At the school locker
Rin was all toothy smiles as she paced down towards the lockers scrunching a folded piece of handkerchief in her hands, Inuyasha's. She knew that was where she would find him. Around the blind corner, the basketball captain had his hands full with a towering stack of an assortment of reference books. Just as he turned and started off, he saw Rin.
"Inu..yasha, Hi." The girl had her usual jitters. "Erm.. I just came by to say erm.. thanks for yesterday."
A slight blush washed through Inuyasha's cheeks.
"Gee, it's nothing actually." He flashed a quick sheepish smile. "You don't have to say thank you."
"Oh, here's your handkerchief. I've washed it." As always, Rin was too oblivious about the fact that his hands were full.
"Err… actually, you don't have to return it that soon." Inuyasha was trying to find an excuse not to embarrass the girl since he hadn't a free hand to take it from her.
Suddenly, Rin's glance followed Inuyasha's to his stacking pile and realized the entire problem.
"Ah, I'm so sorry." She let out a clipped squeal. "Here, let me help."
Clumsily, she stretched out her hands, grabbing three from the middle throwing Inuyasha completely out of balance. In an instant, all the books tumbled onto the floor in a loud sonorous thud.
In their bashful anxiety, both squatted at the same time trying to gather up the mess.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." The girl quickly apologized. "I've butter fingers all my life."
Rin looked up as she tugged on the same book as Inuyasha, finding that the captain was also meeting her eyes. For a few sweet following minutes, they merely gazed at each other.
Is he finally going to kiss me? Her heart was beating out of control.
Suddenly, she felt an eerie aura, ghostly voices with a sort of hellish mood sweeping past her. The captain felt it too. He gulped.
"Rin, do you find that the mood is not quite right?" He whispered.
"Yap. It's like Halloween kind of spooky."
Gingerly, both turned their heads…………….
They jumped at the sight of a figure looming over them. It was Sesshoumaru, grinning as though schemingly.
"Hey, aren't you from the next block? What the hell are you doing here?" Rin yelled out, forgetting the need to act demure.
"Rin, is he your friend?" Her agitated response roused much curiosity from Inuyasha.
"No, he's… He's my otooto (younger brother)." She simply blurted in a rush of defense.
"Oh, am I?" Sesshoumaru smirked cheekily.
"Shut up, you!" She suddenly remembered herself and turned to Inuyasha, feigning a more gentle tone. "You see, my mom's remarrying and he's the other party's son."
"Oh, I see." Inuyasha shifted to the boy beside him, stretching out his hand as a friendly gesture. "Hi, I'm Inuyasaha."
Showing absolutely no intention to return the handshake, Sesshoumaru merely grinned smugly at him causing Inuyasha to retract his arm in immense awkwardness.
Rin irked with disgust. Why is this fellow so damn RUDE?
"Inuyasha, I heard you play basketball really well and also, you're a captain whom everyone respects and loves." His words were too kind that Rin almost puked out.
"Don't say that. I'm not that.." The captain blushed briefly.
Rin had enough. She yanked Inuyasha to the side, panting restlessly.
"Don't listen to a word he says. This fellow's really scheming. He utters nothing but lies."
Now, the captain was baffled.
"Isn't he your brother?"
Before she could finish, Sesshoumaru rushed up and intercepted wittily.
"What I told you just now was from my nee-san (elder sister). She was the one saying all these nice stuff about you."
Rin was stunned for a second, finding that she was caught in her own accusations.
"Erm.. actually I meant to say that my otooto is an honest boy who speaks most sincerely." She raced to correct herself, standing up straight as if saluting.
In his heart, Sesshoumaru knew he had out-smarted the girl. He tried hard to hide his triumphant gleam.
"I like basketball too." He had another plan formulating in his mind. "Why don't we have a friendly match after school?"
"Sure, no problem." Rin carelessly exclaimed at the spur of the moment as Inuyasha turned to glance at her with amusement.
The captain chuckled. "Hey, sure, why not. See you after school."
The boys exchanged a friendly punch and Sesshoumaru strolled off, not before leaving a victorious glance only visible to Rin.
The girl swallowed hard as she watched him go.
"Rin, your brother's quite a nice guy actually." Inuyasha clearly knew nothing.
The girl forced a soft laugh.
At the field
Sesshoumaru lying on the grass taking a nap with a book on his face.
Rin marched up, her mind already exploding in rage.
"Hey, tell me straight. Why are you trying to get close to Inuyasha? What's your motive?"
