Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or its characters.
Rin. Sesshomaru glances towards the girl. Sometimes he regretted getting in the way. He didn't need a little fourteen year old girl following him around like a lost puppy. It gave people the wrong impression. But, though he'd never admit it out loud, he enjoyed her company. She calmed him. Unlike his family, she showered him with attention. Wanted to know what he liked, what he disliked; she strove to make him happy. Commendable for someone like her. He knew it wasn't just in gratitude. That's were it gets complicated. He's eighteen, just them being friends seemed wrong. Granted four years isn't so bad but she's a child. She'll get over it. But can I?
Once arriving at the school, the duo exit the car and head towards the entrance. Inside they start the usual routine. Rin follows Sesshomaru to his locker, and then they proceed to Rins. Why Sesshomaru accompanies Rin to her locker he doesn't know. He tells himself because it's on the way, but then why walk all the way to quad 101 when his first class is in quad 200? It's not out of the way but more steps than he needs to take. Regardless, this is how it goes. The school day passes with Rin meeting up with Sesshomaru at lunch and then his locker after school. They don't share any classes because Sesshomaru is a senior and Rin is a sophomore; but they do pass each other occasionally on the way to their various classes. Always with Rin shouting "Hi" and Sesshomaru's silence.
On the way home Rin bombards Sesshomaru with questions about his day. Sometimes he answers sometimes he doesn't. Rin is fine either way. Once Sesshomaru gets home they go inside his house and Sesshomaru makes his way to his room to change and do homework while Rin sprawls out in the living room to do her homework.
"Why hello Rin." A tall beautiful middle aged woman enters the room. She has long black hair, brown eyes, and flawless skin. "Hello Izayoi."
Izayoi is Sesshomaru's stepmom, mother of Inuyasha, and second wife to Tenshin, Sesshomaru's father. Inuyasha is Sesshomaru's younger brother. When Sesshomaru was about one Tenshin had an affair and the result was Inuyasha. Since he was away on business a lot Tenshin kept quite about his secret family until Sesshomaru was eight. That's when he finally divorced Sesshomaru's mom and married Izayoi. Sesshomaru's mom knew about the affair but never realized how serious it was until the divorce. For a few years after the divorce Sesshomaru lived with his mom but she eventually sent him to live with his father. Apparently she couldn't stand how similar they were in appearance and wanted to be has far away from him as possible. Sesshomaru never understood the betrayal that his father put them through; needless to say they don't get along.
"How was school?" Despite everything, Rin feels that Izayoi is one of the nicest people she knows. Life might not be fair, and it is painful at times, but it doesn't mean that everyone is evil.
"Good. How was your day?"
"Wonderful. You're staying for dinner tonight right?"
"Of course. If you'll have me that is."
"Of course Rin your always welcome here, you know that."
"Thank you Izayoi."
"I'll leave you to your work then. Dinner will be ready in one hour." With that Izayoi turns to leave the room.
"I'll come help you once I'm done." Rin returns to her homework. After a few minutes the front door opens, then closes with a slam. Glancing up Rin sees Inuyasha walk by. In looks Inuyasha and Sesshomaru look almost exactly alike. Except for Sesshomaru is taller and has sharper facial bone structure than Inuyasha whose are more rounded.
He glances in her direction. "Don't you have your own house to go home to?" Before Rin can respond another voice answers. "Inuyasha, don't you have better things to do than be rude to our guest?" Rin recognizes the voice has Sesshomaru's and turns in his direction.
"It's my house I can act however the hell I want towards whoever I want."
"Such manners. You're mother should have done a better job of raising you."
"Why you bastard I'll…" before Inuyasha can finish he is cut off by their father. "Boys, you both know better." In looks the boys take after their father a great deal, though not in personality. Inuyasha huffs and leaves the room. Tenshin looks towards Sesshomaru. "You know you shouldn't insult Izayoi like that, she's done nothing to warrant that kind of remark from you."
"No, she just slept with a married man." Tenshin eyes narrow towards Sesshomaru and he is about to say something but Sesshomaru just turns and heads back to his room. With a glance towards Rin he apologizes for everyone's behavior and heads towards the kitchen.
Done with her homework Rin gathers her things back into her bag. Deciding to give the adults some alone time in the kitchen she heads towards Sesshomaru's room. Rin knocks lightly on the door and enters. Sesshomaru is lying on his bad staring at the ceiling. Rin approaches and sits on the bed, tilting her body so she faces Sesshomaru. "They love you." Sesshomaru glances towards Rin. "It's none of your concern." Nodding her head Rin doesn't say any more. They sit in silence for a few minutes.
Rin gets up to leave and go help Izayoi with dinner. When she reaches the door she stops and glances towards Sesshomaru. "I know you don't want to talk about it but I'll listen if you do." Knowing she's not going to get a response, Rin walks out the door and heads to the kitchen. Once they have the table set Izayoi calls everyone to dinner. Once Rin, Sesshomaru, Tenshin, and Izayoi are seated Inuyasha comes in. "Hey I'm gonna skip dinner tonight and head to Kagome's. Before you ask, I got a C+ on my math test." Before Izayoi can respond Inuyasha is out the door. "At least he's doing well in math." Tenshin says. "I'm getting an A in all my classes." Sesshomaru casually declares. "Yes well you know how school is a challenge for Inuyasha so we have to congratulate him when he does well."
"A C+ is not doing well." Sesshomaru practically growls out. "He's trying." Izayoi responds; hoping that an argument doesn't ensue, especially in front of Rin. "No, you just accept any type of failure attempt he gives." Tenshin glares at Sesshomaru, before he responds Izayoi clears her throat. "So let's eat shall we." She announces with a smile towards the boys. Dinner is consumed in silence. This isn't the first family spat Rin has witnessed, nor will it be her last.