Author's Notes: Hi everyone! You didn't expect to see me ever again, right? I really didn't expect to update, but I felt so guilty that I haven't updated for so long. I think it has been about five months since I last updated?! Wow! That's a long time! Anyways enjoy!
Disclaimer: To own Inuyasha or to not own Inuyasha: that is the question. Answer: I don't!
Title: Fragile Heart
Chapter 9: Confusion and Suspicion
[beep] [beep] [beep]
Baka alarm clock, Rin thought, groggily hitting the snooze button and falling back on the bed. I was having such a nice dream too…
A midnight black sky filled with glittering stars pervaded her dreams. Underneath the heavens were two mortals, dancing away into the night. They danced into oblivion.
Sesshoumaru was holding her tightly, pulling her even closer even though it would never be close enough… for both of them. Feelings of safety and security came to her in a flood. She lifted her head gently off his shoulder and gazed deeply into his golden eyes. Normally cold and indifferent eyes stared back into her endless pools, which reflected a love as deep as an ocean. Then, almost unexpectedly, Sesshoumaru drew close and kissed her senseless.
Rin sighed, snuggling into her pillow. Had that really been just a dream… or did it really happen? Rin sighed dreamily again. Sesshoumaru…
With hooded eyes, Rin lazily glanced at her alarm clock.
Her eyes grew wide. She quickly sat up and rubbed her eyes furiously, making sure that what she was seeing was not a hallucination. Her eyes grew yet again, before she screamed…
"AHHH!!! I'M LATE FOR WORK!!!"
"WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE WAKE ME UP?!" Rin yelled, as she was running down the stairs.
I know I'm being childish, and it really is my responsibility, but… WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE WAKE ME UP?!
When she reached the door, she yelled back, "Gotta go! I'll see you after work!" Rin was just about to open the door, when a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Rin," Kagome said from behind her. Her voice was filled with worry, concern, and… confusion. "Please stay a little while. Inuyasha…" Kagome stared at her husband. He still held his chopsticks with one hand just halfway from his open mouth, which was likely to catch flies. His gaze was riveted on the newspaper in his hand. "…and I would like to speak to you about something," finished Kagome.
"What is it?" Rin asked. Kagome's worry was contagious, and Rin feared what she had to say her. She sat down on the couch, as Kagome sat from across her.
"Rin, last night… were you with a man named Sesshoumaru?
Out of the corners of her eyes, Rin saw Inuyasha flinch at the name. Hesitantly, Rin said, "Y – Yes. He's my boss, and he asked me to go with him to the party. "
"NANI?!" Inuyasha yelled, stomping towards the pair. "ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU WORK FOR THAT EVIL, ARROGRANT – "
"What Inuyasha is trying to say is… Sesshoumaru is a very dangerous man." Rin wanted to protest, but Kagome held up a hand to silence her. "When is your internship going to end?"
"At least half a year or so," replied Rin with a frown. What is it about Sesshoumaru that they know, when I don't.
Kagome sighed, massaging her temples. "This is bad. Anything can happen in six months," Kagome sighed again.
"Kagome… Inuyasha… What is it about Sesshoumaru that you wouldn't approve of?" Rin was confused, but she also felt dejected. What's wrong with Sesshoumaru? Granted he looks cold on the outside, but that's not how he really is.
"Rin…" Kagome could tell that the subject was disturbing her greatly, so she decided to end it. "Rin, just promise me that you will be careful when you're around him. If possible, avoid him at all costs." Kagome glanced at the clock. "Now, you have to get going. You don't want to be too late," Kagome said, ushering her out the door.
"NANI?! YOU'RE LETTING HER GO TO HIM?! AFTER ALL HE'S DONE?!"
Rin left the shrine feeling confused and forlorn. What did Sesshoumaru do to Inuyasha and Kagome?
Rin was still thinking about what happened earlier. She didn't even notice a very worried Sango walk up to her. Rin blinked, "Nani?"
"Rin, where were you? Why are you so late?"
Rin gave Sango a timid smile. "Gomen, Sango, demo… I overslept today."
"This isn't good," Sango said nervously. "Brain was late a couple of days ago too."
At the mention of Brain's name, Rin listened carefully. "What about him?"
"Well, on your first day at work, Brain went out. I think for lunch," Sango added. "Anyways, he came back way later after lunch break, holding onto his stomach. It looked like he was beaten up pretty badly. Sesshoumaru-sama told him to step into his office, and the next thing we knew: He was packing his things. Apparently, Sesshoumaru-sama fired him."
