Characters

Rin Nakamura + Hiroki Nakamura

Sesshomaru/ Inuyasha Oshiro

[Sanzen-san =Mr 3000 is Rin's nickname for Sess]

Kagome Suzuki

Sango/Kohaku Yamamoto

Kagura Kazeko

Naraku Kita

Miroku Ashikaga

JULY

SESSHOUMARU

July brought in the summer heat, along with a fresh delivery of ice-cream at Sesshoumaru's favourite sweets shop. Though it was nowhere along the way home, he found himself dropping by almost every day – be it to treat himself to something refreshing or really, just to charm the pants off its beautiful shopkeeper.

"Really Sensei, you might as well work part time here if you're going to annoy me everyday."

"You say that but you're secretly thrilled to get kisses," he teased back, watching as her face went completely red. Not giving her a chance to escape, he pulled her behind one of the tall shelves and planted one just to prove his point.

"Tadaima! Okaa-san!"

Cheeks still aflamed, she pushed lightly against him as she welcomed her son home. From where he stood he could see her fussing over the boy, listening to his happy chatter regaling his few hours at school.

Ah... if only he could be that lucky to have someone welcome him home and ask about his day.

"Sensei? I know you're here!" Tiny footsteps ran around the shop to hunt for him. "Ah! Found you!"

"Shh, don't tell your mother," grinned Sesshoumaru as he slipped a candy bar into Hiroki's hands. "Is her face still red?"

"Uhuh. That usually means Sensei is here!"

"Say Hiroki-chan, tomorrow is a no-doctor day. Do you want to go to the beach?" Like a magic word, the boy instantly transformed into a rocket, bobbing up and down as he shouted 'Umi! Umi!' over and over.

His mother however wasn't too keen. "Ehhh... Umi? But it's too far! We'd have to pass through the city and it'll be packed – "

"Well can reach Utsumi beach in an hour if we drive really early," suggested Sesshoumaru. "All you need to do is prepare lunch and we're set."

"That's right Okaa-san. I'll even help you pack my swimming gear!"

Sesshoumaru watched mother and son banter for a few more rounds before she gave in, glaring accusingly at him. That, was his cue to leave before she permanently banned him from her shop. Promising to pick them up at seven the next morning, Sesshoumaru then headed home, somewhat excited to be spending the day at the beach. How long has it been since he even went to the sea?

The next day, Sesshoumaru was on the dot at 7pm, true to his word; hauling the towels, floats, picnic mat and food into his car boot. "Nakamura-san, are we preparing for a field trip? There's enough here to feed a village..."

"Hiro-chan, get in the car please sweetheart. Okaa-san forgot just one more thing." The moment her son was out of hearing range, she lunged herself at him, dropping her hands around his neck and catching him by surprise. "We're going to the beach!" As though that explained everything.

But in a way it did. Between running the shop and raising her kid, Sesshoumaru didn't think she had much time to indulge in leisure activities like going to the beach. So perhaps this was just as much a treat for her as it was for Hiroki.

"We're here!" exclaimed Sesshoumaru as his car turned past the train station and down towards the beach. "Wow, I can't believe it's crowded already."

The only good thing was that it wasn't school holidays yet or else they would never have found a nice shady spot that was close to the sea. Helping to set up the umbrellas, mats and picnic baskets, Sesshoumaru then eagerly waited for the other two to change into their swimming gear.

"I'm ready Sensei!" Hiroki was armed with a large buoy and two floats on each side of his arms.

"Shall we wait for your mother?" After all, that's why he wanted to take her to the beach right? Nothing like seeing a beautiful woman in a bikini to kick start the day.

"Oh Kaa-san can't swim. She usually just sits and reads." Sesshoumaru glanced across at the waving woman in question. This was pure evil. "It's just you and me Sensei!" The boy tugged at his boardshorts, before proclaiming that they ought to race to the water.

Not wanting to disappoint the boy, Sesshoumaru joined him; splashing about as they tried to out swim each other – Hiroki winning naturally with his superb floating talents.

