A/N: Takahashi Sesshoumaru: 27
Harada Rin: 21
Kaze Kagura: 24
Takahashi Inuyasha: 23
Higurashi Kagome: 22
Houshi Miroku: 23
Taijiya Sango: 22
'Italics': Thoughts
Bold: Emphasis
'Bold Italics': Flashback
Hello once again! I'm so sorry I took like ages to write another chapter. I'm very sorry for that. I believe I have more time updating my story right now, since I'm not as busy as I used to be. So let's just pray that I'm able to update this story on a weekly basis, just as what I've been doing before. I'm hoping my readers are keeping track of this story. I understand if you don't. But I humbly ask you people out there to continue giving me your support. I hope it's not too much to ask for after a long hiatus. Sigh… Ok, I shan't hold you guys back. Continue with the story after the review corner, ne? Smiles.
REVIEW CORNER:
katana sohma-demon girl: Haha, thank you so much for having so much faith in me. Don't worry, you can cut the wait. Here's chapter 8 for you. Haha, and Sesshoumaru is not losing his mind. That's his inner fear he has. Lol.
HawkAngel XD: Hmm, well yes poor Rin. Kagura is a nice friend though I fear you might being to hate her in the beginning. Lol
sessylover18: Your wait iiiiiss over finally! Here's the chapter you're waiting for!
Nazrin: I'm so glad you like this story. Well I agree with you, he doesn't deserve Rin. Haha, but oh well sometimes you get something you don't deserve. That's life. Lol
Hinata-chan: Woah one question at a time. Lol. Well Rin is sweet, I agree. Haha. You will just have to wait for Sesshoumaru to realise his love for Rin. Aaaaaand you will have to wait to see if Rin loves Sesshoumaru. Hmm, I'm not sure there will be any citrus moment for Sesshoumaru and Kagura, but probably there will be one for Rin and Sesshoumaru. Hehe.
kagome7304: Haha, I understand a lot of people favour Rin over Kagura. Errmmm… but you might have to deal with Kagura and Sesshoumaru later part of the story. I'll have you know that Sesshoumaru will not last with Kagura. Hehe. That's a hint for you.
Star Garden: Thank you so much for liking my story. Well here it is for you! Smiles.
End of Reviews
Ok I'm pretty disappointed with the reviews; I hope to see more coming in for this chapter. Or else I wouldn't bother continue with the story! Hmpf… So better read and review ne:)
Disclaimers: none of them are mine
Chapter Eight: I haven't…master
"Ok Kagura-chan, this is your room!" I heard Rin say from the second story to Kagura. It was just last night that I had permitted to let Kagura stay in my house and I didn't expect her to make immediate arrangement for Kagura to move in! Besides, I was still considering my answer to Kagura's stay in my house.
"Wow! This room is big Rin-chan! You don't have to get me such a spacious room!" Kagura's excited and grateful voice reached my ears. It felt so soothing and innocent to me.
"Sesshoumaru insisted of you having a big room. After all you're our guest." What? Did Rin just say that? When did I say such things?
"Oh, I see. It seems that arrogant husband of yours does have a heart." I scowled when I heard Kagura made that comment.
I crushed the cigarette butt onto the ashtray and rose from my seat. Immediately I made my way up to the second storey of my mansion and approached the two ladies.
"Does it matter if I have a heart or not?" I asked, making my presence known.
Both of them gasped in shock and turned to look at me.
"S…Sesshoumaru! You didn't have to scare us like that!" Rin cried. I merely glared at her, causing her to shut up and then turned my eyes to Kagura.
"As soon as you have found yourself an accommodation, I want you out of my house. Has this Sesshoumaru made himself clear?"
"Oh great Lord Sesshoumaru, this Kagura will make sure that she won't be staying here for too long coz' she can't tolerate his Excellency's pompous ass." She replied sarcasm, dripping from her statement. I narrowed my eyes in return, trying to scare her. But I realised that I was just wasting my effort when I caught the defiance in her eyes. Kagura didn't seem to be shaken off by the glare which angered and impressed me.
She, once again, turned her attention Rin and smiled at her, "I guess I shall just retreat to my room. I'm tired anyways. And I don't think I wish to quarrel with your husband and make you dislike me because of that." She said glaring at me and then back to Rin.
Rin giggled and shook her head simultaneously. "I can never hate you Kagura-chan. You're too cute and adorable for anyone to hate you. I don't mind you bickering with Sesshoumaru; it's just too cute to see the both of you getting onto each other." she said.
'What is she trying to do?! Why does it seem that she's pairing me up with Kagura?' thoughts such as those went through my mind. A part of me was telling me that Rin planned all these- bringing Kagura into my life. I know I should be thankful, but I wasn't. Why was she doing this? I am her husband after all, then why was she trying to get me with Kagura?
"He's your husband, you know! You're supposed to side with him!" Kagura stated in disbelief.
