Izakaya to Unmei
~Intermission~
Act II.
'What Can I Do For You?'
.
.
.
It had been a week since he'd last seen his Rin. Time seemed to be stuck in quicksand, sucking him slowly down into an ever building panic that he had already been given his only chance to meet the new Rin. Restlessly pacing his office, he deliberated over whether to go to the park today. She hadn't been there any other time he went that week. The knot in his stomach hadn't let up since he'd laid eyes on her, causing him to be in an even less friendly mood than usual. His employees noticed their distressed boss, especially since his normally taciturn demeanor was amped up to an ornery president with a dangerously short fuse.
"Jaken!"
He called out to his secretary, raking his fingers anxiously through his long, silver hair. When the old toad didn't immediately appear, a snarl left his taut throat as he grabbed his blazer and furiously strode out of the office. Anyone in his way automatically jumped back three feet, lest they risk being fired on the spot. Pushing his way out of the front glass doors, he headed towards the park. Sparing a quick glance at the decorative watch on his left wrist, grateful for the first time since receiving it from a fellow company president, he noted the time.
She'll likely be out of school by now.
Knowing the route now by heart, he followed the main street until he made a left and crossed over to a quiet alley way. Turning right a few blocks down, he saw the park only a few meters away. A smile crept into his habitual frown, and he began to feel the warmth spread throughout his chest once more. It was an addictive sensation that he found himself unable to get enough of. Only she had been the one to elicit these feelings in him. His heart started pounding in anticipation, the knot in his belly beginning to unfurl.
Then he saw her.
Rin!
He spotted her on the swings, the only child at the park. Observing her downcast face and slumped shoulders, his heart plummeted. What was wrong with her? When he reached the swings, the crunch of gravel under his shoes made her look up at him. Their eyes met, and he saw an overwhelming sadness in her soft, brown eyes. He knelt down beside her, lowering himself to her level.
"What's wrong?"
She blinked, eyes widening for a second before she suddenly launched her tiny little body at him, her fingers grabbing the lapels of his blazer as she began bawling into his shoulder. Something squeezed his heart and he felt an aching in his chest. Hesitantly, he brought one hand up to lightly rub her back. This seemed to calm the little one down a bit, and after a while her cries diminished into sniffles. Gently, he took her by the shoulders and pushed her back a little, so he could see her now red, tear and snot stained face. With a flick of his wrist he procured a handkerchief from his breast pocket and began to clean up the damage marring her perfect, cherub features.
"Thanks… mister," her weak voice cracked, roughened by all her crying.
"It's nothing," Sesshomaru replied, his voice warm for once.
"Ma-Mama told me to come here."
"'Mama'?" He asked, wondering why that woman would allow such a small child to go to the park all by herself.
"Why?"
"She…" she started.
"She said I can't leave until she comes to… comes to get me."
Saki looked down at her shoes. Sesshomaru inwardly cursed. What on earth was that woman thinking!
"Unacceptable…" he muttered under his breath. "No child should be out here alone," he stated coldly, trying to keep his temper.
"Mama kn-knows that, but," Saki stuttered, "a not-nice man came… a-and started yelling at M-Mama… So Mama told me to go to the park… and... wait…"
Letting out a harsh breath, he calmed himself so he wouldn't upset the child further.
"How long ago did she send you out here?"
Saki glanced back up at him, her cinnamon colored eyes gleaming in the evening sun.
"Since," she said hesitantly, then quietly added, "since breakfast."
His heart stopped for a second. This was not good. This was not good at all. If she had been out here since morning, then there was something very wrong. Standing, he held out his hand to her and tried to look reassuring.
"Let's go check on your mother."
Smiling, she nodded, taking his hand. She led the way to an apartment complex nearby, although that did nothing to quell his growing disdain for the girl's mother. As they climbed the stairs, he caught her just when her foot caught and she nearly tripped. Thanking him with a bright smile, they soon found themselves standing in front of a unit at the end on the top floor. Focusing on any sounds coming from within the apartment, he closed his eyes and sniffed the air. Blurred, monochrome images came to him as he was able to make out the basic layout of the cramped, two bedroom unit. He did not sense anyone inside. If her mother wasn't here, then the man that Rin had mentioned took her.
