I don't own Inuyasha. Thanks for the follows and reviews. Just so you all know, I aim to answer all questions eventually in the story. Enjoy! The next chapter should be up soon.
Chapter Eight: Rin's Living Nightmare
As soon as they appeared in the faint darkness no words were exchanged between Rin and Sesshomaru. Standing up to place herself as far from him as possible, Rin's mind raced as she felt her back brush up against the well wall, he has no idea we're in the future now.
Sesshomaru was hardly a foot away, a golden glare of uncertainty fixed upon Rin, while she scrambled away in panic. It made him curious so, he simply asked her. "What did you do?"
Rin's breathing deepened when she discovered herself in a situation far worse than before. I can't catch a break, she bit her lip, accidently tasting a little blood, there's no way he'll believe me. "It was the well or something."
Arching an eyebrow, Sesshomaru smelled the blood on her lip. His revengeful yokai wished to choke her again, "explain."
Unknowing to Rin before him, Sesshomaru was fully aware the Bone Eater's well had once been capable of traveling through time. Inuyasha's human went through it because of the jewel, he remembered clearly. But, Sesshomaru didn't expect this bitch to be like Kagome, and from the same place. She brought me along in the process? He estimated, not ready to believe it just yet.
Rin narrowed her eyes as Sesshomaru's fingers felt for his sword. Why doesn't he understand? "I've no clue how this time travel shit works! Makes no sense to me." Her thoughts eventually became her words.
As if Rin had tried to slap his face, Sesshomaru's eyes slightly widened at her words, beginning to leak red. "It was you who brought me here." He sneered, a low rumble coming from his throat.
An unsure gasp came from her when she heard his growl so closely. Rin's back pressed harder against the moldy wall. "Didn't you hear?" Her tone snapped at him, though she felt terrified. "I'm not doing this, it's not my fault if you're stuck here! You jumped down the well, I didn't force you!"
Sesshomaru suddenly used his demon speed to leap clear out of the well. Rin unconsciously jumped at the sound of the brash, quick movement, not expecting him to do something like that. Rin walked to the center of the well, looking up to see and hear nothing.
She paused; did he just leave me here? Rin felt annoyed at first, but then realized this was exactly what she desired. Immediately using all her strength, Rin began to climb the cobblestone wall surrounding her.
Nearing the top, she hesitated as a sense of doubt threaded through her veins. There's no way I could be so lucky… the distracting thought made her sneaker slip from one of the round stones. Rin glanced down to find her footing before sore hands reached the wooden rim of the well. Using what little energy she had left, Rin pulled her body up. Glancing over the top, she saw the door to the shrine was open and the room empty, guess the asshole left… unless I was imagining everything, tripping like a lunatic the whole time.
In sync with Rin's thoughts were a variety of dark emotions, but she fought back the urge to feel sorry for herself. Clambering over the edge of the well, Rin clumsily ran outside. After the crisp night air hit her face, she looked up to see the faint, dim stars above and the city lights in the distance.
Falling to her knees, Rin's fingers pulled at the grass, am I home, am I really? Turmoil of doubt whirled within her as the crickets sung in the bushes.
Looking down at her palms, then to bruised arms and burned shoulders, a shock went through Rin's body. Could Sesshomaru could still be here, she felt lost in her own thoughts, almost forgetting a second the demon supposedly came back with her. But did it all really happen? Rin second-guessed; can a demon even exist in this time? She scanned the grassy clearing around her and the still house up the hill from the shrine. All the sudden Rin felt herself laughing, shaking her head at the uneasiness she felt.
Walking past the shrine, Rin made her way to the neighbor's yard where she saw Hana's unlit home ahead. After losing her backpack somewhere, containing both her phone and money, there was little else Rin could think to do.
Taking in a deep breath, she walked under the shadows of the trees. Following a mossy stone path leading to three wooden steps, creaking under her weight. Rin was soon in front of the door, quickly knocking, hoping someone was still up. She was surprised to see a light flicker on inside before someone came to unlock the door.
"One moment," a deep voice grumbled from the other side until Rin was face to face with Hana's old man. "Rin?!" Mr. Sato's voice was in shock as his jaw dropped faster than Rin could say "hello," his greying mustache fluffing up from the sound.
