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vitreous adj. 1. Pertaining to, resembling, or having the nature of glass; glassy. 2. Obtained or made from glass. 3. Of or pertaining to the vitreous humor. Latin vitreus, from vitrum, glass

Inu Yasha and all characters within are property of Rumiko Takahashi.

Vitreous

chapter X: betrayal

Every betrayal contains a perfect moment, a coin stamped heads or tails with salvation on the other side.

- The Poisonwood Bible

The early sun shined brightly through the window, casting shadows across the room. Rin sat in front of her dressing mirror and closed her eyes, trying to remain calm. This was it, her big day. The day she had planned for months- the day that she would perform her first official tea ceremony for the shrine.

The family had thought that her first performance would be best if it coincided with the shrine's annual summer festival (whose purpose was to attract more people to the shrine and drive revenue). It was suppose to be at four o' clock, right after her kooky grandfather was to perform an exorcism. Kagome was already helping to set up, placing the flower arrangements Rin constructed in the performance room.

Rin inhaled deeply before slowly exhaling, her eyes fluttering open.

It wasn't presenting in front of a crowd that caused her to perform this action- she rather enjoyed serving people. No, this was a poor attempt to quell the excitement welling within her at the thought of seeing Sesshoumaru again.

Rin was desperate to see him. Inu Yasha had sensed her need in her constant hounding as to Sesshoumaru's response to her invitation. He didn't know why, though Kagome had hinted that Rin was worried that if she didn't see him now then she never would.

That was only a half-truth. The fact was, Rin wanted to know why. Why was it that three months ago, her private school teacher had approached her with a most interesting proposition, and at the sound of her hesitation, assured her that Sesshoumaru had endorsed the proposal without her consent?

Why would he set this up? Was she a bother? Did he hate her so much that he wanted to send her around the world in order to be rid of her presence?

What was his reason!

When Rin heard those words, she immediately consented, not even considering that she could go against Sesshoumaru's will. All her life he had acted as her Guardian Angel, guiding her through the chaos of her life.

It was because of him that she even took the placement exam, got into the exclusive school as an advanced student, and now, it was his doing that she was going to a London school known as 'Oxford' to continue her studies. She understood the idea of continuing her studies at a leading university, but still! The place was so far and Tokyo University would have been sufficient. Rin was thankful that she was fluent in English as a second language, and French as a fourth- Chinese taking a dominant third. Rin figured that while she was abroad, she would study Latin, German, and polish off her French. Rin believed that her ability to pick up languages almost immediately upon hearing them would be a great boon when she started working for Peace Corps. or the United Nations.

Her only happiness at being so far from her homeland was that Shippou planned to join her for the beginning of spring semester. He still had to finish his studies in the fall before he could graduate and meet up with her.

Rin had been ecstatic that he decided to follow her. In the three years that she had known him, they got along like real brother and sister, always bickering about Darwin or modern politics. It was nice to have someone who understood what it was like to be gifted. Rin would be sad to leave Kanna behind, the quiet girl that Rin would sometimes meet at the school's community events. Kanna's father, a powerful up and coming business man named Miasma Naraku, had demanded that his precious daughter be given one-on-one tutoring, making it difficult for Rin to befriend the obviously shy girl.

Rin smiled when she thought of her friend. Kanna promised to visit the festival and watch her performance. Standing, she tried maneuver gracefully in her full-length traditional kimono. Giving herself one last glance in the mirror, she flashed a brilliant smile at how grown-up she looked.

"How do I look Mr. Fluffy?"

She had taken him out from the box under her bed for the big day and placed him on her bed to help give her advice. The doll in question only stared back and Rin grinned.

She couldn't wait to show Sesshoumaru how much she had grown since their last visit.

…

TWACK.

Sango returned her boomerang, known as Hiraikotsu, to her back and glowered.

"Hentai monk! Can't you quit it for just one second!"

Miroku, dressed in traditional monk robes for the occasion, merely smiled as he rubbed his wounded head.

"But Sango dear, you weren't saying that last night!"

Sango turned three shades of red and darted her eyes around, praying that no one had heard him. Poking him in the chest, she hissed.

"Look, it's one thing to make out the privacy of your home, it's another to grope me in public!"

Miroku pouted.

"But I can't help it…you're just so beautiful and your body is so luscio- "

Sango clamped her hand over his mouth before he could finished, embarrassed but secretly pleased at his devotion towards her.

