A/N: Just to refresh, in the last chapter, Sesshoumaru asked Rin if she would go out with him (i.e. be his lover)
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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
AUGUST
RIN
Rin still couldn't believe she said yes.
"Hokkaido! We're going to Hokkaido!" chanted Hiroki happily as he thrashed about the house looking for all his favourite toys accompanying them on this trip. As soon as the school holidays started, Sanzen-san had sprung the idea on them, luring her son with the promise of his first plane ride. Real sneaky that Sensei.
Oh, she said yes for this trip too.
Though Rin had been to Hokkaido many times during winter when she was younger, the idea of visiting during summer seemed just as appealing – if not more, considering that she was now going as a… family – well sort of.
The thought of it made her blush.
Hiroki of course had been thrilled. Finally someone who could do crazy manly things with him, he had said.
"Are you sure you want to bring Mr Dragon? I'm not sure if Sanzen-san Sensei would take you to do tough macho things if you bring him…" Rin pondered over the five stuffed animals in front of her. "Mr Usagi might be better… or I don't know… this cute little Kitsune?"
"But Okaa-san! Those are so girly! A dragon's tough and cool, like Sensei! Do you think Sensei sleeps with a doudou too?"
Well wouldn't that be interesting to find out? Imagine finding the Sensei clutching his comfort blanket or soft toy to sleep! Agreeing with her son's assessment, Rin took the Dragon and stuffed it into his luggage bag.
When the taxi came for them early the next morning, Rin almost regretted the huge suitcase she had brought along. But it was the only luggage she had -remnants of her college days- and when you're packing for a hyperactive six year old, it was always good to bring extra clothes.
"So are you ready for your first grown up flight?" Sanzen-san had easily gotten the boy's undivided attention; one hand griping his while the other reaching for hers. Rin, despite the mighty blush on her cheeks, allowed herself to link only their forefingers together. They were after all in public...
"Sensei, can I sit between you and Okaa-san?" Though he said that, her son was clutching the hem of her skirt tightly; his knuckles growing white. Now that was new. Hiroki usually preferred sitting by the window on the buses and trains but perhaps a plane was different?
A quick look up and she could tell that Sensei had planned to sit next to her but the smile he had for the child was kind and gentle. "Of course. We'll let Okaa-san sit inside ok? Everything will be fine. You'll see."
And hour and a half later however, Rin wondered if Sanzen-san Sensei wished to retract his words. Not only did Hiroki expunged every last drop of his breakfast; he also did so while burying his face in Sensei's shirt.
"I'm so sorry!" Rin apologised for the hundredth time. Once their luggage had been retrieved, she guiltily passed him a change of clothes for the boy. "And I'm really sorry for this too. But Hiroki's too old to follow me into the ladies."
"Well," he brought his lips close to her ear. "I'll just chalk this up in your debt to be paid tonight." Then he left chuckling with the boy in tow; Rin red from her neck up.
With the boys clean and fresh, the trio picked up their rental car and headed towards the morning markets. It was still too early to check into their ryokan and Sensei being the educationalist as he was felt it was essential for Hiroki to see what crabs look like. Kids nowadays eat too much processed foods, he had claimed.
Hiroki of course didn't just see crabs but a host of other firsts from giant octopuses to sea urchins and various shellfish. Rin had to run around after her son who was desperate to touch everything, including the crab pincers, much to his mother's horror. The shopkeeper however found Hiro-chan so adorable that he got him to pose with a giant king crab while he beamed as he took a photo.
"You two need to make him a brother or sister soon! Two good looking parents like you! Such a shame!"
Rin didn't think she could go any redder than she already was thanks partly to the sun. The shopkeeper's statement of course was fodder for her son's premature curiosity about where babies came from and if Sensei and Okaa-san could make one.
"You're the doctor, you can answer him," exclaimed an exasperated Rin. They had managed to sit themselves in a restaurant for lunch but Hiroki's barrage of questions would not stop. Bribing her son with the promise of ice cream after, she busied herself with the menu while Sanzen-san curled Hiroki next to him, whispering and giggling with the boy.
On hindsight, she wondered if it was really the best idea to give a six year old the scientific explanation to sexual reproduction. Rin might have gone with the stork coming to deliver newborns or baby seeds that grow in the garden – no. That sounded like a terrible idea.
