Rin was half running to get home, but she'd forgotten in her haste that the buses no longer functioned this late. She had intended to get the last one at 12pm – but due to Hakai's harassment, it was now twenty minutes past that time.

When she realised that she'd now have to walk all the way home Rin cursed Hakai under her breath even more intensely than she already had been.
Continuing on past the bus stop Rin pulled her school jacket around her shoulders and marched on. It would take her at least half an hour to make it home, but she was powered by wrath and that definitely put a fire to her feet.

Her stubborn sense of humour refused to ignore the absurd hilarity in the situation she had just been in. Honestly, she had never encountered someone so far up their own ego that they made demands more ridiculous than a child!
She had been so glad to get her anger off her chest towards him that she smiled wryly now she was just beginning to cool off a bit. Rin was always one to get very angry quite quickly, but she could calm down almost as fast.
She also was one to hold grudges – she just hid them well.

Unbeknownst to her, Sesshomaru was following from a distance. He barely knew what he was doing, other than being urged by instinct – one that was so provoked by what that woman in front of him had spat at him just moments earlier that he was amazed she was still alive.
In the past no words would've been exchanged if someone had spoken to him in such a way – they would have been dead before the words left their lips.

He heard her cursing him aloud as she stopped momentarily by the bus stop and he scoffed under his breath.
It was only when his eyes caught the movement of something out of the corner of his eye that his energy refocused elsewhere. It was one of those damn creatures he'd hunted in vain earlier that night!
It was near Rin, and it seemed to be stalking her.

Sesshomaru did not even think and he ran as noiselessly as he could toward the unpleasant parasite, throwing himself on top of it, disregarding the consequences.
Just as the Demon Prince was about to be attacked, he was taken aback when he felt his claws grow exponentially; piercing the skin of the low-class demon.
What was this? Was he regaining his true form?
He did not feel long hair billow around him, or any other surge of power. Sesshomaru barely had time to really think, and his claws did their work with speed – the creature was easy prey for a Demon Lord even devoid of all powers save his talons.

The corpse of the parasite lay lifeless, and Rin had continued on completely unaware.
Sesshomaru had not even stood before he saw another creature rushing after the girl; with great alacrity he jumped on the beast and shred it to pieces.
For a moment, his eyes flashed neon yellow.

No, it could not be - another one? Surely there was about five now that seemed to come out of the ground advancing towards Rin.

Sesshomaru lifted his hand and a green whip slashed forwards, slicing silently through all of them in one downward sweep of his arm.
His whips trailed along the ground beside him as the Demon Prince continued striding after Rin – golden eyes taking in every monster that crawled from the earth intending to attack the oblivious girl.
The Yokai Lord felt his heart rate increase as a surge of power filled his being, and all of a sudden, a curtain of white hair flew around his face.

Raising his hands in a move as elegant as a dancer the grotesque creatures became no more at the mere lift of his fingers, the words of Rin running through his mind, fuelling his anger.

'Just because you're a spoilt brat who everyone fawns over does not mean others are going to take a shine to you!

Sesshomaru snarled and obliterated another monster, not even looking at their ugly forms as he slew them - his fiery amber eyes were instead focused on Rin – yet he did not reach out to harm the one who had earned his wrath.
Perhaps the creatures pursuing Rin were her real saviour against the Lord Sesshomaru's anger? For it was on them that his deadly intent was being redirected away from her.

'Do you think respect is just given regardless of the subject? Who do you think you are, a god?'

'I don't think it - I am one, insolent girl' Sesshomaru growled under his breath to the ether as ten more parasites became no more, venomous whips making quick work of them as the Lord advanced through them.

'Nothing is worth having to bear you in my life outside of the utterly necessary'

'Yet your life is just now in my hands!' The Demon Lord's presence alone scared away a large onrush of the insect demons. He was almost returned to his full form – but he still wore mortal clothes.