"Look, we need to find Kagome to know what we're suppose to be doing."

Miroku looked around, before spotting the girl with Inu Yasha.

"She over there hanging lanterns with Inu Yasha."

Sango turned in the direction Miroku was motioning at just to watch her best friend extend a little too far off the top of the ladder and tumble into the arms of Inu Yasha, who dropped a lantern to catch her. Kagome blushed and stared up at the inu hanyou, obviously flustered. Inu Yasha gave a cocky grin and said a few words that the couple couldn't quite catch. Whatever it was, it caused Kagome's blush in increase and her to scramble out of his arms with embarrassment.

Sango sighed.

"Those two are made for each other. When you think that they're going to stop flirting and just admit that they're crazy about each other? Kagome's too dense to realize that Inu Yasha clearly returns her feelings. "

Miroku shook his head sadly.

"Inu Yasha is such an idiot. It's clear that Kagome wants to be with him but he's still hung up over Kikyou and thinks that Kagome is going to reject him as well."

Sango rolled her eyes at Inu Yasha's stupidity before she felt an ever-familiar hand edging its way down her backside.

"MIROKU!"

…

Rin stepped outside just in time to witness Sango finish beating Miroku up (something that could be seen as a daily ritual for the couple) and Inu Yasha pointing and laughing at the pulverized monk. Kagome immediately caught sight of Rin and broke out into a grin, jogging over.

"Rin you look SO adorable! Just like a little doll!"

Rin smiled up at her older sister, before pulling her mouth into a pout.

"Yeah, until I get those stupid braces on next month. I mean, what college student wears braces!"

Kagome nodded sympathetically.

"Yeah, it'll be tough but you're so cute! And think, in two years you'll have perfect teeth. Besides, one of my co-workers at the preschool has braces."

At the mention of preschool, Rin couldn't help but admire Kagome's choice of profession. Though Rin couldn't recall Kagome babysitting her as a young child -she couldn't remember anything before her parent's death really- Kagome had always been a patient and loving sister to both her and Souta. Now, at 24, Kagome had gotten a degree in psychology and her teaching certificate. She had just started the preschool job a few months ago and dreamed of opening her own childcare.

"Look at the time! I better go change into my miko robes. Catch you later."

Rin was brought out of her musing to see Kagome already running up the stairs to her old bedroom. Shaking her head, she stepped out into the courtyard to join the others.

…

"Demon, be gone!" shouted Grandpa Higurashi, flinging holy water at the small shed. Miroku stood behind him and chanted, trying his best not to laugh at the absurdity of the whole setup. Sango clutched her boomerang and avoid Miroku's sparkling eyes as she waited for her cue. Suddenly, a huge pink ball of a demon with buggy eyes and stick appendages popped out of the shed.

"Ahhhhh!" screamed a couple of kids in the crowd, frightened by the huge creature.

"Give us back Princess Rin!" Sango cried, throwing Hiraikotsu in the air towards the foul creature.

"EYAA! I mean, never...RAWR!" the creature squeaked, dodging the boomerang.

Miroku snickered at this before remembering his line.

"We need Priestess Kagome!"

Kagome then stepped out from behind a tree with an arrow notched in her bow. Several audience members cheered at the sight of her letting go of the arrow.

Shippou watched steadily as the arrow came close before it dissolved, an illusion he created using his kitsune magic. Deflating himself, he fell to the ground and faked dead.

Kagome marched up to Shippou, knowing that he couldn't hold the illusion much longer before she "purified him" back into his original form.

Inu Yasha, who had refused to be seen as the "bad demon" for the story, was busy videotaping the show.

Miroku turned to Sango and grabbed her hands.

"Beautiful Taijiya…I have fallen in love with you during this battle, please marry me and bear me at least 10 children."

Sango blushed furiously, even though his speech was a part of their little skit.

"Of course, honorable monk."

Kagome and Grandpa Higurashi went inside to "rescue" Rin.

Rin came out in her traditional kimono and styled hair and smiled, bowing low.

"Thank you kind persons for rescuing me from the terrible demon. Please, accept my thanks at the teahouse where I might make some tea for you."

Kagome nodded. "We are rather weary."

Turning to the crowd she added, "Please, everyone join us in fifteen minutes to witness a traditional tea ceremony!"

