Chapter 3

Sesshoumaru smirked at his reflection as he dressed for the performance. The two weeks had gone quickly. Tonight was the night that Rin Oshiro's band failed. He was confident. Sesshoumaru Taisho never lost any bets and tonight would be no exception. The girl was interesting enough, but that didn't exempt her from being a failure along with her band. One song was not good enough and tonight, he was going to show her how a real band performed.

Following her open disapproval of their previous outfits, Sesshoumaru took time to dress for this night. His white shirt was unbuttoned and revealed a black tank top beneath; the sleeves were rolled up to the elbow to give him a careless, almost dishevelled look. Normally, he would tie his hair back, but today he left it down and took the time to stand outside for while ensuring it got as windblown as possible. Not only would he prove that Rin Oshiro's band was a failure, he would also prove that the outfit worn made no difference. She was so much fun to tease.

He quickly joined his friends as their band was called to the stage to start their performance. Sesshoumaru knew that Rin would be watching. He had made especially sure that she could watch their performance from her very own front row seat. He walked onto the stage with his guitar hanging at his side and took his place on Inuyasha's left while Miroku stood to the right. Quickly, Sesshoumaru scanned the audience to find Rin and he found her sitting where he had planned looking directly at him with the usual expressionless look she seemed to reserve just for him. He chuckled softly to himself as they began to play the introduction to their first song.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Rin fumed as she paced back and forth in the band's dressing room after Sesshoumaru's performance. How could they counter what they had just heard? What they had created in the two weeks had been impressive, but it was no match for what she just heard. She turned to face her band mates who looked back at her with grim expressions that seemed to reflect her own unpleasant thoughts. Natsumi came into the room just at that moment.

"You had better get yourselves ready. You're the next act and the last ones have nearly finished," she said in an uncharacteristically subdued voice.

"We've lost this bet already," Suikotsu stated sadly.

"You haven't performed yet," Natsumi said with a small smile as she gave him a hug. He shrugged in response and went to get changed.

Bankotsu stood near the door dressed in a black tank top and black jeans, his long hair in the usual braid that flowed down his back. Rin looked at him thoughtfully. She wondered what he was thinking but she knew that asking would be pointless. Bankotsu was abrupt and to the point, almost rude in some cases. He didn't share his thoughts unless there was some vitally important reason for him to do so. Shaking her head, she moved away to change hoping that they still had a chance to win this bet.

With a sigh, she walked out onto the dimly lit stage and took her place beside Bankotsu in the centre. Suikotsu gave her an encouraging smile as he took his place. Slowly the lights began to brighten and Rin felt a twinge of nervousness as she looked out into the sea of expectant faces. At the very front, she saw the smirking faces of Sesshoumaru Taisho and his band mates.

This song was completely different from the previous one the band had performed and there seemed to be confusion running through the audience at the sudden change in music which caused Rin to cringe inwardly. They didn't like it and they had only just started! Deciding to give it all she had, she sang her heart out, trying desperately to make each note more beautiful than the last until the song came to an end. There was a pause before the next started and once again, Rin gave it her all. Determination flared within her. She would not lose to a cocky man like Sesshoumaru Taisho.

As the second song ended, Rin looked up and was greeted by a wave of applause and cheers. The trio stood there staring stupidly at the cheering crowd before realisation sunk in and grins spread across their faces. With a yell of triumph, Suikotsu threw his drumsticks high into the air while Bankotsu swept Rin off her feet in a hug.

In the audience, Inuyasha handed over some money to Kouga grumbling that he lost the bet. Sesshoumaru glared at the trio on the stage. Now he had to admit to Rin that he was wrong. Sesshoumaru Taisho never admitted when he was wrong. Sesshoumaru Taisho never lost a bet. He sat still as a statue and glared at the woman who stood wrapped in her band mate's embrace, a grin plastered on her face. Above all, Sesshoumaru Taisho never lost a woman to another man.

"Too bad, Sesh," Miroku said in a placating tone. "Looks like the girl's taken."

Just as Sesshoumaru was about to respond, he was interrupted by Sango who sat beside Miroku. "Taken? Who's taken?" She asked curiously.

"Her," Miroku nodded towards Rin.

Sango laughed. "Rin's not taken. She's far too much of an introvert."

Sesshoumaru eyed her curiously. "Then why was she embracing that man?" He jerked his thumb in Bankotsu's direction.

She shrugged. "Spur of the moment maybe. Suikotsu's got a girlfriend anyway. I don't know about Bankotsu." She paused. "Why all the sudden interest in Rin?"

