Disclaimer~ I don't own Inuyasha or any related characters.
Dialog~ "Meep meep meep."
Thoughts~ 'Meep meep meep.'
Authors note~ I'm stilling getting good reviews which seems to be giving me some sort of need to write just for all you loyal reviewers. Count yourselves lucky I haven't had a lot of homework and I've been able to get ample time to write. I'm really getting into the story and have even done a little bit more research about emotions and people's reactions to certain situations. I've been finding it very interesting and it seems to really be helping me along with this story. Any way. Enough of my babbling and on with the story.
Chapter 5
Miroku hesitantly opened his eyes as the bright sun shined through his window and unto his face. The warmth of the sun gave Miroku a sense of comfort that he didn't want to leave. He managed to roll out of bed and discover his school uniform lying on the floor, which he had just stepped on. 'Great.' Miroku picked up the uniform and stared at it with disgust. Without hesitation he ripped off the sleeves of his jacket and smiled triumphantly. 'That'll do for now.' Miroku whipped on a black long sleeve shirt covering his wrist cuts from the previous night and threw on his jacket over it. He then slipped on the black pair of pants and clipped on his chain and ran downstairs.
Kenji momentarily looked up from his paper and his steaming cup of coffee at the rushing teenager. He grimaced for a moment when he noticed the terrible condition he had put Miroku in. His right eye was totally black and blue, his face was still badly swollen, and there were several other small but noticeable bruises covering his face. Kenji struggled for the right words to say to him. "Miroku, I."
"Don't say anything." Miroku shot Kenji a cold glare as he rummaged through the fridge for something to eat. "What happened, happened and there's nothing we can do about it afterwards."
Kenji considered Miroku's words carefully but shook his head. "It's not alright though. I didn't mean to hurt you like I did. I sometimes loose my rage and go overboard."
Miroku gritted his teeth as he put his toaster strudels in the toaster. "Listen, I don't want to hear it. You did what you did; don't try to make excuses for yourself. I don't want to hear your bullshit."
Kenji slammed his fist on the table spilling his coffee all over his newspaper. "That's what I mean! That's that attitude that pisses me off! Just give me a chance for once. I'm trying my best."
"We all saw how well that worked out," Miroku stated coldly under his breath. He grabbed his toaster strudel from the toaster shoving it into his mouth and grabbed his book bag and ran out the door.
Kenji sighed and began to pick up his mess he had made on the kitchen table. "Teenagers."
Miroku walked casually down the street with his hands in his pockets just ignoring the stares everyone was giving him. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why people were staring at him. Miroku merely ignored the stares and thought of his wounds as battle scars so to speak. However, the closer he got to school the more the stares intensified. It was only a matter of time till someone finally got the courage to come up and asked him what happened. Miroku let out a sigh of relief when his school came into view. 'Well, I've made it this far without anyone asking about my face maybe I'll be alright today and everyone will mind their own business.' Miroku walked up the front steps and his luck ran out.
Inuyasha stood silently by the front door waiting for Miroku to show up and ask him why Sango was worried about him. His attention of course was immediately drawn to the sorry condition of his face. 'Damn, looks like Miroku got the shit kicked out of him. I gotta go check this out for myself.' Inuyasha left his silent pose behind and walked over to his friend. "Miroku what the hell happened to you? You look like shit."
Miroku bit down on his lip he was already caught in the corner with no means to escape. 'Damn, what the hell could I tell him that he'd actually believe?' "Wow, you really know how to make a guy feel all warm and fuzzy inside Inuyasha."
Inuyasha crossed his arms. "You know damn well what I mean Miroku. Don't play games with me. I may not look very smart but I'm more intelligent than you may think. So tell me." Inuyasha's voice quieted. "What happened?"
"I got the shit kicked out of me, there I'm done now." Miroku by passed his friend and made it into the school and headed towards his locker.
Inuyasha ran after him and grabbed his shoulder. "Didn't I say I wasn't in the mood for games?" Inuyasha looked fierce, his piercing golden eyes seemed like they were on fire and his mouth was shaped in the perfect frown.
Miroku pulled Inuyasha's hand off his shoulder and opened up his locker. "I don't give a damn if you're in the mood for games or not. I'm not going to tell you."
Inuyasha growled. "Fine, forgive me for wondering what the hell happened to my friend."
Miroku groaned. 'Damn that Inuyasha and his guilt trips.' Miroku grabbed his things from his locker and headed to his first hour class. More people continued to stare at him as we walked down the hallways. 'This is going to be a long day.'
Sango noticed Miroku's figure from behind and immediately ran to catch up with him. She brushed up to him and smiled. "Hey, Miroku."
Miroku turned to greet Sango. "Oh, hey Sango."
Sango noticed all the bruises on Miroku's face and couldn't but gasp. "Miroku! What happened to you!?"
Miroku frowned. 'She had to ask.' "I got into a fight and lost. It's no big deal, don't worry about it."
Sango shook her head furiously. "It is a big deal! Have you taken even one glance at your face? You should see the nurse about this."
Miroku was beginning to become extremely annoyed. "Listen, I can handle myself. I know I don't look all that great but there's nothing I can do about it. Just get off my back, alright?"
Sango had a temper to match that of Miroku's and wasn't going to hesitate to show it. Sango slapped Miroku hard in the face leaving an imprint of her hand. "Don't be such an asshole! You should be thankful that people care for your well being at all."