The crowd broke out into cheers and the dispersed, many going to the food booth where Izumi was, though the children made a beeline for the goldfish booth that Souta had just finished setting up.

Rin looked around, accepting high praise for her performance as the tragic princess that is kidnapped by a demon who falls in love with her. Where was Sesshoumaru?

Getting past a few more people, she spotted Kanna and smiled. Waving her hand, she called the other girl over.

"Miyahara-san, this place is wonderful. You made a pretty princess…"

"Kanna-chan! How many times have I told you to call me by my first name!"

"Ah, gomen Rin-san. Anou…are you looking for someone?" Kanna finished, noticing the state of her distracted friend.

"Hai…I was looking for Flu- I mean, uh…Taishou sama." You almost said you were looking for your stuffed animal a.k.a. your secret pet name for Sesshoumaru! Brilliant Rin.

"And what makes you think a man of Sesshoumaru-sama's breed would be at a dinky human festival such as this?" came the all-to-familiar voice of Kagura.

Rin shot Kanna a look, the accused girl mouthing 'sorry' back.

Rin smiled brightly at the woman before her.

"Perhaps the same reason that brought you here Miasma-san."

Kagura narrowed her eyes and was about to comment when Shippou bounced over.

"Hey Kanna! Rin, Kagome says it's time for the ceremony."

"How cute, the orphans flock together. How pathetic." Sniffed Kagura.

Rin's mouth dropped and was about to say something rather colorful when Shippou promptly said a few choice words in German. Kanna fidgeted and Rin vowed to add German to her 'to-know' list as she watched Kagura turn a nice shade of purple.

Grabbing Rin, Shippou dragged her off to perform.

…

Rin sat demurely in a traditional Japanese style, going through the motions of the tea ceremony. To everyone else, she was a picture of elegance, but internally she was worried. Sesshoumaru was late.

…

Sesshoumaru tilted his neck to the side in order to relive himself of some tension. Standing up, he gathered the documents from the meeting and looked at the clock.

4:30 – the meeting went overtime.

Sesshoumaru placed the documents in his briefcase and walked out of the room, his faithful toad assistant Jaken following.

"Jaken, what is next on my schedule?"

Jaken flipped over the extensive planner and scanned the sheet.

1400 Board Meeting with the Shichinin-tai
1600 Rin's Tea Ceremony
1800 June Budget Report Deadline

Master Sesshoumaru has yet to complete the budget deadline and it will surely take at least three hours, especially since Inu Yasha has skipped work again, leaving Sesshoumaru-sama with the work…he surely doesn't need to go to some lowly ceremony, especially one that is not even in the financial district! The commute alone will surely-

"Jaken, I am waiting…" was the warning that cut through the ramblings.

"In revising your schedule, I have made it so that you have time to finish the budget report that the lowly hanyou slacked off on."

"Careful Jaken, only I like the pleasure of reminding Inu Yasha of his status. You I don't allow others to believe that I would employ someone … inadequate."

"Y-yes, of course Sesshoumaru-sama!"

"Good. Now, I shall return to my office to work on the report and do not wish to be disturbed. That meeting took entirely too long and Jakotsu wasn't helping." Sesshoumaru massaged his temples at the memory of the businessman who kept staring at him with a smile.

…

She finished serving the last guest some two hours later. Smiling, she discreetly wiped her forehead with the back of her wrist. The heavy brocade of the kimono was not the best match for the burning sunset. Standing, she nearly fell over from a leg cramp when she caught herself in time. Looking around, she could see Kagome currently arguing with Inu Yasha, Sango chasing Miroku, and Shippou heading into the house with Kohaku and Souta- most likely to play a video game. Rin sighed, feeling rather alone at the moment as she looked at the courtyard that boasted couples.

I wish Sesshoumaru were here…N-not as a, you know, a boyfriend or something. OMG, why would I even think that? I think the romantic atmosphere –never mind the fact that it's currently a war zone- I need to stop thinking about this.

Rin whacked the side of her head, flustered beyond comparison that she would ever see her Angel in such a light. He was like, out of her lifetime, not to mention a complete jerk, standing her up.

"Who does he think he is!" Rin grounded out, suddenly realizing that she was the victim in this situation.

