Of This World And Yesterday Chapter 12: Familiarities, a Sailor Moon + Inuyasha Crossover fanfic

Of This World and Yesterday

This thing all things devours:

Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;

Gnaws iron, bites steel;

Grinds hard stones to meal;

Slays king, ruins town,

And beats high mountain down.

-The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien

Chapter 11- Familiarities

Fiddling with the latch on the door, Sango lifted it, tentatively peeking out of the dressing room stall and looking for the two women she arrived with. The taiji-ya still was a bit uncertain about things, still trying to adapt to the bright new world she found herself in. Everything was so fast, so loud, so colorful, so busy...everywhere there were lights and sounds and smells that were dizzying. Kirara, tucked inside an oversized 'purse' she was carrying, had eventually sunk back into the leather folds, hiding away from it all. Sango, however, had to adapt and adjust, to deal with constant reassurances that everything was fine.

For the last two and a half hours, she'd been in Juuban's shopping district, closely tailing to Setsuna or Kami out of sheer willpower. Everywhere there seemed to be people, running errands and shopping as well. The outfit they'd lent her to begin with was one of Kami's, and it was not the best fit in the world. That made the first thing on the list a few shirts and a couple skirts. Sango couldn't understand how they could afford to pay for everything, but the nonchalant attitude Setsuna carried was somewhat relieving. They had to have enough money, and when she had first questioned it, they'd told her not to worry about paying back.

So now she was dressed as a woman of this era, constantly chanting the mantra to herself that this was normal attire, and that her taiji-ya outfit was just as clingy. One of the first stores had a 'sale' going on, and this seemed to be a good thing, since she was given an armload of clothes and sent to try them on, with a firm warning not to remove any tags. After nearly an hour, she was properly befitted, wearing a plaid skirt of mauve and black, and a light, short sleeve sweater top to match. Then she had been subjected to searching for footwear, a pair of black sandals. Those were of much debate, since she could possibly have to fight in them. They opted for practicality over trendiness.

Though right now, Sango thought they were buying something a bit more important.

Some shorts for under her skirt. Last thing she wanted was for houshi-sama's wandering hands to get a grip on this flimsy outfit.

She held up her skirt a bit, revealing a pair of black gym shorts, and moved out of the dressing room stall, finding Kami standing just inside the hallway. "Uki..." Sango cut herself off, reminding herself again of the name change. "Kami-san?"

The other girl turned around, and a critical smile formed on her face as she appraised the shorts. "Hm, do they fit?"

"I...think so."

Setsuna reappeared, holding another pair in her hands. "You're sure? I brought a larger size..."

"No...thanks though."

Setsuna nodded and gave her a small smile, reaching for her purse and pocketbook as Sango dropped the skirt back down, smoothing it. "Good. Then we'll do as we did with the other stores, and just have you keep them on. I'll go have them scan this pair instead."

As Setsuna turned away, Sango slipped back into the dressing room and took her purse off the hook. There was an indignant squeaking from inside, and the purse kicked. Sango smiled and opened a bit, allowing the uncomfortable youkai cat a chance to poke her head out a moment.

"Sorry, Kirara," she told her in a whisper, smoothing the cat's forehead with a fingertip gently. "I know it's tight."

Kirara stretched slightly, sliding her nose out over the edge of the material and poking it through the straps, blinking large red eyes. Sango sighed, and looking down, could see the length of her own hands, the left wrist now delicately adorned with a silver and opal bracelet.

She'd spent a good long time that morning figuring out how to manipulate the magic Setsuna and Kami had used on the thing, and in a state of nervousness, watched as hiraikotsu disappeared into a lavender mist that swirled around the white and gold flecked stone.

It was Kami's power that manipulated the space, the stone itself just a trigger for a borrowed magic. According to Setsuna, the giant boomerang was resting with Dreamweaver's naginata, wherever that was, instead of with Pluto's Timestaff. Sango had practiced with the two senshi, summoning and then returning the thing into and out of the bracelet for nearly the entire morning, until Setsuna was satisfied she could do it right. Unfortunately, Miroku had taken his shakujyou with him the day before, out of habit. They'd have to find something to use as a bracelet for him later, she assumed, once they met up at the arcade that afternoon.

Carefully placing her purse over her shoulder, she made sure she didn't accidentally elbow Kirara. The bag was empty other than the cat, and Sango wished for a way to carry her sword as well. Though apparently summoning two things from 'sub-space' was a more difficult task, and she was having difficulty with hiraikotsu as it was. Sango wasn't particularly magical, and she knew it. At least she had her main weapon and Kirara.

