"So..mm- what are you going to do then?"
Sango answered around the strawberry starburst in her mouth. The two were trying to see who could remove the wrapper from the candy without tearing the treat first. So far, Kagome had gotten two where Sango four, but perhaps that was because Kagome was leading the conversation. Kagome pulled her lemon sweet out of her mouth to respond.
"I don't know…I'm just relieved it wasn't really anything serious."
"Yeah, you were freaking out weren't you?"
"Hey! I thought my grandfather was in the hospital again!"
"Okay, but after your mom said you couldn't go back home, did you even listen to her reason?"
"Uh…"
Kagome stuck her candy back into her mouth as her shoulders slumped in defeat.
"So she's just going to visit your aunt in Okinawa?"
"Hai."
"And why don't you want to go with her?"
"Well…my mom hasn't seen her sister in a few years, the two of them have been so busy. I don't really want to intrude."
Kagome held up her hand silencing Sango's argument before it started. Her friend's jaw snapped shut and she widened her eyes to get Kagome to continue.
"I know they would never say I was intruding, but I just want them to catch up and enjoy their time together. Besides I'm going for a visit on my next break."
"Oh, well I suppose that makes sense."
Kagome nodded then cheered raising her hands above her head. Sango quirked an eyebrow, but smiled when Kagome pulled a clean wrapper from her mouth. Sango shook her head before chucking a pillow at Kagome who was currently rolling on her back on the floor. Her feet were in the air.
"Kagome! I'm still beating you by one- oops two!"
She smiled victoriously pulling a finished orange wrapper from the depths of her mouth.
"Damn it…I was so close."
Kagome grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. She thinned her lips before plunging her hand back into the bag and yanking out another piece. Sango sat facing Kagome each holding a starburst.
"I will defeat you."
"Yeah right, Prudence."
Kagome's eyes widened, but then a sound nearly a growl, passed her lips.
Sesshoumaru's Apartment
"Hai, Otou-san, I will be there in two days. Hai, she will be coming along again. Hn- Sayonara."
Sesshoumaru clicked the phone on and sat it on the clear spans of his desk. He folded his hands on the edge watching the electronic device. He pushed out from his desk after a few minutes of observation of his portable phone. Sesshoumaru opened the door and padded down the hall in his chic, black shippers that were of a designer label of course. Sesshoumaru always got what he wanted, always his way. Even his slippers were exactly what he wanted. Nothing else was satisfactory. If he had to pay more then so be it. Of course that didn't mean Sesshoumaru went out buying useless possessions one could tell that by the sparse, but tastefully decorated apartment in which he lived. One's appearance was judged by all others and Sesshoumaru's was to be spotless. Besides it wasn't like he was pinching his pennies, the only thing hindering his bank account was the college fund he set up to ensure that Rin could have the best education. His daughter could pick any college anywhere in the world, though it would preferably be in Japan.
He watched her from where he was, leaning on the corner of a wall near the kitchen. Rin was sitting on the floor in front of the living room couch. She was wearing overalls again, this time covered with white bunny patches. There was one on the front over the few pockets there were on her jumper. Then another on her back pocket and another at her knee in the front. Her shoulder length hair was in pigtail braids and currently she was watching…wheel of fortune?
Sesshoumaru quirked an eyebrow at his foster child, the show was an American one that was in English and Japanese subtitles below on the screen. However, Rin had been taught English as soon as she decided she wanted to speak. So naturally, she could understand without needing the flashing subtitles. She was now leaning forward on her arms over her Indian style crossed legs. Her face was lit up.
"I know, I know! It's Captain Kidd!"
Sesshoumaru watched her as she sat up on her knees and began to bounce up and down in her glee. She was smiling. There were only six of eleven letters up on the board and she had it already? The channel was a little fuzzy stating that it was one of the lesser viewed and was barely within their range for reception.
"Rin."
"Oh Sesshoumaru-sama!"
He tilted his head turning his amber gaze towards the television screen.
"Oh, Captain Kidd was a legendary pirate. He plundered the many seas and it is said that he buried his bounty on the shores of New England."
An eyebrow once again disappeared further beneath split hanging bangs.
"He was mentioned in some reading I was doing on the side other than my usual list for school."
"Which was?"
"Washington Irving's 'The Devil and Tom Walker'."
"This is for pleasure?"
"Hai!"
Rin beamed, but her smile increased when the answer was finally revealed. It was indeed the name of the legendary pirate Captain Kidd.
"Do not let it interfere with your school work."
"Mochiron, otou-san!"
Sesshoumaru turned as his bangs fell over to shield his eyes and the warm glint resting tepid in the twin pools. Such a warm feeling from a simple label, labels were one thing he was known to despise mainly because he was slapped down by many. Yet this one suited him just fine. But there was still one part of him, deep down inside, that Sesshoumaru made sure to keep quiet. This darker part revealed itself in his pleasure of mocking others. That part of him nearly became sick at such a warm and almost loving feeling that shifted in his long lost heart. Sesshoumaru disgusted himself for accepting such affections because he did not need them. However the contempt ran even further because he needed them and he wasn't worthy to accept them so selfishly, giving none in return.
Sesshoumaru slipped back into his office. His black day would not be arriving for two months yet Sesshoumaru could still feel the strain that time of year always gave, already sprouting on his shoulders. It was twisting in his heart and he gritted his teeth. There were many reasons why he wished to be alone, some more obvious that the next. Rin was not to see him because unlike most Sesshoumaru did not fall under the weighty solemnities of depression. No- his calm, smooth manners became jagged and hot. His temper would flare at any of the smallest disgraces or conflicts in his day. Violent actions driven by anger fueled him all through the day. Morning to night- and even for a week afterwards the tension remained. He would never forgive his mother for leaving him, but then he couldn't blame her for it either.