Assessing all the possible reasons for the woman's disappearance, he turned to Rin.
"No one's here."
Sensing the child's fear he knelt down and met her anxious eyes with his steady gaze.
"Is there anyone besides your mother who takes care of you," he asked.
Rin's cheeks puffed out in a decidedly precious little pout that gave him a fuzzy feeling that gave him goosebumps. She shook her head and looked down at her shoes.
"Mama and Saki are all alone," she softly uttered, sounding a bit sad.
"Mama said Daddy took older brother away to live on their own."
Inwardly cursing at humans' appalling lack of consideration for their pups and the impact that their mindless mating habits caused their families unnecessary pain and strife for generations, he pushed aside his ire and gently took her hand. Standing up to his full height, he looked down at the suddenly awe struck child gaping up at him.
"Come. I will keep you safe, until we find your mother."
Saki smiled brightly up at the tall, white man and nodded. Hand in hand, they walked all the way back to his work. When they were safely behind closed doors, he motioned for her to sit anywhere on the guest furniture, but once his back was turned, he saw that she had made herself quite comfortable at his desk. A twinge of amusement made his lips quirk upwards in a faint smile.
Leaving to find Jaken, his golden, predator-like eyes swept over the mass of cubicles on the main floor. Spotting him, he caught his secretary's eye and the toad disguised as a short, scrawny, middle aged man, came rushing over to him.
"Y-yes, Milord! I was just coming to see you in your office, but when I was on my way theretheseingratesstoppedmetoaskmewhereyou'dgoneandthenIsaidIdidn'tknowandthentheyhadsomesortofcrisisinthefilingdepartmentandthenIhadtospendthelasthalfhourdebuggingtheelectronicfilingsystem-"
"Jaken…"
Unfortunately, Jaken was too deep into his rambling to notice Sesshomaru's impatient glare.
"ButthentheserverscrashedwhileyouweregoneinthefinancedepartmentsoIobviouslyhadtogoandfixTHATwholemess!"
"Jaken," Sesshomaru ground out, getting very annoyed.
"AndthenofcourseIwentstraighttoyourofficeebutyouwerenowheretobefound-"
"Jaken!"
"Yes! Sesshooomaru-sama!"
Jaken finally snapped his mouth shut when he saw Sesshomaru's deathly glare. Gulping nervously, he was relieved when his lord turned his back on him and strode towards his office. Once the door was closed, Jaken tried not to allow his mouth to start running again, instead waiting for his lord to speak. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the top of a miniature human's head peeking over the top of the solid mahogany desk. Eyes widening, he crept over and saw a girl - a human girl! - smile and... giggle at him!
Wait a minute. He felt an overwhelming sense of deja vu as he took in the child's features and scent.
"Se-Sesshomaru-sama…?"
His lord glowered down at him from his intimidating height.
"Yes, Jaken, it is she."
Mouth gaping open like a fish, Jaken couldn't help staring in astonishment at the child before him.
How could this be…?
"I need you to watch her while I go downtown to make some inquiries."
He could barely hear what his lord was saying, he was still frozen in shock.
"Get her whatever she asks for. Do not open this door for any reason, Jaken. That is an order."
His lord was saying something vitally important, but it just slipped through one ear and out the other.
"Jaken."
What was it his lord had said? Something about going somewhere?
"Jaken!"
"Oh! Yes, Sesshomaru-sama! Understood, Sesshomaru-sama!"
He had no clue what he had just agreed to, but whatever it was, it had to do with the girl.
"Do not leave this room until I return. Is that clear?"
"Y-yes! Sesshomaru-sama!"
Sesshomaru knew Jaken had scarcely heard a word; he was still in shock. He smirked.
