Disclaimers on everything that isn't mine, especially this Anime!
The Beginning,
By winterwing3000
"Rin! Breakfast!" Ayame shouted down the hallway into the rooms.
"Coming!" Rin shouted back, tying the sash and sped out the door. Her wool shirt nearly tangled her legs as she busily straightened out her black cashmere sweater. Silence raced after her and had ended up in the kitchen before her owner, jumping into Ayame's lap. The red head giggled and smoothed down the hair between its head.
"I'm going to be late! Ah, thanks for breakfast Ayame!" the secretary rushed over to her cream cheesed bagel and picked up with her thermo of hot red tea.
"Ja! Be good Silence!"
"See ya!" Ayame replied, the husky barked.
"Mr. Kawazaki, you have a meeting in twenty minutes with Dr. Kiba. Would you like me to accompany you to the meeting sir?" Rin asked into the speaker that connected her boss while busily shuffling some piles of papers here and there, organizing the schedule and signing some unimportant contracts that her boss didn't need to brief over.
"Iie, you do not have to. You may remain in your office or take a two-hour break. Cancel all my meetings tomorrow. I'm taking a vacation to spend some family time. Arigatou Rin-san." A young baritone voice told her.
"Hai! Have a good day sir!" she said happily, scratching off the prepared notes and scribbled down a reminder to call the workers. Life was good… at a point. Her old boss was fired since they found him importing false subsistence and placing them on stock and the new Vice CEO was like a father to her. Her salary had increased by 5.6 percent, bringing her whole pay into a couple hundred thousands per two months.
Her roommate and old high school friend was having a steady relationship with her boyfriend… Kouga or whatnot, and is always trying to hook her up, not that she minded dating now and then… but they seem to be more after her money than love when they learnt that she had such a high position in the company.
And… the down sides… the dreams. They were so… so… vivid, so real to the mind's eye. She felt her dream twin's pains, her dream twin's wet cheeks, and her dream twin's happiness. It was so awkward to have a dream of her… past when it never happened. Claws digging into her flesh, fangs sinking into her skin… they were so inartificial… but these were just horror fantasies conjured by her mind, were they not?
Anyways, the stalker had stopped, but the eyes…
Shivering in her seat, Rin fisted her hands on her lap. They were everywhere. In her sleep, in her bedroom, in the house, heck even at her work place. It was as if they can't stop staring at her, digging deep into her.
Standing up, she stretched her back muscles and legs, cramped up from the entire time of sitting in the cushiony seat. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about these things…
Picking up her empty mug, Rin headed down to the lounge, suddenly wanting some nice soothing tea, maybe even a early lunch. Nearing the door, she gripped the handle when she heard a loud beep! From the microwave inside and a plume of hot air coming from the door. Soon a hard wave from within the room knocked her off her feet and threw her against some office walls, flames dangerously dancing around the corridor, which quickly spread the fire. The fire alarms blared and screams erupted from the whole floor.
Debris fell heavily as the sprinklers desperately swirled to unleash the water to tame the racing fire. Smog and smoke entered her lungs as she hyperventilated when her mind reeled in another 'flash bang' from her so-called mysterious past.
Diligently, Rin stirred the cooking stew while a beautiful woman, most likely a mother, told her that she would be taking a small rest in the living room. Rin only nodded and returned her attention to the boiling pot.
Bubbles popped and steam billowed thickly, the mixture reacting like a lava volcano to the heat of the stove. Rin took a quick sniff and nodded her head, figuring that it would be done soon enough but not quite right. It was missing something… onions.
Rin walked over to the cabinets and hopped up the propping stool, since she can't reach the wicker basket holding the vegetable and took the basket down, picking out a few small onions and went over to the sink. Scrubbing them in cold water, she peeled the thin skin and picked up a cutting knife, slicing the onion into large teardrop shapes. When she was nearly finished, Rin smelt something burning… like meat and over cooked potatoes…
Honey-brown eyes widening, the girl turned her head to the stove and dropped the onion slices from her hands. Rin picked up a wet towel from the counter in case and went quickly to the stove, turning off the fire but the smoke logged into the whole kitchen, smoking up the place.