Huh, have I truly been gone this whole time? Rin gave the big old man an unsure look. "Yeah… I was just wondering if Hana's home?"
The old man seemed like he was staring at a ghost until Rin asked, "Mr. Sato?"
His name coming from Rin seemed to snap the older man from his trace. "Everyone thought you were abducted or something." Taking her gently by the arm, he led Rin in the house, closing the door. As soon as she was under the warm light, Mr. Sato saw the injuries on her, "Rin!" Wrinkles appeared on his forehead in worry. "Did someone do this to you?"
Rin instantly covered the burn marks on her shoulders. "Oh! No, no! No one did. I just had a bit of a… fall," she laughed nervously, "I really need to talk to Hana, if that's alright?"
Mr. Sato clearly didn't believe her, but he felt like it was out of his hands. She's a grown girl now, he sighed at Rin, and I'm not her father… Takeshi is. "She should be in her room, sleeping."
"Thanks," she took off her sneakers.
Mr. Sato kept his curious eyes on Rin, tracking her every move until she briskly skipped up the steps and down the hall.
Mr. Sato doesn't believe me, but he's glad I'm okay, Rin noticed. He's probably going to call my parents now, Rin glared inwardly as she approached a peach colored door with a old fashioned knob. Knocking only slightly before turning it, Rin went into Hana's room, stopping dead in her tracks at what she saw.
"Opps." Rin turned around immediately, "I'm sorry." I think I just walked in on someone having sex… she gulped.
Peering over her shoulder, Rin saw Hana push a man's naked body off of her, causing him to fall on the floor. She covered herself with the covers, "I thought I told you to lock it?" Hana whispered harshly at him before looking at the doorway, her face flicking to horror. "RIN?"
She has the same response? Rin noticed as Hana wrapped herself up, standing to gather up a pile of clothes, throwing them at the guy. "Sorry, I'll call you, Shiro."
"I'll be outside." Rin quickly left and closed the door before the man's shocked face could say anything.
A second passed when the door opened back up and Shiro walked through, his jacket swung on his shoulder. He gave Rin a strange look before going down the steps.
"Rin, where have you been?" She felt Hana hug her from behind. "Wait, yuck, what are you covered in?" The girl let go of Rin and looked at her now dirty pajamas.
Rin laughed as she turned around to see the smudges of dirt on her friend, "Who was that guy?"
"I met him two months ago at work." Hana grinned and Rin followed her into the bright, overly pink bedroom.
A line of collectable bears rested along the window bench Rin plopped on, lifting her legs up and leaning back. "Really?" She shot her the same grin, "who knew you were so naughty, Hana? Could've fooled me…" They giggled like old times. It's nice to be back, Rin smiled inside, glad to be literally be out of the past, maybe what happened did help distract me.
"I'm so happy you're alright, Rin." Hana's lips shook with sadness, "your mother was a wreck… does she know you're alright?"
"Not yet." Rin looked down at the large bruise on her thigh, then back to her friend. "I'll call her tomorrow."
Hana delicately crossed her arms as she sat on the frilly bed, "so you come to my house all beaten up at three a.m. and you're not going to tell me what happened? I thought I was one of your best friends."
Rin's eyebrow arched as she smiled, "you are, Hana. It's just…" her eyes trailed back to her bruised leg, "complicated. Impossible to explain."
As if a flashing light bulb appeared above Hana's head, "don't tell me, you have another man already?"
"No!" Rin's held her hands up dismissively. "Of course not, that's absurd."
"Then what else could it be?" Hana now stood with her hands on her hips, "I'm going to call Eri." She whipped around, snatching a phone from the bed stand covered in stenciled roses.
"Hana!" Rin darted at Hana, trying to grab the phone from her friend's hands.
Hana managed to dodge Rin's snappy fingers before she jumped on the bed. Hana stood on it, holding the phone high in the air, "tell me, because you know she'll get it out of you if I can't." Hana deepened her voice at the last part to emphasize the threat.
Rin rolled her eyes at Hana, "yeah, yeah," and sat down on the bed next to her friend still holding up the phone. Hana looked down at Rin, appearing as if she expected her to talk—now, or else.
