Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this serial caper… especially for the one who wasn't exaggerating. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

A Debt of Gratitude: With thanks to mine beta, Fenikkusuken.


A week later…

Chapter 29
The Gauntlet

From behind the raised partition surrounding her desk, Sango raised a finger to signal for Miroku to wait until she'd completed her connection. Once that was accomplished, she stood and greeted him with proper courtesy. "Good afternoon, Mr. Murasaki."

"Sango… please. Couldn't you find it in your heart to call me Miroku?" he pleaded, enjoying every moment of her token resistance to his charms. "After all we've been through, I think it's only natural to be on a first-name basis."

"We'll see," she demurred, then extended her hand for the visitor's pass clipped to his lapel. "So, you survived the 'what-are-your-intentions-towards-our-packmate' speech?"

"Barely," he grinned. "Treat her well, or I'll strangle you with your own entrails—rather daunting to your average suitor."

"You must be exaggerating," Sango laughed.

"Not by much. You, my dear, are more closely guarded than the Imperial Treasury. It's a good thing I'm a reiki-user, or I might not have survived."

Eyes widening in concern, she asked, "What did they do?"

"Were you aware that the eighth floor has an exercise room and dojo?"

"It's my job to know these things," she remarked dryly.

"Right. Well, the Misters Taisho decided to test my mettle… to make sure I was worthy… or something like that. Honestly, I think Sesshoumaru just wanted to prove that his youki was stronger than my reiki," he added thoughtfully.

"So, basically, you guys just spent the last three hours goofing off in the dojo—letting the youki and reiki fly?"

Miroku grinned. "Yeah. We're going to meet up for another round this weekend."

"That bodes well," she smiled. "Does that mean…?"

"Yes," he cheerfully affirmed. "They both give their blessing." Miroku leaned casually over the rim of her desk and crooked his finger just as he had on the first day he laid eyes on her.

Glancing cautiously around the lobby to make sure they were unobserved, Sango met him halfway. When she drew back from the gentle kiss, he was holding a small box on the palm of his hand. For once he didn't speak, and her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for his gift. Touching the ring inside with awe, she breathed a soft, "Ooooh." He strode around the desk and lifted the ring from its velvet cushion, then slipped it onto her finger. Finding it difficult to speak, she looked up into his face and smiled tremulously. "Thank you… Miroku."

Pleased to hear his name on her lips… and to see his ring on her finger, Miroku smiled broadly. "That's more like it," he declared warmly, and kissed her again.


End Note: This story owes much of its structure to the Live Journal community 30(underscore)lies, where I have a claim on Miroku. Lie #23, Exaggeration. 432 words.