Daughters
Chapter Sixteen: Hands and Hearts
Kagome felt herself falling away from the realm of sleep. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking away the fuzziness and confusion often following a dream. She rolled over, rubbing her blurred eyes until the world came into focus and her eyes locked on a beautiful pair of eyes.
"You're awake," a small voice whispered, and a familiar scent drifted into Kagome's senses. She blinked slowly and locked on the blue eyes, unlike her own, staring at her dimly. "Good morning."
"Souta?" Kagome whispered, sitting up, unsure whether to push it all away as a dream or to jump and scream. She hadn't seen her little brother in ages because her father only brought him home between school years and never for any other holiday. It'd been so long since she'd seen him—a little over four months, almost five. "What are you doing here?"
"Dad didn't tell you," her little brother stated instead of asked. Kagome shrugged half-heartedly, knowing that her father hadn't contacted her since he'd kicked her out—nearly three weeks ago. Souta sighed, looking saddened.
"How'd you get in?" Kagome asked, quickly changing the subject.
"You didn't lock your door," Souta said, looking like a miffed adult more than her little brother. "That's very irresponsible, Kagome. Especially in this part of town."
"When did you get in here?" Kagome asked, kicking her blankets off her futon and standing up. Souta went with her.
"Nearly an hour ago, I didn't want to wake you up," he quickly explained when Kagome opened her mouth to protest his early arrival, "you think it would have killed Dad to get you a little better living quarters."
"I don't want to be a bother," Kagome said honestly, remembering her conversation with Inuyasha.
Souta snorted. "Dad and that witch are more of a bother for you than the other way around," he scoffed. Souta's bitter distaste for Abi was obvious. Kagome smiled silently and followed after her brother as the pre-teen toddled into the kitchen. "It's so stupid that they'd do this to you."
"You were always more outspoken than me," Kagome said, laughing quietly. Souta frowned, finding no humor in Kagome's words.
Souta picked up a plate and thrust it towards her. He blushed at her confused look. "I made you breakfast while you were sleeping."
"Thank you, Souta," Kagome said, feeling a rush of gratitude and happiness flow through her. She knew that her brother cared and right now, she was incredibly thankful that he was here.
Sister and brother enjoyed a pleasant morning, each catching up on their own school lives (and Kagome even managing to bother Souta about any girls, to which Souta replied bitterly that there were no girls at his school). The entire atmosphere was light-hearted and gentle, a startling contrast to the conversations she'd had with her father and even Inuyasha. Everything seemed so carefree for just one, pleasant second.
"So, why did Dad pull you out for summer vacation?" Kagome questioned. "He's never done it before because Abi always said that he shouldn't reward you for going to military school."
Souta scowled at the mentioning of Abi. He hated the woman more than Kagome did.
"I can't believe he didn't even call you," Souta said, amazed. His amazement was tinged with his obvious anger at his father for keeping whatever it was from his eldest child.
"What are you talking about?" Kagome questioned. "Did something bad happen?"
Her heart spiked, afraid that something had happened to her father. Or, maybe Abi.
"Depends on how you look at it," Souta said bitterly. He paused, mulling over his empty cup of tea. He rolled the mug in his hands, wrapping his small fingers around the light blue mug. His nose crinkled and he shifted uncomfortably. "Abi had her baby five days ago."
Kagome wasn't sure how to react to the information.
"It's a girl," Souta finished, frowning deeply at his empty breakfast plate.
"O-oh," Kagome murmured. She'd always hoped it wouldn't be a girl. Somehow, it felt like she truly was being shoved from the family. She, the first-born, shoved away from the pristine little family only to be replaced with a perfect little girl. "What's her name…?"
"Himeko," Souta said, anger dripping from his voice as he glared out the window, his dark blue eyes swirling with his anger and emotions. "Little Princess."
Kagome clenched her mug. "Well, Himeko-Chan will grow up with a good home, I suppose."
Souta snorted. He rested his chin in his hand. The time seemed to pass so slowly. Everything in the world swirled around them, turning slowly as if caught in honey. Souta glared out the window while Kagome stared at the table, her blue eyes wide and unblinking.
Himeko would grow up with her father and Abi, and she would be happy. The little girl would love her mother and father and not care about her two older half siblings. By the time the little child would be five Kagome would be in her twenties and Souta nearly graduated. Himeko would never know Kagome, the way her relationship with her father was shaping up.