"I'm going to tell you… and you won't believe me." Rin said, crossing her legs. Hana will tell everyone and then I'll be sent to a mental hospital right into a straight jacket, her thoughts raced, I have to lie or I have to show her… "The well inside your neighbor's shrine took me into the past. That's where I've been this last week."
Hana collapsed on the bed, looking at Rin before breaking down in hysterical laughter. "That's funny, Rin." Her friend continued to laugh, gasping for air, holding her stomach.
Rin inwardly sighed… at least she took positively… maybe I can salvage this and my sanity. Rin allowed herself to laugh along with Hana, "You know… you're right, it's a guy."
"I KNEW IT!" Hana screamed excitedly, grabbing Rin's shoulders. The touch caused Rin to slightly wince in pain. "Tell me what went down, tell me everything! I'm so glad you found someone else!"
A shiver went down Rin's spine as she heard Hana's words. Kazuma… A creeping sadness fought to take her over.
"Is he handsome?" Hana pondered innocently. "I bet he is! And dangerous too… the bad-boy type?"
Rin snorted, "Sure Hana, whatever you say…." At least I'm back in this era, she thought. "Can you give me a ride home?"
Hana's face grew sour, "you should stay here." Her cold fingers touched Rin's arm with comfort, "get your head on straight. There's no use going to an empty house all by yourself."
Doesn't Hana notice her words hurt sometimes? Rin wished there was someone who knew how she felt. "No," Rin patted Hana's hand with assurance before standing up. "It's fine. I miss my bed and poor Ringo, my mom has probably been taking care of him."
Rin had forgotten about her inherited cat once belonging to Kazuma. The slinky thing liked to hunt and run around outside, but every now and then Rin would see the lean black cat sleeping on a sunlight filled windowsill. She would only need to leave some cheap dry food and water out for the independent creature.
Hana dramatically rolled her eyes, "Tomorrow is Friday. I don't believe you'll be cuddling with a cat." She wrinkled her nose and suddenly started winking at Rin, "you can tell me the truth. You're going to see your hot stuff. I can take a hint, let's get you home."
Those were the words Rin wanted to hear the entire time, "Thanks Hana. You're my savior." She could give a shit about what her friend assumed at this point. Hana walked over to her dresser and put on jeans before they left the room.
"Let me grab the keys." Hana said at the bottom of the steps, going left.
Rin followed her into the kitchen stuck in the sixties, very teal and compact. Hana snagged the large bundle of colorful keys hanging from a hook. Quietly they went back to put on their shoes and headed out the front door. Past the overgrown garden on the side of the house was a gravel driveway, where a big, boxy yellow truck rested. They both got in and closed the doors.
"Good thing it's a quick drive." Hana shifted her butt in the hard seat as she placed the keys in the ignition. A small rumble went through the cold truck as she expertly shifted the manual gear.
Before Rin knew it, they were already on the highway going south. In less than five minutes they would exit and she would finally be home at last. A smile calmly lifted Rin's lips as her head relaxed against the poorly shaped plastic headrest. Her tired eyes drifted with the streetlights as they flew by. Blinking, she found herself getting dizzy.
Hana's yellow truck eventually rolled down a wide dirt road and into Rin's driveway. A two-story house with caramel colored wood, dark slate shingles, and big windows appeared, causing Rin to perk up. As soon as they stopped in front of the square steps leading up the double front door, Rin turned back to Hana.
"Thanks again." Rin hugged her friend, "you're the best, Hana."
When they separated, Hana gave Rin an impatient look. "You better call to give me details. No more running off without telling anyone."
"Such a mom." Rin laughed as she got out and walked up to her door.
Glancing back, Rin waved at Hana's retreating truck before lifting up the doormat, right underneath was a shiny silver key. Just incase of incidents like this, Rin always kept a key hidden. Picking it up she opened the door and was instantly devoured by meowing. Rin looked down to see Ringo nuzzling between her legs. Since when do I exist to you? She glanced curiously at the cat while bending down, scratching between his fuzzy ears.
"Hey there, Ringo." Rin's voice was loud against the quiet, dark house. She stood up and closed the door, flicking on the light switch. "I'm home." Her eyes took in the living room before her. The pillows on the brown leather couch were perfectly placed and the coffee table had a cup of old tea on it. Mom, Rin knew it was probably hers, is she here? Rin wondered and walked into the kitchen.