Coughing, she covered her mouth as she fanned the smoke, only in succeeding to make it thicker.
With her eyes watering and her body shaking from the lack of pure oxygen, Rin took a few steps backwards and stumbled to the floor, knocking the breath out of her. She heard someone screaming her name and heard the voice ordering someone to save her…
Suddenly two strong arms grabbed her waist and drew them to the body, speeding out the kitchen with inhumane speed. There was ruckus in the background as she heard sirens and splashes of water. Choking on her breath, Rin felt strong arms carrying her and placed her on the couch, tilting her head back to breath easier.
Finally, regaining control over her troubled breathing, Rin opened her eyes and peered into dark honey colored eyes, which reflected nothing but coldness… but was that… concern at the corners of his eyes?
"Arigatou Teishu…" Rin mumbled and gave a quick kiss on his cheek, a sign of gratefulness.
"Hn… be cautious next time… I will not always be there to protect you." Her husband replied, walking away…
Rin just sat there, watching with terrified eyes as they flickered in her brown orbs. Panic gripped her heart… no one's going to save her… she's going to die… and she won't be able to see… him again… but why did she want to? White blinded her vision soon and a young woman, a bit older than her, grabbed hold of her arms and chanted a spell, teleporting them away from the burning utopia.
The only word that came to her mind was Miko and Rin passed out from consciousness.
"SHE WHAT!" Sesshomaru raged, eyes turning dark crimson when he slammed his hands onto his study table, smashing the wood piece in half. Shippo, standing a long aways from the dog demon now, winced and was glad that it wasn't his neck being snapped in half.
"Oi, don't kill the messenger! I'm just doing my job but I can't exactly follow a miko who drives at over 80 miles on the streets! Being inconspicuous to broad daylight by running through human filled streets isn't easy! And you know that I can't jump over buildings, which are over fifty feet apart without Souten's help!" Shippo stuttered out.
"You've lost sight of her and that blasted priestess? Can you not use your nose to trace them out?" Sesshomaru glowered, glaring at Shippo.
"I did, however, they've covered up the scents and I've been led to three dead ends!" the boy snapped.
"Very well. However, you shall continue to track her down… unless you would like the bitch to see your head on the silver platter. Now get out!" Sesshomaru shouted, pointing to the door.
More than happy to oblige, Shippo scurried out of the door without a word.
Sesshomaru sat back down to seat, letting out a frustrated sigh. His head fell to his chest and his arms were hanging limply over the armrests while his feet were propped on the floor without energy.
Amber orbs stared at the picture on the ground and with his demon vision, saw the girl and he in the picture. She was dressed in a light pink kimono with white blossoms at the hems and her auburn hair was toppled onto top of her hair, held up by a few decorated chopsticks and a few pins to pull her bangs. He was in the traditional garbs of the western lords of the past. A long gi with white and red patterns on the sleeves and shoulder. A blue and yellow belt closed the fabric and hung in front of the white hakamas. His hair was in its original perfect state, hanging down his back and swayed as the wind blew, circling around the couple.
Letting out a silent sigh, Sesshomaru closed his eyes, shutting away the pain and unhappiness.
When will this hunt end?
His blood boiled for the flesh of the prey…
Then again, a chase is the joy of the kill…
But why was he feeling so…
Sad and empty?
"Iie… iie! Itsuwarimono! You liar!" Rin shook her head in denial, tears springing from her eyes. She was grateful that this miko had saved her… but how can she just tell her that her past wasn't what she imagined to be? That she was indeed married and is not going crazy by all the dreams that she had been having?
Kikyo, the woman who had saved her from the past, sat in the ambulance with her as an anonymous driver drove the medic car somewhere far away from the city. The last time Rin looked out the window, they were flashing past some large meadows and small forests, but she had yet to see farms, so they weren't that far out… most likely they were in the mid-suburbs.
"I'm merely telling you the truth… how else would you explain the mark on your right shoulder?" Kikyo asked monotonously.
