DIS: I am so sorry for not updating sooner. I've been so busy with school and my family that it's not even funny. What's more, I've been working on my Halloween fic that I hope to be done somewhat on time. Anyway, thanks to HawkAngel XD, New Fan (you're right, but there's a lot more to it than that,) IYGU, living on, kagome2004, icygirl2, and d2shny for reviewing. You have no idea how it encourages me. Here's the next chapter, more eventful than the last. Enjoy!

X

Chapter Six

A week had passed since Inuyasha went out to dinner with Kagome. Many things had taken place. Rin, in her eagerness to become friends with the rich and handsome youkai, Sesshomaru, forgot what her actual objective was at first. She kept the clothes that Sesshomaru had given her in good condition and cleaned them as best as she could with her limited resources. Her relationship with Sesshomaru improved. He opened up a bit to her, but he was still slightly wary. However, that suspicion was not strong, as she did not seem very threatening. She was a young, impoverished girl that always had a bright smile to the passing person and her looks struck her as innocent, just like her personality. For the time being, Sesshomaru had no reason to suspect her of ill giving. Despite that, he did not entrust her with any very important information. She was fourteen and though she was at the brink of womanhood, that did not mean that she wouldn't talk to others, so Sesshomaru acted in an accordingly safe way when he spoke about her. When she asked about his business, he ignored the question, falling silent, or diverted the conversation. If he so much as said that business was going well and she told someone, it could be valuable information for his enemies.

Presently, one of his enemies, Thomas Hatton, was exiting his business, his mouth curved in his age-old charming smile, his mustache tilted upward with his mouth. The rich adored him; even the lower classes adored him. It was amazing how one man, who was so deceitful and cunning in the worst kind of ways, could effect an entire society. Either way, it didn't matter to him so long as he got what he wished. Hmm, he pondered to himself as his chauffeur opened the door. I should probably send a man to retrieve Rin for me. He smiled as he settled in the limousine, clasping the rounded top of his cane. It's been long enough. Surely she's discovered something by now! And if not...well, then I obviously won't be paying her. His eyes flickered out the window and his lips twisted into a cruel, nasty smile. "Look at them," he said to himself vacantly. "Just look at them! Those stupid, poor, pathetic beings!" He let out a bark of laughter. "This world should be full with more people like me." He laughed, amused. People like me, he mused. Oh, yes, what a laugh! Everyone would be plotting against each other. He snickered at that admittance and turned his face from the window, smirking at the idea.

Turning from his thoughts briefly, Thomas composed his face into a mask of kindness and tapped on the window to the driver's seat. The driver opened and met his employer's eyes in the mirror. "Sir?" He questioned a bit hesitantly.

"We'll want to stop up here at the Olive Garden briefly."

"...Er...Well, if you want to, sir," his driver replied uncertainly, wondering inwardly why Thomas Hatton would want to go to the Olive Garden of all places. His employer only ate at the most expensive and popular restaurants. Nonetheless, he pulled into the parking lot and Thomas said a brief thank you, getting out and moving to where his driver couldn't see him. His smiled dropped and his face seemed older now that he wasn't smiling and keeping a kind façade on. He dialed a number on his cell phone and waited impatiently, checking his watch every few seconds. People streamed in and out of the Olive Garden, their faces lit up and laughing.

"Boss?" A gruff voice answered.

"Get Jacob on the phone. He can deal with this job," Thomas ordered in a firm voice that was quite unlike the one people were used to. For a moment, there was silence on the other line and Thomas peered up at the sky, feeling the sun peer down at him with a taunting glare.

"Sir?" Came a softer, less manly voice.

"Jacob, I want you to go pick up a little girl. Her name is Rin and she lives in the alleys off of 1st Street. Can you find it easily enough?" He queried, tapping his polished boot, his powdery eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes, sir. Where should I take her?"

"Bring her to me at the Olive Garden."

"...Ah, of course, sir."