Turning on the light, the white stone countertops and steel appliances were spotless, cleaned to the bone. A stack of washed rags rested next to the bleached sink. Rin felt sorry as she thought of her mother. She must have been here, waiting, she sighed, touching the cold countertop.
After all the lights were off and door locked, Rin made her way up the steps. Walking into a dark bedroom to see no one again, she guessed her mother had already left. Going to the bathroom, Rin flipped the light on, closed the door and turned on the shower. A thick haze filled the room once she stripped, opening the curtain to a steaming waterfall.
The hot water stung the burn marks on her back and shoulders until she steadily grew used to it. Soon a soothing sensation hypnotized Rin into closing her eyes, breathing deep. I still can't believe I'm back, she thought as the water washed over skin, I feel like this is too good to be true. She used shampoo in her hair and jasmine scented soap to scrub clean. Taking her time, she finally rinsed off and stopped the shower.
Dripping wet, chills went through Rin as she reached her hand through the curtain. She felt for the terry-cloth towel on the nearby rack when she heard something like a loud bang come from downstairs.
What is that? Rin thought for a moment until on instinct, she hastened herself, immediately wrapping the thick white towel around her. Her feet stepped over the tub and on the frigid tile, tip toeing to the bathroom door. It can't be Sesshomaru… Rin's fingers twitched on the knob before she opened it, walking into the dark bedroom. The house was now dead silent; not even the low humming of the air conditioner was running.
"Hello?" Rin felt herself shiver as she called out. "Who's there?"
With hesitant steps Rin walked to the top of the stairs, but before she could flip on the light, a figure appeared at the bottom. A scream came from her right as the figure hit on the light from the switch at the bottom stair.
"R… Rin?" The figure was just her traumatized mother, Rin realized.
Tears instantly came to the older woman's face before running up the steps to hug her daughter. "Rinnnn!" She cried out, running her hands through Rin's wet hair. "I thought something horrible happened to you, sweetie. Thank God, you're alive! The moment Hana's father called I rushed over as fast as I could."
Rolling her eyes, Rin gently patted her mother. "I'm fine, I've been… out and about."
"For nearly a week?" Her mother's jaw was limp as she looked at Rin skeptically. "With no response to anyone after disappearing on Eri and Hana?"
"I lost my phone." Rin said as if it explained everything. "I was in the wilderness…" that much was kind of true, "got lost when I was in need of some fresh air."
"You could've seriously gotten hurt by yourself." Her mother darkly scolded as she finally let go of Rin, releasing her from the hug. "And just look at you, bruises all over. What in the world happened?" The older woman's mouth was now wide open when she partially noticed Rin's back.
Good thing I'm wearing a towel and not the tank top still, Rin thought. "I fell, slipped back when I was… climbing rocks." She made it up as she went along, "I can barely feel it."
Rin's mother had a look on her face, a particular expression giving away the fact she saw her daughter's bullshit. "Rin…" Her eyes were the same color as her daughter's. "I don't appreciate it when you lie to me. I only want to help because I love you dearly."
"Help?" Rin's face twisted up as if she was confused. "With what?" Her mother was now looking at her stranger than ever.
"You're doing better then?" Her mom raised an eyebrow before placing a hand on Rin's shoulder. "Managing with the… stress?"
Rin suddenly understood what her mother meant. "You're asking if I'm over Kazuma." As if it's easy… Rin thought, seeing her mother would never truly know how she felt, I saw his ghost or something only yesterday.
Her mother patted Rin with a gentle hand. "You look like you're improving, honey."
A small smile came to Rin when she saw her mother's relief. "I think you're right. Are you going to stay?"
"No, I can't…." Her mother said slowly as she glanced the front door behind her. "Your father will want to hear from me soon. I'll stop by tomorrow night, once I tell him how you are. He worries about you."
Rin felt a long sigh press through her nose. "Yeah." He uses you to check up on me like a little girl. "I know."
"I need to get going." Rin's mother squeezed her in another tight hug. "It's far too late to be driving around."
"Agreed." Rin watched as her mom went down the steps and to the door. "Be careful, sleep tight! And please, get a new phone." Her mom waved before reluctantly leaving, closing the door behind her. "See you tomorrow, sweetheart."
