Angel in Disguise
Chapter 2
Rin had spent the day worrying about her chosen outfit for that night and she frowned as she watched the rain falling against the windows. This did not bode well. She didn't want to walk to Kagome's in the rain. It couldn't be helped though. She sighed and sank down into a chair and waited to see if the rain would stop.
Sesshoumaru paced his room impatiently as he waited for his suit to be delivered. He had sent it out for dry cleaning with specific instructions that it should be returned to him in time to wear tonight, but it had yet to return. His patience was wearing thin as he looked out the window, hoping to see someone carrying the suit. He had less than two hours before he was due to arrive at the party and he had several things to do before he arrived. How was he supposed to prepare when he was missing the key part of his outfit?! Fuming, he stormed over to the phone and just as his hand reached out to pick it up, his doorbell rang. Snatching his hand back, he crossed the distance to the door in a matter of seconds and pulled the door open to reveal a nervous looking young man holding his suit. Knowing better than to ask for payment, the man surrendered the article of clothing to its owner before turning tail and running out of the building.
Later, Sesshoumaru arrived at his parents' home, delayed only by his decision to pick up some flowers for Izumi, Kagome and Izayoi. He climbed the stairs to the massive house that lay before him. The entrance hall of the house was a stunning sight. It had been decorated ornately with garlands of flowers and clusters of balloons hanging from the banisters of the huge staircase. As he ventured forward, he noticed that the dull grey carpet that usually covered the floor of the hall had been replaced by one of a deep red colour. The wooden panels and furniture had been polished until Sesshoumaru swore he could see his own reflection as he stepped inside and removed his coat. A banner hung across the archway that led into his father's conference room congratulating Inuyasha and Kagome on their engagement and forthcoming marriage. He smirked as he thought that he would never have expected his younger brother to be getting married before him. Silently he prayed that he at least got married before Izumi!
The sound of voices coming from the direction of the kitchen caught his attention and he made his way towards them. Once again his step mother's interior design floored him as he moved through the house. It seemed as though everything had been replaced, everything he that made this place his childhood home was gone. Briefly he glanced into his father's conference room and gasped in surprise. The chandelier had been replaced and the carpet removed to reveal gleaming wooden floors. He had spent many hours in this room listening to the boring speeches his father's associates had made, but as he looked at it now, he wondered how he could ever have thought this room dull.
He stepped into the kitchen and saw his step mother standing in the middle of the room giving orders to everyone. He long dark hair had been tied up and gave her an almost severe expression, although he knew that she was a gentle soul despite her slightly intimidating exterior. She looked over at him and gave him a fond smile before moving towards him.
"Hello, Sesshoumaru dear," she greeted. "You're a bit early."
He shrugged. "I thought I was going to be late."
Izayoi laughed softly and patted his arm gently. "I didn't know you liked flowers," she said in surprise as she looked down at the three bouquets in his arms.
"I don't." He pulled out a bouquet of bright yellow tulips and handed them to her. "Those are for you."
"Thank you, dear. They're lovely."
Izayoi turned away to find vase to put the flowers in, leaving Sesshoumaru standing alone at the kitchen's entrance. Not sure what to do, he walked over to an empty table and put down the remaining two bouquets. He was just about to leave the room when he felt two slender arms wrap around his waist. Stiffening slightly, he turned around and found himself looking down into his sister's smiling face.
"I was wondering if you were planning to turn up, nii-san," she said in a teasing voice.
He patted her shoulder gently and disentangled himself from her arms. "I doubt I'd have survived long if I didn't come. By the way…" he turned back to the table picked up a bouquet of lilies. "These are for you."
Izumi grinned at her brother and took them gratefully. "Thank you!" She handed them to her mother who was standing nearby before turning back to her brother. "I have to go and get ready for the party, I'll see you later!" She leaned up and gave him a hug before running out of the room.
Elsewhere…
Rin rushed up the street towards Inuyasha and Kagome's house, desperately hoping that the rain would not start until she had arrived. The magnificent structure that was their home came into sight, dwarfing all other houses around it. Despite having been to their house many times, the building was still impressive no matter how many times one had seen it. She came to a halt outside the door and gave a sigh of relief as she knocked on the door before her. Seconds later, it was opened to reveal a breathless Kagome.
"Rin! I was worried you might get caught in the rain. Come in!"
The pair walked into the living room where Inuyasha sat watching television. He looked up and smiled a greeting at Rin.
"You two better get yourselves ready. We have to leave in just under an hour."
Kagome gasped. "We'll be ready in time!" she said as she dragged Rin towards the staircase.
"What are you going to wear?" Rin asked her friend as she stood in the middle of her dressing room.
"I don't know! I've got some many choices and I don't like any of them!"
Rin sighed and walked towards the wardrobe. Pulling the doors open, she flicked through the dressed that hung neatly over an enormous collection of shoes. Eventually she came back to where her friend stood carrying her choice.
"This is a nice one. You should wear this. Red is Inuyasha's favourite colour as well." She walked back over to the wardrobe and pulled out a pair of red shoes and handed them to her friend.
Minutes later, Kagome was dressed in her red dress with matching shoes. Rin smiled at her friend. She looked radiant! Her dark hair was a stark contrast to the bright dress and after her make up had been done, she truly looked like the bride that she was.
"You've got 15 minutes to get dressed, Rin. I'll meet you downstairs okay?" Kagome said after a few minutes.
"That's plenty of time."
Kagome left the room and Rin stood up and walked over to her bag. She pulled out a black dress and slipped it over her head. After doing her hair up in a bun at the nape of her neck, she slipped her feet into shoes she knew would make her at least an inch taller and quickly applied a small amount of make up. Her friends smiled in approval when she joined them downstairs and they made their way out the door towards the car that awaited them.
As she sat in the seat behind Inuyasha, Rin wrung her hands nervously in her lap as she gazed out the window. It was true that she had decided not to waste her life pining after a man who would never look her way, but it was easier said than done. It would be exceptionally hard considering Sesshoumaru was incredibly good looking, which made him hard to forget, and he was also Inuyasha's brother. With a sigh, Rin hoped that she could prevent herself from falling for the man a second time.