Sesshoumaru did not sit back down at his desk preferring to stand by the window covered by two layers of black drapes. Today would indeed be an unpleasant one. There was something in the air, something not good.
Kagome's apartment
Kagome pressed herself against the sheets of her still unmade bed. Shippou had just left to return back to his boarding house. His fellow mates were throwing a Christmas party and Shippou was working on the cooking staff. Others were decorating or setting the tables, but Shippou could be quite a cook when given the correct ingredients and time.
Kagome had sent him off with a smile, though she would have preferred to ride with him home on the train. He had insisted that she get some rest and that he would call her when he arrived. That had been just a few minutes ago, she had just plopped back down into her down pillow except Kagome wasn't really comfortable because there was something under her pillow, something hard.
Kagome's brow scrunched and she let out a soft grunt. Her arms felt so heavy, her mind was foggy, and her normally flickering eyes were lidded with droopy eye lids. A small dainty hand pushed its way beneath her pillow still weighted down by her head. A slim, but stiff box hit her self-manicured finger nails. Kagome craned her neck a touch and whipped the box from its quite unsuitable place under her pillow. She sighed as she looked at it disdainfully scorning it for interrupting her much needed rest. She was getting sick, all this flu going around. It wasn't serious, usually mild cases as she was told by Jakotsu. Hadn't he warned her to button up? Well- it didn't help anyways.
Blue snapped to attention at the fact that no name tag was written or attached to her present. It was very strange, but the red ribbon on the outside of the charcoal grey box stood out and seemed familiar. The slippery textured surface allowed the ribbon to be gently removed. Kagome pulled the lid off, but for some reason she hesitated. The lid fell from her grasp and a choking pain erupted in her chest. Kagome couldn't breathe heavy pants in place of her normal smooth, even breaths. She clenched her teeth and gripped that box until the sides bent and tore. The object inside remained intact due to the small tie around its center. The fold in its fabric however came loose and the silk fell to touch her wrist almost wistfully. Kagome bit her lip hard to swallow the choked sobs eroding away at her throat.
Kagome gasped, thin grievous tears streaking her cheeks. Her already stuffy nose was now blocked and her tightened throat did not help matters in the least. One hand removed itself from the rim of the container and the pad of her index finger softly traced the center of her most wondrous, beautiful gift. The giver of such a unique treasure could no longer be anonymous. The only question is why her dearest mother could part with it. Her mother once said that this was a part of her heart and now she was just giving it away? Why did her most beloved mother have to be so understanding that she would sacrifice her greatest valuable to another? Even if it was her daughter, this act was so unexpected, but entirely welcome.
Ever since she was a child, Kagome had loved the silk tie. It was her father's favorite, a parting gift he received from his mother on her death bed. He had given it to Aiko, Kagome's mother, on their wedding day. Aiko had cherished the faded silk with its stitching still intact, even after all these years. So long after her father's death, the tie had remained inside a glass chest by her mother's bed side. When Kagome was younger she would come crying to her mother about someone teasing her about something or other, Aiko would pull the age-softened item from its locked chest and wrap it around her wrist. Sometimes it went around her neck or even her head, but it always soothed her like it was her father's spirit inside the seams of that cloth.
Kagome sniffled before hugging the gift to her chest wrapping both hands around it as if it would just disappear in thin air. Her hair fell heavily around her shoulders, but at this point nothing else mattered. She now had yet another piece of her father that could be with her at all times. There were very few items that still existed as a reminder. Some were paintings that he had done during his college years and the following years after. Those were kept at her mother's shrine so as to not get damaged and be cared for properly. There was the cross constantly around her neck plus the many pictures that littered her bedroom. And now- there was this.
It was simple, yet elegant. Her father was never one for glam or glitter. He preferred the natural or plainer designs. The tie was made of hand spun silk and dyed a soft moss green, nearly the color of green tea. Simple floral designs, similar to that of lilies, were outlined at the ends. Each was no bigger than the size of a quarter, but some were the size of her pinky nail. It was very meticulous sewing, something her grandmother had been known for. Kagome wrapped the precious cloth around her wrist at least six times before tucking the ends securely down.
I will never forget this…okaa-san.-
Through her tears, a refreshed and lively smile rejuvenated the weary worn on her face. Perhaps she would stay home for New Years. Maybe she could finally…move on.
Ok…I was very surprised when I saw my fic nominated under several titles. (though I did happen to mention it in my last A/N) Still, me- a little hobbit author who always forgets to update, or sleeps through them, and has a major love/hate relationship with technology. Who would have guessed? When I first started this, I never thought this would get past five chapters…I suppose you all actually like this then? O.O Anyways, I just want to thank all my reviewers, raters, and those who nominated me.
So, to honor all of you and your wonderful support, comments, etc. I will retain my usual schedule of an update tonight, Wednesday, and Friday, but on Saturday (or Sunday, depends on how lazy I am) you shall receive a little treat. Two extra long chapters to be posted and will hopefully further this plot greatly. DID YOU HERE THAT! Hope so, and may you love me even more.
Words to know:
Mochiron: of course
Otou-san: father
Okaa-san: mother
Many thanks to all who point out my stupid mistakes. sheepish grin It's greatly appreciated.