"Washi… washi…" Rin shook her head in denial, wincing as she felt her blood throb in her temples. "It can't be true! I don't know you! I was never engaged, let alone marry! My parents… they'll tell you! I was in coma for ten years because of an accident! This mark… I had it since I was born!"
"You will never trust my words… will you? Very well, I'll take you back… a decade into the past, when you were around the age of nine… the true you and I'll take us all the way till you've met your foster parents." The miko said, taking hold of Rin's shoulder and concentrated, blue energy swirling around them.
"InuTaisho-san, it is good to see that you've kept your word. I see that you've already decided?" The father of the young daughter said.
"Hai, now down to business Ichiro-san. I understand that you wish to hand your daughter over to our family for her safety and that it is the only way for the circumstances that you've been placed under… however, do you not think that she is still too young for marriage?" InuTaisho voiced his concern, giving the other man a chance to change his mind.
"It cannot be helped InuTaisho-san. Now have you chosen who would be her husband?" Ichigo asked, eyes darting from 15 year-old Sesshomaru to the 12 year-old Inuyasha. Though the brothers were physically alike, Ichigo knew that their personalities were different.
"Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru glared at his father at the corner of his amber eyes. He was to be wed to this… human filth? Even though a long descendent of the Royal Family, it was decided without his consent.
"I refuse." The teen voiced, causing everyone's head to turn his way as he stood. Most of Sesshomaru's attention was at the girl, who finally raised her head to look at him. He noticed her pale, yet healthy complexion with rosy cheeks and stunning honey-brown eyes. The way that they shine and filled with innocence caught him in a trance.
"You have no choice in the matter Sesshomaru, or are you willing to allow an innocent girl to fall to her end?" his father snapped at him, eyes narrowed dangerously and flickering with disappointment.
"I will not degrade myself into marrying a human wench. Inuyasha can have her, after all… he's half-human if I remember correctly." The older son sneered, as Inuyasha got to his feet ready to jump his brother.
"Why you son of a—!" the younger boy exclaimed, rolling his sleeves up.
"Inuyasha! Watch your language! And did I raise you to act like this in front of guests!" Izayoi reprimanded.
Growling, Inuyasha sat down on the seat, his dog-ears dropping a bit.
"Sesshomaru! You will marry this girl, no matter what you say! You will protect her whether you like her or not." InuTaisho said sharply to his eldest son and returned his attention to the small family.
"Do not worry about my son. He is a bit tempered when it comes to these things, however, we are still nonetheless, happy to have an addition to our family. And it is good to have a daughter-in-law." The dog demon said to Ichiro.
"Arigatou gozamaisu, we are in debt of you InuTaisho-san. Please, take good care of our daughter. She is all that we have left." Ichiro's wife said, speaking in a clear but obviously in a grieving tone as she looked sadly at her quiet daughter, whose head was bowed once more.
"N-nani?" Rin's eyes widened… that wasn't her! She… never even lived in that house! … Did she?
"Watch… there is more to come…" Kikyo said, one hand on her shoulder.
"Oh!" Rin exclaimed.
"Nan desu ka, yome?" Izayoi turned to her young daughter.
"I forgot to turn the wash on. Sit here Izayoi-sama and I'll be right back." the young girl helped the mother onto a wooden bench nearby a fountain and then fled to the house.
"Such a wonderful daughter… it is a wonder that she can stand Sesshomaru." Izayoi shook her head, chuckling.
Rin panted slightly as she finally came to the backdoor. Unlocking it, she scrambled quickly into the house and down the basement, wishing to not keep her mother-in-law waiting long.
When she heard footsteps upstairs, Rin thought that it was her husband and Inuyasha-gikei so she headed up to greet them. However, what she found was the least she expected.
Her parents were dangling from ropes on the beam above the doorway. Lacerations were all over their body and two people were standing by them, katanas stained with crimson liquid that dripped onto the carpet. When they heard her gasp, their beady eyes behind the ski mask turned to her and advanced.
