Izakaya to Unmei
Chapter II.
An Unforgettable Reunion
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The Higurashi family was seated at their reserved table in the very back of Izakaya to Unmei, partially hidden by a low dividing wall beautifully adorned with lush ivy and flowers. Everyone chit chatted and took their time discussing certain entrées on the menu. Kagome, who worked there as a waitress part time, pointed out her favorite dishes, drinks and desserts. As Rin perused her menu, all she could feel was an anxious fluttering in her stomach. It was only seven, two hours before Sesshōmaru had said he would arrive, and she was almost at her breaking point.
Kagome had certainly turned her into a Cinderella for tonight. She wore a knee-length wrap dress in deep jade that tied at the waist with a delicate sash, three-quarter length mesh sleeves and a deep v-neckline. A thin, black, velvet choker with a small, golden crescent moon pendant hung from her slender neck. Black, argyle knit tights that were a little uncomfortable but necessary for warmth as well as modesty, with smart black patent kitten heels completed the ensemble. Her hair, reminiscent of her trademark hairstyle during her early childhood, was divided into two sections. The top half swept up into a small chignon on the side and the bottom half loosely curling around her shoulders in soft, silky tendrils. Kagome had gone very light on her makeup, only accentuating her natural beauty and bringing out the warmer tones in her skin and her almond shaped, doe-brown eyes.
"Hey, everyone," a familiar, cheerful voice resounded by the wall of foliage separating them from the other guests. A handsome young man with a dusting of freckles over his small, upturned nose peeked around the corner.
"Kohaku! So glad you could make it!"
Everyone greeted him except for Rin, who was still burying her nose in her menu until a sharp jab from Kagome's elbow jolted her out of her anxiety induced fog.
"Oh, hey... Kohaku-senpai," she smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. She once again lowered her face to resume her pretense of looking over the menu.
"Uh, what's up with the Birthday Girl?" Kohaku asked, his heart sinking at the girl's dispassionate greeting.
"Sesshōmaru's coming," Kagome whispered across the table to where Kohaku had just taken his seat. He nodded in recognition, understanding the gravity of the situation. Kikyo, wanting desperately to keep any conversation going to keep her mind off her own anxieties, turned to Kohaku with a painfully fake smile.
"How's your sister?"
Thankfully, Kohaku took the hint.
"Oh, she's great! The twins are growing up so fast! Kinda makes me sad they'll be all grown up soon."
"Yeah, children are grown up before you know it," Mama Higurashi added wistfully, her mind drifting to when Sōta and Kagome were still small.
"I remember when Kagome still wore diapers!" Grandpa Higurashi recounted loudly, to his granddaughter's extreme embarrassment.
"Grandpa!"
Kagome blushed as red as a tomato. Everyone but Rin laughed and carried on about embarrassing moments during Kagome's and Sōta's early childhood. She knew she should be happy and laugh with them, but the fluttering in her stomach had now become a rolling wave of nausea.
"I'm going to the bathroom – for a moment – please excuse me," she said meekly, not at all like herself, earning the worried glances of Kagome and Kohaku. He nodded knowingly to Kagome and accompanied Rin to the restrooms. Waiting outside for her to return, he heard her retching and grimaced. This was not how he'd envisioned their reunion. He hadn't been able to come visit for a month, and now…
"So sorry, Kohaku," came a pathetically small voice from the doorway of the women's bathroom.
He looked up at her, truly worried for her now and rushed to catch her as she almost tripped over her heel and landed on the hard tile floor. Holding her in his arms, he couldn't help but notice how she made his heart race and his stomach flip.
He loved her.
"Rin-chan…" he breathed as he became slightly drunk off her scent; like sweet sake and orange blossoms. Unable to stop himself, he nestled his face into her hair.
"Rin," came a cold, stoic voice that could only belong to one man.
Kohaku felt her body jolt. She gasped.
"Sesshōmaru… -sama" Rin breathed, feeling her legs quake.
He was here… He was really here!
His eyes beckoned like two glowing lanterns, their smouldering hot gaze traced over every new curve of her adolescent body. Rin somehow found the strength to go to him. Kohaku immediately felt the absence of her warmth, his heart dropping into the pit of his stomach.
There goes my heart...
"Tell them she's with me," he commanded, making goose flesh rise on the young man's arms.
"Y-yeah," he managed to reply, tripping over his own tongue.
Kohaku watching their retreating backs as the only girl he'd ever loved followed a cold-hearted demon into the dimly lit depths of Izakaya to Unmei.