"He pulled out you from school so you could see her?" Kagome questioned.
"She's cute, I hate to admit," Souta said with a sigh. "She has blue eyes, too."
Kagome crossed her arms, trying to still her racing heart and the overwhelming sadness that seemed to flow from her. She sniffled, even though she didn't feel like crying. Her throat stung even though she hadn't been screaming.
"She looks just like Dad," Souta said quietly, gripping the table. Kagome nodded numbly.
The world seemed so surreal in that moment. Like Kagome was looking through a window, or a fishbowl, trying to get in, tapping at the glass, suspended in air. Reaching, always reaching.
She swirled her finger along the soft grain of her kitchen table.
She felt like she'd been forgotten. Forsaken. But, at the same time, she felt a tiny smile tugging at her lips.
Kagome hoped her father was happy.
"Happy birthday, Rin-Chan!" Kagome announced, producing a small, wrapped present. Rin beamed and squealed happily, plucking the proffered gift and twirling around, looking up at Inuyasha for approval. When he nodded, she darted away, giggling as she went.
"Who're you?" Inuyasha asked the boy behind Kagome. He frowned and gave Inuyasha a once over. He was tall for his age and stared at Inuyasha with the same intense blue eyes as Kagome. The dark shade of grey observed him before looking at Kagome hesitantly.
"This is my baby brother, Souta," Kagome said, beaming proudly, as if Souta were her son and not her brother. She patted the boy's head happily, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Hi," Souta said with a tiny wave, staring at Inuyasha in a look of what Kagome couldn't tell was frightened or awed. Perhaps a mixture of both. He stared at Inuyasha for a moment before turning his eyes away and looking at Kagome, an indescribable look in his eyes. He looked mystified.
Kagome and Souta entered and Kagome ushered the preteen to where Rin was watching television. He sat down next to her and they watched the cartoons together. Inuyasha sighed and retreated to the kitchen, where he was making food for Rin's birthday celebration.
"Are we the only ones?" Kagome questioned, following after Inuyasha.
Inuyasha shrugged. "She just wanted a family party, and then wanted to invite you."
"Sorry I brought Souta over without asking first," Kagome said sheepishly. "I hadn't known he was coming until I woke up this morning. Dad actually pulled him out for summer vacation." She smiled, her blue eyes glowing. "I haven't seen him in so long, it's great that he's doing so well."
Inuyasha sighed and watched Rin and Souta through the doorway. He shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, I guess so."
"I hope you don't mind," Kagome prodded gently.
"Nah," he said, stirring ingredients into a bowl before throwing them into a frying pan. Kagome watched him, leaning against the counter and staying out of his way. No more words passed between them and Kagome contented herself watching the boy work and nothing more.
A gentle kind of feeling hung in the air. It twirled and encircled. But they said nothing.
Kagome smiled warmly, watching his pronounced profile as he worked. He felt her gaze and resisted the urge to turn to look at her. His cheeks turned pink and he quickly turned away, busying himself with kitchen work to keep her from seeing his reaction.
"Are you going to stand there or help me?" Inuyasha groused, his head ducked, his black bangs shielding his lavender eyes.
Kagome, startled, stood up straighter. "Sorry. I'll help."
She approached him and he handed her the bowl, instructing her to stir as he did something else. Kagome stirred idly, watching him, the smile still on her lips.
It almost seemed natural to be standing in the kitchen with him as he worked. Outside the kitchen Kagome heard the sounds of Rin and Souta laughing. So they liked each other. She was so glad.
She looked at Inuyasha and saw that he was listening to the laughter in the other room, too. His hands were poised idly above a cutting board. He was completely trained to the sounds of Rin's laughter. Kagome stared at him in wonderment as the tiniest of smiles spread across his lips and he looked back down, cutting vegetables quickly and expertly. He'd been practicing.
"She's very cute," Kagome said at last and Inuyasha paused looking at her in confusion. Kagome looked down at the mixture in her arms to keep from staring at Inuyasha. "Rin is a sweet and cute little girl. You should be proud."
She lifted her head and saw Inuyasha looking at her, a soft look in his eyes.
"I'm glad we had a good time," Kagome said as they walked away towards Kagome's home. Souta trailed beside her, hands in his pockets as he watched his sister in the dying summer day sunlight. "I'm glad that Inuyasha liked you."
"He liked me?" Souta asked, shocked. "He barely talked to me or did anything."