Glad that's over with, Rin sighed the moment her mother was gone.
Still wrapped up in a towel, Rin went back into her bedroom. After getting dressed in a pair of comfortable sweats and t-shirt, she collapsed on the bed. The feeling of the soft cushion underneath and listening to the quiet breeze of the spinning fan above, Rin suddenly recalled how tired she was. It's been too long, she thought as her closed eyes in the dark, this feels amazing. Pulling the covers over her, Rin turned on her side, snuggling up to the pillow. Maybe after some sleep everything will be back to normal, she hoped, drifting in and out of unconsciousness.
Sunlight filled the room by the time Rin woke up, finding herself in a ridiculous position with arms and legs sprawled out. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced around before trailing her gaze to the other side of the bed. Will I see you again, Kazuma? She wondered as her hand touched the spot he used to sleep.
Getting up, Rin changed into blue jeans and a shirt with sleeves long enough to cover her injuries. She almost felt happy when she walked into the kitchen, opening the fridge to see she still had food. Three glasses of orange juice, six scrambled eggs, and a four pieces of bacon later… she finally felt full. When her stomach hit a hard wall, Rin got up to rinse her dishes when she almost stepped on a little black blur.
"Ringo!" Rin scolded as she dodged the cat, going over to the sink with an annoyed expression. As she washed the plate, Ringo began to weave through her legs, crying out meows. "Shut up," Rin groaned at the cat until she was finished washing. "Mom should have left you plenty of food."
But the cat wouldn't stop… he just kept doing as he wanted. Rin felt herself growing irritated and went to pick up the cat. However, Ringo didn't like that. The cat jumped away from Rin, causing her to get angry. He almost scratched me! She saw little shallow claw marks on her arm, right under her sleeve. "What the fuck, you stupid cat!" Her eyes glanced to Ringo who now sat in front of her, giving another deep meow. Rin now stared at the cat in annoyance, "don't scratch people."
Going through the living room to the stairs, Ringo meowed, nuzzling through her legs again. "Stop." Rin tried to get away but he continued followed her. "Leave me alone, damn it!"
With Ringo close behind the second Rin was about to walk into her room she heard the abrupt sound of glass loudly breaking. The noise caused her to jump, sounding as if it had come from downstairs….
"What was that?" Rin flinched, glancing to the now quiet Ringo staring up at her. A comprehension of what was happening came to Rin, faster than she anticipated. If the cat is right here, then no one else could be in the house, her thoughts started to understand until Rin's eyes went side, could it be… but, there's no way!
Acting on compulsion, Rin grabbed Ringo and ran into her bedroom, shutting and locking the door behind her. She snatched a spare car key from her jewelry box on the dresser, and put on whatever slip-on sandals in her closet.
Running to the window with the cat still in her arms, Rin flung it open and began placing her legs over the sill. Struggling to get up with Ringo, Rin suddenly hesitated when she glanced down to see the shingled roof six or seven feet below.
"Fuck." She cursed, feeling her stomach swirl nervously.
However, everything began to happen so fast Rin no longer had a chance to doubt. Directly behind her, the bedroom door had been kicked in, flying into her room like a piece of styrofoam. Immediately she took her chance to jump, a scream escaping her lips as she fell to her knees. Pain shot throughout her body and soon, she felt herself starting to slide downwards with more speed than she anticipated. With only a short amount of roof, Rin's legs weren't able stop in time before she tumbled to the ground with Ringo.
A sharp gasp came from Rin after she fell from the roof and onto her butt in the gravel driveway. Ringo meowed in protest as she eagerly stood, realizing she had lost one of her sandals. Feeling there was no time to look for it, rock fragments pinched the sole of her foot as she sprinted to her car. Unlocking the old blue beamer, Rin threw a screeching Ringo inside and got in, her hands fidgeting to lock the door and put the key in.
"Come on, come on! You old piece of shit!" Rin growled at herself, shaking with panic. The car's engine roaring to life was music to her ears.
Putting it in reverse, Rin glanced back and punched the gas. However, her face fell to confusion when the car only skidded, going nowhere. A shockwave of frozen terror took over her. Slowly turning her neck to see out the front windshield, Rin screamed when she saw it was indeed her worst nightmare that had come true.