Emerging out of the dressing room, Sango had to admit, their 'sporting goods store' provided an interesting array of items. Balls of many sizes for games, but also 'bats' and various other things that could make weaponry if used the right way, as well as sparring gear for those in the martial arts. There were even swords for something called 'fencing,' a sword sport Setsuna claimed was from Europe. Though Sango didn't really think the thin foils would do much good against a katana.

Then there was something in the corner that caught her eye, giving her pause.

"Taji-ya-san, what is it?"

"Kami-san..." Sango began, slowly turning away from the checkout and towards the corner of the store, "this is kyujutsu equipment, isn't it?"

Kami hesitated, then her face lit as she caught Sango's train of thought, her eyes sweeping over the racks of archery equipment. "Setsuna-san!" she called, waving the other woman out of line and over, a curious frown on her face as she waited for them to tell her what they found.

"Kagome-chan didn't bring her arrows with her," Sango told her after a moment, gesturing at the rack of displayed bows and sets of arrows, each proclaiming prices and pounds of tension the strings could take. "Maybe something to replace them, if things are that serious, it may be good to have them."

Setsuna was nodding silently in agreement, quickly scanning the racks and selecting a thin, delicate bow, smaller than the others. "So Kagome practices kyudo as a miko?" she murmured, half to herself as she ran a hand over the shaft of the bow. The one she selected was light, made of carbon rather than a more traditional material. They'd already spent a good deal today, and the artificial make would make it cheaper, without making it cheap. Sango had a point; if there was an attack, all should be armed in some way. If the bow was Kagome's weapon, it was sensible that she at least have access to one.

"Kyudo?" Sango and Kami echoed, not recognizing the term.

"A more modern term for kyujutsu," Setsuna told them offhandedly, remembering who she was with. More archaic terms were sometimes still needed to explain things. Setsuna glanced over the display of equipment, nodded once, and reached for the arrows.

They ended up leaving the store with considerably more than they thought they would, laden with bags of archery equipment.

Carrying the bags, the three women headed out into the street again, strolling along the sidewalk. Sango tried not to stare at the world around her. She felt small somehow, the giant buildings of stone and glass towering above her, leaning into the sky so high above. There were so many faces, reflected in the glass, so many things to look at. She was secretly glad Kami was also looking around with wonder in her eyes, though having been there longer, it was easier for her to accept.

Sango remained silent though, clutching the large shopping bags carefully as she kept Setsuna and Kami no more than an armslength from her. Despite that, she did not know them well for all their kindness, and a familiar face in the crowd would have been welcome.

They eventually drew on a quieter street, looking across for traffic and quickly heading for a building labeled in bright lights 'Crown Arcade.'

"This is the place we will meet everyone?" Sango queried, looking in through the panes of clear glass into the rooms beyond. It was fairly quiet, though a couple people wandered amid the video games, high school students not having arrived for the afternoon crowd yet.

"It will fill up soon," Setsuna sighed, checking her watch with a frown. "The Inners come here often enough to play and talk. We're still a bit early, though Mamoru-san is usually fairly punctual," glancing from her watch, she continued, "Still nothing from Haruka or Michiru. I'm going to check the messages at home. Do you two think you could wait alone for a few minutes?"

Sango shifted nervously, glancing inside the arcade. It looked quiet enough. A few minutes shouldn't be bad. "I think we can handle it," she agreed after a moment, glancing at Kami sideways. The other woman had her hand to her lips, and was slowly shaking her head.

"I...well...I could stay if you wish...but..."

"Hotaru-chan and Small Lady will expect you," Setsuna stated, and there was a look between them. Kami would walk to their school every day, and return back with them out of habit, listening to the chatter and gossip of the younger girls. "I'll stay then..."

"I said I can handle it," Sango repeated, and the other two looked at her critically for a moment, Kami curiously. "If it's just a bit...I'll just walk around..." she took a deep breath and nodded once, firmly, and adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder. Kirara mewed at the interruption, and Sango rested a free hand on her neck to soothe her. "I can handle it for a couple minutes. If the others are on their way..."

"Kanashimi-chan, Usagi-sama and Kagome, Inuyasha and Shippou...they will be late, ne? Studying?" Kami asked curiously, shifting the weight of the bags in her hands. "But everyone else will be here soon..."

Setsuna agreed after a moment, deciding that the demon huntress would be capable of taking care of herself for ten minutes in a modern era, new to it or not. Besides, the place was nearly empty, and the Fruit Parlor above was likely to be almost empty as well. She'd be left alone. "Alright. Kami, here," she reached out and took Kami's bags, then Sango's as well, heavily weighted. "I'll take it back with me. We can get the bow and arrows to Kagome this evening when we all meet." She fixed a final glance at Sango. "You're certain, Sango-san?"