Rin was so involved in her own thoughts that she had no idea a very powerful being followed her, protecting her from an evil that seemed bent on devouring her.
Who it was out of them that desired her blood more, no one would've been able to answer; but Rin nonetheless remained un-touched.

They had reached the bridge where Rin crossed over to her set of apartments and Sesshomaru managed to stop the last of the fiends that desperately flung themselves after her. Stopping at the end of the bridge, he listened as he heard Rin safely enter her home; it was only then that he turned and flew back to the only place he could go.

'Jaken'

The imp looked up as his Master entered the room, and almost fell off the couch.

'Milord! You're back to normal!?'

The Demon Prince flung out one of his whips and it very closely missed Jaken's head.

'So it would seem' the Yokai Lord mused, as Jaken stood still from the shock of nearly being decapitated.

'I – h – how?' The toad stuttered.

'No idea' Sesshomaru walked towards the coffee table, picking up the school assignment outline. He scoffed under his breath.

'That mortals bother with such things' he muttered derisively.

'You – didn't do anything to Rin, did you?' Jaken pried.

But Sesshomaru was not going to play dice for the imp. His thoughts were running along other lines, and swiping Jaken's phone off him he looked up one of the agencies that had so rudely jostled him earlier that week.

'What are you doing, milord?'

'You'll find out' was all the Yokai said. However, his real self was already beginning to fade away as he returned to being human.

Rin was glad she had not encountered any danger on her way home – it had been strangely silent, and for that she was grateful. Her mother was very worried as Rin came in to the house.

'I've been waiting up for you – what are you wearing?'

'I got a job, Okasan'

'What?'

'As a maid, at the apartment complex across from the school. Please don't be angry. The landlady is really nice, and the pay is quite good for an opening position! I'll be able to go and see Shippo in no time'

Mrs. Urihara's eyes went from stressed and doubtful to eased and grateful.

'If you're sure, dear, but don't push yourself. What sort of finishing hour is this anyway? You're dinner's all cold'

'It's from 5 to midnight every night' Rin mumbled.

'Oh Rinny' her mother brought her daughter close in a hug 'you don't have to put that stress on yourself when you have high school to deal with!'

Rin pulled away from her Mum, studying her worn out face and indented tired lines.

'Okasan don't be so silly. I am young and resilient – you're the one you should be worrying about!'

Mrs Urihara looked away suddenly, as though – guilty? Rin saw the expression for just a moment, but it was gone just as quickly.

'I'm fine, sweetie. I'll reheat your food, and you tell me about your day. It's a good thing we can sleep in a bit tomorrow'

Rin felt suspicion in her heart, but she didn't want to feel more worried than she already was about her Mother – she'd take her at her word – that she was fine. Rin sat down at the kitchen counter while her mother prepared her food and they chatted while it heated up.

'There's this awful new guy at school too by the way'

'Oh?'

'Yeah. Thinks he's God's gift to earth.'

'That's an awful sort of person to deal with' Mrs Urihara conceded. 'Is he from a rich family, or something that might have given him such an attitude?'

'No idea' Rin mused 'he's very attractive'

'Is he now' Rin's mother side eyed her daughter.

'Not like that Okasan!' Rin scoffed, shoving rice in her face. 'I only said it as it could be a reason for his attitude'

'Oh, right' Mrs Urihara said with a lacing of sarcasm, but she went on 'what does he look like?'

Rin rolled her eyes at her mother. 'Too young for you' she retorted.

Mrs Urihara laughed out loud 'you've got my tongue on you' she said as she washed up the cooking dishes.

'He's tall. White hair. Hazel eyes, and really pale skin. But he's athletic looking'

'Sounds dreamy. If he has bleached hair, he must be from somewhere that observes fashion highly'

'He's from Tokyo'

'Ah I see' her mother seemed to understand well what that meant.

