Four Seasons: Summer
By Cheung Mei Li (Mei Li Cheung)
Rin always thought violins sounded like they were crying. She felt sorry for the instruments, even though she knew that the objects couldn't feel emotion, nor did they have anything to be sad over even if they did have emotions. Still, she thought violins were sad instruments, their sounds beautiful cries.
She was pondering the sound of the violin absent mindedly, her hands on autopilot. She paid no attention to the bright lights beating down on her, the droplets of sweat forming on the back of her neck, or the stunned gazes of her audience. They didn't even know she wasn't paying any attention to performing for them, just that the sound her violin made was satisfyingly beautiful.
She was doing Vivaldi's Four Seasons currently, Summer in specific. Her mentor had told her to do this piece this evening, though she had learned Four Seasons back when she was nine. It was an overly done piece in her opinion, and one she had grown bored of long before. It didn't challenge her anymore, perhaps the reason she was performing so well on autopilot.
Suddenly, she heard the audience clapping wildly. The sound was loud and harsh to Rin's delicate hearing, snapping her from the world of her mind and back to reality, eyes wide like those of a dear in the headlights. Her body, still on autopilot, stood and bowed to the audience. She displayed a blinding smile, making the audience clap louder. She quickly exited the stage, happy to be off auto-pilot again, and submerged in momentary silence.
Behind stage, she was almost instantly greeted by many mandatory congratulations. She smiled, nodded, and did her best to avoid attention and slip out through one of the doors. She was dreaming of her comfy pillow, one-thousand thread count sheets, and downy comforters. She was tired even though she had hardly done anything out on the stage. It was difficult to slip through the crowd and get to the back door. Escape was in sight, until she noticed the man leaning against the wall beside the door. He looked like he always did, white-silver hair pulled back into a pony tail, a disapproving mask, and sophisticated clothing.
"Rin." The young women cringed at the disapproving baritone filling her ears. Everyone paused at the same time, turning to look in his direction too. Their chatter quickly died down. They knew who he was, as he was the only person who would critique something so beautiful to their ears, so fantastic in there eyes.
"That was your lowest. You messed up multiple times, you weren't focusing on the music, you got behind in pace, and you were obviously letting your hands do the work. You thought you had it down because you learned Vivaldi when you were a child, writing it off as below you, unwittingly tripping you up."
Rin bowed her head.
"Of course Mr. Sesshomaru."
"She was wonderful!" one of the stagehands cried out. She noticed her mentor's eyes slide to the side, watching and analyzing his appearance. He looked absolutely evil.
"Oh, so you have won every award you've been entered for, praised internationally, had every possible title for violinists, and you're one of the most creditable sources in the musical world?"
"Sesshomaru, enough." Rin spoke up. She knew her mentor would continue to berate the poor man if she didn't step in, making not only a fool of himself but even more of a smug asshole of himself.
He rolled his eyes, pushing himself off the floor, uncrossing his arms and letting them fall to his side, ready to exit the room. The people nearest to them stepped back, not wanting to get in his way after hearing all the horror stories of his treatment to people who go in his way.
"Come now Rin, we have much to go over."
So much for her sleep.
She bit back a sigh and displayed his dizzyingly sweet smile on her face. She willed herself to follow him though she would've preferred to get in a taxi and go home. Now she'd be getting in a fancy limo, be offered a champagne, and then be berated by him and be forced to make a fool of herself.
Someone opened the door for her mentor, whispering a compliment and a goodbye to her as she passed them. Sesshomaru's eyes slid to look at her, narrowed in a glare.
Once out of hearing of them, he instantly launched into one of his 'critiques'.
"You know the difference between mindless praise and true praise. You know I expect you not to be modest and demand only the truest of comments." He turned to face her, his golden eyes bearing down on her like the weight of the world. "And that was not what you were doing back there. You were excepting and basking in it."
She bit her lip, keeping all the witty retorts on the tip of her tongue.
"Speak your complaint. There is too much potential in you for me to drop you so easily."
She sighed and instantly launched into her own complaints.