But she couldn't help but look anxiously at the two and wonder what exactly was going on.
/ / / / /
SESSHOUMARU
The question had not surprised him. Children asked him this all the time especially when they came in with their pregnant mothers. That curiosity was a natural part of life and though Nakamura-san had conveniently passed the baton to him, he could tell she was scheming for the best way to explain it to the boy herself.
He didn't mind refreshing her memory of how it's done –
"Sensei, I believe this hot miso soup might spill on your lap in a minute." Her expression was so neutral as she picked up a squid with her chopsticks and placed it in his bowl. How she even knew what he was thinking about was beyond him. Sesshoumaru decided to attribute it to a mother's instincts.
"Hai, hai." Those instincts however might not be too kind too him if he pushed her buttons too much. Hiroki had whispered to him, secretly of course, that his mother was pretty scary when she got mad.
"So, is Sensei's explanation satisfactory?" She eyed him warily before turning her attention to her son. "You'll learn about it in school too sometime in grade 5 so there's no rush."
Sesshoumaru smile as the boy locked eyes with him. Indeed, that was exactly what he had said; promising to explain to the boy when they were truly alone next time. Having babies was a big responsibility especially for a man and if they were to speak about secret man to man stuff, Okaa-san had to be out of hearing range.
That of course was the magic word, for Hiroki went utterly silent, nodding his head obediently. For Sesshoumaru who was constantly surrounded by children, the idea of having one of his own was not his utmost priority. However, it didn't mean he was adverse to the idea...
"Why don't I explain it to you tonight and you can judge it for yourself? I'll make sure to cover all the bases with you."
And hour later, Sesshoumaru paid dearly for his second of mischief as he changed into his third outfit for the day. How that miso soup fell onto his lap he didn't know. But at least this time they could change in their rooms which meant that he could quietly lie down and contemplate the best way to get Nakamura-san into his bed.
He was still thinking about it when they met outside the public baths; mother and son wrapped in yukatas and ready to enjoy the onsen. Sesshoumaru's only regret was that the hotspings were divided by sexes so while he was happy to take the gleefully bare-skinnned Hiroki with him, he did want so desperately to see the boy's mother naked too.
"So is now a good time to tell me about babies?" The boy submerged himself till his nose as though unsure, his eyes looking away from Sesshoumaru.
"I suppose your mother told you to behave yourself and not ask silly questions?" When he nodded, Sesshoumaru laughed and pulled the boy closer to him. "It's fine. I did promise didn't I? So let's see. What do you know about where babies come from?"
Hiroki squirmed a little and blushed just as his mother would. "Ano... well, Okaa-san said that when two adults love each other very much and they kiss, sometimes they have a baby." He looked up shyly at Sesshoumaru as he tapped his forefingers together. "Eto... but Hiro-chan doesn't think Otou-san loved Okaa-san much..."
Something about the forlorn look on his face made Sesshoumaru's heart ache slightly. He knew he shouldn't pry and yet he couldn't help but want to know more about this man who put this harmless little boy through so much pain. "You want to talk about it?"
Nothing would stop him now for Hiroki started telling him about his first meeting with his father and how the man refused to take him, saying that the boy was a burden; how his mother had shouted and then his father shouted back.
"Wait, why did your mother need to leave you for a few days?"
"I don't know. But at Obaasan's house, she left me there too and went into the city alone." The boy hung his head dejectedly. "I know Okaa-san loves me... but if Otou-san didn't love her, why did they make me? He didn't love me too..."
Something snapped inside of him –a deep buried emotion coming to fore at the boy's words. Hadn't he felt this way as a young child when his father left to remarry? Though he hated the old man, Sesshoumaru couldn't help but admit that he made every effort to keep in touch and to always groom him, even from afar. But for Hiroki…
"Well you see Hiroki-chan, sometimes two people don't necessarily have to be in love to make a baby. And that is the responsibility of a man to make sure that doesn't happen." At the boy's perplexed face, Sesshoumaru took a deep breath. "You see, all women like your mother are born with tiny eggs inside of them –yes like a chicken –but they need a special seed to help make the egg grow into a baby. Want to guess where the seed comes from?"