"I can tell," Kagome said, smiling. "He liked you."
"Probably because I'm related to you," Souta snickered and watched his sister's face turn red. "If I'm related to Kagome then I must be great, right?" Kagome's entire face felt like it would explode. "You like him," he sang out, "you like him."
Kagome covered her mouth, feeling her entire face heat up. 'I thought I was being subtle about it with him. Souta's too observant, I guess.'
"I guess I'll drop you off at Dad's," Kagome said, changing the subject. "He'll probably want you home soon."
"I wanted to stay with you, though," Souta said, frowning deeply. They waited for the light to change so they could cross the street. Cars whizzed by and Souta observed his sister, who gazed up at the sky silently, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Can't I stay with you?"
"Dad wouldn't want that," Kagome said, shaking her head.
"Why are you still taking orders from him?" Souta demanded. "He doesn't have control over you anymore."
Kagome gave her brother a stricken expression and Souta regretted pointing out that Kagome had been practically disowned by their father. She stared at her feet and they silently crossed the street.
"I want Dad to be happy," Kagome said at last, kicking a tiny pebble down the street and following after it. Souta felt his anger boil. "And without him I'd be homeless."
"Aren't you angry?" Souta said as they walked home. "Dad and Abi have completely destroyed our lives." He desperately wanted Kagome to be on his side. She was the last one he had. Without her, he was fighting a losing battle. He needed Kagome to be angry too, to be angry at her father and at Abi. "You should be angry."
"I don't think they've completely destroyed it," Kagome admitted, walking down the street. She heard Souta toddling behind her and slowed her pace to allow him to catch up.
"Kagome!" Souta looked outraged when she turned around to look at him. "Dad's dumped you in a crappy apartment and completely severed you from the family!"
Silence fell between them. Souta pouted.
"I know," Kagome whispered weakly.
Souta let it drop. Despite the fact that Kagome hadn't been getting along with her father for the longest time, it was evident of her devotion and love for the man. Despite all his shortcomings, Kagome could still stand there and believe that that man was worthy of being her father.
Souta said nothing for the longest time.
"Hey," he said at last, an idea lighting up his blue eyes. "Why don't you move in with Inuyasha? I'm sure there's room for you to live there."
"Are you out of your mind?" Kagome said, laughing. She stopped walking and grasped her stomach, laughing hysterically at the mere idea of living with Inuyasha. Souta stood awkwardly, his cheeks turning a bright shade of red at his sister's reaction. He hadn't thought what he said was funny. In fact, he'd been quite serious. "Me? Live with Inuyasha! Oh God, that's funny."
"Well, why not?" Souta demanded feeling embarrassed from his sister's reaction to his very serious proposal.
Kagome shook her head. "I could never ask Inuyasha to do that. There's no way that I could. I mean, he's got enough to deal with his job and with Rin, the last thing he needs is a stray teenaged girl living under his roof. Besides, there's no room for me in that apartment."
"But Inuyasha would—"
"Inuyasha wouldn't, Souta," Kagome said firmly. She tilted her head towards the sky. "Inuyasha is my friend, but I would never force myself on him like that. It'd be too awkward and uncomfortable. He already gives me money to look after Rin and he's given me a raise. That in itself is so incredibly kind, I could never ask for more."
"But Kagome… you like Inuyasha! I can tell by looking at you. Wouldn't you want to stay with him?"
Kagome snorted. "I would just be in Inuyasha's way. He wouldn't want me there. We may be friends, but we're not so close that we can share an apartment."
"But I'm sure he likes you, too!" Souta demanded, clenching his fists. Kagome's heart thumped abnormally in her chest. "Inuyasha wouldn't turn Kagome away!"
"Souta…" Kagome trailed off, a strange pall smothering her.
"You need to get away from Dad! You need to set up your own life. Inuyasha would help you. Inuyasha wouldn't turn you away." Souta was frantic. He wanted his sister to be happy. And he liked Inuyasha well enough to trust him with her. "Please, Kagome!"
"I can't, Souta," Kagome said, looking sad and frustrated at the same time. "Even if I do like Inuyasha… even if we are friends… even if he were to let me stay… I couldn't. I wouldn't."
"But why not?" Souta nearly screeched.
Kagome was silent for a long time, staring at her feet. She gripped her hands, interlacing her fingers and toeing the ground. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest and she felt her face turn pink.
