A Sweet Beginning by kaoruhana

A New Friend

Hello everyone.  I'm really sorry that this update is coming late but I've had a ton of thigns to do recently- schoolwork being one of them.  I am currently writing an application for my University's Business School as well so I've got that to look at too.  Anyway, here's chatper 4. 

Title: A New Friend

Author: Kaoruhana

Prompt: Six-Course Challenge – Entree

Genre: Romance

AU/CU: Alternate Universe

Rating: T

Warnings: OC characters

Word Count: 1538

Summary: Kagome gets to know Rin.

A/N: Fourth installment of “A Sweet Beginning”

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                Sesshomaru made his way out of his car and acknowledged Kagome.  She made her way over and he waited for her before the two began walking toward his mailbox. 

                “How are you today Sesshomaru-san?” 

                “Good and you Kagome-san?”  She smiled as he opened the mailbox and grabbed the mail as usual, not thumbing through it today. 

                “I’m doing well.”  Sesshomaru waited as Kagome fidgeted and wondered what was bothering her.  He soon got his answer. 

                “How is she?”  He immdediately knew she was referrring to Rin.  Rin had been staying at his house for the past three days and still had refused to talk to him.  He figured that the matter involved her boyfriend Kohaku because the boy called his house daily and begged Rin to reconsider her actions. 

                At first he had been wary and refused to let Rin speak to him. It was only when Kohaku told him that everything was all right and that Mr. and Mrs. Taisho had forgiven them both that he knew something was up.  He had wanted to ask Kohaku for answers but couldn’t summon up the willpower to do so and thus it was Rin who was left to answer his questions. 

                “She still does not want to talk.”  His voice was a bit pained and Sesshomaru had every right to be.  Rin trusted him with everything and never hid anything from him.  This was the first time that Sesshomaru had no idea what was wrong with his sister and he had no idea what to do to help her. 

                “Well, if you don’t mind maybe I could talk to her?”  Kagome asked unsure.  “It might help if she talked about whatever happened with another female you know?”  Sesshomaru thought about her idea.  What Kagome said made sense and he wondered why he had not thought of that before.  Perhaps being in the company of another female would help Rin. 

                “That would be appreciated Kagome-san.  I don’t know how she would react but I appreciate your help in the matter.”  He turned to go back inside his house and beckoned Kagome to follow.

                Sesshomaru walked into his house with Kagome following.  He led her up the stairs and to the guest bedroom where Rin was staying.  He knocked twice before he heard a come in and opened the door gesturing for Kagome to come inside with him. 

                Rin looked up at the two visitors with puffy eyes.  She had been crying again, Sesshomaru noted feeling terribly at a loss of what to do.  After a few moments, he cleared his throat and began introductions. 

                “Rin, this is my neighbor Kagome Higurashi.  She wanted to talk to you.”  He was fidgeting and clearly unsure about what else he could do in this situation.  Incling hsi head to Kagome’s, he left, closing the door in the process. 

                “Um hi Rin.  It’s nice to meet you.”  Kagome began trying to ease the awkward atmosphere that she had been left in. 

                “You too.”  Rin was puzzled by her brother's actions but noticed that Kagome had been left standing while she was lying on the bed.  “You can sit here, if you want.”  She indicated a spot on the bed that was relatively free and Kagome took the seat offered. 

                “Is everything okay?”  the older of the two stated indicating Rin’s puffy eyes.  “I mean you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to but I’m here to listen.”  The two sat again in silence and Kagome neither urged Rin nor showed that she was fully disinterested.  She stared into the other girl’s eyes and calmly waited for her response. 

                “It’s not okay.”  Rin whispered suddenly and Kagome held her hand offering the girl some silent support.    “I’ve wanted to tell nii-chan for days but I’m just so afraid that he’ll be disappointed in me.  I can’t bear to see him that way.”  Tears were slowly leaking out of Rin’s eyes and Kagome drew the girl closer to her, embracing her and gently rubbing her back.  Whatever Rin had to say she needed to get it off her chest and Kagome was willing to help her do that. 

