Author's Notes: Okay, so normally I would put this at the bottom of the chapter, but I think it fits better up here. This chapter is pretty slow moving, but it has to be done in order for the rest of the story to take off. I hope you all will forgive me for it. My thanks to the reviews will be at the bottom. :D
Chapter Two
Club Plush was bustling with people the following Friday night. Rin stood behind the bar, pouring and mixing drinks while a few men tried their hand at flirting with her. She hadn't seen or heard from Sesshomaru all week, and she hated to admit it, but she missed the man. On numerous occasions, she picked the phone up to call him, only to chicken out at the last minute and hang up. There was one time when he actually picked up, but she didn't say anything, only listened to his annoyed tone before the receiver found its way back into the cradle.
'I reiterate my previous statement. You're a first-class idiot.'
With the shake of her head, she placed a few drinks on a serving tray and passed it off to a random waitress when she spotted Kagome waving her down. "Naraku, I'm going to take a short break, think you can handle things for a few minutes?"
The second bartender on duty, a man maybe three or four years older than she was, looked over to her and nodded. He certainly could be classified as attractive with his long black hair and eyes so unique they should be copyrighted. Those eyes. They held so much mystery within them, that Rin often times found herself lost within the depths of those crimson orbs.
"Sure, but you're gonna owe me." He replied.
There was an undeniable hint of mischeif in his eyes, one that made Rin nervous for a brief moment. "Uh, okay, whatever you say." She offered him a smile before moving past him over to Kagome, who was sitting at the far end of the bar. "Hey, what's up?"
"Not much. I just thought that I'd come by and see how business is." Kagome replied. "What time do you get off tonight?"
Rin looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm not exactly sure to be completely honest. I guess whenever Kohaku comes in to releive me. Maybe I'll change and stick around here for a bit. Why?"
"Just curious, really, but that does sound like fun. Call me when you get off. Yash and I will come hang out with you." Kagome said with a smile.
"Sounds like fun, but for now I have to get back to work. This is already costing me." Rin stated.
Kagome arched a brow. "What do you mean it's costing you?"
"Oh, it's no big deal. Naraku says I owe him for covering for me. We are a little on the busy side." the shorter brunette replied. "It's no big deal. He's been wanting me to go out with him, so maybe I will."
"Rin, just be careful. Naraku is a creep for lack of a better word."
"Yes, mother, I'll be careful. Now, get. I have to go back to work. I'll call you when I get off." She waved goodbye to her friend and moved back to her post. Not even there for thirty seconds, and the drink orders were already overwhelming.
Rin was off the clock an hour and a half later. After changing out of her drab white blouse and black slacks, she slipped into a comfortable black mini-skirt and red tank top that hugged each of her curves like a lovers caress. She slipped on a pair of heeled black knee high boots, then ran her fingers through her hair. Once her makeup was touched up, she called Kagome, then moved from the bathroom out to the main area. Judging by the double-takes she was getting from the men around her, she picked the perfect attire for the evening.
After bringing her things out to her car and returning, she slid her rump onto a vacant stool. She ran a hand over her hip to make sure her cell phone was still secured in its place, then waved Naraku over. He approached her with a grin, his eyes never leaving her.
"Is there anything special I can get for you? Anything at all?" he asked. He didn't even try to hide the hidden meaning behind his question.
Even Rin couldn't overlook the hidden meaning, but she shook it off, ignoring it for now. "How about a virgin mudslide?"
Naraku winked. "Coming right up." He turned his back to her and began to make the drink she asked for.
Rin watched him out the corner of her eye for a few moments before she turned to look over the many people on the dance floor. She couldn't remember the last time she had been dancing. Or even if she had. What the hell? She yelled back to Naraku that she was going to go dance and to watch her drink for her, then she slipped off the stool and made her way out onto the dance floor.