"Hn. You will die if anything happens to her."
Those words Jaken definitely did hear, and his blood froze in his veins as he stepped out of his lord's way when he passed by him, exiting the room. When the door clicked shut, he turned to the familiar little girl who was still giggling at him. This certainly was Rin's reincarnation, he had no doubts about that!
"Oh, stop it, you silly child!"
Saki looked at the short, thin man, and couldn't help but think he was the funniest looking man she had ever seen in her life. No wonder she couldn't stop giggling!
.
.
.
Sesshomaru sped to the police precinct. He had to move fast. His contact at the station would be able to investigate Rin's parentage and perhaps find out whoever it was that her mother had royally pissed off. He hoped that Jaken could keep her safe until he got back. Who knew what that toad was thinking in his feckless pea brain!
Rin…
It wasn't any wonder that she was scared, but the ease with which she followed him made her too trusting. If he was to keep her safe, he would have to watch her day and night. Until he found her mother or father, he was willing to go to any lengths to make sure she was taken care of, with as little disruption to her life as possible. He would have Jaken inquire about her school and see if any of her teachers knew more about his Rin.
Pulling into the parking garage underneath the precinct, he swiftly exited his car and took out his key card, a privilege of being their top detective's elder half brother. He hated to admit it, but Inuyasha's chosen field had afforded him access to information strictly relegated to police and the government. Some of which, had aided him in taking down business rivals that had posed a threat to his developing company by digging up their not-so-legal business deals with the underworld.
Swiping his key card, the door swung open and he made his way to Inuyasha's private office. Luckily, it was close to the back door and in an area that had few other offices around it. His half-brother always did like his privacy. Halting in front of the mongrel's door, he knocked - an annoyingly human habit he'd picked up - and opened the door immediately after.
"Sesshomaru! What the hell!"
Inuyasha jumped out of his seat, evidently being taken off guard, and slammed the screen of his lap top down to hide it.
"Don't you ever knock?!"
Sesshomaru smirked.
"I did."
Inuyasha sighed in frustration and sat back down, opening his lap top once again.
"Why're you here," he grumbled.
Sesshomaru gracefully sat in one of the recliners on the other side of Inuyasha's desk, draping one long, lean thigh over the other.
"I've found Rin."
His half-brother made some sort of strangled snort and he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head.
"I never took you for a believer in all that reincarnation bullshit, Sesshomaru," he sneered.
"Hn. As if you could possibly understand the inner workings of a daiyoukai's brain," he jibed.
In the past, Inuyasha would take the bait, but now he wasn't as hot-headed. Fifteen years on the force had made him learn that in most situations, you needed to keep your cool. This was one of those situations. Instead of firing back, he waited for his snooty half-brother to spill whatever nonsense he was up to. Sesshomaru looked him dead in the eye, something that always unnerved him, which meant he was not fucking around.
"Her mother has been taken," his tone was ice, "this morning, by a man that was threatening her. She had told Rin to go outside, to wait for her at a nearby park. When I sensed something was wrong, I left to go find her. When I did, she said she had been waiting for her mother since that morning."
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed.
"After this I will make arrangements for her to reside at the main house."
Before Inuyasha could protest, Sesshomaru continued.
"You will conduct a search to find out whether her mother has been getting into anything… unsavory. Once you have a lead, do not call. Come to the main house to talk with me," he pressed, "it is the only place I trust."
Giving a curt nod, Inuyasha turned to his computer.
"Okay, then. Give me everything you know about her so far."
"Her name is Hisakawa Saki, around five human years. She lives with her single mother - her name is unknown to me - in a small apartment across from Yasha-Mori Park."
"That's-!"
"Yes, that is correct. It is right across from the Higurashi Shrine."
He narrowed his eyes at his half-brother's realization.
"H-have," Inuyasha started, albeit a bit hesitant, "have you been…"
Sesshomaru looked at his half-brother, seeing how his ears flicked back against his head in disappointment.
"No. I haven't."
"Oh."