Rin ran, her legs burning with pain as she tripped against the hardwood floor and as her feet scraped against it. Panic rushed into her veins and fear gripped tightly in her chest…
"He… didn't come to rescue me… did he?" Rin whispered, one hand clutching her heart at the sight of the family that she never knew that she had… hanging like bloody puppets on the beam, turning from side to side and creaking sounds coming from the beam supporting their heavy weights.
"He is youkai… he does not care for ningens…" the miko said, narrowing her eyes as she dispelled this memory and moving on to another.
"But… he saved me… Sesshomaru… he saved me during the fire in the kitchen…" Rin said inaudibly, doubt filling her hope, but Kikyo heard her anyways and scoffed.
"He might have saved you then… but did he mean it? No, all youkais do is lie. They break their word and turn their back on you. Now watch…"
His eyes had turned red, markings ripped on his face and hands. He growled predatorily at her and grabbed her wrists, yanking her up from the bed and half-dangled in the air. Rin winced at the short pain at her wrists, where his long claws were attacking them, but there was little fear in her heart.
When he was unsatisfied from her scent of fear, he narrowed his bleeding eyes at her and bit viciously at her neck, where he had marked her. A surge of white horror claimed her body and she had started trembling violently, struggling against him. "T-teishu? You a-are hurting me." Rin whimpered when she felt blood seeping from her wound.
Then he had stopped and threw her on the bed, realizing what he had done and left the room with a quick snap at the door.
The girl gripped her neck, feeling the pain… the fangs ripping her skin, driving deep into her flesh and muscles, blood spilling out of the wound like a waterfall.
"As you see… he is a youkai… an untamed one who does as he pleases… he tortures you every week… night… as you sat up foolishly waiting for his return." Kikyo muttered ghostly into her ears.
"He…"
"Tried to kill you… but he knew the consequences, hence, he stopped before he killed you. But he continued to hurt you, make you feel this pain… he hated you for ruining your life and he wanted you to know that he hated you… he never cared for you… it was all an act and nothing more. To show to his parents that there was nothing wrong between you two…" the miko whispered, lying purposely to Rin. The watery memory changed once more…
"T-tei…" Rin sobbed, but was cut off when the miko threw a ball of blue purifying power towards him and the other two intruders.
At the attack, Sesshomaru lashed out his light-beam whip to slash at the energy, keeping him from being nullified. He got to his feet from the crouching position and prepared to attack the miko, trying to find an opening where he could inflict damage without injuring his mate.
"We're leaving. Die, you youkais." The miko muttered, tossing another pack of purifying energy at them, turning the murderers into ashes as Sesshomaru fell to the floor, merely remaining paralyzed.
"IIE! Teishu!" Rin struggled against the holy woman's hold around her waist, one arm reaching out desperately for him to pull her back.
Sesshomaru's face turned into a dark scowl as he pushed his body up, his clawed hand only inches away from her petite fingers. "He is a youkai. And youkais do not mix with humans." The miko said harshly, white-blue light illuminating around the two females.
"Iie! He is my husband! Teishu!" Rin screamed as Sesshomaru watched with a twisting heart as they started fading by particles from the light.
"Teishu! Onegai! Save me! SESSHOMARU!" Rin screamed for the last time, tears following down her cheeks, her hand missing his as she finally teleported away from the house.
The blue light faded and he lay there, staring at the spot where Rin was originally standing. Her pleas, her screams, her tears… they were all depending on him… and he failed… she was his… his responsibility, his pride, his… Realization dawned upon Sesshomaru when he found the whole house silent.
"T-this memory… this dream… I had this…" Rin mumbled, tears almost coming out of her eyes. "He came to save me…"
"Iie… he wanted to kill you. Did you not see? He was aiming to kill us both, had I not transported you with me to escape… both of us would've died that day." Kikyo said harshly, shaking the girl.
The memories slowly dissipated and they were returned to the moving vehicle. The blue aura died and returned to Kikyo.
"Demo…" Rin shook her head, confusion and feelings disoriented.
