A/N: Hey guys hope you all are enjoying the story. Just some quick news, The Perfect Summer will be on hiatus for the moment. I just really want to focus on Drama Cop in the meantime since so many of you are liking it. Every once in a while I will update The Perfect Summer, but there are no guarantees of how often but keep an eye out. The next chapter to Drama Cop will be posted tomorrow; you guys are going to flip once you read it. Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Deep Thinking

Miroku flipped through channel after channel while lounging on Sesshomaru's couch. It had been an exhausting day at work yet again, and both men craved some downtime from all the craziness they endured with their jobs. It was ten in the evening and he was complaining about not being able to find something decent to watch on Sesshomaru's plasma screen TV set.

"Then go to your place," the silver-haired man suggested, floating into the living room with a burgundy towel wrapped around his waist.

His body was still glistening wet from his recent shower to wash away all the filth and grime and even the kiss with Rin. Miroku averted his eyes elsewhere.

"Dude, clothes!"

"Oh, shut up," Sesshomaru replied, leaving the room and coming back draped in his burgundy robe.

"But while you're up, you mind spotting me another," Miroku wondered, waving an empty beer bottle in the air.

Sesshomaru grumbled. "I'm not your damn servant," but strolled to the kitchen anyway.

"Then consider getting one," Miroku retorted, propping his feet on the coffee table. He finally settled on a sports channel.

Sesshomaru returned, tossing a cold bottle Miroku's way while popping open the one he had. Miroku sighed, stretching his limbs.

"Finally, a damn break from that Kuzaki," he brought up. "Man, what a pain in my ass. And those fucking dogs don't help either." He laughed at that last part.

Noticing Sesshomaru didn't crack a smile at the corny joke, Miroku asked, "What's up with you? You look pissed. Although that's not a surprise there."

"Just thinking, alright;" the youkai answered coldly. It was obvious that Sesshomaru wasn't in the mood to talk, but knew that Miroku would drag it out of him anyway.

The other man took a swallow of his beer, eying Sesshomaru wearily. "Let me guess…Rin?"

"Why does it have to be her?" Sesshomaru insisted under his breath, feeling frustrated at the moment.

Miroku shrugged. "Why not her? I mean, don't you two like each other or whatever?"

Sesshomaru took several gulps of brew before running a hand through his damp hair. He seemed to be conflicted with his emotions which wasn't like him. That seemed to be a tough question that he himself didn't have the answer to. "She does but I…"

"Don't?" Miroku finished for him and then positioned himself so that he would be more comfortable on the couch. "Then why the hell did you kiss her?"

Before answering, Sesshomaru reclined back, springing the footrest. "That's what I'm still trying to figure out. Miroku, I thought I was ready…" He pinched the bridge of his nose, a habit that seemed to be growing on him each and every day.

The other man quickly set down his beer. He knew exactly where this conversation was going. It had only been three years since a woman that Sesshomaru trusted with everything he had just left him so much without a second glance. That had to be the most devastating and vulnerable that Sesshomaru had ever been. Ever since that, he had grown to be even more cold and stoic. Granted, the dog demon had always been that way, but the crushing blow to his heart only added fuel to the fire. He completely shut down after that, not allowing any room for romance of any kind; distancing himself from getting close to the opposite sex.

Why put yourself through that again? Sesshomaru thought. But…Rin. God, what to do?

"Sessh, I know it's been three years, but you gotta get over it," Miroku spoke as if he could read his friend's thoughts.

"And I am over it!" Sesshomaru replied, bluntly.

"Then why does it seem like you're just stringing Rin along?" Miroku questioned. "If I weren't aiming for her friend, I'd totally be with her. You're both grown ass adults with kiddy-grade crushes. Just be real with each other."

"….."

"Look, all I'm saying is that your ex was a total bitch and if you want Rin, then go for it. But if not just leave her alone; poor thing is probably confused already with you two locking lips and then unsure of where to go from there. Yeah, it's true that your last relationship was a total bust, no man should go through that—"

"God forbid you!" Sesshomaru spat out.

"But my point is, not every woman you meet is gonna stomp all over you," Miroku concluded. "Rin's a good girl."

Sesshomaru chuckled to himself. "Look at you, sounding like a Lifetime special. Since when the hell did you get so damn wise?"

The brown-haired man smirked. "Since I made eye contact with her friend, plus you know I have two older sisters, so living with women actually paid off." He picked up his beer, earning a couple more gulps.

"Sango told me about some get-together she's having tomorrow night," Miroku brought up. "Come with me. You know, to get your mind off of other shit."

Reluctantly, Sesshomaru's response was, "Might as well." He never considered the thought that Rin could possibly be there. And then he thought This is why I didn't want her as my partner. We would only get caught up in each other. But still…

He rose from the recliner, ready for bed. Strolling toward the back, he told Miroku, "Lock up before you leave."

