Author's Note: Yes, I'm late again—by three months this time. That's pretty good compare to last time, though, don't you think? On a different note, now that I'm out of school, I can spend my school-free nights finishing this story for you guys. *popping confetti*
Without further adeu, here's your 7th chapter. ^_^
Running Back to You
"I know that I will hurt you in the future too, so that is why I am letting you go...
"It will never work....
"Take this as sincere goodbye..."
"Wait...wait..."
"Wait..." Rin whispered. Her pale hand reached out in the air for something that was invisible.
Over and over, Sesshoumaru's words have been played back and forth in her mind. She imagined his lips mouthing those agonizing words and his lingering eyes staring back at her as the elevator doors closed.
She didn't even know how she managed to get back to the hotel. Everything was a blur. She had somehow manage to climb into her car and drove like a mad woman down the street of Tokyo, blinded by the tears in her eyes. Then, she had manage to open the door of her hotel room to find Katan looking at her wretched self coming in.
"Mother--"
Seeing his familiar golden eyes were the last thing Rin remembered before waking up like a lifeless doll on her bed. From that day onward, she refused to see, eat, or talk to anyone. Occasionally, she could manage to talk to Caleb, assuring him that she will come out fine but it was an unconvincing effort. He knew there was something wrong with her, but he was too afraid to ask.
What hurt Rin the most was looking at her son. Whenever she sees Katan, she would burst in tears and told him to leave. She then felt terrible immediately afterward for draping her troubled situation over her beloved child. Every time their eyes met, Rin would winced in pain. It felt as if the broken pieces of her heart was getting trampled and grind on over and over again into more pieces.
I can't deal with it. It's too much. The facial structures, the sharp eyes, the voice... Help me. Please, help me. Someone...
It was not enough that he had break her heart seven years ago, but now Sesshoumaru had done it once again. However, this time, all of Rin's spirits had left her. She had no more energy to run or rebuild again. Last time Sesshoumaru left her with anguish but a will to live. This time, however, he had left her with nothing to lean back on, not even anger.
He could have just told her he didn't care about her. He could have spit in her face, for all she cared, instead of holding her like the way he did and then left her lifeless on the floor. That way, she can at least hate him.
"The best way to regain your health is through food, maim," ushered Rin's nurse as she walked into the room with a tray.
"Thank you, but I am in no mood for food."
"Ms. Riari, you should at least try the fruit bowl," suggested the young girl.
"I—I just can't, Lin."
"But--"
"--I will finish my food later tonight." She managed to smile at the nurse. "Just put it away for now."
"O—Okay," the nurse nodded, "Should I leave it here for you here or in the kitchen?"
"The kitchen."
Rin then heard a soft knock followed by a click indicating that the door got open, most likely by the nurse.
Katan and Caleb must be back already. Rin thought lifelessly.
They had gone out earlier to a business function, and Rin was sure that that person would be there. She can no longer bare to even say his name.
She had try with all her might to stop her son; she even stood up, to her own surprise, to protest. However, the boy and Caleb were both determined that Katan should go. She gave up and got back into her shell again, building up thicker walls around.
Rin knew that Katan will meet his real father that night. Her heart ached when she thought about Katan being taken away from her. Not only will her spirit disappear but her life will follow as well if Katan left. He was everything that she had lived for. If it wasn't for Katan, Rin might have killed herself years ago. But she lived. She made herself live for her son.
... But now... now if he was taken away from me too... What should I do then? How can I continue on?
Like a dream, Rin felt like she was walking on cloud as an unexplainable, unnatural force brought life to her body. Suddenly, she got up from bed and grabbed a robe before heading out to the living room.
She had to convince Katan to stay. She had to tell him everything that happened. It was her only chance that she will be able to keep him. She had nothing left to loose.
"Miss Riari!" The nurse gasped as she saw Rin. "How—how did you--"
Rin's eyes flew open as she approach the living room. "Where is my son?" Rin was confused as well. Katan was nowhere to be seen.
"He hasn't got back yet," the nurse replied and then smiled. "But you do have a visitor." She then open the main door wider to reveal the unknown guest.
