Because of Her by kaoruhana
Akabeko
Hello! This new story is a product of my muse and the weather. It was supposed to be a oneshot but the way things look it'll probably be a really small chapter story. I'm not sure where it's going right now but we'll see how it progresses. Also, feel free to point out any character personality errors- it's my first time writing anythign remotely close or dealing with tragedy. Anyway, without further ado- here's the first chapter!
Kagome walked down the streets lined with dark trees and couldn’t help but smile as a misty drizzle ghosted over her skin. It was a pleasant reprieve from the incessant rain that had dampened her mood this morning. The mist clung onto her pea coat adding a shine to it that made it look as though someone had lightly sprinkled glitter onto the cloth. Her braid, which had managed to peek out of her hood, was lightly touched by the drizzle adding shiny drops of water that from afar resembled tiny diamonds. Walking briskly –it was cold after all- she smiled to herself.
Kagome loved weather like this- in fact there was just something so calming about the relatively quiet streets right now coupled with the light mist and the chilly air. Here and there people passed her by and she could hear snippets of their conversations. There were two teenagers on a date, a pair of siblings who were sent to pick up something from the convenience store, a mother who was trying to run home to make dinner, all of them lost in their little world and not caring about her at all. She rather liked it this way.
The sound of a car driving by her on the sidewalk had her looking after it as it turned the corner. It was night now and she felt a giddy excitement as she walked under a streetlamp and the drizzle could clearly be seen. It was constant and fell teasingly onto the people walking, refreshing them after a long cold, rainy day. Too bad she’d have to go inside soon, Kagome mused seeing the bright sign of the Akabeko up ahead on the right.
Seeing no cars she walked across the street mindful of any leftover water puddles from the morning and stepped onto the sidewalk. Walking again, she passed store-fronts advertising White Day sales or the latest spring dresses. It was hard to believe that it was late March; the weather today had made it seem like January. Finally reaching the Akabeko, she opened the door and stepped inside.
It was warm inside the restaurant and Kagome peeled off her gloves immediately upon entering. Couples and friends sat at the tables eating beef pots and oden while the waiters ran around trying to serve the bustling crowd. It was cozy and welcome with a murmur of conversation being heard everywhere. The occasional sound of glasses being set down or chopsticks hitting the side of a bowl could be heard as well making her feel at home in this environment. She could still see herself sitting at the dinner table in her mother’s house-fighting with Souta over the last bowl of oden, trying to eat properly so her grandfather wouldn’t scold her. She missed those times but coming to the Akabeko helped ease her sadness somewhat.
“Kagome!” Sango- the owner of the restaurant smiled in greeting reaching out for a friendly hug. She was a young woman in her mid twenties who had inherited the restaurant from her father three years ago. She was athletic with a commanding personality and the perfect women for the job in Kagome’s opinion.
Kagome had met Sango five years ago when she had first moved to Tokyo from Yokohama. She and Sango had taken classes together at the University and quickly became fast friends. Often times, Kagome didn’t feel like she was missing her family simply because Sango’s was so inviting that it made her feel like she was home.
“How are you Sango?” Kagome asked as she stood to the side and quickly scanned the restaurant so that she could see if there were any customers that needed Sango’s help.
“Great!” The girl answered with an enthusiastic smile as she led Kagome to the counter area- something reminding Kagome of the Ramen shops lining streets- and found her an empty seat. It saved room within the restaurant so that people like Kagome who were eating by themselves could do so without taking up an entire booth.
“Oden please.” She requested, not even having to look at the menu, when the waiter serving the bar arrived near her. It was Kohaku, Sango’s little brother who was working here in college to make some quick money.
“K Kags!” Kohaku announced running to get her bowl. Kohaku was a shy young man and it had taken Kagome the better part of a year to get him to trust her. When he had though, he instantly reminded her of her brother Souta. Whereas Souta was kind of guy who’d go out with friends for a good time though, Kohaku was the kind who’d prefer to watch a game at home. Moving away from her thoughts when a steaming bowl of oden was placed in front of her, she muttered thanks and dug in.
Nothing could taste better than oden she affirmed digging into her dinner. The warm soothing draught and the delicious pieces of meat and vegetables added perfectness to an already great dish. There were spices in there, spices that reminded her of family recipes, and eagerly she took bigger bites.
