Chapter Four
I can't believe my parents agreed that I was allowed to go see the active volcano, including Tashi. They were hesitant about it at first, but when they found out who we were going with, they were all smiles. Maybe it was because Sesshomaru saved me from an uncertain death yesterday afternoon?
It was Friday night and I stood in front of my closet deciding on what to wear tomorrow. It would be a bit cool of fifty-five degrees and cold weather was not my best friend. Still deciding, I thought, "maybe the outfit mom bought me the other week?" I wasn't the one for dressing girly, but I didn't want to upset her. She told me that it was on sale, and she couldn't pass it off.
The outfit was still in the white shopping bag. Inside were long navy-blue thigh socks and a flared navy-blue skirt that once again ended past my butt. The shirt was long sleeved in the color soft white. I loved the cardigan sweater that came with it. It was oversized, a fluffy soft material, and it was in the same color soft white. Mom is even more amazing. She bought me the black flat ankle boots from my favorite shoe store. They were urban style and fake leather.
Before I got ready for bed, I prepped three bento boxes for tomorrow. Since Sesshomaru is being generous to show us the volcano, I'll make him lunch for tomorrow too. I hope he likes what I make. White rice, a couple pieces of fish, a sour pickled plum, and snow peas. "I better boil a pot of water for iced tea."
With the pot of water on high, I went to put the now charged batteries in my camera. It was a brand-new Canon EOS R5 in black. "I guess since we'll be out for part of the day, I might as well take lots of pictures."
Photography has always been my favorite passion since I was very young. I would take lots of photos with those disposable cheap cameras and make albums out of them. My biggest passion is to open my own art studio and show off my work. My favorite photographers of all time are Frans Lanting, Ansal Adams, Steve McCurry, and Rinko Kawanuchi. They have the best work I've ever seen. They take pictures of nature. They could be anything from the forest, rivers, and meadows.
With my camera all set up and ready to go, I wanted to get a picture of my brother. He was sitting in the family room, playing with his new Nintendo switch, and eating popcorn. I walked over to him and called out, "Tashi, look here."
When he did, I got a picture of him with a mouth full of popcorn. After he chewed and swallowed, "Rin? What are you doing?"
"I wanted to get a picture of my most favorite person in the whole world." I joined him on the couch, still waiting for the pot to boil.
"Did you have to do it while I was eating?"
"Haha, Yep. It's getting late and you should be getting ready for bed! It's almost ten at night." Mom and dad went for a late evening walk at the park next to our house.
"Let me finish this boss battle, please?" He's playing the second game of Spyro.
"Okay, then it's off to bed with you." I won't be in bed till midnight at most.
"Thanks."
The night went faster than I expected, and it was seven in the morning. Most weekends I like to sleep in, but not today. I'll save that for tomorrow. I got myself another shower, took my medicine that was prescribed to me, and got dressed. My leg was still sore but doing better. I'm glad the outfit I was wearing today will cover up the gash.
After I was dressed and got Tashi up, I went to make an easy breakfast. In the kitchen I found my father making hot tea. "Good morning, dear. How's your leg?"
"It's okay, a little sore. I thought you would be sleeping in?"
"I tried, but I think I have a cold coming on. I want to start my treatment of herbal tea. Would you like a cup? It could help ease the pain on your leg for today."
"Yes, thank you." My father being a full fox demon is amazing. He knows how to treat the right remedies to everything. I remember mom telling me how they have been sweethearts since elementary school. I guess you can say they had been boyfriend and girlfriend for over thirty years. They're both thirty-eight and are still in love. It makes me wonder if I'll meet someone that shows the same amount of devotion in a relationship like my parents do for each other. But I chose not to be in one. With everything that has happened in my past, I need to focus on myself, and stay safe.
"So, are you and Tashi excited to see the active volcano?" My father asked as he placed a cup of hot tea for me on the table.
"Thank you, yeah, I guess. I really don't know anything about it though." I feel like an idiot. I really need to catch up on my history.
"Well, I can tell you that it's been active since the 1914 eruption. Another interesting fact, it's the most active volcano in Japan. Researchers believe that there could be another major eruption within the next thirty years since there have been two recently."
