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At the school café

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"WHAT? A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL?" A distinctly sharp scream from a particular female at one corner of the café brought several heads turning toward that direction. With one firm tug, Rin dragged her best friend back into her chair and with her other hand, pushed her mango smoothie to her face. But Kagome's interest was no longer on her beverage.

"Rin, you mean to say that Sesshoumaru's wicked grandmother has arranged for him a fiancé?" She grabbed the girl with both hands, shaking as if to wake her up.

Rin's expressions remained sullen, her lids lowered to her ice earl. She kept her silence at first, just nodding. "Her name is Sara and I think her dad's some big shot. Kaede-ba-san said that she's educated, demure and from a good family background. She's a perfect match for Sessh."

"You mean she's a perfect match for the INU-FAMILY!" Kagome rolled her eyes, picking up the underlying notions straight away.

"It's the same thing. Sesshoumaru IS the Inu-family. He's their only heir." The girl did not look up as she spoke, her tone dull and lifeless.

"As I expected, being future chairmen and directors do live differently from normal folks like us." Her best friend shook her head in utter disgust. "I can't believe that she had already made a marriage arrangement for Sesshoumaru even when he's only first year in college. That Kaede-ba-ba is one old-fashioned nut! Rin, what are you going to do about it?"

Rin's lips pursed as she stirred her drink with a hint of concern. "What do you expect I can do? Kaede-ba-san's so stern. I'm afraid of her." She heaved a sigh of despair. "I wonder …if one day she were to find out about us…." She slammed her fist onto the table hard standing to her feet. "Will I be … ASSASINATED?"

Kagome smacked her lips as she rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous, gal! You've watched too much Mafia flicks."

Rin let a long sigh escape her lips slowly as she sat down.

Rin's narration

I wonder… In this relationship… How many obstacles could there possibly be?

Flashback

Kaede's firm stare passed from the boy who had just shut himself in his bedroom to the trembling girl opposite her at the coffee table. She examined Rin's expressions for a moment and then picked up the box of chocolate truffles discarded by Sesshoumaru, passing it over.

"Here, Rin. Give this to Sesshoumaru." She began quite plainly. "Tell him that this is Sara-san's favorite. He ought to give it to her as a gift frequently to please her. I hope that you can help me talk some sense into that boy."

Trying to steady the shivers in her hand, Rin took over the box obediently no matter how much her heart was fiercely fighting the notion. She was asked to change Sesshoumaru's mind about accepting Sara? To persuade him to take her as his fiancé? Perhaps as his ne-san, she was supposed to give her blessings. She was supposed to uphold whatever decisions the Inu-family had made for their heir. But can she? Isn't doing that equal to giving the one she loved away freely into the arms of another woman?

Clenching her knuckles till it was bloodless and whiten, Rin was roused from her strayed away musings. She reached a decision, one that she would do anything to uphold.

Rin's narration

Whatever the decisions made in the past for Sesshoumaru… I will surely overcome it…

Even though I do not know …what the future lie installed for us…

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At the school corridor

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Still affected by her crest fallen mood from lunch with Kagome, the girl paced in an achingly slow speed toward the notice board. Her hazels were targeted toward the ground, not the least realizing that the boy was walking in her direction from the other end of the passage way. She raised her head, shocked for a split moment to see him.

As they were came at arm's length, neither spoke, both searching as if for something in the eyes of the other. Sesshoumaru's brows furrowed slightly as he caught sight of the pamphlets tugged under her arm.

"What's that you're carrying?" He implored, painfully casual.

The question alerted the girl, giving a sort of wake up signal from her numb stance. "Oh! That!" Self-consciously, she looked down at the items in her hand. "Erm… It's the advertisement for the basketball team's outdoor training. Inuyasha says it's an annual thing for the club."

"Mmm…" Sesshoumaru did not reply, merely nodding in understanding. Calmly, he took over part of the weight, mainly the boxes of pins and some of the rolled up paper.