Never taking his eyes from the screen, and raising his beer, Miroku responded, "Sure thing."

Sesshomaru headed for his bedroom, flipping on the lamp that rested on the nightstand. He removed his robe, donning on a pair of fresh boxers. Pulling back the expensive golden sheets and blanket, he climbed into bed. Glancing over he spotted a framed photograph of him and a long-haired woman. She had beautiful raven colored hair and porcelain skin as clear as day. The setting was taken at the beach in the bright afternoon sun. He knew that it had been three long years since they were last together or even heard from each other. She meant everything to him. They dated from their Senior year of high school up until they were both twenty-five. The pair even lived together for a short while. Sesshomaru just couldn't believe that she would hurt him the way she did. After the stunt she pulled, he never wanted to trust again. Turning the frame opposite of him, Sesshomaru relaxed into the soft cushiness of his bed.

Time to move on, he thought.

XX

The following day Rin sat behind her desk at the precinct, watching idly by as other officers bustled about, bringing in foul-mouthed criminals, or sloshing hot coffee around; donuts dropped to the floor unnoticed. Looking across the squad room, she saw that Sesshomaru's desk was empty as well. She hadn't seen much of him for most of the day except for that morning.

Maybe he's training or something, she thought.

Filing through paperwork and making annoying phone calls, Rin finally relaxed in her chair, leaning back and rubbing her temples. Today was starting to feel stressful and stressful by the minute. She could already feel the effects of a migraine approaching. She just wished she could go home, relax in a hot bath and maybe consider getting a pet to comfort her lonely nights.

I just want this day to be over. But then again I have to go to that stupid get-together or whatever.

She was trying to predict what might happen if she did go, and who would be there. Was Sesshomaru going? Did he even have a clue about it? Shaking her brunette head, Rin ran a forceful hand through her hair, sighing upward. Now wasn't the time to think about those kinds of things. There was something more important on Rin's mind at the moment.

She thought, When was the last time I went to see him? Probably a long time.

Whipping out her cell phone, Rin made a quick phone call. Once she ended the call, she never would have thought that Kuzaki wanted to see her in his office. Rin wasn't nervous about meeting with him, but no one ever knew. She wondered what it was all about. Rising from her chair, she approached his office, knocking. When she was given permission to enter, she did.

"You wanted to see me?" she guessed.

"Yeah," he said from behind his desk. "Have a seat."

Rin did, shifting so that the torn upholstery didn't cut her in any way.

"You know Hirano you're doing a fine job for a new officer on the force," he commented.

Rin beamed. "Thank you, sir."

Kuzaki nodded. "You're a lot better than that damn Taisho I'll give you that much. That son of a bitch stays in deep shit. That's why I had you two partner up; you complement each other."

"Well…that's nice to know I guess."

Kuzaki went on to say, "But that's not what I called you in here for. I was letting you know that I'm giving you an increase in your salary this month."

Rin was surprised. "You are?"

He nodded. To Rin that was a good thing to hear. Her bills were starting to pile up. Some extra money is just what she needed at the time.

"Thanks so much, Captain."

Kuzaki only waved it off, not wanting her to believe that he had developed a soft side suddenly. And then there was a knock at the door. Kuzaki gave permission for the person to enter, an officer claiming that there was a delivery for Rin Hirano. The brunette looked back at the Captain with a nod, just before rising from her seat.

"Thanks." she told her fellow associate.

Heading back into the squad room, Rin retrieved her delivery, exiting the precinct.

XX

She slowly placed the fresh bouquet of roses and tulips in front of the massive tombstone; flowers that she had delivered to the precinct just about an hour ago. Staring down at the lifeless stone, Rin read the name; Hiroshi Hirano. She wiped her face just to be sure that there were no tears present. No. She couldn't cry; not in front of her father's grave.

"It feels like you just left me too soon."

With her fists at her side, Rin clenched them as tight as she could until her knuckles were white and there was less blood flow. Frustration and sorrow wracked her body. All of those pent up emotions were now rearing their ugly heads. Her father was everything to Rin, he was always the one to teach her right from wrong. Her father had died years ago from a horrific car accident on the highway. Rin only wished he were here a little while longer.

Turning her back to the grave, Rin made her way back to her car, listlessly sitting in the driver's seat. A few calming breaths would assist in getting her head straight. One…two…

Three never came, because by then her eyes betrayed her, tears spilling over until she hiccupped with grief. She wished so much for her father to still be with her, to help in the struggles of her own life. But that would never happen. The best thing to do was to move on.

Resting her weary head on the steering wheel, Rin looked over to see the clock say 5:36.

Damn it! Three more hours till I have to be at that stupid party!

Wiping her face clean and checking her make-up, Rin still sat for a minute or two before starting the car. One thought was passing through her mind on her way back to the precinct to finish her shift, God, I need a drink.