Chapter Fourteen

"Well, I'm off to get a drink," Kanon said cheerfully. "Take care of the cabin while I'm gone."

"Yes, yes," Rin said tiredly. "I know the drill…"

She rubbed her temples. Yup, she knew the drill by now.

It was the third week of summer break and they had been down south for a week now. Kojuro, Masamune, Rin, and even Motonari, whom Kanon had somehow forced to come with, were all subjected to Kanon's harsh labor.

Suzume seemed to be the only one excluded from her tyranny, and Rin had to be somewhat envious. She could see now why Masamune always seemed so wary of Kanon.

They were currently in one of the Mouri's beach houses, as it was being used as a substitute shop for Kanon, but the rest of the time they slept in the Date's cabin not too far away. Although they had left the shop in the city, it was as if nothing had changed. The substitute shop was as filled with odd things as the original, minus Rin's puppet copy.

There was plenty of room in either cabins, but even with so much empty space Rin couldn't help but feel somewhat crowded in with Date. And she knew for a fact that Kanon had purposely placed her in the room right next to his when she said as innocently as she could who would be in the next room if Rin needed any "help". Rin had a sort of idea about what she had meant and Kanon laughed at her discomfort.

Rin sighed. Was she really going to be subjected to this kind of harassment for six months? It made her wonder whether the deal she had made with Kanon all those weeks ago was really worth it. Back in the present, Kanon paused by the doorway to add, "And don't forget, the festival is tonight and I'm expecting quite a few deals."

Rin sighed again, "Right." As her new job of 'apprentice' it was her duty to keep straight all the various job offers Kanon got and, surprisingly, there had already been quite a few. Apparently, she was quite popular in these parts and Rin had to wonder exactly how many Kanon actually accepted. She also had to wonder how all these people found her in the first place. It was as if they came out of nowhere.

At the moment, this was her only job, but Kanon promised that later on she herself would be going on the requests. Rin wasn't too thrilled to hear that.

The apparent reason Kanon had brought them all south was for the annual festival they held. They always had it this time of year and, as she had gushed, they made the best sake in the world so, naturally, she had to come. She had hinted for Masamune to take Rin but he either didn't understand or ignored her because he hadn't even mentioned it.

This made Rin curious. Now that she thought about it, he really hadn't done much with her. She would've thought that he would make some sort of innuendo and tease her about spending her summer vacation with him, even for a job, but ever since her first "job meeting" with Kanon, he had been oddly distant to her.

Even during class, he didn't talk to her as much as before, and she knew for certain that he wasn't trying as hard to get her attention. Was he finally leaving her alone?

In one way, Rin was glad. After all, this was what she had always wanted, right? But at the same time, she couldn't help but worry. It wasn't like Masamune to be so reserved towards her and she wondered what had made the change.

Surely he wasn't really finally taking her request of leaving her alone into consideration, but then, what made the dramatic change? Had she offended him in some other way? She kept thinking it over, but she was unable to come up with any conclusions.

She had kind of hoped he'd ask her to the festival this time, as it reminded her of the one her hometown always held… Rin loved festivals but she didn't want to go alone, lest she find herself lost on the opposite side of town.

Rin started sorting through a box of random items as she continued to think. It was just her and Masamune at the moment. Kanon was the last to leave after forcing Suzume and Kojuro out somewhere together, and Motonari had slunk out silently by himself.

There was a sort of heavy silence between the two and the sound of ticking clocks was the only proof that time hadn't completely frozen. Rin felt tense and she could see that Masamune felt just as awkward by the way he tapped the front desk with his finger. He was sitting at the stool in front of the counter, staring out the window at nothing in particular. When Rin wasn't looking, he kept sliding furtive glances her way, half-wanting to talk to her, half-trying not to. He wasn't honestly sure what he wanted at this point.

Unable to take the indecisiveness, he finally spoke, "Well," he paused, now trying to decide what to say next. He announced, "I'm going out."

