InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Once Upon A Human Heart ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: KagomeGal 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 05.05.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.6K | Visits: 213 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 05.05.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.6K | Visits: 213 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter Two: Nobody’s Home-Then you find a face in the night, or does the face find you?
Open your eyes and look outside, find the reasons why.You've been rejected, and now you can't find what you left behind.Be strong, be strong now.Too many, too many problems.Don't know where she belongs, where she belongs.She wants to go home, but nobody's home.It's where she lies, broken inside.With no place to go, no place to go to dry her eyes.Broken inside.
She’s lost inside...
Two days later.....
Rin scrunched down near the wall of a small grocery store and munched on a green apple she had ironically ‘found’ on a table outside the shop. Watching idly at passer-by’s in business suits, ladies dressed up in fancy clothing, and homeless bums carrying bags and pushing shopping carts scurried about hurriedly, not even glancing at the tiny girl that stared wide-eyed in her pajamas.
When Rin had stopped running those awful two days ago and realized she was helplessly lost, she began crying and begged for help from anyone in her sight. Someone would have to assist her, right? Most, however, ignored the frightened girl and those who actually took notice to her and appeared helpful soon disregarded her as well. For when Rin tried to talk nothing came out of her mouth. It seemed that her voice had abandoned her, but somehow she didn’t care if she ever got it back. Mumbling something about ‘being a waist of time,’ those people gave up on her and labeled the girl as a lost cause, then disappeared into the crowd of faces.
So here she was, shivering as a cold, spring breeze made its way through her thin, dirt stained pj’s. Her socks were wearing down to an even denser state, making her feet ache from the lack of coverage. The sun was setting now making this her third night in the strange, cruel world. A world that was never without lights and only allowed darkness to creep about in the crevices between the buildings. Rin stayed where she was, preferring not to venture even further out into the unknown. But as night came and the bustling of the people died down to only a few pedestrians, the empty feeling in her heart grew more from the lack of human interaction...and her family.
As an old and crumpled up newspaper flew by her in the wind, she snatched it up and covered herself from the elements as best she could. Failing miserably in the process of it, for the paper had been ripped so many times it was barely readable and practically useless. How was she going to survive this kind of life? Suddenly, a loud noise coming from the shadowed alley next to the grocery store caught her attention. Scrapes and growls, sniffs and snarls echoed down the narrow opening. Rin bit her lip and held back tears of fear wondering what kind of monster this place would produce next.
Her question was soon answered as a small pack of scraggly dogs came sniffing their way out of their hole. She kept as quiet as possible, trying to be strong and not to draw attention to herself. ‘Dogs don’t eat people anyways.’ But when one of the hungry looking animals raised its snout to the air, homed in on her scent and locked eyes with her, she knew she was in danger.
With a jolt of electricity, akin to what she felt only two nights ago, Rin once again bolted off deeper into the city. This time, however, her enemies pursued her when she looked back and she realized these were not like the puppies her parents used to bring home to her and her brother for pets. These rabid dogs were skinny, hungry and willing to do anything for a bite to eat. Tears fell of their own accord down her smudged, porcelain cheeks. What was she going to do?
She tried running faster, but failed as gravel and dirt scraped her bare feet causing them to bleed. She was cold, tired, hungry and emotionally drained. There was no way she could escape this time, it was impossible to outrun a dog. ‘Run Rin...’ Her mothers voice came to life in her head. ‘Mama!’ She cried out in her mind, wishing she were there to save her. But her mothers encouraging voice was drowned out by the pants, howls, and growls dangerously closing in behind her.
Her breathing was becoming ragged and shallow. Her energy slowly drained away as her pace began to drop. But, just up ahead was the largest building she had seen yet in this city. It seemed to be made of glass and shiny silver. Lights illuminated the area making a bright, welcoming aura surrounding it’s perimeter and two large crystal clear doors that gave her the promise of safety. Could she make it? She had to make it, there was no other choice. As the sight of the safe building permeated her thoughts and helped her find new strength to move on, one of the dogs had gotten close enough to lunge forward and grab hold of her pajamas with it’s sharp teeth, ripping a hole in her clothing and barely missing her skin, electing a dry scream from her throat.
‘Almost there!’ She screamed in her mind. ‘Just a little closer...’ Rin stumbled up the two oversized steps to the building, swung the door open with all her might and slammed it shut behind her. Shaking and heaving her breathes in at an alarming rate, the girl couldn’t stop weeping. But just when she knew she was safe, the beasts threw themselves at the door. Barking and growling at her and scratching the glass door. Rin jumped in horror and scurried over to a small bench in the eight by ten room that was probably used to swipe dirt away from ones shoes before entering the elaborate building. She stumbled onto the bench and scooted to the farthest end of the bench from the door, curled her knees up to her chest, buried her face in them and cried with all her soul.
‘Why me?’ She wept, trying to make sense of her dilemma. ‘I want mama and papa and even my stupid brother! They’re all stupid for dying! I’m stupid for running away!’ She craved her mothers warm embrace, her fathers comforting smile and her brothers protective presence. She longed to leave this strange place full of its weird people and creatures.‘I just wanna go home, but, nobody loves me anymore...’
“Fucking idiot.” Sesshoumaru whispered in his large, cold office as his brother hung up on him again. Their constant arguments were truly a hell in itself. His brother, Inuyasha Tetsaiga, never listened to him-like the moron should have-and he never listened to his younger sibling. It was a never ending battle that was the epitome of a migraine. Of course, that didn’t mean he had any desire or intention of resolving their continuos dispute.
In fact, there wasn’t a single quality about him that he found tolerable and made sure that any encounter with his only remaining family member, how few there were, had been kept simple and short lived. Usually their quarrels ended with one or the other landing in the ER, normally that bastard when he got in over his head fighting Sesshoumaru. But one of the not so recent fights had ended in his own defeat a little over two years ago. That was when his arm had been...
Slowly reaching up, Sesshoumaru touched his left shoulder, feeling the difference in texture beneath his suite. He could easily distinguish where his skin merged to the metallic arm. If still hurt at times, and there were moments he almost relived the pain of the knifes’ serrated blade carving its way through his flesh. He would never forgive him, maybe he would never forgive himself for letting it happen.