I caught Rin's façade faltering, but she had it fixed almost immediately. She was a great actress to the rest, but not to me. "He's my friend, not my husband." She whispered softly.
The moment she said that, I felt my heart slammed against my chest in pain. So she didn't accept me as her husband.
"Yeah, whatever. Ok I wanna get some rest for now. Nights." She said and closed the door behind her.
Rin smiled softly at me and walked past me. However I stopped her by grabbing her arm roughly and dragged her to my room.
"Sesshoumaru! What…what the hell are you doing?!" she questioned with fear. I merely just dragged her up the stairs and then passed her room to mine. I pulled her in and slammed the door shut.
"What are you trying to do Rin?!" I demanded her in a whisper.
"What are you talking all about? I…I don't get you."
"Yougave a spacious room to her! Then why did you say I asked you to give her a bigger room?!"
"…"
"This Sesshoumaru will not repeat himself, Rin."
"I…I was just showing my gratitude to you. This is your house after all." Rin answered, not looking into my eyes.
I grabbed her by her arms again and brought her close to my body. We were so close that I could feel her breath on my lips. "You're trying to pair me up with Kagura." I asked her. It wasn't really a question, but more of a statement.
"Are you crazy?! You don't have to treat me like your wife, but no matter what happens you're my husband! No woman will give their husband up to another woman, even if she's her best friend!"
"You made it clear just now, didn't you?! I'm onlyyour friend, not your husband!"
"Isn't that what you wanted to hear Sesshoumaru? That I'm just an acquaintance to you, not your lawfully wife?"
"…" I was left speechless. She had hit the right nerve of mine. I'd always wished that I wasn't wedded to her, even though I had theslightest feelings for her. My grasp on her arm slackened, gradually letting her go.
"Besides what I told Kagura was the truth. I have no whatsoever feelings for you and only treat you like my friend. Whatever happens with you and Kagura is not my concern Sesshoumaru. We may be lawfully known as husband and wife, but we're not. You will lead your life smoothly as long as you let me lead mine." She whispered coldly, a tone which I'd never heard her speak in.
With that said she walked past me and exited my room, leaving me standing motionlessly there. I could feel a tinge of pain within my chest.'So, she doesn't love me after all.' I stated to myself inwardly in a sad tone. I let my trembling hands start searching for my cigarettes within my pockets and then lighted up one, once I'd found it.
You will lead your life smoothly as long as you let me lead mine.'Hn…so that's what she wants… I'll give it to her then…' I trudged to my bed and lay down with my lighted cigarette in my mouth. When I was done with my cigarette, I squashed with my palm, venting my anger and frustration. To think I was considering to juggle with two women in my life. One had made it clear to me; she didn't love me.
But if she didn't love me, then why did I always catch her looking heartbroken? 'Probably it's your imagination?' my conscience hinted. Yes. That was it. My eyes were probably playing tricks with me, or I had been reading her far too much.
In a way it was a good thing that Rin didn't feel anything for me. Now, I could woo Kagura without worrying that Rin would be hurt. She had made it clear already; whatever happens in my life had got nothing to do with her and vice versa.
I let my lips lift upwards by a little and sighed silently. In a way I was relieved and sad at the same time. Relieved, because I wouldn't have any guilty conscience when I pursue for Kagura. Sad, because Rin didn't have any sorts of feelings for me.
I sighed again, this time audibly. God, sighing had been becoming my habit recently. 'Mental note: Try to stop the sighing.'
I reached out for the switch of the lamp on the nightstand and turned it off letting sleep claim me…
I was in the dining room, reading the newspaper of the day and was having breakfast at the same time, when Kagura came in still in her pyjamas.
"Mm… Good morning Sesshoumaru." she greeted me lazily while rubbing her half opened eye.
"Hn."
"What's for breakfast?"
"You make your own for today." I answered her not lifting my gaze from the newspaper. I might look as though I was engrossed with the daily report, but it was otherwise. Questions were filling my head as to why I didn't spot Rin in the kitchen today, making breakfast. Usually she was the first soul in the house to be awake and was the one who would make breakfast for me and her.
"Why?" Kagura's innocent voice reached my ears. I looked up from my paper to her and for a moment I thought the woman before me was an innocent angel. She looked so cute and adorable, like how Rin would put it, in the oversized pyjamas of hers and her dishevelled hair with wide curious crimson eyes.
"Because Rin is not at home and there's no one here to make breakfast." I answered her casually as I lay the newspaper down onto the table. I gingerly took a slice of bread which I had taken from the kitchen and spread raspberry jam on it.
"Oh, I see. Where's Rin-chan anyway?" she asked, again.
"This Sesshoumaru has got nothing to do with her absence."
She looked peeved the very instant I finished my sentence. I smirked at her, amused and then started munching on my bread.
"Well,this Kagura thinks that you, Sesshoumaru, should know where your wife is."
"Well people don't worry! I'm back!" a jolly voice startled us. Both of us turned to face the owner of the voice and realised it was Rin.
