Chapter Two

Other visitors arrive

Rin finished her tea. As she walked through the hallway to take her cup and plate to the kitchen, she heard several voices chatting in excitement. She paused to listen.

"Myoga dear, is it true? Has our sweet little mistress come home?" Shoga asked, excitement clear in her tone. Then the sound of her voice changed. Turning to her ditzy husband and tapping her foot, she put her hands on her hips and scrutinized him.

"You been dipping in the master's fine sake, haven't you? That's what happened the last time you imagined her!"

Myoga frowned in indignation. Puffing himself up, he looked her square in her doubting eyes.

"No, dear Shoga-chan. I have not been in the sake! Well, at least not today, anyway. But it is true. The young miss is home."

Shoga snorted and returned to Kaede's side to help put up the groceries. They had just returned from their shopping trip.

While Shoga was talking to Myoga, Jaken and Kaede had started unpacking the bags. As Jaken checked over the lists of items that were bought and the receipts, he glanced at the warring couple. "What Myoga said is quite true, Shoga. Our little Rin has come home. She is currently within her mother's study, enjoying some light refreshments," he continued to go over the items. "Although, we can't very well call her "little" anymore. She has grown into a fine young lady!" He smiled warmly.

Going about her own tasks, Kaede chuckled quietly as she listened. "Come now, Mr. Jaken. You and Mr. Myoga haven't been able to call Miss Rin "little" since that blessed child turned ten!" Both men pouted as Shoga joined her friend and coworker in a laugh.

"Shut it, you old bag! I'll have none of your lip, thank you." He mumbled.

Kaede poked her tongue out at him, then smiling she returned to her tasks.

The great grandfather clock in the foyer sounded. As the clock chimed two pm, Kaede paused again. "Our Master's guests should be arriving very soon."

She turned to Jaken.

"Jaken. Master gave you the guest list, but you failed to tell us who is coming."

Her words caught the attention of the other adults, and the curious ear near the kitchen door.

"Who is coming this weekend? Other than Rin and Naraku-sama, neither you nor the master said a word beyond "expect the mansion to be filled"."

Shaking his head, Jaken told her that their lord gave strict instructions not to say a word.

Myoga piped in, "well, I didn't see all the names on his list, but I did see one name... "

Rin pressed her ear to the door, but was unable to hear anymore, past Jaken's sputtering and the ladies gasps of surprise.

"Are you absolutely sure Myoga," questioned Kaede imploringly.

"Ooh! To finally see that face! I pray it to be true," sobbed Shoga.

'Who were they talking about? Who had father invited?' Rin wondered as she prepared to enter the kitchen.

The front door opened with a whish and a number of voices echoed in the grand foyer as they talked over each other. Rin turned quickly to observe who had caused such a commotion.

An old man in a wheelchair waved his hands around like they were boneless tentacles. "Stop fussing over me, Kagura. My nurse knows what I want!" His voice warbled and was weak, but Rin could tell once upon a time he could bark out orders. Looking to his youngest, he scolded, "Kanna! I will have NONE of your mouth, am I clear young lady? While you are in the house of Takahashi, you both WILL behave!" His words received a quiet apology from both women.

Rin tried not to stare but her curiosity was stirred. In the middle of the grand foyer stood a beautiful woman wearing a stylish hat made of feathers. She appeared remorseful. She bent to talk to the older man in the wheelchair. Rin heard him call her "Kagura". At their side was a young man in a nursing uniform who appeared to be a personal nurse to the man. The other young woman was dainty and pale, but emotionless. Kanna scanned the room, appraising the décor. Her emotionless face morphed to an expression of disgust. Clearly she didn't approve.

"You've got to be kidding me. This much wealth and such tacky art. Really Kagura, hope your fiancé has some redeeming characteristics because decorating isn't his thing."

"Kanna, not now." Kagura turned to her father. "Daddy, I'm sorry, but I worry about you."

The old man patted her hand. "Look up there. That's a portrait of my good friend Toga. God rest his soul. Best friend this old man ever had."

At his command all the members of his party looked up at the portrait over the dual staircases.

Just then the younger woman Kanna noticed Rin in the doorway under the portrait.

"And just WHO are you! If you are the help, get to helping!"

Rin blinked in shock.

A stranger in her house was asking who she was and then ordering her to serve her!