The taiji-ya lifted her head a bit, with a grim smile. "You had me come here to help. There's no point for me to be timid about it. Go check to see if your friends are back. I'll be here."

Setsuna smiled, glad the demon huntress was adapting. They'd need for her and the others to learn quickly, and not be afraid. Though at times, their learning worried Setsuna. There was a line to be drawn, knowledge of what they could know and what they must know. After a moment, she allowed, "Until later, then. Be careful. Good bye, Kami."

The other girl bowed politely, and turned the opposite direction.

And Sango turned, slightly startled when the glass doors drew back on their own, and stepped inside.

Bleeping and pinging reached her ears, somewhat muted in the open floor of the arcade. After a moment, Sango realized the sounds were coming from the machines, and occasionally a tinkling musical strain cut through the bleating. A couple of young men were focused on the machines, either aiming strange looking weapons at the screens and cheering, or agonizing over small joysticks attached to the monitors. Several smells floated around her, and she could faintly smell something called 'coffee' hovering in the air. Setsuna had given her a mug of it that morning at breakfast, and even laden with sugar and cream, it was bitter. She made a face at the memory, though enjoyed the rich smell of the ground beans.

From behind the counter, a young man watched the girl wandering around through the aisles, wide eyed at everything she saw, though doing an admirable job of hiding it. Motoki had worked at the Crown for years, and knew every regular face. This one was not only new, but appeared somewhat at a loss, trying to look behind the back of one of the games, seeing where the chords disappeared into the plugs in the floor.

"Konnichiwa," he said, stepping out from behind the counter and interrupting her investigation of the famous Sailor V game. "You all right?"

Sango jerked up, staring as the blond haired man approached and waved a greeting. "Y...yes," she managed after a moment, reminding herself that the boy wouldn't know anything about her. She wasn't sure if talking to people was a good idea, seeing how she could easily make a mistake, looking suspicious.

"Sailor V is pretty tough," he was continuing, oblivious to the fact that Sango had suddenly started staring very hard at him. "Ever play it before?"

"Sailor V?" she repeated, then looked between him and the video game. A person who looked very much like Minako was drawn all over the side, and a digitalized version of her face popping up on the screen, red bow and all. A little uncertainly, Sango began to wonder about that. Maybe the game was based on the senshi? If that was true, then nothing to worry about. He couldn't know anything...she relaxed a bit, shaking her head. "No..."

He laughed, scratching his head. "I'm Furuhata Motoki. I work back there," he pointed, jerking a thumb at the counter. "You're new around here, aren't you?"

Sango suddenly realized something with a start. Everyone in this era had a family name. When the senshi introduced themselves, they each gave a family name. Tsukino, Mizuno, Hino, Kino, Aino, Chiba...Meioh, Tomoe. Even Kagome had one. That was usually reserved for samurai class, or nobility. Normal here, apparently, but Sango did not have one. She ran through a list of words quickly, finally blurting out the most obvious. "Taijiya Sango...yes...new..."

There was a mewing from her purse, and Kirara poked her head out as she realized people were being introduced, and she did not want to be left out. For a moment, Sango was horrified, thinking Motoki was going to go running screaming about demon cats. Motoki, though, bent down a bit and grinned. "Cute...he doesn't look albino though, with those red eyes...strange."

"Ah...she...Kirara...she was born with them..." Sango managed, mentally willing the cat to keep her twin tails inside the purse and out of sight. Apparently Motoki was coming up with his own reasonings, and that was fine by her. She relaxed again, slowly bringing Kirara up. "She's just traveling with me..." a thought occurred to her, of how some places did not allow 'pets' inside. "Is it all right she's in here?"

"Oh sure," he waved it off, standing back up. "Some girls bring their cats with them every once in awhile...some regulars. A new one won't make much difference. Just keep an eye on her. Are you looking for someone, Sango-san? You looked a little lost for awhile."

"Waiting, actually," she told him, glancing around and wishing she knew how to read the clocks in this era, particularly the one on the wall above the counter. "Some friends of mine are supposed to be meeting here after school."

"I see," he nodded, then noticed Sango's glance straying back to the smiling face of Sailor V, who suddenly began to zap random youma that presented themselves to her. One after another fell as the senshi in the game blasted them apart, until an insectile one sprayed something at her, sending her flying off the screen with swirls for eyes. The advertising sequence began again, and Motoki almost laughed at the serious expression Sango had on her face. "What's wrong?"

"She should have a filter mask on. Venom from a youkai can be very dangerous if inhaled."

