I'm glad that so many people are enjoying this story! I got well over a thousand hits in the first month so thanks to everyone who has been reading. By the way some of you have noticed that I am using some parallels to another of my favorite anime, La Corda D'oro which I purely to for irony because it fits my sense of humor. Check out that anime and you'll get what I mean! Ok, on to Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I honestly didn't mean to go to my brother's grave. I hardly ever come here; it always brings back way too many painful memories. Playing in the forest once a month for him is enough so I wasn't really sure what had brought me here today.

I had just been walking around the town when I found myself at the gate to the Garden Cemetery and suddenly there I was, standing over my brother's grave, staring down and trying not to cry.

Shou Peter Tsukimori

1995-2008

Beloved brother and son

Child of Music

Shou had jokingly asked me once to put that last line on his gravestone one day. I doubt either of us would have thought it would be so soon. I had honored my brother's request and there it was; three little words that once meant so much to me. I wondered what Shou would say if he saw me now.

There was also a beautifully carved miniature stone piano next to the grave. A family friend had made it for us and I know Shou would love it so I did too.

I sat down in the damp grass, ignoring the water and brushed my hand over the stone. My parents often came out her to clean up so it always looked perfect. No weeds or stains invaded my brother's resting place and I was glad. He deserved at least that and so much more.

I'm not sure how long I stayed there, sitting by Shou's grave. Sometimes I wished that I could cry more for my brother but crying just never seemed like enough so I didn't very often. Tears would almost seem like an insult for my pure brother.

Thinking back later, I am not quite sure how long they were standing behind me watching. All I know is suddenly I felt eyes on me and slowly turned around to a very unexpected sight.

There stood the whole group of music students: Lucas, Will, Kohaku, Isabella, Lily and Sesshomaru. They were all staring at me and from their expressions I could tell that this time they hadn't followed me, seeing me here was as much a surprise and seeing them was to me.

I stood up, brushing off my clothes and turned to them with hands on hips. "So do you guys usually spend all your time in dark forests and cemeteries?"

Isabella cocked an elegant eyebrow and answered snippily, "I could ask you the same question!"

I was about to retort, I really wasn't in the mood for this right now but then I noticed Kohaku. He was walking over to Shou's grave, obviously wondering what I had been so interested in. "No!" I cried trying to stop him but it was too late.

Kohaku stood over the grave with a puzzled expression. "Shou Tsukimori?" he asked, "the famous child pianist?"

Lily gasped and said, "Oh, I've heard of him before! He was that prodigy who died in a car accident two years ago! He was famous for playing with his twin sister that phenomenal violinist Rin-"

She broke off abruptly and turned to stare at me with wide eyes as did the rest of them. "Rin Tsukimori," she finished lamely, eyes going wide.

I stared back at them, saying nothing.

"No freaking way," whispered Isabella, stunned, "We were just learning about the Tsukimori twins last week in class! There's no way… are you really her? Rin Tsukimori?"

I took a long time in answering, staring down at my brother's grave. I was wondering if they would be able to catch me if I made a run for it but I knew this wasn't something I could run from forever. I was already in too deep and I would have to face it sometime.

"No," I said, turning away, "not anymore."

Lucas stepped in front of me and exclaimed, "You disappeared from the music world after your brother's death and no one knew where you were! To think that all this time you've been here…"

"That doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out!" I snapped. Lucas flinched and I instantly felt a little guilty. With a sigh I sat down on the ground and gestured for them to do the same. They did, all except Sesshomaru who was looking at me with a knowing eye and a small smile. I ignored him and I looked at all the others in turn.

"Look," I started, "Maybe I haven't been totally fair to you all this week but you've got to understand that no one here knows who I really am and I want to keep it that way so if I talk to you guys you have to promise not to tell anyone. Ok?"

Lucas, Kohaku and Lily agreed immediately and Will did after a sharp elbow from Lucas. I turned to Isabella who looked thoughtful. "Oh, well I guess so," she finally said with a sigh, "though this is the biggest scoop to hit our school in like ever."

Lastly, I looked at Sesshomaru who simply shrugged. "I didn't even tell my friends about you," he said in that bored tone of his, "why would I tell anyone else?"

The others turned to stare at their white haired friend. "Wait a minute," said Lily, "are you saying that you knew who Rin was all this time? Ever since the forest?"

