Hey guys, it's going to start out a bit dark; but I promise; it's going to get better! Just like all of my readers, If things are tough now I promise elation will eventually come through to wash away all of the sadness you've experienced.
thereceiv3r Yes ma'am! As in Feudal Era Rin! Although it's a bittersweet story I hope to reveal later!
WildHeart44 I assure you, it will be revealed! Don't worry, every dog has itsq day, and Mei's is sure to come! Also, Sesshomaru has only been acclimating to the human world for the last five years, and his wealth is actually being held in a trust by his mother to help him integrate into human society rather than living in rich aloofness. Don't worry though, he's made his own fortune! So, he does have a little something in the bank!
Rin sat on the ledge of the half tub with a bucket filled with wet clothes. The girl opened the detergent powder bag and began pouring some over the clothes. After scrubbing the collar of one of Mei's pink button shirts from some makeup, the said girl came bursting into the tiny bathroom.
Rin stood up in the tub with her rolled up jogging pants.
"Are you alright?"
Just then, Mei retched into the toilet.
"Oh God! I brought home a stomach bug!" Rin stepped out the half tub with wet feet, and began to dry her feet on the bath mat. She's a tough drinker, I don't think it's from being hungover.
"No Stupid! Go in my coat pocket and take out 1000 yen. Go buy me a pregnancy test!"
"Huh?" Rin deadpanned, trepidation filling her at the thought of buying a pregnancy test at the supermarket down the hill.
"Did you hear me? I said go!"
Rin wandered out of the bathroom and dragged her jacket on. She then took the money out of Tadano's pocket; only to have an entire wad of cash fall out.
Rin gasped and peeled only what she needed, before shoving the large wad back.
She made the sign of the cross before kissing her fingertips. Saying a short prayer for Tadano's soul.
Wherever that money came from, it was either stolen or given to her by someone that steals.
Conflicted, Rin walked down to the store and waved at the same cashier as the last time. The girl inclined her head, and Rin mimicked her.
After passing, Rin walked into the feminine health aisle and debated which pregnancy test she should buy.
But..they all look the same?
She was overwhelmed and chattering from the nervousness flooding her system. An old lady looked at her, and shook her head in the negative before mumbling something and stalking off.
Horrified, Rin grabbed the test closest to her and ran to the checkout aisle.
The cashier smiled softly, "Will that be all for you today?"
Rin, robbed of the ability to speak only shook her head.
After wrapping the test in brown paper, the cashier looked around before placing her hand on Rin's shoulder.
"Whatever it is, it'll be alright! You seem to be a sweet girl, you'll be a great mom!"
Rin smiled back, as embarrassment painted her face a hot shade of pink.
"T-thank you." She sputtered, too embarrassed to even refute the statement.
The cashier laughed softly as she walked off, "Best of luck!"
Rin power walked back to her apartments. After reaching the fourth flight, again, the left next door neighbor's door clicked.
Rin freaked, and fell on the floor. After scrambling into a kneeling position on the genkan, she closed the door behind her.
It's a pattern, everytime I come up the stairs, the door would click. Is the next door neighbor watching me? But, then again; does anyone live there? I've never seen anyone leave the apartment. Maybe I've just gone off the deep end.
"Are you gonna sit there or hand me the damn thing?" Tadano yelled.
Rin, taken once again from her reverie, walked over to Tadano and handed her the brown paper package.
Tadano slid the restroom door shut, leaving Rin flinching in the middle of the unmade room.
Rin sighed at her previously neatly rolled futon thrown out of the closet, and Tadano's merely chucked up futon in the closet.
She set about re-rolling them, angrily deciding that no breakfast will be made for that morning.
She sighed, she barely slept the night before and needed to be back into work the next morning.
Instead she was playing the servant errand boy.
Rin didn't mind being helpful, but the harsh criticism and outright verbal abuse she'd endured from the night before didn't help.
Maybe, Tadano is pregnant? That would explain the exponential hatred she seemed to return with. Her hormones might be out of whack.
In a moment of guilt, she finished folding up the futons and began starting breakfast.
She decided to make omurice. She chopped scallions and used the previous day's rice to make a quick stir fry with onions, scallions, rehydrated dried mushrooms, and soy sauce. After frying up two omelettes, Tadano arrived from the restroom looking quite graven.
