xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the Inu-house
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the breakfast table, Rin hid a tiny yawn as the boy next to her immediately picked it up, getting off a muted chuckle on his part mischievously. For the better part of the night before, he had roused her from her peaceful slumber, insistent on having his way with her rather domineeringly. In between the rough kissing and too passionate touching in a desperate attempt to wake her, Rin had decided, after a good ten minutes of these amorous advances, that he was going to do it whether she was asleep or not! Moreover, he was more than skilful at his invitational gestures, enticing her so much that the sleep monster was completely chased away… well not until now.
Sessh's always like that… she half giggled to herself, not knowing that she was already blushing slightly to a rosy shy pink. He's so terrible. He'll never take no for an answer.
Yes, indeed, being the girlfriend of the practically-prince and heir of the great prestigious Inu-household did come with its own pros and cons….not that she minded at all. Sesshoumaru was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. He got everything he wanted with a simple point of the finger and no one dared to reject him EVER. And with that flawlessly handsome face of his, she'd say he could have any girl he wanted too… that was if those sluts didn't flock to his side on their own accord from the beginning. The girl nodded to herself. Yep, she had a taste of being appointed the unofficial postman of his so-called admirers.
The girl's line of vision fell upon the pretty object still adorning her finger.
His gift.
Out of all those thick make-up girls with their strong perfume and over sexy dress sense, he had chosen… her.
Yes, she admitted that she saw him to be no more than an infamous school celebrity, a gangster, a spoilt child, a dictator, a Casanova when she first met him. But from the moment she became acquainted with him, when he had wooed her, till they had come together, she had come to realize that he was none of those she had pictured him to be. He was intelligent, faithful, honorable and most of all, even he himself would bluntly deny it, he was sweet.
Tainted by the shadows of a difficult childhood without the love his mother, Sesshoumaru had grown up wanting to accomplish everything by himself. He had prided himself that he needed the help of no one, nothing, especially love. He had forged himself a cold, unfeeling front, a high wall of ice that would shoo off all who attempted to come near.
And Rin was glad that he had changed so much after they were together. He was beginning to open up more, tell her more of how he felt from time to time….He had given her a ring… a symbol of perhaps wanting to be with her forever….at least that was what she would like to think the gift represented. Though the boy had never actually mouthed the words 'I love you', he had always stayed by her, protecting her, showing that he truly loved her with the littlest actions and words…well, other than the actual three.
And that was sufficient for her, she mused with contentment. Sesshoumaru wasn't the sort to say such overly mushy proclamations by character and Rin concluded that she should be matured enough to understand that…accept that.
But contradictorily though not unexpectedly, the girl had to laugh internally again, he had always wished to hear her say it, as he did the night before. He had demanded, pressed her to chant them to his ears throughout the whole session of their love-making. She shook her head resignedly. She was never going to be out of the clutches of this charming demon. No doubt that he was going to reign over her, have his way with her all her life… and she simply loved the idea.
She… loved him…. so much.
And everything about him, about them at this present moment, was so perfect… well except for….
Seeing that his girl was smiling to herself as though in a dreamy trance, Sesshoumaru gave her a slight notch on her elbow, then, elegantly gesturing her with a mere corner of his ambers to her mother opposite the table. Seemingly, Izayoi had just spoken something but the girl had only caught part of it due to her own runaway musings.
"What? What did you just say, mom? What… going back to the South?" Rin jumped up with a start, trying to clear her mind.
"Sweety, I said that we'll be going to visit your grandma in the South during the long weekend that's coming up." Her mother smiled, her hand moving to join affectionately with the man beside her. "Sho has to go there to officially propose with the matchmaker. It's a tradition but the most important thing is that your granny, she needs to meet him and Sesshy."
"I'm not going." Sesshoumaru's answer was clipped but precise. He was never the kind who like noisy occasions like this sort.
