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Two days later
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Rin dragged heavy steps as she made her way home… alone… again. Since their little disagreement two days back, Sesshoumaru had been ignoring her and it was damn obvious. He had stopped waiting for her to go to school together and also, he had no attempt to arrange to meet up with her after his tutorials. In fact, he hadn't even spoken to her unless absolutely necessary like during family meals.
Why is Sesshoumaru avoiding me? Rin halted, instantly distracted by a dark slender figure a few feet away. She gasped at the unexpected guest waiting just outside her front door.
It was Kagura… and she did not wait to be invited to start making known her annoyance.
"Rin, why?" She pointed a finger right in between the girl's bright hazel eyes.
"Why what?" Rin was puzzled.
"Why did you have to disrupt the peace the Prince is having now?" The heinous pursued in her accusations. "Why did you have to bring up the topic of his mom?"
Kagura, she knew about Sessh's mother too? Then, I could perhaps ask her… "Kagura, you know about Sesshoumaru's ka-san? Why does he hate her so much? Can you please tell me?" Rin was close to begging, her hands had moved up grabbing the girl's shoulder.
Kagura merely gave a loud sullen sigh, keeping silent for a moment. "Rin-san, you have never known Prince before college, during his high school years ne?"
The girl shook her head. Kagura let off a rather sarcastic chuckle. Then switching as solemnly as she could, she continued.
"Well, I have. Prince was so filled with anger and scorn at that time." She looked to the clouds as if trying to recall events from the past. "He was always getting into fights and he alienated himself from everyone, even his friends, friends who cared. Everyone was very afraid of him, Nak, Hojo, because no one knew when he would just explode. It almost felt like we were stepping on land mines when around him."
"But, was he behaving like that because of his parent's divorce? Was it because of his mom?" The girl wished to know everything.
Kagura heaved a loud audible sigh. "Rin, you will find out soon for yourself that to Prince, the topic about his mother is taboo. It is something he wished to have a clean break from. If you keep pressing him, you're just gonna push him back to how he was in his high school days. He'll avoid everyone and keep to himself again. He…He'll leave us all and it'll all be your fault!"
The girl was even more clouded by that last statement. "But why? Why does he do that? How could he? A mother and son who are related by blood… How can such a link in kinship ever be broken just like that?"
Kagura flashed the Rin a disbelieving stare as she shook her head. "My little innocent Rin-chan, no one is perfect. Even a strong person such as Sesshoumaru has a weakness in his heart. He has areas that are vulnerable too and he has wounds which he does not wish anyone to touch…to reach into."
Wounds which Sessh doesn't wish anyone to touch? Even for me? Rin found that she couldn't stay home, couldn't be alone for even a moment, and instead, she took a little walk. Unknowingly or subconsciously, she had brought herself to Sesshoumaru's faculty. At a corner of the garden, she spotted him. The boy sat alone, his expressions grim and deep in his own musing.
Rin's narration
Sessh, please… I beg of you… Don't show that sort of expression. Don't look so… so… distant…(sigh) as if the whole world had turned against you…Treating everyone who cares like an enemy…
This is the first time… that I felt afraid of him… dare not to even go near…though he's just a few feet away…
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A few days later in Rin's room
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The sound of the radio alerted the girl that it was time to get up for school. Gently, she tapped on the buzzer, stopping the music as she massaged on her temple. A migraine… it must have been due to the lack of sleep. She had spent the better part of the night, or rather, the past few nights, thinking about the issues surrounding Sesshoumaru. Actually, a tiny part of her was also waiting for him to turn up in her room, much like how he had used to, though there was little possibility that he might do so now.
She was beginning to miss those times she had to chide him in order to make him leave, as if they happened so long ago. She missed the nights where he had whispered endearments into her ears as he took her over and over with a gentleness that smelts her very soul into his. And other nights where he had so cheekily demanded that they explore other more interesting and rather challenging positions, which she was forced into obliging, won over by both his boyish enthusiasm and also…his overly passionate urgings.
