Disclaimer: Even if I really wanted to.. I still don't own Inuyasha and the others. ^_^. Oh, and caution, there's one mild little spoiler in this chapter. I don't even know if it really counts.
A Lady Knight's Tale
Sango was almost afraid to look in the direction of the voice. Her mind raced, searching for all the witty things to say that she had thought of earlier, to her dismay, none of them seemed to surface at the moment.
She looked at him almost shyly, from behind the mask, thankful that it hid her eyes. Miroku certainly looked dashing that night. Dressed in black from head to toe, he looked incredibly handsome even behind his mask. It was really no wonder all the women clustered around him despite his perverted ways, well, that and the fact that he was a shameless flirt.
"I'm Miroku, the Captain of the Imperial Guard." he bowed gracefully then took her hand and kissed it. Sango resisted the urge to pull her hand away from Miroku. After an inappropriately long moment, he finally let go of it and stood up.
"I don't think I've ever met you before." he said.
Miroku had arrived rather early when he noticed this girl. She reminded her strangely of someone he couldn't place, and there she was sitting there all alone. Miroku felt...drawn to her somehow, it was all so strange.
Sango regained her composure, she sure as hell didn't come to this party to make a fool of herself.
The young woman's pink lips curved into a smile. "Oh, I'm sure you know me. Quite well in fact." Sango said softly.
Miroku shook his head and chuckled, pretending to be deep in thought. "I'll find out who you are before this night is over." he promised her. Sango raised an eyebrow and stood up.
The music began to play, and the guests headed toward the grand ballroom. The king had outdone himself this time as no expense had been spared. Miroku held out his arm, and she took it. Sango could feel hundreds of mostly female eyes on her, and she had overheard one of the obviously distraught young ladies say "Oh, who is that with Miroku-sama!?" He obviously had many admirers, Sango thought wryly.
Dinner was lively, as the Captain and his Second-in-command were seated with a group of young nobles, including Kagome and Inuyasha. Kagome held up a thumbs-up sign, Sango nodded in response, everything was going smoothly.
Before long, the dancing had begun and the guests started filling the floor. Miroku had mostly ignored the rest of the women who crowded around him, intent on Sango. The young captain asked her for a dance.
Sango blushed deeply as she took his offered hand. She didn't know how to dance, and had to tell him soon or...
"Sir Miroku...." Sango said, trying not to sound strained. "I.." she dropped her eyes to the floor "...don't know how to dance."
He looked at her incredulously for a moment, then Miroku laughed mirthfully, a full deep bass. Sango herself was finding it hard to keep a straight face. At the same time she was surprised, Miroku rarely laughed at all. It was as though he had let down the calm facade he always wore.
"What's so funny?!" Sango protested, trying to look peeved, but was failing miserably. When he finally caught his breath, looked up at her apologetically.
"Sorry." he said, "I just can't believe that you don't know how to dance." Miroku leaned closer and whispered "If what you say is true, I'd gladly teach you, my lady."
And without giving her time to protest, Miroku had pulled her onto the ballroom, the dance was a brisk one and Sango struggled with the footwork at first. But before long, she caught the hang of it, partly because she'd fought for so long beside him and just knew how he'd move and partly because Miroku was such a good dancer. Sango enjoyed every minute of it.
"Won't pity me and at least tell me your name?" Miroku teased.
Sango shook her head and said "I thought you'd be more resourceful than that..."
The music slowed suddenly and Miroku gave her a lazy smile that nearly made her knees buckle. He took her hands and placed them on his shoulders, while keeping his on her waist. Sango blushed and looked away, suddenly interested in the palace walls. Neither of them said a word after that.
"If you don't mind..." Miroku stopped suddenly and led her to a balcony nearby that overlooked a river.
It was nearing midnight, and occasional sounds from crickets and owls were the only sounds they heard, breaking the silence. Miroku shook his head and ran a hand through his hair.
"I can't believe this." he said. Sango looked at him, startled by his words "I know you'll think I'm incredibly stupid but I've never felt like this in my whole life. And I..I don't even know your name."