The Taisho's brows creased deeply. "Sesshy, don't be rude. This is a trip we have to make. We're to become relatives soon and you have to introduce yourself officially as Izayoi's son and also… Rin's younger brother."
Somehow, those words seemed to pierce painfully into the girl's chest. It was apparently showing on her face and the boy caught it with concern.
A little shocked at his response, Izayoi was only stunned for a moment before she smiled light-heartedly. "No, no… it's okay really…if Sesshy doesn't want to go." She rubbed on the Taisho's arm soothing him. "It's far and tiring and it's probably very boring for him."
"But that'll look so bad to your family, Yoi." Inu-no-Taisho shook his head in protest but Izayoi hurriedly stroke him gently.
"Mom, I can't go too." The girl spoke as everyone, including Sesshoumaru turned to give her a curious eye. Instantly, she gulped. "I-I have an appointment with Kagome and the girls. We've already planned for something."
Taken aback again, Izayoi then laughed out. "See? Sho, it's alright. We'll go without the children. It's an adult thing anyway. Rin's not going too."
Rin and Sesshoumaru exchanged silent glances as the Taisho got ready for work. Izayoi assisted him with his coat, then handed him his suitcase as they strode out to the yard. With slight remorseful eyes, Inu-no-Taisho gave a light kiss on Izayoi's temple. "Yoi, I'm so sorry. Sesshy had never been the kind of boy who knows how to associate himself with adults. D-Do you think… that perhaps… our children are still having second thoughts about our marriage, that they're not accepting it?" A hint of a worried frown appeared on his face.
Though his words had put an unknown weight on the middle-aged lady, she still forced a smile of confidence as she shook her head. "Never. I believe in our darlings. It's our happiness and they'll never be against it. I just know."
With that, the Taisho pulled her into a tight goodbye hug and the two merely stood there for a whole minute, reveling in the comforts of each other's warmth.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On their way to school, the young lovers silently treaded along and Sesshoumaru watched Rin intently as she was deep in thoughts again. Carefully, he put his arm round shoulder and she was immediately alerted. "What plans do you have with Kagome?" he implored rather plainly though his eyes were examining her fully with interest.
But it was Rin who was shocked by the query as a flush of embarrassment was seened dancing across her cheeks. "Erm… well, I-I haven't got plans. I-I just didn't want to go with mom and uncle."
A light chuckle escaped the boy's lips. "Wow! You actually lied to aunty." He shook his head, pretending to accuse her, increasing her guilt. "You're getting naughtier each day, ne-san."
"Hey!" Rin slapped his elbow with only a slight force, then became more solemn as she admitted the truth. "Actually, I have a place I wish to go on my own."
"Really? Where?" Sesshoumaru's curiosity was aroused as he stopped her, wanting to learn more about it. They strode to a side pavilion and settled down on one of the stone benches.
"Well, I-I want to visit my dad's grave… before mom remarries." Rin lifted her chin, her long lashed hazels meeting his ambers. "I haven't been there for a long time…but … I didn't wish mom to know of this."
Only taking a moment to regard the serious stance that she had chosen, he chuckled again with amusement. "Gal, you think too much. It's not a bad thing and there's no hiding needed." He looked away for a second, then, returned to flash her a wink. "I'll go with you."
Surprised by his sudden decision, Rin was nonetheless elated by it. "B-but… it's quite far away, takes about a day to and from."
She was expecting him to grumble but he didn't. He simply picked up her hand in his, leading her down on the way to school, as though the conversation was over. "Take it as our first trip together… just us…" He intoned coolly.
Rin couldn't help but grinned spiritedly at the decision made.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the locker room
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"WHAT!" Kagome pulled her best friend's hand swinging them as though celebrating. "Your mom and Sesshoumaru's dad are going away? That's great!" She gave her a sly eye, Rin a little out of sorts and confused. "You know, gal, do your best!"
"Do my best? What do you mean, Kags, I don't…" The girl didn't manage to finish her statement. Her friend didn't give her the chance.
