Chapter Text
original author's note:
**Lady Shenzuki**: You shouldn't like Ryusei at all… you'll see why in future chapters. Oh and Sesshomaru will come soon enough! ^_^
**Icegirljenni**: I'm lucky that I am NEVER going to be put in that situation… But in this case, true love will prevail! Nice to read from you again!
**Nazylen1010**: Aww, thank you so much; I'm glad that you like it! :D
**Ms. Twistedmischievous**: Thanks for reviewing; I really appreciate it!
**ChouRan**: Maybe Sesshomaru will find her…:D Just keep reading – you'll find out soon enough!
**Hhflyka**: Your review gives me tingles of delight! ^_^ Thanks for reviewing!
**Gaga overSesshy**: Ha ha, nice penname – I LOVE it! :D And don't worry about her rebellious attitude; once she meets Sesshomaru, she'll be… gaga over him. XD If I was in an arranged marriage, I wouldn't know what I'd do…
**Gonzo8886**: I adore you so much for reviewing!
**Sessrin4EverTID**: Aww, your review gives me the strength to go on… Thank you!
**Smpt**: I like you; I can't wait to hear from you in the future! :3
**Erika**: Thanks so much for reviewing – I appreciate it!
**DelSan 13**: I think you are one of the few reviewers who can actually be patient waiting for updates. LOL. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Her soul was lost, as it wondered along the streets of the city… She saw nothing but the stars, glowing luminescent in the sapphire sky… She would have enjoyed it, if only it weren't for the mass amount of guilt she felt for running away.
To Rin, running was the only option left for her; yet at the same time, she contradicted herself into thinking that she could never escape from the life that her father had planned for her… She would always feel utterly trapped with no way out…
Her guilt started to consume her the moment she had escaped her family's mansion. What would her mother think if she saw her now – trying to run for freedom? Rin didn't even want to ponder that thought at all! And what would her father say of her? It was highly unlikely that he'd approve of her behaviour, which made her all the more motivated to leave this place behind.
Sure, she had some happy memories in her past, but she had unhappy feelings in her present.
The fact that she was engaged to Ryusei Hakashi made Rin feel even more helpless; she still felt like she was a doll manipulated to her father's every whim.
And he had not even noticed how unhappy she had become.
Not for the first time, Rin thought that he didn't even care about what she thought at all…
Rin shook her head to clear her thoughts; this was the first evening in her life that she managed to see the bright city lights without accompaniment. She was finally free… or at least, for the time being.
But now that she had escaped the confinement of her supposed 'home', what was she to do now?
Rin shivered, as the cold wind brushed against her skin. She buried herself deeper in her onyx winter coat, trying to keep her body warm. But to no avail, she was still deathly cold. If she stopped moving, her legs would be shaking. Rin berated herself for not putting on any warm clothes, but was it really her fault for not knowing what the temperature would be like at this time of night?
Rin looked up to see something that she wouldn't have calculated in her plan.
Shivers cascaded down her spine, as she stopped her movements; her eyes widened in fear, her heart was about to leap out of her chest and fear was starting to consume her from the inside…
"Are you lost, sweetheart?"
Oh no. She wished that this could never happen to her… Rin always assumed that she would never run into men in the night; her father did warn her at one point that she would always need someone to escort her into the city. For the first time, Rin wished she was back in her warm, cozy bed and not on the dark streets where anything could just happen to her.
For the second time that evening, Rin mentally scolded herself for even thinking that she could get through this unharmed.
Rin took a good look at the three males that walked in her direction; she tensed in discomfort, as she realized that they looked like predators stalking their prey…
And she was their victim. She could be raped, she could be taken, or she could be killed…
Oh no. This could not be good…
"I think she's shy, man."
"Well, I think I know how to break her out of her shell."
Then Rin's life flashed before her eyes; so what if she was going to marry a dude she's never met, let alone LOVED, in her life? So what if her father had an overprotective streak? So what if her mother would never take her side on anything regarding her life?
She was not going to let this happen to her. No way. She was only sixteen years old: she never even lived her life!
Rin decided to make a break for it; she didn't know how far she'd make it, she didn't know where to go, but all she knew was that these creeps were bad news… As long as she was not in their vicinity, she'd be safe. Right?
And so she did run. She ran like hell. Rin had never been much of a runner, but since there were three men that seemed to take an unhealthy interest in her, it was plenty of motivation to run as fast as she could.
"Where are you going, sweetheart? Wait up!" One of the men called out, before each and every one of them burst into malicious laughter.
Rin's heart pounded against her chest like never before; like her, it wanted an escape…
Rin could only hope that she'd see the last of those guys, but deep down, something told her that she was wrong.
What if she got caught? What would happen to her then?
Rin couldn't bear to think about it… She couldn't bear to be brutally ripped away of her precious possession, her virginity - especially by a bunch of creepy older men. She couldn't bear to be taken in as a possession, merely a toy to play with. Rin would have none of that.