Sesshoumaru lazily flipped his book over as he squinted at the afternoon glare.
"What do you mean? There's nothing wrong with a sporty guy like me playing basketball."
Rin was completely revolted.
"Ya right. Sporty my foot!"
"Thanks for the encouragement, nee-san." Sesshoumaru blandly gave a clipped yawn.
"Hey girl! How can you be still alive and walking?" Hojo interrupted, moving closer to Rin.
"What? You're alive! Why can't I be alive?" She shouted at the top of her voice with equally force.
"Well, in usual cases, if anyone were to hit Prince like what you did, they would either be missing an arm or suffering from a broken rib or two." Naraku added threateningly. "Because revenge is Prince's middle name."
Oh, that's why he's after Inuyasha. Rin mused. He wants revenge.
"Guys, gather at the basketball court after school." Sesshoumaru walked away, not even looking Rin's direction. "We're having a match."
Rin was speechless.
At the basketball courts
Rin watched with much nervousness as Sesshoumaru's team stood face on with the school basketball players. Kagome felt the tremendous malice in the air too.
"I wonder if they're here to play basketball." Kagome gasped. "They look more like they're coming for a fight."
Rin pouted. She knew what was going on.
"Inuyasha, go for it!" She cheered aloud.
As the match started, it soon became apparent to all that Sesshoumaru himself was an excellent basketball player. The boys fought fiercely for the ball, their scores tied closely with each other. Though players from both teams were strong, the main shooters were no other than Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. As the game continued, the girls became more and more fretful.
"Rin, what's that brother of yours doing?" Kagome whispered into the girl's ears. "I think no matter if Inuyasha is a good player or not, he's not going to have the stamina to hold up for long against that fellow."
Rin's brows furrowed. Still, there was nothing she could do except to cheer for the one she loves.
"I thought you said this is a friendly match." Inuyasha heaved heavy pants as he flashed Sesshoumaru a smile.
"Well, in every kind of competition, I have only one motive." Sesshoumaru counter grinned, also short of breath himself. "That is to win."
"Good. Me too." Inuyasha knew now he should be more serious the second half. Sesshoumaru is no normal opponent.
At the final ten seconds, Inuyasha managed to secure the last ball though he was gravely handicapped by Sesshoumaru's defense. Nonetheless, he aimed briefly and shot the ball out as the ending whistle sounded.
Everyone was silent as the ball darted in slow motion toward the basket. It circled tauntingly at the brim, dangerously getting close to going through the centre. But to Rin's utter disappointment, the ball swirled out treacherously making Sesshoumaru the winner.
"You win." Inuyasha shook his hand. "I admit I lost."
Sesshoumaru only passed him a clipped wink before proceeding to exit the stadium.
"Hey, since you're good, why don't you join the school basketball team?" The captain had a big heart. "I can recommend you to be our lead shooter."
Sesshoumaru thought only for a moment before he turned to regard Inuyasha.
"Sure, but I have only one condition." He pointed up to the girl, presenting standing at the spectator's podium. "I'll join if she agrees to become the team manager."
"Me?" Rin was clouded.
The captain himself had a sudden realization at that suggestion.
"Hey, why not? Actually, I was kind of stuck here because our team manager had just quit." He turned and gave Rin his most sunny smile. "It'll be great if you can help us out, that is, if you're not bothered by the hard work."
At first thought, Rin was simply too happy to take it up. She'll have more time with the captain. That'll be heavenly.
"Sure, okay. No problem." She held up both thumbs cheerfully but cringed as her glance fell upon Sesshoumaru.
He had that smile on his face again, the one that suspiciously said you've fallen into my trap again.
Rin sensed a shudder down her spine.
The next day at the basketball courts
The basketball team had their daily practice as the girl looked on by the side, grinning away as she indulged in her own musings.
"Rin, why don't we go home together today?" Inuyasha made an invitation she couldn't resist.
"Sure." The girl was too shy. She was too blessed. It was all to perfect. Being the manager means she'll get to go back with him everyday. Everything will be….
Rin awoke from her day dream as something or someone swiped her head HARD!
To her utmost repugnance, it was Sesshoumaru and his gang, smirking fiendishly at her.
Yes, she had almost forgotten. He is in the team too. How can she ever think that everything will be perfect with him around?
She heaved a resigned sigh.
He's probably out to ruin her life.
"Hey, you." Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as if with a new tactic. "Since you're the manager, your duty is attend to the need of the players."
Rin's lips contorted, powerless.
