Chapter 12

I grunted in effort as I heaved my single suitcase down the front steps of my house and across the walk to the street's edge, dropping it with a sigh of relief. Rehearsals had been going well in preparation for the Regional NHSMC stage and now the seven of us were on our way to a weekend bonding trip up at Will's estate a few hours away in the county.

I had never been on a team bonding trip before. Come to think of it, I had never been on a school field trip either so maybe this could be a first for both experiences.

Looking down the street, I didn't see the car that Will and the others would pick me up in yet so I propped my suite case up on its side and sat on it wait. It was ten o clock in the morning and I wouldn't be back until Sunday night. I just hoped that sharing a room with Isabella wouldn't be too terrible.

One thing that had surprised me when I heard about this trip was that we would not be allowed to play any music during the weekend. In fact, we weren't even allowed to bring our instruments at all. Since we had practically been practicing nonstop for months, it would be kind of weird to be doing this with them and not play any music. Mom had said it would be a nice break but I wasn't so sure.

Just then I heard a car horn honk and looking up the street, I jumped off my suitcase in shock. There driving slowly down the street as if they owned the place was a huge straight limo. My mouth hung open as the slick car rolled its way to a stop in front of my house.

The driver got out without a word or look and walked over to the other side backseat and opened the door of the car. Will stepped out and gave me a dazzling grin. "Morning, Rin," he said, "all ready to go?"

I gaped at him for another second before exploding, "Will! You can't just come into this neighborhood in a limo like that!"

"Why not?" he asked, seeming genuinely confused.

While I spluttered, trying to come up with a response Will turned to the butler and said, "Anthony, get her bag will you? There's a good man, thank you. Come along, Rin, we simply can't wait all day."

Shaking my head slowly I walked over to the car and, ignoring the curious glances from my neighbors and slipped into a seat.

The inside of the car was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was, quite literally, a full room. There were two leather benches facing each other on opposite "walls". Will, Lucas, Kohaku and Sesshomaru sat on one bench while Lily and Isabella were sitting on the other one.

Lily grinned and waved me over to sit by her. I walked over, shaking slightly, and sat down with a sigh of relief. Lucas grinned at me from across the car and said cheerfully, "Don't worry Rin, I get it even if no one else does."

"Get what?" asked Kohaku in confusion which of course made Lucas and I crack up.

"Well, are we all ready for some great team bonding?" asked Lily brightly.

She was meet with mostly grumbling and Sesshomaru answered dryly, "Honestly, Lily. You must know that you are the only one who gets excited about these things."

For the rest of the trip everyone exchanged friendly banter and I began to think that maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all. I especially began to think this when I laid eyes on Will's beautiful estate.

The house, or mansion, was set in a field of flowers and backed by miles and miles of forest. The mansion itself was at least three stories high and looked to be a gorgeous Victorian model.

"Wow," I said for a lack of anything better to say.

Will laughed and spreading his arms out wide exclaimed with a grin, "Welcome to my summer home, everyone. If we are forced to bond then we might as well do it in style."

For the next few hours we all settled in. Isabella actually refused to share a room with anyone so Lily and I were sharing one which was perfectly fine with me. Isabella and I still tended to butt heads a little.

It was the girl's night to cook dinner and Lily, Isabella and I were in the kitchen. Since I was the only one who actually knew how to fend for herself while in the kitchen, I was making the meat course while Isabella mixed a salad and Lily worked on the table and bread.

"I really don't see what this has to do with bonding," gripped Isabella as she heaped tomatoes into the blue bowl.

"Cooperation?" suggested Lily.

"I think it's more like we were out voted," I said cheerfully. I liked to cook even if no one else seemed to.

An hour later, all seven of us were sitting around a large round table with steaming food set out. "This looks great, girls!" exclaimed Lucas, reaching for the salad bowl.

Will snorted and said, "No kidding. This is going to be hard to top tomorrow when it's our turn."

Lily laughed and replied, "Actually it was mostly Rin. I'm afraid that Isabella and I are just about helpless in the kitchen."

I waved away her words with a small smile and said, "Well, this food isn't going to eat itself!"

Later that night I stood by one of the large floor length windows in the dining room looking out at the peaceful fields of flowers. Our day had been filled with us playing trust games and studying old books and videos of music. It was nearly midnight and I was exhausted but I had stepped out of the room and Lily went through a lengthy process of getting ready for bed.

"Star gazing?" asked a soft voice behind me.

I didn't even need to run around to know who it was. By now I had learned not to be surprised. "Something like that," I answered.

Sesshomaru stepped up to join me by the window and we stayed silent for several long minutes. I finally broke the silence by saying, "I like this place. It's so beautiful and… quiet."

"You're a musician who likes quiet?" asked Sesshomaru with some amusement.