Sesshoumaru grit his teeth in anger and began gathering all his documents together in his black, leather briefcase. He was not one to dwell on the past, he was not one to dwell or sulk on anything actually. It was immature and beneath his standards.
Making sure his flat screen computer was off, he made his way to the door. Jaken, his impish assistant, had been sent home hours ago by Sesshoumaru. One could only be around the short, bubble of a man for a limited time. His personal secretary, Kagura, was still at her desk outside his office when he walked out. She was designated to leave as soon as he did, but she always stayed longer to finish off her nail polish or talk on the phone either gossiping with her high class friends or arguing with her deranged father, as she was doing now rather loudly.
She was basically something nice to set outside his office for colleagues to look at. And truthfully, he only kept her employment because her father owned one of the companies he was in league with. But, she had been useful in ‘other’ ways that made up for the empty space in her pretty little head. Otherwise, her presence was as undesirable than Jaken’s. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling she was hiding something.
Sesshoumaru exited the elevator on the first floor and made his way through the finely decorated lobby. He was probably one of the last employees leaving the building-like he was every night. But he wasn’t an employee, he was the owner and president of the company that he worked hard to inherit from his deceased father-Western Capital Corporation.
“Goodnight, Mr. Tensaiga.” The clerk sitting at the front desk smiled at him as she prepared to lock up for the night. He didn’t glance at her, acting as if he were still the only one around and essentially ignoring her presence.
Upon approaching the front doors he heard the barking and scratching of dogs around the entrance room. Had someone brought dogs into his building? If so, somebody was going to receive a beating tonight, by his own hands.
Sesshoumaru slammed open the first set of doors ready to release his fury on the closest living creature, what he saw was a pack of stray dogs loitering by his glass door. ‘What the hell is going on. His face, however, was composed and betrayed nothing of his foul mood. A small muffled whimper behind him caught his attention and huddled up in a tiny ball on the bench sat a little dark haired girl. Her pajamas were dirty and torn, her feet were clearly bleeding and her hair was thoroughly frazzled.
“You.” He calmly called out to the child. “What’s going on here?” He felt compelled to ask, although, the situation seemed quite clear. She had been lucky the manufacturers had chosen not to instal automatic or revolving doors.
With her head still planted in her knees, the girls sobbing ceased and instantly tensed when he spoke as if she hadn’t known he was there until now. Slowly, she began lifting her head as he stared intently at her. Her watery, chocolate eyes met his stone cold glare. And he wouldn’t have been surprised one bit if she were more frightened of him than those mutts outside. Everyone else was.
But, amazingly, after a few moments after staring at each other, the girl let a big toothy smile spread across her dirty face. She couldn’t have looked more ridiculous than anyone he had ever seen, next to his brother. But she seemed so honest and although she was covered in dirt, her smile lit the room with a light the electric bulbs overhead could not. And for the first time in his life, Sesshoumaru was left dumbfounded-what the hell was she smiling at?
Rin couldn’t help but smile at the tall man, he looked almost as sad as she felt. Maybe he was like her-lonely. But, most of all he had talked to her. Maybe he could make the dogs go away.
“What is your name?” He asked in the dullest voice she could’ve quite possibly ever heard. A giggle escaped her dry throat at the man. He did care-even if he didn’t sound like it. Her giggle, however, earned her an odd grunt from the man.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” He turned his glare back to the dogs outside causing Rin’s smile to fade instantly for fear she had offended him. A tiny, high-pitched grunt brought his attention back to the girl. Her bright smile had been replaced by a look of despair. Her little pink lips opened in an effort to say something, but it appeared she was struggling with her voice. Her chin started quivering in fear that he would never understand her predicament and although no words left her mouth, her eyes were screaming at him.
This child spoke to him with her egyptian slanted eyes and behaved around him like so many others had failed to...but what did he care. So what if she didn’t bow in his presence every time he entered a room or try to ‘get on his good side’ for the simple sake of being his ‘friend.’ It wasn’t any of his business what was wrong with this girl, he should never have given it a second thought.
‘Heartless monster...Inhuman emotions-for what little he has...Cruel and lacking compassionate nature...A Demon in a mortal body...’ Every title that had been branded on him by the public and by his family passed threw his mind. And with that as his last thought, Sesshoumaru opened the door swiftly to head off to his ritzy apartment a few blocks away, hitting one of the beasts snout with the glass and causing it to scurry off with its tail between its legs.
After kicking one of the remaining animals in the lower abdomen, the rest bolted off thoroughly convinced that this new opponent would not be as easy a meal as the small morsel they had their eyes on previously. Rin stared in awe with her hands planted on the glass door, her warm breath quickly fogging the area around her mouth. She couldn’t believe how strong and brave he was as he walked down the sidewalk like nothing had happened.
He saved her, the only one in this giant city of lights that cared for her well being and he was walking away. There was no way she could let him leave, not without her. She had to thank him in some way, to repay him. Maybe he would protect her from now on. But what had caught her attention most about him, other than his good deed, was his eyes. They were dark amber and held the weight of the world in them like she had never seen before. When she stared into his eyes, she saw right through his mask of coldness. The hard glare he gave her-that had been used to scare off the world-hid a life of loneliness underneath. She may have been young, but she was not completely ignorant to emotions.
Quickly leaving the building, she ran after the man without thinking twice. With her feet hurting and her tummy growling, Rin reached his side and tugged on his pant leg abruptly causing him to stop. He looked down at her with the same blank face as before as she reached her arms up to him, expecting to be picked up by her knight in shining armor. But he only continued walking down the street. She ignored his disregard and continued to follow until he reached another large, shiny building. Tugging once more on his pant leg to get his attention, she reached up again with pleading eyes for him to accept her.
Sesshoumaru was unsure how to handle the chit. The entire walk back with her at his haunches was rather uncomfortable and awkward to say the least. And once again she was urging him to pick her up for some reason-did he looked like he cared? He should just leave her, but if she was this trusting with him, a perfect stranger, what if she decided to walk up to a pedofile or some other freak on the streets and wished to be picked up. Even if he denied her once more, he doubted she would have gotten the picture-and he didn’t feel like taking his frustration out on a little girl just to get her to leave him alone.