DAMN HIM! I'm back to being his slave again!
"Water!"
The girl scurried over with a mineral water bottle as Sesshoumaru stoically huffed at how slow she was.
"Towel!"
Rin dashed up with the item out-stretched in her palm dutifully.
"Juice!"
She answered to that call as well.
"Open it for me, stupid."
Fretfully, she complied as well, though displaying outright reluctance.
"Come. Give me a massage!"
"What?" This time, she was furious. "This is too much. I'm not your…."
"Captain!" Sesshoumaru feigned an innocent look as he cried out. "This manager's not doing anything at all!"
He knew her weak spot all too well.
Rin was burning and screaming inside as she surrendered rather unwillingly to his threat. She half kneaded and pinched him shoulder to arm with a vengeance while Sesshoumaru remained impassioned and seemingly undisturbed.
After just slightly pass an hour, the girl was totally dead beat. She leaned her back against the side of the bench as she exhaled several laden pants.
"Hey Rin," Kagome came along buoyantly. "How're things going with you and Inuyasha?"
"How can things be good with that demonic fellow always bothering me and hurling commands at will?" Rin hissed, still catching her breath.
"Rin," Kagome sighed sympathetically. "Even with Inuyasha by your side, I think you still should be informed of certain things about Sesshoumaru."
"What is it?"
"Well, I heard that he was previously from his high school basketball team. He was later asked to leave after he beat up the coach. The only reason why there weren't any further disciplinary actions done on him was because his dad had relations with the school director."
Rin couldn't be more appalled.
"That's nonsense!" The voice belonged to Naraku. "These are all rumors. They're not true."
The girls peered at him incredulously, not showing that they believed a word he said.
"Well, Sesshy, he's not like that at all." Naraku sat down as he recalled. "At that time, there was a very fat boy in the basketball team. He was always looked down upon and was never once given the ball or the chance to participate. One day, the coach scolded him a useless fatty and a disgrace to the team. Sesshy was mad and beat the coach up. It had nothing to do with him but he just couldn't just stand there not doing anything. He's that sort of guy. I'm that fatty."
Naraku placed a photograph on Rin's palm, one taken with Sesshy when he hadn't lost his weight.
"The reason why we always stick with Sesshy isn't because his dad's rich or we're afraid of him." The boy carried on coolly. "We like him. That's why."
Rin was silent as if deep in thoughts.
So, he's not that bad, is he?
At a certain part of the school
Rin's Flashback:
"Now, go and get me a cheese burger, coke, fries, chips, double chocolate mint ice-cream…" Sesshoumaru did his lunch order.
There he goes again, as always, ordering me to do this and that, Rin pondered grudgingly as her hands were full of paper bags of a variety of sizes. I don't care how wonderful Naraku says you are, to me, you're nothing more than a spoilt scum bag!
The girl was so much into cursing her otooto in her heart that she failed to sense an unholy intruder all ready to intercept her at her path. A hand shoved her with so much force that the girl fell, spilling all her shopping contents on the ground, some rolling down the stairs.
"Hey what are you doing?" Rin's eyes scanned three girls inching toward her, one she found most familiar.
Kagura!
"Why are you still sticking to Prince?" She eyed the girl with malevolence. "I thought you've gotten your letter back, didn't you?"
"My letter?" Recollections of her embarrassing incident at the notice board swiftly formed in her mind.
"Yes, your letter." Kagura held her up by the nape, bringing the girl closer. "In order to help you get your love, I posted your letter up the board. Now you are to leave Prince!"
Rin gasped at that plain admission.
She was the one!
Instantly, she was filled with remorse, remembering her cruel selection of words to Sesshoumaru.
... I have nothing but pity for you… The only reason why you're capable of doing a thing like is that you have never known what love is.
"You're too much!" Rin shouted hatefully. "How can you do this?"
Kagura pretended to stifle a laugh.
"Why shouldn't I?" She lurched forward. "Perhaps we're not that acquainted yet. You're soon find out I can be much, much worse…."
Her monstrous chuckled echoed through the corridor as she beckoned her companions to her side. In less than a minute, Rin found herself tied up and forced to an unpopulated corner.
"What do you think if I were to burn your beautiful hair?" Kagura held up a lighter, clicking it and swinging the small flame in front of Rin.
The girl's eyes flew shut as she trembled in great trepidation of what's to come.
Without a warning of any sort, a splash of water came down between, extinguishing the fire as all who were present turned to look toward the direction of its source.
