Chapter Seven:

Selfish Wanting

The summer sun was warm on Rin's skin and there was a familiar wind blowing reminding her of her childhood days. Back then she hadn't had to worry about things like chores or boys, but back then she questioned her very existence. The worries she had now were a breeze compared to then.

A white cloth thrown on her had ripped Rin away from her thoughts. She turned to the brunette who had been helping her hang the laundry. "Hey! What was that for?"

"You were zoning out! Now quit being such a weirdo and finish up the laundry already!" Meiko snapped.

"Yes, Mother," Rin mocked.

"Oh, that's it...I'm gonna-!"

"Mieko, meiko!" Miku came running out from the house, tears clinging at the corners of her eyes.

"Ugh, what is it?" Mieko asked, annoyed.

"I was chopping onions and-and the knife just slipped and it stings Mieko!" Miku cried.

Mieko sighed, "You're such an idiot... Come on, let's get you fixed up..."

Rin giggled at the sight of Mieko lecturing Miku. Rin had been joking, but now that she thought about it, Mieko really was motherly and definitely more mature than all of them. She even looked like an adult. Meiko was much taller than Rin and in her opinion, much more sophisticated. Meiko always wore scarlet dresses that showed off her mature figure and complimented her chocolate brown hair that she always kept short.

Miku was a real beauty, the picture of innocence and charm, she was the the favorite among the boys and Rin could hardly blame them. Miku had sparkling emerald eyes and shimmering, long aquamarine hair. She wore the loveliest dresses, like the black and emerald green one she wore now. Miku had never lost her childish charm and she worked hard to become the perfect bride for her fairy tale prince.

And Kaito? You'd hardly recognize him if not for his tell-tale sapphire locks, which hadn't changed a bit. Other than his looks, Kaito was still Kaito. Although he wasn't much of a crybaby anymore, he was as sweet as ever, a true gentleman. Too bad Miku hadn't noticed how close her prince really was.

Most girls minds should be on searching for a husband and falling in love, but Rin's mind was on other things. Although falling in love sounded nice, she had little interest in the pig-headed boys around here. Her mind wandered back to the black rose she had been given years ago and her hand instinctively reached down to touch the soft petals hidden within her pocket. Through some form of magic, the rose hadn't aged a day since she picked it up on that marble bench that night. She felt saddened knowing she could no longer slip through her secret entrance to visit that beautiful place.

She had grown too big to squeeze through the small hole that led there and perhaps too old for childish fantasies. She was an adult now and it was ridiculous of her to cling to that other world any more. This was her home and she should learn to accept that. All lies. If she had really thought this way then why couldn't she bring herself to throw away the rose and be done with it? The truth was that she cherished that rose as if it were a part of herself.

Rin hadn't noticed when she had taken out the rose or that she'd been staring at it longingly until she saw Kaito staring at her. His face showed no expression as he looked at the rose and then at Rin. She instinctively hid the rose behind her back, feeling the oddly guilty for some reason.

"Rin..."

"Kaito, what a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here?" Rin asked, failing to make her voice sound natural.

"Rin, why do you still have that?" he asked bluntly. He had been looking forward to seeing her, but now all the joy he had felt was gone. Rin tried thinking of some explanation or excuse, but her mind was blank. "You should get rid of that."

"What? No! Why?" Rin asked, her voice giving away her desperateness to keep her one treasure.

"Don't you see, Rin? It's not natural! You've had that rose for over ten years and it still hasn't withered! It's cursed! You should just throw it away!" Kaito urged, hoping she would see reason.

Kaito began moving toward her, grabbing for the rose behind her back, but with each step he took, Rin stepped back. It was a never ending cat and mouse game until she was cornered. Rin bent back as much as she could and Kaito leaned forward, putting a hand on the stacked wooden crates to steady himself.

"Rin! Supper is read-!" Miku froze, ladle in hand, as she saw Kaito leaning over Rin. Miku giggled nervously and began slowly backing away, "Never mind."

Rin was confused by Miku's reaction, but then, she never did understand Miku. She turned her attention back to Kaito. He seemed to be frozen in place, his face was red, and he was covering his mouth with his hand as if he was going to be sick.

Rin may not have understood Miku, but Kaito had. To Miku, it must have looked like he was forcing himself on Rin. If that wasn't bad enough, now he was really noticing Rin. He caught himself staring looking her up and down. He had to stop and control himself or he was afraid he might lose control and she might never forgive him.

Rin felt bad that he may be ill, but she had to use this opportunity to slip out of his grasp. She slid her way out from under him, slipping the rose back in her pocket as she did. She walked slowly towards the house, half-turned toward Kaito.

"Well... Don't want to be late for dinner or Mieko will yell at me again..." Rin said, unsure of herself. She was afraid Kaito might be angry at her, something she could never have imagined before today.

Kaito regained his composure and managed, "Yeah. I'll come talk to you again tomorrow." Rin was relieved by Kaito's words and smiled happily before skipping away.

Kaito leaned his back against the wooden crates that were now behind him. He let out a a shaky breath. It had been a close call, he had wanted so badly to capture her lips in his and take in her sweet taste. Kaito shook his head to clear the image from his mind, he had to stop thinking like that. He ran his hand through his hair and breathed a deep breath. Love may be hard, but being in love with Rin might as well be impossible.