Once again, her eyes began pleading with him and he felt something in his chest tighten. He could offer her shelter for the night until the morning when he would get her proper care. That seemed like a good option so that the guilt of leaving a waif on the streets to die wouldn’t come back to haunt him.
Slowly and unassuredly, he reached down and hesitantly wrapped his forearm around her tiny waist, bringing her up to rest her back against his chest. Feeling utterly uneasy and almost humiliated, he held the girl like a child would hold a stuffed animal to their chest. He had never once in his life held a child and was clueless as to any aspect of what kind of care one needed-he would have to draft some help from the current maid on duty.
Rin squirmed uncomfortably in his embrace, his arm felt like it was made of rock. And for some strange reason his hand that occupied her waist was covered with a smooth black glove, while the other one carrying his briefcase was normal and bare. But even if she could have talked, she wouldn’t have complained. He was going to take care of her from now on, she could feel it in her bones. And she was going to make him happy in whatever way she possibly could, not only because she felt she owed it to him, but because she wanted to. Everyone deserved happiness in their life and from what she could tell, he needed it.
After carrying the girl through the lobby, and receiving undeniably strange looks from the receptionist on duty, Sesshoumaru took the girl up to his apartment and into the bathroom. He wouldn’t have a sloppy child running around his place spreading her dirt and blood all over his clean carpets.
“Wait here.” He ordered her and left the white, tiled room. Rin eagerly obeyed and literally froze where she stood. Moments went by and she wondered if he were to leave her here for the rest of the night. She did not want to stay in a bathroom, although it was better than the streets. Her curiosity was eating away at her. The place he had brought her back to was even bigger than her house. Though she didn’t get a good look at the giant rooms he took her through, they seemed so cold and dark. It reminded her of the dungeons that were in the story books she would read. ‘Maybe he would like some flowers to make his house prettier.’ She thought idly.
Her ideas of redecorating his house in flowers were cut short as a pretty lady in short black and white dress opened the door to the bathroom, her arms occupied by a load of laundry and other supplies. Sesshoumaru was close behind as they both entered the expansive bathroom.
“Oh you poor dear!” The dark-haired lady gasped and rushed to fondle the girl with care. “What on earth happened to you?” She drawled out, petting her hair. But Rin only looked at her in somewhat of confusion, tilting her head to the side in her most adorable manner. Should she try and speak again to explain? What if she got mad at her too cause she couldn’t say anything-just like everyone else.
“She doesn’t talk.” Sesshoumaru interrupted and stood over the two. His briefcase and overcoat was discarded of. “Just make sure you get her clean. Afterwards, feed her and place her in one of my spare rooms.” He disappeared from the room quickly after he told her to take care of Rin like she was an object...not a human. Ordering the maid around like he owned her-Rin was sure that he would get a tongue lashing from the lady. That’s what her mother always did to her father when he bossed her around too much. Much to Rin’s surprise, the lady nodded her head and attended her chores.
“Alright sweety, lets get you out of these rags.” She commented as she began to peel the filthy clothes from her body...
Rin was shampooed twice, conditioned thrice, washed countless times, her fingernails manicured to as much perfection as a child’s could be, teeth brushed twice and flossed once, tongue scraped and her flesh lotioned up to softness-allowing a sweet smell to permeate from her skin. She felt like a different girl in her new sleeping kimono. It was just a simple patterned light orange and cream design, nothing like she had ever worn before. The silkiness of it molded to her like a second layer of skin. ‘So soft...’ She thought, completely entranced with the material.
When the maid had finished drying and brushing her hair, she grabbed a small ribbon to tie a little pony tail on the side of her head. Rin turned to look at herself in the mirror and couldn’t help but smile. She liked her new hair-do. The maid seemed to think so to with her constant appraising about ‘how adorable’ or ‘cute’ she looked only confused Rin-but at least her comments sounded positive.
“Sesshoumaru-samma will be very happy.” She smiled. ‘Se-Sesshoumaru?’ Rin thought. Was that his name?
“The girl has been cared for, Mr. Tensaiga.” The maid bowed to him. “She has been fed and placed in bed. I believe she is asleep.”
“Then that is all.” He sat at his desk, barely acknowledging her presence as he went over the endless number of documents and files to be tended to. “Leave.”
“Yes, my Lord. But, may I make a suggestion about the girl?”
“No.” The maid winced slightly and blushed.
“Of course, my Lord. My apologies.” She bowed once more and made her exit-thoroughly embarrassed.
Sesshoumaru pinched the bridge of his nose as a he felt another migraine creeping up on him. It was getting late... He heard the closing of the door and the maids’ footsteps echoing down the hall. This branch of the hotel was dark and quiet, the way he liked it. He couldn’t stand to be around the ignorance of society, they were nothing to him. For all he cared, they could rot away and world wouldn’t be any worse for the wear.
He couldn’t help the devilish smirk that came to him...the only kind of smirk that came to him. How many of those imbeciles had he disposed of? Too many to count...that’s for sure. And the most ironic thing about it was that not one person would do a thing about it. Society itself feared him, at least when they weren’t sucking up to him like the brainless, pitiful excuses of humanity they were.
After ten more minutes of ordering his headache to go away, and failing, Sesshoumaru left his desk and made for the kitchen. Pulling out a small shot glass from a high cabinet, he grabbed a bottle of the hardest liquor he had and let loose. Besides, only pussies chased their drinks.
With a few more shots, he finally began to feel the buzz. He removed his tie and placed it on the counter he sat by. Trying to relax, he rolled the sleeves up on his white button down undershirt and ran a hand through his short, sleeked back, pale hair.
He sat there for thirty more minutes taking random shots. At least, until he looked up and saw the chit standing in the dark hall of his apartment-holding onto a small stuffed animal of a white puppy dog in one hand while rubbing the tears away from her eyes with the other. Quickly, he rolled the sleeve of his left arm back down to hide it along with the glove. He had forgotten about her already.