Coolly seated himself on a bench next to the notice board, the boy directed his vision away from the girl's task at hand, lost in a personal musing himself. Rin tip-toed to her max, one hand flat on the A3 sized pamphlet positioning it on the soft board. Swallowing hard in that awkward stretch, she instantly realized she didn't have the pins with her.

"Sessh… can you pass me the pins?" She stammered out in haste.

"Since when did asking me to do something come out so naturally for you?" The boy was seemingly sounding a little annoyed. "Have you forgotten? You were once my personal slave?"

Rin sucked in her lips as her cheeks puffed. "Are you going to help me or not?"

"Of course I'll help." Still dispassionate in his unchanging expression, Sesshoumaru raised up his hand only slightly, then playfully shaking the box of pins. "Here!" He was fully aware that it was out of the reach of the girl.

Narrowing her eyes with a hint of frustration, Rin knew arguing with him wasn't quite the best thing to do at that moment. With a soft sigh, she tried to reach for it while holding the poster up with one hand. She stretched and stretched, her fingers inches away from the box. It was so near, yet not quite.

Then, to her utmost shock, instead of passing to her what she needed, the boy grabbed her hand, giving her a strong yank to his side.

"AHHH…." Instantly, Rin lost her balance, the poster in her hand slipped off as she fell, back first, landing right onto his lap. In her horizontal position, her hazels flicked up meeting his ambers. She noticed a smug lift at one corner of his lips.

"Sessh… you did that deliberately!" She said, rather accusingly as she twisted in his slight embrace.

"Yes, you are correct." His lips broadened to a wider smile. "And what can you do about that?"

"Sessh… It's risky here. This is the school. Somebody's going to see us." She chided, half wanting desperately to get up but to no avail. Sesshoumaru, he had placed one hand at her back supporting her shoulder and the other round her waist, holding her securely to his lap. "Ahh!" She struggled hard to free herself. "Stop playing! Let me go!"

"No." He spoke teasingly and only in a whisper as he directed his gaze skyward.

What? The girl's cheeks turned pale, her pulse rate sped up in a rush. She couldn't believe her ears. "Let me go….Sessh…" She kicked her legs wildly nudging him, getting increasingly nervous.

Coming up the stairs from a distance, a tall figure paused as he sighted the two now in a snuggly sort of tugging war.

"I'm not letting you go…"

"Stop it, Sessh… let me go…"

"No…"

"SESSH! Stop playing…. It's ticklish…"

"Rin-san! Are you alright?"

Even without turning around, the girl had recognized that too familiar voice and its owner. She struggled up as Sesshoumaru released her and instead, directed his glare of immense malice at the unholy intruder.

"Miroku-ni-chan!" Rin adjusted her clothes briefly, and at the same time, trying her best to push down a rush of heat up her cheeks. "Erm… I was putting up some notices and I slipped and fell…"

Miroku looked over her shoulder at the boy behind her and the girl gulped. "Erm… he's … erm… he's my…."

"I know." The young man had finished that answer for her. "He's Sesshoumaru, your future brother."

"I do not have the slightest interest to get to know you." Sesshoumaru purposefully shifted his gaze elsewhere while speaking rather nonchalantly. "Nor am I keen to be your friend."

"Erm… I'm so sorry, Miroku-ni-chan. He's too impolite." Rin fondled her head uneasily after the boy's hash comment. "He's like this. Don't put it to heart."

Miroku smiled as he shook his head. "I won't."

Just as the unrest reached a max, the school administrator tapped on the young man's shoulder. "Miroku-sensei, the professor wishes to see you."

The young man nodded as he waved goodbye to the girl beside him. "Well, I'll get going first. See you."

As they strode away, the school administration's curiosity got the better of him. "Miroku sensei, do you know him, I mean, the chairman's son?"

"No." Miroku smiled shaking his head. "I know the girl beside him. He's my sensei's daughter." He finished as if deep in thought.

Rin watched worriedly as the two paced away, biting her lips. "Sessh… do you think Miroku-ni-chan suspects that there's something between us? He caught us just now."