Their eyes met and Rin felt like her body was immediately detached from herself; it shattered and flushed down to an unknown deep pool of emptiness.
"Rin," greeted Sesshoumaru. He was looking dashing and composed as usual. In his arms was a bouquet of flowers.
Body rigid, Rin stared at Sesshoumaru in silence.
"A get well gift," Sesshoumaru said, looking down at the bouquet.
Her eyes blinked a couple times before Rin could find her voice. "Excuse me," she said quickly and walked swiftly to her chamber, "Lin, please attend to the guest for now."
"Yes maim," the nursed smiled and turned to Sesshoumaru, "please come in."
Her back was turned to Sesshoumaru so he could not see her unsettling expression. "What is your purpose on coming here?" Rin inquired while putting the flowers in a large vase.
A couple minutes in the bathroom had given Rin some time to mend her broken body back into whole again. She then draped over it a mask which she knew so well of from before, her "call-girl" mask, she used to jokingly called it. This was a good time to put it to use.
He could not be crazy enough to come to her house to make a settlement with her on Katan now, could he? Knowing Sesshoumaru, he could and he would do it. The thought of her son being taken away made Rin fired up. There was no way she will let that happen.
Never. He doesn't deserve Katan. Not after all these years of abandonment.
After the heart attack that Sesshoumaru had almost given her, Rin was able to gain her composure back. The nurse knew nothing of their relationship and Rin was determined to keep it that way.
Silence passed by.
"I will ask you to leave if you are just going to sit there, Sess—Mr. Michiyo," Rin straighten herself up as she turned around to face her guest.
She needed to be strong for Katan. If Sesshoumaru wanted to come for a settlement between custody of her child, he shall not get any dibs on it. Katan was hers even before he was born and he will stay hers.
Sitting contemplatively on the sofa, Sesshoumaru, with his hands on his knees, looked up. Their eyes met, but Rin quickly turned away and took a sit on the sofa opposite to him. She turned to look at him again, but this time there was no flickers of sadness, excitement, fear, anything. Her brown eyes were dark and empty, completely empty, like a giant black hole.
The image was disturbing to Sesshoumaru.
"Rin--" started Sesshoumaru, his voice cracked and he cleared his throat when the nurse returned to the room with a tray of refreshment.
"What would you like?" Composed and unattached, Rin asked her guest.
"Absolute, no ice," Sesshoumaru answered shortly.
Taking another analyzing look at this person that is staring back at him, Sesshoumaru did not know how to approach the situation. He was filled with joy and anticipation on his way to the hotel, but now upon seeing this new and unwelcoming woman in front of him, Sesshoumaru was not sure he could even bring up Katan. Did he hurt her that much with their goodbye last time? He must have for she had been sick for over a week, but look at her now. The Rin that sat across from him now could not have been sick. Though there were purple bruises under her eyes and her skin looked paler than usual; she did not seem a bit tired. In fact, she was very alert. She appeared to be absolutely fine, perhaps too fine.
So much tension in this room. Keep it light. Sesshoumaru decided. "I had the unexpected honor of meeting with your son this evening."
"Lin, I will take care of Mr. Michiyo's drink. You're excused for the night," Rin suddenly turned to her nurse.
"Maim, but Mr. Klein says--"
"You are my nurse, not Mr. Klein. You may go."
"O—okay," the girl hesitantly nodded. "Good night, then, Ms. Riari. Mr. Michiyo."
"He is quite a charmer. Reminded me of someone I know," Sesshoumaru pondered.
"Don't be mistaken. He's nothing like you."
Silence.
"Why?" Sesshoumaru asked quietly.
"You don't deserve him," Rin replied shortly. "You never have and you never will."
At this, Sesshoumaru looked up. The apathy mask over her face would have surprised anyone, but he did not let it show through his expression. The Rin he knew was nowhere to be seen in the pair of eyes that was staring back at him.
"What happened to you?"
"If you are looking for a settlement, I am not accepting any."
"What?"
