Written over the course of several days between 11PM and 1AM after I got done with homework, giving me about four and half hours of sleep before getting up and getting ready for school (I wake up at 6 AM), if there are any grammatical or spelling errors I apologize beforehand. My computer has died and left me only my laptop to work with and I'm not used to using the keyboard yet. Written while listening to Hawthorne Heights, H.I.M, Armor for Sleep, and 10 Years, Houston Calls, The All-American Rejects, Hamasaki Ayumi, and 3 Doors Down.
Can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away yeah yeah yeah
Can't cry it all away
Can't scratch it all away
Chapter 9
Change my attempt good intentions...
"Sesshoumaru, you know very well that I do not appreciate being lied to or taken for a fool," Inutaisho spoke his voice even, flat and emotionless matching the calm frozen expression of his face.
"I am well aware of the fact, Father."
"Are you, Sesshoumaru? Somehow I doubt the veracity of your words; else you would have never lied to me or anyone else in this company."
"I have never lied to you, Father," Sesshoumaru replied in the same quiet, unruffled tone.
"Haven't you Sesshoumaru? Then kindly explain to me how after almost four years of matrimony Rin has yet to conceive, whereas Inuyasha and Kagome have been mated barely three years and Kagome has conceived. Explain this most anomalous situation to me; I would love to hear what you have to say for yourself."
"Father, surely you do not believe that this is my doing," Sesshoumaru replied nonchalantly, waving his hand dismissively. "The idea is preposterous, surely you know me better than that. I know my duties, and I assure you I have done the utmost in fulfilling them."
"Enlighten me then, Sesshoumaru, on how Rin can be capable of producing offspring, I doubt that you are sterile, and yet you have not impregnated her yet. Your sense of smell is far greater than that of Inuyasha's; you are a full blooded youkai. This leaves the predicament without explanation, without a motive. Choose your words wisely Sesshoumaru."
"Please, Father, I am your loyal son and this is a most delicate matter, the continuation of our family depends on it. My words will no doubt be precise; this will leave no room for double meanings or misinterpretation of the facts."
"Continue."
"While I am aware that I have a duty to our family, continuing the bloodline being one of them, I also have an irreplaceable duty to my mate, which is of course, Rin. My duty to my mate takes precedent over all other duties, it is my duty to ensure her happiness, to protect her, and to provide her with a suitable home."
"What do your duties to Rin have to do with the lack of an heir?"
"As you are aware Father, my marriage to Rin is quite similar to a marriage of convenience, no love or infatuation involved on either side. However, Rin doubtlessly came out with the worst part of the bargain, I have stolen from her the opportunity to expand her horizons, so to speak, she will no longer seek employment or work another day of her life. Her decision to marry me coerced her to sacrifice her chances at living the life that she dreamed of, and she agreed to marry me not to help herself but to aid me in my dream in doing so she sacrificed hers. Rin understands her duties as my mate, she understands the importance of an heir and a spare but I felt that it would be unjust to coerce her to do something so intimate without anything more than friendship. I am merely giving her time, it would be impossible for her to view such an act with emotional detachment."
"And by giving her time do you think she'll be able to see it with emotional detachment? Do not be so foolish, Sesshoumaru."
"Of course I do not believe that, I am merely giving her time to become more accustomed to living with me and I do not wish her to live a life with regrets."
"Your logic, Sesshoumaru, is incongruous."
"She saw me as no more than a friend, Father, to take advantage of our relationship anymore than I have might have easily broken any vestiges of trust and sowed the seeds of bitterness, of feeling used. It would have been uncomfortable for her; time has been allotted to her so that she can feel more at ease with the situation and so it will not be so uncomfortable for her."
"You care enough about her to worry abut her happiness, to fear losing her trust, to not coerce her to do something outside of her comfort zone yet you do not love her. Perhaps not love, but not merely friendship either."
"Father," Sesshoumaru looked at him warningly, he did not want to involve himself in another discussion regarding his feeling for Rin. Inutaisho, it appeared, wanted him to admit that he- Sesshoumaru inwardly grimaced in disgust- loved Rin, that he loved a ningen. It was deplorable to know that his own sire, who at one time long ago mated a youkai, felt such regard towards the despicable species and it filled Sesshoumaru with repugnance to know that Inuyasha felt the same and that he felt an inexplicable affection for one, for Rin.
