Chapter two is here.


"What's this?!"

Sesshomaru looked up at Kagura, who had an extremely happy expression on her face. She was holding a copy of that day's paper to her chest and looking at him.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me!" She threw the paper onto the desk to reveal a front-page picture of him saving the little human girl from getting hit by a car. "When did this happen?!"

"It happened two days ago—on the day of the homeless benefit."

"And you said humans were all noisy and dirty!" Kagura let out a squeal. "Oh my God! This is great for PR!"

"All I did was do what anybody else would've done—I kept a young child from dying."

"Yes, but a human child. She's our key to winning, which is why you're going to take her to lunch." Sesshomaru's head shot up.

"No. No. I am not taking a human to lunch."

"Yes, you are."

"It will help, my lord," Jaken said, entering the room. Kagura pursed her lips in annoyance at the toad demon. "The human girl will show everyone how much you care about humans!"

"What about her parents?"

"That is the best part—she doesn't have any!"

"She doesn't?"

"Well, she's in foster care," Kagura corrected, pulling her tablet out of her purse. "I did some research on her before approaching you with this."

"You did?" Jaken inquired.

"Yes. Her name is Rin. She doesn't have a last name and she lives with a woman named Kikyo Kireina in a foster home. There are—" she tapped the screen "—seven other children in the home. Rin is the only human. The others are all half-bloods, except for one that's a full demon."

"Fine."

"Fine?"

"Fine, I'll take Rin to lunch. Pick her up and meet me at Yokai's at one."

"Yes, sir!" Kagura bounced out of the room, leaving Sesshomaru to wonder why he'd hired such a thorough lawyer…


Kikyo sighed as there was a knock at the door. It was Saturday—the day they did a deep clean of the apartment before the inspection by Kimiko Higurashi, the social worker—and she never accepted visitors on that day. She opened the door to see a beautiful woman with dark purple hair—a demon woman. The woman smiled.

"What can I do for you?" Kikyo asked.

"Are you Kikyo Kireina?"

"Yes, I am. Why are you here?

"I'm here about one of your foster children—Rin."

The kids all stuck their heads out of the bedroom.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Kagura Majutsu. I'm Mr. Taisho's lawyer."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. What did Rin do?"

"Have you seen this morning's paper?"

"We don't get the paper." She stepped aside. "Won't you please come in and sit down?" Kagura entered and smiled as she sat on the couch before pulling a copy of that morning's paper out of her briefcase. She handed it to Kikyo, whose eyes widened upon seeing the picture on the front page.

"You see, we believe Rin could help Mr. Taisho's campaign, and he wants to have lunch with her."

"Oh…" Kikyo looked back towards the bedroom. "Rin, could you come here, please?"

"Am I in trouble?" Rin asked, stepping into the living room.

"Not at all," Kagura replied. "Do you remember the other day when you were almost hit by a car?"

"Yes…"

"Well, Mr. Taisho, the man who saved you, would like to take you out to lunch, if it's all right with Miss Kireina." Rin looked at Kikyo, who silently nodded.

"You may go, Rin."

"YAY!" Rin bounced on her heels before gasping. "I don't look nice enough!"

"That's fine. We'll find you something. We have a few hours." Kagura snapped her briefcase shut and extended a hand to the little girl. "We'll be going now."


Sesshomaru checked his watch. It was almost one, and Kagura was nowhere to be seen. She was never late for anything, so it was odd that she hadn't arrived yet. Just when he was about to give up on the idea, the door opened to reveal Kagura with Rin. Rin was wearing a light-yellow blouse with a bright orange skirt. On the hem and neckline of the blouse, there was a flower and butterfly pattern that made her look even more adorable than normal. Kagura led Rin over to Sesshomaru and the little girl stared up at him with wide brown eyes—full of nothing but wonder and curiosity, rather than fear.

"Hello, Rin," he greeted her. "My name is Sesshomaru Taisho."

"Miss Kagura already told me who you are," Rin said, bouncing. "She says I can help you!" Kagura gave Sesshomaru a sheepish grin.

"She's a talker," she laughed.

"Won't you sit down, Rin?" Rin nodded and pulled out a chair. She was too short to reach the table comfortably, so she ended up sitting on her knees. Kagura also took a seat.

A waiter came over with three menus, which he handed to the three seated at the table. After they'd ordered, Jaken came into the restaurant, panting heavily as he hopped onto a chair at the table. He glanced at Rin and let out a scoff of disgust before Kagura glared at him. Sesshomaru glanced at Rin, who was eating some of the complimentary bread. She was fairly neat while she was eating, something he hadn't expected.

"So, Rin, do you like living in the city?"

"Yes, sir. It's a lot different than where I used to live. It's more noisy and dirty."

"How many homes have you been in?"

"Miss Kikyo's is number five. I don't mind, though! Everyone's super nice at Miss Kikyo's!"

Kagura glanced at Sesshomaru, who was watching the girl with a look of interest and curiosity. She hid her smile behind the fan she carried to keep cool in the heat of early fall. This was going extremely well.

"Mr. Sesshomaru, how come you wanted to take me out to lunch?" Rin asked, tilting her head.

"Well, after what happened the other day, Kagura suggested I do it to thank you."

"For what? What did I do?"

"When I saved you from the car, apparently, people took pictures, and that has put me in an extremely positive light with the public. That's good, because I'm trying to get elected mayor."

"And you want me to help you?"

"I am willing to take you on more outings, Rin, if you agree to pose for pictures with the press."

"Hmm… okay. I'll do it!"

"Wonderful!" Jaken said, clapping his hands. Rin smiled as Kagura suggested they order dessert to celebrate.


Day 2,192

Dear Diary,

Today started out like any other Saturday. Miss Kikyo had us clean the apartment from top to bottom in preparation for Miss Kimiko's arrival on Sunday and we were all hard at work. Then, Miss Kikyo let a lady into the apartment—a lady asking about me! Her name was Miss Kagura, and she was very nice to me. It turns out the silver-haired knight who saved me from getting hit by a car was Mr. Sesshomaru Taisho, a man who's running for mayor! Mr. Sesshomaru wanted to treat me to lunch and I went. It was fun, eating fancy food and having chocolate cake for dessert.

Mr. Sesshomaru was very nice to me, even if Mr. Jaken wasn't. He didn't treat me like a foster child. He treated me like I was a normal kid—something nobody has done for a long time. Miss Kagura even acted like she was my mom when we were out dress shopping. I still have the dress we bought. I'll wear it sometimes.

Anyway, I'm nervous about what's coming next. I'm supposed to help Mr. Sesshomaru get elected as mayor by being in pictures with him, and I'm not sure what to do. Mr. Jaken said I just have to stand there and look cute, but why me? Why not Ai, who's much younger and cuter than me, or Kanna, who's quiet and regal?

I know not to get my hopes up, but… maybe...

Maybe he's going to be my dad…

Well, I have to go to bed. Inspection day tomorrow!

Love,

Rin Way-Too-Excited-To-Sleep.


Shorter chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed it.

Next time, press conferences and foster talk!

So long and thanks for all the fish!