"I mean, come on! He told Inu Yasha it was in his frick'n planner for goodness sakes! What, can't he read? I stressed how important this was, I mean, sheesh, the whole thing was for him. W-we made a promise…"

Rin trailed off, suddenly feeling awful. That's right, they made a promise that she would serve him tea. Remembering a certain birthday a few years ago, Rin smiled. She shouldn't lose faith, he would come and something wonderful would happen.

Running to the steps, she sat on the last step, looking down below for Sesshoumaru.

And waited.

And waited.

And worried.

Determined, she ran inside and marched up to Inu Yasha who was sitting on the couch with Kagome.

"Can I have Sesshoumaru's phone number?"

Inu Yasha blinked, but handed the girl his cell phone nonetheless. Rin took the prize and scurried off leaving Kagome and Inu Yasha behind.

"Poor Rin, she was really looking forward to Sesshoumaru coming."

"Feh, my brother's a jerk-a-holic. I bet he's just sitting at the office without a care in the world."

Sesshoumaru growled at the reports before him. They weren't even half complete! Damn Inu Yasha for sticking him with this mess! Sesshoumaru pressed the intercom.

"Jaken, make sure I am not disturbed for ANY reason. I need to get these reports done in time to submit them to the board."

"Hai Sesshoumaru-sama," came the croaked reply.

Rin flipped the phone open and searched until she found a number listed under 'office'. Hitting the dial button, she waited as the phone began to ring.

"Moushi Moushi, Taishou Corporation, Sesshoumaru-sama's office, Jaken speaking."

"Oh goodie, Jaken! Is Sesshoumaru alright? I'm worried because he didn't show up to-"

Jaken cut her off.

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama­ is in perfect health. He is currently very busy and doesn't have time for someone like you. Good bye."

Click.

Rin's mouth dropped open. Okay, she knew that Jaken didn't love her, and especially didn't like her after the blue paint incident, but geez, he needed to get over it! It was a complete accident. And since when did Sesshoumaru decline her calls? He had never made it a point in the past to ignore her.

Wait- he's just sitting in his office? The bum! He PROMISED! Rin's eyes suddenly went wide. He broke his promise to her…he BROKE HIS PROMISE to her. Rin bit her lip, trying to evaluate the facts.

1. He's sending her abroad

2. He broke his promise to her

3. He's not speaking to her

Rin burst into tears. Sesshoumaru hated her and she didn't know what she had done.

…

That night, alone in her room, Rin's last hope that she had been wrong about Sesshoumaru died as the clock struck midnight and the day ended. Picking up Mr. Fluffy from his spot on the bed she threw him across the room in resentment.

Just because I'm not a rich businesswoman doesn't make me any less important. I mean, would he have seen me if I were someone like Kagura?

Rin shuddered at the thought. If Sesshoumaru preferred a bitch like her, then all the rumors that he was a merciless "killing perfection", the Ice Prince of the business world, would be true.

Rin immediately got off her bed and pick up Mr. Fluffy, dusting him off. She wouldn't sink that low. She was better than that, she had been raised better than that. If Sesshoumaru didn't want her, then she would be grateful for everything he had done for her and let him go. No more letters, no more clinging, she would prove that she was a real Lady in her last hour.

But though she had every intention of forgiving and forgetting, the sting of betrayal kept the weepy teenager distraught for days to come.

Poor Sesshoumaru! Jaken is evil for keeping him from seeing Rin. Don't worry, Sesshoumaru will find out in the next chapter, but how will her react? Hmmm…Also coming next chapter, Rin plays matchmaker! I like your thinking MindIIBody!

Again, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all my reviewers. I tried to make this chapter extra long as a way of showing my appreciation for you guys! I'm really glad that you guys don't mind my timeline, I honestly don't think dragging each year out would be good for this fic, you know? I swear, even though it's fall and things get busy, I won't abandon this story and will ALWAYS update within a month. I'm so upset that my favorite fics take forever to get updated, so I refuse to become that kinda author. I know that this site is for fun, but it's still a commitment you know? (Sheesh, I feel like the dubbed Chichiri no da!)

I really like the quote that I hae for this chapter. Because it's SO fitting, with the perfect moment being that Jaken had lied to him. If he figures it out and can get to Rin, salvation! Well, that is, if he cares that she's upset with him

And I started my next fiction starring Kagome, so look for that one coming out. Thanks for all your suggestions...Do you think there is a better day to upload a new chapter?