She just wanted to escape from all the turmoil in her life, and since it was apparent that the Gods were not pleased with her little Mission Impossible stunt that she pulled off (to her own surprise), she did not deserve a happy ending. Which led Rin to second-guess her choices.
It was apparent that she hadn't been too smart thinking it all through, which immediately caused guilt to return in her system. Maybe it was better that she was locked up in a dungeon and was never allowed to exit.
Rin shook her head; that was the adrenaline talking.
Rin found herself at a dead end in an alley; she had no clue where her legs had transported to, which made the whole situation worse at every turn. Rin groaned. Her life was definitely coming to an end. By all means, her death was coming at the hands of three buff and perverted serial killers.
Her emotions flip-flopped; one minute she was thinking she was going to die at a very young age and a few seconds later, she was telling herself she was going to make it. But how though? She never took any self-defense classes because there was no need for it!
"There she is boys."
Rin was pretty sure her heart was about to explode; from the way it was pumping in her chest right now, it was close to reaching its limit.
She had been found.
Rin slowly turned around to meet the wanton stares of the three guys she had encountered earlier. She hadn't been quick enough, it seemed…
"For such a pretty little thing, you can run," One man licked his lips in anticipation, as he hungrily looked her up and down.
"Don't call her pretty yet. Not until what we see what she's hiding beneath that jacket."
Rin whimpered, feeling nothing but fright. This was it… her life was over… The moment the guys had their way with her, she'd be dead. And no one would be there to hear her scream for her life…
Tears streamed down her cheeks and she didn't stop them. Crying was all that she could do…
She shut her eyes as tight as she could, as she waited for the upcoming treatment she'd receive.
_1, 2, 3, 4…_ Nothing had happened.
In fact, there was nothing but silence… after all; Rin had covered her ears as well as her eyes.
It made Rin curious; what had just happened? Did the men leave? Was she all alone? At first, Rin was too frightened to check; maybe they were just giving her a false sense of security before taking her.
Rin hated those anticipating moments before the worst would actually come…
Rin noted that she was still breathing heavily; and as such, she told herself to calm down. But it was easier said than done; she just felt like she couldn't calm down. Rin knew that she was one step closer to a raging panic attack. Come to think of it, she already was in one.
But no one could even blame the poor girl; she had a tough life. She was constantly doted upon as the Emperor's daughter and she had so many expectations to fulfill – instead, she failed most of them.
"Open your eyes, woman. They are of no consequence to you anymore."
Rin stopped breathing altogether, as she heard an unfamiliar yet soothing, masculine voice… It was filled with disgust and discontent, but Rin had a feeling it wasn't because of her…
_Open your eyes, Rin,_ she thought to herself feverishly.
Rin decided to take this one risk; who would think about harming her now? Who would dare to attempt such a thing? All Rin assumed at this point was that this man had saved her from a terrible fate.
Rin took a deep breath in, before slowly uncovering her ears and opening her eyelids.
She couldn't see much in the dark, yet at the same time, she could see perfectly…
She was at a loss for words; her saviour appeared before her… He had beautiful golden eyes that held no emotion other than bitterness… He had elongated ivory hair that glowed – even brighter than the moonlight, it seemed. His facial features held no emotion; Rin guessed that he was using a mask to hide his true feelings… She then noted that he was wearing a feudal era-style haori and hakama – both of them the same shade of onyx. Yet Rin could pin-point crimson flower designs on the sleeves and the shoulder pads. It had to mean he came from a wealthy family…
Rin gulped, finding it harder to breath at the sight of such masculinity and at such beauty. He had saved her life, she reminded herself. She should thank him.
"Thank you," Rin muttered, her voice sounding hoarse from crying. In truth, she didn't feel all that good about herself: she felt tired – plain and simple. All she wanted now was a nap… and she also wanted to forget this night had even happened at all.
"This Sesshomaru did not do it to save you; there is no honour in attacking a defenseless woman."
So maybe chivalry wasn't dead after all… But still – this man… (A well-proportioned man at that) had saved her life. Even if he did happen to sound like a grump about it. Rin didn't mind that at all. At least he wouldn't hurt her.
"Sesshomaru," Rin whispered, testing the name on her lips. It was the first time she had heard such a beautiful name…
"Stand up, woman. This Sesshomaru will escort you back to your father."
Rin nodded, but again – it was easier said than done. Not only was her entire body exhausted from running, she couldn't find the strength to lift herself up.
And before she knew it, she closed her eyes, falling into a deep slumber… but before she did, she could recall the feeling of strong arms surrounding her petite body…
original author's note: And so they meet for the first time! ^_^
Forgive me if Sesshomaru tended to be OOC. LOL. I'm doing the best I can… then again, Rin was sort of OOC too. LOL.
I know this chapter was kind of cliché, but from now on, this story will be original! XD
Please review – I'd LOVE to know what you think!