"You really know your history. You should have gone to be a Volcano Researcher, Haha."
"I did at one point, but I found my calling to help others. Well, I'm going back to bed.
"Thanks dad."
"Anytime, sweety. Have a good day and we'll see you both later. Also don't mention or say anything about… you know what to Sesshomaru."
"I won't. It just sucks we had to move all the way out here. I miss home."
"We all do sweety, but it's for your safety. Try to stay positive for us."
"I'll try." I want to be happy again.
Two hours later I had everything packed and ready to go. Tashi was really excited to get out and explore. I, on the other hand, was still tense about going out. I'm going to keep my guard up and Tashi close to me. Right at nine a knock came at the door. "Ready to go, Tashi?" I put on my bag that had everything inside that we would need for today, our food for lunch, the tea in a sealed tight thermos, plastic drinking cups, extra batteries for my camera, cell phone, and my wallet. I don't expect to buy anything today, just our bus tickets.
"Yep! I'm excited to get out for the day. You?" Nope.
"Kind of," I said as I opened the front door.
When I looked at Sesshomaru, I felt my body stiff up. He… he was dressed up very nicely. He wore a navy-blue sweater shirt that fit his body perfectly, and dark denim jeans. His hair was pulled back into a low braided ponytail. He was even wearing black thin glasses that made him look like a young college student. I felt my body blushing. Oh god, why? I told myself so many times I wouldn't feel this type of emotion about boys. Even ones that are a few years older than me. Also, he has a catty pestering girlfriend.
"Hey, Sesshomaru. Good morning. Thanks again for allowing us to tag along," Tashi was almost jumping up and down.
"Good morning, and it's no problem. Are you both ready to go? Rin, how is your leg?" I could see he was looking down to my leg that was covered up.
"Uh… it's okay." It's still sore, even after taking the medicine early this morning. Even drinking dad's remedy tea only helped a little. "I'll be okay with walking."
"I see! If you're okay to go, then we shall head out."
Sesshomaru led us to the bus station, and we bought our tickets. The drive to the volcano was an hour away. I brought nothing with me that would help make the time pass fast. I looked around at what the other passengers were doing. Some were reading and some were on their phones. I noticed Sesshomaru was reading a book. From what I could see on the cover it was Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer. I guess he likes the turn of the century authors.
Tashi was looking out the window with an expressive look on his face. "Rin, I'm excited to see this volcano. It feels like forever since we got out to do something fun like this. What are you the most excited for?" He was sitting on his knees when he asked me that.
"I guess getting a few photos in. I'm going to have to get a new album for these photos I'll be taking today."
"I bet. Hey, can I help decorate the album when it's time?"
I couldn't help but smile at my brother, "Tashi, you don't have to ask. I like when you offer to help me."
"I know, but you know I like to ask." He sat back down and turned his attention to Sesshomaru. "Hey Sesshomaru, what are you most excited for about the volcano?"
He placed his book down and turned to face Tashi. "Just to get out and see it."
"Neat! Are there picnic tables around? Rin made our lunch and homemade iced tea for us."
"There should be. Is cooking one of your other hobbies other than photography, Rin?" I noticed he was looking my way when he asked his question.
"Uh... yeah. It's not much. Just some rice, fish, plums, and peas."
"It's the thought that counts. What are your favorite things to take photos of…." His phone started going off. I have one guess who it is. "What is it, Sara?" I have a feeling she's asking where he's at and wanting him to see her perform. "I told you I made plans this morning and then I have my diving competition later tonight." It seemed like she was asking him a big question for how long he was silent. "What I'm doing this morning is none of your concern and I don't have time, goodbye." He shoved his phone into his pocket and looked my way. "Sorry."
"It's okay." Why is he apologizing to me? "But to answer your question from earlier, I take photos of nature," I explained.
"Interesting, have you thought of joining the photography club at school?" I thought I mentioned to him that I don't have time for after school activities.
"Yes, but I don't have time for clubs." That's actually a lie. I could make it to the club on Thursday's.
"Oh!" Yeah!
We arrived at our location in Sakurajima. It was beautiful when my eyes laid on the island in front of me. The volcano was far off across the dark blue waters of the sea. It was indeed active, with dark white smoke coming out of the top. This is my first time seeing an active volcano.
