Author's Note: This is my first real Inuyasha fic. Enjoy, people!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. This fiction is for entertainment purposes only.
"Okay, Nakamura Rin. This is the first and most probably the only chance you can prove yourself to the company. Do it. You can. You can. Just run over the presentation like you have been practicing, and be done with it. Just run it over…"
Busy businessmen in the airport pick-up-point did not bother about the young woman pacing and talking to herself whilst waiting for a cab. Ever-free tourists, however, stared at this curious girl like she was…well, nuts. They shook their heads and left her alone, boarding the tour bus.
But she did not notice them at all. It was her first ever business trip and the flight made her neurotic all over again. She wasn't really very fond of flying, and to be honest, it was the first time she got on a plane leaving Tokyo.
Let's just say it was a lot of first times for her on that day.
Even when she moved from Fukuoka, her home town, to Tokyo, all she did was get on the Shinkansen and sit there and not look out of the window for fear of fainting at the speed the bullet train was going. This was different. Very different.
On this trip she was supposed to meet some very important clients that took an interest in buying one of the designs the corporation had to offer. It was a just a simple meeting, she already prepared the PowerPoint and all she had to do was to take out her laser pointer and do her stuff. But noooo. She had to screw up and get nervous again.
'Okay, no time for that now. This big yellow thing is coming. It says 'CAB'. Hey, idiot, wake up!' Her conscience finally managed to snap Rin to attention. She quickly tottered over to the sidewalk, luggage in tow, and waved a crazy arm at the unsuspecting taxi. In Japan, cabs came in all sorts of colours. Blue was a common one, but yellow taxis were rare.
Rin stumbled down the ledge of the pavement and hoisted the small polyester suitcase, panting and grunting at the same time. When she finally managed to dump the whole lot into the open boot, she gave a silent whoop of joy and snapped the boot shut. It wasn't that the case was heavy, it wasn't even big. But Rin in her little five foot one stature could barely accommodate to even that.
Hopping into the cab with perspiration dotting her forehead, she mentally tutted at the taxi driver who was busy lighting his cigarette. 'He didn't even bother to come out and help me! What is his problem?' Giving that complaint a small push aside, she announced cheerfully, "To the Meridian please!" Along the way she had to hold her breath to keep from choking at the cigarette fumes.
Rin plopped her case onto the carpeted floor of the small room. It was just right for her, and she marveled at the lovely scenery of London before stepping into the shower. After having a quick bath, she changed into her pajamas, snuggled under the covers and fell straight asleep.
Oh, what a day it was going to be tomorrow!
She woke up extra early, doing a few relaxing stretches before taking a long, hot bath. She still had a couple hours or so to prepare, so she was in no rush. Brushing her teeth until they shone, she proceeded to groom herself, a rare occurrence only reserved for special occasions. Plucking her eyebrows, though, wasn't easy. Rin yelped with each hair lost, but firmly stood her ground till the end. She was determined to look her best for today's meeting. Emptying her case onto the bed, she shook out the only suit she brought—her best one. Checking assiduously for any creases, she beamed when she found none.
After a few minutes of adjustments, she finally looked into the full-length mirror and was pleased with the result. The suit was Chanel, a gift from her best friend Kagome. Rin never inquired how much it cost, it was considered impolite, but she knew that she could never afford such fine clothing. It was chocolate brown in colour, one that matched Rin's eyes really well. The cutting managed to cling on to her subtle curves, and the skirt was neither too high nor dowdy. It was just right with the white shirt she wore inside. Rin smiled happily, feeling professional and classy. She just had to thank Kagome again the next time she sees her for this wonderful present.
Remembering her makeup, she then picked up the cream case from her bed and went into the bathroom. A few quick strokes here and there and she was ready. Kagome had taught her how to wear makeup the way it suited her best, and she was greatful for that. Faded brown eye shadow gave her face an earthy glow as well as enhanced her eyes. Pitch-black mascara gave an illusion to longer, thicker eyelashes. Bronze blusher heightened her cheekbones. It took just a simple swipe of cinnamon lip-gloss to complete the look.