"Because…" Kagome murmured. She sighed deeply, black hair spilling over her slumping shoulders. She rubbed her eyes, though she wasn't crying. She took a deep breath and looked at her brother, a hesitant smile on her face. "I need to show him that I'll be okay."
"What?"
"I cannot rely on Inuyasha forever," Kagome murmured, placing her hands over her thudding heart. "I need to prove to him that I can take care of myself, that I am strong. I need to show Inuyasha that he doesn't have to worry about me. I cannot rely on him."
"That's a stupid reason!"
"It's important to me," Kagome said, tipping her head back towards the sky. A bird flew lazily, returning to her nest before the sun set. Cars whizzed by. "I need to show him that I can love him and be strong."
Souta's mouth flopped open as he stared at her sister. She seemed to grow ten more years right before his eyes. He blinked. Where had this change come from? Was this really his sister?
"I need to show Inuyasha," Kagome said after a long pause, "that I can help him."
"But…"
"No, Souta."
Souta frowned and ducked his head, looking miffed. He followed after his sister, knowing that the mere idea of Kagome living with Inuyasha was ridiculous but he wished it could be so. He didn't like the idea of Kagome living alone and knew that Inuyasha probably hated it, too. But Kagome wouldn't ask and Inuyasha wouldn't offer.
"This is all that witch's fault," Souta said at last. "I hate her!"
"Hate is a strong word, Souta," Kagome said quietly.
"But it's true," he insisted, clenching his fists. "Aren't you angry at everything that they've done?"
"I can't deny that I'm angry with them," Kagome said at last. "But he's my dad, and I could never wish any ill of him."
"But why not?" Souta demanded.
"Because Abi makes Dad happy," Kagome said tenderly, her entire face paled as the words passed through her lips. "She may have made me miserable, and she may make you cringe… but Dad is happy. And that's all I could ask for."
"What?" Souta barked.
"If Dad's happy, then I can tolerate Abi. If she makes him happy, then who am I to try and break them apart or want them to break apart? She may make me miserable, she may make me exiled from the family… but as long as Dad's smiling, then it's okay."
"What?" Souta repeated. "Kagome, how can you think like that? Dad kicked you out! How can you care whether or not he's happy?"
"I don't know, Souta," Kagome admitted, looking incredibly peaceful as she leaned against a lamp post. She sniffled but no tears fell from her eyes. "I just don't know."
Souta stepped forward and grasped his sister, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head against her back. He heard her try to suppress a sob and grasped her tighter. They stood like that silently for the longest time, no words passing between them. They seemed like ghosts on the street corner, watching the world trickle by them.
"I will never forgive them," Souta said at last, "for making you cry so much."
"Souta," Kagome murmured, feeling the warmth of her brother's body and wishing that it could last forever. Her brother gave her the one thing that not even Inuyasha could give her. Not even her father could give her now. Not even her dead mother could give her a glimmer of it now. Souta gave her the reassurance and love of her closet relative.
She turned around and grasped her brother, holding him tightly and cushioning her head against his shoulder, drawing comfort from the remarkably younger boy. No words whispered from her lips. No words filtered through his lips. He just held her and comforted her, just as a brother should.
"Why do you always sacrifice your happiness for others?" Souta murmured. Kagome held him tighter. "I want Kagome to be happy."
"Thank you," Kagome said, a tiny smile pulling her lips. "Thank you, baby brother."
Inuyasha stood stupidly, unsure what to make of what he was about to do. He'd drifted again, wandering around meaninglessly. But, now he was in front of the door he knew he'd never want to stand in front of. Kagome had given him the address. She'd hinted that he should go and see him. He hadn't wanted to.
The nameplate on the side of the apartment door said Endo. He swallowed. He started thinking about what he was doing there. He knew he was being stupid. But he also knew that he didn't want to see Miroku.
"This is stupid," he muttered. "Let's just go home."
He turned to leave and Rin stared at him, determined. Her eyes narrowed as she gave him an intense look. He stood, rooted, surprised to see such an expression on her face.
Rin marched forward and lifted her hand. Inuyasha knew what she was about to do but was unable to stop her. She pounded on the door hard and then sat down on the ground, staring up at him as if just asking him to try and run away.
He heard footsteps. He felt a cold sweat collect on his forehead and wondered why he was so worried about Miroku seeing him. They'd had a fight. So what? It wasn't as if he were afraid of what Miroku thought and whether they were friends or not.
But Inuyasha knew that was a lie, too.