It was a school attendant!
"Hi my pretty little girls, what have we got here?" He adjusted his cap. "Are you bullying school mates?" He shook his head. "You know, when pretty girls get too rough, they become unattractive."
"Shut up, dirty old man." Kagura snarled, her eyes blown up like a gold fish. "Mind your own business."
He simply laughed light-heartedly. "Ha Ha, I prefer girls to call me Oji-chan."
"You look more like a perverted old lecher." She continued the verbal argument not the least intimidated and now shifting her stare at Rin. "You'd better watch out. I'm warning you. Next time, you won't be so lucky."
With that, she stormed off unceremoniously with her gang tracking along behind her.
Rin's focus fell on the man who had just rescued her. She hadn't even thought about thanking him when he pounced up, grabbing her into an overly friendly hug.
"Oh, don't worry. Don't be afraid. You don't have to thank me. It's my job to protect you."
"AHHHHH! Let go of me!" Rin shrieked out. "HELP! PERVERT!"
A basketball darted out of nowhere, a direct hit on the back of the Oji-san.
"Get your dirty hands off her, old man!" It was Sesshoumaru.
"Wow! Hunk!" The Oji-san dropped the girl in his arm, changing his target charging toward the boy instead. Ina skilful leap, he jumped on Sesshoumaru, his legs circling round the boy's waist.
"Get off me, you stinking old man!" Sesshoumaru struggled, pulling him off vehemently.
The man's lips purse up significantly. "Don't be so cold. I've been away for three days. I miss you."
Rin gasped in shocked.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Inu-no-Taisho's Profile
Sesshoumaru's father
Divorcee
Bubbly operatic character
Extremely mushy and childlike
Much like Izayoi
Very doting on Sesshy
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Away for three days? So he's Sesshoumaru's….. "Oto-san?" Without realization, Rin had spoken the last word aloud.
"Oto-san? You're already calling me that?" Letting go of his annoyed son, he skipped toward Rin instead as she screamed open eyed and fearfully.
"AHHHHHHHH!" She intelligently dodged down as Sesshoumaru ran to her aid.
Inu-no-Taisho's embrace landed once again on Sesshoumaru as he stood in front of the girl, shielding her effectively.
"Can you please stop this sort of criminal act?" He burst out in frustration.
"I'm just ecstatic because Rin is as cute and adorable as her mom!" Inu-no-Taisho was relentless, looking down at the girl as if she's some delicious meal.
"Didn't you hear her shout for help?" The boy debated crossly as he pointed out the obvious.
Instantly contrite, Inu-no-Taisho squatted to Rin's level as he stretched out his gloved hand.
"Hi, I'm Inu-no-Taisho. Nice to meet you. From this day forth, I promise I'll take great care of both her mom and you." Seeing that the girl wasn't responding, he pulled her hand to shake his as Rin winced in terror. "Let's be friends okay?"
"Can you stop being so mushy?" The boy spat in loath.
"Mushy?" Inu-no-Taisho slid her arm round Sesshoumaru's shoulders. "We're a family soon. When you first heard that you have a nee-san, you were excited too." He signaled to Rin to listen up.
"Rin, you know, Sesshy kept asking me about you, like which faculty you're in, what's your horoscope and birthday and so on. He's so interested…"
What? He asked about me? Rin finally knew how the boy got to her.
That was the last straw, Sesshoumaru hurled the ball in his hand once again but this time, his father caught it in jiffy.
"You stinky old man, get out of my sight!" He was blushing.
"Mr Chairman, you're here. We've been looking everywhere for you." The school secretary stood behind the crowd of three as he bowed respectfully.
"Get him out of here. Now!" Sesshoumaru bellowed.
Under pressure, Inu-no-Taisho had no choice but to take leave.
"Rin, nice to meet you. I'll see you around, okay?" He waved, over zealously while the girl forced a smile.
Rin re-directed her glance from the fading shadow of her future step father to the boy standing next to her. She walked up to himself leisurely, her lips curved into a grin.
"What?" Sesshoumaru challenged, realizing she was smiling at him.
"Well, well, you seem to have a good relationship with your dad." She deduced rather amusingly.
"Oh, and how did you reach that sort of marvelous conclusion?" The boy tried to argue back, rather entertained by her guesses.
"I can tell from your expression. I've never seen you this lost and disorientated." She let a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "It's cute to think that no matter how rebellious a person can be, they're still powerless in front of their dad."