'Anyway. Looks are nothing when you're rude and condescending'

'True' Mrs Urihara agreed 'but maybe you should get to know him better and you might understand where he's coming from'

'Wrong' Rin shook her head, finishing her food 'there's nothing that will make me want to get to 'know him better'. Anyway, I am really tired'

'I'm glad you've eaten at least. Are you seeing Kohaku tomorrow?'

'Mm, maybe' Rin said as she rose from her seat 'thank you so much for waiting for me and making me food again Okasan' Rin went around the table to kiss her mother before going to the bathroom for a hot shower. Mrs Urihara watched her daughter's retreating back with a smile on her lips.

As soon as Rin's head hit the pillow that night, she fell asleep. She refused to let her mind dwell on that nights' events, she would just be glad that she had spoken her mind to Hakai. He'd been asking for it all week! Her, disrespecting him, huh? What a joke. Rin's sleep was dreamless that night and she woke up more refreshed than she'd felt for a while.

Her mother was already awake and had left a note saying she'd gone to get groceries next to a breakfast she'd cooked for Rin.

Rin yawned, stretching, feeling ever so grateful for her Okasan. There was no one in the world like her and Rin would work her hardest at this darn job so that the pressure was off her dear person's back.

After eating breakfast and changing, Rin's mind turned to the troublesome topic of the assignment. Damn that Sensei! Sitting at the computer desk, Rin began looking at the local historical sites that she could begin writing about. There was the old castle just outside the outskirts of the city she lived in, and she started researching more thoroughly in to it's past – but most of all she focused on finding subjective professional articles written about the place to steal her second opinion from - so she did not have to interact with Hakai.

After about an hour of writing, Rin became agitated and bored. Picking up her phone she sent a message to Kohaku and Ayami in a group chat.

'Ok I'm definitely keen to go out today. Looks too good outside to stay in doing this assignment'

Kohaku wrote back:

'Cool. Agreed. Meet at the Arcade in half an hour?'

Ayami wrote:

'I'm in. Rika and I are just at one of the shrines in the city, so we're ten minutes away'

'Rika?' Kohaku wrote.

'It's all right Kohaku, she knows I wrote the note for sure' Rin typed, grinning.

'What?' Ayami was all confusion, but Rin had already left her phone on the computer desk to go and get ready.

Pulling on a blue blouse that was off the shoulder with wide sleeves and some denim shorts with low cut blue converse, she decided to also put on a bit of makeup.
Just a touch of foundation and powder, eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss, she finished it off with combing her eyebrows and filling them in.

Brushing her hair out, she left it as it was and then sprayed the perfume that she shared with her Okasan over herself.

Grabbing her phone, Rin made her way to the bus stop – it was about a half hour ride to the city and Kohaku usually got his brother to take him. Rin was therefore surprised to see her friend waiting for the bus too.

'Oh – you're brother's working?'

'He's sick' Kohaku grimaced.

'Oh! That's not good. Please don't get sick either!' Rin added.

'I'll try not too – colds are the worst. You look nice' he added, glancing at Rin.

'Thanks! You do too' Rin smiled at him.

'So, what did you mean you were doing the assignment? Surely not with – '

'Nope' Rin was quick to clarify 'I searched up some scholar written articles about the first site I looked up to get my other opinion'

Kohaku laughed 'that's some dedication to avoid someone'

'Trust me it's worth it. I have to tell you something' Rin added, as the bus came up to the stop and they got on, taking a seat next to each other.

'I'm all ears' Kohaku urged.

'So' Rin took a breath 'I got a job at the apartment complex across from school'

'That's great! So, you basically got accepted right away when you went yesterday?'

'Pretty much! But – here's the thing – ' Rin lowered her voice 'Hakai and his little brother live there!'

'What?' Kohaku cracked up 'No way. That's comedy gold! He's such an ass I'm sure he plays you harder than I even do' Kohaku almost had tears streaming out of his eyes.

'Oh yes hilarious' Rin rolled her eyes 'I knew you'd react like this'

'No, but seriously' Kohaku recovered from his mirth 'what actually happened?'