Rin didn't want to be on the receiving end of Tadano's assaults again. So she waited until she struck conversation first.
Tadano sat down, and ate before laying on her side. Concerned, Rin finally perked up.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Smirking into the pillow, Tadano started. "I think I'll be. But I'm going to need you to go out with me later."
"Mei, I've got work in the morning. I can't go anywhere this evening."
"Come-on, it'll only be a short trip! But you've gotta look nice! Some girl bonding time, perhaps?"
"Tadano, you are being excessively nice. I'm not going anywhere with you, because I can't trust you…"
I never thought I'd be so bold as to speak up like this, but I can't trust you even for an inch of my life!
"Girl, put on your lipstick and that makeup you like wearing! I've got some dresses you can borrow."
"Tadano, No!"
Reluctantly, Rin found herself pulling out her makeup bag and putting on some against her will.
A lead weight settled in her stomach, but for some reason she found herself still moving Mei's authoritative glance.
Rin dabbed on a Daiso bb cream she picked up a while back, and a tanned loose powder to darken the shade. She then put some contour with an eyebrow powder. Shuffling through the bag she found her brow pomade and deepened her brows before defining them with a lighter concealer and blending. Afterwards she popped on some brown lashes and a pretty peach lip gloss. Looking into the mirror, something felt missing, and Rin decided to pop on some dark gray eyeshadow under the bottom lashline and a tawny shade on her lid.
Mei was in the bathroom putting on her own makeup from early she guessed as well. The girl went all out, red lips and black sharp liner. The whole look made Rin feel self conscious all over again.
Mei stepped out and looked down at Rin huddled on the floor doing some final touch-ups. Rin seemed awestruck, and Mei felt good at having the upper hand.
"How'd about adding some shimmer by your tear duct?" Mei supplied.
"Oh! I didn't think of that, thanks!" She laughed nervously before adding a peach shimmer in her inner tear ducts, bridge of her nose, cheek, and upper lip.
Mei sauntered out of the bathroom to sort through some unpacked luggage, after making a huge mess that Rin just cleaned; the elder girl pulled out a saucy number.
"How's this?" The girl flaunted the dress by wigging it before doing a little twirl with the dress in hand.
Rin wanted to gasp. Just where were they going?
The dress was a deep black sequin cowl neck mini bodycon dress, with billowing long lace and sequined sleeves. The dress had two hip-length slits on each side.
"I'll be wearing this, just in case you were wondering. But, I've got something else for you!"
While Mei shuffled through her bags, Rin decided to work on that playlist she'd promised Shigeto.
First she scoured her own playlist, and decided to add two 25 stringed-koto songs by Kasumi Watanabe. The first being called "Kagome," and the second, "Sakura."
She worked her way up to 15 songs, including some songs from Uyama Hiroto.
She was abruptly pulled from her screen when a wadded up peach dress hit her square in the chest.
Unfurling the lacy fabric, Rin's eyes widened slightly. An ankle length form fitting strapless dress was laid across her lap, and a pretty off-beige lace shawl with tassels to wrap around her shoulders.
"I've got other accessories and stuff you could use. Also some shoes you could use. It's gonna be big, so I'd suggest you stuff it with paper."
Rin picked up the pointed spring green shoes Mei had motioned for her to take. Crawling over she grabbed the tall heels and admired just how pretty they were.
"See, having a man ain't all that bad! Toshio had brought these for me." Mei smirked over her shoulder.
Naive, Rin asked, "Is he rich or something?"
"You could say that." Mei replied tonelessly.
Happily, Rin brushed her hip length hair in the mirror and decided she's try one of those large bun hairstyles she'd seen in those Arabic wedding tutorials.
Mei placed some clip-on shiny pearl button earrings on the table before walking into the restroom and curling her shoulder length bobbed hair into waves.
She stared at the black pumps resting between the common room and restroom threshold. She'd tone it down for tonight, Since Tonight was Rin's night, anyways.
Rin finished with her hair, pleased with the large bun sitting at the nape of her neck, and her wavy bangs framing her face perfectly for once with the copious amounts of hairspray she had used. Normally, her bangs made her look like a ungroomed poodle!
Rin put on the earrings on the table and admired herself, minus the jogging pants and hoodie.
Is this what prom night is like? I feel like a princess!