"Good." Thomas flipped his phone closed, scowling. He hoped that this meeting wouldn't take long. He had a family to take care of, after all. Granted, it wasn't a great family as his daughter slept with every guy she could just like his wife, but it wouldn't be like that for often. Sighing, attempting to calm himself, his tucked his cell phone away and smoothed out his cream colored suit. He nodded once to assure himself he was fine and sauntered back to the limo, his mask firmly back in place.

X

Rin hummed a soft tune to herself as she sat on the steps of her "home." She heard footsteps and glanced at the position of the shadows from the buildings. She wasn't able to tell time as well during the winter or when the weather was bad, but when the sun was out, she could tell time relatively well. Mr. Inutaisho shouldn't be coming around by this time, Rin observed, getting to her feet, her brow furrowing. Could it be...Thomas Hatton? But the sound of the footsteps did not have the clunk of a cane. They were steady and coming straight for the alley in which she lived in. Rin considered fleeing, but decided to hold her ground. She wasn't doing anything wrong, so why should she be fearful?

A male turned into the alley and her expression cleared. He appeared harmless. He was tall, but a bit on the gangly side and had unkempt hair. His suit, however, made her aware that he wasn't here to speak friendlily, along with the strange angles behind his topcoat. A huge, black metal weapon popped in her head and she involuntarily shuddered. Suddenly, interrupting her thoughts, his blue eyes fixed on hers and she swallowed. Unable to offer a smile, she asked quietly, "Yes?"

His eyes moved over her frame doubtfully, as though he wasn't sure if she was what was right in his face. "Are you Rin?" He questioned. She started in surprise and he put his hands up, saying quickly, "Don't worry. I'm not here to hurt you." Jacob could see every muscle in her petite body tense for flight if needed. Either that, or she would fight for every second of her life. Odd, though, Jacob thought ironically. You'd think a homeless person would want to end it. But... Again, he eyed her. She was clean, her hair only a bit messed up, her pink sundress clean, more or less, and her shoes not worn out, but almost new. Did this girl really live on the streets? He began to wonder. She looks only fourteen, maybe fifteen, despite her height. Does she sell herself on the street and get these things?

"Who are you?" Rin asked warily, her muscles rippling with apprehension. "Who sent you?"

"My name is Jacob. My employer, Mr. Hatton, wanted me to pick you up and bring you to him. Surely you know him?"

"Yes..." She responded slowly, the tension slowly leaving her body. "He wants to see me?"

"Yeah, he does."

"Okay. Tell me where to go and I'll walk." His expression was one of surprise. Rin's instincts sharpened at his reaction. Her distrust of him was obvious at this point. Then again, Rin didn't like the look of him. She didn't like strangers that looked dangerous. The only stranger that she had found truly fascination and trustworthy was Sesshomaru Inutaisho, who she liked quite a deal.

"I'm sorry, but that can't be arranged," he answered. "He ordered me to bring you to the Olive Garden." He smiled then, saying, "Besides, a young lady like you shouldn't be out by yourself." Rin didn't reply, watching him warily. His smile dropped and he sighed. "Listen, I really don't have the time for this. Will you please just come with me so I can give you to him?" She pursed her lips, then nodded.

"Alright." He gave a smile of relief.

"Great. Let's go, then." He led her out of the alley to his car. He unlocked the passenger's door and she climbed in, buckling her seatbelt. The car ride was filled with silence and Rin didn't mind.

Mr. Inutaisho will be there soon, she thought sadly. I guess I won't be able to see him today. Jacob pulled into the Olive Garden and Thomas Hatton approached the car, opening Rin's door. Jacob waved briefly as she got out. Thomas shut the door and ushered her to his limo. She climbed in and he entered after her. She kept her eyes on her folded hands in her lap.

"It's good to see you again, Rin," Thomas told her brightly. "I hope you were given enough time to find some things out. But don't tell me now," he continued when she opened her mouth. "We have plenty of time for that later!" He gave another bright smile and she returned it, though less brilliantly. They fell silent, though it wasn't exactly awkward. When Rin chanced a look at him, his eyes were narrowed on the people outside the window and his lip curled a bit. She hastily looked up, her brow furrowed in total bewilderment. What could have caused him to look that way? She bit her lip, trying to put things together, but the more she considered over Thomas Hatton, the more puzzled she became.