"He had done nothing. He simply watched as I took you away. If he were a devoted husband, he would've come after you, searched for you till the ends of time… but did he? No he had not. He was happy… happy that you were finally out of his life and forever gone. But when he bumped into you… he realized that you weren't dead… And now, he's sent someone to kill you. Do you not feel those leering eyes that follows you everywhere?"
"H-hai…"
"His spy goes wherever you go… however, I'll be taking you somewhere where there will be no chance of discovery. You'll be safe with my grandmother… and do not worry. I have already brought your necessities and dog to my grandmother's house. I've also informed your friend that you are safe with your parents, who are currently living in Portugal. But there will be a time… a time where his spy will find you. I cannot tell when, but there will be a time. And when this time comes… I want you to run… run far, far away from there."
"Where to? I have no home now… I have no where to go…" Rin buried her head in her hands, gripping at her hair.
"Trust your heart… it will tell." Kikyo said as the car stopped. The miko opened the door and led Rin out. They were at the edge of the city judging from the buildings and landscape.
Houses and apartments separated the city from the suburbs, forests laced the backyards and birds flew overhead. Familiarity crept around Rin… as if she had been here before. The surroundings… they were like… there ever since she was born.
"Come, my grandmother awaits." Kikyo beckoned and Rin walked up to the steps of an elderly apartment, but not before she turned in a full circle, checking out the entire small town.
They rode up the elevator in long quietness and the bell announced their arrival to the right floor. They walked down a few halls with walls of plain white and the floors were carpeted. Finally arriving to the door at the end of the hall, Kikyo knocked three times and stepped back.
"Ah, 'tis ye Kikyo, my childe… with ye friend I see. Well, come in come in. No sense in lettin' those nosy neighbors bother ye with they peerin' eyes now." an elderly woman with mid-back silvery white hair pulled into a ponytail with a white tie welcomed the two women into her home.
Rin took off her shoes and placed it by the front rug and followed silently with Kikyo in front of her. The house smelt of sage and elderly essence, soothing yet alluring. The house had a comfy feeling, even though the space was small and reserved. As they passed the rooms, she saw that her things were in the smaller one of the two. However… didn't Kikyo-san say that Silence was here as well?
Speak of the she-devil and she shall arrive, Rin thought in irony as her pet husky barked twice and ran to her, nearly knocking her off her feet. She gave a small yelp of surprise but scuffed the fur-ball as Kikyo and her grandmother explained some things quietly and then turned to look at Rin.
"I'll be leaving now. I have a business in Kyushu and I won't be home for the next couple of months. Do take care Kaede-baa-san. Sayonara Rin-san. And remember what I told you… they're only the truth." Kikyo bowed to her grandmother and looked sternly at Rin, who only nodded mutely, gripping tighter to her dog.
As Kikyo closed the door behind her, Kaede turned her eyes from the entrance to Rin, who immediately stood up and bowed. "Ah… arigatou, obaa-san. I'm eternally grateful that you've allowed me to stay with you here."
"Nonsense childe. Tho' Kikyo was brief… her explanation was good enough for me. Now, let yeself settle down while I go an' make us some supper. Ye must be hungry childe, are ye not?" Kaede smiled nicely.
"Hai, ariagtou again…" Rin bowed shyly once more and went down to her room to start unpacking.
Once she finished, Rin exited her room quietly and wandered around the small house of the apartment. The bathroom was relatively small but it was pretty big for an apartment. There was a small kitchen island connecting to the living room, which was also used as a dinning room. Then near the back, towards the balcony, the screen and glass door were taken down and metal screens were outside of the metal railing of the veranda. Inside the unoccupied space of the veranda were numerous varieties of plants.
There were herbs, flowers, greens, hints of bamboo shoots, and bonsais. Some plants hung from the ceiling and some potted ones were placed on handmade shelves. There were three watering cans underneath a small circular glass table, filled to the brim with water. Packets and bottles of fertilizers were on the table, along with some gloves and sheers.