Sesshoumaru merely gave a loud smirk. "I sure hope he did. It's wise for him to know his place early… and not try to overstep the boundary he will regret."

Silently, the girl stood observing the one she loved.

Rin's narration

Don't know why…Somehow… I have a feeling that Sesshoumaru isn't comfortable with Miroku-ni-chan…

Am I thinking too much?

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At the school park

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Sprawling on the stone table as he lie day-dreaming, Naraku noticed a dark shadow casting above him, blocking the afternoon glare. He squinted and as his pupils dilated, he made out a slim silhouette of a young girl. Reflectively, he gave the napping Hojo beside him a hard shove, waking him up immediately.

"Who are you, pretty little thing?" Hojo sprang up spiritedly, pressingly getting closer to her as she backed off each step he took.

"I-I…. I…wish….to….look…. for… S-Sess…shou…maru…" Her words came out only in bits and pieces.

"Look at her…." Hojo winked at Naraku. "Her voice's so soft… like a little chirping bird…" He turned back to the young girl before him. "What was it you were saying again?"

"I-I….I'm looking for… for… Sess…shou….ma…ru…"

"Hey Sesshy!" Naraku waved as he sighted his friend and his girl coming their way from afar. "There's someone here looking for you."

The young girl turned to face the approaching pair and they stood there just observing one another. Rin's brows furrowed at the girl in front of her. Dark hair, hair eyes… Where has she seen her before?

She gasped. It's her… Sesshoumaru's fiancé… Sara!

"I-I…." Sara's breath was obviously getting more and more hectic. She heaved several laden pants, as if having great difficulty to take in air.

"Hey, calm down." Sesshoumaru detected the odd behavior of the girl and Sara continued.

"I CAN'T MARRY YOU!" She finally finished, letting everything out all at once. Then, as if feeling all of a sudden too relaxed, her eyes rolled blankly and she collapsed onto the ground unconscious.

Together with his two friends, the boy scrutinized the young girl now recumbent on the stone bench, her words before she had fainted still fresh in his mind.

"Sesshy, why do you think the pretty princess is rejecting the marriage proposal?" Naraku put one concerned arm on his friend's shoulder.

"Like I would know…" Sesshoumaru merely remained seated looking afar.

"Well, someone's awfully happy about this juicy piece of news!" Hojo chuckled throwing Naraku a naughty eye. "Didn't you see Rin's expression just now? She's so overjoyed that she even volunteered to go get pizza. She's so dumb. Who on earth still goes to buy pizza on their own? Just a call and they'll send it in fifteen minutes tops."

He gulped and shrunk instantly in silence at the most heinous stare from Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshy, you sure you don't know why the little princess changed her mind?" Naraku scratched his head as if not understanding. "Maybe you did something wrong and you didn't know…."

He didn't quite finish that statement before the young girl roused, overhearing their brief exchange.

"I already have someone whom I like." Sara sat up as she combed out the rough strands in her hair straightening the unevenness. She stood up, giving the boy a deep bow. "Sesshoumaru-ni-san, I'm so sorry. Actually, when I returned to Tokyo from Taiwan, I really had the intention of accepting Kaede-ba-san's proposal and marry you. But later, I met someone I liked a lot…" She turned softer. "…even though I still do not know where he is now."

"It's alright." The boy offered only a courteous smile even though in his heart, he was immensely relieved by the news. "In fact, it's perfect. From this minute onward, we have no relations with each other whatsoever. I wish you all the best in finding your love."

"But I-I…." She stuttered as if wanting to add on. She was intercepted crudely.

"But what?" Sesshoumaru spat curtly. "No buts…"

"I have a request." Sara bit her lips as she frowned in difficult expression. "I hope you can put up an act with me and not to tell my parents or Kaede-ba-san about this. Because if my dad finds out that we've called off the marriage, he'll certainly send me back to Taiwan. I can't go back." She tugged on his sleeves pleadingly. "I need to find him…"

Sesshoumaru took less than a split second to arrive at a decision on that one. He pulled himself free from her, his ambers shifting away.