But now, her heart felt cold as the sheets beside her. Was she slowly forgotten? Rin couldn't help but remember how she was brought up to believe that a girl should never to agree to sex before marriage, that those who do that would not be treasured. Well, of course Rin was thoroughly informed of how popular Sesshoumaru was with the girls in school even before they were together. But, didn't he say that she was his first… and only? Those were his promises ne? Has everything changed? Or was she too naïve to believe that promises made after the heat of passion would last?
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Along the school corridor
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Another day was almost over and she was just dismissed from her last afternoon class. Her eyelids lowered and only maintaining half her concentration, Rin briefly packed her bag, then closing her locker door and getting ready to set off for home… perhaps on her own again. A set of scurried footsteps were heard ringing from the far end and the girl peered up on instinct rather than curiosity. She squinted her eyes at the fast approaching figure, her hazels widening every passing second.
It was… Naraku!
"Rin-san, Rin –san… something has happened to Sesshoumaru!"
Rin stood rooted to the ground, the bag in her hands fell without her knowledge onto the hard floor beneath her. What? She dashed up to meet him. "Nak, what happened to Sessh?"
"I'm not sure why and what exactly happened but Sesshy injured his hand, he punched it onto to the wall!" He spurted out in a hurry.
"Punch his hand onto a wall?" Those mere words made Rin's heart stop for at least three seconds. "But why did he hurt himself like this?" Her knuckles crunched in anxiety, feeling her pulse escalating to a high.
"You know how Sesshy has been these days. He's finding ways to vent his frustration. I'm worried that he's returning to how he was like in the past, where he just shuts himself out. Even when he's with us, he seems like in a world of his own." Naraku's eyes spoke of equal fear and concern. "I'm afraid that he may just leave us… leave everything in order to hide himself again."
Leave? The girl ran and ran and ran, as fast as her feet could take her. She looked, going to every possible place that she thought Sesshoumaru might be.
Rin's narration
No, it can't be… Will Sesshoumaru really decide to hide himself? To leave us? Leave me?
Didn't he say he only wants me to be by his side always… that I'm his first and only…
That was what he promised…
I… don't want him to suffer alone…
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At the park
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As her long search brought her to this familiar spot, a place where it had seemed so long ago that she had last stopped by… where Sesshoumaru was with her... It was that night where he had found her there.
And I was wondering which fool's here in the park alone crying in the dark… It's my ne-san… Why are you always crying?
Yes, the girl recalled. It was that very night she first developed feelings for Sesshoumaru. She sighed softly. How time had passed…
Suddenly, Rin gasped as she caught sight of the boy. Sesshoumaru, he was standing there looking at the sunset. His hand, it was badly bruised, blood patches marring bits of torn skin mixed flesh. Her heart arched painfully as she paced slowly toward him, at the same time, trying her best to keep back her tears. "Sessh…." His name came out only as a whisper from her lips. "You're here. I finally found you."
Without turning, the boy's answer was short and unfeeling. "What are you doing here?"
"I-I heard that you've hurt yourself… so I-I…" She didn't get to finish her sentence. She was crudely intercepted.
"Didn't I tell you not to pry into my business?" He intoned, a hint of irritation was distinctly made obvious.
"But your hand…." Rin fought back a tear, putting up her most patient front.
"It's just a scratch." He replied plainly, his eyes not looking directly at her still. "There's no need to kick a fuss of it."
Unconvinced, the girl walked next to him, carefully wanting to pick up his hand to do a thorough inspection. "Let me see it…"
"Will you just STOP butting into my business?" With a frustrated tug, Sesshoumaru yanked his hand away from the girl as he stormed away. Uncontrollable tears finally rained down Rin's cheeks as her heart froze. She had been holding it back for just too long.
"HOW COULD YOU SESSH?" Rin screamed out as she watched him walk further and further from where she stood. "How could you let your hand get hurt again?"
The boy paused and though he did not turn to face her, he listened to her intently
"The hand that plays the piano so beautifully… the hand that scores for the basketball team… the hand that hugs me…" Her voice gradually became a whisper. "… the hand that holds my hand… how could you injure it just like that?"
With that, Rin charged toward Sesshoumaru with all her might, circling both hands around his chest, embracing him tightly, her reddened cheeks pressing heatedly against his back. I'll not let him go away from me again… the words chimed in her mind…
"Let me go…" His words were still cold but his voice had seemed calmer and gentler. He did not struggle to free himself.