"Fine, I shall relent this once you have beguiled my fancy into allowing you respite, for once. Now, I have a matter of business to discuss with you. Within two weeks, you, Rin, and I daresay Jaken will travel to the United States to oversee the opening of several new branches of our company and to meet with potential clients and future business partners. Several of them are ningens, and I expect you to be gracious, Sesshoumaru, remember that you cannot treat them with contempt as you normally do because your wife will be with you. I do not want my eldest son and heir to appear a hypocrite in a foreign country, is this understood?"
"Perfectly, Father."
"Very well, you are dismissed."
Crouched over
You were not there
Living in fear
But signs were not really that scarce
Obvious tears
But I will not
Hide you through this
I want you to help
And please see
The bleeding heart perched on my shirt
Rin, he knew was visiting Kagome and his vile half-brother in Tokyo, and was not set to return for another week and a half, Sesshoumaru knew this left him with a unwanted predicament-to tell Rin that she needed to return home earlier than planned or to make arrangements for clothes to be packed and meet up with her in Tokyo and depart from the Narita Airport. He knew that Jaken was at home awaiting his arrival, Rin insisted on traveling to Tokyo unaccompanied by the small cretin, and Sesshoumaru was unable to blame her for Jaken's mannerism tended to border the annoying. Sesshoumaru tucked a strand of long silver hair behind his ear, he decided that the best course of action was to meet with Rin in Tokyo; he knew that they'd spend a long time in the United States and Rin wanted to spend a lot of time with Kagome and that she'd miss the other woman terribly while they were gone.
"Jaken," he called when he stepped through the threshold of his sanctuary, the only place where the whisperings of youkai, the gossip of ningens, the looks of loathing, and those without his favor never entered, his bedroom.
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama, what is it you need," the small youkai simpered as he answered Sesshoumaru's summon.
"I will leave for Tokyo next week, from there Rin and I will travel to the United States and you are to accompany us. Therefore, I want clothing packed in suitcases, I leave Rin's clothing to you Jaken, and if she lacks any type of garment when we arrive in New York City, you will suffer the consequences. Am I understood Jaken?"
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Jaken, I am not to be interrupted, regardless of the circumstances."
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama."
Sesshoumaru dismissed his servant and laid down on the bed. He'd lied to his sire, and that the lie slipped so effortlessly from his lips worried him far more than their content, the lies he'd told were half-truths after all, and of little consequence - what he did or did not do with his mate was his business and not even his father was privy to it. Sesshoumaru took in a deep breath, yes, he'd lied, but the mitigating circumstances warranted such lack of honor, divesting himself of his fathers trust in order to protect his own vanity and placing the blame onto the shoulders of the innocent, of the undeserving of such inconsideration, on Rin's shoulders. The shift was subtle, carefully calculated, so seamlessly integrated into the discussion that it went by undetected by his Father, he wove his tangled web of lies well and trapped his father in it, and in weaving the web he also trapped himself and Rin- unraveling one strand meant destroying the entire web, all the lies unearthed and revealed to all. He knew the saying, understood its implications, and understood what was held together by the fragile strands, oh what a tangled web we weave, he was the spider-hopefully he'd remember which strands were safe and which strands were sticky and not entrap himself. If he was indeed the spider, the maker of the tangled web of lies and deceit what then, he wondered, was Rin, was she the graceful butterfly ensnared in the web or was she a clumsy fly entangled in the glistening sticky strands of thin spider silk? Or was she not part of the web at all but the area in which the web was woven, the gentle tree branch that was the unfortunate victim, the guileless object unknowingly chosen to serve a dark purpose- the bloodstained site of merciless execution. He was the executioner.
