Ghost Story – Chapter 4: Rest

(Disclaimer: see prologue)

POV: Kagome

-

"Would you like some tea?"

"I would like to leave—"

"Ooh I make excellent rice balls! How's that?"

"I gotta go—"

"Do you like miso soup? Because I'm good at making that too!"

"IT'S FINE. I've got somewhere to be—"

Rin was moving around the kitchen so fast she was almost a blur. She kept throwing different sorts of food orders at me.

Poor me, trapped on this cushion at the table. I didn't even want to be here. This was the fucking bitch who had the nerve to fall in love with my Sesshoumaru!!

I was about to stand up when a plate of teriyaki, rice balls, and unagi (A/N: eel) was set infront of me, including a cup of tea.

Rin sat down across from me and clasped her hands together. "Shall we eat then?" My stomach growled. When you're dead, there's no use for eating. You're just not hungry and you don't need the nutrients.

But I was alive again and I was hungry like hell. I picked up my chopsticks and ate glumly, not saying a word.

It had really happened too fast. Rin had knocked me down infront of the market, insisted (or forced) that I go to her apartment, hailed a taxi, dragged me in, and now here I was.

Her apartment was small but cozy compared to outside. She had a living room with a fireplace and a fair sized tv. There was a Christmas tree near the window and a bunch of presents around it. Her window had a view of the bright city since she lived on the top floor.

She had one bedroom, which she showed me earlier. She had a twin-sized bed with white sheets on it. There was a walk-in closet and a vanity with a collection of lip-gloss and two sets of make-up.

On her side table was a lampshade and a framed photograph of Rin and Sesshoumaru posing infront of their university.

As I drank my tea I thought back to that picture. Rin was making the peace sign with her fingers and Sesshoumaru had an arm wrapped around her waist, his free hand in his pocket.

He was merely smirking at the camera. That one thing cheered me up just by a little. In the photographs we took together, Sesshoumaru had the kindest smile ever. You rarely see that now. I guess Rin couldn't fully replace me.

"… so then I adopted the puppy and gave it to the little girl. She was so adorable!!" I was hardly aware that Rin was talking.

Her stories were often about helping others and pointless shit like that. Geeze, do I CARE how much she donates to the children's orphanage?!

I noticed it was quiet. I looked at Rin and she was just smiling back at me. "… What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Did the twit find something amusing on my face?

"Well I was wondering, Kyoko-san.." she began, twisting her delicate fingers. I put down my chopsticks and sighed. "Spit it out already," I said, adding a glare.

"Uh… would you like to be my roommate?"

-

POV: Sesshoumaru

I heard the phone ring and hardly looked up from my book. The intercom beside me made a crackling sound and one of the servant's voices came.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, you have a call."

I pressed the button. "Who is it?" I kept my eyes on the lines of my book.

"It's Sakamoto-san." I put the book down and picked up the phone. "Rin," I said. Her cheery voice greeted me back. "Sesshou-kun! I was wondering if you'd like to come over tonight."

I smiled. "I would love to. May I ask of the occasion?" She giggled on the other line. "I got a new roommate! You have to meet her! She's adorable. Her name is Kyoko Hirayami."

Ah so that's what this was about. "Alright. I'll be there soon."

"Oh ok! I'll see you then. Love you, Sesshou-kun!"

"You too." I hung up and walked over to my closet. It was about time Rin found a roommate. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable with her staying by herself. If anything happened, no one would be around to help but me.

I put on my jacket. Of course Rin and I would stay in our dorms during school but it was Christmas break. So far I had gotten Rin two presents. It didn't seem enough though. She deserved so much more.

Maybe this roommate of hers was a present as well.

-

POV: Rin Sakamoto

I threw open the hall closet and pulled out an extra comforter. "Now Kyoko-chan, are you alright with sleeping in the futon?" I called out.

Kyoko was still in the kitchen, finishing up her tea. "Fine," was her monotone answer. I smiled. She was too cute. I went over to the living room and unfolded the couch. It was a comfy futon that I only used when I held a slumber party.

I put the comforter and a bunch of pillows so she'd be comfortable. "Hey Kyoko-chan I'm gonna go Christmas gift shopping tomorrow. Why don't you come along?" I didn't get a reply.

"Kyoko-chan?" I went over to the kitchen. She was washing the dishes, the sweet thing. "Oh Kyoko-chan you don't have to!" I walked towards her.

She ignored me and kept scrubbing. She seemed intent on doing this so I left her to fix up her bed.

-

An hour later I was sitting on the finished futon. Kyoko was putting on her shoes. "Where are you going this late?" I asked.

She gave me a look. "I'm going to my mansi—my house. Just pick up some clothes." I nodded. "Ah ok. Should I stay up and—"

"Don't wait up." The door slammed and I heard her faint footsteps walk away. "I guess Sesshou-kun will have to wait then…"

-

POV: Kagome

I wasn't going back. I was going to the temple. I will hide there and never see Rin again, as I will never see Inuyasha.

It was late and I was beginning to get tired. My muscles ached and I stumbled slightly. I needed rest or my body would completely shut down.

I was merely a block away from Rin's apartment and the temple was far away. I couldn't get to the mansion either, seeing as it was STILL on the damned hill.

Oh Kami. I need to rest. I let my body fall on the ground and I stared at the road. Maybe I should've finished my food.

-

POV: Sesshoumaru

I stared out the window of my limo as we drove towards Rin's apartment. I would have to make sure Rin's roommate was reliable. Rin couldn't live with just anyone.

I had offered many times that she come and live at the manor but she always refused. She was just so modest. I noticed all of the things on Rin's street. There were so many stray animals and homeless humans.

Most of them were digging in trashcans or hiding in a box. One of them was merely lying on the sidewalk, perhaps awaiting their death.

How pathetic.