"No, I won't." Rin held on stubbornly. "I don't want you to be alone, to bear this pain alone. Please don't ask me to leave…"
Even as she spoke, the ice in the boy was slowly melting at this new tender warmth he had almost forgotten, the warmth he had found in a girl looking so sweet, innocent and helpless... but yet possessing such a valiant spirit, a brilliant soul. A slight grin was appearing on his dispassionate face. He kept silent as he listened on.
"I'll never pry again and I won't ask you anything… Just promise me that you won't hurt yourself like this again…"
Finally, Sesshoumaru turned, his hand fishing out a familiar item and Rin's eyes lit as she recognized what it was. "Use this and bandage my hand for me."
It was her scarf! She had used it once for a similar purpose when the boy had injured his hand the first time.
"My scarf! Sessh, you carry this with you everyday?" Rin was more than surprised. She took it and carefully wrapped it round the boy's bruised palm.
Sesshoumaru let off a light chuckle. "It's my lucky charm." It had brought to me… you… He finished that last bit in his mind as he gazed at her going about the task of dressing his wound. With every passing second with her by his side, something strange was happening to his resolve. In the midst of all the darkness in his heart, there emerged a tiny light… the light of an angel. "You're always like this, always butting into everybody's business…"
Rin's head tilted upward hearing his comments and for the first time in a lengthened while, their eyes met with exchanging emotions… long suppressed emotions. "Sessh…"
"And then you worry and you get angry and then… you cry…" His tone turned soft, almost loving. "And in the end, I'm left with no choice but to reveal to you my deepest feelings… my inner most self." And surprising Rin to the core, Sesshoumaru lurched forward, his arms rounding her and bring her into a strong firm hug. A smile adorned her pink features as she snuggled into him, drinking in the scent that she had missed so much. "Tell me, Rin, what am I going to do with you?"
The girl was silent. She just wanted to be held like this, in the arms of Sesshoumaru, wishing that time could just stop for them.
As they strode home, their hands laced and joined together, the boy slowly related what was bothering him. Rin found out that Sesshoumaru's mother had left for many years and had just returned from Italy with her new husband, wishing to meet up with her son. Even in his tone, the girl could sense that Sesshoumaru felt that his mom had abandoned him. Perhaps, that was the reason why he didn't want to meet her… or rather, he was struggling within himself whether to meet her or not. Rin pondered inwardly.
"Sessh, why don't you meet her then?" She suggested as she put both her palm, holding his. "You can see what she wants to say? I'll go with you…" She flashed him a smile. "I'll be by your side no matter what happens."
After a long, long pause, Sesshoumaru finally gave a slight nod.
Rin's narration
A dark past… A wound that could not be touched even with the gentlest hands
Sesshoumaru… do not be afraid … please do not hide yourself any further…
Take up all your courage… and mend what was lost
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At a restaurant
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With a hint of hesitation, Sesshoumaru stopped outside the glass door of the restaurant, the one which he was about to meet with someone he hadn't spoken for a long time, someone who was related to him by blood and yet was hardly there in his life, someone whom he too wished to know if he still cared for. Fully understanding his internal struggle, Rin tightened both her hands round his palm, briefly releasing a smile so sweet, so encouraging that the boy seemed to be able to draw strange strength from it.
He flashed a quick smile back, somewhat forced but still, to the girl, it was nonetheless the greatest attempt ever.
Standing elegantly when spotting the two, the middle aged lady offered a little wave to signal where she was. After a quick exchange of short general greetings, they sat down and proceeded to make routine orders of food.
"I'm so glad you came, Sesshoumaru." From the lovely contentment on her face, Rin could tell that the aunty was in an extremely cheery mood. That was understandable of course. Her son had finally agreed to meet up with her. She took a silent moment, just admiring the boy. "You've grown so much. I almost couldn't recognize you the other day."
Sesshoumaru kept silent, not giving any sort of reply. The lady turned to the girl beside him, instantly taken aback by how she was so blatantly stared at. Letting off a slightly embarrassed chuckle, she took a sip from her glass of water. "Rin-san, is there anything on my face?" She touched her cheek consciously.