"Mr. Michiyo," Rin stood up as she gazed out on the window. "What in the world gives you any credibilities to even show up here in my place right now? You deserted Katan for years. Years! You will not have him. That's all there is to it."
Was this what Rin was worrying about? Him taking Katan away from her? Another silence passed by before Sesshoumaru speaks. "I was not planning on taking him away from you."
"Don't give me that crap."
"Do you not believe me?"
"Why should I?"
Silence.
Taking a deep breath, Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. "I've hurt you," he admitted.
Rin scoffed. That was an understatement.
"Over and over again, I have hurt you." Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. "There is no possible way I could make it all up. However, I am a part in Katan's life just as much as you do."
"How?!" Rin snapped as she turn around to face Sesshoumaru. "What give you any rights to him? You didn't even known of his existence until tonight. You didn't try to look for him--"
"--That's because I thought he was dead!" snapped Sesshoumaru. Until then, he was patient and held back his building frustration over Rin's bickering attitude but he could not contain it any longer.
Rin stopped at her track. "What?"
"I was informed that he had passed away by Inuyasha. I should have gone into further investigation to confirm it, but I was too unorganized at the time to think straight."
"Then what happened when you got everything organized again? What happened then, Sess--," Rin had to take a deep breath before she could continue, "you went out to get yourself another fiancée, another child at that! And who knew how long you have cheated on me since I first met you with the woman who gave birth to that little girl. She's in the same grade as Katan for God sake!" Rin took another breath. "Don't give me anymore of your bullshit. You never planned to go and look for him."
Silence.
He knew she was beyond rage. Telling her about Sara at that moment will only pushed her over the edge even more. He didn't know if she can take anymore shocks for the night. So on the sofa, Sesshoumaru sat in silence until Rin could gain her composure back.
"I asked him to do it." Rin said after a while.
Sesshoumaru looked up, expecting Rin to go on.
"I asked Inuyasha to not tell you about Katan."
Sesshoumaru's frustration suddenly turned into anger. How dare she?! "You asked Inuyasha to tell me that my son, my son was dead?"
Taking her seat again, Rin nodded with a grin on her face. Seeing Sesshoumaru angry gave her some satisfaction. "I asked him to keep it quiet."
What was Rin thinking? What was she trying to accomplish by hiding Katan.
"Why?" he asked finally.
"You took everything away from me, Mr. Michiyo. My old life, my hopes and dreams, my future, my heart, everything. I could have been so happy. I could have been so happy with you if you would have accepted me... but you wouldn't... because I am human, right?!
"I loved you," Rin confessed. "I blindly loved you, a creature so selfish and cruel, yet I loved you. And what did I get in return for being in love with a creature like you?"
"..."
"I get this," Rin gesture toward the room, "All of those wasted years on you and I ended up getting all of this: delusional happiness and an empty house. And you, look at you. Still young and on top of your game. But you know what? You are not getting my last chance for true joy. Katan is mine, and you will not take him away from me. I will do everythingin my power to keep him. Everything."
"You knew nothing," Sesshoumaru stood up.
"Amuse me then."
"You judge me on my exterior too much, Rin."
It is obvious that Rin will not budge. Could he unwrapped her again? Most unlikely.
Still... Sesshoumaru thought.
"Would you like to know a secret, Rin."
"No."
Sesshoumaru ignored Rin's reply. "You were right."
"..."
"Up to this point, I have no right to Katan," Sesshoumaru took a few step toward Rin but she backed away.
"Then why did you come here?" Asked Rin. She was now against the window and had no place to move.
"I came here," Sesshoumaru said as he placed two hands on the side of Rin's head, "for you."
Liar! Rin shouted inside her head. I cannot crack now. I will not crack.
"Mr. Michiyo--"
"--Stop calling me that," snapped Sesshoumaru, "since when did you address me by that title?"
Gathering all of her strength, Rin stared at Sesshoumaru. She must have shocked him tremendously for Sesshoumaru was taken back when their eyes met.
"The Rin you came for is gone," replied Rin as she pushed Sesshoumaru away. "Please leave."