"Ahh… I see that you've acquainted yeself with my granddaughter's garden. 'Tis beautiful, is it not?" Kaede asked, bringing out two bowls of rice and chopsticks. Rin turned around quickly and went over to help the elderly woman. She took the bowls and placed them on the table, ushering Kaede to sit down while she does the job.
The grandmother could only smile, thinking and knowing that her house would be going to be very interesting from now on.
"I'm going to buy something downtown, okay Kaede-obaa-san?" Rin said, "And Silence will stay to accompany you. Is that alright?"
"Ahh, that's fine childe, now hurry home before dark. 'Tis never safe these days." Kaede shooed her off.
Rin merely smiled and waved goodbye to Silence and closed the door behind her.
Sighing, Rin pulled her sweater closer to her body as she walked down the utterly quiet hall to the elevators, footsteps echoing.
She was never used to this…
It had been a couple of weeks now, since she moved in with Kaede-obaa-san. Her life had been peaceful and disturbance was a nonexistent factor. The eyes weren't there, marking down every one of her moves now, which she was thankful for… however, she couldn't help but be curious why Kikyo-san was so willing to protect her from the dangers of her husband. Perhaps she had faced some similar trials in her past?
Or was there something that Kikyo-san was keeping from her?
Rin brushed that idea off and pressed the down button, which glowed, orange. Iie… such thoughts for the person who had saved her, it were unacceptable. She had been taken and intruding on Kikyo-san's family and home, she should be thankful of the miko.
She stepped into the cart as the metal doors slid opened and pressed the ground floor button and closing the doors.
Demo… she didn't know if it were the truth or not. She had only heard one side of the story, nevertheless. Her past… though cleared in so many ways… so many questions answered, more questions filled her with doubt and worry.
Why was her family and she pursued in the first place? Had her past family committed a devious crime and had to pay with their lives? Or were they after her for a ransom? After all… it seemed that in the past, she was worth quite a fortune.
Rin had done some research at the nearby library and traced her linage back to some pretty high officials before the Meji Era was even formed! Her great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was the counselor of the king, who ended up marrying to one of the king's concubines and then her family started there… soon, her ancestors married with close friends. And apparently, her teishu's family was a distant cousin of the Western Lord during the Sengoku Jidai, making them both royalties.
Sighing, Rin exited the cart and walked out the door, taking an immediate left to the nearby parking lot. Kikyo had sent her car from her work place, which she was grateful for since she didn't have to take the local one-hour trolley just to get to the heart of the city. While heading down there, something tingled in her spine.
Rin's face turned into a light frown and pulled to the nearest open parking space that was close by the store. A sudden draft rattled her bones slightly; feeling a bit wary of her surroundings… was she being tracked down again?
Shaking it off as a mere gut feeling, Rin entered the store.
From afar, a pair of blood red eyes followed her every movement.
Kaede absentmindedly stroke the dog's fur, watching a game show on television. Rin should be home soon… she thought as she glanced at the clock above the doorway. Her plants should be plenty dry now… time for watering and fertilizing.
Silence whined sadly at the loss of the old lady's soft touch. "Don't ye worry. I'll give ye some extra food te make it up to ye." Kaede told her.
The old woman hobbled over hover to grab one of the empty water buckets and filled it up in the bathroom, Silence trotting after her.
The past days had been quieter than usual and Kaede found it suspiciously strange. Being a weakened miko, she was unable to pinpoint problem but knew that it was lurking about the small town. During nights, some windows would be left opened when they were never touched. In the morning, some of her delicate plants were crushed and soil was sometimes spilled around the floor. However, nothing major and troublesome has been caused in her house.
Sighing tiredly, Kaede went to the small indoor greenhouse. It seemed to her that a stalker was once more after Rin. Yes… it seems that now her dear child has to flee… but would it not be safer is she was with her?
Quietly, she watered her irises and marigolds, which started to wilt here and there, loosing its dark coloring and fading into a brownish color. The leaves began to loose their green and started wrinkling from the insides.
Silence watched her from the couch, but tentatively glanced back from Kaede to the door, waiting for her real mistress to come home.