"Oh Rin! It's three-days-two nights without parents, just you and Sesshy. It'll be your honeymoon days together…without disturbance…interference…Plus… You'll get to show him how well you can manage the house… Maybe he'll be so impressed he'll propose to you instantly…" Kagome was dazedly looking heavenward, envisioning what she thought would be ideal and perfect for her best friend.
"Impress him?" Rin laughed out upon that comment but still, she had to agree, it was indeed a good chance they could finally spend some time together. They would be able to wake in each other's arms… for once… instead of having to sneak around in the light hours of dawn. Also, as Kagome had suggested, she would get to play the perfect 'wife'.
That sounded like a rather challenging and intriguing idea.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the Inu-house
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Izayoi respectfully guided Kaede to her seat in the living room as she served her tea. The two sat down for a chat and the elderly lady seemed rather concerned about some issues. Her wrinkled brows appeared more constricted than ever.
"Izayoi, how are you getting on?" She implored at first with genuine sincerity. "I hope that Rin and you are getting used to staying here."
"Yes, of course. Sho and Sesshy made us feel so welcome. Arigato." Izayoi gently moved the cup of hot matcha, placing it before Kaede.
"That's excellent." The elderly lady cleared her throat slightly, ready to bring forward her views. "I heard that you and Sho have decided to leave the children at home when you go back to your Southern ancestral home. Do you think it's a good idea?"
Izayoi was a little clouded by the statement, at first, not knowing what she was implying. Then, she gave a soft shriek, instantly catching the hint. She laughed. "Oh, mom, you're thinking ….Rin and Sesshy…? That's impossible. I know they get along very well… but…"
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of, Izayoi. They are getting along TOO well." Kaede took a sip from her tea, watching as the woman next to her had turned silent. She added on quickly. "Though they are about to become siblings in name, they are still not related by blood. And if anything were to happen, it'll be too late." She eyed Izayoi, noting that her cheeks had turned to an obvious white. "You see, now you're worried like me."
But the middle aged mother bit her lips, fighting back a tear. "Mom, is that how you see my daughter, Rin?" There was an aching pinch in her heart as she formulated her rebuttal. "Although we don't come from a prestigious family like you, Sho and Sesshoumaru, I can assure you that the upbringing and education we've given to Rin is no less than any other children of her age."
Kaede instantly felt contrite. "No, no, Izayoi, don't get me wrong. I don't mean it in that way… really." And she meant that. As the head of the Inu-household, she was merely concerned and she rightfully should. It was only right and fair that she did. "I adore Rin and I think she's a wonderful girl. If she weren't Sesshoumaru's ne-san, I would think her as a good match for that boy. Perhaps, I'm getting old and muddle with age." She laughed, trying to lift up her own tensed mood. "I should be worried if those two didn't get along and fight everyday. But they got along so well…" She shook her head in remorse. "I guess I should be happy with that."
"Arigato, hahaue, for having faith in us, in my daughter." Though Izayoi was thanking Kaede at mouth, her heart did not feel in the right place. Rin and Sesshoumaru, they are truly getting along very well, almost like real siblings, or even …lovers? The mother replayed all the scenes of the two together, hand in hand going out, coming home, helping with the chores and playing about so intimately in the living room during Rin's birthday less than a fortnight ago. She had thought innocently of it… until today.
It can't be… But are they really… a couple?
Izayoi froze in her seat for hours even after Kaede had taken leave.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the Front gate of the Inu-house
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As the Taisho heaved the luggage into the boot of his Volkswagen Tourag, Rin dashed out of the yard where her mom stood waiting. "Mom, this present is for grandma. Remember to pass it to her for me."
As the gift exchanged through their hands, Izayoi caught sight of the tiny ring on her daughter's finger and all her previously dreaded suspicions arose once again. Could this ring be a present from Sesshoumaru? Something intuited her of that thought as the boy appeared rather hurriedly from inside the house. "Ne-san, the water is boiling! What am I to do with it?" He shouted across the garden and Rin gasped. "Oh no!"