In a dreamlike state, Rin rummaged through her makeup bag and smiled when she pulled out her special occasion perfume! Charlie Blue! It wasn't expensive, but when she did wear it, people turned their heads.
Mei called out from the restroom, "You want takeout before we go?"
Instinctively, Rin thought to say no. But, maybe she needed to give Mei a chance to redeem herself. Maybe, this was an apology of some sort? Rin had been taught to never take anything, from anyone! But, if she denied Mei; when would be the next time she'd ever come around?
"Um, sure. When are we leaving though?"
"Six thirty, it's only 1 so i'd figure you might want something."
"Didn't you say it's some kind of dinner party?"
"Uh-huh," Mei continued absently, "But you'll have so much fun you'll forget all about eating!"
"Okay," the nagging feeling returned, "Yeah, I'll trust your judgement."
When the delivery guy arrived, Rin began to second guess the whole engagement all over again. Okay, what if the food is drugged!?
Against her better judgement, she quelled the feeling in the pit of her stomach.
It's not like I'll be able to move out anytime soon, considering no one can vouch for me being a respectable tenant.
The two returned to the chicken karaage and assortment of other fried goods between getting ready.
Oh before I forget, I'll send Shigeto the playlist I made!
Rin plugged out her phone and sent the youtube playlist to him.
Mei stepped out the restroom fully dressed in the racy number, and sidestepped to allow Rin to pull on her dress.
"Wow, so pretty!" Mei exclaimed, mocking Rin's cheerful demeanor.
Amazed, and missing the sarcasm, Rin asked innocently, "Really?"
"Mm, hmm! Look at you! That dress really highlights your best assets! Considering, you know; you're all ass and no breast."
Rin's spirit fell at the backhanded compliment, she was always self conscious about her pear shaped frame. Her eyes lowered to her feet and Mei wrapped her hand around Rin's shawled arm.
"Don't be like that, Kid! Everyone has different parts of them that are best accentuated!"
The two girls were ready to head out to the town!
Rin tittered happily while the two stood on the sidewalk waiting for the provided limo to arrive.
Mei stood slightly behind Rin, side looking the girl nastily. Rin, unconsciously played with the gold Mal De Ojo Turqia pendant her grandmother gave her as a child.
She wasn't foolish, she could feel her eyes boring into her back.
The sleek limousine pulled up to the curb, and Rin hopped in first. Mei slid smoothly in after her, and began immediately pouring herself a drink.
Rin had half a mind to open the door and run!
Her senses burned, every nerve in her body screamed run!
Rin began to scootch further away from Mei as she scooted closer to the door.
"Chauffeur?"
"Yes ma'am."
Mei pulled closer to Rin and put an arm around her neck. Threatening Rin, yet seeming friendly and almost...heartwarming, to the driver.
Mei side looked Rin, and cooed, mostly to her, but also towards the chauffeur. "My friend here is going through a very, very, hard time! I'm afraid she hasn't been in the best mental health since her failed engagement. Could you put on the child locks, so she doesn't try harming herself?"
The driver looked into the rearview mirror, obviously very naive. "Yes ma'am. My sister went through a rough time, so I understand."
"Thank you!" Mei praised, ever so sweetly.
The doors locked, and Rin felt herself panic. Her hands remained clammy and clutched too tightly onto her glimmering folder evening bag.
The car seemed stiflying.
"Care for a drink, Rin."
Eyeing her raised hands with distrust, Rin simply shook her head in the negative.
What's happened girly, cat got ya tongue?
Mei chuckled then, "Suit yourself."
I'm going to have to remain on high alert wherever I'm going, I cannot, and will not fall prey to her games!
The limo slowed to a stop, and the young man driving the limo bade them a farewell.
"You lovely ladies have a beautiful evening, and I hope everything works out for you, young miss!" The chauffeur blushed then, obviously enchanted by Rin.
She waved him a smile in Thanks; not feeling as beautiful as he thought she looked.
Red acrylics digged into Rin's shoulder blade; "You're going to wish you took that drink!"
Mei dragged Rin into a bustling nightclub. Rin gasped, at seeing the black and white clad men lining the modern yet classy glass venue.
"Y-yakuza!" Rin walked in measured steps beside Mei's sashaying form, many of the members who were already drunk reclined in their seats with their sleeves rolled up, revealing terrifying yet intricate tattoos on their forearms.