“What?” He asked sardonically. Her only response was to look up at him with those same watery eyes that she had persuaded him with before. “Go back to sleep.” He returned his stern gaze back to his empty shot glass.
“Ses-...Sesshoumaru-samma.” She mumbled it, but he still heard it loud and clear. Her tiny, bare feet made quiet tapping noises as she walked toward him. The cold, marbled floor gave her goose bumps and caused involuntary shivering.
When she reached him, her grip on the stuffed animal tightened as she opened her mouth to speak once again. “Rin’s name...is Rin.” Her little mouth blurted out as she tried to explain something. Was she trying to talk in riddles? How ridiculous, maybe the chit just had a bad dream.
“Rin’s mommy and daddy are gone...and her brother is too.” The tears were back again-why would she even bother to wipe away tears when all she was going to do is cry more?
“Rin saw them get...ano...they’re gone. But, she doesn’t understand.” Her innocent brain still couldn’t seem to piece together what had happened and why. “Rin was the only one to run away. But, then the bad wolves came after her...” They weren’t really wolfs, he understood that. But, in her mind they were.
“She misses mommy!” She brought her toy up and buried her tear stricken face its soft fur. Her small shoulders were shaking with sobs...not sobs that a normal child should be emitting over a simple cut or not getting what they wanted at the candy store. They were sobs of true pain, loneliness, and utter despair. He couldn’t stop the ache that grew in his chest with each tremor that shook her tiny shoulders or every gut wrenching sound of pain from the girl.
It was then that he understood her. He found himself reaching out to the girl to pet her on the head, to comfort her...anything to...help her. Immediately, he drew back his hand upon realizing his odd moment of compassion. What was he supposed to do with her? He was not an affectionate person nor did he wish to be, especially over a simple minded little girl...who had lived through hell. She was alone in the world, ironically like him.
“Rin loves Sesshoumaru-samma.” Completely caught off guard, his mouth opened slightly. “Sesshoumaru-samma saved Rin!” She smiled at him so brightly it made him nauseous. How could she even smile after such heartbreak?
He stared at her for an eternity, studying the odd child. She, in tern, staring right back with that cute little smile that made her round cheeks raise. Her large, curious eyes meeting him evenly. Tilting her head out of boredom from this ‘game’ he was playing, her little pony tail swayed with the movement.
Sesshoumaru was left utterly confused at her complete change in mood-from balling her eyes out to declaring that she loved a total stranger. He was always so calculated and thought out, but when this child was around him he couldn’t quite understand things...or her for that matter. She was rather...spontaneous.
“Can Rin have a drink?” She broke the silence and stood on tip-toe to reach the bottle he seemed to be keeping all for himself.
“No.” He closed his eyes and lifted his arm to scoot the alcoholic beverage away from her with the back of his hand. Taking the moment of his closed eyes to her advantage, Rin grabbed his black tie and looped it around her neck. The piece of clothing almost as long as the girl wearing it.
“Look Sesshoumaru-samma,” She giggled. “It looks good with Rin’s new pajamas!” She hugged the stuffed puppy to the chest of her kimono, pleased with the fact that she was wearing something of his. Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and frowned. It was time for her to go back to bed. Now.
Standing up from his seat, he grabbed another glass from the cabinet and a gallon of milk from his refrigerator. Pouring her a half a glass, he set it in front of the girl and ordered her to drink. Obeying, she downed it as fast as her little mouth would allow, gulping and slurping all the way through. “Aahhh! Thank you Sesshoumaru-samma!” She smiled, a milk mustache gracing her upper lip. “Ooop..” She quickly swiped it away upon realizing it was there and returned to her ever-cheerful state.
“Come.” He stated, walking past her and back to the hall from which she had came, trying to act unamused with her complete silliness. Setting the large glass on the counter, she followed him eagerly like a little lost lamb.
“Why is Sesshoumaru-samma’s house so cold?....Does Sesshoumaru-samma like flowers?....Who was that lady that gave Rin a bath?....Can Rin have another glass of milk?...Was Sesshoumaru-samma drinking milk too?” It was only a ten second walk, but she made it feel like an eternity. Never ceasing or failing to ask a question or comment on an object that caught her attention. He was beginning to wish she had stayed a mute.
When he reached her current bedroom, he entered and pulled the covers back once again for her to sleep. “In.” He ordered. She nodded and crawled up into the oversized bed. “Go to sleep.” Leaning down and covering her up with the heavy blankets, Rin quickly reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck in a loving embrace, his short hair tickling her arm.
Sesshoumaru held stark still, completely unsure as to what to do with the situation. A expression of utter fear and surprise came over his face-needless to say, he was grateful they were alone in the room. “Thank you so much, Sesshoumaru-samma.” She whispered in his ear only to release the death grip she had on him.
He didn’t move for a moment, shock still circling in his mind. Recovering quickly, however, he stood back up and looked down on the girl with his usual icy eyes. “Goodnight, Sesshoumaru-samma.” She sighed and leaned back into her pillow, cuddling with her new toy.
With nothing to say, he turned and made for the exit. Lifting his hand to turn off the lights just before leaving he paused. “Wait.” She stopped him. “Will Sesshoumaru-samma leave the light on?” He wouldn’t turn back to look at her, only, let his hand slowly slip away from the switch as he closed the door behind him-letting her have her wish.
Sesshoumaru stopped outside the door. His mind completely frazzled, an occurrence that rarely happened to him. But, through all the hectic mess a faint smile hit him. One thing was for sure...he couldn’t let her go.
I'm lookin' for a place. I'm searchin' for a face.
Is anybody here I know?
Cause nothin's goin' right, And everything's a mess, And no one likes to be alone.
Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home?
It's a damn cold night, tryin' to figure out this life.
Won't you take me by the hand, take me somewhere new.
I don't know who you are but I'm with you.
PLEASE REVIEW....you don’t realize how annoying it is to see all the hits you’ve had on your story and so few reviews...Thank you to those who do review, it motivates me to finish the story faster! And if you don’t know what chasing a drink is...then you don’t need to worry about it.