"Out?" Rin asked as she started unpacking another box. They seemed to be endless; no matter how many she finished off, there was always another waiting for her.

He nodded and walked to the door, but suddenly he paused. He looked at it silently as he thought. He turned back to her and opened his mouth as if to say something, but then promptly closed it shut again.

After a moment of intense internal conflict, he shook his head and finally said, "See you later."

Wait, he couldn't leave, not yet. He still hadn't asked her out! Oh crap, he was really leaving- "Wait, Date!" Rin suddenly called him at the last second and he paused again to look at her, the door still half open.

"Yes?" he asked casually. He was surprised she had spoken to him, but he hid it well by shoving it back deep down into himself. He was pretty good at that sort of thing.

"I- well- tonight-…" Rin was at a loss for words and she could suddenly feel her face heat up. She focused on the broken clock in her hands as she said timidly, "Well, tonight Kanon-sama said there was going to be a festival and… I… Well, I was wondering…" She bit her lip as she tried forcing the words out. Before she knew what she was doing, she asked in a rush, "Will you come with me?"

She didn't know why she had so suddenly asked, but she had a strange feeling that she should. It was completely on impulse and uncharacteristic of her, and she wondered what made her think of even attempting it. She wasn't really falling for Masamune, was she?

No, it's just that she wanted to go so badly…. Right? After all, she hadn't been to a festival in years and she missed going to the one at home and Masamune was someone who'd be willing to come with her and-

She looked down at her hands now as she could feel her face burning brightly and Date was silent. She looked back up to see him swing the door from side to side thoughtfully.

"Hmm…" he said aloud. He asked, "And I assume we would be going out as, 'just friends', right?" He smirked as she blushed even harder and nodded. "Well," he said in mock seriousness, "I suppose I could take you, but only on one condition."

Rin looked up in surprise to meet his mischievous eye as she asked, "A condition?"

He nodded as he stretched deliberately, "Yeah, a condition."

"Okay," Rin said slowly and warily. "What is it?"

"If you want me to take you to the festival, then you have to ask me properly."

"Ask you properly?" Rin asked in confusion, "But didn't I just-?"

"You have to use my first name and tell me what you want me to do."

Rin blinked again in confusion, "I don't understand." She finally said and Masamune laughed, suddenly enjoying her embarrassment. It had been a while since he had this pleasure…

"Fine, I'll say it for you and you repeat it, ready?"

"Nn…" Rin looked away as she thought about it. Suddenly, she wasn't too sure about this whole idea. Did she really want to go to this festival? She sighed. It was too late to back out now… "Fine," she agreed.

"Alright," Masamune said approvingly. He closed the door again and took back the seat in front of her where he had been sitting in previously. He said calmly, "Masamune."

Rin raised her eyebrow questioningly and he nodded with encouragement, "Go on; repeat after me."

"Ma… Masa… mu…ne…" Rin said hesitantly. She was so used to calling him by just his last name, his first felt heavy and strange on her tongue. Even though he had forced her to say it that one time, Rin had avoided any scenarios when she'd actually have to use it. As she said it, she felt her heart beat quicker. Stop it, she reprimanded herself. Why are you acting so crazy after just saying his first name?

He nodded again, "Come on, with more conviction."

She sighed as she blushed and said, this time more satisfactory, "Masamune."

"I want you…" he said.

"I want you…"

"You do?" he teased and she glared. He held his hands up innocently and continued, "To…"

"To," she repeated.

"Have sex with me."

"Have sex with m-" Rin's eyes widened in surprise and her face heated up considerably when she realized what she was saying. She yelled, "You jerk!"

Date started laughing so hard he was practically crying as he said over and over, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding! I couldn't resist trying, you were so into it. I'm sorry."

Rin turned away from him with a huff and said icily, "Well now, if you're finished you can just head out again. I'm through with you."

Date calmed down as he said with a gentle laugh, "Nah, I suppose I'll stay here instead. You'll get bored here by yourself."