Hiroki stuck out his tongue. "From a man?"
"That's right. And if you are not ready to make a baby with a woman, you must make sure that your seeds don't get mixed up with her eggs." When the boy asked how, Sesshoumaru tried not to wince. "Remember what your mother said about adults kissing and making a baby? Well sometimes they go beyond kissing and they end up sleeping together."
Hiroki's eyes widened as he clasp a hand over his mouth. "I slept with my girl classmates during nap time! Will I have a baby? But I don't even have a job!"
"No it's not like that!" Sesshoumaru held back his laughter. "You're still too young to make a baby. We'll have this talk again in another four to five years okay?"
"Okay…" Hiroki fiddled with his thumbs before dunking himself underwater again just below his eyes. For the next ten minutes, both man and boy relaxed in the onsen; both quiet and likely contemplating life. A while later when he saw that Hiroki's eyes were drooping slightly, he picked up their washcloths and shook the boy awake.
"We should get out soon. Staying in the hot water for too long will give you a headache." Sesshoumaru stood up and offered a hand to the boy. "I did promise your mother to return you in one piece."
"Sanzen-san Sensei?" Hiroki rubbed his eyes sleepily.
"Yes?" Sesshoumaru didn't know when he started responding to that name but from the endearing way Hiroki called out to him, he figured it had to be a nickname the boy shared with his mother. It was cute.
"If you make a baby with Okaa-san, can I call you Daddy? I don't like my real Otou-san very much…"
Now that stopped Sesshoumaru in his tracks. "Oh wow. Well, that's quite fast Hiroki-chan." Getting to his knees such that they were eye-level, Sesshoumaru smiled at the sad looking child. "But tell you what, if I ever do plan on doing that; you'll be the first to know. And you can choose to call me as you like… though Daddy sounds pretty cool."
Almost instantly, Hiroki's downturned face lit up; the boy closing his arms around Sesshoumaru's neck.
/ / / / /
RIN
She didn't know when was the last time she felt this relaxed. But seeing that it was the last day of their stay in Hokkaido, Rin wanted to enjoy herself to the fullest – especially since tonight would be the night of the O-bon festival. It must have been years since she last went to one.
"But it's nice to wear a yukata once in a while," she mused, looking at her reflection in the mirror. The orange and green material fitted her perfectly. "Hiro-chan, are you ready sweetheart?"
The boy came toddling in with his obi half done. She had just finished tying it when their doorbell rang. Somewhat excited to see the Sensei in traditional wear, Rin rushed to the door and allowed herself to feast on the beautiful male before her.
Though most men preferred darker colours, Sensei looked amazingly regal in the white yukata with sakura designs on the sleeves. He had even released the band usually holding his hair to allow the silvery blonde tresses to flow freely. Was it truly legal for a man to look this beautiful?
Rin almost felt a sense of pride walking alongside him; knowing that while he received a lot of attention from the crowd, his eyes were solely set on hers. And that was enough to send her blushing.
"Nakamura-san, you're already stealing my breath away with your beauty, so if you keep showing me that cute blushing face of yours, we might have to head back to the ryokan." His eyes were full of mischief as he rubbed hand gently around her waist. "Or, I can just have my fill now." The kiss on top of her head was gentle and almost comforting.
That didn't stop him from venturing lower though. Throughout the night, whenever Hiroki wasn't looking, he'd press a kiss on her temple, then her cheeks and finally...
"Okaa-san, Hiro-chan is going to buy candied apples!" Sensei shouted that he wanted one too and gave the boy a large note to spend. Rin was about to chide him for spoiling the kid when he covered her mouth with his; a finger held up to warn her to be quiet.
"You can't just go kissing me like that in public! What would people think?" He merely chuckled and stole another kiss before running off to join Hiroki. Rin however was filled with curious wonder at how such an esteemed and handsome man had ever taken interest in her. Plain, simple and boring were words used to describe her once upon a time – adjectives Rin was sure had not changed.
At first she had thought that this thing they had going on was a kind of experiment for him; to see how easy it would be to pull a local girl. The typical city boy traps naive country girl story. But if that was the case, he didn't need to put in this much effort with her son. In fact, Sanzen-san often looked like he enjoyed his time alone with the boy, whether or not she was there to see their interactions. And Hiroki...