Rin gulped. She didn't realize that she was staring. "Gomen aunty. I didn't mean to do that. It's just that… You and Sessh, your eyes are so alike." The girl blushed. "I-I got lost just by looking at it." Yes, they were both in mesmerizing amber adored with a hint of lonesome sadness in them.
The lady laughed light-heartedly. "Really? Well, many people say boys always resemble their ka-san."
The lunch went on rather smoothly to the girl's standards, though the conversation was mainly held between her and Sesshoumaru's mother. The boy didn't speak unless it was absolutely necessary. As the session was coming to an end, Rin felt a certain tension in both the mother and son at the table, as though something was left unsaid and both were at a lost when to begin.
Underneath the table, the middle aged lady scrunched and twisted her napkin, a huge internal struggle going on within herself. She had to say this, even when she knew it would be a dread for the boy to hear. But she HAD to! It was her one and only chance!
"Sesshoumaru, please, please come and stay with me…" She finally poured out the words, shocking Rin to the core.
Stay with her? She wants Sesshoumaru to stay with her? Does it mean that she wants him to go to Italy? A myriad of thought rushed into the girl's mind. Is that why she came back to look for him?
As though he wasn't at all surprised with the request, Sesshoumaru merely remained silent. "No." His reply was clipped and soft… nonetheless firm.
"Sesshoumaru, I know I haven't been a good ka-san and I haven't been there for you." She started begging, tugging slightly on the boy's hand. "But I just want to make up for it. Please, give me a chance to make it up to you."
"There is no need for such an endeavor." He intoned and though he sounded calm, Rin could feel the intensity in his eyes growing speedily. "Yes, you were not there but I did not need you. And I do not need you now."
Those words triggered strings of tears flowing from the mother's eyes and Rin's heart pained, seeing how hurt she was right now. She peered at the boy, wanting to speak up but stopped just before she opened her mouth. Yes, she had decided internally before they came to this restaurant, that she would trust Sesshoumaru and not interfere.
"I know, Sesshoumaru. I know you think that ka-san had abandoned you when you were young but I have my reasons." She pleaded, still unwilling to let go of her son's hand though it was becoming an embarrassing sight in front of the other patrons. "It was Kaede-ba-san. When your father and I filed for divorce, I wanted to fight for your custody but she insisted that you stay with the family. Because she needed you. You were their only heir. I had no choice but to…."
"ENOUGH!" The boy exploded out as he freed his hand from his mother's grasp. Worriedly though not daring to speak against him, Rin gently stroked his lap underneath the table in fervent hop to sooth and calm him down a little. But still the boy continued giving a piece of his mind. "So, is that why you've come back then? You want my custody now? So that you can take revenge on the Inu-family?"
The lady gave an indignant shriek as continuous fluid trickled down drenching her cheeks. She shook her head violently in protest. "NO! Sesshoumaru, that's not my intention. You've misunderstood me. I don't want to take you away forever. I-I just want to spend some time with you while I am here. I'll be only staying for two weeks… just two weeks… I would really want you to be with me during this time."
"I said enough." Directing all his fury onto tightening his knuckles, Sesshoumaru's tone of voice was straining to be composed. "I am leaving." He started to get up from his chair, giving Rin a quick eye signal to exit with him. Swallowing hard and not knowing how to react, the girl obeyed, offering a polite goodbye bow.
"Sesshoumaru! Have you forgotten that I'm your ka-san?" The middle aged mother stood up in her agitation, causing the boy to pause in his steps for a moment.
"If I could, I would like to forget." He took in a lengthened breath. "Remembering you… means to remember the deepest darkness in my heart."
"Sessh!" Rin gave the boy a tug, not able to withhold it in any longer. "How could you say that? Do you know that it'll hurt aunty a lot to hear that?"
Without an answer or even a gesture, Sesshoumaru proceeded out the restaurant, the girl stood between the mother and son, entirely at a lost whether she should stay to console the wailing lady or to chase after that one she loved.