Miroku chuckled as Sesshoumaru looked away, a light blush staining his cheeks. "The Ice Prince, here, seems to be quite taken with her."

"Why don't you just confront her?" Sango suggested, suddenly pitying the elder Taisho. Rin was notoriously picky about men. "At least that way you'd find out where you stand."

"What if she doesn't like me?" Sesshoumaru asked cautiously.

"It will be painful," Sango admitted. "But would you rather sit in the dark not knowing?"

"She has a point, Sesh," Miroku agreed, nodding his head sagely.

He sighed. "Fine I'll confront her," was all he said as he stood up and walked towards the door.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Suikotsu walked out the door with a grin on his face and his arm wrapped around Natsumi. He was talking about celebrating, something about a restaurant he'd heard of. With a wave at Rin and Bankotsu who brought up the rear, they slipped into his car and sped off into the night. Rin smiled as she thought over the night's events before turning her gaze to Bankotsu. He returned her smile, which was very rare.

"I can't believe we won the bet! It feels so surreal!" Rin exclaimed as she turned to her companion and launching herself at him.

Bankotsu laughed softly as he caught her and wrapped an arm around her as they walked towards their cars. The pair didn't notice the dark figure sitting on a low wall nearby, slowly breathing out cigarette smoke.

"You are far too excitable," the figure said quietly.

Rin gasped and Bankotsu pulled her closer protectively. "Who's there?" he demanded.

The figure stood up and walked into the dim light of a nearby streetlight. "Only me."

Rin breathed a sigh of relief as she recognised Sesshoumaru. Breaking away from Bankotsu, she walked towards Sesshoumaru and tapped him lightly across the chest as she gazed up into the tall man's face. "You didn't have to creep up on us like that!"

"I wasn't creeping up on anyone," Sesshoumaru said with a shrug as he put his hands in his pockets. "I was here before you."

Rin glared at him but said nothing.

"Is there something we can help you with?" Bankotsu asked.

Sesshoumaru looked at the man carefully before answering. "Actually..." he paused. "There is."

"What is it?"

"I want to know what your relationship is with her," Sesshoumaru said while nodding at Rin.

Bankotsu stared at him incredulously. "My relationship with Rin?"

"That's what I said."

"What business is it of yours?" Bankotsu growled.

Sesshoumaru said nothing but stared at the man with an infuriating air of patience as he waited for the response to his question. With a sigh, Rin stepped forward.

"It's okay, Bankotsu. Just tell him."

Bankotsu stared at her while Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed slightly at her statement. Exhaling heavily, Bankotsu looked directly at Sesshoumaru. "There is nothing between us. I have a girlfriend and it's not Rin."

"How do I know you're not lying?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Rin shrugged. "You don't. You'll just have to believe him. Unless you want to go and question Tsubaki about it."

Sesshoumaru looked at her curiously. "Who's Tsubaki?"

"My girlfriend!" Bankotsu exploded. "The girlfriend I have to meet now. You two can sort this out yourselves. I'm leaving."

Rin and Sesshoumaru watched Bankotsu leaving in silence. Rin watched him going with a vague smile which Sesshoumaru noticed when he turned to look at her.

"Was there anything else you needed?" Rin asked quietly, lifting her hand to return Bankotsu's wave.

Sesshoumaru paused and looked at her speculatively. "You're not in a relationship?"

Rin frowned. "No..."

With a slight smile, Sesshoumaru stepped forward until he was standing right in front of her. Lifting her face gently with his thumb, his lips descended onto hers and devoured them hungrily. After a moment, he pulled away and stepped back. Rin stared at him in shock, her cheeks stained red from her blush and her lips slightly swollen.

"What was that?" she demanded when she found her voice.

"A kiss."

"I know that!" she declared, anger seeping into her voice. "Why?"

Sesshoumaru shrugged. "Just because."

"Just because?" Rin echoed incredulously.

Rin glared at him. Reaching forward she grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him down until he was level with her. Her furious gaze didn't dissipate as she stared into his amber eyes. There was silence for a moment as they stared at each other.

"I don't kiss random guys 'just because'," she whispered furiously.

"You just did," Sesshoumaru replied, pulling away to light a cigarette.

"Don't do that again."

She pushed him away from her, determinedly ignoring the smirk he sent her as she did so. Huffing, Rin turned away from him and walked down the street, not once turning to look back. Sesshoumaru watched in amusement as she hopped over the low wall around the car park and stalked away, anger evident in her posture.