Well, the boy was head over heels with the Sensei. Rin on the other hand wasn't sure if she echoed that sentiment.
When the boys returned, candied apples weren't the only thing they brought back. Sensei had a variety of fried skewers and Hiroki had his mouth full of cotton candy. For once she happily accepted whatever treats they passed to her, walking along the night market with them until they arrived at the festival centre. There, the trio stood alongside the crowd and watched as the streets came alive with the dancing and singing as a mark of respect to the spirits of those who have passed.
Rin chanted silently in her head, humming as she thought fondly of her parents; renewing her promise to always watch over their grandson for them.
Finally when the communal dancing came to an end, Rin quickly found them all a good spot by the hill to watch the firework display. The bright explosions were echoed by a running shriek of excitement by her six year old; his head lying on her thigh as his eyes took in the view above them.
Next to her, Sanzen-san too had his head angled up, a serene smile on his face. When his fingers crawled above the grass to link with hers, she laid her palm out flat and welcomed him.
"This is my first O-bon in a decade," he whispered, a while later when the fireworks died down. Rin wondered if it was because he saw much death back at the university hospital that to commemorate it seemed painful.
"For us too. Though we hang lanterns and celebrate it in our own way at home every year." Rin looked down at her snoozing child and smiled. "I chose not to give my parents a grave; we scattered their ashes to the wind. May they travel as they always wanted to when they were still, alive."
She didn't know why she told him that but she was glad she did. Weren't they slowly trying to break down barriers between them?
"Can I ask you something Nakamura-san?" Rin knew this was coming so she nodded, allowing him to continue. "Why did you leave Hiroki with your grandmother for a few days? I had thought you left town because… of me."
Rin knew he still hadn't forgotten the little misunderstanding she had when she saw that woman on his lap – who wouldn't? But this was different. "My professor had emailed me about a scholarship position he wanted me to apply for. Since I was in the city, I dropped by to speak to him about it."
"And you submitted the application," he concluded; his face a blank slate that was unreadable. "When's the result?"
She understood what he wanted from her but Rin couldn't commit to such a situation. To say that her life decisions would now include him was just moving their relationship along too fast. "It doesn't matter. I won't get it." Sensei looked like he was about to push but Rin shook her head. She wasn't lying.
The application she submitted had been incomplete – missing an entire chunk detailing her teaching capabilities. Rin was aware that the scholarship came with the responsibility of teaching an undergrad module but that would leave her with barely enough time to spend with her son.
"Alright, I'll let that to rest for now. But in return, would you tell me about Hiroki's father?"
She should refuse. After all, tonight was a happy occasion and the three of them had had such an enjoyable time together that to speak of an evil past would just spoil it all.
Sensing her hesitance, Sanzen-san pulled her closer so she could lean against his shoulder. "I'll tell you anything you want about me afterwards."
With a sigh, Rin relented. "Kohaku and I were college sweethearts. We met at induction and instantly hit off and six months later, we got married in secret. Maybe we were young or maybe we were just stupid but at the end of my first year, I got pregnant. Kohaku hadn't wanted the child then but I didn't have the heart to go through with an abortion.
So I kept it from him for as long as I could. Five months… six months… I got slower, my body was constantly sweating and if I could, I'd rather sit down than run around from party to party like I used to. He noticed this of course and called me fat and lazy – that was before he found out I had kept the child."
You'd think that would have made Kohaku change his tune, but in reality, the verbal abuse only continued.
"Hiroki was born when we were both 20; neither of us ready to be parents. But one look at his chubby little cheeks and those beautiful brown eyes of his and I had fallen in love. I named him Hiroki after my grandfather and took him everywhere – yes, even to school. All my classmates and even my professors couldn't believe what a good baby he was. He never cried, never even created a fuss when the people around him got too noisy. He'd sleep or just play with his toys quietly by my side. In fact, I think that's the only reason why my professors allowed me to bring him to class."
"But you were still married right? Did your husb –I mean Kohaku help at all?"