As man and boy finally flopped down in exhaustion on the sand, Sesshoumaru realised that he had more fun with the boy than he expected. For a six year old, the boy was incredibly sharp and cared a lot about his mother. More so perhaps because it was only the two of them.

"Ne Sanzen-san Sensei... Hiro-chan loves Okaa-san very much." Those brown doe eyes looked up at him; a boy gauging his opponent. "Does Sensei love Okaa-san like Hiro-chan does?"

For the first time, Sesshoumaru felt his face turning red. How was he to answer that? Being attracted was one, but to use the 'L' word so freely... he didn't think it was right – at least not yet.

"I think Hiroki-chan loves Okaa-san the most, more than anyone else in this world and certainly more than me," said Sesshoumaru, hoping the answer would appease the child. Hiroki however didn't look too impressed with the reply.

"Well... Hiro-chan doesn't want anyone else to love Okaa-san..." he tapped his forefingers to each other before turning his head to cup Sesshoumaru's ear and whispers, "But if it's Sensei, Hiro-chan is happy."

The little confession got Sesshoumaru brimming with happiness. Grabbing the boy, he flipped him on his back and began to tickle his tummy, sending Hiroki into an uncontrollable fit of giggles.

/ / / /

RIN

It had taken an incredible amount of trust to simply leave Hiroki in the hands of another man – one who was not quite a stranger, yet not quite a friend. Do you consider your customer a friend?

Rin wasn't sure. In fact, she didn't even know what their status was at the moment. Since that one time he ended up in her bed, Rin hadn't allowed a repeat of such an explosive passion. It wasn't that she didn't like it – for kamisama, it was out of this world – but she was too afraid of drowning in it, in him. Just being in his presence set her body on flames. She had always thought sex was about satisfying the man, but Sensei had taught her that it was all about enjoying each other's bodies...

Her face went beetroot at the memory, forcing her to hide in shame behind her novel.

"I hope we didn't catch you in the middle of a love scene."

At that voice, Rin immediately snapped her book shut and laughed nervously as she welcomed Hiroki and the Sensei back from their swim. "Hungry?"

"Starving!" Hiroki bit enthusiastically into his sandwich. As her son told her all about the fun she'd miss, Rin couldn't help but trail her eyes over the taut muscles of the man sprawled casually before her. Where did the Sensei ever find the time to work out? Those pecs were too well defined simply by sitting at his desk all day.

"I hear staring is rude." Those amber eyes locked with hers. "But I'm also generous. You can touch if you have the right currency."

That pervert! Thankfully Hiroki was too young to understand innuendos or else there would be so much hell to pay!

"Who is looking at what Sensei?" She tried her best to sound nonchalant but at the knowing smile on his face, she knew she was bested. "Better cover yourself Sensei. You're attracting too much attention this way."

He might have been oblivious but Rin had caught a few women checking him out as they passed; whispering and giggling to themselves. Naturally they would assumed he was just a friend seeing he wore no wedding band. Furthermore, it was obvious from their colouring that Hiroki wasn't his son.

"Is Nakamura-san jealous?" Why did he seem more thrilled than worried? "Oh my you really are! Is it because you want to be the only one to stare at my – "

"Ah Sensei! I'm off to get some drinks!" she interrupted, jumping to her feet and dashing away before he had a chance to finish his sentence. Sure that she had put enough distance between them, Rin then ordered a mojito from the beach bar.

"Hi there. What's a pretty little thing like you doing here alone?" Rin winced at the poor Japanese accent but turned anyway to face the blonde staring at her.

"I'm just waiting for my drink," she replied in English.

"Oh? Then let me buy ya another one. Not everyday do I get to meet a fine woman who knows how to speak my language!" The man raised his hand to order another beer. "So, what do I gotta do to getcha number?"

Rin pushed away the beer back towards him with a polite refusal. Come on mojito... what's taking the barman so long?

"Hey, I'm talking to you." Rin felt her wrist being grabbed and pulled towards the man; those blue eyes of his filled with malintent.

"Sumimasen! Please, I have to go!" she reverted back to Japanese, snatching her hand back and turning to leave. Not looking where she was looking, she crashed head on into the familiar body of her saviour. "Sesshoumaru!"