Before the girl could decide, to her utmost surprise, Sesshoumaru's mother took off out of the door and after her son. She was hoping to catch up with him and speak to him more. Rin scurried after the two and as she went along, she could sense that something wasn't quite right with the aunty. She was panting due to the running but it felt a little odd and erratic and her cheeks had turned awfully pale.
"Sesshoumaru…" Suddenly, she clenched at her chest, as though having immense difficulty in breathing.
"Aunty!" Rin dashed up to her side with grave concern, just in time to cushion her descent as she collapsed. Sessh's mom… she was having an asthma attack!
"S-Sess…shou.. maru…" Even in her breathless pain, the mother's heart was still yearning for reconciliation, her hand weakly lifting toward the direction of the back view of her son as he paced away. "M-My… medicine… m-my medicine…"
"Where is it, your medication, aunty?" To Rin's dismay, the items in the handbag were scattered all around upon hitting the ground. She searched desperately but in vain.
The commotion had at last alerted the boy. Sesshoumaru turned and on seeing all that was going on, he charged at full speed back to their position. Without any delay upon his arrival, he scooped up his mother, rushing toward the direction of the nearest hospital. Hastily, Rin gathered all she could find and followed after them, not the least feeling the injury that she herself had suffered on her legs due to her efforts to protect the boy's mother from a hard drop.
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In the hospital
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Rin only dared to peek at the boy from the corner of her hazels as they waited outside the examination room. She was alerted to look down at her own leg because of the stinging sensation from the wounds. She bit her lips suppressing the pain, not wishing attention be drawn to her. The boy's mind was full now. He shouldn't be disturbed. He shouldn't need to care about small matters like her negligible condition.
Though always putting up an indifferent front, the girl saw Sesshoumaru's expressions as clear as day when he carried his mother to the hospital. She had never seen him so flustered, so worried, so completely at a lost. And she could tell, Sesshoumaru, he still cared. His ka-san still mattered to him just like the girl had guessed in the first place.
A mother and son who are related by blood… How can such a link in kinship ever be broken just like that?
She placed one gentle hand upon his. "Sessh… don't worry. I'm sure aunty will be fine."
"She…" He started in a soft tone. "She has asthma since I was a child."
A manly voice rang out above them, causing them to raise their heads.
"Ano… Are you Sesshoumaru, Hazuki's son?" The dark haired male implored politely.
The boy nodded. Just then, the door of the examination room opened and two nurses exited followed by the physician. He paced up to the crowd of three. "May I know who is the family of Hazuki-san?"
"I am her husband. How is my wife?"
"She has calmed down now but she still needs rest. Due to her conditions, it is wise not to agitate her too much."
"Yes, I know. She'll be going for an important heart surgery next month in Italy. Is this attack going to affect her in any way?"
The girl gasped in silence. What? Sesshoumaru's mother is going for an operation? Is that the real reason why she's visiting her son? She… She was afraid that she might not see him again…
"Please follow me to fill in some administrative forms."
As the two men took leave, Sesshoumaru entered the room where his mother lay asleep. Rin carefully adjusted her covers for her and then returning to the boy's side.
Sesshoumaru heaved a deep sigh. "I remembered when I was still a kodomo, mother used to have a hard time running after me because of her illness. I was too active then." He let off a smirk. "Once, I slipped and fell into a canal and ka-san jumped in after me without thinking. Even though in the end, we were both rescued by passers-by, mother had a terrible asthma attack and stayed in the hospital for a long time. That was when everything started to happen. Grandmother blamed ka-san for my accident. Also at that time, dad, who was a workaholic, and mom started quarrelling. They accused each other and in the end, they filed for divorce."
Rin's brows furrowed as she held the boy's hand. "But you can't blame yourself for that. It's a problem between them."
"But I was the one who sparked it. If not for the accident, dad and mom wouldn't have separated. My family will never become one again." He took a glance at the one lying in bed. "Perhaps it was good that she left this family. Kaede-ba-san had always made things difficult for mother. She is much happier now… without the Inu-family… without me…"
Finally, Rin realized the truth about the inner most thoughts of the boy.
Rin's narration
Is that why Sessh is being so mean to his mom?