Japanese text: Ano=um
Next Chapter: Rin grows up!...well, kinda....Bad things happen when Kagura is in town and our leading characters have a tough run in with Sesshoumaru’s younger brother! Yikes!
Open your eyes and look outside, find the reasons why.You've been rejected, and now you can't find what you left behind.Be strong, be strong now.Too many, too many problems.Don't know where she belongs, where she belongs.She wants to go home, but nobody's home.It's where she lies, broken inside.With no place to go, no place to go to dry her eyes.Broken inside.
She’s lost inside...
Two days later.....
Rin scrunched down near the wall of a small grocery store and munched on a green apple she had ironically ‘found’ on a table outside the shop. Watching idly at passer-by’s in business suits, ladies dressed up in fancy clothing, and homeless bums carrying bags and pushing shopping carts scurried about hurriedly, not even glancing at the tiny girl that stared wide-eyed in her pajamas.
When Rin had stopped running those awful two days ago and realized she was helplessly lost, she began crying and begged for help from anyone in her sight. Someone would have to assist her, right? Most, however, ignored the frightened girl and those who actually took notice to her and appeared helpful soon disregarded her as well. For when Rin tried to talk nothing came out of her mouth. It seemed that her voice had abandoned her, but somehow she didn’t care if she ever got it back. Mumbling something about ‘being a waist of time,’ those people gave up on her and labeled the girl as a lost cause, then disappeared into the crowd of faces.
So here she was, shivering as a cold, spring breeze made its way through her thin, dirt stained pj’s. Her socks were wearing down to an even denser state, making her feet ache from the lack of coverage. The sun was setting now making this her third night in the strange, cruel world. A world that was never without lights and only allowed darkness to creep about in the crevices between the buildings. Rin stayed where she was, preferring not to venture even further out into the unknown. But as night came and the bustling of the people died down to only a few pedestrians, the empty feeling in her heart grew more from the lack of human interaction...and her family.
As an old and crumpled up newspaper flew by her in the wind, she snatched it up and covered herself from the elements as best she could. Failing miserably in the process of it, for the paper had been ripped so many times it was barely readable and practically useless. How was she going to survive this kind of life? Suddenly, a loud noise coming from the shadowed alley next to the grocery store caught her attention. Scrapes and growls, sniffs and snarls echoed down the narrow opening. Rin bit her lip and held back tears of fear wondering what kind of monster this place would produce next.
Her question was soon answered as a small pack of scraggly dogs came sniffing their way out of their hole. She kept as quiet as possible, trying to be strong and not to draw attention to herself. ‘Dogs don’t eat people anyways.’ But when one of the hungry looking animals raised its snout to the air, homed in on her scent and locked eyes with her, she knew she was in danger.
With a jolt of electricity, akin to what she felt only two nights ago, Rin once again bolted off deeper into the city. This time, however, her enemies pursued her when she looked back and she realized these were not like the puppies her parents used to bring home to her and her brother for pets. These rabid dogs were skinny, hungry and willing to do anything for a bite to eat. Tears fell of their own accord down her smudged, porcelain cheeks. What was she going to do?
She tried running faster, but failed as gravel and dirt scraped her bare feet causing them to bleed. She was cold, tired, hungry and emotionally drained. There was no way she could escape this time, it was impossible to outrun a dog. ‘Run Rin...’ Her mothers voice came to life in her head. ‘Mama!’ She cried out in her mind, wishing she were there to save her. But her mothers encouraging voice was drowned out by the pants, howls, and growls dangerously closing in behind her.
Her breathing was becoming ragged and shallow. Her energy slowly drained away as her pace began to drop. But, just up ahead was the largest building she had seen yet in this city. It seemed to be made of glass and shiny silver. Lights illuminated the area making a bright, welcoming aura surrounding it’s perimeter and two large crystal clear doors that gave her the promise of safety. Could she make it? She had to make it, there was no other choice. As the sight of the safe building permeated her thoughts and helped her find new strength to move on, one of the dogs had gotten close enough to lunge forward and grab hold of her pajamas with it’s sharp teeth, ripping a hole in her clothing and barely missing her skin, electing a dry scream from her throat.
‘Almost there!’ She screamed in her mind. ‘Just a little closer...’ Rin stumbled up the two oversized steps to the building, swung the door open with all her might and slammed it shut behind her. Shaking and heaving her breathes in at an alarming rate, the girl couldn’t stop weeping. But just when she knew she was safe, the beasts threw themselves at the door. Barking and growling at her and scratching the glass door. Rin jumped in horror and scurried over to a small bench in the eight by ten room that was probably used to swipe dirt away from ones shoes before entering the elaborate building. She stumbled onto the bench and scooted to the farthest end of the bench from the door, curled her knees up to her chest, buried her face in them and cried with all her soul.
‘Why me?’ She wept, trying to make sense of her dilemma. ‘I want mama and papa and even my stupid brother! They’re all stupid for dying! I’m stupid for running away!’ She craved her mothers warm embrace, her fathers comforting smile and her brothers protective presence. She longed to leave this strange place full of its weird people and creatures.‘I just wanna go home, but, nobody loves me anymore...’
“Fucking idiot.” Sesshoumaru whispered in his large, cold office as his brother hung up on him again. Their constant arguments were truly a hell in itself. His brother, Inuyasha Tetsaiga, never listened to him-like the moron should have-and he never listened to his younger sibling. It was a never ending battle that was the epitome of a migraine. Of course, that didn’t mean he had any desire or intention of resolving their continuos dispute.
In fact, there wasn’t a single quality about him that he found tolerable and made sure that any encounter with his only remaining family member, how few there were, had been kept simple and short lived. Usually their quarrels ended with one or the other landing in the ER, normally that bastard when he got in over his head fighting Sesshoumaru. But one of the not so recent fights had ended in his own defeat a little over two years ago. That was when his arm had been...
Slowly reaching up, Sesshoumaru touched his left shoulder, feeling the difference in texture beneath his suite. He could easily distinguish where his skin merged to the metallic arm. If still hurt at times, and there were moments he almost relived the pain of the knifes’ serrated blade carving its way through his flesh. He would never forgive him, maybe he would never forgive himself for letting it happen.