Rin couldn't help but laugh. Kohaku, help? "He never once looked at the baby. Every time he came home and saw me with Hiroki, he'd storm out and come home at the wee hours with a new girl every night." Rin caught the dark look in his eyes but forced herself to continue. After all, these happened in the past. "I don't blame him you know. He still wanted to play and explore the world. Hiroki and I were just in the way."
"That didn't excuse him from treating you like that. Were you not also allowed to have a life? What about your dreams, your adventures? He couldn't have just tossed them aside for his!"
Once upon a time, Rin had thought so too but looking back, these six years had been an incredible adventure too and she explored the world in her own way, through Hiroki's eyes. "I suppose that's why we got a divorce not long after. And once I graduated, I returned home to Inuyama."
When he tilted her face towards his, Rin calmly accepted the gentle kiss; lingering only to allow him to gaze down at her. "I wish sometimes that I had met you earlier. But then again, if I did I wouldn't have had the chance to fall in love with the two of you."
It took every fibre in her body not to respond to his open declaration. Instead, she breathed out slowly and leaned into his warmth; her heart pounding crazily in her chest.
And perhaps, I with you...
/ / / /
SEPTEMBER
With the holidays over, the children were officially back in school and Rin was once more sitting idly in her shop awaiting the massive influx of school kids coming for their treats at the end of the day.
Just short of 1pm, she heard the bell on her door ring, signalling a customer. "Irasshaimase!"
"Are you the owner?" The stick thin stub of a man came in with the most dour expression on his face. Rin wondered if he was truly looking for sweets to brighten his day.
"Hai, yes I'm Nakamura Rin. Can I help you sir?" She tried to sound as friendly as possible but the almost green tinge of the man's skin was starting to make her feel anxious.
Tiptoeing by the edge of her counter, the stranger turned his nose up at the worn out wooden panel, rubbing his scratchy finger over non-existent dust. "You can call me Mr. Jaken. I believe you've received a letter from my company?" He slapped a letter of notice and his name card on the counter. "If you haven't, now you have. See here? We've been given permission by the government to buy over this shop and all the shops on this street. Big shopping malls, big money. You get me?"
Rin was still grappling with the contents of the letter when she heard the words "evicted" from tiny green man's mouth. "I'm sorry Jaken-san, what did you say?"
"It's Mister Jaken! And I said you have two weeks to get yourself packing and out of here. This land now belongs to Jak and Co. Limited."
The reality was difficult for Rin to swallow. Move out? But this had been her home for the past six years! "I'm sorry Mr. Jaken sir, but I have paid for the full value of this property in cash – "
"Are you as blind as you are deaf? Didn't I just say you'll be compensated? It's written in that letter you're holding too, in case you couldn't read. 2% above the original value."
"That's daylight robbery! That's just the cost of inflation!" Rin couldn't believe the nerve of these realtors! To think they'd tear down such a heritage structure to build a concrete block? "And what if I refuse?"
Mr. Jaken slapped another name card onto the table. "Then my lawyers will be contacting you. I hear the fine for noncompliance is quite hefty." Tipping an imaginary hat at her, the man walked out the same way he came in. "Have a nice day."
As if she could.
Her day was essentially ruined. Where was she to find a temporary place in such short notice? And if she were to engage lawyers...
No. Rin would not go through all that heartache again and she couldn't risk the courts knowing she would officially be homeless and jobless in a fortnight. If they ever took Hiroki away because of that, Rin couldn't forgive herself ever.
Turning to her laptop, Rin began to fervently hunt for any rental shop openings within the prefecture. The money she would receive from the sale of her shop would be measly in the current market conditions but Rin had to try. Hiroki was her life; she'd do anything to protect him.
For the next few days that week, Rin continued searching while trying her best to sell as much of her stock as possible. With the budget she estimated, she could only afford a small shophouse, likely half the size of their current place. And that meant less storage space.
"Wow, a sale? I've not seen you have one since I've arrived. What's the occasion?" The lanky form of her familiar customer leaned against one of her shelves, watching as she bundled some sweets together.
"No reason," she lied. "Just clearing stock." Although that part was probably true. Rin knew without a doubt that if she told him, Sensei would try and offer his help and she didn't want that. Dating or not, Rin had always stood on her own two feet and she would continue to do so.