He was thinking for her… thinking that it was better for her that way.
Sesshoumaru is always like that, always trying to come to all the conclusions by himself, making all the decisions himself…always trying to put all the blame to himself, punishing himself and making himself look unfeeling…
Gently, the girl picked up his hand, lacing her fingers with his and offering her softest smile. Their eyes locked. "Sessh… even if we can't change what was lost, we can always look to the future… to make amends… if… there's still love… "
Rin's narration
Even through a dense forest… in a while, the sunlight would penetrate into the darkness…
Even if we've gotten lost in the beginning…. Or there weren't any shortcuts…Even when we need to travel and search endlessly…
So long as we can eventually find the way out in the end…. reach our destination… every step is worth it!
Light fingers movements and a gentle sigh signaled to the two that the boy's mother had awakened. Hazuki-san peeled open her eyes noticing slowly as it came into sight that her son was by her bedside looking down at the same time. "Sessh…"
The boy wanted to take leave. "I'll go get some water for you…" But he was stopped by the girl.
"Sessh… I'll go instead. You stay here with your ka-san…"
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Along the corridor of the hospital
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Though the girl wasn't there to listen to the conversation between the mother and son, she had confidence in her heart that this time, they would sit and talk things out more calmly. Now that Sesshoumaru knew that his mother had come specially to visit him before her surgery, Rin was sure he wouldn't push her aside. Perhaps, this was a new beginning for the both of them. And in a long while, the girl finally felt a great sense of relief and peace, her entire body felt lighter as she walked. Actually, her footsteps felt lighter too… and lighter and lighter….
"Sesshoumaru….the girl who was with you just now…. She fainted….The doctors are attending to her now in the next room. Did you know she was injured?" Just as the mother and son had finished their talk, Hazuki's husband rushed into the ward informing the boy of the news.
His ambers flashing a hint of genuine worry and fear, Sesshoumaru was all ready to dash to look for his girl when he felt a soft hand on him. It was Hazuki. "Sesshoumaru, you've picked the right girl. Rin, she's perfect for you, ka-san can tell." The boy's eyes flew open at the comment.
"Sesshoumaru, I can't tell you that this path you're choosing is going to be easy, especially considering your Kaede-ba-san…" She gave a weak laugh. "But you have my blessing. You two… will make a sweet couple."
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Rin's room in the Inu-house
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As if her lids were too heavy, Rin struggled to open her eyes. Images around her were all in a blur at the beginning but little by little, she began to make out the familiar colors of her bedroom and also the one sitting just beside her. Sesshoumaru was watching her intently, his eyes never leaving her form even once.
"Sessh…." She sat up with a start! She was back in her room. How on earth did that happen… "Why am I here? What happened?" She fell silent as she noticed the solemn expressions of the one next to her.
"How old are you gal? Only ba-sans pass out because of exhaustion…" Even though he was trying to sound like a tease, Rin could tell the agitation in his tone. She pursed her lips in a distinct sulk.
"I didn't do it intentionally. I couldn't sleep for the past few nights, I just couldn't. I kept thinking about you and your mom and … your relationship with her and… and…" She followed the boy's line of vision, noting that he was examining her legs. Rin then realized that they were already cleaned and bandaged.
"Why didn't you tell me you hurt yourself?" He said seemingly plainly but yet not so. "Are you going to wait until the doctors need to amputate your legs?"
Rin pouted in a brood. "I-I thought that your mom's situation was worse and… and I didn't wish to disturb you…so…" She stopped noticing a wave of red cruising pass his ambers. Sesshoumaru, he's worried about me? She grinned with silent glee to herself, suddenly discovering something interesting. "Sessh… did you carry me back from the hospital?" Did he lift me up like a princess again… She tried to stifle an elated smile at that thought.
"Of course not, silly. Do you know how far the hospital is from our house?" He started rather dispassionately, then heaved a chuckle noting the slight disappointment made obvious on Rin's face. "The chauffeur sent us back. I only carried you up to the room."
The girl's brows lifted in plain girlish joy hearing that. But he continued.
"It's quite unbelievable really…" He passed her a glance from the side of his eyes. "You look so thin and yet… you're so heavy to carry."