X

Sesshomaru frowned as he glided down the alley and noticed that Rin wasn't there waiting for him like she normally was. He had had a particularly bad day and was almost looking forward to seeing him. She always managed to make him forget about the idiot humans in the business world. Though, she was out, and there was nothing he could do about that. He left her small little space, his mood to the point of ultimate foulness. He spotted Jaken toddling toward him from where his limo was waiting. He had a meeting with a group of other youkais (they, too, were idiots, but not nearly as much as the idiot humans.) Jaken beamed at him, then his grin fell as Sesshomaru kicked him just for his dark amusement. Jaken winced and stumbled after Sesshomaru, decidedly keeping quiet. When his employer was in this bad of a mood, anything could set him off. And, as they were riding to the place where the meeting was taking place, Sesshomaru had a pretty ticked off expression at the two red lights they had encounter. Today was going to be a very, very bad day for anyone who spoke or so much as looked at Sesshomaru.

Well, Jaken though, trying to counsel himself, at least he'll be early to the meeting. However, not even that could make him think Sesshomaru would be in a better mood. That'll actually make things worse since a few others get there early. Oh no... Jaken was wishing that he had a boss who wasn't so fearsome in a bad mood.

X

Thomas Hatton ushered Rin into his drawing room, where he settled her onto a chair. He noticed, with some surprise, that she was wearing decent clothing and shoes that didn't look too bad. One look at her and people wouldn't assume that she was homeless, just a bit unkempt. He looked her over and wondered how she had gotten that dress. It looked a bit expensive. Surely she wouldn't spend her money on such an expensive dress? He doubted it.

He smiled at Rin as he sat across from her and she gave a tentative smile back. There was hesitance in her eyes. He wondered what had caused her to look at him like that. He cleared his throat and spoke, "So tell me, young Rin, what you have found out."

"Um...Well, not much, really," she confessed in a guilty tone. Anger rushed up to him, but he hastily pushed it back down, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. If she saw his true nature, she would run from him, money or no money. He dryly thought that she, eventually, would not even need his money. Continuing, and not noticing his inner turmoil, she said, "Mostly I found out about his family."

"His family," he repeated in what he hoped was a kind tone. He already knew about Sesshomaru's family!

"He was really very loyal to his father," Rin explained, "and he regrets cutting ties with Inuyasha."

Now there's something I didn't know, Thomas thought, pausing in his rage. I always assumed those two despised each other to no end. It seems I was wrong. Hmm...Perhaps I could use Inuyasha for my own ways? He chuckled inwardly and told Rin, "Go on, dear."

"And he only trusts a guy named Jaken." Alarm bells flew on in Rin's mind when she saw a triumphant gleam in his eyes. He looked positively malicious! Her throat constricted and she hoped, very dearly, that she hadn't given any terribly important information to him. It didn't seem very important to her, anyway.

"Thank you," Thomas said politely, grinning more broadly than usual. The same mischievous look was in his eye and she shuddered, wondering if maybe she should stop while she was ahead. She reminded herself of the money that could give her a real life. A life of her own.

But what if I end up destroying another life in the process? Rin thought in panic. She swallowed and nodded to him.

"Well, allow me to have someone drop you off – "

"No," she hastily said, "but thank you. This isn't too far. I'll walk." Thomas eyed her, then nodded, still smiling.

"If you insist." She hurried out of the room, trying to not be rude. "Oh, Rin?" He called and she turned. He limped over to the doorway, saying, "I'll give you more time before I call on you again. I'm sure you'll have something even more useful."

"...Yes, sir," she quietly answered.

"Goodbye."

"Bye." Rin left the large house, grateful for the fresh hair that swished through her dark locks. It was almost five. She had read the clock in Thomas' house and it had said four fifty-two. She was thankful that it didn't get real dark until around six. She jogged down the walkway to where the sidewalk was, blending in with the crowds of people, her mind still uneasy about that look Hatton had in his eyes...