"No." He rejected her in just a simple word. "I never accepted anyone making decisions on my life for me and I will not change myself just to go along with anyone…not even if it's just acting."

He turned and started walking off a few steps. Naraku reached for his shoulder, pulling him back. "Hey Sesshy, she's just a little girl. You don't have to be like this."

This time, Sesshoumaru's ambers flashed a fury red as his voice transformed, becoming thunderous and harsh. "If I do not help you, are you going to give up and not stand up for what you believe in? If you are, then you're completely hopeless. I would then advise that you just run back to the little cot that your parents have prepared for you and be a baby that doesn't grow up forever!"

A rush of fluid flooded up the young girl's eyes as she squeezed hard on her purse. She covered her mouth as tears flowed drenching her cheeks. Not wishing to stay beyond her welcome, Sara fled, dashing straight for the school gate.

Hojo folded his arms as he shook his head in shocking disagreement. "Sesshy, how could you say something so cruel to such a sweet looking girl?"

"It's far better than wasting time with her." He watched Sara intently, making sure only by sight that she'd be alright on her own. "I wish to make a clean cut from her."

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At the school gate

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On her way back, Rin skipped in a half dance, swinging the box of pizza in her hands. She couldn't conceal the tremendous elation now bursting in her heart.

Yipee! She says she can't marry Sesshoumaru! She rejected the marriage proposal! The girl mused as she did a little jump of joy on the spot. I can't believe that everything's resolved… just like that.

Just as a re-kindled hope for this difficult relationship bloomed within her, Rin spotted from one corner of her eye a lithe figure coming steadily toward her direction. It came nearer and nearer and then passing her by along with a slight gush of breeze following the speed she was going.

It was Sara!

Why's she in such a hurry? The girl stopped, pondering only for a moment. And why's she crying?

Finding it extremely unsettling to just leave her be, Rin made a swift decision. Forgetting all about feeding the starving boys in the park, the girl dashed after the weeping Sara.

Slowing down almost to a tip toe, Rin moved closer to the young girl at the school gate. Though only seeing her back, the girl could tell that Sara was still sobbing rather intensely.

"Ano… Sara-san…" The young girl turned her head as she heard her name being called, surprised to see Rin. "Why are you crying? What happened?"

Noticing the confused look on Sara's face, Rin quickly introduced herself. "Erm… I'm err… Sesshoumaru's ne-san."

Finally, the dark haired girl dried her tear, offering a polite smile and a bow instead. After a short explanation by Sara, Rin had gained sufficient understanding of what had been conversed between Sesshoumaru and his "fiancé". She heaved a smile, patting softly the shoulder of the girl.

"Hey, you know, deep down, Sesshoumaru is very gentle person." Her hazels twinkled so naturally when the subject was drawn to the one she loved. "Sometimes, he may say things that sounded rather cold and hurting but in actual fact, he said them because he truly cared."

The words that hurt the most are said only by people who truly care for you…. As she spoke, previous memories of Sesshoumaru presented themselves in Rin's mind, refreshing what they had said so long ago.

"But I understand how you feel, Sara-san." The girl added. "Sometimes, Sesshoumaru's pretty hard on people." She finished and after a short pause, a smile slowly rainbowed itself on Sara's lips.

"Arigato, ne-san, you're very kind." The dark haired girl gave another respectful bow. "So, Sesshoumaru is harsh to me because he cares for me." She unzipped her purse, fishing out a tiny chocolate truffle prettily wrapped in a golden foil, handing it to Rin. "Ne-san, this's for you."

Rin took over the little gift, instantly realizing that it was what Kaede-ba-san had instructed Sesshoumaru to buy the night before, the brand of candy that she had mentioned Sara loved.

"Ne-san." The dark haired girl added. "I'd like to be friends with Sesshoumaru and you. You're both so kind."

At that, Rin froze, slightly out of sorts and uncomfortable with that sendiment.