"You know you can talk to me about anything right?" Though he remained in his position, Rin could feel his eyes following her around the shop. "I'd rather hear it from you than Hiroki-chan."
He knew her weak spot. Sighing, she lugged a basket of crackers onto the counter top then looked over at him. "It's nothing I can't handle. I'll be fine. Please don't worry about it."
He got to her side faster than she could blink her eyes. "Are you kidding me? We're together aren't we? So of course I worry about you; I care deeply about you! Please don't shoulder everything yourself Nakamura-san..."
Hadn't she been doing that all along? Why should things change just because they were together? "I'm trying to find a new shop location. Thus the sale. If you want to help, then help me find one that won't burst my budget." Rin honestly hated to push him out like this but she didn't want him to felt sorry for her. People were always pitying her and accepting their help hurt the most.
"Alright. I'll leave since its clear I'm not welcomed here," he sighed. "Whatever I can find I'll ask my nurse aid to email you. I won't be a bother anymore."
When he turned and left, Rin knew that something irreparable had just happened. But she couldn't afford to give her heart time to ponder over it. Her son needed a home.
/ / / /
SESSHOUMARU
They hadn't spoken to each other in three days. And the agony of waiting for Nakamura-san to reach out to him was unbearable. He knew something was wrong so why couldn't she just tell him? Did she not trust him to take care of her?
Taking off his stethoscope from around his neck, Sesshoumaru closed his office door and headed to the front desk. "Yamamoto-san, I was wondering if Nakamura-san replied to any of the listings I asked you to send her yesterday?"
The nurse looked up from her screen and shook her head. "I'm afraid not Sensei. Would you like me to call, and check?"
Sesshoumaru rubbed the back of his neck in annoyance. "I'm really sorry to bother you like this Sango-san but could I ask a personal favour?" Though his nurse had given him permission to call her by her first name since a long time ago, he rarely used it which was why she sat up in rapt attention as he spoke. "I'm worried about Hiroki. With his mother busy with the moving and packing, I don't know if he is coping well with the change. Would you be kind enough to drop by the candy store and check on them for me?"
His nurse gave him a knowing smile. "I didn't know you were that close to his mother, Sensei. Why not call them yourself?"
If only she would pick up the damn phone! "I haven't had the time. Anyway also ask her about the property I sent her. My brother can help her negotiate the price so just tell me which one she likes. I have a feeling it's urgent."
When Sango left that evening to drop by Nakamura sweetshop, Sesshoumaru calmly sat at the reception, looking out of the window ever so often for a sign of his nurse aid returning. He said goodbye to the other doctors leaving for the day and was certain he was the last one in the building, when he heard soft clicking heels.
"Lady problems? I know that face on any man."
"Kazeko-Sensei. I thought you've left." What a bad time to be alone with her in their office. If Nakamura-san were to come here and misunderstood again...
"Don't worry, I'm not going to pounce on you," she laughed as though reading his mind. "But am I right? Had a fight with your girlfriend?"
"We're not in high school anymore Kagura. To call her my girlfriend is a little – never mind. But it's a personal matter. Doesn't concern you."
"Well I'm not the one pacing the front door like a worried mother hen. So spill it already. I might be able to help."
Sesshoumaru didn't know why he chose to confide in her; the words spilling out of his mouth without restraint – from the trip he took to fetch Nakamura-san and her son; the phone call by the ex husband and now this sudden desire to move out of her shop.
"Maybe she's cheating on you."
"I don't think that's it Kagura. You know what, this has been a waste of time." Nakamura-san wasn't that type of woman.
"Okay okay, just throwing it out there." Kagura lifted both her hands up in surrender. "Have you ever considered that maybe her ex husband is stalking her?"
Now that didn't sound too farfetched. Nakamura-san after all was very secretive when it came to her past. Just that one phone call from her ex had sent her trembling. What if he was part of the yakuza or something? "I'd better go over now."
To his surprise, the shop was closed – neither Nakamura-san nor his nurse aid in sight. Even the house lights were off. Where in the world could they be?
"Your luck has run out. I'm afraid this shop is closed for good." At the tiny screeching voice, Sesshoumaru turned to find a petite man holding an umbrella and wearing dark sunglasses. An odd character indeed considering it was nearly dusk and the skies were clear.
