Hi all! So I've been sicker than a dog this week, and writing has been super difficult. I'm hoping next week will be better. As always, thanks for the reviews and favorites! On with the story!
"Kuranosuke!"
"Sango, I'm sorry to come here unannounced, but you and I need to talk. Now," Kuranosuke's smooth sentence spills from his lips as he shoves his way into the apartment. Kohaku stands behind his sister, crossing his arms over his chest as Sango stares up at Kuranosuke, her mouth gaping lightly.
"What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were still in New York!" she cries and a small smile crosses the man's delicate features.
"I called you from the plane this morning. The perks of private travel," he says with a shrug and Sango's rage boils within.
"What do you want from me, Kuranosuke?" she growls and Kohaku sighs lightly.
"Rin…I should take you home," he suggests, knowing from Sango's tone that she's in fighter mode. And he can't blame her for being angry. Kuranosuke promised Sango the world, and at the sight of a prettier woman, he took it all away again. Rin nods before gathering some goodies in a bag and scurrying from the kitchen. Kohaku nods at Sango as he and Rin slip past the quarreling ex-couple.
"Thanks for letting me bake…" Rin mumbles as she passes by Sango, and Sango just smiles.
"Anytime…" she turns to Kuranosuke and sighs, "Come in and sit," Sango demands, wandering to the kitchen and turning on a tea kettle. Kuranosuke just follows her into the kitchen instead.
"Sango, I need you to hear me out—"
"Why? So you can fill my head with petty lies again?" she snaps, her eyes gleaming with rage, "You were the one who left me, Kuranosuke. Not the other way around,"
"I know. And I realize that what I did was cruel, but I've reconsidered my ways, and I miss you. I do think you should give us another chance," Kuranosuke calmly exclaims as Sango pours a cup of chamomile tea into her mug.
"You put me through hell when you left. Do you realize that? I don't care if you've 'reconsidered' your ways. I'm not going to let you hurt me again. Or Kohaku. We've been through far too much to have an asshole like you rip me apart," Sango spits before rubbing her temples. A painful headache pounds through her as her rage and frustration melts to fatigue. She desperately needs sleep, and lots of it, "Look. I don't want to listen to your excuses. Will you please just go? I've had one hellish day as is…"
"No," Kuranosuke denies, his jaw clenched tightly as anger brightens his eyes, "You will listen—"
"No. I won't. You want to have this conversation, that's fine, but not tonight! Now get out of my apartment," Sango growls as she storms over to the door, opening it for him. Kuranosuke stares at her blankly before slowly crossing her apartment.
"I'll call you this weekend…" he says as he leans in to kiss her cheek. Sango steps away from him, and he sighs, "Goodnight, Sango,"
"Goodbye, Kuranosuke," she snaps, hoping he will get the message, and yet there is still an optimistic, determined, glow on his face as he wanders out of her home. She slams the door shut, and storms into the kitchen for her tea. She rests her elbows on the counter, and her head in her hands as memories flood through her. Kuranosuke made her happy once upon a time, but after all the sorrow and heartache…she can't let herself believe she can go back to that happiness again. With a sigh, Sango sips at her tea, her mind tormenting her with her past. A text beeps on her phone and she glances at it with a groan.
Kuranosuke: How about you and I go for breakfast on Saturday? Talk about our options.
Sango ignores the text, opting to text Kohaku that it's okay to come back to the apartment and she was heading to bed. One text after another floods her phone from Kuranosuke and with an angry growl, she shuts it off. Exhaustion from the day and frustration from the night fills her body and she knows the best way to combat it is sleep.
Sango finishes her tea before wandering sluggishly to her bedroom, and stripping out of her clothes. She throws on loose pajama shorts and a tank top before climbing into bed, hoping sleep will slaughter the whirling thoughts that consume her mind. She doesn't want to be jaded, and yet Kuranosuke's betrayal breaks her heart once again.
…
The morning sun blares through her window, and Sango wakes to a pounding knock at her apartment door. She moans and throws a baggy sweater over her tank top, her head thumping with the makings of a migraine. The fist banging on her door only aggravates the pain and Sango.
"I'm coming!" she cries before throwing open her door. Standing in the hall with an amused smirk on his face is Miroku Houshi. He gazes over her bedraggled hair, baggy sweater, bare legs, and surprised expression before laughing lightly, "What are you doing here?"
"I was ordered to come fetch you by Mr. Taisho and your production crew. Apparently, you are very late and don't know how to answer your phone today," Miroku teases before stepping into her apartment. Sango brushes one of her tangled locks away from her face as she crosses her arms over her body.
"I shut my phone off…" she bitterly says as she looks at the clock on the wall: 12:26, "Oh god I can't believe it's that late!" she quickly scurries into the kitchen, turning on a coffee pot as Miroku walks over to the island with a small smile.
"Why would you shut your phone off? That doesn't seem like you," Miroku questions, and Sango sighs, her hands slowing from pouring grounds into a filter.
