Six years later...

Rin sighed, looking at the old woman sleeping in the hospital. She closed her eyes pushing back the tears before kissing the woman's cheek and leaving the room. Two years since everything happened. Kaede got sick, Rin had to drop out of school to help pay the hospital bills, then moved back to Tokyo to take care of her.

She stopped on her way out, choking back a sob. She had to be strong, chick her pride out of the window. She wiped her eyes, lifted her head, and kept walking. She pulled out a card from her pocket. She looked at it, smiling at the name: Inuyasha Tango. She pulled her cell out, and dialed the number, praying she was doing the right thing.

...}{...

"Damn paper work." Inuyasha growled signing another report for his father. Three damn years since he started to work at the office and he was still answering to his father and brother.

The intercom beeped, "Sir, there's a lady on line one asking to talk to you."(pop) His lazy secretary spoke over the speaker. She was popping her gum again. "Said she was a friend from school."

He groaned, "Name?"

(pop) "Rin Hilltop?"

Rin! Its been weeks since he last talked to her. "I got it, Thx." Even after she left for college, they stayed in touch. He wondered thought why she was calling him at work. She normally waited until he got home to call and talk. He grabbed up the phone, "Hey, Rinny girl!"

"Hey, Inu boy." She sounded down, he could hear it in her voice.

"What's wrong?"

(Sniff) "What makes you think anything is wrong?"

"Rin..."

"I need to ask you something important, Inuyasha, but I want you to know that I understand if you can't do it, OK?"

"Rin you know I'm always here for you."

(Deep breath) "I need a Job."

(Thud) "Ouch."

"You OK?"

"Ya." He groaned, picking himself off the floor. Just dandy." He threw himself into his chairs, "OK, who is this and what did you do to Rin?"

"Inuyasha..." She groaned.

"Sorry, but come on Rinny girl. I'm shocked. You refused before so many times it not funny anymore. Now, out of the blue you call and ask for a job?"

"I know...I'm sorry for asking." (Sigh) "How's Kagome?"

"Now, don't be going and changing the subject." He looked up at the ceiling and smiled. "Can you come by this afternoon?"

"What?"

"CAN YOU COME BY..."

"I heard you, but why?"

"Just be here at eleven, OK?"

"OK."

"Good, now what have you been up to?" They talked for awhile as he wrote down his plan and got ready for a meeting he was going to need with his father. He wondered what he would think and if he go for it or would he need something else to make this work. He just hopped Sesshomaru didn't find out before he got to Rin this afternoon. No point in scaring her away before he even got started.

...}{...

Man, he sure is climbing that business ladder. Rin thought as she walked from the elevators down the hall to Inuyasha's office. She gripped the strap of her purse, trying to remain calm as she steeped up to the desk where a young woman filing her nails and blowing bubbles with her gum sat with her feet resting on the desk. "I'm here to see Mr. Inuyasha Tango."

"Name?" The girl asked letting her gum snap back into her mouth.

"Rin Hilltop." She forced her hands to remain where they were so she wouldn't fiddled with her hair as the girl swung her legs down to look through a book.

"Nope...No appointment and he's not in right now...so..." She swung her legs back up and resumed filing her nails.

"You sure?"

"Yep." She snapped her gum again not looking up.

Rin nodded, "Thank you." She shouldn't have even called.

She stood at the elevators waiting when someone came up besides her. She turned and choked on her greeting as very exotic golden eyes, fringed by thick black lashes beneath elegantly slanted brows stared back down at her. She swallowed and looked away.

He didn't seem to recognized her as stood there next to her. From the brief glace, he hadn't changed much over the six years she been gone. He still that odd, beautiful, silver hair, reaching well past his waist now.

The door opened and she went to step in when he held his arm for her to go first, but stopped when she heard her name being called. Looking back, she noticed Inuyasha rushing towards her. She turned, hopping Sesshomaru had just got on without her.

"That damn woman, I'm going to fire her." Inuyasha huffed bending over on hie knees catching his breath. "I'm so sorry Rinny. I told her to call me on my cell when you arrived, but she never listens." He stood, brushing his suit. "Come on, father can't wait to see you." He looked behind her smiling, "Afternoon Sesshomaru."

Damn he didn't get on. Rin glared at Inuyasha who just smiled and took her arm.

""Shall we?"

She allowed him to lead her down the hall, not daring to look behind her at her old high school classmate and crush.

...}{...

'Rn Hilltop.' Sesshomaru smiled. 'She's back.' He turned around and walked back to his own office, telling his sectary to hold all his calls and allow no one in his office or it would be his job. He ignored the green little man as he stuttered over his words. Inside, he locked the door for good measure, before walking towards his desk. There he opened a side door to his private safe and punched in the well remembered code.