If he was surprised at being called by his first name, he made no show of it. Instead he played along, drawing her into his side. "Ah... there you are Rin. Did you get the drinks?" When she shook her head mutedly, he walked them towards the bar, using his body as a shield. Placing an order for two more drinks, he then turned and eyed the blonde man.

"Geez it was just a drink ok? Man these Japanese women and their tsundere shit."

"I believe my wife was being very clear when she said no." If Rin hadn't heard it herself, she wouldn't, have believed it. Not that he had referred her as his wife, but that perfect American English!

"Hey chill out man. Swear I didn't touch her or anythin."

Sensei slapped some notes onto the counter and took their drinks before walking out with Rin in tow. "Are you alright?" He finally asked when they had walked a distance away. "Did he hurt you?"

Rin could only shake her head slowly, still shocked at what just happened. "Gomen ne..."

"Why are you apologising? It was clearly not your fault..." Hands clasping tight over hers, he guided her back to their spot where Hiroki was building sandcastles.

"Okaa-san?" Her son knew straight away something was wrong. Dropping his spade and bucket, he ran towards her and hugged her knees tight. " Hiro-chan has played enough! We can go home now."

Rin looked down lovingly at the boy. She could see the slight hint of worry in his eyes thinking he had caused her to be upset.

"I'm perfectly fine sweetheart. And I think we can play a little more. Sensei, would you like to help build a sandcastle too?"

"Only if Okaa-san feels it's okay." When she nodded, the man tightened his grip on her hand before letting go. The three of them then kneeled on the sand and worked their way to a masterpiece.

Much later in the evening when all was packed and everyone had changed out of their wet suits, Rin found herself walking down the beach at sunset; hand in hand with the most dangerously handsome man she had ever met. Hiroki had run off ahead, chasing after imaginary sea monsters and leaving the adults to themselves.

"You studied medicine in the US? Is that why you only read English books?"

"Yes. Harvard." She thought so. That Boston accent was too hard to miss. Rin only knew because she had professors from the US who made it clear that they weren't dumbing down their speech just so their students could understand.

"Ano... about earlier – "

"Forget it." He pointed instead to her bag. "You do however have an annoying habit of not picking up your phone."

Rin blabbered apologetically but Sanzen-san didn't look an ounce annoyed as he said he was. Excusing herself, Rin picked up the call and froze instantly.

This voice...

"Hey. It's me. Kohaku." The pause felt like aeons; Rin frozen on the spot as her body trembled. Next to her, Sanzen-san was quiet but he gave her a small smile before running off after Hiroki to give her, her privacy.

"What do you want?" Her voice sounded harsh even to her own ears.

"Heh. Well, I suppose I deserved that. Look... I'm really felt bad about how we parted the last time. I was just shocked to be honest. I mean... Hiro-chan looks so much like me! How could I have missed out on all those years of his life?"

Her knuckles had turned white from clenching her phone too hard. "Don't you think it's a little too late now?"

The sigh on the other line was long drawn and resigned. It was as though he knew she would say that. "I just want to see my son again. He is my son isn't he?"

How dare he! After all these time; his lack of interest in the child or even fighting for custody and he wants to see Hiroki? "You've revoked all access to him, don't you remember?" Rin did. Kohaku had expressed himself loud and clear to the judge that being saddled with a baby was not in line with his lifestyle.

"Damn it Rin. We were 20 then! I had places to go, things I want to do. But that's all different now. If you hadn't want me back in his life, then you shouldn't have come to see me in the first place. So this is on you Rin."

She couldn't believe what she just heard. How did he always twist the situation so effortlessly like that? "Let me think about it," was all she could muster at that moment. Since he didn't have joint custody of the child, any visits would have to be supervised, and since Rin didn't feel like spending an extra minute with him…

"You always are compliant Rin. That's what I liked about you –" A distant female laugh at the background interrupted him. All the better. Rin was done talking.

Switching off her phone, she tried to wipe off whatever horrors were on her face and skipped to join Sanzen-san and her son.