Rin sniffed, "I'll be fine, thanks very much. Now, get out." How could she have thought he would actually leave her alone? She must have been out of her mind because he was clearly enjoying this now.

"Hm…" Masamune was still smiling but he got up and headed towards the door again. "Well, I guess you're right. But are you sure you'll be fine by yourself?"

"Quite," Rin replied, her face still red. Even though she seemed upset, she smiled inwardly in relief and subconsciously thought, thank goodness. He's back to normal…

"Alright," Masamune said with a resigned sigh. He opened the door sent a backwards wave, "See you tonight, then. I expect you to show me a good time."

Rin sniffed haughtily, "Only in your dreams."

He laughed one more time before leaving and repeating with an amused tone, "Right, only in my dreams…"

It was only a few hours when Rin met Masamune outside the cabin that night. The sun was still up, but it was rapidly getting darker and darker out. The festival had already begun hours ago, but it was still just the beginning of the festivites.

"Whew," Masamune whistled with surprise as Rin joined him. He grinned and teased, "Well don't you look nice, are you sure you didn't want us to go as a couple?"

Rin's face heated up as she fingered her black yukata self-consciously. "Of course not!" she insisted. Honestly, she didn't know what he was talking about.

The yukata was so plain it was laughable. It was just black with a small smattering of white sakura print at the bottom and collar and a little trail on the sleeves. Suzume had helped tie a white and black obi around Rin's waist and Kanon had insisted she wear her long black hair pinned into a bun with a small pin (at only a day's worth extra cost).

Rin twirled a strand of her bangs, which hung at the sides of her face like always and she repeated, "Of course not."

She avoided his gaze and him entirely because he seemed so casual. He wore a plain blue yukata as well and, Rin's face heated up at the observation, loosely. He had pulled his arm out of the sleeve and rested it in the folds of his clothes so it was partially open to reveal a very lean, flat chest.

Rin turned her gaze around and tried looking wherever he wasn't. He noticed her obvious embarrassment and laughed. "Well, if you see anything you like, let me know." Her face darkened even more. "Shall we go?"

She nodded shyly now and they walked towards town.

The whole air buzzed with excitement, and laughter filled their ears. People of all ages chattered happily and you couldn't help but get caught up in it. Even Rin found herself smiling for no particular reason at all and Masamune watched her.

Her attention was so caught in the people around her, she barely even noticed the boy beside her place a protective hand on her back. So light, she didn't even notice it, but enough for other people to see exactly which one-eyed boy to talk to if they had a problem with her, not that anyone did of course.

The pair had run into Motonari in his green yukata a few times, and spotted Kojuro with Suzume, both shyly enjoying themselves, but they didn't see Kanon at all. Rin wondered if she was okay but Masamune assured her that she was probably out getting drunk somewhere and not to worry at all. Rin wasn't too sure, but let the matter drop.

They passed many stands filled with merchandise ranging from innocent things like children's toys to, as Rin quickly ignored, 'toys' for adults. She hoped Date didn't notice them.

There were various food stands as well, and huge crowds hung around game stands. A few sold elegant kimonos and Rin wandered to one that sold a particular set of hair ornaments. Glass chopsticks with colored beads and hair pins with small flowers were arranged neatly in small bins.

She had already bought gifts for Yukimura and Sasuke on remembering that Yukimura practiced spear fighting in his free time, a book of different techniques and, for Sasuke, a small bottle of 'supreme soy sauce'. She still wanted to get something for her sister and especially something for Kasuga, even with as much trouble as the blonde girl gave her.

After a thought, Rin decided to buy different hair pins. She bought one shaped in an orchid for Kasuga and for her sister, Hotaru, whose name means 'firefly', she bought a firefly pin.

Masamune noticed her pondering over everything and joined her side. He asked curiously, "Are you buying something for yourself?"

She laughed with slight embarrassment, "No, for Kasuga-chan and my sister."