X

Sesshomaru frowned as he walked briskly from the building in which the meeting had held place. It was cold out tonight and his boa was lying on his shoulder, his long, silver strands almost blending in with the fluff. If he hadn't been irritated before, he most certainly was now. Not only did those idiots mostly gossip the entire time, but they had argued over whether they should continue to make dealings with humans the remainder of the time. Sesshomaru was indecisive, so he didn't enter the argument, decided to see their views instead. There were some good points, but more stupid ones than anything else.

Sesshomaru had told Jaken that he would be walking back to his home to let his frustration out. As he glanced around, he realized that he really didn't look around outside that often. His gaze flickered to a large shopping store and he saw a familiar female exiting with two paper bags in her hands. It was Kagome, Inuyasha's wife. His brow furrowed. He hadn't seen her in many years, ever since she came by to beg for him to return the ties. He doubted that Inuyasha had heard anything of it, being the stubborn ass he was. She looked like she was doing better if she was able to buy things leisurely. He snorted to himself. At least they're not bothering me, he told himself, increasing his pace. He felt a twinge of guilt, though, for having them deal with what they did. His face hardened. He didn't care. He kept telling himself that his brother was dirt and so was his wife. Why should he care about them? It would have been better if they were dead. I...do not...feel guilty, Sesshomaru told himself firmly.

X

Mayala glanced up and smiled, seeing Rin in a cute pink sundress. She beamed at her and remarked, "Well, would you look at you! Where'd you get the money to buy that dress?"

"I, um, didn't," Rin answered shyly. Mayala's eyebrows shot up, seeing an embarrassed blush cover her cheeks. She hadn't see the younger girl for a week now and had wondered what had been keeping Rin from seeing her. Now, as she observed the nearly new dress and shoes, she had a good hunch of what it was that had been occupying her.

"You got a boyfriend or something?" Mayala asked with a smirk.

"No!"

"Sugar daddy?"

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Who bought you the pretty dress, Rin baby?"

"Um...Mr. Inutaisho did."

"WHO? No way! The cold-hearted jackass of a youkai did?"

"He's not that bad," Rin tried to defend, but Mayala rolled her eyes. "I was thinking, Mayala, that Mr. Hatton is trying to hurt Mr. Inutaisho, so...so I'm thinking I might not work for him anymore. I need the money, but I...I don't want Mr. Inutaisho to get hurt." Mayala frowned. Rin was a sweet girl and had a kind heart. She didn't like violence, which was why Mayala made sure she could live in a safer place than Mayala herself did. Rin also was innocent and naïve. She didn't like the subject of sex, or even men most of the time. Now, however, Rin was getting involved between two powerful businessmen, one of which was a youkai, the most dangerous race these days! Mayala didn't care one bit for rich people. In fact, she hated them and hated youkais even more. Perhaps Rin didn't know this and that was why she always confided her thoughts to Mayala.

"Sweetheart, you need that money," Mayala told Rin sternly. "Forget about it. If you want to become something and get out of this shitty life that you're living, then you had better do what you have to in order to get that money. Don't ever forget that." Rin bowed her head, biting her lip. "...Do you like the youkai, Rin?"

"He's nice to me," Rin said in a soft voice, raising her eyes. "How can I not worry that I might be giving information that could hurt him?"

"He might be nice, but he might try to hurt you if you're not careful. He's a man, and you're a pretty girl. A lot could happen because of those two things."

"N-no!" Rin cried in surprise. "He would never think of something like that!" Mayala raised an eyebrow, but didn't press the subject.

"Come on. Let's get you washed up," Mayala said and Rin nodded, a small frown forming between her eyebrows.

Mayala doesn't like him, Rin concluded, but I do. He's not mean to me like other people are. I just want a friend that I can talk with...that's all.

X

DIS: (cringes away from mutinous readers) Please don't kill me. I know how long it's been, but I've been so hooked on YuGiOh. I was doing a lot of Inuyasha-related crap today for my website, though, so it's all good. By the way, you guys should check it out! My friend, Molly, finally got it up (bless her!) Here's the URL:

His-rin. that doesn't work, if you click on homepage up on my profile, then it'll go to it.

So, anyway, please review and tell me how you guys like this so far. And, if you want, tell me what you think is going to happen! Ciao!