New chapter! I don't have much to share, except that the next chapter won't be posted until somewhere in March. Thanks, I really hope you'll enjoy this chapter and don't forget to leave a review. I tend to update my stories once I feel people are interested, so if you like this or any of my stories, please review.


Disclaimer: I don't own the characters mentioned here.


~Chapter eight: My Heart is breaking


Rin stared at Sesshomaru, a small smile on her lips. Sesshomaru could see the dry tear stains that were visible on her face.

"Rin, I've noticed that you are being oppressed. Someone is trying to make your life, miserable. Why haven't you told, anyone? If you don't want to suffer anymore, you must put a stop to this."

"…I guess you're right. It's just that I didn't think it would lead to this." Rin said casting her face to the ground. She was sitting on top of Sesshomaru's motorcycle. Sesshomaru was standing three feet away from her. He had his arms crossed against his chest.

"The other day I noticed that your hair had been spray painted. I didn't mention it, because I didn't know what to say. "Sesshomaru stared at her with a serious expression.

"Ah, that." Rin touched her hair remembering the purple paint. "Don't worry, I'm okay." Rin answered, feeling a little shy at his bold truthfulness. He had cared for her wellbeing, but he hadn't known how to express it.

"I want you to answer me with the truth. How long have you been tormented at school?"

"Umm, it's been about three months." Rin said, noticing his gaze refine.

She waved her hands in front of her, "Don't worry, they were just minor pranks, but lately they have become more aggressive and… hurtful."

"Do you have any idea of who it might be?" Sesshomaru's gaze was dangerous.

"N… no, I don't." Rin reached out to place a hand on his arm. "Please, don't worry about my problems. I promise that I will be more careful, and I will talk about this problem with my family."

"Mh, it's a start. " Sesshomaru seemed satisfied by her words.

"You are adopted, right?" Sesshomaru asked, afterwards. He remembered hearing her tell his father that she was adopted. Her real surname was Harada, not Higurashi.

"…Yes, I'm adopted, but only for a year." Rin answered feeling odd telling him, this.

"You're being adopted for a year? Is this some new system or something from the adoption agency? I've never heard of such a thing. I thought only foster homes did that sort of thing." Sesshomaru asked, filled with curiosity.

"I guess you could say that. My, umm previous guardian wanted me to experience the wonders of this city, and get the opportunity to have a real family." Rin said smiling widely. She thought about Kaede and her warm, comforting hands.

"Your life is such a mystery." Sesshomaru uncrossed his arms and placed a hand on top of Rin's.

"It doesn't have to be a mystery. You can talk with me. That's what friends are for." Rin smiled again, the feeling of sorrow vanishing. She felt at ease with Sesshomaru around.

"That's true," he closed the distance around them. He placed his arms around her waist and lifted her up before settling her down on her feet. Rin blushed furiously. 'Why do I get the feeling that he wants to be more than friends.'

'Wait, what am I thinking? I can't be interested in him in that way.'

"Rin, you better go home. I don't want your mother to get mad, again." He said with a playful grin. He was reminding her about how her mom got after him for giving her a ride home on his motorcycle.

Rin laughed lightly, "Okay,"

"Thank you for comforting me and bringing me home." Rin said her hands fiddle with her belt.

"It wasn't a problem." Sesshomaru answered looking to the side.

Rin could have sworn he had become bashful at the mention of him comforting her. His arms had felt so protective around her.

She walked around him and started up the driveway of her house. Rin hoped her mother was asleep and hadn't gone to peek out the window. How would she explain to her that she had been hanging outside with Sesshomaru?

'The only way of explaining would be to tell the truth.'

"Rin," Sesshomaru called out. Rin stopped in her trek and turned sideways to face him. "Yes,"

"Tomorrow, are you still going to tutor me? Or, will you not be attending school." He asked, his deep suave voice reaching her ears.

"Ah, yes, don't worry I'll be there." Rin answered, before she turned back to rummage around her purse looking for her house key.

"Good night, Rin,"

She heard the roar of his motorcycle, before he sped away.

'He called me mysterious, but I personally think he is the mysterious person.'

Xxx

Ayame was sitting on top of some cargo boxes. She polished the silver pistol with her blue bandanna. 'I wonder if he'll come.'