"Hey!" The girl's expressions changed instantly at that last statement, her hazels staring heinously into his ambers. Almost at the same time, using the weight of both his hands on her shoulders, Sesshoumaru pushed her down back into the pillows.
He lurched down, his lips only an inch away from hers. "Lie down and get some rest. You're running a fever." With that, he offered a light peck on her seams. Before exiting the room, he did not forget to adjust the girl's covers, making sure she was warmly tugged in.
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In the kitchen
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Using both her hands as support as she stealthily made her way down to the kitchen, Rin caught sight of the boy standing back facing her in front of the stove. The fragrance of cooking indicated what he was doing there.
"Sessh…" Sesshoumaru turned at that sweet voice, frowning instantly as he saw that she hadn't listened to his orders for her to sleep.
"What are you doing down here?" He breathed an annoyed sigh. "I thought I told you to get some rest."
"Sessh… sorry… I've made you worry." Rin's voice was a mere mutter as she closed in to his side.
Not looking at her direction, the boy coolly went about his task as he spoke. "You're always like this… always butting into everybody's business, then you worry… and you cry…"
"It's all your fault…" The girl only dared a whisper to defend herself.
"My fault? You're the one who wants to get all worried about nothing…" He was still composed, stirring the soup pot as he replied to her.
"So what?" Rin just wanted to throw a tantrum, mainly out of pride. "That's just me. I like to worry for nothing."
To her surprise, the boy slammed the fridge door shut, his eyes lowered to stifle his anxiety. "That's precisely what I hate!" He shouted as he matched her wide hazels with a hint of genuine hurt and concern. "I hate to see you like this!"
The girl kept her silence, not wishing to continue this childish debate. In her heart, she knew that even as he was raising his voice at her so furiously, he was actually upset and worried.
"You should first take care of yourself. Look at you…" His eyes were hard and almost accusing. "Who else but you could push yourself till you pass out?"
Rin gave the most innocent smile she could find, trying to calm the mood between them. "Sessh, are you cooking something for me?"
Instantly remembering his task at hand, the boy turned back to the stove top, also trying at the same time to hide the slight blush on his crimson cheeks. "What? You think I'm doing this just for fun?"
The girl could not conceal how moved she was. "Is this your first time? Sessh… I'm so happy. You're doing things for me… things that you would not normally do…"
Even before I taste it, I can already feel it… just like what uncle had said before… A chef's sincerity is… Sesshoumaru's sincerity…
An idea sparked in her. "Why don't we set this day as Sesshoumaru's cooking day? I-I wish to remember this forever."
A sudden rush of heat grazed into Rin's temple and she hurriedly pressed a hand on the counter next to her, trying to keep balance. Dropping the ladle in his hand, the boy rushed up to hold her, keeping her from falling backward. Gently, he leaned her into his chest, his strong arm safely round her waist.
"Rin, are you alright?" Sesshoumaru's cool pretence shattered as his emotions took the better of him. He flipped back her hair wanting to feel her forehead in order to be triply sure.
"I-I'm okay… really…just that…" She was intercepted.
"You're still having a fever." He didn't sound too pleased with that discovery.
"I-I'll go up and lie down." Feeling contrite, the girl tried to take a step on her own, soon to realize in dismay that her body wasn't at all obeying to her commands. As if having an intuition that her legs would give way, Sesshoumaru held her steadfast to him, not allowing her to try.
Not granting the tinniest warning and in an elegant sweep, he lifted her up and made his way up to her bedroom.
"Yipee! You're really carrying me like a princess!" Completely forgetting her dizziness and how weak she was currently, the girl's focus was obviously elsewhere. "And I'm the first to taste Sesshoumaru's cooking. I must be in heaven!"
"Be quiet and stop twisting around… you're unbelievably heavy…"
"Hey nonsense! No, I'm not…"
"You'd better go on a diet soon…"
"You're so rude to say that…"
"You're so childish…"
"…"
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Hey everyone,
I'm so sorry for the delay…have been having computer problems….
But I'll try to update a little faster now that things are back on track. I'm so happy to receive so many encouraging reviews and that you're enjoying the story.