When she finished, she looked around the restaurant trying to spot Sango. It wasn’t hard to spot her but while looking, she saw Miroku- Sango’s husband- bustling around serving customers as well.
“It’s busy tonight.” The voice behind her made her let out a tiny squeal only heard by the few patrons sitting next to her. Muttering a quick apology, she addressed Kohaku.
“I can tell- even Miroku’s busy.” Grabbing the boy’s ear, she pulled him down to harshly whisper her next statement. “And don’t you ever scare me like that again!”
“Okay, okay, can you let go now?” Kohaku rubbed his ear when she let go, shooting her dark looks which she ignored. It worked on Souta, so it was bound to work on Kohaku. That and her eyes were trained on the door where a man walked in with a little girl. He looked out of place and lost but the little girl was obviously hungry. Without thinking, she stood up and made her way over.
“Kags!” Kohaku yelled shouting over the customers only to have no effect on her. Well, whatever she did, he just hoped she didn’t shoo away any customers.
“Hi.” Kagome greeted coming to a stop in front of the man. He was tall, towering above six feet she assumed. His long silver hair was tied back in a low ponytail and the trench coat he wore was slightly wet. Next to him the little girl, who looked no older than four or five, stood wrapped up in her pink winter coat. She had a matching pink hat on her head and tiny yellow rain boots topped off the ensemble.
“Hn.” The man acknowledged taking a good look at the restaurant. Ever since Rin had been dropped off in his care a week ago, he had to try to acquiesce to her needs and his as well. Today he wanted some nice hot oden and the little girl hadn’t complained when he made the suggestion. So here he was, darting into the first restaurant that the girl had requested to go into. She had never asked anything, other than necessities, of him in the entire week she’d been with him so he’d done as she’d asked. Now, he was face to face with a stranger because of this.
“Is it just the two of you?” Kagome asked politely reaching forward to help the girl out of her coat without thinking. Sesshomaru simply affirmed her question as he stood silent.
“Let me check for any empty tables okay?” Kagome made to move but was stopped when the little girl tugged on her pants. Turning, she shot the girl a look of curiosity.
“Mama’s table?” Sesshomaru knew immediately what she was talking about and cursed in his mind.
Rin had only arrived recently into his life. She had been the daughter of his best friends and he was the one left to take care of her after their death. Today had been their funeral, and while Rin normally talked at least a little to him, she had been entirely silent today, until now that is.
He quickly deduced that the girl and her parents came here often and cursed trying to find a way out of this mess. Kagome, noticing the distraught look on the man’s face quickly let out a smile to the girl and asked her a question to hopefully alleviate the tension.
“Where is it?” The little girl pointed to a table in the left corner- it was partially hidden away from the busy areas in front and was closer to the kitchens. Glancing, Kagome noticed it was free. Before it could be taken, she led the little girl towards it, looking back once to make sure the man followed her.
Once the girl was seated, Kagome turned to leave when a shout stopped her.
“What’s wrong?”
Rin looked at the lady. She reminded her of her mama and the feelings were suddenly too overwhelming for her. She burst into sobs and cried. Kagome quickly brought her arms around the girl and held her close offering her silent comfort as she turned to the man asking about the little girl’s sudden bout of crying.
Sesshomaru gulped trying to form words around the lump in his throat. He wouldn’t lie- Yumi and Hiro’s death had hurt him as well but how was he to explain it to this strange woman when Rin was sitting right there. Finally getting over it he spoke.
“Today was her parent’s funeral.”
Perhaps he sounded harsh when he stated it but he didn’t intend to. Kagome’s eyes softened at the obvious melancholy that had descended on the atmosphere. Holding the girl close all she could do was rock her back and forth and wait for her tears to subside. Briefly, she wondered what brought it on. Looking back at her companion she blushed. It didn’t seem right that she had suddenly barged in on them.
“Um, mister, do you mind if I stay here awhile?”
Sesshomaru shook his head. As far as he saw it, Rin needed her presence right now and he wasn’t going to take that away from the girl. It was hard enough for the two of them to adjust as is. She needed something to help in the transition.
“You act like mama.” The girl managed to say in between sobs. It was obvious to Kagome that the girl hadn’t properly grieved all week and so she did the only thing she could think of. It might seem far-fetched but the girl did not deserve to have a breakdown in a restaurant. Sango’s apartment was right above the restaurant and she knew she could get the keys and let the girl grieve upstairs.
