This is the second-last chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 7: Temptation & An Untimely Declaration

How, how, can you live without your lies?
Oh, oh, love, I've had enough of you tonight.

"You should come, Rin," Kagome pleaded to her friend over the phone, "we've hardly seen you lately."

"No thanks, I don't want to be the fifth wheel," Rin talked into the phone that rested on her shoulder, leaving her hands free to continue spooning cookies n' cream ice cream into her mouth.

Kagome sighed and Rin could hear some scuffling in the background before a voice asked, "Is that her? Let me talk to her!"

"Sango wants to talk to you. Please, listen to her Rin." Kagome's gentle voice was soon replaced with a stronger, blunter one.

"Rin? It's Sango. I know you're on your couch right now in old sweatpants, eating something you shouldn't be," Sango accused, "Put the food away and get dressed. You're coming out with us."

Rin reluctantly set down the ice cream carton and gazed at her faded grey pants, wondering how Sango knew her so well, "I really don't feel like it," she answered, "besides, who will I hang out with? You have Miroku and Kagome will be with Inuyasha. I don't want to be the loner who tags along because you all feel sorry for me."

"It's been a month, Rin-chan," Sango's voice softened, "you have to start moving on some time."

Rin shifted uncomfortably on the couch, "I'm fine, really." She frowned, hoping her voice sounded more convincing across the phoneline.

"Come on, I'll ask my brother to come too. Then you won't be alone." Sango suggested.

Rin rolled her eyes. Sango was forever trying to set her up with Kohaku and while Rin appreciated the thought, she just wasn't interested. Kohaku was a nice guy and had a cute, boyish charm she normally would have found appealing, but lately Rin had noticed her tastes changing.

She thought back to the previous weekend, when Kagome dragged her to the mall for some "much needed retail therapy" – her words, not Rin's – and Rin had caught a glimpse of long, white hair out of the corner of her eye while feigning interest in a pair of shoes. Her heart had jumped into her throat, beating wildly. She chased after the figure, only to realize it was an American tourist – a tall teenage girl with hair bleached so blonde it gave off a silver quality, and Rin had felt so pathetic, she had immediately begged Kagome to take her home.

"Fiiiiine..." Rin reluctantly agreed, "I guess it couldn't hurt."

"Great! Now go make yourself beautiful, we'll pick you up in an hour. I promise it'll be worth it, we'll have so much fun Rin!" Sango rambled.

"Okay, sounds...great." Rin faked enthusiasm and ended the call after promising Sango she would ditch the sweatpants.

A hot shower improved her mood more than she thought it would and Rin soon found herself humming lightly as she picked through her closet. She finally decided on a pair of black leggings with a simple green tunic that always earned her compliments.

True to her word, Sango was at her door exactly on the hour and she dragged Rin outside where a packed car carrying Kagome, Inuyasha and Kohaku waited at the curb. The drive was short as Kagome and Inuyasha bickered in the front seats and Kohaku made nervous conversation with Rin in the back, while his sister interrupted every so often in a painfully obvious attempt to get the pair flirting.

"We're here, now get outta my car," Inuyasha announced.

Four sets of eyes rolled at his comment, but exited the vehicle anyway.

"Park and meet us inside," Kagome ordered her boyfriend and although Rin couldn't hear Inuyasha's full reply, she was pretty sure the words 'bossy wench' were thrown in there somewhere.

"He's a real bucket full of sunshine tonight," Rin commented sarcastically as they walked down a short set of stairs and into the club.

"He's just grumpy because I took away his Ramen earlier." Kagome replied, "He was being an idiot so I punished him the way I would with any of my school students, I took away what he wanted most."

"Gee, Kagome," Sango commented, "most girlfriends threaten to withhold sex. You're really a teacher through and through."

"I think the more accurate statement is that Inuyasha's an 8-year old, through and through." Rin joked.