Motoki blinked.

Sango continued to watch Sailor V undergo the same fate again, as 'Game Over' began to flash on the screen. "That's very dangerous," she repeated absently after a moment, trying to categorize the various kinds of youkai getting beamed by the game's heroine. "Is she always stuck dying at the end?"

"You've never played a video game before?" Motoki asked, surprised. She acted like she'd never even seen one before, looking from side to side and trying to figure out what it was. It was horrible for someone not to have ever played a video game before. "You play the game, and try to kill all the youma for her."

"Really?" Sango asked, wide eyed and curious. Killing youma? She should be good at that. "How?"

"With the joystick and buttons. Manipulate her," he explained, gesturing. Then he beamed, searching through his pockets and pulling out a token, slipping it into the slot. "Hey, free game for a newbie?" The advertising abruptly cut off, and a three dimensional Sailor V found herself on the ground floor of a haunted mansion, ghosts flying in the rafters as the first youma emerged from one of the hallways. "Use the stick to move her back and forth-"

She quickly grabbed on, jerking Sailor V out of the way as a giant claw sliced through the air. "Where are my weapons?"

"The buttons. Try to-"

Sailor V screamed in anguish before Sango could fight back, vanishing as the screen went blank.

"Aw..." Sango sighed, then blinked as the game started over. Motoki leaned over, pointing at the screen and explaining. "Dead already?"

"The game's starting over, since you still have a life left. To defeat that one, try the spinning overhead kick. It's complicated...here, try this..." he explained, and Sango imitated his motions on the controls.

Leaning backward, Miroku pushed aside one of the ferns around the booth he and Mamoru were sitting in. Crown Fruit Parlor was definitely his new favorite place to eat. The thing Mamoru was drinking, something called "Coffee, black," was horrible. However, Miroku discovered that vanilla milkshakes with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry on top were very, very good. He had just polished off his second, served by a very lovely red haired waitress named Unazuki, who did not want to bear his child.

But that was all right as long as he got another milkshake.

Mamoru glanced at him from across the table, setting down the dregs of his first cup of coffee. The single male out of the new group of allies was reading an oversized book on physics, with graphs and charts Miroku could make no sense of. Mamoru, though, seemed to pick up on Miroku's constant glances around the Fruit Parlor. "They'll be here soon."

"I know..."

The houshi and Mamoru had gotten along well enough, once the two screaming girls were out of the car the previous evening. How the other man had patience for the arguing he wasn't sure. It took the Buddha's patience for the car ride alone. But when Miroku found a framed picture of the three of them later in his apartment, all smiling and waving, he couldn't help but think how much they looked like a family. A 'photograph' taken by something called a 'camera.'

Mamoru's apartment was full of strange things, lights that lit without fire, and a box that produced something called 'popcorn' without flames. Then there was the box with the people telling what the weather would be like today. And they were even right. Bright, sunny, though partially cloudy in the late afternoon.

It had been an interesting day, and Miroku couldn't help but stare. He usually kept his face carefully schooled against blatant observation, but everything here was so big, so bright, so loud. So many faces, so fast. He didn't mind being alone, usually, but with so much to see, a familiar face would have been welcome. He was somewhat impatient for the others to arrive.

First stop of the day had been shopping, as Mamoru had forewarned him. Miroku didn't fit too well into Mamoru's clothes, the other man being taller and thinner. Despite that, Miroku thought that Mamoru had fairly good taste in the strange clothes of this era, and tried to trust his judgment. Though he'd thought about it a second time when the man put on an old pea green jacket that morning. Now, Miroku sported shiny black shoes, black pants and a deep blue long sleeve cotton shirt, buttoning up the front. He liked his color scheme how it was, and if he was going to be traveling as inconspicuously as possible, that meant no houshi robes. He was a bit hot in the long sleeves, but it was better to hide the wrappings of his rosary and kazaana. Only the binding on his hand showed, and unless drawn to one's attention, easily passable.

"They're coming out here from their school place, correct?"

"Yes," Mamoru agreed, turning the page of his book and frowning at it. "I'd have thought Setsuna would bring your friend Sango early, but perhaps they got caught up shopping."

"That would be unsurprising," Miroku allowed dryly, glancing over at the steps that led down to the Arcade portion of the building. There was music floating on the air, from what Mamoru said was the 'sound system,' but it was occasionally punctuated by game music. "You're not in school?"

"College," came the reply, and a deepening of the frown. "Further education..."

At the hesitation in his voice, Miroku turned back to the other man at the table. "What's wrong?"