"I had a late night caller that wouldn't take a hint," she grumbles vaguely as she finishes prepping her coffee, "Let me get changed and I'll be ready soon," she adds, distracting him from her words.
"Take your time…" Miroku says, yet she can tell by his tone that he isn't going to drop the topic just yet. She hurries to her room and quickly digs out black trousers, a button up shirt, and cashmere sweater from her wardrobe before pulling out a clean bra and panties from her dresser drawer. She slips her business wear on, relishing in the feeling of control that she gets from hiding in her button ups and trousers. She brushes out her hair and pulls it into a high ponytail before stepping into a pair of pumps and painting makeup on her face to hide her fatigue. She hurries into the kitchen and pours two to-go cups, handing one to Miroku silently. He looks her over and a sad smile slips across his lips.
"Something wrong?" she asks after several seconds of him silently staring at her.
"No not at all. Just noticing that you're not in your usual skirts,"
Sango just scoffs, "Disappointed that you can't grope me?"
"Disappointed that you feel the need to hide so much," he whispers as he crosses the apartment to her front door, "Shall we?" She stares at him, baffled that he can read her so well even though they did just meet the other day. She quickly masks her shock and follows him from her apartment after grabbing her purse and keys. As she turns to lock the door she hears a light whistle coming from Miroku. She looks up with a quirked brow and he smirks down at her, "Those pants still hug my favorite asset of yours,"
Sango's cheeks flush bright red before she storms away from him, "You pervert!" she spits and he laughs.
"There you are! I thought your 'late night visitor' squashed the fiery Sango I'm used to," Miroku says, smiling brightly as she realizes what just happened. Her glare melts into a gentle smile and she giggles.
"Thanks, Miroku. I'm sorry you had to come fetch me," Sango says and he shrugs, following her down the stairs and out of her apartment. He directs her towards his car, his warm hand pressed lightly against her back.
"It's not a big deal. Your team was more worried than anything else. Who stopped by last night if I may ask?" his words were nonchalant, yet the look in his violet eyes shows more than curiosity. He opens a car door for her as she sighs and slips into the front seat.
"Who do you think?" she retorts and his eyes widen slightly.
"Wait, your ex…? Wow, that's pretty ballsy of him," Miroku mumbles before shutting the door and hurrying over to the driver's side of the car.
"And totally unwarranted. I don't want to date him again, yet he can't seem to let it go," Sango sighs as Miroku starts up the car and pulls into traffic. Silence consumes both of them before Miroku glances over at her.
"Has he told you why he wants you back?
"Not exactly," Sango replies, Miroku's question peeking her curiosity, "He just says its because he made a mistake, but I don't buy it,"
"And you shouldn't. If a person cheats once, they more than likely will do it again," Miroku bitterly says, and Sango stares at him. His chiseled jaw is clenched tight, his eyes blaze with rage, and his hands grip the steering wheel unnecessarily tightly. All the signs answer one question that has been gnawing at Sango for days.
"You've been cheated on…haven't you?" she quietly accuses and the silence thickens. After several moments Miroku nods.
"Yes…yes I have," he says as he pulls into the underground parking lot for Daemon Dog Publishing.
"Oh…I'm so sorry…" Sango mumbles, clutching at the hem of her sweater with embarrassment, "You know that kind of surprises me," she adds and Miroku bitterly smiles.
"You think I'm more the type to cheat than to be cheated on?" he counters and she nods slowly. He just chuckles, "I'm not the cheating type. That kind of selfish behavior only hurts everyone involved," his words resonate deeply in Sango as Miroku parks the car and the pair step out into the concrete lot. She thinks over everything Kuranosuke had said to her after the break up. Even his apologies sounded scripted, and yet he keeps pushing the issue. They enter the glass office building as this idea whirls through her mind and once they reach the elevator, she sighs. Miroku looks down at her with a supportive smile on his lips.
"Don't let him pressure you into anything you aren't comfortable with," Miroku suggests and Sango smiles.
"Do I look like the type who can be pressured?" she teases as he laughs.
"No, but he seems to be a man who knows how to manipulate," Sango bites her lip, thinking over all the times she and Kuranosuke would argue. Miroku's right…he was a manipulative man.
"Why do you have to be so helpful…I liked you as the 'perverted boss'," Sango sighs. Miroku's smile morphs into a wicked smirk and she blushes.
"If you were wanting it, all you have to do is ask, dear Sango," Miroku says as he brushes his hand over her ass. She laughs and slaps his chest before the elevator opens to the Graphic Design floor. She hurries to Kagome's cubicle, hesitating only when she sees Inuyasha and Koga all huddled around Kagome's screen. With a sigh, she walks over to her friends, hiding her nerves behind an apologetic smile. Time to get this over with…
And that's all she wrote! I'm definitely breaking the stereotype of the "cheating Miroku" in this story. Honestly, I've a very different opinion of the perverted monk than many readers/viewers of Inuyasha and those opinions may show in my fiction. Anyways, I hope to see you all next week. When I'm not as sick *fingers crossed*.