"Every great musician does," I responded quickly, "you can only hear music in the quiet. It helps us think and learn."

Sesshomaru laughed softly and said, "You're wise beyond your years, Rin. You'll get no argument from me."

I laughed as well and impulsively laid my head on Sesshomaru's shoulder. He was a good head taller than me and I was surprised how comfortable it felt. A few months ago I would never have shown such affection for anyone, least of all Sesshomaru Ito.

To my even greater surprise, Sesshomaru lifted one hand and stroked my silky hair back over my ear. "You know we're going to win right, Rin?" he said.

"We always do," I answered happily. I felt Sesshomaru's laugh vibrate through his body and his next words sent a warm glow through my body. "I'm glad you came back, Rin. It really wasn't much fun without you here."

"Of course not," I replied slyly, "I'm the one who makes things interesting."

"You do indeed," Sesshomaru said, "Plus this time you are working with me instead of against me. I thought that would be rather boring but I'm finding it has its own certain appeal to it."

This time it was my turn to laugh. I pulled away from the boy who had become my best friend and said, "Good night, Sesshomaru. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bright and early," Sesshomaru said with a light smile, "Good night, Rin. Sleep well."

I left the room with Sesshomaru still standing by the window and made my way back to my bedroom. By the time I got there Lily was actually in bed reading a book. She looked up when I entered and smiled. "Sorry for the wait," she chirped, "The bathroom's all yours."

I smiled back. It really was impossible to stay annoyed at Lily for long. She might be older than me and more serious, but she was kind of everyone's kid sister in the group. "No problem," I answered, going into the bathroom to freshen up.

Fifteen minutes later I was lying down in my bed staring up at the ceiling as Lily reached over to the center table and turned off the lamp. "What were you doing while I was getting ready?" she asked curiously.

I rolled over to face her in the dark and replied, "Talking to Sesshomaru. Why?"

Of course I couldn't see Lily in the dark but I could almost hear the grin in her voice as she said, "You and Sesshomaru seem to be pretty friendly these days."

"Well, we are friends," I countered, not liking where this was going.

"Of course," Lily said conversationally, "You've been friends for quite awhile. Years, right?"

I snorted. That was not quite true.

"So I was just wondering," Lily continued, not looking at me, "If it was turning into something more?"

"Absolutely not," I answered stiffly, rolling over again. "He is a pigheaded idiot. As if I would ever like him."

Lily burst into laughter and I sat straight up in my bed and demanded, "What exactly is so funny?"

"Didn't anyone ever tell you," Lily asked, still laughing, "that the only sure way to know if a girl likes a guy is to ask her and then if she violently denies it she does?"

I huffed and said, "You're out of your mind Lily."

She laughed quietly and replied, "If you say so, Rin."

Lily didn't say anything else but it took me a long time to fall asleep that night. I knew it wasn't true but now I had to think about the possibility. As I finally drifted off I came to a decision. No, definitely not.

The next day was filled with walks in the field while talking about Regionals. We even had a picnic under a large tree a couple miles from the house. After putting my conversation with Lily out of my mind, I found that I was actually really enjoying myself.

The entire group of people had become my friends. Will's snarky attitude never failed to amuse me, Isabella's insults were entertaining if nothing else and Lucas's never failing kindness was refreshing. Lily was a good friend and Kohaku was always fun to be around. Then, of course, there was Sesshomaru who perhaps understood me like no one else could.

This was a group of people where I could be myself and just have fun. I sometimes wondered if I had ever had any fun after Shou died before I joined them. I honestly didn't think so.

When Sunday evening rolled around I was honestly sad to leave. Will's mansion was a beautiful and comfortable place to be. Plus it was nice to get away from the violin for a few days. I think we all needed that part of the getaway.

Our car ride home was full of laughter and old stories. When we reached my house my friends gave a chorus of goodbyes and I slipped out, still laughing. "See you guys tomorrow," I called, waving as the car pulled out of my street.

"You have some interesting company there, Rin Blackwell," called a voice from the left. I turned to see my neighbor, Mrs. Wilson looking at me with a smile.

I grinned back. "They are that,' I agreed, "They're from my rich school which explains the limo. Sorry if they disturbed you, Mrs. Wilson."

"Not at all, Rin," she said with a smile, "I'm just glad to see those smiles on your face now. I was getting worried about you, you know."

I nodded and thanked her but inside I was whirling. Had other people really noticed that much of my sadness? Had it broken through my shell so often?

Walking back into my house I saw my mom look up from her computer and a smile split her face. I decided it didn't matter that people may have known about my depression because it was now over and I knew I would never need to go down that path ever again.

The relationship is growing. Review everyone so I know how this story is going. Also, thanks to my brand new beta reader klrob who is totally amazing. Until next chapter!