"I may be going overseas for it. I sent in an essay to an American university, but I haven't heard back from them yet. If accepted, I'd get a good scholarship." Miroku blinked in confusion, and Mamoru shook his head, waving a hand. "Don't worry about it. It's a little way off yet, regardless."

"I see," he replied, glancing again towards the steps. "I'm going to wander in the arcade place for awhile, see if maybe they're waiting there."

"You're sure?" Mamoru asked, brows lifting as he advised, "I wouldn't ask any other girls to bear your child. Unazuki thought you were joking, but some others may get insulted."

"Ah, but can they whack me as good as Sango can for it?" Miroku mused for a moment, rubbing his head in memory. Mamoru shook his head at the houshi, returning to his physics assignment as Miroku headed down the steps.

It was entirely feasible that they'd stopped in the arcade. The place was fascinating, and he and Mamoru had wandered around for nearly a half hour before heading up the steps to the Fruit Parlor. Even then, it had been mostly Miroku, taking in the whirling and musical machines, watching as they went through their various games. He was sure Sango would be just as curious, and probably stop for a bit as well.

Scanning the room as he descended the steps, he easily spotted the other member of his group. Also in modern clothes, she wore a short, wine colored dress contrasting to the blackness of her hair, now loose down her back and swinging around her waist, free of its usual white ribbon. She was concentrating on one of the video games, rapidly moving the controls. He watched as a smile suddenly lit her face while a beeping noise began to emit from the machine, and she beamed at the young man beside her.

Miroku frowned.

"Now!"

At Motoki's warning, Sango smacked the red button beside the joystick, swiveling Sailor V around and into the air, one heeled foot impacting onto a large youma's forehead. It spun backward, howling and then succumbing to a rather interesting move Sango just learned. She was grinning, thoroughly enjoying her work, without actually being in mortal danger this time.

Suddenly, she felt a hand clasp her hip, turning her from the game, though before she could turn and smack anyone, she heard a familiar voice say, "I'm Miroku. Who're you?"

First, she realized that houshi-sama was already there. Second, Sango realized that the hand was not on her rear end. Third, he was nearly glaring at Motoki, who was smiling obliviously at the newcomer with polite interest.

"Konnichiwa! You're new around here too, right?"

There was a loud shriek from the video game, and Sango turned away from Miroku in irritation, noticing that Sailor V just lost her last life to a rather overgrown spider. She grimaced as 'Game Over' scrolled up, then glared at Miroku, realizing that he was still focused on Motoki, gaze unwavering.

"Idiot...what are you doing?"

"I came to look for you, since you were late."

Sango blinked. Setsuna said they were early, and that was just a few minutes ago. She wasn't late. And why did he still have his hand on her hip? What in the world was he doing? Crazy houshi...

Motoki finally managed to come to a conclusion, and held his hands up for peace, sensing an argument coming on. "Hey, sorry, I was just showing your girlfriend how to play the Sailor V-"

He was cut off by Sango suddenly strangling out the word, "Girlfriend?" and turning several heads to the small spectacle that was developing in front of the video game.

Miroku just kept looking at Motoki.

"Houshi-sama! What are you doing?"

That earned her a calm look from Miroku, finally managing to break through the glaring at a confused Motoki. "I'm merely defending you from the advances of-"

"Defending me from the advances of...houshi-sama! You can't..." she spluttered, then remembered the fact Miroku still had a hand on her hip.

Smack.

Miroku rubbed his new red handprint, and Motoki blinked, getting even more confused. There were snickers from several of the other men in the arcade, watching as Sango began to seethe at her 'boyfriend.' She was half furious, half blushing, particularly over the fact Miroku seemed so entirely casual about it. She didn't belong to him. Motoki wasn't doing anything. She didn't belong to the eechi! What was he doing? Crazy...

Before she could think of something else to say, she heard a whooshing sound as the glass doors automatically slid open, admitting Aino Minako and Kino Makoto, who both saw the steamed Sango, confused Motoki, and handprint-ed Miroku at once.

From Minako's shoulder, Artemis sighed under his breath, "Oh, boy."

"That pervert!" Makoto exclaimed, coming to the conclusion Sango had just been assaulted. After all, what else would require a slapping? Besides, Inuyasha described Miroku as a lecher already. Makoto would not stand for such an injustice towards women. "I ought to pound him..." she cracked her knuckles in feminine sympathy, and headed towards the group.

"I think she already took care of that, Mako-chan," Minako warned her, hurrying to get herself into the conversation before Mako began to pummel the houshi. "Motoki! Konnichiwa! Sango-san, Miroku-san! Konnichiwa! We got here as soon as we could!"