A bright light and the sound of a motorcycle engine reached her. 'Well, speak of the devil, he's here. '

The red head jumped down from her seat and walked over to greet Sesshomaru. The roads were lit with bright lights as cars and motorcycles were strewn along the sides of the road. Loud music played in the background. Different kind of demons chatted and showed off their vehicles to other competitors.

Tonight, they were having two individual races in the outskirts of the city. The first race was designated for drivers that owned cars, and the second race was for motorcyclists. The East organization hosting this race had set the race to start five minutes past midnight. They didn't have to worry about the cops. Onigumo, one of the hosts of the party had made sure to hire some henchmen to take care of the police.

"Glad, you could make it. I thought you weren't coming." Ayame said in a worried voice.

"Well, I'm here." Sesshomaru replied back.

"Kouga and Kida are around here, somewhere. Do you want me to go look for them?" Ayame asked as she stood six feet away from the dog demon. She was happy to assist Sesshomaru. No wild rumors about her cheating on Kouga with his best friend were going to stop her from being friends with Sesshomaru.

"No, it's okay." He said, before noticing the gun in Ayame's hand.

"You're carrying that gun, again. Who are you planning to kill this time?"

Ayame scoffed, "No one, you know I just carry this gun to scare away the lechers."

"It's a good thing you know how to protect yourself. Useless, weak girls don't appeal me." Kouga said with a grin. He walked past Ayame, pulling on her white fur tail.

"Ouch," Ayame protested with a blush on her face.

'Damn Kouga, he knows my tail is a sensitive spot. If he weren't my boyfriend, I would have already shot him in the head for touching me inappropriately. I mean, it's not like I can get into trouble with the state law. 'Ayame thought stubbornly.

In this generation, everyone knew that a new law had been passed down. The law allowed demons to carry weapons. If by some circumstance they were put under dangerous circumstances, they were allowed to use self-defense using their weapon. But, they were not allowed to use their demonic powers.

If one were to use their demonic power, they would be banished and sent to a prestige jail without receiving trial. This law also protected humans from demons. A demon was not allowed to use weapons or demonic power to kill humans.

At first, Ayame hadn't liked this new law, but after the incident of being raped, she had become grateful for the law. The law had protected her from being sent to jail after killing her rapist. She had shot him with the gun that resided in her hands.

"Did you hear me, Ayame?" Kouga touched his girlfriend's shoulder shaking her out of her memories.

"Sorry about that, Kouga. I was thinking about something." Ayame smiled, apologetically.

"What were you thinkin'?" Kouga asked.

"I'll tell you later. We should get going. The first race is about to start any minute, now." Ayame mentioned the race, awakening Kouga's ego.

"That's right. Sesshomaru, you better prepare yourself. This time, we're having a fair race between us. I'll win for sure." Kouga chuckled.

"What are we going to bet, this time around?" Sesshomaru asked, interested in the gaining's.

"I'll be betting my new car. If you beat me, you can have my new car. If I beat you, you're going to give me that motorcycle." Kouga pointed at Sesshomaru's bike.

"Deal," Sesshomaru felt confident that he would not loose.

Kouga glowered at Sesshomaru, before grabbing Ayame's hand and walked off with her. "Later," she laughed out loud.

Sesshomaru started up the engine of his motorcycle, again. He silently hoped that this race would help him forget for a while about Rin and her problems. He couldn't stop thinking about her.


Xxx

Sarah drove down the expressway hearing loud rock music. Her mouth was curved into a frown as she thought long and hard about her decision. 'I don't want to make this decision, but I must. I don't want to hurt, anyone. I'm going to have to forget about my love for Sesshomaru.'

She stared into her right rear mirror, before changing lanes and exiting off the highway. She passed two yellow lights, before making a turn into an apartment complex. She parked her car in the guest area, before she got out of her red Porsche car.

She stared at her wrist watch, watching time ticking away. Sarah finally found her courage one minute past midnight. She walked up to an apartment and knocked on the mahogany door.

A man she did not recognize opened the door. He stared her down for a minute, before he turned to shout behind him. "Kagura, I'm leaving. I'll deposit to you, tomorrow."

Sarah moved to the side allowing the man to walk off. He had left the door open for her to enter.

She was about to call out to Kagura, but saw that she didn't need to. Kagura came into view as she stood in front of her door. "Sarah, what are you doing here? Don't tell me that you missed me. I heard you had a party tonight, and I wasn't invited."