"Ah, there's our witty little Rin-chan," Sango laughed, "now aren't you glad you came?"

"I am," Rin admitted with a genuine smile. "Um, Sango, I think that guy's trying to get your attention." She pointed across the room where a dark-haired man was waving madly.

Sango's cheeks went pink with embarrassment, "That would be Miroku," she groaned, "tell me why I agreed to go out with him again?"

"Moment of weakness?" Kagome guessed, "Come on, let's grab a booth."

Rin wound up squeezed between Kohaku and Miroku as they all took seats around a large table in the corner. She sipped on an iced tea (having learnt her lesson with alcohol the night she got herself into the whole Sesshomaru fiasco) and was beginning to loosen up and enjoy herself when she felt something suspiciously like a hand graze across her lower back.

"EEP!" She squeaked in surprise, jumping up from the table as much as she could, considering how she was wedged in the middle.

"My apologies, Rin," Miroku said smoothly, "your derriere looks so lovely in that outfit, I just couldn't help myself..."

"Perv," Rin muttered, but her comment couldn't be heard over the music playing. "You know, Miroku," she said more loudly this time, "Sango just looooves to dance. You should ask her!"

"Great idea!" Miroku slid out of the booth, grabbing an unsuspecting Sango's hand and pulling her out into the crowded dance floor.

Sango shot Rin a dark look while Rin beamed back at her and innocently sipped her drink.

Soon afterwards, Inuyasha arrived inside and Kagome had pulled him into the dancing as well.

'So, um...you look nice tonight." Kohaku said, nervously fidgeting with his shirt collar as they were the only two still seated.

"Gee, thanks," Rin replied, cringing slightly at what horrible conversationalists they were, "Uh, same to you."

After a few more minutes of forced discussion about the weather, a fed-up Rin finally declared, "Ok, be honest. You don't really like me, do you?"

Immediately, Kohaku's face brightened and it was like a weight was lifted from his shoulders, "No," he said, relieved, "I mean, you're a great person and I didn't want to disappoint Sango when she asked me to be your date, but..."

"So what's her name?" Rin smiled knowingly.

Kohaku blushed and proceeded to tell Rin all about a girl he had met. The conversation became much more fluid and enjoyable, and before Rin knew it, it was well past midnight when she was still giving Kohaku some advice about his new love interest.

"Be genuine," Rin explained, "no cheesy lines or pretending to be a playboy when you're not. There's nothing wrong with just being a good guy...the world needs more of them."

"Thanks Rin," Kohaku grinned widely, "I'm going to do it. I'm going to ask Hitomi to go out with me tomorrow."

"Good! Make sure you call me when she says yes," Rin replied with a smile.

With a final thank you to Rin, Kohaku left for the night. Alone in the booth, Rin twisted around to sit sideways and stretch her legs out on the long bench seating. She was enjoying just sitting there and watching Inuyasha and the others' hilarious dance moves, when a shadow suddenly blocked her view.

Looking up, Rin's breath caught in her throat as she saw who had approached her.

- I -

"Dance with me," Sesshomaru's date – Kagumi? Kagura? He couldn't remember her name and honestly didn't care - whined in his ear.

"For the last time, no. This Sesshomaru does not dance." He replied as his eyes scanned the room and inevitably landed on her face once again. He had done his best to avoid Rin all night and though she thankfully had not noticed him, he couldn't help himself from staring at her.

"Do you know her? You've been watching her all night," Kagura pouted, annoyed with the lack of attention Sesshomaru had been giving her.

Sesshomaru opened his mouth to reply, but found that he didn't know what to say. How did one explain this kind of situation? 'Yes, We made a silly bet, fell for each other, then I broke her heart and crushed her spirit, but I still find myself utterly obsessed with her'. He doubted that Kag-what's-her-name would be pleased with that answer.

"We are...acquaintances." He finally settled on saying.

"Ooohh," Kagura exclaimed in a horribly fake sweet voice, "we should go say hi then."