"What did you do to her?" Makoto demanded, and got an even look in exchange, and some arched eyebrows.

"I did nothing wrong-" Miroku began.

Sango whirled on him, "Idiot!"

"I ought to-" Makoto began again, only to be grabbed by the arm by Minako, who suspected a different situation than Mako did, particularly since the ever-friendly Motoki was looking utterly baffled by the entire situation.

"Ah, Mako-chan, it's okay," Minako tried to soothe, grabbing her friend's arm and Sango's and hauling them along with her towards the stairs. "Sorry we're late! Sango-san, I love those clothes! Come on, I feel like Usagi-chan I'm so hungry! Let's go get some food, ne? Sango-san, those clothes are awesome, but you should get some red shoes to match, maybe pumps...do you have earrings? Not pierced! Oh! That's terrible! Can you walk okay in the sandals? Ah, no heels, good, good..."

The detransformed senshi of Love kept her prattle going as she hauled the other two irate girls along with her, displaying a little shown feat of strength.

Miroku joined Motoki in being confused.

"What just happened?"

Motoki glanced at Miroku. "Hurricane Aino. Hits every once in awhile."

"I see..."

Minako spotted Mamoru at one of the booths, engrossed in his physics, as well as the two empty glasses across from him. Deducing that if Miroku returned, he'd go sit with Mamoru, Minako picked a booth on the Fruit Parlor's opposite side, shielded from view by various potted plants, and shoved Makoto and Sango into the seats, sliding in beside Makoto herself to prevent the taller girl from going out to tackle Miroku.

Setting her purse carefully down, Kirara climbed out and wedged herself into the corner as Sango settled herself down. Artemis leapt from Minako's shoulder, silently padding across the table and peering down to make sure Kirara was all right from her day of being dragged around in a purse. Satisfied, he sat back on his haunches beside Minako on the table, curling his tail around his paws.

"Okay!" Minako began, folding her arms and looking hard at Sango. Her romance radar was going off the charts, though smacking was not part of the usual ritual. Sango's bright red blushing was, and they somewhat contradicted each other. "What happened?"

"Did he try something with you, Sango-san?" Makoto demanded, fully ready to push Minako aside if necessary. "If he did..." she cracked her knuckles meaningfully. Sango blinked across the table, still mad herself, but somewhat disbelieving of the Makoto's willingness to pummel Miroku. Besides, nobody was allowed smack Miroku other than her. It was a nice offer though, she decided. Kagome-chan would just sigh in sympathy and let Sango take care of it.

"He's such a idiot," she muttered after a moment, boring a hole into the table with her eyes. "I was just playing the youkai killing training game. That one man who works here-"

"Motoki?" Minako interjected, backing off as Sango nodded that she was correct.

"He was just showing me how to play it, and then he comes over and starts glaring at him and then he grabbed me and-"

"I knew it!" Makoto slammed her fist on the table, then began to climb past the resisting Minako. "Minako-chan, move aside, I'm going to beat him, the pervert."

"Mako-chan...ow! Mako-chan, your hand is in my eye!" Minako shoved Makoto back into the booth, rubbing her offended eye with a knuckle as it began to water. "You have plenty of time to beat him up later..."

"He grabbed her ass or something!" was Makoto's retort, continuing to clamber her way past Minako as Sango began to shift uneasily, opening her mouth to tell Makoto to settle down, but before she got the chance, a girl with bright red hair in a ponytail came up to their table, laughing at the antics of the two strugglers.

"Konnichiwa, Minako-chan, Mako-chan," she waved, pulling a pen from behind her ear and pulling off the cap, tapping it against her tablet of paper. "Konnichiwa," she said to Sango especially, seeing a new face. "Welcome to Crown," she winked conspiratorially, glancing at the other two. "It's kind of strange seeing them arguing. Usually it's Rei and Usagi. I'm Unazuki, I'll be your waitress. Can I get you anything?"

"Thanks...get me what?"

"Oops! Sorry, the menu is next to the napkins," she gestured, pointing at the tin napkin holder just under the window. "Mako-chan, Minako-chan, you have any orders?"

Unazuki's arrival and customary requests for orders gave Minako time enough to settle Makoto down, who was glowering wrathfully. "Sure!" Minako replied with a grin. "I'll have a burger, fries, a large Pepsi, and some ketchup for the fries."

Unazuki was scribbling everything down, then glanced at Makoto, who grumbled, "Strawberry milkshake. Medium."

Still looking at the menu, Sango was confused, not knowing what half the things were, much less the way the prices were set up. "Um...what's good?"

"Everything!" Minako told her with a grin.