Sesshoumaru stared up at the pristine white of his ceiling, pure white unmarred by dirt, innocent and naïve, if walls, floors and ceiling could speak would anyone listen to their tales, listen to their recollections of former inhabitants, of the shouts and tears, would anyone even care? Doubtless, he presumed that no one would take the time to hear the quite murmurs, to watch the walls bleed their transparent blood in agony and despair, to empathize with the immobile walls, to hear their sad tales.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, attempting to block out the pure white ceiling, perhaps he should tell Rin to paint a mural on it like the ceiling of the Sistine chapel was painted, anything to rid the room of the innocence that he knew he stole, the sinful act-sin was something taken and not given back. He fingered his sleek cell-phone, tracing the logo with a long slender finger and debated on calling Rin and informing her of the changes in their plans, to wait was to prolong the inevitable to not wait was to interrupt and possibly dismay her, dampening her slowly rising spirits at the prospect of leaving her friends for more than a month, more than a few months. He placed the small apparatus on the nightstand, he'd wait and let her enjoy her vacation and not suffer the unconscious wait of knowing that farewells were soon to be said, he couldn't rob her of any more happiness.
Die, withdraw
Hide in cold sweat
Quivering lips
Ignore remorse
Naming a kid, living wasteland
This time you've tried
All that you can turning you red
"Moshi-moshi, Sesshoumaru," Rin's cheerful voice came over the speaker of his cell phone, buoyant almost in its lightheartedness.
"You sound happy, Rin, what has transpired to put you in such high spirits?"
"Ah, well, um, Kagome and I were, umm, it's kind of hard to say, but we were um…" she trailed off and suddenly went on another tangent, "What's this I hear about your Father summoning you to his office once again to discuss "pressing family matters." Is anything wrong, Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru inwardly sighed in exasperation, he was a fool to believe that tidings of his meeting with his father might remain hidden from her; however, he'd personally dismember the fool who dared tell her without his consent and caused her to worry unnecessarily. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Rin, the matter was over exaggerated."
"That's good, I guess. How have you been, spending all that time with Jaken?"
"Well enough. Rin, how proficient is your English?"
"Good enough, I'm pretty fluent. Why do you want to know about my linguistic skills?"
"I will join you in Tokyo next week and explain the situation to you, consider it a surprise."
"A surprise, huh? I don't know Sesshoumaru; your surprises are a little strange."
Sesshoumaru instantly recognized the humorous undertone of her words and feigned outrage, "I assure you Rin that my surprises are of the highest quality and are unrivaled. Do not insult me thus."
She sniffed derisively at his statement, "Right, need I remind you of the-"
"No you do not, my memory is impeccable."
"Then don't try to prove your misconceptions, Sesshoumaru."
Although he'd never admit it to anyone, especially not to his Father, Sesshoumaru missed the friendly banters that formed part of their daily routine while she was with him, however, he believed that Rin had an inkling of this and he realized that it did not bother him, so long as she was the only one who knew.
"I miss you," he spoke almost to himself in a voice barely above whisper and Rin, on the other end did not hear his declaration.
"Did you say something, Sesshoumaru?" she asked.
"No."
"Oh, well I need to go Kagome asked me to help her with something for the nursery, I'll talk to you later."
"Agreed. I shall see you next week."
"Okay."
Change my attempt good intentions
Should I, could I
Here we are with your obsession
Should I, could I
"Inuyasha, close your mouth it is very unattractive for you to attempt to catch flies in public," Sesshoumaru drawled when the door in front of him opened revealing the bewildered countenance of his younger brother.
Inuyasha's mouth snapped shut and he glared at his elder brother, "What the hell are you doing here Sesshoumaru surely you couldn't have come all this way just to see me and Kagome."
"Be not a fool Inuyasha, I have no such leisure time nor would I deign myself to enter your filthy abode, the scent of ningen permeates from the walls and floors."
"Then why are you here?"
"Do you normally answer your own door Inuyasha, have you no underlings to do such menial tasks or do they all turn away in disgust at the prospect of serving a vile hanyou and his miko mate?"
"Answer the question, damn it!"
"I have come to collect, Rin."
"Why?"
"I have no need to explain myself to someone of your station, little brother."
"Why you-"
"Inuyasha, who's at the door?" a soft feminine voice called out effectively cutting off any tirade on the verge of spewing from Inuyasha's mouth, and soon the dark haired form of Kagome was visible over the hanyou's shoulder.