Sitting in silence for a few moments, the tension between them palpable, Sesshomaru spoke first.
"You are a fool for allowing your insecurities to stop you from seeing Kagome."
Inuyasha glared at him.
"I am so not going to get in to this with you right now," he growled.
"Hn. Suit yourself."
Sesshomaru rose from his seat and made towards the door.
"Remember, Inuyasha, report to me personally for any information you find. I'll take my leave."
Without so much as a whine, the younger Taisho let Sesshomaru go, not wanting to keep him a moment longer. A soft click notified him of his half-brother's departure. Another frustrated sigh left him as he slumped in his chair, staring blankly now at the blue light glowing from his computer screen.
"Kagome…" he whispered.
He would do this favor for his asshole half-brother. Maybe that would give him an excuse to visit the Higurashi Shrine…
.
.
.
Sesshomaru opened his office door to quite the nostalgic scene. Rin had made herself at home and had apparently worn herself out by chasing Jaken around, calling him names, singing silly nonsensical songs and finally falling asleep on the sofa. He was met by an exhausted Jaken, who reported to him that the chef was given instructions to prepare an extra meal for his lordship's guest and to serve them in his private rooms on the Taisho Estate.
Unable to suppress a half smile, Sesshomaru scooped Rin up in his arms and took her home. He left Jaken to finish business at work and make sure there weren't any stragglers before he retired for the night. Coming up to the familiar gated entry, he let loose his aura to unlock the wrought iron gate, pulling up to the front of the mansion a few minutes later. Carrying Rin inside, she started to rouse when he laid her down on a futon in one of his guest rooms.
"Sess... Sesshomaru...sama?"
The tiny voice, laced with sleep, uttered in the dark room. He turned from where he stood by the doorway and went to sit by her side.
"Are you hungry?"
With a smile, she nodded. Following him to the dining room, her eyes lit up at the spread set out for them on the traditional floor table.
"How pretty!"
She giggled, then sat where he ushered her and waited for him to sit before she mumbled her blessings and tucked in to her meal. Fumbling a little with the set of heavier, lacquered chopsticks, she took bites of the platter of sashimi - originally meant for him.
"You like...sashimi," he asked, taken aback by her sophisticated palate.
"Yes!" She cried cheerily, her mouth still full.
He suppressed a snort.
"You are so..." he started, but stopped himself.
"This is the best fish I've ever tasted! Mama takes us out for sushi only on super special oc-occa-ooccaaii-"
"Occasions," he finished for her, a little chuckle vibrating deep within his chest.
"Yeah!"
"I see."
As they finished their meal in silence, a sense of completeness he hadn't felt in centuries wrapped around him like a warm blanket. Yet another quality of Rin's that she possessed. Casting glances at the child every so often, he could also see a physical resemblance. In a decade or so, she would be a woman. That thought made him uneasy, not really knowing how he would feel about another grown up Rin… He shivered, pushing the image of the adult Rin he had known so long ago to the farthest recesses of his mind. He would deal with it when the time came… Coming back to the present, he watched as Rin polished off the last of her ice cream sundae. Seeing the content, satisfied look on her round face reminded him to give his chef a raise.
"Where are we?" She asked innocently, casually taking in her surroundings.
"At my family's estate," he answered, his voice a low rumble to her ears, "where you will be safe. Tomorrow, I hope to know where your mother is."
"Do you think she's with the bad man?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper and her shoulders trembled slightly.
Their eyes met, his gaze reassuring. At least he hoped it was.
"I will find her, Saki," he promised, "no matter what."
.
.
.
A/N: Thank you for all your reviews! They mean so much to me and keep up my motivation to write! I'm glad that you approve of the 'Intermission' so far - I've been enjoying writing it. I think next chapter, I will go back to the main story to pick up where we left off. Then I can weave the two timelines together by going back and forth every few chapters. What do you think?
Please remember to favorite, follow and review - it really makes my day!
~Yours Anonymous
~Intermission~
Act II.
End