Sesshoumaru grit his teeth in anger and began gathering all his documents together in his black, leather briefcase. He was not one to dwell on the past, he was not one to dwell or sulk on anything actually. It was immature and beneath his standards.
Making sure his flat screen computer was off, he made his way to the door. Jaken, his impish assistant, had been sent home hours ago by Sesshoumaru. One could only be around the short, bubble of a man for a limited time. His personal secretary, Kagura, was still at her desk outside his office when he walked out. She was designated to leave as soon as he did, but she always stayed longer to finish off her nail polish or talk on the phone either gossiping with her high class friends or arguing with her deranged father, as she was doing now rather loudly.
She was basically something nice to set outside his office for colleagues to look at. And truthfully, he only kept her employment because her father owned one of the companies he was in league with. But, she had been useful in ‘other’ ways that made up for the empty space in her pretty little head. Otherwise, her presence was as undesirable than Jaken’s. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling she was hiding something.
Sesshoumaru exited the elevator on the first floor and made his way through the finely decorated lobby. He was probably one of the last employees leaving the building-like he was every night. But he wasn’t an employee, he was the owner and president of the company that he worked hard to inherit from his deceased father-Western Capital Corporation.
“Goodnight, Mr. Tensaiga.” The clerk sitting at the front desk smiled at him as she prepared to lock up for the night. He didn’t glance at her, acting as if he were still the only one around and essentially ignoring her presence.
Upon approaching the front doors he heard the barking and scratching of dogs around the entrance room. Had someone brought dogs into his building? If so, somebody was going to receive a beating tonight, by his own hands.
Sesshoumaru slammed open the first set of doors ready to release his fury on the closest living creature, what he saw was a pack of stray dogs loitering by his glass door. ‘What the hell is going on. His face, however, was composed and betrayed nothing of his foul mood. A small muffled whimper behind him caught his attention and huddled up in a tiny ball on the bench sat a little dark haired girl. Her pajamas were dirty and torn, her feet were clearly bleeding and her hair was thoroughly frazzled.
“You.” He calmly called out to the child. “What’s going on here?” He felt compelled to ask, although, the situation seemed quite clear. She had been lucky the manufacturers had chosen not to instal automatic or revolving doors.
With her head still planted in her knees, the girls sobbing ceased and instantly tensed when he spoke as if she hadn’t known he was there until now. Slowly, she began lifting her head as he stared intently at her. Her watery, chocolate eyes met his stone cold glare. And he wouldn’t have been surprised one bit if she were more frightened of him than those mutts outside. Everyone else was.
But, amazingly, after a few moments after staring at each other, the girl let a big toothy smile spread across her dirty face. She couldn’t have looked more ridiculous than anyone he had ever seen, next to his brother. But she seemed so honest and although she was covered in dirt, her smile lit the room with a light the electric bulbs overhead could not. And for the first time in his life, Sesshoumaru was left dumbfounded-what the hell was she smiling at?
Rin couldn’t help but smile at the tall man, he looked almost as sad as she felt. Maybe he was like her-lonely. But, most of all he had talked to her. Maybe he could make the dogs go away.
“What is your name?” He asked in the dullest voice she could’ve quite possibly ever heard. A giggle escaped her dry throat at the man. He did care-even if he didn’t sound like it. Her giggle, however, earned her an odd grunt from the man.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” He turned his glare back to the dogs outside causing Rin’s smile to fade instantly for fear she had offended him. A tiny, high-pitched grunt brought his attention back to the girl. Her bright smile had been replaced by a look of despair. Her little pink lips opened in an effort to say something, but it appeared she was struggling with her voice. Her chin started quivering in fear that he would never understand her predicament and although no words left her mouth, her eyes were screaming at him.
This child spoke to him with her egyptian slanted eyes and behaved around him like so many others had failed to...but what did he care. So what if she didn’t bow in his presence every time he entered a room or try to ‘get on his good side’ for the simple sake of being his ‘friend.’ It wasn’t any of his business what was wrong with this girl, he should never have given it a second thought.
‘Heartless monster...Inhuman emotions-for what little he has...Cruel and lacking compassionate nature...A Demon in a mortal body...’ Every title that had been branded on him by the public and by his family passed threw his mind. And with that as his last thought, Sesshoumaru opened the door swiftly to head off to his ritzy apartment a few blocks away, hitting one of the beasts snout with the glass and causing it to scurry off with its tail between its legs.
After kicking one of the remaining animals in the lower abdomen, the rest bolted off thoroughly convinced that this new opponent would not be as easy a meal as the small morsel they had their eyes on previously. Rin stared in awe with her hands planted on the glass door, her warm breath quickly fogging the area around her mouth. She couldn’t believe how strong and brave he was as he walked down the sidewalk like nothing had happened.
He saved her, the only one in this giant city of lights that cared for her well being and he was walking away. There was no way she could let him leave, not without her. She had to thank him in some way, to repay him. Maybe he would protect her from now on. But what had caught her attention most about him, other than his good deed, was his eyes. They were dark amber and held the weight of the world in them like she had never seen before. When she stared into his eyes, she saw right through his mask of coldness. The hard glare he gave her-that had been used to scare off the world-hid a life of loneliness underneath. She may have been young, but she was not completely ignorant to emotions.
Quickly leaving the building, she ran after the man without thinking twice. With her feet hurting and her tummy growling, Rin reached his side and tugged on his pant leg abruptly causing him to stop. He looked down at her with the same blank face as before as she reached her arms up to him, expecting to be picked up by her knight in shining armor. But he only continued walking down the street. She ignored his disregard and continued to follow until he reached another large, shiny building. Tugging once more on his pant leg to get his attention, she reached up again with pleading eyes for him to accept her.
Sesshoumaru was unsure how to handle the chit. The entire walk back with her at his haunches was rather uncomfortable and awkward to say the least. And once again she was urging him to pick her up for some reason-did he looked like he cared? He should just leave her, but if she was this trusting with him, a perfect stranger, what if she decided to walk up to a pedofile or some other freak on the streets and wished to be picked up. Even if he denied her once more, he doubted she would have gotten the picture-and he didn’t feel like taking his frustration out on a little girl just to get her to leave him alone.