"It's just Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha muttered discontent at the interruption and because Kagome was there he couldn't fight with Sesshoumaru-he'd probably be deprived of ramen and sleeping on the couch if he attempted to.
"Sesshoumaru what a surprise we weren't expecting to see you until next week, or at least that's when Rin said you'd be here."
"Where is Rin?"
"Oh I'm such a bad hostess, come inside Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha, why do you have to be so rude and not invite him in?" Kagome chided her husband annoyed with his lack of manners although she ought to have expected it given the fact that their guest was one of the banes of Inuyasha's existence.
"It's not like it's my fault!" Inuyasha exclaimed trying vainly to defend himself from an impending lecture.
"Sorry about that Sesshoumaru, Rin's upstairs in the nursery painting one of the walls. You should see it, it's really beautiful, and best of all it works for both sexes because it depicts landscape rather than a specific item and the color pallet is incredible," Kagome gushed obviously entranced with what Rin was painting.
"Rin-chan," Kagome cried out upon entering the nursery, "guess who came to visit you?"
Sesshoumaru stepped through the doorway and witnessed what had entranced his brothers mate, on the sidewall the only wall without a window was a large depiction of a lake boarded by woods and with a flock of birds flying in the sky all painted as if they were bathed in the light of the setting sun. The landscape was obviously the focal point in the wall, and on each side of the painting, the wall was painted to resemble fabric-parting curtains to be precise as if the birds she's painted on both sides were drawing a curtain back revealing little by little the ethereal beauty of nature.
"Sesshoumaru what are you doing here? When you called me yesterday you said that you wouldn't be here till next week!" At this Kagome glanced at the two and made a hasty retreat down the stairs and away from the couple.
"I changed my mind."
"Is this the surprise you were talking about?"
"No. The painting is quite good by the way, you have done an excellent job on it."
"Arigatou."
"It looks as though you've already finished it."
"Almost, I just need to finish the shading of the curtains, make it look more like parting fabric with folds and wrinkles."
"Aa."
"Sesshoumaru, why are you here so early anyway?"
"To prove to you that my surprises are not, and I quote, "weird." And to present to you the reason for why I was going to visit you and why I asked you about your English."
"Okay, continue you've piqued my interest."
"I am grateful that my proclamation is worthy of your attention," Sesshoumaru answered a smirk playing on the corner of his lips. "As you are well aware Father for some time has considered opening new branches of our company internationally, more specifically in the west. Father was always quite susceptible to westernization, but that may be due to the fact that our clan once ruled over the Western Lands. Father has already slated several sites on the eastern coast of the United States as potentially beneficial to the company, and he has asked me to travel there and meet with several CEOs and see whether an establishment in the United States would be beneficial. Naturally, you are to accompany on this trip, as is Jaken. We are departing from the Narita airport next week."
"This is a surprise."
"Aa. Pack your bags, we are departing for a hotel tonight. I daresay that Inuyasha will be most displeased f I was to remain here with you both, it is only practical that we remove ourselves from the vicinity."
"Nonsense, Sesshoumaru," Kagome interjected, suddenly appearing at the door, "it wouldn't be right to send you and Rin off to a cramped hotel room for two weeks when Inuyasha and I have plenty of room here. Both of you are staying, I don't care what you have to say against it."
"This Sesshoumaru has no need of your hospitality, miko for we can manage our own lodgings."
"I know that you can but why bother going through the hassle of finding a hotel room, dealing with room service, housekeeping, and noisy neighbors when you can stay in the relative quiet of a house?"
"Miko-"
"Excellent, I knew that you would agree in the end! I'll go tell Inuyasha," Kagome exclaimed leaving the room before calling out over her shoulder, "You'll be sleeping in Rin's room of course, she can show you where it is. And it's Kagome not miko."
Rin looked at Sesshoumaru and gave him a tentative smile, "I guess that means that we're staying?"
"It certainly appears that way, Rin. I shall inform Jaken of the change in plans, have our bags brought in, and tell him to situate himself in the servant's quarters."
"Alright, do you want me to go down with you?"
"There is no need of your presence, I shall return momentarily."
"Ok," she answered lowering her head and turning to look at the wall once more.