                Rin hadn’t wanted to hide from Sesshomaru but she just needed a female presence to cry on.  She was glad that Kagome was there because she needed some female companionship desperately and she didn’t want it in the form of her girlfriends or her mother. It felt better to cry in front of a stranger rather than a close friend or confidante. 

                “I’m pregnant.”  Rin stated as her tears subsided to the occasional sniffle.  “I didn’t mean for it to happen and nii-chan’s always told me to be careful but I wasn’t and I can’t help but think he’ll hate me.” 

                “Sesshomaru-san won’t hate you,” Kagome assured as Rin drew away to look at her, “he may be disappointed yes, but that doesn’t mean he won’t love you anymore.  He’s been worried sick for the past three days and even though he tries to hide it I can see it in his face.  He’s family and I know he loves you very much.”  Rin’s face expressed the hesitation in her mind. 

                “How can you say that so surely?” 

                “Tell me Rin, have you two ever fought?”  Kagome herself had her fair number of fights with her brothers and more than one of them had ended on non-speaking terms from one party.  However, as time ebbed so did the anger and sooner or later she was laughing with them again.  They could never stay mad at each other for long and she had a feeling that the same was true in Sesshomaru and Rin’s relationship. 

                “Yes.” 

                “And even though you may have been angry at one another the anger faded didn’t it?”  Rin’s eyes widened as she understood what Kagome was trying to say.  “So no matter what, I think he’ll be happy.  You have to remember that it’s not just your life that will change- your brother will be an uncle too.”  An understanding silence ensued as both heard Kagome’s words. 

                “I’ve been rather selfish the past three days haven’t I?” 

                “No you haven’t.  You were just afraid and that’s completely normal.”  Kagome squeezed Rin’s hand and gave her a heartfelt smile.  “But you just have to realize that you can’t hide from this forever.”  Rin’s answering smile belied the courage that the girl now had as she decided to face her brother. 

                “Can you wait a while then?”  Her voice was low and shy.  She was grateful to Kagome, but didn’t want to impose on her.  “I want to freshen up before I tell him and if it’s okay can you stay with me?” 

                “Of course.” 

                Ten minutes later the girls entered the kitchen where Sesshomaru was making dinner.  He noticed them both almost immediately and washed his hands as he instructed them to sit at stools near the island.  He felt a sudden immense gratitude towards Kagome.  Rin had been so silent and reserved hardly even eating any food and now she had made her way out of the room and was actually giving him a smile. 

                “Rin?”  He asked hesitantly, not wanting to broach any dangerous territory. 

                “I’m sorry.” She began holding up a hand when it looked like her brother was going to interrupt.  “It’s just I-“ She was getting scared again and Kagome gently placed a hand on her shoulder giving her the courage she needed to finish.  “I’m pregnant.”  Rin paused waiting for a reaction. 

                Sesshomaru was baffled.  His little sister was going to be a mother?  He knew that she and Kohaku had plans of getting married but she was only twenty-one.  He realized that she was waiting for an answer and the hopeful shine in her eyes along with the fear in her expression made him understand what she was going through.  She had been so scared and ran away turning to him for support and he did not have the heart to say no to it. 

                “How far along are you?”  He asked moving to sit by her side. 

                “About six weeks.” She answered with a smile.  “I still have a while to go.” His reaction had been better than she had expected and she smiled answering any and all questions he posed.  Hours later, she and Kagome couldn’t help but laugh as Sesshomaru fussed over every minute detail of her stay. 

                Two days later as Rin left with Kohaku in tow she turned to her brother with a smile.   During the past two days, she and Kagome had become fast friends and she could see the obvious attraction between her and Sesshomaru.  She leaned closer to his ear and whispered. 

                “Keep her nii-chan, I think she’s good for you.”  Sesshomaru watched as the couple left his house and smirked to himself.  His neighbor seemed to have made a good impression on Rin and that was rare as the girl was highly reserved when it came to friendship.

                Rin’s words echoed in his mind as he watched her and Kohaku drive away.  Kagome was standing near his driveway as she said goodbye to her new-found friend.  Perhaps it was time he acted on his sister’s words.