Chapter Seven

It's been about a month since I've joined the photography club at the request of the principal. The club is okay, and everyone is nice, but I only joined so I can try and get a scholarship. A scholarship that I never thought of going after. When I told my parents the news they were thrilled. They were only antsy when I told them where the club goes for the new school year. I reassured them that I wouldn't be going.

The club leader, Koharu, encouraged us to do a weekend project, and go out somewhere different to take photos at this Thursday meetup. She wanted us to go somewhere that makes us feel at home. The woods made me feel at home, but I'm not going to Yamanashi. I wonder if there are any wooded areas around Kagoshima. I'll have to look up some places nearby that are nature wise for me. The person or I should say demon, that would know was Sesshomaru. I guess I can ask him later. He tends to walk with me every Thursday after school to get Tashi from soccer practice. I'll ask him on the walk home today.

"I can't wait to see your photos next week. Till then, have an amazing evening everyone," Koharu finally released us and what a relief. Heavy black clouds started to form outside, and I wanted to get Tashi and myself home before the storm started. The weatherman said it was going to be bad and that hail was possible tonight.

I made it to the front grates and Sesshomaru was waiting for me like always. A month had passed since he broke up with Sara and I could tell he feels a lot better being single. She no longer was bearing down his back and begging him to see her perform at her recitals. "Ready to go?" He always asks, as we walk out the school gates together.

"Yeah, I need to get Tashi home before this impending storm hits." I looked up to the sky and it looked like it could rain on us any moment.

He popped open a large black umbrella for us to be under. "I got us covered. So, how was the photography club today?" He suddenly took my hand in his. That's a first! It also sent my heart into a flutter. I hope everyone doesn't get the impression and think we are dating.

"It was okay. Koharu wants us to go out somewhere that makes us feel at home and take photos." I guess I should ask him now, "would you by chance know where I can find a forest nearby? Preferably within a few miles?"

"Akan-Mashu National Park, I think you would like it. But that's about a thirty-five-hour drive." Too far for me.

"Anything else close by?"

I watched him think. "The island of Yakushima is very close by. It's about four hours by boat. I could take you if you like. I've been meaning to go there and take in the scenery." I had a feeling he would ask that.

"I guess that will be okay though I would have to ask my parents first." I know they will say it's okay. They do like him. "Koharu wants us to show our work by next Thursday."

"Ask your parents tonight. If they say yes, then I'll take you and Tashi tomorrow after school." Did he say tomorrow?

"We wouldn't be able to stay long…"

"...It will be a weekend camping getaway." Camping? Oh, how I miss camping. Being surrounded by a campfire and just being under the starry night sky.

"I don't know," I love camping, but I don't know anything about the island. Plus, I still don't know much about Sesshomaru. I still hardly know him.

"Would it make it comfortable for you if I invite others to come along?" Others?

"I hope you don't mean that punk I almost punched a month ago?" That bastard will have a black eye if he lays another hand on me. He tried again a week after my near-death experience and Sesshomaru once again stopped me for almost assaulting him the same way we encountered on my first day.

"No, Muso's more interested in looking at himself in a mirror than being outdoors." Who does he mean then? "I meant my younger half-brother Inuyasha, his girlfriend Kagome, and a few others. Kagome has a younger brother that's Tashi's age, so he would have someone to hang out with." If I'm allowed to go, including Tashi, he will at least have someone to hang with.

"Let me ask my parents first and I'll get back to you tonight."

"Alright," was all he said.

It's getting colder out, and I was in the mood for hot stew. Beef and vegetable stew in fact. Since my father has a garden, I have easy access to fresh herbs. The best type of food to have during this type of season and impending weather for tonight.

Tashi was waiting for me out on the soccer field with his other little friends. His eyes lit up seeing me coming his way. He waved goodbye to his friends and ran towards us. "Hey guys!"

I let go of Sesshomaru's hand and pulled my little brother in a hug. "Hey Tashi, how did practice go?" I took his hand and we left for home.

"It went great. What about your club?"

"It went alright, and I have a project to do before next week. I have to go somewhere that makes me feel at home. So, we might go camping tomorrow."

I felt his hand tighten within mind, "we're not going to Yamanashi, are we?"

"No, it's a place called Yakushima."

Sesshomaru suddenly took my other hand, "is there something you both don't like about Yamanashi? Did something happen there to you all?"

It's a secret that can't be told. If word got out or around, my family, but mostly me, would be in danger. "It's… it's nothing to worry about." I just want to feel like myself again.

"Alright." It seems like he really wants to know, but he won't. No one will know my past. "I did want to ask you about Yamanashi. Where are the best places to hang out?"

"It's horrible." That's a lie. I love it there and I will return one day when I know that I can. Only when it's safe. "Why do you ask?"