"Mom, bye and have a nice trip!" She said her brief goodbyes, then, scurried back to the boy's side and Izayoi watched as both went into the house. She was beginning to look at the two differently now and she couldn't help but pick up the subtle intimacy in their speech. Though rather plainly intoned, it just didn't seem so to her now. They weren't acting like siblings. They were more like Sho and her, like a pair of young couple.
A gentle hoot from the vehicle hinted her to turn, instantly spotting Inu-no-Taisho's ever buoyant smile. He peered from the car window. "Is everything okay, Yoi? We've got to set off now if we don't want to be late. Didn't you say you've got somewhere else to go first before returning to the South?"
With a clipped nod, the mother swiftly abandoned her thoughts, hopping into the car as they set off on their journey. Throughout the trip, the alert Taisho noted the sullen expressions on his mate. She just wasn't herself that day. "Yoi, what's wrong?" He asked most endearingly. "You've been so quiet since we came out."
"It's nothing, Sho." Izayoi shook her head, then, noticing a shop she wished to visit from the window. "Could you please stop in front for a little while? I wish to get some flowers."
The Taisho nodded as he pulled over.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At Rin's dad's grave
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Returning to their vehicle, the Taisho opened the door for his bride-to-be, assisting her into it in the most gentlemanly manner. As he got in, Izayoi began rather contritely. "Sho, thanks for understanding and not minding that I stop by first to visit him."
The Taisho heaved only a soft sigh. "Yoi, though we've never talked about it before, I wish to make this clear to you now." He held both her hands into his own carefully. "I never wish to replace the one whom you've loved before and I never wanted you to forget him. I just want you to know… that from this day forth to forever… You can depend on me… that I'll be the one who will protect you and love you… and I'll never leave your side...always."
"Thank you, Sho." Deeply touched by his tender words, Izayoi fell into his embrace, brushing her reddened, wet eyes in his chest.
"So, you'll have to tell me all that you're feeling. Tell me if something's bothering you." He coaxed her as he stroked her hair.
Izayoi nodded as she snuggled closer, the images of Rin and Sesshoumaru flashed briefly in her mind. No matter what her suspicions were, she had no proof and mostly importantly, somewhere in her heart, she still held on to the last bit of trust with her daughter.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Back at the Inu-house
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The boy impatiently peered at the girl now so busily at work in kitchen with a mix of disappointment and increasing frustration. Not able to hold it within himself any longer, he momentarily let the papers in his hands fall to his lap as he called out to her. "Hey! Girl, what are you so busy with, running round the kitchen like that?" He had noted that she was at it for at least two hours, not the least wanting to keep him company. Didn't it occur to her that this was such a rare opportunity for them to have private time together?
Rin only turned slightly, obviously annoyed with his query. "What does it look like to you? I'm preparing dinner."
Sesshoumaru smacked his lips as he rolled his ambers to the clock hanging on the wall. It was one-thirty in the afternoon. He shook his head disbelievingly, flinging the newspaper to the table and headed toward her. He pulled her around, Rin still holding onto the knife as she was in the midst of slicing the radishes. "Look!" He pointed at the clock. "It's one-thirty in the afternoon and you're telling me you're preparing for dinner? This is ridiculous! Why don't you also stuff the turkey for Christmas while at it?"
Not at all amused by his sarcastic attempt of a joke, Rin shot him a fierce stare. "Hey! You're impossible!" She ignored him, wanting to get back to her task but he stopped her, snatching the knife from her hand skillfully.
"Come here." He beckoned her to join him as he strode back to the living room and with a loud audible sigh of reluctance, she obeyed. When they reached the couch, he gave her a tug, making her fall and seated down and before she couldn't ask him anything, in a flash, he rested his head on her lap, finding briefly the most comfortable position to lay.
