"Rin!"
"Rin, over here, sweetie!"
"Hey, get closer to Rin! I've gotta see that smile!"
Rin smiled at the reporters surrounding her while holding Sesshomaru's hand. They were all eager to get her picture, while Sesshomaru seemed slightly bothered by it all. Kagura was nearby, fielding reporters who had questions that were too probing. Still, Rin answered a decent number of questions.
"He should get her a pet," one reporter whispered to another. Jaken raised an eyebrow in interest, and within a couple days, A-Un had been officially adopted by Rin and Sesshomaru. Unfortunately for Rin, Kikyo's apartment complex didn't allow pets, so A-Un had to stay with Sesshomaru for the time being.
The arrangement was going well.
"So, what exactly is up with you and the human brat?"
Sesshomaru turned to see Inuyasha, his younger half-brother, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.
"She's helping me get elected as mayor," Sesshomaru replied, turning back to the paperwork he was filling out.
"Uh-huh, and what's with the paperwork? That doesn't look like the company's logo…"
"I… I'm considering… fostering Rin here."
"Whoa, wait. My human hating older brother is adopting an eight-year-old human girl?"
"Yes. It will be much easier with her living here. And I'm fostering, not adopting. There's a difference. Fostering is temporary; adoption is permanent."
"Ah. I get it. You're gonna hold onto her until you get elected, then dump her back into the system."
"And how do you know how the system works?"
"Kimiko Higurashi is Kagome's mom and a social worker. In fact, she's Rin's social worker."
"I'm well aware." He sighed and signed one last page before grabbing his phone and dialing Kagura's number. "Kagura, could you come take some paperwork to Kimiko Higurashi?"
"Of course, sir. What for?"
"Fostering Rin."
"I'll be there in five minutes."
Even on the other end, Sesshomaru could hear that Kagura was running with her keys. He gave a little smirk. Ever since Rin had entered their lives, she'd fallen in love with the little girl and was determined to give her a better life. It was… cute. Of courses she'd be willing to make Rin a more consistent fixture in their lives. Neither of them was willing to let such a sweet girl be chewed up by the system any more than she already had been, and both were eager to get her away from Kikyo's.
If, that is, she was willing to go with them…
Rin bounced nervously on the seat in between Kagura and Sesshomaru. Across from them was Kimiko Higurashi, who had a gentle, motherly smile on her face, and Jaken, tapping away on his phone in annoyance before looking up at Rin.
"Sit still, you brat!" he snapped.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru said calmly.
"Y-yes, milord?"
"Shut up."
Upon arriving at Sesshomaru's home, Rin was in awe. Sesshomaru lived in an old, large manor house—complete with guards and beautiful, sprawling grounds. Kagura took Rin's hand and began giving her a tour of the house while Sesshomaru went over the foster-parent checklist with Kimiko.
"Am I really going to live here?" Rin asked Kagura.
"If Miss Higurashi says it's up to code, yes," replied Kagura, opening the door to one of the guest rooms. "This will be your room."
It was a large room with a queen-sized bed in the middle. A neutral color scheme made it apparent that this room was only meant for guests, but it also meant that it could be redone to make it fit somebody specific. For an eight-year-old who'd never had a room to herself before, it was perfect and made her feel special. She ran and leapt onto the bed. The mattress was soft and squishy, just the way she liked it, with fluffy pillows and a thick comforter. She laid there for a minute, staring at the blindingly-white ceiling.
"Rin, we have to finish the tour," Kagura said gently. Rin slid off the bed and ran after the lawyer. They were walking down the hall when they heard a girl yelling.
"FINE! FAIL YOUR CLASSES! I DON'T CARE!"
Suddenly, a girl who looked a lot like Kikyo came stomping down the hallway. She had shorter hair, though, and was wearing the uniform of the local high school. She had a frustrated expression, as if she was done with somebody. Her anger vanished as soon as she saw Rin and Kagura, though.
"Kagome?" Kagura asked. "What are you doing here?"
"I was tutoring Inuyasha for our exam next week, but he's deciding to be a jerk today." She smiled at Rin. "You must be Rin! My mom's mentioned you a couple times, and I've seen you in the papers! It's nice to meet you in person!" Rin returned Kagome's smile before she heard loud footsteps coming down the hall. A boy with silver hair and dog ears on his head was coming towards the three women.
"Hey, Kagome, I'm sorry," he sighed. "I'm just in a bad mood."
"You're always in a bad mood." The dog-eared boy got a look at Rin and smiled.
"You must be Rin. My brother said you were coming by. I'm Inuyasha, Sesshomaru's younger brother."
"Oh! Do you live here?"
"Yep. You might, too."
"That's what Miss Kagura says!" Rin gave Inuyasha the same bright smile she gave everyone. He looked away and scoffed.
"C'mon, Kagome. Let's keep working." He and Kagome headed back down the hall towards his room, with Kagome giving Rin a friendly smile and wave as she went.
"I think I'll like it here," Rin told Kagura.
"I certainly hope you do."
"Well, it appears everything is up to code," Kimiko told Sesshomaru as they finished up. "The paperwork is in order, so Rin will be moving in by the end of the week. Are you sure you want this?"
"Positive. Having her around will be extremely beneficial for both of us."
"Perfect! Now, where is she?"
"Hello, Mrs. Higurashi!" Rin chirped as she and Kagura entered the foyer.
"Hello, Rin, dear!"
"Will I really be living here?"
"Yes. The house is up to code, so you'll be moving in by the end of the week."
"YAY!" Rin jumped and clapped her hands, making Kagura and Kimiko laugh. Sesshomaru felt a warm feeling in his chest.
"We'd better get her home to Kikyo's so we can inform her of the decision," Sesshomaru suggested. Kimiko nodded.
"Right. Come along, Rin."
Rin hopped along and into the limo. She looked out the window as the driver started the engine and waved to Sesshomaru and Kagura. Kagura smiled and waved back, whereas Sesshomaru simply waved.
He was about to become a father… in a way.
Day 3,006
Dear Diary,
Today was a fun day! I rode in a limo with Sesshomaru and Kagura to Sesshomaru's house. It was a huge manor, and my social worker, Mrs. Higurashi, was with us! It turns out that Sesshomaru wants to be my foster dad and his house was being assessed to see if he could provide for me. I'll have my own room and bathroom there, and he has a pool where Kagura promised to teach me to swim. According to Mrs. Higurashi, I'll move in by the end of the week and Sesshomaru will be my official foster dad. I can't wait!
Oh, also, I met this guy named Inuyasha. He's Sesshomaru's little brother, and he lives with Sesshomaru. I also met Mrs. Higurashi's daughter, Kagome. She's very sweet, and she's friends with Inuyasha. I think I'm going to like living there. The downside is that I'll have to leave all my friends at Miss Kikyo's. When they found out I was going to live with Sesshomaru, most of them were excited for me. Except Asagi. She was upset. I promised her—and the others—that I would have them over to visit. She was a lot less upset after that.
I told Miss Kaede about it, and she was happy for me. She warned me that Sesshomaru was a little standoffish, but not to let it bother me. Everything happens for a reason, and I'm sure that living with Sesshomaru will be so much fun!
Bye for now!
Love,
Rin Going-To-A-New-Home.
I'm so sorry for taking so long. Writer's block is a bitch, especially if the story is well-liked.
Next time, Rin moves in and tries to play matchmaker.
So long and thanks for all the fish!