Miroku put his hand to his face feeling the full force of Sango's slap. 'Damn that girl can hit hard. Jesus Christ.'
A light blush streaked across Sango's face. "Gomen."
Miroku smiled. "No it's alright you got your point across. Of course I'd rather you do it in a less painful way for me but oh well."
"Miroku. Let me see you're face for a moment." Sango gently put her hand on Miroku's cheek and looked at him worriedly. "Does that hurt?"
Miroku winced in pain at the soft touch of Sango's hand on his cheeks. The sensation he had gotten from her warm touch filled Miroku with a deep calming feeling. He stared deep into Sango's eyes smiling gently back at her.
Sango turned a light shade of pink. "Miroku?"
Miroku quickly came back to reality at the sound of Sango's sweet voice. 'Her loving touch reminds me so much of that of my mothers. It's been a long time since I've felt this sort of affection.' "Sorry, you just." Miroku stopped himself. 'No, she'd laugh at me if I told her the truth.'
Sango removed her hand from Miroku's cheek. "Just what?"
Miroku opened his mouth to tell her but stopped himself again. "It's nothing, just forget it. We better go or we'll be late for class." Miroku calmly walked away still tingling from the sensation of Sango's touch. 'I could fall in love with a girl like that. I better watch what I do around her. The last thing I want is to get someone involved in my mess of a life.'
Sango stood blinking in the middle of the hallway. Her face was full of wonderment. 'The way he looked at me when I touched him. He seemed so happy and peaceful. He's so weird.' Sango continued to walk to her first hour class her mind still wandering back to what just happened between her and Miroku in the hallways.
Miroku sat nearly have asleep in his math class trying to focus on what the teacher was saying. Nearly every other word that came out of Mr. Kawada's mouth put Miroku to sleep. 'Damn math, it just has to be boring.' Miroku closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep.
"Mr. Hatsaharu!" Mr. Kawada's face turned bright red. "Have you been paying attention to anything I've said at all?"
Miroku still laid his head on down on his desk sleeping quietly.
Mr. Kawada went over to Miroku and shook him violently. "Wake up! Baka!"
Miroku opened his drowsy eyes and looked up at the infuriated teacher. 'I think I'd rather go back to sleep.' "Yeah? I'm up now."
Mr. Kawada frowned. "Do you think you could try to stay awake in my class for longer than 5 minutes?"
Miroku's head started to bob up and down. His body beckoned for sleep as his eyes struggled to remain open. 'Damn. I just can't stay awake.' Miroku lifted his head up in attempts to pay attention.
Mr. Kawada took a good glance at Miroku and knew something wasn't right. "You look awful Hatsaharu, you should go to the nurse."
Miroku shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Sorry, I'll pay more attention to your lesson."
Mr. Kawada nodded and went back to jabbering about whatever it was Miroku wasn't paying attention to before. Sango eyed Miroku from the front of the room. She studied the tired and emotionless expression on his face. 'He's like a zombie,' she thought quietly to herself.'
Kagome watched her friend eye the sleepy Miroku and grinned. 'She hasn't stopped staring at him for like 10 minutes now. Geez, she's really hung up on this guy.'
The bell sounded loudly and everyone cleared out of the classroom. Miroku was in no hurry and took his time getting his things together. He was stopped though when he reached the door. Mr. Kawada standing in his way of freedom. "Can I help you sir?"
"I'm worried about you, Miroku. It's only been two days in my class and I can already tell you're going to have a tough time learning anything if you're always sleeping or off day dreaming. What's the problem?"
Miroku stared down at his feet. He was still incredibly tired and wasn't in the mood to talk with a teacher whom he despised. "There's no problem. I've just been very sleepy lately and my mind has been distracting. It's all the adjustment I've been going through."
Mr. Kawada stared at Miroku trying to test his sincerity on the matter. His gaze was hard and cold, as if he were trying to get him to confess to something.
Miroku stared back with an equally fierce gaze. "I'm being honest."
"Fine, you can go now Mr. Hatsaharu." Mr. Kawada moved out of the way as Miroku briskly passed him by.
Miroku let out a sigh of relief as he exited the classroom. He turned to see Inuyasha patiently waiting for him. "Hey, sorry that took so long."
"Keh. I don't care." Inuyasha unfolded his arms and started walking with Miroku. "So." Inuyasha drawled out his speech. "What happened exactly? What did he want with you?"
"He just wanted to know why I have been zoning out in his class that's all." Miroku shrugged the question off as if it wasn't a big deal. Which it wasn't in his mind.
Inuyasha studied his friend curiously. His body language suggested it didn't really matter to him and the whole subject was rather stupid and pointless. "And. You told him what?"
Miroku continued walking still thinking of Sango. "Oh, just that I've had a lot on my mind since I've had to adjust and what not. He bough it of course, hook line and sinker."
Inuyasha stared at his friend curiously as the two of them entered the doorway into their Technology Education class. 'That wasn't the real reason why he's been zoning out?' "Then what is your real reason."
Miroku opened his mouth to answer but stopped when the teacher entered the classroom. 'Whew! Saved by the teacher.'
Inuyasha pounded his fist through the table, not restraining his anger well. 'Damn him!'
The class all stared at Inuyasha and at the hole he had put through the table. Quiet mummers went about the room making Inuyasha sneeze furiously.
Inuyasha growled. 'Great, everyone is taking shots at me today.'