The door open and Miroku's blue eyes locked on Inuyasha's own violet orbs. They stood, staring at one another, surprise clearly written on each other's faces. Rin continued sitting, observing the interaction between the two boys.
Miroku's shocked expression quickly disappeared as he observed Inuyasha. He stared at him for a long moment, betraying no emotion. His blue eyes swirled. "Hello," he finally said. "Inuyasha."
"Uh, hi," Inuyasha said uneasily, feeling awkward and exposed under the boy's gaze.
He looked down at Rin helplessly. The little girl titled her head and stared at Miroku. "May we come in?"
Miroku's head swiveled as he stared down at Rin. Then he sighed and stepped aside, presenting the doorway to the two visitors. Rin happily got off and entered, giving her caretaker a look to show she expected him to follow. Inuyasha frowned at the way Rin was controlling him. He was not okay with this situation.
"Are you thirsty?" Miroku questioned as he walked in front of them. "I have some juices if you'd like."
Inuyasha didn't say anything and looked around Miroku's apartment. Rin toddled along after Miroku, requesting some juice. Inuyasha stood in the foyer, staring at the small apartment before him. It was similar to his own apartment minus the size. Miroku's home was much smaller than his.
"I'm afraid my foster father isn't in right now," Miroku explained gently as he handed Rin a small can of apple juice. "But I'm sure he sends his regards."
Foster father.
It became increasingly clear to Inuyasha that he didn't know a thing about Miroku. The boy was always there, almost like an annoying fly that wouldn't go away. But Inuyasha didn't know anything about Miroku aside from his name and his behavior. But just then, and during their fight, he seemed like a completely different person.
Inuyasha watched Rin idly. Miroku leaned against the wall, staring out the window on the opposite side of the room. He crossed his arms and sighed, refusing to make eye contact with Inuyasha. The atmosphere in the room was rough and Inuyasha could feel it, as if it were tangible.
"I… uh…" Inuyasha started then trailed off.
Miroku glanced at him, his blue eyes clouded and his lips quirked downwards. Inuyasha froze. Why was it so hard to say?
"I talked to Kagome the other day," Miroku said casually, inspecting his long sleeved shirt for pieces of lint and flicking small pieces of dust from the article of clothing. He still refused to look at Inuyasha. "She seems to be doing better now that Souta has visited."
"Oh… yeah…" Inuyasha said lamely.
"Have you talked to her?" Miroku questioned, staring at his clasped hands.
"Yeah," Inuyasha said hesitantly. He stared at his feet. "I did."
"Hm," Miroku said.
"Miroku, I…" Inuyasha paused. He licked his dried lips. "I mean to… that is…"
The boy shifted and lifted his head, staring at the stuttering Inuyasha. He didn't say anything and his face betrayed no emotion yet it managed to root Inuyasha to the spot and forget the words he was trying to say. Why couldn't he say it? Why was it so hard?
"If you've got nothing to say," Miroku said at last when the silence between them became deafening. He looked disappointed. He looked sad. He looked tired. "Then maybe you should leave."
"I," Inuyasha whispered. He internally screamed at himself; why wasn't he talking? Why couldn't he say what he needed to be say? Why was he so much of a coward?
Miroku sighed and turned away, exposing his back to Inuyasha. He stared at the wall. "It doesn't matter."
But it did.
Anyone with eyes could see the pain dripping between the two high school boys. Inuyasha's fists clenched.
"I think I always knew that Kagome liked me," Inuyasha said at last, surprising even himself. He swallowed. "I just didn't want to see it."
Miroku glanced at Inuyasha over his shoulder, a disapproving look dancing in his eyes.
"And I know that I wasn't taking good care of her. I know I wasn't being a good person." Why was he saying this? This wasn't what he wanted to say at all! Why was he saying this? He felt his frustration dance within his gut. "But I think it was unfair of you to saddle me with her problems as if it were my responsibility to fix something I knew nothing about."
Miroku frowned and turned to face Inuyasha completely.
"That is to say…" Inuyasha trailed off.
Miroku lowered his gaze, looking thoughtful. He didn't say anything but a strange air of acceptance seemed to hang in the air, silently swaying between them like a flag caught in a lazy wind.
Miroku opened his mouth and then closed it, unsure what to say. Words failed him.
Suddenly, there was the sound of small footsteps.