"The senior class gets to choose a place to go for an annual senior trip and we were debating about Yamanashi. I heard you're from there."

"The senior class would be better off visiting Tokyo." Why of all places, does it have to be my old hometown?

"They always go there. This year will be different. But anyways, I'll see you tomorrow and hopefully you'll be able to go."

We stood outside the apartments just as a clash of thunder echoed through the sky. No rain yet, but I know it will be starting any moment. "I'll message you sometime later with my parents' answer." With that, after Sesshomaru left, Tashi and me got into our apartment. "Tashi, go ahead and start your homework. I'm going to start dinner."

"Okay, Rin." Tonight, will be a relaxing night.

A screen shot emerged on a computer screen in the countryside of Yamanashi deep in the forest. The man behind the computer was cold hearted and angry. He was looking for revenge for his younger brother Bankotsu. Weeks ago, he was arrested for murdering a local innocent elderly demon male for nothing. This man hated all demons with a passion. He wished he could annihilate them all from this world. They were worthless to him.

Because of everything that had happened, he went into hiding for the time being. He was hidden in a secured shelter underground in the forest. The only ones who knew where he was at were his family and his fellow followers.

The elder brother wanted his revenge on the girl in the video. "She's the one who saw everything unfold that afternoon. She had the video and photo evidence to have Bankotsu arrested," he addressed, sipping over a glass of scotch. "I will find you my dear. You can run and try to hide, but I will catch up to you soon, and I will make sure your blood spills till it's very last drop."

The photo was a tab blurry, but he could make out who was in the photo. It was just a photo of the girl's face he was looking at. He was unsure of what city she was in since all evidence was erased off the net, including the video. He knew his job now was to send his goons to every city in Japan till she was found. "Enjoy the time you have left my dear. Your life will be cut short before you know it."

Tashi and I arrived with Sesshomaru at the docks for Kagoshima as we waited for everyone else to arrive. We would be spending three nights away from home, camping out on an island, four hours away. There was no school on Monday so it would be a little getaway vacation. I don't see how mom and dad can be so accepting towards this. You would think with everything that has happened that they would have us stay in doors at all costs. Mostly me.

While we were at school today, mom and dad prepared our camping bags. Mom made sure we had clean warm clothes, pre-made food, and all other things that we would need. She even charged some extra batteries for my camera. Dad got the good tent out of storage and our sleeping bags. He even packed up some of his herbs that make his good tea.

I've noticed I'm coming around more and slowly talking to others. Which scares me sometimes. I feel like if I get close to someone that I might say something that shouldn't be said. Like what happened in the woods or about me being abandoned as a newborn. I just have to keep in mind what I say this weekend. One slip and will be moving again.

I'm still kind of shocked we're going without parental supervision. In situations that involve a lot of young teenagers being away from home for a few days, a parent or two would be there to make sure things go in order. I'm surprised dad didn't offer to come along. I guess everyone that is going tonight is very responsible. I never met the others that were coming with us today… scratch that. I believe I had met Sesshomaru's younger brother last month, but that was for a short minute because he was delivering our pizza. Plus, Kohaku, and Koharu were tagging along.

"Hey Rin, how much more time do we have to wait?" Tashi must be getting antsy having to wait.

"I'm not sure. Hopefully not too much longer." I know he's getting hungry and so am I. Mom made a snack bento box for the ride over and a thermos filled with hot tea. I think she made enough for everyone for the small trip over. All of which was stored in a rolling cooler.

As we were still waiting, I noticed Sesshomaru's elf-like ears perked up. "I can hear their cars coming. They're about two miles out. So, we can get on the boat and wait for them."

"Sweet! Rin, what are we doing for dinner tonight?" Tashi is always hungry.

"We'll see what mom packed us later. If you're hungry you can have one of the snacks she packed."

"Sounds good." I pulled one out of a baggie of mixed nuts and a banana.

The ferry we were taking was quite large. It had a white body and two yellow stripes that wrapped around the frame of the top and lower deck. Since it was just a short four-hour ride over to the island, we just brought our belongings along with us. Inside the ferry were colorful cushion seats that were lined up, side by side. I was going to grab a window seat, though it would be a tight space with all of our stuff when Sesshomaru pulled my hand to stop me. I turned with a confused look, "are we not sitting here?"

"No, we're going to have a better place to sit upstairs. It has an open area for all of us and our belongings." Like a large cubical?

"Okay."

Sesshomaru led us up a staircase and I understood what he meant when we made it up here. The space we would be taking was large and wide. The floors were lined with tatami mats and square cubes to store our shoes. Tashi was overjoyed seeing the space will be sitting for the next four hours. "Rin! This is so cool. Let's sit by the window, okay?"

