I finally had time to update. Yay!!! Before I say anything else though I want to tell everyone that this chapter is special because it's the first chapter that I've ever had anyone Beta read. Please give a hand to the magnificent Wakadori Ramen who took the time out of her day to help this lowly authoress out. *claps*
I was overwhelmed by the massive number of reviews that I received for the last chapter. I just want to say thank you all for loving this story.
Thanks to:
friendlyreader, Lavender Valentine, Ashes of the Star Phoenix, kawaii28, Jayne, Still Smiling, Comets chaos, SessRin2003, Naoko2
(I had fun writing about the petals, glad you like), marnika, jade, Haruya (sorry if it was too weird), Tigeris (Artists should rule the
world mwahahahahahahahahaha :P ), blue-chick, Haruka-Rin, aishiteru-inu (lots o' love for the constant reviews. Sess sure is
getting a kick out of it cause he's mean like that), Sayori-chan, Maggy d, Skiddy 16 (sorry if it was kinda' weird), Peanut Gallery-
Alaska's Own, Fantasy Cat (4 reviews all at once?! Thanx, very nice to see you again)
Ultra Special thanks to: Wakadori Ramen who both reviewed and offered to become my Beta.
Thread Bound
Chapter Five
The Long Walk Home
Hand in hand they walked down memory lane, the puppet and the girl, when he stopped and turned around, glaring comically at his companion.
"Why…my strings are still attached, you silly girl, and it seems you've added one more at that," the puppet cried angrily.
"Forgive me, sir," the girl replied with a frown upon her pretty face.
"Can't you do anything right?! Silly child! Idiot! Buffoon! Get out, get out, get out!" He shook his wooden arms angrily at her as his wooden teeth clacked in annoyance behind his painted smile.
She bowed courteously low in apology, hiding her laughter. "Forgive me sir but it seems that Lady Fate has plans for you and me, for that new string connects me to you and I can't seem to cut it."
His head turned this way and that, trying to see if he could loosen that irritating new thread before huffing and harumphing his little way over to her.
"What's this inside of me, idiot girl, what's this moving inside my sawdust heart and my worm ridden chest? I hate it. I abhor it, this strange new thing. It feels hot and cold at the same time and it confuses me to no end. Tell me what this is."
"I am not sure, sir, but…."
"But…" he said mockingly.
"But…" she fidgeted, "I believe, sir, that those may be your emotions. Your real emotions."
"What?! How can this be; oh how can this be?" He shook his head and hopped around angrily.
"Are you not happy then?" the girl queried with a puzzled look.
"Not at all; not at all. For these things—these emotions—are all directed towards you. The more I try to cut your thread, the tougher it becomes. This is your entire fault, you silly twit."
"My fault sir?"
"Yes, your fault, for I cannot resist the charm of your smile."
"Oh my."
"The sway of your hips."
"But, sir…"
"And your quaint stupidity."
"So rude."
* * * * * * * * * *
"How long are you going to follow me, girl?" Sesshoumaru asked, not bothering to halt his long strides against the pavement.
"It's Rin, and I'm following you because I deserve something in return for helping you escape…, and because I'm worried," she replied.
"What's wrong? Afraid I'll try to jump in front of oncoming traffic?" He drifted toward the street and she grabbed his arm, pulling him back before he could walk out in front of a massive delivery truck.
"Don't play with me like that, Sess."
"Sess?" He quirked his eyebrow at that. "I don't believe I've ever heard anyone call me that before; far less flattering and perverted things, yes, but never Sess."
"Really? Then that'll be my name for you, though I don't understand how you never had your name shortened. Didn't your family members ever call you that?"
He frowned and pulled his arm away from her grasp. " Let's not talk about that, if you please."
The anger in his voice hinted at a deeper problem and Rin decided that she wouldn't ask, although it was killing her not to pursue the subject.
"About my earlier statement…" His voice pulled her from her thoughts yet again.
"Yes?"
"Don't worry about me rushing into traffic to die. I've already tried the more painful route of suicide. I found it to be…a hassle."
"The 'more painful route'? You mean you've…"
"…Tried to kill myself before?" he finished for her. "Perhaps…, then again, I just might be playing with your mind. That is my favorite pastime after all. It's up to you to figure out when I actually mean what I say."
"Really? Then can I assume that what took place with you back in the hospital was playing as well, having a joke at my expense?"
"You may. But it was fun, wasn't it, little Ms. Hattori?"
"It would have been even more so if you hadn't been so insulting."
"Now, now, I can't help it if you have so many flaws. I mean really, you are in the presence of perfection."
"Are you always this arrogant?"
"Are you always this oblivious?" He smirked before linking his arm with hers'.
"What is that supposed to mean? And when did I give you permission to touch me so familiarly?"
"But don't you like it? You didn't seem to mind at the hospital."
"But…but that's because I was overwhelmed. I can't help it if you're as handsome as you are."
This last part came out as a whisper, but he still caught it and smiled like a cat that had just been given a canary to play with.
"Well, that, and the fact that…"
"Hmm…?"
"…That you had on that flimsy hospital gown." She blushed, looking down.
