Chapter 2: Inquisition

"Isuzu-chan, can I come in?" a girlish voice asked from behind the door. Not receiving an answer after a few minutes of waiting the other girl made her decision and pushed back the sliding door.

The occupant in the room had her back turned towards her as she faced the mirror busying herself with brushing her hair. She meticulously tended to the task at hand; carefully she untangled her long wet black locks. She was dressed in a blue bathrobe with a towel draped over her shoulder.

"Ne didn't you hear me calling you?" Kagura asked her a little annoyed.

"Kagura..." was all she said.

"Anyways, want to go out shopping? You've been cooped up in your room for over a week since you got back from the hospital" she started.

"Um…I was thinking maybe we could get together with Tohru-kun and the boys and …" she continued.

"No, thanks. I have other plans for this evening" Rin said interrupting Kagura.

"Oh, too bad I would have loved to introduce you to Tohru-kun…I'm sure you two would be---"

"Great friend?' she completed the sentence once again interrupting her cousin.

"Somehow I doubt that" she smirked.

"Ne Kagura-chan if you don't mind I have to get dress but thanks for the thought maybe next time" she added forcing a smile.

"Ah it's ok. Maybe some other time…well, have fun!" she waved sliding the door behind her.

It took her most of her effort to control the anger that was building up in her. She's been back only a week and all she's heard around the Honke is this mysterious and wonderful Tohru Honda and the most amazing part of it all, Shigure had taken her in his house. Apparently the jyunnishi were pretty enamored with this kind-hearted girl that was the talk of their small circle. This and a few other things had prompted her to go seek out Shigure shortly after her release from the hospital.

She didn't want to get involve but she couldn't help but feel bitter that he hadn't bother to contact her. Fine if he wouldn't come to her she'll go to him. Even if it meant sneaking out of the Sohma's complex to do so. She needed answers to the questions that have hunted her since the incident with Akito. Why did it happen in the first place? What were all those mysterious meetings with Akito about? And now this affair of Honda Tohru who was a complete stranger living in Shigure's house with Akito's 'blessing'.

She stared back at her reflection in the mirror. She tilted her head slightly revealing the mark on her neck. His hands had done that to her. No it wasn't what it appeared to be. He could be so brutal with his words yet when on those rare occasion he'd reach out to touch her he never failed to leave her wanting more of his gentle caresses.

No one made her feel the way he did not even him.

But damn him! Why did he have to shut her out and be so cruel with his words.

'Oh Rin come in' he had said casually as if welcoming a stray dog off the street.

'It's been a long time haven't it?' he continued

'Gure'nii …I broke your window…' she interrupted.

'Oh..' he said pensively

'Is that all you have to say?' she shouted.

Something in her was breaking; she couldn't stand it any more; their silence…but most of all she couldn't bare his indifference. Because in her mind, now there was no one but him. She slowly reached out for his shoulders and borrowed her face against his back.

'Say something more, damn it! Anything!' she implored.

'Rin-chan…there are others …' he continued in his bland tone.

'I don't care' she stated bluntly.

'Don't you understand why I'm here?' she continued.

Shigure give an exaggerated sigh and slowly turned around to look at her.

'I see you still retain your childish ways' he said

' You come to me with all these questions and somehow you expect me to hand you the answers?' he continued.

He reached out slowly with both hands wrapping them around the crook of her neck.

'Do I look like such a great person to you? ' He asked with a grim sarcastic expression on his handsome face. She stood silent simply staring back at him with those defiant dark eyes that marked her stubborn nature.

'You're so annoying' he said tracing his hand down the soft curve of her delicate throat.

'Silly girl' he said slowly lowering his lips to her neck.

"If you know it's futile why do you bother?' he asked as he moved his soft warm lips up along her jaw line leaving small butterfly-like kisses along the way.

'I…I want to know why he's so important to you' she said trying hard not to lose herself in his assault.

'No, what you really want is something else, ne?" He paused momentarily before capturing her lips with his.

Notes: just to Clarify Isuzu is Rin's real name and Kagura so far tend to refer to her as such. Others including Gure call her Rin or Rin-chan. I kinda prefer Rin since Isuzu is a crappy car model :P oh and the dialogue is a modification from chap 53 of the manga. The speech content is similar although I added a few other things.

TO BE CONTINUED