"Sess-san! Sess-san! Can we go in there?"

Rin pointed her tiny index finger towards a small shop at the corner of the street they were currently walking on. Once again, for the third day in a row, his little girl had desired to play in that quaint little park bordered on one side by the towering sky scrapers and bustling streets. On the other side, the park was nestled comfortably and complemented with small business shops and restaurants. There were many small double lane roads, some being cobble stone, that winded and twisted as if forming passageways of a maze. There were trees lining the streets and many store display windows.

The two worlds, so close together, yet so different. The contrasting atmospheres crossed and contrasted along Kisei Komichi, loosely translated to Death Lane. Many gangs clung to the stone and plaster alleyways like it was their heaven. Riots spouted nearly everyday and more deaths occurred with each charade. The government claimed to 'cracking down on crime,' yet they heard no news of these daily occurrences? People rumored that the government purposely ignored these acts and that they made some agreement. Others said that the leaders just couldn't get a fix on the gang headquarters. These were more of the somewhat ignorant, but dependent and strict followers if the regime.

The little shop was named Chikujitsu. The shop was some sort a toiletry boutique or at least from what he gathered of what was shown in the storefront window. There were several items displayed are arranged aesthetically. One example was a stick of incense lying diagonally over an ornate wooden box. The container was obviously an incense burner with a navy blue cloth beneath used for snuffing the flame.

"Why do you wish to enter, Rin?"

"Because Kohaku's in there! See!"

Sesshoumaru looked passed the glare of the setting sun and now did notice the boy. He was, at present, sweeping the floor of the front room. Did the boy possibly work here?

-One way to find out...-

Kohaku lifted his head when the tinkling bell mobile that hung over the door jingled with the entrance of a customer. He knew this because Sango and Kagome always came in the side door. Kaede was sitting behind the register knitting a scarf, watching over the store while Sango was at a night class. The colors of the scarf were somewhat bland, but held a contemporary appeal. The scarf was the purest black with a plaid-like pattern of greys weaved in a close knitted pattern. The elderly woman also raised her head and greeted the man who lived a few floors up from her own spacious apartment and child she often packed lunches for with a kind smile. This was a smile that only a woman whose life was full of wisdom and joy could produce. She nodded to him and gestured her hand around the room in a waving motion.

"Look around as ye wish, Takarashi-san."

Sesshoumaru eyebrows dipped a little in the center of the arches. Her speech always did catch him off guard. It told of the long lost ages of ancient Japan. It was strange, yet a refreshing change. Her voice was as always soft and deep, with a tender scratch to it to deem her true age reality. His eyes watched Rin as she avidly spoke with the taller, older boy. He was standing straight with the broom still resting in one hand. His normally blank face, not unemotional mind you, was captured in the twitching grasp of what could be described as a fond smile.

Rin turned to him with a smile, but her eyes refocused passed him at the elderly woman behind her. Rin tilted her head as she was wont to do and was becoming her trademark habit. Her chocolate brown warmed enormously at the sight of her beloved lunch-packer, Kaede. Rin's gaze remained a little longer than usual. It seemed as though the child was searching her elder's soul for an answer. It was an answer to a question that only Rin could know of and apparently she found it for she grinned at the elder shopkeeper. Then she followed it with a wave and a short, loose bow.

"Konban'wa, Kaede-obaasan!"

Kaede chuckled. The girl was absolutely adorable. She came in and ran straight to the young Kohaku. In fact she nearly ran him over and gave him quite a start. The child, Rin, beamed up at him with unparalleled joy that was extremely rare in these petulant times. Kohaku, much to Kaede's surprise, returned it with his own version of that same happiness. Of course since it was Kohaku, who reveled in a more reserved nature, only curved and parted his lips in the barest sense. But the message was well received.

"Konban'wa, it is a splendid please to meet ye here, young Rin."

As Kaede was the oldest in the room, Sesshoumaru dipped his head, in show of his respect to her collected wisdom gained in her passing years. And Kaede nodded back.

"Pleased to see thou as well, Takarashi-san."

Truthfully he shouldn't have been surprised that she had recognized him. He was one of the wealthiest in Japan and that was with or without his father's inheritance. Yes he was quite well off before his old codger of a father passed on leaving him a multi-million dollar corporation. It could only be his father's way of saying that Sesshoumaru needed a real job, not one centered on worthless photos. After all he had only met her a few times, but often passed her in the entrance hall of the apartment building where they both lived. Did she own this shop? Since Kohaku had finished his sweeping, he took Rin into the back room. He was currently showing her around while conversing about school-related topics.

Sesshoumaru rested his tapering legs by sitting on one of the stools placed in the corner of the room. His back leaned against the wall and his head was tilted back against the support as well. He closed his eyes, the already long day felt even longer when he received some disturbing news. Takarashi Technology was accepting interns to work aside certain employees along with some of their associate companies. The two other main businesses that kept close to Taka Tech. were Hamasaki Corp. and the Haruyama firm. Hamasaki had just recently merged with Taka Tech. for investment reasons.

Hamasaki was renowned for its great discoveries in the medical industry as well as furthering research that usually always handed out unique results. Taka Tech. supplied most chain hospitals, but Hama Corp, as it was named now, was their largest and longest buyers. It only made sense to merge, but it was finalized when Sesshoumaru's younger half-sibling Inuyasha married the heir to Hama Corp, Hamasaki Kikyo. The Haruyama law firm has been connected to Taka Tech. since Inutaisho's father and Hazuna's became close friends in college. Inutaisho and Hazuna grew up together and no better friendship could be known. There weren't rivals like most thriving companies in Japan, but coincided peacefully. It was only the Obaruka Corporation that caused problems.

"Sesshoumaru-sama..."

"Hai, Rin?"

"May I go to the park with Kohaku-kun?"

"Hai, I'll come to you when its time to leave, but we cannot stay long. I'm expecting a call from work."

-Kohaku...kun?-

Words to know:

Chikujitsu: With each passing day

Hai: yes

-obaasan- suffix for grandmother

Tell me if there are errors and I will fix them. Please don't just ignore them.

Thanks to Carmmelldoll for pointing out my contradiction of Kaede.

Review Response to Jay: Because I couldn't respond to your review...to answer your comments. Kagome is an adult, she is twenty two, lol. I don't think her age makes her experiences less prominent. She is old enough to have had hard times, but is still inexperienced in certain aspects of reality.