Mr. Toriyama chuckled at Inuyasha's ferocity. "Class we better get started with your wood work projects so Inuyasha wont grow impatient and put another hole through my tables."
The class erupted in laughter and quickly went to work on their projects.
Inuyasha sat at his seat his face full of contempt. He was doing his best at trying not to care about the teacher's embarrassing comment. He finally got up and collected his wood pieces and quickly got to work using the power sander on the sides of the shelf he was making. Out of the corner of his eye he caught his friend Miroku having great difficulty with the scroll saw. (a/n for those of you who have never taken a Tech Ed class a scroll saw is a saw that has a blade that moves up and down really fast for making cuts that aren't straight but curvier.)
Miroku struggled using the scroll saw. The blade was moving so fast up and down it was hard for him to guide his piece of wood and make the proper cuts he needed. Unfortunately for him the blade got stuck in his piece of wood on a tight curve and he was unable to pull it out. On impulse he tried to pull the wood away from the blade but failed miserably and ended up bending the blade. Not wanting to ask for help he continued trying to push his piece of wood away from the blade. He was pushing so hard his hand slipped and he turned the knob that controlled the speed to go faster. Now the piece of wood was vibrating up in down as the blade cut it at high velocity. "Shit!" Miroku pushed the emergency off button shutting off the machine. Smoke was beginning to come out of the scroll sander.
The class gathered to see what all the commotion was over. They laughed their asses off when they saw the sorry condition of what Miroku had reduced the scroll saw to. (a/n something like this happened to me in Tech Ed. My wood had gotten stuck and I did bend the blade real bad trying to get the piece of wood out. My teacher ended up getting it out for me but it almost turned into a disaster much like this.)
Inuyasha came to his friends aid but he too was consumed in laughter. "Damn! Miroku, what the hell did you do to the scroll saw!?"
Miroku didn't say anything. He was starting to shake. The whole experience with almost blowing up the scroll saw put him on edge. "I think I'm done for the hour." Miroku put his pieces in the back room and sat quietly at the table. 'Fuck that was scary, I'm not good with power machines like that. I think I'd rather be taking life skills instead of nearly blowing things up.'
Inuyasha watched his friend sit alone at the table and was going to go to him but decide against it. 'He's a tough guy he doesn't need comforting. Besides, I've got to get to work on my own project.'
The rest of the hour passed quickly as the students began to sweep up the sawdust and put their materials away. Miroku lit up as soon as the bell had finally rang. He rushed out of his class and headed to health.
Inuyasha was going to follow after him realizing he was upset about the scroll saw incident but he had to go the complete opposite way of Miroku's health class. 'Shit. Now I'll have to catch up with him at lunch. I'm sure he'll be fine.' Inuyasha sighed and trudged to his PE class.
Miroku stealthily slinked into his health class. He was late and didn't want to be discovered. Sure enough as soon as he walked in the door and thought he was okay Kagome ruined everything, like the idiot she is.
"Hey, Miroku!" Kagome waved happily to her friend as he entered the doorway.
"Hi Kagome." -_-;
"Ah, Mr. Hatsaharu. It's so nice of you to join us. I almost didn't notice that you weren't here. Please take your seat."
Miroku nodded and complied with the teacher's wishes. He quickly took his seat next to Kagome. "Thanks a lot Kagome."
Kagome smiled happily. "Don't mention it!"
"Eh." Miroku slouched down into his seat. 'This is going to be a long hour.'
'La la la la.' Kagome sang happily to herself as she jotted down notes. 'I love this class it's just so easy.' Kagome continued to furiously write down notes.
Miroku gazed at Kagome in amazement. 'Damn that girl has been putting down notes for like the whole hour now and hasn't stopped once. I think she's a sugar addict. Man, wish I had that kind of energy instead of always falling asleep or day dreaming.' Miroku let out a long sigh.
"Mr. Hatsaharu please pay attention in my class instead of sighing all hour. You need to know this information. It'll help you emotionally and mentally grow."
Miroku nodded. 'Sure it will.' He looked up at the overhead reading the words to himself. 'Emotional defense mechanisms. Woo. Sounds interesting.' Miroku jotted down the notes quickly and stared back down at his paper reading what he had put down.
Defense Mechanisms~
Denial~ refusing to except reality
Day-dreaming~ trying to escape reality by thinking how things were better in a previous time or how they could be.
Ignorance~ Ignoring the subject that causes emotional pain.
Regression~ acting out in an aggressive way towards a different situation that isn't upsetting you at all but you're acting this way because of what's really upsetting you.
Acting the opposite of the way you feel~ people do this to hide what's really hurting them so that others suspect nothing is wrong.
Defense Mechanisms are used when a person is deep in emotional stress and are unable to deal with it in healthful ways. People are able to hide emotional pain but it still stays within the person and can never leave them until they take care of the problem.
Miroku stared at the notes blankly. 'Am I using defense mechanisms?' Miroku shook the thought out of his mind. 'No, I'm fine completely fine. I don't need help and I'm not emotional stressed.' The words about denial, day- dreaming, and ignorance all kept coming back to Miroku. There was just a small part of him that thought he really may need help. Miroku shook his head again. 'No, I'm fine.'
Kagome watched Miroku with great interest. 'Wow, he's really spazing out over these notes. It's sort of funny to watch him though. It's like he's fighting a battle within himself. Scary.' Kagome's train of thought was instantly broken at the sound of the bell ending third hour. "Finally, lunch!"
