Chapter 2 of RinRu. Enjoy!

I step into the house, and it's totally empty. Paper houses are odd when they're empty. I mean, they're so spacious, but there is absolutely nothing here. It feels so bleak and cold too.

'Haru, how are we going to stay warm and comfortable in this house? There's no light, or heating and –' I suddenly realise Haru isn't next to me anymore. 'Ha... Haru? Where are you?' My voice sounds tiny in the empty rooms. I walk into the next room, the kitchen, and the cold silence makes me shiver. Tohru used to cook here, such warm, comforting food. She's gone now, though. It could've been anyone's kitchen.

Out of nowhere, the lights come on, and the air gets slowly warmer. Haru sticks his thin face out from behind a corner. 'Found the fuse box. It should start to get a bit more comfortable in here now. Let's go upstairs.'

The house seems much friendlier now, as if it's been woken up. Inwardly I apologise to Tohru for having disturbed such a welcoming house with my stupid, selfish problems. But that was a darker time. Now I am wanted by Haru, and I am standing in the spot he wants me to be in. Funny how, by feeling wanted, I gain something.

The tall, lean, tousled Haru I'd come to love so much lies down on the floor. 'I put the heater on pretty high, so we shouldn't need blankets.'

'I don't need blankets with you around. You're like a superman, Hatsuharu Sohma,' I smile back and join him on the floor. 'You're my hand to hold, my shoulder to lean on, and my bridge to cross over. Is there anything you can't do?'

He shifts up onto one elbow and looks down into my eyes. Caresses my cheek with his long fingers. Kisses me softly. Then says, 'Well, I'm a lousy artist. But I'm so lucky to have you for that then, isn't I?'

'I love you, you mad cow,' I say, ruffling his soft, white hair. I've always loved Haru's hair. It looks so white and pure on top, but then you notice the black strength beneath it, it suits him perfectly.

'And I love you too, you wild horse.' Haru runs his long fingers through my short hair in return. I push him off.

'Don't,' I say quickly. Haru looks up at me, slightly confused. 'Don't... touch my horrid short hair. I hate it. I wish it was still as long as it used to be. It's ugly now. It'll never be as beautiful as before.'

'Rin.' He says my name firmly, like a barrier against the worries that could wash me away any second. 'You could be bald, and I'd be in love with you. You could be flat-chested, and I'd be in love with you. You could be a boy, and I'd be in love with you. Because it's you, Rin.'

'You know... you worry me sometimes...' That last bit was pretty odd, even for Haru. Would he really love me as a boy...? Best not to dwell on that one.

'Now let's get some sleep. I've got school tomorrow.' And he's back on Planet Earth.

I'm sitting alone in the house, wondering what to do. I guess I should get a job somewhere, so I can earn money for Haru and me, but I'm scared I'll be rejected by anyone I interview with. I mean, I can do all sorts of jobs, from shelf stacking to cleaning hotels, I don't care.

But when I meet new people, I get so nervous that I go crazy and angry at them. I don't know, I just lash out. Like Haru does when he's black, but not so violently of course.

If I screw up... But no. It's been two whole hours since he left, Rin. Now get up off your lazy a** and get a job. If you want Haru to have a home instead of a house with you, then get some money to build it for him.

'What's your name, young lady?' asks the manager, Mr. Sohma. I stammer, and mutter Isuzu. God, what am I doing here? It's 3 in the afternoon, and I'm sitting in a Sohma office, looking for a job.

I could've just asked the main house for help finding employment. I could have. I didn't, though. I think that says enough. And yet, the only place with jobs available seemed to be the friggin' Sohma building. Just my luck, right?

I can tell that the manager's sceptical of me. My age, my clothing, whatever. If I was him, I would be too. A strange, goth girl strides into your fancy, shiny establishment that you've spent years getting to the top. You're going to be pretty wierded out.

'Er, well, the only jobs we have available are cleaning jobs and a few secretarial positions going spare. You got a CV?' he asks, and I can see him deciding what answer I'm going to give him.

'No...?' I reply. I can't lose this job, I... we need the money so damn bad. It's ridiculous how much is resting on this. Before his interest fades into nothing, and he thanks me because he wants me to leave, I have to do something.

'Wait!' I cry out, and throw out my arm towards Mr. Sohma. Now what do I say? 'Please... I just... I can do this, OK? I promise to work hard. I'm a useless secretary, but I'll clean whatever you want... Windows, floors, toilets, I can do it! I... I really...'

Come on Rin, you can say it. It's not that hard to ask for help. Everyone does it. There isn't anyone who doesn't need something at some point. You can ask this rich prat for a job, you already asked Tohru for help all that time ago, when you were dying. Come on, say it.

'I really... need this job.' There. If this guy knows how much saying that goes against the moral code of my life, he'll have to give me this stinking paid chore.

I realise I've squeezed my eyes shut. Opening them slowly, I look up at the manager of the Sohma building. He's staring at me, slightly shocked. He looks... disgusted.

So that's it then. I've ruined it. That's what happens when I ask for help. People believe I'm powerless, and I feel powerless too. I stand up and walk towards the door. I'd better leave before he asks me to.

'Where are you going, I...Isuzu, was it? Sit down, please,' comes the stern voice from behind me. I turn and sit back in the uncomfortable chair. 'I think we have a job for you. It won't be very highly paid, I'm afraid.'

Oh God. He thinks I'm poor now? Well... wake up, Rin. You are poor. You have nothing. The manager continues whilst these fears are bouncing around my brain. 'You'll have to wear the uniform, of course. We can't have our cleaners wearing just anything, and I'm sure you won't want to spoil your... um... outfit. You can start on Monday.'

He scribbles on a piece of paper where I'm going and what I'll have to do on Monday. I hope it isn't too difficult. Looking back, that seems a little stupid. I mean, it was a cleaning job. Anyone can clean, it wasn't ever going to be difficult. But if I'd known what was going to happen, I would've left before he'd handed me that paper.

'Isuzu! You're back!' comes a voice that isn't Haru's from the dining room in The Shigure House (the only useful thing that pervert ever did for me was buying this place). Haru never calls me Isuzu. Who the hell-?

'Hey, Rin,' says Haru, appearing from behind the door of the dining room. 'It seems we have a visitor. I was coming home from school and then realised I had a stalker.' He already calls this place home? But we've only been here, what, a day?

Thinking it through, though, it does seem pretty home-like. It's full of things I remember, this place healed me. And having Haru here... that makes it twice as comforting.

'Hi Isuzu!' I can hear the mystery visitor standing up and about to open the door. Somehow, I didn't want them to do it. I didn't want them to ruin our place. But you can't freeze time, no matter how many times you want to.

R&R if you liked it, R&R if you didn't! No one's actually reviewed yet, but I'd love to know what you think. Sorry that not much happens in this one, I just had to push them a bit before it gets interesting, if that makes sense. I'm gonna let you guys choose who the mystery visitor is and then continue the story, so make sure you get your favourite character in there. I've got a few ideas for Rin's new job too, so bear with me. Next chapter soon!