Rin let off a small grin at his actions, shaking her head. "Sessh… what… are you doing?"
"Hmmm…. Elephant thigh pillow…. So comfortable…" He muttered as though dozing off. He let his eyes flew shut.
"Hey! Who has elephant thighs?" Insulted and slightly wounded by his comment, she smacked him, this time harder than usual. "You're so rude!"
Sesshoumaru only sneaked in the tiniest chuckle. "Alright, alright, I was just kidding." He started to sound drowsier, his voice just a deep mumble. "You're so silly gal. We can eat out. This is what we should be doing."
Rin only shook her head as she laughed to herself. "Sessh…you're like a kid." She looked down, smiling contentedly again. Sesshoumaru, he had fallen asleep in her lap. Careful not to jostle him, she ran her light fingers though his silken fair hair, tracing the unique symbol on his temple. He looked so peaceful when he slept, like a new born baby.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At Izayoi's home
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kaede offered a polite bow as she greeted Izayoi's mother at the door. As they all settled down at the table, she made her opening speech. "On behalf of the Inu-family, I would like to thank you for allowing her daughter, Izayoi to marry into our household. Through the short time I've gotten to know her, she is indeed a kind, dutiful and filial daughter-in-law and I feel most honored to have her with us."
Hearing that from the sternest woman she'd ever known, Izayoi covered her mouth, restraining a gleeful tear and giggle.
"Yoi, you're so lucky and blissful to marry into such a good family." Her mother patted on her daughter's shoulder, nodding and Izayoi nodded back in response.
"Lucky? Blissful?" This time, the Taisho spoke rather calmly. "These words made me really look into myself. Since a child, I was always perceived as having everything I wanted. My life in the eyes of others was nothing but a smooth golden sail. And when people say that I was lucky and live a blissful life, I-I never knew what they truly meant…until today. Having Izayoi by my side… made me feel for the first time… that I'm lucky… that I'm a living person…living the most blissful life anyone could ask for."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Even as the Taisho made his most sincere speech, moving both his future mother-in-law as well as his bride, the two young lovers themselves were strolling under the bright afternoon glare. Half admiring the picturesque greenery around them, Sesshoumaru took deep relaxed breaths, reveling in this simple beauty of nature…and also the fair porcelain beauty of the one walking next to him.
Cradling a large bouquet of lilies in her own arm, Rin steadily led the boy as they headed toward their destination. She stopped a few feet away from her dad's grave as if in thoughts and Sesshoumaru regarded her intently and with curiosity. "What is it, girl?"
The girl only let off a small smile. "Mom, she was here."
Sesshoumaru's brow lifted in surprise. Yes, there was a bouquet placed on the tombstone but that didn't mean that it was Izayoi. "How did you know?"
"Because, the purple lilies… they were dad's favorite flower." She knelt down, moving the bouquet of lilies aside and then placing her own beside it.
The boy nodded. "Dad must have accompanied aunty here. I think dad and I… we came here with the same heart…we feel the same way toward this visit."
As he watched his girl closed her eyes in silent prayer, he let his own lid fell shut as he went on his knee beside her. From the deepest point in his heart, he prayed, "To the uncle whom I never had the honor to meet, thank you for bringing to this world… the most precious and wonderful gift. Thank you for bringing Rin into my life. Here before you, I make a solemn vow… that I will love, cherish and protect her with my very life… and on behalf of the portion you've never gotten to complete… bring her nothing but happiness... forever…"
As Rin said her prayers, multiples images of the past coursed through her mind, images of how they had been when her dad first passed on.
Flashback
She stood as a child behind a wall as grandma spoke rather sternly with her mom.
"Izayoi, don't be so stubborn." Grandma had chided worriedly. "Leave Rin to us. You're still young and you have a long life ahead of you. Why bring along a young kid? It'll make things doubly difficult."