Sesshoumaru saw her disheartened look and rethought his reply, "However, I believe that Jaken will be most relieved to see you, to keep him waiting will only increase his anxiety."
She gave a tiny laugh, "And the more anxious he gets the more talkative and annoying his shrill voice becomes."
"Aa."
The two walked down the stairs together, Sesshoumaru dimly noting the auspicious absence of his younger brother, no doubt, he was in another part of the house howling over the fact that Sesshoumaru would be living with them for a week.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, I am ready to depart if you are. Rin where are your bags? Don't tell me you are unprepared, after all the time that Sesshoumaru-sama was inside waiting for you, you still haven't packed anything. Why must you make things so difficult for him?" at Jaken's last statement a rock suddenly collided with is head knocking the small youkai down.
"Jaken, you are not to use that tone in addressing Rin, understand?"
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama," Jaken whispered, whimpering from the pain in his head. He looked at Rin, "Please accept my humblest apologies, Rin."
"Don't worry about it Jaken, I forgive you."
"Jaken."
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"There has been a change in our plans; Rin and I are to remain here for the duration of our stay in Japan. You will carry our bags upstairs and then retire to the servants' quarters."
"Understood, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Come, Rin."
----
Dinner was far from a subdued affair that evening, Inuyasha spent so much time sending looks of pure malevolence at his elder brother that he barely touched his food; Rin and Kagome chatted amiably over the most trivial topics and Sesshoumaru merely observed his surroundings while casually sipping his tea and picking at his rare steak. Inuyasha's marriage to Kagome proved to be a catalyst for several transformations on Inuyasha's part, before Inuyasha shirked at the idea of responsibility now he shouldered the burden without much complaint but the most amazing of these minor alterations was Inuyasha's participation in the family business-he actually began to take on some of the jobs required to keep the company functioning. It surprised Sesshoumaru how his little brother, who was normally quite predictable in his reactions and emotions suddenly became more competent, perhaps the ability was always there and he never noticed it before.
"My dear Inuyasha, if you continue to glare at me like that your face while freeze into a permanent scowl and then when your whelp is born it will become terrified of you."
"At least I'll have a whelp, unlike a certain ba-"
"INUYASHA!" Kagome cried out in outrage, "How dare you say something so cruel, that comment was uncalled for and besides Sesshoumaru does have a point."
"Ka-Kagome," Inuyasha stuttered in disbelief, "You're siding with-with him over me! What the hell?"
"Well you're acting quite-"
"If you will excuse me," Rin's quiet voice called out, "I've finished," and with that, she got up and walked away from the table leaving her dinner for the most part untouched.
"Now look what you've done Inuyasha! You've upset Rin!"
"What did I say to upset her?"
"I am finished as well," Sesshoumaru interjected before the argument escalated and he wouldn't be heard over the shouts. He left the room still able to hear the shouts from within, Inuyasha's feeble attempts to defend himself and Kagome's shouts of anger – "You know damn well what you said to upset her!"
Sesshoumaru walked in the direction of the room he shared with Rin and entered noting that the lights were off and Rin was lying in bed, he was unable to see her face, he closed the door behind him and walked over to the dresser taking out his sleeping clothes before walking into the attached bathroom to change. He knew that she was not asleep, but her lack of response the utter silence and sadness that shrouded her normally happy countenance worried him, Inuyasha's comment cut deep. Sesshoumaru tended to his nightly rituals before walking out of the bathroom and heading for the bed, however a soft nock at the door caused him to pause a quick sniff alerted him to the fact that it was Jaken who dared disturbed him.
"What do you want Jaken," Sesshoumaru hissed stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him as not to disturb Rin.
"I am sorry to disturb you, Sesshoumaru-sama, but I heard of what happened during dinner and I, well I…. is Rin okay?" Jaken asked in concern, though he'd never admit it he'd gotten fairly attached to the ningen in the time that he's known her.
"She is resting."
"Oh. Sesshoumaru-sama, what Inuyasha-sama said isn't true is it, I mean Rin will eventua-"
"That is none of your concern, Jaken."
"Forgive my impertinence, Sesshoumaru-sama. I'll just leave you now."