Myoga, having heard voices in the great hall, came running with Shoga behind him. They stopped short seeing Rin standing there. Shoga was the first to react. With a teary-eyed cry of joy, she engulfed Rin in a tight hug, nearly crushing the poor girl. "Ooh! Rin-chan! Our little baby Rin-chan has come home!" She exclaimed, holding the girl at arm's length for a moment, then crushing the girl again. "Look, Myoga dear! Our little lady has come home!"

"Yes, Shoga-chan, she has. But, if you don't turn the child loose, you will smother her." Myoga scolded lightly as he watched Rin struggle to breathe.

Embarrassed by her behavior, Shoga released Rin. "I'm so sorry young miss! Please forgive me!"

"Ha Ha Ha! There's nothing to forgive, Grandma Shoga. I've missed you too", Rin embraced the older woman. "I'm home!"

The sound of someone loudly clearing their throat caught their attention. "How long do you intend to leave us standing here unattended", demanded an annoyed Kanna. Turning to her sister, she sneered rudely. "First order of business when you and Sesshomaru marry, should be to sack the staff," Turning back, she pointed a manicured finger at Rin, "Starting with that one!"

Having had enough of the girl's bad attitude, Rin was about to give the girl a piece of her mind when Myoga interrupted.

"My lady, allow me," he gushed. "We have been waiting on your arrival. Lady Kanna, Lady Kagura, Lord Naraku, let me introduce you to Lady Rin Takahashi, my Lord's daughter."

Kanna gasped, covering her mouth.

For a second Rin thought she might apologize.

However, Kanna turned to her sister. With an accusing tone she challenged, "You never told me he had children! Did you know Daddy?"

Kagura, however, had better manners. She walked over to Rin and curtsied.

"Hello Lady Rin. Please call me Kagura. I'll be marrying your father next month."

Rin, although shocked, smiled politely and returned the curtsy.

"I look forward to getting to know you."

Kagura took control of the situation and made the introductions.

"My sister—Kanna," Kagura pointed to Kanna, her face blank of emotion.

Kanna returned the blank stare. She turned toward Rin and nodded briefly but remained speechless.

"My father – Naraku," Kagura waved her arm to the man in the wheelchair. She smiled as she caught her father's eye. He winked at her affectionately.

The nurse rolled Naraku over closer to Rin.

"Why I see my old friend Toga in your eyes. What a delight to see those eyes again! Come sit with me and tell me of yourself, child. I adored your grandfather. Such a good friend."

Rin led the small group back into the formal sitting room. Her etiquette lessons came back to the forefront of her mind and she skillfully engaged the older man in a conversation about the old days.

A few minutes later, the door chimes rang. Myoga welcomed more people into the grand foyer. Soon they all had drinks and snacks and were mingling in the sitting room. Rin noticed Kanna seemed bored and started to make her way to talk to her when the door chimes rang again. A deep voice was heard and suddenly life returned to Kanna's face. She rushed to the door and grabbed the arm of the newcomer.

"Bankotsu, Darling!" She pecked his cheek and blushed. "I missed you so much. Time drug on tediously until you arrived."

Rin schooled her face. 'Drama queen! You haven't been here more than 20 minutes and you've insulted our house, my mother and grandmother's taste in décor, ordered me about and complained about our hospitality!'

Bankotsu walked into the sitting room with Kanna on his arm and his twin brother Jakotsu on his other side.

"Hey Bank! Good to see you! It's been too long. Come, talk with us."

A group of thirty-something-year-olds called Bankotsu to their side. Jakotsu and Kanna trailed after him.

Miroku and Sango patted Bankotsu on the shoulder, congratulating him on his promotion. They also teased him about being in so many articles in the business section of the news especially since he used to be the star of the sports section. As the friends caught up Rin found out that Miroku, Sango, Kagome and her Uncle Inuyasha had all been in the same class at high school. Her father, Bankotsu, and his twin Jakotsu had all been in the class ahead of them. All of them had been together on the soccer/football team. Bankotsu had been the team captain. As time rolled on many mischievous high school anecdotes came to light. At one point, Bankotsu gritted his teeth when one particular roguish event was revealed but Naraku laughed.

"That's why I promoted you, boy. I like those ballsy moves!" He started laughing but it quickly turned into a coughing fit and his nurse pulled him out of the crowd to give him a hit off his inhaler. It was several moments before they returned to the party.

A number of other conversations filled the room, the reunions joyous, the introductions completed.

As Rin looked around the crowd, her mind wandered.

'Where was Father?'