He reached in and lifted out a well worn red velvet book with "Diary" embossed in gold on the cover. He sat, flipping through the pages to a well known letter to him from a dark chocolate eyed girl. He smiled at how her heart would flutter when he was around, her breath would catch as he drew near, the dreams of his kisses feeding the heat of her passion. "My dearest Rin, I will not allowed damn pride to come between the two of us." He whispered, letting his hand run down the page slowly.

He sighed and unfolded the note that had come with the book when he first found it on his bed after graduation.

"Sesshomaru,

I know this must be weird receiving something the likes of me, but since I am leaving on account of you, I believe you should know why. Inside this book is every entry from the first day I met you to the morning of our graduation day. I wish for you to know that the kiss we shared on the steps will always be in my heart and soul, but it reminded me that we travel different roads in life. A man like yourself would never look twice at a girl like me, not with so many other girls prettier out there throwing themselves at you. Please understand my reasoning behind it.

Best wishes and lots of love,

Rin Hilltop"

He smiled and folded the letter back up before replacing it in the book. Rin sure didn't know what was coming now that he found her again.

...}{...

"Who's personal assistant?" Rin asked not really wanting to believe Taisho Tango, Inuyasha's father, had just said.

"Sesshomaru's, dear."

Yep! He said it.

"He's in need of one, bad. Not that he says he need anything at all, mind you."

"Mr. Tango, I couldn't really. I'm just... I couldn't take away something someone else would be better at it...I really sorry imposed." She stood up and went to leave saying she had another appointment to get to.

"Come on, Rinny. You said so yourself you needed a job." Inuyasha stepped in.

Did she ever. "Isn't there anything else for me to do?"

"Come, my dear." Taisho offered, standing to walk over to her and wrapping a arm around her shoulder giving her a squeeze. "You know my son, going to school with him and all. Believe me he hasn't changed much."

That's what worried her as well as the knowledge that he know has had her teenage diary since leaving. She sighed, not really wanting to accept, but knew those bill didn't pay themselves. "The thing is, Mr. Tango..."

"Call me Taisho."

"Mr. Taisho,"

He rolled his eyes, but let her go on.

"Personal assistants have to stay late, work odd hours, and most weekends. That wont work for me."

"Whoa, hold on there, Rinny. You have kids or something?" Inuyasha asked.

"Or something. My mother is sick and in the hospital."

"Say no more, Rin." Taisho help up a hand. "I understand. Then, why don't we en-change. You become my assistant and Sesshomaru can deal with mine."

She waved her hands, "Honestly, I'm fine with something simple."

"Nonsense, girl. I want you to stop worrying and be here at eight sharp." Taisho gave her another squeeze before strolling out of the board room. Rin turned on Inuyasha as the door closed behind him. He was smiling, hands shoved into his pants pocket.

"You look tire, Rinny."

She glared at him, "You could have warned me!" She almost yelled.

"About dad?" He shrugged, "Come on Rin, you know how he feels about you. He adores you."

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

His look of confusion wasn't convening, "The job? Look I talked to him after a meeting, just found out myself."

She growled, "Sesshomaru works here!"

"Oh." He blushed and rubbed his neck, "Yeah, well, he started during college and hasn't left. Don't get me you still have that silly crush on him?"

"Don't start with me, Inuyasha. You're going to get me out of this mess you seem to think is all wrapped up nice and pretty." She waved her arms around.

"Come on Rin, you know me. Besides you won't be working with him, you're dad's assistant, remember?" He crossed his arms looking at her.

"You telling me that your dad and brother don't work together? At all?" She asked knowing the answer even before he frowned.

"Well..." He started rubbing his neck looking way from her intent stare.

"That's it, I'm gone. Tell your father thanks, but no thanks." She grabbed her purse.

"Come on Rin, what you got to lose?" holding his arms open wide.

"Everything, goodbye." She turned to the door, stopping to find Sesshomaru standing there, arms crossed leaning on the door jam with that lazy, utterly arrogant smile.

"Leaving so soon? Not going to stop and see your old classmate." His damn voice was still that smooth warm tone. He really hadn't changed much, Rin took notice now that she was facing him on. His golden eyes peering at her as if he was feeding on the sight of her.

"Thought you had a lunch date, Fluffy?"

"Canceled it. Couldn't pass on catching up with Rin here." Sesshomaru straightened before moving towards her.

"Oh, well, plenty of time for that. Rin is dad's new assistant."

"And Totosai?"

God, he was still breath taking. She had barely heard the conversion. "Wait...Totosai? Who is Totosai, Inuyasha? I'm not taking..."