"Hm…" That made more sense to him. Rin wasn't the type to buy anything for herself, especially things like this. He looked thoughtfully at the stand and commented, "I didn't know you had a sister."

She shrugged, "I have an older brother too, Kaito, but he hasn't been home in a while." She looked away thoughtfully and mused, "I think he said he was just traveling around on some sort of tour…"

"I see." Masamune picked up a butterfly pin and examined it. "I guess I never got to see either of them back then."

She turned to him and asked, "What about you?" He glanced at her and she clarified, "Do you have any siblings?"

He looked away and avoided her gaze as he admitted almost guiltily, "A younger brother." He was studying the merchandise more intently now and avoiding looking at her, as if he were ashamed or embarrassed of the fact he actually had family.

"Oh?" Rin asked in surprise. This was news to her, as she'd been to his house countless of times and had never once seen signs of another boy living there. Of course, Masamune's home was huge and it wasn't as if Rin had gone on a complete tour of it, but she knew for a fact that she had never seen a younger boy around.

Now that she came to think of it, she had never truly seen any signs of Masamune's parents either. Only Kojuro or Suzume and a few other servants seemed to ever be around. Suddenly Rin was curious and she asked, "Date, about your brother, how old-?"

"Would you like this?" he suddenly asked, holding up a golden pin in the shape of a fan. Four white ribbons fell to about shoulder length and two ended with a pair of silver bells. It looked very similar to the cellphone charm that Kanon had first given Rin.

Thrown off track, Rin blushed as she turned away, "N-no, thanks. I couldn't accept a gift from you…"

"And why not?" he asked in amusement.

"W-well, because we aren't a couple… And if you bought me something that pretty, I'd be in debt to you again." Ah, but the pin was so pretty… She had to admit, it would be a nice thing to own, but getting it as a gift from Masamune made her nervous.

"Mm…" Masamune sighed, "Right." Ugh, God. Rin and her morals. Couldn't she just drop them for once and let him be a gentleman? Honestly, it was just a hair pin… Not like the cellphone he gave her all those ages ago.

"Besides," Rin mumbled, "I'm not… Pretty… So, it would only look out of place."

Masamune watched her as she gripped the bag holding her gifts and he sighed again. "You're right," he finally agreed and she looked back at him, somewhat wounded. Suddenly he grinned and said, "But only because you would outshine its beauty. You're not pretty, but only because you're worth more than it. Basically, I think you're beautiful."

Rin's eyes widened in surprise and he placed the ornament in her hair, brushing back her bangs and parting it to the right. His hand lingered at the side of her face before he grinned, "Yup, something so simple definitely looks out of place on you."

His hand was warm and Rin could feel his warmth just from that little interaction. His touch was delicate, as if he were touching something fragile and precious. Rin's face turned a deep red and she stammered, "D-Date…"

He smiled gently as he placed a tucked another strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, "You can thank me by calling me by my first name."

"M-Masamune…" she finally said and he grinned that lopsided smile of his. Rin's heart skipped a beat and she almost thought she would swoon. Ah, not because she liked him or anything; no, it was only because he was so damn good looking. Yes, that's it, his looks fooled everyone; even her, but it had nothing to do with-

"Perfect," he removed his hand and paid the clerk as Rin fingered the bell at her shoulder. He turned back to her and said, "Well, anyway…"

He looked at a clock on the stand and then at the sky, which had darkened considerably since they went out. He informed her, "I think the fireworks should be starting anytime now. They usually begin when the moon is high enough for them."

"Fireworks?" Rin asked. She hadn't known there would be any; ah, how much this reminded her of being home. For a second, for the first time since she came to the city, she was overcome with homesickness.

Masamune smiled, "Yeah, and I know the perfect area to view them. Come on!" He grabbed her hand without permission and began walking quickly. His hand was larger than hers. It was warm and bony, but not in an uncomfortable way, are all guys like that? Rin wondered and her face heated up from the stupid thought. She stumbled to keep up in her geta and Masamune yelled over his shoulder, "Let's run!"