Rin absently heard a, "Who's that new girl?" somewhere in the background. Tempted, she refused to turn around. Some of the men hooted and hollered at her, as well as other vulgar compliments (harassments) were thrown her way.
From the particularly drunk patrons, she heard some bets about her virtue.
Regardless of whether I want to or not, now I've gotta stick by Mei!
Rin's eyes scoured the place for an exit, but every exit was barred and bolted down.
Rin panicked upon seeing that the venue was most likely illegal, and that the entrance, was probably the only exit.
They probably did this to make a police raid nearly impossible!
Rin danced on the verge of a true anxiety attack, upon remembering how her own family had died in an illegal tenement. Trapped by the barred doors that left no escape from the engulfing flames coming from the first floor.
While distracted, a particularly bold man pulled Rin with such force that she fell into his lap.
"Let me go!" Rin began to push at his chest as she struggled to stand up. She slapped him, hard enough to throw him off balance.
She watched in horror as she looked over her shoulder and clutched her purse, continuing to walk away.
The man crooked a finger at Mei, beckoning her, "How much for this one?"
Mei rounded the circular table at the venue, "Oh, I'm not her Madam. She's a friend of mine. For a little bribe, maybe I can talk her into going with you."
Rin watched in horror as the man shifted his hips under her, to pull out his wallet. He pulled out a thick wad of cash and handed it to Mei. She smiled then, and brazenly gazed over the money, assuming the worth of the wad.
Rin stopped fighting now to watch Mei, feeling as though she was watching the situation from a bird's eye view.
Simply put, she was dissociating.
"I like them feisty like you." The man all but purred, and Rin recoiled in disgust. He leaned closer to her ears and whispered, "Willing or not, I'd bet you'd be a tasty morsel."
Mei cocked her hips, allowing a thin sliver of upper leg to display itself provocatively.
"Not enough, Come along, Ines." Mei pocketed the money as she continued prowling the club.
Rin shot up from his tight grip on her waist, that was previously pushing her into his lap. Unsure of where else to go, and how to avoid further attention she followed behind Mei again.
"Oh, Ines? I knew something was exotic about her." The middle aged man stood then, before patting his colleague's knee. "I'll be right back"
A similar situation happened again, but this time Rin maneuvered herself so that she wouldn't fall into another guy's lap. Mei greedily snatched the money from another member's hand. Then considered the sum for a moment. "Close, but not enough."
Another tall man came over and wrapped his arm around Mei. He seemed to be in his thirties, with brunette hair and dark piercing eyes. Mei passionately reached up behind herself and ran her finger gently across his cheek. She leant sideways to allow him to rest his chin on the nape of her neck.
Rin's fist shook.
So I'm being auctioned on like damn cattle!
"Takeshi! I didn't expect to see you here."
Was Mei genuinely surprised? She fakes so much, I can't tell anymore!
Takeshi groaned against her neck, and Mei giggled. Rin openly watched the display and caught yet another hateful glare from her.
"Mei, it's been such a long time I haven't seen you. I missed your scent so much."
Some other Yakuza members cheered, giving Rin a breath from being the center of attention.
Takeshi leaned in closer, and brushed his lips across her ear.
Rin fought the urge to recoil at the unbelievable display of affection. She wouldn't lie, she was actually nauseated. Usually, she'd die to watch a display like that in a drama or a novel. But, maybe because Tadano was such a terrible being, she absolutely abhorred it.
Although Takeshi seemed to have some sort of weight on Tadano.
"Sweetheart, wait for me in the VIP room. I've got some deals to strike. I'm sure your friend could entertain herself in the meantime."
Rin blanched.
Tadano slowly, and deliberately turned towards him and gave him a fierce kiss. As she walked around him, her hand slid down his arm and their fingers intertwined. Turning yet again over her shoulder, she smiled at him. Yet this time, she ignored Rin's entire existence.
Takeshi crossed his arms, and the man who was just bidding for Rin, as well as his accomplices stepped out of the room. Leaving Rin, Takeshi, his henchman, and a lone bartender in the room.
Rin pulled up her dress to her knees and broke out into a sprint.
Only to be snatched up from behind by Takeshi's tall henchman.