Her eyes puffy and swollen and her expressions grim, Izayoi shook her head as she regarded the picture of her deceased husband. "No, mom. Thank you but no matter what happens in the future, I wish to stay with my daughter, to love her and protect her. I'm sure I can give her everything doubly to make up for what she had lost."
Rin's narration
For my sake, through all these years… mom had struggled and took everything in stride. She had worked so hard… striving to move on every single day…encouraging me and showering me with all the love…
And now… finally… someone who can take care of mom, someone who would love and protect her… someone she deserved…had appeared…
After the visit, the young lovers took some quiet time at the seaside and they stood at the water's break looking out to the varsity of the great expanse of blue. As the strong wind blew ruffling the girl's hair, she reflexively pulled her cardigan closer to her skin. Detecting the obvious shift of temperature, Sesshoumaru pulled open his trench coat, wrapping Rin tightly in it, pressing her to his chest. "Are you still cold?" He breathed into her hair as he let his cheek brush hers.
Shaking her head, the girl let herself sink into his heated embrace, not once able or wishing to wipe that blissful grin adorning her lips.
Dropping their shoes to the sands, the young lovers hit the waves, splashing sprinklets of water onto each other, spilling gleeful laughter and giggles. After exhausting themselves in play, they settled back to back on the fine sand, inhaling deeply the salted breeze.
"It's been a while since I come to the beach." Rin said, though not turning to regard the boy whom she was now leaning her back against.
"Naraku, Hojo and I just went to the Northern Beach last summer… to check out babes…" He released a chuckle, lost in a pleasant memory.
Almost immediately, Rin flipped around glaring heinously at him but as though half trying to tease her, he went on bragging nonchalantly. "The beaches there were filled with hot bikini babes…"
"Bikini eh?" Rin's lips pursed as she tried to hurl away those horrid images of scantily dressed girls hording her guy, each at their best wanting to please and pleasure him.
Thinking that his jokes had gone too far, Sesshoumaru was instantly apologetic. "Hey, that was a long time ago, before I got to know you." And he was forgiven, rather reluctantly at first.
"I'd like to sun tan at the beach wearing my favorite bikini too. That'll be so much fun!" The girl chimed out innocently as she caught sight of another incoming wave. But when she gazed upon Sesshoumaru again, she noted his dark displeased expressions.
"What do you mean by YOUR bikini?' He pulled her to him with a slight too rough force as he forced meet her eyes. "You're NOT going to parade half naked in front of other men, you hear me, girl?"
"You're so autocratic!" Rin's eyes narrowed as she smiled wryly at him. He loves watching other girls but refuses to allow others to take even one look at me eh? She dared laugh only internally.
"Who says?" He placed a rough kiss on her temple. "Of course I'd let you wear your bikini…." Then he flashed an overly smug grin. "But only for me… for my eyes only…so that I can take them off…"
"Sessh?" The girl desperately peered around consciously to see if anyone had overheard such frivolous remarks. She let off a soft sigh when she spotted no one and settled into his embrace again.
"Sesshoumaru…" She called out, alerting the boy as she had used his full name. It was as though she was about to say something extremely serious. "Can you tell me… what do you like about me?"
A corner of Sesshoumaru's brows lifted at that question, entertained but he insisted on not showing it. "I haven't the faintest idea." He answered with an empty face and Rin smacked him in protest.
"What do you mean by that? You're so rude!" Her lips puffed and she wanted to push him away but he stopped her, pulling her even closer to his chest as he laughed.
"So, what DO YOU like about me?" He tested her while eyeing her with a naughty grin. "Since you're asking the question, you must have the answer to it yourself."
"Hey!" Rin shouted out as she punched her fist onto the sand. "That's not fair! I asked you first."
"I don't care." His smile was wry as ever. "You tell me first. Then, I'll tell you."