Next was the hair. It was still a little damp, so she took out the hotel-provided hairdryer and blew it dry, straightening it at the same time. Normally her auburn locks had a stubborn wave, which would not work well in a meeting room. Tying her shoulder-length hair up in a bun, she looked at her childish, soft fringe and decided that she could do nothing about it. She had no pierced ears, so earrings would be impossible. Instead she hooked on a golden chain with a topaz pendant to her neck and was pleased with its effect on the mahogany suit. It was another gift, from her late mother this time. She had thought that Rin's birthstone as a twelve-year old girl's present was a brilliant idea, and Rin still treasured as much it ten years later.
Before she set off for sure, she fastened a Gucci imitation watch on her wrist, ruffled a beige scarf into her suit and slipped into a pair of comfy tan heels.
While Rin was in the cab she hugged her black leather briefcase and thought over her presentation. Why she had been chosen for this job was because she was one of the few Junior Marketing Executives who was fluent in English—and also needed a promotion at the same time. It was her one and only big break; chances like these were few and far between. She was determined to bag that promotion to Marketing Executive.
Rin liked this job. Sure, some days were horrible and the colleagues were mostly cunning people, but Rin could do most of it well. She had a degree in Advertising under her belt, and was considered artistically as well as ideally creative in her field. The reason for her flawless English was because her stepmother was British and they had been living together for five years before Rin moved to Tokyo University. She had been in this company for just less than a year, a perfect time for a rise in the corporate ladder.
She took a few deep breaths and stepped gingerly out of the cab, trying to act as ladylike and professional as possible. Smoothing out her skirt, Rin paid the driver through the window and walked into the colossal building. Click clack, click clack. The sound of her shoes was so loud and unnerving, and the echo practically shouted the stern silence of the reception lobby. Rin quickly went inside the open, empty lift and pressed the button with trembling fingers. It seemed all too fast that the doors slid open to her doom. Smiling at a couple of important-looking people who didn't smile back, Rin hurriedly walked across the expansive room and opened a frosted glass door.
Okay, it was time to begin.
Rin's company, Taisho Co., was trying to propose a new can design for a very big soda corporation. She was provided with a sample, complete with soda inside the brand new can. After Rin had gone through the PowerPoint slides, she looked at the emotionless faces around the table. Swallowing hard, she desperately went to her briefcase and fished for the sample soda can. The quiescence was deafening. When she finally got it, she was so jittery that she dropped the soda, which rolled to the boss of the company, Mr. Dill's seat.
"So sorry, excuse me please." Rin ran over and picked it up. Straightening herself, she cleared her throat. "Gentlemen, this is our sample product. Please go ahead and take a look. Open it if you wish, it's your soda! Ha ha ha…" Rin forced a laugh at her own lame joke.
She passed it to Mr. Dill and then before Rin could give him a last minute warning he popped it open. And 'pop' indeed, the whole can exploded into his stunned, porky face.
"SHIT!" Rin accidentally slipped into her native tongue. "I mean…sorry!" She quickly amended.
Mr. Dill, soaked and humiliated, glared at her with beady eyes. Rin resisted the temptation to back off. She cringed and squeaked out a few sorries before grabbing her bag and fleeing out of the conference room.
Screwing her eyes shut in the elevator, she wished that it was all just a horrible nightmare. Unfortunately for her it was all too real.
'What am I going to do? I'm going to be fired!'
Rin slumped over onto the airport bar table.
"Another shot please." She slurred to the bartender.
"Christ, lady, that's your fifth!" Nevertheless he acquiesced, slapping another shooter of citrus vodka in front of the hazy-eyed Rin. She knocked it back almost immediately, and the bartender winced. That was the strongest drink they had, and grown men fainted by the third glass. Not this petite Asian girl.
An air stewardess who was sitting beside her patted Rin on the back and tried to sooth the sobbing woman. Rin gave her a brief glance before bursting into tears all over again.
"Now now, don't cry…"
"I poured fucking soda all over the BOSS!" Rin wailed in self-disbelief. "Jaken is going to kill me once he finds out, he hates me already. Boo hoo!"
The stewardess nodded in complete understanding. It was her lifetime dream to become a counselor and this girl was triggering the motherly agony aunt inside her.
"What flight are you taking?"
"Huh…? Oh. Erm. NW424, I think."
"Oh! That's my flight! Tell you what." Her high voice turned into a soft, conspiring whisper. "What class are you taking?"
"Uh…Economy." Came the confused reply.