Sesshoumaru didn't acknowledge Jaken's words, for he spoke them to a closed door but Jaken knew his master heard him, and left still concerned about Rin's emotional well-being.
Sesshoumaru slipped into bed beside Rin, noting that she wore her usual attire of a tank top and pajama bottoms and smirked inwardly-she abhorred lingerie claiming that the lace itched in places, the elastic pinched, and the shoulder straps twisted. The only time she wore something remotely to the silky, lacy, frilly lingerie that caused her so much discomfort was when she was ill and the closest to that were silk nightgowns with lace trimmings, why Jaken continued to purchase such clothing for her was no mystery- he believed that Rin needed more feminine attire, this included dresses and night clothing. However, Sesshoumaru believed that he ought to be more afraid that Jaken actually walked into as store and bought the items that he knew Rin's size did not worry him- Jaken was the one who oversaw the cleaning of their clothing- no what worried him was that he continued to purchase such clothing. Perhaps Jaken got a perverse pleasure out of shopping for women's clothing.
Sesshoumaru wrapped one arm around Rin's waist drawing her back flush against his chest before whispering in her ear, "Do not let Inuyasha's ill spoken words dishearten you, Rin."
Crowned hopeless
The article read living wasteland
This time you've tried
All that you can turning you red
But I will not
Hide you through this
I want you to help
Sesshoumaru typed away on his Blackberry laptop, the weight on his shoulder not deterring him from looking over the documents his father sent him, the drone of the plane was pushed to the back of his mind, annoying, as it was – almost as irritating as Jaken. Once he finished looking over the current document he looked down at the top of Rin's head, she was fast asleep using his shoulder as a pillow and he debated waking her, she'd wake up with a sore and stiff neck if she remained in that position. Her lips slightly parted, her face completely relaxed and tranquil, Sesshoumaru felt that awakening her from such peaceful slumber was improper, and called out for Jaken and ordered him to give him a blanket and pillow, which he slipped under Rin's head before draping the blanket around her shoulders. Let her sleep, the flight was a long one.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, how much longer do you think the flight will last?" Jaken asked him from the seat behind him.
"Long enough."
Change my attempt good intentions
Should I, could I
Here we are with your obsession
Should I, could I
Their apartment in New York was larger than the one Sesshoumaru once owned in Tokyo, and Rin was amazed by its size the utter enormity f it all almost rivaled her shock at how fast people drove, the maximum speed limit in most places in Japan being 50 km per hour.ⁿ
The apartment was already furnished, all that was left was to buy groceries and to unpack, something that Rin decided could be done later, the trip from Tokyo drained her of her energy, leaving Japan was no problem but entering the United States was a nightmare, customs and immigration standing in line to get their passports checked having their bags searched and then the connecting flights themselves. The worst part however, was the noise, the sound of the jet engines the noise of crying children whose parents were flying coach, the hustle and bustle of the airports people shouting out fears of missing their flight, snarls of indignation when their baggage was lost, and the melding of the hundreds of voices at the gates.
Sesshoumaru walked into their bedroom and noted that their bed was a large four-poster with an azure colored canopy and matching heavy drapes designed to block out the sun, allowing more sleep time and intimacy. He looked at the bed and the more he looked the more certain he became that it was his Father's doing, the more the proud inu youkai tried to push Sesshoumaru onto Rin the more he loathed the idea. However, even he felt the stress and fatigue of the trip although he had an inkling that the true reason for his exhaustion lay solely on Jaken, but whatever the reason he did not care for there was a comfortable bed to lie in, which on closer inspection revealed to Sesshoumaru that Rin had already claimed one side of the bed. He quickly moved to join her in slumber; work could wait.
Heave the silver hollow sliver
Piercing through another victim
Turn and tremble be judgmental
Ignorant to all the symbols
Blind the face with beauty paste
Eventually you'll one day know
He was tired, tired of all the faces of the false facades the carefully crafted masks created to mask the viciousness, the malice, the deceit that they harbored deep within their being. The more time he spent in their presence the more deplorable they were, he saw through their false smiles, heard the sarcasm dripping from their every word, recognized each mocking gesture, each overzealous exclamation of assent and noticed its hidden dissent. He wanted it all to end, wanted-needed to escape into the arms of innocence, of truth and of actual affection to the embrace of one who actually smiled genuine smiles and did not plot his downfall, who enjoyed seeing him alive and healthy.