"I'm tired; I just performed a three hour concert, it's past midnight, the lights were hotter than usual. Then, when I get behind stage, I'm mobbed by a billion people singing 'false' praise. When I'm trying to leave, I'm stopped by you and you instantly start critiquing me. Then you're about to make yourself into more of an asshole, and, I have to step in. And now, on the sidewalk, you're digging into me because I didn't deny every one when they told me good job."
He looked at his watch.
"It's only one-thirty in the morning."
"It's the morning." She smiled at him in a manner that said no, no matter what you say, you aren't going to change a goddamn thing.
"Fine, I'll have my driver not even stop for food." Sesshomaru turned away from her, knowing that he'd perked her up some by mentioning food.
"No, no, we can stop for some incredibly unhealthy food," Rin said, practically drooling. She was always hungry after concerts, something her mentor had quickly picked up on after only a few concerts.
She followed him to the fancy limo Sesshomaru always used as his preferred method of transportation. She didn't understand why, a taxi was much easier to use and much more discreet. But then again, Sesshomaru wasn't flamboyant but he didn't hide the fact he was in a room. Rin was like that, like the little mouse scurrying along the bottom of the wall, looking for the nearest hole to dive into.
She slipped in next to Sesshomaru, a chill traversing the length of her spine due to the cold leather seats. Sesshomaru didn't notice, already pouring himself his first glass of champagne. Rin sighed, if there was one thing Sesshomaru did nothing to resist, it was alcohol. He always was saying the drinking helped him cope with the stupidity of the world. He adamantly denied that he had any problem, borderline problematic or not.
The driver drove into the parking lot of the fast food place and parked in the back. Rin, not wanting to stand if she didn't have to, waited until Sesshomaru finished his drink. He wasn't in any hurry to finish it, not in any hurry for her to eat. It was dark out and past midnight, meaning plenty of drunks would be about, something Rin didn't want to deal with. She wouldn't go out unless Sesshomaru was with her.
He sat down his empty glass and turned to look at her, waiting for her to get out. It only took her a moment to get the message, opening the door and got out. The air outside of the car was cold, and the wind even chillier. She crossed her arms and stepped close to Sesshomaru.
"It isn't that bad."
She didn't acknowledge him, just walked beside him towards the building. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed to men lumbering about, lumbering towards them. They were obviously drunk, and probably out to try and mooch cash off others so that they could get more booze or maybe a woman.
Rin leaned into Sesshomaru, trying to make it obvious to the drunks that she was taken, and that her boyfriend was strong enough to kick them to Tuesday. Sesshomaru put his arm around her, probably because he'd noticed them to. He wasn't very fond of public displays of affection.
The men continued to lumber towards them, the unpleasant sell of cheap liquor wafting towards them. Sesshomaru's lips twitched downwards at the smell and Rin's nose twitched. She leaned into him, trying to block out the awful smell.
She felt rough hands on her, ripping her away from Sesshomaru. She was spun around and pulled into a tight embrace. Sesshomaru was doing his best to get to her but the man assaulting her had his friend distracting him. The drunk holding her had his grimy hands sliding beneath her silk black shirt and the leather coat she had grabbed the morning prior off of Sesshomaru's floor. The hands rested against her lower back, holding her to him as tightly as she could. Rin pushed and struggled against him but even drunk, the man was still stronger.
That didn't mean she didn't stomp on his toes or kick him in the balls. It just mean the drunk didn't react.
Suddenly, the thing she was struggling against was ripped away, much to her relief. Sesshomaru threw him against the ground but the man who didn't seem to understand the concept of pain just pushed himself to his feet and ran away. Sesshomaru looked ready to chase after him.
"Don't, they're just some stupid alcoholics."
Sesshomaru sighed, accepting Rin's order. He led the way to the restaurant, Rin still leaning on him though there was no one about. He was stiff, uncomfortable with the public display. He opened the door for Rin, the scent of deep fried grease, oil, and some form of poultry. The fast, unhealthy food smelled awful and he wanted to leave, go to some five-star restaurant that knew where in the world their poultry came from.
From here Rin took the lead, her black shoes making little thumps as they hit the ground. Some people turned to look at them, their eyes lighting up with recognition. He glared back at each of them, feeling like a trapped dog.