'Ugh' Rin threw her head back 'I don't even want to say, other than exactly what you said. He's an ass alright. I have to work there every night from 5pm till midnight too'

'Can you handle that with high school? I mean I know your Okasan works really hard and you want to help – but….'

'It'll be fine. The only thing that'll test me is this new guy living there. But I kind of lost it at him yesterday so hopefully he won't be an 'ass' again.'

Kohaku let out a low whistle.
'Oof I know what that feels like' he said in awe 'I hope he wasn't too traumatised afterwards'

Rin chuckled 'I think his ego's too big for that' she replied.

Kohaku looked at his friend appreciatively. There was a reason he teased her so much more than anyone at school – it was because Rin could take it and give back.

'How do you feel about hanging with Rika today?' Rin asked, smiling as she saw Kohaku blush despite himself.

'It should be fine' was all he said, but his fingers nervously pulled at the collar of his shirt.

'Maybe you could talk about the note some more' Rin nudged him.

'I swear – ' Kohaku mock glared at her 'you got me good with that note' his fight went down straight away as he giggled.

They chatted just as long-time good friends did for the rest of the way, and the town with fields gave way to high rise buildings and a lot more bustle.

The bus stopped outside a café and Rin walked with Kohaku to meet their other friends at the arcade.

Massive electronic billboards plastered the buildings around and above them, and Rin loved the ever-changing nature of the city scene – the many people you could see, the excitement of possibility and the smells of all types of food.

'Um, Rin-chan' Kohaku stopped dead in his tracks as they turned a corner in to one of the bigger malls.

'What?' Rin came to a halt too, seeing that her friend was pointing up to something. Rin followed his line of sight, and she became very still.

On one of the neon-lit billboards, spread across the high rise building at the end of the mall, was Hakai's face for everyone to see, at a three-quarter profile shot, aiming his hazel gaze down the lens.

Rin recovered admirably and folded her arms across her chest.

'Ha!' she scoffed 'you're surprised he took one of those agencies up on their offer? It agrees with his ego!'

Kohaku only just looked down now to see Rin had begun walking forward.

'He got on one of the biggest billboards in this city' Kohaku half whispered; star struck.

'Come back to me when he actually does something worth noting' Rin remarked 'look, I already see Ayami!'

The two friends had made it to where the girls were, and Kohaku became slightly unsettled when Rika joined their circle.

'Did you guys see the billboard?' Ayami squealed. 'He is famous, I knew it!'

'Pretty crazy' Kohaku accepted and looked as a couple of people next to him stopped to stare at the beautiful person on the billboard.

'I go to school with him' Kohaku leaned over and said to one of the admirers, who promptly started walking away from the weirdo.

'Kohaku don't be an idiot' Rin pulled him back. 'You guys seem to be getting a lot done for this assignment!' Rin said to Rika as they started walking together towards the arcade.

'Sort of. We studied a buddha statue and I still don't know if we agree whether it's ugly or just fat' she mused.

'Ah. What about, just say he's 'wise'?' Rin suggested.

'Yeah I guess so' Rika sounded a bit more certain. 'I wish I had your partner' she said in a sooky voice.

'Hey, I'm not that bad!' Ayami defended herself. 'Rin, are you even getting any work done if he's running around being famous?' She pointed at the billboard.

Rin glanced at Kohaku and replied 'yeah – I'm not doing it with him'

'What?' Rika swung round 'you're mad!'

'The other way around' Rin remarked 'he's as ugly on the inside as you think he's beautiful on the outside'

'Don't talk about Hakai-sama like that!' Rika whined dramatically.

'Sorry Rika-chan. What about, he's awful, mean, condescending and a bully with a massive superiority complex!'

But Rika was not looking at Rin anymore. The other two were also looking over Rin's shoulder with pale faces. Slowly, Rin turned and jumped slightly.

The subject of her derision and the biggest billboard was standing behind her.