Could it be? A member of the yakuza?
"Ah, you're looking for her new shop too?" Perhaps he could try and put them off her trail. "She might have moved out of town. Who knows."
But the little green man simply sputtered as he laughed. "All the better. Guess I can trash this cheque then."
That immediately got Sesshoumaru's attention. "Wait. You're buying this place? Is that why she moved?" The man nodded and passed him his name card. "Jaken-san, we're you supposed to meet Nakamura-san here today?"
"Mister Jaken, that's my name. And yes. Today's the last day. If she's not out by tomorrow morning, she'll be fined heavily. But it seems she has complied."
Sesshoumaru couldn't believe she hid something this important from him. What was she thinking? Did she run away again? God, she needed to stop being so selfish and think about him for once! "Give me that cheque Mister Jaken. I'll pass it to her to tonight." At the man's cautious gaze, Sesshoumaru sighed. "I'm not going to be able to cash it anyway. It's clearly addressed to her. And if I do, it'll just bounce and you wouldn't have lost anything."
"Fine. You're absolutely right. Just make sure she evacuates this premises by 0900 hours tomorrow." The tiny man waddled off, much to Sesshoumaru's relief. He was indeed a rather impish character.
/ / / /
RIN
2 hours earlier
When she saw the familiar nurse aid at the door, Rin knew that Sanzen-san had sent her. Though she often saw Yamamoto-san at the clinic, their interactions were limited to a few seconds of monetary exchange and dosage instructions.
This was a personal call.
"Nakamura-san? Goodness, what's up with these bags? You're moving to the new shop tonight? But you haven't even gotten back to Oshiro-Sensei yet!" At her side, Hiroki had gone completely still. Strange considering he had seen her a couple of times; he wasn't the type to be scared of strangers.
"My apologies. I did look but they are all out of my budget. You didn't have to come all the way here Yamamoto-san. I'm sorry it was a wasted trip." Looking out at the distance, Rin then bowed politely. "We'll have to get going. Good evening."
The cab however took longer to arrive than she expected. Looking over silently at the nurse aid, Rin wondered why she hadn't bothered to get to know her much. Since they were standing in awkward silence, Rin decided to break the ice. "Ano Yamamoto-san, have you always worked at Oshiro clinic?"
The older woman nodded. "Straight out of Nagoya university. Was privileged to have worked with the Inutaisho-sensei maybe for three years?"
Rin couldn't believe it. "You went to Nagoya uni too? Ahah! Then I'm your kohai!" The two women marvelled at how small the world was and began sharing stories about their days in school. "Our paths wouldn't even have crossed. You were in your final year and I just started uni. So what brings you to Inuyama, Yamamoto-san?"
"Eh no need to be so formal! I'm your senpai after all. You can call me Sango."
That name sounded familiar but Rin attributed it to the fact that she had been living in this same town with her for many years. The name would have come up somewhere. "Then I suppose you can call me Rin."
For a moment, the nurse aid peered at her face as though seeing a ghost but then shook her head. "It can't be."
"Can't be what?"
"Well I've never met her before but my younger brother used to go out with this girl called Rin back in his university days. Rin is a common name isn't it?" Sango shrugged her shoulder. "But knowing him, she probably would be much much younger than you. At least that's his current preference."
Yamamoto… like Yamamoto Kohaku? His sister wanted to be a doctor didn't he say? They didn't live together or saw much of each other. But Rin was now sure that his sister's name was Sango…
"Well, that's in the past isn't it? I don't suppose your brother had a son as well," joked Rin.
"That guy? I'm sure he'd have a hundred by now if he didn't get a vasectomy. Can you believe that idiot? Got it at 21."
Right after Hiroki was born. Did he really hate having children that much?
"Ano, Sango-chan, I think you can tell Oshiro Sensei that I'll get back to him when I can about the property so not to worry. I don't want to keep you from your family either."
The nurse looked at her with a strange unreadable expression. "Why don't you come over for tea? Seems like this cab is taking forever and the skies don't look too good. I live just down the street and the driver will call you when he arrives right?" She didn't know why she agreed but as they stepped into the warm interior of Sango-san's house, Rin felt slightly at ease. It had been slightly nerve wrecking to stand in the dark like that and though most of her things had been sent to a temporary storage, they still had quite a few bags that made them look like a couple of hobos. Not to mention that it had started raining and with the taxi still not anywhere to be found, Rin shuddered at the thought of Hiroki being soaked to the skin.
