Shikon no Go
The Language of the Shikon
A Fanfic in 100 Chapters
By DQBunny
Ж•Ж•Ж•Ж•Ж
DISCLAIMER: This story is based off of "Kendo no Go: A Fanfic in 100 Chapters" by Akai Kitsune. Her story in turn is a parody of "In the Language of Love," a story by Diane Schoemperlen. My thanks and appreciation goes out to Akai Kitsune for letting me borrow her fic idea! "Inuyasha" is the property of Takahashi Rumiko.
Ж•Ж•Ж•Ж•Ж
Chapter 14: Treasure
"Sango is such a tomboy."
"Why would she want to go with the men and be a fighter?"
"I just don't understand that girl."
"She'll never get a husband."
"I'm sure she's been promised out."
"Who'd want such a man-girl like her?"
"Hush! She'll hear you!"
Sango pressed against the wall of the building across the street from the group of gossiping village women, fighting the twin urges to cry and pound some sense into them. Her hands clenched into fists, trembling with the effort to keep her emotions in check. After a moment, the rage subsided, leaving a dull numbness.
Kirara twined herself around Sango's legs for a moment, then climbed onto her shoulder. With darting licks of her little tongue, she did her best to erase the tears streaming down her mistress's cheeks.
She reached back and absently petted her companion. "It's okay, Kirara. I don't need them anyhow."
Sango never had a female friend before she met Kagome. She realized in a way that it was because of the choice she made to go along with her father on fighting missions rather than stay behind in the village and do some of the other tasks women traditionally did. She never had much use for gossip or gawking at men. She was too busy perfecting her training and taking care of her father and brother to do so.
The other girls in the village regarded Sango with suspension and a bit of jealously since she was daughter of the head taijiya. Kagome greeted her with open arms and never questioned her motives or behavior. Again and again, just when Sango thought she had headed on the road of no return with her friend, Kagome would amaze her with her acceptance and forgiveness.
"When you're healed, why don't we go together?"
For the first time, Sango found someone she could talk about female issues with. Together, they would complain about the simple things - being dirty, dealing with that time of month and watching the boys be embarrassed about it. Said boys also became the topic of many discussions. Throughout it all, they supported each other as they learned to deal with their men.
Men.
Sango never expected to fall for the monk with the wandering eye. In her mind, her husband would be a fine, upstanding citizen like her father. He would be a master in the art of exterminating youkai and together they would carry on the village tradition. Instead, her heart picked a monk who groped onto any pretty girl that walked by.
In his own way, Miroku was very much an...well, not an upstanding citizen but a good one. He was a strong fighter and very intelligent. Sometimes too intelligent. He gave her the space she needed when she lost her family, but also comforted her when she needed it.
And every so often, when she glanced at his face, Sango saw him fighting the attraction he had for her.
"I never thought I would treasure and trust a girl so much."
She wondered what made him fall for her in the first place. She wasn't at all like other girls. She never had an interest in boys and it came as a chilling shock to her when she realized what she felt for Miroku was as strong as it was.
"However...that is precisely why, I can't love you as a girl. You are a companion to fight along-side with. That's how I feel."
It took Sango a long time after that conversation to realize that Miroku tried to not let his love for her affect their mission. That and if the worse happened...if she didn't survive, he could go on. And if he didn't survive...
Sango looked down at her right hand. A hand covered with calluses, a sign that she wasn't a normal young woman. A whole hand.
And if he didn't survive...she would find the courage to go on too. Because he would want her to live.
She noticed that the group had gotten a few feet ahead of her. She jogged to catch up, reaching Miroku's side. With a smile, she caught his cloth- covered right hand in her own and squeezed it tightly.
She never thought she would treasure and trust a man so much either.
Ж•Ж•Ж•Ж•Ж
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter seemed to bounce back and forth somewhat. It's also the first chapter that Inuyasha isn't mentioned. He really didn't have a place in this chapter. However, looking back over the manga at some of the exchanges between him and Sango, I think it would make fodder for future chapters. His relationship with Sango is different from the ones she shares with Miroku and Kagome.
Once again, Chris Rijk's site comes through with translations! The first quote was said by Kagome in vol. 10, ch. 93. The second quote was said by Miroku in vol. 30, ch. 292.
The original title for this chapter was "Hand." I finally settled on "Treasure" because to Sango, that's what her relationships with Miroku and Kagome are. Unexpected treasure that enriched her life.