Once again, her eyes began pleading with him and he felt something in his chest tighten. He could offer her shelter for the night until the morning when he would get her proper care. That seemed like a good option so that the guilt of leaving a waif on the streets to die wouldn’t come back to haunt him.
Slowly and unassuredly, he reached down and hesitantly wrapped his forearm around her tiny waist, bringing her up to rest her back against his chest. Feeling utterly uneasy and almost humiliated, he held the girl like a child would hold a stuffed animal to their chest. He had never once in his life held a child and was clueless as to any aspect of what kind of care one needed-he would have to draft some help from the current maid on duty.
Rin squirmed uncomfortably in his embrace, his arm felt like it was made of rock. And for some strange reason his hand that occupied her waist was covered with a smooth black glove, while the other one carrying his briefcase was normal and bare. But even if she could have talked, she wouldn’t have complained. He was going to take care of her from now on, she could feel it in her bones. And she was going to make him happy in whatever way she possibly could, not only because she felt she owed it to him, but because she wanted to. Everyone deserved happiness in their life and from what she could tell, he needed it.
After carrying the girl through the lobby, and receiving undeniably strange looks from the receptionist on duty, Sesshoumaru took the girl up to his apartment and into the bathroom. He wouldn’t have a sloppy child running around his place spreading her dirt and blood all over his clean carpets.
“Wait here.” He ordered her and left the white, tiled room. Rin eagerly obeyed and literally froze where she stood. Moments went by and she wondered if he were to leave her here for the rest of the night. She did not want to stay in a bathroom, although it was better than the streets. Her curiosity was eating away at her. The place he had brought her back to was even bigger than her house. Though she didn’t get a good look at the giant rooms he took her through, they seemed so cold and dark. It reminded her of the dungeons that were in the story books she would read. ‘Maybe he would like some flowers to make his house prettier.’ She thought idly.
Her ideas of redecorating his house in flowers were cut short as a pretty lady in short black and white dress opened the door to the bathroom, her arms occupied by a load of laundry and other supplies. Sesshoumaru was close behind as they both entered the expansive bathroom.
“Oh you poor dear!” The dark-haired lady gasped and rushed to fondle the girl with care. “What on earth happened to you?” She drawled out, petting her hair. But Rin only looked at her in somewhat of confusion, tilting her head to the side in her most adorable manner. Should she try and speak again to explain? What if she got mad at her too cause she couldn’t say anything-just like everyone else.
“She doesn’t talk.” Sesshoumaru interrupted and stood over the two. His briefcase and overcoat was discarded of. “Just make sure you get her clean. Afterwards, feed her and place her in one of my spare rooms.” He disappeared from the room quickly after he told her to take care of Rin like she was an object...not a human. Ordering the maid around like he owned her-Rin was sure that he would get a tongue lashing from the lady. That’s what her mother always did to her father when he bossed her around too much. Much to Rin’s surprise, the lady nodded her head and attended her chores.
“Alright sweety, lets get you out of these rags.” She commented as she began to peel the filthy clothes from her body...
Rin was shampooed twice, conditioned thrice, washed countless times, her fingernails manicured to as much perfection as a child’s could be, teeth brushed twice and flossed once, tongue scraped and her flesh lotioned up to softness-allowing a sweet smell to permeate from her skin. She felt like a different girl in her new sleeping kimono. It was just a simple patterned light orange and cream design, nothing like she had ever worn before. The silkiness of it molded to her like a second layer of skin. ‘So soft...’ She thought, completely entranced with the material.
When the maid had finished drying and brushing her hair, she grabbed a small ribbon to tie a little pony tail on the side of her head. Rin turned to look at herself in the mirror and couldn’t help but smile. She liked her new hair-do. The maid seemed to think so to with her constant appraising about ‘how adorable’ or ‘cute’ she looked only confused Rin-but at least her comments sounded positive.
“Sesshoumaru-samma will be very happy.” She smiled. ‘Se-Sesshoumaru?’ Rin thought. Was that his name?
“The girl has been cared for, Mr. Tensaiga.” The maid bowed to him. “She has been fed and placed in bed. I believe she is asleep.”
“Then that is all.” He sat at his desk, barely acknowledging her presence as he went over the endless number of documents and files to be tended to. “Leave.”
“Yes, my Lord. But, may I make a suggestion about the girl?”
“No.” The maid winced slightly and blushed.
“Of course, my Lord. My apologies.” She bowed once more and made her exit-thoroughly embarrassed.
Sesshoumaru pinched the bridge of his nose as a he felt another migraine creeping up on him. It was getting late... He heard the closing of the door and the maids’ footsteps echoing down the hall. This branch of the hotel was dark and quiet, the way he liked it. He couldn’t stand to be around the ignorance of society, they were nothing to him. For all he cared, they could rot away and world wouldn’t be any worse for the wear.
He couldn’t help the devilish smirk that came to him...the only kind of smirk that came to him. How many of those imbeciles had he disposed of? Too many to count...that’s for sure. And the most ironic thing about it was that not one person would do a thing about it. Society itself feared him, at least when they weren’t sucking up to him like the brainless, pitiful excuses of humanity they were.
After ten more minutes of ordering his headache to go away, and failing, Sesshoumaru left his desk and made for the kitchen. Pulling out a small shot glass from a high cabinet, he grabbed a bottle of the hardest liquor he had and let loose. Besides, only pussies chased their drinks.
With a few more shots, he finally began to feel the buzz. He removed his tie and placed it on the counter he sat by. Trying to relax, he rolled the sleeves up on his white button down undershirt and ran a hand through his short, sleeked back, pale hair.
He sat there for thirty more minutes taking random shots. At least, until he looked up and saw the chit standing in the dark hall of his apartment-holding onto a small stuffed animal of a white puppy dog in one hand while rubbing the tears away from her eyes with the other. Quickly, he rolled the sleeve of his left arm back down to hide it along with the glove. He had forgotten about her already.
“What?” He asked sardonically. Her only response was to look up at him with those same watery eyes that she had persuaded him with before. “Go back to sleep.” He returned his stern gaze back to his empty shot glass.