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At the school café

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Rin pouted as she sipped on her hot chocolate, at the same time, passing occasional glances at her best friend at the opposite side of the table. "Kags, the things that Sara said, d-do you think something's not quite right?"

Before the girl could finish, Kagome had already hit her fist onto the table in protest. "OF COURSE IT'S NOT QUITE RIGHT!" She shook her head in utter disappointment. "I can't believe you Rin. I'm completely defeated by you. Why the HELL are you so nice to her? She's your rival you know."

Rin's cheeks puffed. "But… I-I just hate it when people misunderstand Sessh…"

"You hate it when people misunderstand Sessh…" Kagome imitated her and almost wanted to shake the girl but Rin cleverly dodged away. She then scolded rather seriously. "I totally agree with Sesshoumaru. A clean cut is best."

"I guess it can't be that bad." Rin twisted her napkin in her own nervousness. "She said she likes someone else."

Kagome heaved a loud sigh. "Rin my gal, you're…" She raised up her five fingers. "five syllables… IN-COR-RI-GI-BLE!"

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Rin's bedroom

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The girl sat at her study table with an elbow supporting one side of her cheek. Her line of vision fell on the tiny object just a few inches away. It was Sara's chocolate truffle. Her mind was still tangled and desperately making sense of everything. Had she really done something silly by being kind to Sara? Her rival would probably have left for good if it wasn't for her intervention. Even on the way home that day, little was spoken between her and the boy. Sesshoumaru was silent on the topic and Rin decided to grant him that space.

Outside her door, the boy stood holding up his mobile and clicking on the speed dial button. Instantly, the girl's phone started its familiar tune. Rin checked the screen, realizing who the caller was. She picked it up, rather bemused.

"Sessh… you're being silly. Why're you calling me on the phone when you're just next door?" She recited reflectively, finding it rather ridiculous.

"Alright then…" The boy raised his brows at her comment and chuckled. "Since you say so, I'll just come over to your room direct…" With one quick hand, he turned the knob to her room.

Rin's face turned bloodless at an instance, charging toward the door as she spoke. "Hey wait! It's still early. Mom and uncle are still downstairs. They'll know you come over."

But it was too late. The door flung open revealing the ever so charming boy and Rin swung her hands wildly, trying to brake before she collides into him straight on. But collide she did and wittily, Sesshoumaru rounded an elegant hand round her waist, sealing her with a soft kiss on her lips. He released her, gave a cool wink and swiftly closed the door.

One on each side, the two young lovers leaned their back against the mere door that separated them, heaving several breaths to calm down that brief romantic excitement just a while back.

Grinning broadly, Rin placed her mobile back at her ear, listening as the boy spoke.

"What are you thinking about all alone in your room?" He chided gently. "Didn't I mention before that I hate to see you like this?"

"Sessh… you're always giving me a shock." She tried to hide the elation in her voice but he picked it up all the same.

"You wish me to be naughtier? You know that I'd take up that challenge with pleasure." His ambers narrowed into a slit, smiling wryly at the other side of the door.

"What are you talking about, Sessh?" The girl blushed with a sense of urgency. "You know you can't come over tonight because tomorrow's the basketball training trip."

"It's good that you know." He began again rather sternly. "You ought to get to bed early. Don't expect me to wait for you if you're late."

Rin pursed her lips. "I won't be late. I'm sleeping now. Don't disturb me." She wanted to end the call.

"Rin…" She heard him call out to her. Reluctantly, she placed the cell back to her ear.

"What! I'm sleeping now."

"Rin…" His voice had turned tenderer and the girl listened intently. "Even though we're separated by a door… I can still feel your presence…It comforts me…" His ambers drifted shut, drinking in her scent all at once. "And I think… that's wonderful."

The girl's lips uplifted into a smile letting her eyelids fell shut too, instantly touched by this little sharing that spoke so much. She took in a deepen breath, exhaling slowly.

Rin's narration

In the air…. Sesshoumaru's scent lingers….

