Hey guys! I'm back.

I'm so sorry. It must be a month since I last updated . But I had to prepare for my tests and... I'm too lazy, aren't I? What's more, I decided to rewrite this because I don't feel like letting it go too fast. So you may find it different from what I said about it in last chapter. It may take place in later ones then. Hope you'll enjoy it. And please don't hate me!

April rain

Chapter 3 :

"To me the meanest flower that blows can give

Thoughts that often lie too deep for tears."

(William Wordsworth)

"She's in the garden, my Lord.", said a servant while bowing towards him.

Sesshoumaru nodded for her to leave and made his way to the garden though the low bushes and wild roses. The small path paved with white pebbles led to a clearing in the shadow of tress. A sweet fragrance rose from the grasses. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes lightly and let himself relax in the peaceful aura. It was late in the morning and the sun was shining brightly. But the garden, with all the trees and bushes, has made it a soft emerald light. The leaves reflected in the stone basins and ponds brightened miraculously, making it look like pure crystal.

"Ani, I miss you so much!". A cheery voice greeted him, followed by a big hug.

"I miss you too, Rin."

He looked at the little girl and gave a rare warm smile. She was so innocent and sweet, like an angel.

The girl named Rin dragged him towards the round stone table under the foliage of an oak tree. The large oak tree, whose trunk, with a huge spread of bough and foliage, ragged with age stood in a corner of the garden. She must have been drinking tea and playing with her dolls when he came. A silver tea set can be seen beside a small tray of toasted teacake.

"Wanna have a cup of tea? Well, which one ..."

"It's okay. I'm not thirsty . "

"Just a cup.", she pleaded, "You'll like it. Here I have herb tea, mint tea, ..."

"You spend the whole morning on tea?"

"Nah, it's my new hobby. So I think it's chamomile tea then." She waved her hand at a nearby servant.

Seating himself on a white chair, he picked up a piece of cake and put in his mouth. Rin always had strange hobbies. He still remembered once she insisted on decorating the mansion like a doll's house with climbing rose on the walls and the garden like a mini forest from a fairy tale on her birthday. Still she was his beloved sister, the only one he truly cared for beside his late mother. He didn't stay here, though. Nor did the other members of the family including his father and ... his brother, of course. So after his mother passed away, this became Rin's place.

He often came here when he wanted a peaceful time. It was not that he didn't love her. He was rather busy with his life, but he never forgot to visit her. It was just... he always had the feeling that he wanted to escape his life. It was only here that he could really relax and find his true self.

"Ani! Come here! I want to show you this."

An excited voice brought him back to reality. His sister was calling him from somewhere close to a pond. He sighed, stood up and walked towards her. As he went along, there were more, and yet more of a small flowers. At last, under the boughs of the trees, he saw there was a belt of daffodils around the edge. They grew among the mossy stones about them, resting their head on the stones as on a pillow. Some tossed, and reeled as if they merrily danced with the wind.

"They are in full bloom. So beautiful, ne? I've never seen daffodils so beautiful before."

"Yes, they're very beautiful. But not as adorable as you."

"You're teasing me! " Rin sulked. Suddenly, she turned to ask: "Are you getting married?"

" You can say so." He replied , seeming calm and uncaring, though why she asked was out of the blue to him.

"So what's she like?"

"Who?"

"You know what I mean. "

"I don't know." He answered truthfully. After all, he didn't know much about the girl.

Rin raised her eyes to stare at her brother confusedly. She wasn't satisfied with the answer she got, but decided not to ask more. She just wanted to know one thing, to be sure...

"Are you happy?"

Silence... Then he said: "Everything is arranged."

"Huh?"

"Alright, Rin. I must leave now."

"But..."

"Be a good girl. I'll visit you soon, okay?"

She nodded and hugged her brother before letting him go reluctantly.

Kagome glanced at her watch lazily. She must have been chatting nonsense with the woman named Kagura for at least one hour. Sometimes she couldn't understand why women who didn't know each other well could talk freely as if they were best friends once it concerned shopping and man. This time it was man. She couldn't deny that he was rather good-looking. And according to this Kagura, he might be a perfect man too, though she doubted it. She might not know him well, but the fact that he had left her here without an acceptable reason could prove how impolite he was.

"Do you know where he went?"

"No. But I think he went to visit his younger sister, Rin."

"He has a sister?"

"Yes, a sister and a brother. You must see Rin, she's very cute."

"I see. But do you really think he visited her? I would believe it more if you said he visited a secret girlfriend."

"No, I'm pretty positive that he doesn't have one though it would be fun if he had.", Kagura then eyed her suspiciously and lowered her voice secretively , "Are you jealous?"

This thought made Kagome jump out of her skin. "No, I'm not."

"So why do you care?"

"I... I don't care. I am just ,um, curious. "

"Is that so?"

"Yes, that's all." She answered quickly, wondering if secretaries were always so nosy.

Silence...

It was an uncomfortably silence when Kagome sat uneasily under the gaze of the man in front of her. She had tried to explain the situation to him, asked if he could help her get out of this mess, and now she was waiting hopefully for his answer.

Five minutes passed...

"I refused."

The answer was brief and clear, but it took two minutes to sink in. Her eyes went wide in shock.

"I don't understand."

"I thought it was very clear. I refused."

"But... I think you don't want to marry me?"

"No, I don't."

Puzzled by his reply, Kagome didn't know how to react. It didn't make sense. This man, whatever he had in mind, must be crazy.

Like it? Hate it? Whatever, I'm too tired to continue. Wait till next time.

And please tell me how do you want the story to develop? Romantic? Humor? Or a bit dramatic? A love triangle? If you don't, I will make it myself. Don't complain then!

Bye!