That was the Sesshoumaru she had come to know. When he had decided on something, he'd never give way. Gracefully, she stood up, lightly patted the sand off herself, then, headed a few steps toward the waves. Picking himself up as the girl did, the boy strolled casually to her side. Not facing him directly, Rin only spoke to the wind now brushing on her cheeks. "I like everything about you…everything…" She gave a shy smile. "I like both your strengths… and your weaknesses…the good things about you as well the bad things…"
"Is that so?" Her answer had roused his curiosity thus again. A corner of lips uplifted into a smirk. "And what are my weaknesses? What are you so-called bad things about me?"
He asked as though he didn't think there was any and Rin just had to laugh out loud.
She glanced in his direction this time slyly. "Well, bad things eh? You have lots of lots of them…" She raised her fingers as though counting out at random. "You're rude, spoilt and you like to throw tantrums. You want your way all the time and you have a terrible temper." She swung her pointer at him accusingly. "You demon!"
She met boldly Sesshoumaru's narrowed heinous ambers only for a second and as he pounced on her, she gave a loud shriek, running for her dear life.
"There's no escape!" The boy was having an upper hand in this chase by his sheer speed. "You're dead meat. Surrender now, insolent fool!"
Rin screamed as she felt his arms rounding about her waist, pulling her to a halt and then pushing her onto the sand. They rolled as they fell, Sesshoumaru landing his weight on the girl, his chest pressing heatedly against her breasts. They heaved a few pants and the boy held both her hands down with his own. That girl was half expecting the worst but…he only met her eyes with utmost passion and tenderness.
"What I like most about you…" His breath swirled huskily at the corner of her ears. "…is that when I'm at my most demonic self, you'll always be there to rescue me."
With those lovingly spoken words, the young couple shared a long, endearing kiss together against a romantic backdrop of golds and blues.
They strolled hand in hand, letting their feet washed over by the gentle lull of the incoming tide. Rin snuggled close to the one she loved, seemingly deep in thoughts. "Sessh… do you think we would have met if my dad was still alive?"
True enough, if the professor hadn't met with the fatal accident, then, Izayoi wouldn't be courted and then….
"No." Sesshoumaru replied most confidently. "Even if your dad hadn't died, even if your mom didn't meet my dad, destiny would still bring us together. We'll still meet one way or another." Intelligently, he threw in a few examples. "Perhaps we might meet at the comics shop, fighting to rent the same manga. Or perhaps, we'll meet in the school cafeteria. You'd carelessly spill some coke on my Armani shirt and I'd have the greatest misfortune of knowing you." Rin giggled at that suggestive statement, still listening intently as he continued. "Or perhaps, we'll be watching the same movie and your seat's just next to mine. In the midst of the movie, you dozed off and drooled all over me. I was so disgusted and so we met."
Rin gave him a nudge as she bit her lips staring at him. "Hey! I'll never do that! That's gross!"
Sesshoumaru pulled her to him, his finger lifted her chin to match her eyes. "At any possible corners of this earth, fate will allow us to meet…Because…. I just will find you…." Rin's gaze had turned full of tenderness as he spoke. "Because… only you…you're the only one who's right for me…my perfect match…"
Never before had he mouthed such proclamations and Rin couldn't help but crushed into his embrace, hugging him so tightly as if she'd never let go. Seconds swiftly turned to minutes and still, the young lovers refused to release the other…till someone gently tapped on the boy's shoulder.
They broke free, a little startled by the bold intervention and it was none other than a pure stranger.
"Ano… You two are not locals, right?" Judging by his slight blush, he was embarrassed to have spoilt that potential romantic moment too. But he pointed out to the sea with a sense of immense urgency. "Look over there." He brought their sight to an encircling of dark stormy clouds heading at a devilish speed toward them. "A storm is brewing. It's the typhoon. You'd better take shelter fast."
The two young lovers stood rooted to the ground, a myriad of implications flashed through their minds of the change in weather, in circumstances.
Are they prepared for it?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx