A/N: Hello! Well I'm back!
This chapter is longer than the last one! Well, not by a lot. I'm hoping to be able to update more, but I dunno. Anyways, enjoy!
9/1/2oo2
Eeh! I'm sooo sorry about that. I have no idea what happened and why the chapter didn't show.
Hopefully it'll work this time. Thanks to the people who told me SO nicely.. and to the people who didn't, BLEH. I didn't do it on purpose. SO anyways, thanks to everyone who reviewed .. oh, and to Alice, Inuyasha's eyes are purple because he's in human form. *I would put smiley here, but I'm afraid it'll cut me off.
Disclaimer: Inuyasha's on tonight! I don't own him.
Dedication: To all the people who reviewed! Thanks so much. To Michelle and Xuan Huong, with whom I played Teddy Graham Blackjack with in the first place.
Road Trip
Chapter Four: It's ... Orange?!
Miroku sat in his car and dialed a number into his cell phone. While it rang, Miroku got out and leaned against the van.
"What?!"
"Morning, Inuyasha." Miroku said in a purposely cheerful voice.
"Fucking.." Miroku heard Inuyasha mutter as some rustlings came from the background. "What time is it?"
"Seven A.M.!" Miroku kept up with the cheerful act. This was fun.
"Seven?! There is no such thing as seven in the A.M. Come back in five hours."
"Inuyasha, I am going to set fire to your apartment if you don't come out."
"Bastard."
"See you down here in two minutes." Mission completed, Miroku sipped on his steaming coffee and planned his approach to Sango's father. Five minutes later Inuyasha strolled through the front doors of the complex, suitcase in one hand and duffle over the other shoulder. He growled when he saw Miroku, grabbed his coffee and downed it in one swallow. "I bought that." Miroku remarked mildly. Inuyasha climbed into the passenger's seat and tossed his luggage carelessly behind him. "I want more coffee, and I want it now."
"You're just like a child." To this Inuyasha made a anatomically impossible suggestion that had Miroku almost veering off the road. "Except I don't know any child with a mouth like that."
"Just shut up and drive." Inuyasha slumped back into the seat and closed his eyes.
Sango Hiraikotsu lived in a quiet, respectable suburb. This type of peaceful neighborhood did not expect a large, bright orange van careening into the court at 7:30 on a Sunday morning. So it's no wonder that when it did, and when the driver leaned on the horn, (which played "Change the World"- loudly), three of the surrounding houses immediately reached for their phones to call the cops and report a disturbance in the neighborhood. Sango flew out of the house, fully dressed (to Miroku's disappointment) but still wearing her bedroom slippers. "What are you doing?!" she hissed, as Miroku rolled down the automatic window and blew her a kiss. "Morning to you too, darling."
"My parents are going to freak! You woke up the WHOLE court!"
"But this is our song, darling."
"It is NOT our song and don't call me darling!"
"Oh, I see. You haven't had your coffee yet. Don't worry, Inuyasha's like that before his first couple of cups too."
"This has nothing to do with coffee, Miroku! And don't even get me started on the hideous color of this car."
"What's wrong with orange?" Miroku demanded, insulted.
Sango blew a few stray bangs out of her eyes and sighed exasperatedly. "We'll discuss this later. Right now you better come in and explain to my parents why I'm standing out here in my fuzzy slippers and why there's a police car parked behind you."
Miroku glanced through the review mirror and saw a frowning officer getting out of the car. "Did I mention you look very sexy in those slippers?"
"Miroku!"
"Okay, okay." Pasting a innocent smile on his face, Miroku climbed out of the car and bowed slightly at the graying, slightly balding policeman. "Good morning, sir."
"What is the meaning of this?" He gestured to the van.
"Well, I came to pick up my .. cousin because we have to go visit our grandmother. And I guess I accidentally pressed the horn. I'm so sorry for the disruptance." Miroku finished sheepishly. Sango raised a brow. He was very, very good at this.
The officer looked over at the van in obvious distaste. "Isn't this color a violation of a law of some sort?"
Miroku was still smiling, but now his expression had sharpened. "The kids down at the shelter painted it."
"The shelter?" The man echoed.
"Blessed Home, downtown."
Immediately the policeman's whole demeanor became friendlier. "My daughter works there. She's always talking about some kid who visits. What was his name, Maraka, Monroe-"
"Miroku." Miroku interrupted.
The officer beamed. "Yes, well, good job. Give my best to your grandmother." He tipped his hat and got back into the squad car, whistling. 'Good kid.'
Sango looked over at Miroku as the police car drove out of sight. "Cousins?" she asked skeptically. Miroku shrugged. "I wanted to keep him away from the van."
Sango narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
"No reason. Inuyasha doesn't like cops."
"That's not the only reason."
"Damn it. Why are you the only person that doesn't work on?"
"You can't lie to me." Sango replied, a little smugly. "Or else I wouldn't date you."
"I guess it's a good thing then." Sneaking a quick look around, Miroku flipped open the door in the back of the van. Sango gaped. The inside of the van was painted a sparkly blue. The front had a bench seat with backs that came up only halfway to the ceiling. Behind the bench seat the other chairs had been taken out to make room for a bean bag chair large enough to seat two, an overstuffed armchair and a mattress in the very back. Since Sango was looking in from the back, the mattress was right in front of her. She poked at it. "And what exactly do you use this for?"
Miroku grinned. "Sleeping." He raised his hands in defense. "And that's all, I promise." Sango 'hmph'ed and turned her attention back to the van. "Is this legal?"
Miroku smiled. "I think it's time we go talk to your parents."
"You didn't answer my question."
Miroku was already heading up the front walk. Sango cast her eyes toward heaven and prayed for patience. This was just great. She slammed the door closed before going after Miroku.
"Good morning, Mr. Hiraikotsu." Miroku was saying just as Sango caught up. Sango's father, still in a robe and with a shadow of a beard, squinted out at the van. "Is that thing yours?"
"Yep."
Mr. Hiraikotsu broke out in a grin. "Nice, boy! Well, you take good care of my Sango now, you hear?"
Sango felt her own mouth drop open but was unable to help it. That was all her father had to say? Mr. Hiraikotsu leaned forward and hugged Sango. "Be good. Call if you need money. Don't get in trouble."
Sango returned the embrace. "Thanks, dad. Don't worry."
"Sis!" Kohaku flew down the stairs and enveloped Sango in a hug. "I'm going to miss you so much!"
Sango stroked Kohaku's hair. "You're supposed to be in bed." she chided gently. "You're sick, sweetie."
Miroku patted Kohaku's shoulder. "Don't worry, kid. I'll take good care of your sister."
Kohaku nodded solemnly. "Thanks, Miroku."
Sango watched this exchange with a mixture of annoyance and humor. It was sweet of Kohaku to worry about her, but she didn't need Miroku to take care of her.
"I'm glad you're going, Miroku." Mr. Hiraikotsu commented. "I was sort of worried about two young girls going off by themselves."
"I'll keep an eye out." Miroku promised. "You know Sango is almost like a sister to me." Sango felt her eye begin to twitch and decided it was a good time to leave. "Bye dad! Bye Kohaku!"
Sango climbed into the back of the van, scowling. "It's only eight in the morning and I've already been your sister and your cousin." Miroku, who was already in the driver's seat, turned around and grabbed Sango, kissing her in a very UNfamilial way. The last thing Sango saw was her father's furious expression before Miroku let go of her and peeled out of the driveway. She collapsed onto the beanbag, laughing hysterically. "Oh, I can't wait till I call home. Dad's going to think twice about letting his little girl go off with you."
"It probably helped that he didn't see Inuyasha." Miroku added. As if on cue, Inuyasha lifted his head and growled. "Can you two shut up?!"
Cheerfully, Miroku turned on the radio to a rock/pop station, twisting the dial so that the music came in waves that penetrated not only the sides of the van, but also the walls of the houses they were driving by. Muttering obscenities under his breath, Inuyasha climbed over the half-back of the bench seat and staggered the few steps to the mattress, collapsing after he grabbed a blanket off the shelf overhead. "He's not a morning person." Miroku explained to Sango.
Living in a shrine meant that Kagome did not have as many neighbors as Sango, which in turn meant that they would not have to lie to another one of Tokyo's Finest. Miroku shut off the engine, and he and Sango got out of the car, (with Sango carefully stepping over Inuyasha, who was, by now, a lump under the blankets) and rang the front doorbell. Mrs. Higurashi opened and beamed at them. Like most parents, she had a soft spot for Miroku, "that polite boy whose own parents are too busy". This description was often followed by a 'tsk' that indicated the neglection of Miroku's parents was noted and disapproved of. Miroku knew this very well, and often played the point to his advantage. He directed his most charming smile at Kagome's mom. "We came to pick up Kagome."
"Of course you did. Why don't you go on up? I woke her just twenty minutes ago, so she should be ready by now."
"That's a relief." Sango whispered to Miroku as they headed up the stairs. "It's awful trying to wake her. I swear, nothing works."
The door to Kagome's room was closed. Sango frowned. This was not a good sign. Miroku rapped gently on the door. "Kagome?"
No reply.
Another knock, harder this time. "Kagome?"
Sango was already groaning when they opened the door. Sure enough, Kagome was on her bed, oblivious to the sounds in her slumber. "Wake up!"
"You didn't have to pour water on me!"
"Well," Sango said reasonably. "we already pinched you, threatened you, stole your blankets AND play really loud music. You're impossible."
After more grumbling, Kagome got dressed, washed up and picked up her luggage. "Well?" she snapped. "Let's go already."
Miroku was trying to hid the beginnings of a grin. "She's just like Inuyasha." he murmured to Sango, making sure Kagome couldn't hear. Sango nodded in silent agreement. Ten minutes later they were heading toward the van. Assuring Mrs. Higurashi that her daughter would be returned safe and sound was not as hard and time-consuming as they'd expected, half because Kagome's mom was rather laid-back and half because Souta was yelling something about their grandfather chasing a dog around, sure it was a demon, even though the dog belonged to the old lady next door. Miroku had a feeling Kagome had had this planned. When the van came in sight, Kagome dropped her two _large_ suticases as she gaped. "It's so ugly!" Before Miroku could retort, she'd sprinted forward and was hugging the back of it. "I love it. I can't wait to tell my grandchildren that I went on a road trip with my best friends in a big ugly orange van. I'll feel like Cinderella in her pumpkin!" Miroku snickered at Sango's pained expression as he picked up Kagome's two suitcases and then dropped them to open the back. Kagome's expression turned, if possible, even happier as the back door swung open. "You have a bed!!" Ignoring Inuyasha, who had taken over most of the full size mattress, Kagome made herself comfortable and grabbed a pillow off the overhead. "This is great." she declared, eyes already closed. Miroku loaded the two suitcases onto the overhead rack opposite the one with the bedding and prayed that they wouldn't collapse under the weight. What do girls _bring_?
When Kagome woke, someone's arms were around her. And the walls were blue. Rubbing her eyes, Kagome turned to investigate. The arms belonged to Inuyasha, who was still asleep, or else would have died being caught in the position. Kagome wiggled off the mattress, then promptly fell onto the beanbag when the van hit a pothole. She struggled up to see Miroku at the wheel and Sango reading beside him, her back against the door and her legs stretched out in front of her, her feet touching Miroku's leg. "How cozy." Kagome said drily. She needed something to drink. Sango put her book down and grinned. "Awake, sleeping beauty?" Kagome caught a glimpse of herself in the review mirror and grimaces. "I don't think beauty's the word for it. You have a comb?" As Sango dug through her purse, Kagome prodded Miroku's shoulder. "I'm hungry."
"You should be." the boy replied. "It's noon."
"See? Now, _this_ is a decent time to wake up."
"Whatever. We'll stop by a diner soon. Get yourself fixed up, though. Wouldn't want the other people to lose their appetites."
Kagome yanked on his stubby little ponytail. "Meanie."
Miroku laughed. "We'll see what you say when I have to pay for your food."
"Hmph." Kagome brushed her hair thoroughly and felt much better. "Thanks, Sango-chan."
"No problem. And there's water in the cooler by the mattress if you want some."
"Great."
Kagome scooted back over, opening the cooler. As she grabbed a bottle of water, she looked down and saw Inuyasha's sleeping face. 'He is sort of cute..' Except for the black eye, which was only looking a little better today. Kaome returned to the beanbag, wondering about the injury. Well, only one way to find out.
"Miroku, how did Inuyasha get that black eye?"
"Well, let's say, when you're playing serious cards with him, don't try to cheat."
"So I'm assuming the other guy looks worse?"
Miroku snorted. "Hell yeah. The other guy won't be able to hold a hand a cards for a couple of months."
"Ouch."
"You're telling me. That's why I don't play with him anymore. If you play with him, you play for big money. He was easy on you the other night, Kagome. He could have taken your entire college fund."
"But you have big money, Miroku. And you're a pretty good card player."
"Not as good as Inuyasha. And I really don't like losing my money to him. That damn smug smirk." Miroku scowled, lost in some memory.
"Watch the road, Miroku-kun."
"Sorry."
Kagome bounced off her seat. "There's a diner!"
Miroku and Sango exchanged looks. "Kagome-chan." Sango announced. "Go wake up Inuyasha."
"Why me?!"
"Because you're the hungriest."
"That doesn't even make sense." Kagome grumbled, but did as she was told.
It turned out that Inuyasha was even harder to awaken than Kagome herself was. It didn't help that he looked so young and adorable while he was sleeping that Kagome barely had the heart to wake him up. Kagome shook his shoulder gently. "Inuyasha, wake up."
He turned over and ignored her.
"Food."
Inuyasha was up in a second. "Where?"
Sesshourmaru was one of the two people in the world who could sit on a raggedy old sunken in couch and look regal doing it. Kikyou was the other. They claimed seperate ends, not divided but not neccesarily united, either. Naraku leaned forward, switching his gaze from one to the other. "We need to capture Inuyasha." he said flatly. There was no response, though Naraku silently detected a flicker of worry cross Kikyou's face. "I wanted to tell you this beforehand to get any apprehensions out of the issue before I tell the others."
Sesshoumaru looked amused. "You mean to say we are the only two who can cause trouble for you."
Naraku scowled. "If you want to put it that way."
"I say do it." Sesshoumaru replied easily.
"No!" Kikyou burst out. When the two men turned to her, she seemed to compose herself. "I mean to say that he _is_ your brother, Sesshoumaru-san. Surely you should think further?"
"He is a weakling and a fool." Sesshoumaru replied coldly. "I have no need for either."
Sango flicked at the menu in disgust. "Everything here is fried."
Inuyasha had his sunglasses on again. But no one in the greasy little restaurant seemed to notice or care. The waitress came over, chewing her bubble gum and holding a little paper pad. "What can I get for you?"
Sango sighed quietly. "A salad and a Pepsi, please."
Miroku was next. "A cheeseburger and fries and a chocolate shake."
Kagome shook her head absently. "I'm still deciding.. why don't you go next, Inuyasha?"
"A hamburger, fries and water."
"Okay." Kagome snapped her menu closed. "I want a salad, diet Coke, and a cheeseburger. And fries."
The waitress nodded and blew a bubble. "Right. It'll be here in a couple of minutes."
Sango shook her head. "Kagome-chan, all that is going to ruin your complexion."
"That's why I ordered the salad and diet Coke," Kagome explained logically. "it evens things out."
"Right."
Kouga had just settled down for a relaxing night of television when the phone rang. He cursed. The bills were paid on time for once, and all the kids got new clothes. So why couldn't he have just ONE night? Still grumbling, he pressed the speaker phone. "What?"
"Kouga-kun."
Kouga cursed again, but in his head this time. It was Kikyou.
"Yes?"
"Naraku called a meeting for tonight."
Kouga sighed, resigned. "What time?"
"Ten minutes at his place."
"Fine. I'll be there."
"See you then."
Kouga met Kagura on Naraku's front stoop. "You have any idea what this is about?"
She shook her head. "I thought we'd gotten a night off for once." she complained.
"I know. We should be out celebrating or something. That last job was huge."
"Not as huge as the ones we got when Inuyasha was still in charge."
Kouga was silent for a moment. Finally, he said, "I know. Don't mention it to Naraku though."
Kagura snorted. "I'm not an idiot."
They were both silent as the opened the door and went down the hall, lost in their own thoughts.
"I'm so full." Kagome complained. She pushed her plate away from her. "Someone want to finish my fries?"
Sango grinned. "It's your own fault for being so greedy. You ordered more than anyone else."
Miroku and Inuyasha eyed each other from across the booth. They both lunged for the plate at the same time. Kagome leaned back and watched Miroku and Inuyasha play tug-of-war with her plastic plate. Sango and her rolled their eyes in unison and slid out of the booth. Miroku noticed first. "Where are you going?"
"Girl's room."
Sango perched on the counter as Kagome splashed some water on her face. "So what do you think of the trip so far?"
"Well," Kagome replied. "it's only been a couple of hours, and I've been asleep for most of it. But I think it'll be fun. Do we have a destination in mind?"
Sango shook her head. "Not really, we're just driving and stopping when we see something interesting."
"Sounds good to me. Where are we staying tonight?"
"Miroku booked a hotel in the next city. It's supposed to be very, very nice."
"Ooh."
"Yeah."
Kouga sat back on the couch, forcing himself to relax. There was something about the gleam in Naraku's eyes that made him very uncomfortable. "Now that everyone's here," Naraku announced. "there is someone I want to introduce to you. This is Tam." He gestured to one of the bulky men standing behind him. "And that's Tim." Kouga felt laughter bubbling up, but suppressed it. At 17, he was the youngest in the group and very likely the most expendable. Naraku continued. "I've hired them to track down Inuyasha. They will bring him back alive." Kouga looked over to Kikyou, but she was an expert at masking her emotions. Besides, she probably knew already. 'At least they're not sending me.' he thought.
"Miroku," Kagome said as they walked back to the car. "do you want someone else to drive? You probably need a break."
"Not Inuyasha." Miroku and Sango said at the same time. Inuyasha growled. "What's wrong with my driving?"
"Nothing. Just that you suck at it."
"Well," Kagome said, playing peacekeeper. "it's not exactly that you suck at it.. it's more that you don't really follow the laws."
"I think I'll keep driving." Miroku interrupted. "I'm the only one who knows that way, after all."
The next couple of hours were spent playing cards.
"I don't get it!" Sango grumbled, frustrated. "Why do you keep winning? Are you cheating?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "We're betting with TEDDY GRAHAMS. There's not much incentive for me to cheat."
Sango and Kagome were sharing the bean bag and Inuyasha was seated across from them. He was the dealer. Miroku was still driving, laughing at them. Once he laughed so hard the van almost crashed into a tree. Sango was starting to wonder if he had a license. She figured it was better not to know.
"Miroku won't let us bet money." Kagome studied her cards.
Inuyasha scowled. "Miroku, you're such a stiff."
"Hey, if I bring the girls back without their life savings, their parents will kill me."
"Just out of curiosity, how much are their life savings?"
"Inuyasha!"
"Whatever. I have the most Teddy Grahams anyway."
Kagome burst out laughing. "I never thought I would hear those words come out of Inuyasha's mouth."
Sango groaned as she busted on 24. "That's it. I'm out of cookies." She grabbed the box and stuffed a handful in her mouth. Kagome gaped. "You're eating our money!"
"Well, I'm the banker." Sango replied. "I get to eat the money if I want to."
As the occupants of the orange van bickered and laughed and supposedly cheated at cards, two figures in black started on their trail.
Ending Notes: So.. another chapter finished! Next chapter: Where is the next stop on the road trip? How will Sango's dad reply when she calls home? What will the hotel be like? Will Tim and Tam catch up? And most importantly, what time will Miroku wake them up in the morning?
Review! Please? Lol well thanks! Can I have 80? Lol I'm just kidding! That's impossible.
Oh yes, don't worry, the kids Kouga were talking about are not HIS his. ^_^ Get it? -_-;;
8/31/2oo2
This chapter is longer than the last one! Well, not by a lot. I'm hoping to be able to update more, but I dunno. Anyways, enjoy!
9/1/2oo2
Eeh! I'm sooo sorry about that. I have no idea what happened and why the chapter didn't show.
Hopefully it'll work this time. Thanks to the people who told me SO nicely.. and to the people who didn't, BLEH. I didn't do it on purpose. SO anyways, thanks to everyone who reviewed .. oh, and to Alice, Inuyasha's eyes are purple because he's in human form. *I would put smiley here, but I'm afraid it'll cut me off.
Disclaimer: Inuyasha's on tonight! I don't own him.
Dedication: To all the people who reviewed! Thanks so much. To Michelle and Xuan Huong, with whom I played Teddy Graham Blackjack with in the first place.
Road Trip
Chapter Four: It's ... Orange?!
Miroku sat in his car and dialed a number into his cell phone. While it rang, Miroku got out and leaned against the van.
"What?!"
"Morning, Inuyasha." Miroku said in a purposely cheerful voice.
"Fucking.." Miroku heard Inuyasha mutter as some rustlings came from the background. "What time is it?"
"Seven A.M.!" Miroku kept up with the cheerful act. This was fun.
"Seven?! There is no such thing as seven in the A.M. Come back in five hours."
"Inuyasha, I am going to set fire to your apartment if you don't come out."
"Bastard."
"See you down here in two minutes." Mission completed, Miroku sipped on his steaming coffee and planned his approach to Sango's father. Five minutes later Inuyasha strolled through the front doors of the complex, suitcase in one hand and duffle over the other shoulder. He growled when he saw Miroku, grabbed his coffee and downed it in one swallow. "I bought that." Miroku remarked mildly. Inuyasha climbed into the passenger's seat and tossed his luggage carelessly behind him. "I want more coffee, and I want it now."
"You're just like a child." To this Inuyasha made a anatomically impossible suggestion that had Miroku almost veering off the road. "Except I don't know any child with a mouth like that."
"Just shut up and drive." Inuyasha slumped back into the seat and closed his eyes.
Sango Hiraikotsu lived in a quiet, respectable suburb. This type of peaceful neighborhood did not expect a large, bright orange van careening into the court at 7:30 on a Sunday morning. So it's no wonder that when it did, and when the driver leaned on the horn, (which played "Change the World"- loudly), three of the surrounding houses immediately reached for their phones to call the cops and report a disturbance in the neighborhood. Sango flew out of the house, fully dressed (to Miroku's disappointment) but still wearing her bedroom slippers. "What are you doing?!" she hissed, as Miroku rolled down the automatic window and blew her a kiss. "Morning to you too, darling."
"My parents are going to freak! You woke up the WHOLE court!"
"But this is our song, darling."
"It is NOT our song and don't call me darling!"
"Oh, I see. You haven't had your coffee yet. Don't worry, Inuyasha's like that before his first couple of cups too."
"This has nothing to do with coffee, Miroku! And don't even get me started on the hideous color of this car."
"What's wrong with orange?" Miroku demanded, insulted.
Sango blew a few stray bangs out of her eyes and sighed exasperatedly. "We'll discuss this later. Right now you better come in and explain to my parents why I'm standing out here in my fuzzy slippers and why there's a police car parked behind you."
Miroku glanced through the review mirror and saw a frowning officer getting out of the car. "Did I mention you look very sexy in those slippers?"
"Miroku!"
"Okay, okay." Pasting a innocent smile on his face, Miroku climbed out of the car and bowed slightly at the graying, slightly balding policeman. "Good morning, sir."
"What is the meaning of this?" He gestured to the van.
"Well, I came to pick up my .. cousin because we have to go visit our grandmother. And I guess I accidentally pressed the horn. I'm so sorry for the disruptance." Miroku finished sheepishly. Sango raised a brow. He was very, very good at this.
The officer looked over at the van in obvious distaste. "Isn't this color a violation of a law of some sort?"
Miroku was still smiling, but now his expression had sharpened. "The kids down at the shelter painted it."
"The shelter?" The man echoed.
"Blessed Home, downtown."
Immediately the policeman's whole demeanor became friendlier. "My daughter works there. She's always talking about some kid who visits. What was his name, Maraka, Monroe-"
"Miroku." Miroku interrupted.
The officer beamed. "Yes, well, good job. Give my best to your grandmother." He tipped his hat and got back into the squad car, whistling. 'Good kid.'
Sango looked over at Miroku as the police car drove out of sight. "Cousins?" she asked skeptically. Miroku shrugged. "I wanted to keep him away from the van."
Sango narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
"No reason. Inuyasha doesn't like cops."
"That's not the only reason."
"Damn it. Why are you the only person that doesn't work on?"
"You can't lie to me." Sango replied, a little smugly. "Or else I wouldn't date you."
"I guess it's a good thing then." Sneaking a quick look around, Miroku flipped open the door in the back of the van. Sango gaped. The inside of the van was painted a sparkly blue. The front had a bench seat with backs that came up only halfway to the ceiling. Behind the bench seat the other chairs had been taken out to make room for a bean bag chair large enough to seat two, an overstuffed armchair and a mattress in the very back. Since Sango was looking in from the back, the mattress was right in front of her. She poked at it. "And what exactly do you use this for?"
Miroku grinned. "Sleeping." He raised his hands in defense. "And that's all, I promise." Sango 'hmph'ed and turned her attention back to the van. "Is this legal?"
Miroku smiled. "I think it's time we go talk to your parents."
"You didn't answer my question."
Miroku was already heading up the front walk. Sango cast her eyes toward heaven and prayed for patience. This was just great. She slammed the door closed before going after Miroku.
"Good morning, Mr. Hiraikotsu." Miroku was saying just as Sango caught up. Sango's father, still in a robe and with a shadow of a beard, squinted out at the van. "Is that thing yours?"
"Yep."
Mr. Hiraikotsu broke out in a grin. "Nice, boy! Well, you take good care of my Sango now, you hear?"
Sango felt her own mouth drop open but was unable to help it. That was all her father had to say? Mr. Hiraikotsu leaned forward and hugged Sango. "Be good. Call if you need money. Don't get in trouble."
Sango returned the embrace. "Thanks, dad. Don't worry."
"Sis!" Kohaku flew down the stairs and enveloped Sango in a hug. "I'm going to miss you so much!"
Sango stroked Kohaku's hair. "You're supposed to be in bed." she chided gently. "You're sick, sweetie."
Miroku patted Kohaku's shoulder. "Don't worry, kid. I'll take good care of your sister."
Kohaku nodded solemnly. "Thanks, Miroku."
Sango watched this exchange with a mixture of annoyance and humor. It was sweet of Kohaku to worry about her, but she didn't need Miroku to take care of her.
"I'm glad you're going, Miroku." Mr. Hiraikotsu commented. "I was sort of worried about two young girls going off by themselves."
"I'll keep an eye out." Miroku promised. "You know Sango is almost like a sister to me." Sango felt her eye begin to twitch and decided it was a good time to leave. "Bye dad! Bye Kohaku!"
Sango climbed into the back of the van, scowling. "It's only eight in the morning and I've already been your sister and your cousin." Miroku, who was already in the driver's seat, turned around and grabbed Sango, kissing her in a very UNfamilial way. The last thing Sango saw was her father's furious expression before Miroku let go of her and peeled out of the driveway. She collapsed onto the beanbag, laughing hysterically. "Oh, I can't wait till I call home. Dad's going to think twice about letting his little girl go off with you."
"It probably helped that he didn't see Inuyasha." Miroku added. As if on cue, Inuyasha lifted his head and growled. "Can you two shut up?!"
Cheerfully, Miroku turned on the radio to a rock/pop station, twisting the dial so that the music came in waves that penetrated not only the sides of the van, but also the walls of the houses they were driving by. Muttering obscenities under his breath, Inuyasha climbed over the half-back of the bench seat and staggered the few steps to the mattress, collapsing after he grabbed a blanket off the shelf overhead. "He's not a morning person." Miroku explained to Sango.
Living in a shrine meant that Kagome did not have as many neighbors as Sango, which in turn meant that they would not have to lie to another one of Tokyo's Finest. Miroku shut off the engine, and he and Sango got out of the car, (with Sango carefully stepping over Inuyasha, who was, by now, a lump under the blankets) and rang the front doorbell. Mrs. Higurashi opened and beamed at them. Like most parents, she had a soft spot for Miroku, "that polite boy whose own parents are too busy". This description was often followed by a 'tsk' that indicated the neglection of Miroku's parents was noted and disapproved of. Miroku knew this very well, and often played the point to his advantage. He directed his most charming smile at Kagome's mom. "We came to pick up Kagome."
"Of course you did. Why don't you go on up? I woke her just twenty minutes ago, so she should be ready by now."
"That's a relief." Sango whispered to Miroku as they headed up the stairs. "It's awful trying to wake her. I swear, nothing works."
The door to Kagome's room was closed. Sango frowned. This was not a good sign. Miroku rapped gently on the door. "Kagome?"
No reply.
Another knock, harder this time. "Kagome?"
Sango was already groaning when they opened the door. Sure enough, Kagome was on her bed, oblivious to the sounds in her slumber. "Wake up!"
"You didn't have to pour water on me!"
"Well," Sango said reasonably. "we already pinched you, threatened you, stole your blankets AND play really loud music. You're impossible."
After more grumbling, Kagome got dressed, washed up and picked up her luggage. "Well?" she snapped. "Let's go already."
Miroku was trying to hid the beginnings of a grin. "She's just like Inuyasha." he murmured to Sango, making sure Kagome couldn't hear. Sango nodded in silent agreement. Ten minutes later they were heading toward the van. Assuring Mrs. Higurashi that her daughter would be returned safe and sound was not as hard and time-consuming as they'd expected, half because Kagome's mom was rather laid-back and half because Souta was yelling something about their grandfather chasing a dog around, sure it was a demon, even though the dog belonged to the old lady next door. Miroku had a feeling Kagome had had this planned. When the van came in sight, Kagome dropped her two _large_ suticases as she gaped. "It's so ugly!" Before Miroku could retort, she'd sprinted forward and was hugging the back of it. "I love it. I can't wait to tell my grandchildren that I went on a road trip with my best friends in a big ugly orange van. I'll feel like Cinderella in her pumpkin!" Miroku snickered at Sango's pained expression as he picked up Kagome's two suitcases and then dropped them to open the back. Kagome's expression turned, if possible, even happier as the back door swung open. "You have a bed!!" Ignoring Inuyasha, who had taken over most of the full size mattress, Kagome made herself comfortable and grabbed a pillow off the overhead. "This is great." she declared, eyes already closed. Miroku loaded the two suitcases onto the overhead rack opposite the one with the bedding and prayed that they wouldn't collapse under the weight. What do girls _bring_?
When Kagome woke, someone's arms were around her. And the walls were blue. Rubbing her eyes, Kagome turned to investigate. The arms belonged to Inuyasha, who was still asleep, or else would have died being caught in the position. Kagome wiggled off the mattress, then promptly fell onto the beanbag when the van hit a pothole. She struggled up to see Miroku at the wheel and Sango reading beside him, her back against the door and her legs stretched out in front of her, her feet touching Miroku's leg. "How cozy." Kagome said drily. She needed something to drink. Sango put her book down and grinned. "Awake, sleeping beauty?" Kagome caught a glimpse of herself in the review mirror and grimaces. "I don't think beauty's the word for it. You have a comb?" As Sango dug through her purse, Kagome prodded Miroku's shoulder. "I'm hungry."
"You should be." the boy replied. "It's noon."
"See? Now, _this_ is a decent time to wake up."
"Whatever. We'll stop by a diner soon. Get yourself fixed up, though. Wouldn't want the other people to lose their appetites."
Kagome yanked on his stubby little ponytail. "Meanie."
Miroku laughed. "We'll see what you say when I have to pay for your food."
"Hmph." Kagome brushed her hair thoroughly and felt much better. "Thanks, Sango-chan."
"No problem. And there's water in the cooler by the mattress if you want some."
"Great."
Kagome scooted back over, opening the cooler. As she grabbed a bottle of water, she looked down and saw Inuyasha's sleeping face. 'He is sort of cute..' Except for the black eye, which was only looking a little better today. Kaome returned to the beanbag, wondering about the injury. Well, only one way to find out.
"Miroku, how did Inuyasha get that black eye?"
"Well, let's say, when you're playing serious cards with him, don't try to cheat."
"So I'm assuming the other guy looks worse?"
Miroku snorted. "Hell yeah. The other guy won't be able to hold a hand a cards for a couple of months."
"Ouch."
"You're telling me. That's why I don't play with him anymore. If you play with him, you play for big money. He was easy on you the other night, Kagome. He could have taken your entire college fund."
"But you have big money, Miroku. And you're a pretty good card player."
"Not as good as Inuyasha. And I really don't like losing my money to him. That damn smug smirk." Miroku scowled, lost in some memory.
"Watch the road, Miroku-kun."
"Sorry."
Kagome bounced off her seat. "There's a diner!"
Miroku and Sango exchanged looks. "Kagome-chan." Sango announced. "Go wake up Inuyasha."
"Why me?!"
"Because you're the hungriest."
"That doesn't even make sense." Kagome grumbled, but did as she was told.
It turned out that Inuyasha was even harder to awaken than Kagome herself was. It didn't help that he looked so young and adorable while he was sleeping that Kagome barely had the heart to wake him up. Kagome shook his shoulder gently. "Inuyasha, wake up."
He turned over and ignored her.
"Food."
Inuyasha was up in a second. "Where?"
Sesshourmaru was one of the two people in the world who could sit on a raggedy old sunken in couch and look regal doing it. Kikyou was the other. They claimed seperate ends, not divided but not neccesarily united, either. Naraku leaned forward, switching his gaze from one to the other. "We need to capture Inuyasha." he said flatly. There was no response, though Naraku silently detected a flicker of worry cross Kikyou's face. "I wanted to tell you this beforehand to get any apprehensions out of the issue before I tell the others."
Sesshoumaru looked amused. "You mean to say we are the only two who can cause trouble for you."
Naraku scowled. "If you want to put it that way."
"I say do it." Sesshoumaru replied easily.
"No!" Kikyou burst out. When the two men turned to her, she seemed to compose herself. "I mean to say that he _is_ your brother, Sesshoumaru-san. Surely you should think further?"
"He is a weakling and a fool." Sesshoumaru replied coldly. "I have no need for either."
Sango flicked at the menu in disgust. "Everything here is fried."
Inuyasha had his sunglasses on again. But no one in the greasy little restaurant seemed to notice or care. The waitress came over, chewing her bubble gum and holding a little paper pad. "What can I get for you?"
Sango sighed quietly. "A salad and a Pepsi, please."
Miroku was next. "A cheeseburger and fries and a chocolate shake."
Kagome shook her head absently. "I'm still deciding.. why don't you go next, Inuyasha?"
"A hamburger, fries and water."
"Okay." Kagome snapped her menu closed. "I want a salad, diet Coke, and a cheeseburger. And fries."
The waitress nodded and blew a bubble. "Right. It'll be here in a couple of minutes."
Sango shook her head. "Kagome-chan, all that is going to ruin your complexion."
"That's why I ordered the salad and diet Coke," Kagome explained logically. "it evens things out."
"Right."
Kouga had just settled down for a relaxing night of television when the phone rang. He cursed. The bills were paid on time for once, and all the kids got new clothes. So why couldn't he have just ONE night? Still grumbling, he pressed the speaker phone. "What?"
"Kouga-kun."
Kouga cursed again, but in his head this time. It was Kikyou.
"Yes?"
"Naraku called a meeting for tonight."
Kouga sighed, resigned. "What time?"
"Ten minutes at his place."
"Fine. I'll be there."
"See you then."
Kouga met Kagura on Naraku's front stoop. "You have any idea what this is about?"
She shook her head. "I thought we'd gotten a night off for once." she complained.
"I know. We should be out celebrating or something. That last job was huge."
"Not as huge as the ones we got when Inuyasha was still in charge."
Kouga was silent for a moment. Finally, he said, "I know. Don't mention it to Naraku though."
Kagura snorted. "I'm not an idiot."
They were both silent as the opened the door and went down the hall, lost in their own thoughts.
"I'm so full." Kagome complained. She pushed her plate away from her. "Someone want to finish my fries?"
Sango grinned. "It's your own fault for being so greedy. You ordered more than anyone else."
Miroku and Inuyasha eyed each other from across the booth. They both lunged for the plate at the same time. Kagome leaned back and watched Miroku and Inuyasha play tug-of-war with her plastic plate. Sango and her rolled their eyes in unison and slid out of the booth. Miroku noticed first. "Where are you going?"
"Girl's room."
Sango perched on the counter as Kagome splashed some water on her face. "So what do you think of the trip so far?"
"Well," Kagome replied. "it's only been a couple of hours, and I've been asleep for most of it. But I think it'll be fun. Do we have a destination in mind?"
Sango shook her head. "Not really, we're just driving and stopping when we see something interesting."
"Sounds good to me. Where are we staying tonight?"
"Miroku booked a hotel in the next city. It's supposed to be very, very nice."
"Ooh."
"Yeah."
Kouga sat back on the couch, forcing himself to relax. There was something about the gleam in Naraku's eyes that made him very uncomfortable. "Now that everyone's here," Naraku announced. "there is someone I want to introduce to you. This is Tam." He gestured to one of the bulky men standing behind him. "And that's Tim." Kouga felt laughter bubbling up, but suppressed it. At 17, he was the youngest in the group and very likely the most expendable. Naraku continued. "I've hired them to track down Inuyasha. They will bring him back alive." Kouga looked over to Kikyou, but she was an expert at masking her emotions. Besides, she probably knew already. 'At least they're not sending me.' he thought.
"Miroku," Kagome said as they walked back to the car. "do you want someone else to drive? You probably need a break."
"Not Inuyasha." Miroku and Sango said at the same time. Inuyasha growled. "What's wrong with my driving?"
"Nothing. Just that you suck at it."
"Well," Kagome said, playing peacekeeper. "it's not exactly that you suck at it.. it's more that you don't really follow the laws."
"I think I'll keep driving." Miroku interrupted. "I'm the only one who knows that way, after all."
The next couple of hours were spent playing cards.
"I don't get it!" Sango grumbled, frustrated. "Why do you keep winning? Are you cheating?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "We're betting with TEDDY GRAHAMS. There's not much incentive for me to cheat."
Sango and Kagome were sharing the bean bag and Inuyasha was seated across from them. He was the dealer. Miroku was still driving, laughing at them. Once he laughed so hard the van almost crashed into a tree. Sango was starting to wonder if he had a license. She figured it was better not to know.
"Miroku won't let us bet money." Kagome studied her cards.
Inuyasha scowled. "Miroku, you're such a stiff."
"Hey, if I bring the girls back without their life savings, their parents will kill me."
"Just out of curiosity, how much are their life savings?"
"Inuyasha!"
"Whatever. I have the most Teddy Grahams anyway."
Kagome burst out laughing. "I never thought I would hear those words come out of Inuyasha's mouth."
Sango groaned as she busted on 24. "That's it. I'm out of cookies." She grabbed the box and stuffed a handful in her mouth. Kagome gaped. "You're eating our money!"
"Well, I'm the banker." Sango replied. "I get to eat the money if I want to."
As the occupants of the orange van bickered and laughed and supposedly cheated at cards, two figures in black started on their trail.
Ending Notes: So.. another chapter finished! Next chapter: Where is the next stop on the road trip? How will Sango's dad reply when she calls home? What will the hotel be like? Will Tim and Tam catch up? And most importantly, what time will Miroku wake them up in the morning?
Review! Please? Lol well thanks! Can I have 80? Lol I'm just kidding! That's impossible.
Oh yes, don't worry, the kids Kouga were talking about are not HIS his. ^_^ Get it? -_-;;
8/31/2oo2