All my worries and unrest seem to just disappear….

We're within such close proximity….

I guess… our hearts will be so too….

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At the assembly point

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Rin handed Naraku her carrier bag, watching as the boy packed it onto the traveler bus. She proceeded to take down the attendance, making sure that everything and everyone has been accounted for. With a clipped waving signal, the basketball captain gathered his team.

"Everyone…" He gestured to Miroku, who was standing just next to him. "As our coach is unable to make it for this outdoor training trip, Miroku sensei has volunteered to come along with us as the acting assistant coach. I hope every member of the team will give him full support."

The team cheered as Miroku made a bow. "Thank you. Well, I'm just tagging along and I think Inuyasha has done a great job in the planning. So I say, let's just enjoy the trip and have fun playing in the sport we love."

"But Miroku sensei…" Hojo sprinted out from the crowd teasing as he scrutinized the young teacher's gentle form. "We're going to the great outdoors. Will you pass out under the hot sun? We'll have to end up taking care of you…." His laughter echoed through the air but Miroku merely grinned in return.

"Rin-san." He passed the girl a glance. "Why don't you tell them?"

"I've known Miroku-ni-chan for a long time." The girl reported accordingly. "In his college days, he almost got into the school basketball team. But because he opted to go into research, he had to give it up."

Miroku gave a smile of appreciation to that bit of information. "Yes, I remembered at that time, whenever I was stressed with school work, Rin would always accompany me in a game of basketball."

A feminine chuckle sounded from the back and it was Kagura. "I see that Rin-san has a history of liking boys who play basketball… from Miroku sensei to Inuyasha to…." She stopped and didn't finish her statement, knowing the degree of seriousness involved.

The girl frowned at that too-sarcastic comment but Inuyasha had come to her defense before she could even say anything.

"Kagura-san, all that is in the past and I have a girlfriend now. I hope you'll not bring this up again."

Slightly self conscious at the more intimate details of her past, Rin peaked in the direction of Sesshoumaru, instantly noting his solemn and darken expressions. She swallowed, a little worried what he could be thinking about.

Just as she thought things could not get any worse than they were now, a shiny black limousine screeched to a halt. The chauffeur got off and as he opened the passenger door, Rin realized who the other unexpected guest was.

"Sara-san…." Rin's eyes popped wide open and so did the rest of the boys in the team, mainly due to the pretty sight before them. "Erm… why are you here?"

Inuyasha ushered her to the bus and made the formal introduction. "Everyone, I forgot that I've also gotten us another manager, Sara-san and she'll be joining us for the trip as well."

Sesshoumaru shot the captain a strong stare of malice. "YASH! What's the meaning of this?"

Inuyasha merely laughed scratching his head rather innocently. "Actually, I thought that since Kagura-san's from the journalism faculty, she'd be doing the minutes and reports and Rin-san would need someone to help her out with the chores. And when Sara-san came yesterday to ask if she could join the club, I agreed immediately."

Everyone rushed up the bus after the adorable new addition to the team, fighting to ask her questions and to offer her assistance in every way. Rin breathed a worried sigh as she detected the overwhelming popularity of Sara and how the basketball boys were going crazy about her. Just as she wanted to get on the bus, she noticed that the boy did not follow. Sesshoumaru, he was still standing there, his eyes fuming with much frustration.

She ran up to him. "Sessh… everyone's on the bus already. Aren't you coming?"

The boy coldly looked heavenward. "I'm going there alone." With that, he hopped onto his Harley and without even an offer for her to get on with him, he rode off.

Rin watched as his vehicle minimized with the distance, her mind flooding with a myriad of thoughts.

Rin's narration

As when I thought that having Miroku-ni-chan to come along with us was already making things a little tough, Sara had to join us too…

And the look on Sessh's face…

With a heavy heart… and new situations that seemed to have tied us down…forcing us to yield to fate… It's in such moods that we're heading for this outdoor trip….

Sesshoumaru…I wish you'd tell me what's on your mind some of the time…

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