"What?" she called back, unable to understand what he said, but as he picked up his pace she had no choice but to do the same. Rin had no idea where they were going, but she would have followed even if he wasn't holding her hand.

Suddenly they were running through the streets, yelling and warning people to get out of the way and by the time they reached the beach they were both panting and laughing loudly on the sand. They collapsed with exhaustion and Masamune lay flat on his back.

They were still laughing but soon the sound of the waves crashing was the only sound left. Rin placed her feet in the water and let the edges of her yukata get wet. The wind blew gently and the bells on her ornament jingled now, reminding her of their presence. She touched the pin gently and blushed. She was glad it was dark now, so Masamune couldn't see her face.

The moon was out and the sky was completely clear of clouds so every star shone. Rin gazed at them and she smiled. "The sky is so much clearer here," she said off-handedly.

Masamune sat up and brushed the sand off himself as he said casually, "It's probably just because we're farther away from Oda Nobunaga."

"Heh?"

Rin looked over at him and he shrugged. "You know, the "Demon King of the Sixth Heaven"."

Rin asked, "Is he really that bad?" Even after going to school for over three months, she'd never formally met the principal of the school. Masamune told her she was lucky.

"Pfft, obviously," Date laughed. He said grimly, "But… One day, he'll fall. And he'll fall hard. I'm going to be the one to make sure of it."

"Hm… Masamune-"

"The fireworks!" He suddenly yelled and jumping to his feet. He pointed and indeed, there were fireworks going off. Rin smiled widely as he grinned and he helped pull her to her feet.

Without thinking, she didn't pull her hand out of his even as she stood. She grasped his hand tightly as he watched the sky. Masamune was laughing and yelling loudly at the fireworks and she laughed with him. She watched his face and studied his amused smile. This was Date Masamune when he was truly happy, a side he rarely let anyone see.

Suddenly, a sharp pain traveled through her chest and Rin put a hand to her heart and winced. She gripped her yukata tightly as she wondered in panic, What, what is this? Why is my heart beating so fast? Why does it hurt all of a sudden? Why- … am I in love with Date Masamune?

She blinked in surprise as she thought that and shook her head. The bells jingled in her hair again. But I don't love him… I've been fighting against him the whole time I've known him; this doesn't mean anything.

Are you sure? Asked a tiny voice in the back of her head. Are you really sure you don't love him? Weren't you secretly over-joyed when he called you 'beautiful'? Or when he took your hand? Don't you get nervous and excited when you're around him?

Of course not! Rin answered furiously. She gripped her yukata until her knuckles turned white. Of course not… she thought sadly this time, It's just because he's the first guy outside my family to openly call me that and mean it…Besides, I could never seriously date him because he's… The head of an entire district and I'm just… Just Rin.

But now that she had thought that, she finally realized and understood the single fact she had been fighting for over three months. She loved him.

For the all the time she had known him, she had liked him. And now… Like almost everyone else who met Date Masamune, she loved him. And now that she finally realized that, it hurt.

It was so much easier to pretend to hate him because she knew, deep down, they could never be a couple. His social status prevented it and she had always known it, so to protect herself, she told herself she hated him. That he was dumb. A player. A complete jerk.

And although she probably still thought all those things about him to some degree, she also had to admit that it was what attracted her to him. He was dumb because he never stopped trying to get what he wanted and when the girl he so obviously liked so coldly put him down. He was a player because he always led her on that he liked her, but never openly asked her to go out with him or used the term 'love'. And he was a complete jerk because he wouldn't realize how head-over-heels she had found herself with him.

It would've been perfect though… If he weren't the head of the Date family, one of the most powerful reigning families in the city. Rin understood now how much meaning that held.

At that thought, Rin suddenly felt her eyes water. That's right… I could never… 'We' could never…!

"Rin?" Rin looked up and could see Masamune watching her with concern. "What's wrong?"