There were crowds of people around us and Tashi was having a hard time seeing the beauty in front of us. "Rin, can we find another place to stand? It sucks being this short."
"Sorry Tashi, I didn't think about the tourist attraction."
I was getting ready to find a new area for him to see the volcano, when I noticed Sesshomaru picked him up, and placed him over his shoulders for a better view. "Better?"
"Oh wow! Yes! Thank you." His eyes lit up seeing the volcano. "This is so cool. Rin, get your camera out, and get some photos."
"Tashi, I'll get some soon. Just hold on." Such a bubbly boy he is. We just got here, and I wanted to spend a few minutes admiring the volcano. We moved to another section that wasn't overly crowded. Sesshomaru kept Tashi up on his shoulders as I finally started taking photos. I even got a few videos in. I won't post those to social media, but I'll save them to my computer.
I got some nice ones with Tashi by himself. Then Sesshomaru took my camera from me and had me take a few photos with my brother. I prefer to be behind the camera, not in it, but I didn't argue with him, and just got in a few photos.
The sun was out and there were no clouds in the sky. My kind of day to be out. It was now mid-morning when we found a park to have our early lunch. The picnic tables were out in the open and surrounded by lots of trees. It reminds me of home in the country. Brings back a lot of memories with my best friends.
Again, I was in deep thought when I heard my name being called over and over again, "Rin?" Tashi shook my arm.
"What? Sorry I must have spaced out." I need to stop doing that.
It was Sesshomaru who was talking to me. "I was saying your lunch was excellent. This will give me the energy for my diving competition later today."
"Diving competition? That's so cool! Where is it taking place?" Tashi was really excited. Why would he be excited over a diving competition?
"It's at the sports complex in the city. All the high schools will be attending there today. It starts at six."
"Oh cool! Hey Rin, can we see Sesshomaru perform tonight?" Tashi was looking at me with his big brown eyes. "Please?"
I actually wanted to stay home and relax. My leg is killing me, and I don't want to be walking around the city that late at night. So, I just lied, "we'll see." If anything, dad could take him. I haven't had a mother daughter night with mom in a really long time. She and I could actually do one of those at home spa treatments.
"Maybe after you get some rest, we'll, see?" Tashi looked at me with his brown eyes again.
"I'll see how I feel. My leg is kind of bothering me." It sucks that I have to feel like this. The stitches itch like hell and the cut stings like a bitch.
"Are you in pain?" Sesshomaru asked me softly.
"A little. I can feel a sting from the cut and it itches," I explained as I looked at my injured leg covered up by the sock. I want a relaxing bath when I get home and a good long nap.
"Rin, maybe you should ask dad for his special medicine? I bet he'll be glad to make it for you." True, dad has the remedies for everything. If my heart were to ever get broken by a guy, which will never happen, he would fix it by making his special ice cream sundae and watching a comedy movie.
"I'll ask him when we get home."
"Cool. We were pretty lucky to get an apartment with a screened in porch. We can have all the fresh herbs dad has been planting."
"Yeah," was all I said.
As Tashi and I were talking, I looked over to see Sesshomaru on the phone again. I could hear him harshly talking to Sara once again. I guess she is once again trying to persuade him into seeing her perform tonight. He really needs to find a girl who understands his busy schedule. If the guy wants to compete, let him compete.
Time went by much faster and we finally made it back home. Sesshomaru only walked up the staircase, leading towards my apartment. "Well Rin and Tashi, you both have a good rest of your day," he told us.
Tashi held his small hand out towards Sesshomaru as he told him, "Thank you for the awesome day out, Sesshomaru. I hope to see you perform tonight."
Sesshomaru shook his hand firmly, "anytime. Hope you can make it and Rin, I hope you can make it tonight too," he said with a wink. I again felt myself blush. Did he try to flirt with me? I don't even know this dude and I just met him on Monday. Like what the hell.
The only thing I could think of saying was, "sure." Crap! Did I just agree to see him perform? What am I going to do now?
I love leaving you guys with cliffhangers. Do you think she'll show up? What about Sara?
Jenny Crum: Sesshomaru to the rescue.