Wow! ^_^ Thanks to all who reviewed the first chapter for all the positive input, it's really encouraging! I hope the second chapter doesn't disappoint!
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, Rumiko Takahashi does. But I do take them out and play with them every so often (not like THAT! Ew!)…
On with the fic!
CHAPTER 2: The Clothes Really DO Make The Woman…
Upon Inuyasha's return from scouting, the group set out into the forest. The sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, and with it rose the temperature. The air was dry and the sky was cloudless. The day was proving to be unseasonably warm in the brassy glare of the sun. Inuyasha seemed to have an inherent invulnerability to the heat despite his layered clothing, as did Shippo and Kirara. Miroku's mental focus helped him ignore most of the discomfort and Kagome's school uniform kept her surprisingly cool. But Sango, in her high-necked taijiya uniform, was faring the worst by far. As they passed through a small clearing, Kagome looked with sympathy over at her friend. Despite the dry heat, beads of sweat were trickling down the Sango's face and she looked ready to collapse.
"Sango-chan? Are you OK?"
Sango gave Kagome a tired smile. "I'm all right, Kagome-chan. It's just…this heat is so…" she sighed. "I just wish I had clothing more suited to this weather."
"Um, well why are you wearing your demon-slaying uniform then?"
"Oh…uh, well I wanted to have a little extra protection against—" Sango gestured vaguely to her neck. Kagome's eyes widened in understanding. "But I think even a regular kimono would be too much in this heat."
Kagome couldn't help but laugh. "Sango-chan I really don't think you have anything to worry about right now. Miroku's all the way up there with Inuyasha and Shippo-chan. I've got some extra clothes in my pack. You can wear them until we near the next village and then change back into your traditional clothes."
Sango eyed Kagome's short skirt doubtfully. "I don't know Kagome-chan. Wearing your clothes in front of Miroku-sama…that almost seems like I'm asking for trouble."
That's the point Sango-chan, Kagome thought, but she didn't voice it. "Oh c'mon. It's better than dying from heat exhaustion." Without waiting for Sango to answer, Kagome called for the others to stop for a moment so Sango could change. Inuyasha told them to not waste time. Miroku raised an eyebrow suggestively. Sango shot him a warning glare as Kagome dragged her off to a more secluded area.
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Ten minutes and one "HENTAI! *WHACK!* *THUD*" sequence later, Kagome emerged from the bushes, dragging something (or, more accurately someone) behind her.
"No! Kagome-chan! I don't think I can do this!!" Sango's voice rang out fearfully from the undergrowth.
"Oh stop worrying about it! You look totally normal!"
"But I feel so naked!"
Miroku's head perked up and looked around.
"Sango-chan! Quit worrying! Those clothes are no tighter than your slayer's uniform and you aren't exposing much of anything anyway! Now c'mon. Inuyasha's staring daggers at me." With that, she yanked extra hard on Sango's hand and pulled her into the open.
Miroku's eyebrows rose significantly in appreciation. A slow smile crept across his face. I must remember to thank Kagome-sama profusely for being from the future…
Kagome started walking back towards the rest of the group, pulling Sango behind her, looking quite pleased with herself. Sango on the other hand, looked highly embarrassed to be dressed in a pair of Kagome's jeans (which she thought were FAR too tight and low-waisted) and a plain, white tank top (which Kagome had cheerfully suggested would reflect the sun's rays and keep her cooler). However, looking at the expression on Miroku's face, Sango felt hotter than she had BEFORE she'd put on Kagome's strange (and revealing) clothes.
As if reading her thoughts, Kagome asked brightly, "There now, Sango-chan! Don't you feel so much better? Maybe if you put your hair up too it'll help cool you down."
"Ah, um, no Kagome-chan that's all right, I'm fine now, really," Sango stuttered, thinking quickly. My hair is the last bit of protection I have right now!
"I must say, Kagome-sama, that the people of your time have invented very…useful clothes." Miroku was eyeing Sango hungrily and made no secret of the fact. His eyes traveled from her flushed face to the graceful curves of her shoulders, admiring her toned arms, and pausing for too long on her full, rounded—
"You're drooling, houshi-sama." Sango said acidly and stalked past him with a look of annoyance. He admired the lines of her back, noting rather dreamily the movement of her shoulder blades and the delicate curve of her waist. His gaze slipped lower to her rear. Ah, the torment! he thought as Sango bent over to retrieve the hiraikotsu. The low-waisted jeans proved to be too much of a temptation for the lecherous monk…
"HENTAI!"
*WHACK!*
*THUD*
From his spot on the ground, Miroku decided that perhaps it was not so wise to let his lust take over when that damnable boomerang was close by...
Sango had made her way back to Kagome and the two girls were whispering together, making plans for that evening when they reached the village…
Momentarily ignored by the others, Shippo was counting on his fingers. That makes three times today and it's not even noon! The baby kitsune shook his head. At this rate, nothing'll EVER happen. *Sigh* These two are almost as bad as Inuyasha and Kagome. I suppose it's time to help out these helpless humans. Ugh, I sound like Inuyasha…
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Nightfall was creeping in at the edges of the sky when the travelers finally reached the old village. As the day had worn on, Sango had gradually overcome her embarrassment over being in Kagome's clothes once she realized that she was infinitely more comfortable wearing them in the heat. She didn't even bother to change before they reached the village.
Miroku was nowhere near grateful for this, however. Initially, he'd been more than happy about Sango's change of attire, but they had journeyed for many hours that day, and for those many hours he had been tortured by the pull and play of her muscles beneath the foreign clothing that clung to her body. As her unease had ebbed, her movements became more relaxed and free, and it seemed that with the change of clothing had also come a change of attitude. She and Kagome had been especially…'female' that day, giggling and whispering to each other for most of the journey. After endless trials chasing shards and youkai, Miroku, despite his enduring ardor for the taijiya, had somehow lost sight of just how very feminine Sango really was. But after today's journey…
He sighed as they stopped in front of Kaede's hut, remaining outside with Inuyasha and Shippo as the girls went inside to talk to the miko. He was lost in his thoughts. The natural, catlike grace that Sango possessed in the heat of battle had somehow been infused that day into every fluid movement of her body, came sparkling forth in her laughter, and teased him from the depths of her eyes.
She's more of a predator with a smile and a flower than with a scowl and a boomerang…Miroku rubbed the back of his head gingerly.
Well, almost…
He shook his head at himself. Sango was no predator, at least not where males were concerned. Her smiles and laughter that day had been natural, with no hidden intent of attracting his wandering eyes…or hands.
Never had Miroku seen anything so provocative.
He sighed again and leaned against the outside of the hut, resolving not to think of Sango for the rest of the evening. It took all of 15 seconds for his resolve to fail him miserably.
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Inside the hut, Kaede was smiling knowingly at the two blushing girls before her. She handed them a small vial.
"Ye need only slip a small pinch of this into the monk's drink tonight and ye can proceed in relative safety. Be warned, though, tis only a weak draught, and it will wear off quickly if ye do not take care."
Sango continued to blush. Kagome giggled gleefully. Tonight promised to be a most enlightening evening…
A/N: Ahahaha! You'd better Read and Review if you wanna know just what these girls are up to! Ch. 3 Preview: Miroku's hot spot revealed!! Actually, you may see Ch. 3 later tonight…I'm kind of on a roll and don't wanna lose my momentum…or I may just decide to make you wait. We'll see how it goes *evil grin*