"Who was that man?" Sarah asked.

"He's just a friend that helps me pay my finances. I call him, Hiro." Kagura informed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I came to inform you that your plan failed. Rin was saved from your fraud. "Sarah said with a pleasing smile on her lips.

"What do you mean?" Kagura's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Sesshomaru paid her debt."

"What! Impossible!" Kagura hissed in anger.

"Get inside here!" Kagura grabbed Sarah by the arm and jerked her inside. She slammed the door shut, before she walked over to her fridge. She took out a can of beer.

Sarah felt uncomfortable being inside Kagura's apartment. She knew Kagura lived by herself. The wind demon had been left with the debts' of her family, after their deaths.

She sat down a nearby lounging couch and placed her hands on top of her lap.

"That girl needs to go to hell." Kagura commented wryly.

"….Kagura, I think you should leave Rin alone. She isn't a bad person. Sure, she is strange and keeps a lot to herself, but I don't think she deserves to be tormented." Sarah pleaded, her face cast down.

"Leave her alone. You say,"

"You also treated Rin like shit." Kagura said, reminding Sarah of the pranks she pulled on Rin.

"But, that's because…" Sarah raised her head to stare at Kagura with an angry glare. "YOU FORCED ME!"

"Before Rin came to our school, you used to bully me. You took advantage of my prestige as the president's daughter. Don't think I have forgiven you just because you promoted me to become your partner."

Kagura's mouth became pursed in annoyance. 'Sarah is actually defying me. Who does this brat think she is?'

"It looks like Sesshomaru is falling in love with her. This is starting to become too risky…" Kagura crushed the empty can of beer in her hands. She took out a lighter and a cigarette from the kitchen counter. She lighted the cigarette and inhaled the smoke. She blew the smoke out through her mouth.

"Kagura, are you really doing all this to gain Sesshomaru's love. I'm also in love with Sesshomaru. But, that doesn't mean I want to inflict pain on others." Sarah said, tears pricking her eyes.

Kagura walked over to Sarah and kneeled down in front of the woman. "Go home, Sarah. I will call on you, if I need you to do one of my dirty jobs. I trust that you won't go against me."

Kagura's hands had a firm grip on Sarah's face. Sarah's face restrained from the pain being inflicted. "I will hurt you, if I find that you have betrayed me. "

She raised the cigarette and pressed it hard against Sarah's bare shoulder. Sarah winced at the burning sensation. Once the cigarette was put out, Kagura tossed it away.

Kagura let go of Sarah's face and stood up, before walking away. "Get out!"

Sarah stood up with trembling legs, before she walked out of the apartment. She made her way back to the car and sat down inside it. She slammed her hands against the steering wheel in anger.

"I'm supposed to be protecting myself! Instead, I am only dragging myself down. That demon is slowly pulling me into hell. "Sarah bawled out, pressing her forehead against the cold leather.

'The first time I met her, she said she wanted to be my friend. But she was only deceiving me.'

X-Flashback-X

"Let's be good friends, Sarah." Kagura embraced Sarah, they both stood inside the girl's restroom.

Sarah was shocked. Ever since she started attending high school, no one wanted to be her friend, because they were afraid of her father's influences.

But then, Kagura arrived. She was a transfer student from another school. Kagura became popular in just a short notice of two weeks from her arrival.

Sarah lost her happy smile when she noticed two girls walk inside the restroom. They had locked the door behind them.

Kagura released Sarah from her embrace and walked over to stand in front of the mirror. "Sarah, I would like you to meet my two other friends. "

"Hi, I'm Emmi." The first girl introduced herself. She flashed a pair of scissors in her hands at Sarah's direction.

"Hello, my name is Lilli." She had black hair with red streaks. She was carrying a stylist, makeup kit with her.

"Sarah, I don't have money to pay my monthly rent. I heard your daddy is filthy rich. Do you think I could borrow some money from you?" Kagura asked. She dabbed color to her lips with a red lipstick tube.

"Umm, well we hardly know each other…" Sarah took two steps back.

"I'm sorry to say this, but that was the wrong answer." Kagura said as she snapped her fingers.