Sango looked at him uncomfortably, Kagome had told her to sweep him off his feet but she wasn't expecting anything like this of him especially, the perverted playboy who never let anyone get to him.
"You...won't ever see me again." she managed to say, feeling incredibly guilty. "I'm sorry."
With a look akin to sadness, Miroku took something from his shirt pocket and slipped it on her wrist. It was a beaded bracelet with round gems that looked like pearls.
"Please take this. It will keep you from harm." he said "And so if I ever meet you again, I'd know you at once."
Sango tried to refuse, "Thank you but, I..can't take this." Miroku looked so hurt that she dropped the argument.
"It's almost midnight. At least I get to see your face." Miroku said "Masks off at midnight. Oh look!"
Fireworks lit the sky like meteors and the colorful lights streaked off in different directions. It was unlike anything they had ever seen. Though she was panic-stricken for a moment Sango forgot about thinking of ways to escape because of the lovely view they had.
On the castle roof another couple was enjoying the fireworks. Kagome laid her head on Inuyasha's shoulder and sighed. The hanyou blushed and shyly put an arm around her shoulders.
"Hmm. What a beautiful night." she said, then she frowned and sat up straight. "Wait a minute. I think I forgot to tell Sango something...but I can't remember what."
"Feh. Never mind him. He can take care of himself." Inuyasha said.
"Oh well. It probably isn't important anyway." Kagome said as she leaned back in his shoulder again. The fireworks sure were pretty.
The clock struck twelve, the tones all but echoed throughout the palace. I have to think of something fast, Sango thought, can't run, Miroku would catch her for sure. She discreetly looked down the balcony, which stood on a cliff, below it was the river, she had an idea now.
"Miroku..." she said "Please close your eyes."
Miroku looked at her tentatively, as if gauging her actions, then obediently closed his eyes. Sango was blushing furiously, but it was now or never, she thought. Without another word she kissed him on the lips, a tingle running up and down her spine. Sango opened her eyes as if from a dream, not wanting it to ever stop.
When Miroku opened his eyes she was gone.
Sango clung from the cliff desperately, as much as she loved Miroku, it was important that she remained undiscovered. It was difficult but some things just had to be foregone for the moment. Blinking away the tears that were threatening to fall, she moved across the the rocks without much difficulty.
Trudging to her room Sango didn't worry about the servants or the others seeing her because they were probably already drunk or asleep. Then she stopped dead in her tracks, there was a light in her room. Cautiously, she peered inside. It was Miroku, his dark head slumped on her table.
She couldn't risk getting caught by him still wearing the gown and she knew that he would not let her go this time. But there wasn't any other way. Sango pushed the door open and winced as it creaked slightly, hoping with all her might that he wouldn't hear. Then she tiptoed across the room, never taking her eyes off the sleeping Miroku and not even daring to breathe.
Only when she got into the tiny inner chamber where she usually dressed did Sango finally breathe a sigh of relief. She knew she'd really let her guard down when she accidentally knocked a jar off its stand, sending it crashing with a sound that would have woken the dead.
Miroku looked up from the table groggily. "Sango? You there already?" He stood up and walked toward the door of the inner chamber. Was that silk he saw? "What's this?" he rubbed his eyes, looking at the fabric. Unfortunately, Sango's dress was so voluminous that it had spilled outside though the bottom of the door. Sango gasped and pulled it in quickly. When Miroku looked again, it was gone. Maybe he was imagining things.
"Just a moment!" Sango said, it came out louder than she had intended it to.
"You don't need to shout. I'll wait here." Miroku said and sat down again.
Sango thought for a moment there that she was done for. The pink silk gown was not cooperating and had nearly given her away despite her efforts. Luckily, Miroku didn't notice it much. She hoped.
Dressed in a white ruffled shirt and a pair of breeches, Sango came out at last. Miroku was fast asleep now and no amount of nudging from her woke him. He looked so sweet when he slept, Sango thought, what's more is that she could watch him.
And she had to content herself with that. Just for now at least.
Author's Notes: Hi again! ^_^. The bracelet I got from...I think episode 56? Very minor spoiler. Hope you liked this chapter. Oh, and thanks to my reviewers who really make this fic worth writing! Ja ne!