"Well, I can sneak you into the First Class! For no upgrade fee. That will make you feel much better."
Rin gaped at her in disbelief, and then nodded dumbly. Her second time on the plane and voila! First Class!
"Yes! Yes, thank you very much!" The thought of expansive, soft chairs and best service cheered her up considerably.
However her good spirits died down when Rin clambered on board with her rattling suitcase. She thought about the messy firing she was going to get when she got home. Her Dad would be so disappointed, he had encouraged her and funded her to go to college, and this was how she repaid him. Since her stepmother's death (that was the second time she lost a mother), Rin's father was down in the dumps, putting all his hope on his only child. But Jaken was no understanding supervisor. Rin imagined his froggy face twisted in a permanent smirk and groaned in her seat. The man beside her barely looked up from his Blackberry.
She sunk in lower, submerged in self-pity for a moment. Then almost immediately after, Rin slapped her two cheeks and straightened her back. She will not be daunted by this unexpected incident! Accidents happen, Rin, so don't sulk! Sulking is bad! Especially when you are in the first class seat!
So she thought about happy thoughts until she drifted off into a deep sleep.
Waking up around 9 hours to the flight, she stretched and yawned. The guy next to her still had not left his laptop. Rin marveled at his stamina and then staggered over to the bathroom, toilet bag in hand. She looked at her bloodshot, sunken eyes in the mirror and growled under her breath. Turning on the tap full blast, she splashed freezing water onto her face and yelped at the shock. After toweling dry, she felt much better.
However, she had a horrible nauseated feeling because of the alcohol she had consumed before. Emerging from the stuffy toilet she walked over to the stewardess and said sheepishly, "Could you please give me some warm water? I have a slight hangover."
The motherly instincts kicked back and the pretty lady reassured Rin. "Don't worry. I know just the thing to make you feel better."
Thanking her profusely, she went back to her seat. Just then the captain announced some turbulence problem in the plane, so Rin quickly clipped on her seat belt. The Laptop Man calmly finished whatever he was doing and snapped the Blackberry shut.
A few minutes later the air stewardess arrived with a fruity drink in her hand. She smiled and gave it to Rin, who accepted it graciously. "This is Emetrol. It tastes like juice, and it's a miracle for hangovers. I've added crushed Vitamin B inside. Enjoy!" She explained.
Rin greatfully sipped the refreshing brew in her hand, but luck was not on her side. The plane suddenly gave a frightening jolt and the liquid flew out of her drink and plopped onto the lap of Laptop Man. No pun intended. Rin stuttered apologies and hurriedly reached over to clean it up with the only piece of cloth she could find—her scarf. The man raised a single eyebrow as she continued rubbing his—
"OH SHIT!" This was the second time she shrieked that in Japanese. Her hands flung off his black pants—most probably Armani—like she burnt herself. The rest of the passengers gave her a brief glance and shook their heads. "Oh. I mean sorry! Er…for spilling and erm…touching your…uh…"
The man dispassionately remarked in perfect Japanese, "Oh, so you mean that wasn't on purpose. How disappointing."
Rin flushed. Not only was this guy Japanese (he definitely understood her expletive), he was mocking her!
"Well I'm really sorry okay? I'll pay for your dry-cleaning bills. And I definitely didn't do it on purpose!" She fired back in her mother language.
"It's alright. And by the way, here's your…scarf." He handed her the dripping, ruined silk. Now thoroughly embarrassed, she snatched it back and stuffed it into her briefcase, perfectly aware of the pair of amused amber eyes that followed her every move.
"ARGH! Will you stop staring!" Rin exploded. The other passengers hid under their blankets/newspapers/earphones. The man coolly shrugged, stood up and took out a dry pair of trousers from his case. He proceeded to the bathroom. Rin felt horribly guilty immediately. She watched his tall strong frame enter the toilet and for the first time Rin actually noticed his looks. He was beautifully handsome, long silver hair in a low ponytail. His face looked like the gods sculpted it personally.
But he was downright arrogant, Rin decided, as she tried not to meet his eyes when he came back. Her face turned puce red when she recalled the scarf incident. This time, she didn't notice his ghost of a smirk.
That's it folks! Please read and review, thanks for dropping by! The next chapter will be up…soon…I hope.