"Why?" Rin asked, although she had a pretty good idea.
Was it because of what he did to me back at the mall?
"No one knows."
Sango looked at Rin and saw how worried she looked. Misinterpreting her look, Sango tried reassuring her. "But don't worry about it Rin. Sesshoumaru-sama won't fire you, especially not after what happened last night. I'm sure it was a very tiring experience," Sango said. Her earlier frown was replaced with a huge grin.
Rin blushed and feigned ignorance. "I – I – don't know what you're talking about," Rin said, nervously. How did she know? For that matter, how did Inuyasha and Kagome know?
"Well…" Sango started. The grin was still plastered on her face. She turned and took a newspaper from a group of equally "Sango grinning" women surrounding them.
Where did all these people come from? Rin thought. And why are they smiling like that?!
Sango held the newspaper in front of her for Rin to see. "Pictures don't lie."
Rin turned five shades of red. The front cover read Billionaire Bachelor Sesshoumaru Seduces Innocent Virgin?! Followed by pictures of none other than herself and Sesshoumaru… on the beach… dancing… and then kissing…
Giggles could be heard all around, and Rin was too red to be considered healthy.
"So…" Sango said cockily. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Before Rin could embarrass herself further by stuttering, she was saved by a man's voice. "Excuse me, but are you Miss Rin Higurashi?"
"Yes, I am."
"Here you go – a dozen red roses. Sign here please."
The man left, leaving a bewildered Rin behind. Roses? Who would send me roses? Rin found a card and read it. There was only one simple sentence written on it. I'll never leave you. Her eyes grew wide. Sesshoumaru?
Someone cleared their throat behind them. "Shouldn't all of you be getting back to work?"
Everyone turned to see…
…the indifferent face of Sesshoumaru. They got back to their desks without another word, leaving Rin to stand in front of the stoic Sesshoumaru. "Rin, come with me."
Rin trailed behind him, still holding the flowers and nervously wondering where he was going to take her.
A spacious, beautiful room greeted her eyes as Rin stepped into Sesshoumaru's office for the first time. Nearly half of the room was encased by large windows, over looking the beautiful city of Tokyo. His desk, with neatly stacked files and papers, was situated in front of the windows in the middle of the room. To the left, a bar could be seen with shelves of the finest wine money could buy. On the right, there was a sitting room furnished with three black, leather couches and a small desk.
His office looks nice, but it lacks… life to it, Rin thought. The light from the windows bring some life to the room, but it's still missing something. Maybe some plants… or perhaps some flowers…
Hearing the door close, Rin stopped her examination of the room. Eager to get the whole ordeal over with, Rin asked, "Is there something you want to speak to me about Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Yes, there is something. Have a seat," Sesshoumaru said, gesturing to the seat in front of his chair.
Anxiously, Rin sat and waited for him to continue as he sat down as well.
"As you have learned from the meeting, I plan to take a trip to Hong Kong as soon as possible. I will most likely leave this afternoon. I also plan to take Shippo, Miroku, and Asakura with me on this trip. As an intern, you are also allowed to come with me."
Rin stared at Sesshoumaru gaping.
"I understand that this is short notice, so I will not hold it against you should you choose not to come. However…" Sesshoumaru eyed Rin carefully. "I assure you: It will be an enriching experience."
For both of us, Sesshoumaru thought.
"Will you come?"
IS HE JOKING?! Why would I miss this chance of a lifetime?! OF COURSE, I'M GOING! Before Rin had a chance to say something along the lines of "Hell, yes!" she thought about what Kagome said to her earlier.
Sesshoumaru is a very dangerous man, Rin…
…be careful when you're around him…
…avoid him at all costs.
Rin bit her lip worriedly. Kagome must have some very good reasons for me to avoid Sesshoumaru, but… Rin looked up at Sesshoumaru, who was still waiting for an answer. She looked straight into his eyes. …why would he save me from Brain then? Was he just trying to gain my trust? Ugh! This is so confusing! Rin mentally shook her head. The bottom line is this: This is a chance of a lifetime. I will go. I have to go. Besides if Sesshoumaru really is dangerous, he wouldn't do anything to me with everyone else here…
Rin nodded and said, "Hai. I will go."
"Good. We will meet at the airport. Depending upon the situation, we might be there for over a month. You should go home and start packing now," Sesshoumaru said, indicating the door thus signaling the end of their discussion.