"Pretty much," answered Sesshomaru, carefully studying his perfect nails.

I waited patiently as the others pounced on their friend, throwing accusations and angry words on why in the world he didn't tell them.

"Look, guys," said Sesshomaru with a sigh after they finally calmed down a little, "I didn't say anything to you because I knew Rin Tsukimori years ago but I didn't know anything about Rin Blackwell. If she wanted to hide who she really was then I thought there had to be a pretty good reason so I didn't say anything about it."

I glowed over at Sesshomaru Ito. That sounded good but I knew the real reason on why he hadn't said anything was because he wouldn't benefit from it and that he was waiting until it was the best time for him to break the news. Oh well, at least there wasn't a lot the others could say to something like what he actually said.

Groaning I rested a hand against my forehead. "Ok, you all want the truth, here it is," I said and they all turned to look at me expectantly, "Yes, I am Rin Tsukimori. My brother and I used to be very well known in the music world but there was an accident two years ago. We were both hit by a car and Shou died. After that I just couldn't bring myself to play without him so I changed my name and moved to California. My mom set me up to go Seiso Academy but I didn't know it was a music school until the first day and by then it was too late. Anyway, I've just decided not to play anymore and that's all there is to it."

"But what about in the forest?" asked Lily softly.

I shrugged. "That forest was always Shou's favorite place in the world so once a month I drag that old violin out and play in that forest on the day of the month when Shou died. That's it, that is the only time I play anymore."

Will shook his head and whistled, "I can't believe you only play once a month and after two years you can still play like that. It's like you never stopped," he said in wonder.

"The violin has always been like a third arm for me," I said with another shrug, "even if you stop using it for a while it isn't hard to use it again later." I wasn't being vain, just stating facts.

"That's amazing!" gushed Lily, "I've never heard of anyone who could do that before!"

"It's not something I really think about," I said uncertainly and started to edge away from the group, planning an escape.

However, I was stopped but Isabella's musical voice as her words made me stop dead. "But this is perfect," said the older girl, "if we had Rin Tsukimori on our team then there is absolutely no way that we could lose the NHSMC."

Six pairs of eyes turned and stared at the blond girl. She looked back at us defiantly and exclaimed, "What? You all know it is true! Rin is probably the best female violinist in the country hands down! With her we would win for sure!"

"Weren't you listening to a word I said?" I demanded angrily, "I told you I don't play anymore!"

Isabella snorted and answered coolly, "Oh, come now Rin. Shou died over two years ago. I get being sad and everything but don't you think it is high time you got over it and get on with your life? Besides, Shou would probably want to you to play music again!"

Silence filled the cemetery as the twelve eyes now stared at Isabella Farren in horror. "Isabella…" said a stunned Lucas, eyes wide.

"What?" the indignant girl asked again, "I know you all agree with me even if you won't say it!"

I stood shaking by my brother's grave staring down at the stone. I couldn't find words to express my anger and anguish so I said nothing.

To my immense surprise it was Sesshomaru who finally broke the silence. "Isabella," he said slowly and deliberately, "you truly have no idea about what you are talking about so don't go around pretending that you do."

Isabella spluttered angrily as I looked up at Sesshomaru in surprise. I honestly thought he didn't like me and yet he had defended me. Sesshomaru stared back and gave me a little smile. That was probably the first time I had ever seen a real smile from the boy prodigy.

I felt my anger evaporate. Even though what Isabella had said hurt, I realized that the main reason it hurt was not the harsh tone it was delivered in but the fact that she was probably right. I had been mopping and devastated for a long time and although Shou was worth every tear in my body perhaps enough was enough.

I also knew that the fact that Shou wouldn't have wanted me to continue my music more than anything in the world. That hurt more than anything because I simply couldn't do it.

"No, it's ok," I said softly and know all the eyes were focused on me, "you are right, Isabella. More than anything I think Shou would want me to continue music after all this time."

"Then why won't you help us?" asked Isabella incredulously.

I looked over at the girl. She really didn't understand much about real life.

"I can't play anymore no matter what my brother might have wanted," I said softly, "my brother was my music and know that he is gone I don't think I have any left."

With that I turned and walked quickly from the cemetery not looking behind me but knowing that they all watched me leave.

Review everyone! It's really starting to get good now!