Miroku was happy to escape the doom and gloom of health class. It brought up all sorts of insecurities in him. It made him question everything about himself. It's odd how a sudden realization that maybe you're not okay can do that to you. Miroku staggered into the cafeteria and sat down next to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha was happy to see his friend but concerned by the way he looked. "You alright, Miroku? You look sort of shook up."
Miroku didn't say anything. He just stared down at the strange concoction of what appeared to be a salad with no lettuce in it smiling back at him. Miroku shuttered.
"Hey guys!" Sango and Kagome approached the table where the two boys were sitting. "Mind if we sit by you?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "I don't give a damn. See if you can talk to Miroku. It's like he's half dead today. He hasn't said a word to me yet and he's been staring at that damn salad thing for 10 minutes."
Sango nodded. "I see." She took a seat next to Miroku and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Hey Miroku you there?"
Miroku just nodded. "Yeah, I think so."
"Okee." Sango turned to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha did something happen to you guys in Tech Ed? I know that was your last class together with him.
"Yeah. Miroku accidentally killed the scroll saw and got really shook up. He was really shaky and sat out the whole hour."
Sango took a quick look at Miroku who was still staring at that weird salad. "So he was the one who killed the scroll saw?"
"Hey, watch it Sango. The guy may still be touchy about the subject."
Sango shook her head. "No, I don't think that's it. Even with an incident like that wouldn't be enough to do this to a person. No, it's something else."
Inuyasha snorted. "When did you become such an expert people person, hmmm?"
"Inuyasha." Kagome grabbed him by the shoulder. "Why don't we go get some lunch?"
"What are you talking about wench!?"
Kagome made her scary angry face. "Just come on!"
Inuyasha nodded quickly. "Okay." 'She's one scary bitch!' The two of them went in line together to get what was supposedly food leaving Miroku and Sango alone.
Sango smiled back at her friend. 'Thanks.' "Miroku what's bugging you? Come on talk to me, will you?"
Miroku turned to Sango giving her his undivided attention. "Can I ask you something Sango?"
Sango smiled. "Yeah sure. What is it?"
Miroku's facial expression softened when he looked into the eyes of the girl he had fallen for. "Why do you even care about me? Don't take it the wrong way but seemed so concerned for me about my black eye and bruises. I was sort of wondering."
Sango's face saddened. "Miroku. I'm your friend. Why wouldn't I care about you?"
"I'm not used to it." Miroku stared down at his tray ashamed of what he just said.
Sango stared at Miroku obviously confused. "You mean you never got hugs when you were sad or had someone to take care of you when you were hurt?"
Miroku processed Sango's words carefully. "Yes and no. Mushin was always there to take care of me when I was hurt but. He's never held me in his arms or gave me small showings of affection. He was a father figure to me and nothing more."
"Doesn't that bother you Miroku?" Miroku grimaced. "Sometimes you learn to live without certain things."
"No, Miroku. That's not right. Everyone needs to be loved and cared for."
Miroku gritted his teeth and clenched a tight fist. "I was loved and cared for! Mushin did a good job of raising me."
"Calm down Miroku." Sango gently placed her hand on his cheek. "I'm not doubting he didn't do a good job of taking care of you. I just feel bad that you think it's okay that you never were given real affection."
"It hurts too much to get close to someone. They always end up going away in the end." A small tear slid down Miroku's face. "Please Sango, I don't want to get close to anyone. I don't want to feel the hurt of what happens when they leave. I've felt it too many times." Miroku removed Sango's hand from his cheek.
Sango looked at him pathetically. "Miroku nobody can make it alone. Everyone needs someone." Sango moved closer and held Miroku in a tight embrace. "You're not alone. You have me, Inuyasha, and Kagome now."
Miroku tightened his hold around Sango. Tears were now falling from his face. "I'm afraid Sango."
Sango held Miroku tighter at his remark. "Of what?"
Miroku couldn't hold it in any longer. "I'm afraid I'm falling in love with you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of chapter~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't you guys just love where I end my chapters? *Looks at reviewers coming after her with pitchforks and other sharp pointy metal objects.* I thought so. Gomen but this is a way to assure you people keep reading. It works best by leaving things on cliffies. Any way hope you enjoyed the chapter and I can't wait to read your reviews.
Inu-shounen~ I aim to please!
Blulily07~ Don't bitch! You can't rush perfection! Aamalie~ I'm glad I've hooked you and I'll do my best with the fluff. ^_~
Sweet-Chaos~ I'm good at depressing things. Can't help it, I just am.
Rissi-Sama~ Glad you're honest about your emotions. But don't flood your backyard.
Fle~ Thank you!
AssassinReiX~ Nope don't know any body named Bradshaw
Hush~ Please chill out I'm doing the best I can with writing a lot and updating quickly. Don't rush me! Or you'll have none!
Lar-lar~ Thanks for the compliment. I'm glad to hear it.
Rain angst~ Good to hear from you again!
That's all the reviews for this chapter~ All my reviewers kick so much ass! Thanks guys!
Next chapter~ Sango's reaction..woo
Expect the update some time around this weekend.
Adios for now,
Zero.
OH ONE LAST THING! SHOUT OUTS! THIS IS FOR ALL MY LOYAL REVIEWERS! Inu- shounen! Aamalie! Sweet-Chaos! Rissi-Sama! Lar-lar! All you guys kick ass! PEOPLE GO READ THEIR STORIES, NOW!
Dialog~ "Meep meep meep."
Thoughts~ 'Meep meep meep.'
Authors note~ I'm stilling getting good reviews which seems to be giving me some sort of need to write just for all you loyal reviewers. Count yourselves lucky I haven't had a lot of homework and I've been able to get ample time to write. I'm really getting into the story and have even done a little bit more research about emotions and people's reactions to certain situations. I've been finding it very interesting and it seems to really be helping me along with this story. Any way. Enough of my babbling and on with the story.
Chapter 5
Miroku hesitantly opened his eyes as the bright sun shined through his window and unto his face. The warmth of the sun gave Miroku a sense of comfort that he didn't want to leave. He managed to roll out of bed and discover his school uniform lying on the floor, which he had just stepped on. 'Great.' Miroku picked up the uniform and stared at it with disgust. Without hesitation he ripped off the sleeves of his jacket and smiled triumphantly. 'That'll do for now.' Miroku whipped on a black long sleeve shirt covering his wrist cuts from the previous night and threw on his jacket over it. He then slipped on the black pair of pants and clipped on his chain and ran downstairs.
Kenji momentarily looked up from his paper and his steaming cup of coffee at the rushing teenager. He grimaced for a moment when he noticed the terrible condition he had put Miroku in. His right eye was totally black and blue, his face was still badly swollen, and there were several other small but noticeable bruises covering his face. Kenji struggled for the right words to say to him. "Miroku, I."
"Don't say anything." Miroku shot Kenji a cold glare as he rummaged through the fridge for something to eat. "What happened, happened and there's nothing we can do about it afterwards."
Kenji considered Miroku's words carefully but shook his head. "It's not alright though. I didn't mean to hurt you like I did. I sometimes loose my rage and go overboard."
Miroku gritted his teeth as he put his toaster strudels in the toaster. "Listen, I don't want to hear it. You did what you did; don't try to make excuses for yourself. I don't want to hear your bullshit."
Kenji slammed his fist on the table spilling his coffee all over his newspaper. "That's what I mean! That's that attitude that pisses me off! Just give me a chance for once. I'm trying my best."
"We all saw how well that worked out," Miroku stated coldly under his breath. He grabbed his toaster strudel from the toaster shoving it into his mouth and grabbed his book bag and ran out the door.
Kenji sighed and began to pick up his mess he had made on the kitchen table. "Teenagers."
Miroku walked casually down the street with his hands in his pockets just ignoring the stares everyone was giving him. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why people were staring at him. Miroku merely ignored the stares and thought of his wounds as battle scars so to speak. However, the closer he got to school the more the stares intensified. It was only a matter of time till someone finally got the courage to come up and asked him what happened. Miroku let out a sigh of relief when his school came into view. 'Well, I've made it this far without anyone asking about my face maybe I'll be alright today and everyone will mind their own business.' Miroku walked up the front steps and his luck ran out.
Inuyasha stood silently by the front door waiting for Miroku to show up and ask him why Sango was worried about him. His attention of course was immediately drawn to the sorry condition of his face. 'Damn, looks like Miroku got the shit kicked out of him. I gotta go check this out for myself.' Inuyasha left his silent pose behind and walked over to his friend. "Miroku what the hell happened to you? You look like shit."
Miroku bit down on his lip he was already caught in the corner with no means to escape. 'Damn, what the hell could I tell him that he'd actually believe?' "Wow, you really know how to make a guy feel all warm and fuzzy inside Inuyasha."
Inuyasha crossed his arms. "You know damn well what I mean Miroku. Don't play games with me. I may not look very smart but I'm more intelligent than you may think. So tell me." Inuyasha's voice quieted. "What happened?"
"I got the shit kicked out of me, there I'm done now." Miroku by passed his friend and made it into the school and headed towards his locker.
Inuyasha ran after him and grabbed his shoulder. "Didn't I say I wasn't in the mood for games?" Inuyasha looked fierce, his piercing golden eyes seemed like they were on fire and his mouth was shaped in the perfect frown.
Miroku pulled Inuyasha's hand off his shoulder and opened up his locker. "I don't give a damn if you're in the mood for games or not. I'm not going to tell you."
Inuyasha growled. "Fine, forgive me for wondering what the hell happened to my friend."
Miroku groaned. 'Damn that Inuyasha and his guilt trips.' Miroku grabbed his things from his locker and headed to his first hour class. More people continued to stare at him as we walked down the hallways. 'This is going to be a long day.'
Sango noticed Miroku's figure from behind and immediately ran to catch up with him. She brushed up to him and smiled. "Hey, Miroku."
Miroku turned to greet Sango. "Oh, hey Sango."
Sango noticed all the bruises on Miroku's face and couldn't but gasp. "Miroku! What happened to you!?"
Miroku frowned. 'She had to ask.' "I got into a fight and lost. It's no big deal, don't worry about it."
Sango shook her head furiously. "It is a big deal! Have you taken even one glance at your face? You should see the nurse about this."
Miroku was beginning to become extremely annoyed. "Listen, I can handle myself. I know I don't look all that great but there's nothing I can do about it. Just get off my back, alright?"
Sango had a temper to match that of Miroku's and wasn't going to hesitate to show it. Sango slapped Miroku hard in the face leaving an imprint of her hand. "Don't be such an asshole! You should be thankful that people care for your well being at all."
Miroku put his hand to his face feeling the full force of Sango's slap. 'Damn that girl can hit hard. Jesus Christ.'
A light blush streaked across Sango's face. "Gomen."
Miroku smiled. "No it's alright you got your point across. Of course I'd rather you do it in a less painful way for me but oh well."
"Miroku. Let me see you're face for a moment." Sango gently put her hand on Miroku's cheek and looked at him worriedly. "Does that hurt?"
Miroku winced in pain at the soft touch of Sango's hand on his cheeks. The sensation he had gotten from her warm touch filled Miroku with a deep calming feeling. He stared deep into Sango's eyes smiling gently back at her.
Sango turned a light shade of pink. "Miroku?"
Miroku quickly came back to reality at the sound of Sango's sweet voice. 'Her loving touch reminds me so much of that of my mothers. It's been a long time since I've felt this sort of affection.' "Sorry, you just." Miroku stopped himself. 'No, she'd laugh at me if I told her the truth.'
Sango removed her hand from Miroku's cheek. "Just what?"
Miroku opened his mouth to tell her but stopped himself again. "It's nothing, just forget it. We better go or we'll be late for class." Miroku calmly walked away still tingling from the sensation of Sango's touch. 'I could fall in love with a girl like that. I better watch what I do around her. The last thing I want is to get someone involved in my mess of a life.'
Sango stood blinking in the middle of the hallway. Her face was full of wonderment. 'The way he looked at me when I touched him. He seemed so happy and peaceful. He's so weird.' Sango continued to walk to her first hour class her mind still wandering back to what just happened between her and Miroku in the hallways.
Miroku sat nearly have asleep in his math class trying to focus on what the teacher was saying. Nearly every other word that came out of Mr. Kawada's mouth put Miroku to sleep. 'Damn math, it just has to be boring.' Miroku closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep.
"Mr. Hatsaharu!" Mr. Kawada's face turned bright red. "Have you been paying attention to anything I've said at all?"
Miroku still laid his head on down on his desk sleeping quietly.
Mr. Kawada went over to Miroku and shook him violently. "Wake up! Baka!"
Miroku opened his drowsy eyes and looked up at the infuriated teacher. 'I think I'd rather go back to sleep.' "Yeah? I'm up now."
Mr. Kawada frowned. "Do you think you could try to stay awake in my class for longer than 5 minutes?"
Miroku's head started to bob up and down. His body beckoned for sleep as his eyes struggled to remain open. 'Damn. I just can't stay awake.' Miroku lifted his head up in attempts to pay attention.
Mr. Kawada took a good glance at Miroku and knew something wasn't right. "You look awful Hatsaharu, you should go to the nurse."
Miroku shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Sorry, I'll pay more attention to your lesson."
Mr. Kawada nodded and went back to jabbering about whatever it was Miroku wasn't paying attention to before. Sango eyed Miroku from the front of the room. She studied the tired and emotionless expression on his face. 'He's like a zombie,' she thought quietly to herself.'
Kagome watched her friend eye the sleepy Miroku and grinned. 'She hasn't stopped staring at him for like 10 minutes now. Geez, she's really hung up on this guy.'
The bell sounded loudly and everyone cleared out of the classroom. Miroku was in no hurry and took his time getting his things together. He was stopped though when he reached the door. Mr. Kawada standing in his way of freedom. "Can I help you sir?"
"I'm worried about you, Miroku. It's only been two days in my class and I can already tell you're going to have a tough time learning anything if you're always sleeping or off day dreaming. What's the problem?"
Miroku stared down at his feet. He was still incredibly tired and wasn't in the mood to talk with a teacher whom he despised. "There's no problem. I've just been very sleepy lately and my mind has been distracting. It's all the adjustment I've been going through."
Mr. Kawada stared at Miroku trying to test his sincerity on the matter. His gaze was hard and cold, as if he were trying to get him to confess to something.
Miroku stared back with an equally fierce gaze. "I'm being honest."
"Fine, you can go now Mr. Hatsaharu." Mr. Kawada moved out of the way as Miroku briskly passed him by.
Miroku let out a sigh of relief as he exited the classroom. He turned to see Inuyasha patiently waiting for him. "Hey, sorry that took so long."
"Keh. I don't care." Inuyasha unfolded his arms and started walking with Miroku. "So." Inuyasha drawled out his speech. "What happened exactly? What did he want with you?"
"He just wanted to know why I have been zoning out in his class that's all." Miroku shrugged the question off as if it wasn't a big deal. Which it wasn't in his mind.
Inuyasha studied his friend curiously. His body language suggested it didn't really matter to him and the whole subject was rather stupid and pointless. "And. You told him what?"
Miroku continued walking still thinking of Sango. "Oh, just that I've had a lot on my mind since I've had to adjust and what not. He bough it of course, hook line and sinker."
Inuyasha stared at his friend curiously as the two of them entered the doorway into their Technology Education class. 'That wasn't the real reason why he's been zoning out?' "Then what is your real reason."
Miroku opened his mouth to answer but stopped when the teacher entered the classroom. 'Whew! Saved by the teacher.'
Inuyasha pounded his fist through the table, not restraining his anger well. 'Damn him!'
The class all stared at Inuyasha and at the hole he had put through the table. Quiet mummers went about the room making Inuyasha sneeze furiously.
Inuyasha growled. 'Great, everyone is taking shots at me today.'