"Trying to act smartie, I see." For once, he sounded irritated, probably embarrassed at being revealed, Rin mused gleefully.
In an instant, all traces of joy left the girl as she recalled her prioritized task at hand. She had to apologize for wrongly condemning him. Sesshoumaru sensed the change of mood in her immediately.
"Sesshy, I know now that you weren't the one who published my letter." The boy noted that her deep set eyes were filled with penitence. "I even said all those mean things to you. I'm so sorry. It's okay if you do not forgive me. I can understand. But…" She took a lengthened breath. "But .. you can punch me back."
Sesshoumaru's brows lifted in amusement, slightly taken aback.
At the basketball court
Inuyasha rummaged through his bag, retrieving two concert tickets.
Should I invite her for the performance? He struggled internally but somehow, found the courage to ask.
"Hey Hojo, where's Rin?"
"She went out to get some food and drinks." Hojo called out from the other end of the court.
"Isn't it too heavy for her?" Inuyasha quickly found an excuse to go to the girl. "I'll go help her." Without waiting for a reply, he scrambled off.
"Hey, wait! I haven't finished." Hojo waved in vain. "Sesshy has already gone to help her."
It was too late. The captain had left.
On the way back to the court
Rin and Sesshoumaru walking
"Are you sure of this?" Sesshoumaru's tone was still indifferent as ever.
"Yes." Rin was determined. "I'll never be able to forgive myself if not like this."
"Your teeth might fall off." He further reminded while regarding her from the corner of his eye.
"It's alright. I'm not afraid."
"Your face might be contorted."
"It's okay. Do it."
"I'll do it then."
Rin merely nodded as she turned to face him.
"Close your eyes." Sesshoumaru's eyes never once left the girl as she shut her eyes tightly, her hands scrunching up one end of her sweater tensely. "I'm doing it."
"Mmm.." Rin nodded bravely.
The boy raised his clenched fist high up into the air as he continued gazing at Rin. She was still standing there, apparently pretty serious about fulfilling that promise she made.
A brief moment of silence followed.
Finally, Sesshoumaru sent out his blow, but extending his arms to the side of the girl instead, rounding up at her nape and pulling her head in as he sealed a long kiss on her lips.
By a pure stroke of luck, Inuyasha arrived just in time to behold this sight, totally stunned and lost for words.
"What are you doing?" Realizing what was happening, Rin pushed him away as she rubbed vigorously on her seams.
"I told you already." He looked into her eyes intently. "I get whatever I want."
"Why are you doing this?" She was too frantic to think.
"Because…" Sesshoumaru stared straight at her. "I want you."
"AHHHHHHHH!" Rin shook her head frantically, her mind a complete blank, not knowing what to think or how to react to the whole incident. She couldn't believe it. This can't be happening to me.
A voice rang out behind them, instantly making things triply worse.
"I thought you said you guys are siblings?" It was Inuyasha and his face showed everything. He was no less traumatized.
Rin's jaws fell opened when she saw the captain but Sesshoumaru was too fast. He pulled Rin into his embrace possessively.
"Yes, but that's in the future." He held her tightly. "We're to become the sort of dangerous siblings who do this sort of stuff."
Rin broke free from him in desperation.
"What dangerous siblings? What are you talking about? Inuyasha, it's not what you think."
"It is so." Sesshoumaru countered with a conquering smirk. "Sorry Inuyasha."
After a long pause, the captain breathed a muted chuckle.
"Don't say sorry." His tone was controlled and composed, hiding his immense disappointment. "Everyone can choose who they're in love with. Moreover, it's not my business."
With that, he hurried off down the stairs as Rin watched with exasperation.
"Inuyasha, no! It's not what you think…."
Sorry, almost forgot about updating the song. I actually have it in my computer for a long time, just that I've recently disassembled it to be moved to another room. Just got it set up finally. So here it is… their song.. It'll come in now and then in the later chapters. Basically, it sings of the complication of their relationship
It's a song by Rainie
Being with you thus far
Yet here is my stop
There'll always be that line we can't cross
Beyond friendship but not yet love
From afar, the sky is overcast
I don't know if I should shed a tear?
Am I the only one thinking too much?
I just can't swallow it
And I want so much to know
Standing before me like this
Which is the real you?
Love can be a torture
If you can't find the evidence of possessing
When should I move forward?
When should I give up?
Can't find even the courage to hug you
Love makes a person too greedy
Till it loses its meaning
Powerless we are to write a perfect ending
Perhaps just possessing this brief moment is already in itself bliss