"Rin-chan, where did you go early in the morning?!" Kagura asked.
"Oh I had to go and meet my client. You know the one I went to meet two nights ago?"
"Oh, I see."
'Met two nights ago? She met a male six thirty in the morning?!' I snarled in my mind. She went to meet a male early in the morning?! The same man she had met two nights ago. Now, I was having my doubts. Was he her client or…lover? I didn't know why I was feeling enraged. She had made it clear to me that she had no feelings for me, then why was I feeling as though she was cheating me?
"Why couldn't you meet him later in the afternoon or so?" I asked, barely keeping my anger out of my voice.
"He's not free in the afternoon, so I went to meet him at six thirty." She replied indifferently as she walked to the dining table with Kagura.
"You're willing to sacrifice your sleep for your client? Sounds as though he's special to you." I said while taking another slice of bread.
Rin flashed me a death glare and took a seat next to me. Kagura looked at the both of us uncomfortably. I guess she knew there were some problems between the both of us. She chuckled nervously and said, "Erm… I think I'll go and bathe first before having my breakfast. Laters people!" She jogged out of the dining room, leaving Rin and I alone.
"Is he really your client or your lover?" I shot at Rin. She looked at me in disbelief.
"What's that supposed to be Sesshoumaru?" she asked me calmly. I could see her eyes getting glassy due to the tears she was controlling.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"If you suspect me of dating another guy, then you're wrong. Even if I was, it hasn't got anything to do with you."
She got up from her seat and wanted to leave the room, but I wouldn't let her. I shot up from my seat immediately after her and grabbed her wrist.
"Whatever it is, you're still my wife!" I bellowed at her. My patience level was running thin at that point of time.
She closed her eyes with her brows furrowed and answered, "You don't love me Sesshoumaru. Then how can I be your wife?"
My grip on her wrist tightened when she said that. "Whether this Sesshoumaru loves you or not, you're still mine."
"I'm not some possession Sesshoumaru! I'm also a human like you!" she yelled back at me and wincing at the same time when I tightened my grip on her wrist some more.
"I forbid you to meet any male 'client' as you may put it anymore. You're only tarnishingmy reputation." I whispered dangerously as I pulled her to me. She gasped at the sudden closeness and tried to wiggle away from my grasp, but to no avail. I gave her an icy stare and all movements from her died down. I continued staring at her, deep into her soul. For one crazy moment, I wondered what it would feel like if I kissed her.
We stood that way for quite some time. Rin was the one who broke her gaze of me first and then said softly breaking my thoughts, "You have no right to stop me from who I meet or who I befriend with."
I grabbed her jaw roughly and made her face me again. "I have the right because I'm your husband. Have you forgotten that fact?"
The tears which she had been controlling spilled down her cheeks. She shut her eyes tightly and whispered, "I haven't…master."
'Master? She called me her master?' I thought shockingly. I felt something grip onto my heart when she referred me as her master. Did I ill treat her that badly, that she thought of me as her master?
I immediately pushed her away as though, touching her would burn me. "Scram off before I personally kill you." I whispered.
She gave out a whimper and ran away from the dining room.
'I haven't…master.'
'Haven't…master.'
'Master.' Her words still kept ringing in my ears even though it happened more than twelve hours before. Was I that bad that made her to call me 'master'? It hurt my heart a little when she called me her master. I had the urge to go into her room and apologize to her, but I knew better than doing that.
I was brought back to reality when I heard a knock on the study door. "Come in." I ordered. The door opened to reveal Rin standing at the doorway.
"What do you want?" I asked a little too harshly than I intended to. I looked away from her, not wanting to see any of her emotion, lest it hurt me.
"Just wanted to apologise…for this morning's behaviour." She whispered. I brought my gaze to her face and realised that she was looking at her feet.
I felt bad when she apologised. It wasn't her fault at all. It was mine. I was supposed to be the one to apologize instead of her. I opened her mouth to say that she wasn't at fault, but she beat me to it.
"Anyway, I'm here to tell you something." She said still looking at her feet.
"And what would that be?"
"I'll be away for about a month or so for a business trip."
'What?' She was going away for a month, leaving me and Kagura all alone under one roof?! Was she crazy?! Wasn't she afraid that I might behave inappropriately with Kagura?'Whatever happens with you and Kagura is not my concern Sesshoumaru.' The words she had said last night crept into my mind. 'Right, I forgot. I don't mean anything to her.' I thought to myself half dishearteningly.
'But look things on a bright side,' my conscience encouraged, 'if Rin's away, you can spend more quality time with Kagura! You can win over her heart easily.' I almost smirked at the idea. In a way, my conscience was right. If Rin went away I'd have more time with Kagura.
"When will you be leaving?" I asked her, trying to keep my excitement in place.
"Tonight."
Ok that's the end of the chapter. I'll try to get this story update as fast as possible. I hope i can do it by next week. But i wouldn't update if there's less than 10 reviews. Is that understood?! Hahah. Just kidding.
See you around folks!