Mr. Toriyama chuckled at Inuyasha's ferocity. "Class we better get started with your wood work projects so Inuyasha wont grow impatient and put another hole through my tables."
The class erupted in laughter and quickly went to work on their projects.
Inuyasha sat at his seat his face full of contempt. He was doing his best at trying not to care about the teacher's embarrassing comment. He finally got up and collected his wood pieces and quickly got to work using the power sander on the sides of the shelf he was making. Out of the corner of his eye he caught his friend Miroku having great difficulty with the scroll saw. (a/n for those of you who have never taken a Tech Ed class a scroll saw is a saw that has a blade that moves up and down really fast for making cuts that aren't straight but curvier.)
Miroku struggled using the scroll saw. The blade was moving so fast up and down it was hard for him to guide his piece of wood and make the proper cuts he needed. Unfortunately for him the blade got stuck in his piece of wood on a tight curve and he was unable to pull it out. On impulse he tried to pull the wood away from the blade but failed miserably and ended up bending the blade. Not wanting to ask for help he continued trying to push his piece of wood away from the blade. He was pushing so hard his hand slipped and he turned the knob that controlled the speed to go faster. Now the piece of wood was vibrating up in down as the blade cut it at high velocity. "Shit!" Miroku pushed the emergency off button shutting off the machine. Smoke was beginning to come out of the scroll sander.
The class gathered to see what all the commotion was over. They laughed their asses off when they saw the sorry condition of what Miroku had reduced the scroll saw to. (a/n something like this happened to me in Tech Ed. My wood had gotten stuck and I did bend the blade real bad trying to get the piece of wood out. My teacher ended up getting it out for me but it almost turned into a disaster much like this.)
Inuyasha came to his friends aid but he too was consumed in laughter. "Damn! Miroku, what the hell did you do to the scroll saw!?"
Miroku didn't say anything. He was starting to shake. The whole experience with almost blowing up the scroll saw put him on edge. "I think I'm done for the hour." Miroku put his pieces in the back room and sat quietly at the table. 'Fuck that was scary, I'm not good with power machines like that. I think I'd rather be taking life skills instead of nearly blowing things up.'
Inuyasha watched his friend sit alone at the table and was going to go to him but decide against it. 'He's a tough guy he doesn't need comforting. Besides, I've got to get to work on my own project.'
The rest of the hour passed quickly as the students began to sweep up the sawdust and put their materials away. Miroku lit up as soon as the bell had finally rang. He rushed out of his class and headed to health.
Inuyasha was going to follow after him realizing he was upset about the scroll saw incident but he had to go the complete opposite way of Miroku's health class. 'Shit. Now I'll have to catch up with him at lunch. I'm sure he'll be fine.' Inuyasha sighed and trudged to his PE class.
Miroku stealthily slinked into his health class. He was late and didn't want to be discovered. Sure enough as soon as he walked in the door and thought he was okay Kagome ruined everything, like the idiot she is.
"Hey, Miroku!" Kagome waved happily to her friend as he entered the doorway.
"Hi Kagome." -_-;
"Ah, Mr. Hatsaharu. It's so nice of you to join us. I almost didn't notice that you weren't here. Please take your seat."
Miroku nodded and complied with the teacher's wishes. He quickly took his seat next to Kagome. "Thanks a lot Kagome."
Kagome smiled happily. "Don't mention it!"
"Eh." Miroku slouched down into his seat. 'This is going to be a long hour.'
'La la la la.' Kagome sang happily to herself as she jotted down notes. 'I love this class it's just so easy.' Kagome continued to furiously write down notes.
Miroku gazed at Kagome in amazement. 'Damn that girl has been putting down notes for like the whole hour now and hasn't stopped once. I think she's a sugar addict. Man, wish I had that kind of energy instead of always falling asleep or day dreaming.' Miroku let out a long sigh.
"Mr. Hatsaharu please pay attention in my class instead of sighing all hour. You need to know this information. It'll help you emotionally and mentally grow."
Miroku nodded. 'Sure it will.' He looked up at the overhead reading the words to himself. 'Emotional defense mechanisms. Woo. Sounds interesting.' Miroku jotted down the notes quickly and stared back down at his paper reading what he had put down.
Defense Mechanisms~
Denial~ refusing to except reality
Day-dreaming~ trying to escape reality by thinking how things were better in a previous time or how they could be.
Ignorance~ Ignoring the subject that causes emotional pain.
Regression~ acting out in an aggressive way towards a different situation that isn't upsetting you at all but you're acting this way because of what's really upsetting you.
Acting the opposite of the way you feel~ people do this to hide what's really hurting them so that others suspect nothing is wrong.
Defense Mechanisms are used when a person is deep in emotional stress and are unable to deal with it in healthful ways. People are able to hide emotional pain but it still stays within the person and can never leave them until they take care of the problem.
Miroku stared at the notes blankly. 'Am I using defense mechanisms?' Miroku shook the thought out of his mind. 'No, I'm fine completely fine. I don't need help and I'm not emotional stressed.' The words about denial, day- dreaming, and ignorance all kept coming back to Miroku. There was just a small part of him that thought he really may need help. Miroku shook his head again. 'No, I'm fine.'
Kagome watched Miroku with great interest. 'Wow, he's really spazing out over these notes. It's sort of funny to watch him though. It's like he's fighting a battle within himself. Scary.' Kagome's train of thought was instantly broken at the sound of the bell ending third hour. "Finally, lunch!"