The speakers that were located all over the building pumped out Jay Gordon's song Slept So Long. (see the Queen of the Damned soundtrack.) Music that people were able to grind to. She began gyrating her hips to the beat of the music, arms raised above her head. The sight was beyond hypnotic. Her movements were snake-like, graceful. Her eyes drifted closed, leaving her completely unaware that most every pair of eyes were now fixed on her. Even if she did know, she wouldn't have cared.
Sesshomaru moved through the entrace of Club Plush. He'd never been here before, but there was a first time for everything. He decided he wanted to have a drink or two, but that was a bold face lie. He was hoping he would see Rin. Kagome had a big mouth. When she told Inuyasha that they were going to meet Rin here, he grabbed his keys and left before anyone would even notice he was gone. And now, here he was.
Being one of Oni Internationals top dogs had its advantages. He never had to wait in lines. Always alert, he scanned his surroundings, taking in each person and what they were doing. He took note that most people had their eyes glued onto the dance floor and not on him. Not that he minded.
His feet carried him over to the bar where he took a seat on a nearby stool. He ordered his drink and made himself comfortable, turning his attention back to the dance floor. That's when he saw it. There was -his- Rin dancing in the midst of a group of men. And just what was she wearing? Never in the three and a half years that he had known her had she ever wore anything like that. She looked... she looked like a goodess. Something inside him snapped. Jealousy and possessivness soared through his entire body. She was his, no one elses.
Before he could even think about it, he found himself moving to the dance floor, violently shoving men out of his way as he went. This just wouldn't do. He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her toward the door, never looking back.
"What the hell are you doing? Let go of me!" Rin seethed to where only he could hear it, trying to tug her hand from his to no avail.
Naraku looked up from what he was doing and caught a glimpse of what was going on on the other side of the club. He growled low in his throat. With one hand, he hand-vaulted over the bar and shoved his way through the crowds of people who stood between him and Rin. There was no way he would allow her to leave with another man. Willingly or by force. She belonged to him and nobody else, she just didn't know it yet.
"I believe the lady said to let her go." he chided, moving in front of the couple.
Sesshomaru stopped, slowly turning his impassive gaze to the man who dared try to intervene. "I suggest you move and stay out of matters that you have no business being involved in."
Rin looked between the two men. Judging by the looks they were giving one another, it didn't take her long to realize they were ready to rip each others throats out. She swallowed a lump in her throat. "It's okay, Naraku. I don't mind going with him." Of course that was a lie, but she put on one of her most charming smiles. Honesty, she wasn't too fond of the idea of the two of them fighting with one another.
Naraku narrowed his eyes, looking over to Rin. He gave a curt nod, then turned his back to the two of them. Soon, soon he would have everything he ever wanted, her being at the top of his list. He moved back to the bar, violently shoving people out of his way.
Sesshomaru watched as Naraku walked away, a hint of a smirk forming on his normally emotionless face. He would definately have to watch out for him. Rin was his. He'd be damned if he'd let anyone come along and ruin that. He escorted her out of the club and to his awaiting car out in the parking lot.
Rin pulled her hand from his grasp and glared daggers up at the man. He infuriated her. "What the hell is your problem?"
"I have no problem." He replied, unlocking the car door. "Get in." The tone he used left no room for defiance.
"You're a bastard, do you know that?" she snapped.
"Yes, I've been told that before." He stated, pulling the car door open. "Get in, or I'll put you in myself."
Rin glared at him and climbed into the car. She was beyond furious. Once her seatbelt was secured in place, she folded her arms across her chest and glanced out of the window. Why did he feel the need to be such a jerk to her?
Sesshomaru moved around to the driver's side and climbed in. There were quite a few things he wanted to say to her, but he wasn't sure where to begin. Giving her a sidelong glance, he determined that perhaps it was better not to speak to her right now. At this very moment, she looked as though she could spit fire.
The silence inside the car was deafening. Rin wanted nothing more than to reach over and turn the stereo on, but quickly thought better of it. Just when she thought she could take no more, he spoke, his voice as cold and uncaring as always. "Is there any particular reason as to why you look like a prostitute?"