"Ai… ye worry more than I do ye little pup. Fret naught… Rin-chan will come home soon." Kaede told her.
Groaning, Silence barked and frowned, making Kaede chuckle lightly.
"Tadaima!" Rin shouted, slamming the door and hurriedly ran to her room, dropping the groceries at the kitchen. Her dog started to bark happily until it felt her mistress's rush and panic. And it seemed that Kaede felt it too, since it was coming off the younger girl like a beacon.
"Something the matter Rin?" the elder woman asked, setting down the canteen and turned her back to her plants as the younger girl 'whooshed' past her at a terrifying pace.
"Ano, gomen nasai, Kaede-obaa-san. But I have to go; I don't want to bother you anymore." Rin quickly answered, throwing some of her toiletries into her other duffle bag.
"Silence, honey, could you please bring to the front door? Arigatou." The secretary pointed to the direction of the entrance and allowed Silence to bite onto the strings of the bag. One small wheeler case was waiting at the door side already.
"Ye are being chased down… are ye not?" Kaede inquired, watching silently, picking up the water can and continued watering the plants.
"…Hai… demo… I didn't know for how long… I never noticed their presence till this afternoon." Rin sighed.
"Then tell me… who is this person?"
"It… it's my Teishu…"
"Ye husband has sent someone to hunt ye?" Kaede said incredulously, her eyes widening.
"Iie… there's two people after me… one is my husband the other is a mysterious group. But I shouldn't be telling you anymore. You'll be put into danger and I don't want that." Rin shook her head and went back into her room to pack up the rest of her clothes.
"Ah… so that is why me granddaughter brought ye here…"
"Hai, and I'm also very sorry for intruding. Arigatou gozaimasu for everything. Be safe Kaede-obaa-san, and remember not to over work yourself!" Rin reminded Kaede, giving the old lady a long bow and a hug before dashing out the door, dropping the keys to the house on the kitchen table.
As the door closed with a click, Kaede sat down slowly looking at the door, "Stay safe yeself Rin… May Kami-sama be with you."
Rin slammed her trunk and closed the rear door as her husky hopped into the back seat. Quickly scrambling into the driver's seat, Kikyo's warning came back to her.
"But there will be a time… a time where his spy will find you. I cannot tell when, but there will be a time. And when this time comes… I want you to run… run far, far away from there."
"Where to? I have no home now… I have no where to go…" Rin buried her head in her hands, gripping at her hair.
"Trust your heart… it will tell." Kikyo said.
"Trust my heart… I have to trust my heart to run on…" Rin said determinedly. Putting her car into gear, she sped out of the parking spot and down the street, heading back to the city… where her home was. Where her heart told her go. To her home… the home that she was taken from.
"Target sighted and locked, should we move in onee-chan?"
"I'm sure onii-sama will be pleased."
"Then let's go."
A black Mustang exited from a nearby space right by an oak tree, tailing the red Mercedes.
"Hey… hey, wake up!"
Rin moaned a bit and tried to swat away the hand that was shaking her. Her head hurt too much when she moved… but she can't stay like this forever.
Struggling to open her eyes, Rin rubbed them with her hands, which felt numb and heavy. Was she drugged?
Finally peeling her eyes open, Rin saw glowing green-blue eyes hovering over her, looking concerned. Pushing herself up with her hands, the other girl helped her sit up on the damp concrete floor. Moss was aligned on the wall, and there was a jingle every time either one of the girls moved.
Rin took a look at her hands and down to her feet then to the other girl's hands and feet. There was a dull glow on their hands and feet… curiously, Rin picked up her hand and examined it, eyes widening as she did.
She was shackled… and so was the other girl. So only one word came to mind… Captured.
AN: Ah, one more! Then epilogue! Yes, yes, I've decided to actually put in the epilogue; otherwise the whole chapter names wouldn't make any sense! Hehe! The next chapter should be out in a week or so, and the last chapter maybe two weeks after that cuz I'm on a roll! Whee! Thanks for the reviewers and SesshoMaru-sama's Rin for pointing out the problem in chapter 2. Review and thanks!