"I'll have the I'll have the grilled onion cheddar burgar with a side salad."
The woman behind the counter, looking at Rin with admiration, excitedly asked her if she wanted to make that a meal. Rin nodded, a huge grin on her face.
"And you?" she asked Sesshomaru.
He glanced over the only portion of the menu he would touch, the salads. Their selection was pathetic, like every other fast food restaurant.
"A Caesar salad." He grabbed a small water cup before the women behind the counter could ask him if he wanted some sugary cold beverage. He actually cared about his health, contrary to Rin or anyone else eating here.
She told him the price and he handed her the cash, quickly steering Rin away before the woman could give them his change.
"You eat quickly and then we leave."
Rin smirked at him, humor glittering in her brown irises. She stuck at her little pink tongue, teasing him because she felt like it. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her, his frown deepening. She pulled her tongue back in, grinned at him, and hurried to one of the booths with uncomfortable plastic backs that masqueraded as leather cushions.
"I'm going to the bathroom," he said in a low tone before walking off. Rin watched him go before looking down to her lap and the her hands in them. She raked her mind for her schedule that day, remembering her doctor's appointment.
The girl who'd been working the cashier came up to the booth and set down their tray, beaming.
"So is it true? Are you two dating?"
Rin looked up from her lap, surprise etched into her face. She hadn't been expected to be asked about her relationship with her mentor, more likely she expected to be asked about how she was so good or if she had a tape running in the background. That was what others asked normally. However, on occasion she got question regarding her romantic life, normally from dreamy, hopeless romantic, college girls who were single.
"Uh, yeah."
"But isn't he your teacher?"
Rin chuckled, bit her lip and answered.
"No, not really. To begin with, we didn't even meet until I was seventeen and then he didn't even begin 'mentoring' me until last year. Really, he just helps me get down the notes and everything." Rin beamed back at the college girl who nodded, smiling along with her.
"And keep track of your schedule which you do terrible at."
The college girl jumped at the baritone of Sesshomaru's voice. With wide eyes the girl turned around, quickly and quietly mumbling sorry and bowing deeply before scurrying out. Poor thing looked like she was about have a heart attack in Rin's eyes. Once the girl was out of sight, Rin turned her gaze to Sesshomaru, a playful yet disapproving look glimmering in her eyes.
"Eat, then we go and you get your sleep."
The driver of the limo opened the door on Rin's side, allowing her to quickly scoot out of the luxury car and into the night air. She missed the warmth she had from being snuggled into Sesshomaru's side, excited now for when she got inside so that she could cuddle next to him in the bed, their sheets pulled up around their shoulders.
"Let me carry you princess."
Sesshomaru swept Rin off her feet literally, carrying her inside in a fit of affection since they were no longer in public. Rin rested her head against his chest, her eyes heavy with the need for sleep.
"What do you have for tomorrow?" he asked, unaware of her doctor's appointment.
"Doctor's appointment."
"What for?"
She chuckled dryly, blowing his question off. He gave her a questioning look but didn't press her any further, not finding it important enough.
"Sesshomaru…" she trailed off, suddenly very serious and pathetic.
"Yes?" he asked in a concerned voice.
"I feel nauseous."
Sesshomaru quickly steered them into the nearest bathroom and let her down on the floor, kneeling beside her. He lifted the toilet lid, as she leaned in. He pulled back her dark hair and placed his hand on her forehead. She didn't feel very feverish.
He pulled off her shirt, feeling the sweat forming on her brow and wondering if she was over heating somehow.
Then he saw it.
The Moth.
Hi, first I want to thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it and I would appreciate it if you left a review. Please, constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. Anyways, second off, this story will be a four part story and each story will be based around Vivaldi's Four Seasons. This part was Summer, the next part is Autumn, the third is Winter, and the fourth/prologue is Spring. And third, last but not least, this story isn't going to be a novel. If you didn't get that from the fact this will only be four parts, well, I just spelled it out. This will be more of a Novelette, which is normally between 7,500 words and 17,500 words.
Anyways, hope to see you in Autumn! (not literally)