Rin grabbed Miroku's pant leg and tugged. Miroku looked down. "Inu-oniichan is sorry. Forgive Inu-oniichan. That's what he's trying to say." She gave Miroku a very determined look, her lips thinning and her eyebrows slanted downwards. "I want you to forgive Inu-oniichan, too. He's lonely without Miroku-Kun."
Whether or not Miroku was surprised by the way Rin said his name or whether or not he was surprised by Rin's dramatic speech Inuyasha wasn't sure. Miroku stared at Rin, shocked, for a long moment.
Then his entire face seemed to melt and he gave Rin the sweetest, kindest smile Inuyasha had ever seen on the boy's face. Never before had he seen such an expression on Miroku's face. He looked incredibly happy.
He knelt down and patted Rin's head. "Okay."
Inuyasha stood flabbergasted as Miroku stood back up and turned to face the lavender-eyed boy. The smile on his lips dimmed but remained intact as he took a step forward. He blew out a stream of air upwards, causing his bangs to ruffle and dance across his forehead.
"I forgive you," he said simply, staring at the boy.
Inuyasha frowned, feeling foolish. He nodded.
Miroku, still smiling, stepped forward and opened up his arms, wrapping them around the other boy before he could say anything. Inuyasha stood, his eyes wide and his entire body stiff as a board as his best friend gave him a hug he'd never seen coming.
"Everything's okay now," Miroku murmured as he hugged Inuyasha tighter. "I'm sorry, too."
Inuyasha felt his body slacken and he awkwardly patted Miroku's back. He sighed, "I deserved it."
Rin beamed at the two of them.
"Thank you!" Rin chirped as Inuyasha set a plate of fries in front of her. She started eating, her legs swinging from the tall counter stool she sat in. Behind the counter lining the beginning of the kitchen, Inuyasha stood, wiping his hands as he watched Rin.
His coworker, Yuka, glanced at him where she was standing behind the counter, at the other end. She watched as Inuyasha patted Rin's head and warned her not to inhale all the food too quickly.
"Shinkanshi-Senpai," the high school junior said to her senior, coming over to stand next to him. "Is this your little sister?"
"Huh?" Inuyasha asked, raising his eyebrows, observing Yuka like she'd grown a second head. "No."
Yuka blinked and turned her attention towards Rin, who grinned back at her, fry poised to be shoved into her mouth. "Hi, my name's Rin!"
"Hello, Rin-Chan," Yuka said warmly, "I'm Yuka."
She straightened and watched an embarrassed Inuyasha turn away, collecting plates. She didn't pretend to know anything about her coworker but in that moment he'd looked rather sweet. She turned back towards Rin and inspected her.
"You two must be related," Yuka said, beaming. "You two look similar. You two have the same nose." She poked Rin's nose and the little girl giggled and hit her with the same fry. "So cute."
"It's our grandfather's nose. Rin's my cousin," Inuyasha said and batted Yuka away and forced the fry out of Rin's hand to prevent her from eating the dirty piece of potato. Rin fisted some more fries and ignored the absence of her last one. She continued eating and Yuka watched as Inuyasha fussed over her.
"Well, I should be getting back to work. Bye-bye Rin-Chan. See you later, Shinkanshi-Senpai," Yuka said with a wave before disappearing to the other side of the restaurant, working with the customers. Every so often she'd glance over her shoulders at Inuyasha and his little cousin, amused at the small interactions between the two.
"I hope Kagome-Chan is having a good time with Souta-Kun," Rin said as she finished off her plate of fries, licking her fingers as she spoke. Inuyasha nodded silently, leaning against the counter and waiting for customers he could serve—or for his shift to end.
Kagome typically would be watching Rin while Inuyasha was at work. But Souta and she had gone out to spend the day together and who was he to deny her some family fun? Heavens knew that she deserved some free time with her brother.
Inuyasha sighed and wiped at the counter idly. Rin kicked out her feet, humming happily.
"I hope she's having a good time, too," Inuyasha spoke and ruffled Rin's head, watching as she giggled and smiled at her cousin. Inuyasha released a small little grunt of amusement.
For the rest of his shift Inuyasha worked to serve customers only to be interrupted every time he passed. Rin would grasp his uniform shirt as if trying to solidify that Inuyasha was still there and wasn't going away. He would sigh irritably and turn towards Rin, giving her a look and gently releasing her hold on his shirt.
Customers watched, amused, as the boy was interrupted by the little girl—seeing as her position made it unavoidable for him to not pass her as she was on the way to the kitchen. They admired the adorable little girl who was so well mannered with the waiter.
