Through the well and back again

Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha...

Author's note: I'm really sorry for the wait, everyone. :( I've been called into and working A LOT so I haven't really had much time to get on this thing and write some more for it and just everything in real life right now has been kind of hectic. But... on to chapter 8 and I hope you all enjoy it. :)

Chapter 8:

Rin:

"The park? But what is it? Aren't we supposed to be going to school today, Kagome?" Rin tilted her head to the side, curious and highly suspicious of why this was all happening. She figured that this was her and Lord Sesshoumaru's way of keeping her off campus until they had proof against her English teacher... and from her understanding of everything that Kagome had told her before she started all of this, they were to attend school 5 days out of the week and only have 2 days off and if her calculations were correct, it was only Friday, meaning that the two of them should indeed be in school. So why was this park thing so important?

Kagome laughed while rummaging around in the fridge, saying earlier that if they were going to the park today she wanted to make a good lunch for them. So far, food was scattered all over the counter and it did look fun but, Rin still wanted to know what was really going on.

"Stop worrying so much, Rin. Trust me, you'll like it and it's really peaceful."

In answer, Rin just made a sound in the back of her throat feeling nervous. She was a girl used to change because of all her time spent traveling with Lord Sesshoumaru but she was in a different world now... it made her uneasy.

An hour later, her, Kagome, and her lord were all at the park. Rin was actually surprised that he had agreed to Kagome when she had asked him because he wasn't really a man who took requests well. If at all. She didn't mind walking with him, though. It made her feel more secure in a weird place like this. She had to admit though... it was indeed very weird but it was also, well, beautiful. And maybe a little too peaceful and quiet but besides that, Rin loved hearing the animals in the surroundings and it did help her take her mind off the other troubling things that had happened that week... and the almost incident that wasn't so troubling. Ever since she had become a teenager, she had fantasized about her lord kissing her, or holding her in his strong arms, or both and maybe even more and just the other day... she could have sworn that he had almost done just exactly that. And it still made her heart flutter like a butterfly.

What she really wanted to know why her lord was showing these signs of romantic feelings towards her now when he normally didn't and why the sudden change of heart about it? Yes, she was unbelievably happy that it almost happened but it still made her thoughts and questions run wild and it was somewhat giving her a really bad headache. And, the bigger question was... would it happen again? Or was the chance lost when they got caught in the hallway? She sure hoped not. Rin also wondered if maybe she should make the first move now but , feeling that would probably be a mistake, was thinking it was probably just be best to wait and see... she sighed and shook her head slightly, trying to clear it.

'Just enjoy the time you have in the park now and stop thinking about the things that make you stress, girl.' She told herself sternly. Still, though she couldn't help the times she snuck quick glances at him and then quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. She knew he noticed but it seemed like he was choosing to ignore it. 'What happened to just enjoying the park, Rin?' She asked herself, somewhat annoyed now.

She had to admit, it was great being able to stretch her legs after a long almost full week of sitting in class. They walked for hours with Inuyasha and Kagome chattering ahead of them, arms linked and with Rin and lord Sesshoumaru behind them, the lunch basket held securely in her hand, swinging slightly back and forth. It was a good day and the light breeze ruffling her long hair felt amazing as well and it was a time like this that she wished she had her diary so she could write everything she saw and felt down.

'No, what you wish more than anything is to be able to sit down and tell him how your day went and how you really feel but, you know you can't right now.' She bit her lip, doing her best to hold in her scream of utter frustration on the situation. Because, no matter how hard she tried to think of other things and concentrate on what was going on now, she knew it was true and wished she knew how to handle it.

'Maybe you could ask Kagome for advice?'

'You can't go running to her every time you have a problem, Rin.'

She sighed again, wishing her mind would just be quiet and leave her alone. However, she was getting no such luck.

She hadn't even realized her lord was watching her when he finally spoke, making her jump about a foot in the air. "If you have something on your mind, out with it. I have no wish to listen to you sigh all day." His voice was cold but there was something else in it, something that told her even though he was being a bit harsh about it, he really did care and that warmed her heart but... at the same time, she wasn't ready to confess to him yet.

"It's nothing my lord." She knew she said it too quickly and she also knew that he didn't believe her but, to her relief he just made a noise in the back of his throat and they were once again walking along together in silence. Somehow, the normally comfortable silence didn't quite feel so comfy anymore. But, then again, it could be just in her imagination...

She was so lost in thought at the moment that she wasn't paying attention to where she was walking when she tripped in a pot hole. She let out a squeak of shock and closed her eyes, waiting for the impact of the ground to hit her and take her breath away from her but... it never came. She cracked one eye partly open and saw why. Lord Sesshoumaru had of course caught her before she fell and she had no idea why she doubted him. 'You forgot he was there, you silly girl. You were so deep in thought about him that you forgot. Admit it and stop beating around the bush about everything.'

It took her a moment to realize that she was still in his arm and being held close to his chest and once again, he had that look on his face... like he was gazing into her soul and reading her thoughts. She let out another small squeak, this time of embarrassment, realizing that if he could actually read her thoughts, it wouldn't be the greatest thing.

"I told you. If something is on your mind, out with it. And don't lie to me this time, Rin." He gave her that look and she gulped nervously.

'Should I tell him? I know he basically ordered me to but... I can't keep lying to him.' She ran a hand shakily through her hair, thinking it was now or never before going on clumsily ahead.

"My lord... we've been traveling together for years now and I understand if you don't feel the same... of course I do, because I know how you feel towards humans like me but... I'm in love with you my lord and I have been for a while now." She stopped there, unable to even look at him.

