Rin is where home is

Chapter 20: Dark clouds ahead

Baby steps. Right now, she and Sesshomaru are taking things at a slow pace. Rin felt like a teenager all over again. Or maybe a preschooler. You know, when you first learned to write your name or when you first learned your ABCs and 1 to 10s. If only relationships and everything it entails were as easy as that.

"Miss Rin."

Rin glanced around the parking lot. She really wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings since classes had ended a good while ago. And most students had already been picked up by their parents.

Her gaze landed on the man on the lot across her. He was standing near a black sleek sports car. He was wearing a dark suit.

"Miss Rin." The guy spoke again as he approached her.

"Yes." What happened to 'Don't talk to strangers'? Rin berated herself as curiosity got the better of her. What could this creepy guy with the creepy car want from her?

"I'm Hakudoshi." Now that he removed his creepy signature shades, Rin remembered who he is. She met him at the manor. If she got it right, this guy standing in front of her is Inu Taishou's secretary. The guy was actually good looking, if only he wasnt glaring down at her. Well he had nothing with Sesshomsru - wait, when did she start pitting guys as his equals?

"My master requests your audience." Well, at least his not one to roam around the bush. "Of course, he had considered your circumstance. We would set it at a time of your convenience."

She hadn't even formed an answer when he bowed down. "I'll take my leave." Rin watched as he pulled out of the driveway.

What am I going to do with this?

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"Dinner's ready." Sesshomaru called out from the kitchen.

"Uh--yeah. Coming."

Rin was given a business card. She's contemplating whether to go meet the old man or not. And I haven't even spoken a word to Sesshomaru about it!

She isn't too sure if she even wanted anything to do with his family. The last time she did, it didn't go down too well. And she could already tell what her boyfriend had to say about it. Of course! He had everything to say about it. It would be a resounding NO! All caps at that.

Just when she reached the landing, the phone rang. "I'll get it."

"Yes, hello."

"Miss Rin." She knew that creepy voice. "Several hours had passed since you had been informed of my master's intentions. It is to our understanding that you may have been occupied with your daily concerns and that it eluded your thoughts."

This guy clearly does not take no for an answer.

"My master would appreciate it if you can come up with a schedule as soon as possible. The matter to be discussed is of utmost importance. Otherwise he would not be wasting time to track a person of your social standing."

"I'll think about it." Seriously, she's pissed as hell. Ok fine! Her credentials aren't something to flaunt about. This guy's lucky she was raised properly. "I promise. Just please, give me some time."

"Who was it?" Sesshomaru poked his head at the dining's door, laddle at his mouth. He looked cute wearing that frilly apron. He insisted on cooking tonight.

"Just a wrong number."

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The children's energy were contagious. A lot has been going on with her personal life and she welcomed this distraction.

"Rin, some hottie's waiting for you outside." A fellow teacher informed her, wriggling her eyebrows suggestively at her, just as she headed out of the faculty room. Classes had ended and she was planning to head to the bus stop right after.

What was Sesshomaru doing here this early? I thought I told him not to pick me up today. He seemed busy. He had been to a lot of meetings lately. He was in a hurry this morning too. Which reminds her, she needed to ask him who those flowers were for. She found the receipt in one of his jeans' pockets.

Sesshomaru had been awfully sweet to her lately. He might have another surprise. He did mention about making it up to her. Rin excitedly walked to the school's entrance.

Then she saw him. There he was, inside that black creepy car. It was Sesshomaru alright. Only, he was older.

.

.

Rin had been strange lately. She wasn't avoiding him or anything but she's not telling him something. Of course, Sesshomaru would have to talk to her about it right now, he had more pressing concerns to deal about.

Lately, he realized, he'd been frequenting this place.

Sesshomaru grabbed the boquet of white lilies from the passenger seat beside him. This were her favorite flowers.

There written in gold italic: Loving mother and friend.

Sesshomaru got to his knees and neatly placed the flowers beside the tombstone. He brushed his fingers lightly on the surface and run his fingers on the name.

"Hi mom."