“Ses-...Sesshoumaru-samma.” She mumbled it, but he still heard it loud and clear. Her tiny, bare feet made quiet tapping noises as she walked toward him. The cold, marbled floor gave her goose bumps and caused involuntary shivering.
When she reached him, her grip on the stuffed animal tightened as she opened her mouth to speak once again. “Rin’s name...is Rin.” Her little mouth blurted out as she tried to explain something. Was she trying to talk in riddles? How ridiculous, maybe the chit just had a bad dream.
“Rin’s mommy and daddy are gone...and her brother is too.” The tears were back again-why would she even bother to wipe away tears when all she was going to do is cry more?
“Rin saw them get...ano...they’re gone. But, she doesn’t understand.” Her innocent brain still couldn’t seem to piece together what had happened and why. “Rin was the only one to run away. But, then the bad wolves came after her...” They weren’t really wolfs, he understood that. But, in her mind they were.
“She misses mommy!” She brought her toy up and buried her tear stricken face its soft fur. Her small shoulders were shaking with sobs...not sobs that a normal child should be emitting over a simple cut or not getting what they wanted at the candy store. They were sobs of true pain, loneliness, and utter despair. He couldn’t stop the ache that grew in his chest with each tremor that shook her tiny shoulders or every gut wrenching sound of pain from the girl.
It was then that he understood her. He found himself reaching out to the girl to pet her on the head, to comfort her...anything to...help her. Immediately, he drew back his hand upon realizing his odd moment of compassion. What was he supposed to do with her? He was not an affectionate person nor did he wish to be, especially over a simple minded little girl...who had lived through hell. She was alone in the world, ironically like him.
“Rin loves Sesshoumaru-samma.” Completely caught off guard, his mouth opened slightly. “Sesshoumaru-samma saved Rin!” She smiled at him so brightly it made him nauseous. How could she even smile after such heartbreak?
He stared at her for an eternity, studying the odd child. She, in tern, staring right back with that cute little smile that made her round cheeks raise. Her large, curious eyes meeting him evenly. Tilting her head out of boredom from this ‘game’ he was playing, her little pony tail swayed with the movement.
Sesshoumaru was left utterly confused at her complete change in mood-from balling her eyes out to declaring that she loved a total stranger. He was always so calculated and thought out, but when this child was around him he couldn’t quite understand things...or her for that matter. She was rather...spontaneous.
“Can Rin have a drink?” She broke the silence and stood on tip-toe to reach the bottle he seemed to be keeping all for himself.
“No.” He closed his eyes and lifted his arm to scoot the alcoholic beverage away from her with the back of his hand. Taking the moment of his closed eyes to her advantage, Rin grabbed his black tie and looped it around her neck. The piece of clothing almost as long as the girl wearing it.
“Look Sesshoumaru-samma,” She giggled. “It looks good with Rin’s new pajamas!” She hugged the stuffed puppy to the chest of her kimono, pleased with the fact that she was wearing something of his. Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and frowned. It was time for her to go back to bed. Now.
Standing up from his seat, he grabbed another glass from the cabinet and a gallon of milk from his refrigerator. Pouring her a half a glass, he set it in front of the girl and ordered her to drink. Obeying, she downed it as fast as her little mouth would allow, gulping and slurping all the way through. “Aahhh! Thank you Sesshoumaru-samma!” She smiled, a milk mustache gracing her upper lip. “Ooop..” She quickly swiped it away upon realizing it was there and returned to her ever-cheerful state.
“Come.” He stated, walking past her and back to the hall from which she had came, trying to act unamused with her complete silliness. Setting the large glass on the counter, she followed him eagerly like a little lost lamb.
“Why is Sesshoumaru-samma’s house so cold?....Does Sesshoumaru-samma like flowers?....Who was that lady that gave Rin a bath?....Can Rin have another glass of milk?...Was Sesshoumaru-samma drinking milk too?” It was only a ten second walk, but she made it feel like an eternity. Never ceasing or failing to ask a question or comment on an object that caught her attention. He was beginning to wish she had stayed a mute.
When he reached her current bedroom, he entered and pulled the covers back once again for her to sleep. “In.” He ordered. She nodded and crawled up into the oversized bed. “Go to sleep.” Leaning down and covering her up with the heavy blankets, Rin quickly reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck in a loving embrace, his short hair tickling her arm.
Sesshoumaru held stark still, completely unsure as to what to do with the situation. A expression of utter fear and surprise came over his face-needless to say, he was grateful they were alone in the room. “Thank you so much, Sesshoumaru-samma.” She whispered in his ear only to release the death grip she had on him.
He didn’t move for a moment, shock still circling in his mind. Recovering quickly, however, he stood back up and looked down on the girl with his usual icy eyes. “Goodnight, Sesshoumaru-samma.” She sighed and leaned back into her pillow, cuddling with her new toy.
With nothing to say, he turned and made for the exit. Lifting his hand to turn off the lights just before leaving he paused. “Wait.” She stopped him. “Will Sesshoumaru-samma leave the light on?” He wouldn’t turn back to look at her, only, let his hand slowly slip away from the switch as he closed the door behind him-letting her have her wish.
Sesshoumaru stopped outside the door. His mind completely frazzled, an occurrence that rarely happened to him. But, through all the hectic mess a faint smile hit him. One thing was for sure...he couldn’t let her go.
I'm lookin' for a place. I'm searchin' for a face.
Is anybody here I know?
Cause nothin's goin' right, And everything's a mess, And no one likes to be alone.
Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home?
It's a damn cold night, tryin' to figure out this life.
Won't you take me by the hand, take me somewhere new.
I don't know who you are but I'm with you.
PLEASE REVIEW....you don’t realize how annoying it is to see all the hits you’ve had on your story and so few reviews...Thank you to those who do review, it motivates me to finish the story faster! And if you don’t know what chasing a drink is...then you don’t need to worry about it.
Japanese text: Ano=um
Next Chapter: Rin grows up!...well, kinda....Bad things happen when Kagura is in town and our leading characters have a tough run in with Sesshoumaru’s younger brother! Yikes!