-Awakening Love-
"Where is your Grandmother?" Sesshomaru asked, trying his hardest not to sound like he cared. He leaned back against his chair and rested one hand on the steering wheel and used the other arm to lean against the open window. He couldn't help but wonder why Kaede would leave Rin on her own birthday – it was so unlike the old woman.
"She had to go to her sister's grave… it's been like that for awhile now actually." She sighed and touched the crystal at her neck once more. Sesshomaru briskly nodded and continued to drive on. The weather was warm and humid, as if it was going to rain later in the day. While she watched the surroundings of the city pass by her window, he observed her. She wore a comfortable light pink colored strapless spring dress that had silver floral patterns running along the edges of the skirt and down her right breast. Two dainty silver flats covered her feet and surprisingly, she had made the strange looking spherical crystal work. Sesshomaru had made her bring a white cardigan with her; it's not that he didn't enjoy the exposure of her skin because in fact, he did. He just felt unexplainably safer that way.
"Sesshomaru, where are we even going? Are we allowed to just… skip school like this? Did you know that I'm not officially 18 yet until 10:47pm tonight?"
"We're meeting my father for lunch, school is not an issue if you have the right excuse and… no, and I did not know that." That explains it, he thought, her body doesn't smell of a woman quite yet.
"Oh, and how on earth did you even know it was my birthday?"
Sesshomaru almost smiled as he turned a corner. "I saw it on your calendar."
Wow, what a memory. Rin grabbed her purse and searched for her make-up bag. Lunch with Mr. Taisho most likely meant that it came with formal consequences. Using the car's mirror, she carefully applied her mascara and lip gloss, stopping whenever Sesshomaru ran over a speed bump.
He watched her curiously. Sesshomaru never understood why females, especially such a natural beauty like Rin, insisted on wearing such vanities. It was pointless to him, who was she trying to impress anyways? Wasn't she technically… his? He shook his head slightly, disturbed at his own selfish thoughts.
-Searching for the Sacred Jewel-
Rin and Sesshomaru walked into the restaurant of the luxury hotel and walked over to a large table filled with sweaty businessmen, all dressed in stuffy suits and ridiculous ties. She gasped a little, so many professional eyes on her at once was a bit overwhelming. Standing behind Sesshomaru, she instinctively grabbed the back of his arm and held him closer.
Sesshomaru frowned at the men surrounding them. Such pitiful old fools, desiring Rin for their own sexual needs… He was disgusted as he reacted to the stench of their hormones by grabbing Rin's slightly trembling hand in his own strong and supportive one.
"Ah, son, you made it! And with the lovely Rin, nice to see you again young lady!" Inu Taisho kissed her other hand and smiled. "These are my employees, sorry for the unexpected company, but please, enjoy yourselves and sit," he motioned for the two to take a seat next to him. With a quick flick of his wrist, Inu Taisho summoned the waiters to bring Rin whatever she wanted.
After having a chance to satisfy her hunger, Inu Taisho turned to her and rummaged his hand through the inside chest pocket of his blazer. "It's somewhere here… ah! Here you are, Rin! Happy birthday," he handed her a small book. It looked old, and was bound by ancient leather. "It's not much my dear, but, I hope you like it anyways."
She took the book with two hands and bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you sir, you really didn't have to do such a thing," she blushed.
Inu Taisho laughed and waved his hand. "Don't be silly, do you know how much you mean to my family?" she blushed even harder. "Besides, any girl who can warm Sesshomaru's heart deserves the Nobel Peace Prize…" Sesshomaru glared at his father as he took a bite of the pasta that was being served. Rin laughed, placing a hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder.
"Well, I guess you could say I tamed the wild dog."
-Searching for the Sacred Jewel (1:06)-
"Thank you for the birthday lunch, sir," she bowed her head again and smiled. "Nobody has ever done such a thing for me before." Rin stood next to Sesshomaru outside of the restaurant.
"Well, you deserve much more," Mr. Taisho said with the utmost warmth. "Say, Rin, if you have a chance to look at that book I gave you, drop by whenever you'd like and feel free to ask me anything you want to know."
She cocked her head curiously and nodded. "Thank you, I will!"
"Now, where are you two off to next?"
"That is none of your concern, father."
Mr. Taisho smiled deviously and patted his son's back. "Ah, I see how it is, young love, eh?" Sesshomaru grunted and looked away. "Well kids, have fun." He turned to head back to his employees when he suddenly stopped and called out. "Sesshomaru, I just had an idea. Bring Rin home tonight for supper. I'll make sure Inuyasha brings her friends from school."
Rin's eyes moistened. She didn't understand, let alone feel as though she deserved his hospitality. Mr. Taisho as acting like the father she never grew up with.
Sesshomaru shrugged and placed a hand on Rin's back, leading her back to the car.
-Two Hearts-
They walked through Sakura Park, an area covered with the pink fluff of the beautiful cherry blossoms. She held the handle of her purse and breathed in the scent of the air deeply. He walked alongside her with his hands shoved into his pockets, ignoring the looks of passing girls.
"Isn't it wonderful Sesshomaru?" she asked, gently twirling and brushing her hands through her soft hair.
He didn't say anything as he led her to a bench deeper in the forest of Sakura.
A moment of silence passed as the wind blew petals into their hair. Carefully, Sesshomaru picked them out of hers and continued to tuck her hair behind her ear. "Wear your cardigan," he demanded, handing her the white clothing that he carried. "It's getting windier."
She rolled her eyes and smiled. "Lighten up," she teased, but nevertheless putting it on. She didn't want to disobey him, especially when he had done so much for her today. "What, so no gift?" she stuck her tongue out mockingly and elbowed him in the ribs.
"Of course I have one."
She blinked. "I thought this was my gift…" He shook his head and leaned his elbows on his thighs, staring out into the scenery of the park.
"You'll see later," he breathed. "That is, if you can keep still about it until then."
"Why are you doing this?"
He looked up at her, eyebrows crossed and thumbnail between his teeth. "Doing what?"
"This," she used her hand to indicate where they were.
He thought about it for a while, letting the cooling air clear his head. Why? Because I want to, because I need to, because I love you… He cleared his throat and answered. "Well, it's your birthday, isn't it?"
She sighed. Not the answer I was looking for. But she accepted it, knowing that Sesshomaru would never openly admit anything to her. "Well, you're right. So, thank you." She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek and pulled away slowly to see that he was smiling.
-Evil Demon, Naraku-
There it is, the Shikon Jewel. Onigumo pressed his back against the large Sakura Tree in front of where Rin and Sesshomaru were sitting. Letting out a low laugh, he clenched his fists. If I can get that jewel to Naraku, he will finally grant me my freedom.
Onigumo remembered the fate present day Naraku suffered weeks ago and had no intentions of ending up just like him. He moved his eyes to Rin and Sesshomaru to see her kissing him on the cheek. Amused, he smirked to himself. So, he's in love with that Rin girl… the one wearing the jewel around her neck. That pathetic mutt can't sniff me out thanks to these cherry blossoms…
In a flash of darkness, he disappeared.
(a/n): I'm so glad to see all of you demanding more chapters. LITERALLY. lolol. sorry for the late-ish update, i'm working on the next chap ASAP! but only if your review :P