be if he willing defends Kikyou.

"More so everyday I am afraid," Rin agreed, joining Kagome's gaze at her pedicure feet.

"Great by the time I get him back he'll be nothing more than a bumbling idiot."

"I fear that would be an improvement for him," Rin joked, cowering away when Kagome grabbed a throw pillow and began beating her with it.

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Kohaku stalked quietly through the dark corridor towards Naraku's bedroom. He licked his dry, cracked lips. This was it. To say he wasn't nervous was sarcasm. He wasn't anxious for fear of his life, he was worried that he would fail those he loved the most…his sister Sango, Inuyasha, Rin, and his best friends Souta and Shippo. Kohaku knew without a single doubt that if he was caught, Naraku would not hesitate to either send him to prison or kill him leaving Shippo to take his place and figure out a way to get the files. Shippo was already too involved, he was the one who obtained the second key to Naraku's locked office.

Slowly he cracked every knuckle of each finger as he turned the corner, his eyes focusing on the short red haired man standing outside of Naraku's room in a black uniform. Shippo was on patrol tonight. Their plan was set and they were ready to take action. His mind involuntarily flashed back to the conversation with Naraku's mistress, when she had become vital to their plan.

"And Kagome is safe?" the woman asked, tears spilling from her sad depths.

"Yes, Rin and Sesshoumaru have her hidden in their mansion. She is well protected." Kohaku responded, his heart aching at the sight of pain in the woman's eyes.

" And she is back with her husband?" her voice became shakier with every word.

Kohaku allowed his eyes to fall, "No, until we have proof that Naraku was behind Kagome's disappearance, she has be kept from everybody especially Inuyasha."

"Kagome did not deserve to be taken from those she loves and from all of us who love her. What do you need me to do?" the woman's expression took on full strength determination.

He took a deep breath of air, "When you get word from me, I need you to entertain Naraku and slip this into his drink," Kohaku handed her two white pills, "it will knock him out long enough for me to get into the office grab what we need then get the hell out here before he wakes."

"Very well," she said, taking the drugs and placing them into the pocket of her sundress. Kagome was safe, Naraku no longer had any leverage to force her to sleep with him any longer, but she would do it one last time for the sake of her family.

"Once this over with Inuyasha will have his wife back, Souta his sister, Rin and Sango their friend, and you will have your daughter back…and you will get to meet your granddaughter Mrs. Higurashi. I've heard she is a cute but hyperactive little thing."

"What?" Mrs. Higurashi's eyes grew the size of the moon, "Kagome has a daughter, a child. My baby has a baby?" her hand reached up to wipe away the new tears dripping off her eyelashes.

"Well, Destiny isn't a baby any more, ma'am. She a little over five years of age."

The older woman gasped, "Inuyasha's daughter?"

Kohaku nodded, "That is why it is so important that we get these files as soon as possible. Destiny needs a father; and Kagome has to endure living in the same house with Inuyasha knowing he is home but not allowed to go to him. I am told that Inuyasha has taken interest in Naraku's daughter again so things will only get worse if we don't hurry."

"As soon as you are ready let me know…I want my daughter to have her life back as soon as you are able to give it back to her"

Kohaku stood face to face with Shippo, stormy forest green eyes silently wished his friend luck, and the dark haired man offered a nod of understanding in return.

"Sesshoumaru has a car waiting for us just outside the estates. As soon as I am in the room, get Mrs. Higurashi out of here and to that car. If I am not there in twenty minutes, get the hell out of here got it?" Kohaku asked in a stern low voice, extenuating his point.

Shippo's body stiffened, "I'll make sure Mrs. Higurashi gets out safely but I will not leave you behind."

"Shippo you must," Kohaku hissed, stepping closer, "If I fail then you are the only hope Kagome and Inuyasha have. Naraku has no idea that we are in association with each other, if a traitor is discovered then do you think Naraku will let new people come on to his staff so easily?"

The small man shook his head, his eyes were down cast, and tension ate away at his nerves, "fine," he blurred out.

The younger male softened, understanding that his friend was worried, "The car will take us to the Tama private airport where Mrs. Tama is waiting. She has already retrieved Souta, though I am sure he is thoroughly confused at the moment, and once we board the jet, it will immediately take us to Sesshoumaru. Are you ready?"

Shippo stood up straight, his arms loose at his sides, and his head held high, "Yes, lets get this over with."

Kohaku placed his hand on Shippo's shoulder and gave it an encouraging squeeze, "Good, because the beginning of the end starts tonight."

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PLEASE READ! IMPORTANT!

-->For your reading enjoyment during the next chapter, it might benefit you if you are able to get a hold of the song titled Kissing You by Des'ree, it can also be found on soundtrack of the Romeo and Juliet Movie staring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

-->Right now this story will probably be between 13-15 chapters long, give or take depending on the direction the story goes after chapter ten's events.

-->Thank you for all your kind words of encouragement. I appreciated them all so much!

Until Next Time…