The Haunting: Pressure Man
By Seabreeze
A/N: Sixth chapter, whew! The title for this chapter, "pressure man", is actually from a song. It's a fun song, but not meant to go with the fic or anything. The title just works. Thanks to all my reviewers, I love you guys! Dunno how much I'd write if it weren't for you ( Thanks! Also, this chapter and the next are going to be rather short. After that they should be normal length again, though. One more thing- I've started another story, a Kagome/Inuyasha one this time, called "I Forgot to Tell You". It was really, really fun to write and I hope you all check it out (
Disclaimer: You wanna know what I own? Probably not, but it isn't Inuyasha. Or anything that could make me any money.
*~*~*
Weeks had passed, and slowly the village was becoming what it once had been. All the public places- like restaurants, healers', etc., were completely up and running, as were most private homes. It became clear to Sango that within a week or so, the town would be fully re-built. She would no longer have a reason to stay there. If she was lucky, she could find another excuse to stay longer. But she knew that an excuse would be hard to find, and a believable one, impossible.
Sango had been training with the demon exterminators daily for quite a while, and was beginning to fall into the rhythm of the team. She knew she was still not "one of them", but she had made friends who accepted her. It was almost like being home, only with different people. She knew that it would be hard to leave the village, and especially them, in a matter of weeks.
Inuyasha had begun to get restless. This also became clear to Sango. It wasn't only Inuyasha who was ready to leave, it was all of them. She knew that they had all stayed with her in the village for weeks they could've been searching for jewel shards and Naraku. She had offered almost every other day for them to go ahead and that she would catch up, but they had all refused. She had the impression that the only reason Inuyasha didn't leave was because Kagome was bullying him into staying. She hated that- hated being the reason for such a waste of time, but the village had her ensnared. As much of an outsider as she was there, she wanted so badly to be a part of it.
Kenji sensed the same things as did Sango, and it was making him uneasy. Lately he had been extra sweet and comforting to her, taking her on walks nightly. It was clear that Kenji was enamored of her. It was clear he knew that they were nearing the time for Sango and her friends to leave, and that he didn't want her to. He had begun to get almost desperate, trying to get her to decide to stay with him. Every morning she awoke to flowers at the foot of her bed, and every night she received a kiss on the cheek.
When Miroku was around, Kenji had a way of standing between them, and there was rarely a moment when she was alone with the monk. Both men were on tersely friendly terms, and it made Sango uncomfortable and a little annoyed. Kenji should have realized that no matter what, Miroku was her friend, and he couldn't change that. He should've realized that Miroku would never do anything * that * dishonorable, especially not to his host. She hated how both were so challenged by the mere proximity of each other. She wished she could've had more alone time with the monk, because when she was with him things tended to make sense. At the same time, maybe it was best to distance herself from him a bit.
*~*~*
That night, as usual, Kenji and Sango went on their evening walk through the woods. Kenji seemed nervous as he had at the beginning, only this time he couldn't stop talking. Eventually he caught himself and sighed, looking at Sango imploringly.
"Sango. . . I know that soon the village will be rebuilt, and then you and your friends will have no reason to reside here." He said. Sango simply looked at him. "I know that they are your friends and you family, and that you have a mission with them. But. . . I would like you to consider staying here." He blushed. "With me." Sango turned her head quickly to hide her own blush, and Kenji took her hand desperately. His grasp was firm.
"At least consider it," he said. "I know you have a life with them, but. . . you could make a life here. Become part of a demon exterminating team again." She looked sharply into his eyes.
"Kenji. . . you know this will not be an easy choice for me. I wish to stay here and go with my friends. But I cannot." She said. But he had offered her the fruit of temptation, and her common sense was disabled. They continued walking.
*~*~*
A/N: ack, ok, no rotten tomatoes, k guys? Just. . . stay with me here for awhile. The story should heat up pretty darn soon. . .
To everybody who's reading: thanks so much for feedback, it really, really helps me write the story. In fact, I have to go re-write some parts to add some things you guys helped me come up with. Little things, but still. Important things. Arigato!
RK-128: you know, between us, I bet we have about. . . oh, 35 fics going at once. Lol. Yay for fic writing! * missed high five, tripping over a chord * I really, really enjoyed the Bebop one-shot (it was. . . it was. . . would you take "there are no words"?) And I can't wait to read more of this Kenshin-gone-ninja-spy story. It's got intrigue. . . it's got fighting. . . (which, by the way, you aren't so bad at writing. . . aka really good at it) and it's got a promise for implied romance. I'm writhing in anticipation, let me tell you. ("mmm. Time to go see the doctor.") I came up with an idea for a joint fic that I'd like to do with you (when we both have time, of course. . .) Anyone who is not RK-128, go read her stories. Now. My minions. Just kidding, but seriously, she's good. If for your own pleasure, go read.
Neoen: yay, I have regulars! I'm glad you enjoy the story, but I don't think Miroku and Kenji will be getting into any fist fights, lol. Though it would be more than just amusing. . . oh gosh, now I have to resist the temptation to put one in. No fist fights, no fist fights. . . ok, urge resisted. Thanks so much for sticking with me (
Echelon: * is currently spitting out orange soda * I'm sorry, but what's the SangoMiroku ML? And where do people comment on it? Wow, it's not hard to tell I'm new to all this ;) The tension is only going to deepen (at least. . . that's what I'm going for. . .), but I'm not going to do anything that will change the course of their story in the series much. Just. . . adding to the fun. You're right about the episode 78 thing, that's (obviously) where I got the idea. I was kinda like "what if this happened again, but Sango was actually tempted?" and well, here you go.