Rin took a moment to reply, "Nothing." She forced out cheerfully but his frown deepened.

He said matter-of-fact, "Rin, you're crying."

She started to protest, "No, I'm not-" He lifted a finger to her eye and wiped off a tear; catching it gently and showing it to her.

"Yes, you are," he said softly. They were so close now that she could still hear him even above the noise of the fireworks. Her hands were clasped in front of her chest and she could feel the cloth of his yukata brush ever so delicately against her skin.

Rin looked away, then she laughed shortly and said a little bitterly, "Well… I guess I just got a little over emotional, that's all."

"About what?" he asked curiously.

She shrugged and said cheerfully, "Everything! I just… Love fireworks!" she laughed loudly and pointed, "See! They even make shapes when they explode, aren't they beautiful?"

He continued to watch her as she forced herself to put on a happy air. Finally he turned and said, "Hey, Rin."

"Mm?" she asked.

"You know, I really wasn't kidding when I told you I liked you all those weeks ago."

Rin could feel her heart beat as she turned to him in surprise, "Oh? What brought this up?"

He shrugged. "Just thought you needed reminding."

They watched the fireworks silently now and the colors flooded the dark sky. With a sigh, Rin turned to face him. She asked, "Masamune?"

"Mm?" it was his turn to use the monosyllable in acknowledgment.

She took a deep breath to calm her nerves as she said, "Masamune, I lo- … I love-" suddenly she choked and her words died down.

"Yes?" he turned to face her and her cheeks heated up. She looked out at the empty water and the wind blew again. Just. Say. The words!

She screamed to herself, Just say them, damn it! Say them!

The words felt heavy in her mouth as she struggled and she shut it tightly. Finally she began crying and she whispered furiously, "I can't do it. I can't do it, I can't-!" she started crying as she tried hiding her face behind her hands.

"Rin?" Date asked in alarm. He put a hand on her shoulder and tried forcing her to look up but she refused. "Tell me what's wrong, why are you so upset?" She shook her head as she cried even harder and all he could do was watch.

"I would never be able to please you," she cried and he stared at her.

He asked in confusion, "Please me? Why would you have to do that?"

"Because I love-" she stopped again. "Because I-!" She continued to cry. Why was this so difficult? Confessions happened all the time in shoujo manga, so this should be easy! Then why was she struggling so much?

Masamune didn't get it either. All he saw was the girl he liked randomly breaking down and crying. Sure, he'd gotten ton of confessions before, but none were so emotional and he wasn't sure how to react. At least, that's what he thought this could be, but then why was Rin so upset? He just didn't get girls sometimes.

Tentatively he put his hand on her other shoulder and then pulled her against him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulder and weaved a hand in the back of her hair. She continued to cry as he soothed, "It's all right, Rin." He murmured softly into her hair, "It's alright. I'm here."

At first she was so shocked she had stopped crying, but then when it wore off she responded in the only way she could think of. She wrapped her arms under his and continued to cry. Please don't look at me like that. Don't look at me so lovingly. Like I'm special; like I'm precious… Like you love me…

I want to tell you… I want to give you everything, and yet I can give you nothing. Because… I love you, I love you. Masamune, I love you! So much it hurts. She wanted so badly to repeat those words over and over for him, but she couldn't. They just wouldn't come out and they hurt to hold in.

It was that night Rin finally understood what it was like to love someone so much it hurt, and she realized the pain of being unable to really be with them. She pressed her cheek against his chest and he just stroked her head comfortingly. She held onto the back of his yukata as if he would disappear if she let go, just like the fireworks that continued to explode above them.

And so it was under the brilliantly shining fireworks where Kazehaya Rin realized that she was truly in love with Date Masamune.

A/N: I thought I'd end it while it was sweet. :)

So Rin finally decided to stop being a total jerk! This is certainly a new character development! What will happen next? Will she really be able to confess one day? Find out (relatively) soon in (one of) the future chapters!

- Jackal