"Sure. Remember to take your shoes off." Tashi tends to forget when he gets this excited.

"Kay," he did as I told him, stuck his shoes in a cubby hole, walked over to the wall, and looked out the round window. "I can't wait till we take off. What kind of ferry is this again?"

I wasn't sure what type of boat this was, and I was going to answer him, "it's a jetfoil," Sesshomaru beat me to the punch. My heart skipped a beat. It was the same type of boat Tashi's parents lost their lives on six years ago with many others. "Is this your first time on one, Tashi?"

I already noticed Tashi's change of emotions from joyfulness to sorrow, "Yeah." He was already hiding his face against my ribcage and arms wrapped around my waist. "Rin, the same thing won't happen, will it?" His voice was shaking with fear and his tears began to soak my flannel shirt.

Before I answered, I held him tighter and told him, "No. I promise nothing will happen." I know nothing will happen.

"Is he alright?"

I turned to Sesshomaru and told him, "Yeah. He will be." I guess I should tell him. "Tashi's biological parents died in a jetfoil accident six years ago when he was just two." I turned back to my brother and rubbed Tashi's hair behind his ear to comfort him. "We just didn't know it was this type of ferry." I pulled back and wiped his tears away, "everything will be okay, Tashi. I promise."

I know how Tashi feels. The fear of the ferry catching fire, sinking, and drowning was his biggest fear. He has no problem with other types of boats, but a jetfoil was his biggest fear. Tashi hugged me once more, wiped his own tears away, gave me that reassuring smile he always gives me, and whispered, "thanks again, Rin."

I only smiled at him when a loud group of people headed our way. I turned to see a young group of teens close in age to me and Sesshomaru. There were four girls and four boys, along with a younger boy about Tashi's age. I knew two humans from the group, Kohaku and Koharu. Three of the older teens were demons and the other three were human.

They all must be couples. Out of six who I'm meeting for the first time, I only recognized the silver haired half demon, Inuyasha. "Yo! Great seat picking guys," he was the first out of the group to greet us.

"I totally agree, Inuyasha. Finally, a three-day weekend away from the parents. Man, I can't wait to explore the island with you all." Another boy came around the half demon and the first thing I saw was half a swollen face and several red prints. I've heard rumors of a boy at our school who consistently gets smacked around by his girlfriend. So, he must be the one. I noticed he was looking my way, with a goofy grin. "You must be, Rin. I've heard so much about you."

I watched as his hand came towards my shoulder and was stopped instantly by a familiar hand. I noticed that it was once again Sesshomaru. "Miroku, when are you going to learn about putting your hands on females that you just met?" So, he just like that bastard Sesshomaru stopped me from assaulting last month.

"Yeah, Miroku! When are you going to learn?" Following Sesshomaru's questioning came an angry female. The female came around and literally smacked his backside. "Anyways, hi Rin. I'm Sango. It's finally wonderful to meet you in person." At least she was generous to greet me before reaching a handout my way. Sango is very pretty with dark brown hair pulled all the way back into a long ponytail. She is taller than me, built well, and looks to be very athletic.

"Nice to meet you too," I shook her hand properly. Remember to not reveal anything about yourself. I was greeted by everyone else from the group as they all got themselves settled in. We all took our seats and soon they all had a conversation going. They all were discussing what they wanted to do starting tonight, after they had their tents set up.

For myself I was not sure what I wanted to do since this was my first time visiting. Maybe stargaze? It feels like forever since I could see the stars. I could tell all the constellations in the sky from memory. My favorite out of all of them was the Pegasus. Which is also my favorite Greek mythology creature. The body of a horse and wings like an eagle, which I find to be very majestic.

Half-hour later we were finally on our way. Tashi clung to me quickly when we first took off. The same fear came back for him. He cradled into my lap and his tears came out slowly. I whispered to him and reassured him that we would be okay. He didn't say anything and that's okay. I'll hold him for as long as he wants me to. I feel like a mother cradling her baby boy and being their protector and comfort.

Everyone around asked if all was okay. I just lied. I told them that he's not used to being away from home for this long. They don't need to know the actual truth.

Sesshomaru was generous and handed me a blanket to cover Tashi and myself. I'm grateful the ferry provides these types of necessities for short trips. He even fell asleep fifteen minutes into the trip. Kagome's brother Sota, who was actually friends with Tashi, also fell asleep. But he slept on the floor beside his sister. I too fell asleep not long after. I just didn't realize who I fell asleep against.

Once again, I leave you all with a cliffhanger. Bwahaha! What do you think will happen on their three-day weekend away from home? Who do you think is the mysterious person that is after Rin? Do you think Rin might slip and open up about herself a little more?