"Where is she then?" Sesshoumaru asked incredulously.
"You won't be able to find her anymore," was Rin's reply.
"Unacceptable."
"Well accept it!" Rin snapped. "Now please leave or I'll be force to call security."
"..."
"Good night," Rin said as she headed toward her bedroom.
She did not dare to look back now. She did a convincing job at putting up a show for tonight. Seeing his face will only force her to launch herself toward him, pleading him to stay and never leave her again. It would ruin everything she had work for. She needed to be strong for Katan. Sesshoumaru will not dare to take Katan away from her without informing him or her first. He will not play dirty like that. She had enough faith in him, at least, to believe that.
Looking from the back, Sesshoumaru's hand twitched. He wanted to dashed over to Rin's side and embraced her in his arms, telling her that he will always be there, promising her that he will make it up to her.
Too late... was his answer.
"Good night," Sesshoumaru bowed lightly, "Ms. Riari."
The Next Morning:
Both Caleb and Katan were surprised when they saw a happy and healthy looking Rin appeared before them at their breakfast table. They gazed in wonder at her as she went on talking about a new clothing store that just got opened downtown and how she wanted to visit it. It was as if the passed week had all been nothing but an extremely realistic illusion.
"--So when are you going to get off your butt, Katan?" Rin teased and smiled brightly at her son, "Look at the time! School should start pretty soon for you."
Caleb was unsure how to approach this, "Dear, are you sure you are well enough to take Katan to school today?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I be, you silly man."
"I—I don't know, you just seem different from yesterday. It's such a drastic change I'm not sure how to deal with it."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No, it's just--"
"Ready," Katan calmly said as he stood up.
"Wonderful!" clapped Rin.
"Oh how I miss driving a car around!" exclaimed Rin.
"Spill it, mother," Katan said.
"What on earth are you talking about, Katan?" Rin asked her son in surprise.
"It's either 1) You faked being sick or 2) Something miraculous happened last night. Which one is it?"
"Okay, you got me," smiled Rin, "something miraculous did happen last night, but not the kind you would expect. Let's just say your mother went through some mid-life crisis. I have worked through it and now I'm on top of my game! Aren't you happy for me?!"
Katan didn't say anything. He had witness this sudden mood change before, but not this extreme. The last time that his mother went through an emotional break down and got back immediately on her feet "unknowingly" was when she got fired from her only job when he was three. She had to give him up to her parents until she could find another job to support the both of them. Rin had to work very hard for the next couple months in order to get Katan back.
He was sure that she hadn't really work through her so called "mid-life crisis" yet, but she is in the denial stage. It didn't matter; at least she is being productive instead of locking herself up in a room.
Rin pulled her car in the parking lot just as a familiar black limo pulled up right next to her at the same time. Already knowing the passenger, Katan immediately climbed out of his mother's car.
"Mother, I want you to officially meet someone!"
He seems to excited... Rin thought in sadness. Does he make you that happy, Katan?
Before Katan could get to the limousine, the door flew wide open.
"Good morning, Katan!" greeted Sara.
"Good morning," Katan bowed. He then looked pass Sara into the limousine and then turn toward Rin, who was coming closer.
Just as Rin reached the long vehicle, Sesshoumaru stepped out towering a head over her.
"Mr. Michiyo," Rin bowed lightly.
"Rin," nodded Sesshoumaru.
"Mom," smiled Katan, "this is the man that's going to help me find my real father."
Rin's jaw dropped slightly. She then turned to Sesshoumaru, who then gave her a faint knowing smile.
He doesn't know?!
Comments and Reply:
C: Umm... if you don't mind me asking and you know already, about how many chapters will Scandalicious 2 have?
R: I'm planning on 10, but it is not official yet.
C: Are you studying economics?
R: Yes; in addition to some other fields that have to do with international business.
C: This was the first story I have ever read with Sess/rin parings and I can honestly say that I love it more than any inu/kag stories.
R: Cha-ching! Kudos to you for making my day.
C: Is Rin pregnant again?
R: Say what?
Next Update? Soon.