/ / / / /

SESSHOUMARU

Two weeks had passed since their outing to the beach and all these time, Nakamura-san had been withdrawn to a point that Sesshoumaru was sure she was avoiding him. He hadn't been concerned at first; giving her space for he knew whom she was speaking to on the phone the other day. Her face had gone sheet white and though she tried to hide it, he could tell from the small trembles in her hands and her dilated pupils that she was in a state of shock.

Still, he hadn't asked her about it.

But when her behaviour started changing towards him, that's when Sesshoumaru decided enough was enough. At five when his afternoon shift ended, Sesshoumaru made his way to her shop; hoping to corner her into talking to him –screaming or crying –as long as it elicited a response.

She was pulling down the shutters, leaving it closed halfway as she tidied the shop and waited for the last of her customers to leave.

"I'm sorry, the shop is closed. Hope to see you – Sensei!"

"Nakamura-san. We need to talk." Like a mouse sensing danger, she retreated behind her counter, moving further and further away from him. "Have I done something to displease you?"

"We'll talk tomorrow. I have to close the shop now." Her backward movement was sending her towards the corner of the room – a perfect spot. When her back touched the walls, he could see the slight panic in her eyes at the realisation that she had trapped herself. "Please. Leave now."

"Not until we're done talking." He closed the gap between them, making sure she had no avenues of escape by placing his hands on the wall on each side of her head. "You should stop running away Nakamura-san. Especially from me."

Something flashed across her eyes – Anger? Fear? He couldn't tell. But damn him if he wasn't going to coax it out of her. Angling his head down, he caught her lips between his; his kiss gentle and almost fleeting.

"Why are you here Sensei…" she finally whispered when he pulled away. "Why do you keep coming into my life like this?"

His answer was to kiss her again, this time a little more forcefully; his tongue darting inside her mouth to tangle with hers. How could she ask that of him? Couldn't she tell how much he wanted her?

"I… I can't," she breathed out, placing her palms against his chest. "Stop this."

It took every ounce of his resolve to pull away from her. "Do you want me to walk away right now? Be honest with yourself Nakamura-san. If you tell me to go, I promise I will never come back."

Say no…say no…

All she offered him was her silence; those brown eyes looking right into his. Sesshoumaru didn't know what he would do if she told him to back away. Could he even walk away from her? For the first time in his life, he wanted to pursue something of his own volition – not to follow his father's footsteps or to obey his mother's wishes. And though he knew both would have their reservations regarding her social status, Sesshoumaru was willing to look past that for a chance at redeeming some happiness for himself.

"What's your decision?"

She looked down to her feet. "I am not who you think I am," she finally whispered, resting her head on his chest. "I'm not this good, not this kind… I've done so many stupid and crazy things in the past. I make too many mistakes." The soft sobs that came after were like tiny hiccups as she buried her face further into his shirt. "I don't want to end up hurting you."

Closing his arms around her, Sesshoumaru held her gently as she wept. He didn't know how long they stood like that but when she finally stopped, he could tell that she was embarrassed to have let herself be this vulnerable in front of him.

"Look at me." He tilted her chin upwards. "I don't care about your past. We all make mistakes and have regrets. But right now, all I care about is our future."

"Don't say such things lightly!" Her eyes had gone watery once more. "I'm divorced and I have a six year old son. Don't burden yourself with this. What do you think your family will say if they find out?"

Sesshoumaru couldn't help himself. She was just too cute – even in this small rare outburst of hers. "It's perfect." And he couldn't be more truthful. "So, what say you Nakamura-san? Will you go out with me?"

/ / / /

A/N: I had intended for it to be longer but I thought it would be best to leave it like this! But that means the next chapter will cover a span of 3 months, so more lemony fluffy feel-good moments to look forward to.

For those of you who always review, thank you so much for your kind comments and encouragement! (I received some weird reviews about how immoral sess-rin pairings are but I really think the story makes the meaning of any relationship.) If you've enjoyed reading so far, do drop this poor insecure author some kind/constructive reviews! Goes a long way to keep the spirit of writing alive!

P. S: I'll finish this story first before I continue on the zodiac. I'm so stuck with that!