"Of course not, Rin. Who would believe you to be so mean as to take someone else's job?" Inuyasha cut in, throwing an arm around her shoulder and giving her a squeeze. "Dad thought you could use him, Sesshomaru. Always needed a good right arm, huh?"

"Hmm." Sesshomaru was too busy with watching Rin then listening.

"Well, I'm off for lunch...Rin?"

"She shook her head, forcing herself to look away from Sesshomaru to look at Inuyasha, "I need to get going too..." She had to talk to Kaede. She be getting out in a few days and she would need a nurse to stay with her, since Rin seemed to have a job now.

"Let me buy you some lunch first. Care to join us, Sesshomaru?"

Damn you Inuyasha. Please say no. Please say you have paper work, file to look over, anything but...

"I would love to."

...that. Rin smiled, thinking quick of all her excuses, looking for one to get out of lunch with him. "I'm going to have to decline. I have another engagement I must get to." She started to pull away.

"Come on, Rin." Inuyasha begged.

"No thank you, Inuyasha. I really must be going." I can't breath with him in the same room, how could I have lunch with him? She thought to herself.

"Rain check then." Sesshomaru offered, smiling down at her like he wanted to taste her.

"Great idea. How about tomorrow?"

Tomorrow? Think of something Rin..."No, I'm starting my new job, remember? Who knows what he has planned for me?" She looked at her watch, playing that she was late. "I really have to go now. Good to see you both again." she walked past Sesshomaru, feeling his eyes following her as she left.

...}{...

"So..."

Sesshomaru looked at his brother after Rin vanished from his sight around a corner. His brother, Inuyasha. Started working only because his wife was driving him up the wall, getting their new house ready for them. "What?"

"Still heels over head in love?" Inuyasha grinned crossing his arms.

His brother sure enjoyed playing that card on him. "Why father's assistant?" He asked not bothering to answer him.

He shrugged, "Rin's mother is in the hospital. She would have to be able to leave at a drop of a hat, can't work late all the time, and the trips you take won't work for her either, but she needs the job to pay the bills. You know how dad is, soft heart and all."

Rin's mother is sick? She must be going there to see her now. He nodded, " No one thought to offer a nurse for the lady?"

"Rin would never accept that and you know it."

"Well, how does your plan work then?"

"What plan?"

Rolling his eyes, Sesshomaru sighed, "You were all set and ready to hire her as my assistant, until it back fired on you because of her mother being sick. Don't lie."

Inuyasha seemed hurt, "What ever gave you ...OK." He gave in as his brother glared at him. "I was just thinking that is would nice for you to have that second chance at her. Hell, it wasn't hard how you felt about her in high school."

"Oh really?" Sesshomaru crossed her arms, "Pray tell, how you know this?"

Inuyasha shrugged, pulling a chair out from the meeting table to throw himself in, "You never gave an ounce about the other smart kids. Never argued with them, but Rin was different. You went out of your way to argue and fight with her." He propped his feet up on the table, "I mean come on . You never do that."

"So, the others weren't that smart."

"Complimenting her too...Sesshomaru you never cared enough to do that."

"Fine." Sesshomaru moved to sit, "Either way, your plan?"

"Oh, ya, plan..." He scratched his head, "Sort a didn't work out the way I wanted, but still working. You and dad work together all the time. It'll work itself out. Just don't mess it up like last time."

Sesshomaru almost cringed at being reminded of the day he had kissed her. He had been overjoyed with her reaction, her warmth, and love...but confused as to why she ran away. He had tried to talk to her, but she avoided him at every turn, even stopped having lunch with her friends.

Later, he found out she had been in the library. Had his brother told him, she may never have left. He's been kicking himself ever since she left. Well, now he had a second chance and he wasn't going to loose her again.

...}{...

(Me walking on stage) Now, what you all think of that? What do you think will happen now? What about Inuyasha and his so called plan? He was never good at planning thing. How will Sesshomaru fix it this time? What's Rin feeling about running into him again? Lots of questions and no answers, yet. Next chapter will have more.

Review Answer Corner

icegirljenni

I'm glade to be back. I'm been doing alright, for the most part.

I always do humor, not one of my stories don't make someone laugh. Always need laughter in ones life.

anhimals

I welcome you the corner. I hope you keep coming back as so we can be good friends. By the way, good looks don't mean anything, but they do help.

hipbunny

Welcome to the corner as well, I hope you keep enjoying the tale I weave, or tell, or whatever its called these days.

Thundara

Welcome, and thank you.

Divine Rose

Welcome back, so sad you came in at the end of the Christmas Bride, but your back now, and so am I. I hope for a few tales at least. Rin left because one she has to go where the scholarships are and she couldn't stand being around Sesshomaru thinking that she wasn't good enough for him.