Miroku was happy to escape the doom and gloom of health class. It brought up all sorts of insecurities in him. It made him question everything about himself. It's odd how a sudden realization that maybe you're not okay can do that to you. Miroku staggered into the cafeteria and sat down next to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha was happy to see his friend but concerned by the way he looked. "You alright, Miroku? You look sort of shook up."
Miroku didn't say anything. He just stared down at the strange concoction of what appeared to be a salad with no lettuce in it smiling back at him. Miroku shuttered.
"Hey guys!" Sango and Kagome approached the table where the two boys were sitting. "Mind if we sit by you?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "I don't give a damn. See if you can talk to Miroku. It's like he's half dead today. He hasn't said a word to me yet and he's been staring at that damn salad thing for 10 minutes."
Sango nodded. "I see." She took a seat next to Miroku and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Hey Miroku you there?"
Miroku just nodded. "Yeah, I think so."
"Okee." Sango turned to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha did something happen to you guys in Tech Ed? I know that was your last class together with him.
"Yeah. Miroku accidentally killed the scroll saw and got really shook up. He was really shaky and sat out the whole hour."
Sango took a quick look at Miroku who was still staring at that weird salad. "So he was the one who killed the scroll saw?"
"Hey, watch it Sango. The guy may still be touchy about the subject."
Sango shook her head. "No, I don't think that's it. Even with an incident like that wouldn't be enough to do this to a person. No, it's something else."
Inuyasha snorted. "When did you become such an expert people person, hmmm?"
"Inuyasha." Kagome grabbed him by the shoulder. "Why don't we go get some lunch?"
"What are you talking about wench!?"
Kagome made her scary angry face. "Just come on!"
Inuyasha nodded quickly. "Okay." 'She's one scary bitch!' The two of them went in line together to get what was supposedly food leaving Miroku and Sango alone.
Sango smiled back at her friend. 'Thanks.' "Miroku what's bugging you? Come on talk to me, will you?"
Miroku turned to Sango giving her his undivided attention. "Can I ask you something Sango?"
Sango smiled. "Yeah sure. What is it?"
Miroku's facial expression softened when he looked into the eyes of the girl he had fallen for. "Why do you even care about me? Don't take it the wrong way but seemed so concerned for me about my black eye and bruises. I was sort of wondering."
Sango's face saddened. "Miroku. I'm your friend. Why wouldn't I care about you?"
"I'm not used to it." Miroku stared down at his tray ashamed of what he just said.
Sango stared at Miroku obviously confused. "You mean you never got hugs when you were sad or had someone to take care of you when you were hurt?"
Miroku processed Sango's words carefully. "Yes and no. Mushin was always there to take care of me when I was hurt but. He's never held me in his arms or gave me small showings of affection. He was a father figure to me and nothing more."
"Doesn't that bother you Miroku?" Miroku grimaced. "Sometimes you learn to live without certain things."
"No, Miroku. That's not right. Everyone needs to be loved and cared for."
Miroku gritted his teeth and clenched a tight fist. "I was loved and cared for! Mushin did a good job of raising me."
"Calm down Miroku." Sango gently placed her hand on his cheek. "I'm not doubting he didn't do a good job of taking care of you. I just feel bad that you think it's okay that you never were given real affection."
"It hurts too much to get close to someone. They always end up going away in the end." A small tear slid down Miroku's face. "Please Sango, I don't want to get close to anyone. I don't want to feel the hurt of what happens when they leave. I've felt it too many times." Miroku removed Sango's hand from his cheek.
Sango looked at him pathetically. "Miroku nobody can make it alone. Everyone needs someone." Sango moved closer and held Miroku in a tight embrace. "You're not alone. You have me, Inuyasha, and Kagome now."
Miroku tightened his hold around Sango. Tears were now falling from his face. "I'm afraid Sango."
Sango held Miroku tighter at his remark. "Of what?"
Miroku couldn't hold it in any longer. "I'm afraid I'm falling in love with you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of chapter~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't you guys just love where I end my chapters? *Looks at reviewers coming after her with pitchforks and other sharp pointy metal objects.* I thought so. Gomen but this is a way to assure you people keep reading. It works best by leaving things on cliffies. Any way hope you enjoyed the chapter and I can't wait to read your reviews.
Inu-shounen~ I aim to please!
Blulily07~ Don't bitch! You can't rush perfection! Aamalie~ I'm glad I've hooked you and I'll do my best with the fluff. ^_~
Sweet-Chaos~ I'm good at depressing things. Can't help it, I just am.
Rissi-Sama~ Glad you're honest about your emotions. But don't flood your backyard.
Fle~ Thank you!
AssassinReiX~ Nope don't know any body named Bradshaw
Hush~ Please chill out I'm doing the best I can with writing a lot and updating quickly. Don't rush me! Or you'll have none!
Lar-lar~ Thanks for the compliment. I'm glad to hear it.
Rain angst~ Good to hear from you again!
That's all the reviews for this chapter~ All my reviewers kick so much ass! Thanks guys!
Next chapter~ Sango's reaction..woo
Expect the update some time around this weekend.
Adios for now,
Zero.
OH ONE LAST THING! SHOUT OUTS! THIS IS FOR ALL MY LOYAL REVIEWERS! Inu- shounen! Aamalie! Sweet-Chaos! Rissi-Sama! Lar-lar! All you guys kick ass! PEOPLE GO READ THEIR STORIES, NOW!