If only he were stronger…
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She followed obediently behind him as if she were in a trance; dreamlike, almost floating across the darkened corridor, the dull resounding click of her heels was the only sound apart from her breathing. Her heart thrummed against her chest as she followed him up a set of winding stairs at the back of the restaurant, leading to the private rooms. Long, silvery locks cascaded down his immaculate, steel-gray suit, swaying back and forth with each lithe step, hypnotizing her.
He led her to the uppermost floor to a lavishly carpeted hallway that was also dimly lit, an odd side table or potted plant placed here and there for decoration. The wallpaper was a deep red brocade, matching the vermilion shade of the oriental carpet, and Rin found herself thinking it almost looked like she was walking into the belly of a leviathan. She almost chuckled.
Stopping in front of a door at the end, he opened it for her, motioning for her to go first with a slight gesture of his hand. As she stepped inside she saw an elegant dining table set for two, with a covered serving cart next to it. A single candelabra was situated between the two place settings and was the only light in the room besides an impressive fireplace. She heard the door shut and felt a large, warm hand barely touch the small of her back; his silent cue to move. He held out an elegantly carved chair for her to sit, waiting for her to settle herself comfortably before taking his own seat across from her.
With a practiced hand he uncorked a bottle of sake and filled both their warmed cups, making sure to only give her a small amount. Then, uncovering both of their plates, he revealed two steaming bowls of miso soup. She smiled. All this luxury and yet he still preferred the simplicity of traditional Japanese cuisine. Slurping the warm soup in approval, she hazarded a glance at him, nearly choking when he met her gaze. He was everything she remembered and more. Something, something had changed between them now that charged the room with a palpable electricity.
"Is it to your liking?"
She nodded, giving him a cheery smile.
A deep rumble resounded in his chest.
What was that…?
Their main dish was a typical spread of grilled mackerel, various pickled vegetables, rice and a side salad with an utterly mouthwatering dressing. Followed by a colorful assortment of mochi and green tea. Afterwards, they sat in a comfortable silence, Rin's body feeling warm and fuzzy from the sake. Rising to his feet, Sesshōmaru proffered his hand to her, his eyes doing nothing to stop the warmth from spreading to her belly.
"Come. I have something to show you."
Taking his fingertips only, being very aware of his effect of her, he led her out of the sliding glass doors that had given them quite the view of Tokyo. Once outside, she followed him up a set of stairs that connect to the roof. On top of the Izakaya to Unmei was a terrace stone garden with red paper lanterns hanging from a canopied gazebo, its white curtains fluttering in the cool breeze. All around them was a stunning panoramic view of the city skyline.
Breathtaking…
"Oh..."
Beside her, he smirked.
"Hn."
Leading her to the gazebo, he waited for her as she attempted to sit as ladylike as she could on the cushions that were strewn haphazardly around the tatami mat floor. Sesshōmaru sat facing her, leaning on his side, his head propped up on his arm against a pillow. It almost felt like they were in bed together… She blushed and looked away at the thought. Gazing languidly at her obvious unease, he casually reached out towards her and held the crescent moon pendant, his fingertips brushing against the hollow of her throat.
"You like the moon?"
Rin, who was really trying to slow down her rapidly beating heart, did not miss the amusement in his tone. Nor did she miss the double meaning. Did you think of me these past few years? Was what he really meant, he just wouldn't voice it. Trembling a little, she turned to face him head on; she could play this game, too.
"I've always loved the moon. But the crescent moon is the most beautiful."
There it was again – that deep rumbling… Was he laughing?
"Hn."
He let go of her pendant, turned his vision to the full moon in the glittering night sky.
"The crescent moon is beautiful..."
He sighed.
"But it is still incomplete."
What does that mean?
Rin looked away, puzzled as she thought over the possible underlying meaning. It always took more effort to understand this stoic demon than it did for her to understand calculus. He continued, thought it sounded as if he were thinking out loud.
"I wonder if we see the same moon… Or if your perception of it is not as it really appears."
She was really liking the almost purring of his voice, but he would surely do her head in with all of these allusions. If they were actually allusions. But then she thought back to what he had said very clearly on the interview she'd seen. Would he have used such meaningful words just to get himself out of an awkward situation? Or had he meant to say them as a way of hoping his feelings would somehow reach her? What were his feelings, exactly?
"'My treasure...'"
She began, turning over the possibility in her mind.
"Hm?"
He glanced back at her, watching as her as he noticed her lower lip trembling. Perhaps she is cold?