While Sango made tea, Hiroki curled up against his mother; unwilling to sit by himself even when she returned with the drinks and snacks.
"Okaa-san, Hiro-chan wants to go home," he whined softly. Rin wished she could too but she didn't know how best to explain it to him. But as luck had it, explaining anything to her son would be the last thing on her mind half an hour later when the doorbell rang and in stormed a very drenched and annoyed gentleman.
"You!" Those long limbs covered the distance between the entrance and the sofa in five strides. "Do you know how long I've been searching for you? I've been so worried!"
Rin had her retort at the tip of her tongue and was about to lash out when Hiroki jumped off the sofa and nosedived straight into the man's legs, gripping him tight. "Sensei, sensei!" he cried, letting the man carry him into a soothing hug.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded, before turning towards Sango. "If Sango-san didn't call me, god knows what I would have done! Hiroki, where are your bags?" When the boy pointed to his school backpack and a large suitcase, Rin watched as Sanzen-san picked those up and headed towards the door. "And you? Are you coming?"
Bowing repeatedly to Sango, Rin apologised a couple more times before dragging her remaining bags out of the door. When she got to the first floor, Rin quietly allowed the glowering doctor to shove her items into his car boot before settling herself next to her son.
"Sensei is very angry at Okaa-san. He says we are going to his house tonight," whispered Hiroki, somewhat frightened. Rin wondered if that was an understatement. She had always seen the man smiling and laughing – despite his stern expression – but to see him actually mad and tempestuous added a whole new dimension to it.
Sensei's apartment was surprisingly large for a single man to be occupying. Rin didn't even know that he lived a distance away from the clinic, almost at the outskirts of the main town itself.
"Hiroki-chan, you can take the spare room at the end of the hall. I'll move all these into the study room for the meantime." Though his voice was calm, Rin could still hear the sharp edge of acid, mostly directed at her. He hadn't assigned her a room – because it was obvious where she would be sleeping in.
An hour later when Hiroki was comfortable in the guest bed, Rin tucked him in and tried her best to read a story to the boy, only to have him pull the book from her. "It's okay Okaa-san. I think you should go and talk to Sensei."
"No, that's fine. I can still read you a bedtime story –why are you crying?"
"Please Okaa-san. If you did something wrong, you must apologise! Hiro-chan doesn't want to lose Sensei. What if he doesn't forgive you and hates me too?"
Who'd put such thoughts in his head? "Sensei will never hate you sweetheart… It's me that he's angry at, not you –"
"Then apologise!"
She ought to slap him for raising his voice at her but Rin was too stunned at the moment to do anything. It was the first time in her life that Hiroki ever wanted something this strongly. Had he come to see Sanzen-san as a constant in his life?
"Hiro-chan, you must not mistake Sensei as your father. He is not –"
"But I want him to be!"
"Hiroki…" Rin's warning tone was ignored completely by her son who threw his book at her.
"I hate you!" he screamed before burying himself under the blanket, refusing to budge no matter how hard Rin tried to drag him out. Only when he kept screaming did she finally leave the room; her heart aching at the harsh words from her son.
When she entered the living area, Rin slumped heavily onto the sofa and waited for the next round of screaming and lecture to come.
But none came.
In fact, Sensei didn't speak to her at all. He busied himself as per normal, doing his own washing and reading before turning down the lights and heading to bed. He didn't offer her his room either which left her the obvious option – the couch.
Feeling extremely pathetic – much of which was her own doing, Rin eventually curled up around the cushions and allowed exhaustion to take over.
/ / / /
A/N: Thanks everyone for your comments and reviews! I know I promised a long chapter but I had to split up chapter 5 and 6 because it was more than 20 pages worth of words! And there's quite a lot of emotional roller coaster in this one. I really wanted to see how everyone would react since it's the first time that Sesshoumaru gets truly angry with Rin! However, let's hope our cute couple will overcome the trials (and oh boy do I have more) coming their way.