"That doesn't help her, Minako-chan," Makoto sighed, folding her arms and settling in. "Well, are you hungry?"

"Not very..."

"Just get a milkshake. Something to snack on."

A little uncertainly, Sango looked at Unazuki, who was writing again. "Strawberry, chocolate or vanilla?"

Strawberry, chocolate or vanilla? Sango frowned. Kagome had brought chocolate with her before, and she knew that was good. Makoto seemed to like the strawberry kind...but well, it had been a day of new adventures. "Vanilla?" she half asked, half stated. Unazuki capped her pen.

"Be back in a couple minutes. Everything okay here?" she added as an afterthought, noticing Makoto's glowering. "Mako-chan, you look mad."

"Pervert," came the muttered response, then a sigh. "I'm fine. Just be wary of the eechi that probably sat with Mamoru-san for awhile."

"Oh, you mean the guy who wanted me to bear his child?"

"He asked you that?" Sango and Makoto both thundered, half leaping from the table and causing Unazuki to stumble backward, gripping her order sheets to her chest in alarm.

"Hey, it was just a joke," she laughed, waving a hand as she recovered. "He was just kidding, right? Who'd actually ask something like that? Did he ask you the same thing, Mako-chan? You didn't take that seriously, did you?"

"No, but he tried to grope-"

"He didn't," Sango interrupted, sitting back down hard. "At least not today."

Makoto slowly eased herself back into the booth, frowning. 'Not today?' So the taiji-ya had to put up with it all the time? If it were her, she'd turn him into a big bloody carpet stain if he tried to grab her ass. Or electrocute him. Whichever she felt would be more painful at the particular moment. What was wrong with Sango, just putting up with it all?

"Mako-chan, Minako-chan...I'm going to be right back with your orders. And a vanilla shake for your friend," Unazuki managed, slowly realizing the guy may have been serious after all. That was a bit disturbing. "Orders'll be up in a couple minutes..."

"Thanks, Unazuki," Minako sighed, waving her off and back to the kitchens. Once the other girl was gone, Minako and Makoto fixed Sango with twin stares.

"Sango-san," Makoto began after a moment, sounding serious. "You said he didn't try today...so he has before? If it were me, I'd do way more than just smack him. Why do you put up with it all?"

Sango suddenly found that she was utterly fascinated with the miracle that was the tabletop. Pretty and white, swept clean. She drummed her fingers on it for a moment, shifting around and trying to figure out how to reply.

"Oh god, she's in love with him."

Urk...

Sango looked up with an expression that somehow managed to capture variations between horror, guilt, shock and confusion. Makoto looked depressed for her sake, but Minako had a dreamy smile on her face. "He must have some good points then," she declared, beaming at Sango. She'd thought there was something there yesterday, and that just confirmed it. "Right, Sango-san?"

She finally got her tongue back, and managed to stutter belatedly, "But I'm not...I wouldn't...he's such a lecher...I wouldn't...I don't...I mean I am not in..."

"Sango-san," Makoto sighed, shaking her head in despair. "You must have incredible tolerance."

Well, Kagome-chan had plenty of patience with Inuyasha. So, if she had plenty of tolerance for Miroku, then she supposed that fit the pattern. Despite that, she was rather amazed at the way the two senshi had come to their conclusions that quickly.

She folded her hands in her lap and glared downward.

She was not in love with the hentai houshi.

No way...no no no...but...um...

Then she bit her lip. Things were rather strange. He could be such a pervert sometimes, but then he'd turn around and help her in battle, or say something kind or thoughtful, and she'd just stare at him and wonder how two such differing personalities could exist in the same infuriating man. Every time they would be alone, every time she thought maybe, just maybe something would happen, he had to go and try to grab at her again. She remembered the touches, they were electric, but fueled by fury. Her hands tensed, lips drawing thin. Even the one time when...a blush started to swell up on her cheeks as she remembered what happened at Kami's...Ukifune's...old mansion.

He'd had his turn in the nightmare world, and she had stayed to make sure he was alright as he slept, as Kagome and Inuyasha attempted to find the missing shards. When he awoke...she couldn't believe how sweet he could be. Of course, he ended up ruining it. And yet...she remembered every moment of a very brief kiss, burned into her memory.

Minako and Makoto couldn't read Sango's thoughts, but it was fairly clear that she was thinking things through, remembering something that had happened. A pinkness was settling on her face, and after a moment she lifted her fingers to her lips, a thoughtful, unconscious gesture accompanied by a very faint smile. The two senshi glanced at each other, Makoto thinking it rather sad, Minako delighted to have a couple to set up.