Before Sesshomaru could protest, he somehow found himself being pulled across the floor by Kagura's death-grip on his arm until he stood directly above Rin, who was stretched out in a booth looking quite relaxed.

He swallowed roughly, suddenly and inexplicably nervous and...aroused? It had been so long since he'd seen her...Kami, she looked delicious sitting there...

Her mouth opened slightly and a small gasp escaped her lips as she looked up to meet his eyes.

"S-sesshomaru," she choked out, "nice to see you."

"And you, Rin. You look...well."

She blushed, quickly dropping her eyes to her shirt before fixing them on his face once again, "Thanks."

"Well, aren't you going to introduce ME?" Kagura interrupted the staring contest between the girl in the booth and the man before her.

"Ah, yes." Sesshomaru cleared his throat and finally tore his gaze away from Rin, "This is Kag...ura." Was that right? Apparently so, because said woman took his introduction as an opportunity to press herself up against Sesshomaru.

"What a cute little girl. So nice to meet you Rin," Kagura spoke in a sugary voice that made Sesshomaru want to roll his eyes.

Rin frowned momentarily. She knew when she was being insulted, but what right did she have to talk back? It wasn't like she was Sesshomaru's date tonight.

"Nice to meet you too." She said quietly, forcing back the angry retort that was on the top of her tongue. The last thing she wanted to do was make Sesshomaru think she was jealous. Even if she had to fake it (which she admitted she was doing now), Rin would let him think that she had moved on; that there were no confusing, conflicting feelings that left her with sweaty hands and a pounding heart now that he stood before her.

Kagura's sickeningly sweet voice interrupted Rin's thoughts.

"Well, we would just LOVE to stay and chat, but we must be on our way. Right, Sesshy?" Kagura smiled widely and, if possible, clung to Sesshomaru even tighter. "How about continuing this evening in your bedroom, hmm?" She spoke in his ear but made a point of being loud enough for Rin to clearly hear the offer.

Rin saw Sesshomaru's eyes flick to her before returning to Kagura, "Yes, lets." He spoke in his usual monotonous tone.

"Bye-bye Rin. Such a pleasure to meet you." With a smile that said 'haha, sucker', Kagura pulled a rigid Sesshomaru to the door where they disappeared outside.

Rin didn't know what to think. She wasn't oblivious, she had seen the deep look of desire Sesshomaru had directed at her, and yet he still left with that bimbo Kagura? Well, fine. What did she care anyway? She ignored the pang of hurt in her stomach, telling herself that she was young and single and would enjoy it.

Rin gave a deep sigh and pushed herself up off her seat, going to join the others on the dance floor.

Time to forget about a certain silver-haired artist.

-I-

It was disgusting.

Her hands on his body, her tongue forcing its way in his mouth, it made Sesshomaru want to vomit but he didn't push her away. He couldn't push her away because he knew that if he did, he would find himself back at that club, looking for his Rin.

So he shut his eyes and ignored Kagura while she continued to kiss him. In his home. On his bed. Her fingers started unbuttoning his shirt and Sesshomaru's hands twitched, fighting the desire to shove her off of him.

As she started to kiss the crook of his neck, he found himself thinking of Rin in her long green shirt and tight black pants. He imagined that it was her mouth traveling over his skin, her dark chocolate brown hair splayed across his bed in stark contrast to the snow-white blankets and pillows.

He knew Rin was not his to have, but he couldn't stop the images, the fantasies, going on in his head. Kagura pulled back and smirked; a haughty, arrogant look that made Sesshomaru want to smack it right off her face. Rather, he closed his eyes and concentrated on his Rin, seeing her mischievous grin instead.

His imagination had a hot coil of pleasure building deep inside him. It built and built, and when Kagura reached for his belt buckle, fingers not-so-accidently grazing the front of his pants, he couldn't stop the name from escaping his lips.

"Rin..."