Rin kicked the man's knees with her heels, and he grunted. "Let me go" Rin screamed shrilly at the top of her lungs, causing the bartender to flinch and cover his ears. Rin leant down and bit the henchman's hand holding her forearm.
"Stupid b-"
Takeshi raised his hand. "Enough Arata. Release the girl."
Rin dropped stomach first unceremoniously onto the marbled floor.
"Stand."
Rin simply stood, eyeing the man hatefully.
"Follow me. Arata, watch the door."
Rin followed behind Mei's new boyfriend..fiance? She wasn't sure anymore.
Takeshi stopped and motioned with his hands for Rin to continue walking.
Horrified, she contorted her body around him as not to place any vulnerable areas to his penetrating gaze.
When her back was to him, an concealed entrance opened to the night air. Harshly, Takeshi pushed her from between the middle of her back out the door.
A regular, beat up white and red taxi stood on the curb of the alley. Takeshi approached the driver and handed him some cash.
"Take her home safely, and keep the change. If I hear anything goes wrong, your head is mine."
The old taxi driver bowed as lowly as he could.
"I better not see your face around here again. Next time, there's no saving you." He spoke, barely four inches away from her face.
The taxi driver hurriedly opened the door, and Rin jumped in.
Takeshi placed both hands into his pockets and watched as the taxi sped off into the night.
Sighing, he checked the entrance to make sure no lurkers were stationed. After slamming the door and allowing the heat of the venue to return some of his warmth, he placed a hand behind his neck and rolled it to relieve a few cricks.
If the girl were truly wise, she'd hitch it anywhere else but home. No matter, it's no longer none of my business.
He had a very excited girlfriend to return to. But somehow, he couldn't shake that pretty face out of his mind.
Rin curled her fingers over the driver's seat from the back passenger seat.
"Young miss, where are you going."
"I..I don't know sir. I should go home, but I'm scared."
"Miss, please take no offense to my warning, but I think you may be right. I don't know what happened back there, but I can only assume it was almost the worst. Do you have anywhere else to stay. Perhaps a friend, or money for a hotel?"
Rin sighed, "I don't. But, I will return home. At least, I know I'll be safe for tonight."
"Well, if you say so. Where's that at?"
"152-2746 Hokkeno-Beru complex 678"
The driver nodded, and while driving realized the girl lived in a slum.
Drug paraphernalia littered the street, trash was piled in front of many buildings in the area, and strung out drug addicts laid strewn across the sidewalk. Some of them were groaning, while others laid soundlessly amongst heaps of trash. The area reeked of piss, and barefooted unruly children played with sticks in the middle of the street. Some people watched the street from their dilapidated windows, and some picked up their threadbare laundry from the hanging lines by the windows.
The pulled up to the curb after the long ride, spent mostly stuck and weaving through traffic.
Rin hopped out of the car and thanked the driver, he waved her off before quickly entering his own vehicle. Relieved to finally leave the terrifying area of town. Atleast, he got some good money out of it.
Yet, no thought to give the girl the money ever crossed his mind.
Rin quickly opened her door, and ran upstairs. Ignoring the ominous click of her next door neighbor, Rin stood on the threshold between her doorway and the hallway.
The flickering light of the hall seemed to mock her.
Slamming the door, Rin paced in circles. Forgetting to take off her shoes, or anything else for the matter.
She slid down onto the ground and continued to fret.
I could turn up dead in a ditch no one would care, much less be able to identify me.
Tears slid down her face, and she quickly opened her laptop, thinking of who from high school, or even her previous girl's home she could reach out to.
She came up blank.
If I do become homeless and leave my job, then I could avoid being tracked for some time. But, I'd also make myself a bigger target of myself because I'd be out in the open until I found another job and another….Scratch that! I've gotta leave the country!
A ping on her screen drew her attention.
"I am ashamed to admit I actually did enjoy quite a few of the songs you've recommended."
!Shigeto!
Rin, afraid of landing in a worse situation debates whether or not she should tell her newfound friend. With time ticking, she struggles to even breathe.
Mei, on the other hand, has no intentions of returning home.
But, Takeshi seems to have other plans. Romantic notions of moving in together, and even a long term relationship seem to instantly shatter at her callous display.
Even Takeshi, a heartless mob boss seemed to take pity on Rin.
Not because he respected, or valued women,
But simply because she caught his eye.
Fin: Fear