After a moment, Minako clapped her hands together as she reached her decision, leaping up and pointing dramatically into the air. "I, Aino Minako, goddess of Love, shall henceforth help you keep that hentai in line, and assure the romantic future of two of our new friends! After all, you know what they say! All's fair in Love and Perversion!"

Artemis choked, genuinely wishing he could talk in public.

Sango blinked. They had a saying like that in this time? Why?

Makoto buried her head in her hands, making a mental note to buy Minako a book of adages soon. The girl and her malapropisms were getting way out of hand.

Beside Sango, Kirara began to shift around, sitting up a bit straighter and turning towards the window, eventually leaping up and placing her forepaws onto the sill, red eyes scanning the street outside. Cars were lined up outside and below, though traffic had grown still as the three girls talked, awaiting their food.

The youkai cat sniffed, unable to get a scent through the pane of glass in the upper window, especially with all the delicious smells coming in from the kitchen. Artemis was the first one to notice her troubled look, and turned around to look outside as well. Nothing better to do with the senshi talking about boys again. He was used to that, and usually went to sleep. A woman was walking straight out into the middle of the street from the opposing alleyway, cars slamming to a halt to avoid hitting her. The white cat squinted at the figure, trying to make it out more clearly. She seemed oblivious to the honking cars circling her, and the shouting of people who were annoyed, having almost been in an accident.

Artemis frowned, turning over his shoulder and whispering, quietly, "Minako...Minako!"

"But if he thought you and Motoki were flirting or something, he was jealous! That's kind of good-"

"Minako!" he tried again, a bit louder.

Hearing Artemis speak, she managed to cut off her sentence, looking at him curiously as he turned back to the scene below.

Kirara suddenly hissed, fur standing on end, and she twisted back and leapt over Sango, streaking out of the Fruit Parlor and down the stairs.

"Kirara!"

"Artemis? What's going...?" Minako leaned over Makoto to see what was happening on below. On the street, the woman stood, now with her arms outward, something heavy coiling around them and slithering off her hands, dropping heavily to the ground. She was turning, looking around and gauging her position, and as she turned to face the Crown Arcade, a lock of her red hair fell aside, revealing her unusually familiar face.

"Eudial!"

~Omake~Omake~Omake~Omake~Omake~Omake~Omake~Omake~Omake~Omake~Omake~Omake

Makoto and Artemis facevaulted, gigantic sweatdrops appearing on their brows.

Sango looked confused.

Kirara just fell over.

Minako: Did I say something wrong?

Terms of note:

kyudo- 'The Way of the Bow'

kyujutsu- bow technique

kanashimi- sorrow, sadness (also what Kami calls Ami)

If you didn't get the omake...you probably don't want to. Don't worry about it. Just me being just the slightest bit eechi. Eh heh...x.x But I love to mangle malapropisms for Minako. (Wow, that's an alliterative line...) 'All's Fair in Love and Perversion' just seemed a bit too apt for the situation, and I noticed the S and M letters in their names as well...and Miroku's lechery just kind of leapt to mind...^^;;

If you're wondering about the quote at the beginning of the chapter...that's a riddle asked by Gollum to Bilbo from Tolkien's 'The Hobbit.' The answer is Time.

Anyway, I wish I could have played with Miroku's jealousy a little more...he needs to be jealous more often! But I had fun with this chapter. Poor Motoki...no clue what was going on. Sometimes he reminds me of Hojo...nice but generally clueless. I have fun playing with Sango and Miroku...their not knowing much about the modern era leaves the field wide open for comical set ups.

Another thing is the archery equipment. I've been watching to see the different kinds of bows both Kikyou and Kagome use in the Inuyasha series. Kagome's is smaller than Kikyou's, and at my guess maybe four feet high. Kikyou's is larger, more like six or even seven feet. (Sorry, I don't know how to convert to the metric system...if anyone knows, mail...I'll add in the conversions.) According to .com:

"In the past the Japanese bow was used for hunting, war, court ceremonies, games, and contests of skill. The old word for Japanese archery was kyujutsu (bow technique) which encompassed the skills and techniques of the warrior archer."

Sango and Kami, being from various stages of the past, would be less likely to recognize the term 'kyudo' than 'kyujutsu,' if I'm following this correctly. It was during the sengoku jidai that kyujutsu was perfected, so I'm assuming Sango would be familiar with the weaponry. Kami, being from an earlier era, (and not really ever having to use a weapon before...) would be even less likely to understand what Setsuna meant when she used the more modern term.

And yes...Eudial.

So, til next storytime.

~Queen

Coming up next, in Chapter 12: Puppet-

"Space Sword...Blaster!"

(Need I say more? ^_~)