"'She is my treasure,' she nearly whispered, turning to him, "it's what you said before on tv."
His lips twitched. Had she put it together? No, she is still much too young to understand…
"It wasn't the first time."
"But… what did it mean?"
"On the interview?"
She nodded.
"That pompous idiot needed to stop asking such meaningless questions."
"Oh. So it was only to get out of that… I see…"
He cocked his head to the side, amused.
"Disappointed?"
She flinched, but covered it seamlessly. Or it would have been seamless had he not been a demon with superhuman senses. He could clearly smell her disappointment… and the sickly sweet scent of arousal. He decided to be daring, for once. Reaching out one clawed hand, he caressed a lock of her hair. She seemed to freeze in place. He could hear her heart beat grow wilder at his touch. It intrigued him. So he allowed one finger to slightly stroke her cheek.
So soft…
Her breath hitched. He could not possibly know what he was doing to her; how long she had waited to be reunited with him after all these years. It was exciting, painful. Just how did he see her now? Did he still see her as the little girl he saved? A mute girl covered in rags and all matter of filth, bruised and scraped. Or did he see her as the cheery prankster that sang silly made up songs? She felt his finger slide down to her chin, gently turning her to meet his hypnotic golden orbs. His eyes demanded an answer.
"Y-yes," she said, shivering a little.
His eyes probed hers, as if they were searching for something. Was he trying to get her to confess? Would he ridicule her if she did? That honeyed gaze stripped her bare, peeling away all her defenses, willing her to give in and say what her heart had known now for years. Even if he did toss her aside later, would it be worth it? To just touch a little piece of heaven, even if it were a fleeting dream… Could she do it? But first…
"You're terrible, Sesshōmaru-sama," she giggled, letting off some of the immense pressure that had been building up inside her.
For a second he nearly looked taken aback. Breaking away from him, she stood and walked over to a koi pond. Squatting next to it, she stuck a fingertip into the cold water, swirling it around and watching the koi swim frantically away. Sesshōmaru followed her, standing beside her by the edge. He watched her expression in the pond's clear reflection.
"How is this Sesshōmaru terrible, Rin?"
She giggled, the sound like music to his ears. He could still see that little girl in her. The one he had adored… The one he still adored.
"Oh, I didn't mean it that way! You've made this a birthday I'll never forget, and I can't thank you-"
"Enough with the pleasantries, Rin. You're avoiding my question."
"You mean the question about me being disappointed or the question about you being terrible?"
She grinned at him, knowing he was going to have to explain himself. He'd never liked explaining himself.
"Hn."
Wait for it, Rin. Patience…
"You've become quite fearsome for such a little human."
Just a bit more…
She knew there had to be something different about this year. That something had changed in him to make him invite her to dinner with him, to bring her to this garden. After all these years of presents in the mail and hardly a word in all this time. If she waited, he might crack. Even if it was just enough to give her a hint at what he felt, it would be enough for her to keep waiting for something more.
She had him cornered and she knew it! He inwardly applauded her for being able to take him by surprise. Well, it was perhaps for the best if he just get it over with now and tell her what her options were. After all, he wasn't much for verbal jousting. He cleared his throat.
"Live with me."
What…?
What?
WHAT?!
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A/N: Thank you to everyone who favorited, followed and reviewed! It really does mean a lot to me when I receive feedback from my readers. So, let me know what you think Rin will say to Sesshōmaru's proposal? Do you think she'll leave the Higurashis after everything they've done for her? Why do you think he wants Rin to move in with him?
Humbly,
Your Anonymous
Guest Reviews:
Kittykatjazz – Thank you! Yes, we will see how Rin and Sesshōmaru met and how they are going to go from here. I've always liked the natural ease of their relationship, despite being polar opposites of each other. Look forward to it!
Guest – I think I may have a slight addiction to using commas and semicolons… Although I always go back and proof read my chapter and get a second opinion before I upload a new chapter, sometimes I think it would be nice to have a Beta. Thank you for bringing it to my attention and I'm very glad that you think I've nailed the characters so far! I really try not to make Sesshōmaru and Rin OOC. Especially Sesshōmaru, because there's so much to explore behind his seemingly emotionless façade.
K4terMurr (Guest) – Good question! I think his motives shall be revealed in due time, but hopefully this new development gives you a hint. He might not know it yet, but he's heading towards a full blown romance! As he would say, "Hn. Ridiculous..."
Thank you to everyone else who reviewed! If you haven't yet, please do so! I'm only writing this for fun and I'd like to create a discussion with my readers.
'Til next time!