"So you think I'm handsome? At least we agree on something. As for the gown…well, did you like what you saw?"
"Cocky brat," she muttered, feeling her blush deepen.
"I didn't see anything, Sesshoumaru, truly I didn't. It's just the knowledge that you were half-naked and completely unconscious of it that startled me."
"Really?" He cocked his head to the side and smiled. "Are you sure it wasn't because you wanted to see more?"
I must look like a beet now, Rin thought as she replied somewhat heatedly, "Don't judge me by your standards. I have no desire to see how ugly you are."
He jumped on that and fairly purred out his next sentence. "First I'm handsome, and now you say I'm ugly. That's the thing about children; they can't make up their mind."
"Stop that!" She pushed him away and patting her cheeks to try and get rid of her annoying blush.
"Stop what?" he asked with the very personification of sinful innocence.
"That! Don't use that voice on me."
"And why not?" he purred again.
"Because it's distracting. I really want you to stop."
He bent down so that his mouth was parallel to the delicate curve of her ear, lips nearly touching the soft skin. "Do you really want that, little Ms. Hattori? What do you want Rin…?"
His breath was gentle, his words hinting at something she didn't have the experience to want. Her heart betrayed her, telling the other members of her body to work together in a shiver to show her response to his suggestion.
"What do you mean?" she managed to get out, trying to pull away.
A large hand gripped her upper shoulder, keeping her close to his body heat.
"Take it how you will, Rin. But never forget that this is a game we play, and I'm winning at the moment. You have manifested yourself as an interesting player, a new thread in the tapestry of my life that I can sever if only you'll let me."
"So I'm here for your amusement?"
"Perhaps, or maybe I'm just losing my mind and spouting off nonsense to a girl who barely knows me."
His voice trailed off and they continued on in silence for another half-hour until they reached his house.
She looked up at the large building and asked, "You live here all by yourself?"
He nodded absently, reaching in his pocket to get his keys.
"Must be lonely."
"Are you attempting to pity me Ms. Hattori?" His voice was laden with sarcasm.
She wasn't about to touch that comment with a ten-foot pole, at least not in her usual way. So you want to play? Then let me show you what I can do.
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of suggesting such a thing," she replied with equal sarcasm. "It's just that you are obviously wealthy, live in a huge house alone. And yet…you tried to kill yourself. Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking."
He blinked before a slow smile began to spread across his features.
"You learn quickly enough. I'm glad you decided to play, although I must warn you that there will be other players joining us should you feel up to the challenge. I suspect that your rival will be putting in an appearance anytime now, since she undoubtedly knows about my little…mishap. But for now…" He bent down close again and narrowed his eyes, long lashes hiding the amber depths, "I'll be cheering you on as you take your leave. I want you here tomorrow, no later than 10, understood?"
Rin nodded making her way back down the steps. She looked back and imagined for some reason that he had a wistful expression on his handsome face before she shook her head. No it couldn't be; he doesn't need me.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sesshoumaru closed the door and rested his back against it, savoring the memory of the way Rin looked back, almost as if she were going to miss him. Impossible, of course, he thought to himself. But somewhat pleasant in itself, I suppose.
He had to admit that he liked the girl. He even admired her to a degree because she wanted to learn how to play his game, the only person who had ever wanted to know about him. He didn't want to tell her that he was the person she so admired because he didn't want to lose the honest way she expressed herself nor the openness between them. Well, as open as he could get, given his past. Speaking of which… he narrowed his eyes and made his way toward the living room to check the messages on his phone.
The digital display read five new messages and he listened to the first without interest. One from the woman who insisted he call her "mom".
"Hey, honey, I heard about what happened. I didn't know you were so upset about your breakup. You know you can always come to me if you're hurting. This is going too far. Please give a call if you want to talk about it."
He deleted the message. The answer is 'no', woman. Keep your pity to yourself.
The next two were from his brother and he deleted them without even an effort to listen. He hated his brother; his brother hated him; end of story.
Message number three was the one he was looking for. He waited tensely as a sarcastic female voice came on the speaker.
"Hey, coward, I heard about your little escapade. I can't believe how pathetic you are right now. I'll be over at 1 today, so be ready. We need to get some things straightened between us."
The voice was followed by an audible click and he forced himself not to hurl the machine against the wall. He looked at the clock: 15 minutes until 12 and he'd merely returned.
He let out a frustrated breath, ran a hand through his hair while grimacing at the tangles in thigh-length locks, and left to take a shower before she arrived.
The only good thing about this whole situation was that he'd already sent Rin away, which meant that she wouldn't see just how pissed he could get, nor would she meet her.
By the time the doorbell rang, he was dressed in an immaculate suit and looking like a million bucks, so much so that it was a shame he felt nothing of the sort.
Pushing down the automatic depression that wanted to arise whenever she was around, he opened the door and forced a smile.
"Hello."
Red-painted lips pouted in what supposedly passed as a smile before the woman brushed past him and into the home that used to be theirs'.
"Long time no see, honey. We need to have a talk."
* * * * * * * * * *
Ooh. Who is this and what does she have to do with Sess? Find out in the next exciting chapter of "Thread Bound!!!!!" Also, please review ^_^