“Sango!” She called as her friend passed her by. Sesshomaru was surprised by her address but watched to see what she was going to do. “Can I have the keys to your place?”
Sango was surprised and the shock was evident on her face until her eyes located the reason Kagome asked. She took them out of the pocket of her apron and handed them over reminding her it was the pink nail-polish that opened her apartment. Seeing Kagome busy she handed the keys to the stranger and then left to finish her rounds.
“Sweetie?” Kagome asked, gently pulling the crying face up a little. “Do you want to go somewhere upstairs and lay down?” The girl hesitated, the tears slowing down their pace a little.
“Will y-you and Uncle S-Sess be there?” She asked fear on her face as she clutched Kagome tighter to her.
“Yes, we’ll take you there right now okay?” She quickly darted a look towards the man but noticed that he had already stood up and in his hands were their various winter clothing. Kagome held the girl in her arms, ignoring the looks being directed her way and led the way to the stairs behind the kitchen.
Once inside, Kagome sat down on the sofa, instructing Sesshomaru to get drinks from the kitchen if he wanted. Gently, she whispered words of comfort in the girl’s ear, smoothing her hands over her hair as she cried. It was the best she could do as she tried to remember her own experience with Souta when their father died. She had been twelve but Souta was just four and unsure of what was going on. She had held him like this for many nights until he was able to let go.
After a half-hour the tears finally stopped but the sadness was still evident in the girl’s demeanor. Trying her best to do something to make the girl feel a little better she asked another question.
“What’s your name?”
“R-Rin.” She managed out through a runny nose. Before Kagome could get up to reach a box of tissues, one was handed to her. Giving the person a smile of thanks she handed the girl a tissue to blow her nose.
“You know Rin,” she began aware that she was taking liberties but not caring anymore, “when my father died there was one thing that made me feel better.” The girls question didn’t need to be stated for Kagome to continue. She took the used tissue from the girl and threw it away into the nearby trashcan.
“My mama told me that my papa was always watching over me because every time I saw the stars all I had to remember was that he was one of them. I’m sure that your parents are watching over you too.” The girl’s grief hadn’t disappeared but there was a small smile on her face as she hesitantly asked her next question.
“Re-really?” Kagome nodded as the little girls tears slowly stopped and a worried look crossed her face. “Do you think I can see them now?”
“Of course.” Gently picking Rin up, she led her to the balcony and opened the door that lead out. It was kind of hard to see the stars, but there were a few bright ones and Kagome pointed them out to her.
“Right there- do you see them?”
“The one’s right there?” Rin pointed two out from the sky- they were to the right side of the moon. Kagome nodded her head and smiled down at the young girl. Turning, she met the man’s face and blushed at his inquisitive stare. He seemed to be studying her and there was a curious look in his eyes. As she looked further she gave him a reassuring glance. There was definite relief and gratitude in those eyes. The man might not have said it but Kagome understood his actions.
“I’m hungry.” The sudden statement caught her off guard and guiltily Kagome looked back to Rin. She gave the girl an affirmative nod, taking her back inside and silently praying that her friend wouldn’t mind it too much if she made use of her kitchen.
“There’s some pasta on the stove.” She announced slightly embarrassed as she walked into the kitchen. She was going to make Sango dinner as she fed these guests to make up for this. Turning up the stove to warm the pasta, she went around the kitchen picking out two bowls and silverware when the doorbell rang. She didn’t have to move to get the door however since Sesshomaru quickly crossed the length of the living room and opened it for her.
It was Kohaku at the door. Sango had sent him up knowingly with a steaming bowl of oden ad told him to take it upstairs to her apartment. He did so because the tone in her voice was one that left no room for any arguments and had brought the package up. Now, as he saw the man at the door he knew what she had sent it up for.
“Um, my sister sent this up for you.” Sesshomaru nodded in gratitude and took it. Reaching down, he pulled out his wallet to pay when Kohaku shook his head. “Sango said it’s on the house.”
If Sesshomaru was surprised he didn’t show it. With another nod he watched as Kohaku walked down the hallway. He closed the door and moved to the kitchen where the young lady who had been helping him stood. He handed her the food silently and looked around for Rin to find her at the dining table. Kagome looked at the food and then back at him.
“Did Sango send it up?”