Inuyasha, once his shift ended, took Rin away, convinced that he would never bring her to his work ever again. He sighed and held Rin's hand, tugging her down the street silently. Rain fell silently and Inuyasha greeted the rain, letting it drip on his shoulders and head while Rin held a tiny pink umbrella aloft, protecting herself from the summer rain.
"I liked your work," Rin announced, despite the fact she'd had to wait for Inuyasha for his six-hour shift. "I liked watching Inu-oniichan."
"If you keep talking like that, Rin, you're going to end up wanting to marry me," Inuyasha muttered.
"I do want to marry Inu-oniichan," Rin announced and Inuyasha nearly smashed into a lamppost.
"W-what?" he said, baffled, looking down at his younger cousin, shocked.
She gave him a very serious look, her brown eyes staring up at him. "I want to marry Inu-oniichan when I grow up."
He stood there, staring down at the little girl, holding her tiny little hand, and realizing what an impact he had on her life. He blinked, trying to process her small little sentences. She grinned, revealing missing teeth and her tiny pink tongue.
"I like it when Inu-oniichan is nice to me," Rin declared happily.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "I'm never nice to you."
Rin laughed, delighted. She continued to grin up at him and any lesser man's heart would have melted right on the spot. He cleared his throat and looked away, feeling his cheeks turn pink at her attentions.
Rin skipped ahead, swinging her umbrella above her head until it flew from her fingertips and clattered along the sidewalk.
He sighed and quickened his pace, scooping up the pink umbrella and following her. "Rin, don't drop this or else you'll get a cold."
Rin laughed, twirled around a lamppost and smiled brightly up at Inuyasha. She reached out her tiny hands to him, forever reaching for the young man who protected her and took care of her.
He stood, rooted to the ground as she reached out her hands and touched his own, drawing the larger, manlier hand into her tiny little ones. She pulled him down and he knelt, staring at her in confusion.
"Can I hug you?" she questioned and Inuyasha wondered why she bothered to ask.
He frowned. "Do what you want."
"Answer me," she commanded. Inuyasha blinked and avoided eye contact. The little girl gripped his hands and stared at his cheek determined. She didn't move and refused to relinquish her tiny hold on her caretaker.
Silence passed between them. Inuyasha sighed.
"Come here," he demanded and pulled her to him, pulling her into a tiny, slightly awkward hug. Rin laughed and smiled brightly, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck and holding him there, ignoring the onslaught of summer rains.
Her tiny words slipped out, so quietly that Inuyasha almost missed them. "I love Inu-oniichan."
Inuyasha's eyes widened as he held the little girl. He continued to hold her.
Nothing seemed to change. The world hadn't stopped. He hadn't woken up. The world continued moving, ticking away from him, swirling around him. He tensed for only a moment before he tightened his hold on Rin.
How long had he longed to hear such words? Those three words… he hadn't heard them in so long. They were distant. They were like phantoms, haunting his dreams and memories.
"Rin," he breathed, surprised that his own words could fail him so absolutely.
His entire body ached. His heart thumped and pined. He held her tightly. He held the little girl, the little memory of who he once was, of who he could have been.
It was amazing to him that in such a short time things had changed. He could still remember, distantly, the times when he observed Rin as no more than a hassle and an inconvenience. He could recall his distant feelings of almost hating Rin and wishing that she'd just go away. When had his heart melted?
"How do you feel for me?" Rin whispered when she felt his silence had stretched on long enough.
Inuyasha tried to collect his words. He couldn't find them.
He held her tighter, trying to convey his words through his actions. Rin responded, tightening her hold on his neck and cushioning her head in the crook of his shoulder. The rain drenched them but Inuyasha no longer cared. The pink umbrella rolled idly on the street corner.
When had he stopped seeing Rin as an inconvenience? When had Rin nestled so firmly into his heart? He'd lost track of the time that had slipped between them.
"Do you love Rin?" Rin murmured.
Inuyasha's hold was so tight he was surprised Rin could still speak—let alone breathe. He felt his head nod against her and Rin released the tiniest of noises—a content noise.
He couldn't remember when he'd stopped thinking of Rin as his annoying, hassling cousin. He couldn't remember when he'd started thinking of Rin as his daughter. But it didn't matter when it started. As long as it didn't end. Rin was his daughter now.
"Yes."