Rin snapped her heated gaze to him, her eyes ablaze from his question. "A prositute?" She clenched her fists, her fingernails biting into the flesh of her palms. Small cresent shaped pools of blood began to rise to the surface. "Stop the car."
"I will not." Sesshomaru stated, keeping his eyes locked on the road in front of him. Truth be told, he actually liked the way she was dressed, it did much to accentuate her body without giving too much away, but what he didn't like about it was the way the men back at the club were oogling her. She belonged to him and him alone whether she knew it or not.
"Either stop the car and let me out, or I'll jump out while it's moving." She spat. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut once in a while? Why did he insist on acting as though he were better than everyone else?
Sesshomaru pulled the car over to the side of the road and put it in park. He didn't have a chance to say anything before she climbed out and slammed the door, making his ears ring. Quickly, he climbed out. "Rin..."
Rin spun on her heel and glared at him. If looks could kill, the man standing before her would be moondust twelve times over. "A prostitute, huh? You know, I'm sick of you acting like you're better than everyone. You've got a lot of nerve, Sesshomaru." She felt like bursting into tears, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing just how much his words hurt her. "Do me a favor and leave me alone." With that said, she turned around and began to walk again.
Sesshomaru stood planted in his spot, his amber colored gaze locked on her retreating form. It was well after midnight and there was no telling who or what was lurking about in the shadows. He couldn't just leave her. She could be raped, or worse yet, murdered. Neither were things he wanted to happen to her.
Without a second thought, he ran after her and grabbed her around her waist, then tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of potatos. Her protests and curses fell on deaf ears as he made his way back to the car. Even her fists pounding against his back went unnoticed.
Rin growled. She currently knew what the women of the Stone Age felt like. "Sesshomaru, put me down right now. If you don't, I'll kick you where the sun doesn't shine." To prove that she was serious, she began to thrash and kick her legs.
Sesshomaru barely grunted when her foot connected with her stomach. Had it landed a little lower, he surely would have dropped her. He pulled the passenger side door open and all but threw her inside, then he leaned in to buckle her seatbelt. "I'm taking you back to my place so I can keep an eye on you."
Rin's pale skin turned a few shades paler. "What? You can't be serious! I don't want to go back to your place! I want to go home!" She watched him close her door and move around the other side of the car. She briefly gave thought to locking the doors and climbing over the center console in an attempt to get away. Yeah, that would make things better for her. Instead, she turned her attention back to the window she seemed to be so fond of. This was going to be a long night.
After he was settled in the car, Sesshomaru pulled back onto the road and headed in the direction of his place. Yes, tonight was going to be a long night.
"Did you find Rin?" Kagome asked as Inuyasha approached the bar where she was waiting for him to return.
Inuyasha shook his head. "No. I asked around, but only one person knew who I was talking about. He said she left with someone that looked a lot like Sesshomaru."
Kagome slammed her fist on the top of the bar gaining a few stares from some of the people around her. Not only was the man an asshole, but he was incapable of following simple instructions. She got to her feet and made her way to the exit without a word.
"Hey, what's going on? Where are you going?" Inuyasha asked giving chase.
"We're going to track your brother down and get Rin." came her simple reply.
Inuyasha stopped. Okay, he was confused. He couldn't even begin to imagine why she cared if Rin was with his half-brother or not. He was obviously missing something, and sooner or later he planned to find out. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he followed her out and to the car.
Additional AN's: As I mentioned before, this chapter was kind of blah, and it was shorter than the first one was. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone. If I did, please forgive me. In the next chapter, I'll go into detail about how Rin and Sesshomaru met, and why it is they think they hate one another.
Thank you to all of you who reviewed. Without all of you, I wouldn't have even gotten this done. You've motivated me, and that's a good thing because I can be a slacker. Thanks again. Until next time.