Quiet... it was way too quiet and finally, she turned her gaze back to him, blinking in shock when he was just staring at her. 'Isn't he going to say anything?'

"You... love me? How could you when you don't know my whole past, Rin? Or everything I've done? If you did, you wouldn't be saying this kind of ridiculous stuff. You'd be long gone." His voice was if possible, even colder and Rin flinched, knowing deep down that something like this would happen and be said if she ever told him. Oddly enough, though it felt strangely better finally being able to get that part off her chest but... at the same time, it hurt being rejected because she had thought... well, she had hoped that he somehow felt the same way about her... And the almost kiss from before... Or had that just been in her imagination? Because she so desperately wanted it to happen?

'Guess not.' She thought, somewhat bitterly and pushed herself away from him and out of his grip. "I understand, my lord"... She paused a moment before continuing, her voice shaky with unshed tears. "Just know that no matter what you've done in the past... it won't change my feelings for you." And with that, she rushed away from him and thought it best to walk with Kagome and Inuyasha for a while, ignoring their worried glances and Inuyasha's; "What did my idiot brother do this time?" statement. Because she didn't feel like answering any questions at the moment. It felt like her heart was being crushed.

Because, in the end... her lord didn't love her, like she loved him and it hurt. Deeply. How was she going to be able to travel with him now? Or would she still be able to, after an outburst like that? Would he just pretend like it never happened? Or would he tell her to be on her way? A single tear slid down her cheek and she hastily wiped it away, doing her best to get through the rest of the day, and Kagome's wonderful lunch, when on the inside, she was longing to be back in her room at the house...

At long last, they were all finally back at the house and no longer able to put on the pretense of being normal, Rin rushed up the stairs and to her room that had been made for her when Kagome realized that she would be staying longer then was put her face in her pillow and finally allowed herself to cry and scream out all her frustration and hardships of that day... ;

An hour or so later, a knock came at the door and Rin answered, in a groggy voice; "Who is it?"

There was a short pause and then, "It's me Rin. May I come in?" For a moment, Rin hesitated, not sure if she wanted to be alone for a while longer but then... 'It would be nice to be able to talk about it with someone and, it's only Kagome.'

With her mind made up, she told the other girl that yes, she could come in and for a second, almost regretted it because she knew she must be a sight, with her tear stained face and puffy eyes and red nose but then, a second later a look of understanding came across the other girls face and it took all of Rin's willpower not to start sobbing again.

Kagome sat gingerly down on the bed beside her and started rubbing her back, humming soothingly under her breath before saying anything. "Do you want to talk about it?"

At first, Rin shook her head but then, after a while she caved and everything that happened came spilling out. Kagome listened, her face somewhat darkening in anger as she listened to what happened.

"That idiot! Why do those two always have to be so stubborn? You know, when I first started traveling with Inuyasha and realized my feelings for him, he tried chasing me away as well before he realized he was being a fool and needed me. Maybe Sesshoumaru will realize the same thing?"

Rin was already shaking his head.

"I don't think so, Kagome-chan. He seemed pretty certain about how he felt."

"Maybe if he gave you the chance and showed you or talked to you about his past, he would see that you wouldn't run away. Gah! Men are such fools!"

"Hey! What's this about men being fools?" Inuyasha walked in, a pout on his face.

"You know, there's this thing called knocking, Inuyasha." Kagome gave him a stern look and if things hadn't been the way they were, everything would be almost funny. As it was, Rin was already trying not to giggle and it was getting harder and harder for her to keep crying.

Inuyasha looked at her, his expression a serious one. "I have no idea what you see in that guy but, what he needs is a good hard whack on the head. That'll knock some sense into him."

"Inuyasha! Don't make me tell you to s-" Inuyasha made a somewhat scared noise before quickly leaving the room, shutting the door behind him and Rin knew that he must be feeling pretty antsy and was probably looking for Kagome's little brother, in order for something to do.

Rin smiled slightly, already feeling a little better about things. "Thanks for everything, Kagome-chan. Really. You and Inuyasha both have done a lot for me." Rin bowed her head, wanting more than anything to show how grateful she was. Maybe in the next few days, she would try talking to her lord again... If she even got the chance to, that is. She shook her head, wishing the negative thoughts would just go away because more than anything, she wanted to be happy and even if she couldn't make her lord happy in the way she really wanted to, she would at least show him that she could be happy just by being near him. And that is exactly what she was going to do!

Tomorrow, she was going to put on a brave face, apologize to her lord for her outburst; even though he had demanded her to do it and act like everything was back to normal. This was all she could do in order to keep herself from breaking into two... well, her heart anyway. 'If I want to do this right, might as well start now.' She thought, feeling resolved.

"I'm feeling much better now, Kagome-chan. You don't need to worry anymore. I'll be fine, really." She smiled, waving her arms around dramatically hoping she sounded convincing enough.

Despite her efforts, Kagome still gave her an uncertain look but seemed satisfied enough. Figuring she might as well, she added in a too cheery voice, even to her own ears- "how about we go downstairs and have some dinner before Inuyasha gets too hyper and bored, don't you think?"

At this, the other girl laughed. "Of course. We wouldn't want to keep him waiting anymore with his kind of stomach." With this being said, both girls rose to their feet and made their way downstairs and what they saw made each of their jaws drop in amazement. What the heck was going on here?!

Author's note: In order to make up for the wait, I did my best to make this chapter longer. :) I hope you all like it and the next chapter should be coming soon! R&R please? And thank you! :)