He was glad to see that the day was quickly dwindling down, three more hours soon became one hour turned into half an hour and transformed into three minutes, and even then he felt that time moved far too slowly. Sixty seconds, another fool approached him with more documents to look over, forty-five seconds, he waved several proposals off, politely refused dinner invitations, and ignored the appreciative looks of several females and even some men, five seconds, he shut down his laptop and placed it in its case, the day was over and he felt relieved to be on his way home.
Change my attempt good intentions
Limbs tied, skin tight
Self inflicted his perdition
When Sesshoumaru arrived at their apartment, he saw Rin sitting on the couch, her back against the armrest, knees pulled up to support a sketchbook, pencil in hand moving briskly across the page, not once did she look up at the door nor make any sign of greeting. He dropped his briefcase near the door, took off his shoes placing them next to the suitcase before shrugging out of his jacket and placing it over the back of one of the recliners as he walked towards the couch, he sat down carefully so he would not cause Rin to make a mistake and turned to look at her.
"How was your day?" she asked not looking up from her sketchbook.
"Fine."
"Monosyllable answers are not really answers, Sesshoumaru," she replied, "Was your day fine in that you completed everything you needed to complete or is it fine in that no one angered you, or was it fine in the sense that you made it home alive?"
Amusement filled him and he decided to humor her, at least for the moment, "Fine in the sense that I did not need to remain there after hours, if anything I was able to leave those despicable fiends earlier than usual."
"You know you love working there, admit it. You relish in the fact that they hate you but you have power over them and can bend them to your every will, you love having power and will never relinquish it."
"Am I that transparent?
"You are to me."
"Hopefully only to you."
Suddenly Rin placed her sketchbook on the floor and looked at him questioningly, "Sesshoumaru, what would you do if a small child ever asked you what love was?"
Sesshoumaru stared at her wondering how she managed to wonder off into such strange tangents, "I refuse to-" he stopped suddenly when Rin leaned over, very close to him.
She placed a soft slender finger over his lips, "Shh, just indulge me this once, what would you say if a small child ever asked you what love was."
"Love is an emotion, intangible-" he was stopped once again by Rin's finger on his lips, his brows furrowed as he stared at her questioningly."
"A small child might not understand what intangible means, Sesshoumaru, try again."
"It is when two people mutually agree to stalk each other."ª
Rin stared at him for a few seconds before bursting out into peals of laughter, falling off the couch and rolling on the floor clutching her sides, tears leaking from her eyes, gasping for breath, face crimson. "Honestly, Sesshoumaru, you make jokes at the weirdest times, gotta keep people on their toes I guess, but I want you to be serious. Now answer the question."
"Love is an emotion, and like all emotions it can not be touched, smelled, felt, tasted, or seen. It can be expr-it can be shown through actions and words. Ningens believe that it is powerful and can overcome anything, youkai believe it is a weakness that leads to pain. Love, is a word that must be used carefully because it can hold so many different meanings. The Greeks, a race of great thinkers, believed there were three types of love, love between family and friends, love for a significant other, and love for the whole world. Of the three, love for the whole world is the most difficult to achieve. That is what love is."
Should I, could I
Change my attempt good intentions
Should I, could I
Should I, could I
10 Years – Wasteland
ⁿI know that in Okinawa the maximum speed limit is 50 km per hr, I'm not sure about the rest of Japan. Kimi, my cousins wife, actually stops driving for a while every time they return from Okinawa (where she is from) because people here drive on opposite sides of the road and drive much faster than in Japan – and traffic is horrible over there.
ªA classmate of mine actually said that during our AP Psychology class, when he was asked how a behavioral psychologist might define love.
On a side note, don't read into the Sesshoumaru whispering into Rin's ear thing too much, nothing happened he was just trying to help her feel better. And don't expect to hear much from me until at least the end of science fair, I need to sleep more if I am to conduct my experiment properly and not fail AP Psych, AP English, and Pre-Calc.