By Seabreeze
A/N: Sixth chapter, whew! The title for this chapter, "pressure man", is actually from a song. It's a fun song, but not meant to go with the fic or anything. The title just works. Thanks to all my reviewers, I love you guys! Dunno how much I'd write if it weren't for you ( Thanks! Also, this chapter and the next are going to be rather short. After that they should be normal length again, though. One more thing- I've started another story, a Kagome/Inuyasha one this time, called "I Forgot to Tell You". It was really, really fun to write and I hope you all check it out (
Disclaimer: You wanna know what I own? Probably not, but it isn't Inuyasha. Or anything that could make me any money.
*~*~*
Weeks had passed, and slowly the village was becoming what it once had been. All the public places- like restaurants, healers', etc., were completely up and running, as were most private homes. It became clear to Sango that within a week or so, the town would be fully re-built. She would no longer have a reason to stay there. If she was lucky, she could find another excuse to stay longer. But she knew that an excuse would be hard to find, and a believable one, impossible.
Sango had been training with the demon exterminators daily for quite a while, and was beginning to fall into the rhythm of the team. She knew she was still not "one of them", but she had made friends who accepted her. It was almost like being home, only with different people. She knew that it would be hard to leave the village, and especially them, in a matter of weeks.
Inuyasha had begun to get restless. This also became clear to Sango. It wasn't only Inuyasha who was ready to leave, it was all of them. She knew that they had all stayed with her in the village for weeks they could've been searching for jewel shards and Naraku. She had offered almost every other day for them to go ahead and that she would catch up, but they had all refused. She had the impression that the only reason Inuyasha didn't leave was because Kagome was bullying him into staying. She hated that- hated being the reason for such a waste of time, but the village had her ensnared. As much of an outsider as she was there, she wanted so badly to be a part of it.
Kenji sensed the same things as did Sango, and it was making him uneasy. Lately he had been extra sweet and comforting to her, taking her on walks nightly. It was clear that Kenji was enamored of her. It was clear he knew that they were nearing the time for Sango and her friends to leave, and that he didn't want her to. He had begun to get almost desperate, trying to get her to decide to stay with him. Every morning she awoke to flowers at the foot of her bed, and every night she received a kiss on the cheek.
When Miroku was around, Kenji had a way of standing between them, and there was rarely a moment when she was alone with the monk. Both men were on tersely friendly terms, and it made Sango uncomfortable and a little annoyed. Kenji should have realized that no matter what, Miroku was her friend, and he couldn't change that. He should've realized that Miroku would never do anything * that * dishonorable, especially not to his host. She hated how both were so challenged by the mere proximity of each other. She wished she could've had more alone time with the monk, because when she was with him things tended to make sense. At the same time, maybe it was best to distance herself from him a bit.
*~*~*
That night, as usual, Kenji and Sango went on their evening walk through the woods. Kenji seemed nervous as he had at the beginning, only this time he couldn't stop talking. Eventually he caught himself and sighed, looking at Sango imploringly.
"Sango. . . I know that soon the village will be rebuilt, and then you and your friends will have no reason to reside here." He said. Sango simply looked at him. "I know that they are your friends and you family, and that you have a mission with them. But. . . I would like you to consider staying here." He blushed. "With me." Sango turned her head quickly to hide her own blush, and Kenji took her hand desperately. His grasp was firm.
"At least consider it," he said. "I know you have a life with them, but. . . you could make a life here. Become part of a demon exterminating team again." She looked sharply into his eyes.
"Kenji. . . you know this will not be an easy choice for me. I wish to stay here and go with my friends. But I cannot." She said. But he had offered her the fruit of temptation, and her common sense was disabled. They continued walking.
*~*~*
A/N: ack, ok, no rotten tomatoes, k guys? Just. . . stay with me here for awhile. The story should heat up pretty darn soon. . .
To everybody who's reading: thanks so much for feedback, it really, really helps me write the story. In fact, I have to go re-write some parts to add some things you guys helped me come up with. Little things, but still. Important things. Arigato!
RK-128: you know, between us, I bet we have about. . . oh, 35 fics going at once. Lol. Yay for fic writing! * missed high five, tripping over a chord * I really, really enjoyed the Bebop one-shot (it was. . . it was. . . would you take "there are no words"?) And I can't wait to read more of this Kenshin-gone-ninja-spy story. It's got intrigue. . . it's got fighting. . . (which, by the way, you aren't so bad at writing. . . aka really good at it) and it's got a promise for implied romance. I'm writhing in anticipation, let me tell you. ("mmm. Time to go see the doctor.") I came up with an idea for a joint fic that I'd like to do with you (when we both have time, of course. . .) Anyone who is not RK-128, go read her stories. Now. My minions. Just kidding, but seriously, she's good. If for your own pleasure, go read.
Neoen: yay, I have regulars! I'm glad you enjoy the story, but I don't think Miroku and Kenji will be getting into any fist fights, lol. Though it would be more than just amusing. . . oh gosh, now I have to resist the temptation to put one in. No fist fights, no fist fights. . . ok, urge resisted. Thanks so much for sticking with me (
Echelon: * is currently spitting out orange soda * I'm sorry, but what's the SangoMiroku ML? And where do people comment on it? Wow, it's not hard to tell I'm new to all this ;) The tension is only going to deepen (at least. . . that's what I'm going for. . .), but I'm not going to do anything that will change the course of their story in the series much. Just. . . adding to the fun. You're right about the episode 78 thing, that's (obviously) where I got the idea. I was kinda like "what if this happened again, but Sango was actually tempted?" and well, here you go.