“Yes.” His rich baritone startled her as she unpacked the oden to place it in the two bowls. Blushing when she realized that she had been caught off guard she gently spooned the dinner into two bowls and placed one in front of Rin. Setting one down on the other side of the table she motioned for Sesshomaru to take a seat and eat dinner which he did. He took a bite of dinner not caring about his lack of manners for the moment as Kagome turned off the stove.
Rin pushed her bowl away ten minutes later after wolfing her food down and let out a yawn. The girl, Kagome realized suddenly looking at her outfit in a new light, had not changed from the dress she’d worn to the funeral.
“Here,” shuffling around the couch cushions she created a space for Rin to sleep in, “why don’t you lay down here?” Rin was hesitant but came up to Kagome anyway. She looked up at the older girl with doe eyes that spoke volumes of fear.
“I’ll be right here while you sleep okay?”
Rin nodded her head, afraid to speak lest she cry again, and settled on the sofa. Reaching out a hand, she grabbed Kagome’s and closed her eyes. If what Kagome had said was true then mama and papa were always watching her right? Quickly peeking out the window she saw the two stars from earlier. Whispering a quick good night to them she closed her eyes again trying to drift off to sleep.
It was fifteen minutes later that Kagome deemed it safe enough for her to silently slip away from the girl’s grasp. Walking as quietly as possible she made her way back to the table where the man sat staring at his empty bowl.
“Would you like some more?” Sesshomaru looked up and shook his head negatively turning his eyes to Rin and letting out a sigh.
“Thank you. This past week has been tiring on both of us.” It was hard for him to admit it but this woman was strangely what he needed in the past few days. Someone to keep him afloat and take care of Rin in ways he didn’t know.
“It’s no problem.” Kagome assured turning her eyes to the sofa quickly. “I never did catch your name sorry.”
“Sesshomaru Taisho.” He stated with a sigh, prompting her to turn and look at him again. “Rin was the daughter of my best friend.” The sadness was not present on his face but his eyes held a depth to them and Kagome could silently read the affects the deaths had on him.
“Sorry.” She answered, knowing full well that a simple sorry couldn’t really help in this situation. “When my dad died, I felt the same way she did,” she continued, “at least my mama was there.”
“Hn. It has been hard living with her.” Sesshomaru admitted. “It is my first time at child-rearing.”
For some reason, that statement didn’t surprise Kagome. She had kind of expected it in a way. With a smile, she placed her hand on his arm causing him to look at her in question. Maybe it was time for introductions, for some reason she didn’t like that solemn look on Sesshomaru’s face.
“I’m Kagome Higurashi, a first year teacher at Kamiya Elementary School. If you need-“ she paused wanting to phrase her next few words delicately. “If you need help or advice or have any concerns regarding Rin, I’d like to help.”
Briefly Kagome wondered how her statement could have come off sounding worse. She had only meant to help a first-time guardian take care of a child recovering from a terrible loss. Her offer sounded more like a pity-cry.
“I mean,” she explained noticing the change in his demeanor. It was as though he had taken an insult to his pride, “when my papa died my brother was around Rin’s age. I just thought that maybe if you had any questions or concerns that I could be there to help.”
Sesshomaru carefully studied her not saying a word throughout her explanation. She seemed sincere in her efforts to help Rin but he wasn’t so sure if enlisting Kagome’s help was the right thing. He would admit though that he needed someone’s help. In the span of a week he had gone from being a CEO bachelor to a guardian of a little girl. With a sigh, he knew what his answer was going to be.
“Thank you. I’d appreciate it.” Kagome gave a nod, picking up the empty bowls and chopsticks on the table and leaving them in the sink. Rummaging through one of Sango’s drawers she came up with a paper and pen.
“Here’s my number,” she indicated writing it down, “if you can’t reach my cell that’s my home number and this one’s my work number.” Writing down the numbers she handed the sheet of paper over to him.
“Thank you.” Sesshomaru gently pocketed the paper and looked back to Rin. “We’ll be going now.”
“Sure.” Grabbing the keys, Kagome went to pick up the girl, surprised when a hand on her arm stopped her. Sesshomaru had already donned his coat and his posture signaled his actions.
“I’ll carry her.” Nodding Kagome waited until he’d picked the girl up before handing him the girl’s coat.
Minutes later, as she watched the two walk back out into the rain she couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Something about them called her to help them. Whether it was to grieve or get over their past Kagome had no idea- she just knew she had to do something.