Emmi approached Sarah and didn't hesitate to cut off Sarah's long hair. Long strands of black hair crumpled down to the floor. "I'd be glad to give you a new hairstyle."

Sarah released a cry of horror. Her hands reached up to grab strands of her uneven hair.

"Lilli, I'm bored. Entertain me!" Kagura said using her sweet tone.

"Sarah, don't worry. I am an expert at monster makeup." Lilli said as she approached Sarah that was cornered in a restroom stall.

"Please, stop!" Sarah begged.

X-end-of-flashback-X

'The only thing keeping me sane is hope. Hope, that one day someone will save me from this nightmare.'

XXX


The school bell rang allowing the students to walk outside of their classrooms and head towards their next class. Crowds of friends and the occasional cliques would form throughout the hallways sharing their daily dose of gossip.

Sango walked down the hallways by herself. Her boyfriend Miroku had gotten into trouble with his home room teacher and had gotten sent to the administration department. So, instead of being here with her, he was locked inside an office getting a lecture from the principal.

'I haven't seen Kagome or Rin, either. I wonder if they decided to skip school, today.' Her forehead creased as she concentrated solely about her friends' whereabouts.

Sango felt a tap on her shoulder catching her attention. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Souten. She was surprised to see her old friend. They haven't talked in a long while.

"What's up, Sango? Sorry, that I have been missing our friendly chats. I've been busy preparing for the state competitions." Souten's black hair was wavy on the ends.

"Souten, it's so nice to see. " Sango smiled, amiably.

"Naw, don't worry about it. I know you've been busy with your figure skating practice." Sango said, dismissing Souten's apology.

"So, hey, I saw the drawings at the art showcase. I thought they were really neat. I think Class A did a pretty good job. "Souten said, trying to catch up with the daily gossips.

"Yeah, they did a great job. Did you get to see my drawing?" Sango asked.

"Yeah, it was really creative. " Souten complemented.

Sango and Souten walked outside into the courtyard and chatted about old times and tried to use their free recess to catch up.

They turned the corner of a hallway and Sango was relieved to see Kagome and Rin. Both girls waved in her direction, before they joined Sango and Souten.

"Hi! Sorry, we were late." Rin greeted cheerfully. Today, she was wearing a white v neck shirt with a pair of dark blue jeans. The jeans had small jagged tears as its design pattern.

"Where were you, two? You don't usually come to school so late." Sango asked, demanding an answer.

"Well, we were just dealing with a family problem. Don't worry about it." Kagome replied back half-hearted. She released a small sigh feeling guilt for keeping a secret from Sango. 'I guess it can't be helped. Rin doesn't want to worry Sango with her dilemma. I'm still a little bit hurt that Rin never told me that she is being bullied in school. I can't believe she didn't want to tell us. I hope we'll be able to find a way to put a stop to this problem.'

Ayame appeared behind them and draped her arms casually around Kagome and Sango. "What's up, girls? Did you miss me?"

"Nope, you're a total jerk. You keep ditching us." Kagome replied with a playful smile. Sango only gave Ayame a meaningful glare telling her that she was not happy with her friend's attitude.

Souten and Rin didn't know too much about Ayame's life, but they did consider her a friend, nonetheless.

"I'm sorry. I promise, I won't be a bad friend, anymore." Ayame apologized. Her hands pressed together in a pleading manner.

"You better keep to your promise." Kagome chided.

"So what are you girls, doing?" Ayame asked, curiously.

"Souten and I were just talking about rumors and sharing our opinions about them." Sango answered her hand on her hip. She flipped her brunette hair to the side pulling it away from her face.

"Mh, I see."

"Well, I don't know if you girls would mind, but I want to go see the drawings and paintings that were posted up in the art gallery. I heard that Kagome's drawing was selected. "Rin informed her friends. Her eyes shone with excitement.

"We should go and check it out. It'll be fun, "Souten agreed trying to pursue the others.

"I don't know…" Kagome feeling embarrassed.

It didn't take too much persuasion for them to go inside the art department and walk inside the art gallery. The doors were open for students to walk inside and admire the art projects.

Kagome smiled to herself. She felt at ease hanging out with her friends. She loved to see them joke around, being able to hear their joyous laughter, and be able to feel the love they offered to one another. Her friends' smiles were the most important thing to Kagome. 'I'm grateful to have such good friends.'

xxxx