Rin rose and was just about to leave before she realized that she still had the roses. Suddenly feeling sad, Rin placed them on Sesshoumaru's desk. I shouldn't keep these. It feels so wrong for me to keep them when I suspect him.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, I'm sorry, but I think you should take these back…" Hesitantly, Rin added, "I cannot accept them."
I cannot accept your love, Rin thought, holding back tears for rejecting him… for things that could have been.
Sesshoumaru looked up at Rin and then at the roses themselves. Slowly, Sesshoumaru looked up at Rin again. Without a hint of emotion in his voice or a shadow on his face, he said, "I never gave you red roses."
Well, that's it for now. I actually planned to write more, but then that would take even longer for me to update. Till next time!
P.S. If you want to check the status on my stories, look at my "Profile Page." Just click on Angel64 in blue near the top right hand corner.
P.S.S. Does anyone know if the profile page supports html format? I don't know how to make some letter look bold, centered, etc. Can anyone help me?
Sess/Rin Story Recommendations:
Soul Mates by Shadow Heart
Story ID #: 1548667
Summary: There are some sexual references in this story, but it's not extremely descriptive. This story has some very interesting and original ideas, and some parts are very detailed. The second chapter ends with a startling discovery, but you'll just have to read to find out!
Kuro Neko-Sama's Fanfiction [Lemon]
Website Info: This is a great website for Sess/Rin fans, but be warned: all of these stories are lemons, which means they contain sexual content. There are some Inu/Kag and Mir/San fics there as well. There are lots of pictures based and not based on the stories. I know Kuro Neko-sama has an account in Fanfiction.Net (penname: KuroNeko-Sama2), so go to her profile page and click on her homepage website. (For some reason I can't post the web address here.) The stories posted at FF.Net do not contain sexual content.
Demon Nature [Lemon]
(Thank-you, Karasu, for giving me the website for this fic. I did read this story on Adultfanfiction.Net once, but the author never finished posting.)
Website Info: To go to this website, go to the review page for Fragile Heart. Find the review Karasu posted for Chapter 7, and you should see the website there (remember to put "www"). Once you go to this website, there will be a Sess/Rin story there called Demon Nature. It gives us a somewhat dark version of Sesshoumaru and Rin. It deals with Sesshoumaru trying to secure lands for his children by defeating other lords. It's a power struggle mixed in with politics and some Sess/Rin romance. It's not as sappy as my fanfic, and it's a very good story.
Review Responses:
Aj-sama One set of those eyes belonged to the newspaper reporter who wrote that story… and that's all I'm going to say for now!
MintlovesSR I just wanted to say that you've been an awesome reviewer. I loved getting your emails and reviews. By the way when I received your "Chinese email" it came out in weird letters like what happened with the review.
LSR-7 I'm glad someone noticed. I was trying to hint that the two pairs of eyes were actually Inuyasha and Kagome, but they're not!
inuflames Sorry for my late update! I guess I should be thankful that I'm still alive. Sorry again, but I don't think I will write a lemon for this story. I just… [blush] …can't write a lemon. [blush] I wouldn't know… where to… start. [Rin's definitely-not- healthy blush]
kirayasha aka kira Thank-you for asking. Yes, my grandmother is a lot better now. She is kind of lonely though, because she just moved to this new place that feels like a nursing home to her.
Super Buu I probably wouldn't delete my fanfic. When I posted that on the Author's Note of my first chapter, I suppose I was still young. Back then, I was so worried that no one would review at all, so that's why it's up there.
Shadow Heart Yup, I agree. I can't believe how bad some of these fanfics are with their grammar and everything. By the way, I not in college yet, but I will be in a couple more months. I'm still a senior in high school.
Lady Youkai I know. Even I hate it when people start asking for reviews (well, unless they ask nicely and they deserve it), but what can I say: I was young. This was my first fanfic, and I was worried no one would like it.
milacute04 The only reason that some people reviewed for chapter 9 is because I deleted my Author's Note for chapter 8. Since FF.Net didn't want a whole chapter based on an Author's Note (they would delete the story), I had to take it off. Don't worry! You didn't miss anything!
Dreaming One Sesshoumaru waited until Rin was reborn, but Inuyasha went with Kagome to the future. He also became human for her. Miroku and Sango got married, had kids, and died. They are reborn in my story. As for Shippo, I'm still thinking about how he met up with Sesshoumaru.
JadeGoddess Half right…
Thank-you to all who reviewed!
Please don't be offended if I don't post your penname or respond to your review. If I respond to everyone, it would probably take up too much space. Gomen!
